Affiliation:
1. Department of Child and Adolescent Mental Health, Clinic of Mental Health Sorlandet Hospital Kristiansand Norway
2. Department of Welfare and Participation Western Norway University of Applied Sciences Bergen Hordaland Norway
Abstract
AbstractThis study investigates the effectiveness of the 12‐h Gottman Seven Principles couple enhancement program delivered in person and online. In Norway, we recruited 490 participants and 242 people for a control group. All were in close relationships. The revised dyadic adjustment scale (RDAS) was used to assess the quality of their relationships before and after program participation, and at 6‐month follow‐up. Repeated measures ANOVA, t tests, reliable change, and multilevel multiple regression using propensity score matching to control for confounders were used to investigate the effectiveness of the course. The results demonstrate that the Gottman Seven Principles course improves couple relationships and is equally effective whether delivered in person or online. Furthermore, it does not matter whether there are therapists with a clinical background delivering the course, suggesting that the material itself is sufficient.