Marital ConflictNCT07125118
Self-helpinterventions for Parenting Couples With Couple Distress.
A study testing The OurRelationship Program and Bibliotherapy in people with Marital Conflict, run by University of Aarhus at 1 site in Denmark.
Trial summary
Children whose parents experience high levels of couple distress are at greater risk for emotional, behavioral, and academic problems. This study tests two types of self-help for parenting couples: the OurRelationship program (OR), an online guided program, and couple-focused bibliotherapy (BT), a book-based self-help… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and older
- Conditions the study is for
- Marital Conflict
- What is being tested?
- The OurRelationship Program and Bibliotherapy
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 700 participants
- Where
- 1 siteDenmark
- Study dates
- 9 Apr 2024to 9 Oct 2027
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 years and older
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Meet at least one of the two following criteria: (1) Destructive conflict: one or both partners report being a victim or perpetrator of at least one act of physical or psychological aggression in the past three months (see exclusion criteria for intimate partner violence) OR (2) Couple distress: One partner scores ≤11 (1 SD below the Danish population mean), or both partners score ≤13 (0.5 SD below the Danish population mean) on the Couple Satisfaction Index-4 (CSI-4).
- Both partners are at least 18 years old.
- Cohabiting.
- Have at least one child under 18 living at home.
- Reside in a participating Danish municipality.
- Completed the baseline survey.
Show all 9Show fewer
- Able to read and understand Danish.
- Have internet access and a compatible device (computer, tablet, or smartphone).
- Agree not to engage in couple therapy prior to the 3-month follow-up.
Who cannot join
- Current plans to divorce or separate.
- Ongoing affair.
- Moderate to severe suicidal ideation.
- Recent incident of intimate partner violence resulting in physical injury or fear for the safety or well-being of oneself or one's children.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Denmark1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
Aarhus University
Aarhus, Region Midt, 8000
Tea Trillingsgaard, Ph.D., +45 87165843, tea@trillingsgaard.com
Hanne N Fentz, Ph.D., 4587166191, hanneno@psy.au.dk
About this study
Official title: Self-help Interventions for Parenting Couples Experiencing Couple Distress: Study Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial
Children whose parents experience high levels of couple distress are at greater risk for emotional, behavioral, and academic problems. This study tests two types of self-help for parenting couples: the OurRelationship program (OR), an online guided program, and couple-focused bibliotherapy (BT), a book-based self-help approach. The investigators will compare these interventions with a waitlist (WL) control group to see which is most effective at reducing communication conflict between partners. They will also examine whether the interventions improve child well-being when problems are present at the start of the study.
A total of 350 parenting couples in Denmark will take part. Eligible couples have at least one child under 18 living at home and report high levels of conflict or relationship distress. Couples will be randomly assigned to OR, BT, or WL. Questionnaires will be completed online before the program, after the program (10 weeks later), and at 3- and 12-month follow-ups.
Read the detailed description
Children exposed to high levels of couple distress are at increased risk for a range of adjustment problems, including behavioral, emotional, and academic difficulties. These relational burdens can also interfere with adult mental health, the coparenting relationship, and the capacity to provide warm and consistent caregiving. Despite these challenges, many couples delay seeking help until their relationship has seriously deteriorated.
This randomized controlled trial investigates the efficacy of two flexible self-help interventions: the OurRelationship program (OR) and couple-focused bibliotherapy (BT). The investigators hypothesize that OR will outperform BT, which in turn will outperform a waitlist (WL) control in reducing communication conflict-the primary outcome-between baseline and post-intervention. The investigators further hypothesize that any couple intervention (OR or BT) will outperform WL in reducing the impact on child well-being-the secondary outcome-between baseline and post-intervention for children showing such impact at baseline.
Parenting couples (N = 350) with one or more children living at home, who report either high levels of parental conflict or relationship distress, are recruited via municipal family services in 11 or more Danish sites. Participants enroll through an online platform, complete a screener, provide informed consent, and fill out a baseline survey before randomization. Families are randomly assigned in a 1:1:1 ratio to OR, BT, or WL. Online questionnaires are completed at baseline (T1, before randomization), post-intervention (T2, 10 weeks after randomization), and at 3-month and 12-month follow-ups (T3 and T4, respectively).
Dyadic multilevel models, with repeated measures (Level 1) nested within couples (Level 2), will be used to examine group differences in change trajectories across time for continuous outcomes. Including both a BT condition and a WL control allows the investigators to test whether OR offers added benefit over an accessible low-tech self-help option. Apart from the previous pilot, this is the first trial to evaluate OR independently of its developers and the first study conducted outside the United States.
- Conditions
- Marital Conflict
- Being tested
- The OurRelationship Program, Bibliotherapy
- Keywords
- Self-help intervention, OurRelationship program, internet intervention, bibliotherapy, relationship distress, relationship satisfaction, communication conflict, randomized controlled trial, parents, digital mental health, Vores Parforhold, Couple Distress
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
The OurRelationship ProgramBehavioural
A guided self-help program for couples delivered online over 10 weeks. Participants complete structured learning modules and engage in planned couple conversations focused on improving communication, problem-solving, and emotional connection. Each couple receives support from a trained coach through five scheduled telephone or video calls. The program is designed to be flexible and completed at the couple's own pace within the 10-week period.
BibliotherapyBehavioural
An unguided self-help program for couples using the Danish book "Take Care of Your Relationship" [Pas på Parforholdet] and an accompanying reading guide. Couples are encouraged to read assigned sections, engage in planned couple conversations, and apply strategies for improving relationship functioning. The intervention is self-paced and completed over 10 weeks without guidance from a coach or therapist.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| The OurRelationship Program | Experimental | Participants assigned to this arm complete a guided self-help program for couples that includes online learning modules, structured couple conversations, and support from a trained coach through five scheduled calls. Receives: Behavioral: The OurRelationship Program |
| Bibliotherapy | Experimental | Participants assigned to this arm complete an unguided self-help program for couples using the book "Take Care of Your Relationship" [Pas på Parforholdet] and a reading guide, with planned couple conversations. Receives: Behavioral: Bibliotherapy |
| Waitlist | No intervention | Participants receive no intervention during the study period and are offered access to the OurRelationship Program or Bibliotherapy after the follow-up assessment. |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Communication Conflict Scale
A 7-item self-report measure assessing how couples handle conflict (e.g., "Small issues suddenly became big arguments"), scored from 1 (Often) to 4 (Never), with higher scores indicating better conflict management. Developed for the Administration for Children and Families Supporting Healthy Marriage Initiative
Measured: Pre-assessment (T1) to Post Intervention at Week 10 (T2)
Secondary outcomes (1)
The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) - impact score
The 4-item section of the parent-reported SDQ in which the parent assesses the extent to which a child's difficulties cause distress and interfere with everyday life, scored from 0 (Not at all) to 2 (A lot), with higher scores indicating worse impact.
Measured: Baseline (T1) to Post-intervention at Week 10 (T2)
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted15 Aug 2025
- Study start9 Apr 2024
- Primary completion9 Oct 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion9 Oct 2027 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (1)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Marital ConflictStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 700 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- University of Aarhus
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Tea Trillingsgaard, University of Aarhus
- Investigators
- Tea Trillingsgaard, Ph.D, Principal investigator, University of Aarhus
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07125118
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- BSS-2024-018-S2
- Other IDs
- 157457
- Status last verified
- Aug 2025
- First submitted
- 12 Jul 2025
- Last updated
- 15 Aug 2025
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No: The datasets collected for this study are not publicly available due to institutional restrictions at Aarhus University. However, data may be accessed through collaboration with the principal investigator, provided that the researcher is affiliated with a Danish research institution. All analytic scripts and code used in the study will be made available by the authors upon request to facilitate replication.
Publications
Trillingsgaard T, Lassen NF, Baucom KJW, Svare LT, Hansen FG, Fentz HN. Self-help interventions for parenting couples experiencing conflict or relationship distress: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Trials. 2026 Jan 13;27(1):117. doi: 10.1186/s13063-026-09428-6.
PubMed 41530873
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 15 Aug 2025. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Self-help Interventions for Parenting Couples Experiencing Couple Distress: Study Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07125118
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- BSS-2024-018-S2
- Conditions
- Marital Conflict
- Keywords
- Self-help intervention, OurRelationship program, internet intervention, bibliotherapy, relationship distress, relationship satisfaction, communication conflict, randomized controlled trial
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 700 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- University of AarhusUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 9 Apr 2024 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 9 Oct 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 9 Oct 2027 (estimated)
- First posted
- 15 Aug 2025 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
Children whose parents experience high levels of couple distress are at greater risk for emotional, behavioral, and academic problems. This study tests two types of self-help for parenting couples: the OurRelationship program (OR), an online guided program, and couple-focused bibliotherapy (BT), a book-based self-help approach. The investigators will compare these interventions with a waitlist (WL) control group to see which is most effective at reducing communication conflict between partners. They will also examine whether the interventions improve child well-being when problems are present at the start of the study.
A total of 350 parenting couples in Denmark will take part. Eligible couples have at least one child under 18 living at home and report high levels of conflict or relationship distress. Couples will be randomly assigned to OR, BT, or WL. Questionnaires will be completed online before the program, after the program (10 weeks later), and at 3- and 12-month follow-ups.
Detailed description
Children exposed to high levels of couple distress are at increased risk for a range of adjustment problems, including behavioral, emotional, and academic difficulties. These relational burdens can also interfere with adult mental health, the coparenting relationship, and the capacity to provide warm and consistent caregiving. Despite these challenges, many couples delay seeking help until their relationship has seriously deteriorated.
This randomized controlled trial investigates the efficacy of two flexible self-help interventions: the OurRelationship program (OR) and couple-focused bibliotherapy (BT). The investigators hypothesize that OR will outperform BT, which in turn will outperform a waitlist (WL) control in reducing communication conflict-the primary outcome-between baseline and post-intervention. The investigators further hypothesize that any couple intervention (OR or BT) will outperform WL in reducing the impact on child well-being-the secondary outcome-between baseline and post-intervention for children showing such impact at baseline.
Parenting couples (N = 350) with one or more children living at home, who report either high levels of parental conflict or relationship distress, are recruited via municipal family services in 11 or more Danish sites. Participants enroll through an online platform, complete a screener, provide informed consent, and fill out a baseline survey before randomization. Families are randomly assigned in a 1:1:1 ratio to OR, BT, or WL. Online questionnaires are completed at baseline (T1, before randomization), post-intervention (T2, 10 weeks after randomization), and at 3-month and 12-month follow-ups (T3 and T4, respectively).
Dyadic multilevel models, with repeated measures (Level 1) nested within couples (Level 2), will be used to examine group differences in change trajectories across time for continuous outcomes. Including both a BT condition and a WL control allows the investigators to test whether OR offers added benefit over an accessible low-tech self-help option. Apart from the previous pilot, this is the first trial to evaluate OR independently of its developers and the first study conducted outside the United States.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 3
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| The OurRelationship Program | Experimental | Behavioral: The OurRelationship ProgramParticipants assigned to this arm complete a guided self-help program for couples that includes online learning modules, structured couple conversations, and support from a trained coach through five scheduled calls. |
| Bibliotherapy | Experimental | Behavioral: BibliotherapyParticipants assigned to this arm complete an unguided self-help program for couples using the book "Take Care of Your Relationship" [Pas på Parforholdet] and a reading guide, with planned couple conversations. |
| Waitlist | No intervention | –Participants receive no intervention during the study period and are offered access to the OurRelationship Program or Bibliotherapy after the follow-up assessment. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (9 listed)
- Meet at least one of the two following criteria: (1) Destructive conflict: one or both partners report being a victim or perpetrator of at least one act of physical or psychological aggression in the past three months (see exclusion criteria for intimate partner violence) OR (2) Couple distress: One partner scores ≤11 (1 SD below the Danish population mean), or both partners score ≤13 (0.5 SD below the Danish population mean) on the Couple Satisfaction Index-4 (CSI-4).
- Both partners are at least 18 years old.
- Cohabiting.
- Have at least one child under 18 living at home.
- Reside in a participating Danish municipality.
Key exclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Current plans to divorce or separate.
- Ongoing affair.
- Moderate to severe suicidal ideation.
- Recent incident of intimate partner violence resulting in physical injury or fear for the safety or well-being of oneself or one's children.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| The OurRelationship ProgramA guided self-help program for couples delivered online over 10 weeks. Participants complete structured learning modules and engage in planned couple conversations focused on improving communication, problem-solving, and emotional connection. Each couple receives support from a trained coach through five scheduled telephone or video calls. The program is designed to be flexible and completed at the couple's own pace within the 10-week period. | Behavioural | The OurRelationship Program |
| BibliotherapyAn unguided self-help program for couples using the Danish book "Take Care of Your Relationship" [Pas på Parforholdet] and an accompanying reading guide. Couples are encouraged to read assigned sections, engage in planned couple conversations, and apply strategies for improving relationship functioning. The intervention is self-paced and completed over 10 weeks without guidance from a coach or therapist. | Behavioural | Bibliotherapy |
Primary outcome
Communication Conflict Scale
Time frame: Pre-assessment (T1) to Post Intervention at Week 10 (T2)
A 7-item self-report measure assessing how couples handle conflict (e.g., "Small issues suddenly became big arguments"), scored from 1 (Often) to 4 (Never), with higher scores indicating better conflict management. Developed for the Administration for Children and Families Supporting Healthy Marriage Initiative
1 secondary outcome
The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) - impact score
Time frame: Baseline (T1) to Post-intervention at Week 10 (T2)
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 15 Aug 2025.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 41530873Trillingsgaard T, Lassen NF, Baucom KJW, Svare LT, Hansen FG, Fentz HN. Self-help interventions for parenting couples experiencing conflict or relationship distress: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Trials. 2026 Jan 13;27(1):117. doi: 10.1186/s13063-026-09428-6.
- Official Aarhus University webpage describing the research project, including background, aims, and updates.Link provided by the sponsor.
- Public-facing website for the Vores Parforhold initiative, including participant enrollment for the study and access to the self-help programs.Link provided by the sponsor.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No. The datasets collected for this study are not publicly available due to institutional restrictions at Aarhus University. However, data may be accessed through collaboration with the principal investigator, provided that the researcher is affiliated with a Danish research institution. All analytic scripts and code used in the study will be made available by the authors upon request to facilitate replication.
Related trials for Marital Conflict
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Depression - Major Depressive Disorder, Anxiety
Recruiting
Families of Youth with Developmental Disabilities: a Theory-Based Intervention
Family Conflict, Marital Conflict
Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
Tea Trillingsgaard, Ph.D principal investigator
University of Aarhus
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing The OurRelationship Program and Bibliotherapy in people with Marital Conflict, run by University of Aarhus at 1 site in Denmark.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 9 inclusion and 4 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 15 Aug 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Denmark. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Tea Trillingsgaard, PH.D. (+45 87165843, teatri@psy.au.dk), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Communication Conflict Scale (time frame: Pre-assessment (T1) to Post Intervention at Week 10 (T2)). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT07125118, which also lists 1 linked publication.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 15 Aug 2025.