THE FEASIBILITY AND ACCEPTABILITY OF A RESPONSIVENESS BASED INTERVENTION FOR DISTRESSED COLLEGE COUPLES: EVIDENCE FROM SINGLE CASE STUDIES

Abstract

Perceived partner responsiveness (PPR), the belief that one’s partner understands, values, and cares for them, is associated with positive relationships outcomes, including relationship satisfaction and higher levels of intimacy. This honors thesis is organized as a protocol paper; protocol papers have increasing prominence in the research literature as a means of describing intervention studies in advance and in outlining the specific methodological features of new research in the field. The current protocol paper outlines a planned series of single case studies designed to test an intervention for increasing PPR in distressed couples. Specifically, the planned project will evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of two modes of targeting PPR (e.g., psychoeducation on PPR and daily e-mail messages), which are bundled together as part of one intervention package. Inclusion criteria for the study are age of 18+ years and involvement in a relationship for a minimum of one year. We anticipate recruiting two to five heterosexual or same sex couples. The study will take place over a two-week span. The participants will be asked to fill out daily surveys to be able to analyze the participants’ perception of their partner’s responsiveness. It is hypothesized that the intervention will improve PPR over the two-week study period. Furthermore, based on the results of a qualitative exit interview, we will identify the intervention strategies that are most feasible and helpful. Implications of the findings on the development of future studies will be considered.