A Randomized Controlled Trial of Imago Relationship Therapy

University of Pennsylvania

Status: Completed

Conditions: Relationship Disorder

Treatments: Behavioral: Imago Relationship Therapy; Behavioral: Waitlist with Bibliotherapy followed by Workshop

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT04302844

829071

Details and patient eligibility

About

The primary goal of this study, A Randomized Controlled Trial of Imago Relationship Therapy, is to evaluate the efficacy of Imago Relationship Therapy, a form of couples therapy.

Full description

Imago relationship therapy (IRT; Hendrix, 2008) is an integrative approach to couples therapy that has been practiced and extensively disseminated for more than 30 years. IRT may be delivered through traditional therapy with a couple, or the Imago principles and skills may be taught to couples through the "Getting the Love You Want" Workshop (GTLYW Workshop), a manualized, 2-day, psychoeducational workshop conducted by certified presenters to groups of couples. The present study is a RCT designed to examine the efficacy of IRT for couples experiencing distress in their committed romantic relationships, and to extend the findings of previous research. Seventy-two (72) couples with relationship distress will be recruited for the study. Couples will be randomly assigned to one of two conditions: Imago therapy alone or bibliotherapy, a control condition, in which couples will be given a self-help book on dyadic communication to read during a 12-week waiting period, followed by a GTLYW workshop.

Enrollment: 132 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

1. Straight or LGBTQ couples; both members at least 18 years of age
2. Ability to speak and understand, and read and write, in English language
3. Married/cohabitating for a minimum of 1 year
4. Currently experiencing relationship distress
5. Interest in improving relationship satisfaction/have no immediate plans to terminate the relationship
6. Willingness to participate in study procedures via telehealth and access to the equipment and pricacy required to do so.

Exclusion criteria

1. Current alcohol or substance dependence (with active use) in one or both partners
2. Serious suicidal ideation and behavior in one or both partners (i.e., ideation with plan or intent)
3. Current physical violence or partner abuse
4. One or both partners currently involved in a secret affair (i.e., the partner is unaware of this relationship)
5. Current couples-focused psychotherapy treatment that is on-going
6. Couple received IRT or GTLYW workshop within the past 5 years

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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132 participants in 2 patient groups

Imago Relationship Therapy (IRT)

Active Comparator group

Description:

Couples will receive 12 to 16 Imago relationship therapy sessions (90 minutes each; one session per week) with an experienced and certified Imago Relationship therapist.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Imago Relationship Therapy

Waitlist with Bibliotherapy followed by Workshop

Active Comparator group

Description:

Couples will be asked to wait for 12 weeks before receiving any intervention, and will be given a relationship-focused self-help book to read during that time. After 12 weeks and the 12-week assessment has been completed, couples will receive a Getting the Love You Want workshop.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Waitlist with Bibliotherapy followed by Workshop