Strengthening Relationships and Mental Health Through a Couples-Based Economic Empowerment Intervention
A Randomized Controlled Trial of a Couple-Based Economic Empowerment Intervention to Improve Relationship Quality and Mental Health in Three States of India
Technical University of Munich
4,500 participants
Jul 29, 2025
INTERVENTIONAL
Conditions
Summary
This sub-study is part of a larger randomized controlled trial (RCT) titled Disentangling and Preventing Economic Violence against Women (ECOVI). It is conducted in rural and urban communities across Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, and Rajasthan, India. The sub-study evaluates the impact of a couples-based financial literacy and gender-transformative intervention on relationship strength, empathy, and mental health among married couples. Using a two-arm cluster RCT design, 150 clusters (villages or community units) are randomized to intervention or control, with \~15 husband-wife pairs per cluster (approximately 2,250 couples in total). Outcomes are measured at baseline (pre-intervention) and endline (post-intervention) approximately six months after delivery of the intervention to assess changes in perceived relationship strength, empathy (using an adapted relationship strengths and empathy scale), and mental health (General Health Questionnaire-6, GHQ-6). The study will also explore whether improvements in relationship strength and empathy mediate the intervention's effect on mental health outcomes.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria6
- Women: 18 - 49 years, Men: 18+
- Couples: Married and co-habitating, husband-wife pairs, who regard the selected cluster in the states Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, or Rajasthan of India as their primary residence for the study period.
- Consent: Both partners provide written informed consent and agree to six sessions, baseline and endline surveys, and SMS follow-ups.
- Education: Primary schooling (4th grade) complete
- Comprehension: Both partners understand the local language used in sessions.
- Availability: No plans for relocation or prolonged absence before endline.
Exclusion Criteria3
- Either partner < 18 years
- Refusal of consent or unwillingness to participate in sessions or data collection by either partner.
- Serious physical or mental condition that prevents safe, active participation (e.g., severe mental illness, debilitating disease).
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Interventions
Married couples in clusters assigned to the intervention receive a structured program of six community-based sessions. Each session lasts between 2.5 and 3 hours and includes participatory activities, discussions, and exercises. All six sessions would be conducted by the same two facilitators - one male and one female. The content integrates financial literacy (e.g., household budgeting, saving practices, joint financial planning) with gender-transformative training (e.g., equitable household roles, communication skills, conflict resolution, and fostering empathy between spouses). Sessions are delivered by trained facilitators in a group setting with fifteen couples, approximately every 2-4 weeks. Some sensitive content to address economic violence context would be done in a gender segregated manner separately to encourage reflections, ensure safety and reduce defensiveness. Between sessions, SMS reminders and tips are sent to participants' mobile phones to reinforce key messages and e
Locations(2)
View Full Details on ClinicalTrials.gov
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NCT07108049