Impact Evaluation of Family Expectations: A Program to Strengthen the Relationships of Disadvantaged Expectant Couples

Family Expectations: Impact Evaluation of Program for Expectant Couples

This study investigates the effectiveness of a program to strengthen the relationships of disadvantaged expectant couples, and to increase co-parenting, father involvement, and economic stability. Couples are randomly assigned to Family Expectations or a control group, and assessed at baseline and one year.

The birth of a child can trigger relationship distress and dissolution. Family Expectations (FE) targets the transition to parenthood as a critical time to help couples focus on family success. Regardless of whether couples are married or unmarried, the goal of FE is to strengthen relationships and advance the well-being of economically disadvantaged couples who are expecting a baby or who are new parents, and to improve the lives of their children. The FE program, including the Becoming Parents (BP) curriculum and supplemental services, is designed to address specific risk factors that affect individual family members and the relationships among them, and to build protective factors that help families avoid, minimize, or manage risks (e.g., individual maladaptation [mother, father, child], couple relationship difficulties, parenting difficulties, and economic insufficiency).

A total of 1,355 couples will be randomly assigned to either Family Expectations (n = 813; 60%) or an untreated control group (n = 542; 40%). Once assigned, participants in the study will complete baseline questions by survey. Those assigned to the FE track will be scheduled for services with the FE intervention team and the control group will not receive the FE intervention. Members of the intervention and control groups will be surveyed both before they are randomly assigned and 12 months later. The study will examine if the Family Expectations program is associated with improved outcomes on relationship quality, stability, parenting quality, father involvement, child wellbeing, and hopefulness about employment.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Both partners are willing to participate
2. Partners have a commitment to be together as a couple
3. Both partners are the biological parents of a child in a current pregnancy or of a child born within the past 3 months
4. Fluent in English (study and intervention materials are in English)

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Either or both partners have taken part in Family Expectations services before