Designed for military couples and

the challenges you face.

Leading experts and military collaborators have developed Get Better Together, a program designed to strengthen relationships and help couples navigate the unique challenges of military life. This research study is evaluating "Get Better Together" to see how it compares to current support services. We're exploring its impact on areas like stress, coping skills, communication, and overall well-being, including looking at how it affects things like managing difficult emotions, reducing conflict, and decreasing risky behaviors.

Your participation will be invaluable in helping us understand how "Get Better Together" can best support military couples. We're looking for military couples willing to:

  • Participate in the "Get Better Together" program.

  • Complete questionnaires before and at 2, 4, and 6 months after the program.

Join the Study

 Who is Eligible?

  • Active Duty Military.

    Either you and/or your romantic partner need to be an active duty Service Member.

  • In a Committed Relationship.

    You and your romantic partner must be in a committed relationship of at least six months.

  • Never Attended Relationship Enrichment Together

    You and your partner must not have attended a similar relationship enrichment retreat as a couple. This does not include pre-marital or couples counseling.

  • Over 18 Years of Age.

    You and your romantic partner must both be over the age of 18 to participate in the study.

What Would You Do?

  • See If You're Eligible.

    Participants must complete eligibility screening questions during registration to ensure they meet program criteria.

  • Possibly Attend a Retreat.

    All participating couples will first complete a questionnaire to determine eligibility for the study. Eligible couples must then confirm a retreat date. After confirming a date, military participants with the rank of E-6 and below must obtain supervisor approval. Eligible couples who have confirmed a retreat date and, if applicable, received supervisor approval, will then be randomly assigned, with 50% invited to attend the "Get Better Together" retreat and the remaining 50% continuing as usual.

  • Answer Online Questionnaires.

    All couples will complete online questionnaires about their relationship and mental health at the beginning of their enrollment in the study and at 2, 4, and 6-month intervals. Couples not attending the retreat will receive access to online relationship enrichment resources after the study concludes.

Join Study

Learn More

  • The goal of this study is to test Get Better Together with up to 500 Service Members and their romantic partners. Your participation will help us understand how it may impact mental health and relationship functioning.

  • To participate in this study, you and your partner will complete the following steps:

    1. Eligibility Questionnaire and Informed Consent: First, each of you will independently complete a brief eligibility questionnaire to ensure you meet the study criteria. You will then review and sign an informed consent form.

    2. Baseline Questionnaire: All participating couples will complete an online questionnaire packet about their relationship and mental health at the beginning of their enrollment in the study.

    3. Retreat Selection: All eligible couples will select a retreat date that both partners are available to attend.

    4. Supervisor Approval (if applicable): After selecting a retreat date, military participants with the rank of E-6 and below must obtain supervisor approval to attend.

    5. Randomization: Once a retreat date is selected and, if applicable, supervisor approval is obtained, eligible couples will be randomly assigned. 50% of couples will be invited to attend the "Get Better Together" retreat, and 50% will continue as usual.

    6. Relationship Education Retreat (if applicable): Couples invited to the retreat will attend their selected "Get Better Together" weekend retreat. Food and lodging will be provided. The retreat will be led by military community members with expertise in relationship enrichment and will include group activities, discussions, brief lectures, videos, and skills practice. After the retreat, we ask that you complete an online survey to tell us about your experience with Get Better Together.

    7. Follow-Up Questionnaires: All participating couples (both retreat attendees and those not attending) will complete online questionnaires about their relationship and mental health at 2, 4, and 6 months after their initial baseline questionnaire.

    Couples not attending the retreat will receive access to online relationship enrichment resources after the study concludes.

  • Yes, you and your romantic partner can each earn up to $200 for your participation. You will be compensated $25 for the baseline questionnaire, $50 for the two-month follow-up, $50 for the four-month follow-up, and $75 for the six-month follow-up. If you are an active duty Service Member, these activities must be completed during off-duty hours.

  • You are eligible to participate if:

    • You and your romantic partner are in a committed relationship of at least six months.

    • At least one of you is an active-duty Service Member.

    • You and your romantic partner are both over 18 years old.

    • You and your partner have never attended a relationship enrichment workshop or retreat together (pre-marital and/or couples counseling is okay).

  • This study is being funded by the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP) (award number: HT94252410843).

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