(PS8-15) Indirect Effects of Motherwise on Child Social Emotional Wellbeing: A Randomized Controlled Trial of a Community-based Relationship Education for Birthing Individuals

Abstract Text: Despite extensive research on couple relationship education, there is relatively limited work on individual-based programs – those that require only one partner to attend or that may be delivered to people who are not in relationships or not in safe relationships. MotherWise is one such program that is delivered through a local community organization, serving perinatal individuals from marginalized groups in Denver, Colorado. In a randomized controlled trial of MotherWise, program participants reported better conflict management skills and relationship competency compared to those in a no-treatment control group. Although no direct impact on child social and emotional well-being was found, MotherWise may indirectly influence child adjustment through improvements in these two domains. Participants may apply conflict management skills in their interactions with the partner and other family members), leading to a less stressful environment for the child. Additionally, enhanced relationship competency may reduce relationship transitions and increase the likelihood of stable support systems for the child. The current study examines the program's indirect effect on child social-emotional well-being through enhanced conflict management skills and relationship competency.

Participants, anticipating or recently having had a baby within the past three months, were randomly assigned to either the MotherWise program (n = 512) or a control group (n=437). Upon enrollment, participants were, on average, 28 years old; the majority were Hispanic (67%), didn’t have a college degree (91%), and were pregnant (83%). A quarter of the participants were not in a relationship. Conflict management skills and relationship competency were assessed at 1 year post-enrollment, and parent’s report of the baby’s social-emotional well-being (i.e., behavioral and emotional problems and competence) were assessed at 30 months post-enrollment. Path analysis conducted in Mplus examined the direct associations between intervention status and child outcomes, as well as the indirect effects through conflict management skills and relationship competency.

Despite the absence of a direct effect, evidence supports MotherWise’s indirect effects on child adjustment. Specifically, MotherWise participants reported better conflict management skills (β = .11, p =.002 ) and relationship competency (β = .13, p < 0.001) 1-year post-enrollment. When considered as simultaneous predictors, both conflict management skills and relationship competency at 1year post-enrollment independently predicted child social-emotional outcomes at 30-month post-enrollment. Those with better conflict management skills subsequently reported their child exhibited greater social-emotional competency (β = .11, p < 0.001) and fewer problem behaviors (β = -.09, p < .001). Similarly, those with better relationship competency reported that their child exhibited greater competency (β = .11, p < 0.001) and fewer problem behaviors (β = -.08, p < 0.001).

These findings suggest positive spillover effects of the MotherWise program on child adjustment, contributing valuable insights to our understanding of the broader impacts of individual-based relationship education programs.