Couples' Affect in Relationships: Testing a Well-Being App for Couples

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This study delivers the Healthy Minds Program to one member of a long-term couple and measures relationship satisfaction, distress, well-being, and mindfulness in both partners. The control condition provides a list of well-being resources. Participants complete online surveys about thoughts, feelings, and relationship dynamics at specified intervals. Eligibility includes adults in committed relationships for at least 12 months, English speakers, smartphone users, and adults with mild depressive symptoms. The study is conducted at the University of Wisconsin–Madison and led by UW–Madison researchers.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Age ≥ 18 years
* Be either married, living together, OR in a dating relationship for at least 12 months
* Proficiency in English
* US citizen or permanent resident
* If non-monogamous, must be able to enroll in the study with a primary partner with whom they spend the majority of their time.
* Use of a smartphone (primary participant only)
* Phone able to receive SMS text messages
* Depression symptoms (≥ 5 on PHQ-9; primary participant only)

Exclusion Criteria:

* Severe physical or sexual relationship aggression during the past 6 months (any item endorsement on 5-item severe IPV screener)
* Endorsement of active suicidality
* History of psychosis or mania
* Prior use of the Healthy Minds Program app
* Prior significant experience with meditation
* Severe hearing impairment that would interfere with the use of an audio-based intervention (primary participant only)
* Did not pass video attention check
* Investigators may also track the time it takes for participants to complete surveys and use survey timing as a method to flag for suspicious bot activity
* Participant presents false or misleading information or other indicators that the participant may be participating in the study in bad faith. At screening, each participant's address will be checked and they will be excluded if the address is 1) invalid or 2) a non-residential address. Participants will also be excluded if the same email is provided for both partners. Participants will be excluded if they fail the attention check item in the baseline survey. Participants will be excluded if they complete their screeners \<= 20 minutes of each other.

Where it's running

• University of Wisconsin - Madison
  Madison, Wisconsin, United States Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Simon Goldberg, PhD — University of Wisconsin, Madison
• Study coordinator: Lily Smith
• Email: cares@chm.wisc.edu

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.