Couples' financial empowerment program to strengthen relationships and mental health
A Randomized Controlled Trial of a Couple-Based Economic Empowerment Intervention to Improve Relationship Quality and Mental Health in Three States of India
This project will test whether a six-session couples' financial-literacy and gender-responsive program can improve relationship strength, empathy, and mental health for married, cohabiting couples in parts of India.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 4500 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Technical University of Munich Academic / other |
| Locations | 2 sites (Mumbai, Maharashtra and 1 other locations) |
| Trial ID | NCT07108049 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This sub-study is nested within the ECOVI randomized trial and uses a two-arm cluster randomised design across 150 clusters in Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, and Rajasthan. About 2,250 married, cohabiting husband-wife pairs (roughly 15 couples per cluster) will be enrolled and complete baseline and endline surveys approximately six months after receiving the intervention. The intervention, 'Let Us Grow Together: Economic Wellbeing for Families,' delivers six in-person sessions combining financial literacy, economic empowerment activities, and gender-transformative relationship content, with SMS follow-ups. Primary outcomes are changes in perceived relationship strength, partner empathy using an adapted scale, and mental health measured by the GHQ-6.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Married, cohabiting husband-wife pairs where both partners are adults (women 18–49, men 18+), have completed primary schooling, understand the local language, consent to participate, and plan to remain in the selected cluster for the study period.
Not a fit: Couples where either partner is under 18, unwilling to consent or participate, plans to relocate, or where a partner has a severe physical or mental condition preventing safe participation are unlikely to receive benefit from the program.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the program could improve couple communication, increase empathy between partners, and reduce mental health symptoms by pairing financial skills with relationship and gender-transformative content.
How similar studies have performed: Previous programs that combined economic skills with gender- and relationship-focused content have often improved relationship quality and in some settings reduced intimate partner violence, though partner empathy has rarely been measured directly.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * 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 Criteria: * 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).
Where this trial is running
Mumbai, Maharashtra and 1 other locations
- 50 clusters across Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Rajasthan — Mumbai, Maharashtra, India (Recruiting)
- Vayam Organisation — Noida, India (Not_yet_recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Janina Steinert, Prof. Dr. — Technical University of Munich
- Study coordinator: Anushree Dirangane
- Email: anushree.dirangane@tum.de
- Phone: 004917673856717
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.