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Objective: The goal was to determine if time spent in specific Healthy Marriage Initiative program components (relationship education courses, supplemental activities, and family support services) was associated with future relationship satisfaction and to examine if effects differed depending on the degree of economic disadvantage. Background: Healthy Marriage Initiatives (HMI) generally have small, short‐term positive effects on relationship outcomes. It remains unclear, however, which programming components are responsible for those effects and for whom programming is most effective. Method: Using two waves of data from over 2,000 lower‐income couples in the Supporting Healthy Marriages study, we conducted path models and a multigroup model to address our research aims. Results: Time spent in family support services was the only component positively associated with future satisfaction, controlling for the influence of other program components, initial relationship satisfaction, and expectations of the program's effectiveness. Economic disadvantage did not moderate any of these associations. Conclusion: Results suggest that many HMI programs may potentially be beneficial to relationship functioning because of the provision of supplementary support services that partially aim to alleviate external stressors and provide personalized assistance to families. Implication s : Practitioners should not only consider how relationship education programming may influence intimate bonds, but also how complementary programs may also factor into program efficacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine changes in relationship quality and couple conflict in low‐income parents. Background: When welcoming a new child, couples often report increased conflict and a decline in relationship quality. However, some scholars maintain couples can transition to parenthood with few negative effects. Low‐income, unmarried, and experienced parents remain understudied. Method: Utilizing data from a broader parent education project, the study employed dyadic latent growth curve analysis to examine changes over time in relationship quality and conflict. Participants were 216 low‐income couples receiving home visitation services who reported on relationship quality and conflict at three time points. Differences between first‐time and multiparous parents and among married, cohabiting, and non‐residential opposite‐sex couples were examined. Results: Trajectories of relationship quality and conflict were stable over time. Compared to married and cohabiting couples, non‐residential couples reported lower initial relationship quality. When comparing cohabiting and non‐residential couples, couples with higher expectations of marriage had higher initial relationship quality and lower initial conflict. Conclusion: Some couples navigate the transition to parenthood without negative relationship effects, especially those with higher initial quality, lower initial conflict, and greater expectations of marriage. Implications Policy and practice supporting relationship stability in low‐income couples should incorporate a strengths‐based approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]