Prevention of Relationship and Alcohol Problems

There is a strong association between alcohol and relationship problems, with each problem exacerbating the other. In this program of research two studies were conducted. The first study was to investigate the variables that put couples at risk for developing a combination of relationship and alcohol problems. The second study was an evaluation of the effects of an integrated education program that promoted safe drinking and positive relationship interaction. Previous research shows that deficits in negative affect regulation and poor communication predict the onset of both relationship and alcohol problems. Based on these findings, it was hypothesized that deficits in communication exist in couples in which one or both partners drink at hazardous levels. In Study 1 communication of 85 couples (53 couples with no high-risk drinker and 32 couples with at least one at-risk drinker) in early stage committed relationships was assessed by observation of their interaction. Couples in which the man was drinking at hazardous levels had significantly more negative communication than couples without an at-risk drinker. In Study 2, 37 couples with at least one at-risk drinker were randomly assigned to either Controlling Alcohol and Relationship Enhancement (CARE) or a control condition. Couple communication, alcohol consumption, relationship satisfaction and relationship stability were assessed at pre- and post-intervention. Alcohol consumption, relationship satisfaction and relationship stability were also assessed at 6-month follow-up. Couples receiving CARE improved their communication significantly relative to the control couples. Couples in both conditions showed significant reductions in hazardous drinking, but there was no significant difference in the effects of the interventions on alcohol consumption. The program of research demonstrates that deficits in couple communication are evident in couples with hazardous male drinking, even in the early stage of the relationship when the couples report high relationship satisfaction. The communication deficits are remedied with brief, skill-training relationship education. Furthermore, there was evidence for the effects of CARE on reduction of steps towards relationship dissolution at 6-month follow-up. The brief alcohol component of the intervention showed little benefit beyond the control condition in terms of impact upon the alcohol problems. This research is the first to demonstrate that a combined program of skill-based relationship education and strategies for alcohol reduction is effective in remediating communication skills deficits in the early stage relationships of couples with hazardous alcohol consumption. Future research can extend this work to enable the development of programs which match the content of relationship education to the specific needs of other high-risk couples