NCT05194683

The Effects of Relational Letter Writing

The Effects of Relational Letter Writing in Couples Wellbeing: A Mixed-Method Approach

• Status: Unknown
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 68 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Universitat Oberta de Catalunya · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

The main objective of this research is to explore the relational letter writing technique as an intervention for improving couples' relational well-being. This is a two-arm superiority randomized clinical trial. Sixty-eight couples will be monitored before, during, and after the intervention. To observe the effect of the relational letter, scores of couples who are in the intervention arm and control arm will be compared (between groups) as well as pre-post scores (within-group). The content of the letter writing will be qualitatively analyzed to explore the reconstruction of their ethical values. Results from both methods will be integrated in order to get an in-depth perspective of the newly developed intervention. It is expected to increase the array of available techniques to help couples improve their individual and relational well-being.

Detailed description

Relational letter writing is a recently developed therapeutic tool within the framework of Narrative Therapy that consists of two interviews and a letter writing task, in which a meta-conversation between the relationship itself, the couple members, and the therapists is fostered. Although this specific therapeutic technique can be used within the therapy process, in this study, it is used as a brief stand-alone narrative intervention. The main objective of this study is to investigate the efficacy of the innovative Relational letter writing technique as a brief intervention for couples with mild to moderate levels of conflict. Also, the investigators want to explore changes in couples' narratives after experiencing the letter-writing procedure, and whether this technique can lead to reconstructing the relationship ethics and to greater relational awareness and well-being. The following objectives will be observed in this study: * To explore the effects of Relational letter writing practice on couples' relational well-being * To assess changes in individual psychological well-being after the Relational letter writing intervention * To observe whether this technique can lead to reconstructing the relationship ethics and to greater relational awareness, and its relationship with the outcome * To observe whether there is a difference between successful and unsuccessful cases in terms of the content of the letters.

Conditions

• Relational Problems
• Couples

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	Relational Letter Writing	The intervention consists of two interviews and a between-session writing task. In the first session, couples will be interviewed regarding their relationship story and preferences. Between the two sessions, each couple member will write a letter from their relationship point of view. In the second interview, the task is reviewed and paths for relationship improvement are outlined.

Timeline

• Start date: 2022-06-15
• Primary completion: 2022-12-31
• Completion: 2023-05-31
• First posted: 2022-01-18
• Last updated: 2022-05-18