Strengthening Relationships and Mental Health Through a Couples-Based Economic Empowerment Intervention

Recruiting now · Not applicable

Conditions studied: Mental Health, Empathy, Relation, Interpersonal

In brief

This sub-study is part of a larger randomized controlled trial (RCT) titled Disentangling and Preventing Economic Violence against Women (ECOVI). It is conducted in rural and urban communities across Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, and Rajasthan, India. The sub-study evaluates the impact of a couples-based financial literacy and gender-transformative intervention on relationship strength, empathy, and mental health among married couples. Using a two-arm cluster RCT design, 150 clusters (villages or community units) are randomized to intervention or control, with \~15 husband-wife pairs per cluster (approximately 2,250 couples in total). Outcomes are measured at baseline (pre-intervention) and endline (post-intervention) approximately six months after delivery of the intervention to assess changes in perceived relationship strength, empathy (using an adapted relationship strengths and empathy scale), and mental health (General Health Questionnaire-6, GHQ-6). The study will also explore whether improvements in relationship strength and empathy mediate the intervention's effect on mental health outcomes.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT07108049

Run by

Technical University of Munich

People needed

4500

Starts

2025-07-29

Expected to finish

2027-06-01

Last updated by the study team

2025-09-24

Who can join

Age: 18 and older. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: accepted.

You may qualify if…

• 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.

You may not qualify if…

• 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 it is running

• 50 clusters across Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Rajasthan — Mumbai, Maharashtra, India (enrolling)
• Vayam Organisation — Noida, India

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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