URBANA, IL (Chambana Today) — A new study from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign finds that relationship education programs can improve not only couples’ partnerships but also their mental health, sleep, and substance use — especially when they build relationship confidence.

“Past research has looked at different factors that might explain why these programs are helping couples’ relationships. But we thought it was remarkable that relationship education also benefits people’s individual health, and we wanted to find out what might explain this,” said lead author Noah Larsen, a graduate student in human development and family studies.

Researchers studied couples in the Strong Couples Project, a free national program offering online modules and coaching. Among key factors — partner support, communication, and relationship confidence — confidence had the strongest link to individual well-being.

“Relationship confidence involves the belief that my partner and I can handle whatever challenges come our way and build a lasting future together. It involves trusting that our relationship will continue and feeling assured that we have the skills to manage conflicts and keep the relationship strong,” Larsen explained.

The study, published in the Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, found the benefits applied across demographic groups, with married participants seeing the biggest gains in confidence. To read more about the study, visit the following link.