%0 Journal Article
%T Supporting Healthy Relationships in Low
%A Benjamin R. Karney
%A Justin A. Lavner
%A Thomas N. Bradbury
%J Policy Insights from the Behavioral and Brain Sciences
%@ 2372-7330
%D 2018
%R 10.1177/2372732217747890
%X For the past two decades, policymakers have invested heavily in promoting the quality and stability of intimate relationships in low-income communities. To date, these efforts have emphasized relationship-skills education, but large-scale evaluations of these programs indicate that they have produced negligible benefits. Current policies are limited by their unfounded assumption that low-income couples have needs similar to more affluent couples. In contrast, recent research finds that financially disadvantaged environments confront low-income couples with unique challenges in maintaining intimacy. Rather than skills training, these couples need policies that address the real circumstances that affect their day-to-day well-being. Preliminary evidence from military families and antipoverty programs suggests that providing couples with financial security may have indirect positive effects on their relationships. New policies that promote financial well-being may be more effective at supporting low-income couples than interventions targeting relationships directly
%K intimate relationships
%K low-income couples
%K marriage education
%K relationship skills
%K family policy
%U https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/2372732217747890