A Randomized Controlled Trial of a Couple-Based Economic Empowerment Intervention to Improve Relationship Quality and Mental Health in Three States of India

Studies report that couples-based programs combining financial or economic empowerment content with gender-equity and relationship-building components often yield improved relationship quality. For example, a study for low-income African-American couples describe a 20-hour workshop that significantly reduced stress and improved conflict management and relationship satisfaction at 6 months. Another study observed improved overall relationship quality among low-income couples with children, while studies from Nigeria and India document enhanced communication, trust, and joint decision-making-with adjusted relative odds for improved communication.

Interventions that combine microfinance or business training with participatory gender or relationship education report reductions in intimate partner violence-one study noted a reduction in risk by more than 50%-and improved empowerment through enhanced decision-making.

Measures of mental health and well-being, such as stress reduction and improved financial autonomy, also improved in several evaluations, although mental health outcomes appear less consistently reported than relationship outcomes. Notably, partner empathy was not an explicitly measured outcome in any study. Programs varied in intensity-from 4-8 sessions and multi-day trainings to interventions extending over 24 months-and were implemented in diverse contexts spanning low-income and rural communities in the United States, Africa, and South Asia.

This sub-study provides a focused evaluation of psychosocial outcomes within the broader "Let us Grow Together: Economic Wellbeing for Families" intervention. The main trial is designed to improve families' economic well-being through financial literacy training, while also integrating gender-transformative content to address intra-household dynamics. The sub-study specifically evaluates program impacts on marital relationship quality and mental health. It is premised on the idea that empowering couples with financial skills and promoting equitable, empathetic relationships can strengthen partner bonds and reduce psychological distress.

Participants in the intervention arm attend six structured community-based sessions for couples. These sessions blend financial literacy education (e.g. budgeting, savings, financial planning) with content on gender equity, communication, and shared decision-making. The curriculum is gender-transformative, meaning it challenges traditional gender roles and encourages empathy and cooperation between spouses. Sessions are interactive and participatory, fostering dialogue on relationship expectations, emotional support, and joint problem-solving. Between sessions, couples receive SMS text message reinforcements to encourage practice of the skills learned and to sustain engagement.