TOGETHER: A Couple's Model to Enhance Relationships and Economic Stability

No Condition Clinical Trial

Official title:

TOGETHER: A Couple's Model to Enhance Relationships and Economic Stability

Clinical Trial Details — Status: Terminated

Administrative data

• NCT number: NCT04227405
• Other study ID #: 15-960
• Status: Terminated
• Phase: N/A
• Start date: July 12, 2016
• Est. completion date: February 28, 2019

Study information

• Verified date: July 2023
• Source: Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
• Contact: n/a
• Is FDA regulated: No
• Study type: Interventional

Clinical Trial Summary

The current study sought to evaluate an intervention to promote healthy couple relationships and economic stability and mobility for low-income couples living in Northern Virginia (VA) and Montgomery and Prince George's Counties (MD). The approach proposed integrated two components:(1) a 20-hour evidence-informed couple group workshop called TOGETHER that integrates relationship and financial education, followed by an optional three-hour booster session three months after TOGETHER workshop and (2) case management (assessment of participant needs, development of Individual and Couple Development Plan(ICDP), referrals for social and mental health services, and referrals and coordination with job and career enhancement services, linking and coordination of all services as needed). The 20-hour workshop was offered in 8 sessions facilitated by couple and financial experts. The effectiveness of the program was evaluated through a randomized control trial in which couples were randomly assigned to a control group (n=147) or an intervention group (n=145). The control group received no intervention but a three-hour financial workshop after the last assessment was completed whereas the intervention couples participated in the 20-hour interventions and received case management. An independent local evaluator(AVAR, Consulting) participated in the design, implementation, and most of the data analysis. Participants had to be at least 18 years-old, living together for at least a year, and had no severe domestic violence issues, or untreated substance abuse or severe psychiatric disorders. If both partners were retired, couples were excluded from participation. Couples participated in an intake and enrollment meeting and were randomly assigned by a computer generated system to either the intervention or control group. Couples in both groups completed three sets of self-report measures: (1)Pre-test in first workshop session or at intake for control couples, (2)post-test in the last workshop session, or 8 weeks after the pre-test for control couples, and (3)follow-up six months after the post-test. After the six-month follow-up assessment, participation in the program was concluded. The study was largely funded by a Healthy Marriage and Responsible Fatherhood grant awarded by the Administration of Children and Families.

Description:

The current project sought to promote healthy couple relationships and economic stability and mobility for low-income couples living in Northern Virginia (VA) and Montgomery and Prince George's Counties (MD) This project was funded by the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) under the Healthy Marriage and Responsible Fatherhood (HMRF) program from the beginning of the study until May 10, 2018. As of May 10, 2018 ACF continued to fund the intervention component but data collection and analysis for couples that had been randomized by then and continued to receive services and to complete assessments were funded by Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. The evaluation plan that included a randomized control trial (RCT) and was approved of by ACF for years 2016, 2017, and 2018 until the local evaluation was discontinued by ACF included the enrollment of 720 couples, out of which 360 couples would be randomly assigned to the intervention group and 360 couples to a control group. However, due to the unexpected termination of funding for the local evaluation, the program was evaluated with 292 couples (145 intervention group couples and 147 control group couples). This project was developed and conducted by Project Director, Mariana Falconier, Ph.D. at Virginia Tech and Associate Director until December, 2018 and since then at the University of Maryland (UMD), and Jinhee Kim, Ph.D. at UMD. UMD was a subawardee of Virginia Tech. Virginia Tech subcontracted with SkillSource Group, Inc. for delivery of employment services and University of Maryland contracted with Family Services, Inc. for delivery of workshop services. ACF required the grantee to have an independent local evaluator and for that purpose Virginia Tech contracted with AVAR Consulting, involved in the implementation and outcome evaluations until August 31, 2018. Additional analyses were conducted by D. Mark Lachowicz from UMD. Our approach integrated two components (1) a 20-hour evidence-informed couple group program called TOGETHER workshop that integrates relationship education and financial literacy skills and (2) case management (assessment of participant needs, development of Individual and Couple Development Plan, referrals for community services, and referrals and coordination with job and career enhancement services). Short-term outcomes of this project's core intervention were expected immediately after completion of the last session of the TOGETHERR workshop whereas medium-term outcomes were anticipated six months after that last session. Expected measurable outcomes among program participants for objective 1 (improved personal well-being) included increased frequency of positive stress management, reduced psychological distress, decreased financial stress. Expected measurable outcomes for objective 2 (improved couple's relationship skills) included increased frequency of positive communication behaviors, increased frequency of positive conflict management behaviors, increased frequency of positive dyadic stress management, increased frequency of conjoint problem solving behaviors, increased satisfaction with couple's relationship, and increased comfort with financial styles and roles. Expected measurable outcomes for objective 3 (improved parenting and co-parenting) included increased frequency of positive parenting behaviors, increased closeness to children, and increased satisfaction with co-parenting. Expected measurable outcomes for objective 4 (improved financial literacy and capability) include increased financial literacy skills, increased financial self-efficacy, decreased use of alternative financial services, and increased financial management behaviors. Finally, expected measurable outcomes for objective 5 (improved employability, job placement, and retention) include decreased perceived barriers to employability, increased intentions and motivations for work, increased confidence in job skills, and increased employability, employment status, and retention. These outcomes were expected by comparing the intervention and control group outcomes in the RCT. Outcomes were evaluated through self-report measures provided ACF and additional standardized measures selected by the Project Director and Associated Project Director. Measures were completed at baseline, 8 weeks after, and six-month follow up. Couples received gift cards for survey completion. TARGET POPULATION Low income couples in Northern Virginia (VA) and Prince George's County and Montgomery County, Maryland (MD) but all couples were if they met the eligibility criteria: Living together at least a year, 18 years or older, and English-speaking. Exclusion criteria included both partners being retired, physical domestic violence or feeling unsafe with partner in the last six months, untreated severe psychiatric disorder or/and severe untreated substance abuse disorder. Couples could participate as long as both partners consent to be part of the program. RECRUITMENT Recruitment activities began on June 1, 2016 and included advertising through social media, distributing flyers, brochures, and posters and/or giving presentation in schools, churches and various community agencies. The program was also advertised through its own website. DATABASES The funding agency ACF requires all HMRF grantees to enter information into a secure system called the Information, Family Outcomes, Reporting, and Management system (nFORM) regarding program operations, services,a nd participants' contract information and demographics. ACF required grantees to collect their outcome measures through nFORM and the researches added standardized self-report instrument to be collected through Qualtrics. Both nFORM and Qualtrics measures were used for the RCT. A database called Participant Tracking System (PTS) was developed for automated randomization and entering needs assessments and ICDPs. PROCEDURES Individuals interested in participating in the program could contact us in person or by phone. Program staff collected contact information, described the program and the potential compensation, asked screening questions to each partner if both partners were available. Otherwise, the program staff collected information from the only partner that was present. Eligible participants that provided consent were scheduled for an Intake and Enrollment (IE) meeting with the case managers. The first part of the IE meeting lasted 60 minutes. During the meeting, the case manager (a) described the program and obtained voluntary, informed written consent for program participation from both partners; (b) conducted a 10-minute formal assessment of domestic violence with each partner individually (couples at risk were referred to outside agency); (c) enrolled participants in nFORM; (d) assigned couples to intervention or control group through an automated system of randomization; (f) provided orientation about program procedures; and (g) directed couples to complete the nFORM applicant characteristics survey and a Qualtrics demographic information survey in a tablet The second part of the IE meeting was different for intervention and control couples. For intervention couples (90 minutes), the case manager described the services, conducted a Needs Assessment (areas: Health care, employment, housing, childcare, education, legal needs, finances, transportation, food, relationships, mental health, alcohol abuse, and substance abuse), scheduled the individual and couple development plan (ICDP) meeting and case management progress and exit meetings, and enrolled couples in one of the eight-week TOGETHER workshops and a three-hour booster session (three months the TOGETHER workshop. During part II (90 minutes) for control couples completed pre-test surveys including the Pre-Program Survey (nFORM) and Pre-test Assessment (Qualtrics). Eight weeks after the IE meeting, control couples would meet with the case manager in a program location and complete the Post Program Survey in nFORM and the Post-test Assessment in Qualtrics (90 minutes) and received gift cards. Questionnaires mailed for those unable to attend. Six months later couples were invited to complete the follow-up survey in Qualtrics (90 minutes) before the beginning of the Financial Literacy Workshop (FLW). They received gift cards. If unable to attend, paper surveys were mailed. FLW was a three-hour financial management class to improve financial management knowledge and skills based on Money Smart curriculum. INTERVENTION COUPLES 1. TOGETHER WORKSHOP TOGETHER workshop is a 20-hour psycho-educational program that integrates relationship and financial education. TOGETHER was developed by Dr. Mariana Falconier (PI) and the late Dr. Hayhoe as part of the emerging interdisciplinary field that integrates relationship education with financial education (Falconier, 2015). TOGETHER adapted the Couples' Coping Enhancement Training (CCET; Bodenmann & Shantinah, 2004), whose effectiveness in improving stress management, communication, and relationship satisfaction has been supported in various studies (e.g., Bodenmann & Shantinath, 2004), to financial stress. TOGETHER aims at reducing financial stress and improving relationship functioning by providing couples with knowledge and skills on individual and couple's stress management, communication, conflict resolution, problem-solving, and financial management. The TOGETHER workshop has 9 modules and is designed to be delivered in groups of four to eight couples: 8 weekly sessions of 2.5 hours each. Each session is co-led by two facilitators: a financial counselor and a couple therapist. Each session includes a warm-up activity, brief review of past session content and homework, presentation and practice of new content, summary of all contents covered in the session, and assignment of new homework. The TOGETHER curriculum has been pilot tested and results have been published in 2015 in the Journal of Marital and Family Therapy. Program Modules Introduction to program Module 1: Understanding Stress and Money Stress Module 2: Managing* Stress and Money Stress by Yourself Module 3: Communicating Stress and Money Stress to Your Partner Module 4: Managing Stress and Money Stress with Your Partner Module 5: Communicating Effectively and Learning to Talk about Money Module 6: Clarifying Financial Roles and Expectations Module 7: Improving Money Management Skills Module 8: Credit and Risk Management Module 9: Improving Financial Problem-Solving Skills Thirty workshops were offered between July 1, 2016 and May 10, 2018. Out of the 145 couples assigned to the intervention group, 106 couples started the workshop. The rest of the couples could not attend any of the available workshops due to schedule conflicts. At the end of each session participants completed a 2 minute-session evaluation (last session survey also includes questions about the overall workshop) and a 2-minute homework evaluation.. At the first TOGETHER session, couples completed the Pre Program Survey (nFORM) and the Pre-test Assessment (Qualtrics) (total = 90 minutes) on a tablet before the session began. Couples absent in the first session were mailed paper surveys. After the last (eighth) TOGETHER session, couples completed on site the Post Program Survey (nFORM) and the Post-test Assessment (Qualtrics) (90 minutes) on tables or were mailed paper surveys if they failed to attend. 2. CASE MANAGEMENT One week after the first workshop session, intervention couples partook in an Individual and Couple Development Plan (ICDP) meeting with the assigned case. Based on the information collected in the Needs Assessment during the IE meeting, the case manager created an ICDP with the couple that included goals, action steps, potential barriers, and referrals to community services (i.e., housing, TANF, health care, mental health services, etc.). If the ICDP included a goal related employment/career a first meeting was scheduled for that partner with an employment case manager to receive services at either the SkillSource Group, Inc. or a federally funded employment agency in Maryland. The present study provided funding for (a) employment services for those participants that did not meet eligibility criteria to receive services funded through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) or other state and local funding in those agencies. After the ICDP meeting, intervention couples met with the case manager for their five progress monthly meetings in order to check participants' progress towards goals, barriers, safety, program issues, and modifications to ICDP. There was an exit meeting with the case manager 6 months after the last TOGETHER workshop session during which couples completed the six-month follow-up survey. If unable to attend, paper surveys were mailed. 3. INCENTIVES FOR WORKSHOP ATTENDANCE At the third progress meeting, case managers provided the attendance incentives for the TOGETHER workshop. 4. BOOSTER SESSION Intervention couples were invited to an optional 3- hour booster session (abbreviated version of workshop content) three months after completing the last session of TOGETHER workshop. 5. FIDELITY Facilitators received a 25-hour training in the program, a biweekly one-hour group supervision with the curriculum developers, were observed by the curriculum developers and the local evaluators staff. Facilitators also completed jointly a checklist to report on the extent to which they completed the scheduled activities, met all session objectives, used all materials as outlined in the manual, and spent the time as planned. A checklist was developed to assess the extent to which case managers were implementing the case management protocol.

Recruitment information / eligibility

• Status: Terminated
• Enrollment: 584
• Est. completion date: February 28, 2019
• Est. primary completion date: February 28, 2019
• Accepts healthy volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers
• Gender: All
• Age group: 18 Years and older

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria

• Lliving together for at least a year
• Being at least 18 years
• English speaking.

Exclusion criteria:

• Current physical domestic violence and/ or feeling unsafe to participate with your partner in a psycho-educational group in the last twelve months
• Current diagnosis of a severe psychiatric disorder that required hospitalization in the last 12 months
• Cognitive impairment that prevent comprehension of materials and participation in a psycho-educational group
• Severe untreated substance abuse disorder
• Both partners fully retired.

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• No Condition

Intervention

Behavioral:
• Connection to community services through case management
Case managers met with couple and conduct a needs assessment for the couple and their family. Then they developed an Individual and Couple Development Plan to take care of those needs, usually by accessing community services. Case managers met every 5 weeks with the couple to check on progress toward meeting the goals of the plan and assess for the present of any new needs.
• TOGETHER Workshop
Couples were required to participate in a 20 hour workshop (8 sessions of 2 1/2 hours each)in groups of 3 to 8 couples. These groups were facilitated by a financial expert and a couples' expert. The workshop is interdisciplinary and psycho-educational. Couples learn about skills to improve their communication about stress and money problems, conflict resolution, individual and couple stress management in general and about money stress in particular, and financial management
• Employment Support Services
Only for those participants that were in need of employment support services. If the needs assessment conducted by the case manager indicated an employment or career need. After completion of the TOGETHER workshop, an employment case manager met with the participant, conducted an employment needs assessment and connected the participant with a workforce agency or one-stop employment centers. After doing so, the employment case manager followed through the various steps that the participant had to complete as part of the employment services for a period of 6 months

Locations

Country	Name	City	State
United States	University of Maryland	College Park	Maryland
United States	Virginia Tech Northern Virginia Center	Falls Church	Virginia
United States	Family Services, Inc.	Gaithersburg	Maryland

Sponsors (5)

Lead Sponsor	Collaborator
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University	AVAR Consulting, Inc., Family Services, Inc., Skillsource Group, Inc., University of Maryland, Baltimore

Country where clinical trial is conducted

United States, 

References & Publications (1)

Falconier MK. Together - a couples' program to improve communication, coping, and financial management skills: development and initial pilot-testing. J Marital Fam Ther. 2015 Apr;41(2):236-50. doi: 10.1111/jmft.12052. Epub 2014 Jun 9. — View Citation

Outcome

Type	Measure	Description	Time frame	Safety issue
Other	Experiences in Close Relationships - Post-test (Time 2)	Developed by Brennan, Clark, & Shaver (1998). This 36- item self report instrument measures avoidant and anxious attachment. Anxious scale has 18 items and avoidant scale has 18 items. Response answers range from 1 to 7. A total score for each subscale is calculated by adding the responses to each item and dividing it by the total number of. items. on the subscale So the total score for each subscale ranges from 1 to 7. Two total scores are calculated, one for each subscale. Higher scores represent more on that attachment dimension	Post-test (8 weeks after pre-test/Time1)
Other	Experience in Close Relationships - Pre-Test (Time 1)	Developed by Brennan, Clark, & Shaver (1998). This 36- item self report instrument measures avoidant and anxious attachment. Anxious scale has 18 items and avoidant scale has 18 items. Response answers range from 1 to 7. A total score for each subscale is calculated by adding the responses to each item and dividing it by the total number of. items. on the subscale So the total score for each subscale ranges from 1 to 7. Two total scores are calculated, one for each subscale. Higher scores represent more on that attachment dimension	Pre-test (Time 1) (Completed in first workshop session for Intervention Group and int the Intake and Enrollment Meeting for the Control Group)
Other	Experiences in Close Relationships - Follow-up (Time 3)	Developed by Brennan, Clark, & Shaver (1998). This 36- item self report instrument measures avoidant and anxious attachment. Anxious scale has 18 items and avoidant scale has 18 items. Response answers range from 1 to 7. A total score for each subscale is calculated by adding the responses to each item and dividing it by the total number of. items. on the subscale So the total score for each subscale ranges from 1 to 7. Two total scores are calculated, one for each subscale. Higher scores represent more on that attachment dimension	Follow-up (6 months after Post-test/Time2)
Primary	Information, Family Outcomes, Reporting, and Management (nFORM)- Baseline/Pretest (Time1)	nFORM survey was developed by Mathematica. Subscales: Depression (4 items; Range: 4-20); Anxiety (2 items; Range: 2-10); Positive conflict management (7 items; Range: 7-28); Negative conflict management (5 items; Rrange: 5-20); Emotional abuse (2 items; Range: 2-8); Conflict management Satisfaction (1 item; Range: 1-3); Relationship quality (5 items; Range:5-20); Time with partner (3 items; Range: 3-12); Relationship Satisfaction (1 item; Range: 1-3); Parenting stress (1 item; Scale range: 1-4); Banking (3 items; Range: 0-3); Difficulty to pay bills (1 item; Scale range: 1 - 4); Relationship Commitment (1 item; Range: 1); Budgeting (1 item; Range: 0-1). Range is Scale Range. Higher scores means higher levels on that variable.; The PI and data for this study are no longer available for query. There is no additional information at this time.	Pre-test/Baseline (Time 1) (Completed in first workshop session for Intervention Group and int the Intake and Enrollment Meeting for the Control Group)
Primary	Information, Family Outcomes, Reporting, and Management (nFORM)- Post-test at 8 Weeks After Pre-test (Time2)	nFORM survey was developed by Mathematica. Subscales: Depression (4 items; Range: 4-20); Anxiety (2 items; Range: 2-10); Positive conflict management (7 items; Range: 7-28); Negative conflict management (5 items; Rrange: 5-20); Emotional abuse (2 items; Range: 2-8); Conflict management Satisfaction (1 item; Range: 1-3); Relationship quality (5 items; Range:5-20); Time with partner (3 items; Range: 3-12); Relationship Satisfaction (1 item; Range: 1-3); Parenting stress (1 item; Scale range: 1-4); Banking (3 items; Range: 0-3); Difficulty to pay bills (1 item; Scale range: 1 - 4); Relationship Commitment (1 item; Range: 1-4); Budgeting (1 item; Range: 0-1). Range is Scale Range. Higher scores means higher levels on that variable.	Post-test (8 weeks after pre-test/Time1)
Primary	Information, Family Outcomes, Reporting, and Management (nFORM)- Six-month Follow-up (Time3)	nFORM survey was developed by Mathematica.Subscales: Depression (4 items; Range: 4-20); Anxiety (2 items; Range: 2-10); Positive conflict management (7 items; Range: 7-28); Negative conflict management (5 items; Rrange: 5-20); Emotional abuse (2 items; Range: 2-8); Conflict management Satisfaction (1 item; Range: 1-3); Relationship quality (5 items; Range:5-20); Time with partner (3 items; Range: 3-12); Relationship Satisfaction (1 item; Range: 1-3); Parenting stress (1 item; Scale range: 1-4); Banking (3 items; Range: 0-3); Difficulty to pay bills (1 item; Scale range: 1 - 4); Relationship Commitment(1 item; Range: 1-4); Budgeting (1 item; Range: 0-1). Range is Scale Range. Higher scores means higher levels on that variable.	Six-month follow up (six months after post-test/Time2)
Primary	Brief Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced (COPE) Inventory- Baseline/Pre-test (Time1)	The Brief Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced (COPE) Inventory was developed by Carver (1997)This is a 28 item self-report instrument that measures the respondent's individual coping strategies. The measure has 14 subscales: Self-distraction, active coping, denial, substance use, use of emotional support, use of instrumental support, behavioral disengagement, venting, positive reframing, planning, humor, acceptance, religion, and self-blame. Each subscale has two items. Only totals for each subscale are computed. Total subscale range: 0-6 for each. Higher scores represent more use of the particular coping strategy.; The PI and data for this study are no longer available for query. There is no additional information at this time.	Baseline/Pre-test (Time 1) (Completed in first workshop session for Intervention Group and int the Intake and Enrollment Meeting for the Control Group)
Primary	Brief Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced (COPE) Inventory - Post- Test (Time2)	The Brief Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced (COPE) Inventory was developed by Carver (1997).This is a 28 item self-report instrument that measures the respondent's individual coping strategies. The measure has 14 subscales: Self-distraction, active coping, denial, substance use, use of emotional support, use of instrumental support, behavioral disengagement, venting, positive reframing, planning, humor, acceptance, religion, and self-blame. Each subscale has two items. Only totals for each subscale are computed. Total subscale range: 0-6 for each. Higher scores represent more use of the particular coping strategy.; The PI and data for this study are no longer available for query. There is no additional information at this time.	Post-test (8weeks after pre-test/Time1)
Primary	Brief Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced (COPE) Inventory - Six-month Follow-up (Time 3)	The Brief Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced (COPE) Inventory was developed by Carver (1997).This is a 28 item self-report instrument that measures the respondent's individual coping strategies. The measure has 14 subscales: Self-distraction, active coping, denial, substance use, use of emotional support, use of instrumental support, behavioral disengagement, venting, positive reframing, planning, humor, acceptance, religion, and self-blame. Each subscale has two items. Only totals for each subscale are computed. Total subscale range: 0-6 for each. Higher scores represent more use of the particular coping strategy.; The PI and data for this study are no longer available for query. There is no additional information at this time.	Six-month follow up (six months after post-test/Time2)
Primary	Brief Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced (COPE) Inventory in Relation to Financial Problems - Baseline/Pre-test (Time1)	The Brief Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced (COPE) Inventory was developed by Carver (1997).This is a 28 item self-report instrument that measures the respondent's individual coping strategies. We have repeated the same 28 items but respondents had to answer about coping strategies in relationship to coping with financial issues in particular. The measure has 14 subscales: Self-distraction, active coping, denial, substance use, use of emotional support, use of instrumental support, behavioral disengagement, venting, positive reframing, planning, humor, acceptance, religion, and self-blame. Each subscale has two items. Only totals for each subscale are computed. Total subscale range: 0-6 for each. Higher scores represent more use of the particular coping strategy.	Baseline/Pre-test (Time 1) (Completed in first workshop session for Intervention Group and int the Intake and Enrollment Meeting for the Control Group)
Primary	Brief Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced (COPE) Inventory in Relation to Financial Problems - Post- Test (Time2)	The Brief Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced (COPE) Inventory was developed by Carver (1997). This is a 28 item self-report instrument that measures the respondent's individual coping strategies. We have repeated the same 28 items but respondents had to answer about coping strategies in relationship to coping with financial issues in particular. The measure has 14 subscales: Self-distraction, active coping, denial, substance use, use of emotional support, use of instrumental support, behavioral disengagement, venting, positive reframing, planning, humor, acceptance, religion, and self-blame. Each subscale has two items. Only totals for each subscale are computed. Total subscale range: 0-6 for each. Higher scores represent more use of the particular coping strategy.	Post-test (8weeks after pre-test/Time1)
Primary	Brief Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced (COPE) Inventory in Relation to Financial Problems - Six-month Follow-up (Time 3)	The Brief Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced (COPE) Inventory was developed by Carver (1997). This is a 28 item self-report instrument that measures the respondent's individual coping strategies. We have repeated the same 28 items but respondents had to answer about coping strategies in relationship to coping with financial issues in particular. The measure has 14 subscales: Self-distraction, active coping, denial, substance use, use of emotional support, use of instrumental support, behavioral disengagement, venting, positive reframing, planning, humor, acceptance, religion, and self-blame. Each subscale has two items. Only totals for each subscale are computed. Total subscale range: 0-6 for each. Higher scores represent more use of the particular coping strategy.	Six-month follow up (six months after post-test/Time2)
Primary	Family Economic Strain Scale - Baseline/Pre-test (Time 1)	Developed by Hilton and Devall (1997). This is a 15-item self-report instrument that measures the respondent's level of economic strain.As not all couples had children, the two items related to children were excluded. Scale range: 13-65. Higher scores represent higher economic strain	Baseline/Pre-test (Time 1) (Completed in first workshop session for Intervention Group and int the Intake and Enrollment Meeting for the Control Group)
Primary	Family Economic Strain Scale - Post-test (Time 2)	Developed by Hilton and Devall (1997). This is a 15-item self-report instrument that measures the respondent's level of economic strain.As not all couples had children, the two items related to children were excluded. Scale range: 13-65. Higher scores represent higher economic strain	Post-test (8weeks after pre-test/Time1)
Primary	Family Economic Strain Scale - Six-month Follow-up (Time 3)	Developed by Hilton and Devall (1997). This is a 15-item self-report instrument that measures the respondent's level of economic strain.As not all couples had children, the two items related to children were excluded. Scale range: 13-65. Higher scores represent higher economic strain	Six-month follow up (six months after post-test/Time2)
Primary	Difficulties in Emotion Regulation - Baseline/Pre-test (Time 1)	Developed by Gratz and Roemer (2004). This is a 36-item self-report instrument that measures the respondent difficulties in emotion regulation. Scale range: 36-180. Higher scores represent more difficulties in emotion regulation	Baseline/Pre-test (Time 1) (Completed in first workshop session for Intervention Group and int the Intake and Enrollment Meeting for the Control Group)
Primary	Difficulties in Emotion Regulation - Post-test (Time 2)	Developed by Gratz and Roemer (2004). This is a 36-item self-report instrument that measures the respondent difficulties in emotion regulation. Scale range: 36-180. Higher scores represent more difficulties in emotion regulation	Post-test (8weeks after pre-test/Time1)
Primary	Difficulties in Emotion Regulation - Six-month Follow-up (Time 3)	Developed by Gratz and Roemer (2004). This is a 36-item self-report instrument that measures the respondent difficulties in emotion regulation. Scale range: 36-180. Higher scores represent more difficulties in emotion regulation	Six-month follow up (six months after post-test/Time2)
Primary	Conflict Tactics Scales-R - Baseline/Pre-test (Time 1)	Developed by Straus, Comby, Boney-McCoy, & Sugarman (1996). This 78-item self report instrument measures physical assault (12 items), physical injury (6 items), psychological aggression (8 items), sexual coercion (7 items) and negotiation (6 items) by the respondent and by the partner. Only the physical assault and psychological aggression subscales were considered for analysis in this study. A total prevalence score for each subscale was calculated. Total prevalence scores ranged 0 to 12 for the physical assault subscale and from 0 to 8 for the psychological aggresion subscale. Higher total scores represented higher levels of the variable. For the psychological aggression and physical assault subscales only the partner with the higher score was considered due to underreporting of these behaviors.; The PI and data for this study are no longer available for query. There is no additional information at this time.	Baseline/Pre-test (Time 1) (Completed in first workshop session for Intervention Group and int the Intake and Enrollment Meeting for the Control Group)
Primary	Conflict Tactics Scales-R Post-test (Time 2)	Developed by Straus, Comby, Boney-McCoy, & Sugarman (1996). This 78-item self report instrument measures physical assault (12 items), physical injury (6 items), psychological aggression (8 items), sexual coercion (7 items) and negotiation (6 items) by the respondent and by the partner. Only the physical assault and psychological aggression subscales were considered for analysis in this study. A total prevalence score for each subscale was calculated. Total prevalence scores ranged 0 to 12 for the physical assault subscale and from 0 to 8 for the psychological aggresion subscale. Higher total scores represented higher levels of the variable. For the psychological aggression and physical assault subscales only the partner with the higher score was considered due to underreporting of these behaviors.; The PI and data for this study are no longer available for query. There is no additional information at this time.	Post-test (8weeks after pre-test/Time1)
Primary	Conflict Tactics Scales-R - Six Month Follow-up (Time 3)	Developed by Straus, Comby, Boney-McCoy, & Sugarman (1996). This 78-item self report instrument measures physical assault (12 items), physical injury (6 items), psychological aggression (8 items), sexual coercion (7 items) and negotiation (6 items) by the respondent and by the partner. Only the physical assault and psychological aggression subscales were considered for analysis in this study. A total prevalence score for each subscale was calculated. Total prevalence scores ranged 0 to 12 for the physical assault subscale and from 0 to 8 for the psychological aggresion subscale. Higher total scores represented higher levels of the variable. For the psychological aggression and physical assault subscales only the partner with the higher score was considered due to underreporting of these behaviors.; The PI and data for this study are no longer available for query. There is no additional information at this time.	Six-month follow up (six months after post-test/Time2)
Primary	Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale - Stress Subscale Baseline/Pre-test (Time 1)	Developed by Lovibond & Lovibond (1995). The stress subscale has 7 items and scale range is 0-21. Higher scores represent more symptoms of stress	Baseline/Pre-test (Time 1) (Completed in first workshop session for Intervention Group and int the Intake and Enrollment Meeting for the Control Group)
Primary	Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale - Stress Subscale Post-test (Time 2)	Developed by Lovibond & Lovibond (1995). The stress subscale has 7 items and scale range is 0-21. Higher scores represent more symptoms of stress	Post-test (8weeks after pre-test/Time1)
Primary	Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale - Stress Subscale Six-month Follow up (Time 3)	Developed by Lovibond & Lovibond (1995). The stress subscale has 7 items and scale range is 0-21. Higher scores represent more symptoms of stress	Six-month follow up (six months after post-test/Time2)
Primary	Dyadic Coping Inventory - Baseline/Pre-test (Time 1)	Developed by Guy Bodenmann (2008). This 37-item self-report instrument measures how couples cope with stress in general. It includes stress communication, supportive dyadic coping, delegated dyadic coping, common dyadic coping, negative dyadic coping, and evaluation of dyadic coping. Only the communication (4 items by self and 4 items by partner), supportive (5 items by self and 5 items by partner), negative (4 items by self and 4 items by partners), and common dyadic coping (5 items) subscales were used in the present study. Response options range from 1 to 5 . Total scores for each subscale were computed. Subscale total scores ranged from 4 to 20 for Stress Communication, 5 to 25 for Supportive, 4 to 20 for Negative, and 5 to 25 for Common Dyadic Coping. Higher scores mean higher frequency of use of that coping behaviors.; The PI and data for this study are no longer available for query. There is no additional information at this time.	Baseline/Pre-test (Time 1) (Completed in first workshop session for Intervention Group and int the Intake and Enrollment Meeting for the Control Group)
Primary	Dyadic Coping Inventory - Post-Test (Time 2)	Developed by Guy Bodenmann (2008). This 37-item self-report instrument measures how couples cope with stress in general. It includes stress communication, supportive dyadic coping, delegated dyadic coping, common dyadic coping, negative dyadic coping, and evaluation of dyadic coping. Only the communication (4 items by self and 4 items by partner), supportive (5 items by self and 5 items by partner), negative (4 items by self and 4 items by partners), and common dyadic coping (5 items) subscales were used in the present study. Response options range from 1 to 5 . Total scores for each subscale were computed. Subscale total scores ranged from 4 to 20 for Stress Communication, 5 to 25 for Supportive, 4 to 20 for Negative, and 5 to 25 for Common Dyadic Coping. Higher scores mean higher frequency of use of that coping behaviors.; The PI and data for this study are no longer available for query. There is no additional information at this time.	Post-test: 8 weeks after Pre-Test ; Follow-up: 6 months after Post-Test
Primary	Dyadic Coping Inventory - Follow-up (Time 3)	Developed by Guy Bodenmann (2008). This 37-item self-report instrument measures how couples cope with stress in general. It includes stress communication, supportive dyadic coping, delegated dyadic coping, common dyadic coping, negative dyadic coping, and evaluation of dyadic coping. Only the communication (4 items by self and 4 items by partner), supportive (5 items by self and 5 items by partner), negative (4 items by self and 4 items by partners), and common dyadic coping (5 items) subscales were used in the present study. Response options range from 1 to 5 . Total scores for each subscale were computed. Subscale total scores ranged from 4 to 20 for Stress Communication, 5 to 25 for Supportive, 4 to 20 for Negative, and 5 to 25 for Common Dyadic Coping. Higher scores mean higher frequency of use of that coping behaviors.; The PI and data for this study are no longer available for query. There is no additional information at this time.	Six-month follow up (six months after post-test/Time2)
Primary	Dyadic Coping With Economic Stress Inventory - Baseline/Pre-Test (Time 1)	34-item self-report instrument adapted from the Dyadic Coping Inventory to describe coping with economic stress. It includes stress communication, supportive dyadic coping, delegated dyadic coping, common dyadic coping, negative dyadic coping, and evaluation of dyadic coping. Only the communication (2 items by self and 2 items by partner), supportive (5 items by self and 5 items by partner), negative (4 items by self and 4 items by partners), and common dyadic coping (5 items) subscales were used in the present study. Response options range from 1 to 5. A total was caculated for each subscale by adding all responses. The total score for stress communication ranged from 2 to 10, supportive from 5 to 25, negative from 4 to 20, and common dyadic coping from 5 to 25. Higher scores mean higher frequency of use of that coping behaviors.; The PI and data for this study are no longer available for query. There is no additional information at this time.	Baseline/Pre-test (Time 1) (Completed in first workshop session for Intervention Group and int the Intake and Enrollment Meeting for the Control Group)
Primary	Dyadic Coping With Economic Stress Inventory - Post-Test (Time 2)	This 34-item self-report instrument is an adaptation of the Dyadic Coping Inventory to economic stress and measures how couples cope with economic stress. Only the communication (2 items by self and 2 items by partner), supportive (5 items by self and 5 items by partner), negative (4 items by self and 4 items by partners), and common dyadic coping (5 items) subscales were used in the present study. Response options range from 1 to 5. A total was caculated for each subscale by adding all responses. The total score for stress communication ranged from 2 to 10, supportive from 5 to 25, negative from 4 to 20, and common dyadic coping from 5 to 25. Higher scores mean higher frequency of use of that coping behaviors.; The PI and data for this study are no longer available for query. There is no additional information at this time.	Post-test (8weeks after pre-test/Time1)
Primary	Dyadic Coping With Economic Stress Inventory - Six-month Follow-up (Time 3)	This 34-item self-report instrument is an adaptation of the Dyadic Coping Inventory to economic stress and measures how couples cope with economic stress. Only the communication (2 items by self and 2 items by partner), supportive (5 items by self and 5 items by partner), negative (4 items by self and 4 items by partners), and common dyadic coping (5 items) subscales were used in the present study. Response options range from 1 to 5. A total was caculated for each subscale by adding all responses. The total score for stress communication ranged from 2 to 10, supportive from 5 to 25, negative from 4 to 20, and common dyadic coping from 5 to 25. Higher scores mean higher frequency of use of that coping behaviors.; The PI and data for this study are no longer available for query. There is no additional information at this time.	Six-month follow up (six months after post-test/Time2)
Primary	The Brief Communication Patterns Questionnaire - General and In Relation to Money Problems - Pre-test (Time 1)	This is an 11-item self-report questionnaire that assesses the couple's demand/withdraw communication patterns as well as their level of constructive communication when there is a problem. Each item is responded on a scale from 1 to 9. The Demand/Withdraw Total Scale has 6 items. and the total score for the subscale ranges from 6 to 54 . The constructive communication subscale includes 3 items and. the total score for the subscale ranges from 3 to 27. Higher scores represent more occurrence of the communication pattern.The same eleven items were asked about communication behaviors in relation to money problems and scored in the same way.; The PI and data for this study are no longer available for query. There is no additional information at this time.	Pre-test (Time 1) (Completed in first workshop session for Intervention Group and int the Intake and Enrollment Meeting for the Control Group)
Primary	The Brief Communication Patterns Questionnaire - General and In Relation to Money Problems - Post-test (Time 2)	Developed by Futris, Campbell, Nielsen, & Burwell (2010). This is an 11-item self-report questionnaire that assesses the couple's demand/withdraw communication patterns as well as their level of constructive communication when there is a problem. Each item is responded on a scale from 1 to 9. The Demand/Withdraw Total Scale has 6 items. and the total score for the subscale ranges from 6 to 54 . The constructive communciation subscale includes 3 items and. the total score for the subscale ranges from 3 to 27. Higher scores represent more occurrence of the communication pattern.The same eleven items were asked about communication behaviors in relation to money problems and scored in the same way.; The PI and data for this study are no longer available for query. There is no additional information at this time.	Post-test (8weeks after pre-test/Time1)
Primary	The Brief Communication Patterns Questionnaire - General and In Relation to Money Problems - Six-month Follow-up (Time 3)	Developed by Futris, Campbell, Nielsen, & Burwell (2010). This is an 11-item self-report questionnaire that assesses the couple's demand/withdraw communication patterns as well as their level of constructive communication when there is a problem. Each item is responded on a scale from 1 to 9. The Demand/Withdraw Total Scale has 6 items. and the total score for the subscale ranges from 6 to 54 . The constructive communciation subscale includes 3 items and. the total score for the subscale ranges from 3 to 27. Higher scores represent more occurrence of the communication pattern.The same eleven items were asked about communication behaviors in relation to money problems and scored in the same way.; The PI and data for this study are no longer available for query. There is no additional information at this time.	Six-month follow up (six months after post-test/Time2)
Primary	Financial Self-Efficacy Scale - Pre-test (Time 1)	Developed by Dietz, Carrozza & Ritchey (2011). This is a 3-item self-report questionnaire that assesses the respondent's financial self-efficacy. Scale range 4-12. Higher scores represent higher financial self-efficacy	Pre-test (Time1Pre-test (Time 1) (Completed in first workshop session for Intervention Group and int the Intake and Enrollment Meeting for the Control Group)
Primary	Financial Self-Efficacy Scale - Post-test (Time 2)	Developed by Dietz, Carrozza & Ritchey (2011). This is a 3-item self-report questionnaire that assesses the respondent's financial self-efficacy. Scale range 4-12. Higher scores represent higher financial self-efficacy	Post-test (8weeks after pre-test/Time1)
Primary	Financial Self-Efficacy Scale - Six-month Follow-up (Time 3)	Developed by Dietz, Carrozza & Ritchey (2011). This is a 3-item self-report questionnaire that assesses the respondent's financial self-efficacy. Scale range 4-12. Higher scores represent higher financial self-efficacy	Six-month follow up (six months after post-test/Time2)
Primary	Revised Financial Management Behavior Scale - Pre-test (Time 1)	Developed by Dew and Xiao (2011). This is a 15-item self-report questionnaire that assesses the respondent's financial management behavior. It includes four subscales: Insurance (3 items; scale range: 3-15), Credit management (3 items; scale range: 3-15), Savings (3 items; scale range: 3-15), Cash management (4 items; scale range: 4-20). Higher scores for each of the subscale depict healthy financial management practices.; The PI and data for this study are no longer available for query. There is no additional information at this time.	Pre-test (Time 1) (Completed in first workshop session for Intervention Group and int the Intake and Enrollment Meeting for the Control Group)
Primary	Revised Financial Management Behavior Scale - Post-test (Time 2)	Developed by Dew and Xiao (2011). This is a 15-item self-report questionnaire that assesses the respondent's financial management behavior. It includes four subscales: Insurance (3 items; scale range: 3-15), Credit management (3 items; scale range: 3-15), Savings (3 items; scale range: 3-15), Cash management (4 items; scale range: 4-20). Higher scores for each of the subscale depict healthy financial management practices.; The PI and data for this study are no longer available for query. There is no additional information at this time.	Post-test (8weeks after pre-test/Time1)
Primary	Revised Financial Management Behavior Scale - Six-month Follow-up(Time 3)	Developed by Dew and Xiao (2011). This is a 15-item self-report questionnaire that assesses the respondent's financial management behavior. It includes four subscales: Insurance (3 items; scale range: 3-15), Credit management (3 items; scale range: 3-15), Savings (3 items; scale range: 3-15), Cash management (4 items; scale range: 4-20). Higher scores for each of the subscale depict healthy financial management practices.; The PI and data for this study are no longer available for query. There is no additional information at this time.	Six-month follow up (six months after post-test/Time2)
Primary	Financial Services Survey From FINRA - Pre-test (Time 1)	Developed by FINRA for the National Financial Capability Study. This is a 5-item self-report questionnaire that assesses the respondent's use of financial services. Examples of specific items included "Taken out an auto title loan," "Taken out a short term "payday" loan," and "Used a pawn shop.". The measurement used a 5-point scale, ranging from 1(never) to 5 (4 or more times). Scale ranges from 5-25. Higher sores represent higher use of non-banking borrowing/alternative borrowing methods.; The PI and data for this study are no longer available for query. There is no additional information at this time.	Pre-test (Time 1) (Completed in first workshop session for Intervention Group and int the Intake and Enrollment Meeting for the Control Group)
Primary	Financial Services Survey From FINRA - Post-test (Time 2)	Developed by FINRA for the National Financial Capability Study. This is a 5-item self-report questionnaire that assesses the respondent's use of financial services. Examples of specific items included "Taken out an auto title loan," "Taken out a short term "payday" loan," and "Used a pawn shop.". The measurement used a 5-point scale, ranging from 1 (never) to 5 (4 or more times). Scale ranges from 5-25. Higher sores represent higher use of non-banking borrowing/alternative borrowing methods.	Post-test (8weeks after pre-test/Time1)
Primary	Financial Services Survey From FINRA - Six-month Follow-up (Time 3)	Developed by FINRA for the National Financial Capability Study. This is a 5-item self-report questionnaire that assesses the respondent's use of financial services. Examples of specific items included "Taken out an auto title loan," "Taken out a short term "payday" loan," and "Used a pawn shop.". The measurement used a 5-point scale, ranging from 1 (never) to 5 (4 or more times). Scale ranges from 5-25. Higher sores represent higher use of non-banking borrowing/alternative borrowing methods.; The PI and data for this study are no longer available for query. There is no additional information at this time.	Six-month follow up (six months after post-test/Time2)
Primary	Shared Goals and Values - Pre-test (Time 1)	Developed by Archuleta, Grable, & Britt (2010) . This is a 4-item self-report questionnaire that assesses the respondent's perception of the extent to which he or she share financial goals and values with his/her partner. Scale range: 4-28. Higher scores represent more sharing	Pre-test (Time 1) (Completed in first workshop session for Intervention Group and int the Intake and Enrollment Meeting for the Control Group)
Primary	Shared Goals and Values - Post-test (Time 2)	Developed by Archuleta, Grable, & Britt (2010) .This is a 4-item self-report questionnaire that assesses the respondent's perception of the extent to which he or she share financial goals and values with his/her partner. Scale range: 4-28. Higher scores represent more sharing	Post-test (8weeks after pre-test/Time1)
Primary	Shared Goals and Values - Six-month Follow-up (Time 3)	Developed by Archuleta, Grable, & Britt (2010) .This is a 4-item self-report questionnaire that assesses the respondent's perception of the extent to which he or she share financial goals and values with his/her partner. Scale range: 4-28. Higher scores represent more sharing	Six-month follow up (six months after post-test/Time2)
Primary	Couple Financial Management Roles and Satisfaction - Pre-Test (Time 1)	There are two different 7-point Likert-type scales used for Financial Management Roles (FMR). The first part assesses spousal involvement in specific financial management roles. The scale ranges from 1 (FMR was primarily the participant's responsibility) to 7 (FMR was the spouse's primary responsibility). Scores were recoded (1 recoded to -3; 4 recoded to 0; and 7 recoded to 3). Scale ranges from -39 to 39. Lower score indicates the participant is more responsible and higher score the participant is less responsible for the FMR in his/her household. Second part of the FMR assesses respondents' level of satisfaction of their involvement in financial roles. The scale ranges from 1 (participant unsatisfied in his/her involvement) to 7 (participant satisfied in his/her involvement). Higher score indicates participant's satisfaction of involvement in specific financial role. Scale ranges from 13 to 91. The PI and data for this study are no longer available for query.	Pre-test (Time 1) (Completed in first workshop session for Intervention Group and int the Intake and Enrollment Meeting for the Control Group)
Primary	Couple Financial Management Roles and Satisfaction - Post-Test (Time 2)	Developed by Archuleta (2008). This is a 13-item self-report questionnaire. There are two different 7-point Likert-type scales used for Financial Management Roles (FMR). The first part assesses spousal involvement in specific financial management roles. The scale ranges from 1 (FMR was primarily the participant's responsibility) to 7 (FMR was the spouse's primary responsibility). Scores were recoded (1 recoded to -3; 4 recoded to 0; and 7 recoded to 3). Scale ranges from -39 to 39. Lower score indicates the participant is more responsible and higher score the participant is less responsible for the FMR in his/her household. Second part of the FMR assesses respondents' level of satisfaction of their involvement in financial roles. The scale ranges from 1 (participant unsatisfied in his/her involvement) to 7 (participant satisfied in his/her involvement). Higher score indicates participant's satisfaction of involvement in specific financial role. Scale ranges from 13 to 91.	Post-test (8weeks after pre-test/Time1
Primary	Couple Financial Management Roles and Satisfaction - Six-month Follow-up (Time 3)	Developed by Archuleta (2008). This is a 13-item self-report questionnaire. There are two different 7-point Likert-type scales used for Financial Management Roles (FMR). The first part assesses spousal involvement in specific financial management roles. The scale ranges from 1 (FMR was primarily the participant's responsibility) to 7 (FMR was the spouse's primary responsibility). Scores were recoded (1 recoded to -3; 4 recoded to 0; and 7 recoded to 3). Scale ranges from -39 to 39. Lower score indicates the participant is more responsible and higher score the participant is less responsible for the FMR in his/her household. Second part of the FMR assesses respondents' level of satisfaction of their involvement in financial roles. The scale ranges from 1 (participant unsatisfied in his/her involvement) to 7 (participant satisfied in his/her involvement). Higher score indicates participant's satisfaction of involvement in specific financial role. Scale ranges from 13 to 91.	Six-month follow up (six months after post-test/Time2)
Primary	Perceived Employment Barriers - Pre-test (Time 1)	Developed by Hong (2013). This is a 27-item self-report questionnaire that assesses the respondent's perception of employment barriers. It has the following subscales: Physical and mental health (6 items, scale range: 6-30), Labor Market Exclusion (3 items: scale range: 3 -15), Child Care (3 items: scale range: 3 -15). Human Capital (5 items, scale range: 5-25), and Soft Skills (5 items, scale range: 5-25). Higher scores represent higher/more barriers in that area.	Pre-test (Time 1) (Completed in first workshop session for Intervention Group and int the Intake and Enrollment Meeting for the Control Group)
Primary	Perceived Employment Barriers - Post--test (Time 2)	Developed by Hong (2013). This is a 27-item self-report questionnaire that assesses the respondent's perception of employment barriers. It has the following subscales: Physical and mental health (6 items, scale range: 6-30), Labor Market Exclusion (3 items: scale range: 3 -15), Child Care (3 items: scale range: 3 -15). Human Capital (5 items, scale range: 5-25), and Soft Skills (5 items, scale range: 5-25). Higher scores represent higher/more barriers in that area.	Post-test (8weeks after pre-test/Time1)
Primary	Perceived Employment Barriers - Six-month Follow-up (Time 3)	Developed by Hong (2013). This is a 27-item self-report questionnaire that assesses the respondent's perception of employment barriers. It has the following subscales: Physical and mental health (6 items, scale range: 6-30), Labor Market Exclusion (3 items: scale range: 3 -15), Child Care (3 items: scale range: 3 -15). Human Capital (5 items, scale range: 5-25), and Soft Skills (5 items, scale range: 5-25). Higher scores represent higher/more barriers in that area.	Six-month follow up (six months after post-test/Time2)
Primary	Employment Hope Scale - Pre-test (Time 1)	Developed by Hong, Sheriff & Naeger, (2009) This is a 24-item self-report questionnaire that assesses the respondent's psychological readiness and hope for employment. Subscales included in the study are: Utilization Skills (4 items; scale range: 0-40); Self-Worth (4 items; scale range: 0-40); Self-Motivation (4 items; scale range: 0-40); Self-Perceived Capability (4 items; scale range: 0-40); Goal Orientation (4 items; scale range: 0-40); Future Job Outlook (4 items; scale range: 0-40); Psychological Empowerment (combined 12 items; scale range: 0-120); and Moving to Future Goals (combined 12 items; scale range: 0-120). Higher scores represent higher readiness or hope.	Pre-test (Time 1) (Completed in first workshop session for Intervention Group and int the Intake and Enrollment Meeting for the Control Group)
Primary	Employment Hope Scale - Post-test (Time 2)	Developed by Hong, Sheriff & Naeger, (2009) This is a 24-item self-report questionnaire that assesses the respondent's psychological readiness and hope for employment. Subscales included in the study are: Utilization Skills (4 items; scale range: 0-40); Self-Worth (4 items; scale range: 0-40); Self-Motivation (4 items; scale range: 0-40); Self-Perceived Capability (4 items; scale range: 0-40); Goal Orientation (4 items; scale range: 0-40); Future Job Outlook (4 items; scale range: 0-40); Psychological Empowerment (combined 12 items; scale range: 0-120); and Moving to Future Goals (combined 12 items; scale range: 0-120). Higher scores represent higher readiness or hope.	Post-test (8weeks after pre-test/Time1)
Primary	Employment Hope Scale - Six-month Follow-up (Time 3)	Developed by Hong, Sheriff & Naeger, (2009) This is a 24-item self-report questionnaire that assesses the respondent's psychological readiness and hope for employment. Subscales included in the study are: Utilization Skills (4 items; scale range: 0-40); Self-Worth (4 items; scale range: 0-40); Self-Motivation (4 items; scale range: 0-40); Self-Perceived Capability (4 items; scale range: 0-40); Goal Orientation (4 items; scale range: 0-40); Future Job Outlook (4 items; scale range: 0-40); Psychological Empowerment (combined 12 items; scale range: 0-120); and Moving to Future Goals (combined 12 items; scale range: 0-120). Higher scores represent higher readiness or hope.	Six-month follow up (six months after post-test/Time2)

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