Strengthening military and veteran couple relationships: A rapid review of the effectiveness of relationship education for military couples

This rapid review examined evidence on the effectiveness of couple relationship education (CRE) in strengthening military couple relationships. It sourced published evaluations of programs adapted for, or delivered to, current or ex-serving military personnel and their partners within Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the UK and the USA, between January 2010 and June 2024. 

Relationship outcomes examined include couple relationship satisfaction, quality, strength, stability, communication, interaction, connection, conflict resolution, and prevention of violence. Process evaluation measures were also compared. The quality and overall strength of the evidence (quality, direction and consistency) were reviewed, as were participant characteristics that moderate program effects. 

Twenty articles were included in the review, reporting on 15 studies of 10 programs. One study was from Australia, and the rest were from the USA. The review confirms the value of providing CRE for military and veteran couples experiencing relationship issues, and as a preventative strategy, to help them better manage the unique demands of military service life.