Partners Connect
Online Program
Researchers at Stanford University are developing an online program designed to teach you new skills to improve your relationship, enhance personal wellness, and reduce drinking. We are looking for partners & spouses of active-duty military members who are interested in participating in this research study designed to build the necessary skills for you to help reduce your partners’ drinking and enhance the quality of your relationship.
Fast Facts
Live with a partner or spouse who is an active-duty military member
living with partner or spouse
18 Years or Older
conducted online throughout the US
receive compensation for participation
Fast Facts
Live with a partner or spouse who is an active-duty military member
living with partner or spouse
18 years or older
Conducted Online throughout the US
receive compensation for participation
Study Background
Research shows that family members can learn effective techniques that help them improve communication and reduce their loved one’s drinking.
Throughout your participation in this online program, we hope to learn more about how programs like this can reduce drinking, improve the quality of your relationship, and encourage your service member to seek help as necessary.
No in-person visits are required. Participants will complete our online program called Partners Connect. You will also have the opportunity to invite your service member partner to participate in their own version of the program. Participation is completely voluntary and confidential.
Participants will receive up to $250 in compensation.
Study Background
Research shows that family members can learn effective techniques that help them improve communication and reduce their loved one’s drinking.
Throughout your participation in this online program, we hope to learn more about how programs like this can reduce drinking, improve the quality of your relationship, and encourage your service member to seek help as necessary.
No in-person visits are required. Participants will complete our online program called Partners Connect. You will also have the opportunity to invite your service member partner to participate in their own version of the program. Participation is completely voluntary and confidential.
Participants will receive up to $250 in compensation.
Additional Information
Our researchers are developing an online program, called Partners Connect, designed to help partners and spouses of military service members improve their communication, relationship quality, and alcohol use. This project wants to understand the impact of this program on military couples, such as yourself.
You may qualify for this study if you meet the following criteria.
Key Criteria:
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18 years or older
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Have a spouse or living with a partner who is currently a military service member (includes Reserve and Guard components)
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Have concerns about your partner’s drinking
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Not be in the military yourself
- Open to trying an online program addressing risky drinking
If eligible, you will first complete a confidential questionnaire, sharing more about you and your partner. Then, you will participate in a self-guided, online program over the next month. While completing the program, you will have the option to invite your service member to participate in the research study, where they will also complete a self-guided, online program. You will be asked to complete a follow-up questionnaire two-, four-, and six-months later.
If your partner or spouse participates, they will also be asked to complete a confidential questionnaire before starting the program and again two months later.
There are no in-person visits, but there may be limited contact via phone and email.
Compensation of $250 for completing all study activities.
If your partner or spouse also participates in the program, they will receive $50 for completing the first survey and $60 for completing their follow-up survey two months later.
Participant Testimonials
“I would absolutely recommend this program to a friend. It was only 4 sessions and I can see a huge difference in our relationship.”
"[My husband] has gotten a hold of his counselors and is working with them. He was not [seeing them before]. He saw that I was reaching out for help and he thought, ‘Oh, maybe I better do something.'"
"All of it was very helpful. I could tell a difference even after the first two weeks. It helped with communication. You gave me tools to communicate better—that helped the most…He got upset at work and wanted to go to the liquor store to get a drink. I asked him to wait 30 minutes and then he didn’t even want to go anymore. Before we would have gotten into a fight—I would have blamed him or said you’re doing something wrong. This time I said it’s up to you but I was nice about it and asked him to just wait a bit."