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
All information is kept confidential.
Military member drinks heavily
Compensation Provided
Conducted online
Study Background
Researchers at Stanford University are evaluating an online program for romantic partners of active duty military members who are concerned about their partners’ drinking behaviors.
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.
All information collected throughout the study is kept completely confidential, including from your service member partner. No information provided will be shared with anyone outside of the study team, including military leadership. This study is protected by a Certificate of Confidentiality (CoC). Learn more about information that is protected by a CoC.
Participants will receive up to $250 in compensation.
Study Background
Stanford University is evaluating Partners Connect, an online program for romantic partners of active duty military members who are concerned about their partners’ drinking behaviors. This research study aims to understand more about how this intervention program may affect drinking behaviors and mechanisms in active military members.
Throughout the course of this research study, we hope to learn more about how this online program may affect drinking behaviors and mechanisms in active military members, and if the program will reduce drinking and encourage service members to seek help.
No in-person visits are required. Participants will complete an online program called Partners Connect (formally A SMART evaluation of an adaptive web-based AUD treatment for service members and their partners). Afterwards. the active duty military romantic partners will also complete an online program.
Participants may receive up to $250 in compensation.
Additional Information
Stanford University is evaluating Partners Connect, an online program for romantic partners of active duty military members who are concerned about their partners’ drinking behaviors. This research study aims to understand more about how this intervention program may affect drinking behaviors and mechanisms in active military members.
You may qualify for this study if you meet the following criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:
- 18 years or older
- Live with a spouse or romantic partner who is an active duty military member (not including Reserve and Guard components)
- Have concerns about your partner’s drinking
- Not in the military yourself
- Open to trying an online program aimed at improving communication and the quality of your relationship while reducing your partner’s drinking
You will first complete a confidential survey that shares a bit more information about yourself and your partner. During the program, you will also have an opportunity to invite your partner to complete their own, confidential online module. After finishing the program, you will participate in a confidential interview with someone on the research team, sharing more about your experience using the program. You will also be asked to complete another confidential survey two months later. Information from your survey will not be shared with your partner.
There are no in-person visits, just contact via phone and email.
Compensation of $250 is provided for completing all study activities.
“I would absolutely recommend this program to a friend. It was only 4 sessions and I can see a huge difference in our relationship.” – Program participant
“[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.'” – Spouse of active duty service member
“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.” – Partner of active duty service member
