Recently several members of our research team had the wonderful opportunity to travel to Glasgow, Scotland, and attend the International Association for Relationship Research (IARR) 2026 Conference. The conference was held July 8–12 at the Technology and Innovation Centre at the University of Strathclyde. For…
Have you ever found yourself lying awake at night wondering, “How do I know if this relationship is truly worth committing to?” If so, you’re not alone. In a culture filled with endless dating options, conflicting advice, and constant pressure to “choose the right person,”…
Why haven’t they texted me back?” For many people, this thought comes and goes. But for someone with an anxious attachment style, a delayed response can feel much bigger than a late text message. It can trigger questions about the entire relationship. Are they upset…
Cultural discussions often frame societies as either collectivistic, emphasizing family and community, or individualistic, emphasizing personal autonomy. Recent research suggests that many Latin American societies, including Mexico, combine both orientations, creating strong family bonds alongside independent identities (Krys et al., 2022; Soler-Anguiano et al., 2023).…
Sometimes a relationship doesn’t fall apart from shouting or slammed doors, but through silence. From the outside, everything appears steady: no explosive arguments, a functioning household, a couple who seem perfectly in sync at gatherings. But inside the home, the emotional silence is unmistakable. Conversations…
Geographic separation can enter a relationship in many ways. Some couples meet while attending different universities, living in different cities, or connecting through online spaces before ever sharing the same physical environment. Others may begin their relationship without realizing that distance will become part of…
On April 28th, our research team had the pleasure of attending the 2026 Conference on Undergraduate Research and Engagement (CURE), hosted by Northern Illinois University. As a collaborative effort, we split into three poster groups to showcase three different research projects within our team. Our…
On April 24th, eight members of our research team attended the Illinois Council on Family Relations (ILCFR) 2026 Annual Conference, hosted at the NIU Naperville Conference Center in Naperville, Illinois. During the conference, we presented two poster presentations and one workshop that highlighted the public…
One of the main principles presented in Raising Mentally Strong Kids is mutual dignity, which focuses on educating children on how to treat the world around them by the standard of treatment we allow for ourselves. At its core, this principle is not just about…
Are you or your partner experiencing intrusive thoughts about your relationship, your feelings, your sexual connection, your expectations, or worries about the future? Maybe you have noticed what feels like cold feet when it comes to commitment. You might find yourself asking: “What if they…
Reaching 100 blog posts on DecideToCommit.com is more than an achievement in consistency. It is a celebration of growth, discovery, collaboration, and the shared belief that research should not remain confined to academic journals. Nearly a decade ago, this project began with a simple intention.…
In today’s fast-paced world, where work demands, financial pressures, parenting responsibilities, and digital distractions constantly pull couples in different directions, maintaining connection can feel increasingly difficult. Fighting for Your Marriage: Positive Steps for Preventing Divorce and Building a Lasting Love (4th Edition), authored by Drs.…
Many people grow up believing they need to find “the one.” A perfect soulmate who appears at exactly the right time and makes love effortless. Disney fairy tales and the curated glow of social media can make that ideal feel normal, as if healthy relationships…
When you ask happily married couples what helps them through difficult seasons, you often hear recurring themes: trust, open communication, shared beliefs, and forgiveness. These traits rarely work in isolation. Research shows that they are intertwined and grounded in a deeper sense of meaning. At…
Despite modern technology allowing us to be constantly connected, many adults in the United States report feeling isolated or lacking companionship, which is consistent with national surveys and public health surveillance on social connection and mental health (American Psychological Association, 2025; Bruss et al., 2024).…
Valentine’s Day is widely recognized as a time to highlight love across all types of relationships. Friends gather for Galentine’s Day, families exchange warm messages, and romantic partners plan date nights, post affectionate photos, and exchange gifts. The first blog post on this website highlighted…
As a research team we have been hearing a lot about the phrase “sneaky links” lately. It’s everywhere, in TikTok captions, group chats, and whispered conversations that start with “don’t judge me, but…” And while it might sound like just another piece of dating slang,…
Sometimes people don’t fall in love with who their partner is, but with who they imagine their partner might one day become. Someone who only ticks a few of their boxes, but hopefully, with time and experience, can tick all of their boxes. An idea…
In the beginning, it feels like magic. Starting a new relationship often brings a rush of energy that feels almost euphoric. There are endless smiles, late‑night conversations that make sleep feel optional, and moments where time seems to pause. Your heart does not only flutter…
Parenting can be one of the most challenging roles a person takes on, yet it is also one of the most profoundly rewarding. When a child receives a diagnosis, new layers of complexity often emerge, but so do new opportunities to witness resilience, growth, and…
When the subject of optimism comes up, people tend to roll their eyes. It can seem like faux happiness, naiveté, or plain delusion. A mindset of sunshine and rainbows despite the bleakness of reality. Perhaps it brings to mind the “glass half full” comments, where…
Let’s take a moment to imagine the purest love you’ve ever received. A love that left you breathless, filled your chest with butterflies, and made you feel on top of the world. Who came to mind? A past romantic partner? Your current significant other? Or…
All couples fight. Even though it can be painful, conflict is a natural occurrence. Life throws plenty of challenges at couples. Stress, anger, and disagreement are inevitable. You may know the hit 80’s anthem, Love is a Battlefield, where Pat Benatar belts, “We are young,…
We often think of commitment as a big grand gesture such as wedding vows, moving in together, or saying the first “I love you”. But what if the real glue in relationships is made from much smaller acts of commitment? Micro-commitments are the subtle, everyday…
