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…
When we commit our love to one another, we simultaneously place our trust in the ability of others to be considerate of our emotions. In doing so, we give power to those we care about opening ourselves to be more vulnerable than ever before. In…
Grief can be difficult to understand, especially when emotions are colliding. Finding solace in grief begins with recognizing how unpredictable these emotions can be. You may be feeling angry about losing someone, you may be sad they are no longer with you, you may be…
With over 20 million copies sold, Gary Chapman’s The 5 Love Languages has become a cultural phenomenon since its release in 1992. Translated into 50 languages and featured on bestseller lists like The New York Times for hundreds of weeks, its influence now stretches far beyond the bookshelf. From…
Have you ever stopped to wonder just how important sex is within a romantic relationship? Research studies indicate that both sexual frequency and sexual satisfaction are strong predictors of overall relationship quality in couple relationships (e.g. Muise et al., 2016). Sexual satisfaction is essential as…
This past June 4th through June 6th, Dr. Sibley, Julie Abbinante, and I had the chance to present our research at the Society for The Study of Emerging Adulthood (SSEA) 2025 Conference in Charleston, South Carolina, at the Hyatt Place. Dr. Sibley and I flew…
Teens in the U.S. spend on average 4.8 hours a day on social media, and 87% of that time is spent on YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram. Besides posting memes and watching the most recent viral video, young people are also using their time on social…
As we find ourselves navigating a world where hedonism and individuality is celebrated, the societal norm has shifted to the vilification of a lifelong union. The message is loud and clear from the media, entertainment industry and everywhere around us: “Marriage means you’re sacrificing your career, education…
Communication is a vital aspect of every relationship. Being open and having the ability to communicate with our partners is extremely important when building a healthy relationship. Emotional expression, availability, and communication skills regarding emotions are strong predictors of relationship satisfaction (Bloch et al., 2014).…
Although it requires great effort, a lifelong romantic relationship is possible to attain and something we can strive for. Although many worry that relationships are not sustainable, research indicates about half of all marriages last a lifetime. Understandably the journey to this goal is not…
There is no better feeling than welcoming home your service members from deployment. Months, days, hours, and minutes all counting down to the moment you get to hug them. A lot of stress releases and you are able to take a deep breath again. While…
What ever happened to dating? This is a question I have been asking as a researcher, clinician, and educator for the past decade. In my most recent blog post about just talking, I discussed a significant change in the way emerging adults (18 to 29-year-olds)…
Every new mom can relate to the infamous postpartum days. The daily struggles of breast milk-stained shirts, sleepless nights, and excessive worrying become the new norm. Intrusive thoughts about keeping your baby safe inundate your delirious, sleep-deprived brain to the extent that you start to…
Emerging adulthood is a time of life characterized by decision-making in romantic relationships. Most emerging adults (18 to 29-year-olds) utilize this time for romantic and sexual exploration with ambitions and expectations for marriage (see Millennial Marriage or The Marriage Paradox). Scholars such as Drs. Scott Stanley and Galena Rhoades have argued that…
Couples often focus on floral arrangements, rings, and honeymoon plans while preparing for marriage. However, conflict management, finances, and future goals are equally crucial topics discussed in premarital counseling and relationship education. Recent data shows a higher marriage rate than pre-pandemic in the United States…
