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What Ever Happened to Dating? The Rise of ‘Just Talking’ Relationships

What Ever Happened to Dating? The Rise of ‘Just Talking’ Relationships

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…

The Benefits of Premarital Counseling and Relationship Education

The Benefits of Premarital Counseling and Relationship Education

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…

International Association for Relationship Research 2024 Conference

International Association for Relationship Research 2024 Conference

On July 5th through July 9th, Dr. Sibley, Jordyn Saddler, and I had the pleasure of presenting some of our research at the International Association for Relationship Research (IARR) 2024 Conference in Boston, Massachusetts, at the Hilton Boston Park Plaza. Dr. Sibley and I had…

Navigating Military Relationships: How to Feel Connected While Hundreds of Miles Away

Navigating Military Relationships: How to Feel Connected While Hundreds of Miles Away

Have you ever been in a military relationship, or found yourself, a civilian, considering getting romantically involved with a military service member? If your answer is yes, or you’re intrigued by the idea, you may have many questions about the unique challenges military relationships face.…

Love Beyond Color: Understanding Racial Preferences in Romantic and Sexual Relationships

Love Beyond Color: Understanding Racial Preferences in Romantic and Sexual Relationships

The first time I heard about racial preferences was when my past partner told me they would “never date a White person again and preferred dating Black people.” Their answers were unclear when I inquired about their motivations for this preference. It made me question…

How to Break the Cycle of Generational Trauma

How to Break the Cycle of Generational Trauma

Trauma can have a substantial impact not only on individuals, but on families through the generations. I (Julie) often think about the difference it would have made in my childhood had my grandfather worked out his trauma after World War II (WWII). I have a…

The Impact of Social Media on Adolescent Romantic Relationships

The Impact of Social Media on Adolescent Romantic Relationships

As we have discussed continually on this blog, technology is impacting the formation and maintenance of relationships. Today’s adolescents have increasing access to technology, including social media, potentially influencing their social and emotional growth. Peer relationships typically flourish during this stage, including forming romantic relationships.…

Illinois Council on Family Relations 2024 Conference

Illinois Council on Family Relations 2024 Conference

On April 5th, our research team attended the Illinois Council on Family Relations 2024 Annual Conference hosted at Northern Illinois University (NIU) DeKalb, Illinois. The Illinois Council on Family Relations is a state affiliate of the National Council on Family Relations. This was the first…

A Review of “The Dating Divide: Race and Desire in the Era of Online Romance”

A Review of “The Dating Divide: Race and Desire in the Era of Online Romance”

In today’s digital age, couples are increasingly meeting via online, rather than relying on introductions from friends, family, or social events. Without the barriers of physical proximity, individuals seeking romantic relationships can tap into a bottomless pool of potential partners. That means, who we are…

The Essential Nature of Family Dinner

The Essential Nature of Family Dinner

Family dinner is essential when members come together at the end of their day with the ones they love. Lasting memories from couples, children, and families are made during these times that will span years to come with favorite meals and traditions. With parent’s and…

Ghosting and Other Breakup Strategies: How to Recover from a Relationship Dead End

Ghosting and Other Breakup Strategies: How to Recover from a Relationship Dead End

You may find it surprising to hear that according to a 2021 YouGov study, 41% of Americans reported to possess some belief in ghosts or spirits of the supernatural. While a discussion of those statistics is beyond the scope of this article, for those of…

Understanding the Impact of Birth Order and Sibling Relationships on Romantic Relationships

Understanding the Impact of Birth Order and Sibling Relationships on Romantic Relationships

One of our most influential and often longest-lasting relationships is with our siblings. Our relationships with them are significant to our development. As our family structure members linked by marriage or bloodline continue to change in the United States, the attachment to our siblings can…

Are You Paying Attention? The Impact of Phubbing on Your Romantic Relationships

Are You Paying Attention? The Impact of Phubbing on Your Romantic Relationships

Do you ever feel like your significant other is always distracted on their phone? Do you feel ignored by your companion due to their phone usage? If so, your significant other may be “phubbing,” which is ignoring one’s significant other to pay attention to their…

On Again, Off Again: Is This Really Healthy for Us?

On Again, Off Again: Is This Really Healthy for Us?

Have you ever been in a relationship where you have been with your partner, then broken up, and then gotten back together? Have you both done this more than once? If you have, you are experiencing something called “relationship cycling,” also known as an “on…

The Essential Element of Forgiveness in Couple and Family Relationships

The Essential Element of Forgiveness in Couple and Family Relationships

Have you ever been unable to forgive someone for wronging you? Maybe someone was unable to forgive you and you couldn’t understand why. In this blog, we will review the factors of forgiveness, dispositional forgiveness, differentiation of self, the way attachment impacts forgiveness, and the…

Turning Away From Connection: The Impact of Pornography

Turning Away From Connection: The Impact of Pornography

Is pornography use harmful to relationships? An ever growing body of research indicates that pornography poses a substantial threat to individuals, couples, families, and society. Many studies conclude that a major impact of pornography is that it causes individuals to turn away from connection in…

Is This a Dealbreaker? How to Detect and Respond to Red Flags in a Romantic Partner

Is This a Dealbreaker? How to Detect and Respond to Red Flags in a Romantic Partner

Is this a red flag that I observed in a potential romantic partner? Is her excessive spending or his substance use a dealbreaker? I (Aleisha) recently got out of a serious, long-term relationship with someone who I knew deep down was not right for me,…

The Impact of Loneliness on Our Relationships

The Impact of Loneliness on Our Relationships

Have you experienced a time when you felt isolated but craved social interaction? Have you ever been in a room full of people but still felt alone? Or have you ever felt distanced from your partner or as if they don’t want to spend time…