Research Overview
Our lab conducts research from a person-by-situation perspective, focusing on close relationships and interpersonal processes within an evolutionary and developmental framework. Most of our work addresses five areas:
Attachment: how adult attachment orientations affect relationship functioning and outcomes across the life span, especially when romantic partners are distressed.
Social development: how the quality of environments and relationships encountered earlier in life affect adult romantic relationships, parenting styles, and physical and mental health outcomes.
Relationships and health: how the quality of relationships and the beliefs, emotions, an
d behaviors of relationship partners influence health outcomes in each partner.
Social influence: when, how, and why romantic partners attempt to influence each other, including within-dyad power dynamics on relationship functioning and outcomes.
Parenting: how early interpersonal experiences and current romantic partners affect parental investment and co-parenting patterns.