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Dads of daughters may be more attentive partners

Researchers found that fathers of daughters show higher levels of attachment, commitment, trust, and intimacy toward the child's mother than fathers of sons. Having a daughter appears to be protective of the primary parent relationship, altering men's psychologies in interesting ways.

SourceRutgers University·JournalPersonality and Individual Differences·TypeSurvey·DateSep 21, 2026

Nearly 1 in 5 Medicaid-eligible adults in expansion states are at risk of losing health coverage due to insufficient or inconsistent work hours

A new study found that nearly 20% of eligible adults in Medicaid expansion states are at risk of losing health coverage due to insufficient or inconsistent work hours. Women, unmarried people, and those with limited education are disproportionately affected.

SourceBoston University School of Public Health·JournalJAMA Health Forum·TypeObservational study·DateAug 28, 2026

Want a happier marriage? New study suggests one simple habit

Researchers found that couples who exercise together report better communication, stronger conflict resolution, and lower marital stress. Walking was the most commonly reported form of shared exercise among couples in the study, suggesting it's a simple way to create opportunities for positive interactions and conversation.

SourceBrigham Young University·JournalFamily Relations·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 10, 2026

Spousal dementia exposure and risk of dementia

A cohort study in Taiwan found that spouses of individuals with dementia had a significantly higher risk of developing dementia compared to unexposed spouses. The association varied depending on the family context and socioeconomic status, highlighting the importance of considering household factors in dementia risk assessment.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateJul 20, 2026

Training hands-on dads

A new study from the University of Tokyo finds that a one-off training session increased time spent by fathers on childcare and housework, freeing up mothers to use for their own work. The training corrected common misconceptions about paternity leave and led to significant behavioral change.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·TypeSurvey·DateJun 18, 2026

New study reveals strict selection patterns in social relationships

Researchers found that humans are extremely selective when choosing friends and partners, evaluating all identity characteristics positively before entering a relationship. The study used data from high school friendships and marriages to validate its findings, revealing that factors like grade level, ethnic background, and age play a ...

SourceGraz University of Technology·JournalCommunications Physics·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 13, 2026

In mafias, marriages are strategic tools

Research on the 'Ndrangheta mafia network reveals that matrimonial ties between lesser-known clans play a vital role in maintaining the entire network's resilience. The analysis found that marriages between less influential families are significantly more critical to the network's cohesion.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS One·TypeObservational study·DateMay 6, 2026

EMBARGOED: Cancer risk is significantly higher for adults who never married, large study finds

A large U.S. study found that adults who never married have substantially higher rates of developing cancer compared to those who are or have been married. The association is strongest for cancers related to infection, smoking, and alcohol use, with women facing a significantly higher risk than men.

SourceUniversity of Miami Miller School of Medicine·JournalCancer Research Communications·DateApr 8, 2026

Marriage, emotional support may protect against obesity through brain-gut connection, study finds

A new study published in Gut Microbes reveals that married individuals with higher perceived emotional support have a lower body mass index and fewer food addiction behaviors. The study found that oxytocin pathways linking the brain, gut microbiome, and eating behaviors play a crucial role in shaping obesity risk.

A proposed legalisation of polygamy in Australia

Researchers propose a legalisation of polygamy in Australia that would allow for the recognition of non-monogamous relationships. The proposed law would not disrupt the foundations of Australian marriage law and could provide greater freedom for couples.

SourceUniversity of Adelaide·JournalThe University of Queensland Law Journal·TypeObservational study·DateMar 20, 2025

Aspects of marriage counseling may hold the key to depolarizing, unifying the country, study finds

A recent study found that 'reciprocal group reflection' - an intervention inspired by marriage counseling - helped reduce affective polarization among opposing political parties. Participants showed reduced signs of division and increased willingness to support depolarization efforts, even after six months.

SourceUniversity of Notre Dame·JournalPolitical Behavior·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJan 30, 2025

A ‘thank you’ goes a long way in family relationships

A study found that perceived gratitude from romantic partners and older children positively impacts individuals' psychological well-being and reduces parenting stress. Expressing gratitude within the family can promote a climate of appreciation, teaching children to acknowledge others' efforts.

SourceUniversity of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences·JournalThe Journal of Positive Psychology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 8, 2024

Political campaigns can induce stress in minorities

A study by researchers at the University of Zurich found that LGBTIQ+ individuals and their cisgender heterosexual allies experienced higher stress levels during the 2021 Swiss national referendum on marriage equality. The campaign's negative impact was attenuated when individuals saw supportive statements from the 'yes' campaign.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeSurvey·DateJul 22, 2024

There’s no ‘one size fits all’ when it comes to addressing men’s health issues globally

Research from the University of Notre Dame finds that life transitions and global health policies for men vary across communities, with differing effects on physical and mental health. Men's life expectancy lags behind women's, and health interventions should focus on individual needs and cultural contexts.

SourceUniversity of Notre Dame·JournalSocial Science & Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 23, 2024

Your unsupportive partner is physically stressing you out

A new study from Binghamton University found that couples who receive more negative social support tend to experience higher levels of cortisol, a hormone associated with stress reactions. In contrast, those who receive positive support exhibit lower cortisol levels and feel more understood, validated, and cared for by their partner.

SourceBinghamton University·JournalJournal of Social and Personal Relationships·TypeObservational study·DateApr 8, 2024

Women may find it harder to adjust to later life divorce and break-ups than men

A large long-term study found that women's antidepressant use increases after later life divorce or break-up, with a significant increase in the 4 years leading up to the event. Women's use tends to tail off only slightly and briefly after re-partnering, while men's use returns to pre-break-up levels within a year.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalJournal of Epidemiology and Community Health·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 6, 2024

Extreme weather events linked to increased child marriage

Research reveals that extreme weather events exacerbate existing problems of gender inequality and poverty, leading families to marry off children as a coping mechanism. Girls who are educated are less likely to be married off early, highlighting the importance of education in protecting against child marriage.

SourceOhio State University·JournalInternational Social Work·TypeSystematic review·DateAug 29, 2023

Bronze Age family systems deciphered: Mainz palaeogeneticists analyse a 3,800-year-old extended family

A groundbreaking study has unraveled the secrets of a 3,800-year-old extended family from a Bronze Age necropolis in the Russian steppe. The research reveals that most women buried in the kurgan were immigrants, while their sisters found new homes elsewhere, highlighting the importance of female marriage mobility in prehistoric societies.

SourceJohannes Gutenberg Universitaet Mainz·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeCase study·DateAug 22, 2023

Daughters breastfed longer, and women accumulated greater wealth in ancient California matriarchal society

In ancient California's San Francisco Bay Area, women played a crucial role in the economy, with mothers prioritizing their female offspring through extended breastfeeding. This practice may have led to female-biased wealth disparities, as older women were buried with greater wealth than men.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalAmerican Journal of Biological Anthropology·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 12, 2023

Conflict in marriage less harmful for kids when dad keeps it constructive

A new study from the University of Illinois found that fathers who use constructive conflict resolution strategies show more involvement and warmth towards their children, leading to positive child development. This approach can help minimize stress and promote healthier family dynamics.

SourceUniversity of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences·JournalJournal of Family Psychology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 14, 2023

Married people who cheat don’t regret it

A recent study published in Archives of Sexual Behavior found that married individuals who cheat report high levels of sexual and emotional satisfaction, but low levels of regret. The survey of over 2,000 Ashley Madison users revealed that fundamental problems with the relationship are often less cited as motivations for infidelity.

SourceJohns Hopkins University·JournalArchives of Sexual Behavior·DateMay 22, 2023