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Motherhood is equal to partner absence as a cause of economic disadvantage in single mothers

New research by Professor Susan Harkness reveals that motherhood earning penalties have a significant impact on the economic wellbeing of single mothers. The study found that labour market penalties, cost of partner absence and child-related increases in financial needs combine to negatively affect single mothers' income.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalDemography·TypeMeta-analysis·DateJul 5, 2022

New research highlights “significant gap” in evidence about effectiveness of relationship education programmes

A systematic review of 20 relationship education programmes found a lack of high-quality evaluations, with only three programmes following participants for over a year. Experts recommend co-created programmes integrated into mental health-informed curricula and evaluated over the long-term to promote good mental health and wellbeing.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalPastoral Care in Education·TypeLiterature review·DateMar 30, 2022

How name change can impact a female researcher’s career

A recent commentary by Dartmouth College's Bala Chaudhary highlights the challenges faced by women researchers who choose to get married and change their last names. The lack of a consistent way to update publication records can lead to biases in grant and tenure applications, potentially affecting career advancement.

SourceDartmouth College·JournalNature Microbiology·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateMar 15, 2022

Child marriages violating statutory rape laws in many US states

A study by McGill University researchers found that child marriages in 14 US states violated statutory rape laws, often due to exemptions allowing sex between married couples. The research highlights the need to reexamine marital exemptions and raise the minimum legal age for marriage to avoid inconsistencies.

SourceMcGill University·JournalJournal of Adolescent Health·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 17, 2022

Economic pressure and stress caused by poverty directly impacts children as well as parents

A study led by Yekaterina Chzhen at Trinity College Dublin found that poverty directly affects both children and parents, leading to economic pressure and psychological distress. This challenges mainstream theoretical models of poverty and calls for a more nuanced understanding of the impact of economic hardship on families.

SourceTrinity College Dublin·JournalJournal of Marriage and Family·TypeSurvey·DateFeb 10, 2022

Genetic study suggests more sensitive people respond better to couple’s therapy

A genetic study published at Queen Mary University of London found that individuals with higher genetic sensitivity benefit more from couple's therapy, particularly in the long-term. The researchers used genome-wide data to assess genetic sensitivity and found that it had a significant impact on marital satisfaction over time.

SourceQueen Mary University of London·JournalJournal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 2, 2022

Robots good for gender equity, not so good for stability/fertility of marriage: study

A recent study found that robots negatively impact marriage stability and fertility, while improving gender pay equity. The research revealed that exposure to industrial robots worsens men's economic stature and reduces their ability to form long-term commitments, but boosts women's earnings and increases their labor force participation.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalJournal of Human Resources·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 24, 2021

When older couples are close together, their heart rates synchronize

A study from the University of Illinois examines how spatial proximity affects relationship dynamics in older adult couples. The researchers found that when partners are close to each other, their heart rates synchronize in a lead-lag relationship, indicating a complex interplay between physiological responses and interaction patterns.

SourceUniversity of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences·JournalJournal of Social and Personal Relationships·TypeObservational study·DateNov 17, 2021

Study explores how women handle stigma of staying with imprisoned men

Researchers conducted semi-structured interviews with 12 women who dated or were married to incarcerated partners, analyzing the impact of courtesy stigma and women's coping strategies. The study found that despite disapproval from loved ones, women chose to remain in their relationships, highlighting benefits such as deeper communicat...

SourceUniversity of Texas at Dallas·JournalCriminal Justice Studies·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 30, 2021

As dementia’s toll rises, new study shows major gaps in who gets care that could help them remain at home

A new study highlights significant disparities in dementia care availability by gender, race, ethnicity, education level, and family structure. The findings emphasize the importance of family caregivers, with those having available spouse or adult child support being less likely to move into nursing homes.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalHealth Affairs·TypeObservational study·DateSep 8, 2021

'Disagreeable' married men who shirk domestic responsibilities earn more at work

A recent study from the University of Notre Dame found that disagreeable married men who do not contribute equally to household chores often have higher salaries due to increased focus on their careers. This phenomenon suggests that imbalanced social exchanges at home, particularly with spouses, play a crucial role in determining indiv...

SourceUniversity of Notre Dame·JournalPersonnel Psychology·DateJun 10, 2021

Child marriage is legal and persists across Canada

A study by McGill University researchers found that child marriage remains a practice in Canada, with the majority of marriages being common-law unions. The study highlights the need for innovative approaches to address the issue and sheds light on the persistence of child marriage in the country.

SourceMcGill University·JournalPopulation and Development Review·DateJan 8, 2021

Dating apps don't destroy love

A UNIGE study found that people who met their partners on dating applications have stronger cohabitation intentions and desires to have children. The results also show that couples formed through apps have diverse socio-educational profiles, leading to increased long-distance relationships.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalPLOS ONE·DateDec 30, 2020

Explaining the religious vote for Trump

Researchers found that Christian nationalist values among non-churchgoers were strongly tied to voting for Trump. In contrast, churchgoers' support for Trump was not influenced by their level of Christian nationalism. The study challenges the idea that the religious vote for Trump was driven by Christian leaders and institutions.

SourceLouisiana State University·JournalSociological Forum·DateNov 10, 2020

Marriage or not? Rituals help dating couples decide relationship future

A University of Illinois study found that rituals in dating relationships can magnify normative experiences and provide a preview into family life and couple life. Rituals have the power to bond individuals and serve as diagnostic tools for where the relationship is going.

SourceUniversity of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences·JournalJournal of Social and Personal Relationships·DateOct 15, 2020

Early marriage may lead to unsafe drinking behavior by those with higher genetic risk

A study found that early marriage can exacerbate risky alcohol use among individuals with a high genetic predisposition, contradicting the traditional view of marriage as a protective factor. The research suggests that early life events may not be as protective against poor mental and physical health outcomes as previously thought.

SourceVirginia Commonwealth University·JournalDevelopment and Psychopathology·DateJul 2, 2020

Study shows effects of Chinese divorce law on women's wellbeing

A new study by Yale sociologist Emma Zang found that China's 2011 judicial interpretation on property rights during divorce initially harmed women's wellbeing, but couples adapted over time to share property equally. Despite adaptations, the change has lingering costs, including increased housework for women and loss of property rights.

SourceYale University·JournalJournal of Marriage and Family·DateJan 24, 2020

Men who receive home care from spouse more likely to feel burdensome than women

A new study by University of Michigan researchers found that men who receive caregiving from their spouses are more prone to feeling guilty and depressed due to negative spousal exchanges. In contrast, wives in caregiving relationships show less susceptibility to these effects, suggesting a difference in gender dynamics.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalJournal of Social and Personal Relationships·DateNov 11, 2019

The medieval Catholic church's influence on psychology of Western, industrialized societies

A study by Jonathan Schultz et al. reveals how the medieval Catholic Church's marriage policies replaced extended kin networks with nuclear households, contributing to increased individualism and less conformity in Western populations. The researchers controlled for variables such as education and income to support their findings.