Hostile and distressing interactions with a spouse are linked to problems with a partner's physical health. Learning skills such as how to argue in a healthy way, accepting partners for whom they are, not yelling at yellers, limit venting to others about your relational problems and recalling the lessons from happy times can not only […]

You're more likely to be obese, and chances are your Body Mass Index (BMI) increased to more than it would have been, had you stayed single. Why does this happen? Theories for this increase in weight include the comfort and security from "not having to prove yourself," disruptive sleep patterns from sharing a bed, the […]

John Wooden wrote a letter to his wife once a month for 24 years until his vision began to fail. This demonstration of marital loyalty was remarkable for many reasons including the fact that all of these letters were written after her death. In his tribute to John Wooden, Rick Reilly describes some of the […]

An article by Dr. Phillips includes many examples of where we may treat our dog (or other pet) better than our spouse. When coming home from a bad day we still greet the pet with warmth, but how do we treat our spouses? Pets may irritate us by soiling the floor, but we don't stay […]

Creating and maintaining holiday traditions are far more important to children than most parents realize. Family traditions provide enjoyment that extends far beyond the moment for those who participate; family traditions help define a family. Read more.

The study looking at 3,500 British couples after the birth of their first child, found that as husbands helped with household tasks, shopping, and childcare there was a lower incidence of divorce. These findings may trump previous theories that increases in divorce rates which began in the early 1960s were due to increases in the […]

A couple's expectations for what married life is supposed to be like play a big role in how well and happily they will adjust. Research shows that couples who are happily married disagree as much as those who divorce. The difference is that happily married couples are the ones who recognize that disagreeing about money, […]

Steven Stosny PhD suggests that it couples' don't have communication problems, but connection problems. People usually shut out their partners because they feel like their partner does not care about them or their feelings; they shut down in order to deaden the pain of disconnection. Before fighting, be aware that you must convey value to […]

It turns out that couples who avoid fights altogether may be missing out on some constructive relationship building. It is true that many fights can damage a relationship, but if partners learn to be constructive by openly listening and speaking calmly, there's a chance that they can use this conflict to grow closer. Read more.

Marital counseling and relationship education can save a marriage from current as well as future problems. The military provides programs such as the Prevention and Relationship Enhancement Program (PREP) workshop to help couples with their relationship skills and provide them with opportunities for insight as they live the unique and challenging life of a military […]