Dr. Gordon’s study in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology explores the role of gratitude and appreciation in maintaining long and healthy relationships. In the study, 50 committed couples were given a week to fill out appreciation journals. On days when one partner reported feeling more appreciated, he or she tended to appreciate his […]
This paper explores effects of the Supporting Healthy Marriage (SHM) program for six subgroups of couples in the study. SHM’s impacts were generally consistent across these subgroups, though some evidence suggests that couples whose marriages were more distressed at study entry may have benefited more from SHM. Overview on MDRC Website
Higher levels of gratitude after receiving thoughtful benefits (e.g. gifts, favors, etc.) predicted higher relationship connection and satisfaction. Read more about the power of gratitude at the Greater Good Science Center at the University of California, Berkeley.
Mediator in a Box is a conflict resolution tool that looks like a board game. Any two people can use it, to guide them through conflict or disagreements to solutions. In a simple and straightforward way, Mediator in a Box provides the structure and safety for two people to discuss with each other their […]
Everyday gratitude serves as a booster to romantic relationships and binds couples together. Check out these resources to learn more: It's the Little Things: Everyday Gratitude as a Booster Shot for Romantic Relationships. (journal article) To Have and to Hold: Gratitude Promotes Relationship Maintenance in Intimate Bond. (journal article) What is Gratitude? (essay) Why Does […]
The Behavioral Interventions to Advance Self-Sufficiency (BIAS) project is the first major opportunity to use a behavioral economics lens to look at programs that serve poor and vulnerable people in the United States. Working with the Texas Office of the Attorney General´s Child Support Division, the BIAS team explored ways to increase the number of […]
Using Evidence-Based Programs By focusing efforts on "what works," communities and programs are better able to improve participants'health and well-being. To boost the potential of an evidence-based program, it often needs to be implemented with fidelity. Factors such as how well a program's design fits with a community's needs affect how well an evidence-based program […]
Developed in collaboration between Auburn University and the University of Georgia as part of the Alabama Healthy Marriage & Relationship Education Initiative (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services—Healthy Marriage Demonstration Grant #90FM0006), ELEVATE is a couples education curriculum that blends practical skills with an understanding of the physiology of human interaction (the heart-brain-behavior connection) […]
ePREP is a 6 hour online program that is self-paced and can be done at any time in the privacy of your own home. There are 7 units in the couples version and 8 units in the singles version. Both versions include written information as well as video examples and tutorials that will help you […]
This report provides detailed summaries of major research investments by OPRE’s Division of Family Strengthening (DFS) along with brief overviews of past projects. The featured projects cover topics that include strengthening relationships within families, supporting fatherhood, nurturing children through their families, reducing teen pregnancy, and supporting youth in their transition to adulthood. The report also […]