Relationships: Research with Deakin

 

 

 

 

Looking at 'newly weds' to determine what makes a lasting relationship

 

 

 

The project is investigating newlyweds' perceptions of spousal support and its impact on heterosexual couples' psychological wellbeing and relationship satisfaction. The project is being conducted by Gery Karantzas in the School of Psychology at Deakin University.

 

While there is extensive research in the area of romantic relationships, research is often limited in its approach by focusing on the perspective of one romantic partner rather than investigating the perceptions of both partners in the relationship. Furthermore, research into romantic relationships often fails to capture the complexities inherent in the development of marital relationships.

 

Therefore the present study seeks to investigate important aspects of relationships such as issues surrounding emotional bonding, trust, spousal support and adjustment, and to compare how these aspects of relationships develop over prior and during the first year of marriage for heterosexual couples. Importantly, research of this kind is likely to assist couples in developing patterns in the early states of their marriage that will allow them to maintain satisfying and long lasting relationships.

 

We are seeking both members of heterosexual relationship couples, aged between 18 to 40 years and that each partner completes an anonymous questionnaire booklet on a single occasion - between one - three months prior to marriage. The survey will take approximately 30 minutes to complete.  All participants will be informed of their right to withdraw from the study at anytime and all information will be treated as strictly confidential.