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How does depression shape relationship quality in later life? In the MRI-funded project Depression and Relationship Qual...
06/12/2026

How does depression shape relationship quality in later life? In the MRI-funded project Depression and Relationship Quality Among Older Adult Couples, Dr. Danielle Weber (University of North Carolina at Greensboro), in collaboration with Dr. Justin Lavner and Dr. Steven Beach (University of Georgia), examines how depressive symptoms and couple functioning intersect among adults aged 60 and older.

Findings point to the importance of communication quality and shared positive engagement as potential targets for supporting older couples navigating depressive symptoms.

READ MORE >> https://mri.org/blog/depression-and-relationship-quality-among-older-adult-couples-a-longitudinal-multimethod-investigation





Exploring Touch in Virtual Reality in Young Adult Romantic RelationshipsCan a virtual world recreate one of the most pow...
06/09/2026

Exploring Touch in Virtual Reality in Young Adult Romantic Relationships

Can a virtual world recreate one of the most powerful ingredients of closeness—touch? In the MRI-funded project Exploring Touch in Virtual Reality in Young Adult Romantic Relationships, Dr. Thao Ha (Department of Psychology) and Dr. Liesel Sharabi (Hugh Downs School of Human Communication) at Arizona State University examine how partners’ touch behaviors in immersive VR relate to intimacy, trust, and relationship satisfaction. Using Dreamscape Learn VR pods, 61 couples completed a randomized touch vs. no-touch experience with multimethod measurement (self-report, physiology, and behavioral coding). Early findings suggest that touch frequency and satisfaction in VR may be linked to stronger relationship outcomes over time.

READ MORE >> https://mri.org/blog/exploring-touch-in-virtual-reality-in-young-adult-romantic-relationships





Chronic Socioeconomic Stress, Psychological Distress and Informal Support among Aging KenyansWhat happens to mental heal...
06/05/2026

Chronic Socioeconomic Stress, Psychological Distress and Informal Support among Aging Kenyans

What happens to mental health when poverty is chronic—and support systems are the main safety net? In the MRI-funded project led by Dr. James R. Muruthi (University of Oregon), researchers surveyed 376 adults age 55+ in Kenya to better understand how socioeconomic stress and informal support relate to psychological distress. The study highlights the everyday realities of food insecurity and chronic illness, alongside the vital role of family, friends, and religious communities. This work helps build the foundation for future interventions that support healthier aging in low-resource settings.

Read More >> https://mri.org/blog/chronic-socioeconomic-stress-psychological-distress-and-informal-support-among-aging-kenyans-1

Pregnancy and postpartum don’t just change individuals—they can also reshape the dynamics of intimate relationships in w...
06/02/2026

Pregnancy and postpartum don’t just change individuals—they can also reshape the dynamics of intimate relationships in ways that heighten stress and vulnerability. In the MRI-funded project MotherWise in Nicaragua: Evaluation of a Culturally Adapted Relationship and Perinatal Mental Health Intervention, Dr. Galena Rhoades (Thriving Families) is evaluating a culturally adapted relationship education program for pregnant and postpartum women. Using a mixed-methods design, the study examines changes in communication and relationship functioning while also documenting cultural fit, feasibility, and barriers to engagement. Findings will inform refinement of MotherWise in Nicaragua and guide responsible adaptation in other Spanish-speaking, resource-limited contexts.

READ MORE >> https://mri.org/blog/motherwise-in-nicaragua-evaluating-a-culturally-adapted-relationship-and-perinatal-mental-health-intervention

Using a longitudinal, observational design, MRI-funded research led by Dr. Bridget Callaghan (UCLA) and Dr. Jennifer Som...
05/29/2026

Using a longitudinal, observational design, MRI-funded research led by Dr. Bridget Callaghan (UCLA) and Dr. Jennifer Somers (Auburn University) examined how positive parenting relates to adolescent emotion regulation in at-risk youth. Results highlight bidirectional interaction patterns—“positive spirals”—associated with lower anxiety symptoms among adversity-exposed adolescents.

Resilience is shaped not only within individuals, but within relationships.

READ MORE >> https://mri.org/blog/does-positive-parenting-improve-emotion-regulation-in-at-risk-youth-across-the-transition-to-adolescence-1

When teens need support, they often reach out by text—and the way friends respond can matter. 💬 In the MRI-funded projec...
05/26/2026

When teens need support, they often reach out by text—and the way friends respond can matter. 💬 In the MRI-funded project Teenagers and Texting, Allie Spiekerman (University of Missouri) is studying two weeks of real text conversations from close friend dyads (ages 14–18) to understand what supportive (and unsupportive) replies look like in everyday life. The project also considers digital cues like emojis and response time to pinpoint the small moments that help teens feel seen and supported.

READ MORE >> https://mri.org/blog/teenagers-and-texting-a-multi-method-examination-of-social-support-in-adolescent-friends-text-messages-and-associations-with-adjustment

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