Meet, Catch, and Keep

Relationships

Why Travel Is Good for Your Relationship Health

Theresa E. DiDonato Ph.D. on April 10, 2024

A vacation may well be a booster shot for your relationship.

A vacation may well be a booster shot for your relationship.

Personality

4 Relationship Moments That Can Change Your Personality

Theresa E. DiDonato Ph.D. on March 11, 2024

Chances are, if you're in a relationship, your personality is changing. A new meta-analysis identifies which relationship milestones alter which Big Five personality traits.

Chances are, if you're in a relationship, your personality is changing. A new meta-analysis identifies which relationship milestones alter which Big Five personality traits.

Sex

Is Spontaneous Sex Better Sex?

Theresa E. DiDonato Ph.D. on March 5, 2024

Do you believe that spontaneous sex is better than planned sex? New research puts this question to the test.

Do you believe that spontaneous sex is better than planned sex? New research puts this question to the test.

Relationships

6 Quiet Conventions of the Healthiest Relationships

Theresa E. DiDonato Ph.D. on January 26, 2024

The secret to long-lasting love isn't the grand gestures. It's the everyday habits.

The secret to long-lasting love isn't the grand gestures. It's the everyday habits.

Workplace Dynamics

What Coworkers Really Think About Office Romances

Theresa E. DiDonato Ph.D. on January 5, 2024

A workplace romance might seem benign to the people in the relationship, but their work colleagues can think differently.

A workplace romance might seem benign to the people in the relationship, but their work colleagues can think differently.

Marriage

Who's Open to Non-Monogamy, and to Which Type

Theresa E. DiDonato Ph.D. on December 15, 2023

In a new study, researchers asked whether people would want multi-partnered relationships if social rules weren't in the equation.

In a new study, researchers asked whether people would want multi-partnered relationships if social rules weren't in the equation.

Relationships

The 3 Core Qualities of True Love

Theresa E. DiDonato Ph.D. on December 8, 2023

The experience of love has fundamental elements that appear consistent across different types of relationships, new research finds.

The experience of love has fundamental elements that appear consistent across different types of relationships, new research finds.

Singlehood

What the Fear of Being Single Can Make Some People Do

Theresa E. DiDonato Ph.D. on October 12, 2023

Finding love isn't necessary for happiness, but some people think it is. An intense fear of being single may motivate people to engage in potentially harmful behaviors.

Finding love isn't necessary for happiness, but some people think it is. An intense fear of being single may motivate people to engage in potentially harmful behaviors.

Relationships

How Phubbing Makes a Partner Feel

Theresa E. DiDonato Ph.D. on September 25, 2023

Looking at your phone instead of your partner may feel harmless in the moment, but it could lead to retaliation and resentment. Here's why.

Looking at your phone instead of your partner may feel harmless in the moment, but it could lead to retaliation and resentment. Here's why.

Rejection Sensitivity

10 Relationship Problems Caused by Rejection Sensitivity

Theresa E. DiDonato Ph.D. on September 16, 2023

Being especially attuned to any possible signs that a partner might reject you may itself create a more fertile ground for rejection.

Being especially attuned to any possible signs that a partner might reject you may itself create a more fertile ground for rejection.

Relationships

11 Magnetic Traits That Lead to Longer Relationships

Theresa E. DiDonato Ph.D. on August 24, 2023

Why do some people tend to have longer relationships than other people? These magnetic traits could give them an advantage.

Why do some people tend to have longer relationships than other people? These magnetic traits could give them an advantage.

Singlehood

10 Reasons Being Single Can Be an Excellent Option

Theresa E. DiDonato Ph.D. on June 23, 2023

If you're considering leaving a partner, know that singlehood provides many people an attractive alternative to being in a relationship.

If you're considering leaving a partner, know that singlehood provides many people an attractive alternative to being in a relationship.

Relationships

Are You and Your Partner Doing Leisure Right?

Theresa E. DiDonato Ph.D. on June 8, 2023

Leisure time is a key investment in your relationship, but are you using your time in the best way?

Leisure time is a key investment in your relationship, but are you using your time in the best way?

Sex

What Your Sexual History May Tell a New Partner

Theresa E. DiDonato Ph.D. on April 27, 2023

How many partners is too few or too many?

How many partners is too few or too many?

Relationships

Why More People Are Looking for Love Farther From Home

Theresa E. DiDonato Ph.D. on March 14, 2023

Some are willing to date people who are far away, while others prioritize geographical closeness. It often depends on how people perceive their available dating pool.

Some are willing to date people who are far away, while others prioritize geographical closeness. It often depends on how people perceive their available dating pool.

Relationships

Why "Bare-Minimum Mondays" Can Hurt a Relationship

Theresa E. DiDonato Ph.D. on March 1, 2023

If bare-minimum Mondays reflect a specific way of coping, what happens if people adopt this "lean out" technique in their relationships?

If bare-minimum Mondays reflect a specific way of coping, what happens if people adopt this "lean out" technique in their relationships?

Mating

Why Many People Struggle to Find and Keep a Partner

Theresa E. DiDonato Ph.D. on February 15, 2023

Despite the importance of relationship skills in our evolutionary history, new research suggests a substantial number of people struggle to find and keep partners.

Despite the importance of relationship skills in our evolutionary history, new research suggests a substantial number of people struggle to find and keep partners.

Flirting

The Damage Flirting Can Do to a Relationship

Theresa E. DiDonato Ph.D. on December 16, 2022

Romantic commitment offers some cognitive protection against the allure of attractive strangers, until they start flirting.

Romantic commitment offers some cognitive protection against the allure of attractive strangers, until they start flirting.

Personality

Does Everyone Really Have a "Type"?

Theresa E. DiDonato Ph.D. on November 18, 2022

Popular culture encourages the idea of a romantic "type." Recent research isolates and evaluates potential personality similarities between ex-partners and current partners.

Popular culture encourages the idea of a romantic "type." Recent research isolates and evaluates potential personality similarities between ex-partners and current partners.

Infidelity

11 Strategies People Follow to Hide Affairs

Theresa E. DiDonato Ph.D. on November 9, 2022

Hiding an affair is a lot of work and the effort is strategic. These strategies are often used to keep an infidelity hidden.

Hiding an affair is a lot of work and the effort is strategic. These strategies are often used to keep an infidelity hidden.