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Current Studies
Newlywed Study
The purpose of the current research is to learn more about the
way newlywed couples think, feel and behave in their romantic relationships.
Since prior research has shown that relationships are very important for our
health and well-being, this project focuses on determining why this is the
case.
The study involves newlywed couples coming to visit the Carnegie
Mellon University Relationships Lab for 2 separate 2 hour long sessions. During
the first session, both spouses complete questionnaires, which ask questions
about the couple’s relationship and about each couple member’s personality,
feelings, attitudes, and beliefs. At the
end of the first session, couples are scheduled to return 1 week later for the
second session.
During the second session, both spouses participate in various
types of activities in our lab. For
example, couple members have discussions with one another, play some games, and
work on some puzzles. All of these activities are normal, everyday things that
couples experience in their daily lives. Some of the activities are videotaped,
but of course, if couples do not feel comfortable with researchers using any of
their videotaped material for research purposes only, they may request to have
their tape erased.
At the end of the second session, spouses receive 2 palm pilots
to take home for a week. On these palm
pilots, there is a short survey that each couple member will fill out each
evening for seven days. It only takes about 15-20 minutes to do so. Couples then return the palm pilots after 7
days to receive their payment.
One year later, we will contact each couple again and invite
them to come back for 2 more follow-up sessions, which will be very similar to
the first 2 sessions that couples completed in the first year.
All the information that each couple provides throughout the
study will be kept strictly confidential and anonymous. No couple member’s name will be associated
with any of the information. The
information will be labeled only with a random code number, which will not be
in any way connected to anyone's identity. All information that couples provide
will be used only in the form of summaries that are combined across all couples
who participate in the study. In our
publications, we report only general trends in the way in which couples think,
feel and behave in their relationships.
To thank couples for their participation, they will receive a
total $350 for contributing their time:
Each couple will receive $50 for the first session, $50 for the second session,
$100 for completing all 7 days of the palm pilot diary, and $50 bonus for
completing all phases of the study in the first year. Each couple will also
receive $100 one year later for the 2 follow-up sessions.
A few criteria that couples must meet before they participate:
1. Must be married for less than 1 year.
2. This must be their first marriage.
3. Must be under 40 years of age.
4. Must be in the
5. Both spouses must speak English fluently.
To participate in this study, please contact Nataliya Rozinskiy
at 412-268-8109 or nrozinsk@andrew.cmu.edu
***The above research is sponsored by the National Science
Foundation.***