CARE Lab at UGA

Happy Parents’ Appreciation Day from the CARE Lab.

Today is a good day to recognize the parents and caregivers who show up in big ways and small ways, even when it’s hard. If there’s a parent in your life who deserves a little extra love, tag them or send them a quick note of appreciation.

What helps unmarried parents build strong, lasting relationships?

A CARE Lab study led by former doctoral student Dr. Jenee Duncan, now a faculty member at the University of Florida, examined factors that predict relationship stability among unmarried parents.

Using the Vulnerability-Stress-Adaptation (VSA) framework, the researchers found that both individual experiences and relationship dynamics matter. Stronger relationship commitment and healthier relationship skills were associated with greater relationship stability, while higher levels of stress and relationship difficulties increased the likelihood of relationship dissolution.

These findings highlight the importance of helping couples strengthen relationship skills while also supporting them in navigating the everyday stresses that can affect family relationships.

Duncan, J. C., Zhang, X., Futris, T. G., & Sims, K. M. (2024). Examining predictors of relationship dissolution among unmarried parents: Applying the vulnerability–stress–adaptation framework. Journal of Family Psychology, 38(5), 732–742. https://doi.org/10.1037/fam0001216

Early life experiences don't have to define the future of a relationship. ❤️

New CARE Lab research found that adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) can affect adult romantic relationships by increasing psychological distress and making it more difficult to practice everyday relationship maintenance behaviors, such as showing affection, expressing appreciation, and making time to connect.

The good news is that these relationship skills can be learned. Couple relationship education programs like ELEVATE help couples strengthen the everyday habits that support healthy, resilient, and lasting relationships.

Congratulations to lead author Dr. Alicia Arroyo and co-authors Dr. Evin Richardson, Dr. Ted Futris, Rachel Brown, and Alexis Gilbert on this publication!

📖 Read the full article: https://doi.org/10.1177/02654075261445143

Congratulations to lead author Dr. Analisa Arroyo and co-authors Dr. Evin Richardson, Dr. Ted Futris, Dr. Rachel Brown, and Abigail Gilbert on this publication!

🤝 Collaborator Spotlight

This month, we're excited to highlight Dr. Catherine W. O'Neal, Associate Professor in Human Development and Family Science at the University of Georgia and a valued CARE Lab collaborator.

Dr. O'Neal's research focuses on helping military and veteran families thrive through stress, transitions, and change. Her work examines family resilience, financial well-being, and relationship and contextual factors that shape healthy family functioning. Through program evaluation and applied research, she helps translate scientific evidence into practical programs, policies, and resources that support families.

Recent publications from Dr. O'Neal include research on:

- Mental health and well-being among active-duty military families (Family Process, 2024)

- Family financial socialization and financial capability among U.S. military service members (Journal of Financial Counseling and Planning, 2024)

- Delivering accessible, online financial education for military service members during career and life transitions (Family Relations, 2023)

In addition to her publications, Dr. O'Neal leads and collaborates on projects evaluating military financial readiness programs and expanding access to evidence-based resources that strengthen military families.

We're grateful for collaborators like Dr. O'Neal whose research advances knowledge while making a meaningful difference for individuals, couples, and families.

Learn more about Dr. O'Neal's work: https://www.fcs.uga.edu/people/bio/catherine-walker-oneal

We’re excited to share that new research connected to the CARE Lab was recently featured in UGA Today. ❤️

The UGA Today story highlights findings from a recent study by Analisa Arroyo, Evin W. Richardson, Ted G. Futris, Rachel A. Brown, & Abigail S. Gilbert, on how adverse childhood experiences can relate to mental health and relationship quality and how relationship maintenance skills may serve as an important resource for couples.

Read the UGA Today feature and more: https://news.uga.edu/your-childhood-may-haunt-your-relationships/

https://www.gpb.org/news/2026/07/14/new-study-examines-how-childhood-trauma-affects-intimate-relationships-in-adulthood

https://www.wsbradio.com/news/local/childhood-trauma-linked-loneliness-anxiety-relationship-challenges-uga-study-finds/OM2U7X6RUFHNPPDYF3UMJGOW3U/

Research article: https://doi.org/10.1177/02654075261445143

Happy 4th of July from the CARE Lab!

Wishing you a fun, safe, and meaningful day with the people you care about most.

Mindfulness may play an important role in strengthening couple and coparenting relationships. ❤️

CARE Lab research found that for couples receiving government services, individuals who reported higher levels of mindfulness were also more likely to feel confident in their ability to maintain a healthy relationship — also known as relationship efficacy.

In turn, greater relationship efficacy was linked to stronger couple relationship quality and healthier coparenting relationships.

The findings also showed that mindfulness can positively influence partners, highlighting how relationship strengths often grow together within couples. 🌱

Practicing mindfulness in relationships can look like:
• Being fully present during conversations
• Responding thoughtfully instead of reacting quickly
• Approaching parenting as a team
• Showing intentional care and understanding

Small moments of mindfulness can help create stronger, healthier relationships over time.

Happy Father’s Day to all the dads, grandfathers, father figures, and caregivers who make a difference every day. 💙

Fathers play an important role in supporting children’s emotional, social, and cognitive development. Today, we celebrate the care, guidance, and connection that help families thrive.

Thank you for all you do.

Healthy relationships are built through small, everyday moments of connection. ❤️

Research from the CARE Lab found that foster caregiver couples who engaged in positive relationship maintenance behaviors — like building friendship, spending quality time together, and showing affection and respect — were more likely to manage conflict in healthier ways. In turn, better conflict management was linked to fewer depressive symptoms and less parenting stress.

Strong couple relationships can play an important role in supporting individual and family well-being. 🌱

What are some small ways you and your partner stay connected during stressful seasons?

🌟 Student Spotlight: Morgan 🌟

We’re excited to spotlight Morgan, a student majoring in Women’s and Gender Studies, Psychology, Asian Languages and Literature (Chinese), and Comparative Literature. Since joining the CARE Lab in March 2026, Morgan has supported the ELEVATE program through outreach and participant engagement efforts.

Morgan brings a unique interdisciplinary perspective to the lab and a passion for connecting with others. Outside of academics, they enjoy birdwatching, scuba diving, and cosplay. 💙

We’re grateful for Morgan’s contributions to the CARE Lab and excited to see all they accomplish as they work toward their Spring 2027 graduation! ✨