Let's Talk Relationships (Page 27)

Many relationships are beneficial, both emotionally and physically, until things go astray. You may have dated a girl for the past several months or even years before things fell apart. And for the foreseeable future, because she got to you like no other, you suddenly find yourself in uncharted territory. How do you cope so you can move forward and eventually open up to a new person? It’s all going to depend on...

Research indicates couples married more than 20 years are now twice as likely to divorce than they were just a generation before. One clear pattern to the timing, researchers say, is parents staying together until their children are grown. This comes from the Australian Institute of Family Studies, which compiles the information from extensive public data and annual surveys. In 1980, the AIFS report found 13% of...

Is prayer a big part of your romantic relationship? A study finds praying for your other half can lead to more forgiving behavior and a more cooperative relationship. Led by former Florida State University doctoral student Nathaniel Lambert, who is now an assistant professor at Brigham Young University, the study found those who prayed more frequently for their partner were found to be less vengeful when discussing...

Your relationship has been going well for the past few weeks, but you probably catch yourself wondering, "Where is this relationship going? Will we still be together in a year?" It would be nice if there was a way for you to know whether you finally met “The One” or merely “one of many.” Until someone invents a relationship crystal ball (Apple should really get on that), you either have to figure it out for...

Introducing your children to a new boyfriend can be tricky. Is it better to do it sooner or later? You probably didn’t imagine dating again. After being thrust back into the dating arena, it's important to remember it’s not like riding a bike. Things have changed in the years that have passed. Some people would say it’s become more impersonal, with texting and technology-driven dating. More and more people than ever...

Research finds not only are more and more couples finding one another online, they also appear to enjoy happier and longer marriages. Published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences and funded by eharmony, the research involved more than 19,000 respondents who had met their spouse through an online interaction or a face-to-face meeting. The results show more than one-third of marriages in the U.S....

This is an exclusive study conducted by DatingAdvice.com, which surveyed respondents over the course of three weeks to reflect an accurate representation of the U.S. population. Most first date conversations consist of topics like movies, hobbies and jobs, but what about exes or breakups? Despite being somewhat taboo, a study conducted by DatingAdvice.com found one-third of Americans don’t mind discussing their...

A study finds people who engage in longer commutes to work may also be putting extra mileage on their relationship. Conducted by Umea University social geographer Erika Sandow, the findings show long-distance commuters have a 40% higher risk of separation compared with typical commuters. Sandow also identified the first few years of a long commute as being the most challenging for a relationship. The research was...

While it may seem teens in violent relationships are either the victim or the perpetrator, a new study found those teens are actually likely to play both roles at some point in their lives. Conducted by Cornell University, researchers collected data from 80 schools and 2,203 students, beginning in 10th grade and continuing through college and the work field. Each participant gave insight into whether their partner...

This is an exclusive study conducted by DatingAdvice.com, which surveyed respondents over the course of three weeks to reflect an accurate representation of the U.S. population. Sex is an important part of any romantic relationship, but would you break up with your partner if the sex wasn’t good? A study conducted by DatingAdvice.com shows men put more emphasis on the quality of sex. According to the results,...

While searching for Mr. Right, it is easy to get caught up in a fantasy about love or a fairy-tale ending. Romance feels exhilarating and fun, but will it lead you to the lasting love you are looking for? You are moving in the right direction in finding a man worthy of your admiration and love when you pay attention to his personal qualities and spend time getting to know him beyond his looks. You are on the right...

As more and more lesbian women live and love openly, more studies are being done to determine what, if any, affect being raised by a lesbian mother or lesbian couple has on children. The good news is there appears to be only good news. Datingadvice.com reported on a study done on children of lesbians who were conceived through sperm donation. Not only do these boy and girls do well in school, they also do well...

When you're arguing with your partner, do you focus on the topic at hand? Or do you tend to bring up issues from the past? Research finds people unhappy in their relationship tend to ruminate on that unhappiness during arguments with their partner. Happier couples often have more coordinated thoughts related to the conflict at hand. According to a study published online in the National Communication Association’s...

Reader Question: I met this guy two months ago. On the third date, I felt so connected that I ended up sleeping with him. We did some foreplay but couldn't have sex. I started worrying and regretting what I did that night. He didn’t seem as affectionate as he was at first. He kept texting me for more than two weeks but didn’t ask me out. I told him I felt a bit uncomfortable after getting physically intimate...

Reader Question: My significant partner went through menopause. Since 2009, we have not had intimate sex and she no longer wants or has interest in intimacy. We are in our late 50s. I still care but we do not seem like a couple. I am considering leaving. I’m just not willing to have a non-intimate relationship no matter how much I care, love or still want her. She will not talk about it. What should I...

When going through a breakup, do you turn to sad love ballads or angry revenge songs? Research suggests individuals are more likely to reinforce their feelings with matching music. Published in the Journal of Consumer Research, the study found when asked to recall experiences involving personal loss, participants showed a significantly higher likelihood to prefer sadder music. Researchers also found when facing...

Highlighting the importance of having a positive relationship, an extensive study finds having an unsupportive or critical spouse brings an increased likelihood of depression. Led by Dr. Alan Teo, a psychiatrist with the University of Michigan, the study determined people with unsupportive or critical spouses were "significantly more likely” to be depressed, even compared with people not in an ongoing...

Do you have trouble removing exes from Twitter or deleting old photos from Facebook? New research finds people have difficultly creating a post-breakup social media strategy. Presented at the CHI 2013 conference in Paris, the research was led by University of California psychology professor Steve Whittaker and University of Lancaster professor Corina Sas. Interviews were conducted with 24 participants aged 19 to...

If you've ever woken up from a dream feeling anger or guilt toward your partner, you might relate to the latest study on dreams and relationships. New research led by Dylan Selterman, a psychology lecturer at the University of Maryland, finds our dreams can have a real-world effect on how we behave in relationships. For instance, a person who dreams of being cheated on may respond differently toward their partner...

In 1986, when Italian chef Carlo Petrini saw a McDonald's restaurant being constructed near the historic Spanish Steps in Rome, he quietly said "Enough." What followed was a movement he founded in response to non-nutritious fast food simply called "slow food." At first the group was small with a single-minded goal: boycott fast food and return to the more time-consuming preparations that grandmothers had perfected,...

Depression can have a variety of negative effects on a relationship, but this study suggests it may make people give their partner less credit than they deserve. Conducted by researchers from the University of Auckland, the study found individuals experiencing depression have a more distorted view of their partner’s level of commitment to the relationship. The New Zealand-based study consisted of 78 heterosexual...

I’m all about progression and moving forward in life. For me, it’s all about the next step, opportunity, move, etc. Looking back is only used for lessons learned. Reflecting on past experiences is for growing and comprehension purposes only, especially when it comes to past relationships. When relationships end, it's usually for a good reason. However, what about the relationship that ended when you really didn’t...

Do bachelors really have all the fun? According to a study, married men may have it better than their single counterparts. Conducted by Michigan State University, the study finds married men are happier once they’ve settled down than they would have been had they remained single in the first place. Researchers interviewed 1,366 people both before and after tying the knot. A control group was used for comparison,...

Reader Question: I tend to have sex early on when meeting a guy, and then I worry about still getting to know him or if he really will try to get to know me. I am dating a guy now. We've been seeing each other for five weeks and I have made it clear from the beginning I'm not looking for anything casual. He has said we are exclusive. He also has made it clear he understands I want something real (a relationship)...

Reader Question: I have been going out with my boyfriend for three and a half years. He has a friend he is close to. I heard she flirts with my boyfriend and tells him she loves him, but he does not add on to her flirting. I don’t like her because of the fact she is "too friendly." I have confronted my boyfriend about it, but he just gets mad at me and it ends up becoming an argument. Should I just ignore...

Like it or not, the elaborate proposals that appear on social media are here to stay. Engaged women (and men too) love to share the romantic details of their marriage proposal, and many are now extra flashy and grand. The standards for proposals have been raised. You can either do something she will love to brag about (he proposed in a hot air balloon), or you can do something she will be embarrassed to mention (he...

Baby boomer first dates often differ from the first dates of 20-something and 30-something daters. Midlife singles seeking mature romance often emphasize conversation more on their first date or two. However, by the third date, you two don’t just want to slip into the lazy habit of “hanging out" and talking. Conversation alone does not foster the relationship you desire. What creates a healthy, mature...

Is living together really a good way to build a strong relationship? A research study found plenty of British couples have found the opposite to be true. The study found 9% of British adults voluntarily live separately from their partner, some for personal space issues and others due to the complexities of modern relationships. Known as "Living Apart Together," or LAT, the trend was studied by Birkbeck at the...

Reader Question: I have (officially) been dating a girl for two months now, but I've been best friends with her for about 14 years. Is it too soon to tell her I love her? -Trevan (Kentucky) Dr. Wendy Walsh's Answer: Sweet Trevan, my heart leapt when I read your question. I'm so happy for you guys. You did everything right. You began with a solid friendship. Of course you love her! You always did. If...

Do your interests listed on your Facebook page reflect how many relationships you've had? A new study finds the more past romantic relationships a person has, the more interests they list on their Facebook profile. Conducted by researchers from Western Illinois and Cornell Universities, the study found relationships breed new and sustaining interests with each new partner. Involving 276 respondents, each answered...