Welcome to the CRR Lab Page!
The primary mission of Dr. Totenhagen’s Close Relationships Research (CRR) Lab is to understand the antecedents and consequences of interpersonal relationships. Through the research conducted in the CRR Lab, Dr. Totenhagen seeks to understand how to promote positivity and decrease negativity in relationships, especially through couples’ daily routines, experiences, and interactions.
Dr. Totenhagen is currently recruiting undergraduate and graduate researcher assistants. If you are interested in joining the lab, please contact Dr. Totenhagen.
Dr. Totenhagen is currently recruiting undergraduate and graduate researcher assistants. If you are interested in joining the lab, please contact Dr. Totenhagen.
Current Research Projects
Dyadic Management of Chronic Pain in Lesbian Couples
This study, in collaboration with Dr. Ashley Randall, examines the biopsychosocial mechanisms underlying health disparities for sexual minority women with depression. This project is funded by the Lesbian Health Fund of the Gay and Lesbian Medical Association. |
SHARE Study
The Sacrifices, Hassles, and Relationship Experiences (SHARE) study, in collaboration with Dr. Melissa Wilmarth, examines how daily experiences (e.g., hassles) and interactions between relationship partners (e.g., sacrifices) can influence relationship well-being through a baseline survey as well as 14 daily surveys completed by both members of romantic couples. |
SSS Study
The Same-Sex Stress: Understanding the Role of Stress on Relationships (SSS) study, in collaboration with Dr. Ashley Randall, examines how the “normal” daily stressors that all couples experience (e.g., work stress) and stressors that may be unique to LGBTQ individuals (e.g., discrimination) impact same-sex relationships, as well as how partners come together to cope with stressors. This project was funded by the National Council on Family Relations Innovation Grant. |
Altruism and Forgiveness
Graduate Student Candace Peters is conducting a study in Dr. Totenhagen's lab as part of her thesis research. The research focuses on whether altruistic acts in emerging adults translate to a willingness to forgive. Candace is particularly interested in whether the motivations for these altruistic acts makes a difference. |