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 research assistants. If you are interested in joining the lab, please contact Dr. Totenhagen.
Dr. Totenhagen is currently recruiting undergraduate and graduate research assistants. If you are interested in joining the lab, please contact Dr. Totenhagen.
Current and Recent Research Projects
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. Data collection is complete and we continue to work on presentations and publications using the dataset.
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. Data collection is complete and we continue to work on presentations and publications using the dataset.
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. Data collection is complete and we continue to work on presentations and publications using the dataset.
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. Data collection is complete and we continue to work on presentations and publications using the dataset.
Couples Coping Enhancement Training - Sexual Minority Stress
The CCET-SMS program, developed in collaboration with Dr. Ashley Randall, is a relationship education program focused on dyadic coping with sexual minority stress for same-gender and other sexual minority couples. This project is funded by the Mental Research Institute, and the program is currently being pilot-tested with couples in Arizona.
The CCET-SMS program, developed in collaboration with Dr. Ashley Randall, is a relationship education program focused on dyadic coping with sexual minority stress for same-gender and other sexual minority couples. This project is funded by the Mental Research Institute, and the program is currently being pilot-tested with couples in Arizona.
Finances in Sexual and Gender Minority Couples
This project, currently being developed in collaboration with Dr. Melissa Wilmarth, seeks to promote greater inclusion and equity for sexual and gender minority (SGM) couples in personal and family finance. We will collect data from sexual and gender minority individuals in same- and different-gender relationships to understand how they manage their household finances, perceive access to financial services, and how financial attitudes and behaviors are associated with financial, psychological, and relational well-being.
This project, currently being developed in collaboration with Dr. Melissa Wilmarth, seeks to promote greater inclusion and equity for sexual and gender minority (SGM) couples in personal and family finance. We will collect data from sexual and gender minority individuals in same- and different-gender relationships to understand how they manage their household finances, perceive access to financial services, and how financial attitudes and behaviors are associated with financial, psychological, and relational well-being.
