URBANA, Ill. – Stressors in life, including the challenges of the current COVID-19 pandemic, can take a toll on marriages and other close, intimate relationships. Family studies researchers at the University of Illinois, in partnership with University of Illinois Extension, are addressing this issue by launching a new online program for Illinois couples seeking help for their relationship.

URBANA, Ill. ­­­– Rituals such as those centered around holidays and other celebrations play an important part in human relationships. When dating couples engage in rituals together, they learn more about each other. And those experiences can serve as diagnostic tools of where the relationship is going, a University of Illinois study shows.

URBANA, Ill. - Jacinda K. Dariotis has joined the Family Resiliency Center (FRC) at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign as director and as Pampered Chef Ltd. Endowed Chair in Family Resiliency in the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES). She began the new role Aug. 16.

URBANA, Ill. - While individuals have been encouraged to stay home to protect themselves and others against the spread of coronavirus, for those at risk of experiencing intimate partner violence—or domestic violence—home may not be the safest place during the pandemic.

URBANA, Ill. – Head teacher Kelli Harris just kicked off her weekly classroom Zoom meeting. As the little faces of each of her 2- and 3-year-olds pop up in the Zoom gallery, Harris knows they are excited to see one another.

URBANA, Ill. -  Kelly Tu, assistant professor of human development and family studies at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, spoke with Illinois News Bureau about ways parents can help children cope with the changes and uncertainty brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more.

URBANA, Ill. – The state of Illinois has experienced a consistent decrease in the population since 2014. A new report from the University of Illinois suggests statewide paid parental leave policy could be the part of the answer to reversing the flood of residents out of the state and invigorating population growth. 

URBANA, Ill. – Experiences of racial discrimination are a common source of stress for African Americans, and research shows discrimination can have a damaging impact on the physical and emotional health of African American individuals.  

URBANA, Ill. - During early adolescence, especially the transition to middle school, kids face a number of challenges both socially and academically. Peer rejection, bullying, and conflict with friends are common social stressors. These challenges can affect adolescents’ ability to form positive peer relationships, a key developmental task for this age group.

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Momentary increases in mothers’ sensitivity to their toddlers’ cues and emotional needs may boost young children’s focused attention on tasks and positive engagement with their mother while lowering the children’s expressions of negative emotions, a new study found. Read more.