HDFS

Changes to Illinois divorce laws in 2016 that were expected to speed up cases; discourage adversarial, lengthy litigation; and more evenly distribute parents’ time with their children had little impact on these factors, a new study published in the journal Family Relations reports. However, the amended statutes did encourage more divorcing couples to jointly share major decision-making responsibilities for their children, the researchers say.

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Professor Brian Ogolsky, part of the Department of Human Development and Family Studies in the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences, was recently one of three people to earn the prestigious Fellow status from the National Council on Family Relations (NCFR).

Mobile apps that allow people to share their location with others have become increasingly popular. But how and why do we use these apps, and what are the implications for interpersonal communication? That’s the topic of a new study from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

Couples who spend more time savoring the pleasurable moments they share are happier together, argue less and are more confident their relationship will last, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign researchers say in a new study.

“Savoring involves slowing down to become aware of and focus on positive experiences,” said first author Noah Larsen, a graduate student at Illinois. “Savoring can occur when we reminisce on a past experience, focus on the present moment or look ahead to a future experience.”

When couples attend relationship counseling, it benefits not only their partnership but also their individual well-being. But which aspects of the training are most influential in this respect? A new study from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign examines how a popular intervention program affected individual outcomes such as mental health, sleep, and substance use. 

How do you assess the health needs of an entire community, especially its most vulnerable members? It’s a huge logistical challenge for public health offices serving counties and states around the country, but an accurate view of community health is needed to guide the services they offer and to reach their intended audiences. 

When Fleda Mask Jackson learned that Black women in the United States have worse pregnancy outcomes than white women regardless of education, income, and occupation, she embarked on a career path uncovering the root causes and creating pathways to support mothers and babies.

Jackson, a nationally recognized expert on maternal mental health, has spearheaded research on stress and depression as risk factors for pregnancy outcomes, and she has partnered with March of Dimes, United Way Healthy Start, and local and national health agencies to create safe spaces for pregnant women.

When former Urbana mayor Diane Marlin first set foot on the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus as a high school freshman competing in the state science fair, she had no idea the community would one day become her lifelong home. 

Three students from the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences were selected for the 2025 Homecoming Court at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

Financial strain can be a major stressor that impacts people’s wellbeing and quality of life, and it can also affect couple relationships. A new study from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign explores whether a monthly cash payment to low-income families can improve relationship functioning and stability.