HDFS

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.

The COVID-19 pandemic upended life for individuals and communities worldwide. Social isolation, health mandates, illness, and economic hardships took a toll on the well-being of families and children, but there were also silver linings to people’s experiences. A new study from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign looks at impacts of the pandemic among youth and parents across the U.S. Midwest.

Gaining a better understanding of how romantic relationships develop over time is key to helping couples maintain a satisfying union and overcome challenges. Researchers and practitioners rely on theories to provide insights, and it’s important that they are accurate and reliable. A new paper from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign discusses how contemporary methodologies can be applied to common relationship theories in a more rigorous way.

Access to nature promotes physical and mental health, and it is vital for children’s social and emotional development. Outdoor activities also influence family dynamics, helping to reduce stress and encourage connections. A new study from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign examines how green spaces and outdoor structures near the family residence interact with other factors in the household environment to influence executive functioning in early childhood.

At first glance, the Department of Human Development and Family Studies might not seem like an obvious fit within the College of ACES. But its place in the college is both historic and foundational.