Date of Award

Spring 5-28-2025

Document Type

Open Access Thesis

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Developmental and Brain Sciences

First Advisor

Randy Corpuz

Abstract

Romantic relationships are a primary relationship in adulthood. Relationship satisfaction has been suggested to decline over time across couples with and without children but explanations as to what might lead to decreased relationship satisfaction are lacking. Combining internal factors with external factors is likely to provide a more thorough understanding of what relationship satisfaction looks like after the major life change that is parenthood. The current dissertation focuses on understanding how hormones (i.e. testosterone and cortisol) and interpersonal interactions such as social support and partner investment might help explain what romantic relationship satisfaction looks like in parents. This project uses salivary assays and relationship satisfaction reports across three studies to investigate romantic relationships. The first study utilized an undergraduate sample, the second study used a sample of first-time fathers, and the final study included mothers and fathers during the postpartum period and at a 10-year follow-up. Together the findings of this dissertation suggest that the interaction of testosterone and cortisol (dual-hormone hypothesis) is not applicable to certain interpersonal interactions such as romantic relationships.

Comments

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