Family Studies Center

Sponsered Research

Related Links

• USA Today article on marriage and blood pressure
• BYU Article on Ross Flom's "Babies and Beethoven" Research
• USA Today Article on Julianne Holt-Lunstad's Marriage and Health Research
• Release of new book by Rebecca de Schweinitz
• See Reuters Article on the Research of J. Holt-Lunstad

Families and Health

The purpose of this project is to continue the ongoing investigations of the influence of family processes and marriage and family therapy on the health of family members. Two studies will be addressed in this phase of the project:

1. Is there a reduction in marital and family stress following marriage and family therapy? Does such a reduction decrease the medical utilization of family members?
2. If patients and families in need of therapy services are referred for treatment by their physicians, what factors are influential in determining if the patients will or will not attend therapy?

Data for the first study will be collected at the Comprehensive Clinic at Brigham Young University and for the second study at the Metro Family Physicians Clinic in San Diego, California. Results will provide information on how marriage and family relationships affect the physical health of individuals and family members.