Communication and Relationships Study (CAReS) for Couples
STUDY BASICS
Are you 18 years of age or older, fluent in English and married or living with a romantic partner? If so, you and your partner may be eligible to participate in a research study examining couples’ communication and relationships. Compensation provided.
STUDY PURPOSE
Couples in established romantic relationships have different ways of expressing themselves and responding to each other. The purpose of this study is to help researchers learn more about communication between partners in romantic relationships. Researchers hope their findings will lead to a better understating of couples’ interactions and relationships and will inform strategies to encourage healthy communication.
COULD THIS STUDY BE RIGHT FOR YOU?
- Ages 18 and up (both participant and romantic partner)
- Married or living with romantic partner
- Romantic partner also willing to participate in study
- Have access, as a couple, to 2 or more electronic devices with internet access (smartphones, laptop/computers, tablets), including one with a camera to use in the Zoom/Teams session (but alternate arrangements may be made if internet, space, or devices are not available to otherwise eligible couples).
WHAT PARTICIPANTS CAN EXPECT
Attending a 2 hour* remote lab session (held on Zoom/Teams) with your partner, in which you privately fill out online questionnaires and have two recorded conversations together; and completing an online follow-up survey one year after your remote lab session.
*2 hour estimate based on each couple members using a laptop, computer, or tablet to complete online questionnaires. If one or both couple members are using smartphones to complete questionnaires, the remote lab session may take an additional 15-30 minutes.
IRB: STUDY22060102
- Communication and Relationships Study (CAReS) for CouplesMEET THE RESEARCHER

Amanda Forest
Amanda L. Forest, PhD, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Pittsburgh. A graduate of the University of Waterloo, Dr. Forest’s research interests include close relationships, emotional expressivity and self-disclosure, interpersonal communication, goal pursuit, and self-esteem.