Paula Pietromonaco

PhD, University of Michigan

BA, University of California, Los Angeles

Center for Research on Families

My research examines interpersonal dynamics in close relationships. Close relationships, including marital relationships, have been consistently linked to health and well-being over the life course, but much needs to be known about precisely how relationships promote or hinder health. A primary goal of my work is to understand the processes through which interactions in marital relationships shape each partner's emotional and physical health. My work examines multiple processes that may contribute to downstream health outcomes, including physiological and behavioral responses as well as subjective perceptions. We typically examine these responses as they arise during couples’ interactions when they are trying to resolve important areas of conflict or disagreement. My work also investigates how individual differences (e.g., in attachment security/insecurity, childhood adversity, depression) modulate each partner’s responses during couple interactions, and how situational variables (e.g., differences in power or culture) influence couples’ communication patterns, behavior, and relationship quality over time.

Visit my personal website for more information.