by Rebecca Woolington of The Register-Guard
A senior scientist at the locally based Oregon Social Learning Center has been awarded a $3 million grant for a five-year study that will explore how romantic relationships affect stress and health.
Deborah Capaldi received the grant, officially titled “Risk for Dysfunctional Relationships for Adults,” to continue research from the Oregon Youth Study, which followed about 200 young men from Lane County from age 9 to their early 30s. The study’s goal was to explore the roots of antisocial behavior in boys in order to learn more about developing prevention strategies, but researchers expanded the study to observe the young men’s romantic relationships during their senior year in high school on into their early 30s.
The new research will continue to study the men’s romantic relationships as the men enter into their mid-30s, and will explore what happens to relationships over time, Capaldi said.
“These are sort of at-risk couples who have difficulties, and it’s very unusual to follow them for this long,” she said.
The men grew up in neighborhoods with higher than normal delinquency levels, which made the youths at-risk for developing antisocial behaviors and conflict in relationships.
About two-thirds of the men from the Oregon Youth Study still live in Lane County, Capaldi said, and about 70 percent live in Oregon. The men who participated in the first study, but now live in another state, will either be flown to Eugene or a researcher will fly to their location so they can participate, Capaldi said.
Although the study will look at relationships’ role in stress and aggression, it will also assess positive effects of romantic relationships.
“We will look at what leads to relationship satisfaction and what leads to break-up and divorce,” Capaldi said.
Capaldi said most adults say their romantic relationships are the most important element in their lives, so when there is conflict in the relationship, it’s not surprising that people can become distressed.
Researchers will measure stress levels through blood samples that assess their immune system, Capaldi said. University of Oregon anthropology professor James Snodgrass, who specializes in such testing, will lead the effort.
Stress levels will also be measured through questionnaires and interviews that ask the men to provide information about their diets, exercise regimes, sleep patterns and disabilities.
Capaldi said she’s excited to have the opportunity to continue the research, and she’s predicting some positive findings.
“The good news is that as couples mature, they tend to become less aggressive,” she said. “We will find some things that can help us prevent health problems in mid-life when we see how relationships affect stress and health in adulthood.”
Reprinted with permission. Copyright 2009, The Register Guard