Promoting relational health: A journey from research to practice, and back again.

We all want healthy, happy, long-lasting relationships. But why are they so hard! The interdisciplinary field of relationship science, and specifically the empirical study of close and intimate relationships, has helped to advance theory and science-informed practices on how couples develop and maintain happy and healthy relationships. As our understanding of relationships grew, an interest in developing romantic relationship interventions evolved, including the field of relationship education. Join me as we journey to explore the translational process of developing, implementing, and evaluating relationship education resources and programs. We will discover the key skills and core principles grounding relationship education, and how they improve the health and well-being of individuals, couples, and families. The session will conclude with a discussion of what we are learning in the field and how that can guide the future of relationship science. And, who knows, you may leave equipped to apply a few skills to promote your own relational health as well!