MA in Human Development and Family Sciences - Couples, Parents and Families in Storrs United States | University of Connecticut

A key strength of our department lies in the numerous faculty members engaged in both fundamental and applied research, with an emphasis on intimate connections—whether between partners, parents and children, or families in the broadest sense. Many of our faculty hold prominent positions in the National Council on Family Relations (NCFR), a global organization dedicated to advancing the understanding of families and relationships.

Our department offers exceptional breadth and depth in the study of Couples, Parents, and Families. A robust team of faculty and graduate students explores various dimensions of these relationships. Notable aspects of UConn HDFS research in this field include:

Diverse relationship focus: Investigations cover heterosexual and LGBTQ partnerships, interracial marriages and families, parent-child bonds across life stages, foster and blended families, remarriage dynamics, and intergenerational caregiving
Lifespan approach: Research spans from early childhood through late adulthood
Contextual examination: Explores social influences such as cultural background, socioeconomic factors, family configurations, gender roles, caregiving demands, and parental employment settings
Dual research focus: Combines theoretical inquiry with practical applications, including family support initiatives, therapeutic outcomes in couples counseling, and programs enhancing family well-being
Family dynamics explored: Studies include co-parenting strategies, raising multiracial adolescents, parental acceptance patterns, post-divorce adaptation, identity shifts during family changes, and high-conflict relationships
Comprehensive outcomes: Investigates numerous effects of family interactions, covering childhood emotional development, marital stability predictors, and sexual health considerations

Our department demonstrates outstanding scope and expertise in Couples, Parents, and Family studies. An accomplished team of scholars and graduate researchers investigates multiple facets of these connections. Key research strengths at UConn HDFS encompass:

Relationship diversity: Studies include various partnership types, cross-cultural families, parenting at different life phases, non-traditional caregiving arrangements, and later-life family transitions
Developmental spectrum: Research covers the entire human lifespan
Situational analysis: Considers cultural, economic, structural, and occupational influences on family functioning
Integrated research: Bridges academic theory with real-world applications through therapeutic interventions, family support programs, and health promotion initiatives