The Role of Support Within a Family
Phil and Carolyn Cowan are professors of psychology at Berkeley University of California and have been married for over 60 years. Not only do they work together, but they also co-authored a book, When Partners Become Parents: The Big Life Change for Couples. Together, they designed a couples group to strengthen family relationships and have been involved in three longitudinal studies of families. Guided by a family systems model, their research dives into the intergenerational attachment patterns and couple relationship quality to provide the contexts in which effective parenting leads to positive cognitive, social, and emotional outcomes for children.
In this episode…
When a couple has their first child, their marital satisfaction can decrease. Is it possible to increase marital quality and have fewer conflicts? How can parents strengthen their relationship to benefit their children?
Phil and Carolyn Cowan designed a program to help couples practice support in their relationship. The program guides couples to practice resolution through appreciation, communication, and a collaborative parenting style. Through practicing, parents can set the tone for a higher possibility of success in their relationship and also have more positive outcomes for their children.
In this episode of Our.Love Podcast, join Dr. Keely Sikes Rollings as she sits down with Phil and Carolyn Cowan, psychology professors, to discuss their research and practical tips for practicing support in a loving relationship. Phil and Carolyn talk about the emotional toll stress can have on family relationships, why establishing an atmosphere of conscious thought can improve marital quality, and the importance of a community for successful parenting.