Tales of romance may form the basis of Kylie Layton’s Masters research, but she is required to delve deeper than Mills and Boon novels.
In a bid to find out how Australian couples express love to one another and how this affects their relationship quality, Ms Layton, who is completing a Masters of Clinical Psychology at UQ, is calling upon Aussie lovebirds to participate in the study.
In return for completing a simple questionnaire, participants will receive information on their ‘love language’ and tips on how to express love to their partner more effectively.
“The quality of a couple’s relationship can have a big impact on many aspects, including their children’s well being and how the individual functions emotionally, psychologically and occupationally,” Ms Layton said.
“In today’s society more and more we are used to immediate gratification and will move on to the next thing when we get bored.
“There is a lot a couple can do to improve a relationship and by putting effort into our relationships we could save a lot of hurt and expense for society in general.”
Ms Layton said almost any behaviour could be an expression of love and her study would investigate which of these were preferred by Australian couples.
The expression of love can be influenced by events, transitions or stress impacting the couple, she said.
“There are numerous influences on a couple’s expression of love, these include their individual personalities and mental health, the way their parents expressed and received love, the way love was expressed and received in previous relationships and cultural and religious beliefs,” she said.
“In general the way a couple expresses their love is not the key. It is more important that they do regularly demonstrate love and that their partner understands that their behaviour is intended as an expression of love.”
Ms Layton became interested in this area after her husband, who works in family law, pointed out an article highlighting a growing trend towards applicants being required to take part in some form of counseling before appearing in the Family Court of Australia.
“Studies have also shown that the most common reason for divorce is losing a feeling of closeness and growing apart – in other words, falling out of love,” Ms Layton said.
Ms Layton’s top tips for maintaining a strong relationship included communicating well, giving your partner a compliment per day and spending quality time together.
Ms Layton is completing her Masters of Clinical Psychology under the supervision of Dr Jenny Fitzgerald.
To be eligible to participate couples need to have been in a relationship for more than three months.
To apply or for more information contact Ms Layton on 0413 052 010 or kylie@layton.ws.
Media: Ms Layton (0413 052 010, kylie@layton.ws) or Penny Robinson at UQ Communications (07 3365 9723, penny.robinson@uq.edu.au)
