young couple hugging

Healthy Teen Relationships 

We study the impact of relationship education on the relationship attitudes and behaviors of adolescents. 

Our research focuses on the influence that families and educational programs have on adolescents' romantic relationship beliefs and behaviors. For example: 

  • We are exploring factors that shape and influence the relationship beliefs and behaviors of adolescents and emerging adults. 

  • In partnership with County Extension Educators and other community partners, we are implementing and evaluating the impact of youth-focused relationship education. 

  • We are examining the romantic and coparenting relationship quality of teen parents.  

Funding Sources 

  • University of Georgia Vice President for Research Poverty and the Economy Grant (2010). 

  • Administration for Children and Families, Family and Youth Services Bureau (2011-2016) 

  • Georgia Department of Human Services – Office of Prevention and Family Support (2017 - 2023)

Select Publications

  • Futris, T.G., O’Neil, C. W., Dockter, T., Mancini, J., Brown, G., (2019). Variations in outcomes between foster and non-foster youth following sex and relationship education. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 48, 377-403. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10566-018-9484-8

  • Mallette, J., Futris, T. G., Brown, G. L., & Oshri, A. (2019). Cooperative, conflictual, and uninvolved co-parenting among teenage parents. Journal of Family Issues, 40(11), 1534-1560. https://doi.org/10.1177%2F0192513X19842239

  • Futris, T. G., Sutton, T. E., & Duncan, J. (2017). Factors associated with romantic relationship self-efficacy following youth-focused relationship education. Family Relations, 66(5), 777-93. http://doi.org/10.1111/fare.12288

  • Barton, A. W., Hurt, T. R., Futris, T. G., Sheats, K. F., McElroy, S. E., & Landor, A. M. (2017). Being committed: Conceptualizations of romantic relationship commitment among economically disadvantaged African American adolescents. Journal of Black Psychology, 43,111-134.  https://doi.org/10.1177/0095798415621665

  • Landor, A. M., Hurt, T. R., Futris, T. G., Barton, A., McElroy, S., & Sheats, K. (2017). Relationship contexts as sources of socialization: An exploration of the intimate partner violence experiences of economically disadvantaged African American adolescents. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 26 (5), 1274-1284. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-016-0650-z

  • Richardson, E. W., Simons, L. G., & Futris, T. G. (2017). Linking family-of-origin experiences and perpetration of sexual coercion: College males’ sense of entitlement. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 26, 781-791.  https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-016-0592-5

  • Mallette, J. K., Futris, T. G., Brown, G. L. and Oshri, A. (2015). The influence of father involvement and interparental relationship quality on adolescent mothers' maternal identity. Family Relations, 64: 476–489.  https://doi.org/10.1111/fare.12132

  • Futris, T. G., Sutton, T. E., & Richardson, E. (2013). An Evaluation of the Relationship Smarts Plus Program on Adolescents in Georgia. Journal of Human Sciences and Extension [On-line], 1(2), 1-15. Available at http://media.wix.com/ugd/c8fe6e_2049d8d71b917603971c1bca1e225705.pdf

  • Arnold, L., O’Neil, C. W., & Futris, T. G. (2013). Parent-daughter communications and emerging adults’ beliefs about mate selection. Journal of Adult Development, 20(1), 16-26.  https://doi.org/10.1007/s10804-012-9152-4

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