RELATIONSHIP SCIENTIST & PHD
I study conflict in romantic relationships and enjoy bringing insights straight to you on podcasts, social media, and here.
75k+
followers guided by relationship advice backed by relationship science research
ABOUT
Most relationship advice is based on anecdote or personal experience, but mine isn't.
I earned my PhD in Communication Arts & Sciences from Penn State, where my research tracked couples over time to understand how the same arguments resurface — and what separates the ones that get resolved from the ones that don't.
When I am not at work, I talk about relationship research on TikTok and Instagram to an audience of over 76,000 — because relationship science shouldn't stay locked behind a paywall.
MY WORK
Three things my research actually tells us about conflict.
Peer-reviewed findings, without the jargon. Each one links back to the published study.
01 / Recurring arguments
Fighting isn't problematic, how you approach it is.
People in high quality relationships tend to approach repeated disagreements more collaboratively. When people think a conflict can be resolved, they double down negatively, even when things aren't working - this is particularly true for young people.
Vanderbilt & Solomon, Personal Relationships (2021)
02 / Attachment & texting
Your attachment style affects how you text.
How someone texts with their partner can be reflective of their attachment style. Those with avoidant attachment text less frequently, while those with anxious attachment talk about the future more.
Vanderbilt, Brinberg & Lu, JLSP (2025)
03 / Rumination
Avoiding conflict can lead to intrusive thoughts
Having conflict is important in our relationships. Avoiding conflict impacts our mental wellbeing and how we approach our partner in future conversations.
Vanderbilt, Dissertation (2020)
Relationship Doctor Podcast
Advice you can actually trust, in under 15 minutes.
Produced with Macmillan's Quick & Dirty Tips network. Episodes translate current research into advice to navigate real relationship challenges.
EP
EP
EP
EP
REACH
Public scholarship & impact
76K +
FOLLOWERS ACROSS
TIKTOK & INSTAGRAM
2M+
PEOPLE REACHED
10
PEER REVIEWED PUBLICATIONS
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS
Peer-reviewed research
A short list of recent work — my full CV has everything, including conference presentations and book chapters.
2026
What makes a serial argument serial? Conceptualizing seriality in relational conflict.
International Journal of Conflict Management
2025
The impact of attachment style on communication frequency and language use in romantic partners' text messages.
Journal of Language and Social Psychology
2024
A longitudinal test of relational turbulence theory and serial arguments in romantic relationships.
Journal of Communication
2024
"Are you doing what I think you're doing?" Momentary goal projection and goal contagion in romantic conflict.
Communication Research