Understanding the characteristics and dynamics of relationships formed during the transition to adulthood is central to understanding young women's risk of unintended pregnancy. We are using RDSL data to describe intimate relationship characteristics and patterns, and to identify the types of intimate relationships that are associated with unintended pregnancy.
Intimate Relationships
Funding Support
PENDING: Intimate Relationship Dynamics and Social Health from Early to Established Adulthood (R21 HD111820). NICHD. 12/2023-11/2025. $275,000. Jennifer Barber, PI.
Multi-Dimensional Religiosity and Pregnancy-Related Behaviors during the Transition to Adulthood (R03 HD111815). NICHD. 6/2023-5/2025. $100,000. Jennifer Barber, PI, with Lisa Pearce (Co-I).
The Dynamics of Intimate Relationships and their Dissolution during Young Adulthood.
R03-HD099277. NICHD. 2020-2022. $100,000. Jennifer Barber, PI.
Dynamic Patterns of Relationship Violence among Young Women
Institute for Research on Women and Gender, University of Michigan, Faculty Seed Grant. 2015. $10,000. Yasamin Kusunoki, PI.
Relationship Violence: The Role of Dynamic Relationship Processes
Population Studies Center, University of Michigan, Brown Fund. 2013-2014. $7,000. Yasamin Kusunoki, PI.
Young Women's Relationships, Contraception, and Unintended Pregnancy
R01HD050329. NICHD. 2007-2012. ~$2 million. Jennifer Barber, PI.
Related Publications
Weitzman, Abigail. 2020. "The Social Production and Salience of Young Women's Desire for Sex." Social Forces 98(3):1370-1401. DOI.
Moseson, Heidi, Christine Dehlendorf, Caitlin Gerdts, Eric Vittinghoff, Robert A. Hiatt, Jennifer S. Barber. 2018. "No one to turn to: low social support and the incidence of undesired pregnancy in the United States." Contraception 98:275-280. DOI.
Barber, Jennifer S., Warren Miller, Yasamin Kusunoki, Sarah Hayford, and Karen Guzzo. 2019. "Intimate Relationship Dynamics and Changing Desire for Pregnancy among Young Women." Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health 51(3):143-152. DOI.
Barber, Jennifer, Yasamin Kusunoki, Heather Gatny, and Robert Melendez. 2017. "The Relationship Context of Early Pregnancy." Law & Inequality 35(2):175-197.
Miller, Warren B., Jennifer Barber, and Paul Schulz. 2016. "Do Perceptions of Their Partners Affect Young Women’s Pregnancy Risk? Further Study of Ambivalence." Population Studies 70(3):1-16.
Chang, Tammy, Matthew Davis, Yasamin Kusunoki, Elizabeth Ela, and Jennifer Barber. 2015. "Sexual Behavior and Contraceptive Use among 18- to 19-Year-Old Adolescent Women by Weight Status: A Longitudinal Analysis." Journal of Pediatrics 167(3):586-592.
Hall, Kelli Stidham, Yasamin Kusunoki, Heather Gatny, and Jennifer Barber. 2014. "Stress Symptoms and Frequency of Sexual Intercourse among Young Women." Journal of Sexual Medicine 11(8):1982-1990.
Barber, Jennifer, Yasamin Kusunoki, Heather Gatny, and Jennifer Eckerman Yarger. 2013. "Young Women’s Relationships, Contraception and Unintended Pregnancy in the United States." Pp. 121-140 in Fertility Rates and Population Decline: No Time for Children?, Palgrave Macmillan.