Renee Galliher's research is generally focused on examining interpersonal
relationships in adolescence, with particular emphasis on adolescents from diverse
cultural backgrounds and adolescents in rural communities. Currently, her work focuses on
adolescent romantic relationships as an important context for social and emotional
development. Using a combination of observational and survey methodology, she examines
the associations among relationship processes and individual or couple developmental
outcomes. Specifically, she is interested in associations among couple interaction,
couple members' expectations for and subjective understandings of relationships,
individual couple members' dating and sexual histories, psychological functioning,
and relationship outcomes, such as dating aggression. Current and proposed work in her
lab will begin to more closely examine the role of culture in understanding the
development and function of romantic relationships. Planned projects include an analysis
of the associations between cultural identity and relationship development among Latino
adolescents and an evaluation of a school based intervention program designed to enhance
relationship building skills and reduce risk behavior among high-risk high school
students. Dr. Galliher's teaching responsibilities dovetail with her research and
clinical interests. She teaches undergraduate courses in psychological statistics and
graduate courses in Theories of Psychotherapy, Rural Psychology, and Personality Research
and Theory.
