RISE Lab

The RISE Lab (Relationships, Incarceration, & Self-concept Experiences) is led by Dr. Erin Hughes at Fairfield University (see recent CV here). The lab’s research largely focuses on three main areas.

1) Relationships: how do couples navigate changes in their relationships? When are these changes beneficial versus harmful for both individual and relational well-being?

2) Incarceration: how do justice-impacted couples capitalize on their strengths and deal with their struggles during a partner’s incarceration?

3) Self-concept: how do features of a person’s self-concept influence their behaviors and well-being outcomes?

In the lab, we study these questions using mixed-methods that include surveys, experimental designs, interviews, and more. Overall, the goal of the lab is to understand the different factors that support people’s well-being outcomes. To learn more, see about our research here and our publications here.