Dr. Neff’s current research explores how romantic relationships develop and change over time. Specifically, her research aims: (1) to identify the factors associated with positive relationship outcomes (e.g., the effectiveness of couples' conflict resolution; the role of social support exchanges between partners) and (2) to understand how and when stressors external to the relationship (e.g., work stress, financial difficulties) hinder couples’ efforts to engage in relationship-promoting behaviors. Most recently, she has begun exploring potential differences in older and younger couples’ relationship functioning in order to understand how relationship quality may change across the lifespan.  To address these issues, her research utilizes daily diary, observational, and longitudinal methodologies.