Skip to main content
LeBaron-Black
Michelle Si

Michelle Si

Michelle is studying family life with an emphasis in human development at BYU. When Michelle graduates, she wants to continue her education and become a professor or a therapist. She loves to do yoga, watch movies, and outdoor activities.

More from this author
data-content-type="article"

When Finances Fail, Grades Suffer

Michelle Si
By Michelle Si
November 03, 2025 09:45 AM
College graduates earn, on average, about $23,000 more per year than those with only a high school diploma. For college students, completing their degree on time is often helpful for securing a stable livelihood and for families to achieve financial well-being. Despite these benefits, many students struggle with significant financial pressures such as rising tuition, housing costs, and living expenses, which can jeopardize their ability to finish college.[1] Financial stress not only affects academic performance but can also directly lead to dropping out. With rising tuition and reduced financial aid, many are forced to rely on loans to pay for their education,[2] which greatly increases the difficulty of graduating on time.
6 Min Read
overrideBackgroundColorOrImage= overrideTextColor= promoTextAlignment= overrideCardHideSection= overrideCardHideByline= overrideCardHideDescription= overridebuttonBgColor= overrideButtonText= promoTextAlignment=
data-content-type="article"

How Trust and Communication Shape Each Other in Early Marriage

Michelle Si
By Michelle Si
November 03, 2025 08:25 AM
Newlywed life is like building a bridge together, and its stability depends on two essential pillars: trust and communication.[1] This period is not only a crucial time for redefining relationship norms, but also a period of some of the most heightened emotional fluctuations and shifts in relationship satisfaction.[2] That makes it especially important to understand how trust and communication interact. Trust is an inner assurance that your partner will make decisions that benefit both of you[3] and serves as the foundation for positive interaction.[4] Communication is more than exchanging words; it’s about expressing respect, empathy, and affirmation, especially when one partner is feeling vulnerable.[5]
6 Min Read
overrideBackgroundColorOrImage= overrideTextColor= promoTextAlignment= overrideCardHideSection= overrideCardHideByline= overrideCardHideDescription= overridebuttonBgColor= overrideButtonText= promoTextAlignment=
data-content-type="article"

When Money Gets in the Way of Love: The Relational Costs of Materialism in Relationships

Michelle Si
By Michelle Si
June 26, 2025 08:01 AM
In a two-year study conducted by Dr. Chelom Leavitt and her colleagues,[1] they tracked 338 couples to explore the impact of materialism on marital relationships. It was found that materialism—regarding money, possessions, and status as the keys to happiness1—profoundly affects the emotional and sexual wellbeing of couples.1 Previous research shows that both "object-oriented" materialism (the pursuit of material things) and "image-oriented" materialism (the pursuit of image enhancement) are associated with lower relationship satisfaction and sexual satisfaction.[2] In other words, the more a couple values money and material things, the more likely they are to feel dissatisfied in their relationship and sex life.
3 Min Read
overrideBackgroundColorOrImage= overrideTextColor= promoTextAlignment= overrideCardHideSection= overrideCardHideByline= overrideCardHideDescription= overridebuttonBgColor= overrideButtonText= promoTextAlignment=
data-content-type="article"

Balancing Sleep, Money, and Sex in Marriage

Michelle Si
By Michelle Si
February 11, 2025 09:18 AM
Although newlyweds are often optimistic about their future, their marriages may still face unique challenges.[1] For example, couples must navigate careers,3 family decisions,[2] finances,[3] and much more. So, what makes a marriage truly happy? In a recent study,[4] Matthew Saxey and his team examined how sleep, finances, and sex are related to marital happiness. What they discovered was eye-opening: these elements combine in unique ways to shape marital satisfaction, leading to four distinct relationship profiles—“Flounderers,” “Drowsy Budgeters,” “Financially Challenged Lovers,” and “Flourishers.” The four profiles revealed how these elements interact to shape couples’ relationships:
5 Min Read
overrideBackgroundColorOrImage= overrideTextColor= promoTextAlignment= overrideCardHideSection= overrideCardHideByline= overrideCardHideDescription= overridebuttonBgColor= overrideButtonText= promoTextAlignment=
data-content-type="article"

Faith and Friction: How Religion Shapes Marital Dynamics

Michelle Si
By Michelle Si
November 25, 2024 11:00 AM
In a study by Dr. Heather Kelley and her team,[1] they delve into the complex role of religion in marital relationships, recognizing its dual nature as both a unifying force that strengthens bonds and a dividing force that can create tension in a relationship. This study involved interviews with 198 couples from various religious traditions, including Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, providing insight into the specific ways religious diversity can affect marriage dynamics. The authors identified three fundamental dimensions through which religion can influence marital cohesion or tension: (1) beliefs, (2) practices, and (3) community.
6 Min Read
overrideBackgroundColorOrImage= overrideTextColor= promoTextAlignment= overrideCardHideSection= overrideCardHideByline= overrideCardHideDescription= overridebuttonBgColor= overrideButtonText= promoTextAlignment=
data-content-type="article"

Sex during Pregnancy

Michelle Si
By Michelle Si
November 25, 2024 10:22 AM
In a recent study,[1] Dr. David Allsop and colleagues investigated factors influencing sexual satisfaction among couples during pregnancy, such as physiological (e.g., physical discomfort,[2] hormonal changes, sleep quality), psychological (e.g., anxiety, depressive symptoms, self-esteem), and social (e.g., relationship quality, support from friends and family, societal expectations) factors. Merely focusing on physiological factors is not enough to fully grasp or address the complexity of the issue. In fact, Allsop’s study revealed the complex and multifaceted nature of sexual satisfaction during pregnancy, emphasizing the importance of considering emotional and relational dynamics between spouses. By addressing a diverse range of influences, we can better support couples in experiencing enriching sexual relationships as they navigate through this transformative phase of life!
5 Min Read
overrideBackgroundColorOrImage= overrideTextColor= promoTextAlignment= overrideCardHideSection= overrideCardHideByline= overrideCardHideDescription= overridebuttonBgColor= overrideButtonText= promoTextAlignment=
data-content-type="article"

Strengthening Your Marriage Amidst Financial Difficulties

Michelle Si
By Michelle Si
November 25, 2024 10:03 AM
In a groundbreaking study, Dr. Brandan Wheeler and his team[1] investigate the interplay between financial distress, relational aggression, and marital quality among married couples in the U.S. after the 2009 Recession. Their findings reveal that relationally aggressive behaviors such as spreading rumors about a partner and withdrawing affection partially explained the impact of financial problems on the couple relationship post-recession. In other words, when some couples are financially stressed they treat each other worse, which then harms their marriage. This discovery underscores the detrimental effects of using harmful conflict tactics (like verbal attacks, silent treatment, and blame-shifting) during economic hardship and, on the other hand, the importance of mutual support and understanding between partners during times of financial strain.
4 Min Read
overrideBackgroundColorOrImage= overrideTextColor= promoTextAlignment= overrideCardHideSection= overrideCardHideByline= overrideCardHideDescription= overridebuttonBgColor= overrideButtonText= promoTextAlignment=
data-content-type="article"

Mastering Money Promotes Relationship Happiness

Michelle Si
By Michelle Si
November 25, 2024 08:09 AM
About half of emerging adults in the U.S. live with their parents,[1] which highlights the financial challenges they face, such as student loan debt, low income, and high living costs. These challenges significantly impact their financial situations and lifestyles. Notably, financial issues play a crucial role in the success of romantic relationships among emerging adults.
3 Min Read
overrideBackgroundColorOrImage= overrideTextColor= promoTextAlignment= overrideCardHideSection= overrideCardHideByline= overrideCardHideDescription= overridebuttonBgColor= overrideButtonText= promoTextAlignment=
data-content-type="article"

Thriving Together: Mastering Communication to Conquer Financial Stress in Your Marriage

Michelle Si
By Michelle Si
November 19, 2024 10:36 AM
Money troubles can make or break a marriage, and in fact, financial conflict is the number one predictor of divorce—more than any other type of disagreement.[1] Therefore, understanding how couples manage and navigate through financial challenges is especially important. In a compelling study[2] led by Dr. Heather Kelley and her team, they explored the relationship between financial stress and marital quality. The study found that financial stress negatively impacts marital satisfaction. When couples experience certain life events such as marriage, unemployment, or childbirth, they are more prone to financial stress. However, effective communication and maintaining a positive attitude can help mitigate the negative effects financial stress has on marital quality, and can help couples strengthen their relationship.
6 Min Read
overrideBackgroundColorOrImage= overrideTextColor= promoTextAlignment= overrideCardHideSection= overrideCardHideByline= overrideCardHideDescription= overridebuttonBgColor= overrideButtonText= promoTextAlignment=
Next