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Heart to heart: Agape, a dating app co-developed by psychologist Ronald Rogge, sends daily messages to registered couples. When both partners respond to the prompt, they can see each other’s responses, potentially starting a meaningful conversation. Credit: University of Rochester / Julia Joshpe
Half of all marriages in the United States are likely to break up by the time the spouses reach their 50s. Understandably, many couples are not fully aware that divorce can have far-reaching negative effects on families, children, personal finances, personal well-being, and the direct and indirect costs to society. We are aware of this and are looking for ways to avoid being included in this statistic.
Ronald Rogge, an associate professor of psychology at the University of Rochester, has spent nearly 30 years studying the complex dynamics of romantic relationships and families, looking for ways to help couples cultivate and strengthen their love.
One way to do that, Rogge said, is through a relationship app he co-developed with former University of Rochester student Kadesha Okwudili. According to Rogge, it is his latest and “most successful project with far-reaching influence.” In a recent pilot study, Journal of Family PsychologyRogge found that the overwhelming majority of study participants, or 8 out of 10, reported that their relationships had improved and were healthier after using the app for a month.
“Our main goal was to create an app that was inherently fun for couples to use, and that would naturally grow in popularity and thereby naturally expand our reach,” says Rogge.
Okwidili was diagnosed with a life-threatening heart arrhythmia disease when he was just in his 20s. Her several near-death experiences inspired her to ask more meaningful questions of her loved ones. “I didn’t know how much time I had left with them,” Okwadiri recalled.
“Over time, I noticed that even though my health was deteriorating, my relationships were starting to work out differently.” She works with Rogge to develop and test content for Agapé. We launched and generated thousands of questions relevant to a wide range of couples.
How does the Agapé dating app work?
Agape sends registered couples daily prompts like, “What did your partner do in the past week that made you laugh?” or “Describe a time when you appreciated your partner being there for you” or “If your partner had a theme song that played as they went about their day, what would it be and why? ?” or something more outlandish, like “What unique skills does your partner bring to help you survive the zombie apocalypse?”
Rogge, who has pilot-tested more than 4,000 prompts over the past four years, says that when both partners respond to a prompt, they can see each other’s responses, creating meaningful conversations, “heightening awareness” and “moments of connection.” states that it may be promoted. In research on married couples and couples over the past 40 years.
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Replace “app” with happy and find that “we found that using the app regularly is extremely important. Couples who completed more daily prompts had stronger and improved relationships.” said Ronald Rogge, app co-founder and study co-author. Credit: University of Rochester / J. Adam Fenster
How Effective Are Apps? Scientific Tests
For a recent pilot study, researchers recruited 405 romantic couples. Of these, 91% were heterosexual, and the majority (84%) were in their 20s and 30s. Couples had been in their current relationship for an average of 4.6 years. Most couples in the study (31% of whom were married) were reasonably satisfied with their relationships, but about a third were not particularly satisfied.
The team tracked participants on the app for a month, during which couples first completed a baseline assessment, completed short weekly health checks within the app, and then completed the assessment again at the end of the month. Engagement remained high throughout, with 99% of couples using the app and 88% providing follow-up data.
Main findings
- 80% of participants reported improvements in their romantic relationships, including decreased perceptions of negative relationship qualities and increased relationship satisfaction and commitment.
- 70% saw an improvement in their well-being, including more energy and a better quality of life, as well as a significant reduction in symptoms of depression.
- Couples who completed more daily prompts had stronger improvements in relationship quality.
- 93% said the app was fun and 74% said it was easy to use, which researchers hope will increase the likelihood of using it regularly.
Over the past half century, a wide range of interventions to strengthen relationships have been developed. However, research shows that practical barriers, such as the need for trained facilitators, have limited uptake. Although other voluntary interventions are inexpensive and practical, their reach and effectiveness are often hampered by low levels of participation, as couples meet only a small portion of their requirements.
Rogge is excited about the app project because “I hope it will help put my research into the hands of millions of couples and actually improve their lives.” .
Although this study focused on romantic relationships, the app can also be used to feel closer to friends and family. The researchers say the basic principles that underpin a couple’s bond generalize to other types of intimate relationships.
“Using apps with more people in your life could have even greater benefits for individuals, because we know that connecting with others is a fundamental psychological need. ,” says Rogge.
For more information:
Ronald D. Rogge et al., “Instant Connection: A First Look at Agapé Apps’ Contribution to Healthy Relationships.” Journal of Family Psychology (2023). DOI: 10.1037/fam0001166
Magazine information:
Journal of Family Psychology