Steve Rholes

Dr. Steve Rholes is a Professor in the Department of Psychology at Texas A&M University, directing the Close Relationships and Attachment Theory Lab. His research focuses on adult attachment theory, exploring how relationships and personality influence behavior, particularly during transitions like parenthood. His work examines marital dynamics, childcare stress, and the impact of attachment styles on emotional well-being.

Key studies include longitudinal analyses of couples during the transition to parenthood, revealing how insecure attachment correlates with dissatisfaction and depression. He investigates how attachment styles affect information-seeking behaviors, empathetic accuracy, and conflict resolution in relationships. Future research priorities include repressed memories in avoidant individuals, self-concept, and well-being across relationships.

His articles emphasize attachment theory applications in marital and parental contexts, using innovative methods like machine learning to predict relationship quality. The lab’s work bridges theoretical and applied psychology, with implications for social policy and health interventions.