Matthew Johnson

Matthew Johnson is a Professor in the Department of Human Ecology at the University of Alberta, within the Faculty of Agricultural, Life and Environmental Sciences. His research focuses on couple relationships and their development across life stages, leveraging longitudinal studies such as the Edmonton Transitions Study (ETS) and the German Family Panel (pairfam). He explores how mental health in early adulthood influences midlife relationships and examines associations between marital timing and well-being. Dr. Johnson teaches courses on intimate relationships, structural equation modeling, and independent research projects in human ecology. His work integrates advanced statistical methods like SEM and longitudinal analyses to address family dynamics and relational health. He is currently accepting graduate students interested in studying couples.

Key research themes include the interplay between parental relationships and partner dynamics, the role of support in coping with stress, and the impact of cultural factors on intercultural relationships. His publications address topics ranging from household labor gender gaps to gratitude’s role in relationship satisfaction. Methodologically, he emphasizes quantitative approaches, including dyadic analysis and latent variable modeling.

Dr. Johnson’s academic contributions span over two decades, with a focus on transitioning youth into adulthood, marital stability, and the long-term mental health implications of life transitions. His teaching portfolio reflects a commitment to both foundational relationship theory and advanced statistical methodologies.