Terri L. Orbuch

Terri L. Orbuch is a Professor of Sociology at Oakland University, specializing in interpersonal relationships, marriage/divorce dynamics, and sexuality. She leads a landmark 30-year NIH-funded study on marital stability, analyzing over 373 couples. Her research emphasizes factors influencing divorce, marital satisfaction, and post-divorce relationships. Orbuch is also a nationally recognized media expert, appearing on shows like Today and Katie Couric, and has authored six books including 5 Simple Steps to Take Your Marriage from Good to Great and Finding Love Again. She integrates academic rigor with practical advice, offering coaching and workshops on relationship maintenance. Orbuch teaches courses like SOC 3100 (Interpersonal Relationships) and SOC 3110 (Human Sexuality), and actively engages in community outreach through speaking events and radio programs like The Love Doctor is IN.

• Education: PhD in Social Psychology
• Key Projects: NIH-funded longitudinal study on marriage/divorce (1986–present)
• Media Roles: Columnist for Psychology Today, OurTime Blog, and contributor to Fox 2 Detroit
• Publications: Over 30 peer-reviewed articles and six books

Her research highlights include identifying how social networks and conflict behaviors predict divorce, and the role of admiration in marital transitions to parenthood. Orbuch’s work bridges academic research with real-world applications, empowering individuals and couples to strengthen their relationships through data-driven strategies.