Welcome to the Taking Care of Us (TCU) Lab!

Dyadic health science is the study of how people in close, personal relationships (e.g., couples, mothers and their adult daughters) navigate health challenges and chronic illness together. The Taking Care of Us (TCU) lab uses dyadic health science theories and methods to improve the physical and mental health of both the adult with a health challenge or chronic illness and the adult care partner who is supporting and/or caring for them.

We are an interdisciplinary team whose research cuts across several chronic illness contexts, including cancer, Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD), Parkinson's disease, and chronic pain. We conduct two types of dyadic research:

1) Research to understand the challenges and resources adults with chronic illness and their care partners (e.g., spouse/partner, adult-daughter, brother, friend) encounter as they navigate and manage an illness together. 

2) Research to develop and test interventions to support care dyads and improve their health, well-being, and relationships.