Robert L. Weiss Student Poster Award

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Robert L. Weiss Student Poster Award

The Robert L. Weiss Student Poster Award recognizes the strongest original research on intimate relationships presented by emerging scholars, including undergraduates, post-baccalaureate researchers, and graduate students. The award highlights work that advances the science of relationships through rigorous conceptualization, methodological sophistication, and meaningful contributions to couples and family research. Winners receive a certificate and monetary prizes for first and second place, with an additional honorable mention for undergraduate and post-baccalaureate presenters.

Eligibility

Eligible applicants include undergraduate students, post-baccalaureate researchers, and graduate students whose first-authored posters have been accepted for presentation at this year’s ABCT Convention. Individuals who completed the research and submitted to ABCT while still enrolled, but have since graduated, remain eligible. Posters accepted for presentation at the SIG Poster Expo also qualify.

Submission Process

Applicants must submit two pages describing the study using 12-point font and ½-inch margins, with an optional third page for tables and figures in a readable font size. Submissions are evaluated on six domains using a 1–5 scale: theoretical or conceptual framework, originality, methodological and statistical rigor, quality of writing, contribution to couples and family research or public health, and overall quality.

Previous Winners

2025

First Place

Wang, R., Fosco, G. M., & Fredman, S. J. (2025, November 20–23). A daily diary, multi-informant test of the marital discord model of depression and depressive mood brightening effect Poster presented at the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies 59th Annual Convention, New Orleans, LA, United States.

Miller, J. V., & Rhoades, G. K. (2025, November 20–23). Survival analysis of friend networks, constraint commitment, and relationship breakups Poster presented at the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies 59th Annual Convention, New Orleans, LA, United States.

Honorable Mention for Undergraduate and Post-Baccalaureate Research

Walker, M., Bricker-Carter, S., Bynum, D. O., Stallard, D., Todd, N., Allen, E., Markman, H., & Stanley, S. (2025, November 20–23). Strengthening bonds: Rank and children as barriers to attendance in a military couples program Poster presented at the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies 59th Annual Convention, New Orleans, LA, United States.

2024

First Place

Laifer, L. M., Ramsdell, E. L., Stasik-O'Brien, S. M., Martin, R. C. B., & Brock, R. L. (2024, November 14–17). Trajectories of maternal and paternal internalizing symptoms across the perinatal period: Modifiable risk and protective factors to promote family wellbeing Poster presented at the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies 58th Annual Convention, Philadelphia, PA, United States.

Second Place

Bibby, E. S. & Davila, J. (2024, November 14-17). Sexual communication and satisfaction in young adults’ monogamous and consensually non-monogamous relationships. Poster presented at the Annual Convention: Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, Philadelphia, PA.

Honorable Mention for Undergraduate and Post-Baccalaureate Research

Lee, J., Rhoades, G. K., & Le, Y. (2024, November 14–17). Indirect effects of individual based relationship education on child social emotional wellbeing: A randomized controlled trial of MotherWise Poster presented at the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies 58th Annual Convention, Philadelphia, PA, United States.

2023

First Place

Simpson, L. E., Kumar, S. A., Brockdorf, A. N., Brock, R. L., Messman, T. L., Gratz, K. L., & DiLillo, D. (2023, November). A longitudinal investigation of the cumulative impact of recurrent intimate partner violence experiences on emotion dysregulation. Poster presented at the 57th Annual Convention for the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, Seattle, WA.

Second Place

Lee, J., Fredman, S. J., & Le, Y. (2023, November 30–December 3). PTSD symptoms are associated with couple communication difficulties through fear of emotion. Poster presented at the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies 57th Annual Convention, Seattle, WA, United States.

Honorable Mention for Undergraduate and Post-Baccalaureate Research

Lee, J., Perry, N., Le, Y., Huntington, C., Karan, S. T., Stanley, S., & Rhoades, G. (2023, November 30–December 3). Dating during lockdown: High school students’ experiences Poster presented at the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies 57th Annual Convention, Seattle, WA, United States.

2022

First Place

Taverna, E., Le, Y., Fredman, S. J., Mogle, J. A., Fischer, M. S., Baucom, D. H., & Marshall, A. D. (2022, November 17–20). Responsivity to interviewer during interview-based assessment of intimate partner violence Poster presented at the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies 56th Annual Convention, New York, NY, United States.

Second Place

Calkins, F. C., Phillips, E., Hamburger, E. R., Kumar, S. A., Laifer, L. M., Ramsdell, E. L., & Brock, R. L. (2022, November 17–20). High quality coparenting protected families during the acute phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. Poster presented at the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies 56th Annual Convention, New York, NY, United States.

Honorable Mention for Undergraduate and Post-Baccalaureate Research