BIRCH Study

What will I be asked to do? 

• Couples will complete a screening call to learn about the study and determine eligibility. 

• If eligible, participation will involve each partner completing 5–11-minute online surveys each day for a month. Surveys will ask about sexual, relationship, and psychological experiences. 

• Compensation for each couple member who completes all their surveys is $34 USD (or country equivalent). 

Who can participate? 

Couples may be eligible if they – 

• Have been in a committed relationship for at least 6 months 

• Had at least 4 in-person contacts with their partner each week for the past 4 weeks 

• Engaged in sexual activity with their partner in the past year 

• Both partners are willing to participate 

• Are not pregnant, breastfeeding, within 1 year postpartum, or undergoing fertility treatment 

• Do not have a major medical or psychiatric illness that is both (a) untreated or unstable and (b) interferes with sexual and relationship well-being 

• Well-managed conditions or conditions that do not affect sexual or relationship well-being are okay. 

• Are over the age of 18 

• Are fluent in English 

• Pass in-survey attention check questions and have both partners complete their first survey 

• Have daily internet access and a device to complete online surveys 

*This study is inclusive of individuals of all bodies, gender identities, and sexual orientations 

What is the study about? 

Our team hopes to better understand how a variety of psychological factors, including how couples communicate with one another and how they think and feel during sex, relate to sexual and relational well-being in long-term relationships.