Hye‑jin Park, PhD

Dr. Hye‑jin Park is a leading researcher and educator in the field of romantic relationships, specializing in couple dynamics, emotional intelligence, and communication strategies. Over the past 12 years, she has conducted cross-cultural studies on relationship satisfaction, attachment patterns, and the impact of digital communication on intimacy. Dr. Park combines rigorous empirical research with practical guidance for couples and educators worldwide.

Specialization

Romantic Relationship Psychology
Attachment and Intimacy Research
Couple Communication and Conflict Resolution
Digital Dating and Online Intimacy
Cross-Cultural Relationship Studies

Education

2005–2009: BA in Psychology, Seoul National University
2009–2011: MA in Social Psychology, Yonsei University
2011–2015: PhD in Relationship Science, University of California, Berkeley

Professional Experience

2015–2018: Postdoctoral Researcher, Couples and Families Lab, UC Berkeley
2018–2022: Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, Yonsei University
2022–Present: Director, Center for Romantic Relationship Research, Seoul
Consultant for NGOs and private organizations on relationship workshops and counseling programs

Key Research Projects and Case Studies

Project: "Digital Communication and Emotional Intimacy in Long-Distance Couples" (2020–2022)
Result: Surveyed 1,200 couples across 8 countries; found that video messaging increased perceived emotional closeness by 34% compared to text-only communication.
Quote: "Couples who regularly use synchronous digital communication maintain stronger attachment security, even across long distances." – Hye‑jin Park, 2022.
Project: "Conflict Resolution Styles and Relationship Satisfaction" (2018–2020)
Result: Conducted longitudinal study of 500 couples; demonstrated that couples using structured reflective listening improved relationship satisfaction scores by 22% after six months.
Quote: "Active listening and emotional validation are consistently linked to healthier long-term relationships." – Hye‑jin Park, 2020.
Project: "Cross-Cultural Attachment Patterns in Romantic Partnerships" (2016–2019)
Result: Comparative study in South Korea, US, and Germany; identified cultural differences in conflict avoidance and emotional expressivity.
Quote: "Understanding cultural context is critical for designing effective relationship interventions." – Hye‑jin Park, 2019.

Selected Scientific Publications

Park, H.-J. (2022). "Digital Communication and Long-Distance Relationship Intimacy." Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 39(6), 1423–1442.
Park, H.-J., & Lee, S. (2020). "Conflict Resolution Strategies and Romantic Satisfaction: A Longitudinal Study." Journal of Marriage and Family, 82(4), 1201–1218.
Park, H.-J., Chen, Y., & Müller, R. (2019). "Attachment Patterns Across Cultures: Implications for Romantic Relationships." International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 73, 56–70.

Professional Memberships

International Association for Relationship Research (IARR)
Society for Personality and Social Psychology (SPSP)
Asian Society for Psychology and Relationship Studies (ASPARS)

Work on Educational Programs

Developed "Healthy Relationship Workshop" curriculum for universities and workplaces
Online courses: "Building Emotional Intelligence in Romantic Relationships"
Training modules for counselors on couple communication techniques

Interviews, Lectures, and Podcasts

TEDx Seoul Talk: "The Science of Love: Emotional Intelligence in Romantic Relationships" (2021)
Guest on NPR podcast "Love Lab" discussing digital intimacy (2022)
Regular lecturer in international psychology conferences and workshops

Unique Values and Experience

Dr. Park integrates rigorous empirical research with applied strategies for couples, combining a global perspective with actionable insights. Her work emphasizes cross-cultural sensitivity, emotional intelligence, and measurable outcomes, making her a trusted authority in romantic relationship science.