Julitta Dębska, a doctoral candidate at the University of Łódź in Poland, shared her insight about modern dating and relationships last week at UMD.
Associate Professor Ashley Thompson introduced the presentation titled “Mindful Love in a Chaotic World: The Psychology of Dating and Relationships,” commenting on how Dębska’s work falls at the intersection of academic rigor and real-world relationship challenges.
Dębska is a relationship expert who has experience in both academic and applied psychology. In addition to running her own practice, she has researched infidelity and close relationship processes and has extensive teaching experience at the undergraduate level. A core piece of her research is investigating whether mindfulness can serve as a protective factor when couples experience stressors such as infidelity.
Her talk addressed the loneliness epidemic in Poland and the negative impact of technology on modern relationships. She specifically discussed the phenomenon of online dating burnout, particularly among young people, and how these challenges are changing behavior. Younger generations are choosing to stay single, for example, or to opt out of online dating, preferring to connect authentically in person with potential partners.
This shift is also evident in the recent uptick in the use of matchmaking services in the country, a topic Dębska is well-positioned to analyze, as she currently serves as an expert on Poland’s version of the international matchmaking reality show “Married at First Sight.”
Thompson and Dębska connected a few years ago over shared research interests. Their professional relationship sparked Dębska's trip to Duluth. They worked closely together over the past month.
Dębska helped with statistical analysis to validate Thompson’s new relationship burnout scale and offered extensive consultation on her dissertation pilot, where she translated and validated Thompson’s Definitions of Infidelity Questionnaire into Polish.
Thompson says Dębska’s visit prompted “engaging discussions on cross-cultural relationship norms.” During her time in Duluth, Dębska also gave a research talk and provided valuable mentoring to students in Thompson’s Sexuality and Relationship Science Lab.
“It’s been a genuine pleasure collaborating with her; she’s been an incredible asset to our UMD community,” says Thompson.
The event was part of the College of Education and Human Service Professions’ International Colloquium series, which continues this fall.
Feature photo at top: Dębska and Thompson
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