Research Studies
NFP and Changing Hearts
Is NFP transformational for relationships? Is it an entry point to Catholicism? While I don’t know if NFP creates more Catholics, the evidence in the literature does support the idea that NFP helps couples to communicate better. They have improved spirituality, are better at self-control, and attribute NFP to a better relationship with their spouse. Several…
Read MoreIs NFP Healthy For Marriage?
We all know about the health benefits of using NFP in comparison to contraceptives. What’s perhaps more important are the benefits using NFP brings to your marriage relationship. I recently reviewed the scientific literature on the impact of NFP and contraceptives on marriage relationships. The bottom line: NFP is good for your marriage health. Some…
Read MoreEvidence That NFP Is Good For Marriage?
By Mike Manhart, MD I’d wager that every couple believes and hopes their wedding day is the first day of a lifelong relationship. Today however, one out of every two adults encounter divorce in their family or of a close relative. I suspect many see a lifelong marriage as more an unrealistic ideal rather than…
Read MoreConnection of NFP and Odds of Divorce
One of the many important endeavors that CCL has been working on throughout its history has been to establish NFP in the scientific community as a respectable option for family planning. Mike Manhart, Ph.D. and co-author, Richard Fehring, Ph.D, RN, FAAN from Marquette University took a big step in that direction with their publication in…
Read MoreSnapshot of CCL Volunteers Today
Written by Mike Manhart. Originally published in Family Foundations in 2022. One of the most important reasons for CCL’s 50+ years of service is our volunteers. Few organizations that depend on volunteers can match the strength and commitment of CCL volunteers. Our average length of service for Teaching Couples is 16.8 years and for Promoters…
Read MoreMore Evidence that Periodic Abstinence is Good for Marriage
New research confirms that despite the challenge of periodic abstinence, the use of natural family planning can be beneficial for marital relationships. The study, “Natural Family Planning and Marital Chastity: The Effects of Periodic Abstinence on Marital Relationships” (Linacre Quarterly, June 12, 2020) by Richard J. Fehring, PhD, RN, and Michael D. Manhart, PhD, found…
Read MoreNew Study: Fertility App Users with Formal NFP Education More Likely to Stick to Charting
We know, we know. It sounds like common sense that formal training on NFP makes users more consistent and committed to charting, but it’s important to back up claims with data…and now we have data. CCL’s own Mike Manhart, PhD, conducted the study which analyzed anonymous data from CycleProGo users who gave their permission. CycleProGo…
Read MoreNew Study Connects Adolescent Birth Control use to Depression
For CCL, this is far from news. What we’ve suspected anecdotally for decades is being confirmed time and time again by medical research: the Pill hurts young women.
Read MoreStudy Links the Pill to Depression
If your social media feeds are anything like ours, you may have seen a new study about the pill and depression being posted multiple times yesterday. Understandably so, because it is a pretty big deal since it reveals a true link between the pill and depression in women. Add another side effect to hormonal contraceptives…
Read MoreHook-up Culture Not What it Seems
Growing up in Catholic schools, I received a clearly painted picture of what my sexual future should be — abstinence until marriage. In middle school, we learned the Church’s teaching and the basis behind why you should wait for marriage to have sex. Then high school health class introduced us to STDs and unplanned pregnancies,…
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