Online Articles

The Guardian: The relationship sabotage scale, quantifying why we undermine ourselves in love

October 3, 2021 | 0 Comments

Story found on The Guardian Written by Janet Stone 11 October 2021 This article discusses the Relationship Sabotage Scale developed by a team led by Dr Raquel Peel. The Relationship Sabotage Scale, published on 19 September in BMC Psychology, aims to empirically measure romantic self-sabotage (a term more often bandied about in popular culture) in romantic relationships. Here is an excerpt: […]

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We accept the love we think we deserve and it shows.

September 15, 2021 | 0 Comments

My boyfriend treats me like a queen, that’s why I’m breaking up with him. Story found on East Coast Radio, Umhlanga, South Africa Written by Stacey and J Sbu 15 September 2021 In this article, Stacey and J Sbu discuss how we accept the love we think we deserve and it shows. Here is an excerpt: Our past relationships, our […]

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5 Reasons Why Some People Keep Sabotaging Their Relationships

August 20, 2021 | 0 Comments

Story found on Psychology Today Written by Arash Emamzadeh 20 August 2021 In this article, Arash Emamzadeh discusses Dr Raquel Peel’s research to explain the 5 reasons why some people keep sabotaging their relationships. Here is an excerpt: New research by Peel and Caltabiano, published in the most recent issue of the quarterly journal, Journal of Couple & Relationship Therapy, […]

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3 ways we sabotage relationships (and 3 ways to kick the habit)

October 29, 2021 | 0 Comments

Story found on The Conversation Written by Dr Raquel Peel 29 October 2021 In this article, Dr Raquel Peel talks about 3 ways we sabotage relationships (and 3 ways to kick the habit).   Popular culture has plenty of examples of people sabotaging their romantic relationships. Look at characters such as Kat in 10 Things I Hate About You, Mindy in […]

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Why we really self-sabotage in relationships

November 22, 2021 | 0 Comments

Story found on MSN Entertainment Written by  Maddison Leach 23 November 2021 This article discusses “self-sabotage” in romantic relationships and the fact that many of us are not sure what it looks like. Here is an excerpt: We often hear the phrase “self-sabotage” when talking about dating and relationships, but the fact of the matter is that many of us […]

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Experiencing ‘The Ick’? A Psychological Scientists Explains The Sudden Turn-Off

October 25, 2021 | 0 Comments

Story found on Woman’s Health Written by WH Staff 25 October 2021 A new TikTok trend has emerged in which users are identifying and describing as “the ick” – that sudden feeling where attraction to a current or potential partner turns into a feeling of disgust. Here is an excerpt: We’ve all been there. You’ve met someone, the banter is […]

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What is ‘the ick’? A psychological scientist explains this TikTok trend

October 11, 2021 | 0 Comments

Story found on The Conversation Written by Dr Raquel Peel 11 October 2021 In this article, Dr Raquel Peel discusses the latest TikTok trend “the ick” where attraction to a current or potential partner is suddenly flipped to a feeling of disgust. Here is an excerpt: It’s often triggered in an instant, social media users say, by witnessing some kind […]

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Why We Sabotage Our Romantic Relationships and How to Prevent Destructive Behaviour

September 8, 2021 | 0 Comments

7 Sept 2021 In this article, Stephanie discusses people’s tendency to set their love lives alight, for no apparent reason. Here is a excerpt: As our many explorations of love and relationships suggest, romance is rarely simple. People are complicated and messy and confusing – and oftentimes, they’re scared as hell of getting hurt. Throw that all together, and it’s […]

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Netflix’s Sexy Beasts tells us you can take physical attraction out of love.

July 21, 2021 | 0 Comments

21 July 2021 In this article, Dr Raquel Peel talks about the latest Netflix show Sexy Beasts, which promises to move past superficial dating by having contestants meet while wearing heavy make-up and prosthetics to disguise their physical attributes. But, what the show is promising is not what you will get! To read the complete article go here… Read the […]

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9 Ways People put Their Romantic Relationships at Risk | Relationship Resolution Center

May 5, 2021 | 0 Comments

A new study suggests nine ways people put their romantic relationships at risk. It’s no surprise that difficulties with romantic relationships are a common reason people seek therapy. Because let’s face it, relationships are tough. Full article on Relationship Resolution Center | with Nancy Fagan, Founder of Relationship Resolution Center 5 May, 2021. For some people, finding and getting into […]

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Bridgerton offers clever relationship advice.

January 14, 2021 | 0 Comments

14 January 2021 In this article, Dr Raquel Peel talks about how an American streaming television period drama series created by Chris Van Dusen and produced by Shonda Rhimes,  Bridgerton, offers clever relationship advice – why friendship is the foundation of happy romantic partnerships. In the first season, of this Netflix hit show, we see Miss Daphne, the oldest daughter […]

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Love (and sex) in the time of COVID-19.

December 18, 2020 | 0 Comments

This story looks at how the pandemic has changed the way we pursue love and sex. And what might that mean in the longer term. 15 December 2020 In this article Dr Raquel Peel talks about how fear is the biggest barrier to romantic commitment. Now, the onset of a pandemic conjured fears of its own. In this article Lydia […]

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Separation anxiety: Are we anxious about leaving home once lockdown is over?

October 5, 2020 | 0 Comments

Separation anxiety is a common feeling that stems from developing an emotional attachment to something and then not wanting to give it away. by Emma Sullivan 5 October, 2020 Retrieved from The Beat With our daily case numbers lowering at a steady rate, there’s hope on the horizon and while it’s hard to remember what pre-COVID life entailed, it’s even […]

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Are You Dreading going back to the workplace?

September 11, 2020 | 0 Comments

You might be feeling separation anxiety from your home.  Written by Raquel Peel Team 11 September, 2020. Retrieved from The Conversation As some of us return to the workplace or are planning to do so in the future, we face the challenges of a changing environment of social distancing rules and restrictions. It might be your workplace will set limits […]

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Rebuilding relationships impacted by pandemic

June 10, 2020 | 0 Comments

A RECENT survey from Relationships Australia revealed that a large percentage of people felt their romantic relationships were negatively impacted by coronavirus. Story by Cassandra Glover 9 June, 2020. Retrieved from The Chronicle Subscriber only Psychology and counselling lecturer at the University of Southern Queensland Raquel Peel said the survey showed 55 per cent of people felt their relationships had […]

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Singles turn to digital love in time of isolation.

May 15, 2020 | 2 Comments

It would seem the last thing anyone would be doing during COVID-19 isolation is setting up a dating profile, but according to new data, dating apps experienced a surge in users. Story by Samtui Selave 15 May, 2020. Retrieved from The Queensland Times In April the average number of messages sent daily across dating apps like OkCupid, PlentyOfFish, Tinder, Hinge […]

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The coronavirus lockdown could test your relationship. Here’s how to keep it intact (and even improve it).

April 3, 2020 | 0 Comments

A Queensland relationships expert who has researched extensively into “why individuals get into a cycle of continually failing at relationships” believes she has identified a key reason.. By Raquel Peel 14 February, 2020. Retrieved from The Conversation With the raft of social distancing measures in place to control the spread of coronavirus, you may be spending more time with your partner than ever […]

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Valentine’s Day: Psychology researcher outlines possible reasons for relationship failures.

February 14, 2020 | 0 Comments

A Queensland relationships expert who has researched extensively into “why individuals get into a cycle of continually failing at relationships” believes she has identified a key reason.. By Warren Barnsley 14 February, 2020. Retrieved from 7 News Psychology researcher Raquel Peel, from the University of Southern Queensland, believes many of those unlucky in love are “self-sabotaging”. In her research, she discovered […]

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Relationship self-sabotage may be affecting your quest for love and happiness.

November 28, 2021 | 0 Comments
Relationship self-sabotage may be affecting your quest for love and happiness

By Shelley Lloyd 14th February, 2020 Retrieved from ABC News For some, Valentine’s Day is the day to smugly celebrate your couple status with overpriced flowers and saccharine sweet cards. For others, it is the day to ridicule the commercialisation of a Christian festival while lamenting spending yet another year alone with your cat. But a Queensland researcher may have […]

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Relationship self-sabotage may be affecting your quest for love and happiness.

February 14, 2020 | 0 Comments
Relationship self-sabotage may be affecting your quest for love and happiness

By Shelley Lloyd 14th February, 2020 Retrieved from ABC News For some, Valentine’s Day is the day to smugly celebrate your couple status with overpriced flowers and saccharine sweet cards. For others, it is the day to ridicule the commercialisation of a Christian festival while lamenting spending yet another year alone with your cat. But a Queensland researcher may have […]

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Dr Raquel Peel is an internationally recognised relationships expert and an award-winning educator and researcher. Her TEDx talk on relationship sabotage was featured as one of the most popular talks in the TED series ‘How to Be a Better Human’ and TEDxShorts. Raquel has also spoken at high-profile events such as the World of Science Festival and is a prolific contributor for The Conversation. She is regularly interviewed by the media to provide expert commentary on relationship matters at national and international outlets such as The Project, ABC, Forbes, The Guardian, Psychology Today, Channel News Asia, and the Deutsche Welle German Broadcaster. Her current research program encompasses studies on interpersonal relationships, mental health, suicide, and education. In her most recent academic positions, she served as a Senior Lecturer, teaching a diverse range of psychology, counselling, and health subjects across all undergraduate year levels, and Honours Program Director, coordinating the 4th year Bachelor of Psychology (Honours), Bachelor of Science (Honours), and the Master of Science (Research)(Psychology Research) programs. Her work as an educator has been recognised with prestigious institutional awards, including the Excellence Award for Early Career Educator granted by the University of Southern Queensland and the Inclusive Practice Teaching Award granted by James Cook University. Additionally, she is a fellow of Higher Education Academy. Originally from Brazil, Raquel has been in Australia for almost two decades where she lives with her husband, son, daughter, and fur kids. 

The Raquel Peel Editorial Team

The Raquel Peel Editorial Team is composed of writers who contribute to this site’s overall message. It is our mission to help and inspire individuals to pursue and maintain healthy and loving relationships.