Updates and New Stuff
Noteworthy announcements on what I’ve been doing lately.
New research published: Tools to boost your social support skills
Sixty percent of American adults deal with a chronic illness — and all of those individuals have people who love and support them. But it can be hard to actively listen, or offer the right type of help, or continuously “show up” for someone after months (or years) of illness. My research team and I created and tested an online intervention for people who help individuals with chronic illness. Read about our academic findings (click the button on the left) and stay tuned for the public launch of this tool.
The Missoulian (Nov. 28, 2023)
A healthy skepticism: UM develops class to combat health misinformation
Research Published: Infertility Memorable Messages
The infertility experience — while dishearteningly common — can be emotionally, financially, physically and relationally draining. My research team explored support-related messages people experiencing infertility find particularly memorable (for better or for worse), and discovered patterns between the message content, message sender, and perceived message valence. As it turns out, people with good intentions are sometimes insensitive, and the same message can feel different when it comes from different people. Our article makes practical suggestions for people wanting to support someone experiencing fertility challenges.
Research Published: People Who Help People
In May 2023, the results of a community needs assessment were published in the journal Personal Relationships. My team and I surveyed people experiencing chronic illness and the folks who provide semi-regular, less-intense support to them. The results showed a gap between the quality of support people think they are providing and how that support is actually perceived. (For example, support providers were frustrated when people didn’t take their advice… but chronically ill individuals wished people would stop giving advice in the first place!)
CDC Endorses Our Training on Mental Health Communication
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recently endorsed the free online training module about mental health stigma and communication, written and hosted by me and created through a new online education program at the Center for Health Communication at UT-Austin.
As of Feb. 2022, our module appears on the CDC’s “Health Literacy - Training from Other Organizations” tab on their official website.