Alaina Leverenz, MA
Interpersonal, Family, and Health Communication
I study how families, romantic partners, and friends provide support, enact resilience, and make sense of their experiences through communication when they experience trauma or health crises; particularly through a narrative or metaphor lens.
Current Projects:
Metaphors of Romance: Thematic Analysis of College Freshman's Written Narratives of Intensely Positive Life Experiences
Women’s Uncertainty Management Strategies in Communication about Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs).
Enacting Communicated Resilience in Romantic Relationships following a Miscarriage
Pregnancy during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Communicated Narrative Sense-Making and Resilience
Intimate Partner Violence: Communication Accommodation and Relational Persistence
Communication of Commitment in Monogamous, Romantic Relationships Before and During a Pandemic
Making Work Friends Work: Communicating Trust, Support, Satisfaction, and Commitment in Cross-Sex Heterosexual Workplace Friendships.
Rheumatoid Arthritis: Associations Between Diagnosis Acceptance, Dyadic Support, and Satisfaction