Research Interests
Interpersonal and family communication processes that influence and are influenced by identity complexities with a focus on difficult situations (i.e., health diagnoses, parental infidelity), resilience, and psychosocial well-being.
Select Publications and Presentations
Soliz, J., & April, M. (forthcoming). Family communication as...social identity. In K. Denker, J. Manning, & J. Allen (Eds.), Family Communication As... Metaphors for Family Communication. Wiley.
April, M., Harter, L. M., Defenbaugh, N. L., Cook-Jackson, A., & Anderson-Lain, K. At the crossroads of communication & chronic illness: Giving voice, creating space, and forging inclusive pathways for scholars with invisible physical disabilities. Discussion panel presenter at the 2020 annual meeting of the National Communication Association Conference in Indianapolis, IN.
April, M., Palmer-Wackerly, A. L. , Brock, R. L., & Soliz, J. Perceived severity of chronic illness diagnosis and psychosocial well-being: Exploring the affect and amount of identity change. Presented at the 2019 annual meeting of the National Communication Association Conference (Baltimore), 2019 University of Nebraska-Lincoln Communication Studies Colloquium, and 2019 annual Spring Creative Activity & Research Fair in Lincoln, NE.
April, M., & Schrodt, P. (2018). Person-centered messages, attributions of responsibility, and the willingness to forgive parental infidelity. Communication Studies, 1-20. doi:10.1080/10510974.2018.1469525