Communication and Social Well-Being Lab

Many studies exist on the link between scenic environments and human well-being. This body of research tends to show that engaging in activities outdoors, particularly in area with open, expansive views (often with water, trees, and grasses around) with people who we like and love is associated with enhanced well-being. Could it be, however, that people's conversations during outdoor recreation help explain why feelings of well-being increase after spending time in scenic spaces?

The SWBL is currently analyzing data from 25 couples who volunteered to have their conversations recorded while they were hiking outdoors in a scenic space in Missoula, Montana. The participants completed surveys before and after their hike to measure their mood states, closeness to the person they were with, and other indicators. We are now looking at how types and features of conversations (e.g., cathing up, mundane talk, listening/feedback, support, gossip, meangingful talk, etc.) might explain changes in well-being at the end of the hike. We are grateful for the funding from the University of Montana University Grant Program and the permission of the City of Missoula Department of Parks and Recreation for help in this exciting study. Stay tuned for our forthcoming findings! 

People often maintain relationships with others who they feel ambivalent toward. A roommate one doesn't completely like, a friend who is also a competitor, or a sibling with whom one often engages in rivalry are just a few examples. Recently, a group of students in Steve Yoshimura's...

Christina Yoshimura recently became an officially recognized UM Student Wellness Advocate. The Wellness Advocate program is based on theory and research indicating that student success and retention are partly dependent upon social support students receive during their academic progress. Faculty...

A literature review written by Steve Yoshimura and UM Communication Studies MA program alumni Kassandra Berzins was recently talked about on the very first (May 15, 2017) episode of Wow in the World, a new NPR Science podcast for kids aged 5-12, hosted by Guy Raz and Mindy Thomas.

A review of research on the connection between gratitude experiences and expressions written by Steve Yoshimura and Kassandra Berzins (Martin) is in the news. The full essay can be found in our publications section of the lab.

Communication and Social Well-being Lab collaborator Christina Yoshimura's research on ways in which interpersonal communication can be incorporated into therapeutic work for sexual assault survivors is getting national attention.

Can revenge behaviors have an element of beauty to them? This was the subject of an essay Steve Yoshimura wrote for theconversation.com, in which he summarizes a body of research indicating that the ways in which revenge is communicated can affect the extent to which it is seen as beautiful.

Researchers in the Department of Communication Studies have established a new research lab to study the effects of communication on the health and well-being. "Of course exercise, eating right, and minimizing substance use are important predictors of health and well-being," says Professor...

According to the Centers for Disease Control, 49% of Americans have at least one risk factor for heart disease, whether it is high blood pressure, high LDL cholesterol, or smoking. Each year, about 610,000 Americans die from it. Living with heart disease can involve large financial, emotional,...