My Research

Two big questions currently guide much of my research: How can we use technology in ways that support our health and well-being? And how do we get the social support we need when life gets difficult?

Mindful Tech

Most of us spend a lot of time on our phones, often scrolling through social media without giving much thought to how it's making us feel. But what if we approached that time a little differently?

My current research explores whether being more mindful about how we use technology can improve our health and well-being.

One project focuses on something we call mindful scrolling. Rather than scrolling through social media on autopilot, mindful scrolling involves paying attention to the thoughts and feelings that arise as we scroll, without judging them.

In our first study, we found that people who practiced mindful scrolling for just over 11 minutes reported lower levels of depression, anxiety, and stress, along with more positive moods, compared with people who scrolled as they normally would.

These findings raise some interesting questions. How much mindful scrolling is needed to make a difference? How long do the benefits last? And does mindful scrolling change how our bodies respond to stress, not just how we feel?

My research team and I are currently exploring these questions, including using saliva samples and other physiological measurements to better understand what happens in our bodies when we engage with technology more mindfully.

Navigating Social Support

When something difficult happens in your life, how do you decide whom to turn to? Maybe there's a friend who's great at listening, a family member who gives practical advice, or someone you deliberately avoid because you know they'll make things worse.

These decisions are at the heart of another major area of my research.

For much of my career, I've studied a process I call support marshaling. The basic idea is that people don't just passively receive support from others. We actively navigate our relationships to find the support we need, moving toward people who are likely to help and sometimes distancing ourselves from those who aren't.

My collaborators and I have studied how people do this in different situations, the strategies they use, and the challenges they face. Getting support isn't always easy. The people we want to turn to might not be available, our relationships can be complicated, and sometimes the kind of support we need is difficult to ask for.

Recently, we developed and published a scale that allows researchers to measure support marshaling, creating new opportunities to understand how people navigate their relationships during difficult times.

Building on this work, my colleagues Elizabeth Hintz and Amanda Denes developed the Integrative Theory of Supportive Network (Re)structuring (ITSNS). This theory expands on support marshaling and other research on support seeking to explain how people navigate and reshape their social networks to meet their support needs. We're excited about the possibilities this theory opens for future research and grateful to have it accepted for publication in Journal of Communication, one of the leading journals in our field.

Together, these lines of research reflect my broader interest in understanding how the ways we communicate, both online and in our personal relationships, can help us cope with stress, build resilience, and live healthier lives.

Peer Reviewed Journal Articles

  1. Crowley, J. P., Hintz, E. & Denes, A. (in press). The integrative theory of supportive network (re)structuring: A case study in the context of LGBTQ+ hate speech. Journal of Communication.

  2. Denes, A., Henningham, M., Crowley, J. P., & Pappas, S. (2026). Stress and resilience in bi+ people’s conversations about hate speech. Journal of Bisexuality. https://doi.org/10.1080/15299716.2026.2737950

  3. Crowley, J. P., Bleakley, A., Caplan, S. E., Dodyk, A., Edwards, T., Pfender, E. J., & Weir, S. (2026). Development and validation of the support marshaling scale. Communication Quarterly, 1–34. https://doi.org/10.1080/01463373.2026.2694465

  4. Denes, A., Crowley, J. P., Webber, K. T., Whitt, J., DelGreco, M., Hamlin, E.L., Guest, C., & Geary, D. (2026). Exploring associations among shared social identity, supportive communication, language use, and physiological stress during conversations about LGBTQ+ individuals’ hate speech experiences. LGBTQ+ Family: An Interdisciplinary Journal, 22, 76-96.https://doi.org/10.1080/27703371.2025.2488472

  5. Denes, A., Bennett-Brown, M., Crowley, J. P., Dhillon, A., Cornelius, T., Stebbins, J. L., & Granger, S. W. (2025). Charting salivary oxytocin across an episode of naturally-occurring partnered sex. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 54, 1693-1701. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-025-03144-z

  6. Crowley, J. P., Maloney, E., Bleakley, A., Langbaum J., & Edwards, T. (2025). COVID-19 misperceptions and masking compliance: A support marshaling analysis. Health Communication, 40, 2122–2136. https://doi.org/10.1080/10410236.2024.2437836

  7. Crowley, J. P., Denes, A., Richards, A., Whitt, J., & Makos, S. (2025). An exploratory study of the associations between Epstein-Barr Virus antibodies and forgiveness among recipients of relational transgressions in the USA. Journal of Religion and Health, 64, 4734–4758. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-024-02184-4

  8. Crowley, J. P., Denes, A., Ponivas, A., Makos, S., & Whitt, J. (2024). Forgiveness through writing: Exploring the effects of narrative completeness, emotional expression, and physiology on forgiveness. Narrative Inquiry, 34(1), 161-190. https://doi.org/10.1075/ni.20017.cro

  9. Denes, A., Crowley, J. P., Gasiorek, J., Dhillon, A., Bennett-Brown, M., Winkler, K. L., & Ponivas, A. (2024). Exploring Linguistic Markers, Threat Appraisals, and Genotypic Variation during Couples’ Conflict Conversations. Personal Relationships, 31, 175-189. https://doi.org/10.1111/pere.12525

  10. Bleakley, A, Maloney, E, Young, D, Hennessy, M, Crowley, J.P., Silk, K, & Langbaum, J. (2023). Spillover effects of COVID-19 news coverage on willingness to participate in medical research in a diverse sample of US older adults. Communication Research. https://doi.org/10.1177/00936502231210416

  11. Crowley, J. P., Denes, A., Bleakley, A.,Webber, K., T., Geary, D., DelGreco, M., Whitt, J., Guest, C., & Hamlin, E. (2023). The longitudinal Influence of supportive messages on stress reactivity and general well-being for LGBTQ+ recipients of hate speech: Comparing the relative effects of verbal person-centered and autonomy support. Communication Monographs, 2, 225-245. https://doi.org/10.1080/03637751.2023.2171081

  12. Maloney, E. K., Bleakley, A., Young, D. G., Silk, K. J., Crowley, J. P., & Lambe, J. L. (2023). High-risk populations, television news media, and misperceptions about COVID-19: Informing the creation of enhanced correctives. Health Communication, 8, 1621-1630. https://doi.org/10.1080/10410236.2021.2023381

  13. Bingaman, J., Kipkoech, G., & Crowley, J. P. (2022). Inoculation & greenwashing: Defending against misleading sustainability messaging. Communication Reports, 35, 135-147. https://doi.org/10.1080/08934215.2022.2048877

  14. Bleakley A, Hennessy M, Maloney E, Young D, Crowley J. P., Silk K, & Langbaum J. (2022). Psychosocial determinants of COVID-19 vaccination intention among White, Black, and Hispanic adults in the United States. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 56, 347-356.https://doi.org/10.1093/abm/kaab091

  15. Denes, A., Crowley, J.P., Dhillon, A., Bennett, M., Stebbins, J.L., & Granger, S.W. (2022). Exploring the role of oxytocin in communication processes: A test of the post sex disclosures model. Communication Monographs, 89, 141-164. https://doi.org/10.1080/03637751.2021.1957490

  16. Denes, A., Crowley, J. P., Gibson, L., P., & Hamlin, A. (2022) Mother-son communication about sex: Exploring associations between adult sons’ sexual self-concept, sexual and relational satisfaction. American Journal of Sexuality Education, 17.https://doi.org/10.1080/15546128.2021.1959474

  17. Denes, A., Crowley, J.P., Ponivas, A., Cornelius, T., Allred, R., Gettens, K., Powers, T., & Gorin, A. (2022). Evidence of the associations between individual and partner autonomy support and physiological stress in the context of conversations about weight among couples who are overweight or obese during a 6-month intervention. Health Communication, 37, 1013-1021. https://doi.org/10.1080/10410236.2021.1880685

  18. Lambe, J., Young., D G., Bleakley, A., Crowley, J. P., & Silk, K. (2021). Predictors of Anti-Asian xenophobia during Covid-19: Towards developing targeted intervention campaigns. Journal of Hate Studies, 17, 146-156. http://doi.org/10.33972/jhs.204

  19. Crowley, J. P., Bleakley, A., Silk, K., Young, D., & Lambe, J. (2021). Uncertainty management and curve flattening behaviors in the wake of COVID-19's first wave. Health Communication, 36, 32-41. https://doi.org/10.1080/10410236.2020.1847452

  20. Crowley, J. P., Burke, T. J., Denes, A., Allred, R. J., & Carberry, E. (2020). Navigating relational turbulence in the wake of weight loss transitions: A support marshaling analysis. Personal Relationships, 27, 630-651. https://doi.org/10.1111/pere.12335

  21. Dhillon, A., Denes, A., Crowley, J.P, Ponivas, A., Winkler, K.L., & Bennett, M. (2020). Does testosterone influence young adult romantic partners' accommodation during conversations about stressors? Human Communication Research, 46, 449-469. https://doi.org/10.1093/hcr/hqaa008

  22. Denes, A, Crowley, J.P., Dhillon, A., Ponivas, A., Bennett, M., & Winkler, K.L. (2020). Exploring the effects of pillow talk on relationship satisfaction and physiological stress responses to couples’ difficult conversations. Communication Monographs, 87, 267-290. https://doi.org/10.1080/03637751.2020.1726424

  23. Denes, A., Crowley, J. P., Bennett, M. (2020). Between the sheets: Investigating young adults’ communication during sexual activity. Personal Relationships, 27, 484-501. https://doi.org/10.1111/pere.12324

  24. Gibson, L., Denes, A., & Crowley, J. P. (2020). College women’s sexual and reproductive health screening behaviors and the role of mother-daughter communication across cultures. Journal of American College Health, 68, 357-365. https://doi.org/10.1080/07448481.2018.1549558

  25. Manusov, V., Stofleth, D., Harvey Knowles, J. A., & Crowley, J. P. (2020). Conditions and consequences of listening well for interpersonal relationships: Modeling active-empathic listening, social-emotional skills, trait mindfulness, and relational quality. International Journal of Listening, 34, 110-126.https://doi.org/10.1080/10904018.2018.1507745

  26. Crowley, J. P., Denes, A., Makos, S., & Whitt, J. (2019). Expressive writing to cope with relational transgressions: Tests of a dual-process model of expressive writing and its effects on forgiveness communication and testosterone. Health Communication, 34, 628-630.https://doi.org/10.1080/10410236.2018.1431017

  27. Harvey Knowles, J. A., Crowley, J. P., &Woszidlo, A. (2019). Mindfulness, conflict strategy use, and relational satisfaction: A dyadic investigation. Mindfulness, 10, 749-758. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-018-1040-y

  28. Crowley, J. P., Denes, A., Makos, S., & Whitt, J. (2018). Threats to courtship and the physiological response: Testosterone mediates the relationship between relational uncertainty and disclosure for dating partner recipients of relational transgressions.Adaptive Human Behavior and Physiology, 4, 264-282. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40750-018-0092-5

  29. Crowley, J. P., Allred, R. J., Goter, J., & Volkmer, C. (2018). Replication of the mere presence hypothesis: The effects of mobile communication technology influences on face-to-face conversation quality. Communication Studies, 69, 289-293. https://doi.org/10.1080/10510974.2018.1467941

  30. Denes, A., Crowley, J. P., Makos, S., Whitt, J., & Graham, K. (2018). Navigating difficult times with pillow talk: Post sex communication as a strategy for mitigating uncertainty following relational transgressions. Communication Reports, 31, 65-77.  https://doi.org/10.1080/08934215.2017.1386792

  31. Allred, R. J. & Crowley, J. P. (2017).The “mere presence” hypothesis: Investigating the effects of mobile phone presence on conversation satisfaction. Communication Studies, 68, 22-36. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10510974.2016.1241292

  32. Crowley, J. P., Harvey Knowles, J. A., & Riggs, N. (2016).Message processes and their associations with adolescents’ executive function and reports of bullying. School Psychology International, 37, 32-50. https://doi.org/10.1177/0143034315605574

  33. Harvey-Knowles, J. A., Manusov, V., & Crowley, J. P. (2015). Minding your matters: Predicting satisfaction, commitment, and conflict strategies from trait mindfulness. Interpersona: An International Journal on Personal Relationships, 9, 44-56. https://doi.org/10.5964/ijpr.v9i1.168

  34. Crowley, J. P. (2014). Expressive writing to cope with hate speech: Assessing psychobiological stress recovery and forgiveness promotion after benefit-finding and traumatic-disclosure writing for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, or Queer victims of hate speech. Human Communication Research, 40, 238-261. https://doi.org/10.1111/hcre.12020

  35. Crowley, J. P., & Faw, M. H. (2014).Support marshaling for romantic relationships: Empirical validation of a typology. Personal Relationships, 21, 242-257.https://doi.org/10.1111/pere.12029

  36. Spitzberg, B. H., Cupach, W. R., Hannawa, A., & Crowley, J. P. (2014). A preliminary test of relational goal pursuit theory of obsessive relational intrusion and stalking. Studies in Communication Sciences, 14, 29-36. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scoms.2014.03.007

  37. Crowley, J. P., & Harvey Knowles, J. (2014).Gender differences in perceived mental health outcomes of individuals who engage in contemptuous communication. Communication Reports, 27, 27-38. https://doi.org/10.1080/08934215.2013.835850

  38. Crowley, J. P. (2013).Attributes of highly contemptuous people. Western Journal of Communication, 77, 340-360.https://doi.org/10.1080/10570314.2012.740763

  39. Crowley, J. P. (2012).Marshaling social support for romantic relationships: Towards the development of a typology. Qualitative Communication Research, 1,315-346.https://doi.org/10.1525/qcr.2012.1.3.315

  40. Davis, J. J., Cross, E., & Crowley, J. (2007).Pharmaceutical web sites and the communication of risk information. Journal of Health Communication, 12,1-11. https://doi.org/10.1080/10810730601091326

    Book Chapters and Encyclopedia Entries

  41. Denes, A., Crowley, J.P., & Dhillon, A. (2022). Hormonal mechanisms of in-pair mating. In J. Mogilski & T. Shackelford (Eds.), The Oxford handbook of evolutionary psychology and romantic relationships. New York: Oxford University Press.

  42. Aloia, L., Denes, A., & Crowley, J. P. (2020). Locating physiology in the study of interpersonal communication. In L. Aloia, A. Denes, & J. P. Crowley (Eds.), The Oxford handbook of the physiology of interpersonal communication (pp. 1-8).Oxford: Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordhb/9780190679446.013.1

  43. Crowley, J. P. & Allred, R. A. (2020). The physiological substrate of forgiveness. In L. Aloia, A. Denes, & J. P. Crowley (Eds.), The Oxford handbook of the physiology of interpersonal communication (pp.191-209).Oxford: Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordhb/9780190679446.013.13

  44. Denes, A., Crowley, J. P., & Aloia, L. (2020). Future directions for physiological communication research. In L. Aloia, A. Denes, & J. P. Crowley (Eds.), The Oxford handbook of the physiology of interpersonal communication (pp. 327-330).Oxford: Oxford University Press. https://doi.org10.1093/oxfordhb/9780190679446.013.18

  45. Crowley, J. P. (2016). Marshaling social support. In C. R. Berger & M. E. Roloff (Eds.), The international encyclopedia of interpersonal communication. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley- Blackwell. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118540190.wbeic200

    Books

  46. Aloia, L. S., Denes, A., & Crowley, J. P. (Eds.). (2020). The Oxford handbook of the physiology of interpersonal communication. Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordhb/9780190679446.001.0001