research

What does it mean to thrive? Thriving is a continuous process of exploration, growth, and development—and for most of us, it is fueled by our closest relationships. These relationships support thriving in two fundamental ways: they offer a safe haven when we face adversity, and they act as a secure base that encourages us to pursue opportunity and growth.

My research draws on observational and longitudinal methods to understand how relational processes—receiving, seeking, and giving support—shape individual experiences such as identity development, coping with stress, and the pursuit of personal growth. I am especially interested in the active role people play in their own support: what distinguishes those who skillfully seek and secure the support they need from those who struggle to. Ultimately, I want to understand how these short-term exchanges accumulate over time to shape long-term psychological, relational, and physical thriving.

My dissertation brings these questions to friendships—among the first relationships we choose for ourselves, yet long understudied relative to romantic and family ties. Using a 14-day daily diary study, I examine how a person's sense of social safety—their feeling of reliable connection, inclusion, and protection—shapes the way they seek support from friends, and how that, in turn, influences the support they receive and their well-being.

I also devote particular attention to how sexually and gender diverse (SGD) populations navigate identity-related challenges and growth, especially within their relationships. The most recent Gallup data show that 9% of U.S. adults—and roughly 23% of Generation Z—identify as LGBTQ+. This line of work aims to illuminate the distinct support needs of a population that is growing rapidly yet remains overlooked in relationships science.