The Department of Communication Studies is proud to spotlight the new research on COVID-19 being conducted by Dr. Jennifer Samp. Dr. Samp and Dr. Yachao Li (PhD, Communication Studies, 2018) are investigating how individuals identifying as LGB are negotiating the changes in circumstances brought on by COVID-19 and social distancing procedures. While data collection is still underway, initial trends indicate changes in the duration and expectations of relationships. Limited opportunities for social interactions and in-person meetings with potential partners have caused a shift towards online communications, and a higher commitment threshold for continued interactions. Additionally, for LGB individuals already in a relationship, Dr. Samp’s research indicates heightened stress and conflict between partners, many of whom may not have expected to share living spaces at this point in their relationship. Dr. Samp and Elle Johnson, MA, a current PhD student in Communication Studies, are also collecting data to learn more about how farmers in particular are managing the stressors brought on by situations related to COVID-19. Previous research indicates that rural communities in the U.S. are highly impacted by opioid misuse, and that farmers are 50% more likely to be directly affected by opioid misuse than average rural Americans (Morning Consult, 2017). Ms. Johnson and Dr. Samp’s research in this area is identifying ways in which the diminished financial resources and related personal stressors are affecting farmer relationships as well as rates of drug misuse within these rural communities.
