While my primary interests are in interpersonal communication and conflict, my research program is diverse, spanning from organizational and international conflict to family communication, from gender research to health communication; however, most of my research has a common theme: I take a special interest in the conflict and troublesome encounters that occur in close relationships, particularly focusing on how communication is used to manage relationships when conflict occurs. This interest has led me to examine condom negotiation in intimate relationships, relational maintenance and satisfaction in the stepmother-stepdaughter dyad, classroom conflict, and the like. Additionally, this interest is illustrated in my current research program: understanding and designing interpersonal interventions to deter risk behavior and maintain relationships. I utilize both quantitative and qualitative methods in my research. My work has been published in Social Influence and the Electronic Journal of Communication, and I am an active member of the National Communication Association, International Communication Association, Central States Communication Association, and the Association for Conflict Resolution.