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  • Associate Professor, Communication
  • Associate Professor, Communication
  • Associate Professor, Communication

Research Statement

My research advances and translates theoretical work in conflict, conflict management, aging, and intergenerational relationships into practical explanations, implications, and guidelines for younger care providers working with elderly patients. My work also translates theories in these areas to guidelines for nursing home personnel, families of elderly individuals living in nursing homes, and residents themselves. Recent work investigates the implicit or lay theories older adults have for successful aging. This research refines successful aging theory and potentially improves the interactions of people providing assistance to elderly individuals coping with bereavement.

Research Keywords

  • Research Methods/Statistics
  • Interpersonal Communication
  • Health Communication
  • Communication and Aging

Presentations

  • Bergstrom, M. J. Cultivating Engaged Education: Using Field Stations for Environmental Communication Courses and Scholarship. Paper accepted to the annual meeting of the Western States Communication Association, Portland, OR. Presentation, Accepted, 10/01/2021.
  • Lillie, H., M., Pokharel, M., Bergstrom, M., & Jensen, J. D. (2021, May). Perspective change in a time of crisis: The emotion and critical reflection model. Paper presented at the 71st annual convention of the International Communication Association Conference in Denver, CO. Conference Paper, Refereed, Presented, 05/01/2021.
  • Heaton, R. L., & Bergstrom, M. J. (2013). Who Can I Turn To? Similarities and Differences Among Relationships Avoided and Chosen for Disclosure of Taboo Topics. Paper to be presented at the annual meeting of the National Communication Association, Washington D.C. Conference Paper, Refereed, Presented, 11/22/2013.
  • Krakow, M., Liu, M., Bergstrom, M. J., & Jensen, J. (2013). Assessing Patient Satisfaction with Provider Communication: A Network Text Analysis of Responses from a Low Socioeconomic Population. Paper to be presented at the annual meeting of the National Communication Association, Washington D.C. Conference Paper, Refereed, Presented, 11/22/2013.
  • Heaton, R. L., & Bergstrom, M. J. (2013). Abortion as a Taboo Topic: A Network Text Analysis of Abortion Disclosure Decisions and boundary Coordination. Top Four Paper presented at the annual meeting of WSCA, Reno, Nevada. Conference Paper, Refereed, Presented, 02/17/2013.

Grants, Contracts & Research Gifts

  • Developing an evidenced-based decision making tool for parents considering permanent tracheostomy for a child. PI: Mark Bergstrom and Jake Jensen. Co-PI(s): Dr. Joan Sheetz (M.D., Pediatrics), and Dr. Christopher G. Maloney (M.D., Ph.D., Pediatrics). . Sorenson Legacy Foundation, 07/01/2013 - 07/01/2014. Total project budget to date: $5,000.00

Publications

  • Worthington, Amber K.; Nussbaum, Jon F.; Bergstrom, Mark J. (2018). “Intergenerational Communication.” In Oxford Bibliographies in Communication. Ed. Patricia Moy. New York: Oxford University Press,. Published, 07/17/2018.
  • Bergstrom, M. J. (2017). Why WSCA, or on the Shoulders of Giants. Western Journal of Communication. Western Journal of Communication. Vol. 81, 657-670. Published, 12/01/2017.
  • Bergstrom, M. J. (2017). Intergenerational Communication, Relationships, and Aging. Oxford University Press. Accepted, 04/30/2017.
  • Bergstrom, M. J. (2012). Theory and Conceptualization in Communication Research. In J. F. Nussbaum (ed.), Readings in Communication Research Methods: From Theory to Practice. San Diego CA: Cognella Academic Press. Published, 07/01/2012.