Yachao Li, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Communication Studies & Public Health
The College of New Jersey
About Me
As an award-wining teacher-scholar, I study LGBTQ+ communication, relational communication, health communication, and health disparities.
I examine how LGBTQ+ individuals and couples communicate their identities, manage relational challenges, and build resilience in a heteronormative society. My work also focuses on the role of relational communication in reducing health disparities among people of color, women, LGBTQ+ people, and other underserved groups. Moreover, I conduct interdisciplinary research to design, implement, and evaluate public health communication campaigns, especially in the tobacco control context.
Media Coverage
Master'sInCommunications.Com
March 12, 2024
In this scholarly interview with Master’sinCommunications.Com, I shared my insights on interpersonal and health communication, and their unique importance for the LGBTQ+ community. I also share my suggestions on selecting and applying for graduate programs.
TCNJ News
March 21, 2022
My faculty-student research collaboration is featured on TCNJ News. My student and I have worked on several projects examining COVID-19 message fatigue and health communication on TikTok. “We got to apply what we learned in health communication classes,” my student said.
Minnesota Public Radio
January 10, 2022
On MPR News, I weigh in on communication in romantic relationships during the pandemic: “The pandemic, itself, did not change how we communicated, but actually amplified the way that we communicated before the pandemic… if people tended to have open communication before the pandemic, [then] they like to carry on with having it during the pandemic.”
On VOA Eye on American Chinese, I discuss confirmation bias and share effective health communication strategies to promote the COVID-19 vaccine, especially among the minority communities: “People of color have been historically and systematically discriminated in health care and public health… We have to rebuild trust during the pandemic and beyond."
Time Magazine
July 6, 2021
The Time Magazine features my research on same-sex couples during the pandemic. The study found that those that perceived greater daily adversity during the pandemic and felt a higher degree of threat of COVID-19 (i.e., fear that they and their loved one will get sick) engaged in more complaint avoidance with partners which in turn led to lower relationship satisfaction and decreased personal well-being. The negative effects of the pandemic on relationship satisfaction were higher for people of color and those with higher amounts of internalized homophobia.
Press Release
April 29. 2021
A press release features my research on COVID-19 stigma on Twitter, which suggested that in earlier pandemic stages, one in five tweets contained elements of stigma communication.
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Arirang News
January 26, 2021
On South Korean Arirang News, I weigh in on why smokers in New Jersey are given priorities of the COVID-19 vaccine over teachers: Regardless of whether choosing to smoke is a good choice or a bad choice, smokers are at higher risks of contracting COVID-19. We must ensure that people in higher risk groups are protected first to achieve a successful vaccination campaign.
Award-Winning Publications
Article
"Opening” (Unpacking) Coming Out Conversations: An Examination of Disclosure Content and Correlations with Disclosure Outcomes
Top Paper Award &
John Garrison Award for Top Applied Paper
2020
International Communication Association
Interpersonal Communication Division
Gerald R. Miller Book Award
2021
National Communication Association
Interpersonal Communication Division
Article
African American Women’s Language Use in Response to Male Partners’ Condom Negotiation Tactics
“Communication Studies” Article of the Year Award
2019
Central States Communication Association
