My Research

I use experimental methods to study persuasive chatbots and social support in digital health contexts. My work examines how communication technology shapes health perceptions and behaviors.

Current Projects

I examine how social media platforms shape mental health perceptions and behaviors. My work focuses on self-diagnosis practices, validation seeking, and stigma formation. I study communities discussing ADHD, depression, and anxiety disorders. This research reveals how digital spaces both support and complicate mental health care.

Keywords: Medicalization, Mental Health, Social Media, Stigma

I explore how people seek and receive support in digital health spaces. My research examines communities addressing stigmatized health issues. I study self-disclosure patterns, anonymity effects, and peer support dynamics. This work highlights the unique affordances of online health communities.

Keywords: Social Support, Online Communities, Stigma, Self-Disclosure

Youth Health Risk Behaviors on Digital Platforms

I investigate how teenagers discuss health risk behaviors on social media. My work analyzes substance use narratives, emotional expressions, and framing strategies. I use computational methods to study large-scale Reddit discussions. This research informs public health interventions for youth populations.

Keywords: Youth Health, Substance Use, Computational Methods, Public Health

AI Chatbots in Health Communication

I study how persuasive AI influences health-related decisions and behaviors. My experimental work examines chatbot design features and persuasive strategies. I investigate trust formation, compliance, and user agency with AI health advisors. This research addresses ethical implications of AI in healthcare contexts.

Keywords: AI, Chatbots, Persuasion, Ethics

Digital Intimacy and Identity Formation

I explore how digital platforms shape identity and intimacy practices. My research examines astrology sensemaking, sexual health education, and online sexuality. I study how users navigate cultural norms and personal values in digital spaces. This work bridges communication studies with gender and sexuality studies.

Keywords: Identity, Intimacy, Sexuality, Cultural Practices

Research Interests

Health Communication: Mental health stigma, medicalization, and digital health interventions
Human-AI Interaction: Persuasive chatbots, trust formation, and ethical AI design
Online Communities: Social support, self-disclosure, and stigmatized health conditions
Youth & Media: Adolescent health behaviors and social media risk communication

Methods

Experimental Design • Survey Research • Computational Text Analysis • Natural Language Processing • Mixed Methods • Statistical Analysis (R, SPSS)

Collaboration

I welcome collaborations on health communication, AI ethics, and digital wellbeing research. I am particularly interested in interdisciplinary projects that combine communication theory with computational methods. Feel free to reach out to discuss research opportunities.

Contact: zxinyu@msu.edu

Xinyu Zhang