Dr. Michelle Givertz

• PhD (2002) - Communication, University of Arizona
• MA (1996) - Communication Studies, University of Michigan
• BA (1994) - Communication Studies, University of Kansas

As a personal relationships scholar, I am fundamentally interested in the communication that takes place in close relationships. My focus to date has been on romantic relationships and on relationships between parents and their young adult children. In both cases, I’m interested in how communication processes are associated with relationship outcomes at the level of both the individual and the dyad.

Professional Affiliations

1. National Communication Association (NCA)
2. International Communication Association (ICA)
3. International Association for Relationship Research (IARR)
4. Western States Communication Association (WSCA)

Courses Taught

• CMST 233 - Foundations of Interpersonal Communication
• CMST 234 - Gender and Communication
• CMST 235 - Intercultural Communication
• CMST 332 - Research Methods
• CMST 489 - Internship
• CMST 602 - Seminar in Communication Research Methods
• CMST 606 - Seminar in Interpersonal Communication Theories
• CMST 611 - Seminar in Intercultural Communication

Select Publications

Givertz, M., Woszidlo, A., Segrin, C., & Jia, Q. (2016). Direct and indirect effects of attachment orientation on relationship quality and constraint commitment in married couples. Journal of Family Studies. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1080/13229400.2016.1211548

Givertz, M., Burke, T., Segrin, C., Woszidlo, A. (2016). Attachment orientation moderates the relationship between dedication and constraint commitment and felt constraint in married couples. Couple and Family Psychology: Research and Practice, 5, 1-11. doi: 10.1037/cfp0000052

Givertz, M., Segrin, C., & Woszidlo, A. (2016). Direct and indirect effects of commitment on interdependence and satisfaction in married couples. Journal of Family Psychology, 30, 214-220. doi: 10.1037/fam0000174

Givertz, M. (2016). Parenting styles/discipline. In C. R. Berger & M. E. Roloff (Eds.), International encyclopedia of interpersonal communication (pp. 1-9). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley Blackwell. doi: 10.1002/9781118540190.wbeic0037

Segrin, C., Givertz, M., Swiatkowski, P., Montgomery, N. (2015). Overparenting is associated with child problems and a critical family environment. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 24, 470-479. doi 10.1007/s10826-013-9858-3

Segrin, C., Givertz, M., & Swiatkowski, P. (2014). Family of origin parenting and young adults’ psychosocial competencies. In K. Adamczyk & M. Wysota (Eds.), Functioning of Young Adults in a Changing World. (pp. 85-110). Krakow, Poland: LIBRON.

Givertz, M., & Segrin, C. (2014). The association between overinvolved parenting and young adults’ self-efficacy, psychological entitlement, and family communication. Communication Research, 41, 1111-1136. doi: 10.1177/0093650212456392 

Givertz, M., Woszidlo, A., Segrin, & Grill, K. (2013). Direct and indirect effects of attachment orientation on relationship quality and loneliness in married couples. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 30, 1096-1120. doi: 10.1177/0265407513482445

Segrin, C., Woszidlo, A., Givertz, M., & Montgomery, N. (2013). Parent and child traits associated with overparenting. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 32, 569-595.  doi: 10.1521/jscp.2013.32.6.569

Segrin, C., Woszidlo, A., Givertz, M., Bauer, A., & Taylor, M. (2012). The association between overparenting, parent-child communication, and entitlement and adaptive traits in young adult children. Family Relations, 61, 237-252. doi: 10.1111/j.1741-3729.2011.00689.x

Givertz, M. & Safford, S. (2011). Longitudinal impact of communication patterns on romantic attachment and symptoms of depression. Current Psychology, 30, 148-172. doi: 10.1007/s12144-011-9106-1

Givertz, M., Segrin, C., & Hanzal, A. (2009). The association between satisfaction and commitment differs across marital couple types. Communication Research, 36, 561-584. doi: 10.1177/0093650209333035

Givertz, M., & Segrin, C. (2005). Explaining personal and constraint commitment in close relationships: The role of satisfaction, conflict responses, and relational bond. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 22, 757-775.  doi: 10.1177/0265407505058674