Chris Segrin

Chris Segrin (Ph.D. 1990, University of Wisconsin) is a behavioral scientist whose specialty is interpersonal relationships and mental health. His research focuses on social skills, relationship development and satisfaction, and such problems as depression, anxiety, loneliness, and marital distress. This research can be found in journals such as Human Communication Research, Communication Monographs, Journal of Abnormal Psychology, Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, Communication Research, and Journal of Social and Personal Relationships. He is author of the books Interpersonal Processes in Psychological Problems (2001, Guilford Press) and Family Communication (2005, Lawrence Erlbaum Publishers). Professor Segrin was also the editor of the journal Communication Theory from 2003-2005. In addition to his appointment in the Department of Communication, Professor Segrin is an Adjunct Professor of Psychology and Family Studies. Prior to joining the faculty at the University of Arizona, Professor Segrin was on the faculty of the University of Kansas and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. He teaches classes in interpersonal communication, nonverbal communication, persuasion, marriage and family, and research methods. Professor Segrin has been the recipient of six teaching awards from the University of Wisconsin, University of Kansas, and University of Arizona. Recently he has been conducting research studies on the intergenerational transmission of divorce, how social skills deficits make people vulnerable to depression, and why lonely people have more health problems. In addition, Professor Segrin has recently conducted a number of studies with colleagues at the U of A College of Nursing to develop methods for improving quality of life (e.g., depression, anxiety, relationship satisfaction, social support) for women undergoing treatment for breast cancer and their partners, as well as for men with prostate cancer and their partners. This research has been funded by the National Cancer Institute, Lance Armstrong Foundation, Oncology Nursing Foundation, and the American Cancer Society.

Dr. Segrin will be accepting graduate students for Fall 2025.

Selected Publications

REPRESENTATIVE PUBLICATIONS

Segrin, C., & Abramson, L.Y. (1994). Negative reactions to depressive behaviors: A communication theories analysis. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 103, 655-668.

Segrin, C., & Flora, J. (2000). Poor social skills are a vulnerability factor in the development of psychosocial problems. Human Communication Research, 26, 489-514.

Segrin, C. (2003). Age moderates the relationship between social support and psychosocial problems. Human Communication Research, 29, 317-342.

Segrin, C., Taylor, M.E., & Altman, J. (2005). Social cognitive mediators and relational outcomes associated with parental divorce. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 22, 361-377.

Segrin, C., Badger, T., Meek, P., Lopez, A.M., Bonham, E., & Sieger, A. (2005). Dyadic interdependence on affect and quality of life trajectories among women with breast cancer and their partners. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 22, 673-689.

Segrin, C., Badger, T., Meek, P., & Bonham, E. (2006). Interpersonal well-being and mental health in male partners of women with breast cancer. Issues in Mental Health Nursing, 27, 371-389.

Segrin, C., Badger, T., Meek, P., & Bonham, E. (2006). Interdependent anxiety and psychological distress in women with breast cancer and their partners. Psycho-Oncology, 16, 634-643.

Segrin, C., Hanzal, A.D., & Domschke, P.J. (2009). Accuracy and bias in newlywed couples' perceptions of conflict styles and their associations with marital satisfaction. Communication Monographs, 76, 207-233.

Segrin, C., & Rynes, K.N. (2009). The mediating role of positive relations with others in associations between depression, social skills, and perceived stress. Journal of Research in Personality, 43, 962-971.