Yan Tian

Dr. Yan Tian is a Professor in the Department of Communication and Media at the University of Missouri–St. Louis, College of Arts and Sciences. Her research focuses on audience analysis and media effects in health contexts, with publications in journals like Health Communication, Journal of Health Communication, and Human Communication Research. She teaches courses in communication theories, research methods, intercultural communication, and global media systems.

• Ph.D. in Communication from Temple University
• M.A. and B.A. in Journalism from Peking University

Her research explores:

• Media effects on health behaviors (e.g., vaccine hesitancy, exercise intentions, organ donation)
• Parasocial relationships in medical dramas and their impact on trust in physicians
• Communication theories applied to health contexts (Theory of Planned Behavior, Normative Social Behavior Theory)
• Media complementarity in health information seeking

Recent trends in her work include:

• Cross-lagged panel analyses of media effects
• Psychological reactance and autonomy in health messaging
• Interdisciplinary approaches combining communication, psychology, and public health
• Analysis of social media's role in health communication

Contact: tiany@umsl.edu | Office: 569 Lucas Hall | Phone: 314.516.5600