Emiko Taniguchi Dorios

Emiko Taniguchi-Dorios

Associate Professor

Communicology

George 330

(808) 956-8911

Background

Born and raised in a big family of 10 in Japan, I was naturally drawn to human interactions and dynamics growing up. As a master’s student in Communicology, I became fascinated with learning about how communication shapes, enhances, or undermines close relationships. I was also “hooked” by the excitement of discovering something new and interesting, albeit small, through conducting original research as a master’s student. Naturally, I continued my education in this field and received my PhD in Communication Studies from University of Texas at Austin. I teach courses on interpersonal and relational communication, family communication, communicology theories, and cross-cultural communication focusing on Japanese and US cultures.

Education

  • PhD, Communication Studies, the University of Texas at Austin, 2016
  • MA, Communicology, the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, 2012
  • BA, Sociology, the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, 2009

Specializations

Interpersonal health communication; social support and supportive communication; family communication; and cross-cultural communication.

Research

I am an interpersonal health communication researcher, concentrating on the role of communication in sensitive health contexts. My main line of research is on sensitive health disclosure, with a focus on mental illness disclosure and its associated outcomes. My overall goal is to understand how people can successfully navigate when and how (and if) to share their private health information with others and how individuals can successfully support their loved ones living with these health issues. I also study the role of family communication and peer communication in body image issues and maladaptive appearance management behaviors.