Sofia V. Rhea

image of graduate student (Sofia Rhea) wearing a green sweater

PhD Candidate

154 Kerr Hall

Research Focus

My research is primarily quantitative, utilizing survey research, experimental design, and natural language processing (NLP) analyses to examine media engagement and online behavior. I focus on the intersection of media engagement, interpersonal communication, and fan culture, exploring how media interactions shape identity and well-being, particularly among minority youth, including LGBTQ+ adolescents. My work aims to understand how media can be leveraged to support healthy developmental outcomes, fostering positive identity formation, social connection, and well-being in digital spaces. Through my research, I strive to inform evidence-based strategies that foster meaningful media engagement and promote well-being among diverse populations. 

Education

  • B.A. in Communication from the University of California, Davis
  • B.A. in Anthropology from the University of California, Davis

Publications

Research Publications

* denotes an undergraduate student co-author 

5. Snyder, A. L., Cingel, D. P., Rhea, S. V., Shawcroft, J., Vigil, S. L., & Ong, K*. (2025). Children’s vocabulary, math, and social-emotional learning from interactive media: The role of choice, agency, and repetition in app design. Psychology of Popular Media. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1037/ppm0000621

4. Rhea, S. V., & Taylor, L. D. (in press). Staying sexy and not getting murdered: True crime’s influence on fans’ perceptions of crime and policy attitudes. In L. Dajches & J. S. Aubrey (Eds.), Fandom in marginalized communities. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003478997

3. Rhea, S. V., & Taylor, L. D. (2024). Reactionary reactions? Fan responses to Viktor’s identity development. In A. Ferchaud (Ed.), The psychgeist of pop culture: The Umbrella Academy (pp. 109–126). Play Story Press. https://doi.org/10.17613/5fcw-fs81

2. Rhea, S. V., & Taylor, L. D. (2024). Crime entertainment media. In N. D. Bowman (Ed.), Entertainment media and communication (Chap. 15). De Gruyter. https://doi.org/10.1515/9783110792881-016

1. Stevens, H. R., Acic, I., & Rhea, S. V. (2021). Natural language processing insight into LGBTQ+ youth mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic: Longitudinal content analysis of anxiety-provoking topics and trends in emotion in LGBTeens microcommunity subreddit. JMIR Public Health and Surveillance, 7(8), e29029. https://doi.org/10.2196/29029

Manuscripts Under Review  

* denotes an undergraduate student co-author 

2. Rhea, S. V., & Taylor, L. D. (2025). Audiences on the dark side: How do pro- and anti-social personality traits predict motives for true crime listening? Manuscript under review (second round of revisions), Psychology of Popular Media.

1. Snyder, A., Allen, C. L., Rhea, S. V., Cingel, D., Huskey, R., Klein, V.*, Fong, M.*, & Cervantes, A.* (2025). Manipulating working memory demands in VR games for children: Effects on learning. Manuscript under review, Human Communication Research.

Manuscripts in Preparation

* denotes an undergraduate student co-author 

5. Rhea, S.V., Fandom as an Act of Imperial Resistance: Popular Culture and the Resurgence of the Irish Language among Irish Youth.

4. Rhea, S. V., McKenzie, R., Nguyen, A.*, Lopez, S., & Taylor, L. D. Understanding fan interaction from a supportive communication perspective: Support seeking and provision on music subreddits.

3. Rhea, S. V., Shawcroft, J., Vigil, S. L., Cingel, D. P., & Coyne, S. M. (2025). Exploring the prevalence of age non-congruent casting in older adolescents’ favorite television programs. 

2. Snyder, A. L., & Rhea, S. V. Beyond content: A digital agronomy approach to promoting youth well-being.

1. Roberts, L., Aitken, B. C., Rhea, S. V., & Taylor, L. D. DudeTube: A content analysis of masculinity in the top 100 YouTube channels.

Teaching

Instructor of Record 

  • Introduction to Mass Communication (CMN140)- Summer 2023, Summer 2024, Fall 2025
  • Interpersonal Communication Competence (CMN003Y)- Summer 2024
  • Introduction to Public Speaking (CMN1) – Summer 2021

Graduate Teaching Assistant

  • Introduction to Public Speaking (CMN1)
  • Interpersonal Communication Competence (CMN3V)
  • Introduction to Mass Communication (CMN 140)
  • Empirical Methods in Communication Research (CMN 102)
  • Entertainment Media (CMN 144)