Javonna M Friend

Graduate Research Assistant

Javonna Friend is a third-year Ph.D. student and Graduate Research Assistant at George Mason University (GMU) in the Department of Communication in Fairfax, Virginia. Javonna Friend holds a BA in English from Virginia State University, an MA from GMU, and a CERT in British Literature from Oxford University—Exeter College.

Javonna Friend’s primary area of research examines the psychological aspects of media use and its effects. Specifically, she explores the presumed influence of media messages, audience reception of media messages, parasocial relationships with media figures, and issues related to media, artificial intelligence, and mental health and well-being from a social science perspective. In addition, she explores connections between health communication, public advocacy, and social justice that lead to and can reduce the maternal mortality rate and pregnancy-related complications among Black women due partly to intersectional oppressions and exposure to adverse social determinants of health.