Quick introduction. I was born in Vietnam, and came to the United States for study when I was 15. I never anticipated staying in school this long, but thanks to all my mentors who have offered tremendous supports, I find myself asking more questions than I can ever find answers for. So here I am.
On this page, you will find all the information about my current projects and published works. My current research mainly focuses on observing people's experiences when spending time alone and understanding personality and contextual factors that predict the quality of their solitude.
Many of the current projects I am working on are in collaboration with Dr. Netta Weinstein whose research focuses on adaptive self-regulation and well-being. We work together on a program of research supported by the ERC Starting Grant (PI: Netta Weinstein) to investigate resiliency in solitude. This program of research will use representative samples and experimental design to broaden understanding of causal effects of psychological processes and environmental factors affecting individuals' solitary experiences.
Methodological approach
I mostly use experimental and diary study design to investigate my research questions. My most often go-to paradigm is to have participants sit quietly by themselves for a brief period of time (15 minutes) and observe how they react to that experience. I am looking to explore other data collection methods besides self-reported measures.
If my research sparks interest in you, please email me. Check out my CV here.
Thank you for visiting my website.
Thuy-vy T. Nguyen
Assistant Professor
Quantitative Social Psychology
University of Durham
Email:
EDUCATION
2011-2018
Doctor of Philosophy
UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER
2009-2011
Master Degree
CLAREMONT GRADUATE UNIVERSITY
2006-2008
Bachelor's Degree
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA IRVINE
CURRENT PROJECTS
AUTHENTIC SOLITUDE
Solitude is a space that we can be in touch with who we are, but that is not always easy. There are times when we don't feel ourselves in solitude. In this project, we ask the question of how an individual can create a space for authentic solitude.
SOLITUDE & SOCIAL MEDIA
Many people suspect that social media infringe upon our solitude. In this project, we examine whether that is the case, and look at how social media use during time spent alone affects people's experiences in solitude.
SILENCE
There are silent moments in romantic relationships. Sometimes silence can be pleasant but other times they can be uncomfortable. In this project, we explore what silence feels like between romantic partners and the role silence plays in relationship maintenance.
Collaborator
Nguyen, T. V. T., Ryan, R. M., & Deci, E. L. (2018). Solitude as an approach to affective self-regulation. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 44(1), 92-106. https://doi.org/10.1177/0146167217733073
Click here to access reprint
Nguyen, T. V. T, Werner, K. M., & Soenens, B. (2019). Embracing me-time: Motivation for solitude during transition to college. Motivation and Emotion, 1-21. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11031-019-09759-9
Click here to access preprint
Click hear to read lay summary
Nguyen, T. T., Weinstein, N., & Ryan, R. (2020). The Possibilities of Aloneness and Solitude: Developing an Understanding Framed through the Lens of Human Motivation and Needs. In press at the 2nd Edition of the Handbook of Solitude: Psychological Perspectives on Social Isolation, Social Withdrawal, and Being Alone (Edited by Robert J. Coplan, Julie C. Bowker, and Larry Nelson), to be published by Wiley-Blackwell Press.
SELECTED PUBLICATION
MEDIA COMMUNICATION
Time alone (chosen or not) can be a chance to hit the reset button
by Thuy-vy Nguyen at Aeon Magazine
Why you should find time to be alone with yourself
by Micaela Marini Higgs at the New York Times
How solitude can help regulate your mood
by Colin Dwyer at NPR Life Kit
The deactivation effect: What 15 minutes device-free solitude does to your emotions
by Christian Jarrett at BPS Research Digest
Why we all should be spending more time alone
by Shelby Lorman at Business Insider UK
Here's how 15 minutes of device-free solitude can affect your emotions
by A. Pawlowski at Today.com
La littérature, source d'empathie et de cohésion sociale
by Massimo Salgaro and Adrian van der Weel at Le Point