Kostadin Kushlev

My research focuses on interventions to improve well-being by promoting better digital habits.

Washington, District of Columbia, United States of America

Research Interests

Social Psychology
Communication
Applied Psychology
Human-Computer Interaction

About

I am broadly interested in the factors that promote or diminish happiness and well-being. My research program explores how constant connectivity to the Internet impacts people’s relationships and well-being and how we can harness technology to improve well-being and promote positive behavioral change. I am a Vanier Scholar and a Rising Star of the Association for Psychological Science (APS). I have written for *The* *New York Times*, *The Conversation*, and *Psychology Today*, and my work has been covered by other prestigious publications such as *The* *Economist, BBC, NPR, Forbes, Fast Company, Time Magazine, The Wall Stree Journal, National Geographic,* and *The Washington Post*. I have consulted for companies such as Ipsos, Canvas8, and Luce Research. See more at www.kushlev.com

Publications

Lights, cameras (on), action! Camera usage during Zoom classes facilitates student engagement without increasing fatigue.

Technology, Mind, and Behavior / Aug 18, 2022

Kushlev, K., & Epstein-Shuman, A. (2022). Lights, cameras (on), action! Camera usage during Zoom classes facilitates student engagement without increasing fatigue. Technology, Mind, and Behavior, 3(3). https://doi.org/10.1037/tmb0000085

Supplemental Material for Lights, cameras (on), action! Camera usage during Zoom classes facilitates student engagement without increasing fatigue.

Technology, Mind, and Behavior / Aug 18, 2022

Kushlev, K., & Epstein-Shuman, A. (2022). Supplemental Material for Lights, cameras (on), action! Camera usage during Zoom classes facilitates student engagement without increasing fatigue. Technology, Mind, and Behavior, 3(3). https://doi.org/10.1037/tmb0000085.supp

Subjective Well-Being and Prosociality Around the Globe: Happy People Give More of Their Time and Money to Others

Social Psychological and Personality Science / Sep 16, 2021

Kushlev, K., Radosic, N., & Diener, E. (2021). Subjective Well-Being and Prosociality Around the Globe: Happy People Give More of Their Time and Money to Others. Social Psychological and Personality Science, 13(4), 849–861. https://doi.org/10.1177/19485506211043379

Digital Life and Well-Being

Feb 24, 2022

Cheng, C., & Kushlev, K. (2022). Digital Life and Well-Being. https://doi.org/10.31234/osf.io/67scf

Lights, Cameras (on), Action! Camera Usage During Zoom Classes Facilitates Student Engagement Without Increasing Fatigue

Feb 12, 2022

Kushlev, K., & Epstein-Shuman, A. (2022). Lights, Cameras (on), Action! Camera Usage During Zoom Classes Facilitates Student Engagement Without Increasing Fatigue. https://doi.org/10.31234/osf.io/5bz3j

Anxiety talking: Does anxiety predict sharing information about COVID-19?

Technology, Mind, and Behavior / Dec 30, 2021

Cantwell, O., & Kushlev, K. (2021). Anxiety talking: Does anxiety predict sharing information about COVID-19? Technology, Mind, and Behavior, 2(4). https://doi.org/10.1037/tmb0000057

Supplemental Material for Anxiety talking: Does anxiety predict sharing information about COVID-19?

Technology, Mind, and Behavior / Dec 30, 2021

Cantwell, O., & Kushlev, K. (2021). Supplemental Material for Anxiety talking: Does anxiety predict sharing information about COVID-19? Technology, Mind, and Behavior, 2(4). https://doi.org/10.1037/tmb0000057.supp

Long-distance texting: Text messaging is linked with higher relationship satisfaction in long-distance relationships

Journal of Social and Personal Relationships / Nov 14, 2021

Holtzman, S., Kushlev, K., Wozny, A., & Godard, R. (2021). Long-distance texting: Text messaging is linked with higher relationship satisfaction in long-distance relationships. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 38(12), 3543–3565. https://doi.org/10.1177/02654075211043296

Money does not always buy happiness, but are richer people less happy in their daily lives? It depends on how you analyze income

Aug 18, 2021

Kudrna, L., & Kushlev, K. (2021). Money does not always buy happiness, but are richer people less happy in their daily lives? It depends on how you analyze income. https://doi.org/10.31234/osf.io/4jvh5

A week during COVID-19: Online social interactions are associated with greater connection and more stress

Computers in Human Behavior Reports / Aug 01, 2021

Tibbetts, M., Epstein-Shuman, A., Leitao, M., & Kushlev, K. (2021). A week during COVID-19: Online social interactions are associated with greater connection and more stress. Computers in Human Behavior Reports, 4, 100133. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chbr.2021.100133

Lights, Cameras (on), Action! Camera Usage During Zoom Classes Facilitates Engagement Without Increasing Fatigue

Apr 26, 2021

Epstein-Shuman, A., & Kushlev, K. (2021). Lights, Cameras (on), Action! Camera Usage During Zoom Classes Facilitates Engagement Without Increasing Fatigue. https://doi.org/10.31234/osf.io/evx7d

A Week During COVID-19: Online Social Interactions Predict Greater Connection and More Stress

Jan 01, 2021

Tibbetts, M., Epstein-Shuman, A., Leitao, M., & Kushlev, K. (2021). A Week During COVID-19: Online Social Interactions Predict Greater Connection and More Stress. https://doi.org/10.31234/osf.io/7gjkc

Long-distance Texting: Text Messaging Predicts Relationship Satisfaction in Long-distance Relationships

Dec 02, 2020

Holtzman, S., Kushlev, K., Wozny, A., & Godard, R. (2020). Long-distance Texting: Text Messaging Predicts Relationship Satisfaction in Long-distance Relationships. https://doi.org/10.31234/osf.io/28b93

Well-Being Science for Teaching and the General Public

Nov 19, 2020

Tov, W., Wirtz, D., Kushlev, K., Biswas-Diener, R., & Diener, E. (2020). Well-Being Science for Teaching and the General Public. https://doi.org/10.31234/osf.io/3wmsu

Can Mental Health Apps Be Effective for Depression, Anxiety, and Stress During a Pandemic?

Nov 18, 2020

Longyear, R. L., & Kushlev, K. (2020). Can Mental Health Apps Be Effective for Depression, Anxiety, and Stress During a Pandemic? https://doi.org/10.31234/osf.io/zy2ct

Anxiety Talking: Does Anxiety Predict Sharing Information about COVID-19?

Oct 31, 2020

Cantwell, O., & Kushlev, K. (2020). Anxiety Talking: Does Anxiety Predict Sharing Information about COVID-19? https://doi.org/10.31234/osf.io/ah528

Subjective Well-Being and Prosociality Around the Globe: Happy People Give More of Their Time and Money to Others

Sep 18, 2020

Kushlev, K., Radosic, N., Diener, E. F., & Diener, E. (2020). Subjective Well-Being and Prosociality Around the Globe: Happy People Give More of Their Time and Money to Others. https://doi.org/10.31234/osf.io/7wzan

Emphasizing scientific rigor in the development, testing, and implementation of positive psychological interventions

The Journal of Positive Psychology / Jul 06, 2020

Heintzelman, S. J., & Kushlev, K. (2020). Emphasizing scientific rigor in the development, testing, and implementation of positive psychological interventions. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 15(5), 685–690. https://doi.org/10.1080/17439760.2020.1789701

Happiness Improves Health: Experimental Evidence from a Randomized Controlled Trial of an Online Positive Psychology Intervention

Jul 08, 2020

Kushlev, K., & Heintzelman, S. (2020). Happiness Improves Health: Experimental Evidence from a Randomized Controlled Trial of an Online Positive Psychology Intervention. https://doi.org/10.31234/osf.io/z4u6d

Do happy people care about society’s problems?

The Journal of Positive Psychology / Jul 04, 2019

Kushlev, K., Drummond, D. M., Heintzelman, S. J., & Diener, E. (2019). Do happy people care about society’s problems? The Journal of Positive Psychology, 15(4), 467–477. https://doi.org/10.1080/17439760.2019.1639797

Does Happiness Improve Health? Evidence From a Randomized Controlled Trial

Psychological Science / Jun 24, 2020

Kushlev, K., Heintzelman, S. J., Lutes, L. D., Wirtz, D., Kanippayoor, J. M., Leitner, D., & Diener, E. (2020). Does Happiness Improve Health? Evidence From a Randomized Controlled Trial. Psychological Science, 31(7), 807–821. https://doi.org/10.1177/0956797620919673

The Effects of Smartphones on Well-Being: Theoretical Integration and Research Agenda

May 18, 2020

Kushlev, K., & Leitao, M. (2020). The Effects of Smartphones on Well-Being: Theoretical Integration and Research Agenda. https://doi.org/10.31234/osf.io/fs6zq

Subjective Well‐Being and Health Behaviors in 2.5 Million Americans

Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being / Sep 03, 2019

Kushlev, K., Drummond, D. M., & Diener, E. (2019). Subjective Well‐Being and Health Behaviors in 2.5 Million Americans. Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being, 12(1), 166–187. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1111/aphw.12178

Batching smartphone notifications can improve well-being

Computers in Human Behavior / Dec 01, 2019

Fitz, N., Kushlev, K., Jagannathan, R., Lewis, T., Paliwal, D., & Ariely, D. (2019). Batching smartphone notifications can improve well-being. Computers in Human Behavior, 101, 84–94. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2019.07.016

The Social Price of Constant Connectivity: Smartphones Impose Subtle Costs on Well-Being

Current Directions in Psychological Science / May 16, 2019

Kushlev, K., Dwyer, R., & Dunn, E. W. (2019). The Social Price of Constant Connectivity: Smartphones Impose Subtle Costs on Well-Being. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 28(4), 347–352. https://doi.org/10.1177/0963721419847200

The psychologically rich life questionnaire

Journal of Research in Personality / Aug 01, 2019

Oishi, S., Choi, H., Buttrick, N., Heintzelman, S. J., Kushlev, K., Westgate, E. C., Tucker, J., Ebersole, C. R., Axt, J., Gilbert, E., Ng, B. W., & Besser, L. L. (2019). The psychologically rich life questionnaire. Journal of Research in Personality, 81, 257–270. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrp.2019.06.010

Smartphones distract parents from cultivating feelings of connection when spending time with their children

Journal of Social and Personal Relationships / Apr 10, 2018

Kushlev, K., & Dunn, E. W. (2018). Smartphones distract parents from cultivating feelings of connection when spending time with their children. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 36(6), 1619–1639. https://doi.org/10.1177/0265407518769387

Smartphones reduce smiles between strangers

Computers in Human Behavior / Feb 01, 2019

Kushlev, K., Hunter, J. F., Proulx, J., Pressman, S. D., & Dunn, E. (2019). Smartphones reduce smiles between strangers. Computers in Human Behavior, 91, 12–16. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2018.09.023

Smartphone use undermines enjoyment of face-to-face social interactions

Journal of Experimental Social Psychology / Sep 01, 2018

Dwyer, R. J., Kushlev, K., & Dunn, E. W. (2018). Smartphone use undermines enjoyment of face-to-face social interactions. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 78, 233–239. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jesp.2017.10.007

The declining marginal utility of social time for subjective well-being

Journal of Research in Personality / Jun 01, 2018

Kushlev, K., Heintzelman, S. J., Oishi, S., & Diener, E. (2018). The declining marginal utility of social time for subjective well-being. Journal of Research in Personality, 74, 124–140. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrp.2018.04.004

Progressive taxation, income inequality, and happiness.

American Psychologist / Feb 01, 2018

Oishi, S., Kushlev, K., & Schimmack, U. (2018). Progressive taxation, income inequality, and happiness. American Psychologist, 73(2), 157–168. https://doi.org/10.1037/amp0000166

Digitally connected, socially disconnected: The effects of relying on technology rather than other people

Computers in Human Behavior / Nov 01, 2017

Kushlev, K., Proulx, J. D. E., & Dunn, E. W. (2017). Digitally connected, socially disconnected: The effects of relying on technology rather than other people. Computers in Human Behavior, 76, 68–74. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2017.07.001

ENHANCE: Design and rationale of a randomized controlled trial for promoting enduring happiness & well-being

Contemporary Clinical Trials / Jan 01, 2017

Kushlev, K., Heintzelman, S. J., Lutes, L. D., Wirtz, D., Oishi, S., & Diener, E. (2017). ENHANCE: Design and rationale of a randomized controlled trial for promoting enduring happiness & well-being. Contemporary Clinical Trials, 52, 62–74. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cct.2016.11.003

Findings all psychologists should know from the new science on subjective well-being.

Canadian Psychology / Psychologie canadienne / May 01, 2017

Diener, E., Heintzelman, S. J., Kushlev, K., Tay, L., Wirtz, D., Lutes, L. D., & Oishi, S. (2017). Findings all psychologists should know from the new science on subjective well-being. Canadian Psychology / Psychologie Canadienne, 58(2), 87–104. https://doi.org/10.1037/cap0000063

Put the Phone Down

Social Psychological and Personality Science / Jul 31, 2017

Kushlev, K., & Heintzelman, S. J. (2017). Put the Phone Down. Social Psychological and Personality Science, 9(6), 702–710. https://doi.org/10.1177/1948550617722199

Too tense for candy crush

Proceedings of the 19th International Conference on Human-Computer Interaction with Mobile Devices and Services / Sep 04, 2017

Kushlev, K., Cardoso, B., & Pielot, M. (2017). Too tense for candy crush. Proceedings of the 19th International Conference on Human-Computer Interaction with Mobile Devices and Services. https://doi.org/10.1145/3098279.3098569

The Social Costs of Ubiquitous Information: Consuming Information on Mobile Phones Is Associated with Lower Trust

PLOS ONE / Sep 08, 2016

Kushlev, K., & Proulx, J. D. E. (2016). The Social Costs of Ubiquitous Information: Consuming Information on Mobile Phones Is Associated with Lower Trust. PLOS ONE, 11(9), e0162130. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0162130

"Silence Your Phones"

Proceedings of the 2016 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems / May 07, 2016

Kushlev, K., Proulx, J., & Dunn, E. W. (2016). “Silence Your Phones.” Proceedings of the 2016 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems. https://doi.org/10.1145/2858036.2858359

Income Reliably Predicts Daily Sadness, but Not Happiness

Social Psychological and Personality Science / Jul 09, 2016

Hudson, N. W., Lucas, R. E., Donnellan, M. B., & Kushlev, K. (2016). Income Reliably Predicts Daily Sadness, but Not Happiness. Social Psychological and Personality Science, 7(8), 828–836. https://doi.org/10.1177/1948550616657599

Bike sharing station placement leveraging heterogeneous urban open data

Proceedings of the 2015 ACM International Joint Conference on Pervasive and Ubiquitous Computing - UbiComp '15 / Jan 01, 2015

Chen, L., Zhang, D., Pan, G., Ma, X., Yang, D., Kushlev, K., Zhang, W., & Li, S. (2015). Bike sharing station placement leveraging heterogeneous urban open data. Proceedings of the 2015 ACM International Joint Conference on Pervasive and Ubiquitous Computing - UbiComp ’15. https://doi.org/10.1145/2750858.2804291

Checking email less frequently reduces stress

Computers in Human Behavior / Feb 01, 2015

Kushlev, K., & Dunn, E. W. (2015). Checking email less frequently reduces stress. Computers in Human Behavior, 43, 220–228. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2014.11.005

Higher Income Is Associated With Less Daily Sadness but not More Daily Happiness

Social Psychological and Personality Science / Jan 09, 2015

Kushlev, K., Dunn, E. W., & Lucas, R. E. (2015). Higher Income Is Associated With Less Daily Sadness but not More Daily Happiness. Social Psychological and Personality Science, 6(5), 483–489. https://doi.org/10.1177/1948550614568161

Parents Are Slightly Happier Than Nonparents, but Causality Still Cannot Be Inferred

Psychological Science / Nov 12, 2013

Nelson, S. K., Kushlev, K., Dunn, E. W., & Lyubomirsky, S. (2013). Parents Are Slightly Happier Than Nonparents, but Causality Still Cannot Be Inferred. Psychological Science, 25(1), 303–304. https://doi.org/10.1177/0956797613508561

Shame and the motivation to change the self.

Emotion / Jan 01, 2014

Lickel, B., Kushlev, K., Savalei, V., Matta, S., & Schmader, T. (2014). Shame and the motivation to change the self. Emotion, 14(6), 1049–1061. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0038235

The pains and pleasures of parenting: When, why, and how is parenthood associated with more or less well-being?

Psychological Bulletin / May 01, 2014

Nelson, S. K., Kushlev, K., & Lyubomirsky, S. (2014). The pains and pleasures of parenting: When, why, and how is parenthood associated with more or less well-being? Psychological Bulletin, 140(3), 846–895. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0035444

In Defense of Parenthood

Psychological Science / Nov 30, 2012

Nelson, S. K., Kushlev, K., English, T., Dunn, E. W., & Lyubomirsky, S. (2012). In Defense of Parenthood. Psychological Science, 24(1), 3–10. https://doi.org/10.1177/0956797612447798

Parents Reap What They Sow

Social Psychological and Personality Science / Mar 14, 2013

Ashton-James, C. E., Kushlev, K., & Dunn, E. W. (2013). Parents Reap What They Sow. Social Psychological and Personality Science, 4(6), 635–642. https://doi.org/10.1177/1948550613479804

Does affluence impoverish the experience of parenting?

Journal of Experimental Social Psychology / Nov 01, 2012

Kushlev, K., Dunn, E. W., & Ashton-James, C. E. (2012). Does affluence impoverish the experience of parenting? Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 48(6), 1381–1384. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jesp.2012.06.001

Education

University of British Columbia

PhD, Psychology / August, 2015

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Reed College

B.A., Psychology / May, 2008

Portland, Oregon, United States of America

Experience

Georgetown University

Assistant Professor / August, 2018Present

University of Virginia

Research Scientist / August, 2015August, 2018

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