Her research interests concern the social cognitive effects of mass media. In particular, she focuses on mass communication processes and effects in areas of romantic relationships, body image, privacy, race, sexuality, and children. She has published articles in several top-tiered journals, including Communication Monographs, Media Psychology, the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, and the Journal of Youth and Adolescence. Dr. Hefner’s work also appears in the Blackwell Handbook of Child Development and the Media as well as Race/Gender/Media: Considering Diversity across Audiences, Content, and Producers. She is currently an active member of the National Communication Association and International Communication Association.