Current research projects

Individuals differ in their sensitivity to environmental influences. Theoretical models suggest that interaction patterns between environmental and individual factors can take many forms, with individuals being sensitive to negative environments only, positive environments only, or both. Much research, including our own, has examined these patterns of interaction in childhood, and our initial research extended these models to apply them to adolescence (see here, here, and here). Research in adult populations remains more limited. Experiences of Pregnancy aims to thoroughly measure phenotypic individual sensitivity factors (e.g., temperament, personality) and social environment factors to examine their interactions and associations with mental health throughout pregnancy and postpartum as well as with birth outcomes. The project also aims to serve as pilot data to build models of intergenerational sensitivity.

Publications: See study website here

Building on the Experiences of Pregnancy study, this mixed-methods project aims to examine the experiences of highly sensitive parents and parents of highly sensitive children. Highly sensitive people have heightened sensitivity to physical, emotional, and social stimuli, leading to deeper emotional responses and awareness of their surroundings. This can affect the parenting experience, as parenting itself can be overwhelming and increase exposure to environmental and emotional stimuli. When a child is sensitive, it can also affect parenting, as parents want to support their more sensitive and reactive child. The experiences and effects of sensitivity in parenthood remain, however, understudied. This project will examine the mental health, parenting experiences, and psychosocial service needs of these parents.

Research shows that peer environments are associated with adolescent delinquency. However, these effects are heterogeneous, and it remains unclear for which adolescents and under what conditions peer environments are most associated with adolescent delinquency. This project led by student Zoe Childers-Rockey aims to examine the moderators of the association between peer environments and adolescent delinquency through a systematic review and secondary analyses of the Quebec Longitudinal Study of Child Development.