| Area of Specialty:
Clinical | Developmental |
| |
In my program of research
over the past 12 years, I have examined
bullying problems from a developmental
psychopathology perspective. I argue
that this type of aggressive behaviour
merits attention because it underlies many
problems related to interpersonal violence
in Canada. Bullying is a relationship
problem – it is the assertion of
January 10, 2008 (Pepler & Craig, 2000). With
repeated bullying, the power relations
between bullies and their victims become
consolidated: bullies increase in power
and victims lose power. In such
a relationship, children who are being
bullied become increasingly powerless to
defend themselves. From a developmental
perspective, the lessons learned in bullying
within peer relationships generalize to
other developmentally significant relationships. I
have conducted a 7 year longitudinal study
aimed at understanding the biological,
psychological, and social factors related
to bullying problems. In addition,
I have conducted several intervention studies
evaluating the effectiveness of programs
to address bullying.
More recently, I am a co-leader of a national
strategy addressing bullying where we are
moving our scientific understanding of bullying
into practise and evaluation. The
goal of the PREVNet (Promoting Relationships
and Eliminating Violence) to generate social-cultural
change in Canada regarding power and aggression
in relationships by providing National Organizations
January 10, 2008h the research
knowledge and capacity to adapt and disseminate
scientific knowledge and technology to build
awareness, change attitudes, assess the extent
of bullying and victimization problems, implement
evidenced-based strategies, and develop policies
that support these activities. Through
these partnerships between researchers, NGOs,
and governments, the outcomes of improved
understanding and practice will enhance social
capital, promote mental and physical health,
promote healthy relationships and school
engagement, and prevent crime, and decrease
bullying in Canada. |
