Take a tour through our Research Projects

Our explore our projects by Research Theme here.

All Our Families Cohort Study

The All Our Families (AOF) study is a pregnancy cohort in Alberta that started in 2008 and has followed families (~ 3200) over time. The youth are now aged 11-13 years. Mothers and youth self-report

Insights from Transgender and Gender Diverse Youth

In collaboration with Skipping Stone Foundation and transgender and gender diverse (TGD) youth advisors in the community, this project was developed to identify the current mental health service needs for TGD youth and identity barriers to engaging with community resources and mental health services.

Well-Being in Adolescents during the COVID-19 Pandemic Meta-Analysis

The COVID-19 pandemic has presented a unique opportunity to study resiliency processes at a global level.

Suicidality & NSSI Prevalence in Transgender & Gender Diverse Folks Meta-Analysis

This project will review all existing literature on suicidality and NSSI in TGD youth and the results can be used to better inform mental health initiatives and prevention efforts for TGD youth.

Trans-Affirming Care Workshops

To decrease barriers accessing mental health services, the TREC Lab has collaborated with Skipping Stone Foundation (a community organization serving TGD folks) to create a two-part trans-affirming care workshop tailored to clinicians and healthcare professions.

Mental Health Literacy in Schools

The Open Parachute (OP) Program is a school-based curriculum that teaches mental health literacy skills to children and adolescents from preschool to Grade 12. Following participation in the OP program, the goal is to determine if students show improvement in psychological health outcomes

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Explore our projects by Research Theme

Trans-Affirming Care Workshops

Transgender and gender diverse (TGD) folks (those whose gender identity does not match their assigned sex at birth), experience discrimination as a result of transphobia and are at higher risk for mental and physical health difficulties when compared to their peers. Discrimination by health care professionals, and lack of training in gender-affirmative health care, have further deterred TGD folks from seeking care they need. To decrease barriers accessing mental health services, the TREC Lab has collaborated with Skipping Stone Foundation (a community organization serving TGD folks) to create a two-part trans-affirming care workshop tailored to clinicians and healthcare professions. The workshop consists of online modules and an in-person session. A mixed-methods approach, including both quantitative and qualitative methods is being utilized to assess the effectiveness of the workshop and to evaluate the learner experience.
Suicidality & NSSI Prevalence in Transgender & Gender Diverse Folks Meta-Analysis

To better understand suicidality and non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) in trans-gender and gender diverse (TGD) adolescents, a meta-analysis was conducted to determine the prevalence of suicidality and NSSI. This project will review all existing literature on suicidality and NSSI in TGD youth and the results can be used to better inform mental health initiatives and prevention efforts for TGD youth.
Mental Health Literacy in Schools

As a possible avenue to provide accessible mental health resources to a broad range of children and youth, the TREC lab is evaluating the feasibility and effectiveness of a school-based mental health literacy intervention. The Open Parachute (OP) Program is a school-based curriculum that teaches mental health literacy skills to children and adolescents from preschool to Grade 12. Following participation in the OP program, the goal is to determine if students show improvement in psychological health outcomes (e.g., self-esteem, coping skills, peer relationships, happiness). In addition, the feasibility and acceptability of the OP program from the teacher perspective is also examined.
Suicidality & NSSI Prevalence in Transgender & Gender Diverse Folks Meta-Analysis

To better understand suicidality and non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) in trans-gender and gender diverse (TGD) adolescents, a meta-analysis was conducted to determine the prevalence of suicidality and NSSI. This project will review all existing literature on suicidality and NSSI in TGD youth and the results can be used to better inform mental health initiatives and prevention efforts for TGD youth.
Insights from Transgender and Gender Diverse Youth

In collaboration with Skipping Stone Foundation and transgender and gender diverse (TGD) youth advisors in the community, this project was developed to identify the current mental health service needs for TGD youth and identity barriers to engaging with community resources and mental health services. Using a participatory action research design, semi-structured interviews are being conducted with TGD youth and the results will be used to better inform and improve the mental health resources and community services available for TGD youth.
Well-Being in Adolescents during the COVID-19 Pandemic Meta-Analysis

The COVID-19 pandemic has presented a unique opportunity to study resiliency processes at a global level. With previous research suggesting that youth have had variable responses to the COVID-19 pandemic, we conducted a meta-analysis to determine the most salient protective factors predicting well-being in adolescents. The results of this study can be used to better inform post-pandemic recovery efforts and inform science and theory regarding youth resiliency during times of crisis.
All Our Families Cohort Study

The All Our Families (AOF) study is a pregnancy cohort in Alberta that started in 2008 and has followed families (~ 3200) over time. The youth are now aged 11-13 years. Mothers and youth self-report on their mental health and well-being, individual characteristics (e.g., optimism), family experiences (e.g., connection to caregivers), peer experiences (e.g., online peer engagement), school experiences (e.g., online learning), and neighbourhood activities (e.g., volunteering). This impressive cohort provides an exceptional opportunity to identify patterns of youth mental health and well-being, as well as risk and resiliency factors. The TREC lab works closely with the AOF team on a variety of projects.
Mental Health Literacy in Schools

As a possible avenue to provide accessible mental health resources to a broad range of children and youth, the TREC lab is evaluating the feasibility and effectiveness of a school-based mental health literacy intervention. The Open Parachute (OP) Program is a school-based curriculum that teaches mental health literacy skills to children and adolescents from preschool to Grade 12. Following participation in the OP program, the goal is to determine if students show improvement in psychological health outcomes (e.g., self-esteem, coping skills, peer relationships, happiness). In addition, the feasibility and acceptability of the OP program from the teacher perspective is also examined.

Past Projects

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