Community and Health
Researchers affiliated with this area are interested in:
- How psychological variables are associated with basic biological processes and behaviours that impact health (e.g., sleep, eating, exercise, stress, substance use, sexual behaviours); and
- How psychological variables impact adjustment to illness (cancer, HIV/AIDS, multiple sclerosis, etc.).
These issues are considered in the context of sociocultural influences including gender, media, sexuality, and ethnicity. Our faculty and graduate students in this area incorporate a range of methodologies including traditional quantitative and qualitative techniques along with mixed-methods and community-engaged research. They also partner with community organizations to conduct program evaluations to support the implementation of evidence-based clinical programs. For this work, researchers rely on funding from SSHRC, CIHR, NIH, Canadian Cancer Society, Ministry of Research and Innovation, and other agencies.
In addition to dedicated lab space, individual researchers make use of the state-of-the-art equipment and resources available through the Institute for Stress and Wellbeing Research. Many of our faculty in this area have ongoing collaborative programs of research at local hospitals, and with community agencies and organizations.
