Dr. Ryan Persram

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Biography: 

Dr. Persram is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at Toronto Metropolitan University. Dr. Persram earned his PhD in Psychology at Concordia University in Montreal with research interests in developmental psychology and youth development. Additionally, he completed postdoctoral fellowships at McGill University and Queen’s University, as well as collaborations across both institutions in association with PREVNet, a nationally recognized research network focused on promoting wellbeing and healthy youth relationships.

Dr. Persram’s research examines the correlates and consequences associated with youth interpersonal relationships. Specifically, he investigates how positive and negative experiences with siblings, peers, and romantic partners can promote and hinder youth adjustment. He is particularly interested in the unique and joint contributions of these relationships in relation to youth development and adjustment. Dr. Persram’s research also considers how contextual factors, such as gender identity and other sociodemographic aspects (e.g., family functioning, cultural background, SES) shape youth relationship development and individual adjustment. His work incorporates both quantitative and qualitative research methods.

Dr. Persram collaborates regularly with researchers and partners nationally (e.g., Ontario, Quebec), and globally (e.g., United States, United Kingdom, Colombia). His research has been funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) and the Fonds de Recherche du Québec – Société et Culture (FRQSC).

Selected Publications

Persram, R. J., Howe, N., & Bukowski, W. M. (2023). The moderating effect of sibling trust on internalizing difficulties in early adolescence. Merrill-Palmer Quarterly, 69(2), 139-157.

Persram, R. J., & Konishi, C. (2023). Differential effects of maternal- and paternal-adolescent attachments on friendship security and intimacy. British Journal of Developmental Psychology, 41(1), 66-78. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjdp.12433 (external link) 

Persram, R. J., Howe, N., & Bukowski, W. M. (2022). Constructing and validating a measure of early adolescent perceptions of sibling trust. Canadian Journal of Behavioural Science, 54(1), 73-78. https://doi.org/10.1037/cbs0000281 (external link) 

Persram, R. J., & Konishi, C. (2022). Validation of the Adolescent Attachment Anxiety and Avoidance Inventory among Canadian secondary school students. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 31(1), 2813-2824. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-022-02392-0 (external link) 

Bukowski, W. M., DeLay, D., Dirks, M. A., Lopez, L. S., Persram, R. J., & Santo, J. B. (2021). Contextual variations in associations between measures of aggression and functioning with peers: A replication study. Developmental Psychology, 57(12), 2022-2031. https://doi.org/10.1037/dev0000958 (external link) 

Paine, A. L., Karajian, G., Hashmi, S., Persram, R. J., & Howe, N. (2021). “Where’s your bum brain?” Humour, social understanding, and sibling relationship quality in early childhood. Social Development, 30(2), 592-611. https://doi.org/10.1111/sode.12488 (external link) 

Persram, R. J., Panarello, B., Castellanos, M., Astrologo, L., & Bukowski, W. M. (2021). Measurement burst designs to improve precision in peer research. Cambridge University Press.

Persram, R. J., Wong, T. K. Y., Madriz, F. V., Konishi, C., Dryburgh, N., Dirks, M. A., Martin-Storey, A., & Craig, W. (2021). Development and validation of the teen dating aggression measure (TeDAM) among Canadian youth. Frontiers in Psychology, 12, 763210. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.763210 (external link) 

Interested in Joining the Lab?

Dr. Persram directs the ASPIRE Lab at TMU. The focus of the lab is to explore how specific social partners (e.g., siblings, friends, romantic partners) uniquely and jointly contribute to adolescent wellbeing and development. The overall aim of the lab is to identify contextually relevant experiences that promote strong and healthy relationships and mental health. 

The ASPIRE Lab is looking for passionate and driven individuals (all levels) who are interested in contributing to this research program and expanding the lab’s expertise on youth interpersonal relationships and development. If you are interested in joining our team or are interested in potential opportunities, please send Dr. Persram an email at ryan.persram@torontomu.ca.