The Adolescent Development Lab, led by Dr. Yao Zheng, studies normative and atypical psychological, social, emotional, and behavioral development from childhood through adolescence into young adulthood. We examine multiple factors that influence the risk and resilience of child, adolescent, and young adult development, such as family (e.g., parenting) and peer (e.g., peer affiliation) influences, genetic and environmental interplay, in various contexts (e.g., school, neighborhood, culture) and timescales (e.g., days, years). We are particularly interested in how children and adolescents from at-risk or ethnic-racial minority groups can prosper and show resilience despite adverse experiences. We are also interested in child and adolescent development from the Majority World. The ultimate goal of our research is to inform interventions to promote child, adolescent, and young adult physical and mental health and well-being.
Our research has been generously supported by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council, Canadian Institute of Health Research, Mitacs, Alberta Innovates, Killam Research Fund, Women and Children’s Health Research Institute, and China Institute at University of Alberta.