About the Lab
The PEERS Lab studies social and emotional development during childhood and adolescence, with a focus on the development of marginalized and racialized children and adolescents and factors that enhance or undermine their resiliency.
Developmental Science
Using theoretical perspectives from Developmental Science and Developmental Psychopathology, the PEERS Lab investigates the developmental course of social, emotional and academic competencies and problems during childhood and adolescence. Our research primarily focuses on children growing up in the context of low-income and examines sources of resiliency among marginalized and racialized children and adolescents. We are particularly interested in how relationships with peers and teachers and setting-level processes (e.g., classroom quality, instructional practices) affect the developmental competencies of marginalized and racialized children and adolescents.
Applied Developmental Science
The PEERS Lab integrates the conceptual frameworks of Applied Developmental Science, Developmental Psychopathology and Prevention Science to evaluate evidence-informed practices in classroom and school settings. We are primarily interested in how evidence-informed practices promote positive peer relationships and social, emotional and academic competencies among marginalized and racialized children and adolescents. This work is most often conducted in collaboration with schools, community agencies, and non-government organizations.
Current Projects
Early Learning Project
In collaboration with ABC Head Start, this project is investigating children’s social and emotional development in the context of early childhood classroom practices. We are following a small cohort of children from preschool through grade 1 to examine how the quality of interactions between children and teachers in preschool classrooms relate to children’s social and emotional development. This project is funded by the Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation through the Women and Children’s Health Research Institute (WCHRI).
Wendy Hoglund, PhD
Dr. Wendy Hoglund conducts basic and applied research on social and emotional development in childhood and adolescence. Her research primarily investigates within-group variability in the experiences and adjustment of marginalized and racialized children and adolescents, with a focus on how setting-level influences can promote resiliency among children and adolescents.
Most typically, her research investigates how the quality of interactions with peers and teachers relate to self-regulation in early childhood and to internalizing symptoms in childhood and adolescence. Her applied community-engaged research examines how classroom instructional practices contribute to children’s social and emotional competencies and academic learning.
Dr. Hoglund’s research has been funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC), PolicyWise for Children & Families, Women and Children’s Health Research Institute (WCHRI), and the Killam Cornerstone Grant Program.