Research Area(s)

  • Social development in childhood, adolescence, and emerging adulthood
  • Peer relationships: positive interactions (e.g., friendship) and negative interactions (e.g., victimization)

Education

  • B.A. (High Honours) University of Saskatchewan
  • Ph.D. University of Saskatchewan

Research Projects

Evaluating Prosocial Bystander Intervention Training with Undergraduate Students in Preventing Sexual Assaults, SSHRC Insight Developmentn Grant, 2019-2021 (collaboration with Drs. K. Lawson, D. McCreary)

Role of Peer Interactions in Predicting Well-Being and Adjustment to University (collaboration with Dr. P. McDougall, BEH# 16-32)

  • The aim of this study is to better develop an understanding of how peer relationships impact individuals’ well-being during emerging adulthood as they adapt to the social context of university.  The main objectives of this study are to explore (1) young people’s experiences of online and offline peer victimization as they make the transition from high school to university, (2) the role of friendships in making this transition, and (3) the possible association between both positive and negative peer interactions and students’ psychosocial well-being and adjustment to university.

Supporting Transitions from High School to University: Identifying Psychosocial and Academic Determinants for Success (collaboration with Drs. P. McDougall, V. Squires, S. Tunison)

  • The aim of this study will be to explore if and how various personal and social factors (academic and nonacademic) enhance or impede students’ well-being and adjustment to university life. This study is unique in that we will be examining what experiences before and during transition foster success in post-secondary education by engaging with students who are just entering university while simultaneously assessing experiences of university students who have successfully transitioned into their second year of studies.

Selected Publications and Presentations

Buchanan, C.M., & McDougall, P. (2018). Predicting Psychosocial Maladjustment in Emerging Adulthood From High School Experiences of Peer Victimization. Journal of Interpersonal Violencehttps://doi.org/10.1177/0886260518756115

Buchanan, C. M., & McDougall, P. (2017). Retrospective accounts of sexual peer victimization in adolescence: Social status and gender role conformity. Sex Roles 76:485. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11199-016-0672-4

Kaczur, M., Buchanan, C. M., & McDougall, P.  (2016, April). Impact of peer victimization in high school and university on wellbeing and adjustment during the first year of university. Poster accepted for presentation at the meeting of Society for Research on Adolescence, Baltimore, MD.

Weeding, B., Puchala, C., & Buchanan, C. M. (2015, October). Relations between social support for educational decisions and psychosocial adjustment among emerging adult undergraduate students. Poster session at the meeting for Society for the Study of Emerging Adults, Miami, FL.

Kaczur, M., & Buchanan. C. M. (2015, October). Impact of peer victimization on wellbeing and adjustment in university. Poster session at the meeting for Society for the Study of Emerging Adults, Miami, FL.

Buchanan, C. M., & McDougall, P. (2014, March). Does gender policing explain experiences and perpetrations of sexual peer victimization in high school?Poster session at the meeting of Society for Research on Adolescence, Austin, TX.

Buchanan, C. M., McDougall, P., Hymel, S., & Waterhouse, T. (2012, April). Sexual and nonsexual peer victimization during adolescence: Connections to social status. Poster session presented at the meeting of Society for Research on Adolescence, Vancouver, BC.

Buchanan, C. M., Puchala, C., & McDougall, P. (2011, October). Predicting psychological distress in emerging adulthood from high school experiences of peer victimization. Poster session presented at the meeting of Society of the Study of Emerging Adulthood, Providence, RI.

Buchanan, C. M., & McDougall, P. (2010, May). Gender policing: Adolescent peer-based sexual victimization in schools.  Poster session presented at the meeting of Development 2010, Ottawa, ON.

Aspenlieder, L., Buchanan, C., McDougall, & Sippola, L. (2009). Gender nonconformity and peer victimization in pre-and early adolescence. International Journal of Developmental Science, 3, 3-16. doi:10.3233/DEV-2009-3103

Baley, M. K., Buchanan, C. M., Sippola, L. K., Thompson, V., & Bukowski, W. M. (2008, March). Adolescents' attitudes towards gender conforming/nonconforming peers as friends and romantic partners. Poster presented at the biennial meeting of the Society for Research on Adolescence, Chicago, IL.

Sippola, L. K., Buchanan, C., & Kehoe, S. (2007). Correlations of false-self in adolescent romantic relationships.  Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, 36, 515-521. doi:10.1080/1537441070165374

Sippola, Lorrie K., Paget, J., & Buchanan, C. M. (2007). Praising Cordelia: Social aggression and social dominance among adolescent girls. In P. Hawley, T. Little, & P. Rodkin (Eds.), Aggression and adaptation: The bright side to bad behavior. Mahway, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Publisher.

Teaching Responsibilities

  • PSY 214.3 Adolescent Development
  • PSY 235.3 Research Methods and Design
  • PSY 315.3 Advanced Developmental Psychology I Social and Emotional
  • PSY 316.3 Advanced Developmental Psychology II Social and Emotional
  • PSY 418.3 Advanced Seminar in Developmental Psychology

Administrative Responsibilities

  • Engaged Learning Working Group
  • Special Advisory Committee on the Status of Women
  • Member, Culture Health, & Human Development Program
  • Member, STM Teaching Committee