Media releases

• Brock research to examine pressure on teens to be ‘perfect’

  Friday, April 27, 2018 | By Brock University

  MEDIA RELEASE: 26 April 2018 – R00087

  Are you a teen, or the parent of a teen, who feels the need to “do it all?”

  Brock University researcher Danielle Sirianni Molnar, Assistant Professor in the Department of Child and Youth Studies, is recruiting participants between the ages of 13 and 19 for the Brock Adolescent and Youth Relationship Study, which will look at how perfectionism is related to health and well-being in adolescents.

  “Recent research indicates that one in three adolescents is highly perfectionistic, and that perfectionism is on the rise among young people,” says Molnar, who runs the Developmental Processes in Health and Well-Being Lab at Brock. “Perfectionistic strivings tend to be a more important risk factor for poorer mental health among youth compared to adults.”

  These staggering numbers are part of the reason why Molnar, whose previous work on perfectionism has focused on adults, is now turning her attention to teens.

  “It’s not uncommon to hear adolescents talk about how they are expected to achieve high grades, hold a job, be actively involved in the school community, play an instrument, be athletic and somehow still have time to have friends,” Molnar says.

  Social media only adds to the pressure.

  “Not only must an adolescent have time to achieve all of this, but they must also make time to post the pics, so that everyone else can see that they are meeting these impossible expectations,” she says.

  Molnar sees an urgent need for research into why this is happening and how to address it —both as a researcher and as a parent.

  “I am consistently struck by the rising pressures youth face and how often perfectionistic tendencies are actively promoted as a means to success, despite research showing that this can lead to disastrous outcomes.”

  She says adolescence is a “crucial development period” when many psychological disorders begin to develop.

  “Given that perfectionism is associated with poorer mental and physical health among adults, it is critical to understand whether perfectionism has similar associations during adolescence.”

  Through the study, Molnar hopes to both heighten awareness of how perfectionism affects Canadian youth and make evidence-based recommendations for early prevention and interventions.

  Study participants will be asked to complete three online surveys over the course of one year. Participants must have a private email address and be 13 to 19 years old. Anyone under 18 will need parental permission to participate. Research participants are eligible to earn Amazon gift cards and a chance to win an Apple iPad.

  Anyone interested in getting involved with the Brock Adolescent and Youth Relationship Study should contact the lab at dphwblab@brocku.ca

  Danielle Sirianni Molnar, Assistant Professor of Child and Youth Studies, is available for interviews.

  For more information or for assistance arranging interviews:

  * Dan Dakin, Media Relations Officer, Brock University ddakin@brocku.ca, 905-688-5550 x5353 or 905-347-1970

  Brock University Marketing and Communications has a full-service studio where we can provide high definition video and broadcast-quality audio.

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  Categories: Media releases

• Brock experts available to speak about workplace health and safety ahead of National Day of Mourning

  Tuesday, April 24, 2018 | By Brock University

  EXPERT ADVISORY: 24 April 2018 – R00086

  National Day of Mourning is observed on April 28 in tribute to those who have been killed, injured or suffered illness as a result of work-related incidents.

  On Saturday, April 28, flags will fly at half-mast across the country in remembrance of the many tragedies stemming from workplace accidents. Brock University has two experts available to speak about the issue.

  Deborah McPhee, Associate Professor of Human Resources Management and Occupational Health and Safety at Brock’s Goodman School of Business, is an expert on workplace health and safety issues. Simon Black, Assistant Professor in the Department of Labour Studies, is an expert in labour relations.

  In an article published Tuesday on The Conversation Canada, McPhee explains that while Canada has some of the most stringent workplace laws, there is more work to be done to address workplace safety and minimize the number of workplace incidents affecting Canadians.

  “Workers and their families suffer the consequences when workplace safety is not taken seriously by everyone in the workplace,” said McPhee.

  McPhee is available to speak about:

  • Why workplace accidents, injuries and illnesses continue to happen despite bolstered policies and legislation in place.
  • Why it is important for employees to know their rights.
  • What employers can do to prevent workplace accidents.

  Black’s research focuses on labour relations, and he says this year unions in Canada are calling on the federal government to do more to address workplace violence and harassment. He pointed to the recently introduced Bill C-65, which would treat harassment and violence in the workplace the same way other occupational health and safety hazards are treated.

  “Bill C-65 will have certain implications for how governments regulate health and safety,” Black said. “It’s really through the struggles of women both within the labour movement and movements like #MeToo and #TimesUp that attention is being to the issue of harassment and violence as workplace health and safety issues.”

  Black is available to speak about:

  • Federal Bill C-65, which will recognize sexual harassment as a workplace hazard.
  • The need for new measures to make it safe for workers to report harassment and violence.
  • The need to recognize domestic violence as a workplace hazard.

  For more information or for assistance arranging interviews:

  * Dan Dakin, Media Relations Officer, Brock University ddakin@brocku.ca, 905-688-5550 x5353 or 905-347-1970

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  Categories: Media releases