Congratulations to Isabella Schoettler

Congratulations to Isabella Schoettler on a successful MSc defense today! Thanks also to Dr Wendy Hoglund (supervisor), Dr Yao Zheng (chair) and examiners Dr Pushpanjali Dashora, Dr Christina Rinaldi, and, Dr Pan Liu.

Way to go Isabella!

Defense Title: Investigating the Role of School Climate: Anxious and Depressive Symptoms and Help-Seeking in Adolescence

Adolescence is a developmental period in which anxious and depressive symptoms are commonly reported. Seeking help from peers, family members, and other sources of support may be a co-occurring factor for the severity of anxious and depressive symptoms. Adolescents’ perceptions of their school climate may also influence how anxious and depressive symptoms co-occur with help-seeking behaviours, although few studies have examined these associations. The current study included 1,434 adolescents (Mage= 13.5 years, SD = .9 years, 54.5% girls) in Grades 7 to 9 in seven junior high schools. Adolescents were assessed four times across two school years to capture an accelerated age range of 11.1 to 16.8 years. Adolescents reported on their anxious and depressive symptoms, help-seeking behaviours, and perceived school climate. The findings from this study enhance understanding of how perceived school climate may shape experiences of anxious and depressive symptoms and help-seeking behaviours during adolescence.