BPsych (Honours)

PhD Candidate, School of Psychology

Contact details for Ms Rhiarne Pronk r.pronk@griffith.edu.au

Research topic title

Relational aggression, peer relationships and socio-emotional functioning

Description

This research project is being conducted in three local state primary schools and one private Anglican primary/high school. The aims are to understand the implications of children’s and adolescent’s peer relationship difficulties, such as being rejected or displaying negative social behaviours (e.g. aggression, withdrawal), and the impact upon their social and emotional functioning (e.g., depression and social anxiety). A specific focus is on the role of children and adolescent’s relational aggression, defined as behaviours that aim to harm relationships or isolate peers from their classmates. The outcomes will assist in the development of interventions that improve children’s socio-emotional functioning via increasing awareness and reducing the incidence of relational aggression in the school setting.

Supervisor

Associate Professor Melanie Zimmer-Gembeck