Why do some children and adolescents show kindness (e.g., prosocial behaviour), while some cause others harm (e.g., antisocial behaviour)? My lab aims to examine the psychological, social, and contextual factors that affect these social-emotional outcomes.
One of our major projects centers around an attachment-based, evidence-supported parenting programme, Connect (http://connectattachmentprograms.org/). This programme is geared toward parents of adolescents with clinically significant mental health challenges. Our work will include culturally adapting, systematically implementing, and rigorously evaluating Connect in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Another cluster of projects centers around understanding how parental disciplinary practices, temperamental factors, and contextual variables predict children's and adolescents' prosocial and antisocial behaviours.
Students strongly interested in related topics within social-emotional development—including moral emotions and psychophysiology—are also encouraged to apply.
Start date: No later than May 2026.
Supervisors
Primary Supervisor: Sebastian Dys
Does the project come with funding
Yes - $32,650pa + tuition for 3 years
Final date for receiving applications
April 2026
How to apply
Direct enquiries to sebastian.dys@canterbury.ac.nz. To apply, please submit a (1) CV highlighting relevant research experience and training, (2) academic transcripts, and (3) research statement (1 page), (4) Contact details for 2-3 academic references, and (5) Writing sample (e.g., thesis chapter, publication)
Keywords
developmental psychology; social-emotional development; parenting; attachment
