Paweena Sukhawathanakul
Supervisor
Research interests
My research examines contextual factors that predict and protect against difficulties in peer relationships. In particular, I am interested in how values of social responsibility can offset peer victimization trajectories and mitigate associated psychosocial adjustment problems. I am also interested in the development and implementation of school-based prevention programs and the methodological issues surrounding accurate measuring and modeling of program effects (e.g., variations across classroom and school contexts). I am currently involved in the nationwide dissemination and evaluation of the WITS peer victimization prevention program (www.witsprograms.ca).
Representative publications
Leadbeater, B. J., Thompson, K., & Sukhawathanakul, P. (2016). Enhancing Social Responsibility and Prosocial Leadership to Prevent Aggression, Peer Victimization, and Emotional Problems in Elementary School Children. American Journal of Community Psychology, 1-12.
Leadbeater, B., Sukhawathanakul, P., Smith, D., & Bowen, F. (2014). Reciprocal associations between interpersonal and values dimensions of school climate and peer victimization in elementary school children. Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, 44(3), 480-493.
Desjardins, T., Yeung Thompson, R. S., Sukhawathanakul, P., Leadbeater, B. J., & MacDonald, S. W. (2013). Factor structure of the Social Experience Questionnaire across time, sex, and grade among early elementary school children. Psychological Assessment, 25(4), 1058-1068.
Leadbeater B. J., & Sukhawathanakul, P. (2011). Multi-component programs for reducing peer victimization in early elementary school: A longitudinal evaluation of the WITS® Primary program. Journal of Community Psychology, 39(5), 606-620.
Representative presentations
Woodin, E. M., Sukhawathanakul, P., Caldeira, V., & Leadbeater, B. (2013, May). Downward Spirals? The Relations among Aggressive Peer Networks, Alcohol Use, and Romantic Relationship Victimization from Adolescence to Young Adulthood. Society for Prevention Research in San Francisco, CA.
Sukhawathanakul, P. & Leadbeater, B. (2012, July). “Because everyone deserves to be helped”: The effect of social responsibility on victimization trajectories. International Society for the Study of Behavioural Development in Edmonton, AB.
Sukhawathanakul, P., Yeung, R. S., & Leadbeater, B. (2012, March). Parent, peer, and individual predictors of change in romantic relational aggression and victimization. Society for Research on Adolescence in Vancouver, BC.
Recent awards
- Postdoctoral Fellowship from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (2017-2019)
- Vanier Canada Doctoral Scholarship from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (2012-2015)
- President’s Distinguished Service Team Award, University of Victoria (2012)
- Canadian Psychological Association Certificate of Academic Excellence Recognition of Outstanding Master’s Thesis (2011)
- Sara Spencer Fellowship (2010-2011)
- R. B. May Scholarship (2010-2011)
- Myer Horowitz Endowment Fund from the Centre for Youth and Society (2010-2011)
- University of Victoria Graduate Fellowship (2008-2010)