Dr. Wendy Ellis

Associate Professor

Phone: 4544
Email: wendy.ellis@uwo.ca

Wendy Ellis, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at King's University College. Her research interests span a wide range of topics related to social development, including social status, aggression, cyberbullying, and dating violence. Dr. Ellis has conducted extensive research on the influence of children’s peer groups, documenting how these groups shape the behavior of their members in both positive and negative ways. In her recent work, Dr. Ellis has focused on examining the impact of online technology and social media on adolescent social and psychological development. Her research aims to explore adolescents' use of digital platforms and their developmental effects, providing insights into the challenges faced by today's adolescents and their parents. Dr. Ellis is the author of over 30 papers published in refereed journals and has presented this work in over 50 presentations at international conferences.

Education

• Ph.D., Developmental Psychology, University of Western Ontario, 2005
• M.A., Life-Span Developmental Psychology, Brock University, 2001
• B.A. (Hons.), Psychology, Memorial University of Newfoundland, 1999

Teaching

• Survey Design and Construction 3840
• Social Relationships in Childhood and Adolescence 3781
• Honors Thesis 4891

Research

• Social Media and Adolescent Adjustment
• Bullying
• Children’s Friendships and Peer Groups

Selected Publications

Ellis, W., Talebi, S., Dumas, T., & Forbes, L. (2022). Adolescents’ physical activity and psychological adjustment across the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Journal of Physical Activity and Health. https://doi.org/10.1123/jpah.2022-0018. 

Dumas, T., Ellis, W., Hedger, S., Litt, D., MacDonald, M. (2022) Lockdown, bottoms up? Changes in adolescent substance use across the COVID-19 pandemic. Addictive Behaviors. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2022.107326. 

Ellis, W., Dumas, T., Hutchinson, L., Talebi, S. (2022). Staying safe or staying popular? Popularity and reputation concerns predict adherence and adjustment during the COVID-19 pandemic, Youth & Society. https://doi.org/10.1177/0044118X221074383 

Jackson, L.M. & Ellis, W. E. (2022). Prejudice in children, adolescents, and adults. In B. Halpern-Felsher (Ed.), The Encyclopedia of Child and Adolescent Health. Stanford, CA:Elsevier.

Ellis, W., Dumas, T., & Forbes, L. (2020). Physically isolated but socially connected: Psychological adjustment and stress among adolescents during the initial COVID-19 crisis. Canadian Journal of Behavioural Sciences. 52(3), 177-187. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/cbs0000215 

Dumas, T, Ellis, W. & Litt, D. (2020). What does adolescent substance use look like during the COVID-19 pandemic? Examining changes in frequency, social contexts and pandemic-related predictors. Journal of Adolescent Health. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2020.06.021