Developmental Processes in Health and Well-Being Lab

Developmental Processes in Health and Well-Being Lab We are a research lab in the Child and Youth Studies Department at Brock University in St Catharines, Ontario led by Dr. Danielle Molnar.

Our research tends to focus on the following topics, particularly during adolescence and young adulthood:
•Personality (e.g., perfectionism)
•Physical and mental health
•Social connection
•Social media use
•Performance activities (e.g., competitive dance)
•Key periods of transition during these life periods (e.g., transitioning from high school to postsecondary education)

People in our lab:
•

Dr. Danielle Molnar (Lab director - Assistant Professor, Department of Child and Youth Studies, Brock University)
•Dr. Dawn Zinga (Collaborator - Professor, Department of Child and Youth Studies, Brock University - Associate Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences, Brock University)
•Dr. Natalie Spadafora (Collaborator)
•Melissa Blackburn (Graduate student)
•Rachel Ray (Graduate student)
•Vanessa Zarb (Graduate student)
•Natalie Tacuri (Research assistant)
•Madison Furgiuele (Research assistant)
•Victoria Dewar (Research assistant)
•Hanna Puffer (Research assistant)
•Josie Steen (Research assistant)
•Kayleigh Matthews (Research assistant)

04/29/2026

Regardless of where you are in life, you will find yourself doubting your actions, feeling lost or like you aren't doing enough.

The goal of this series is to showcase real life stories of times where we once felt like we were doing it all wrong but came out realizing we never had to perfect.

Follow us through the many stories of students, professors and the community who will all get a chance to talk with their younger selves...

Welcome to the Dear Younger Me Series 🌱 directed by Emma Boyd.

SRA 2026 ✨📖Tabitha Leishman presenting her fabulous poster! Self Under Siege: The Inner Critic in Adolescent Perfectioni...
04/27/2026

SRA 2026 ✨📖
Tabitha Leishman presenting her fabulous poster!
Self Under Siege: The Inner Critic in Adolescent Perfectionism

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How do perfectionistic teens relate to themselves?

Using qualitative methods, this study found that adolescents who identify as perfectionists tend to experience a persistent and overly critical inner voice.

Sometimes the perfectionistic teens reported feeling good about themselves, but it was usually tied to achievements and success and the feel-good moments were less enduring than their self-criticism.

It’s interesting to note that both perfectionistic and non-perfectionistic adolescents described similar ways of managing pressure, but only perfectionists still reported a chronic harsh inner voice.

These findings point to the possibility that supporting perfectionist teens may require focusing more on their underlying self-concept and the way that they relate to themselves, not just their coping strategies.

Check out this poster in the Plaza Building Floor 5, across from the elevators! 💙

Just back from the SRA 2026 Biennial Meeting in Toronto, and I’m still thinking about what an energizing weekend it was....
04/22/2026

Just back from the SRA 2026 Biennial Meeting in Toronto, and I’m still thinking about what an energizing weekend it was. I had the chance to present alongside my PhD student, Melissa Blackburn, in our symposium, “Each of Us, All of Us: Adolescent Thriving in an Interconnected World.”

Many thanks to Kathryn Fletcher from Ball State University for bringing together such a thoughtful and engaging session. Her talk was excellent, and it was a highlight to see Melissa deliver an excellent presentation.

One of the most engaged audiences I’ve been part of in a long time. Everyone was really tuned in, asking thought-provoking questions and sharing perspectives that kept the conversation going well beyond the session.

It was great to meet new colleagues and have such meaningful exchanges about how we can better understand and support teens as they face real pressures and challenges.

If you want to learn more about perfectionism in teens please check out the links in our bio!

This is a personal one for me. The kids who always seem ‘fine’ or who are ‘high achieving’ are often carrying more than ...
04/13/2026

This is a personal one for me. The kids who always seem ‘fine’ or who are ‘high achieving’ are often carrying more than we realize. The kids who excel in school and don’t make noise are sometimes the ones who are secretly holding themselves to impossible standards and struggling under the weight.

Perfectionism doesn’t always look like struggle. Sometimes it appears as success, at least on the outside.

This one is for parents, teachers, and staff. It is worth looking a little closer. Read it here: https://brocku.ca/dphwb/2026/04/09/trapped-in-the-painting-perfectionism-and-the-school-conveyor-belt/

Come check out DPHWB Lab’s latest poster on Plaza Floor 5 ✨What does Perfectionism look like in students? From classroom...
04/07/2026

Come check out DPHWB Lab’s latest poster on Plaza Floor 5 ✨
What does Perfectionism look like in students?

From classroom behaviours to emotional impacts, we’re breaking down how perfectionism shows up in school, how it affects students and where it comes from 📚💭
Stop by and take a look!

We often hear messages like “you can achieve anything if you work hard enough.” But the idea that people are limitless c...
03/12/2026

We often hear messages like “you can achieve anything if you work hard enough.” But the idea that people are limitless can actually create unrealistic expectations about success and productivity.

Constant pressure to push harder and do more can contribute to perfectionism, burnout, and poorer mental health. In reality, humans have natural limits and recognizing them can help us pursue goals in healthier, more sustainable ways.

💪Success doesn’t require endless hustle, it requires sustainability.

📖 Want to learn more about the myth of “unlimited” potential and its impact on well-being?
Check out our latest blog post at brocku.ca/dphwb/2026/03

  

📣 Check out our new blog post that takes a closer look at how perfectionism can develop in response to adverse childhood...
02/24/2026

📣 Check out our new blog post that takes a closer look at how perfectionism can develop in response to adverse childhood experiences.

Often praised as a strength, perfectionism can actually begin as protection, a coping mechanism that develops in early environments where safety, stability, or acceptance feel uncertain. Beneath the surface, it may be less about achievement and more about avoiding criticism, rejection, or harm.

This week in The Young & The Perfectionistic blog we examine the roots of perfectionistic tendencies and why they can be so difficult to let go of.

Explore the full post below.
https://brocku.ca/dphwb/2026/02/20/when-perfectionism-isnt-about-achievement-its-about-survival/

02/19/2026

The reality is perfectionists succeed in spite of success, not because of it. Others are often paralyzed with fear of failure.

02/12/2026

Myth: Perfectionists have it all together.
The reality is perfectionism often masks high stress, self-doubt and fear of failure. It doesn’t eliminate it.

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Saint Catharines, ON
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