Megan Ames

My research is centered on understanding how and why mental health concerns (e.g., depression) are associated with health-related symptoms and behaviours from early adolescence into young adulthood. This developmental period has been identified as being at-risk for declines in both mental health and health behaviours. Embedded within developmental psychopathology and life course health approaches, my research uses longitudinal, person-centered, and intensive repeated methods to enhance our understanding of the dynamic associations between mental health, health behaviours, and health risks in adolescent and young adult samples. The goal of my research is to identify how health behaviour strategies may be incorporated into mental health treatments to create effective prevention and intervention efforts that reduce associated health risks and promote well-being among adolescents and young adults. I also hold research interests related to supporting autistic students in postsecondary settings.

As a scientist-practitioner, I provide client-centered psychological services to children, adolescents, and their families presenting with a wide range of concerns.

https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=GY04xSAAAAAJ&hl=en

Interests

• Depression and mental health in young people
• Health behaviours and health promotion
• Experiences of autistic postsecondary students
• Longitudinal research design and statistical analyses

Publications

Ames, M. E., *Robillard, C. L., *Ryan, J. E. H., Merrin, G. J., & Turner, B. J. (2023). Reciprocal associations between physical activity, self-concept, somatic symptoms, and depression from adolescence to young adulthood: Disaggregating within- and between-person effects. Mental Health and Physical Activity, 24. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mhpa.2023.100513

Craig, S., Ames, M. E., Bondi, B. C., & Pepler, D. J. (2023). Canadian adolescents’ mental health and substance use during the COVID-19 pandemic: Associations with COVID-19 stressors. Canadian Journal of Behavioural Science. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/cbs0000305

Ames, M. E., *Robillard, C. L., Turner, B. J., Garcia-Barrera, M., Rush, J., & Craig, S. G. (2022). Associations between physical activity, affect regulation difficulties, and mental health among Canadian adolescents at two different points of the COVID-19 pandemic. Psychology & Health, 1–17. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1080/08870446.2022.2127718

Ames, M. E., *Coombs, C. E. M., *Duerksen, K. N., Vincent, J., & McMorris, C. N. (2022). Canadian mapping of autism-specific supports for postsecondary students. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 90. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rasd.2021.101899

*Duerksen, K., *Besney, R., Ames, M. E., & McMorris, C. M. (2021). Supporting autistic adults in postsecondary settings: A systematic review of peer mentorship programs. Autism in Adulthood, 3, 85-99. https://doi.org/10.1089/aut.2020.0054

Ames, M. E. & Leadbeater, B. J. (2018). Depressive symptoms trajectories and physical health: Persistence of problems from adolescence to young adulthood. Journal of Affective Disorders, 240, 121-129. doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2018.07.001

Ames, M. E., Leadbeater, B. J., & MacDonald, S. W. S. (2018). Health behavior changes in adolescence and young adulthood: Implications for cardiometabolic risk. Health Psychology, 37(2), 103-113. doi: 10.1037/hea0000560