Research Interests

In my program of research over the past 12 years, I have examined bullying problems from a developmental psychopathology perspective. I argue that this type of aggressive behaviour merits attention because it underlies many problems related to interpersonal violence in Canada. Bullying is a relationship problem - it is the assertion of ________ (Pepler & Craig, 2000). With repeated bullying, the power relations between bullies and their victims become consolidated: bullies increase in power and victims lose power. In such a relationship, children who are being bullied become increasingly powerless to defend themselves. From a developmental perspective, the lessons learned in bullying within peer relationships generalize to other developmentally significant relationships. I have conducted a 7 year longitudinal study aimed at understanding the biological, psychological, and social factors related to bullying problems. In addition, I have conducted several intervention studies evaluating the effectiveness of programs to address bullying.

More recently, I am a co-leader of a national strategy addressing bullying where we are moving our scientific understanding of bullying into practise and evaluation. The goal of the PREVNet (Promoting Relationships and Eliminating Violence) to generate social-cultural change in Canada regarding power and aggression in relationships by providing National Organizations ________ h the research knowledge and capacity to adapt and disseminate scientific knowledge and technology to build awareness, change attitudes, assess the extent of bullying and victimization problems, implement evidenced-based strategies, and develop policies that support these activities. Through these partnerships between researchers, NGOs, and governments, the outcomes of improved understanding and practice will enhance social capital, promote mental and physical health, promote healthy relationships and school engagement, and prevent crime, and decrease bullying in Canada.

Selected Publications

 Pepler, D. J., Jiang, D., Craig, W. M. (in press). Developmental Trajectories of Bullying and Associated Factors. Developmental Psychology.

Craig, W. M., & Pepler, D. J. (2007). Understanding bullying: From research to policy. Canadian Psychology, 48, 86-93.

Volk, A., Craig, W. M., Boyce, W., King, M. (2007). Perceptions of Parents, Mental Health, and School Amongst Canadian Adolescents from the Provinces and the Northern Territories. Canadian Journal of School Psychology.

Craig, W.M., Pepler, D. J., & Blais, J. (2007). Responding to bullying: What works? International Journal of School Psychology, 28, 15-24.

Cummings, J., Pepler, D. J., Mishna, F., & Craig, W. M. (2006). Bullying and victimization among children with exceptionalities. Exceptional Education Canada, 16, 193-222.

Pepler, D. J., Waddell, J., Jiang, Depeng, Craig, W. M., Connolly, J., & Lamb, J. (2006). Aggressive Girls' Health and Parent-Daughter Conflict. Women's Health and Urban Life, 5, 25-41.

Friendlander, L., Connolly, J,, Pepler, D. J., & Craig, W. M. (in press). Biological, Familial, and Peer Influences on Dating in Early Adolescence. Archives of Sexual Behaviour.

McKenny, Katherine, S., Pepler, Debra, Craig, W. M., & Connolly, Jennifer. (2006). Peer victimization and psychosocial adjustment: The experiences of Canadian immigrant youth. Electronic Journal of Research in Educational Psychology, 9, 239-264.

Kuntsche, E., Overpeck, M. A., Pickett, W., Craig, W. M., Boyce, W. & Gaspar de Matos, M. (2006). Television viewing and forms of bullying among adolescents from 8 countries. Journal of Adolescent Health, 39, 908-915.

Pepler, D., Craig, W., Connolly, J., Yuile, A., McMaster, L., & Jiang, D. (2006). A developmental perspective on bullying. Aggressive Behavior, 32, 376-384.

Pickett, W., Dostaler, S., Craig, W., Janssen, I., Simpson, K., Shelley, S. D., & Boyce, W. F. (2006). Associations between risk behavior and injury and the protective roles of social environments: An analysis of 7235 Canadian school children. Injury Prevention, 12, 87-92.

Reilly, N, Craig, W. M., & Parker, K. (2006). Parent, and peer characteristics related to Attention Deficit Disorder in school aged children. Journal of Attention Disorders, 9, 596-598.

Volk, A., Craig, W. M., Boyce, W., King, M. (2006).Adolescent risk correlates of bullying and different types of victimization. International Journal of Adolescent Medicine and Health, 18, 375-386.

Pepler, Debra, J., Craig, W.M. & O'Connell, P. (in press). The International Handbook of School Bullying. Shane R. Jimerson, Susan M. Swearer, and Dorothy L. Espelage (Eds.) Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Inc. Mahwah, New Jersey

Pepler, D. & Craig, W. (in press). Peer Dynamics in Bullying: Considerations for Social Architecture in Schools. In J. Lupart & A. McKeogh. Building Capacity for Diversity in Canadian Schools, Fitzhenry & Whiteside.

Pepler, D., & Craig, W. (In press). Responding to bullying and harassment: An issue of rights. To appear in W. Boyce & D. Davies (Eds.)Adolescent Health Policy in Canada. Montreal: McGill-Queen's University Press.

Yuille, A., Pepler, D. J., Craig, W. M., & Connolly, J. (2006). The Ethics of Peeking Behind the Fence: Issues related to studying children's aggression and victimization. In B. Leadbeater (Ed.) Ethics of Research with High-Risk Children. University of Toronto Press.