Dr. Kelly Dean Schwartz, Associate Professor & U-CAPES Director

Introduction:

I am an Associate Professor and Director, U of C Applied Psychological and Educational Services (U-CAPES). I received my Ph.D. in social psychology (2002) from the University of Calgary, and my research and teaching interests include the psychosocial factors contributing to adolescent and family development, particularly identity, moral, and faith development.  

As a registered psychologist (1993), I began my career with a Calgary school board and worked extensively with children and adolescents who had severe learning and/or social/emotional needs. Prior to my current appointment, I was on faculty at Ambrose University College for over 12 years where I served as Program Head of Behavioural Science (an interdisciplinary psychology and sociology undergraduate degree program). 

Since 1996, I have also maintained a small but active private practice (PsyConsult) and held numerous contracts with local school boards and as a member of ministery-appointed tribunals with Alberta Education.

Most importantly, I am a husband (Jody) and proud father of three school-age children (Alanna, Adam, and Lauren). I love the Riders, the Flames, 80's rock music, and am constantly on the search for the perfect non-Starbuck's cup of coffee.

Professional and Educational Background:

• Ph.D., Psychology (Social Psychology), University of Calgary, 2002
• Chartered Psychologist, College of Alberta Psychologists, 1993
• M.Sc., Educational Psychology (School and Community Psychology), University of Calgary, 1992
• B.A. (Hons), Psychology, University of Manitoba, 1988

Teaching/Work History:

• Adjunct Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, University of Calgary, 2002 -
• Associate Professor, Behavioural Science, Ambrose University College, 1996-2008
• Psychologist, Student Services, Calgary Catholic Board of Education, 1991 - 1996
• Social Worker, Alberta Family and Social Services, 1988 - 1989

Teaching:

• My current teaching interests include social and emotional development, applied developmental psychology (child and adolescent), social psychology, psychology of family, psychology of religion, and multivariate statistics.

Research:

• My research interests center around the social-developmental factors related to adolescent development (e.g., parent-adolescent-peer relationships, media), family and ecological systems theories, identity and positive youth development, and faith development across the lifespan.

Professional Appointments:

Scientific Advisor, 2006 - The Center for Spiritual Development in Childhood and
Adolescence Search Institute, Minneapolis, MN

Research Fellow, 2006 - Institute of Marriage and Family, Ottawa, ON

Recent Publications:

Schwartz, K. D., Fouts, G. T., & Bukowski, W. (in preparation). Close relationships in
adolescence. Attachments to and social provisions from mother, father, and
friends. Journal of Research on Adolescence.

Elm, S., & Schwartz, K. D. (under review). Are you in or are you out? Exploring the
relationship between independent and dependent living arrangements and psychosocial development during emerging adulthood. Family Relations.

Schwartz, K. D., Warkentin, B., & Wilkinson, M. (2008). Faith-based social services
in North America: A comparison of American and Canadian religious history and
Initiative. Social Work & Christianity: An International Journal, 35(2), 123-147.

Schwartz, K. D. (2008). Adolescent brain development: An oxymoron no longer.
Journal of Youth Ministry, 6(2), 85-93.

Schwartz, K.D. (2006). Transformations in parent and friend faith support
predicting adolescents' religious belief and commitment. International Journal for the Psychology of Religion, 16(4), 311-326.

Powell, K., King, P. E., & Schwartz, K. D. (2006) Holistic ministry in the inner city.
Journal of Student Ministries, 1(4), 26-30.

Schwartz, K. D., Bukowski, W. D., & Aoki, W. (2005). Friends, mentors, and gurus: 
Peer and non-parent adult influences on spiritual development. In P. L. Benson, E. C. Roehlkepartain, P. Ebstyne King, and L. Wagener (Eds.). The handbook of spiritual development in childhood and adolescence. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.

Schwartz, K. D. (2005). The adolescent as theologian. In E. M. Dowling and W. G. 
Scarlett (Eds.). Encyclopedia of spiritual development in childhood and adolescence. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.

Schwartz, K. D. (2005). Peer influence on adolescent faith development. In E. M.
Dowling and W. G. Scarlett (Eds.). Encyclopedia of spiritual development in childhood and adolescence. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.

Schwartz, K. D. (2004). Adolescents and their music: Developmental applications for
youth ministers. Journal of Youth Ministry, 3(1), 47-64.

Schwartz, K. D., & Fouts, G. T. (2003). Music preferences, personality style and
developmental issues of adolescents. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 32(3), 205-213.

Recent Presentations:

Schwartz, K. D., & King, P. E. (August, 2008).  Religious engagement and positive identity
development in urban youth. Paper presented at the 116th Annual Convention of
the American Psychological Association, Boston, MS. 

Schwartz, K. D. (May, 2008). What's right with families? A study of family strengths
through the eyes of adolescents and their parents. Paper presented at the XIth
Biennial EARA (European Association for Research on Adolescence) Conference,
Turin, Italy.

Schwartz, K. D. (March, 2008). Individual and ecological assets contributing to positive
youth development in urban youth. Paper presented at the 12th Biennial Meeting of the
Society  for Research on Adolescence, Chicago, IL.

Schwartz, K. D. (April, 2007). Exploring the presence and absence of individual and
ecological assets in urban children and youth: Does American data help describe the
Canadian condition? Paper presented at the National Learning Summit on Middle Childhood,
Ottawa, ON.

Elm, S., & Schwartz, K. D. (February, 2007). Are you in or are you out? Living
arrangements and psychosocial development during emerging adulthood. Paper
presented at the 3rd Conference on Emerging Adulthood, Tucson, AZ.

Schwartz, K. D., & Fouts, G. T. (November, 2006). Giving and getting: Parent and friend
attachment and social provisions in adolescence.  Paper presented at the
National Council on Family Relations 68th Annual Conference, Minneapolis, MN.

Schwartz, K. D. (October, 2006). City-sized faith: Predicting thriving and risk 0utcomes in urban
and nonurban youth.  Paper presented at the Society for the Scientific Study for Religion,
Portland, OR.

Schwartz, K. D. (June, 2006). Four-sided triangles: Understanding relationship systems
among mothers, fathers, adolescents, and their friends.  Paper presented at the
Northwest Council on Family Relations, Calgary, AB.

Schwartz, K. D., & Fouts, G. T. (2006, June). Arrested family development: Attachment
styles and social provisions contributing to adolescents' relationships with mother, father, and
same-sex friends.  Poster presented at the Annual Meeting of the Canadian Psychological
Association, Calgary, AB.

Schwartz, K. D. (2006, June). Where the streets have no name: Developmental assets
predicting thriving and risk in a sample of American youth. Poster presented at
Annual Meeting of the Canadian Psychological Association, Calgary, AB.

Schwartz, K. D., & King, P. E. (2006, May). Holistic urban youth ministry: Applying two
nationwide studies. Research symposium presented at the Urban Youth Workers
Institute, Azusa, CA.

Schwartz, K. D., & King, P. E. (2006, March). Developmental assets and urban youth.
Paper Symposium at the Biennial Meeting of the Society for Research on Adolescence, San
Francisco, CA.

Elm, S., & Schwartz, K. D. (2006, March). Are you in or are you out?: Living
arrangements and identity development during emerging adulthood. Poster
presented at the Annual Meeting of the Society for Research on Identity
Development, San Francisco, CA.

Service:

• College of Alberta Psychologists - Hearings Tribunal/Complaint Review Committee
• Seed of Hope (Canada) - Board Member