SFU’s newly finalized Institute for Reduction of Youth Violence hopes to challenge the status quo by fostering multidisciplinary research while influencing the decisions of Canadian legislators. Directed by Robert McMahon, psychology professor at SFU, the institute is ultimately focused on “finding better ways to prevent and treat conduct problems in children and youth.”
Mental Health America defines conduct disorder as “a repetitive and persistent pattern of behavior in children and adolescents in which the rights of others or basic social rules are violated.” Behaviors characteristic of conduct disorder include aggression, such as bullying or fighting, deliberate destruction of others’ property, deceitfulness, theft, and refusal to follow rules.
“Theres no one single risk factor for conduct problems,” explained McMahon. “It’s very clear that for some kids, it’s more nurture than other influences, but for other kids it’s clear that there might also be some kind of temperamental disposition. And it’s almost always a mixture of nature and nurture. The earlier you can intervene with these kids, the more likely you are to be successful.”
The institute, to be located at SFU’s Burnaby campus, will be funded by a $250,000 grant from the Canadian Foundation for Innovation (CFI). According to the CFI website, the grant “allows researchers to push the boundaries of knowledge, explore the unknown and generate exciting outcomes that benefit humankind. It helps institutions attract, retain and train the top researchers from around the globe and fosters collaboration . . . across many disciplines.”
This collaboration is just what McMahon had in mind when he agreed to direct the institute. He hopes that the institute will bring together international researchers with diverse expertise who will further examine the prevention, treatment, and understanding of conduct disorders.
“There are plenty of other disciplines that have important things to contribute,” said McMahon. “And I think there could be a lot of value added by pooling our knowledge . . . [we need to listen to] people who are looking at genetics, epidemiology, education, and economics, not just the clinical psychologists.”
Although McMahon acknowledges that much of the research done in the States on conduct disorders is applicable to the Canadian context, he feels that a Canadian solution is more likely to emerge with data taken from a Canadian population.
“We’re a very multicultural society, and there is a tremendous number of youth who are in rural or isolated areas where there has been much less research done,” said McMahon. “Therefore, I think it’s important to focus on Canadian needs and the needs of kids in BC and their families.”
McMahon’s ultimate goal for the Institute, apart from being a leader in developing integrated studies and effective interventions, transverses into the political realm. “We need to play a role in influencing social policy,” stated McMahon. “We need to make sure legislators know, at all different levels, what is effective and what is ineffective.”
