Jennifer A Connolly

Faculty & School/Dept.

Faculty of Health - Department of Psychology

Degrees

B.A. - 1973
Smith College

Ph.D. - 1981
Concordia University

M.A - 1976
University of Ottawa

Selected Publications

Baird, K., & Connolly, J. (2025). Commentary: Digital Traps: The Critical Role of Online Encounters in the Entrapment of Minors in Sex Trafficking, Trauma, Violence and Abuse, Vol. 26(1) 199 –201. https://us.sagepub.com/en-us/journals-permissions

 

Benvenuto, K., & Connolly, J. (2025). Struggling, Alone, and Exposed: The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Risk of Sex Trafficking Among Adolescents Involved in Child-Welfare Services. Child Welfare. Pp. 201-215.

 

Chan, S., Estill, A., Leidershnaider, L., Rawana, J.S., & Connolly, C. (Submitted). Listening to the voices of youth previously in the care of child welfare to understand their readiness for transition from care to adulthood. Children and Youth Services Review

 

Chan, S., Wincentak K., & Connolly, J. (2024). Conflicts with Friends and Romantic Partners: Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis of the Experiences of Girls in Care. Child & Family Social Work.

 

MacDonald, K., Fisher, R., & Connolly, J. (2024). START with the YOUTH (STAR-Y): An exploratory evaluation of a model of care for youth who are at risk of sexual exploitation and human trafficking. Child and Family Social Work, 201-215

 

MacDonald, K., Fisher, R., & Connolly, J. (2022). Building a specialized model of care for youth involved in sex trafficking in child welfare: A systematic review and interviews with experts-by-experience. Child Abuse & Neglect, pp 230-245

 

Volk, A. A., Leach, A.-M., Connolly, J. A., Lawford, H. L., & Bukowski, W. M. (2022, December 15). Demystifying SSHRC Psychology Insight Grants: Reviewers’ Perspectives. Canadian Psychology / Psychologie canadienne. Advance online publication. https://dx.doi.org/10.1037/cap0000353

 

Khanlou N, Vazquez LM, Pashang S, Connolly JA, Ahmad F, & Ssawe A. (2021).  Syndemic: Convergence of COVID-19, gender-based violence, and racism pandemics.  Journal of Racial and Ethnic Disparities.  DOI: 10.1007/s40615-021-01146-w. 

 

Baird, K., & Connolly, J. (2021). Recruitment and Entrapment Pathways of Minors into Sex Trafficking in Canada and the United States: A Systematic Review. Trauma, Violence and Abuse, pp 1-14

 

Asghari, M., Cochrane-Brinks, K, & Connolly, J. (2021). Peer and Dating Aggression Among Early Adolescents Boys and Girls Admitted to a Secure Inpatient Psychiatric Unit: Gender difference and links with Maltreatment, Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment and Trauma.

 

McDonald, K. P., Connolly, J. C., Roberts, S. D., Ford, M. K., Westmacott, R., Dlamini, N., Tam, E. W. Y., & Williams, T. (2020). A tool to guide early intervention: The adapted Response to Stress Questionnaire for parents following neonatal brain injury. Journal of Pediatric Psychology.

Connolly, J., & Benvenuto, K. (In press). Early Adversity and Sexuality in Emerging Adulthood.   E. Morgan and M. Van Dulmen (Eds), Sexuality in Emerging Adulthood, Oxford University Press.

Asghari, M., Cochrane-Brinks, K, & Connolly, J. (2020). Peer and Dating Aggression Among Early Adolescents Boys and Girls Admitted to a Secure Inpatient Psychiatric Unit: Gender difference and links with Maltreatment, Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment and Trauma.

Connolly J., & McDonald, K. (2020) Cross-cultural perspectives on dating and marriage.  Encyclopedia of Child and Adolescent Development, Wiley-Blackwell Press.

McDonald, K. P., Connolly, J. C., Roberts, S. D., Ford, M. K., Westmacott, R., Dlamini, N., Tam, E. W. Y., & Williams, T. (2020). A tool to guide early intervention: The adapted Response to Stress Questionnaire for parents following neonatal brain injury. Journal of Pediatric Psychology.

Baird, K., McDonald, K., and Connolly, J. (2019), Sex Trafficking of Women and Girls in a Southern Ontario Region: Police File Review Exploring Victim Characteristics, Trafficking Experiences and the Intersection with Child Welfare, Canadian Journal of Behavioural Science, 52, 8-17.

Gennis, H., Di Lorenzo, M., Speigal, R., Martin, J., Connolly, J., & Pillai-Riddell, R. (2019) Does exposure to university researchers improve undergraduate perceptions of research?: A quasi cluster-randomized controlled trial. Innovations in Education and Teaching Internationa, 57, 14-23l.

Heifetz, M., Lake, J., Isaacs, B., Weis, J., & Connolly, J. (2019). Dating and romantic relationships of adolescents with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Journal of Adolescence, 79, 39-48.

Joly, L., & Connolly, J. (2019). It Can Be Beautiful or Destructive: Street-Involved Youth’s Perceptions of Their Romantic Relationships and Resilience, Journal of Adolescence, 70, 43-52

Connolly, J., Wincentak, K., and Baird, K. (2018) Dating across the life span. Marc Bornstein (Ed), SAGE Encyclopedia of Lifespan Human Development.

Kim, T.H.M., Connolly, J.A., Rotondi, M., & Tamim, H. (2018). Characteristics of positive-interaction parenting style among primparous teenage, optimal age, and advanced age mothers in Canada. BMC Pediatrics, 18(2). DOI 10.1186/s12887-017-0972-z

Leadbeater, B., Temple, J., and Connolly, J. (2018). Changing Your Status in a Changing World: It Is Complicated! A Developmental Systems Framework for Understanding Dating Violence in Adolescents and Young Adults. D. Wolfe & J. Temple (Eds), Adolescent Dating Violence: Theory, Research, and Prevention. Academic Press.

Yu, R., De Bongardt, D., Josephson, W., Pepler, D. and Connolly, J. (2018).  Internalizing symptoms and dating violence perpetration in adolescence. Journal of Adolescence. 69, 88-91.

Bravo, V., Connolly, J., & McIsaac, C. (2017) Why did it end? Break-up reasons of youth of different gender, dating stages and ages. Emerging Adulthood, xx, 1-11

Connolly, J. A., Baird, K., Bravo, V., Lovald, B., Craig, W., Pepler, D. (2017) Adolescents’ Use of Affiliative and Aggressive Strategies During Conflict With Same-Sex Best-Friends and Romantic Partners. In Van de Bongardt, D., Yu, R., Deković, M., & Meeus, W. (Eds.), Romantic relationships and sexuality in adolescence and young adulthood: The role of parents, peers and partners. Oxfordshire, U.K.: Routledge, Taylor & Francis Books (ISBN: 978-1-138-20991-6)

Joly, L., & Connolly, J. (2016). Dating Violence Among High Risk Young Women: A Systematic Review Using Quantitative and Qualitative Methods. Behavioral Sciences. 6(1), 7; doi:10.3390/bs6010007

Lougheed, J. P., Craig, W. M., Pepler, D., Connolly, J., O’Hara, A., Granic, I., & Hollenstein, T. (2016). Maternal and peer regulation of adolescent emotion: Associations with depression symptoms. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 44, 963-974.

Wincentak, K., Connolly, J., & Card, N. (2016). Teen Dating Violence: A Meta-Analytic Review of Prevalence Rates. Psychology of Violence. Advance Publication doi.org/10.1037/a0040194

Connolly, J. A., Baird, K., Bravo, V., Lovald, B., Craig, W., Pepler, D. (2015) Adolescents’ Use of Affiliative and Aggressive Strategies During Conflict With Same-Sex Best-Friends and Romantic Partners. European Journal of Developmental Psychology, 24, 1-16. DOI: 10.1080/17405629.2015.1066244

Dhayanandham, B., Bohr, Y., & Connolly, J. (2015). Developmental task attainment and child abuse potential in at-risk adolescent mothers. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 24, 1987-1998.

Schnoll, J., Connolly, J., Josephson, W., & Jiang, D. (2015) Same-and cross-gender sexual harassment victimization is middle school: A developmental-contextual perspective. Journal of School Violence DOI:10.1080/15388220.2014.906311

Shulman, S., & Connolly, J. (2015) Romantic Relationships. In J. Arnett, Oxford Handbook of Emerging Adulthood, Oxford University Press

Yamada, S., Pepler, D., Jiang, D., Cappadocia, C., Craig, W., & Connolly, (2015). J. Developmental trajectories of adolescent substance abuse. Journal Of Child & Adolescent Substance Abuse, 2016, 16(1)http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/1067828X.2014.884482

Connolly, J. (2014). Outcomes in Emerging Adulthood for Maltreated Youth: A Clinical-Developmental Approach. Child Maltreatment,  DOI: 10.1177/1077559514557932

Connolly, J. et al., (2014). Development of Romantic Relationships In Adolescence and

Emerging Adulthood: Implications for Community Mental Health. Canadian Journal of CommunityMental Health, 33, 7-19. doi:10.7870/cjcmh-2014-002

Connolly, J., & Gordon, R. (2014). Co-Victims of Homicide: A Systematic Review of the Literature, Journal of Trauma, Violence and Abuse, 1-12,

Connolly, J., Heifetz, M., & Boislard, M. (2014). Romantic Relationships in adolescence. M. Claes (Ed.). Development in Adolescence. University of Montreal Press.

Connolly, J., Josephson, W., Schnoll, J., Simkins-Strong, E., Pepler, D., McPherson, A., Moran, M., Weiser, J., & Moore, L. (2014). Evaluation of a school-based, peer-led program for preventing bullying, sexual harassment, and dating aggression in middle schools. Journal of Early Adolescence. Published online October 2014 DOI: 10.1177/0272431614535090.

Kim, T., Connolly, J., & Tamim, H. (2014). The effect of social support around pregnancy on postpartum depression among Canadian teen mothers and adult mothers in the maternity experiences survey. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 14:162-173.  doi:10.1186/1471-2393-14-162

Rawana, J.S., & Connolly, J. (2014).  Connecting research with policy and practice in Ontario: Creating a common understanding of youth development: An Introduction. Canadian Journal of Community Mental Health, 3, 1-6.

Tamim, H., Al-Sahab, B., and Connolly, J. (2014). Teen Motherhood in Canada. In, A.    

Michaelos (Ed.). Encyclopedia of Quality of Life and Well-Being Research (pp. 6594-6599). . Springer Press.

Zimmer-Gembeck, M., Arnhold, V., & Connolly, J.(2014). Intercorrelations of Intimacy and Identity Dating Goals, and Relationship Behaviors and Satisfaction within Heterosexual    Young Couples, Social Sciences, 3, 44-59.

Connolly, J., Nguyen, H., Pepler, D., Craig, W., & Jiang, D. (2013). Developmental trajectories of romantic stages in adolescence, Journal of Adolescence, 36(6), 1013-1024

Dhariwal, A., & Connolly, J. (2013).  Romantic Experiences of Homeland and Diaspora          South Asian Youth: Westernizing Processes of Media and Friends, Journal of Research    on Adolescence, 23(1), 45-56.

Friedlander, L.,  Connolly, J., Pepler, D., & Craig, W. (2013). Extensiveness and   persistence of aggressive media as longitudinal risk factors for teen dating violence. Psychology of Violence.3(4), 310-322.

Shulman, S., & Connolly, J. (2013). The challenge of romantic relationships in emerging adulthood: Reconceptualization of the field. Emerging Adulthood. 1, 1-13.

Connolly, J.A., & Joly, L. (August 2012). Evaluating Outreach Programs for Street-Involved Youth: Systematic Review of Quantitative and Qualitative Research. Clinical Psychology Review, 32, 524-534.

Connolly, J., Heifetz, M. & Bohr, Y. (2012). Pregnancy and motherhood among adolescent girls in child protective services: A meta-synthesis of qualitative research. Journal of Public Child Welfare. 6(5), 614-635.

Shulman, S., Zlotnik, A., Shachar-Shapiro, L., Connolly, J., & Bohr, Y. (2012). Adolescent Daughters' Romantic Competence: The Role of Divorce, Quality of Parenting, and Maternal Romantic History.  Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 41 (5), 593-606.

Zimmer-Gembeck, M., Hughes, N., Kelly, M., & Connolly, J. (August 2012).Intimacy, Identity, and Status: Measuring dating goal in late adolescence and emerging adulthood. Motivation and Emotion, 36 , 311-322..

Affiliations

Canadian Psychological Association

Ontario Psychological Association

Society for Research on Adolescence

American Psychological Association

Society for Research in Child Development

Partnerships

YRCAS/SMFC/TeenRelationshipsLab
University Lead

Service/Community Activities

Executive Member LaMarsh Centre for Child and Youth Research

Registered Psychologist – Province of Quebec

Awards

Friend of East Metro Youth Services 2010 - 2010

Fellow, Canadian Psychological Association - 2008

York University Faculty Association Merit Award - 2009

York University Faculty Association Merit Award - 2008

York University Faculty Association Merit Award - 2007

York University Faculty Association Merit Award - 2006

York University Faculty Association Merit Award - 2005

Supervision

Currently available to supervise graduate students: No

Currently taking on work-study students, Graduate Assistants or Volunteers: No

Available to supervise undergraduate thesis projects: No

Current Research

Dr. Connolly is a Professor in the Department of Psychology and the current Department Chair. Broadly speaking she studies adolescent development and mental health with a central focus on the role of role of relationships in promoting resilience, especially those who are under stress and have experienced adversity. Within this research framework her research examines 1) the intersection of romantic relationships and gender based violence. And 2) how a person’s closest relationships, with caregivers, friends and romantic partners, promote coping and resilience or conversely undermine positive adaptation. In partnership with community agencies (York Region Children’s Aid Society and York Region Police) she is conducting research on sex trafficking of underage girls, including identification of risk factors and evidence-based early intervention

Research Projects

Role: Co-Principal Investigator
Funded by: Canada Foundation for Innovation

1. Project Uriel: Sex Trafficking Risk Assessment (in partnership with YRCAS and YRP).
Role: Principal Investigator
Year Funded: 2020
Duration: 3
Funded by: Other...
Other funding: Proceeds of Crime Community Policing Grant

2. Youth in Child Welfare and the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Impact of COVID-19 on Risky Behaviours of Youth in Care
Role: Principal Investigator
Year Funded: 2020
Duration: 2
Funded by: Other...
Other funding: Special Funding York University Seed Grant

3. Development and Evaluation of Best Practice Therapeutic Foster Care for Sex Trafficked Girls
(with Simcoe County Children’s Aid Society and York Region Children’s Aid Society).
Role: Principal Investigator
Year Funded: 2017
Duration: 7
Funded by: Other...
Other funding: Anti-Human Trafficking Community Grant, Province of Ontario

4. Project Gabriel: Understanding Pathways to Underage Sex Trafficking.
(with York Region Police Services)
Role: Principal Investigator
Year Funded: 2017
Duration: 5
Funded by: Other...
Other funding: Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services.

5. Project Cassiel: Sex Trafficking of Girls and Women in York Region.
(with York Region Police Services and York Region Children’s Aid Society).
Role: Principal Investigator
Year Funded: 2016
Duration: 2
Funded by: Other...
Other funding: : Police Services Grant

6. Making Relationships Safe: A Study of the Romantic Experiences of Girls in Child Protective Services.
Role: Principal Investigator
Year Funded: 2014
Duration: 3
Funded by: Other...
Other funding: WomensXchange Program, Women’s College Hospital

8. Dissolution of Romantic Relationships in Adolescence: Developmental Features, Predictors, and Psychosocial Consequences
Role: Principal Investigator
Funded by: Other...
Other funding: Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council

Conceptualizing a Multicomponent Service Delivery Framework for Youth with Experiences of Sex Trafficking and Homelessness
Role: CoInvestigator
Amount funded: $50000.00
Year Funded: 2024
Duration: 2
Funded by: Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council

Cultivating resiliency among underserved university students: Developing a brief intervention to promote well-being among first-generation emerging adults
Role: CoInvestigator
Amount funded: $49910.00
Year Funded: 2024
Duration: 2
Funded by: Other...
Other funding: Accelerator Grant LaMarsh Centre for Child and Youth Research

Supporting Mental Health, Resilience, and Emotional Development Among Historically Underserved Youth: A Scaling-Up of the Community-Based Milestone Program for Older Youth Transitioning out of Child W
Role: Co-Principal Investigator
Amount funded: $90000/00
Year Funded: 2023
Duration: 2
Funded by: Other...
Other funding: LaMarsh Centre for Child and YOuth Research Cooperators Grant

Curriculum Vitae (C.V. file):

CV of Jennifer A Connolly