Megan Ames

Interests

• depression and mental health in young people
• health behaviours and health promotion
• experiences of autistic postsecondary students
• longitudinal research design and statistical analyses

Faculty bio

My research focuses on the connection between mental and physical health. I am especially interested in this connection during early adolescence through young adulthood. This developmental period is critical, as it carries risks of declining mental health and unhealthy behaviours.

I use developmental psychopathology and life course health approaches, along with long-term, person-centered, and intensive repeated methods. These tools allow me to study how mental health, health behaviours and risks change over time.

I also study how mental health treatments can use health behaviour strategies for better prevention and intervention. My goal is to promote well-being and reduce health risks for teens and young adults. I am also interested in supporting autistic students in postsecondary settings.

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

Representative publications

Ryan, J.E.H., Menuz, T.R. and Ames, M.E. (2024). Motivation matters: Understanding the antidepressant mechanism of physical activity among emerging adults. International Journal of Exercise Science, 17(5), 861-873. 

Coombs, E.C., Vincent, J., McMorris, C. A. and Ames, M.E. (2023). Barriers and facilitators to supporting Canadian autistic postsecondary students: Experiences of accessible learning staff and administrators. Research on Autism Spectrum Disorders. 

Ames, M.E., Robillard, C.L., Ryan., J.E.H., Merrin, G.J. and Turner, B. (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. 

Craig, S., Ames, M.E., Bondi, B.C. and Pepler, D.J. (2022). Canadian adolescents’ mental health and substance use during the COVID-19 pandemic: Associations with COVID-19 stressors. Canadian Journal of Behavioural Science, 55(1), 46–55.