My general research interests are in the area of positive youth development, with a particular interest in the role of extracurricular activity participation. More specifically, my research focuses on the different types of activities (particularly sports activities) in which adolescents participate, and how this might predict positive developmental indices such as self-esteem, body esteem, self-efficacy and leadership ability. I am also interested in peer relations during adolescence and emerging adulthood, both at the group level and with respect to dyadic or specific friendship relations. My most recent research focuses on emerging adulthood and the transition to university, examining individual and relational factors which might impact this transition.
Gadbois, S., Bowker, A., Rose-Krasnor, L, & Findlay, L. (2019). A qualitative examination of psychologically engaging sport, non-sport, and unstructured activities. The Sports Psychologist.
Schubert, N. & Bowker, A. (2017). Examining the imposter phenomenon in relation to self esteem level and self esteem instability. Current Psychology, doi: 10.1007/s12144-017-9650-4
Bowker, A. & Ramsay, K. (2016). Friendship characteristics. In R.J.R. Levesque (Editor in Chief), Encyclopedia of Adolescence, 2nd Ed., 1080-1086.
Ramey, H., Rose-Krasnor, L., Bussieri, M., Gadbois, S., Bowker, A., & Findlay, L. (2015). Measuring psychological engagement in youth activity involvement. Journal of Adolescence. 45, 237-249.
