CPA Convention 2024: I Presented my Laidlaw Research at a Convention!
Our imagination is capable of wonderful things—but, I would have never been able to imagine any of this last summer.
I was fortunate enough to discuss my experience of imposter syndrome as an invited speaker at this year's Laidlaw Global Induction Session. Last summer, I had to overcome some internal obstacles to complete my research project. Throughout, I was uncertain if I would even be able to complete my research at times.
"Surely, they made a mistake when they accepted me as a Laidlaw Scholar..."
"This is my first time doing independent research EVER...how did I get here?!"
These are only snippets of the myriad of self-doubt thoughts that I had last summer. Lo and behold, here I am writing about presenting said research at the Canadian Psychological Association Convention 2024, which took place a couple of weeks ago in Ottawa. I was able to proudly share my findings relating to the mediating role of self-regulation in the relationship between childhood adversity and childhood aggression within low-socioeconomic populations.
I would have never been able to imagine this moment last summer. We love envisioning future scenarios to protect ourselves, to predict our lives, to feel more self-efficacious—but I am here to tell you that there is a beauty in not being able to predict where you will be going. There is a terrifying "letting go" that happens where you simply must embrace the freefall of unpredictable circumstances (and opportunities!) coming your way.
To any scholar feeling doubtful right now during their first summer of the Laidlaw Scholar experience, please know that I have walked that path and am here to tell you that there is light at the end of the tunnel. Please feel free to reach out at any time!
Hello! I am a senior undergraduate student in the Psychology Research program at the University of Toronto. I am passionate about children's mental health and the many ways that youth can overcome adversity. I am especially interested in developing interventions that promote resilience for survivors of childhood adversity. I balance this emotionally heavy passion with a deep appreciation of the world of comedy. This entails performing comedic improvisations at various venues in the city. As such, I am also fascinated by the relationship between comedy and mental health.
My Summer 1 research project explored the relationship between childhood adversity, childhood aggression, and childhood self-regulation.
My Summer 2 Leadership-in-Action project involved me independently developing and implementing a comedy-based psychosocial intervention for teenagers experiencing adversity at SOS Children's Villages in Cape Town, South Africa.
Please feel free to reach out to connect :)
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This is incredible, Youness! And so well deserved! You will do so many amazing things- and this is just the start :)
Thank you (as always!), Emma!