Dr Michelle Byrne (Monash University)
Lowe Theatre, L1, Redmond Barry Building, Parkville VIC 3052
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Social Stress and Puberty in Adolescent Girls and LGBTQIA+ Youth
During puberty, adolescents undergo a social reorientation and substantial neurobiological development to shape their social processing and self-identity. Dr. Byrne’s talk will focus on research unveiling the heightened risk of depression and internalising problems amongst adolescent girls who experience early puberty compared to their peers. Central to this discussion is the concept of “self-social stress”, a type of stress emphasising the impact of peer social evaluation that is specific to self-identity. Furthermore, it will explore how these insights extend to adolescents with diverse sexual orientations and gender identities, especially given the mental and physical health disparities they face compared to their cisgender and heterosexual peers, and how future research on puberty and mental health can serve this population.
About Dr Michelle Byrne
Dr. Michelle Byrne is a Senior Lecturer in Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience at the Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health and School of Psychological Sciences at Monash University. She received her postdoctoral training under an NIH K award in developmental social neuroscience and puberty research at the University of Oregon, USA, under the mentorship of Jennifer Pfeifer, Nick Allen, and Elizabeth “Birdie” Shirtcliff. At Monash, she now focuses on the effect of minority stress and measurement of puberty in LGBTQIA+ adolescents. The aim of this program of research is to work with LGBTIQA+ communities and allies in a co-design framework and eventually provide evidence to inform public policy and education. This evidence should motivate us, as a broader society, to function in a more inclusive and less violent way, and ultimately reduce mental health disparities in this community.
Announcements on upcoming Colloquiums are sent out via the MSPS School Colloquium mailing list. To be added to this list, please email Dr Sarah Tashjian (sarah.tashjian@unimelb.edu.au)