Dr. Kelly Dean Schwartz
Positions
Associate Professor
Werklund School of Education, Specialization, School and Applied Child Psychology
Adjunct Associate Professor
Full Member
Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Mathison Centre for Mental Health Research and Education
Full Member
Mathison Centre for Mental Health Research and Education
Full Member
Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, Owerko Centre
Contact information
Web presence
Phone number
Office: 403.220.3669
Location
Office: EDT528
For media enquiries, contact
Clayton MacGillivray
Content and Media Specialist
Email: clmacgil@ucalgary.ca
Twitter: @UCalgaryEduc
Background
Credentials
Registered Psychologist #2166, College of Alberta Psychologists, 1993
Educational Background
Doctor of Philosophy Social Psychology, The University of Calgary, 2002
Master of Science Educational Psychology, The University of Calgary, 1992
Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Psychology, The University of Manitoba, 1988
Biography
Dr. Kelly Dean Schwartz is Associate Professor, School and Applied Child Psychology (SACP), at the University of Calgary. He holds a PhD in Social Psychology (2002) and an MSc in School and Community Psychology (1992) from the University of Calgary. His research and teaching interests include the psychosocial factors contributing to child, adolescent, and family development, particularly how developmental assets contribute to both risk and thriving in individual and social contexts. As PI, Dr. Schwartz recently completed a 5-year CIHR-funded study of youth mental health and resilience during and following the COVID-19 pandemic. He is currently the PI on the Family First Responder project, a 5-year CIHR Team Grant that funded the design and testing of a psychoeducation and support program for family members of emergency first responders (police, fire, and paramedics).
Dr. Schwartz holds several national and international grants for his research in positive youth development, child mental health, and family resiliency, and he is past-Chair (2013-2019) of the Canadian Psychological Association, Family Psychology section. He is a full member of the Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute (ACHRI), the Owerko Centre, the Hotchkiss Brain Institute, and the Mathison Centre for Mental Research & Education, as well as a research member with the Academic, Research, and Clinical Network (ARCN), Canadian Institute of Public Safety Research and Treatment (CIPSRT), and the Canadian Institute of Military and Veteran Health Research (CIMVHR). Dr. Schwartz’s research has been published articles and chapters in numerous academic and common publications, and he has presented symposia and invited lectures at over 100 national and international conferences.
As a registered psychologist (1993), Dr. Schwartz began his career with a Calgary school board and worked extensively with children and adolescents who had severe learning and/or social/emotional needs. From 1996 to 2008, he was on faculty at Ambrose University College where he served as Program Head of Behavioural Science (an interdisciplinary psychology and sociology undergraduate degree program). From 2008 to 2015, Dr. Schwartz served as Clinical Director for the U of C Applied Psychological and Educational Services (UCAPES, now the Centre for Wellbeing in Education). He was also the Director of Internships (2011-2017) and Director of Clinical Training (2022-2024) for the SACP program.
Regarding community and professional service, Dr. Schwartz has served as a member of the College of Alberta Psychologists Hearing Tribunal/Complaint Review Committee and Credentials Review Committee and as Vice-President of the Psychologists’ Association of Alberta Board of Directors. Over the years, he has kept a small but active private practice (PsyConsult) and held numerous contracts with local public and First Nation school divisions, child and family service agencies, and Ministry-appointed tribunals (Alberta Education). Dr. Schwartz has also served on several non-profit boards, most recently as Board Member (2007-2012) and President of HopeShares Canada (2012-2015), a Canadian charitable organization supporting global community development initiatives, and now as a Board Chair, Radiance Family Society.
Personally, Kelly has coached hockey and softball provincially and nationally for over 15 years and is a NCCP Level II Coach. He is most proudly the husband (Jody) and father of three emerging adults and their partners. Kelly loves the Saskatchewan Riders, the Philadelphia Flyers, 80’s rock music, and is constantly on the search for the perfect cup of non-Starbuck’s coffee.
Research
Areas of Research
- developmental
- ecological
- family systems
- positive youth development
- resiliency
Dr. Schwartz is active in the fields of child and adolescent development, family and parent-child relationships, and international child development. He has held several national and international grants for his research in positive youth development and psychology of family, and he regularly serves as a reviewer for several notable academic journals. His work has been published articles and chapters in numerous academic and common publications, and he has presented symposia and invited lectures at over 100 national and international conferences.
- Adolescent development
- Child development
- International community development
- Family psychology (military-connected and first responder families)
- Social development
- Positive youth development
- Media studies and literacy
- School-based mental health
- Stress and child/family impacts
Participation in university strategic initiatives
Courses
| Course number | Course title | Semester |
|---|---|---|
| EDPS 761 | Advanced Doctoral Practicum in Clincal Assessment | Spring 2024 |
| EDPS 669 | Social-Emotional Assessment and Intervention | Winter 2023 |
| EDPS 650 | Family and Social Bases of Behaviour | Winter 2022 |
Projects
- Supporting Psychological Health in First Responders (SPHIFR; 2025-present: Principal Investigator; Designing and implementing psychoeducation and support for youth living in police families. ($163,830)
- Canadian Institutes of Health Research Team Grant (CIHR; 2020-present): Principal Investigator; Designing and implementing a psychoeducational support intervention for spouses and children in first responder (e.g., fire, police, paramedic) and military-connected famiilies. ($974,898)
- Canadian Institutes of Health Research: Operating Grant (CIHR; 2020-2025): Principal Investigator; Screening Student Resiliency and Mental Health Indicators During School Re-Entry. ($199,087)
- Canadian Institutes of Health Research: Operating Grant (CIHR: 2021-2022): Co-Investigator; Understanding Vaccine Confidence and Decision-Making Among Canadian Youth: Survey and Intervention Development. ($170,329)
- Child Health and Wellness Grand Challenge Catalyst Grant (ACHRI; 2021-2022): Co-Invesigator; Measure what matters: Identifying Key Indicators to Align Health and Social Policy and Service Delivery with Child Health and Well-being. ($199,708)
- Canadian Institutes of Health Research: Operating Grant (CIHR; 2020-2021): Principal Investigator; COVID-19 Variant Supplement - Screening Student Resiliency and Mental Health Indicators During School Re-Entry. ($49,063)
- Canadian Insititutes of Military and Veteran Health Research (CIMVHR; 2020-2021): Co-investigator; Study to understand the root causes of Veteran homlessness in Alberta. ($114,410)
- CIHR Knowledge Synthesis Grant (2020-2021): Co-investigator; Scoping review of school-based suicide risk assessment using e-health. ($43,063)
- Policywise Secondary Data Use Grant (2019-2020): Co-investigator; Screen time, child development, and parental monitoring. ($5,000)
Awards
- 2021 Fire Researcher of the Year Awar, Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs. 2021
- Distinguished Graduate Supervision Award, Werklund School of Education. 2020
- Senior Research Fellow, Institute of Marriage and Family Canada. 2015
- Senior Research Fellow, Institute of Marriage and Family Canada. 2014
- Senior Research Fellow, 2013
- Senior Research Fellow, 2012
- Senior Research Fellow, 2011
- Senior Research Fellow, Institute of Marriage and Family Canada (IMFC). 2010
- International Project Grant (University of Calgary), 2009
- Nomination - 2009 PAA Excellence in Teaching Psychology Award, 2009
- Scientific Advisor - Center for Spiritual Development in Childhood and Adolescence, 2008
- Senior Research Fellow - Institute of Marriage and Family Canada, Institute of Marriage and Family Canda. 2008
Publications
- Stress among Asian youth during COVID-19: Moderation by educational, spiritual, and cultural sources of belonging. Exner-Cortens, D., Schwartz, K. D., McMorris, C., & Makarenko. E.. Journal of Adolescent Health. 1-4. (2021)
- COVID-19 and student well-being: Stress and mental health during return-to-school. . Schwartz, K. D., Cortens, D. E., McMorris, C., Makarenko, E., Arnold, P., Van Bavel, M., … Canfield, R. (2021). Canadian Journal of School Psychology, 36(2). 166-185. (2021)
- Family members of Veterans with mental health problems: Seeking, finding, and accessing informal and formal supports during military-to-civilian transition. . Schwartz, K. D., Norris, D., Cramm, H., Mahar, A., & Tam-Seto, L. . Journal of Military, Veteran and Family Health, 7(1). 21-34. (2021)
- Conceptualizing service-related trauma: Controversies, challenges, and opportunities in the Canadian context. . Beks, T., Cairns, S., Kassan, A., & Schwartz, K. D. . Canadian Journal of Counselling and Psychotherapy, 55(2). 258-283. (2021)
- School-based suicide risk assessment using eHealth for youth: Systematic scoping review. . Exner-Cortens, D., Baker, E., Gray, S., Fernandez-Conde, C., Ramirez Rivera, R., Van Bavel, M., Vezina, E., Ambrose, A., Pawluk, C., Schwartz, K. D., & Arnold, P. . JMIR Mental Health, 8(9). (2021)
- Impact of Canadian Armed Forces Veterans’ mental health problems on the family during military-to-civilian transition. Cramm, H., Norris, D., Schwartz, K. D., Tam-Seto, L., Williams, A., & Mahar, A. Military Behavioral Health. (2019)
- Living out loud: Positive youth development among Zulu youth in South African townships. Schwartz, K. D., Theron, L., & Scales, P. C. Child Development, 88(4). 1079-1086. (2017)
- How military life affects us all: The mental health of military children. Stelnicki, A. M., & Schwartz, K. D. Journal of Military, Veteran and Family Health, 2(2). 3-4. (2016)
- Leadership development of Zulu male youth in a South African township. Bremner, D., & Schwartz, K. D. . Handbook of Positive Youth Development, Springer Series on Child and Family Studies. 315-327. (2021)
- Constructing intervention: Focus group confirmation of needs and strengths of first responder families. . Park, J. L., Schwartz, K. D., McLuckie, A., McMorris, C., Redekop, M., & Harris, D.. National Council of Family Relations Conference. (2021)
- Surveying complementary and unique strengths and needs of PSP and their families.. Schwartz, K., McMorris, C., McLuckie, A., Park, J. L., Stelnicki, A., Harris, D., Van Bavel, M., Redekop, M., & Khan, K. . Canadian Institutes for Military and Veteran Health Forum. (2021)
- On the home front: Lived experiences of PSP members and their families. . Schwartz, K. D., Cowan, S., & Ernst, T. . 41st Annual Canadian Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Virtual Conference. (2021)
- Children and families of PSP: A mixed-method examination of experiences. Redekop, M., Khan, K., Park, J. L., McLuckie, A., McMorris, C., Schwartz, K. D., & Harris, D.. 41st Annual Canadian Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Virtual Conference. (2021)
- Focus group confirmation of needs and strengths of first responder families.. Park, J. L., Redekop, M., Harris, D., McLuckie, A., Schwartz, K. D.. 82nd Annual Canadian Psychological Association Convention. (2021)
- Online survey with first responder families confirming delivery and format of pilot program. Schwartz, K., McMorris, C., Park, J. L., Khan, K., Van Bavel, M., Stelnicki, A., Harris, D., Boey, J.. 82nd Annual Canadian Psychological Association Convention. (2021)
- COVID-19 and adolescent wellbeing: Student stress, mental health, and resilience during a pandemic. Schwartz, K. D., McMorris, C., Exner-Cortens, D., Makarenko, E., Arnold, P., Van Bavel, M., Williams, S., Canfield, R., & Boey, J. . 82nd Annual Canadian Psychological Association Convention. (2021)
- Student health and wellbeing during a pandemic. Schwartz, K. D., McMorris, C., Exner-Cortens, D., Makarenko, E., Arnold, P., Van Bavel, M., & Williams, S.. Biennial Meeting of the Society for Research on Child Development. (2021)
- School reopening and student mental health in metropolitan school districts. Schwartz, K. D., & Makarenko, E. . National Association of School Psychologists. (2021)
- Screen time and parental monitoring in early childhood. Mueller, M., & Schwartz, K. D. . National Association of School Psychologists. (2020)
- Resiliency at-risk: Impact of parental OSI on youth resilience and psychological outcomes. A. M. Stelnicki; K. D. Schwartz. (2019)
- Examining the impact of parental mental health in military-connected youth school engagement: Do developmental assets buffer negative effects.. K. D. Schwartz; A. M. Stelnicki. (2018)
- The long way home: A qualitative study of Veteran families in military-to-civilian transition.. K . Smith-Evans; L . Tam-Seto; H. Cramm; M. Eichler; A. M. Stelnicki; A. Mahar; K. D. Schwartz; B. Wheeler; D. Blackburn; D. Norris. (2018)
- The lived experience of first responder families: Risks of stress, mental illness, and familial conflict.. K. D. Schwartz; C. M. Baek. (2018)
- Military-to-civilian transition: Implications for program and policy development.. K . Smith-Evans; H. Cramm; A. Mahar; K. D. Schwartz; L . Tam-Seto; D. Norris. (2018)
- Does Canadian Armed Forces service member mental well-being contribute to higher substance use among their partners?. K. D. Schwartz; A. M. Stelnicki. (2018)
- Creative spaces: Creating a space for the promotion and wellness ofIndigenous student.. Van Bavel; Karlee Fellner; Schwartz. (2018)
- Context matters: Exploring developmental assets that predict thriving andrisk in Zulu youth.. P. Scales; K. D. Schwartz; L. Theron. (2018)
- Military strong: Youth developmental assets and resilience inmilitary-connected families.. K. D. Schwartz; A. M. Stelnicki; B. Wheeler. (2018)
- The relationship between playtime activities, executive functioning, and sleep in preschool children. . K. Warren; K. D. Schwartz. (2018)
- Military strong: Canadian Armed Forces families, Veterans with mental health problems,and military-to-civilian transition.. H. Cramm; D. Norris; K. D. Schwartz. (2018)
- Exploring the protective factors that promote thriving in Aboriginal adolescents.. Van Bavel; Schwartz; K. D.. (2018)
- Family life after service: Secondary analysis of the LASS 2016 survey. K. D. Schwartz. (2017)
- More than just surviving:Exploring resilience and developmental assets inyouth from military-connected families.. A. M. Stelnicki; K. D. Schwartz; B. Wheeler. (2017)
- Resilience in military children: Which factors best protect against the development of problems?. K. D. Schwartz; A. M. Stelnicki. (2017)
- Who knows best?: Examining the similarities and differences between parent and child self-reports of functioning in children from military families.. K. D. Schwartz; A. M. Stelnicki. (2017)
- From here to eternity: The impact of Veteran’s mental health on families in military-to-civilian transition.. H. Cramm; D. Norris; K. D. Schwartz; L . Tam-Seto; A. Mahar; K . Smith-Evans. (2017)
- Exploring self-compassion as a developmental strength that promotes thriving inAboriginal adolescents.. Van Bavel; Schwartz. (2017)
- Working with complex families: Challenges and responsibilities for psychologists in schools.. L. Flanigan; H. Craig; K. D. Schwartz; F. Hoey. (2017)
- How does comorbid social phobia impact neurobiology and transcranial magnetic stimulation treatment response in adolescents with major depressive disorder?. Schwartz; James McLellan; K. D.; Frank MacMaster; Swansberg; Zewdie; Christopher Kirton; Lyngberg; M. Worth. (2017)
- Exploring family resiliency within Canadian Armed Forces Veteran families during the military-to-civilian transition.. K. D. Schwartz; J. Whelan; K. Wynia; H. Cramm; D. Norris. (2017)
- Exploring effects of OSI and PTSD on CAF military and Veteran families.. K. D. Schwartz. (2017)
- Social media, adolescent mental health, and the school psychologist.. K. D. Schwartz. (2017)
- Developmental assets andtheir relationto school engagement and academic self-efficacy in Canadian military children.. K. D. Schwartz; A. M. Stelnicki; B. Wheeler. (2016)
- Military strong: Youth developmental assets in families with parental OSI.. M., A.; Stelnicki; K. D. Schwartz. (2016)
- Qualitative study on mental health of military families in transition to civilian life.. D. Norris; K. D. Schwartz; H. Cramm. (2016)
- Married to the malady: Impact of OSI’s on spousal relationships.. K. D. Schwartz; A. M. Stelnicki. (2016)
- Embracing Ubuntu: The presence and power of developmental assets in Zulu youth.. K. D. Schwartz. (2016)
- An exploration of Canada’s aboriginal youths’ strengths and school engagement.. K. D. Schwartz; H. Winterflood; J. M. Young. (2016)
- What’s right with kids these days?:Three perspectives on how youth are thriving and what we shouldn’t do about it.. K. D. Schwartz; G. Dimitropolous; R. Goldade. (2016)
- Developmental assets and risk and thriving outcomes in military family youth.. K. D. Schwartz; A.M.; Stelnicki. (2016)
- School engagement as a protective factor for children in military families.. B. Wheeler; K. D. Schwartz; A. M. Stelnicki. (2016)
- Military parent mental health and child functioning.. A. M. Stelnicki; K. D. Schwartz. (2016)
- Strengthening parent-adolescent relationship quality through teen triple-p.. S. L. Smygwaty; K. D. Schwartz. (2016)
- School bonding and academic achievement in aboriginal youth.. K. D. Schwartz; J. Young; H. Winterflood. (2016)
- Engaging aboriginal youth in education with positive youth development.. J. M. Young; H. Winterflood; K. D. Schwartz. (2016)
- Resilience in military children: Developmental strengths and school performance.. K. D. Schwartz; I. Campbell; A. M. Stelnicki. (2016)
- How children respond to OSI: Social, emotional,and behavioural outcomes in children of military parents.. K. D. Schwartz; A. M. Stelnicki. (2015)
- Examining the developmental strengths ofchildren from military families.. A. M. Stelnicki; K. D. Schwartz. (2015)
- Not as good as we want, not as bad as we’ve heard: Teen mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. Schwartz, K. D.. Conversation Canada. (2021)
- Alberta student wellbeing and resilience during school re-entry. Schwartz, K. D., Makarenko, E., & McMorris, C. . Psymposium. 14-15. (2021)
- COVID-19, school closures, and students with exceptional needs. Schwartz, K. D., Makarenko, E., & McMorris, C.. Psynopsis. 22-23. (2020)
- Inappropriate psychological test use: A public safety concern. . Ghandi, R., Leikin, L., Bean, G., Bellow, C., Corace, C., Cohen, K. R., Cole, E., Giannone, Z., Goodwin, S., Gicas, K., Hubbard, J., Malone, J., Mikail, S. F., Rouleau, C., Schwartz, K. D., Simms, D., & Teatero, M. . A Position Paper of the Canadian Psychological Association. . (2019)
- Review of mental health support for Veteran families: A demographic profile using the 2016 Life After Service Survey (LASS). Schwartz, K. D. Veterans Affairs Canada. 1-54. (2018)
In the News
- Now Innovating: Supporting the Mental Health of First Responder Families. Now Innovating: A Research-to-Impact Series. (2024)
- Not as good as we want, not as bad as we’ve heard: Teen mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. Conversation Canada. (2021)
- The kids are (mostly) alright: Lessons learned in Calgary public schools during the pandemic. CBC News. (2021)
- Students are more stressed about isolating than COVID-19 itself: survey . Calgary Herald. (2020)
- U of C study aims to create support program for families of first responders. Global News. (2020)
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