Kara Thompson

Kara Thompson is an Associate Professor of Psychology and Coordinator of the Health Department at Saint Francis Xavier University. Her research focuses on youth substance use and mental health, combining applied, population health, and developmental-contextual perspectives. Dr. Thompson investigates how mental health and substance use patterns develop during adolescence and young adulthood, their predictors and consequences, and evidence-based policies and interventions to promote health and social responsibility.

Her current research emphasizes second-hand effects of others' drinking and alcohol advertising in digital media. Key research themes include bullying's impact on substance use harms, personality traits influencing mental health, and the role of coping mechanisms in addiction. She has collaborated on projects assessing Canadian alcohol policies and interventions targeting student well-being.

Publications highlight pandemic-related behavioral changes, alcohol policy evaluation, and cannabis use patterns. Her work bridges academic research with real-world policy, emphasizing harm reduction strategies in educational and public health contexts. Dr. Thompson's contributions span substance use epidemiology, mental health literacy, and prevention program adaptation for vulnerable populations.