Ryan Persram

Dr. Ryan Persram is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at Toronto Metropolitan University, Faculty of Arts. His research focuses on adolescent development, particularly interpersonal relationships with siblings, peers, and romantic partners, and their impact on psychosocial adjustment.

His research interests include developmental psychology, youth relationships, attachment, and the influence of contextual factors such as gender identity, family functioning, cultural background, and socioeconomic status. He investigates how positive and negative relational experiences promote or hinder youth development using both quantitative and qualitative methods.

The recent publications highlight a strong focus on measurement development and validation in adolescent psychology, particularly in sibling trust, attachment styles, and dating aggression. His work emphasizes contextual influences and uses rigorous methodological approaches to understand youth relational dynamics.

• Recipient of funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC)
• Recipient of funding from the Fonds de Recherche du Québec – Société et Culture (FRQSC)

Dr. Persram collaborates with researchers across Canada (Ontario, Quebec) and internationally (United States, United Kingdom, Colombia), particularly through PREVNet, a national network promoting healthy youth relationships. He mentors students and welcomes new members to his research team. He leads the ASPIRE Lab, which aims to identify contextually relevant experiences that promote healthy relationships and mental health in adolescents.