Dr. Catherine Shaffer | Simon Fraser University (original) (raw)

Papers by Dr. Catherine Shaffer

Shaffer, C. S., Viljoen, J. L., & Douglas, K. S. (2022). Predictive validity of the SAVRY, YLS/CM... more Shaffer, C. S., Viljoen, J. L., & Douglas, K. S. (2022). Predictive validity of the SAVRY, YLS/CMI, and PCL:YV Is poor for intimate partner violence among adolescent offenders. Law and Human Behavior.

Objectives: Despite advances in developing structured risk assessment instruments, there is currently no instrument to assess and manage the risk of intimate partner violence perpetration among adolescents. Given the empirical link between many forms of antisocial behavior, we tested whether structured tools commonly by professionals used to evaluate an adolescent’s risk to engage in general violence and offending could be used to identify adolescents at risk for perpetrating intimate partner violence. Hypotheses: Because researchers have not yet examined whether risk assessment tools for general violence and offending predict intimate partner violence perpetration, we did not have a priori hypotheses regarding the predictive validity of these tools for this purpose. Method: Research assistants rated 156 adjudicated youth on the Structured Assessment of Violence Risk in Youth (SAVRY), Youth Level of Service/Case Management Inventory (YLS/CMI), and Psychopathy Checklist: Youth Version (PCL:YV) and recorded charges for intimate partner violence perpetration and any violent and any reoffending over a 2-year follow-up period. Results: Receiver operating characteristics analysis indicated that total scores and summary risk ratings on the SAVRY and YLS/CMI and total scores on the PCL:YV were significantly predictive of any violent and any reoffending with moderate to large effect sizes but were non-significantly associated with intimate partner violence perpetration. Further, penalized logistic regression analysis indicated that the SAVRY, YLS/CMI, and PCL:YV did not significantly add incremental validity to age, gender, race/ethnicity, and prior intimate partner violence perpetration and victimization for predicting future intimate partner violence perpetration. Conclusions: These findings suggest that the SAVRY, YLS/CMI, and PCL:YV could have limitations for assessing and managing intimate partner violence perpetration among adolescents.

Shaffer, C. S., Gatner, D., McCuish, E., Douglas, K. S., & Viljoen, J. L. (2021). The role of psy... more Shaffer, C. S., Gatner, D., McCuish, E., Douglas, K. S., & Viljoen, J. L. (2021). The role of psychopathic features and developmental risk factors in trajectories of physical intimate partner violence. Psychology of Violence. Advance online publication.

Objective: Limited research has examined the association between different dimensions of psychopathy and membership in trajectories of physical intimate partner violence (IPV) while also considering developmental precursors. Thus, the current study examined the role of adolescent unidimensional, interpersonal-affective, and lifestyle-antisocial psychopathic features and developmental risk factors in trajectories of physical IPV in young adulthood.
Method: Data were derived from 885 male offenders who participated in the Pathways to Desistance Study and were assessed using the Psychopathy Checklist: Youth Version (PCL:YV).
Results: Semi-parametric group-based modeling identified three trajectories of physical IPV from ages 18 through 25: (a) a no physical IPV trajectory (70.5%, n = 624), (b) a low-level physical IPV trajectory (21.9%, n = 194), and (c) a high-level decreasing physical IPV trajectory (7.6%, n = 67). In multinomial logistic regression models controlling for exposure to violence, substance abuse, and peer delinquency, PCL:YV Total scores were associated with an increased likelihood of membership in the low-level and high-level physical IPV trajectories compared to the no physical IPV trajectory. In addition, Factor 2 scores (lifestyle-antisocial features) were associated with an increased likelihood of membership in the high-level decreasing physical IPV trajectory compared to the no physical IPV trajectory. Factor 1 scores (interpersonal-affective features) were unrelated to trajectory group assignment. Conclusions: Psychopathic features in adolescents should be considered in prevention and intervention strategies targeting physical IPV.

Douglas, K. S. & Shaffer, C. S. (2020). The science of and practice with the HCR-20 V3 (Historica... more Douglas, K. S. & Shaffer, C. S. (2020). The science of and practice with the HCR-20 V3 (Historical-Clinical-Risk Management-20, Version 3): A comprehensive overview. In R. Otto & K. Douglas (Eds), Handbook of violence risk assessment (Second Edition). New York, NY: Routledge/Taylor Francis.

This chapter provides a comprehensive overview of scientific and practice-oriented issues with the Historical-Clinical-Risk Management-20 Version 3 (HCR-20 V3) violence risk assessment instrument. It discusses the following topics: (a) a description of the HCR-20 as embodying principles of structured professional judgment (SPJ); (b) the rationale and method for revising the HCR-20 Version 2, and developing Version 3; (c) discussion of the HCR-20 V3’s definition of violence, and intended populations of use; (d) a step-by-step overview of the HCR-20 V3’s administration procedures, or how it is intended to be used in practice; (e) a detailed presentation of all published international research on interrater reliability, concurrent validity, clinical utility, predictive validity (of risk factor presence and relevance ratings, summary risk ratings or final risk estimates, and dynamic risk, or changes in risk factor ratings over time), incremental validity (of summary risk ratings vis-à-vis numeric or algorithmic combinations of risk factors), and robustness across gender and setting; (f) a discussion of limitations and future directions; and (g) a case to illustrate how to present a violence risk assessment using the HCR-20 V3.

Shaffer, C. S., Fuller, E. K., & Guy, L. (2020). Brief and emerging violence risk assessment meas... more Shaffer, C. S., Fuller, E. K., & Guy, L. (2020). Brief and emerging violence risk assessment measures. In R. Otto & K. Douglas (Eds), Handbook of violence risk assessment (Second Edition). New York, NY: Routledge/Taylor Francis.

In this chapter, we review ten structured decision-making tools that show considerable clinical promise in the screening or assessment of risk for different types of violence: Dynamic Appraisal of Situational Aggression—Inpatient Version, Dynamic Appraisal of Situational Aggression—Youth Version, Dynamic Appraisal of Situational Aggression: Women’s Version, Violence-Risk Screening-10, Domestic Violence Screening Instrument, Dynamic Risk Assessment for Offender Re-Entry, Juvenile Sexual Offense Recidivism Risk Assessment Tool—II, Guidelines for Stalking Assessment and Management, Stalking Risk Profile, and Assessment of Risk for Honour-Based Violence. Following a summary of shared features amongst the tools, we provide a brief description of each tool, focusing on their purpose, content, and characteristics, available empirical research on psychometric properties, and an analysis of professional uptake. The chapter concludes with directions for future research on the psychometric properties and applicability of these instruments.

Shaffer, C. S. (2020). Adolescent intimate partner violence: The case for outcome-specific and de... more Shaffer, C. S. (2020). Adolescent intimate partner violence: The case for outcome-specific and developmentally informed guidelines to evaluate and manage risk. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, Canada.

* Recipient of 2021 American Psychology-Law Society Dissertation Award (First Place)
* Recipient of 2021 Canadian Psychological Association Certificate of Excellence

Intimate partner violence (IPV) among adolescents, which can be defined as any actual, attempted, or threatened physical or sexual harm between intimate partners aged 12 to 17, is an ongoing, serious, and global problem. Although structured decision-making tools have been developed to evaluate an adolescent’s risk to engage in general violence and offending, it is unclear whether these tools can be used to evaluate risk to perpetrate IPV. In addition, although tools have been developed to evaluate IPV risk among adults, these tools were not intended for use with adolescents and thus may be inappropriate. In this dissertation, the utility of four widely used risk assessment tools for evaluating adolescent IPV risk was examined. First, the predictive validity of the Structured Assessment of Violence Risk in Youth (SAVRY), Youth Level of Service/Case Management Inventory (YLS/CMI), and Psychopathy Checklist: Youth Version (PCL:YV) were examined for IPV perpetration and any violent and any reoffending in a sample of 156 young offenders on probation in Western Canada. Results indicated that total scores and summary risk ratings on the SAVRY and YLS/CMI and total scores on the PCL:YV were significantly predictive of any violent and any reoffending with moderate to large effect sizes over a 2-year follow-up period but were modestly and non-significantly associated with the perpetration of IPV. Second, a systematic review was conducted to evaluate the applicability of items on an adult IPV tool, the Spousal Assault Risk Assessment Guide - Version 3 (SARA-V3), to adolescents. A total of 71 articles (N = 45,202 adolescents) that address risk and/or protective factors associated with adolescent IPV perpetration or victimization were examined. Most SARA-V3 items were found to have empirical support among adolescents. However, results also indicate that several factors should be added, removed, or altered to better reflect developmental considerations among this age group. These findings suggest that the field would benefit from the development of a specialized adolescent IPV risk assessment and management tool. This dissertation concludes with a discussion of the steps being taken to adapt the SARA-V3 for use with adolescents and implications for research, policy, and practice.

Shaffer, C. S., Douglas, K. S., Fuller, E. K., Blanchard, A. J. E., & Viljoen, J. L. (2019). Do c... more Shaffer, C. S., Douglas, K. S., Fuller, E. K., Blanchard, A. J. E., & Viljoen, J. L. (2019). Do community structural characteristics moderate the association between mental health and the frequency and severity of violent-behavioral outcomes in community respondents? Journal of
Interpersonal Violence. Advance online publication, 1-28.

In this prospective study, we examined the association between three types of mental health symptom clusters (i.e., psychotic, internalizing, and externalizing) and the frequency and severity of violent-behavioral outcomes, and whether community disadvantage, residential instability, and criminogenic facility density moderated these associations. Study data were derived from 258 community-dwelling adults nested in 60 postal forward sortation areas (FSAs) in a large metropolitan area in Western Canada who were assessed twice over a 6-month period. In addition, census and administrative data were obtained on the same areas. Controlling for sociodemographic characteristics (i.e., age, gender, ethnicity, relationship status, and employment status), lifetime history of violent-behavioral outcomes, and community structural characteristics, internalizing and externalizing mental health symptoms were significantly positively associated with the frequency and severity of subsequent violence perpetration and with the severity of subsequent violent victimization. Several significant interactions were observed: internalizing symptoms increased the risk of frequent and severe violence perpetration in FSAs with high but not low disadvantage, and externalizing symptoms increased the risk of frequent violent victimization in FSAs with a high but not low criminogenic facility density. Only the interactive association of internalizing symptoms and community disadvantage with the severity of violence perpetration, however, remained significant after Bonferroni correction was applied. These findings provide tentative support that associations between mental health and violent-behavioral outcomes can vary with community context. The implication of these findings for assessing and managing violent-behavioral outcomes in the community are discussed.

Viljoen, J. L., Cochrane, D., Shaffer, C. S, Muir, N. M., Brodersen, E., Rogers, B. J., Douglas, ... more Viljoen, J. L., Cochrane, D., Shaffer, C. S, Muir, N. M., Brodersen, E., Rogers, B. J., Douglas, K.S., Roesch, R., McMahon, R. J., & Vincent, G. M. (2019). Bridging risk assessments to case planning: The evaluation of an intervention-planning tool for adolescents on probation. Criminal Justice and Behavior. Advance Online Publication, 1-24.

Even though risk assessment tools are often intended to inform case planning, they do not provide much direct guidance. As such, we developed an intervention-planning tool called the Adolescent Risk Reduction and Resilient Outcomes Work-Plan (ARROW) to accompany the Structured Assessment of Violence Risk in Youth. The ARROW includes a decision support system, guide, and training, and is one of the first tools of its kind. To evaluate the ARROW, we conducted two studies: (1) a vignette study with 178 professionals, and (2) a field study with 320 propensity-score matched adolescents. Most professionals (> 98%) rated the ARROW as useful. Moreover, compared to (a) unstructured plans and (b) a simple form, ARROW plans were more likely to include supported interventions, adhere to best practices, and integrate culturally-tailored approaches for Indigenous adolescents. Formulations also showed improvements. However, further research is needed on strategies to bridge risk assessment and risk management.

Viljoen, J.L., Brodersen, E., Shaffer, C. S., & Muir, N. M. (2015). Needs Match Rating Tool. Burn... more Viljoen, J.L., Brodersen, E., Shaffer, C. S., & Muir, N. M. (2015). Needs Match Rating Tool. Burnaby, BC: Mental Health, Law, and Policy Institute, Simon Fraser University.

The Needs Match Rating Tool examines the extent to which service delivery and interventions for adolescent offenders map onto adolescents' modifiable risk factors and needs (i.e., family and caregivers, peers, substance use, school leisure, personality features, pro-criminal attitudes). Needs match for each domain is rated on a three-point scale (0 = no intervention, 1 = some/possible strategies, and 2 = substantial strategies [i.e., formal strategies such as services]). Ratings are completed for both case management plans (i.e., whether plans included interventions to address needs) and delivered interventions (i.e., whether adolescents received relevant interventions in months following the plan).

Viljoen, J. L., Shaffer, C. S., Muir, N. M., Cochrane, D., & Brodersen, E. (2018). Improving case... more Viljoen, J. L., Shaffer, C. S., Muir, N. M., Cochrane, D., & Brodersen, E. (2018). Improving case plans and interventions for adolescents on probation: The implementation of the SAVRY and a structured service plan. Criminal Justice and Behavior. Advance online publication, 1-21.

Even when probation officers use risk assessment tools, many of their clients’ needs remain unaddressed. As such, we examined whether the implementation of the Structured Assessment of Violence Risk in Youth (SAVRY) and a structured case planning form resulted in better case plans as compared to prior practices (i.e., a non-validated local tool and an unstructured plan). Our sample comprised 216 adolescents on probation who were matched via propensity scores. Adolescents in the SAVRY/Structured Plan condition had significantly better case plans than those in the pre-implementation condition. Specifically, following implementation, adolescents’ high need domains were more likely to be targeted in plans. Plans also scored higher on other quality indicators (e.g., level of detail). These improvements appeared to be due primarily to the structured plan rather than the SAVRY. Overall, our findings highlight that, just as structure can improve risk assessments, so too might structure improve case plans.

Bailey, K., Bogod, N., Cook, A.N., Dobson, K., Francis, K., Goodwin, S., Heisel, M., Hutchinson, ... more Bailey, K., Bogod, N., Cook, A.N., Dobson, K., Francis, K., Goodwin, S., Heisel, M., Hutchinson, B., Jeznach, A., Mikail, S., Pellizzari, J., Shaffer, C. S., Srikameswarana, S., & Wilson, K. [Canadian Psychological Association Task Force on Medical Assistance in Dying and End-of-Life-Care] (2018). Medical assistance in dying and end-of-life care. Internal report for the Canadian Psychological Association.

As needed, the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) Board of Directors convenes task forces to explore various issues affecting the science, practice and education of psychology. The CPA Task Force on Medical Assistance in Dying and End-of-Life Care (MAiD) was commissioned in response to federal legislation to decriminalize medical assistance in dying in Canada to consider whether persons with a mental disorder and mature minors should have access, and the role of psychologists in this process. The Task Force has prepared a report considering these issues with recommendations that could inform the CPA’s policy on calls to revise the existing law governing the practice of MAiD.

Gray, A.L., Shaffer, C. S., Viljoen, J. L., Muir, N. M, & Nicholls, T. L. (2018). Assessing viole... more Gray, A.L., Shaffer, C. S., Viljoen, J. L., Muir, N. M, & Nicholls, T. L. (2018). Assessing violence risk in youth. In J. L. Ireland, C. A. Ireland, & P. Birch (Eds), Violent and sexual offenders: Assessment, treatment, and management (2nd Edition) (pp. 92-113). New York, NY: Routledge.

Bhanwer, A., Viljoen, J. L., Shaffer, C. S., & Douglas, K. S. (2018). The Inventory of Callous Un... more Bhanwer, A., Viljoen, J. L., Shaffer, C. S., & Douglas, K. S. (2018). The Inventory of Callous Unemotional Traits: Reliability, convergent validity, and predictive validity for reoffending in adolescents on probation. International Journal of Forensic Mental Health, 2, 111-123.

This prospective study assessed the reliability and validity of the Inventory of Callous-Unemotional Traits (ICU) in a sample of 70 adolescent offenders. With the exception of the Unemotional subscale, ICU scores showed acceptable reliability. ICU total and Callousness scores demonstrated moderate associations with the Antisocial Process Screening Device and the Psychopathy Checklist: Youth Version. The ICU also demonstrated moderate predictive accuracy for violent reoffending over an 18-month follow-up period. While these findings provide some support for the ICU’s validity, more research is needed to determine if it is appropriate for use in applied settings with adolescent offenders.

Hanniball, K., Viljoen, J.L., Shaffer, C. S., Bhatt, G., Tweed, R., Aknin, L, Gagnon, N., & Dougl... more Hanniball, K., Viljoen, J.L., Shaffer, C. S., Bhatt, G., Tweed, R., Aknin, L, Gagnon, N., & Douglas, K. S., & Dooley, S. (2018). The role of life satisfaction in predicting youth violence and offending: A prospective examination. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 46, 42-62.

Life satisfaction in adolescence has been shown to protect against numerous negative outcomes (e.g. substance-use, sexual risk-taking), but limited work has directly explored the relationship between life satisfaction and youth violence and offending. As such, we conducted a prospective assessment to explore this relationship among community (n = 334), and at-risk youth (n = 99). Findings suggest life satisfaction is significantly associated with decreased offending and violence within both samples and adds incremental value above established risk factors in predicting violent and total offending among community youth. Furthermore, moderation analyses indicate that the protective value of life satisfaction is greater for youth with high callous-unemotional traits. Mediation analyses suggest that youth who are unsatisfied with their lives may seek out substance use, in turn elevating risk for offending. Together these findings indicate that efforts to improve overall life satisfaction may help prevent adolescent offending. However, future research is needed.

Viljoen, J. L., Bhanwer, A., Shaffer, C. S., & Douglas, K. S. (2018). Assessing protective factor... more Viljoen, J. L., Bhanwer, A., Shaffer, C. S., & Douglas, K. S. (2018). Assessing protective factors for adolescent offending: A conceptually-informed examination of the SAVRY and YLS/CMI of the SAVRY and YLS/CMI. Assessment. Advance online publication, 1-17.

Although the Structured Assessment of Violence Risk in Youth (SAVRY) and the Youth Level of Service/Case Management Inventory (YLS/CMI) are among the most widely used adolescent risk assessment tools, they conceptualize and measure strengths differently. As such, in this study, we compared the predictive validity of SAVRY Protective Total and YLS/CMI Strength Total, and tested conceptual models of how these measures operate (i.e., risk vs. protective effects, direct vs. buffering effects, causal models). Research assistants conducted 624 risk assessments with 156 youth on probation. They rated protective factors at baseline, and again at 3-, 6-, 9-, and 12-month follow-up periods. The SAVRY Protective Total and YLS/CMI Strength Total inversely predicted any charges in the subsequent two years (area under the curve scores [AUCs] = .61 and .60, respectively, p < .05). Furthermore, when adolescents’ protective total scores increased, their self-reported violence decreased, thus providing evidence that these factors might play a causally-relevant role in reducing violence. However, protective factors did not provide incremental validity over risk factors. In addition, because these measures are brief and use a dichotomous rating system, they primarily captured deficits in protective factors (i.e., low scores). This suggests a need for more comprehensive measures.

Shaffer, C. S., Adjei, J., Viljoen, J. L., Douglas, K. S., & Saewyc, E. M. (2018). Ten-year trend... more Shaffer, C. S., Adjei, J., Viljoen, J. L., Douglas, K. S., & Saewyc, E. M. (2018). Ten-year trends in physical dating victimization among adolescent boys and girls in British Columbia, Canada. Journal of Interpersonal Violence. Advance online publication, 1-18.

Physical dating violence (PDV) victimization among adolescents is a serious global problem. Although knowledge of trends in PDV victimization can help guide programming and health policies, little research has examined whether the prevalence of PDV victimization has increased, decreased, or remained stable over time among non-U.S.-based samples of youth. In addition, few studies have directly tested whether disparities in PDV victimization between boys and girls have narrowed, widened, or remained unchanged in recent years. To address these gaps, we used school-based data from the British Columbia Adolescent Health Surveys (BC AHS) of 2003, 2008, and 2013 (n boys = 18,441 and n girls = 17,459) to examine 10-year trends in PDV victimization. We also tested whether trends differed across self-reported sex. Data from the 2003 to 2013 BC AHS revealed that recent PDV victimization rates had significantly decreased among youth overall (5.9% to 5.0%) and boys (8.0% to 5.8%), but not girls (5.3% to 4.2%). Although boys had steeper declines than girls in PDV victimization rates, year-by-sex interactions indicate that the sex gap in PDV victimization had not significantly narrowed. Moreover, rates of PDV victimization over the 10-year period indicated significantly higher rates of PDV victimization among boys compared to girls. Despite positive declines in recent rates of PDV victimization among youth, important differences in rates of PDV victimization between boys and girls remain. These findings underscore the need for greater attention to sex differences in research and programming and health policies to reduce PDV victimization and the sex disparities therein.

Shaffer, C. S., Gulbransen, E., Viljoen, J. L., Roesch, R. & Douglas, K.S. (2018). Predictive va... more Shaffer, C. S., Gulbransen, E., Viljoen, J. L., Roesch, R. & Douglas, K.S. (2018). Predictive validity of the MAYSI-2 and PAI-A for suicide-related behavior and non-suicidal self-injury among adjudicated adolescent offenders on probation. Criminal Justice and Behavior, 45, 1383-1403.

This prospective study evaluated the ability of the MAYSI-2 and PAI-A to predict suicide-related behavior (SRB) and non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) among adjudicated adolescent offenders on probation. Predictive validity of the MAYSI-2 for SRB and NSSI has generally been postdictively examined among detained adolescents. In addition, no published studies have examined the predictive validity of the PAI-A for SRB and NSSI among adolescent offenders. Neither the MAYSI-2 nor PAI-A added incremental predictive validity above lifetime SRB or NSSI. However, several MAYSI-2 and PAI-A subscales were predictive of SRB or NSSI. With some exceptions, most recommended instrument cut-off scores differentiated between low-risk and high-risk youth. These findings suggest that the MAYSI-2 and PAI-A hold promise for evaluating SRB and NSSI among justice-involved youth. In addition, these findings contribute to more informed decisions regarding the use of these tools and can be used to inform SRB and NSSI prevention efforts.

Shaffer, C. S. & Saewyc, E. M. (2018, Sept 25). More boys are hurt by dating violence than girls.... more Shaffer, C. S. & Saewyc, E. M. (2018, Sept 25). More boys are hurt by dating violence than girls. The Conversation. Article available at https://theconversation.com/more-boys-hurt-by-dating-violence-than-girls-102829

The Conversation is an independent, not-for-profit media outlet. Articles are authored by academics, edited by professional journalists and freely available online, and for republication through creative commons license. In this article, we discuss the results of a study that examined prevalence rates and trends of dating victimization among adolescent boys and girls in British Columbia, Canada.

Shaffer, C. S. & McCreary Centre Society (2017). Adolescent Health Survey 5 Topic Fact Sheet: Dat... more Shaffer, C. S. & McCreary Centre Society (2017). Adolescent Health Survey 5 Topic Fact Sheet: Dating victimization among BC youth. Fact sheet for the McCreary Centre Society.

McCreary Centre Society is a non-government not-for-profit committed to improving the health of BC youth through research and community-based projects. McCreary is most well-known for the BC Adolescent Health Survey (BC AHS), which happens every five years in public schools across the province. This fact sheet presents the results of analyses on dating victimization among youth in BC.

Shaffer, C. S., Cook, A. N., & Connolly, D. A. (2016). Should medical assistance in dying extend... more Shaffer, C. S., Cook, A. N., & Connolly, D. A. (2016). Should medical assistance in dying extend to persons with a mental disorder? Introducing a framework for discussion. [Special Issue]. Psynopsis, 38, 18-19.

Psynopsis is Canada’s Psychology Magazine. Each of its quarterly issues focuses on a particular area of psychological research and/or practice with relevance, not only to the discipline and profession, but also to the range of stakeholders who may rely on or benefit from the work of Canada’s psychologists. In our article, we discuss issues and dilemmas that arise from the extension of medical assistance in dying to persons with a mental disorder, and introduce a recent publication that provides a guide for discussion.

Douglas, K. S., Shaffer, C. S., Blanchard, A. J. E., Guy, L. S., Reeves, K., & Weir, J. (2014, 20... more Douglas, K. S., Shaffer, C. S., Blanchard, A. J. E., Guy, L. S., Reeves, K., & Weir, J. (2014, 2017). Historical Clinical-Risk Management 20 violence risk assessment scheme: Overview and annotated bibliography (2002 –2016). Historical Clinical-Risk Management 20 Violence Risk Assessment White Paper Series, #1. Burnaby, BC: Mental Health, Law, and Policy Institute, Simon Fraser University.

Since the publication of Version 1 in 1995 and Version 2 in 1997, the HCR-20 has become one of the world’s most widely used and best validated violence risk assessment instruments. It has been translated into 20 languages and adopted or evaluated in more than 35 countries. Version 3, developed over 5 years on the basis of extensive clinical beta testing and empirical evaluation, was released in 2013. This extensive HCR-20 Review and Annotated Bibliography identifies significant research carried out with the three versions of the HCR-20. This review has been maintained and updated since the mid-1990s and since then has grown to include 22 disseminations with the V3 (with many more underway) and 233 disseminations with earlier versions (with updates of recent years coming).

* Recipient of 2021 American Psychology-Law Society Dissertation Award (First Place)
* Recipient of 2021 Canadian Psychological Association Certificate of Excellence

Wessel, S., Viljoen, J. L., & Shaffer, C.S. (2023, June). Risk and protective factors in adolesce... more Wessel, S., Viljoen, J. L., & Shaffer, C.S. (2023, June). Risk and protective factors in adolescent prostitution. Poster presented at the 5th North American Correctional and Criminal Justice Psychology Conference, Toronto, ON.

Abstract: Research regarding risk and protective factors associated with youth involvement in the sex trade seldom focuses on youth within the offender population. In addition, limited studies have examined the differences in the mental health needs of sexually exploited adolescent offenders compared to non-sexually exploited adolescent offenders. To address these gaps, the current longitudinal study examined a broad range of potential risk and protective factors, including the mental health needs ,of a group of adolescent offenders (n = 15) between the ages of 12 and 17 who have been sexually exploited compared to adolescent offenders who have not been sexually exploited (n = 143) in Canada. Independent samples t-test was conducted to determine whether sexually exploited adolescent offenders significantly differed from non-sexually exploited adolescent offenders on each of the risk and protective factors of interest. For dichotomous variables, a chi-square test of independence was conducted. Sexually exploited adolescent offenders scored significantly higher on homelessness, history of neglect, and obsessive-compulsive disorder traits compared to non-sexually exploited adolescent offenders. There were no significant differences in protective factors between the two groups. The lack of significant differences in risk and protective factors suggests that sexually exploited and non-sexually exploited adolescent offenders may be more similar than previously expected. However, future research should be conducted with larger samples of sexually exploited adolescents.

Shaffer, C. S., Douglas, K. S., & Viljoen, J. L. (2022, March). Adolescent intimate partner viol... more Shaffer, C. S., Douglas, K. S., & Viljoen, J. L. (2022, March). Adolescent intimate partner violence: The case for outcome-specific and developmentally informed guidelines to evaluate and manage risk. Poster presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Psychology-Law Society, Denver, CO.

Despite the proliferation of risk assessment instruments in professional practice, there is no risk assessment tool to evaluate the risk of intimate partner violence (IPV) among adolescents. Thus, in this dissertation, the utility of four widely used risk assessment tools, the SAVRY, YLS/CMI, PCL:YV, and SARA-V3, for evaluating adolescent IPV risk was examined. The findings suggest that using existing tools to evaluate and manage adolescent IPV risk might be problematic. This dissertation concludes with a discussion of the steps being taken to adapt the SARA-V3 for use with adolescents and implications for research, policy, and practice.

Shaffer, C. S., Edge, M. F., Hannibal, K. B., Douglas, K. S., & Viljoen, J. L. (2019, November). ... more Shaffer, C. S., Edge, M. F., Hannibal, K. B., Douglas, K. S., & Viljoen, J. L. (2019, November). Best practices for responding to and preventing on-campus sexual violence. Poster presented at the Annual Meeting of the Canadian Association of Threat Assessment Professionals, Niagara on-the-Lake, ON.

Sexual violence against college women continues to be a pervasive public health issue with approximately one in five women experiencing sexual assault and one in nine women experiencing rape while in college. With national conversation turned toward sexual assault on college campuses, knowledge on how to identify, prevent, and address these incidents is important for faculty, staff, students, and campus law enforcement. Thus, the current review was undertaken to identify best practices for responding to and preventing on-campus sexual violence. First, we discuss motivations, attitudes, and behaviors related to on-campus sexual assaults (e.g., objectification or depersonalization of girls and women, obsessive or addictive pornography or sex focus, misogynistic ideology, grooming behaviors, using substances to obtain sex, lack of empathy). Second, we discuss campus policies that encourage reporting (e.g., policies and reporting procedures that should be easy to find on a campus website, efforts to mitigate victim fear concerning perpetrator reprisal) and prevention (e.g., improved security measures, programs that encourage bystander intervention or address norms that support or facilitate sexual violence). Third, we discuss procedures to effectively investigative, adjudicate, and sanction perpetration (e.g., dual jurisdiction between school and community law enforcement, investigative training of law enforcement officers). Finally, we conclude with a discussion of services to provide support to victims (e.g., counseling, peer support).

Shaffer, C. S., Gatner, D., Douglas, K. S., Viljoen, J. L., & McCuish, E. (2019, March). Role of ... more Shaffer, C. S., Gatner, D., Douglas, K. S., Viljoen, J. L., & McCuish, E. (2019, March). Role of psychopathic features in trajectories of intimate partner violence perpetration. Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Psychology – Law Society, Portland, Oregon, USA.

Abstract: Using data from 885 male offenders, we examined the role of psychopathic features measured in adolescence on trajectories of intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetration in young adulthood while also considering developmental precursors. Three trajectories of IPV perpetration were identified: a no IPV trajectory, a low-level IPV trajectory, and a high-level decreasing IPV trajectory. Controlling for exposure to violence, substance abuse, and peer delinquency, psychopathic features were associated with membership in the low-level IPV trajectory and the high-level decreasing IPV trajectory compared to the no IPV trajectory. These findings suggest that adolescent psychopathy should be considered in programming to target IPV.

Shaffer, C. S., Gray, A.L., Douglas, K. S., & Viljoen, J. L. (2019, June). Systematic review of r... more Shaffer, C. S., Gray, A.L., Douglas, K. S., & Viljoen, J. L. (2019, June). Systematic review of risk and protective factors associated with intimate partner violence perpetration and victimization among college students. Poster presented at the 19th Annual International Conference of Forensic Mental Health Services, Montreal, Canada.

A systematic review was undertaken to identify empirically supported risk and protective factors associated with intimate partner violence perpetration and victimization among college students. In total, 41 published studies were included. Thirty risk factors were identified in three domains: individual (e.g., substance use), (2) social contextual (e.g., exposure to violence in one’s family of origin), and (3) relationship (e.g., cheating). Five protective factors against perpetration or victimization were also identified (e.g., relationship satisfaction). Implications of these findings for intervention and prevention programming and risk/threat assessment and management in higher education are discussed.

Shaffer, C. S., Blanchard, A. J. E., Fuller, E. K., & Douglas, K. S. (2019, June). The impact of ... more Shaffer, C. S., Blanchard, A. J. E., Fuller, E. K., & Douglas, K. S. (2019, June). The impact of mental health and community structural characteristics on suicide-related behavior and self-harm among
community respondents. Paper presented at the 19th Annual International Conference of Forensic Mental Health Services, Montreal, Canada.

In this prospective study, we examined the association between three types of mental health symptom clusters (i.e., psychotic, internalizing, and externalizing) and suicide-related behavior (SRB) and self-harm, and whether community disadvantage and residential instability moderated these associations. Psychotic and internalizing, but not externalizing, symptoms were significantly positively associated with SRB and self-harm at 6-month follow-up. Neither community disadvantage nor residential instability moderated the association between mental health symptoms and SRB or self-harm. These findings suggest that mental health can influence the expression of SRB and self-harm irrespective of community context. Implications for treatment and future research are discussed.

Shaffer, C. S., L., Cochrane, D., & Viljoen, J. L., Douglas, K. S. (2019, March). Dynamic risk an... more Shaffer, C. S., L., Cochrane, D., & Viljoen, J. L., Douglas, K. S. (2019, March). Dynamic risk and protective factors for intimate partner violence perpetration. Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Psychology Law Society, Portland, Oregon, USA.

The identification of dynamic risk and protective factors is important for reducing intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetration among adolescents and young adults. However, little research has examined change over time in putatively dynamic factors or whether these changes are associated with changes in IPV. Using data collected from 885 male offenders, we examined whether three factors (impulse control, substance use, romantic relationship quality) could be considered truly dynamic. Results indicated that all three factors changed over a seven-year follow-up. However, only fluctuations in substance use were predictive of changes in IPV. Implications for IPV programming are discussed.

Shaffer, C.S., Douglas, K.S. & Viljoen, J. L. (2018, October). Risk assessment of dating violence... more Shaffer, C.S., Douglas, K.S. & Viljoen, J. L. (2018, October). Risk assessment of dating violence among youth: Challenges and directions forward. Poster presented at the Annual Meeting of the Canadian Association of Threat Assessment Professionals, Whistler, BC, Canada.

Dating violence among adolescents is an ongoing, serious, and global social and public health problem. Given evidence for risk and protective factors associated with dating violence, a next step in applying research to prevent or minimize harm includes the development of risk assessment instruments that aggregate predictors. The current review was undertaken to identify available assessment methods to evaluate risk of dating violence among youth. Three types of instruments were identified: (a) adolescent perpetrator and victim self-report appraisals of risk (e.g., Dating Behavior Survey), (b) adolescent general violent and offending risk assessment instruments (e.g., Structured Assessment of Violence Risk in Youth, Youth Level of Service/Case Management Inventory) and (c) adult intimate partner violence risk assessments instruments (e.g., Spousal Assault Risk Assessment Scale: Version 3). Each instrument type has promising features. However, important limitations were also noted which suggest that a risk assessment instrument designed specifically to evaluate the likelihood of dating violence among adolescents is needed. Future directions for dating violence risk assessment, including steps to adapt the Spousal Risk Assessment Scale for use with adolescents, are discussed.

Spani, M ., Brown, J., Pankratz, C., Banford, M., Seida, L., Bordignon, L, Shaffer, C. S., & Vilj... more Spani, M ., Brown, J., Pankratz, C., Banford, M., Seida, L., Bordignon, L, Shaffer, C. S., & Viljoen, J. L. (2014, June). The relationship between the Developmental Assets Profile and depression and anxiety in adolescent offenders. Poster presented at the 14th Annual International Conference of Forensic Mental Health Services, Toronto, ON.

Viljoen, J. L., Muir, N. M., Brodersen, E., Shaffer, C. S., & ARROW Advisory Board. (2016, June).... more Viljoen, J. L., Muir, N. M., Brodersen, E., Shaffer, C. S., & ARROW Advisory Board. (2016, June). The development and evaluation of the Adolescent Risk Reduction and Resilient Outcomes Work Plan risk management guide. Paper presented at the 16th Annual International Conference of Forensic Mental Health Services, New York, NY.

Abstract: Although risk assessment tools aim to inform intervention planning, they often fall short in their ability to do so. Indeed, professionals do not consistently utilize their risk assessments to guide risk reduction efforts. Thus, to help bridge risk assessment to risk management, we developed a tool called the Adolescent Risk Reduction and Resilience Outcomes Work-Plan (ARROW). The ARROW is designed to accompany the Structured Assessment of Violence Risk in Youth, although it can also be adapted for other tools. The ARROW includes three components: (1) A Guide that compiles best practices to reduce risk factors and build protective factors (e.g., anger management difficulties, strong attachments); (2) An accompanying Invention Planning Template that provides a structured framework for developing intervention plans; and (3) A set of Worksheets for sessions with youth and their caregivers (e.g., My Triggers Worksheet). In this presentation, we will discuss results from the ARROW trainings, which were attended by 207 professionals (e.g., youth probation officers, service providers). Attendees completed an intervention plan, based on a practice case, prior to and following training. Following the training, professionals showed significant improvements in their case formulations and intervention plans, with large effect sizes. Specifically, intervention plans showed greater adherence to the risk-need-responsivity model of offender treatment, and increased use of best practice strategies (i.e., strategies with research support). In addition, professionals reported a high level of satisfaction for the ARROW; 98% indicated that the ARROW would be useful to youth probation officers. Next steps in this research will be discussed.

Shaffer, C. S., Viljoen, J. L., & Douglas, K.S. (2018, October). A systematic review of risk fact... more Shaffer, C. S., Viljoen, J. L., & Douglas, K.S. (2018, October). A systematic review of risk factors and protective factors associated with adolescent dating violence. Poster presented at the Annual Meeting of the Canadian Association of Threat Assessment Professionals, Whistler, BC, Canada.

Adolescent dating violence, defined as any actual, attempted, or threatened physical harm between current or former dating partners aged 12 to 18, is a serious social and public health problem which is associated with significant costs to victims (e.g., injury, death) and perpetrators (e.g., risk of continued violence against romantic partners in adulthood). Preventative approaches for dating violence should be informed by an understanding of risk and protective factors that influence its occurrence. We conducted a systematic review of studies that investigated predictors of dating violence perpetration and/or victimization among male and female adolescents. Inclusion criteria were publication in a peer-reviewed journal, use of physical and/or sexual dating violence outcome measure, and prospective research design. Nine hundred and thirty-five studies were identified. Of these, 64 met study inclusion criteria. Four categories of risk factors were identified: (1) individual perpetrator factors (e.g., substance use, poor coping skills), (2) perpetrator social contextual factors (e.g., family violence, peer reinforcement), (3) relationship factors (e.g., conflict, jealousy) and (4) victim factors (e.g., prior victimization). Similar categories of protective factors were also identified. Recommendations for dating violence risk assessment and management, along with future directions for research are discussed.

Shaffer, C. S., Cook, A. N., & Connolly, D. A. (2019, May). Should medical assistance in dying ex... more Shaffer, C. S., Cook, A. N., & Connolly, D. A. (2019, May). Should medical assistance in dying extend to persons with a mental disorder? In C. Sinclair (Chair), Medical assistance in dying: Practices and ethical challenges in Canada and around the world. Symposium presented at the 80th Annual Convention of the Canadian Psychological Association, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.

Over the past few decades, laws legalizing medical assistance in dying (MAID) for adults with a terminal or general medical condition have been enacted in a number of jurisdictions, including Canada, Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and several U.S. states. Some jurisdictions have also extended access to MAID to adults with a mental disorder. Based on this shift in practices, further discussion is needed concerning whether MAID should be approved when a mental disorder is the primary or sole medical condition and whether safeguards are needed to regulate MAID for persons with a mental disorder separate from or in addition to regulations for persons with a terminal or general medical condition. We provide a brief discussion of the principles that guide regulatory frameworks on MAID practices worldwide, including a discussion of jurisdictions that allow MAID for those suffering from an incurable non-terminal disease, illness, or disability. Next, we present a conceptual framework as a series of questions that address legal, ethical, and clinical dilemmas arising from this trend. We conclude with a summary of guidelines on the practice of MAID from international jurisdictions to assist in the development of potential legal and professional regulations.

Fuller, E., Shaffer, C. S., Muir, N., Cochrane, D., & Viljoen, J. L (2018, March). The profession... more Fuller, E., Shaffer, C. S., Muir, N., Cochrane, D., & Viljoen, J. L (2018, March). The professional use of SAVRY case-specific risk and protective factors: A content analysis. Poster presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Psychology - Law Society, Memphis, Tennessee, USA.

Although many risk assessment tools give professionals an opportunity to add case-specific factors, it is unclear if and how professionals use case-specific factors. Thus, we examined 292 SAVRY risk assessments conducted by Youth Probation Officers (YPOs). YPOs identified case-specific factors in 26.7% of cases. However, most case-specific factors (i.e., 60.4%) did not provide novel information. Instead, they repeated or underscored existing SAVRY items. Furthermore, some case-specific factors were illogical or unsupported. That said, in some cases, YPOs appeared able to capture relevant idiosyncratic factors. Overall, this suggests a need for further guidance on the use of case-specific factors.

Shaffer, C. S., Douglas, K.S., Viljoen, J. L., & Saewyc, E. M. (2018, March). Sex differences in ... more Shaffer, C. S., Douglas, K.S., Viljoen, J. L., & Saewyc, E. M. (2018, March). Sex differences in the trends and correlates of physical dating violence victimization among youth. Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Psychology - Law Society, Memphis, Tennessee, USA.

Studies examining sex differences in the trends and correlates of physical dating violence (PDV) victimization among youth have generally applied limited statistical techniques to examine sex differences. Thus, using data from 18,441 boys and 17,459 girls who completed the British Columbia Adolescent Health Surveys we conducted a study to address this gap. Resulted indicated that disparity trends had not significantly changed during the past 10 years between boys and girls. There were few moderation effects of self-reported sex on the association between PDV victimization and risk/protective correlates. Implications of these findings for intervention strategies and health policies will be discussed.

Spani, M., Shaffer, C. S., & Viljoen, J. L. (2014, June). Mental health needs in gang-involved ad... more Spani, M., Shaffer, C. S., & Viljoen, J. L. (2014, June). Mental health needs in gang-involved adolescent offenders. Poster presented at the 75th Annual Convention of the Canadian Psychological Association, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

Research on the mental health needs of youth offenders rarely focuses on gang-involved populations. Additionally, the few studies conducted have only considered a small spectrum of mental health needs. The current study examined the mental health needs of 26 gang-involved and 71 non-gang involved male adolescent offenders (aged 12 to 18) in a large Canadian city. Gang involvement was determined using youths’ self-reports of gang involvement as well as reports obtained from probation officers. A broad range of mental health needs were measured using the Personality Assessment Inventory – Adolescent (PAI-A). Compared to non-gang involved adolescent offenders, gang-involved youth scored significantly higher on the Antisocial Features and Drug Problems clinical scales, the Aggression treatment consideration scale, as well as the Grandiosity, Self-Harm, Antisocial Behaviours, Stimulus-Seeking, Aggressive Attitudes, and Physical Aggression subscales.

Shaffer, C. S., McCuish, E., Douglas, K.S., Viljoen, J. L., & Corrado, R. (2018, March). Do menta... more Shaffer, C. S., McCuish, E., Douglas, K.S., Viljoen, J. L., & Corrado, R. (2018, March). Do mental disorders differentially predict trajectories of violent offending? Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Psychology - Law Society, Memphis, Tennessee, USA.

Using data from 338 male offenders, this study examined whether symptoms of mental disorder predicted violent offending trajectories from adolescence into early adulthood. Three violent offending trajectories were identified: an adolescent-limited trajectory (AL), a late-onset persistence (LOP) trajectory, and a high-rate fast desistance (HRFD) trajectory. Antisocial and borderline personality disorder features were associated with membership in the LOP trajectory. In addition, impulsive propensity was associated with membership in LOP and HRFD trajectories. These findings provide evidence for the link between mental disorder and violent offending trajectories, while also highlighting treatment needs of offenders.

Fuller, E. K., Shaffer, C. S., & Douglas, K. S. (2017, October). Violence against teachers: A li... more Fuller, E. K., Shaffer, C. S., & Douglas, K. S. (2017, October). Violence against teachers: A literature review and implications for threat assessment. Poster presented at the Annual Meeting of the Canadian Association of Threat Assessment Professionals, La Malbaie, Quebec, Canada.

Violence risk assessment and threat assessment research on school-based violence has remained relatively focused on student-to-student violence and bullying (Galand, Lecocq, & Philippot, 2007). However, there has been a recent shift towards studying the prevalence of violence directed towards teachers (e.g., Daniels, Bradley, & Hayes, 2007; Dinkes et al., 2009; Reddy et al., 2013; Wilson, Douglas, & Lyon, 2011). Despite this important shift, gaps still remain; specifically, very few studies have empirically investigated the significant impact and implications of teacher-directed violence (e.g., Bass et al., 2016; Galand et al., 2007; Wilson et al., 2011). Moreover, attention to threat assessment implications within the workplace and school system has been neglected. Given the state of the literature on this important topic, we present a literature review on i) the prevalence and types of violence directed towards grade-school and post-secondary teachers, ii) the impact of such violence on individual teachers and the workplace environment, iii) implications for threat assessment in the workplace (e.g., issues surrounding disciplinary actions and sharing of information), and provide recommendations for moving forward.

Corrado, R., McCuish, E., Mathesius, J., Shaffer, C. S., Doering, S., & Richards, P. (2017, Augus... more Corrado, R., McCuish, E., Mathesius, J., Shaffer, C. S., Doering, S., & Richards, P. (2017, August). Mental illness and violence: A Canadian perspective on a global issue. Symposia presented at the International Congress on the Identification and Prevention of Mental Illness and Interpersonal Violence, Stockholm, Sweden.

Mental illness and violence are often mentioned in the same breath in media reports of violent events such as stranger homicides and mass killings. Perceived increases in such homicides have forced legislators and mental health experts to re-examine the prevention of violence, including those committed by mentally ill people, either by changes in the justice system, the mental health system, or both. So far, no single nation has presented a comprehensive evidence-based justice/mental health model for systematic identification and prevention of serious or lethal violence. Research on the association between mental illness and violence is important because: a) public safety is a top priority for legislators; b) mental illness and violent crime are costly; c) the management of the mentally ill in the justice and mental health care systems can and should be improved in an ethically sound manner. The purpose of the proposed meeting is to investigate the current state of scientific research on the link between mental illness and violence across different nations, to summarize existing knowledge, and to identify pressing implementation and research needs to better inform legislators and policy makers. A panel of leading experts with extensive experience in violence and mental health research will be convened for a 2-day face-to-face meeting to review current knowledge and address high priority mental illness and public safety issues of a both national and international perspective.

Viljoen, J.L., Shaffer, C. S., Bhatt, G. Tweed, R., Hanniball, K., Aknin, L, Gagnon, N., Dooley, ... more Viljoen, J.L., Shaffer, C. S., Bhatt, G. Tweed, R., Hanniball, K., Aknin, L, Gagnon, N., Dooley, S., & Douglas, K. S. (2017, June). Does life satisfaction protect against adolescent offending? Paper presented at the 17th Annual International Conference of Forensic Mental Health Services, Split, Croatia.

Interventions for offenders often focus on reducing risk rather than increasing quality of life. However, it is possible that being happy and satisfied with life might protect adolescents from subsequent offending. To test this hypothesis, we conducted two prospective studies. In study 1, life satisfaction significantly predicted lower self-reported offending in a sample of 406 high school students. Similarly, in study 2, life satisfaction predicted lower offending in a sample of 120 at-risk youth (e.g., youth on probation). These findings suggest that life satisfaction may be a viable treatment target for adolescent offenders. However, further research is needed.

Bhanwer, A., Viljoen, J. L., Shaffer, C. S., & Douglas, K. S. (2017, March). Does the SAPROF-YV h... more Bhanwer, A., Viljoen, J. L., Shaffer, C. S., & Douglas, K. S. (2017, March). Does the SAPROF-YV have incremental validity above the SAVRY in the prediction of aggression in youth? Poster presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Psychology - Law Society, Seattle, Washington, USA.

Few studies have examined the incremental validity of protective factors. The current study examined whether a new measure of protective factors, the Structured Assessment of Protective Factors for Violence Risk – Youth Version (SAPROF-YV; de Vries Robbé, 2015), added incrementally to the Structured Assessment of Violence Risk in Youth (SAVRY; Borum et al., 2006) in the predicting aggression. Using a retrospective designed, 69 files were reviewed from youth psychiatric and forensic samples. Results suggest that the SAPROF-YV may not have incremental validity above SAVRY risk factors, and the SAPROF-YV add unique variance above SAVRY protective factors for minor verbal aggression only.

Shaffer, C.S. (2022, February 1). Special topics in adolescent risk assessment and management: In... more Shaffer, C.S. (2022, February 1). Special topics in adolescent risk assessment and management: Intimate partner violence. Webinar presented on behalf of the Canadian Association of Threat Assessment
Professionals.

This two-hour webinar will discuss conceptual and practical issues in assessing and managing dating violence among adolescents. Attendees will learn how to recognize and understand which adolescents are at risk of perpetrating dating violence, including risk and protective factors, and how behaviors and predictors manifest differently in adolescents compared to adults. The webinar will conclude with an analysis of a case example.

*To obtain a full copy of the slides, please visit http://www.catap.ca. A recorded version of the webinar and webinar materials are available for purchase.

The Adolescent Risk Reduction and Resilient Outcomes Work-Plan (ARROW) is an intervention-plannin... more The Adolescent Risk Reduction and Resilient Outcomes Work-Plan (ARROW) is an intervention-planning tool designed to accompany adolescent risk assessment tools, such as the Structured Assessment of Violence Risk in Youth. The ARROW is currently used in Canadian criminal justice settings with several thousand youths each year.

Shaffer, C. S. (2021, September). Speaking to the media: The dos and don’ts of disseminating your... more Shaffer, C. S. (2021, September). Speaking to the media: The dos and don’ts of disseminating your research. Presentation for the Simon Fraser University Forensic Psychology-Law Area Research Seminar, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada.

Abstract: Academics are increasingly expected to step out of their comfort zones and strive to make a more considerable impact on society, rather than simply exchanging research findings with their academic colleagues. In particular, universities have started encouraging academics to engage with local, national, and international media, and many now provide media training to prepare academics for live appearances on T.V. and radio. Despite the availability of resources and supports, concerns remain surrounding media engagement and the potential for being misquoted or the interview going astray. This seminar is intended to inform and empower graduate students, regardless of experience level, to speak to the media about their research. It will include key strategies to inform interactions with the media and the interview techniques and skills that will result in an effective interview.