Catherine Costigan

Biography

  Dr. Catherine Costigan is a Associate Professor at The University Of Victoria.  

Research Interest

 My research and clinical interests focus on children, youth and their families. I am interested in identifying key risk and protective factors within vulnerable families. My goal is to enhance our understanding of risk for mental health problems among children and adolescents, and to explore ways in which relationships with families affect and are affected by, individual and contextual challenges. Thus, I am interested in child psychological adjustment, parent-child relationship dynamics, and co-parenting/marital relationship dynamics. I have studied these issue among different vulnerable populations, including families raising children with intellectual disabilities and families who are new to Canada. Some of my recent research has focused on topics such as understanding the ways in which immigrant parents support the identity development of their adolescents; understanding how acculturation process influence the ability of immigrant mothers and fathers to co-parent together effectively; and identifying relationship dynamics (such as adolescents providing translation services for their immigrant parents) that affect the psychological development of youth.  Most recently, I am studying ways in which differences between family members in how they acculturate to Canada, influence relationship quality and psychological well-being among adolescents and their immigrant parents. My clinical work with children, youth and families has a similar focus. I provide family therapy, couples therapy, and child/adolescent therapy to families who are facing child mental health issues (e.g. anxiety, behavioral challenges, developmental disabilities), relationship distress, or challenging circumstances (e.g., adjusting to a medical diagnosis). I also work with individuals and families who are experiencing difficulties due to the challenges of immigration and acculturation. In addition, I offer workshops designed enhance emotional connections, foster positive parenting approaches, and minimize conflict within immigrant family relationships. Interests Family psychology Immigration and acculturation Developmental disabilities