Dr. Brett Holfeld

Dr. Brett Holfeld is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at the Grenfell Campus, Memorial University of Newfoundland. Brett's training in social, forensic, and lifespan development psychology allows him to approach his research from a multidisciplinary lens. Broadly, his research addresses the role of digital technology in the social and emotional development of children, adolescents, and young adults. Brett has examined the concurrent and longitudinal effects of risk and protective factors (e.g., social support, school climate) on cyber bullying and victimization, and on behavioural and mental health problems. He is primarily interested in using the findings from his research to inform school-based prevention and interventions efforts aimed at reducing cyber bullying among children and adolescents by promoting healthy relationship in online and offline environments. More recently, he has collaborated with PREVNet partners to examine adolescents' experiences of sexting and dating violence during the COVID-19 pandemic.