Elizabeth Saewyc

Strong school and family ties buffer gender-diverse teens from bullying and hostility

B.C.’s gender-diverse youth continue to face significant bullying and harassment, but a new report by UBC and McCreary Centre Society underlines how social supports like strong school and family relationships make a significant impact on their well-being.

May 31, 2021

Credit: Ted Eytan/Flickr

Health of transgender youth improving but stigma, violence still a concern

Canada’s transgender youth are more supported in their identities nowadays, with more trans teens—50 per cent compared to 45 per cent five years ago—living in their felt gender full-time, finds a new survey led by UBC researchers.

Nov 16, 2020

Credit: Delia Giandeini/Unsplash

Supportive communities and progressive politics can reduce suicide risk among LGBTQ girls

Many LGBTQ youth continue to experience stigma and discrimination despite Canada’s progress in protecting human rights.

Jul 28, 2020

Credit: Nery Zarate on Unsplash

UBC experts on vaping

The U.S. Centres for Disease Control and Prevention is investigating a possible link between e-cigarette use, also called vaping, and “severe” lung disease after dozens of young adults and teens reported breathing illnesses, with some ending up in hospital.

Aug 20, 2019

Credit: Ted Eytan/Flickr

Supportive families and schools help prevent substance use among transgender youth: UBC study

Strong family and school connections are helping prevent transgender youth from smoking cigarettes and using marijuana, even among those targeted by violence.

Jun 10, 2019

UBC experts on International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia

UBC experts on International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia

The International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia takes place Friday, May 17, 2019. UBC experts are available to comment.

May 16, 2019

Vancouver high school students disciplined over alleged bullying list

CTV quoted Elizabeth Saewyc, a UBC professor who researches stigma against vulnerable youth, about a list published by school students outing their peers. “For someone who is already feeling bullied […]

Mar 11, 2019

Transgender teen can proceed with hormone treatment despite father’s objections, B.C. court rules

The National Post spoke to Elizabeth Saewyc, a nursing professor at UBC and principal investigator of the first nationwide trans youth survey, about the rights of transgender teens. The story also appeared […]

Feb 28, 2019

Gay-straight alliances contribute to a safer school climate long-term

Lavender magazine mentioned a new UBC study about gay-straight alliances, which the research shows make schools safer places the longer they are in effect.

Feb 7, 2019

Gay-straight alliances make schools feel safer for straight kids too, research shows

Star Vancouver spoke to Elizabeth Saewyc, a professor of nursing at UBC, about gay-straight alliances (GSAs) in schools. A study by Saewyc and her colleagues found that GSAs help make schools safer. […]

Feb 6, 2019

Gay-straight alliances contribute to a safer school climate long-term

Gay-straight alliances contribute to a safer school climate long-term

Gay-straight alliances (GSAs) help make schools safer for students the longer they are in place, even among straight students, finds new research from the Stigma and Resilience Among Vulnerable Youth Centre at the University of British Columbia.

Feb 5, 2019

Who gets to decide when a 14-year-old wants to change gender?

Elizabeth Saewyc, a nursing professor at UBC’s school of nursing and principal investigator of the first nationwide trans youth survey, spoke to the National Post about who should decide when […]

Jan 21, 2019

Youth substance abuse

UBC nursing professor and director of the UBC school of nursing, Elizabeth Saewyc, was interviewed on CBC’s B.C. Today about a report out by B.C.’s Representative for Children and Youth and […]

Nov 19, 2018

UBC launches second national survey to study health of Canadian trans youth

The Georgia Straight published an article about a UBC-led survey of Canadian trans youth. The Stigma and Resilience among Vulnerable Youth Centre (SARAVYC) is leading research to discover what changes […]

Nov 13, 2018

When culture interferes with the couple

La Source interviewed Elizabeth Saewyc, director and professor at UBC’s school of nursing, about a study from UBC and Simon Fraser University that examined teen relationships. “It is important to […]

Oct 26, 2018

Teens actually have safer sex after HPV vaccine: Study

Huffington Post featured a UBC study that found the HPV vaccine does not lead teen girls to have riskier sexual behaviours. The research was conducted by lead author Gina Ogilvie, […]

Oct 18, 2018

Parents: HPV vaccine won’t make your daughter have risky sex

Various media outlets reported on a UBC study that found the HPV vaccine does not lead teen girls to have riskier sexual behaviours. The research was conducted by lead author […]

Oct 16, 2018

HPV vaccine doesn’t encourage teen girls to have risky sex

Newsweek reported on UBC research that found the HPV vaccine program in B.C. schools doesn’t encourage teen girls to have risky sex. The research was conducted by lead author Gina […]

Oct 15, 2018

Researchers examined data from the BC Adolescent Health Survey, a population-based survey of students in Grades 7 to 12 conducted every five years.

Teen girls did not engage in riskier sexual activity after HPV vaccine introduced in schools

Sexual behaviour among teen girls generally stayed the same or became less risky after human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccinations were introduced in B.C. public schools, according to new research from UBC.

Oct 15, 2018

New study finds more male teens report violence in relationships

The Daily Mail reported on a UBC study that found boys in teenage relationships may experience more physical violence than females. Researchers Elizabeth Saewyc, a nursing professor at UBC, and […]

Oct 1, 2018