Emerging Scholar Spotlight
Christopher Hafen
Post Doctoral Research Associate
University of Virginia
Christopher Hafen received his bachelor’s degree from San José State University, and then went on to receive both his Master’s degree and PhD from Florida Atlantic University under the guidance of Dr. Brett Laursen.
Adolescence is a period highlighted by relationship changes, and Christopher is particularly interested in understanding the function and development of close relationships in adolescence, and the ways in which context and individual differences drive changes in close relationships over time. For example, some of his recent research examines the relationship difficulties of disagreeable youth, using longitudinal multi-method data to show that being disagreeable in interactions with friends at age 14 predicts not only poorer relationships with friends at age 16 but also poorer romantic relationships at age 21. He notes that these findings highlight not only the considerable difficulties these youth have with relationships, but also the ways in which patterns formed with friends follow individuals into future relationships.
Bridging the gap between research and practice can be challenging, and his recent work with an educational intervention (www.mtpsecondary.net) has shaped a new interest in understanding the broader contexts that best support adolescent development and learning. He currently coordinates an ongoing randomized control trial that is testing the intervention’s effectiveness at improving teacher-student interactions and thus student outcomes.
Membership at the Society for Research of Adolescence has also played an important role in his career development, through opportunities such as the 2009 SRA/EARA Summer School at the University of British Columbia, in which he participated as an emerging scholar. He notes that this event provided a unique opportunity to form relationships to be carried throughout his career.
Christopher can be reached cah3wy@virginia.edu. For a full review of Christopher’s accomplishments thus far, please click here for his C.V.
Select Publications:
Hafen, C. A., DeLay, D., & Laursen, B. (2012). Transformations in friend relationships across the transition into adolescence. In B. Laursen & W. A. Collins (Eds.), Relationship Pathways: From Adolescence to Young Adulthood (pp. 69-90). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Hafen, C. A., Laursen, B., Kerr, M., Stattin, H., & Burk, W. J. (2011). Stable friends, unstable friends, and homophily: Similarity breeds constancy. Personality and Individual Differences, 51, 607-612. Laursen, B., & Hafen, C. A. (2010). Future directions in the study of close relationships: Conflict is bad (except when it's not). Social Development, 19, 858-872.
Hafen, C. A., & Laursen, B. (2009). More problems and less support: Early adolescentadjustment forecast changes in perceived support from parents. Journal of Family Psychology, 23, 192 - 203.
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