I am trained in social psychology, and my research focuses on understanding how individuals develop a sense of "us", a shared social identity. This sense "us" emerges in a wide variety of contexts including in immigrants, in schools among students and staff members, and among the general population. Thus, my first research axis focuses on the process by which social identities develop. I am particularly interested in understanding how individuals manage multiple social identities. This is most evident among migrants, who often manage affiliation and identification with multiple cultural groups.

My second research axis focuses on the consequences of social identity. Having a shared sense of "us" allows individuals to work together with fellow group members towards better outcomes. These include greater social cohesion, better mental health, adopting public health measures, and engaging in collective action. Thus, I seek to better understand why and how social identities matter.

My third research axis seeks to understand when and how societies experience social change, and the way in which societies and individuals adapt to these processes. It is increasingly recognised no society and no group is immune to change, and hence we need to better understand when social change will occur, and how it can be mitigated to protect those who are vulnerable.

My research program is aimed at achieving a better understanding of the cognitive and psychological consequences of traumatic brain injury (TBI) in adults, using a number of methodological approaches. More specifically, my work concerns:

1. the development of models for predicting future developments in TBI patients
2. the development of neuropsychological tools for TBI clients
3. the evaluation of early intervention and rehabilitation programs for TBI patients

Dr. Sébastien Grenier is a clinical psychologist, research fellow (FRQS) at the research centre of the Institut universitaire de gériatrie de Montréal, and Director of the Laboratory on studies of late-life anxiety and depression (LEADER). His research concerns the benefits of cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) in treating late-life anxiety and different associated disorders, including depression, cognitive disorders and fear of falling. Dr. Grenier was in private practice for about ten years at the Laval anxiety clinic before becoming a professor.

Health psychology: Cancer, quality of life and mental health - Consequences on patients and their families of surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatments: psychiatric symptoms, marital relations, sexual dysfunctions, social support network, body image, communication, defence mechanisms, etc. Epidemiological study of Quebeckers' mental health: rate of psychiatric disorders in various ethnic groups, by gender, ethnicity, impact of immigration, length of stay, etc.

Intercultural psychology: adaptation of immigrants and ethnic groups from different countries (Haiti, Morocco, Lebanon, Italy, etc.) or of different religions (Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Muslim). Adaptation in psychological, social, professional, psychiatric, family and other terms. Comparative analysis of means of acculturation, family structures, identity processes, discrimination, endogamous and exogamous marriages, etc.

My research projects focus on improving treatment for people with severe mental illness, either by creating new treatments, evaluating needs or training mental health workers. For instance, I have collaborated on creating and validating group interventions in cognitive behaviour therapy to improve self-esteem or the symptoms of people suffering from psychoses. My current research bears mainly on first-episode patients, but I am also interested in patients with longer clinical histories.

My current research looks at the impact of cognitive behaviour therapy on the symptoms and functioning of people after a first psychotic episode (CIHR grant); profiles of first episodes who follow or ignore treatment recommendations for their psychosis (MSFHR grant, Norma Calder); the impact of motivational interviews on treatment persistence among first-episode patients; care and clinical profiles, and the creation of group treatment, for people suffering from psychoses as a result of methamphetamine abuse (CIHR grant); the impact of cognitive behaviour therapy for psychosis on an incarcerated psychiatric clientele; support for employment (CIHR grant) and education for people with severe mental illness; cognitive remediation related to social functioning among people with psychoses and cognitive deficits. I am also interested in the stigmatization of psychosis and knowledge transfer in the community.