Family members of military service personnel and first responders, particularly children, have received little research attention. Our studies have focused on school-age children in terms of their emotional (e.g., depression and anxiety symptoms) and social functioning (e.g., relationships with peers, siblings, and parents), behaviour (e.g., aggression, attention difficulties), and academic functioning (e.g., school engagement, academic confidence). Specifically, do these children report developmental assets that act as protective factors against some of the previously identified negative factors associated with being in a military family (e.g., frequent moves, extended parental absences)? In addition, this study is looking at a sub-group of families who report a parent with an operational stress injury (OSI; e.g., depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, substance use) and the resulting effects on the child's functioning. We have also been exploring the impact of military-to-civilian transition on family members, specifically those living with veterans who are experiencing mental health problems. Our study focused on capturing the voices of family members alongside the veteran and first responders (e.g., fire, police, paramedic).

Exposure to and use of screen devices in preschool children is an increasingly important topic. Our research has explored whether mobile media use is related to executive functions, physical activity, and sleep. We have also explored how screen time is associated with behavioral outcomes in three-year-old children using data from a pregnancy cohort in Calgary, Alberta. 

Cyber-based dating aggression (CBDA), or aggression between romantic couples through technology (e.g., social media and text messaging), is an important area of focus. Our study led to a better understanding of CBDA as it occurs in an adolescent population. Using an iOS and Android mobile application to collect data, adolescents will be asked to respond about their CBDA experiences by answering specific questions on a daily basis, including type of CBDA experiences and how it affected their emotional well-being and satisfaction in their relationship. 

Partnerships with the Blood Tribe Reserve, Siksika Nation, and Stoney Nakoda have led to various community-based research projects centering on positive youth development, extra-curricular activities, and culturally relevant pedagogy.

Dr. Schwartz is past Chair of the Board of Directors for HopeShares Canada, a nonprofit registered Canadian charity that operates a community development agency in Bhekulwandle, South Africa, serving children and families in the areas of literacy, health, education, leadership, and spiritual development. Through community-based research, youth were involved in a project that explored leadership and strengths.