Research Programs

The Psychosocial Axis includes researchers from the fields of psychiatry, psychology, cognitive neuroscience, public health, anthropology, and nursing. Axis members are known nationally and internationally as leaders in cultural psychiatry, the mental health of Indigenous Peoples, immigrants and refugees, psychosocial oncology, palliative care, personality disorders, reproductive mental health, maternal-child health, psychological medicine, computational psychiatry. and the critical evaluation of research evidence. 

The Axis makes a unique contribution by considering not only individual factors related to health and disease, but also the familial, social, and cultural contexts in which the individual is embedded. LDI scientists are leaders in the study of behavioural and social determinants of illness experience, symptom expression, diagnostic formulation, access to and adherence to treatment, and outcomes of physical and mental illness. 

The research of this Axis contributes to policy and practice aimed at integrative approaches to treatment and prevention of chronic disease, addressing the needs of vulnerable communities, and reducing health disparities. Research in this Axis contributes not only to scientific knowledge, but also to innovation in health services and clinical care. The research program has expanded to examine mental health across the lifespan, developmental psychopathology, and novel approaches to mental health. These include pioneering telehealth options and digital health initiatives to improve access to care.

The Axis includes the Culture and Mental Health Research Unit and Cultural Consultation Service dedicated to developing approaches to integrating cultural and social context in clinical care.

The Axis is also home to the Centre for Nursing Research (Margaret Purden, Director), a unique resource that promotes interdisciplinary and clinical research, and advances evidence-based practice in nursing. We develop and evaluate novel assessments, health promotion programs, preventive interventions, and treatments for medical and psychiatric patients.