Scott Ronis

Other titles

Associate Dean (Undergraduate and Curriculum), Faculty of Arts

My primary research interests focus on identifying the roles of individual and interpersonal factors on youth emotional and behavioural problems (e.g., juvenile delinquency, sexual offending).

In particular, I am interested in understanding how youth problems are linked with family relationship patterns.

Furthermore, consistent with a contextual/systemic perspective, my research examines the complex and multiple relationships between youth and the broader contexts in which they are embedded (e.g., family, peer, school, neighbourhood, mental health systems).

The overarching goal is for my research to directly influence prevention and treatment services as well as assessment practices with often underrepresented and underserved populations.

My secondary research interests focus on understanding normative and atypical childhood and adolescent sexual experiences and how these might influence adolescent and early adulthood psychosocial adjustment. I am currently conducting studies on sexual aggression, consent, and discrepancies among individuals and couples; family experiences in coping with a family member with alleged histories of problem sexual behaviour; and restorative justice approaches.

In addition, I have become involved in ways to integrate technologies (e.g., AI, VR) in training mental health clinicians and other allied professionals. My goals are to provide health professionals and educators with information that can be used in making decisions about best general therapy and sexual health practices and to educate families on recommended communication strategies.

Education

• Ph.D. (Clinical Psychology) University of Missouri
• M.A. (Clinical Psychology) University of Missouri
• B.A. (Psychology, Spanish) Brandeis University
• Licensure: Licensed Clinical Psychologist, New Brunswick (2010-present) and Virginia (2010-present)

Selected publications

Cassidy, K., & Ronis, S. T. (2025). Predictors of individual and interpersonal adjustment among non-offending partners of individuals with histories of sexual offenses. Sexual Abuse, 37(1), 58-87.

Muise, M. D., Bockaj, A., O‘Sullivan, L. F., & Ronis, S. T. (2024). Attachment style and distress in couples experiencing sexual desire discrepancy. Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality, 33(1), 44-54.

Giberson, E. R., Tracy, B., Kabbash, L., Ronis, S. T., & Campbell, M. A. (2023). Section 19 conferencing in the Canadian youth criminal justice system. Canadian Journal of Criminology and Criminal Justice, 65(2), 97-118.

Malcom, K. E., & Ronis, S. T. (2023). Relationship maintenance strategies of rotational workers and their partners. Personal Relationships, 30(3), 1048-1071.

Metcalfe, K. B., O’Sullivan, L. F., & Ronis, S. T. (2023). Examining how bystanders intervene and perpetrators respond to intervention during experiences of sexual aggression. Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality, 32(2), 208-220.

Vander Molen, L., Ronis, S. T., & Benoit, A. A. (2023). Paraphilic interests versus behaviors: Factors that distinguish individuals who act on paraphilic interests from individuals who refrain. Sexual Abuse, 35(4), 403-427.

Benoit, A. A., & Ronis, S. T. (2022). A qualitative examination of withdrawing sexual consent, sexual compliance, and young women’s role as sexual gatekeepers. International Journal of Sexual Health. 

Vander Molen, L., Ronis, S. T., & Benoit, A. (2022). Paraphilic interests versus behaviors: Factors that distinguish individuals who act on paraphilic interests from individuals who refrain. Sexual Abuse.

Ronis, S. T., O’Sullivan, L. F., & Cormier, L. A. (2022). Vulnerability and variability: Associations between various early forms of nonconsensual sexual experiences and later sexual experiences of young adults. The Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality, 31(1), 8-17. 

Wasson, K. S., Gallagher, A., Ronis, S. T., Miller, D. A. A., & Tilleczeck, K. (2022). Youths’ perceived impact of invalidation and validation on their mental health treatment journeys. Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research, 49, 476-489. 

Voyer, D., Ronis, S. T., & Byers, N. (2022). The effect of notetaking method on academic performance: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Contemporary Educational Psychology, 68. 

Ronis, S. T., Knight, R. A., & Vander Molen, L. (2022). The covariation of sexual fantasies and behaviors among self-identified sexually aggressive criminal and non-criminal samples. International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology, 66(5), 517-537.

Cassidy, K., Kabbash, L., & Ronis, S. T. (2021). A qualitative content analysis of an online support forum for family members of individuals with reported histories of sexual offenses. Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality, 30, 232-242. 

Kabbash, L., & Ronis, S. T. (2021). Making a dent in human trafficking: Investigating the effects of social institutions and policies across 60 countries. Crime, Law and Social Change, 76, 321-336. 

Ronis, S. T., E. Byers, S., Brotto, L., & Nichols, S. (2021). Beyond the label: Asexual identity among individuals on the high-functioning autism spectrum. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 50, 3831-3842. 

Miller, D. A. A., Ronis, S. T., & Slaunwhite, A. K. (2021). The impact of demographic, clinical, and institutional factors on psychiatric inpatient length-of-stay. Administration and Policy in Mental Health Services Research, 48, 683-694. 

Vander Molen, L., Ronis, S. T., Benoit, A., & Walmark, S. (2021). Differential associations between paraphilic interests and sexual adjustment. Sexual Addiction and Compulsivity, 27(3-4), 274-292. 

Ronis, S. T., & Kabbash, L. (2020). Assault and harassment. In C. Pukall (Ed.), Human Sexuality: A Contemporary Introduction, 3rd Edition (pp. 392-419). Toronto, ON: Oxford University Press.

Malcom, K. E., & Ronis, S. T. (2020). Observed comfort in sexual communication between mothers and adolescents. American Journal of Sexuality Education, 16(1), 107-123. 

Miller, D. A. A., Ronis, S. T., Slaunwhite, A. K., Audas, R., Richard, J., Tilleczek, K., & Zhang, M. (2020). Longitudinal examination of youth readmission to mental health inpatient units. Child and Adolescent Mental Health, 25(4), 238-248. 

Levac, L., Ronis, S. T., Vaccarino, O., & Cowper-Smith, Y. (2019). A scoping review: The utility of participatory research approaches in psychology. Journal of Community Psychology, 47, 1865-1892. 

Garceau, C., & Ronis, S. T. (2019). A qualitative investigation of expected versus actual initial sexual experiences before age 16. Journal of Adolescence, 71, 38-49. 

Slaunwhite, A. K., Ronis, S. T., Peters, P. A., & Miller, D. A. A. (2019). Seasonal variations in psychiatric admissions to hospital. Canadian Psychology, 60, 155-164. 

Ronis, S. T., & Slaunwhite, A. K. (2019). Gender and geographic predictors of cyber bullying victimization, perpetration, and coping modalities among youth. Canadian Journal of School Psychology, 34, 3-21. 

Garceau, C., & Ronis, S. T. (2017). The interface between young adults’ religious values and their sexual experiences prior to age sixteen. Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality, 26, 142-150. 

Ronis, S. T., Slaunwhite, A. K., Peters, P. A., & Miller, D. A. A. (2017). ‘To everything there is a season’: Mental health-related hospitalizations by youth and adults. Journal of Adolescent Health, 60, S23. 

Ronis, S. T., Slaunwhite, A. K., & Malcom, K. E. (2017). Comparing strategies for providing child and youth mental health services in Canada, the United States, and the Netherlands. Administration and Policy in Mental Health, 44, 955-966. 

Slaunwhite, A. K., Ronis, S. T., Sun, Y., & Peters, P. (2017). The emotional health and well-being of Canadians who care for persons with mental health or addictions problems. Journal of Health and Social Care in the Community, 25, 840-847. 

Wershler, J. L., & Ronis, S. T. (2015). Psychosocial characteristics and service needs of Canadian suburban male youth at risk for homelessness. Children and Youth Services Review, 55, 29-36. 

O’Sullivan, L. F., & Ronis, S. T. (2013). Sexual development in girls: “Normative” development and development of paraphilias and sexual offending behaviors. In D. S. Bromberg & W. T. O’Donohue (Eds.), Handbook of Child and Adolescent Sexuality: Developmental and Forensic Psychology (pp. 193-219). New York: Elsevier.

O’Sullivan, L. F., & Ronis, S. T. (2013). Virtual cheating hearts: Extradyadic and poaching interactions among adolescents with links to online sexual activities. Canadian Journal of Behavioural Science, 45, 175-184. 

Ronis, S. T., & Borduin, C. M. (2013). Antisocial behavior trajectories of adolescents and emerging adults with histories of sexual aggression. Psychology of Violence, 3, 367-380. 

Ronis, S. T., & LeBouthillier, D. M. (2013). University students’ attitudes toward purchasing condoms. Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality, 22, 86-94. 

Borduin, C. M., & Ronis, S. T. (2012). Individual, family, peer, and academic characteristics of female violent juvenile offenders. Youth Violence and Juvenile Justice, 10, 385-399. 

Ronis, S. T., & O’Sullivan, L. (2011). A longitudinal analysis of predictors of male and female adolescents’ transition to intimate sexual behavior. Journal of Adolescent Health, 49, 321-323. 

Selected grants

Principal Investigator, "Intimate Partners of Individuals With Histories of Sexual Offenses," Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, $98,935; 2023-2028.

Co-Investigator, "Family Violence Online Programming in Rural and Remote Areas of the Atlantic Provinces," Public Health Agency of Canada, $634,482; 2023-2024.

Co-Investigator, "The Complexities of Men and Abuse in an International Context: An Academic-Community Approach," Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (Connection Grant); $50,000; 2023.

Co-Investigator, “Identifying Scripts and Norms Guiding Young Men’s Use of Sexual Aggression Against Women,” Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada; $194,219; 2021-25.

Principal Investigator, “Characteristics of Individual and Interpersonal Adjustment Among Intimate Partners of Individuals With Histories of Sexual Aggression,” University of New Brunswick; $6,938; 2020-21.

Co-Principal Investigator, “Longhand Notetaking vs. Digital Notetaking,” Centre for Enhanced Teaching and Learning, University of New Brunswick; $4,000; 2020-21.

Co-Principal Investigator, “Barriers and Facilitators in Access to Child/Youth Mental Health Services: A Mixed Methods, Inter-sectorial Study in Atlantic Canada,” Canadian Institutes of Health Research; $2,363,683; 2013-18.

Principal Investigator, “Prevalence and Psychosocial Factors Associated with Childhood Sexual Experiences,” Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada; $225,013; 2012-16.

Principal Investigator, “Advancing Supports for Young Men in New Brunswick,” Human Resources and Skills Development Canada; $70,000; 2012-13.

Principal Investigator, “Verbal and Nonverbal Cues of Adolescents’ Family Interactions,” University of New Brunswick; $6,000; 2010-11.

Teaching

• Undergraduate courses:
  • PSYC 3323 - Systems of Psychotherapy
  • PSYC 3253 - Family Processes
  • PSYC 3343 - Psychology of Crime
• Graduate courses:
  • PSYC 6001 - Statistics and Design I
  • PSYC 6312 - Therapy Skills with Children
  • PSYC 6408 - Evidence-Based Practice
  • PSYC 6629 - Child Intervention Practicum