Samantha Cristallo, MA
PhD1, Counselling Psychology
Research Interests: Pediatric psychosocial oncology; Mindfulness and compassion; Parent and child psychological well-being; Resilience and coping; Psychosocial interventions; Mechanisms of change; Interpersonal mindfulness; Self-compassion; Social connection
Biography: Samantha Cristallo is a doctoral student whose research centers on child and family well-being, with a particular focus on pediatric psychosocial oncology and mindfulness- and compassion-based interventions. She is interested in how mindfulness and compassion may promote psychological adjustment and resilience among children and families facing significant stressors, and in identifying the mechanisms through which psychosocial interventions improve well-being. Her research also explores the relationship between parent psychological functioning and children's psychosocial outcomes.
Samantha completed her B.A. in Psychology at McGill University, with minors in Behavioural Science and Italian Studies, followed by an M.A. in Psychology at Concordia University. Her research experience spans developmental, social, behavioural, and health psychology, with work involving children, families, educators, and clinical populations. In pediatric health research, she has contributed to psychosocial oncology, child- and family-centred resource development, and knowledge mobilization initiatives designed to make research accessible and meaningful to children, families, educators, and healthcare professionals.
Supervisors: Dr. Bassam Khoury and Dr. Argerie Tsimicalis
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MA Experimental Psychology, Concordia University, 2025
BA Psychology, McGill University, 2023
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Fazeli, S., Cristallo, S., Cossette, P., & Tsimicalis, A. (2026, October). Stories that Support: A Content Analysis of Children’s Cancer Picture Books [Poster presentation]. Canadian Association of Nurses in Oncology (CANO/ACIO) Annual Conference, Montréal, Quebec.
Drake, E. K., Damoulianos, E., Fazeli, S., Desforges, J., Cristallo, S., Castiglione, S., Cossette, P., Shakhgildian, A., Reid, K., Benjelloun, I., Bourque, C. J., Crepeau, I., Langlet, M.-F., Leveille, K., Haas, K., Reid, S., Duval, M., & Tsimicalis, A. (2026, March). Collaborative Creation and Curation of In-Progress Child-Centric Knowledge Mobilization Exemplars, Processes and Products. [Poster presentation]. ACCESS Annual Scientific Meeting, Toronto, Ontario.
Körner, A., Sbrocca, R., Wolckenhaar, F., Cristallo, S., Wan, J., & Brophy, K. (2024, June). The Role of Compassion for Others and Oneself for Well-Being and Attachment Insecurity in a Community Sample. [Poster presentation]. International Society for Psychotherapy Research (SPR) Annual Conference, Ottawa, Ontario.
Brophy, K., Boivin-Ménard, R., Little, J., Cristallo, S., Bardine, A., & Körner, A. (2023, June). Validation of the Compassionate Engagement and Action Scales in a Clinical Sample. [Poster presentation]. Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) 84th Annual National Convention, Toronto, Ontario.
Brophy, K., Little, J., Cristallo, S., Boivin-Ménard, R., Mesli, N., & Körner, A. (2023, June). Convergent and Divergent Validity of the Sussex-Oxford Compassion Scales for Self and Others (SOCS) in a Clinical Sample. [Poster presentation]. International Society for Psychotherapy Research (SPR) Annual Conference, Dublin, Ireland.
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Awards:
Graduate Excellence Fellowship Award, McGill University — $18,000 (2026)
Faculty of Arts and Science Award, Concordia University — $10,000 (2023)
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