Molly Selover

Ph.D. Student 

Florida Atlantic University 

Department of Psychology 

Florida Atlantic University 

Ph.D., Developmental Psychology 

Anticipated May 2028 

State University of New York at Cortland

B.S., Psychology (2023)

Conference Presentations

Selover, M., & Laursen, B. (2026, April) Longitudinal trajectories of body image and emotional problems over three years of adolescence: A parallel process latent growth model analysis [Poster Presentation]. Society of Research on Adolescence, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Selover, M. Faur, S., Guillont, M., & Laursen, B. (2026, April). The importance of Spanish language similarity in friend selection [Poster Presentation]. Society of Research on Adolescence, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Sherrod, L., Selover, M., Kaniusonyte. G., & Laursen. B. (2026, April) The friends they have and the friends they want: Desired friends and why they don’t become real friends. . [Poster Presentation]. Society of Research on Adolescence, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Sherrod, L., Selover, M., Montejo, S., Leggett-James, M.P., & Laursen, B. (2026, April) The antecedents of young adolescent unpopularity. [Poster Presentation]. Society of Research on Adolescence, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Selover. M., Leggett-James, M.P., Laursen. B. (2025, May) School structure explains age group differences in friend selection similarity. [Symposium Presentation]. Society of Research on Child Development, Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Selover, M., Hojen, A., Trecca, F., Bleses. D.,&  Laursen., B. (2025, May). Solitary screen time exacerbates longitudinal associations from low language skills to heightened adjustment problems. [Poster Presentation]. Society of Research on Child Development, Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Leggett-James. M.P., Yoho. M., Selover. M., Leclerc-Bedard. L., & Laursen. B. (2025, May) The wrong stuff: Characteristics of youth involved in enemy relationships. [Poster Presentation]. Society of Research on Child Development, Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Leggett-James. M.P., Selover. M., Leclerc-Bedard. L., Altman. R., Sherrod. L., & Laursen. B. (2025, May) Loneliness as a precursor to adolescent withdrawal and peer difficulties. Society of Research on Child Development, Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Guillont. M., Selover. M., Bakaityte. A., Kaniusonyte. G., Zukauskiene. R., & Laursen. B. (2025, May) Friend loss exacerbates adjustment difficulties among shy children. [Poster Presentation]. Society of Research on Child Development, Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Sherrod. L., Madeira Borri. M., Selover. M., & Laursen. B. (2025, May) Who do you want to be friends with? The characteristics of those who make and receive desired friend nominations. [Poster Presentation]. Society of Research on Child Development, Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Guillont. M., Selover. M., Madeira Borri. M., & Laursen. B. (2025, May) Higher-ranked friend nominations are mranked friend noore likely to beminations.[Poste reciprocated than lower-r Presentation]. Society of Research on Child Development, Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Selover, M., Leggett-James, M. P., & Laursen, B. (2024, April 18-20). The rise of friend selection similarity across the transition into adolescence. [Poster Presentation]. Society for Research on Adolescence Annual Meeting. Chicago, IL. https://www.s-r-a.org/2024- annual-meeting-portal

Leggett-James, M. P., Selover, M., Leclerc-Bedard, L.-A., & Laursen, B. (2024, April 18-20). More about being fun: Making friends to maximize social status. [Poster Presentation]. Society for Research on Adolescence Annual Meeting. Chicago, IL. https://www.s-r- a.org/2024-annual-meeting-portal

Awards & Certificates 

Fall 2024 

Susan T. Dewar Memorial Award, Department of Psychology, Florida Atlantic University ($250)