I am Associate Professor of Developmental Psychology and conduct interdisciplinary research that focuses on social and cognitive processes related to mental (depression, anxiety) and behavioural health (alcohol use, smoking, and problematic smartphone and social media use) in adolescents and young adults. I am especially interested in the complexity between the social context (e.g., peers, parents) and individual risk factors (e.g., motivational processes, self-regulation).
In my research, and collaborations, I combine developmental psychology with insights from pedagogical, medical, and methodological disciplines and applied research. In addition to conducting assessment studies to get a refined understanding of the processes involved in psychopathologies and healthy behavior, I conduct intervention studies. For instance, I am involved in the development of a targeted digital game-based prevention intervention for impulsive and sensation seeking youth aged 13-16 years as well as online intervention studies aiming at decreasing alcohol use, smoking, and anxiety.
I have a great passion for teaching and mentoring students and junior scholars.
Next to my teaching and research, I am board member of Research Priority Area 'Youth Digitality' and academic director of the UvA Summer School 'Mental Health, Youth and Society'. Also, I am chair of the 'Dutch Society for Developmental Psychology' (VNOP).