Clinical Developmental Psychology

The research of the Clinical Developmental Psychology section aims to identify social and biological influences in the development of common emotional and behavioral problems and behavior in children and adolescents. We want to understand which factors contribute to or protect against a deviant development, and how these factors can influence further development during important development transitions. In addition to fundamental research aimed at the mechanisms through which problem behavior arises, we also conduct intervention research with pregnant women, children, young people and their parents, and (young) adults. We examine the effectiveness of interventions and also gain more insight into the effectiveness of modifiable factors in the development of emotional and behavioral problems and health behaviour. The section's more fundamental research consists of research in longitudinal cohorts from pre-birth to young adulthood, often supplemented with intensive and experimental lab studies.