ABOUT US

Youth Prevention Lab

The Youth Prevention team (October '23)

WHAT WE DO

Connecting Science & Society

The Youth Prevention lab (in Dutch: Preventieve Jeugdhulp en Opvoeding) is based at the Research Institute of Child Development and Education, University of Amsterdam. Since its inception in 2013, our lab examines processes of resilience, adaptation, and maladaptation in childhood and adolescence. We do this by conducting longitudinal research on family and peer socialization dynamics (research pillar I), and by using insights from this research to develop, implement, and test preventive intervention programs (research pillar II). Our research projects span multiple contexts, developmental stages, and well-being outcomes. This way, we aim to support the prosperous, safe, and healthy development of all youths and their families.

For an overview of ongoing projects within our two research pillars, click the links above. Alternatively, read about our completed projects since 2013.

MISSION

MISSION

Our mission is to uncover variations in typical and atypical child and adolescent development, and to use this knowledge as input for developing, implementing, and testing preventive intervention programs. 

VISION

VISION

Our vision is that prevention has to be implemented early, has to be aimed at strengthening the main contexts surrounding youths (families, peer groups, and schools), and has to focus first and foremost at strengthening youths’ health and resilience.
WHO WE ARE

People

Meet our dynamic team of dedicated researchers, each contributing unique expertise to advance knowledge that promotes the prosperous, safe, and healthy development of youths.

Prof. dr. Geertjan Overbeek

Full Professor

Dr. Alithe van den Akker

Assistant Professor

Angelique Boering, Msc.

PhD Candidate

Dr. Annabeth Groenman

Assistant Professor

Dr. Anne Bijlsma

Assistant Professor

Dr. Brechtje de Mooij

Assistant Professor

Prof. dr. Eva Mulder

Endowed Professor

Prof. dr. Henny Bos

Full Professor

Dr. Jana Runze

Postdoctoral Researcher

Janneke Blokland, MSc.

Junior Researcher

Dr. Julia Offermans

Postdoctoral Researcher

Karen Rienks, MSc.

PhD Candidate

Photo by Kirsten van Santen

Prof. dr. Leonieke Boendermaker

Full Professor

Prof. dr. Levi van Dam

Endowed Professor

Liina Björg Laas Sigurðardóttir, MSc.

Junior Researcher

Dr. Loes van Rijn-van Gelderen

Assistant Professor

Marijke Engbrenghof, Msc.

PhD Candidate

Dr. Maud Hensums

Postdoctoral Researcher

Merijn de Graaff, MSc.

Research Assistant

Merlin Nieterau, Msc.

PhD Candidate

Prof. dr. Minne Fekkes

Endowed Professor

Dr. Patty Leijten

Associate Professor

Dr. Peter Hoffenaar

Lecturer

Prof. dr. Ruben Fukkink

Endowed Professor

Sanne Agterberg, MSc.

PhD Candidate

Dr. Susanne Schulz

Postdoctoral Researcher

Tamara Leter, MSc.

Research Assistant

Photo credits:
  • Geertjan Overbeek: Jeroen Oeremans
  • Eva Mulder: Kirsten van Santen
  • Jana Runze: Bob Bronshoff
  • Henny Bos: Dirk Gillissen
  • Leonieke Boendermaker: Kirsten van Santen
  • Levi van Dam: Kirsten van Santen
  • Marijke Engbrenghof:
  • Marlou van Oosterhout
  • Maud Hensums: Sander Nieuwenhuys
  • Minne Fekkes: Dirk Gillissen
  • Ruben Fukkink: Jeroen Oeremans