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As from 1 May 2020, Jaap Denissen has been appointed Professor of Developmental Psychology: Psychological Growth and Maladjustment. Among other things, Denissen will focus the research of his chair on psychological changes throughout life. ‘I will also study the difference between healthy and unhealthy development. Children who do have a normal development can teach us a great deal when we want to understand and ultimately treat disorders better.’

Between 2005 and 2007, Denissen already worked at Utrecht ľ¹Ï¸£ÀûÓ°ÊÓ as a post-doc in developmental psychology.

Denissen: ‘While I worked in Berlin and Tilburg after 2007, I always remembered Utrecht fondly for its academic and intellectual climate as well as its atmosphere. In other words, I feel as though I'm coming home. The broad field of research at the university appeals to me greatly. It allows developmental psychologists such as I to cooperate with a range of disciplines, including educational scientists and other educationalists within the strategic theme Dynamics of Youth.’

Success and problems

Denissen stresses the importance of developmental psychology, as both success and problems in life often trace their origins to an early age. ‘If we manage to develop useful interventions, we can increase the number of children that we save from going off the rails or incurring psychological issues.’ Denissen clarifies that this positive effect not only benefits the children themselves but also their families, their school performance and ultimately society as well. ‘After all, children who feel good about themselves are more creative and inquisitive, which builds a firm foundation for their long-term employability as adults.’