Patricia Vuijk
مدرس · Mental health in girls and young women
Rotterdam University of Applied Sciencesمعرفی
Dr. Patricia Vuijk is a Lecturer in Girls and Mental Well-being at the Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences, where she leads the Lectorate Girls and Mental Well-being within the Knowledge Centre for Talent Development and the Healthcare Innovation Knowledge Centre. Since 2013, she has held the position of Lector Publieke Zorg en Preventie voor Jeugd (Professor of Public Health and Youth Prevention), focusing on preventive interventions for children and adolescents at risk of psychopathology.
Education:
- PhD in Orthopedagogics, Erasmus MC (2006)
- Teacher training in primary education, Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences
- Orthopedagogics, Leiden University
Research Interests:
Dr. Vuijk’s research is centered on preventive youth care, with a particular emphasis on gender-specific developmental pathways leading to psychopathology. Her work explores how early interventions—especially school-based programs—can redirect high-risk trajectories in children and adolescents. She investigates the role of co-rumination in friendships, the mental representations of teachers in relation to students with behavioral issues, and the effectiveness of digital interventions such as serious games and apps.
Key Projects:
- Happy Friends, Positive Minds! – A longitudinal study on depression prevention in adolescent girls.
- A.L.I.B.I. – A serious game for children transitioning from primary to secondary school with a history of negative social experiences.
- Girls United – Multidisciplinary intervention research on personalized support for girls.
- Disruptive Behavior and Early Therapeutic Alliances – Investigating the formation of therapeutic alliances in children with disruptive behavior.
Public Engagement:
Dr. Vuijk is a prolific science communicator, writing monthly blog posts on the value of scientific insights for youth care and education. She has delivered public lectures such as “Praise of Self-Reflection: Youth Professional, Know Thyself” and has been featured in national media discussing the importance of early mental health interventions.
Collaborations:
She collaborates with institutions like Erasmus MC/Sophia Children's Hospital, VU Amsterdam, Yulius Academy, and BOOR Foundation to integrate research into practice and education.
