Speaker
Presentation in English
CAROLIEN RIEFFE
LEIDEN UNIVERSITY. NETHERLANDS
Prof. Dr. Carolien Rieffe leads the Focus On Emotions research lab at the Developmental and Educational Psychology section of the Institute of Psychology at Leiden University, and University of Twente, the Netherlands. She is Professor of Social Interaction Technology at the University of Twente and Honorary Professor at the Institute of Education at UCL (University College London) in London.
She studies the development of emotional intelligence and how this affects social development and mental health in young people. Central to this is interaction with the environment and the role of social learning. Rieffe studies youth of all ages, focusing in part on understanding the impact of individual differences on the development of youth with hearing loss and autistic youth.
Mental Health and Peer Connections in Neurodivergent Youth
Mental health in young people is often studied with a strong focus on the individual: how best to support the child or adolescent experiencing depression, anxiety, or aggressive behaviors. However, this perspective can overlook the broader context in which a young person develops. Peer contact can be particularly influential. Even a single supportive friendship can serve as a powerful protective factor.
Conversely, negative peer experiences—such as bullying—can have profound effects on a child’s mental health and well-being. These peer connections can be more challenging for neurodiverse youth, like autistic children or children with ADHD or DLD (Developmental Language Disorder), who more often report mental health problems, bullying and loneliness in school.
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