FREE Project (2020-present)
PI: Dr. Salvatore Ioverno (Ghent University). Contact person for the Netherlands: Dr. Laura Baams (University of Groningen)
The FREE (Fostering the Right to Education in Europe) project is a cross-national study investigating how schools in Europe respond to issues of youth’s sexual and gender identity.
Being Bi+ Experiences and Wellbeing of Bi+ Individuals in the Netherlands (2020-present)
PI: Dr. Laura Baams (University of Groningen)
Applicants: Dr. Diana van Bergen (University of Groningen), Dr. Hanneke de Graaf, Dr. Marianne Cense (Rutgers), Dr. Emiel Maliepaard (Atria). Co-applicants: Prof. dr. Henny Bos (University of Amsterdam), John de Wit (Utrecht University), Kai Jonas (Maastricht University), Chantal den Daas (University of Aberdeen)
There is great variation among bi+ people in sexual attraction, behaviors, and relationships. In this research project, we examine bi+ people’s experiences and wellbeing. A survey among bi+ youth and adults (16-55 years old) will focus on experiences with minority stress, monosexism, and links with mental health and substance use, while an interview study will focus on bi+ adults’ (34-41 years old) experiences with social norms, stigma, relationships, and family.
Funded by Bi+ Nederland.
Not straight? Sexual orientation disparities in macro and micro-processes of youth victimization and mental health (2018-present).
PI: Dr. Laura Baams
University of Groningen
Lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) youth report poorer mental health (depression, suicidality) and are victimized more often than heterosexual youth. How can this be explained? Using survey- and daily-diary studies, I will research sexual orientation disparities, critical mechanisms, and whether a positive school climate can help improve mental health.
Funded by Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (Veni)
Thriving under stress: Understanding what makes lesbian, gay, and bisexual adolescents susceptible and resilient to minority stress (2018-present).
PhD candidate: Wouter Kiekens; Supervisors: Prof. dr. René Veenstra, Dr. Jan Kornelis Dijkstra, & Dr. Laura Baams.
University of Groningen
In this project Wouter Kiekens investigate differences in mental health and substance use of lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) adolescents. He focuses on susceptibility and resilience to the impact of minority stress on mental health and substance use, extending knowledge on how LGB adolescents are affected by minority stress using innovative methods. Specifically, he examines (1) the association between minority stress and mental health and substance use using experience sampling; and the roles of (2) rejection sensitivity and (3) social support using vignettes and ego networks. Understanding within and between-group differences helps to provide better support for these vulnerable youth.
Preventing suicidality among Dutch Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT)
youth through a web-based intervention addressing suicidality in relation to sexual
and gender identity issues (2017-present).
PhD candidate: Jennifer de Lange; PIs: Dr. Diana van Bergen & Dr. Laura Baams
University of Groningen
In this research project we study the efficacy of an online intervention aimed at decreasing suicidality among LGBT youth.
Funded by The Netherlands Organisation for Health Research and Development
The role of SOGI-focused school policies, programs, and practices on student well-being SOGI: Health & Rights Lab (2016-present)
University of Texas at Austin
Risk and protective factors for suicide among sexual minority youth SOGI: Health & Rights Lab (2016-present)
University of Texas at Austin
When being different becomes the norm (PIs: Prof. dr. Marcel van Aken en Prof. dr. Rosemarie Buikema) (2014-2016)
This research project brings together developmental psychology and gender studies and examines how individual, peer, and media-influences impact LGBT youth. We focus on 14-22 year old youth who identify across all sexual orientations. We have formulated several multi-method studies, and each addresses a specific element in the effect of microaggressions. Together, these projects form a unique combination of studies, in which microaggressions and well-being can be studied from different angles but with the same goals.
Project STARS (PIs: Prof. dr. Maja Dekovic, Prof. dr. Marcel van Aken, Prof. dr. Tom ter Bogt, Prof. dr. Paul van Geert) (2010-2015)
Colleagues involved in the Project STARS research:Dr. Daphne van de Bongardt, Dr. Suzan Doornwaard, and Dr. Wieke Dalenberg
