PhD on high expectations, performance pressure, and mental health in childhood

PhD on high expectations, performance pressure, and mental health in childhood

Faculty: Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences Department: Psychology Hours per week: 28 to 32 Application deadline:

In the past two decades, the number of 11-year-olds in the Netherlands experiencing high performance pressure in school has tripled. This is worrying, because prolonged experiences of performance pressure can lead to mental health problems. We need to gain more insight into the processes underlying the development of performance pressure at this young age.

Your job

In this PhD position, you are responsible for conducting research within the project ’High Expectations of Parents, Teachers, and Peers: Driver of Educational Success or Unhealthy Source of Performance Pressure among Children in Upper Primary School?’ The project focuses on parental, teacher and peer expectations as possible sources of performance pressure at school. We examine when high expectations promote children’s school adjustment and when expectations become (too) demanding and create unhealthy levels of performance pressure and mental health problems.

We focus on the last two years of primary school, a period when test results can have a major impact on children’s future, as the tests (largely) determine which track recommendation a child will receive for secondary education. The project has a quantitative longitudinal design following children for two school years (grades 5 and 6), during which two survey measurements are conducted. Furthermore, intensive longitudinal data are collected several times using short daily questionnaires. In the daily measurements, we measure how parents, teachers and peers communicate about their expectations and the importance they attach to high performance during periods when children take important tests and when they receive their school advice. The project will yield knowledge on how teachers and parents can encourage children to realize their full potential without overburdening them.

The main tasks and responsibilities include:

• selecting, adapting and designing measurement instruments (e.g., develop the daily questionnaire);
• collecting data (e.g., recruiting participants, conducting research at schools);
• analysing data using advanced statistical techniques such as multilevel analyses and (dynamic) structural equation modelling;
• writing international scientific publications and a dissertation;
• presenting at (inter)national scientific conferences;
• disseminate findings to professionals in the educational field;
• active participation in the research team of the department of Developmental Psychology at Utrecht University;
• attending courses within the Child and Adolescent Studies research school;
• teaching and supervising Bachelor’s and Master’s thesis projects (10% of working time).

Your qualities

You can thrive in this project, if you have:

• obtained a (Research) Master’s degree in Psychology, Educational Sciences, Pedagogical Sciences, or a related field;
• an excellent command of the Dutch language, which is indispensable for successfully carrying out this project involving Dutch schools, teachers, and children;
• affinity and interest in the topics of expectations, performance pressure, mental health, and school functioning;
• experience with quantitative research and affinity with (advanced) statistical methods (e.g., multilevel analyses);
• strong social, organizational and self-regulatory skills;
• strong analytical thinking skills;
• good communication skills (written and oral), both in the Dutch and English language;
• preferably sound knowledge of the Dutch educational system and affinity with educational practice.

Our offer

We offer:

• a job for one year, with an extension to a total of five years upon successful assessment;
• a working week of 28 to 32 hours and a gross monthly salary between €2,872 and €3,670 in the case of full-time employment (salary scale P under the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU));
• 8% holiday pay and 8.3% year-end bonus;
• a pension scheme, partially paid parental leave and flexible terms of employment based on the CAO NU.

In addition to the terms of employment laid down in the CAO NU, Utrecht University has a number of schemes and facilities of its own for employees. This includes schemes facilitating professional development , leave schemes and schemes for sports and cultural activities , as well as discounts on software and other IT products. We also offer access to additional employee benefits through our Terms of Employment Options Model. In this way, we encourage our employees to continue to invest in their growth. For more information, please visit Working at Utrecht University .

About us

A better future for everyone. This ambition motivates our scientists in executing their leading research and inspiring teaching. At Utrecht University , the various disciplines collaborate intensively towards major strategic themes . Our focus is on Dynamics of Youth, Institutions for Open Societies, Life Sciences and Pathways to Sustainability. Sharing science, shaping tomorrow .

The Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences is one of the leading faculties in Europe providing research and academic teaching in cultural anthropology, educational sciences, interdisciplinary social science, pedagogical sciences, psychology, and sociology. Almost 7,000 students are enrolled in a broad range of undergraduate and graduate programmes. The Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences has some 1,100 faculty and staff members, all providing their individual contribution to the training and education of young talent and to the research into and finding solutions for scientific and societal issues. The faculty is located at Utrecht Science Park near the historical city centre of Utrecht.

More information

The PhD project is supervised by Astrid Poorthuis , Sander Thomaes (both at the department of Developmental Psychology), and Lisette Hornstra (Educational Sciences). A more elaborate project description can be obtained from Astrid Poorthuis.

For more information, please contact Astrid Poorthuis at a.m.g.poorthuisuu.nl .

Candidates for this vacancy will be recruited by Utrecht University.

As Utrecht University, we want to be a home for everyone. We value staff with diverse backgrounds, perspectives and identities, including cultural, religious or ethnic background, gender, sexual orientation, disability or age. We strive to create a safe and inclusive environment in which everyone can flourish and contribute.

To apply, please send your curriculum vitae, including a motivation letter, your Master’s thesis, and academic transcripts, via the ’apply now’ button.

The first round of interviews will take place on 8 November. A second round may follow in which an assessment may be part of the procedure. Our preferred start date is 6 January 2025 (or by mutual agreement).

The application deadline is 20 October 2024.