Organisation: University of Twente (Psychology Health & Technology) |
Location: Enschede, work-from-home |
Period of internship: November – February 2026 |
Description of Assignment |
We developed and evaluated Adappt, an app designed to support parents of neurodivergent children (see https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rin.2026.100050 for the development). The app is mainly based on positive psychology interventions (PPIs). Although it includes some suggestions for exercises that parents can do together with their (potential) partner and child, its primary focus is on the parent. A systematic literature review conducted in 2021 (https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182212065) suggested that PPIs may also be beneficial for young children. However, only three studies were identified, highlighting the need for further research into how positive psychology approaches can be sued with children and families. For this internship, you will have the opportunity to explore how Adappt could be (re)developed into an intervention for the whole family. What might this look like? One possibility could be a physical board game that encourages positive interactions between parents and children, but there is plenty of room for your own ideas and creativity. As part of the internship, you may contribute to exploring the needs and preferences of families. For example, after obtaining ethical approval, you could conduct interviews with families to learn more about what they would find useful, enjoyable, and feasible. Based on these insights, you could help develop and refine a (first version of) family-focused version of Adappt. The internship offers an opportunity to combine research, creativity and intervention development, while working on a topic that could have a meaningful impact on families! |
Information contact person: |
Name: Kim Tönis, PhD candidate |
