Geert Verheijenonline
Short bio
Researcher with a focus on the social development of teens, interested in the effects of average, day-to-day video game use. enthusiastic board gamer & self-proclaimed institutional champion of Super Smash Brothers.
Top-3 games
- Fire Emblem
- Skies of Arcadia
- XCOM: Enemy Within
About me
I started my PhD in September 2014 at the Social Development group of the Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University. In my research project, I examine the impact of video games on the wellbeing of adolescents. My main interests are the different ways in which average, day-to-day video game play behavior might influence the social behavior and peer relationships of adolescents, both beneficial and harmful.This project is part of the Kandinsky Longitudinal Study, a research line where adolescents are followed over a longer period of time and report yearly on the behavior of themselves and their peers (sociometric). I am also a member of the Peer Relations Lab Group (www.ru.nl/peerrelationslab)
I finished my bachelor in psychology and the Research Master BehaviouralScience at the Radboud University. My master thesis focused on the potential mental health benefits of video games for youth. I researched the effectiveness of Mindlight, a video game that has been developed as a tool for preventing anxiety disorder in children.
Projects I’ve worked on
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CategoryGamingDate17/11/2018Study/CourseLocation
The Influence of Playing Video Games on Social Development of Adolescents
About the projectThis project investigates the influences of different aspects of video game play behavior on the adjustment and social relationships of adolescents. In an annual survey, adolescents indicate their well-being and various elements of their video game play behavior (such as their motivation for gaming, type of games played, and the social context in which games are played). The aim of the project is to investigate how average, day-today gaming affects the social development of teens.
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CategoryAnxietyDate17/11/2018Study/CourseLocation
MindLight - Childhood Anxiety Prevention
About the projectMany children have difficulties with fearful situations and are anxious. Interventions can help to teach children to cope effectively with anxiety-inducing situations. In our project, we rigorously tested whether an intervention in the form of a video game (MindLight) is effective in significantly reducing anxiety symptoms in children 8-12 years old. We did this by comparing MindLight to 1) a commercial game and 2) the gold-standard, cognitive-behavioural therapy for anxiety (Coping Cat). Furthermore, we aim to evaluate the reasons for why MindLight is effective (e.g., what kinds of mechanics work) and for whom (e.g., age and gender differences).
My updates
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Games to keep in touch with friends
Geert Verheijen - 12-02-2018Going to college is exciting, but it also means moving away from friends and family. Luckily, online games offer a fun social activity with your friends, without having to travel halfway across the country. Here are some of our favorite games to play with friends online!
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Theme Month February - Meaningful relationships
Geert Verheijen - 02-02-2018It’s February, and love is in the air. In honor of valentine's day, this month's theme will focus on meaningful relationships, which includes romances but also friendships and family ties.
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Toxicity and prosociality in online games
Geert Verheijen - 23-11-2017The majority of popular video games nowadays allow (or even require) multiple players to join in at the same time. More than ever before, gamers are being dropped in virtual worlds together with their friends, family, but also total strangers. What kind of effect does this have on our social behavior?
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What About Cyberbullying?
Geert Verheijen - 22-09-2017The current week marks the official ‘Anti-bullying Week’ here in the Netherlands, and this year’s theme is Online Bullying. Should we be worried about cyberbullying?
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Research visit to Iowa, United States of America
Geert Verheijen - 03-07-2017I recently had the privilege to spend eight weeks in the United States of America to collaborate with Douglas Gentile and his Media Research Lab at Iowa State University in Ames.
Events View all events
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UNTILL07April08AprilAbout the event
Society for Research on Child Development (SRCD)
LocationAustin, Texas
GEMH Lab will be at the most gigantic developmental conference in the world! Come see talks and posters showcasing our latest research findings.
My publications
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A Neurofeedback Video Game (MindLight) to Prevent Anxiety in Children: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Schoneveld, E. A., Malmberg, M., Lichtwarck-Aschoff, A., Verheijen, G. P., Engels, R. C., & Granic, I. (2016). Computers in Human Behavior, 63, 321-333.
Author: Elke Schoneveld
Upload date: 10-01-2016
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Preventing Childhood Anxiety Disorders: Is an Applied Game as Effective as a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy-Based Program?
Schoneveld, E. A., Lichtwarck-Aschoff, A., & Granic, I. (2017). Prevention Science, 1-13.
Author: Elke Schoneveld
Upload date: 09-27-2017
Worked together with
Professor and Chair of the Developmental Psychopathology department in the Behavioural Science Institute; writer; voracious podcast consumer; mother of two upstanding little gamers
Director of GEMH Lab
PhD-candidate and psychologist interested in the effect of games on mental health in youth. Likes why-questions, social impact and multidisciplinary collaboration. Bubbly, (not so crazy) cat lady and outdoor enthusiast.
PhD-Candidate
Assistant Professor at the Developmental Psychopathology Department, mainly interested in general processes and principles of clinical change; mother of two wild boys.
Assistant Professor
Rutger Engels
CEO at Trimbos Institute / Professor Developmental Psychopathology Utrecht University
Toon Cillessen
Research Director - Behavioural Science Institute
Yvonne van den Berg
Assistant Professor
Sabine Stoltz
Assistant Professor