Mental wellbeing

In 1968, Professor Lea Pulkkinen initiated The Jyväskylä Longitudinal Study of Personality and Social Development (JYLS). In 2020-21, the study continued with a new data collection phase called TRAILS, during which the initial JYLS participants were approximately 60 years of age. The aim of TRAILS is to examine the underlying factors and mechanisms that predict and support mental wellbeing, with a principal focus on retirement and the anticipation of retirement, the possibility of continued working, potential grandparenthood, health and leisure activities, as well as the interconnectedness of these factors regarding overall wellbeing.

Mental wellbeing is also a central research theme in numerous other research projects conducted by the Faculty of Education and Psychology. Some of the key concepts concerning mental wellbeing in research conducted at the Ä¢¹½Ö±²¥ include life balance, life management, quality of life, vitality, resources, freedom, justice and equity, equality, safety, accessibility, self-determination,  dignity, respect, esteem, self-capacity, meaningfulness, purposefulness, agency and resilience. 

The Centre of Excellence for Learning Dynamics and Intervention Research (InterLearn) examines the links between children's learning and mental health, as well as the factors that explain the effectiveness of learning support interventions.

From mental wellbeing to mental illbeing

In addition to mental wellbeing, the University has also researched mental illbeing, including mental unease and psychological stress. The key terms in such research are, for instance, anxiety, vulnerability, helplessness, othering, inequality, alienation, hopelessness, bullying, violence, criminality, addiction, substance abuse, illness, disability and stress.  In an interdisciplinary manner, these topics have been explored in both the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences as well as the Faculty of Education and Psychology, which is home to two of the research groups involved in The Center of Excellence for Learning Dynamics and Intervention Research (InterLearn).

Relevant research projects

Project

The Jyväskylä Longitudinal Study of Personality and Social Development (JYLS): Developmental Psychological Perspectives on Transitions at Age 60: Individuals Navigating Across the Lifespan (TRAILS)

The TRAILS study is a new data collection phase of the Jyväskylä Longitudinal Study of Personality and Social Development, examining specifically at the predictors and mechanisms of mental well-being around the age of 60.
Ihminen reippailee metsäisessä maastossa sauvakävellen
Science news
24.1.2025

Mental well-being and physical activity can form a positive cycle

According to a recent study, the tendency to experience positive affectivity contributed to people being physically active or even increasing their activity during the COVID-19 restrictions.
JYU MEG laboratory

Centre for Interdisciplinary Brain Research (CIBR)

Centre for Interdisciplinary Brain Research (CIBR) provides research facilities and support for neuroscience across faculty boundaries.
Piia Astikainen (oik.) tarkastelee aivoaktiivisuuskarttaa tutkimusavustajien Saara Järveläisen (vas.) ja Anniina Kuuselan kanssa.
Science news
23.5.2018

Depression symptoms bias the perception of facial expressions

Previous studies have reported attentive negative bias in visual information processing in depression, but it is not known whether there is a similar negative bias in automatic face perception.
Ward van Zoonen
Science news
19.6.2024

Researchers within EWIDE profiling area explore how technology reshapes work and impacts the wellbeing of workers

The aim of the EWIDE is to become a globally recognized center of excellence in the research on technology, work, and wellbeing by 2026. The profiling area is funded by the Research Council of Finland.
Science news
19.9.2024

Cross-Cultural Collaboration: JYU and EdUHK Unite to Explore the Power of Music and Physical Activity for Mental Wellbeing

Researchers from the Ä¢¹½Ö±²¥ (JYU) and the Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK) have joined forces to explore how music and physical activity can be integrated to improve mental health and wellbeing.