Dr Ayten Bilgin
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Email
a.bilgin@essex.ac.uk -
Location
Colchester Campus
Profile
Biography
Dr. Ayten Bilgin completed her BSc in Psychology at Middle East Technical University (Ankara, Turkey) in 2010 followed by her MA in Developmental Psychology at Ko莽 University (Istanbul, Turkey) and her MSc in Clinical Psychology and Mental Health at the University of Sussex. Afterward, she completed her Ph.D. in Psychology at the University of Warwick in 2017. She worked at the School of Psychology at the University of Kent as a Lecturer in Psychology from July 2020 to March 2023. She joined the Department of Psychology at the 糖心Vlog in April 2023. Ayten鈥檚 main research is in the area of developmental psychopathology particularly focusing on the following topics: early regulatory problems (excessive crying, sleeping or feeding problems), preterm birth (i.e., birth before 37 weeks of pregnancy), infant-parent attachment, and parenting. Ayten uses large-scale longitudinal data to investigate whether and how early regulatory problems have an impact on the development of mental health problems. In addition, she is interested in understanding the long-term outcomes of being born preterm, specifically regarding social relationship skills, well-being, and emotional and behavioral problems. Moreover, she investigates parenting and infant-parent attachment in the context of early regulatory problems, and preterm birth.
Qualifications
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PhD University of Warwick, (2017)
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MSc University of Sussex, (2013)
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MA Koç University, (2012)
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BSc Middle East Technical University, (2010)
Appointments
糖心Vlog
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Lecturer, Psychology, 糖心Vlog (3/4/2023 - present)
Other academic
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Lecturer, Psychology, University of Kent (27/7/2020 - 31/3/2023)
Research and professional activities
Research interests
Child and adolescent mental health, Developmental psychopathology, Excessive crying, sleeping or feeding difficulties in infancy, Infant mental health, Parenting, Socioemotional development after preterm birth
Current research
What we know from Growing Up in Ireland (GUI) (2008-2023) about the key factors which impede or support child well-being, and the extent to which these are socially patterned and policy opportunities for intervention.
This project aims to conduct a review on what we know from Growing Up in Ireland (GUI), the nationally representative longitudinal study of child and adolescent well-being over time. This research is a response to a request for quotes (RFQ) from Ireland鈥檚 Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) for a research study on 鈥淲hat we know from Growing Up in Ireland (GUI) (2008-2023) about the key factors that impede or support child well-being, and the extent to which these are socially patterned, as well as identifying policy opportunities for intervention.鈥�
Infant regulatory problems, early screen media exposure, and childhood mental health problems
Infant regulatory problems (excessive crying, sleeping, or feeding difficulties) are stressful for parents and a significant public health issue but neglected in research. Infants with regulatory problems are at a higher risk for childhood mental health problems, however, it is unknown which factors increase the association between infant regulatory problems and childhood mental health problems. One such factor could be excessive screen media exposure in early childhood. Infants with regulatory problems may be at a higher risk for excessive screen media exposure in childhood, and the likelihood of mental health problems in childhood may be particularly higher for those who had infant regulatory problems and excessive screen media exposure. The current project investigates whether early screen media exposure increases the association between infant regulatory problems and childhood internalizing and externalizing symptom trajectories.
Conferences and presentations
The association of early regulatory problems with behavioural problems and cognitive functioning in adulthood
World Association for Infant Mental Health (WAIMH) World Congress, Dublin, Ireland, 16/7/2023
Teaching and supervision
Current teaching responsibilities
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The Psychology of (Self)-Improvement (PS515)
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Special Topics in Psychology (PS933)
Publications
Journal articles (36)
Bilgin, A., Sloan, S. and Neville, RD., (2025). Is the association between infant regulatory problems and trajectories of childhood co-developing internalizing and externalizing symptoms moderated by early screen media exposure?. European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
Jaekel, J., Anderson, PJ., Wolke, D., Esser, G., Greisen, G., Spittle, A., Cheong, J., van Baar, AL., Verhoeven, M., Gueron-Sela, N., Atzaba-Poria, N., Woodward, LJ., Neri, E., Agostini, F., Bilgin, A., Korja, R., Loi, EC. and Treyvaud, K., (2025). The association between gestation at birth and maternal sensitivity: An individual participant data (IPD) meta-analysis. Early Human Development. 203, 106227-106227
Baumann, N., Voit, F., Wolke, D., Trower, H., Bilgin, A., Kajantie, E., R盲ikk枚nen, K., Heinonen, K., Schnitzlein, DD. and Lemola, S., (2024). . Journal of Pediatrics. 264, 113731-113731
Bilgin, A., Heinonen, K., Girchenko, P., Kajantie, E., Wolke, D. and R盲ikk枚nen, K., (2024). . Psychoneuroendocrinology. 161, 106940-106940
Bilgin, A., Wolke, D., Trower, H., Baumann, N., R盲ikk枚nen, K., Heinonen, K., Kajantie, E., Schnitzlein, D. and Lemola, S., (2024). . European Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. 33 (10), 3495-3502
Augustin, M., Wenzel, AS., Licata-Dandel, M., Breeman, LD., Bilgin, A., Wolke, D., Ziegler, M., Mall, V. and Friedmann, A., (2024). . Internet Interventions. 35, 100700-100700
Bilgin, A., Wolke, D., Trower, H., Baumann, N., R盲ikk枚nen, K., Heinonen, K., Kajantie, E., Schnitzlein, D. and Lemola, S., (2024). . Development and Psychopathology. 36 (1), 302-311
Orton, O. and Bilgin, A., (2024). . Child Psychiatry and Human Development
Bilgin, A., Morales-Mu帽oz, I., Winsper, C. and Wolke, D., (2024). . Attachment and Human Development. 26 (5), 403-422
Georg, AK., Jaekel, J. and Bilgin, A., (2024). Editorial: Regulatory problems and disorders in early childhood: aetiology, contextual factors, developmental outcomes and pathways, and treatment options. Frontiers in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. 3, 1534024-
Augustin, M., Licata-Dandel, M., Breeman, LD., Harrer, M., Bilgin, A., Wolke, D., Mall, V., Ziegler, M., Ebert, DD. and Friedmann, A., (2023). Effects of a Mobile-Based Intervention for Parents of Children With Crying, Sleeping, and Feeding Problems: Randomized Controlled Trial. JMIR mHealth and uHealth. 11 (1), e41804-e41804
Wolke, D., Baumann, N., Jaekel, J., Pyh盲l盲, R., Heinonen, K., R盲ikk枚nen, K., Sorg, C. and Bilgin, A., (2023). The association of early regulatory problems with behavioral problems and cognitive functioning in adulthood: two cohorts in two countries. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry. 64 (6), 876-885
Jaekel, J., Heinonen, K., Baumann, N., Bilgin, A., Pyh盲l盲, R., Sorg, C., R盲ikk枚nen, K. and Wolke, D., (2023). Associations of crying, sleeping, and feeding problems in early childhood and perceived social support with emotional disorders in adulthood. BMC Psychiatry. 23 (1), 394-
Eves, R., Baumann, N., Bilgin, A., Schnitzlein, D., Richter, D., Wolke, D. and Lemola, S., (2023). . Scientific Reports. 13 (1), 21233-
Bilgin, A. and Wolke, D., (2022). Bed-Sharing in the First 6 Months: Associations with Infant-Mother Attachment, Infant Attention, Maternal Bonding, and Sensitivity at 18 Months. Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics. 43 (1), e9-e19
Jaekel, J., Sorg, C., Breeman, L., Baumann, N., Bilgin, A., B盲uml, JG. and Wolke, D., (2021). Early regulatory problems and parenting: life-long risk, vulnerability or susceptibility for attention, internalizing and externalizing outcomes?. European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. 30 (10), 1523-1531
Bilgin, A., Brylka, A., Wolke, D., Trower, H., Baumann, N. and Lemola, S., (2021). Subjective Well-Being and Self-Esteem in Preterm Born Adolescents: An Individual Participant Data Meta-Analysis. Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics. 42 (8), 613-620
Bilgin, A., Bond眉, R. and Elsner, B., (2021). . Development and Psychopathology. 34 (4), 1560-1572
Morales-Mu帽oz, I., Durdurak, BB., Bilgin, A., Marwaha, S. and Winsper, C., (2021). . Nature and Science of Sleep. 13, 2175-2202
Brylka, A., Wolke, D., Ludyga, S., Bilgin, A., Spiegler, J., Trower, H., Gkiouleka, A., Gerber, M., Brand, S., Grob, A., Weber, P., Heinonen, K., Kajantie, E., R盲ikk枚nen, K. and Lemola, S., (2021). . International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 18 (4), 1735-1735
Bilgin, A. and Wolke, D., (2021). . Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry. 62 (12), 1491-1493
Bilgin, A., Wolke, D., Baumann, N., Trower, H., Brylka, A., R盲ikk枚nen, K., Heinonen, K., Kajantie, E., Schnitzlein, D. and Lemola, S., (2021). . JCPP Advances. 1 (2), e12018-
Bond眉, R., Bilgin, A. and Warschburger, P., (2020). Justice sensitivity and rejection sensitivity as predictors and outcomes of eating disorder pathology: A
Bilgin, A. and Wolke, D., (2020). Infant crying problems and symptoms of sleeping problems predict attachment disorganization at 18 months. Attachment & Human Development. 22 (4), 367-391
Bilgin, A. and Wolke, D., (2020). Parental use of 鈥榗ry it out鈥� in infants: no adverse effects on attachment and behavioural development at 18聽months. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry. 61 (11), 1184-1193
Winsper, C., Bilgin, A., Thompson, A., Marwaha, S., Chanen, AM., Singh, SP., Wang, A. and Furtado, V., (2020). The prevalence of personality disorders in the community: a global systematic review and meta-analysis. The British Journal of Psychiatry. 216 (2), 69-78
Winsper, C., Bilgin, A. and Wolke, D., (2020). Associations between infant and toddler regulatory problems, childhood co鈥恉eveloping internalising and externalising trajectories, and adolescent depression, psychotic and borderline personality disorder symptoms. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry. 61 (2), 182-194
Bilgin, A., Baumann, N., Jaekel, J., Breeman, LD., Bartmann, P., B盲uml, JG., Avram, M., Sorg, C. and Wolke, D., (2020). Early Crying, Sleeping, and Feeding Problems and Trajectories of Attention Problems From Childhood to Adulthood. Child Development. 91 (1), e77-e91
Mendon莽a, M., Bilgin, A. and Wolke, D., (2019). Association of Preterm Birth and Low Birth Weight With Romantic Partnership, Sexual Intercourse, and Parenthood in Adulthood. JAMA Network Open. 2 (7), e196961-e196961
B盲uml, JG., Baumann, N., Avram, M., Mulej Bratec, S., Breeman, L., Berndt, M., Bilgin, A., Jaekel, J., Wolke, D. and Sorg, C., (2019). The Default Mode Network Mediates the Impact of Infant Regulatory Problems on Adult Avoidant Personality Traits. Biological Psychiatry: Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroimaging. 4 (4), 333-342
Bilgin, A., Mendonca, M. and Wolke, D., (2018). Preterm Birth/Low Birth Weight and Markers Reflective of Wealth in Adulthood: A Meta-analysis. Pediatrics. 142 (1), e20173625-
Bilgin, A. and Wolke, D., (2017). Associations Between Feeding Problems and Maternal Sensitivity Across Infancy: Differences in Very Preterm and Full-Term Infants. Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics. 38 (7), 538-544
Wolke, D., Bilgin, A. and Samara, M., (2017). Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis: Fussing and Crying Durations and Prevalence of Colic in Infants. The Journal of Pediatrics. 185, 55-61.e4
Bilgin, A. and Wolke, D., (2017). Development of comorbid crying, sleeping, feeding problems across infancy: Neurodevelopmental vulnerability and parenting. Early Human Development. 109, 37-43
Bilgin, A. and Wolke, D., (2016). Regulatory Problems in Very Preterm and Full-Term Infants Over the First 18 Months. Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics. 37 (4), 298-305
Bilgin, A. and Wolke, D., (2015). Maternal Sensitivity in Parenting Preterm Children: A Meta-analysis. Pediatrics. 136 (1), e177-e193
