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. Afterwards, she completed her PhD 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 黑料网 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, parenting and screen media exposure in childhood. 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 behavioural problems. Moreover, she investigates parenting and infant-parent attachment in the context of early regulatory problems and preterm birth. More recently, she has been working on the impact of excessive screen media exposure in early childhood on the development of emotional and behavioural problems.
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
黑料网
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Lecturer, Psychology, 黑料网 (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
Infant regulatory problems (excessive crying, sleeping or feeding problems)
Infant mental health
Parenting
Socioemotional development after preterm birth
Screen media exposure in childhood
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.
Developing guidelines for screen media for pre- school children in Turkey
Turkey has some of the highest screen media usage rates in the World. The hours of internet use increased considerably from the years 2013 to 2022 in Turkey, but parental guidance in the Turkish language is very limited due to the absence of a systematic investigation and an organization providing such recommendations. The current project has 5 objectives: 1) To understand the nation-representative prevalence rates of screen media exposure in preschool children in Turkey, focusing on two types of screen media exposure which are parent-assisted exposure and solo exposure. 2) To investigate whether there is an association between screen media exposure and childhood emotional and behavioural problems in Turkey, examining the differential impact of the different types of media exposure. 3) To understand the knowledge of parents on screen time limits, and screen time monitoring settings of the apps (i.e., Youtube). 4) To examine whether there are any differences between maternal and paternal knowledge of screen time limits, and screen time monitoring settings of the app. 5) To create evidence-based resources for parents on screen media use for preschool children in Turkey.
Do early regulatory problems predict adolescent peer relationship difficulties?
Recent longitudinal studies indicate support for the hypothesis that early regulatory problems predict later peer relationship difficulties. However, several substantive and methodological gaps in the literature remain that prompt further investigation. First, existing studies rely on assessments of peer relationships at a single time point in adolescence, which limits our understanding of whether early regulatory problems persistently affect peer relationship problems across adolescence. Second, evidence is still inconclusive whether the timing, duration or intensity of regulatory problems differentially influences later peer relationship problems. Furthermore, transiently experiencing regulatory problems in early years and peer relationship problems in adolescence is common. Consequently, only repeated assessments across each developmental period can have clinical utility when seeking early identification of individuals at potential risk of later psychosocial dysfunction. Addressing these key substantive and methodological gaps will not only help to clarify how early regulatory problems affect peer relationship difficulties during adolescence, but it will also help to distinguish different degrees of susceptibility and risk and identify critical periods for intervention.
Does bed-sharing beyond infancy increase the likelihood of depression and anxiety in childhood and adolescence?
Most studies on the outcomes of bed-sharing (i.e., the practice of parents sharing the same sleeping surface with their children) have only focused on infancy, but little is known about bed-sharing that begins beyond the first year. Children who bed-share only in infancy might differ from those who begin bed-sharing later in toddlerhood or early childhood. The current study aims to investigate whether the timing of parental bed-sharing (i.e., occurring only in infancy versus beginning later in toddlerhood or early childhood) is differentially associated with the likelihood of depression and anxiety in childhood and adolescence.
Conferences and presentations
Early regulatory problems: Impacts on Maternal Bonding, Child Mental Health Outcomes, Brain Mechanisms and Treatment
European Society for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Strasbourg, France, 1/7/2025
Parental psychological distress and early regulatory problems: Does timing matter?
The Society for Longitudinal and Lifecourse Studies Conference, Colchester, United Kingdom, 24/9/2024
Is the association between infant regulatory problems and trajectories of childhood internalising and externalising symptoms moderated by early screen media exposure?
British Psychological Society Developmental Psychology Conference, Glasgow, United Kingdom, 11/9/2024
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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Introduction to Personal Development and Employability (PS117)
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The Psychology of (Self)-Improvement (PS515)
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Special Topics in Psychology (PS933)
Current supervision
Publications
Journal articles (37)
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
Bilgin, A., Sloan, S. and Neville, RD., (2025). . European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. 34 (7), 2229-2239
Bilgin, A., (2025). . Early Human Development. 211, 106407-106407
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
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-
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
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
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
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
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
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
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