Yvonne Brehmer

Linocut portrait by Ivo van Leeuwen

Part of the portrait series Women in Academia

Academic Portrait 

“As a lifespan developmental psychologist, I am interested in understanding similarities and differences between individuals. Especially how individuals differ in the way they change across the entire lifespan. Human behavior is extremely modifiable. Is it possible to influence the behavior of individuals at all periods of the lifespan to a similar extent? I conducted several cognitive interventions for children, younger and older adults examining how these interventions benefit individuals of all age groups. Also, I have studied the factors that might explain why some individuals benefit more from interventions than others.

As a Professor of Successful Aging, I am specifically interested in how we can facilitate the aging process of older adults to allow each and every individual to age as proactively as possible. Why do specific life events such as retirement, becoming a grandparent, or moving to assisted living facilities affect individuals differently? How do these events influence the well-being, cognition, and mental health of older adults? Who would benefit from specific interventions and which intervention would be most efficient for whom? Coping with age-related challenges in an adaptive way can significantly improve individuals’ quality of life and contribute to aging proactively, which is beneficial for the individual and society at large.

My work is mainly driven by asking questions and trying to find convincing answers. The more I search for answers and the more I learn about a topic, the more questions emerge. This process I find extremely interesting, and I enjoy supporting students on their journey of finding questions that fascinate them and equip them with skills and abilities to find answers to their questions.”