Email
a.bilgin@essex.ac.ukLocation
Colchester Campus
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 Koç 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 University of Essex in April 2023. Ayten’s 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
PhD University of Warwick, (2017)
MSc University of Sussex, (2013)
MA Koç University, (2012)
BSc Middle East Technical University, (2010)
Appointments
University of Essex
Lecturer, Psychology, University of Essex (3/4/2023 - present)
Other academic
Lecturer, Psychology, University of Kent (27/7/2020 - 31/3/2023)
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’s Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) for a research study on “What 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.”
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
Current teaching responsibilities
The Psychology of (Self)-Improvement (PS515)
Special Topics in Psychology (PS933)
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., Räikkönen, K., Heinonen, K., Schnitzlein, DD. and Lemola, S., (2024). Preschool Mathematics and Literacy Skills and Educational Attainment in Adolescents Born Preterm and Full Term.. Journal of Pediatrics. 264, 113731-113731
Bilgin, A., Heinonen, K., Girchenko, P., Kajantie, E., Wolke, D. and Räikkönen, K., (2024). Early Childhood Multiple or Persistent Regulatory Problems and Diurnal Salivary Cortisol in Young Adulthood. Psychoneuroendocrinology. 161, 106940-106940
Bilgin, A., Wolke, D., Trower, H., Baumann, N., Räikkönen, K., Heinonen, K., Kajantie, E., Schnitzlein, D. and Lemola, S., (2024). Problems in peer relationships and low engagement in romantic relationships in preterm born adolescents: effects of maternal warmth in early childhood.. 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). App-based intervention for parents of children with crying, sleeping, and feeding problems: Usability, usefulness and implications for improvement.. Internet Interventions. 35, 100700-100700
Bilgin, A., Wolke, D., Trower, H., Baumann, N., Räikkönen, K., Heinonen, K., Kajantie, E., Schnitzlein, D. and Lemola, S., (2024). Emotional problems and peer victimization in adolescents born very preterm and full-term: Role of self-control skills in childhood.. Development and Psychopathology. 36 (1), 302-311
Orton, O. and Bilgin, A., (2024). Maternal Depression and Sleep Problems in Early Childhood: A Meta-Analysis.. Child Psychiatry and Human Development
Bilgin, A., Morales-Muñoz, I., Winsper, C. and Wolke, D., (2024). Associations between bed-sharing in infancy and childhood internalizing and externalizing symptoms.. 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., Pyhälä, R., Heinonen, K., Räikkönen, 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., Pyhälä, R., Sorg, C., Räikkönen, 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). Parents' life satisfaction prior to and following preterm birth.. 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., Bäuml, 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., Bondü, R. and Elsner, B., (2021). Longitudinal associations between justice sensitivity, nonsuicidal self-injury, substance use, and victimization by peers.. Development and Psychopathology. 34 (4), 1560-1572
Morales-Muñoz, I., Durdurak, BB., Bilgin, A., Marwaha, S. and Winsper, C., (2021). Understanding the Relationship Between Sleep Problems in Early Childhood and Borderline Personality Disorder: A Narrative Review.. 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., Räikkönen, K. and Lemola, S., (2021). Physical Activity, Mental Health, and Well-Being in Very Pre-Term and Term Born Adolescents: An Individual Participant Data Meta-Analysis of Two Accelerometry Studies.. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 18 (4), 1735-1735
Bilgin, A. and Wolke, D., (2021). Commentary: Response to commentary by Davis and Kramer (2021).. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry. 62 (12), 1491-1493
Bilgin, A., Wolke, D., Baumann, N., Trower, H., Brylka, A., Räikkönen, K., Heinonen, K., Kajantie, E., Schnitzlein, D. and Lemola, S., (2021). Changes in emotional problems, hyperactivity and conduct problems in moderate to late preterm children and adolescents born between 1958 and 2002 in the United Kingdom. JCPP Advances. 1 (2), e12018-
Bondü, 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 ‘cry it out’ in infants: no adverse effects on attachment and behavioural development at 18 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‐developing 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., Bäuml, 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
Mendonça, 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
Bäuml, 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
