UPWIND – Understanding and Improving Daily Cognitive and Affective Within-Child Dynamics in the School Context

Project Description

The project investigated predictors of short-term fluctuations in cognitive performance, as well as emotional well-being and social experiences in students. We targeted the question, which specific experiences might lead to worse well-being and cognitive performance (e.g., worries or sedentary behavior), and which antecedents might be associated with better cognitive performance and well-being (e.g., positive daily activities or physical activity). Using interventions implemented in children’s daily lives we approached the question if reducing negative experiences (e.g., with relaxation techniques) or increasing positive experiences (e.g., via encouragements for positive activities) leads to improvements in children’s well-being and cognitive performance. The project further investigated differences in the effects of these variables between children: i.e., which children profit from relaxation techniques? For which children might increasing physical activity work better? How can we identify these children? And do these children profit more from intervention measures specifically targeting this behaviour?

The project approached these questions by applying ambulatory assessment in children’s everyday life. In the first project phase, we have laid down the methodological conditions necessary to approach these questions (Schmiedek & Neubauer, 2020) and we have presented first results describing differences between students in the interplay of positive and negative emotional states with cognitive performance (Neubauer, Dirk & Schmiedek, 2019). Building on this work, we developed and evaluated person-centred interventions in the second project phase.

Funding

Cooperations

• Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT)

Further Information

The project was a central part of the strategic partnership between DIPF and the Jacobs Foundation, started in 2017.

Publications

Project Management

• Prof. Dr. Andreas Neubauer
• Prof. Dr. Florian Schmiedek
• Dr. Lena Wieland

Project Team

• Michaela Menstell
• Aamir Sajjad

Project Details