Societal Challenges & Urban Mental Health
Impact of Generative AI on Science and Society
International summits at the Institute of Advanced Studies at the University of Amsterdam have gathered experts in generative AI, computer science, and the psychological and social implications of AI to explore its role in research and society. Fundamentals of living guidelines for AI use in research, developed from these discussions, were published in Nature and can be accessed here. Additionally, five key priorities for ChatGPT in research are detailed here.
-
Bockting C. L. Mental health in societal challenging (digital AI) times. Proceedings of the European Academy of Sciences and Arts (PEASA). In press.
Bockting, C. L., Vasilakos, A., & Figueroa, C. (in press). Generative AI chatbots could take over our emotional lives: The potential and challenges of generative AI for health globally. Journal of Clinical Psychology in Europe.
Bockting, C. L., van Dis, E. A. M., van Rooij, R., Zuidema, W., & Bollen, J. (2023). Living guidelines for generative AI — why scientists must oversee its use. Nature, 622, 693-696. https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-023-03266-1
van Dis, E. A. M., Bollen, J., Zuidema, W., van Rooij, R., & Bockting, C. L. (2023). ChatGPT: five priorities for research. Nature, 614(7947), 224–226. https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-023-00288-7
Bockting C.L. Mental health in societal challenging (digital AI) times. Proceedings of the European Academy of Sciences and Arts (PEASA). In press.
Bockting, C. L., Vasilakos, A., & Figueroa, C. (in press). Generative AI chatbots could take over our emotional lives: The potential and challenges of generative AI for health globally. Clinical Psychology Europe.
Linardon, J., Firth, J., Carvalho, A. F., Bockting, C. L., Christensen, H., Junqueira Dieckmann, L. H., Griffiths, S., Gupta, S., Hegerl, U., Li, K., Liu, C., Maes, M., Marx, W., Messer, M., Meyer-Lindenberg, A., Passos, I. C., Winkler, P., Zhang, X., Blease, C., & Torous, J. (2026). Multidisciplinary research priorities for artificial intelligence in mental health: A call to action. The Lancet Psychiatry, 13, Advance online publication.
Urban Environments
Over 50% of the world’s population lives in urban areas. While city life offers many attractions, it also presents significant mental health challenges. Claudi Bockting, alongside Prof. Dr. Reinout Wiers and Associate Prof. Dr. Harm Krugers, is a director of the Centre for Urban Mental Health. This research group focuses on creating interventions to address mental health issues in cities, by taking into account the complex systems that contribute to common mental health conditions.
-
Bockting C. L. The impact of societal challenges on mental health conditions: implications for research and psychotherapy? Editorial. Journal of Clinical Psychology in Europe. In press
Gavan, L., van der Spek, N., Bergers, N., Breedvelt, J. J. F., Hellegers, F., Bosmans, G., & Bockting, C. L.H. (2026). Is suicidality contagious? The social transmission of suicidal thoughts and behaviors: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Comprehensive Psychology, 147,15269. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.comppsych.2026.152691
Huth, K., Wal, J. van der, Zavlis, O., Luigjes, J., Lakerveld, J., Galenkamp, H., Lok, A., Stronks, K., Bockting, C. L., Marsman, M., Goudriaan, A., & Holst, R. van. (2025). Individual and neighborhood determinants of depressive symptoms in ethnic minorities in the urban HELIUS sample: A multi-level network perspective. Social Science & Medicine, 381, 118195. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2025.118195
van der Spek, N., Junus, A., van Ballengooijen, W., Wiers, R., & Bockting, C. L. (2025). Mental health symptom profiles and temporal trends in Dutch young people’s social and emotional wellbeing and suicidality, 2017–2023. Journal of Affective Disorders, 390, 119844. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2025.119844
Wiers, R. W., El Marroun, H., Bockting, C. L., & Krugers, H. (2025). Debate: Urban versus rural environments – which is better for mental health? The one good thing about a small town. Child and Adolescent Mental Health, 30(2), 189-191. https://doi.org/10.1111/camh.12771
van der Wal, J. M., Huth, K. B. S., Lok, A., Bockting, C. L., Stronks, K., & Nicolaou, M. (2024). Exploring the mechanisms underlying increased risk of depressive disorder in ethnic minority populations in Europe: A causal loop diagram. Social Science & Medicine, 351, 116977. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2024.116977
Franzoi, D., Bockting, C. L., Bennett, K. F., Odom, A., Lucassen, P. J., Pathania, A., Lee, A., Brouwer, M. E., van de Schoot, R., Wiers, R. W., & Breedvelt, J. J. F. (2023). Which individual, social, and urban factors in early childhood predict psychopathology in later childhood, adolescence and young adulthood? A systematic review. SSM - Population Health, 25, 101575. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssmph.2023.101575
Willemen, F. E. M., Heuschen, C. B. B. C. M., Zantvoord, J. B., Galenkamp, H., de Wit, M. A. S. Zwinderman, A. H., Denys, D. A. J. P., Bockting, C. L., Stronks, L., & Lok, A. (2023). Perceived ethnic discrimination, suicidal ideation and mastery in a multi-ethnic cohort: the HELIUS study. BJPsych Open, 9(1), e21. https://doi.org/10.1192/bjo.2022.640
Breedvelt, J. J., Tiemeier, H., Sharples, E., Galea, S., Niedzwiedz, C., Elliott, I., & Bockting, C. L. (2022). The effects of neighbourhood social cohesion on preventing depression and anxiety among adolescents and young adults: Rapid review. BJPsych open, 8(4). https://doi.org/10.1192/bjo.2022.57
van der Wal, J. M., van Borkulo, C. D., Deserno, M. K., Breedvelt, J. J. F., Lees, M., Lokman, J. C., Borsboom, D., Denys, D., van Holst, R. J., Smidt, M. P., Stronks, K., Lucassen, P. J., van Weert, J. C. M., Sloot, P. M. A., Bockting, C. L., & Wiers, R. W. (2021). Advancing urban mental health research: from complexity science to actionable targets for intervention. Lancet Psychiatry, 8(11), 991–1000. https://doi.org/10.1016/s2215-0366(21)00047-x
Transgenerational Transmissions and Interventions
Our lab leads several projects focused on women's mental health science and preventing the transgenerational transmission of mental health conditions from parents to offspring. Large-scale national trials including PROMISES (Pregnancy Outcomes after a Maternity Intervention for Stressful Emotions) and Stop or Go? (tapering antidepressants during pregnancy).
Our research spans over two decades, combining clinical psychology, psychiatry, epidemiology, gynecology and midwifery, and primary care to identify and interrupt the pathways by which parental depression and anxiety are passed on to the next generation. Our leading position in this field rests on this sustained, continuously funded (ZonMW/NWO) programme of work and the international cohort of PhD researchers it has trained, now extending this research line to low-and-middle-income countries (Rwanda and Indonesia).
-
Uwizeyimana, T., Brouwer, M., van der Spek, N., Ayuningtias, A.U.H., van Dis, E.A.M., Tiemeier, H., Bockting, C.L. Effect of mental health interventions during pregnancy on offspring outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Under review.
Dall’Aglio, L., Gunter-Rahman, Bockting, C. L., Tiemeier, H. Towards Improved Treatment of Depression During Pregnancy, under review.
Schulte-Frankenfeld, P. M., van Dis, E.A.M., Brouwer, M. E., Bockting. C. L. Effectiveness of tapering antidepressant with Preventive Cognitive Therapy during pregnancy; effect on 5 years-old.
Bockting, C.L., Scheffer, C., Verbeek, T., Burger, H., Transgenerational effects of antenatal psychotherapy on 15-years old offspring: a randomised controlled trial. In preparation.
Broeks, C. W., Molenaar, N., Brouwer, M., van den Akker, E. L. T., van Rossum, E. F. C., Van, R., van den Berg, S. A. A., Hillegers, M., Hoogendijk, W. J. G., Burger, H., Bockting, C. L., Kamperman, A. M., & Lambregtse-Van den Berg, M. P. (2023). Intergenerational impact of childhood trauma on hair cortisol concentrations in mothers and their young infants. Comprehensive Psychonuroendocrinology, 14, 100167. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpnec.2023.100167
Brouwer, M. E., Molenaar, N. M., Burger, H., Williams, A. D., Albers, C., Lambregtse-van den Berg, M., & Bockting, C. L. (2020). Tapering antidepressants while receiving digital Preventive Cognitive Therapy during pregnancy: An experience sampling methodology trial. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 11, 574357. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2020.574357
Burger, H., Verbeek, T., Aris-Meijer, J. L., Beijers, C., Mol, B. W., Hollon, S. D., OrmeL, J., van Pampus, M., & Bockting, C. L. (2020). Effects of psychological treatment of mental health problems in pregnant women to protect their offspring: Randomised controlled trial. The British Journal of Psychiatry, 216(4), 182-188. https://doi.org/10.1192/bjp.2019.260
Molenaar, N. M., Brouwer, M. E., Burger, H., Kamperman, A. M., Bergink, V., Hoogendijk, W. J. G., Williams, A., Bockting, C. L., & Lambregtse-van den Berg, M. P. (2020). Preventive cognitive therapy with antidepressant discontinuation during pregnancy: Results from a randomized controlled trial. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 81(4). https://doi.org/10.4088/JCP.19l13099
Molenaar, N. M., Houtman, D., Bijma, H. H., Brouwer, M. E., Burger, H., Hoogendijk, W. J. G., Bockting, C. L., Kampermen, A., & Lambregtse-van den Berg, M. P. (2020). Dose-effect of maternal serotonin reuptake inhibitor use during pregnancy on birth outcomes: A prospective cohort study. Journal of Affective Disorders, 267, 57-62. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2020.02.003
Nieman, D. H., Chavez-Baldini, U., Vulink, N. C., Smit, D. J. A., van Wingen, G., de Koning, P., Sutterland, A., Mocking, R., Bockting, C. L., Verweij, K., Lok, A., & Denys, D. (2020). Protocol Across study: Longitudinal transdiagnostic cognitive functioning, psychiatric symptoms, and biological parameters in patients with a psychiatric disorder. BMC Psychiatry, 20(1), 212. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-020-02624-x
Aris-Meijer, J., Bockting, C. L., Stolk, R., Verbeek, T., Beijers, C., van Pampus, M., & Burger, H. (2019). What if pregnancy is not seventh heaven? The influence of specific life events during pregnancy and delivery on the transition of antenatal into postpartum anxiety and depression. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health, 16(16), 2851. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16162851
Molenaar, N. M., Brouwer, M. E., Kamperman, A. M., Burger, H., Williams, A. D., Hoogendijk, W. J. G., Bockting, C. L., & Lambregtse-van den Berg, M. P. (2019). Recurrence of depression in the perinatal period: Clinical features and associated vulnerability markers in an observational cohort. PLOS One, 14(2), e0212964. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0212964
Molenaar, N. M., Tiemeier, H., van Rossum, E. F. C., Hillegers, M. H. J., Bockting, C. L., Hoogendijk, W. J. G., van den Akker, E., Lambregtse-van den Berg, M. P., & El Marroun, H. (2019). Prenatal maternal psychopathology and stress and offspring HPA axis function at 6 years. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 99, 120-127. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psyneuen.2018.09.003
Verbeek, T., Quittner, L., de Cock, P., de Groot, N., Bockting, C. L., & Burger, H. (2019). Personality traits predict meeting the WHO recommendation of 6 months' breastfeeding: A prospective general population cohort study. Advances in Neonatal Care, 19(2), 118-126. https://doi.org/10.1097/anc.0000000000000547
Brouwer, M. E., Williams, A. D., van Grinsven, S. E., Cuijpers, P., Lambregtse-van den Berg, M. P., Burger, H., & Bockting, C. L. (2018). Offspring outcomes after prenatal interventions for common mental disorders: A meta-analysis. BMC Medicine, 16, 208. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12916-018-1192-6
Molenaar, N. M., Brouwer, M. E., Duvekot, J. J., Burger, H., Knijff, E. M., Hoogendijk, W. J., Bockting, C. L., de Wolf, G. S., & Lambregtse-van den Berg, M. P. (2018). Antidepressants during pregnancy: Guideline adherence and current practice amongst Dutch gynaecologists and midwives. Midwifery, 61, 29-35. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.midw.2018.02.018
Beijers, C., Burger, H., Verbeek, T., Bockting, C. L.,& Ormel, J. (2014). Continued smoking and continued alcohol consumption during early pregnancy distinctively associated with personality. Addictive Behaviors, 39, 980-986. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2014.01.022
Beijers, C., Ormel, J., Meijer, J. L., Verbeek, T., Bockting, C. L.,& Burger, H. (2014). Stressful events and continued smoking and continued alcohol consumption during mid-pregnancy. PloS ONE, 9,e86359. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0086359
Meijer, J. L., Beijers, C., van Pampus, M. G., Verbeek, T., Stolk, R. P., Milgrom, J., Bockting, C. L.,& Burger, H. (2014). Predictive accuracy of Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale assessment during pregnancy for the risk of developing postpartum depressive symptoms: A prospective cohort study. BJOG : An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 121, 1604-1610. https://doi.org/10.1111/1471-0528.12759
Meijer, J. L., Bockting, C. L.,Stolk, R. P., Kotov, R., Ormel, J., & Burger, H. (2014). Associations of life events during pregnancy with longitudinal change in symptoms of antenatal anxiety and depression. Midwifery, 30, 526-531. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.midw.2013.06.008
Aris-Meijer, J., Bockting, C. L., StolK, R. P., Kotov, R., Ormel, J., & Berger, H. (2013). Associations of life events during pregnancy with longitudinal change in symptoms of antenatal anxiety and depression. Midwifery, 30(5), 526-531. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.midw.2013.06.008
Nauta, M. H., Festen, H., Reichart, C. G., Nolen, W. A., Stant, A. D., Bockting, C. L.,van der Wee, N. J. A., Beekman, A., Doreleijers, T. A. H., Hartman, C. A., de Jong, P. J., & de Vries, S. O. (2012). Preventing mood and anxiety disorders in youth: A multi-centre RCT in the high risk offspring of depressed and anxious patients. BMC Psychiatry, 12,1. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-244X-12-31
Verbeek, T., Bockting, C. L.,van Pampus, M. G., Ormel, J., Meijer, J. L., Hartman, C. A., & Burger, H. (2012). Postpartum depression predicts offspring mental health problems in adolescence independently of parental lifetime psychopathology. Journal of Affective Disorders, 136, 948-954. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2011.08.035
Meijer, J. L., Bockting, C. L.,Beijers, C., Verbeek, T., Stant, A. D., Ormel, J., Stolk, R. P., de Jonge, P., van Pampus, M. G., & Burger, H. (2011). Pregnancy Outcomes after a Maternity Intervention for Stressful EmotionS (PROMISES): Study protocol for a randomised controlled trial. Trials, 12, 1. https://doi.org/10.1186/1745-6215-12-157