Research

I am currently working as assistant professor of mental wellbeing at the Centre for eHealth and Wellbeing Research at the University of Twente in Enschede. I supervise Bachelor and Master students and give lectures about flourishing, positive psychology and women’s mental health. My research experience and interests focuses on flourishing, mental wellbeing and the menopausal transition. I initiated the SPICE-consortium which is the Study of Positive experiences, Interventions and Challenges in Everyday female life. I am currently working on a cross-sectional and longitudinal quantitative and qualitative studies among women during transitions in their lifespan such as motherhood and menopause. My other research interests are (menopausal) hormone replacement therapy, continuous hormone monitoring, eating disorders, meaning in life and physical exercise.

Please contact me if you would like to collaborate on research regarding flourishing or mental wellbeing more in general.

dr. Marijke Schotanus-Dijkstra

Education

MSc. Clinical and Health Psychology at the Utrecht University
BSc. Clinical and Health Psychology at the Utrecht University
B.A. Sports, Health and Management at the Hanzehogeschool Groningen

Work experience

2016-recent: Assistant professor at the University of Twente in Enschede
2021-2022: Scientific secretary at the Dutch Health Council in The Hague, for advice about ‘Prevention and early treatment of eating disorders’
2013-2016: PhD-student at the Trimbos Institute, The Netherlands Institute for Mental Health and Addiction, Department of Public Mental Health in Utrecht in collaboration with the Center for eHealth and Wellbeing Research at the University of Twente in Enschede.
2009-2012: Scientist at the Trimbos Institute, The Netherlands Institute for Mental Health and Addiction, Department of Public Mental Health in Utrecht.
2008: Health promoter in education projects at the Public Health Service of Groningen (i.e. healthy lifestyle behaviors)

Dissertation

Schotanus-Dijkstra, M. (2016). How to flourish in everyday life? Enhancing flourishing mental health in the general population as a new strategy for the prevention of anxiety and depressive disorders. Enschede, The Netherlands: University of Twente.

International peer-reviewed papers

Publications

Klukas, I.F., & Schotanus-Dijkstra, M. (2026). How to flourish during the menopausal transition: A scoping review on emotional, social and psychological wellbeing. Journal of Happiness Studies, 27 (73).
Schotanus-Dijkstra, M. (2024). An accidental discovery of scientific fraud: A reconstruction. Health Care for Women International, 45(4), 409-411.
Schreiber, C., & Schotanus-Dijkstra, M. (2024). Enhancing mental wellbeing by changing mindsets? Results from two randomized controlled trials. BMC Psychology, 12(1), 77.
Kraiss, J., Bohlmeijer, E. T., & Schotanus-Dijkstra, M. (2023). What emotions to encourage? The role of high and low arousal positive emotions in three randomized controlled trials of different positive psychology interventions. International Journal of Applied Positive Psychology, 8, 257-283. doi: 10.1007/s41042-023-00088-4.
Duan, W., Kliert, J., Schotanus-Dijkstra, M., Llorens, S., van den Heuvel, M., Mayer, C.H., Tomasulo, D., Liao, Y., & Van Zyl, L.E. (2022). Editorial: Positive psychology interventions: How, when and why they work: Beyond WEIRD contexts. Frontiers in Psychology, section Positive Psychology, doi: 10.3389/fp-syg.2022.1021539.
Austin, J., Drossaert, C. H. C, van Dijk, J., Sanderman, R., Borosund, E., Mirkovic, J., Schotanus-Dijkstra, M., Peeters, N. J., van ’t Klooster, J. W. J. R., Schroevers, M. J., & Bohlmeijer, E. T. (2022). Integrating top-down and bottom-up requirements in eHealth development: The case of a mobile self-compassion intervention for people with newly diagnosed cancer. JMIR Cancer, 8(3), e37502.
Bohlmeijer, E. T., Kraiss, J., Schotanus-Dijkstra, M., & ten Klooster, P. M. (2022). Gratitude as mood mediates the effects of a 6-weeks gratitude intervention on mental well-being: Post-hoc analysis of a randomized controlled trial. Frontiers in Psychology, section Positive Psychology. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.799447
Iasiello, M., van Agteren, J., Schotanus-Dijkstra, M., Lo, L., Fassnacht, D. B., & Westerhof, G. (2022). Assessing mental wellbeing using the Mental Health Continuum – Short Form: A systematic review and meta-analytic structural equation modelling. Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice, online first
Wieners, L., Radstaak, M., Van Zyl, L. E., & Schotanus-Dijkstra, M. (2021). To whom should I be kind? A randomized trial about kindness for strong and weak social ties on mental wellbeing and its specific mechanisms of change. International Journal of Wellbeing, 11(3), 1-23.
Nelson-Coffey, S. K., Bohlmeijer, E. T., & Schotanus-Dijkstra, M. (2021). Practicing other-focused kindness and self-focused kindness among those at risk for mental illness: Results of a randomized controlled trial. Frontiers in Psychology, section Positive Psychology. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.741546
Ng, W., Tov, W., Veenhoven, … & van Zyl, L. E. (2021). In Memory of Edward Diener: Reflections on His Career, Contributions and the Science of Happiness. Frontiers in psychology, 12, 2144.
Santini, Z., Torres-Sahli, M., Hinrichsen, C., Meilstrup, C., Madsen, K. R., Rayce, S. B., Baker, M. M., ten Have, M., Schotanus-Dijkstra, M., & Koushede, V. (2020). Measuring positive mental health and flourishing in Denmark: Validation of the Mental Health Continuum-Short Form (MHC-SF) and cross-cultural comparison across three countries. Health and Quality of Life Outcomes, 18, 297.
Hendriks, T., Schotanus-Dijkstra, M., Graafsma, T., Bohlmeijer, E. T. & de Jong, J. (2020). Positive emotions as a potential mediator of a multi-component positive psychology intervention aimed at increasing mental well-being and resilience. International Journal of Applied Positive Psychology, doi.org/10.1007/s41042-020-00037-5.
Bohlmeijer, E.T., Kraiss, J., Watkins, P. & Schotanus-Dijkstra, M. (2020). Promoting gratitude as a resource for sustainable mental health: Results of a 3-armed randomized controlled trial up to 6 months follow-up. Journal of Happiness Studies, doi.org/10.1007/s10902-020-00261-5.
Schotanus-Dijkstra, M., Keyes, C. L. M., de Graaf, R., & ten Have, M. (2019). Recovery from mood and anxiety disorders: The influence of positive mental health. Journal of Affective Disorders, 107-113. <PDF>
Hendriks, T., Schotanus-Dijkstra, M., Hassankhan, A., de Jong, J., & Bohlmeijer E. T. (2019). The efficacy of multi-component positive psychology interventions: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Journal of Happiness Studies, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-019-00082-1. <PDF>
Hendriks, T., Schotanus-Dijkstra, M., Hassankhan, A., Sardjo, W., Graafsma, T., Bohlmeijer E. T. & de Jong, J. (2019). Resilience and well-being in the Caribbean: Findings from a randomized controlled trial of a culturally adapted multi-component positive psychology intervention. The Journal of Positive Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1080/17439760.2019.1590624
Schotanus-Dijkstra, M., Drossaert, C. H. C., & Bohlmeijer, E. T. (2019). International Journal of Applied Positive Psychology. People’s motives to participate in a positive psychology intervention with email support and who might benefit most? https://doi.org/10.1007/s41042-018-00013-0
Hendriks, T., Warren, M., Schotanus-Dijkstra, M., Hassankhan, A., Graafsma, T., Bohlmeijer E. T. & de Jong, J. (2018). How WEIRD are positive psychology interventions? A bibliometric analysis of randomized controlled trials on the science of well-being. The Journal of Positive Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1080/17439760.2018.1484941 <PDF>
Schotanus-Dijkstra, M., Drossaert, C. H. C., Pieterse, M. E., Walburg, J. A., Bohlmeijer, E. T., & Smit, F. (2018). Towards sustainable mental health promotion: Trial-based health-economic evaluation of a positive psychology intervention versus usual care. BMC Psychiatry, 18:265. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-018-1825-5
Hendriks, T., Schotanus-Dijkstra, M., Hassankhan, A., Graafsma, T., Bohlmeijer E. T. & de Jong, J. (2018). The efficacy of positive psychological interventions from non-western countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis. International Journal of Wellbeing, 8 (1), 74-98. <PDF>
Schotanus-Dijkstra, M., Pieterse, M. E., Drossaert, C. H. C., Walburg, J. A., & Bohlmeijer, E. T. (2017). Possible mechanisms in a multicomponent email guided positive psychology intervention to improve mental well-being, anxiety and depression: A multiple mediation model. The Journal of Positive Psychology, doi: 10.1080/17439760.2017.1388430
Schotanus-Dijkstra, M., Drossaert, C. H. C., Pieterse, M. E., Boon, B., Walburg, J. A., & Bohlmeijer, E. T. (2017). An early intervention to promote well-being and flourishing and reduce anxiety and depression: A randomized controlled trial. Internet Interventions, 9, 15-20.
Schotanus-Dijkstra, M., ten Have, M., Lamers, S. M. A., de Graaf, R., & Bohlmeijer, E. T. (2016). The longitudinal relationship between flourishing mental health and incident mood, anxiety and substance use disorders. European Journal of Public Health. doi:10.1093/eurpub/ckw202
Schotanus-Dijkstra, M., Ten Klooster, P. M., Drossaert, C. H., Pieterse, M. E., Bolier, L., Walburg, J. A., & Bohlmeijer, E. T. (2016). Validation of the Flourishing Scale in a sample of people with suboptimal levels of mental well-being. BMC Psychology, 4, 12. doi:10.1186/s40359-016-0116-5
Schotanus-Dijkstra, M., Pieterse, M. E., Drossaert, C. H. C., Westerhof, G. J., de Graaf, R., ten Have, M., . . . Bohlmeijer, E. T. (2016). What factors are associated with flourishing? Results from a large representative national sample. Journal of Happiness Studies, 17(4), 1351-1370. doi:10.1007/s10902-015-9647-3
Kramer, J., Boon, B., Schotanus-Dijkstra, M., van Ballegooijen, W., Kerkhof, A., & van der Poel, A. (2015). The mental health of visitors of web-based support forums for bereaved by suicide.Crisis, 36(1), 38-45. doi:10.1027/0227-5910/a000281
Schotanus-Dijkstra, M., Drossaert, C. H., Pieterse, M. E., Walburg, J. A., & Bohlmeijer, E. T. (2015). Efficacy of a multicomponent positive psychology self-help intervention: Study protocol of a randomized controlled trial. JMIR Research Protocols, 4(3), e105. doi:10.2196/resprot.4162
Schotanus-Dijkstra, M., Havinga, P., van Ballegooijen, W., Delfosse, L., Mokkenstorm, J., & Boon, B. (2014). What do the bereaved by suicide communicate in online support groups? A content analysis. Crisis, 35(1), 27-35. doi:10.1027/0227-5910/a000225

National peer-reviewed papers

Schotanus-Dijkstra, M. (2021). Sociaal welbevinden onder de loep. Enkele basisingrediënten. Tijdschrift Positieve Psychologie, 2.
Schotanus-Dijkstra, M. (2021). Floreren door persoonlijke groei? Het belang van flowactiviteiten in je dagelijkse leven en in tijden van crisis. Tijdschrift Positieve Psychologie, 1, 11-17.
Schotanus-Dijkstra, M. (2019). De invloed van floreren op herstel van een angst-, stemming- of middelenstoornis. In Krikilion, W. & Pieper, J. (Red.) Positieve psychologie en zingeving. Integratie en toepassingen (pp. 41-49). Tilburg: KSGV.
Schotanus-Dijkstra, M. (2018). In gesprek met Corey Keyes: “Laat de mensen zelf maar ontdekken wat voor hen werkt”. Tijdschrift Positieve Psychologie, 3, 11-17.
Schotanus-Dijkstra, M. (2018). Hoe meet je floreren? Tijdschrift Positieve Psychologie, 3, 34-42.
Bohlmeijer, E. T., & Schotanus-Dijkstra, M. (2018). Dankbaarheid als bron van veerkracht en welzijn. Tijdschrift Positieve Psychologie, 1, 41-47.
Schotanus-Dijkstra, M. (2017). Hoe kun je floreren in je alledaagse leven? Tijdschrift Positieve Psychologie, 1, 33 -38.
Bohlmeijer, E., Trompetter, H., Schotanus-Dijkstra, M., & Drossaert, S. (2015). Compassie als motor van geluk. Tijdschrift Positieve Psychologie, 1, 37-44
Schotanus-Dijkstra, M., Ruiter, M., van der Poel, A., Hosman, C., & Boon, B. (2013). Tien jaar monitor GGZ-preventie: inzichten en vraagstukken. Ontwikkelingen in organisatie, capaciteit, financiering en bereik. Tijdschrift voor Gezondheidswetenschappen, 91 (4), 217-224.
Dijkstra, M., Bransen, E., & Leeman, M. (2011). Verslavingspreventie is onvoldoende toegerust voor mensen met een lichte verstandelijke beperking. Verslaving, 7 (4), 72-83.
Dijkstra, M., van der Poel, A., & Ruiter, M. (2011). Comorbiditeit van alcoholverslaving en een angst- of stemmingsstoornis. Welke zorg wordt geboden en hoe kan preventie worden vormgegeven? Tijdschrift voor Gezondheidswetenschappen, 89 (8), 420-426.

Book chapters

Schotanus-Dijkstra, M. (2021). Floreren. In: Bohlmeijer, E., Jacobs, N., Walburg, J.A., & Westerhof, G. (Red.). Handboek positieve psychologie. Amsterdam: Boom Uitgevers
Schotanus-Dijkstra, M., & Bohlmeijer E.T. (2017) ‘Flourishing’ people. In: Leo Bormans (Ed.). The World Book of Happiness 2.0. Tielt: Lannoo Uitgeverij. [Book is also available in a Dutch edition, 2016].
Hilderink, I., Dijkstra, M., & Bransen, E. (2011). Grensoverschrijdende pubers. LVG jeugd en middelengebruik. In: Clerkx, M., de Groot, R., & Prins, F. (2011). Grensoverschrijdend gedrag van pubers. Apeldoorn: Garant-Uitgevers.