Even less visible: disadvantaged children in disadvantaged countries

European Journal of Developmental Psychology, vol. 20, pp. 962–977

Abstract

In this paper, we have a quick look at the profile of developmental research in terms of its study samples, and then turn our attention to the findings of research on the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change, suggesting a notable increase in the number of people experiencing significant economic difficulties and a widening gap between the wealthy and the poor. While this is obviously a cause of concern for scientists, practitioners and policymakers, we suggest that the digital revolution which accelerated even more with the COVID-19 pandemic may open new ways to support healthy development and psychological wellbeing in socio-economically or developmentally disadvantaged populations. Moreover, acceleration of the digital transformation may also allow us to study the human mind and behaviour in countries economically categorized as ‘under-developed’ or ‘developing’, and under-represented in psychological science. Taking the recent advancements as a base, we contemplate the possibility that major technological changes facilitated by the recent COVID-19 pandemic might allow us to meet the scientific and applied goals of psychology more successfully.

Authors 4

1. Bilge Selçuk corresponding

   MEF University

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Psychology, MEF University, İstanbul, Turkey

2. Cansel Karakas

   Utrecht University

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Child and Adolescent Studies, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands

3. İ̇pek Tuncay Aachen Institute of Education and Child Studies

   Leiden University

   Affiliation as printed

   The Institute of Education and Child Studies, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands

4. Beril Can

   University of Sussex

   Affiliation as printed

   School of Psychology, University of Sussex, Brighton, United Kingdom