Janna Vrijsen: “Small behavioral changes can have a big impact”

Behavioral scientist Janna Vrijsen is researching how people with depression can feel better. In her work, she examines the role of sports and exercise, as well as how people think. For example, worrying. According to Janna, treatment is more effective when it addresses both the mind and the body.

“Minor differences between people, and within a single person over time, can have a huge impact in the long run,” says Janna, a senior researcher at Pro Persona and professor of Mental Fitness at Radboudumc. These differences can be found, for example, in how you process information, how your memory works, and in your behavior. “It’s not about a single moment, but about what happens when small changes persist.”

The effect of changes in a person’s life on their well-being often only becomes apparent after a long period of time. That makes it difficult to study them properly. Resources for this are also limited. “In research, a one-year follow-up after treatment is already considered good. But it doesn’t tell us nearly as much as if you could follow someone for ten years. Only then can you truly identify lasting change.”

An integrated Perspective

Her interest in how people work was evident from an early age. Janna grew up with parents who worked in healthcare, but she soon realized she’d rather do research herself. “Above all, I want to understand how a treatment works, and why it works for one person but not for another.” A role as a researcher is therefore a perfect fit for her. “I’m good at dealing with long-term, slow-moving processes and maintaining my focus on the same topic for a long time,” she says.

Her work has changed over the years, though. “At first, I was mainly involved in experimental research. Figuring out how something works.” Janna now views that differently. “I think much more now in terms of: we have to make sure things actually take root. That’s why I prefer to look at: what ingredients are already in mental health care, and how can we turn them into a better dish?” At the same time, she believes that basic research remains necessary. “If everyone just wants to implement, nothing new will ever be discovered.”

In her ideal research world, we also take context into account to understand what someone needs. “In healthcare, we often focus on that one person. But there’s so much more to it. Where someone lives. Their social environment. What a typical day looks like. Even things like light or air quality can influence how someone feels and what they do.”

According to Janna, this calls for better collaboration between university medical centers (UMCs) and mental health institutions. “Everyone has a different role in this. You have to appreciate each other for the role you play in that chain. Don’t all try to do the same thing, but coordinate well and know how to find each other.”