Dr. Julian Busch
My research focuses on the socio-emotional and cognitive development of children from families in challenging circumstances. Specifically, I aim at understanding the antecedents and protective factors of academic learning and school adjustment amid adversity exposure.
Selected Publications
Busch, J., Haehner, P., Spierling, S., & Leyendecker, B. (2023). Socio-emotional adjustment throughout the COVID-19 pandemic: A longitudinal study of elementary school-aged children from low-income neighbourhoods. Stress and Health, 1-14. https://doi.org/10.1002/smi.3238
Busch, J., Buchmüller, T., & Leyendecker, B. (2023). An observational study on the implementation and quality of a policy-based early childhood education program for newly arrived refugee children in Germany. International Journal of Child Care and Education Policy, 17:3. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40723-023-00105-8
Busch, J., & Yoshikawa, H. (2022). Refugee Policies and Parenting in the United States and Germany. In A. S. Morris & J. Mendez Smith (Eds.), The Cambridge Handbook of Parenting (pp. 514–535). Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108891400.029
Busch, J., Cabrera, N., Ialuna, F., Buchmüller, T. & Leyendecker, B. (2021). Links between refugee children’s pre-academic skills and socio-emotional distress with attendance of early childhood development programs. Early Education and Development, 33:8, 1304-1325. https://doi.org/10.1080/10409289.2021.197042
since 10/2022 Clinical training program (postgradual level) for psychological psychotherapy,
specialization in systemic/family therapy
Akademie für Systemische Therapie, Dortmund.
10/2019 – 02/2017 Dissertation (Dr. rer. nat)., Faculty of Psychology, Ruhr-University, Bochum.
“Promoting early childhood development after forced displacement.
Refugee children’s needs and the potentials of childcare-based interventions”
11/2016 – 10/2014 MSc in Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Ruhr-University, Bochum
08/2014 – 10/2011 BSc in Psycholgy (Counseling and Intervention), Ruhr-University, Bochum
2020 – 2023 Research grant (PIs: Philipp Jugert, Sauro Civitillo, Nele McElvany, Birgit Leyendecker & Julian Busch):
Ecological determinants of positive trajectories of forcibly displaced children in German primary schools.
MERCUR (Mercator Foundation). €134,575 (share of Ruhr-University)
2020 – 2021 Research grant (PIs: Birgit Leyendecker & Julian Busch):
Bridging cultures – Evaluation of measures to support forcibly displaced children’s transition into first grade.
RuhrFutur (Mercator Foundation). €51,705
2019 Scholarship for research stay at the Institute of Human Development and Social Change, New York City University (NY, USA).
Project International Programm, Research School, Ruhr-University. €6,070
2018 – 2020 Research grant (PIs: Birgit Leyendecker & Julian Busch): GENDER-LGBTIQ* – Gender, Equality, Needs – Diversity Efforts at Ruhr University for LGBTIQ*students.
Lore-Agnes Fund at Ruhr University Bochum. €23,400
2018 – 2019 Research grant (PIs: Julian Busch & Birgit Leyendecker): asyLGBTIQ* – Psychosocial burdens, resources and societal participation
of refugees from the LGBTIQ*-community.
Federal Ministry for Children, Families, Refugee and Integration. €34,700
COURSES (selected)
Master’s level
Simulation of a task force to design early childhood development programs for refugee children, (3CP, elective course)
The Psychology of forced displacement (elective course, 3CP)
Thesis preparation course (3CP)
Bachelor’s level
Introduction into developmental science (3 CP)
Introduction into statistical data analysis using R (3CP)
Thesis preparation course (3CP)
THESIS SUPERVISIONS (selected)
Master’s level
Heithausen, A. (2020). Facilitating socio-emotional well-being in refugee children: effects of preschool teachers’ professional competencies. First supervisor: Julian Busch. Second supervisor: Birgit Leyendecker
Krey, E. (2018). Impact of irritability on depression and ego-resilience. First supervisor: Birgit Leyendecker, second supervisor: Julian Busch
Bachelor’s level
Bremer, L. (2019). Do maternal gender role values moderate gender differentiated parenting in situations of norm enforcement?First supervisor: Julian Busch, second supervisor: Birgit Leyendecker
Maalej, N. (2019). LGBTIQ refugees in Germany: Religiosity, support measures, and social network as protective factors. First supervisor: Julian Busch, second supervisor: Birgit Leyendecker
Elected deputy of the young members of the section “Developmental Psychology”, German Psychological Society (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Psychologie, 2019 – 2023)
Member of the Alumni network “Altvilligster Netzwerk”
Member of the Association of German Professional Psychologists (Berufsverband deutscher Psychologen)
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