Skip to main content
Skip to main content

Welcome to

on the website of the Chair of Psychological Aging Research

Ausblick auf Universitaet Siegen

Psychological ageing research examines the ageing processes of psychological phenomena (including social, emotional and cognitive) and how they can be influenced and changed through person-related (e.g. training, therapy) or context-related (e.g. social, spatial, material) interventions. Both healthy ageing and pathological ageing are examined, whereby it is important to distinguish healthy developmental processes from pathological changes and their interaction.

The complexity of ageing processes cannot be understood by one discipline alone. Psychological ageing research (or gerontopsychology) therefore takes place as a sub-field of gerontology in an interdisciplinary exchange.

The focus of research in psychological ageing research at the University of Siegen is currently on resource-oriented diagnostics and psychological intervention to promote autonomy, quality of life and social inclusion in old age with and without dementia.

Logo der Veranstaltung Demenz Meet

PAR at the Dementia Meet in Siegen

The first Dementia Meet will take place in Siegen on July 11. As a member of the Dementia Roundtable, the event’s organizer, PAR will be represented by several members.

Dr. Kristian Kleinke während seiner Antrittsvorlesung

Inaugural lecture delights audience and review board

Missing data is often considered a nuisance in scientific research. In his inaugural lecture, however, PD Dr. Kristian Kleinke made it clear that it is precisely in these gaps that valuable information can lie hidden. With vivid examples and exciting insights into modern statistics, he took his audience on a surprisingly entertaining journey through the world of data analysis.

Ehepaar Gerhard und Jutta Sauer mit Demenzlotsin Manuela Kremer (Mitte)
General Public

We make the best of the situation

A personal article published in the Siegen seniors' magazine "Durchblick" shows how everyday life, family and quality of life can still be organized despite a dementia diagnosis. Under the heading "Briefly reported" (page 13) you will find the central statements - with reference to the detailed long version.

Preisverleihung an Niklas Pütz

Wolfgang Popp Prize for Niklas Pütz

How does ADHD manifest itself in women - and how can diagnostics become fairer? Niklas Pütz was awarded the Wolfgang Popp Prize for his pioneering research on this question.

Buchcover "Kommunikation bei Demenz"

3rd edition of the guidebook "Communication with dementia" published

The completely revised 3rd edition of this guide shows how communication can succeed despite dementia, with everyday tips and personal experience reports from those affected, relatives and carers.

Fehlende Daten visualisiert

Inaugural lecture PD Kristian Kleinke

How does research deal with incomplete data sets - and what does this mean for the results of social science studies? In his inaugural lecture on May 27, 2026, PD Kristian Kleinke will provide exciting insights into current methods and their limitations.

Simon Fraser University-Surrey Campus

Research on social robots presented at international conference

Dr. Stefanie Baisch presented current research findings at the International Conference on Gerontechnology in Vancouver. The focus was on ethical issues and the effect of social robots in the everyday lives of older people.

Gemeinden in SI

Kick-off for the ZIGS cluster "Health in the Region"

The ZIGS cluster "Health in the Region" got off to a successful start with its first meeting and initiated key topics such as cooperation, structure and content priorities. The meeting revealed great potential for interdisciplinary networking and practical research in the region.

Folie aus PowerPoint Template

The guideline on consent for people with dementia is being updated

The constituent meeting to update the S2k guideline Consent of people with dementia to medical interventions (register number: 108-001) took place on Wednesday, February 25, 2026.

Our working group

What matters to us

Schwarz-weißes Bild eines menschlichen Kopfprofils mit sichtbarer Gehirnstruktur, umgeben von einem Netzwerk aus verbundenen Punkten und Linien, das künstliche Intelligenz und digitale Vernetzung symbolisiert.

In our working group, we deal with psychological ageing processes – in other words, how social, emotional and cognitive abilities change in old age and how they can be positively influenced by targeted interventions. We are interested in both healthy and pathological ageing and, in particular, their interaction, because development in old age can only be understood in this overall context. As part of interdisciplinary gerontology, we are currently focusing on resource-oriented diagnostics and interventions that promote autonomy, quality of life and social participation among older people – with and without dementia.

Our research profile

Interdisciplinary research on ageing, health and self-determination

The working group examines ageing from a psychological and interdisciplinary perspective with a particular focus on care and nursing contexts. The central question is how autonomy, quality of life and social participation can be maintained and strengthened in old age. To this end, we develop and research resource-oriented diagnostic procedures and psychological interventions that address the individual abilities and living environments of older people.

Another focus is on interpersonal health communication, decision-making assistance and the promotion of self-determination – especially in sensitive care situations. In addition, we make psychological contributions to ecological gerontology and medical ethics in order to understand ageing not only individually, but also in the context of social, spatial and societal conditions. The aim of our research is to make scientific findings directly usable for humane, participatory and sustainable care for older people.

Key research areas

  • Psychological and interdisciplinary research on ageing, care and nursing
  • Resource-oriented diagnostics and psychological intervention to promote autonomy, quality of life and social inclusion in old age
  • Interpersonal health communication, decision-making assistance and self-determination
  • Psychological contributions to ecological gerontology and medical ethics

 

Journal article
2025

Usability of a Tablet-Based Cognitive Assessment Administered by Medical Assistants in General Practice: Implementation Study

Journal article
2025

Why and When Ethical Leadership Signals Enhance Employer Attractiveness

Journal article
2025

Validation of the Meaning of Home Questionnaire for People with Dementia

Healthcare and Ageing research
-

Dementia advisory boards

People with dementia and relatives of people with dementia come together once a month in two advisory boards to participate in research projects of the Chair of Psychological Aging Research at the University of Siegen.

DECIDE-2 Referenzbild
Healthcare and Ageing research
-

DECIDE-2

Decision support for advance health care planning for people with dementia

The DECIDE-2 project aims to provide decision support for advance health care planning for people with dementia and their relatives in order to strengthen the autonomy of those affected when making decisions for the last phase of life and to reduce the burden on relatives and caregivers.

Julia Haberstroh

Prof. Dr. Julia Haberstroh

Professor*in

Als Inhaberin der Professur für Psychologische Alternsforschung gestalte ich innovative Forschungs- und Lehrformate an der Schnittstelle von Altern, Gesundheit und Gesellschaft.

Thorsten Kolling

Dr. Thorsten Kolling

Academic Senior Councillor

Ich bin Akademischer Oberrat in der Professur für Psychologische Alternsforschung. Neben der Lehre in Grundlagen- und Anwendungsorientierter Psychologie arbeite ich an verschiedenen Projekten zu künstlicher Intelligenz, Robotik und Digitalen Gesundheitsanwendungen.

Kristian Kleinke

PD Dr. Kristian Kleinke

Academic Senior Councillor Psychological Methodology
  • ich unterrichte Statistik und Datenanalyse in unseren BSc- und MSc-Studiengängen Psychologie sowie Klinische Psychologie und Psychotherapie
  • in meiner methodischen Forschung interessiere ich mich für fehlende Daten und insbesondere die Mehrfachersetzung fehlender Daten
Anna Theile-Schürholz

Dr. Anna Theile-Schürholz

Group of employees in technology and administration Medical documentalist and data manager in the DECIDE2 project

Ich bin Datenmanagerin in der Professur für Psychologische Alternsforschung und unterstützt die Projekte DECIDE und DECIDE II als Medizinische Dokumentarin.

Susanne Penger

Dr. Susanne Penger

Wissenschaftliche*r Mitarbeiter*in

Ich bin wissenschaftliche Mitarbeiterin in der Professur für Psychologische Alternsforschung.

Stefanie Baisch-Schmidt

Dr. Stefanie Baisch-Schmidt

Research assistant

Ich bin wissenschaftliche Mitarbeiterin in der Professur für Psychologische Alternsforschung. Mein wissenschaftliches Interesse gilt dem Einsatz neuer Technologien im Alter im Hinblick auf Akzeptanz, Ethik und Effektivität.

Janina Florack

Dr. Janina Florack

Research assistant

Ich bin wissenschaftliche Mitarbeiterin in der Professur für Psychologische Alternsforschung. Meine wissenschaftlichen Interessen liegen im Bereich der Versorgungsforschung, neuropsychologischen Diagnostik sowie Wohnbedeutung bei Menschen mit Demenz.

Jonas Karneboge

Dr. Jonas Karneboge

Wissenschaftliche*r Mitarbeiter*in

Meine wissenschaftlichen Interessen liegen in den Bereichen Einwilligugnsfähigkeitsassessment, Entscheidungsassistenz und Advance Care Planning.

Personal profile photo

Dr. Tanja Müller

Research assistant
Ronja Müller-Späth

Ronja Müller-Späth

Research assistant

In meiner Promotion widme ich mich den Auswirkungen verschiedener Partizipationsebenen innerhalb medizinischer Versorgung und beschäftige mich mit der Fragestellung, ob sich eine höhere Partizipation von Patient*innen in der Gestaltung ihrer eigenen Behandlung auf ihre Gesundheit sowie Behandlung

Celina Sander

Celina Sander

Research assistant

Als wissenschaftliche Mitarbeiterin der Professur für Psychologische Altersforschung bin ich verantwortlich für die Beiräte Menschen mit Demenz und Zugehörige von Menschen mit Demenz.

Anna Masling

Anna Masling M.Sc.

Wissenschaftliche*r Mitarbeiter*in

Ich bin wissenschaftliche Mitarbeiterin in der Professur für Psychologische Alternsforschung. Ich promoviere zur Wirkung von decision visbility auf moralische Entscheidungen in medienvermittelten Kontexten.

Ermioni Athanasiadi

Ermioni Athanasiadi

Research assistant

Ich bin wissenschaftliche Mitarbeiterin in der Professur Psychologische Alternsforschung. In meiner Promotion beschäftige ich mich mit Imputationsmethoden von fehlenden Daten in kleinen Stichproben.

Dr. Philipp Schaper

Dr. Philipp Schaper

Study coordination

Ich bin wissenschaftliche Mitarbeiter in der Professur für Psychologische Alternsforschung und Studiengangskoordinator am Department Psychologie.

Contact

 

Postal address

University of Siegen
Schools II - Department of Psychology
Prof. Dr. Julia Haberstroh

Secretariat Reinhardt/Thielmann
Adolf-Reichwein-Str. 2 a
57076 Siegen

Visitor address

University of Siegen
Department of Psychology
AR-NB 124
Adolf-Reichwein-Str. 2a
57076 Siegen

Secretariat

Elke Reinhardt and Andrea Thielmann are your contacts in the office. They will answer general questions and refer you to the relevant members of staff if you have specific problems or questions.

Please send general inquiries by e-mail. E-mails are checked regularly.