M. (Mónica) Lopez Lopez, Dr

Mónica López López obtained her PhD in Psychology at the University of Oviedo, Spain. She is an Associate Professor and Rosalind Franklin Fellow at the Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences of the University of Groningen, the Netherlands.

For the last 15 years, Mónica has been actively seeking a way of improving child protection systems through research on decision-making, with a special interest in assessments and decisions of out-of-home placement and reunification, decisions of matching children with foster families, and participation of children and families in decision-making.

In her research, Mónica focuses on the voice of the service users, children and families, as a powerful instrument to improve welfare services. Since 2015, she has worked on Hestia, a European funded project comparing policies and practices of child protection in England, Germany and the Netherlands (NORFACE, H2020). She is currently directing the project Audre on the experiences of LGBTQIA+ young people in out-of-home care, and supervising project Hebe on the experiences of children who have been involved in child protection investigations. 

Mónica has been involved in transferring scientific knowledge, teaching at the international master Youth Society and Policy, training professionals, and working in international research networks. She is a board member of EUSARF and she was the founder of the EUSARF Academy, a network for PhD students and early careers conducting research in the field of child and family welfare.

She is the Coordinator of Internationalization for the Department of Pedagogical and Educational Sciences at the University of Groningen, and the Chair of the Advisory Board of the Summer & Winter Schools Programme of the University of Groningen.

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS

González Álvarez, R., ten Brummelaar, M., van Mierlo, K., Mallon G. P., & López López, M. (In press). A space to be myself, support and a trusting relationship: Participation of LGBTQIA children and youth in out-of-home care. In K. Križ & M. Petersen (Eds.), Children’s Participation in Child Protection: International Research and Practice Approaches. 

López López, M. & Benbenishty, R. (In press). Lessons learned from international studies on child protection decision-making employing the model of Judgments and Decisions Processes in Context (JUDPiC). In J. Fluke, M. López López, R. Benbenishty, E. J. Knorth, & D. Baumann (Eds.), Decision Making and Judgement in Child Welfare and Protection: Theory, Research, and Practice. New York: Oxford University Press.

Witte, S., López López, M., & Baldwin, H. (In press). The voice of the child in child protection decision-making. A cross-country comparison of policy and practice in England, Germany, and the Netherlands. In J. Fluke, M. López López, R. Benbenishty, E. J. Knorth, & D. Baumann (Eds.), Decision Making and Judgement in Child Welfare and Protection: Theory, Research, and Practice. New York: Oxford University Press.

Fluke, J., López López, M., Benbenishty, R., Knorth, E. J. & Baumann, D.  (In press). Advancing the field of decision-making and judgement in child welfare and protection: A look back and forward. In J. Fluke, M. López López, R. Benbenishty, E. J. Knorth, & D. Baumann (Eds.), Decision Making and Judgement in Child Welfare and Protection: Theory, Research, and Practice. New York: Oxford University Press.

Knorth, E. J., Bouma, H., Grietens, H., & López López, M. (In press). The Child Protection System in the Netherlands: Characteristics, Trends and Evidence. In J. D. Berrick, N. Gilbert, & M. Skivenes (Eds.), International Handbook of Child Protection Systems. New York: Oxford University Press.

Valencia, N., López López, M., Frias, M., & Grietens, H. (2020). Child protection in Mexico: A review of policy, system structure, and current challenges. Children and Youth Services Review, 112.

Middel, F., López López, M., Fluke, J. & Grietens, H. (2020). The Effects of migrant background and parent gender on child protection decision-making: An intersectional analysis. Child Abuse and Neglect.

Zeijlmans, K., van Yperen, T., & López López, M. (2020). The level-headed approach on errors and mistakes in Dutch child protection: an individual duty or a shared responsibility? In K. Biesel, J. Masson, N. Parton, & T. Pösö (Eds.), Errors and mistakes in child protection: International discourses, approaches, and strategies. London: Policy Press.

López López, M., Bouma, H.,  Grietens, H., & Knorth, E. J. (2019). The Dutch child protection system: Historical overview and recent transformations. In R. D. Krugman, L. Merkel-Holguin & J. Fluke (Eds.), National Systems of Child Protection. Understanding the International Variability and Context for Developing Policy and Practice. New York: Springer.

Bouma, H., Grietens, H., López López, M., & Knorth, E. J. (2019 – online version). Learning from parents: A qualitative interview study on parents’ experiences with a trajectory in the Dutch child protection system. Child and Family Social Work, 1-10. DOI: 10.1111/cfs.12723.

Zeijlmans, K., López López, M., Grietens, H., & Knorth, E. J. (2019). Heuristic decision-making in foster care matching: Evidence from a think-aloud study. Child Abuse and Neglect, 88, 400-411. DOI:10.1111/cfs.12437.

Zeijlmans, K., López López, M., Grietens, H., & Knorth, E. J. (2019). Participation of children, birth parents and foster carers in the matching decision. Paternalism or partnership? Child Abuse Review, 28, 139-151. DOI: 10.1002/car.2544.

Bartelink, C., Knorth, E.J., López López, M., Koopmans, C., Ten Berge, I., Witteman, C.L.M., van Yperen, T.A. (2018). Reasons for placement decisions in a case of suspected child abuse: the role of reasoning, work experience and attitudes in decision-making. Child Abuse and Neglect, 83, 129-141. DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2018.06.013. 

Zeijlmans, K., López López, M., Grietens, H., & Knorth, E. J. (2018). ‘Nothing goes as planned’: Professionals reflect on matching children and foster families. Child and Family Social Work, 23(3), 458-465. DOI: 10.1111/cfs.12437.

Ten Brummelaar, M. D. C., López López, M., & Knorth, E. J. (2018). Participatie van jeugdigen in besluiten binnen de jeugdhulp; samen werken aan verbetering van leefsituatie en ontwikkeling. Orthopedagogiek: Onderzoek en Praktijk, 57(3-6), 126-135.

Bouma, h., López López, M., Grietens, H., & Knorth, E. (2018). Meaningful participation for children in the Dutch child protection system: A critical analysis of relevant provisions in policy documents. Child Abuse and Neglect, 79, 279-292. DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2018.02.016

Zeijlmans, K., López López, M., Grietens, H., & Knorth, E. (2017). Matching children with foster cares, a literature review. Children and Youth Services Review, 73, 257-265. DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2016.12.017. 

López López, M., & Del Valle, J. F. (2016). The foster care experience: An exploration of foster carers motivation, satisfaction and needs. Psicothema, 28(2), 122-129. DOI: 10.7334/psicothema2015.168.

Del Valle, J. F., Bravo, A., & López López, M. (Eds.) (2016). Shaping the future: Connecting knowledge and evidence to child welfare practice. Book of abstracts of the XIV EUSARF International Conference. Oviedo, Spain: Asociación NIERU Publishers. ISBN: 978-84-617-4162-5

Zeijlmans, K., & López López, M. (2015). De matchingsbeslissing in de pleegzorg: Tussen kunst en wetenschap. In J. Knot-Dickscheit, A. M. N. Huyghen, H. J. M. Janssen, W. J. Post, I. Haakma, & H. Grietens (Eds.), Orthopedagogiek maakt verschil!: Profiel en toekomst van een discipline in beweging. Leuven; Den Haag: Uitgeverij Acco. ISBN: 978-94-629-2281-5 [Title translated from Dutch: Matching decision- making in family foster care: between art and science]

López López, M., Fluke, J., Benbenishty, R., & Knorth, E. (2015). Commentary on decision-making and judgments in child maltreatment prevention and response: An overview. Child Abuse and Neglect, 49, 1-11. DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2015.08.013.

López López M., & Zeijlmans, K. (2015). Wat werkt bij het werven van pleeggezinnen? De ontwikkeling van een succesvolle wervingscampagne voor pleegzorg. Orthopedagogiek: Onderzoek en Praktijk, 54(4), 161-171. [Title translated from Dutch:  What works in the recruitment of foster families? De development of a successful strategy for recruiting foster carers]

Benbenishty, R., Davidson-Arad, B., López López, M., Devaney, J., Spratt, T., et al. (2015). Decision-making in child protection: an international comparative study on maltreatment substantiation, risk assessment and intervention recommendations and the role of professionals’ child welfare attitudes. Child Abuse and Neglect, 49, 63-75. DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2015.03.015.

López López, M., & Del Valle, J. F. (2015). The waiting children: pathways (and future) of children in long-term residential care. British Journal of Social Work, 45, 457-473. DOI: 10.1093/bjsw/bct130.

Delgado, P., López López, M., Carvalho, J., & Del Valle, J. F. (2015). Acolhimento Familiar em Portugal e Espanha: Uma Investigação Comparada sobre a Satisfação dos Acolhedores. Psicologia Reflexão & Crítica, 28(4), 639-648. DOI: 10.1590/1678-7153.201528423. [Title translated from Portuguese: Family foster care in Southern European countries. A comparative study on foster carer satisfaction in Portugal and Spain].

López López, M., Delgado, P., Carvalho, J., & Del Valle, J. F. (2014). Acogimiento familiar en España y Portugal, una investigación comparativa. Universitas Psychologica, 13(3), 15-30. DOI: 10.11144/Javeriana.UPSY13-3.cdaf [Title translated from Spanish:  Family foster care in Spain and Portugal, a comparative research].

Harder, A. T., Zeller, M., López López, M., Köngeter, S., &  Knorth, E. J.  (2013). Different sizes, similar challenges: Out-of-home care for youth in Germany and the Netherlands. Psychosocial Intervention, 22(3), 203-213. DOI: 10.5093/in2013a24 [Article published both, in English and Spanish by the journal]

Sainero, A., Del Valle J.F., López López, M., & Bravo, A. (2013). Exploring the specific needs of an understudied group: children with intellectual disability in residential child care. Children and Youth Services Review, 35(9), 1393-1399. DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2013.04.026.

López López, M., Santos, I., Bravo, A., & Del Valle, J. F. (2013). El proceso de transición a la vida adulta de jóvenes acogidos en el sistema de protección. Annals of Psychology, 29(1), 187-196. DOI: 10.6018/analesps.29.1.130542. [Title translated: The process of transition to adulthood of young people in public care]. 

López López, M., Del Valle, J. F., Montserrat, C., & Bravo, A. (2013). Factors associated with family reunification for children in foster care. Child and Family Social Work, 18. 226-236. DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2206.2012.00847.x.

López López, M., Koopmans, A. C., Knorth, E. J., Witteman, C., Benbenishty, R., Davidson-Arad, B., del Valle, J. F., Spratt, T., Hayes, D., & Devaney, J. (2013). Cross-national comparison of caseworkers’ attitudes towards child welfare issues and their impact in risk assessments and decisions to place a child out-of-home. In C. Canali & T. Vecchiato (Eds.), Foster care in Europe: what do we know about outcomes and evidence? Padova: Fondazione Emanuela Zancan. ISBN: 88-88843-71-1

López López, M. (2012). El acogimiento familiar en España, una asignatura pendiente. In A. Bravo, J. F. Del Valle, A. Martínez & T. Aller (Eds.), Construyendo puentes entre investigación y práctica. Oviedo: FAPMI. ISBN: 978-84-695-5323-7. [Title translated from Spanish: Foster care in Spain, an unresolved matter. In Building bridges between research and practice]

López López, M., & Del Valle, J. F. (2012). El acogimiento familiar. In M.D. Fernández Tilve, & J.M. Suárez Sandomingo (Eds.), Menores en crisis: Propuestas de intervención y medidas reeducativas. Galicia: University of Santiago de Compostela. ISBN: 978-84-9887-865-3. [Title translated from Spanish: Family foster care. In Children in Crisis: Suggestions for intervention and re-educational measures]

López López, M., Santos, I., Bravo, A., & Del Valle, J. F. (2012). Giovani adulti in uscita dai percorsi di tutela: questioni emergenti e soluzioni possibili. In P. Bastianoni, & F. Zullo (eds.), Neomaggiorenni e autonomía personale. Resilienza ed emancipazione. Roma: Carocci Editore. ISBN 978-88-430-6381-9. [Title translated from Italian: Young people leaving care: emerging issues and possible solutions. In Young adults and personal autonomy. Resilience and empowerment]

Del Valle, J. F., Lázaro, S., López López, M., & Bravo, A. (2011). Leaving Care in Family. Transitions to Adulthood from Kinship Care. Children and Youth Services Review, 33, 2475-2481. DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2011.08.015. 

López López, M., Del Valle, J. F., Montserrat, C., & Bravo, A. (2011). Factors affecting foster care breakdown in Spain. Spanish Journal of Psychology, 14(1), 108-118. DOI: 10.5209/rev_SJOP.2011.v14.n1.9. 

López López, M. (2011). Outcomes assessment of foster care in Spain. PhD Thesis. Oviedo: Universidad de Oviedo

López López, M., Del Valle, J. F., & Bravo, A. (2010). Strategies for recruiting foster families. Papeles del Psicólogo, 31(3), 289-295. [Article published both, in English and Spanish by the journal]. 

López López, M., Del Valle, J. F., Montserrat, C., & Bravo, A. (2010). El acogimiento en familia ajena en España. Una evaluación de la práctica y sus resultados. Infancia y Aprendizaje, 33(2), 269-280. DOI: 10.1174/021037010791114616. [Title translated: Non-relative family foster care in Spain: Practice and outcomes assessment].

Del Valle, J. F., Bravo, A., & López López, M. (2010). Parents and peers as providers of support in adolescents' social network. A developmental perspective. Journal of Community Psychology, 38(1), 16-27. DOI: 10.1002/jcop.20348.

Del Valle, J. F., & López López, M. (2010). Profile and scope of foster care in Spain. In R. Barth and E. Fernandez (Eds.), Does Foster Care work? International Evidence on Outcomes. London: Jessica Kingsley. ISBN: 978-1-84905-812-4

López López, M., Del Valle, J. F., Montserrat, C., & Bravo, A. (2010). Niños que esperan. Estudio sobre casos de larga estancia en acogimiento residencial. Madrid: Spanish Ministry of Health and Social Policy. NIPO: 840-10-052-6 Legal Deposit: M-35551-2010. [Title translated from Spanish: Waiting children. Case analysis of children in long-term residential care]

Del Valle, J. F., Bravo, A., & López López, M., (2009). Foster care in Spain. Its establishment and current challenges. Papeles del Psicólogo, 30(1), 33-41. [Article published both, in English and Spanish by the journal].

Del Valle, J. F., López López, M., Montserrat, C., & Bravo, A. (2009). Twenty years of foster care in Spain. Profiles, patterns and outcomes. Children and Youth Services Review, 31(8), 847-853. DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2009.03.007.

Del Valle, J. F., López López, M., Montserrat, C., & Bravo, A. (2008). El acogimiento familiar en España. Una evaluación de resultados. Madrid: Ministry of Work and Social Affairs. ISBN: 978-84-8417-296-3. [Title translated from Spanish: Family foster care in Spain]

Del Valle, J. F., López López M., & Bravo, A. (2008). Foster care practice in Spain: an outcomes assessment approach. In C. Canali, T. Vecchiato and J.K. Whittaker (Eds.), Assessing the “Evidence-base” of Intervention for Vulnerable Children and Their Families. Padova: Fondazione E. Zancan. ISBN: 88-88843-24-8.

Del Valle, J. F., López López, M., & Bravo, A. (2007). Job stress and burnout among residential child care workers. Psicothema, 19(4), 610-615.