Heta Tuominen

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Research

My research links the study of motivation with well-being and explores both among children and young people. I started working at the University of Eastern Finland in September 2022. In my Academy Research Fellow project (2022–2027), the main objective is to examine the developmental and situational dynamics between students’ motivation, perfectionism, and academic well-being across upper secondary education, and to consider the role of student welfare in supporting students’ learning and well-being.

Teaching

Educational science; educational psychology; learning in different contexts; research on motivation, learning, and well-being; quantitative research methods; PhD theses supervision; Master’s theses supervision

Other

I am the editor-in-chief of The Finnish Journal of Education and the coordinator of the Educational Psychology and Learning Research Special Interest Group of the Finnish Educational Research Association.

Research groups

Motivation, learning, and well-being (MoLeWe UEF) 01.01.2020 -

Projects

Research communities

Motivation, Learning, and Well-Being -Research Collective (MoLeWe)

MoLeWe-logo T he MoLeWe collective represents a group of researchers from the University of Eastern Finland (UEF), University of Helsinki (UH), University of Oulu (UO), Åbo Akademi University (ÅAU), University of Turku (UTU), and National Defence University (NDU) collaborating in the fields of education and educational psychology. The MoLeWe site serves as our joint home base where you can find information on our research, including PhD projects, as well as our experiences in the academia. We will share our stories and thoughts in a blog, both in English and in Finnish.

Learning, Everyday Life and Work in a Digitalized Society (DIGS)

Our multidisciplinary research community Learning, Everyday Life and Work in a Digitalized Society (DIGS) gathers researchers from the Philosophical Faculty, the Faculty of Science, Forestry and Technology and the Faculty of Social Sciences and Business Studies. Our research is focused on the new learning opportunities and tools offered by a digitalized society and also on the demands and expectations of digitalization in different contexts and areas of life, such as work, education and everyday life.

Find the most recent publications below. Information on my pre-UEF publications and research activities (until fall 2022) can be found here.
- Polso, K.-M., Tuominen, H., Ihantola, P., & Niemivirta, M. (in press). Within-year stability and changes in adolescents’ cross-domain motivational profiles: Predictions on academic achievement and educational choices. Journal of Educational Psychology.
- Söderholm, F., Viljaranta, J., Hirvonen, R., Tuominen, H., Lappalainen, K., & Holopainen, L. (2024). The development of exhaustion, cynicism, and inadequacy in general upper secondary education: Perceived and received support, student engagement, and gender as predictors. Scandinavian Journal of Educational Research. https://doi.org/10.1080/00313831.2024.2419066
- Kuusi, A., Tuominen, H., Widlund, A., Korhonen, J., & Niemivirta, M. (2024). Lower secondary students’ perfectionistic profiles: Stability, transitions, and connections with well-being. Learning and Individual Differences, 110, 102419. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lindif.2024.102419
- Widlund, A., Niemivirta, M., Tuominen, H., & Korhonen, J. (2024). Growth trajectories of self-concept and interest in mathematics and language – Individual differences and cross-domain relations. Learning and Instruction, 91, 101882. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.learninstruc.2024.101882
- Widlund, A., Tuominen, H., & Korhonen, J. (2024). Motivational profiles in mathematics – Stability and links with educational and emotional outcomes. Contemporary Educational Psychology, 76, 102256. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cedpsych.2024.102256
- Niemivirta, M., Tapola, A., Tuominen, H., & Viljaranta, J. (2024). Developmental trajectories of school-beginner’s ability self-concept, intrinsic value, and performance in mathematics. British Journal of Educational Psychology, 94, 441–459. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjep.12655
- Holmström, A., Tuominen, H., Laasanen, M., & Veermans, M. (2023). Teachers’ work engagement and burnout profiles: Associations with sense of efficacy and interprofessional collaboration in school. Teaching and Teacher Education, 132, 104251. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tate.2023.104251
- Tuominen, H., Hirvonen, R., Juntunen, H., Viljaranta, J., & Niemivirta, M. (2023). Tavoitteet ja huolet koronapandemian aikana: Perfektionistiset taipumukset opiskelustressin ja siitä selviämisen selittäjänä [Strivings and concerns during the COVID-19 pandemic: Perfectionistic tendencies as predictors of study stress and coping]. Kasvatus [The Finnish Journal of Education], 54, 5–22. https://doi.org/10.33348/kvt.130129
- Söderholm, F., Viljaranta, J., Tuominen, H., Lappalainen, K., & Holopainen, L. (2023). Student engagement profiles and the role of support in general upper secondary education. Learning and Individual Differences, 104, 102289. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lindif.2023.102289
- Rawlings, A. M., Niemivirta, M., Korhonen, J., Lindskog, M., Tuominen, H., & Mononen, R. (2023). Achievement emotions and arithmetic fluency – Development and parallel processes during the early school years. Learning and Instruction, 86, 101776. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.learninstruc.2023.101776
- Widlund, A., Tuominen, H., & Korhonen, J. (2023). Reciprocal effects of mathematics performance, school engagement and burnout during adolescence. British Journal of Educational Psychology, 93(1), 183–197. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjep.12548
- Mononen, R., Korhonen, J., Niemivirta, M., Rawlings, A. M., Tapola, A., & Tuominen, H. (2023). iSeeNumbers project report – Main findings and recommendations for practice. PsyArXiv. https://doi.org/10.31234/osf.io/kxtb5
- Tuominen, H., Pikkarainen, P., Hirvonen, R., Juntunen, H., Viljaranta, J., & Niemivirta, M. (2022). Yliopisto-opiskelijoiden motivaatioprofiilit koronapandemian aikana ja toiveet opetuksen toteuttamisesta jatkossa. Kasvatus [The Finnish Journal of Education], 53(5), 547–552. https://doi.org/10.33348/kvt.122723
- Juntunen, H., Tuominen, H., Viljaranta, J., Hirvonen, R., Toom. A., & Niemivirta, M. (2022). Feeling exhausted and isolated? The connections between university students’ remote teaching and learning experiences, motivation, and psychological well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic. Educational Psychology: An International Journal of Experimental Educational Psychology, 42(10), 1241–1262. https://doi.org/10.1080/01443410.2022.2135686
- Tuominen, H., Kuusi, A., Pulkka, A.-T., Tapola, A., & Niemivirta, M. (2021). Täydellisyyteen pyrkimistä ja huolta omista suorituksista? Lukiolaisten perfektionismi ja opiskeluhyvinvointi [Striving for perfection and worrying about one’s performances? Perfectionism and academic well-being in general upper secondary school]. Kasvatus [The Finnish Journal of Education], 52(2), 209–222. https://journal.fi/kasvatus/article/view/111445
- Tuominen, H., Niemivirta, M., Korhonen, J., Tapola, A., & Mononen, R. (2021). Matemaattisten taitojen ja motivaation profiilit ensimmäisen luokan oppilailla [Profiles of mathematical skills and motivation among first grade students]. Psykologia [Psychology], 56(6), 548–566.
- Tuominen, H., Juntunen, H., & Niemivirta, M. (2020). Striving for success but at what cost? Subject-specific achievement goal orientation profiles, perceived cost, and academic well-being. Frontiers in Psychology, 11, 557445. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.557445
- Tuominen, H., Niemivirta, M., Lonka, K., & Salmela-Aro, K. (2020). Motivation across a transition: Changes in achievement goal orientations and academic well-being from elementary to secondary school. Learning and Individual Differences, 79, 101854. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lindif.2020.101854
Find the most recent preprints below. All preprints can be found here.
- Kuusi, A., Hirvonen, R., Niemivirta, M., & Tuominen, H. (2025). Perfectionistic profiles and well-being in general upper secondary education: The moderating role of perceived support. Preprint in PsyArXiv. https://osf.io/preprints/psyarxiv/zyt7k_v2
- Lehikoinen, H., Tuominen, H., Väisänen, P., Niemivirta, M., & Viljaranta, J. (2024). Longitudinal relations between mathematics self-efficacy, test anxiety, and performance in co- and solo-taught classrooms. Preprint in PsyArXiv. https://doi.org/10.31234/osf.io/8ngz7
- Polso, K.-M., Tuominen, H., Ihantola, P., & Niemivirta, M. (2024). Within-year stability and changes in adolescents’ cross-domain motivational profiles: Predictions on academic achievement and educational choices. Preprint in PsyArXiv. https://doi.org/10.31234/osf.io/hj97a
- Juntunen, H., Tuominen, H., Hirvonen, R., Viljaranta, J., Toom, A., & Niemivirta, M. (2024). University students’ motivational profiles, their stability, and connections with perfectionism and well-being: Latent transition approach. Preprint in PsyArXiv. https://doi.org/10.31234/osf.io/459n6
- Lehikoinen, H., Tuominen, H., Viljaranta, J., Väisänen, P., & Niemivirta, M. (2024). Temporal dynamics of classroom goal structures in solo- and co-taught mathematics classes. Preprint in PsyArXiv. https://doi.org/10.31234/osf.io/r4dse
- Tuominen, H., Hirvonen, R., Juntunen, H., Viljaranta, J., & Niemivirta, M. (2023). Tavoitteet ja huolet koronapandemian aikana: Perfektionistiset taipumukset opiskelustressin ja siitä selviämisen selittäjänä. Kasvatus [The Finnish Journal of Education], 54, 5–22, https://doi.org/10.33348/kvt.130129. Preprint in PsyArXiv: https://doi.org/10.31234/osf.io/uxg38
- Tuominen, H., Pikkarainen, P., Hirvonen, R., Juntunen, H., Viljaranta, J., & Niemivirta, M. (2022). Yliopisto-opiskelijoiden motivaatioprofiilit koronapandemian aikana ja toiveet opetuksen toteuttamisesta jatkossa. Kasvatus [The Finnish Journal of Education], 53(5), 547–552. https://doi.org/10.33348/kvt.122723. Preprint in PsyArXiv: https://doi.org/10.31234/osf.io/fxag9
Most recent media contributions
- News, UEF, “UEF announces the 2024 Communicator of the Year Awards”, 12.12.2024, https://www.uef.fi/en/article/uef-announces-the-2024-communicator-of-the-year-awards
- News, UEF, “Self-critical perfectionism gnaws on students’ well-being already in lower secondary school”, 2.5.2024, https://www.uef.fi/en/article/self-critical-perfectionism-gnaws-on-students-well-being-already-in-lower-secondary-school
- Editorial, Kasvatus 2/2024, “Opiskeluhuolto sote-uudistuksen jälkeen”, 15.4.2024, https://journal.fi/kasvatus/article/view/144807
- Editorial, Kasvatus 1/2024, “Vertaisarvioinnin merkitys ja haasteet”, 21.2.2024, https://journal.fi/kasvatus/article/view/143501
- Article, Politiikasta.fi, “Menestyksen tavoittelua vaikka uupuen? Nuorten motivaatio, perfektionismi ja opiskeluhyvinvointi”, 20.11.2023, https://politiikasta.fi/menestyksen-tavoittelua-vaikka-uupuen-nuorten-motivaatio-perfektionismi-ja-opiskeluhyvinvointi/
- Blog post, MoLeWe, “MoLeWe-esitykset Kasvatustieteen päivillä 2023”, 14.11.2023, https://www.molewe.net/post/molewe-esitykset-kasvatustieteen-p%C3%A4ivill%C3%A4-2023
- Blog post, MoLeWe, “MoLeWe Presentations at the JURE and EARLI 2023 Conferences”, 18.8.2023, https://www.molewe.net/post/molewe-presentations-at-the-jure-and-earli-2023-conferences
- Podcast, Yle Radio 1, Sari Valton keskustelusarja, “Irti itsekritiikistä ja perfektionismista!”, 13.6.2023, https://areena.yle.fi/podcastit/1-65630928
- Blog post, MoLeWe, “Yliopisto-opiskelijoiden perfektionismi, opiskelustressi ja hallintakeinot pandemian aikana”, 22.5.2023, https://www.molewe.net/post/yliopisto-opiskelijoiden-perfektionismi-opiskelustressi-ja-hallintakeinot-pandemian-aikana
- Blog post, UEF Verkko- ja monimuotopedagogiikka, “Yliopisto-opiskelijoiden motivaatio pandemian aikana ja toiveet opetuksen toteuttamisesta: Ketkä opiskelijoista kaipaavat takaisin lähiopetukseen ja ketkä haluavat jatkaa opintojaan etänä?”, 3.4.2023, https://sites.uef.fi/verkko-ja-monimuotopedagogiikka/2023/04/03/yliopisto-opiskelijoiden-motivaatio-pandemian-aikana/
- Toimitus, & Tuominen, H. (2022). Tutkijalta suoraan kuultua: Heta Tuominen, akatemiatutkija Itä-Suomen yliopistosta. Kasvatus, 53(4), 437–440. https://journal.fi/kasvatus/article/view/122483
- Interview, Helsingin Sanomat, 21.9.2022, “Aihetta huoleen”, https://www.hs.fi/hyvinvointi/art-2000009039715.html
- Blog post, MoLeWe, “MoLeWe-kollektiivin esitykset Kasvatustieteen päivillä Oulussa”, 15.11.2022, https://www.molewe.net/post/molewe-kollektiivin-esitykset-oulussa
- Blog post, MoLeWe, ”Uusi tutkimushanke | New research project”, 21.9.2022, https://www.molewe.net/post/uusi-tutkimushanke-new-research-project
- Blog post, MoLeWe, ”MoLeWe Presentations at the ICM2022 Conference”, 19.8.2022, https://www.molewe.net/post/molewe-presentations-at-the-icm2022
- Interview, KYliste, University of Turku, “Kovilla tavoitteilla kallis hinta? Motivaation ja hyvinvoinnin yhteydet opiskelijoilla”, 2.5.2022
- SOOL Hei ope -podcast: “Perfektionismi ja opiskeluhyvinvointi”, 31.3.2022, https://www.sool.fi/sool/podcast/
- Interview, Apu, Oskari Onninen, ”Miksi nuoret uupuvat? Tutkija: ”Mielikuva siitä, että yksi epäonnistuminen voi pilata koko tulevaisuuden, on kasvanut”, 1.2.2022, https://www.apu.fi/artikkelit/miksi-nuoret-uupuvat-tutkija-ja-1-vuoden-maisteri-kertovat
Full list of conference presentations can be found here (pdf).

Keywords

achievement goal orientation burnout children development developmental psychology educational psychology educational science educational transitions expectancy-value higher education interest learning longitudinal research mathematics motivation perfectionism person-oriented research quantitative methods school achievement secondary education self-concept stress student engagement student welfare student well-being studying support teacher education teaching and learning university well-being youth

Publications

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Keywords

Publications

Growth trajectories of self-concept and interest in mathematics and language – Individual differences and cross-domain relations

Lower secondary students' perfectionistic profiles: Stability, transitions, and connections with well-being

Motivational Profiles in Mathematics - Stability and Links with Educational and Emotional Outcomes

Opiskeluhuolto sote-uudistuksen jälkeen

The development of exhaustion, cynicism, and inadequacy in general upper secondary education: perceived and received support, student engagement, and gender as predictors

Vertaisarvioinnin merkitys ja haasteet

Achievement emotions and arithmetic fluency – Development and parallel processes during the early school years

Developmental trajectories of school-beginners' ability self-concept, intrinsic value and performance in mathematics

Menestyksen tavoittelua vaikka uupuen? Nuorten motivaatio, perfektionismi ja opiskeluhyvinvointi

Student engagement profiles and the role of support in general upper secondary education

Tavoitteet ja huolet koronapandemian aikana: Perfektionistiset taipumukset opiskelustressin ja siitä selviämisen selittäjänä

Teachers’ work engagement and burnout profiles: Associations with sense of efficacy and interprofessional collaboration in school

iSeeNumbers project report - Main findings and recommendations for practice

Feeling exhausted and isolated? The connections between university students’ remote teaching and learning experiences, motivation, and psychological well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic

Reciprocal effects of mathematics performance, school engagement and burnout during adolescence

Tutkijalta suoraan kuultua: Heta Tuominen, akatemiatutkija Itä-Suomen yliopistosta

Yliopisto-opiskelijoiden motivaatioprofiilit koronapandemian aikana ja toiveet opetuksen toteuttamisesta jatkossa