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 psychology; research on motivation, learning, and well-being; quantitative research methods; PhD theses supervision; Master’s theses supervision
Other
I am the coordinator of the Educational Psychology and Learning Research Special Interest Group of the Finnish Educational Research Association.
Research groups
Projects
Research communities
Motivation, Learning, and Well-Being -Research Collective (MoLeWe)
The 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), involves researchers and research groups from the Philosophical Faculty, the Faculty of Science, Forestry and Technology and the Faculty of Social Sciences and Business Studies. Our research covers learning pathways through the whole life span, and focuses on the special nature of learning and its support in the highly digitalized world. We explore the new learning opportunities and possibilities offered by the digitalized society, as well as the learning requirements and expectations set by digitalization.
-
Find the most recent publications below. Information on my pre-UEF publications and research activities (until fall 2022) can be found here.
- 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.
- Juntunen, H., Tuominen, H., Hirvonen, R., Viljaranta, J., Toom, A., & Niemivirta, M. (2023). 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
- Kuusi, A., Tuominen, H., Widlund, A., Korhonen, J., & Niemivirta, M. (2023). Adolescents’ perfectionistic profiles: Stability, transitions, and connections with well-being. Preprint in PsyArXiv. https://doi.org/10.31234/osf.io/52pb6
- Widlund, A., Niemivirta, M., Tuominen, H., & Korhonen, J. (2023). Growth trajectories of self-concept and interest in mathematics and language – Individual differences and cross-domain relations. Preprint in PsyArXiv. https://doi.org/10.31234/osf.io/wzqa2
- 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
- Niemivirta, M., Tapola, A., Tuominen, H., & Viljaranta, J. (2022). Developmental trajectories of school-beginner’s ability self-concept, intrinsic value, and performance in mathematics. Preprint in PsyArXiv. https://doi.org/10.31234/osf.io/mauhj
- Widlund, A., Tuominen, H., & Korhonen, J. (2023). Motivational profiles in mathematics – Stability and links with educational and emotional outcomes. Preprint in PsyArXiv. https://doi.org/10.31234/osf.io/ugrpy
-
Most recent media contributions
- 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
educational psychology
educational science
educational transitions
expectancy-value
interest
learning
longitudinal research
mathematics
motivation
perfectionism
person-oriented research
quantitative methods
school achievement
self-concept
stress
student engagement
student well-being
studying
well-being
youth
Publications
10 items-
Achievement emotions and arithmetic fluency – Development and parallel processes during the early school years
Rawlings, Anna Maria; Niemivirta, Markku; Korhonen, Johan; Lindskog, Marcus; Tuominen, Heta; Mononen, Riikka. 2023. Learning and instruction. 86: -
Menestyksen tavoittelua vaikka uupuen? Nuorten motivaatio, perfektionismi ja opiskeluhyvinvointi
Tuominen, Heta. 2023. Politiikasta.fi. : . -
Student engagement profiles and the role of support in general upper secondary education
Söderholm, Fiia; Viljaranta, Jaana; Tuominen, Heta; Lappalainen, Kristiina; Holopainen, Leena. 2023. Learning and individual differences. 104: -
Tavoitteet ja huolet koronapandemian aikana: Perfektionistiset taipumukset opiskelustressin ja siitä selviämisen selittäjänä
Tuominen, Heta; Hirvonen, Riikka; Juntunen, Henriikka; Viljaranta, Jaana; Niemivirta, Markku. 2023. Kasvatus. 54: 5-22 -
Teachers’ work engagement and burnout profiles: Associations with sense of efficacy and interprofessional collaboration in school
Holmström, Anni; Tuominen, Heta; Laasanen, Miia; Veermans, Marjaana. 2023. Teaching and teacher education. 132: -
iSeeNumbers project report - Main findings and recommendations for practice
Mononen, Riikka; Korhonen, Johan; Niemivirta, Markku; Rawlings, Anna Maria; Tapola, Anna; Tuominen, Heta. 2023. . . University of Oslo -
Feeling exhausted and isolated? The connections between university students’ remote teaching and learning experiences, motivation, and psychological well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic
Juntunen, Henriikka; Tuominen, Heta; Viljaranta, Jaana; Hirvonen, Riikka; Toom, Auli; Niemivirta, Markku. 2022. Educational psychology. 42: 1241-1262 -
Reciprocal effects of mathematics performance, school engagement and burnout during adolescence
Widlund, Anna; Tuominen, Heta; Korhonen, Johan. 2022. British journal of educational psychology. 2023; 93: 183-197 -
Tutkijalta suoraan kuultua: Heta Tuominen, akatemiatutkija Itä-Suomen yliopistosta
Tuominen, Heta. 2022. Kasvatus. 53: 437–440 -
Yliopisto-opiskelijoiden motivaatioprofiilit koronapandemian aikana ja toiveet opetuksen toteuttamisesta jatkossa
Tuominen, Heta; Pikkarainen, Paavo; Hirvonen, Riikka; Juntunen, Henriikka; Viljaranta, Jaana; Niemivirta, Markku. 2022. Kasvatus. 53: 547-552