Projects
Predicting psychological well-being with affective patterns KU Leuven
Dysregulation of affect is the core feature of mood disorders and, more generally, is associated with many mental disorders. That is, affective patterns, which describe the waxing and waning of our affect over time, are undeniably related to concurrent psychological well-being. Recently, researchers have theorized that affective patterns do also have a predictive value. Moreover, preliminary evidence shows that affective patterns may be able ...
How coastal environments improve psychological wellbeing: underlying mechanisms KU Leuven
Stemming from the literature on the link between nature and wellbeing, the PhD aims to investigate the specific mechanisms that explain how coastal environments impact wellbeing. Current research on green spaces agree that physical activity, stress reduction, social interactions, and air quality are all important mediators, however the emotional dimension has yet to be investigated. This PhD will focus on two prominent emotions, awe and ...
Promoting Voluntary Motivation to Adhere to Corona Measures and Supporting Individuals’ Psychological Need Satisfaction as a Source of Resilience Ghent University
The aim of the present project is (a) to monitor the daily variation in people’s voluntary and pressured motivation to adhere to the corona measures as these motivations are predictive of long-term adherence and (b) to examine whether supporting individuals in crafting their own psychological
need satisfaction allows them to handle the current stressful times in a resilient way.
Psychological causes of (non-) follow-up of government measures against COVID-19. Research to optimize communication about necessary behavioral measures. KU Leuven
Until a vaccine against COVID-19 is found, overcoming its first pandemic and preventing or limiting new outbreaks of the same or other infectious diseases depends on how well citizens comply with the preventive measures imposed by governments. Despite all efforts of governments to clearly and repeatedly communicate these rules, many people continue to break them. Others' compliance comes with the cost of considerable stress. This project ...
Self-actualization and self-transcendence in China: the paradoxical role of fate as an agent for spiritual and psychological wellbeing. Ghent University
This research proposes to investigate the characteristically Chinese concept of fate (ming) in terms of spiritual-psychological agency Fate has always played a pervasive role in ancient Chinese thought and folk religion However, fate as we know it in the West as an uncontrollable force does not have the same meaning in China Chinese conceptions of fate display different dimensions, most commonly expressed in the concepts ‘eavenly ...
The role of parental reflective functioning, stress reactivity and psychological control in the intergenerational transmission of psychopathology in early adolescence: A longitudinal experimental psychopathology approach Ghent University
Research has amply shown that the prevalence of mental disorders increases substantially in adolescence Hence, it is crucially important to investigate vulnerability factors implicated in the development of psychopathology in this developmental phase Although research findings have clearly shown that that adolescence is a particularly stressful period for both parents and adolescents, stress reactivity and its role in the development of ...
The role of parental reflective functioning, stress reactivity and psychological control in the intergenerational transmission of psychopathology in early adolescence: A longitudinal experimental psychopathology approach KU Leuven
Research has amply shown that the prevalence of mental disorders increases substantially in adolescence. Hence, it is crucially important to investigate vulnerability factors implicated in the development of psychopathology in this developmental phase. Although research findings have clearly shown that that adolescence is a particularly stressful period for both parents and adolescents, stress reactivity and its role in the development of ...
Legal psychological studies into child sexual abuse investigations in Indonesia: The role of child investigative interviewing KU Leuven
Increasing successful prosecution rates in child sexual abuse (CSA) cases is an important purpose of law enforcement agencies to ensure children’s safety. However, research has shown that legal prosecution of CSA cases is highly complex resulting in only a small percentage of cases being prosecuted and ultimately proven in court. Oftentimes, the probative evidence in CSA cases hinges on the testimony of the child, because suspects in CSA ...
Digitizing Joy: The Role of Smartphone Use in Capitalizing Positive Life Events and Adolescents’ Psychological Wellbeing KU Leuven
Positive life events shape peoples’ identities and are crucial for their mental and physical wellbeing. Holding on to positive moments in life and sharing them with others, a process named capitalization, has been associated with increased wellbeing, health, personal and social growth. Given the omnipresence of smartphones and the immense popularity of social media in our society, actual experiences, but also memories of an event might have ...