About usThe Ghent Health Psychology Lab conducts innovative basic, translational and clinical research to advance knowledge on psychological and social aspects of health and illness, and to inform and implement evidence-based prevention and intervention strategies.
About us
The Ghent Health Psychology Lab conducts innovative basic, translational and clinical research to advance knowledge on psychological and social aspects of health and illness, and to inform and implement evidence-based prevention and intervention strategies.
Mission and vision
At the Ghent Health Psychology Lab, we study how psychological processes—such as emotions, goals, and self-regulation—interact with physical health and illness.
Our work is grounded in psychological theory and strong empirical evidence, and focuses on the two-way connection between mind and body:
how thoughts, feelings, and behaviors influence health
how physical illness, symptoms, and health-related challenges affect psychological and social well-being.
We aim to advance understanding of health and illness across a broad range of conditions, including chronic pain, cancer, fatigue, and unhealthy lifestyle behaviors.
Our mission is not only to generate knowledge, but also to develop and implement evidence-based prevention and treatment strategies that improve lives.
We take a person-centered, transdiagnostic approach and strive to make a meaningful impact at individual, interpersonal, healthcare, and policy levels.
We are also committed to educating future health psychologists. Through our teaching and supervision, we help train the next generation of professionals equipped to address the psychological dimensions of health.
Strategy
Our research is embedded in a biopsychosocial framework, considering how cognitive, emotional, behavioral, and social factors interact with physical health. We conduct both
experimental and applied research using diverse methods including laboratory studies, observational studies in real-world settings
clinical research involving patients and healthcare professionals.
We employ a mixed-method approach - quantitative, qualitative, and integrated methods - to capture the complexity of health-related experiences. Our work spans the entire research trajectory: from theory development and measurement to intervention design, implementation, and evaluation.
Collaboration is key to our strategy. We work closely with stakeholders such as patients, healthcare providers, and domain experts to ensure our research remains grounded in real-world needs.
By integrating scientific rigor with practical relevance, we aim to reduce stigma, improve care, and inform policies that support better health outcomes.
