De Bruyne, E. Navigating Pediatric Chronic Kidney Disease: Parental Experiences and Challenges. Ph.D. in Health Sciences obtained on March 10, 2025. Supervisors: E. Snauwaert (administrative supervisor), Liesbet Goubert & E. Van Hoecke (supervisors).
2024:
Van Alboom, M. The role of the social network and stigma in the context of chronic pain: A mixed method approach. Ph.D. in Psychology obtained on November 28, 2024. Supervisors: Liesbet Goubert (supervisor), P. Bracke (co-supervisor).
Van Bost, G. Goal adjustment and acceptance in people with an acquired brain injury. Ph.D. in Psychology obtained on October 16, 2024. Supervisors: Geert Crombez (supervisor) and Stefaan Van Damme (co-supervisor).
Alves Rosa Reges, M. Should I Stay or Should I Go? The Exploration-Exploitation Dilemma When in Pain. Joint Ph.D. KU Leuven & Ghent University obtained in 2024. Supervisors: Johan Vlaeyen (KU Leuven) (supervisor), Geert Crombez (UGent) (supervisor), and Angelos Krypotos (Utrecht University) (co-supervisor).
Braun, M. Personalized Recommendations beyond the Black Box: The Development and Evaluation of an Ontology of Action and Coping Plans for Physical Activity. Interdisciplinary Ph.D. obtained in 2024. Supervisors: Geert Crombez (supervisor), Annick De Paepe (co-supervisor), and Femke De Backere (supervisor).
Maenhout, L. The Promotion of Physical Activity in Youth with Intellectual Disabilities: Unleashing the Power of Social Connectedness. Ph.D. obtained in 2024. Supervisors: Greet Cardon (supervisor), Geert Crombez (co-supervisor), and Geert Van Hove (co-supervisor).
2023:
Parsons, R. An investigation into the meaning and differential impact of resilience among adolescents with chronic pain and their parents. Ph.D. in Psychology obtained in 2023, Bath University, UK. Supervisors: Abbie Jordan, Joanna McParland, Sarah Halligan & Liesbet Goubert
Pinto, E. The effects of motor action on pain processing: An experimental analysis. Ph.D. in Psychology obtained on January 13, 2023. Supervisors: Stefaan Van Damme (supervisor), Ann Meulders (co-supervisor), and Diana Torta (co-supervisor).
Kang, S. Conditioned Pain: Fact or Fiction? Joint Ph.D. UGent & KU Leuven obtained in 2023. Supervisors: Geert Crombez (supervisor), Johan Vlaeyen (supervisor), and Dimitri Van Ryckeghem (co-supervisor).
2022:
Schroé, H. A Self-Regulation Digital Health Tool to Promote an Active Lifestyle in Adults: Towards a More Effective and Personalized Approach. Interdisciplinary Ph.D obtained in 2022. Supervisors: Delfien Van Dyck (supervisor), Ilse De Bourdeaudhuij (co-supervisor), and Geert Crombez (supervisor).
Peuters, C. A Mobile Intervention for Promoting Health Behaviors and Mental Well-Being in Adolescence: Development, Effectiveness and Engagement. Interdisciplinary Ph.D. obtained in 2022. Supervisors: Geert Crombez (supervisor), Greet Cardon (co-supervisor), and Ann DeSmet (co-supervisor).
2021:
Van Schoors, M. Families and child cancer. A study on crisis, resources and adaptation. Ph.D. in Psychology obtained on March 2, 2021. Supervisors: L. Verhofstadt (supervisor), Liesbet Goubert (co-supervisor).
2020:
Beeckman, M. A risk-resilience perspective on adolescent pain-related functioning: A multi-method, multi-theoretical approach. Ph.D. in Psychology obtained on February 20, 2020. Supervisors: Liesbet Goubert (supervisor), S. Hughes (co-supervisor).
Van Gampelaere, C. Parental distress, parenting behaviors and mindfulness in the context of childhood diabetes: A multi-method approach. Ph.D. in Psychology obtained on January 14, 2020. Supervisors: Liesbet Goubert (supervisor), K. Luyckx (co-supervisor).
Degroote, L. The Use of MHealth Strategies to Promote Physical Activity in a General Adult Population. Interdisciplinary Ph.D. in Medicine and Health Sciences obtained in 2020. Supervisors: Ilse De Bourdeaudhuij (supervisor) and Geert Crombez (supervisor).
2019:
Schouppe, S. Cortical and muscular processes of movement preparation: an electrophysiological approach in healthy and low back pain populations. Ph.D. in Physiotherapy and Revalidation Sciences obtained on December 18, 2019. Supervisors: Lieven Danneels (supervisor) and Stefaan Van Damme (co-supervisor).
Oris, L. Identity and Chronic Illness: a Biopsychosocial Analysis of Illness Identity. Ph.D. in Psychology obtained on December 13, 2019, KU Leuven. Supervisors: K. Luyckx (supervisor), Liesbet Goubert & P. Moons (co-supervisors).
Van Lierde, E. The social transmission of pain-related experiences: the role of observational learning. Ph.D. in Psychology obtained on November 29, 2019 (Joint doctorate Ghent University & Free University Brussels). Supervisors: Liesbet Goubert (UGent supervisor), E. Dierckx & E. Van den Bussche (VUB co-supervisors).
Clauwaert, A. Somatosensory attention during anticipation of movement-related pain in healthy and clinical populations: An electrophysiological approach. Ph.D. in Psychology obtained on May 20, 2019. Supervisors: Stefaan Van Damme (supervisor) and Lieven Danneels (co-supervisor).
Poppe, L. Self-Regulation-Based EHealth Promoting an Active Lifestyle in Adults: A Focus on Users with Type 2 Diabetes. Interdisciplinary Ph.D. in 2019. Supervisors: Ilse De Bourdeaudhuij (supervisor) and Geert Crombez (supervisor).
Kissi, A. The Rule-Based Insensitivity Effect in the Context of Pain. Ph.D. obtained in 2019. Supervisors: Geert Crombez (supervisor), Jan De Houwer (co-supervisor), and Sean Joseph Hughes (co-supervisor).
2018:
Karos, K. Hide your pain? The effects of social threat on pain reports, pain expression and pain-related fear. Ph.D. in Psychology obtained on December 13, 2018, KU Leuven. Supervisors: J.W.S. Vlaeyen (supervisor), Liesbet Goubert & A. Meulders (co-supervisors).
2017:
Kindt, S. Antecedents and consequences of partners' helping behaviour in the context of pain: A motivational approach. Ph.D. in Psychology obtained on November 30, 2017. Supervisors: Liesbet Goubert (supervisor), M. Vansteenkiste (co-supervisor).
Plaete, J. Systematic Development and Testing of a Self-Regulation EHealth Intervention for the Promotion of Physical Activity and Fruit and Vegetable Intake in Adults through General Practice. Ph.D. obtained in 2017. Supervisors: Ilse De Bourdeaudhuij (supervisor) and Geert Crombez (co-supervisor).
2016:
Osório de Matos, M.A. Promotion of autonomy in older adults with chronic pain: The role of gender self-representations. Ph.D. obtained on November 30, 2016, Lisbon University Institute, Portugal. Supervisors: S.F. Bernardes (supervisor), Liesbet Goubert (co-supervisor).
Rost, S. The Role of Self-Regulatory Capacity in the Adaptation to Pain. Joint Ph.D. Université du Luxembourg & Ghent University obtained in 2016. Supervisors: Claus Vögele (supervisor) and Geert Crombez (co-supervisor).
Claes, N. Pain in Context: The Effect of Goal Competition on Pain-Related Fear and Avoidance. Joint Ph.D. Ghent University & KU Leuven obtained in 2016. Supervisors: Johan Vlaeyen (KU Leuven) (supervisor) and Geert Crombez (UGent) (supervisor).
De Paepe, A. Where Is My Pain?: A Neurocognitive Investigation of the Spatial Perception of Pain. Ph.D. in 2016. Supervisors: Geert Crombez (supervisor) and Valéry Legrain (UCL) (co-supervisor).
Van der Biest, L. The Localisation of Pain on the Body: An Experimental Analysis. Ph.D. obtained in 2016. Supervisors: Geert Crombez (supervisor) and Valéry Legrain (UCL) (co-supervisor).
2015:
Durnez, W. How pain control attempts guide attention: an experimental analysis. Ph.D. in Psychology obtained on October 5, 2015. Supervisor: Stefaan Van Damme (supervisor).
Vanden Bulcke, C. Hypervigilance and pain: the role of bodily threat. Ph.D. in Psychology obtained on August 27, 2015. Supervisor: Stefaan Van Damme (supervisor).
Vandenbroucke, S. Vicarious somatosensory experiences while observing someone else in pain: An experimental analysis. Ph.D. in Psychology obtained on May 26, 2015. Supervisors: Liesbet Goubert (supervisor), M. Brass (co-supervisor).
2014:
De Coster, L. The influence of mimicry on empathy for pain. Ph.D. in Psychology obtained on September 29, 2014. Supervisors: M. Brass (supervisor), Liesbet Goubert (co-supervisor).
2013:
Van Hulle, L. Somatosensory hypervigilance and pain: an experimental approach. Ph.D. in Psychology obtained on September 3, 2013. Supervisors: Stefaan Van Damme (supervisor) and Geert Crombez (co-supervisor).
De Ruddere, L. Pain estimation by others: an experimental investigation. Ph.D. in Psychology obtained on May 28, 2013. Supervisors: Liesbet Goubert (supervisor), G. Crombez (co-supervisor).
Casier, A. The role of acceptance and goal regulation in well-being of adolescents with cystic fibrosis and diabetes. Ph.D. in Psychology obtained on April 26, 2013. Supervisors: Liesbet Goubert (supervisor).
Van Rysewyk, S.P. Pain is mechanism. Ph.D. in Philosophy obtained on April 24, 2013, University of Tasmania, Australia. Supervisors: R. Corry (supervisor), Liesbet Goubert & K. Craig (co-supervisors).
Helsen, K. Observational learning and pain-related fear. Ph.D. in Psychology obtained on January 21, 2013 (Joint doctorate Ghent University & KU Leuven). Supervisors: Liesbet Goubert (UGent supervisor), J.W.S. Vlaeyen (KULeuven supervisor).
Lauwerier, E. Coping with Chronic Pain: Problem Solving and Acceptance. Ph.D. obtained in 2013. Supervisor: Geert Crombez (supervisor).
Tierens, M. Posttraumatic Stress in Children and Adolescents Involved in Road Traffic Accidents: Risk and Protective Variables. Ph.D. obtained in 2013. Supervisors: Cornelis Van Heeringen (supervisor) and Geert Crombez (co-supervisor).
Poppe, C. The Influence of Acceptance and Personality on Quality of Life in Patients with a Chronic Illness. Ph.D. obtained in 2013. Supervisors: Mirko Petrovic (supervisor) and Geert Crombez (co-supervisor).
2012:
Caes, L. Parental reactions to the pain of their child: An affective-motivational analysis. Ph.D. in Psychology obtained on June 7, 2012. Supervisors: Liesbet Goubert (supervisor).
Van Ryckeghem, D. Attention and Pain: A Cognitive-Affective Analysis. Ph.D. obtained in 2012. Supervisor: Geert Crombez (supervisor).
D'hooge, R. Characteristics of Lumbar Muscle Structure and Function during Remission of Recurrent Low Back Pain. Ph.D. obtained in 2012. Supervisors: Lieven Danneels (supervisor) and Geert Crombez (co-supervisor).
2011:
Verhoeven, K. Directing Attention Away from Pain in Children and Adolescents: An Experimental Approach. Ph.D. obtained in 2011. Supervisor: Geert Crombez (supervisor).
2008:
Vervoort, T. The Social Function of Pain Catastrophizing in Children and Adolescents. Ph.D. obtained in 2008. Supervisor: Geert Crombez (supervisor).
2007:
Gheldof, E. Back Pain, Disability and Sick Leave: The Role of Pain Related Fear and Attitudes. Ph.D. obtained in 2007. Supervisors: Geert Crombez (supervisor), Jan Vinck (co-supervisor), and Johan Vlaeyen (co-supervisor).
2006:
De Vlieger, P. The Costs of Attempting to Control Uncontrollable Pain: An Experimental and Clinical Investigation. Ph.D. obtained in 2006. Supervisor: Geert Crombez (supervisor).
Craeynest, M. Overweight and Obesity in Children and Adolescents: The Role of Implicit Cognitions towards Food and Physical Activity. Ph.D obtained in 2006. Supervisors: Ilse De Bourdeaudhuij (supervisor) and Geert Crombez (co-supervisor).
2004:
Goubert, L. Distraction and Exposure in Patients with Chronic Back Pain. Ph.D. obtained in 2004. Supervisor: Geert Crombez (supervisor).
Van Damme, S. Attention to Pain and Signals of Impending Pain: A Cognitive-Affective Approach. Ph.D. obtained in 2004. Supervisor: Geert Crombez (supervisor).
