My focus of research is narrative psychology and technology. I study how personal stories contribute to the lifespan development of identity, mental health and well-being over time. Theories from positive psychology and gerontology contribute to a better understanding of the role of personal stories. Technology supports people in constructing and sharing stories about their lives, for example in digital life story books or online therapy. Technology supports researchers in analyzing how stories are expressed in everyday life, for example in the expression of emotions or in conversations between counselors and clients.
Functions
- Past President Advisory Board International Center for Life Story Innovations and Practice, formerly known asĀ International Institute of Reminiscence and Life Review
- Past presidentĀ Dutch Society for Gerontology
- Editorial boardĀ Narrative Works
Expertise
Psychology
- Mental Health
- Psychopathology
- Life Stories
- Economic and Social Development
- Psychometrics
- Personality Disorder
- Narrative
- Meta-Analysis
Organisations
Publications
2026
Navigating grief and criminal proceedings: Mixed-methods research on the mental health of MH17-bereaved people (2026)[Thesis › PhD Thesis - Research UT, graduation UT]. University of Twente. Nijborg, L. C. J.https://doi.org/10.3990/1.9789036572262Daily life after the death of a loved one: A systematic review of daily diary and ecological momentary assessment studies (2026)International Journal of Clinical and Health Psychology, 26(2). Article 100693. Ergun, T. D., Topal, M. A., ten Klooster, P. M., Westerhof, G. J., Bohlmeijer, E. T. & Lenferink, L. I. M.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijchp.2026.100693Just in Time Adaptive Interventions for Behavioral Activation in Patients with Depression (JADE): protocol of a design, feasibility and preliminary effectiveness study (2026)Pilot and Feasibility Studies (E-pub ahead of print/First online). Chakhssi, F., Nuij, C., Köhle, N., Goedendorp, E., Piano Simoes, J., Jongeneel, M., Westerhof, G. J. & Kraiss, J. T.https://doi.org/10.1186/s40814-026-01835-5Compassionate technology: A compass for the design, implementation and evaluation of digital mental health interventions (2026)[Thesis › PhD Thesis - Research UT, graduation UT]. University of Twente. van Lotringen, C. M.https://doi.org/10.3990/1.9789036571371Patientsā needs and preferences in developing Art-Based Learning in outpatient palliative cancer care: A qualitative study (2026)PLoS ONE, 21(2). Article e0342436. Geurts, M., Phillips, S. R. E. S., Camuti, F., Kamstra, S., Lutters, J., Damsté, F. S., Russel, S., Westerhof, G. J., Scherer-Rath, M. & van Laarhoven, H. W. M.https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0342436Emotional experiences and expressions in reminiscence: A multimodal analysis of emotional memories in older adults (2026)[Thesis › PhD Thesis - Research UT, graduation UT]. University of Twente. Nazareth, D. S.https://doi.org/10.3990/1.9789036569828
2025
Psychological mechanisms of revenge and revenge ideations in family homicide: results from qualitative research of forensic assessment reports (2025)BMC psychiatry, 25(1). Article 582. Grobbink, L. H., Huijbregts, K. M. L., Draisma, S., Derksen, J. J. L. & Westerhof, G. J.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-025-07021-wCompassion as a guiding framework for the implementation of digital mental health interventions: An interview study with clients and professionals (2025)PLoS ONE, 20(10). Article e0320710. van Lotringen, C. M., Zirnheld, A., Kelders, S. M., Westerhof, G. J. & Noordzij, M. L.https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0320710Learning Futures Consciousness: An integrative review (2025)Futures, 173. Article 103654. Koch, M. J., Sools, A. M., Spaas, G. H. J. & Westerhof, G. J.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.futures.2025.103654Multidimensional determinants to adoption, use and effectiveness of digital technologies for healthy ageing in migrant populations: a scoping review protocol (2025)BMJ open, 15(10). Article e096196. Stanciu, A., Rodríguez, A. D. & Westerhof, G. J.https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2024-096196
Research profiles
Affiliated study programs
Courses academic year 2026/2027
Courses in the current academic year are added at the moment they are finalised in the Osiris system. Therefore it is possible that the list is not yet complete for the whole academic year.
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