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 as International Institute of Reminiscence and Life Review
- Past president Dutch Society for Gerontology
- Editorial board Narrative Works
Expertise
Psychology
- Mental Health
- Life Stories
- Psychopathology
- Personality Disorder
- Narrative
- Psychometrics
- Meta-Analysis
- Positive Psychology
Organisations
Publications
2026
‘I Realised I Have to Do It Myself’: Experiences of Clients With Personality Disorders in a Compassion-Based Positive Psychology Group Intervention (2026)Counselling & Psychotherapy Research, 26(4). Article e70243 (E-pub ahead of print/First online). Franken, K., Westerhof, G. J., ten Klooster, P. M. & Bohlmeijer, E. T.https://doi.org/10.1002/capr.70243Distinguishing prolonged grief and mental well-being after homicidal loss: a longitudinal factor analytic study in the context of a criminal trial (2026)European Journal of psychotraumatology, 17(1). Article 2713263. Nijborg, L. C. J., Westerhof, G. J., Kunst, M. J. J., de Keijser, J. & Lenferink, L. I. M.https://doi.org/10.1080/20008066.2026.2713263The effects of values-based digital microinterventions on mental health and valued living, and the role of photography and practice quality: A protocol for a randomized controlled trial (2026)Contemporary Clinical Trials Communications, 53. Article 101663. Sarrión, P., Desdentado, L., Dominguez-Rodriguez, A., Westerhof, G., Bohlmeijer, E., Cebolla, A. & Baños, R.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conctc.2026.101663Reframing wearables in therapy: Co-designing compassion-focused, practical guidance for the use of wearables in acute mental healthcare (2026)Digital Health, 12 (E-pub ahead of print/First online). van Lotringen, C. M., Kelders, S. M., Westerhof, G. J. & Noordzij, M. L.https://doi.org/10.1177/20552076261483463Feeling versus understanding: lived-experience insights into perceived mechanisms of change of creative arts and psychomotor therapies versus verbal therapeutic approaches (2026)Frontiers in Psychiatry, 17. Article 1863648. Heijman, J., Timmerman, K., Wiersma, I., Wouters, H., Radstaak, M., Westerhof, G., Meijnckens, D. & Haeyen, S.https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2026.1863648Parents’ decision to use e-consults in preventive youth health care: A cross-sectional study on parental and nurse factors (2026)Journal of child health care (E-pub ahead of print/First online). Brunekreeft-Budding, A., Staal, I., Vullings, N. R. A., Kroeze, W., Smits, E.-J. & Westerhof, G. J.https://doi.org/10.1177/13674935261480188Change of self-schemas following mindfulness-based compassionate living for recurrent depression: A qualitative study (2026)Acta psychologica, 268. Article 107183. Scheepbouwer, V., Hanssen, I., Schuling, R., Huijbers, M. J., Collin, G., Westerhof, G. J. & Speckens, A. E. M.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actpsy.2026.107183Compassion-based positive psychology group intervention (CB-PPGI) for individuals with personality disorders awaiting intensive treatment: A mixed-methods study of preliminary outcomes and acceptability (2026)Frontiers in psychology, 17. Article 1843894 (E-pub ahead of print/First online). Hulskotte, A., Franken, K., Huijbregts, K., ten Klooster, P. M., Westerhof, G. J. & Bohlmeijer, E. T.https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2026.1843894Navigating 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.2026.100693
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.
Scan the QR code or