prof. Liesbet Goubert (PhD)

The research of Prof. Liesbet Goubert investigates the psychosocial dimensions of chronic pain and cancer care, with a particular focus on how the social environment—including family, healthcare providers, and broader societal factors—shapes patient experiences. Chronic pain and cancer are not only physical health challenges; they also carry substantial psychological and social burdens. Prof. Goubert’s team aims to understand how factors like stigma, social support, and family dynamics influence patients' resilience, mental health, and overall quality of life.

A core aspect of her work examines family dynamics and how family members’ responses can affect patient coping strategies in both chronic pain and cancer. This includes a dedicated line of research on pain within pediatric cancer, which investigates how children and their parents navigate the pain and stress associated with treatment. These studies analyze parental responses to pain in children with cancer and how family interactions can influence children's emotional resilience, pain perception, and coping mechanisms.

In cancer care more broadly, the research extends to understanding family adaptation, communication, and shared coping strategies throughout the illness journey. By recognizing cancer as an experience that profoundly impacts the entire family, this research underscores the importance of family roles and support networks in shaping patient outcomes. Prof. Goubert’s expertise spans both quantitative methodologies (e.g., questionnaires, diaries, vignette methodology) and qualitative approaches (e.g., focus groups, interviews), allowing for a comprehensive exploration of these complex psychosocial factors. 
 

Liesbet Goubert is professor of clinical health psychology at Ghent University, where she leads the Ghent Health Psychology Lab. She focuses her research on understanding psychosocial mechanisms in pediatric and adult chronic pain and cancer care, with a keen interest in the patient's social environment. Her work aims to identify factors that influence both risk and resilience in these contexts.

She has published over 180 peer-reviewed articles and authored a book on pediatric pain. She has received several awards, including the British Pain Society Medal (2017) and the IASP-SIG Early Career Award in Pediatric Pain (2013). As an advocate in international pain research, she has served on scientific committees and task forces, such as the IASP/EFIC taskforce on the Global Year against Pain in Vulnerable Populations.

Beyond academia, Liesbet Goubert is a certified clinical psychologist and practices within a multidisciplinary primary care setting, applying Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Through her research and clinical work, she is dedicated to improving the understanding and care of chronic health conditions, particularly chronic pain and cancer.
 

• prof. Geert Crombez – full professor
• prof. Stefaan Van Damme – associate professor
• dr. Annick De Paepe (PhD) – postdoctoral fellow
• dr. Elke Veirman (PhD) – postdoctoral fellow
• Marthe Tulpin – PhD student
• Emma Tack – PhD student
• Marthe Van Overbeke – PhD student
• Sarah Maes – PhD student
   

Keywords:

clinical health psychology 

Relevant stakeholder connections:

Direct contacts with patient associations that unite patients suffering from chronic pain/Direct contacts at Cédric Hèle institute

Contact:

• Liesbet.Goubert@ugent.be
• +32 9 264 62 62
   

• Siblings dealing with pediatric cancer: A family- and context-oriented approach. Journal of Pediatric Oncology Nursing, 2021. (PMID: 33792425)
• The family practice of support-giving after a pediatric cancer diagnosis: A multi-family member interview analysis. European Journal of Oncology Nursing, 2020. (PMID: 31838320)
• Family Adjustment when Facing Pediatric Cancer: The role of Parental Psychological Flexibility, Dyadic Coping and Network Support. Frontiers in Psychology, 2019. (PMID: 31920799)
• Family members dealing with childhood cancer: A study on the role of family functioning and cancer appraisal. Frontiers in Psychology, 2019.  (PMID: 31275213)
• Couples dealing with pediatric blood cancer: A study on the role of dyadic coping. Frontiers in Psychology, 2019. (PMID: 30873091)
• Couple functioning after pediatric cancer diagnosis: A systematic review. Psycho-Oncology, 2017. (PMID: 27350647)
• Associations between Family Functioning and Child Adjustment after Pediatric Cancer Diagnosis: A Meta-Analysis. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 2017 (PMID: 28173163)
• Systematic Review: Family resilience after pediatric cancer diagnosis. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 2015. (PMID: 26092948)
• The relationship between parental catastrophizing about child pain and distress in response to medical procedures in the context of childhood cancer treatment: A longitudinal analysis. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 2014. (PMID: 24906963)
• Parental distress and catastrophic thoughts about child pain: implications for parental protective behavior in the context of child leukemia related medical procedures. Clinical Journal of Pain, 2014. (PMID: 24042348)
   

• Lab address
• Ghent Health Psychology Lab 
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