About
Dr. Brenda Volkaert is a postdoctoral researcher at Ghent University specializing in emotion regulation research with adolescents, particularly focusing on intersections with childhood obesity and mental health. She completed her PhD in 2021 with research on emotion regulation as a foundation for adolescent mental health and has since established herself as a key contributor to clinical psychology interventions.
Her research expertise spans multiple critical areas in adolescent psychology:
- Development and evaluation of emotion regulation training protocols for youth
- Integration of emotion regulation strategies in obesity treatment for adolescents
- Self-compassion interventions for stress management in adolescent populations
- Relationship between affective flexibility and depressive symptoms
- School-based implementation of emotion regulation programs
Analysis of her publication trajectory reveals a methodological evolution from feasibility studies (2020-2021) to rigorous randomized controlled trials (2022-2025). A distinctive trend is her innovative approach combining emotion regulation training with obesity interventions, addressing both psychological and physical health dimensions. Her work consistently employs multi-method approaches, integrating self-report with physiological measurements to capture comprehensive emotion regulation processes.
As a core member of Caroline Braet's research group at Ghent University, Dr. Volkaert contributes significantly to developing evidence-based interventions that bridge clinical psychology theory with practical applications in therapeutic and educational settings. Her collaborative work extends across multiple departments, demonstrating strong interdisciplinary connections within the university's psychology research community.