Marta Csabai

Prof. Dr. Marta Csabai is a distinguished Professor at the Department of Personality and Health Psychology within the Faculty of Humanities at Gáspár Károli Reformed University in Hungary. With over three decades of academic experience, she has established herself as a leading figure in health psychology, psychosomatics, and the study of body representations in healthcare contexts. Her work bridges theoretical psychology with practical healthcare applications, particularly in understanding the healing relationship and communication dynamics between healthcare providers and patients.

Her academic journey began with a Psychology MA from Kossuth Lajos University in 1987, followed immediately by her PhD in Behavioral Sciences from Semmelweis University on "The psychological process of becoming ill." She further expanded her expertise through clinical psychology training (1992), habilitation at the University of Pécs (2007), and certification as an applied health psychology specialist (2016).

Prof. Csabai's research focuses on the intricate relationship between mind and body in healthcare contexts. Her work examines how individuals represent their bodies psychologically, how these representations influence health behaviors, and how therapeutic relationships can be optimized for better health outcomes. She has pioneered research on medically unexplained symptoms, chronic pain management, and the psychological aspects of organ transplantation. Her approach integrates psychodynamic theory with contemporary health psychology frameworks, emphasizing the importance of understanding patients' subjective experiences within cultural contexts.

Her extensive publication record demonstrates consistent engagement with evolving healthcare challenges. Recent work shows a growing emphasis on intercultural communication in healthcare, cardiovascular health psychology, and innovative interventions for chronic conditions. She has increasingly focused on practical applications of health psychology in primary care settings and underserved communities, reflecting her commitment to translating research into improved patient care.

• "Best scientific presentation" award from the European Health Psychology Society (2014)
• Nívódíj from Springer Orvosi Kiadó (1999)
• Radnai Béla Award from the Hungarian Psychological Society (2017)
• Nyírő Gyula Award from the Hungarian Psychiatry Society (2019)

Prof. Csabai has supervised numerous doctoral students whose work spans diverse areas including body image testing, transplant psychology, dermatological compliance, burnout among healthcare professionals, and surgical psychological wellbeing. Her research has been supported by significant grants including OTKA projects, TÁMOP programs, and international collaborations with institutions in Switzerland, the Netherlands, Australia, and the United States. She has led major initiatives such as the Applied Health Psychology Postgraduate Program and the Hungarian consortium for the Erasmus+ Strategic Partnership project on Medically Unexplained Symptoms' Intercultural Communication.

She actively participates in international research networks, including collaborations with the University of Geneva, University of Seattle, and University of Melbourne. Her work with the Lugano Institute of Health Communication on health literacy measurement tools and with the European Citizens' Deliberation on Brain Sciences demonstrates her commitment to cross-cultural and interdisciplinary approaches to healthcare challenges.