We have open positions in our scientific team for student assistants, doctoral students, and other research staff. If you are interested in working with us, please contact: heather.foran@aau.at
News
News
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Long-term Adverse Outcomes Associated with teen dating violence: A Systematic Review by Piolanti, Waller, Schmid and Foran has been published in Pediatrics.
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Virtual Reality for Healthy Youth. Novel virtual reality intervention for health promotion with youth was launched.
What We Do?
Research Focus
Health behaviors and environmental risk factors contribute significantly to global burden of disease. Many of these global risk factors are preventable, and our research team is interested in understanding these risk factors and their causes. Our research also includes studies on screening, assessment, prevention, treatment, and implementation. Current topics of interest include physical activity, family maltreatment, mental health, parenting, child behavioral symptoms, stress management, and interpersonal dysfunctions such as social isolation.
Family Psychology
Family problems and family maltreatment are major public health problems that can affect physical and mental health across the lifespan.
Digital Health
Digitalization presents opportunities and challenges for health research and health care.
Public Health
Behavioral risk factors such as low physical activity, alcohol use, and psychological disorders are important for reducing global burden of disease.
Research Methods and Assessment
Our team is interested in improving and evaluating measures in global mental research and analyses in international clinical trials.
Selected Projects
FLOURISH, Family-Focused Adolescent and Lifelong Health Promotion. Prevention of adolescent mental health problems in Eastern Europe. Funded by the European Union Horizon Europe research and innovation program, 2023-2026 https://www.flourish-study.org
Klagenfurt Team members: Univ.-Prof. Heather Foran, Dr. Antonio Piolanti, Janina Müller, Franziska Waller
Virtual Reality for Healthy Youth. Novel virtual reality intervention for health promotion with youth.
Assoc.-Prof. Mathias Lux, Univ.-Prof. Dr. Heather Foran, Dr. Christian Kubb, Dr. Antonio Piolanti, Univ.-Prof. Hermann Hellwagner and Sebastian Uitz, MSc
RISE, “Prevention of child mental health problems in Southeastern Europe – Adapt, Optimize, Test, and Extend Parenting for Lifelong Health”. EU-Horizon 2020, Global Alliance for Chronic Diseases funded project, 2018-2022 http://www.rise-plh.eu
Klagenfurt Team members: Univ.-Prof. Heather Foran, Janina Müller, Franziska Waller, Hugh Murphy
A Psychoeducation Family Intervention via Social Technology to Improve Social Support, Health and Well-Being among Elderly https://connect2family.aau.at
Klagenfurt Team: Janina Müller, Univ.-Prof. Dr. Heather Foran
Klagenfurt Team: Dr. Christian Kubb, Univ.-Prof. Dr. Heather Foran
Klagenfurt Team members: Univ.-Prof. Heather Foran, Hugh Murphy, Katharina Prandstetter
WELL, Testing new ways to improve well-being through self-care tools. The project is being conducted through a collaboration between the University of Klagenfurt and FAIR, Meta's Fundamental Artificial Intelligence Research team. https://wellsurvey.aau.at/well/project.html
Klagenfurt Team members: Univ.-Prof. Dr. Heather Foran, Dr. Christian Kubb, Janina Müller
Development of a Criteria Catalog for Substance Abuse Prevention Among High Risk Families
Klagenfurt Team members: Univ.-Prof. Dr. Heather Foran, Ao.Univ.-Prof. Mag. Dr. Brigitte Jenull, Franziska Waller
Collaboration with Amt der Kärntner Landesregierung, Abteilung 5 – Kompetenzzentrum Gesundheit
In collaboration with the Relational processes working group. See recent publications: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1697260018300073
Klagenfurt team: Univ.-Prof. Dr. Heather Foran, Hugh Murphy, Katharina Prandstetter in collaboration with overall international lead (Prof. Isabelle Roskam & Prof. Moira Mikolajczak). This study was supported by a collaboration with FOKUS KIND Medien www.babyforum.at
This project examines the 10 year course of family functioning and psychopathology among German families who participated in a previously DFG-funded RCT of Triple P Parenting program. We also have been examining the associations between family functioning, psychopathology, and physical health outcomes over the ten year period. Klagenfurt Team: Univ.-Prof. Dr. Heather Foran, in Collaboration with TU Braunschweig, Germany.
Our Past and Current Funders
Team
Univ.-Prof. Dr.
Heather Foran
Head of Department
Ao.Univ.-Prof. Mag. Dr.
Brigitte Jenull
Professor
Iris Sternjak
Administrative Staff
Postdoc-Ass. Antonio Piolanti, Ph.D.
Post-Doctoral Scientist
Dr. Christian Kubb,
BSc.MSc.
Research Project Staff
Post-Doctoral Scientist
Mag. Dr. Barbara Pöcher
Project Manager
Hugh Murphy,
BSc.MSc.
Doctoral Student
Fabian Fiderer,
BSc.MSc.
Doctoral Student
Iason Schmidt
BSc.
Student Assistant
Janik Wiedenhöfer,
BSc.
Student Assistant
Katharina Buss
BSc.
Student Assistant
Tamara Illieva
Student Assistant
Selected Publications
Roskam, I., Aguiar, J., Akgun, E., Arena, A. F., Arikan, G., Aunola, K., ... & Mikolajczak, M. (2023). Three reasons why parental burnout is more prevalent in individualistic countries: a mediation study in 36 countries. Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-023-02487-z
Wood, M. D., Foran, H. M., & Britt, T. W. (2023). Limitations of benefit finding as a coping mechanism for combat-related PTSD symptoms. Military Psychology, 35(3), 233-244. https://doi.org/10.1080/08995605.2022.2112884
Piolanti, A., Waller, F., Schmid, I. E., & Foran, H. M. (2023). Long-term adverse outcomes associated with teen dating violence: a systematic review. Pediatrics, e2022059654. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2022-059654
Murphy, H., Prandstetter, K., Ward, C. L., Hutchings, J., Kunovski, I., Tăut, D., & Foran, H. M. (2023). Factor structure of the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale among caregivers in Southeastern Europe. Family Relations, 1-16. https://doi.org/10.1111/fare.12882
Waller, F., Prandstetter, K., Jansen, E., Nikolova, G., Lachman, J. M., Hutchings, J., & Foran, H. M. (2023). Screen use: Its association with caregiver mental health, parenting, and children's ADHD symptoms. Family Relations, 1-17. https://doi.org/10.1111/fare.12869
Zhao, X., Perle, I., & Foran, H. M. (2023). Emerging ideas. Filial piety, substance use, adverse childhood experiences, and parental support: An intergenerational perspective. Family Relations, 1-13. https://doi.org/10.1111/fare.12857
Lin, G. X., Mikolajczak, M., Keller, H., Akgun, E., Arikan, G., Aunola, K., ... & Roskam, I. (2023). Parenting Culture (s): Ideal-Parent Beliefs Across 37 Countries. Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, 54(1), 4-24. https://doi.org/10.1177/0022022122112304
Prandstetter, K., Murphy, H., & Foran, H. M. (2023). The role of intimate partner violence, couple dissatisfaction and parenting behaviors in understanding parental burnout. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 32(1), 343-355.. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-021-02218-5
Piolanti, A., Jouriles, E. N., & Foran, H. M. (2022). Assessment of psychosocial programs to prevent sexual violence during adolescence: a systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA Network Open, 5(11), e2240895. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.40895
Williams, M. E., Foran, H. M., Hutchings, J., Frantz, I., Taut, D., Lachman, J. M., ... & Heinrichs, N. (2022). Exploring Factors Associated with Parent Engagement in A Parenting Program in Southeastern Europe. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 31(11), 3097-3112. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-022-02411-0
Martin, M., Lachman, J. M., Murphy, H., Gardner, F., & Foran, H. (2022). The development, reliability, and validity of the Facilitator Assessment Tool: An implementation fidelity measure used in Parenting for Lifelong Health for Young Children. Child: Care, Health and Development, 49(3), 591-604. https://doi.org/10.1111/cch.13075
Kopystynska, O., Mueller, J., Bradford, K., Chandler, A. B., Foran, H. M., & Higginbotham, B. J. (2022). The influence of interparental conflict and violence on parenting and parent–child relationships. Personal Relationships, 29(3), 488-523. https://doi.org/10.1111/pere.12441
Jansen, E., Frantz, I., Hutchings, J., Lachman, J., Williams, M., Taut, D., ... & Foran, H. M. (2022). Preventing child mental health problems in southeastern Europe: Feasibility study (phase 1 of MOST framework). Family Process, 61(3), 1162-1179. https://doi.org/10.1111/famp.12720
Zhao, X., Prandstetter, K., & Foran, H. M. (2022). Using Dyadic Modeling in Nursing Research: Introduction of Theory and Application. Western Journal of Nursing Research, 44(8), 788-798. https://doi.org/10.1177/01939459211016486
Burns, S. C., Kogan, C. S., Heyman, R. E., Foran, H. M., Slep, A. M. S., Domínguez-Martínez, T., ... & Reed, G. M. (2022). Evaluating the relationship between intimate partner violence-related training and mental health professionals’ assessment of relationship problems. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 37(15-16), NP14262. https://doi.org/10.1177/08862605211005154
Prandstetter, K., Waller, F., Heinrichs, N., Hutchings, J., Ward, C. L., Dănilă, I., ... & Foran, H. M. (2022). Measuring dysfunctional parenting: Psychometrics of three versions of the Parenting Scale. Family Relations, 1-22. https://doi.org/10.1111/fare.12732
Piolanti, A., & Foran, H. M. (2022). Psychological violence in dating relationships among adolescents: A systematic review and meta-analysis of prevention programs. Preventive Medicine, 159, 107053. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ypmed.2022.107053
Zhao, X., Dichtl, F. F., & Foran, H. M. (2022). Predicting smoking behavior: intention and future self-continuity among Austrians. Psychology, Health & Medicine, 27(5), 1042-1051. https://doi.org/10.1080/13548506.2020.1842898
Kubb, C., & Foran, H. M. (2022). Online Health Information Seeking for Self and Child: An Experimental Study of Parental Symptom Search. JMIR Pediatrics and Parenting, 5(2):e29618. https://doi.org/10.2196/29618
Foran, H. M., Mueller, J., Schulz, W., & Hahlweg, K. (2022). Cohabitation, relationship stability, relationship adjustment, and children’s mental health over 10 years. Frontiers in Psychology, 12:1-10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.746306
Roskam, I., Gallée, L., Aguiar, J., Akgun, E., Arena, A., Arikan, G., ... & Mikolajczak, M. (2022). Gender equality and maternal burnout: A 40-country study. Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, 53(2), 157–178. https://doi.org/10.1177/00220221211072813
Piolanti, A., & Foran, H. M. (2022). Efficacy of interventions to prevent physical and sexual dating violence among adolescents: A systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA Pediatrics, 176(2):142–149. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapediatrics.2021.4829
Burns, S. C., Kogan, C. S., Heyman, R. E., Foran, H. M., Smith Slep, A. M., Dominguez-Martinez, T., ... & Reed, G. M. (2022). Exploring mental health professionals’ experiences of intimate partner violence–related training: results from a global survey. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 37(1-2), 124-150. https://doi.org/10.1177/0886260520908020
Piolanti, A., & Foran, H. M. (2021). Efficacy of interventions to prevent physical and sexual dating violence among adolescents: A systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA Pediatrics, E1-E8. https://doi:10.1001/jamapediatrics.2021.4829
Taut, D., Baban, A., Frantz, I., Danila, I., Lachman, J., Heinrichs, N., Ward, C.L., Gardner, F., Fang, X., Hutchings, J., Raleva, M., Lesco, G., Murphy, H., & Foran, H. M. (2021). Prevention of child mental health problems through parenting interventions in Southeastern Europe (RISE): study protocol for a multi-site randomised controlled trial. Trials 22, 1-18. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13063-021-05817-1
Jansen, E., Frantz, I., Hutchings, J., Lachman, J., Williams, M., Taut, D., Baban, A., Raleva, M., Lesco, G., Ward., C., Gardner, F., Fang, X., Heinrichs, N., & Foran, H. M. (2021). Preventing child mental health problems in southeastern Europe: Feasibility Study (Phase 1 of the MOST framework). Family Process, 1-18. https://doi.org/10.1111/famp.12720
Zhao, X., Prandstetter, K., Jansen, E., Hahlweg, K, Schultz, W., & Foran, H.M. (2021). Interparental relationship adjustment, parenting, and offspring’s smoking at the ten-year follow-up. Family Process, 60, 523-537. https://doi.org/10.1111/famp.12598
Zhao X, Prandstetter K, Foran H. M. (2021). Using dyadic modeling in nursing research: Introduction of theory and application. Western Journal of Nursing Research, 1-11. https://doi:10.1177/01939459211016486
Burns, S.C. Kogan, C.S., Heyman, R.E., Foran, H.M., Smith Slep, A.M., Dominquez-Martinez, T., Grenier, J., Matsumoto, C., & Reed, G.M. (2021). Evaluating the relationship between intimate partner violence-related training and mental health professionals’ assessment of relationship problems. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 1-27. https://doi.org/10.1177/08862605211005154
Roskam, I., Gross, J., Aguiar, J., Akgun, E., Aunola, K., Bahati, M.E., Besson, E., Boujut, E., Brianda, M.E., et al. (2021). Parental burnout around the globe: A 40-country study. Affective Science, 2, 58-79. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42761-020-00028-4
Heyman, R. E., Baucom, K. J. W., Xu, S., Slep, A. M. S., Snarr, J. D., Foran, H. M., Lorber, M. F., Wojda, A. K., & Linkh, D. J. (2021). High sensitivity and specificity screening for clinically significant intimate partner violence. Journal of Family Psychology, 35, 80–91. https://doi.org/10.1037/fam0000781
Shenderovich, Y., Lachman, J. M., Wessels, I., Ward, C. L., Gardner, F. Tomlinson, M. Oliver, D., Janowski, R., Martin, M., Okop, K., Sacolo-Gwebu, H., Ngcobo, L.L., Fang, Z., Alampay, L., Baban, A., Baumann, A.A., Benevides de Barros, R., Bojo, S., Butchart, A., Dippenaar, W., Exavery, A., Fang, X., Ferdinandi, I, Foran, H. M., Heinrichs, N., Hutchings, J., Kisyombe, D., Massetti, G., Mazak, J., Mbuyi, H., Singh, P., Polsky, K., Rakotomalala,,S., Raleva, M., Savo, R., & Cluver, L. (2021). The science of scale for violence prevention: A new agenda of family strengthening in low- and middle-income countries. Frontiers in Public Health, Section Life-Course Epidemiology and Social Inequalities, 1-5. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2021.581440
Kubb, C. & Foran, H. M. (2020). Measuring COVID-19 related anxiety in parents: Psychometric comparison of four different inventories. JMIR Mental Health, 7, e24507. >https://doi:10.2196/24507
Zhao, X., Dichtl, F., & Foran, H. M. (2020). Predicting smoking behavior: Intention and self-continuity among Austrians. Psychology, Health & Medicine, 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1080/13548506.2020.1842898
Foran, H. M., Lorber, M., Malik, J., Heyman, R. E., & Slep, A. M. S. (2020). The intimate partner flooding scale. Assessment, 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1177/1073191118755911
Kubb, C., & Foran, H. M. (2020). Online health information seeking by parents for their children: Systematic review and agenda for further research. Journal of Medical Internet Research, e19985, 1-19. https://doi:10.2196/19985
Foran, H. M., Fraude, I., Kubb, C., & Wamboldt, M. Z. (2020). Assessment of the parent-child relationship. In The Handbook of Systemic Family Therapy (Karen Wampler, Eds, et al.): Wiley. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119438519.ch35
Jansen, E., Lachman, J., Heinrichs, N., Hutchings, J., Baban, A., & Foran, H. M. (2020) Hunger in vulnerable families in Southeastern Europe: Associations with mental health and violence. Frontiers in Public Health, 8, 115. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2020.00115
Foran, H. M. (2020). The military family: Dynamics, strengths, and challenges. Contemporary Military Challenges. http://dx.doi.org/10.33179/BSV.99.SVI.11.CMC.22.2.RE
Müller J., Foran, H. M. (2019). Connecting Older Adults and Their Families through Social Technology. (Abstract). European Journal of Public Health, 29,4. https://doi.org/10.1093/eurpub/ckz186.082
Del Vecchio, T., Heyman, R., Slep, A., & Foran, H. (2019). Child Abuse and Neglect. In A. Vazsonyi, D. Flannery, & M. DeLisi (Eds.), The Cambridge Handbook of Violent Behavior and Aggression (Cambridge Handbooks in Psychology, pp. 366-381). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. https://doi:10.1017/9781316847992.021
Foran, H. M. (2019). Daniel K. O’Leary. In Jay L. Lebow, Anthony L. Chambers, & Douglas C. Breunlin (Eds.), Encyclopedia of Couple and Family Therapy (pg. 2058-2060). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-49425-8
Foran, H. M. & Restle, L. (2019). Classification in Couples and Families. In Jay L. Lebow, Anthony L. Chambers, & Douglas C. Breunlin (Eds.), Encyclopedia of Couple and Family Therapy (pg. 448-454). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-49425-8.
Kliem, S., Lohman, A., Moeble, T., Hellmann, D. F., Foran, H. M., Hahlweg, K., Zenger, M., Stöbel-Richter, Y., & Brähler, E. (2018). Development and validation of an eight-item short form of the Parenting scale based on a German representative population sample. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 28, 30–41. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-018-1257-3
Heyman, R. E., Kogan, C. S., Foran, H. M., Burns. S. C., Slep, A. M. S., Wojda, A., K., Keeley, J. W., Rebello, T. J., & Reed, G. M. (2018). A case-controlled field study evaluating ICD-11 proposals for relational problems and intimate partner violence. International Journal of Clinical and Health Psychology, 18, 113-123. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijchp.2018.03.001
Heyman, R. E., Kogan, C. S., Foran, H. M., Burns. S. C., Slep, A. M. S., Wojda, A., K., Keeley, J. W., Rebello, T. J., & Reed, G. M. (2018). Estudio de campo con casos controlados para evaluar propuestas de la CIE-11 en problemas relacionales y de violencia de pareja. International Journal of Clinical and Health Psychology, 18, 113-123. (Spanish version) https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijchp.2018.03.001