Luísa Barros

I am a lecturer and researcher on child health and pediatric psychology. I am particularly interested in the role of parents in child health mental and physical health promotion and adaptation to chronic conditions. I am also exploring ways of facilitating children’s participation in their health processes.

As a lecturer, I have taught predominantly in psychology master’s and PhD programs, and in other health programs (B.A.Health Sciences, Graduation in Dental Medicine, Nursing PhD). I have filled multiple management positions (President of the Psychology School Assembly, President of the Scientific Council, Director, Member of the ULisboa Assembly, Scientific Coordinator of the UI&D CICPSI).

Pediatric Psychology: adaptation to chronic disease, adherence, pain
Parenting: Interventions with parents to promote children’s health and development

PI — The Food Parenting: a study of a new web-based parent intervention (PTDC/PSI-GER/30432/2017).

PI — P Project: the relationship between parental self-regulation and parenting practices: implications for parent training (Gulbenkian, 2016-2019).

Researcher: “Processes of change in the treatment of anxiety disorders in school-aged children: the role of cognitions and coping- (PTDC/PSI-PCL/122007/2010). PI: Ana Isabel Pereira.

PI — “Pain Less – OI youngsters take control”: An Internet-based pain management program for young people with OI. (Funding from the Care for Brittle Bones Association) (2015-2016).

PI — “Determinants of eating behavior in preschool children”. (Nestlé – 2009/2013).

PI — “Dental treatment anxiety in children and adolescents” with H. Buchanan from Nottingham University, UK. 2005-2009.

Researcher: “Exposure to didactic videos and promotion of autonomy in parents of high-risk infants” (JNICT- 1988-1992).

Rosa Lemos, Ana Isabel Gomes & Luísa Barros (2023) Promoting a healthy diet in preschool children: a qualitative study about early childhood educators’ perspectives, International Journal of Early Years Education, 31:4, 859-873. 10.1080/09669760.2022.2107490.

Borges Rodrigues, S., Parisod, H., Barros, L., & Salanterä, S. (2022). Examining Empowerment Interventions with Families and Preschool Children: Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials. Health Education & Behavior, 49(2), 358-377. DOI: 10.1177/109019812110314.

Fonseca, I. C., Pereira, A. I., & Barros, L. (2021). Portuguese parental beliefs and attitudes towards vaccination. Health Psychology and Behavioral Medicine, 9(1), 422-435. DOI: 10.1080/21642850.2021.1920948.

Cardão, C., Barros, L., Francisco, R., Silva, D., & Ferreira, V. R. (2021). Experiences of parents with children with congenital disorders of glycosylation: What can we learn from them? Disability and Health Journal, 101065. DOI: doi.org/10.1016/j.dhjo.2021.101065.

Pereira, A. I., Muris, P., Roberto, M. S., Stallard, P., Garcia-Lopez, L. J., Tulbure, B. T.,& Barros, L. (2021). Cumulative risk exposure and social isolation as correlates of carer and child mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic: An online study with families from various Europeans countries. Child Psychiatry & Human Development, 1-13. DOI: 10.1007/s10578-021-01233-3.

Pedro, H., Barros, L. & Pereira, A.I. (2016). Pediatric Immunization Distress: A Cluster Analyses of Children’s, Parents’ and Nurses’ Behaviors During the Anticipatory Phase. The Clinical Journal of Pain. DOI: 10.1097/AJP.0000000000000287.

Silva,C. & Barros, L. (2014). Pediatric Asthma Management: Study of the Family Asthma Management System Scale with a Portuguese Sample. Children’s Health Care. DOI: 10.1080/02739615.2013.837822.

Barros, L. (2003). Psicologia Pediátrica: Perspetiva desenvolvimentista. Lisboa: Climepsi. ISBN 972-796-081-2.

child health;
child chronic disease;
parenting;
health and development;