World's Best Scientists 2026 revealed!
Leen Haerens

Leen Haerens

D-Index & Metrics

Psychology

D-Index
60
Citations
14022
World Ranking
3530
National Ranking
45

Overview

Leen Haerens is affiliated with Ghent University in Belgium and specializes in research intersecting psychology and social sciences, with a strong focus on social psychology and developmental and educational psychology. Their scholarly output spans topics related to motivation, self-concept in sports, youth development, social support, sport psychology, behavioral health interventions, and physical education.

The primary fields of study associated with Haerens include:

  • Psychology
  • Social Sciences

Subfields of particular emphasis in their work are:

  • Social Psychology
  • Developmental and Educational Psychology
  • Safety Research
  • Sociology and Political Science
  • Applied Psychology

The main topics covered by Haerens' research include:

  • Motivation and Self-Concept in Sports
  • Youth Development and Social Support
  • Sport Psychology and Performance
  • Behavioral Health and Interventions
  • Physical Education and Pedagogy
  • Children's Physical and Motor Development
  • Education, Achievement, and Giftedness

Recent publications illustrate the focus on motivational and behavioral aspects in educational and health contexts. Selected papers are:

  • A classification of motivation and behavior change techniques used in self-determination theory-based interventions in health contexts (2020), published in Motivation Science
  • A classification system for teachers' motivational behaviors recommended in self-determination theory interventions (2023), published in Journal of Educational Psychology
  • Fostering student engagement with motivating teaching: an observation study of teacher and student behaviours (2020), published in Research Papers in Education
  • The Relationship Between Actual and Perceived Motor Competence in Children, Adolescents and Young Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis (2020), published in Sports Medicine
  • Adopting the Situation in School Questionnaire to Examine Physical Education Teachers' Motivating and Demotivating Styles Using a Circumplex Approach (2021), published in International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

Haerens collaborates frequently with other researchers, notably:

  • Maarten Vansteenkiste (23 joint publications)
  • Sofie Morbée (19 joint publications)
  • Bart Soenens (17 joint publications)
  • Katrien De Cocker (16 joint publications)
  • Tom De Clerck (11 joint publications)

Their work has appeared repeatedly in a number of academic journals, with multiple publications in these outlets:

  • Psychology of Sport and Exercise (8 publications)
  • Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) (8 publications)
  • Physical Education and Sport Pedagogy (7 publications)
  • Teaching and Teacher Education (7 publications)
  • European Physical Education Review (4 publications)

Best Publications

  • Do perceived autonomy-supportive and controlling teaching relate to physical education students' motivational experiences through unique pathways? Distinguishing between the bright and dark side of motivation

    Leen Haerens;Nathalie Aelterman;Maarten Vansteenkiste;Bart Soenens

  • Identifying Configurations of Perceived Teacher Autonomy Support and Structure: Associations with Self-Regulated Learning, Motivation and Problem Behavior.

    Maarten Vansteenkiste;Eline Sierens;Luc Goossens;Bart Soenens

  • Toward an integrative and fine-grained insight in motivating and demotivating teaching styles: The merits of a circumplex approach

    Nathalie Aelterman;Maarten Vansteenkiste;Leen Haerens;Bart Soenens

  • A Classification of Motivation and Behavior Change Techniques Used in Self-Determination Theory-Based Interventions in Health Contexts

    Pedro J. Teixeira;Marta M. Marques;Marlene N. Silva;Jennifer Brunet

  • Research on Self-Determination in Physical Education: Key Findings and Proposals for Future Research.

    Lynn Van den Berghe;Maarten Vansteenkiste;Greet Cardon;David Kirk

  • Toward the Development of a Pedagogical Model for Health-Based Physical Education

    Leen Haerens;David Kirk;Greet Cardon;Ilse De Bourdeaudhuij

  • Motivational Profiles for Secondary School Physical Education and Its Relationship to the Adoption of a Physically Active Lifestyle among University Students.

    Leen Haerens;David Kirk;Greet Cardon;Ilse De Bourdeaudhuij

  • Personal and Social Development in Physical Education and Sports: A Review Study.

    Katrijn Opstoel;Laurent Chapelle;Frans J. Prins;An De Meester;An De Meester

  • The contribution of preschool playground factors in explaining children's physical activity during recess

    Greet Cardon;Eveline Van Cauwenberghe;Valery Labarque;Leen Haerens

  • Observing physical education teachers' need-supportive interactions in classroom settings

    Leen Haerens;Nathalie Aelterman;Lynn Van den Berghe;Jotie De Meyer

  • Fostering Personal Meaning and Self-relevance: A Self-Determination Theory Perspective on Internalization

    Maarten Vansteenkiste;Nathalie Aelterman;Gert-Jan De Muynck;Leen Haerens

  • Students' objectively measured physical activity levels and engagement as a function of between-class and between-student differences in motivation toward physical education.

    Nathalie Aelterman;Maarten Vansteenkiste;Hilde Van Keer;Lynn Van den Berghe

  • Does observed controlling teaching behavior relate to students’ motivation in physical education?

    Jotie De Meyer;Isabel B. Tallir;Bart Soenens;Maarten Vansteenkiste

  • Fostering a need-supportive teaching style: intervention effects on physical education teachers' beliefs and teaching behaviors.

    Nathalie Aelterman;Maarten Vansteenkiste;Lynn Van den Berghe;Jotie De Meyer

  • Evaluation of a 2-year physical activity and healthy eating intervention in middle school children

    Leen Haerens;Benedicte Deforche;Lea Maes;Greet Cardon

  • Different combinations of perceived autonomy support and control: identifying the most optimal motivating style

    L. Haerens;M. Vansteenkiste;A. De Meester;J. Delrue

  • Development and evaluation of a training on need-supportive teaching in physical education: qualitative and quantitative findings

    N. Aelterman;M. Vansteenkiste;H. Van Keer;J. De Meyer

  • The contribution of psychosocial and home environmental factors in explaining eating behaviours in adolescents.

    L Haerens;M Craeynest;B Deforche;L Maes

  • Observed need-supportive and need-thwarting teaching behavior in physical education: Do teachers' motivational orientations matter?

    Lynn Van den Berghe;Bart Soenens;Maarten Vansteenkiste;Nathalie Aelterman

  • School-Based Randomized Controlled Trial of a Physical Activity Intervention among Adolescents

    Leen Haerens;Ilse De Bourdeaudhuij;Lea Maes;Greet Cardon

Frequent Co-Authors

Nathalie Aelterman
Nathalie Aelterman Ghent University
Maarten Vansteenkiste
Maarten Vansteenkiste Ghent University
Ilse De Bourdeaudhuij
Ilse De Bourdeaudhuij Ghent University
Bart Soenens
Bart Soenens Ghent University
Matthieu Lenoir
Matthieu Lenoir Ghent University
Athanasios Mouratidis
Athanasios Mouratidis National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
Filip Boen
Filip Boen KU Leuven
Stijn Van Petegem
Stijn Van Petegem Université Libre de Bruxelles
Geert Crombez
Geert Crombez Ghent University
Johnmarshall Reeve
Johnmarshall Reeve Australian Catholic University

If you think any of the details on this page are incorrect, let us know.

Report an issue

We appreciate your kind effort to assist us to improve this page, it would be helpful providing us with as much detail as possible in the text box below:

Related Online Degrees & Career Pathways

Exploring Psychology in the USA often leads students to consider connected career pathways like social work, counseling, and human services. These disciplines complement a psychology background and open doors to a broad range of professional opportunities. Today, earning an online degree can offer flexibility for students balancing work and study commitments.

If you’re researching programs, it’s important to look for accredited and reputable schools. For those interested in social work, the best online social work programs in Texas offer specialized training tailored to diverse communities. For a nationwide perspective, you can explore the top online social work programs in America for a comprehensive list of strong options across the country.

Local options also matter. Students in Central Texas can check out the best online social work programs in Waco for convenient, regionally relevant opportunities. If you’re in the Southeast, you might be interested in the best social work degree programs in Alabama to find leading institutions nearby.

As demand grows for mental health and social services professionals, studying online offers accessible pathways toward rewarding roles in therapy, case management, advocacy, and more.

Best Scientists Citing Leen Haerens

Trending Scientists

Recently Published Articles