Dr Line Caes

Associate Professor

Psychology University of Stirling, Stirling, FK9 4LA

Dr Line Caes

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http://www.stir.ac.uk/people/linecaes

About me

I am passionate about furthering our understanding of the bidirectional influence between parents and children during painful experiences and how this influence changes throughout childhood. Following this passion, I joined the University of Stirling in July 2016, attracted by strong developmental focus in Stirling and the fascinating opportunity to continue expanding my interest in early childhood pain experiences through the Division of Psychology’s Kindergarten.

I obtained my Masters in Psychology with Magna cum Lauda at Ghent University (2008), where I also undertook my graduate training (2008-2012), funded by the Funds for Scientific Research in Flanders (FWO). Since my graduate training, my research has focused on understanding parent-child interactions in the context of child pain experiences.

After receiving my PhD I explored my horizons and started a post-doctoral fellowship at the Centre for Pediatric Pain Research (IWK Health Centre, Halifax, Canada), funded by the Louise and Alan Edwards Fellowship in Pediatric Pain Research (2012-14).

From 2014-2016 I was a Lecturer of Psychology in the School of Psychology at NUI, Galway, where I contributed to research and teaching of Health Psychology and continued my research on the bidirectional influences of paediatric pain between parents and children as part of the Centre for Pain Research.

As mentioned above, in July 2016, I joined the Division of Psychology at the Faculty of Natural Science at the University of Stirling. Besides developing my research profile, I currently also teach and supervise students within the MSc Health Psychology.  

My Key Papers:

  • Caes L, Dick B, Duncan C & Allan J (2020) The cyclical relation between chronic pain, executive functioning, emotional regulation, and self-management. Journal of Pediatric Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1093/jpepsy/jsaa114

  • Newell A, Keane J, McGuire B, Heary C, McDarby V, Dudley B, Moran J, Francis K & Caes L (2018) Interactive versus Passive Distraction and Parent Psychoeducation as pain management techniques during pediatric venepuncture: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Clinical Journal of Pain, 34 (11), pp. 1008-1016. https://doi.org/10.1097/AJP.0000000000000628

  • Caes L, Boerner KE, Chambers CT, Campbell-Yeo M, Stinson J, Birnie KA, Parker JA, Huguet A, Jordan A, McLaren Chorney J, Schinkel M & Dol J (2016) A comprehensive categorical and bibliometric analysis of published research articles on pediatric pain from 1975 to 2010. Pain, 157 (2), pp. 302-313. https://doi.org/10.1097/j.pain.0000000000000403

  • Caes L, Goubert L, Devos P, Verlooy J, Benoit Y & Vervoort T (2014) The relationship between parental catastrophizing about child pain and distress in response to medical procedures in the context of childhood cancer treatment: A longitudinal analysis. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 39 (7), pp. 677-686. https://doi.org/10.1093/jpepsy/jsu034

  • Parental catastrophizing about child's pain and its relationship with activity restriction: The mediating role of parental distress Caes L, Vervoort T, Eccleston C, Vandenhende M & Goubert L (2011) Parental catastrophizing about child's pain and its relationship with activity restriction: The mediating role of parental distress. Pain, 152 (1), pp. 212-222. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pain.2010.10.037

Award

Dr John T Goodman Award for Student Research in Pediatric Pain

Louise and Alan Edwards Fellowship in Pediatric Pain Research 2012
Louise and Alan Edwards Foundation

IASP Early Career Research Grant
International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP)

http://www.iasp-pain.org/…?ItemNumber=4422

2022 Early Career Award in Pediatric Pain

Le Prix de Psychologie, these de psychologie scientifique, 17th periode treinnale, 2010-2012
Belgian Royal Academy

Patrick Wall International Meetings Bursary (British Pain Society)
Patrick Wall International Meetings Bursary (British Pain Society) to cover registra- tion of the International Symposium of Pediatric Pain (16-20 June 2019), 530GBP

University of Stirling Research Culture Award 2020 - best early career researcher
Highly Commended in the category "Best Early Career Researcher".

University of Stirling Research Culture Award 2021 - best research leader

Community Contribution

We shouldn’t worry so much about our kids? Anxiety - it’s a normal part of growing up
/…growing-up-67963
Caes, L. (2016). We shouldn’t worry so much about our kids? anx- iety - it’s a normal part of growing up. The Conversation, November 1, 2016: h

A global learning experience.
https://thepsychologist.bps.org.uk/…rning-experience
Caes, L., Smith, J. & McGregor, L. (2020). A global learning experience. The Psychologist.

Airing Pain 99 by Pain Concern - Transition Services
https://audioboom.com/posts/6651644-transition-services

Developmental Research Team at The University of Stirling (2017). Little scientists- big impact
https://thepsychologist.bps.org.uk/…tists-big-impact
Developmental Research Team at The University of Stirling (2017). Little scientists- big impact The Psychologist, 30, 30-33.

Learning new skills & collaborating in Canada
http://researchandinnovationblog.stir.ac.uk/…ting-in-canada/

Short report: What about the parents? The importance of the family context within paediatric psychology
Caes, L. (2016). Short report: What about the parents? The importance of the family context within paediatric psychology. The Irish Psychologist, 42(5), 140-142.

The Anthill podcast by The Conversation UK - Growing Up
https://theconversation.com/anthill-21-growing-up-90247

The pain of youth
https://thepsychologist.bps.org.uk/…-2017/pain-youth
Caes, L., & Jordan, A. (2017). The pain of youth The Psychologist, 30, 24-27.

Education

Lic./M. Sc. in Psychology
Universiteit Gent, Belgium

Continuing Education Course Psycho-Oncology
Universiteit Gent, Belgium

PhD Clinical Psychology
Universiteit Gent, Belgium

Certificate in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education

Other Project

Parent-child mutual interactions during preschoolers’ everyday pain experiences: a pilot study
International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP)

IASP Early Career Research Grant; $20,000

Engaging young people in health research: Exploring innovative research designs to explore social challenges faced by young people with pain related health conditions
University of Bath

British Psychology Society - Research Seminar grant for the seminar series ’Engaging young people in health research: Exploring innovative research designs to explore social challenges faced by young people with pain related health conditions. (June 2016-2017); PI: Dr Abbie Jordan, co-PI: Dr Line Caes; amount: 3,000GBP

How do adolescents with chronic pain use YouTube to communicate about their challenges?

British Psychology Society - Undergraduate Research Assistantship PI: Dr Line Caes, RA: Emily Katherine McKenzie

Irish Cultural Adaptation and Usability Testing of the Teens Taking Charge: Managing Arthritis Online Program
The Wellcome Trust

Wellcome Trust - small project funding €5,000

Telling their story: Exploring future perceptions in young people with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
Bath Centre for Pain Services

Rare Disease Foundation and the BC Children’s Hospital Foundation (BCCHF) (reference number: 2285)

PI: Dr Abbie Jordan; Co-PI:Dr Line Caes

What makes a peer mentoring relationship powerful? A qualitative exploration of the iPeer2Peer Program for youth with chronic pain
Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids)

Rare Disease Foundation and the BC Children’s Hospital Foundation (BCCHF) (ref erence number: 2285) for the amount of 5,000CAD to support the project entitled "What makes a peer mentoring relationship powerful? A qualitative exploration of the iPeer2Peer Program for youth with chronic pain" (September 2019-2020). PI: Dr Sara Ahola Kohut; Co-PI: Dr Line Caes

Keeping on track: Exploring Socio-developmental challenges faced by young people with ongoing pain and their families
Bath Centre for Pain Services

Pain Relief Foundation - Prize PhD studentship 

PI: Dr Abbie Jordan;Co-PI: Dr Line Caes, Prof Christopher Eccleston

Lending an ear: "iPeer2Peer" plus "Teens Taking Charge" Online Self- Management to empower children with Arthritis
University of Galway and Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids)

Health Research Board - National Children’s Hospital Foundation 2017 (reference number: NCHF-2017-003)

 PI: Prof Brian McGuire; Co-PI:Dr Line Caes, Prof Jennifer Stinson, Dr Caroline Heary, Dr Siobhan O’Higgins, & Dr Sara Ahola Kohut

Exploring educational challenges in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis
University of Bath

Bath Institute for Rheumatic Diseases (BIRD) for the amount of 25,597GBP to support the project entitled "Exploring educational challenges in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis." (August 2019-2020). PI: Dr Abbie Jordan Collaborators:Dr Line Caes & Dr Ceri Brown

An investigation into the experience of pain, associated disability, and mental health comorbidity in youth who experience chronic pain
University of Bath

Pain Relief Foundation - Prize PhD studentship (matched funding) The Sir Halley Stewart Trust - PhD studentship (matched funding) PI: Dr Abbie Jordan;Co-PI: Dr Line Caes, Prof Christopher Eccleston

Feasibility and preliminary efficacy study of an online pain management programme for children undergoing major or- thopaedic surgery: iCanCope Post-Op Surgery
University of Galway and Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids)

Health Research Board - DIFA 2018 (reference number: 5373) for the amount of 310,740.59EUR to support the project entitled "Feasibility and preliminary efficacy study of an online pain management programme for children undergoing major orthopaedic surgery: iCanCope Post-Op Surgery" (April 2019-2021). PI: Prof Brian McGuire; Co-Applicants: Dr Caroline Heary, Dr Line Caes, Prof Jennifer Stinson, Dr Kevin McCarthy, & Dr Chitra Lalloo

Professional membership

co-chair European Paediatric Psychology Network

committee member Division of Health Psychology Scotland

Committee member of the NIHR Clinical Research Network (CRN) Children Pain and Palliative Care Clinical Studies Group (CSG)

Council member of the IASP SIG Pain in Childhood
International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP)

Faculty member of Pain in Child Health (PICH)

Member of Network of Psychologists Working in Chronic Pain in Scotland (NPCPS)

member of the British Psychological Society
British Psychological Society

The Scottish Pain Research Community (SPaRC)

Research (4)

My research interests concern the social context of acute and chronic paediatric pain experiences. In particular, I am keen on furthering our understanding of the bidirectional influence between parents and children during painful experiences and how this influence changes throughout childhood.

During my graduate training, I focused on the role of parental catastrophic thinking in explaining their responses when faced with their child in pain. During this training I gained an appreciation for exploring these patterns using a variety of research methods (experimental pain paradigms, observational designs, psychophysiological assessment, and longitudinal methodology) within different populations (healthy school children, children with leukaemia and children suffering from functional abdominal pain).

Through my postdoctoral research project, I aimed to extend this work, by focusing on the wider family and explore how family functioning within families of a child diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease influences parental responses and the child’s health-related quality of life.

These experiences all contributed to my curiosity for understanding how these parent-child interactions and family patterns evolve throughout the child’s development, with my research now focusing on pain-related family interactions at crucial times in a child’s development: pre-school period, adolescence and young adulthood. Additionally, I am passionate about ensuring that our knowledge on the role of social factors in explaining child pain experiences translates into better treatment opportunities for children with chronic pain. To this end, I am involved in collaborative research projects evaluating treatment for paediatric chronic pain which actively involve parents and peer support.

In sum, my main research themes include:

  • The role of family functioning and parental characteristics in explaining parental behaviour in response to their child in pain and the subsequent impact on their child’s level of pain

  • Quality of live and adjustment to a pediatric chronic illness (e.g., cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, ...) in both patient and their family (i.e., parents and siblings). 

  • Parent-child interactions throughout development.

  • Facilitators and barriers to adolescents taking responsibility for their pain management.

  • Online self-management interventions for adolescents with a chronic illness.

I am always interested to talk to prospective graduate students about these research areas and explore opportunities for supervision!

Projects

From fuel to pot: an interdisciplinary partnership to address the role of solid fuel use in food preparation in the household in Kenya and Malawi.
PI: Dr Isabelle Uny
Funded by: Arts and Humanities Research Council
–

A meta-ethnography of how children and young people with chronic non-cancer pain and their families experience and understand their condition, pain services and treatments
PI: Professor Emma France
Funded by: National Institute for Health Research
–

How can we explain impairments in executive functioning? The role of chronic pain and social context during adolescence.
PI: Dr Line Caes
Funded by: The Royal Society of Edinburgh
–

Canada-UK Foundation Travel Award
PI: Dr Line Caes
Funded by: Canada-UK Foundation
–

Outputs (115)

Outputs

Showing 100 of 115 — See all 115 outputs

Commentary

Beyond high-level recommendations and rule books: doing the ‘hard work’ of global health research – lessons and recommendations from an interdisciplinary global partnership

Uny I, Kambalame L, Price H, Caes L, Kalumbi LR, Semple S, Lucas S, Orina F, Chasima T, Chamba MVM & Meme H (2024) Beyond high-level recommendations and rule books: doing the ‘hard work’ of global health research – lessons and recommendations from an interdisciplinary global partnership. BMJ Global Health, 9, Art. No.: e015169. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjgh-2024-015169

Other

The Fuel to Pot Project: An interdisciplinary partnership to address the role of solid fuel use in food preparation in the household in Kenya and Malawi

Uny I, Chamba M, Chasima T, Caes L, Kalumbi L, Orina F, Kambalame L, Semple S, Price H, Lucas S & Meme H (2023) The Fuel to Pot Project: An interdisciplinary partnership to address the role of solid fuel use in food preparation in the household in Kenya and Malawi., Edinburgh, 13.11.2023. https://rse.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/RSE-AWG-scoping-project-report.pdf

Presentation / Talk

How children and young people with chronic pain and their families experience and perceive pain services and treatments and living with pain: a meta-ethnography

France E, Caes L, Uny I, Forbat L, Silveira Bianchim M, Noyes J, Jordan A, Turley R & Thomson K (2023) How children and young people with chronic pain and their families experience and perceive pain services and treatments and living with pain: a meta-ethnography. Lothian Health and Care Professions Research Conference 2023, Edinburgh, Scotland, 07.11.2023.

Review

A meta-ethnography of how children and young people with chronic non-cancer pain and their families experience and understand their condition, pain services, and treatments

France E, Uny I, Turley R, Thomson K, Noyes J, Jordan A, Forbat L, Caes L & Silveira Bianchim M (2023) A meta-ethnography of how children and young people with chronic non-cancer pain and their families experience and understand their condition, pain services, and treatments. Cochrane Pain, Palliative and Supportive Care Group (Editor) Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2023 (10), Art. No.: CD014873. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.cd014873.pub2

Conference Paper (unpublished)

Co-producing with children and young people for a meta-ethnography on experiences of chronic pain, treatments and services.

Silveira Bianchim M, Jordan A, Uny I, Noyes J, Forbat L, Line C, Ruth T & France E (2023) Co-producing with children and young people for a meta-ethnography on experiences of chronic pain, treatments and services.. Abstracts of the 27th Cochrane Colloquium. Cochrane Colloquium, London, UK, 04.09.2023-06.09.2023. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.cd202301

Other

OP13 Undertaking photovoice in informal settlements in Kenya and Malawi: methodological learning from a qualitative study exploring solid fuel use, cooking and air pollution

Uny I, Chasima T, Kambalame L, Caes L, Meme H, Kalumbi L, Price H, Chamba M, Lucas S & Semple S (2023) OP13 Undertaking photovoice in informal settlements in Kenya and Malawi: methodological learning from a qualitative study exploring solid fuel use, cooking and air pollution. Society for Social Medicine Annual Scientific Meeting Abstracts, 06.09.2023. https://doi.org/10.1136/jech-2023-ssmabstracts.13

Conference Paper (unpublished)

Preliminary findings from a photovoice study of community members’ choice, experiences and perceptions around fuel use and cooking practices in Mukuru (Kenya) and Ndirande (Malawi)

Uny I, Chasima T, Kambalame L, Caes L, Meme H, Kalumbi L, Price H, Chamba M, Lucas S, Semple S & Orina F (2023) Preliminary findings from a photovoice study of community members’ choice, experiences and perceptions around fuel use and cooking practices in Mukuru (Kenya) and Ndirande (Malawi). The KASH Conference, Nairobi, kenya, 13.02.2023-16.02.2023. https://www.kemri.go.ke/kash-14/#1571270387975-4b3b4eea-d7ab

Article

A meta-ethnography of how children and young people with chronic non-cancer pain and their families experience and understand their condition, pain services, and treatments

France E, Noyes J, Forbat L, Uny DI, Jordan A, Caes L & Turley R (2022) A meta-ethnography of how children and young people with chronic non-cancer pain and their families experience and understand their condition, pain services, and treatments. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2022 (7), Art. No.: CD014873. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.cd014873

Conference Abstract

522 A meta-ethnography of how children and young people with chronic pain and their families experience and perceive pain services and treatments and living with pain

France E, Turley R, Uny I, Forbat L, Caes L, Jordan A, Noyes J & Bianchim MS (2022) 522 A meta-ethnography of how children and young people with chronic pain and their families experience and perceive pain services and treatments and living with pain. Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, Liverpool. Archives of Disease in Childhood, 107 (Supplement 2), pp. A514-A515. https://doi.org/10.1136/archdischild-2022-rcpch.828

Poster

A synthesis investigating how young people with chronic pain from sickle cell disease and their families experience and understand their condition, pain services and treatments

France E, Turley R, Uny I, Forbat L, Caes L, Jordan A, Noyes J & Silveira Bianchim M (2022) A synthesis investigating how young people with chronic pain from sickle cell disease and their families experience and understand their condition, pain services and treatments. Society of Pediatric Psychology Annual Conference 2022, Phoenix, Arizona, USA, 07.04.2022-09.04.2022.

Poster

A synthesis investigating how young people with chronic pain from sickle cell disease and their families experience and understand their condition, pain services and treatments

France E, Turley R, Uny I, Forbat L, Caes L, Jordan A, Noyes J & Silveria Bianchim M (2022) A synthesis investigating how young people with chronic pain from sickle cell disease and their families experience and understand their condition, pain services and treatments. 13th International Symposium on Pediatric Pain, Auckland New Zealand & online, 24.03.2022-27.03.2022.

Book Chapter

Pain: A Biopsychosocial Phenomenon

Caes L, Forgeron P & Goubert L (2021) Pain: A Biopsychosocial Phenomenon. In: Managing Pain in Children: A Clinical Guide. 3rd ed. London: Wiley.

Article

The Impact of Parental Pain-attending and Non-pain-attending Responses on Child Pain Behavior in the Context of Cancer-related Painful Procedures: The Moderating Role of Parental Self-oriented Distress

Rheel E, Ickmans K, Caes L & Vervoort T (2021) The Impact of Parental Pain-attending and Non-pain-attending Responses on Child Pain Behavior in the Context of Cancer-related Painful Procedures: The Moderating Role of Parental Self-oriented Distress. Clinical Journal of Pain, 37 (3), pp. 177-185. https://doi.org/10.1097/ajp.0000000000000902

Commentary

Adverse early life experiences are associated with changes in pressure and cold pain sensitivity in young adults

Caes L & Roche M (2020) Adverse early life experiences are associated with changes in pressure and cold pain sensitivity in young adults. Commentary on: Waller R, Smith AJ, OʼSullivan PB, et al. The association of early life stressors with pain sensitivity and pain experience at 22 years. Pain 2020;161:220-9.. Annals of Palliative Medicine, 9 (4), pp. 1366-1369. https://doi.org/10.21037/apm-20-914

Article

Implementation Effectiveness of a Parent-Directed YouTube Video ("It Doesn't Have To Hurt") on Evidence-Based Strategies to Manage Needle Pain: Descriptive Survey Study

Chambers CT, Dol J, Parker JA, Caes L, Birnie KA, Taddio A, Campbell-Yeo M, Halperin SA & Langille J (2020) Implementation Effectiveness of a Parent-Directed YouTube Video ("It Doesn't Have To Hurt") on Evidence-Based Strategies to Manage Needle Pain: Descriptive Survey Study. JMIR Pediatrics and Parenting, 3 (1), Art. No.: e13552. https://doi.org/10.2196/13552

Article

Lending an Ear: iPeer2Peer plus Teens Taking Charge online self-management to empower adolescents with arthritis in Ireland: protocol for a pilot randomised controlled trial

O'Higgins S, Stinson J, Ahola Kohut S, Caes L, Heary C & McGuire BE (2019) Lending an Ear: iPeer2Peer plus Teens Taking Charge online self-management to empower adolescents with arthritis in Ireland: protocol for a pilot randomised controlled trial. BMJ Open, 9 (12), Art. No.: e027952. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2018-027952

Commentary

Commentary: Parent-child interactions during painful medical procedures: recommendations by Blount and colleagues (1991) have not fallen on deaf ears!

Caes L (2019) Commentary: Parent-child interactions during painful medical procedures: recommendations by Blount and colleagues (1991) have not fallen on deaf ears!. Commentary on: Blount, R. L., Landolf-Fritsche, B., Powers, S. W., & Sturges, J. W. (1991). Differences between high and low coping children and between parent and staff behaviors during painful medical procedures. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 16(6), 795-809.. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 44 (7), pp. 794-797. https://doi.org/10.1093/jpepsy/jsz032

Book Chapter

Listen to us! The voices of young children with pain!

Caes L & O'Higgins S (2018) Listen to us! The voices of young children with pain!. In: Carrol C & Twomey M (eds.) Seen and Heard: Exploring Participation, Engagement and Voice for Children with Disabilities. Bern, Switzerland: Peter Lang. https://www.peterlang.com/abstract/title/64189?rskey=pk8IjA&result=3

Article

Interactive versus Passive Distraction and Parent Psychoeducation as pain management techniques during pediatric venepuncture: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Newell A, Keane J, McGuire B, Heary C, McDarby V, Dudley B, Moran J, Francis K & Caes L (2018) Interactive versus Passive Distraction and Parent Psychoeducation as pain management techniques during pediatric venepuncture: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Clinical Journal of Pain, 34 (11), pp. 1008-1016. https://doi.org/10.1097/AJP.0000000000000628

Article

Evaluation of an Intensive Interdisciplinary Pain Treatment Based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Adolescents With Chronic Pain and Their Parents: A Nonrandomized Clinical Trial

Kemani M, Kanstrup M, Jordan A, Caes L & Gauntlett-Gilbert J (2018) Evaluation of an Intensive Interdisciplinary Pain Treatment Based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Adolescents With Chronic Pain and Their Parents: A Nonrandomized Clinical Trial. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 43 (9), pp. 981-994. https://doi.org/10.1093/jpepsy/jsy031

Article

Little Scientists – Big Impact

Caes L, Caldwell CA, Rafetseder E, Grainger C, Renner E, Atkinson M, Shing YL & Kuipers JR (2017) Little Scientists – Big Impact [The Developmental Research Team at the University of Stirling explain why they love their psychology kindergarten]. The Psychologist, 30, pp. 30-33. https://thepsychologist.bps.org.uk/volume-30/october/little-scientists-big-impact

Other

The pain of youth

Caes L & Jordan A (2017) The pain of youth. Psychologist, 30, pp. 24-27. http://thepsychologist.bps.org.uk/volume-30/february-2017/pain-youth

Article

Parental distress and catastrophic thoughts about child pain: Implications for parental protective behavior in the context of child leukemia-related medical procedures

Caes L, Vervoort T, Devos P, Verlooy J, Benoit Y & Goubert L (2014) Parental distress and catastrophic thoughts about child pain: Implications for parental protective behavior in the context of child leukemia-related medical procedures. Clinical Journal of Pain, 30 (9), pp. 787-799. https://doi.org/10.1097/AJP.0000000000000028

See all 115 outputs

Teaching

I teach on and coordinate the social psychology module at undergraduate level and teach on concepts such as pain, palliative care, and psychophysiological assessment in the MSc Health Psychology.

Teaching

MSc Health Psychology
https://www.stir.ac.uk/courses/pg-taught/health-psychology/

Research programmes

Research centres/groups

Research themes