Catharina Elisabeth Arfwedson Wang
Job description
Catharina Elisabeth Arfwedson Wang leads the research group for clinical psychology. She is a professor and specialist in clinical psychology, an authorized supervisor in cognitive behavioral therapy, has postgraduate training as a child expert, and several further educations in clinical infant and toddler psychology. Her research includes depression (cognitive function and personality), psychological trauma, perinatal mental health, mental health in children and adolescents, mental health among students, medically unexplained symptoms, prevention and low-threshold services, coping groups, psychotherapy, and equine-assisted psychotherapy. She utilizes both quantitative and qualitative research methods.
Professor at the Research group of clinical psychology.
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Publications outside Cristin
Works in CRIStin
Scientific Articles
2025
Bohne, A., Høifødt, R. S., Nordahl, D., Moe, V., Landsem, I. P., Vannebo, U. T., Holstad, S. L., Wang, C. E. A. & Pfuhl, G. (2025). Transaction of parental cognition, stress and depressive symptoms, and infant regulatory challenges. Infant Mental Health.
2024
Barrett, E. O., Laholt, H., Lorem, G. F., & Wang, C. E. A. (2024). Exploring public health nurses’ acceptability of clinical assessment tools in a Norwegian child health centre. Primary Health Care Research and Development, Volum 25, 1-8.
Flatebø, S., Tran, N. N. V., Wang, C. E. A. & Bongo, L. A. A. (2024). Social robots in research on social and cognitive development in infants and toddlers: A scoping review. PLoS ONE, Volum 19 (5).
Husberg-Bru, V., Hopstock, L. A., Thimm, J. C., Lid, T. G., Rognmo, K., Wang, C. E. A. & Gustavson, K. (2024). Potentially traumatic events and the association with hazardous alcohol use in 19,128 middle aged and elderly adults: the Tromsø Study 2015–2016. Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology.
Parisi, F., Pfuhl, G., Høifødt, R. S., Bohne, A., & Wang, C. E. A. (2024). Perceived Parenting Stress Is Related to Cardiac Flexibility in Mothers: Data from the NorBaby Study. Behavioral Sciences, Volum 14 (2).
2023
Thimm, J., Rognmo, K., Nermo, H., Johnsen, J. A. K., Skre, I. B. G., & Wang, C. E. A. (2023).
Associations between stressful life events in childhood/adolescence and adulthood: results from the 7th Tromsø survey. European Journal of Psychotraumatology, Volum 14 (2).
2022
Bohne, A., Nordahl, D., Høifødt, R. S., Moe, V., Landsem, I. P., Wang, C. E. A. & Pfuhl, G. (2022). Do parental cognitions during pregnancy predict bonding after birth in a low-risk sample? Frontiers in Psychology, Volum 13.
Bohne, A., Høifødt, R. S., Nordahl, D., Landsem, I. P., Moe, V., Wang, C. E. A., & Pfuhl, G. (2022). The role of early adversity and cognitive vulnerability in postnatal stress and depression. Current Psychology.
2021
Bohne, A., Nordahl, D., Lindahl, Å., Ulvenes, P. G., Wang, C. E. A., & Pfuhl, G. (2021). Emotional Infant Face Processing in Women With Major Depression and Expecting Parents With Depressive Symptoms. Frontiers in Psychology, Volum 12.
Landsem, I. P., Vederhus, B. J., Hagen, I. H., Wang, C. E. A., Øberg, G. K., & Handegård, B. H. (2021). Hvordan ivaretas samspillsveiledning til foreldre i norske nyfødtintensivenheter? Sykepleien Forskning, 16 (85948).
Nermo, H., Willumsen, T., Rognmo, K., Thimm, J., Wang, C. E. A., & Johnsen, J. A. K. (2021). Dental anxiety and potentially traumatic events: a cross-sectional study based on the Tromsø Study—Tromsø 7. BMC Oral Health, 23;21(1).
Thimm, J., Rognmo, K., Rye, M., Flåm, A. M., Næss, E. T., Skre, I., & Wang, C. E. A. (2021). The prevalence of potentially traumatic events in the seventh survey of the population-based Tromsø study (Tromsø 7). Scandinavian Journal of Public Health, 51(79): 1050-1060.
2020
Høifødt, R. S., Nordahl, D., Landsem, I. P., Csifcsak, G., Bohne, A., Pfuhl, G., Rognmo, K., Braarud, H. C., Goksøyr, A. M., Moe, V. Slinning, K. & Wang, C. E. A. (2020). Newborn Behavioral Observation, maternal stress, depressive symptoms and the mother-infant relationship: results from the Northern Babies Longitudinal Study (NorBaby). BMC Psychiatry, Volum 20, 1-4.
Kvamme, M. F., Wang, C. E. A., Waage, T., & Risør, M. B. (2020). ‘Fixing my life’: young people’s everyday efforts towards recovery from persistent bodily complaints. Anthropology & Medicine 2020; Volum 27 (4), 412 - 427.
Nordahl, D., Rognmo, K., Bohne, A., Landsem, I. P., Moe, V., Wang, C. E. A. & Høifødt, R. S. (2020). Adult attachment style and maternal-infant bonding: the indirect path of parenting stress. BMC Psychology, Volum 8.
2019
Kvamme, M. F., Wang, C. E. A., Waage, T., & Risør, M. B. (2019). Careful expressions of social aspects: How local professionals in high school settings, municipal services, and general practice communicate care to youth presenting persistent bodily complaints. Health and Social Care in the community, 27 (5), 1175-1184.
Nordahl, D., Høifødt, R. S., Bohne, A., Landsem, I. P., Wang, C. E. A., & Thimm, J. (2019). Early maladaptive schemas as predictors of maternal bonding to the unborn child. BMC Psychology, Volum 7 (23).
2018
Dybvik, J. B., Sundsfjord, S., Wang, C. E. A., & Nivison, M. (2018). Significance of nature in a clinical setting and its perceived therapeutic value from patients’ perspective. European Journal of Psychotherapy, 20(3), 1-21.
Høifødt, R. S., Waterloo, K., Wang, C. E. A., Eisemann, M., Figenschau, Y. A., Halvorsen, M. (2019). Cortisol levels and cognitive profile in major depression: A comparison of currently and previously depressed patients. Psychoneuroendocrinology, Volum 99, 57 - 65.
Thimm, J., Wang, C. E. A., Eisemann, M., Waterloo, K., & Halvorsen, M. (2018). Coping, thought suppression, and perceived stress in currently depressed, previously depressed, and never depressed individuals. Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Volum 25 (3).
Østbye, S. V., Kvamme, M. F., Wang, C. E. A, Haavind, H., Waage, T., & Risør, M. B. (2018). ‘Not a film about my slackness’: Making sense of medically unexplained illness in youth using collaborative visual methods. Health 2018, 26 (1).
Østbye, S. V., Wang, C. E. A., Granheim, I. P. H., Kristensen, K. E., & Risør, M. B. (2018). Epistemological and methodological paradoxes: secondary care specialists and their challenges working with adolescents with medically unexplained symptoms. International Journal of Mental Health Systems, Volum 12:52, 1-14.
2017
Høifødt, R. S., Nordahl, D., Pfuhl, G., Landsem, I. P., Thimm, J., Ilstad, L. K. & Wang, C. E. A. Protocol for the Northern babies longitudinal study: predicting postpartum depression and improving parent–infant interaction with The Newborn Behavioral Observation. BMJ Open, Volum 7(9).
Lorem, G. F., Schirmer, H., Wang, C. E. A., & Emaus, N. (2017). Ageing and mental health: Changes in self-reported health due to physical illness and mental health status with consecutive cross-sectional analyses. BMJ Open, Volum 7 (1).
Maack, J. K., Bohne, A., Nordahl, D., Livsdatter, L., Lindahl, Å., Øvervoll, M., Wang, C. E. A, & Pfuhl, G. (2017). The Tromso Infant Faces Database (TIF): Development, validation and application to assess parenting experience on clarity and intensity ratings. Frontiers in Psychology, Volum 8, 1 - 13.
2016
Johansen, S. G. Wang, C. E. A. & Binder, P. E. (2016). Facilitating change in a client's dysfunctional behavioural pattern with horse-aided psychotherapy. A case study. Counselling and Psychotherapy Research, Volum 16 (3), 222-231
Nordby, K., Wang, C. E. A, Dahl, T. I., & Svartdal, F. (2016). Intervention to reduce procrastination in first-year students: Preliminary results from a Norwegian study. Scandinavian Psychologist, 3(5).
2015
Kristensen, K. V., Dalseth, A. K., Moldestad, L., Wallan, S., Lorem, G. F., Jentoft, G., & Wang, C. E. A. (2015). Blues Mothers: et gruppebasert mestringstilbud ved fødselsdepresjon. Tidsskrift for Norsk Psykologforening, Volum 52(5), 405-412
Solem, S., Hagen, R., Wang, C. E. A, Hjemdal, O., Waterloo, K., Eisemann, M., & Halvorsen, M. (2015). Metacognitions and mindful attention awareness in depression: a comparison of currently depressed, previously depressed and never depressed individuals. Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Volum 24(1), 94-102
2014
Halvorsen, M., Hagen, R., Hjemdal, O., Eriksen, M. S., Sørli, Å. J., Waterloo, K., Eisemann, M., & Wang, C. E. A. (2014). Metacognitions and Thought Control Strategies in Unipolar Major Depression: A Comparison of Currently Depressed, Previously Depressed, and Never-Depressed Individuals. Cognitive Therapy and Research, 39(1), 31–40.
Johansen, S. G., Wang, C. E. A., Binder, P. E., & Malt, U. F. (2014). Equine-Facilitated Body and Emotion-Oriented Psychotherapy Designed for Adolescents and Adults Not Responding to Mainstream Treatment: A Structured Program. Journal of psychotherapy integration, 24, 323-335.
Kjærgaard, M., Wang, C. E. A., Waterloo, K. & Jorde, R. (2013). A study of the psychometric properties of the Beck's Depression Inventory-II, the Montgomery and Åsberg Depression Rating Scale and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale in a sample of a healthy population. Scandinavian Journal of Psychology, 55, 83-89.
Lorem, G. F. F., Frafjord, J. M., Steffensen, M., & Wang, C. E. A. (2014). Medications and participation. A qualitative study of patients’ experiences with antipsychotic drugs. Nursing Ethics, 21(3), 347-358.
Lorem, G. F., Steffensen, M., Frafjord, J. S., & Wang, C. E. A. (2014). Omsorg under tvang. En narrativ studie av pasienters fortellinger om psykisk helsevern.. Tidsskrift for psykisk helsearbeid, 11(2), 114-124
2013
Hartmann, E., Halvorsen, M., & Wang, C. E. A. (2013). Rorschach variables and dysfunctional attitudes as measures of depressive vulnerability: A 9-year follow-up study of individuals with different histories of major depressive episodes. Journal of Personality Assessment, 95(1), 26–37.
Laeng, B., Sæther, L., Holmlund, T., Wang, C. E. A., Waterloo, K., Eisemann, M., & Halvorsen, M. (2013). Invisible expressions influence social judgments of currently depressed and non-depressed individuals. Frontiers in psychology, 4, 1-7.
Lintvedt, O. K., Griffiths, K. M., Sørensen, K., Østvik, A. R., Wang, C. E. A., Eisemann, M., & Waterloo, K. (2013). Evaluating the effectiveness and efficacy of an Internet-based self-help intervention for the prevention of depression: A randomised controlled trial. Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, 20, 10-27.
Skre, I., Friborg, O., Breivik, C., Johnsen, L. I., Arnesen, Y., & Wang, C. E. A. (2013). A school intervention for mental health literacy in adolescents: effects of a non-randomized cluster controlled trial. BMC Public Health, 13:873.
Thimm, J. C., Holte, A., Brennen, T., & Wang, C. E. A. (2013). Hope and expectancies for future events in depression. Frontiers in psychology, 4, 1-6.
2012
Halvorsen, M., Høifødt. R. S. Myrbakk. I. N., Wang, C. E. A., Sundet, K., Eisemann, M., & Waterloo, K. (2012). Cognitive function in unipolar major depression: A comparison of clinically depressed, previously depressed and never depressed individuals. Journal of the International Neuropsochological Society, 34, 782-790.
Kjærgaard, M., Waterloo, K., Wang, C. E. A., Almås, B., Figenschau, Y., Hutchinson, M. S., Svartberg, J., & Jorde, R. (2012). Effect of Vitamin D supplement on depression scores in persons with low levels of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D: A nested case-control study and a randomised clinical trial. British Journal of Psychiatry, nov;201(5):360-8.
Nordahl, H.M., Martinsen, E., & Wang, C. E. A. (2012). Psykologiske behandlingsformer for depresjon med vekt på individualiserte tilnærminger. Tidsskrift for Norsk Psykologforening (Journal of Norwegian Psychological Association), 1, 40-48.
Wang, C. E. A. (2012). Et evolusjonsperspektiv på depresjon: Samfunnspolitiske og psykologfaglige utfordringer. Tidsskrift for Norsk Psykologforening (Journal of Norwegian Psychological Association), 1, 5-13.
Wang, C. E. A., Wright, R. J., Hope. S., & Waage, T. (2012). Ungdomsblikk: Selvrefleksive filmkurs som terapeutisk metode. Tidsskrift for Norsk Psykologforening (Journal of Norwegian Psychological Association), 49, 861-869.
2011
Dørmænen, A., Heimdal, M. R., Wang, C. E. A., & Grimsgaard, S. (2011). Depression in postmenopause: a study on a subsample of the acupuncture on hot flushes among menopausal women (ACUFLASH) study. Menopause, 18 (5), 525-530.
Halvorsen, M., Waterloo, K., Sundet, K. S., Eisemann, M., & Wang, C. E. A. (2011). Verbal learning and memory in depression: A 9-year follow-up study. Psychiatry Research, 188, 350-354.
2010
Andersson, H. W., Bjørngaard, J. H., Kaspersen, S. L., Wang, C. E. A., Skre, I., & Dahl, T. (2010). The effects of individual factors and school environment on mental health and prejudiced attitudes among Norwegian adolescents. Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology, 45, 569-577.
Halvorsen, M., Wang, C. E., & Eisemann, M., & Waterloo, K. (2010). Dysfunctional Attitudes and Early Maladaptive Schemas as Predictors of Depression: A 9-Year Follow-up Study. Cognitive Therapy and Research, 34 (4), 368-379.
Heimdal, M. R., Dørmænen, A., Wang, C. E. A., & Grimsgaard, S. (2010). A comparison of the WHQ and the BDI-II in a sample of postmenopausal women. PRO Newsletter, 43 (Spring letter), 13-15.
Wang, C. E. A., Halvorsen, M., Eisemann, M., & Waterloo, K. (2010). Stability of dysfunctional attitudes and early maladaptive schemas: A 9-year follow-up study of clinically depressed individuals. Journal of Behavioural Therapy and Psychiatry, 41, 389-396.
2009
Bjørkum, T., Wang, C. E. A., & Waterloo, K. (2009). Pasienterfaringer med ulike tiltak ved kronisk utmattelsessyndrom.Tidsskrift for norsk legeforening (Journal of Norwegian GP Association), 12, 1214-1216.
Halvorsen, M., Wang, C. E., Richter, J., Myrland, I., Pedersen, S. K., Eisemann, M., & Waterloo, K. (2009). Early maladaptive schemas, temperament and character traits in clinically depressed and previously depressed outpatients. Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, 16, 394-407.
2008
Lintvedt, O. K., Sørensen, K., Østvik, A. R., Verplanken, B., & Wang, C. E. (2008). The need for web-based cognitive behaviour therapy among young adults. Journal of Technology in Human Services, vol. 26 (2) Suppl. 4, 239-258.
2007
Skre, I., Arnesen, Y., Breivik, C., Johnsen, L. I., Verplanken, B., & Wang, C. E. (2007). Mestring hos ungdom: Validering av en norsk oversettelse av Adolescent Coping Orientation for Problem Experiences (A-cope). Tidsskrift for Norsk Psykologforening (Journal of Norwegian Psychological Association), 44, 236-246.
Verplanken, B., Friborg, O., Wang, C. E., Trafimow, D., & Woolf, K. (2007). Mental habits: The case of negative self-thinking. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 92, 526-541.
Wang, C. E., Berge, K., Johnsen, L. I., Arnesen, Y., Breivik, C., Jentoft, G., Bruun-Hanssen, T., & Skre, I. (2007). Psykhjelpen på Tvibit. Psykologisk rådgivningstjeneste på ungdommens kulturhus i Tromsø. Tidsskrift for Norsk Psykologforening (Journal of Norwegian Psychological Association), 44, 247-253.
2006
Træen, B., & Wang, C. E. (2006). Perceived gender attribution, self-esteem and general self-efficacy in female horseback riders. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science, 25, 1-7.
Wang, C. E., Brennen, T., & Holte, A. (2006). Automatic and effortful processing of self-statements in depression. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, 35, 2, 117-124.
Wang, C. E., Brennen, T., & Holte, A. (2006). Decreased approach motivation in depression. Scandinavian Journal of Psychology, 47, 505-511.
Wang, C. E., Halvorsen, M., Sundet, K. S., Steffensen, A. L., Holte, A. & Waterloo, K. (2006). Verbal memory performance of mild to moderate depressed outpatient younger adults. Journal of Affective Disorders, 92, 283-286.
2005
Hoffart, A., Sexton, H., Hedley, L. M., Wang, C. E., Holthe, H., Haugum, J. A., Nordahl, H. M., Hovland, O. J. & Holte, A. (2005). The structure of maladaptive schemas: A confirmatory factor analysis and a psychometric evaluation of factor-derived scales. Cognitive Therapy and Research, 29, 627-644.
Wang, C. E., Brennen, T., & Holte, A. (2005). Mechanisms of recurrent depression: A cognitive battle model and some preliminary results. Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, 12, 427-442.
2003
Hartmann, E., Wang, C. E., Berg, M. & Sæther, L. (2003). Depression and vulnerability as assessed by the Rorschach method. Journal of Personality Assessment, 81, 242-255.
1997
Wang, C. E. & Holte, A. (1997). Kognitiv bearbeiding av positive og negative budskap blant tidligere deprimerte og ikke tidligere deprimerte personer. Tidsskrift for Norsk Psykologforening (Journal of Norwegian Psychological Association), 34, 309 - 319.
Scientific Chapters
Holte, A., Barry, M. M., Bekkhus, M., Borge, A. I. H., Bowes, L., Casas, F., Friborg, O., Grinde, B., Headey, B., Jozefiak, T., Lekhal, R., Marks, N., Muffels, R., Nes, R. B., Røysamb, E., Thimm, J., Torgersen, S., Trommsdorff, G., Veenhoven, R., Vittersø, J., Waaktaar, T., Wagner, G. g., Wang, C. E. A.; Wold, B., Zachrisson, H. D. (2014). Psychology of Child Well-Being. I: Handbook of child well-being: theories, metods and policies in global perspective. Springer; ISBN 978-90-481-9062-1. s. 555-632
Lintvedt, O. K., Sørensen, K., Østvik, A. R., Verplanken, B., & Wang, C. E. (2009). The need for web-based cognitive behavior therapy among university students. In J. Finn & D. Schoech (Eds). Internet-Delivered Therapeutic Interventions in Human Services: Methods, Interventions and Evaluation. Routledge: London.
Professional Articles and Popular Science Articles
Hoivik, M. S., Eberhard-Gran, M., Wang, C. E. A, & Dorheim, S. D. (2021). Perinatal mental health around the world: Priorities for research and service development in Norway. BJPsych International, 18(4): 102–105.
Wang, C. E. A., Bohne, A., Nordahl, D., Pfhul, G., Landsem, I. P., Thimm, J., Barrett E. O., & Høifødt, R. S. (2021). Perinatal psykisk helse: Forskning og tiltak. Tidsskrift for kognitiv terapi.
Høifødt, R. S., Nordahl, D., Pfuhl, G., Landsem, I. P., Thimm, J., Bohne, A., Ilstad, L. K. K., & Wang, C. E. A. (2020). Protokoll for God start for Små i Nord-studien – prediksjon av postpartum depresjon og styrking av foreldre-barn-samspill med The Newborn Behavioral Observation. Best Practice Nordic.
Bohne, A., Galaaen, K., & Wang, C. E. A. (2017). Psykhjelpen - et lavterskeltilbud. Tidsskrift for helsesøstre 2017; Volum 03.s 50 - 52.
Bohne, A. & Wang, C. E. A. (2017) Fra praksis: Psykhjelpen for de minste. Tidsskrift for Norsk Psykologforening, Volum 54 (8), 745-752.
Wang, C. E. A. (2016). Hva virker i psykoterapi. Tidsskrift for kognitiv terapi.
Sørensen, K., Østvik, A., Lintvedt, O. K., Gammon, D., & Wang, C. E. (2007). PS-portalen: Forebygging av psykisk helse blant studenter ved hjelp av et lavterskeltilbud på Internett. Tidsskrift for Norsk Psykologforening (Journal of Norwegian Psychological Association), 44, 265-268.
Doctoral thesis
Wang, C. E. (2006). Depression and cognitive vulnerability. Doctoral thesis, University of Tromsø.
Popular Science Book
Wang, C. E. A. Babyblues. En selvhjelpsbok til nybakte foreldre. Universitetsforlaget, Oslo 2022.
Editorials and Debate Pieces in Professional Journals
Skre, I. & Wang, C. E. (2007). Hjelp der nøden er størst: Nye arenaer for tidlig intervensjon og psykologisk rådgivning. Tidsskrift for Norsk Psykologforening (Journal of Norwegian Psychological Association), 44, 234-235.
Wang, C. E. A., & Nordahl, H. M. (2012). Nye utfordringer for psykologer i arbeidet med depresjon. Tidsskrift for Norsk Psykologforening (Journal of Norwegian Psychological Association), 1, 2-3.
Nordahl, H. M, Martinsen, E. W., & Wang, C. E. A. (2012). Hva er fakta om psykodynamisk terapi?
Tidsskrift for Norsk Psykologforening (Journal of Norwegian Psychological Association), 49, 396-398.
Reports
Wang, C. E. A. (2019). Psykhjelpen for de minste. Psykologisk rådgivningstjenste for gravide og familier med barn opp til fem år. Sluttrapport til Extrastiftelsen (nå: DAM stiftelsen, søker organisasjon Rådet for psykisk helse. Prosjektnummer: 2016/FB75765
Berge, T., Berge, M., Gudim, H. B., Hortemo, S., Malt, U. F., Nordahl, H. M., Smeby, N., Aa., Stubben, K., Wang, C. E. A., & Aarre, T. F. (2009). Nasjonale retningslinjer for diagnostisering og behandling av voksne med depresjon i primær- og spesialisthelsetjenesten, Helsedirektoratet, Avdeling psykisk helse, Oslo, Norge, 110 sider, (ISBN 978-82-8081-184-4).
Skre, I., & Wang, C. E. (2009). Sluttrapport til Helse og Rehabilitering: Psykhjelpen Forebyggingsprosjekt 2004/1/0621.
Wang, C. E., Skre, I., & Lindekleiv, R. E. M. (2008). Alle har en psykisk helse: Oppsummering etter en treårig effektevaluering gjennomført av Institutt for psykologi ved Universitetet I Tromsø.
Research interests
Research interests are related to the development of clinical psychological science and practice-oriented themes.
Scientific works cover a wide range of activities within depression research, mental health in children and adolescents, perinatal mental health, psychological trauma, medically unexplained symptoms, prevention, low-threshold services, coping groups, and psychotherapy. I work with both quantitative and qualitative research methods.
Main interests are a) depression and cognitive vulnerability, b) mental health in children and adolescents, c) clinical infant and toddler psychology, d) perinatal mental health, e) psychological trauma, f) psychosomatic conditions/medically unexplained physical symptoms, g) clinical health psychology, h) treatment research, prevention, and early intervention, i) visual methods in research and treatment, j) learning and coping groups, k) user participation and collaboration, and l) public dissemination of research-based knowledge.
Websites for research and professional development projects that I am or have been the project leader for:
1. Depression and cognitive vulnerability
2. Northern Baby Longitudinal Study (NorBaby)
3. Psykhjelpen (the website is shut down)
Self-help book:
1. Babyblues
Teaching
I teach and supervise in all subjects within clinical psychology and clinical practice.
The main focus of my teaching is in the fifth and sixth years of the professional psychology program.
I supervise PhD candidates, major theses, and students in clinical practice.
Clinical specialties include depression, clinical infant psychology, cognitive behavioral therapy, neuropsychology, and assessment.
Member of research group
Member of project
Implementering av av ADBB på helsestasjoner
Ferdighetstrening i kognitiv atferdsterapi for sosial angst
Traumer i den 7. Tromsøundersøkelsen
The implementation of the ADBB in a Norwegian child health center
Skills training in cognitive behavioral therapy for social anxiety
Trauma in the 7th Tromsø survey
God start for små i nord
Northern Babies Longitudinal Study (NorBaby)
Childhood Trauma in the 8th Tromsø survey
ACE in Fit Futures 3
ACE i Fit Futures 3
Barndomstraumer i den 8. Tromsøundersøkelsen
Hode og hjerte studien
Head and Heart Study
CV
Name: Catharina Elisabeth Arfwedson Wang, Dr. psychol
Born: Stockholm, September 26, 1962
Position: Professor and Specialist in Psychology, Head of the Research Group for Clinical Psychology
Private Practice: A limited practice where I primarily undertake assignments for the District Court
Address: Department of Psychology, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT The Arctic University of Norway
Phone: +47 974 34 260 (mobile); +47 776 46 446 (main position - UiT)
Email: catharina.wang@uit.no (main position); catharina.e.a.wang@gmail.com (private/business)
Web: https://uit.no/ansatte/catharina.wang
Academic and Clinical Education
2018: Child Expert, Norwegian Psychological Association
2017: Emotional Availability Scale, Colorado State University, USA
2016: Newborn Behavior Observation, RBUP East-South
2016: Alarm Distress Baby Scale, RBUP East-South
2015: Parent Baby Intervention, RKBU North
2012: Specialist in Clinical Neuropsychology, Norwegian Psychological Association
2007: University Pedagogical Seminar, UiT
2006: Dr. Psychol in Clinical Psychology, UiT
2004: Authorized Supervisor in Cognitive Therapy, Norwegian Association for Cognitive Therapy
1995: Cand psychol, UiT
1987: Intermediate Studies in Philosophy, UiT
Previous Employment at UiT
2012 - present: Professor in Clinical and Personality Psychology, UiT
2002 - 12: Associate Professor in Clinical and Personality Psychology, UiT
1997 - 02: PhD Fellowship, Research Council of Norway (1999-00: parental leave), UiT
1996 - 97: Transition Fellowship, UiT
1993 - 95: Seminar Leader, UiT
Previous Employment at University Hospital of North Norway and Tromsø Municipality
2020 - 23: 20% position as Specialist Psychologist in Preventive Health Services
2013 - 17: 20% position as Specialist Psychologist at the Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Department
2012 - 13: 20% position as Specialist Psychologist at the Physical Medicine Department
2011 - 12: 100% position as Specialist Psychologist at Child Habilitation
2009 - 11: 100% position as Specialist Psychologist at the Neurology Department
2008 - 09: 20% position as Specialist Psychologist at the Neurology Department
Other
Before starting my studies at UiT in the mid-1980s, I trained in agriculture and as a riding instructor. I have worked as a riding instructor, in a nursery, and in a bookstore. Additionally, I have several years of experience working in kindergartens, children's homes, and in mental health for both children, adolescents, and adults. I have three adult children born in 1990, 1995, and 1999.
Clinical Profile
I have extensive experience in clinical adult, neuro, and child and adolescent psychology. I have worked with psychological and neuropsychological assessment, personality evaluation, child expert work, cognitively oriented psychotherapy, as well as early intervention and prevention.
Research Projects and Professional Development
I have been an initiator, project leader, and/or collaborator in several major research projects funded by the Research Council of Norway, the Dam Foundation (formerly the Extra Foundation), the Council for Mental Health, Health North, the National Program for Dual Competence in Psychology, and UiT The Arctic University of Norway.
My research career began with depression research, focusing on cognitive, neuropsychological, and personality factors. Over time, I have expanded my research to include several areas, including mental health in children and adolescents, mental health in students, procrastination, internet-based interventions, medically unexplained physical symptoms in adolescents, perinatal mental health, and clinical infant psychology. I have also worked on prevention, low-threshold services and coping groups, equine-assisted psychotherapy, visual methods in research and treatment, psychological trauma, and evolutionary psychology.
From 1996 to 2009, my research focused on cognitive vulnerability factors for depression, a topic on which I completed my PhD in 2006. I was also the main supervisor for a PhD candidate who defended their thesis on the same topic in 2009. We are now conducting the third data collection, with a new PhD candidate associated with the project.
In 2003, I initiated the establishment of a psychological counseling service at the youth health center. In 2015, I expanded this initiative to include a similar service for pregnant women and parents of young children, and later also for school-aged children. I have been the professional leader of Psykhjelpen for several periods, most recently from 2015 to 2023.
In 2012, together with two psychology students and the then-leader of the Family House in Tromsø municipality, I developed a coping group for depressed postpartum women called "Blues Mothers."
In 2014, I started the research project "Communicative challenges in the understanding and treatment of MUPS. A qualitative study of the relations between adolescents, their extended social networks and health professionals" in collaboration with Professor of Medical Anthropology Mette Bech Risør and Associate Professor of Visual Culture Studies Trond Waage. Two PhD candidates have been associated with the project, both defending their theses in 2020.
In 2015, I initiated the research project "A Good Start for Little Ones in the North," focusing on mental health challenges, interaction difficulties, and child development. The project includes testing an interaction-promoting intervention (NBO). Two PhD fellows and a postdoctoral researcher have been associated with the project.
Together with Professor Jens C. Thimm from the Clinical Psychology Research Group, I lead a subproject in the seventh Tromsø Study. The project focuses on "The prevalence of potentially traumatic events and complex PTSD, as well as the relationship with physical health in Tromsø 7."
In 2019, I initiated the research project "Early Intervention for Infants at the Health Center," which includes an associated PhD fellow. Additionally, I have been involved in several other research projects, either as a co-supervisor for PhD candidates or as a professional collaborator.
Many of the projects mentioned above have been developed and implemented in close collaboration with Preventive Health Services in Tromsø municipality and the University Hospital of North Norway. I have also collaborated nationally with RBUP East-South, Modum Bad, the University of Oslo, the University of Bergen, and NTNU, as well as internationally with the University of Kansas in the USA, Australian National University in Australia, and the University of Copenhagen in Denmark.
Supervision of Students and Fellows
I have supervised seven PhD fellows to completion of their PhD degrees and am currently the main supervisor for two PhD fellows and a co-supervisor for one PhD fellow. I have supervised over seventy students on their master's theses for the Cand. Psychol degree and have extensive experience with clinical supervision of students in the professional psychology program. Additionally, I have supervised psychologists in specialization, as well as doctors, psychologists, and health nurses during further education in cognitive behavioral therapy.
Leadership and Administration
I have been a board member of the Council for Mental Health and the board of the Viken Center for Psychiatry and Pastoral Care in Bardu. Additionally, I have served as a deputy member of the Regional Ethical Committee North and a member of the scientific profile of the seventh Tromsø Study. I have been a member of the steering group for research leadership education organized by the University of Bergen, the University of Oslo, the University of Tromsø, and NTNU, and have been a member of the editorial board for the Journal of the Norwegian Psychological Association.
At the Department of Psychology (IPS) at UiT, I have held several roles. I have been deputy head and a board member, a deputy member of the program committee, and a member of the committee for the evaluation of study programs at IPS. In addition, I have been a member of several hiring committees at IPS, the University of Oslo, and the University of Copenhagen.
Furthermore, I have been a member of several scientific committees for the evaluation of doctoral degrees and a member of the program committee for several national conferences. As the academic leader of Psykhjelpen and initiator, board member, and member of the advisory board for the National Association for 1001 Days, I have contributed to important initiatives in mental health. I have also been vice president of the Nordic Marcé Society.
Since 2013, I have led the Research Group for Clinical Psychology, and since 2016, I have been a member of the research committee in the Norwegian Association for Cognitive Therapy.
Dissemination
I have extensive experience in research dissemination and have been awarded the Dissemination Prize at the Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT, both in 2017 and 2023. In connection with UiT's 50th anniversary, I participated in a podcast created for the occasion.
PhD-candidates I have supervised to completion
Solveig Flatebø, 2025; Dag Nordahl, 2023; Agnes Bohne, 2023; Silje Vaglie Østbye, 2020; Maria Fredriksen Kvamme, 2020; Kent Nordby, 2020; Marianne Halvorsen, 2009