Research

My most recent academic position was as a postdoctoral researcher at the Department of Behavioural and Cognitive Sciences, at the University of Luxembourg. In the project I was hired for, WELLMOD, we aim to develop the first well-being-focused microsimulation model to support policymakers in designing more effective public policies centred on subjective well-being. The model will allow for the evaluation and comparison of policy options based on their predicted impacts on individuals’ subjective well-being and associated public costs.

Working as a PhD candidate in the Stenfors Lab at the Department of Psychology at Stockholm University, I analyzed data from Swedish population-based samples and investigated the role of exposure to natural environments in well–being and mental health outcomes:

Klein, Y. (2024). The role of nature exposure for mental health outcomes : Population-based studies of adults in Sweden, before and during the COVID-19 pandemic (PhD dissertation, Department of Psychology, Stockholm University). Retrieved from https://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:su:diva-231508

Klein, Y., Nilsen, I.B.R., Lindfors, P. et al. Nature visits buffered against loneliness during COVID-19, especially among those mainly working remotely: a population-based study of working adults in Sweden. J Public Health (Berl.) (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10389-025-02465-6

Klein, Y., Lindfors, P., Hanson, L. L. M., & Stenfors, C. U. D. (2024). Development of nature-related habits and their relation to mental health outcomes during two years of the COVID-19 pandemic: A population-based study in Sweden. Journal of Public Health. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10389-024-02230-1

Stenfors, C. U. D., Rådmark, L., Stengård, J., Klein, Y., Osika, W., & Hanson, L. M. (2023). More green, less blue: Residential Greenspace is Associated with Lower Antidepressant Redemptions in a Nationwide Population-Based Study—Need for an Environmental Psychiatry Framework. PsyArXiv, DOI: 10.31234/osf.io/k6mev, https://psyarxiv.com/k6mev/

Y. Klein, P. Lindfors, W. Osika, L.L.M. Hanson, C.U.D. Stenfors, Residential Greenspace Is Associated with Lower Levels of Depressive and Burnout Symptoms, and Higher Levels of Life Satisfaction: A Nationwide Population-Based Study in Sweden, Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Heal. 2022, Vol. 19, Page 5668. 19 (2022) 5668. https://doi.org/10.3390/IJERPH19095668.

At my time at the German Sport University Cologne, I contributed to the book chapter “Emotional Competences Training” as a co-author, under the supervision of Dr. Sylvain Laborde. The chapter was published as part of the book “Feelings in Sport – Theory, Research, and Practical Implications for Performance and Well-being”:

S. Laborde, J. Eyre, J. Akpetou, A.C. Engler, F. Hofmann, J. Klanderman, Y. Klein, V. Martins, M.L. Reinhard, P. Zajonz, E. Mosley, Emotional competences training, Feelings in Sport – Theory, Research, and Practical Implications for Performance and Well-Being. (2020) 93–106. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003052012-12.

Contributions at international conferences:

Klein, Y, Lindfors, P, Hanson, L M, & Stenfors, C U D. Nature-related habits and their development and relation to mental health outcomes during the covid-19 pandemic: a population-based study in Sweden. 17th International Congress of Behavioral Medicine, From Local to Global: Behavior, Climate and Health, Vancouver, Canada, August 23-26, 2023.

Engler, A.C., Zajonz, P.; Hofmann, F., Akpetou, J.; Eyre, J.; Klandermann, J., Klein, Y., Martins, V.; Reinhard, M., Laborde, S. (2019). A narrative review of emotional intelligence training activities in sports. Poster presentation, 15th European Congress of Sport & Exercise Psychology Münster, Germany.

Engler, A.C., Hofmann, F., Klandermann, J., Klein, Y., Krüger, S., Reinhard, M.; Laborde, S. (2019). Origins of self-control failure in athletes: a pilot study. Poster presentation, 15th European Congress of Sport & Exercise Psychology Münster, Germany.

Seubert, C., Klein, Y. & Glaser, J. (2018). Das Zusammenspiel arbeitsbezogener und personaler Ressourcen. In R. Trimpop, J. Kampe, M. Bald, I. Seliger & G. Effenberger (Hrsg.), Psychologie der Arbeitssicherheit und Gesundheit: Voneinander lernen und miteinander die Zukunft gestalten! 20. Workshop 2018 (S. 217–220). Kröning, Deutschland: Asanger.