Research Topics and Interests
- Transcultural psychotherapy
- Impact of war and forced migration on mental health
- Comparative thinking
- Culturally sensitive adaptation and validation of questionnaires
Curriculum Vitae
5/2022 - 08/2023
Licensed psychotherapist in Training
LVR Klinikum Düsseldorf
University Hospital Düsseldorfsince 10/2021
Postgraduate studies as a licensed psychotherapist (CBT)since 06/2024
Postdoctoral researcher
Clinical Psychology, Psychotherapy, and Health Psychology, University of Münster2021-2024
Doctoral Researcher
PhD (summa cum laude)
Clinical Psychology, Psychotherapy, and Health Psychology, University of Münster2019-2020
Master of Science (M.Sc.), Clinical Psychology
University of Groningen, NL11/2018-04/2019
Research Assistant
Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, DE08/2018 - 10/2018
Research Internship
Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, DE03/2018-05/2018
Internship
Department of Neuropsychology at Max Planck Psychiatry, Munich, DE2015-2019
Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.), Psychology
University of Konstanz, DEResearch Articles (Journals)
- Churbaji D, Ritter L, Schlechter P, Kip A, Morina N. When an earthquake hits a war-affected population: longitudinal growth trajectories of psychopathology in individuals in northwest Syria. Br J Psychiatry. ;xx doi: 10.1192/bjp.2025.1.
- Churbaji D, Bryant R, Morina N. Toward collective healing: Peacebuilding and mental health in Syria. The Lancet Psychiatry. ;12(6): 401–402. doi: 10.1016/S2215-0366(25)00035-5.
- Lechner-Meichsner F, Rueger MS, Nehler KJ, Ehring T, Preiss (nee Schumm) H, Morina N, Churbaji D, Mewes R, Giesebrecht J, Weise C, Steil R. Prolonged grief in refugees seeking treatment for PTSD: Comorbidity with posttraumatic stress symptoms and network structure. Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy. ;32(3): Article e70097. doi: 10.1002/cpp.70097.
- Schlechter P, Churbaji D, Hoppen TH, Morina N. Comparing comparisons: A transdiagnostic investigation of social and temporal comparisons and their differential effects on mental health outcomes and well-being. International Journal of Clinical and Health Psychology.. ;25(3): Article 100611. doi: 10.1016/j.ijchp.2025.100611.
- Churbaji D, Morina N. Cognitive factors underlying the impact of post-migration stressors on subjective well-being: Well-being comparisons and self-efficacy. Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy. ;31(1): Article e2928. doi: 10.1002/cpp.2928 .
- Churbaji D, Schlechter P, Nickerson A, Morina N. Emotion regulation profiles in Syrian refugees and migrants in Germany: Self-efficacy, resilience, and well-being comparisons. BMJ Mental Health. ;7: Article e301099. doi: 10.1136/bmjment-2024-301099.
- Rayes D, Karnouk C, Churbaji D, Walther L, Bajbouj M. Faith-based coping among Arabic-speaking refugees seeking mental health services in Berlin, Germany: An exploratory qualitative study. Frontiers in Psychiatry. ;12 doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.595979.
- Lindheimer N, Karnouk C, Hahn E, Churbaji D, Schilz L, Rayes D, Bajbouj M, Böge K. Exploring the Representation of Depressive Symptoms and the Influence of Stigma in Arabic-speaking Refugee Outpatients. Front Psychol. ;11(1192) doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2020.579057.
- Churbaji D, Lindheimer N, Schilz L, Böge K, Abdelmagid S, Rayes D, Hahn E, Bajbouj M, Karnouk C. Development of a Culturally Sensitive Version of the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) in Standard Arabic. Fortschr Neurol Psychiatr. ;88(2): 95–104. doi: 10.1186/s13033-021-00447-1.