Hugo Hesser
Title: Professor School/office: School of Law, Psychology and Social Work
Email:
Phone: +46 19 303548
Room: L2632
Research subject
Research environments
- Center for Health and Medical Psychology (CHAMP)
-
Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Centre
About Hugo Hesser
Hugo Hesser is a clinical psychologist and since 2019 professor of psychology and director for the research environment Center for Health and Medical Psychology at Örebro University. His research intersects health psychology and clinical psychology.
Research
The focus of his research is on identifying psychological mechanisms underlying both mental and physical illness in order to be able to develop and improve psychological treatments. An overall research interest is the further development of behavioral therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) on a theoretical learning basis.
Hugo Hesser is the research leader for several projects. Among other things, he has developed and tested psychological treatments for a number of physical symptoms such as tinnitus and irritable bowel syndrome. His ongoing research, in national and international collaboration, covers chronic pain, depression, obesity, diabetes, eating disorders, sleep and anger-related problems. Another research interest is the development of internet-delivered psychological treatments to increase access to and dissemination of evidence-based psychological treatments.
Teaching
He mainly teaches in the psychologist program, where he is responsible for the master theses. He has extensive experience of teaching quantitative methods at various levels within the academy, including postgraduate education. He is currently supervising six doctoral students (three of them as the main supervisor) and one postdoctoral researcher.
Collaborations and other assignments
Hugo Hesser has a number of national and international research collaborations. He has a great interest in the development of quantitative methods in clinical psychology and acts as a statistical advisor in a number of scientific contexts. He is, among other things, the statistical advisor for the scientific journal Internet Interventions. He is also a member of the editorial board for the leading scientific journal of cognitive behavior therapy, Behaviour Research and Therapy, and the Research Ethics Council at Örebro University.
Research projects
- Empirical approach to classification of individuals with chronic pain to optimize multimodal pain rehabilitation
- Anger and emotion dysregulation
- No Sound Sounds as Loud as the One You are Trying Not To Hear: The Delayed Costs of Suppressed (Tinnitus) Sounds
- Emotion regulation and disordered eating
- Psychological and physiological factors predicting tolerability and weight loss of intragastric balloon in combination with low energy diet and group treatment in adults with obesity
- Transdiagnostic emotion focused treatment for emotional and somatic comorbidity. An RCT on implementation and effectiveness in primary care
Research teams
Publications
Articles in journals |
Books |
Chapters in books |
Doctoral theses, comprehensive summaries |
Articles in journals
Hesser, H. , Hedman-Lagerlöf, E. , Lindfors, P. , Andersson, E.
& Ljótsson, B. (2021). Behavioral avoidance moderates the effect of exposure therapy for irritable bowel syndrome: A secondary analysis of results from a randomized component trial. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 141.
Lalouni, M. , Hesser, H. , Bonnert, M. , Hedman-Lagerlöf, E. , Serlachius, E. , Olén, O.
& Ljótsson, B. (2021). Breaking the vicious circle of fear and avoidance in children with abdominal pain: A mediation analysis. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 140.
Forsström, D. , Rozental, A. , Kottorp, A. , Lindner, P. , Jansson-Fröjmark, M.
& Hesser, H. (2021). Further Exploration of the Psychometric Properties of GamTest: A Rasch Analysis. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18 (9).
Arnison, T. , Schrooten, M. G. S. , Hesser, H. , Jansson-Fröjmark, M.
& Persson, J. (2021). Longitudinal, bidirectional relationships of insomnia symptoms and musculoskeletal pain across adolescence: the mediating role of mood. Pain.
Wallén, H. , Lindfors, P. , Andersson, E. , Hedman-Lagerlöf, E. , Hesser, H. , Lindefors, N. , Svanborg, C.
& Ljótsson, B. (2021). Return on investment of internet delivered exposure therapy for irritable bowel syndrome: a randomized controlled trial. BMC Gastroenterology, 21 (1).
Nordh, M. , Wahlund, T. , Jolstedt, M. , Sahlin, H. , Bjureberg, J. , Ahlen, J. , Lalouni, M. , Salomonsson, S.
& et al.
(2021). Therapist-Guided Internet-Delivered Cognitive Behavioral Therapy vs Internet-Delivered Supportive Therapy for Children and Adolescents With Social Anxiety Disorder: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA psychiatry.
Wahlund, T. , Hesser, H. , Perrin, S. , Johansson, S. , Huhn, V. , Sörhus, S. , Lindskog, S. , Serlachius, E.
& et al.
(2021). Therapist-guided online metacognitive intervention for excessive worry: a randomized controlled trial with mediation analysis. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, 1-21.
Sunnhed, R. , Hesser, H. , Andersson, G. , Carlbring, P. , Morin, C. M. , Harvey, A. G.
& Jansson-Fröjmark, M. (2020). Comparing internet-delivered cognitive therapy and behavior therapy with telephone support for insomnia disorder: a randomized controlled trial. Sleep, 43 (2).
Hesser, H. (2020). Estimating causal effects of internet interventions in the context of nonadherence. Internet Interventions, 21.
Nordgren, L. , Monell, E. , Birgegård, A. , Bjureberg, J.
& Hesser, H. (2020). Factor Structure of the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale in Treatment Seeking Adults with Eating Disorders. Journal of Psychopathology and Behavioral Assessment, 42 (1), 111-126.
Forsström, D. , Lindner, P. , Jansson-Fröjmark, M. , Hesser, H.
& Carlbring, P. (2020). GamTest: Psychometric Evaluation in a Low-Gambling General Population. Journal of Gambling Issues (44), 77-102.
Käll, A. , Jägholm, S. , Hesser, H. , Andersson, F. , Mathaldi, A. , Norkvist, B. T. , Shafran, R.
& Andersson, G. (2020). Internet-Based Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Loneliness: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial. Behavior Therapy, 51 (1), 54-68.
Axelsson, E. , Hesser, H. , Andersson, E. , Ljótsson, B.
& Hedman-Lagerlöf, E. (2020). Mediators of treatment effect in minimal-contact cognitive behaviour therapy for severe health anxiety: A theory-driven analysis based on a randomised controlled trial. Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 69.
Södermark, M. , Linton, S. J. , Hesser, H. , Flink, I. , Gerdle, B.
& Boersma, K. (2020). What Works? Processes of Change in a Transdiagnostic Exposure Treatment for Patients with Chronic Pain and Emotional Problems. The Clinical Journal of Pain, 36 (9), 648-657.
Boersma, K. , Södermark, M. , Hesser, H. , Flink, I. , Gerdle, B.
& Linton, S. J. (2019). Efficacy of a transdiagnostic emotion-focused exposure treatment for chronic pain patients with comorbid anxiety and depression: a randomized controlled trial. Pain, 160 (8), 1708-1718.
Santoft, F. , Salomonsson, S. , Hesser, H. , Lindsäter, E. , Ljótsson, B. , Lekander, M. , Kecklund, G. , Öst, L.
& et al.
(2019). Mediators of Change in Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Clinical Burnout. Behavior Therapy, 50 (3), 475-488.
Santoft, F. , Salomonsson, S. , Hesser, H. , Lindsäter, E. , Ljótsson, B. , Lekander, M. , Kecklund, G. , Öst, L.
& et al.
(2019). Processes in cognitive behavior therapy for social anxiety disorder: Predicting subsequent symptom change. Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 67.
Vernmark, K. , Hesser, H. , Topooco, N. , Berger, T. , Riper, H. , Luuk, L. , Backlund, L. , Carlbring, P.
& et al.
(2019). Working alliance as a predictor of change in depression during blended cognitive behaviour therapy. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, 48 (4), 285-299.
Hesser, H. , Hedman-Lagerlöf, E. , Andersson, E. , Lindfors, P.
& Ljótsson, B. (2018). How does exposure therapy work? A comparison between generic and gastrointestinal anxiety-specific mediators in a dismantling study of exposure therapy for irritable bowel syndrome. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 86 (3), 254-267.
Molander, P. , Hesser, H. , Weineland, S. , Bergwall, K. , Buck, S. , Jäder Malmlöf, J. , Lantz, H. , Lunner, T.
& et al.
(2018). Internet-based acceptance and commitment therapy for psychological distress experienced by people with hearing problems: a pilot randomized controlled trial. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, 47 (2), 169-184.
Forsström, D. , Jansson-Fröjmark, M. , Hesser, H.
& Carlbring, P. (2017). Experiences of Playscan: Interviews with users of a responsible gambling tool. Internet Interventions, 8, 53-62.
Johansson, R. , Hesslow, T. , Ljótsson, B. , Jansson, A. , Jonsson, L. , Färdig, S. , Karlsson, J. , Hesser, H.
& et al.
(2017). Internet-based affect-focused psychodynamic therapy for social anxiety disorder: A randomized controlled trial with 2-year follow-up. Psychotherapy, 54 (4), 351-360.
Hesser, H. , Axelsson, S. , Bäcke, V. , Engstrand, J. , Gustafsson, T. , Holmgren, E. , Jeppsson, U. , Pollack, M.
& et al.
(2017). Preventing intimate partner violence via the Internet: A randomized controlled trial of emotion-regulation and conflict-management training for individuals with aggression problems. Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, 24 (5), 1163-1177.
Hedman, E. , Hesser, H. , Andersson, E. , Axelsson, E.
& Ljótsson, B. (2017). The mediating effect of mindful non-reactivity in exposure-based cognitive behavior therapy for severe health anxiety. Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 50, 15-22.
Hesser, H. , Hedman, E. , Lindfors, P. , Andersson, E.
& Ljótsson, B. (2017). The specific effect of systematic exposure in irritable bowel syndrome: Complier average causal effect analysis using growth mixture modeling. Psychological Medicine, 47 (15), 2653-2662.
Hadjistavropoulos, H. D. , Pugh, N. E. , Hesser, H.
& Andersson, G. (2017). Therapeutic Alliance in Internet-Delivered Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for Depression or Generalized Anxiety. Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, 24 (2), 451-461.
Hadjistavropoulos, H. D. , Pugh, N. E. , Hesser, H.
& Andersson, G. (2016). Predicting Response to Therapist-Assisted Internet-Delivered Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Depression or Anxiety Within an Open Dissemination Trial. Behavior Therapy, 47 (2), 155-165.
Kemani, M. K. , Hesser, H. , Olsson, G. L. , Lekander, M.
& Wicksell, R. K. (2016). Processes of change in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Applied Relaxation for long-standing pain. European Journal of Pain, 20 (4), 521-531.
Forsström, D. , Hesser, H.
& Carlbring, P. (2016). Usage of a responsible gambling tool: A descriptive analysis and latent class analysis of user behavior. Journal of Gambling Studies, 32 (3), 889-904.
Hesser, H. , Bånkestad, E.
& Andersson, G. (2015). Acceptance of tinnitus as an independent correlate of tinnitus severity. Ear and Hearing, 36 (4), e176-e182.
Weineland, S. M. , Andersson, G. , Lunner, T. , Carlbring, P. , Hesser, H. , Ingo, E. , Molander, P. , Nordqvist, P.
& et al.
(2015). Bridging the gap between hearing screening and successful rehabilitation: Research protocol of a randomized controlled trial of motivational interviewing via internet. American Journal of Audiology, 24 (3), 302-306.
El Alaoui, S. , Hedman, E. , Kaldo, V. , Hesser, H. , Kraepelien, M. , Andersson, E. , Rück, C. , Andersson, G.
& et al.
(2015). Effectiveness of Internet-based cognitive-behavior therapy for social anxiety disorder in clinical psychiatry. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 83 (5), 902-914.
Kemani, M. K. , Olsson, G. L. , Lekander, M. , Hesser, H. , Andersson, E.
& Wicksell, R. K. (2015). Efficacy and cost-effectiveness of acceptance and commitment therapy and applied relaxation for longstanding pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial. The Clinical Journal of Pain, 31 (11), 1004-1016.
Molander, P. , Hesser, H. , Weineland, S. , Bergwall, K. , Buck, S. , Hansson-Malmlöf, J. , Lantz, H. , Lunner, T.
& et al.
(2015). Internet-based acceptance and commitment therapy for psychological distress experienced by people with hearing problems: Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. American Journal of Audiology, 24 (3), 307-310.
Blom, K. , Tarkian Tillgren, H. , Wiklund, T. , Danlycke, E. , Forssén, M. , Söderström, A. , Johansson, R. , Hesser, H.
& et al.
(2015). Internet-vs. group-delivered cognitive behavior therapy for insomnia: A randomized controlled non-inferiority trial. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 70, 47-55.
Dirkse, D. , Hadjistavropoulos, H. D. , Hesser, H.
& Barak, A. (2015). Linguistic Analysis of Communication in Therapist-Assisted Internet-Delivered Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Generalized Anxiety Disorder. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, 44 (1), 21-32.
Hesser, H. (2015). Modeling individual differences in randomized experiments using growth models: Recommendations for design, statistical analysis and reporting of results of internet interventions. Internet Interventions, 2 (2), 110-120.
Andersson, E. , Ljótsson, B. , Hedman, E. , Hesser, H. , Enander, J. , Kaldo, V. , Andersson, G. , Lindefors, N.
& et al.
(2015). Testing the Mediating Effects of Obsessive Beliefs in Internet-Based Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: Results from a Randomized Controlled Trial. Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, 22 (6), 722-732.
Hesser, H. , Westin, V. Z.
& Andersson, G. (2014). Acceptance as a mediator in internet-delivered acceptance and commitment therapy and cognitive behavior therapy for tinnitus. Journal of behavioral medicine, 37 (4), 756-767.
Jungert, T. , Hesser, H.
& Träff, U. (2014). Contrasting two models of academic self-efficacy - domain-specific versus cross-domain - in children receiving and not receiving special instruction in mathematics. Scandinavian Journal of Psychology, 55 (5), 440-447.
Hesser, H.
& Andersson, G. (2014). Dimensional or Categorical Approach to Tinnitus Severity: an Item Response Mixture Modeling Analysis of Tinnitus Handicap. International Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 21 (6), 982-988.
Hedman, E. , Ljótsson, B. , Kaldo, V. , Hesser, H. , El Alaoui, S. , Kraepelien, M. , Andersson, E. , Rück, C.
& et al.
(2014). Effectiveness of Internet-based cognitive behaviour therapy for depression in routine psychiatric care. Journal of Affective Disorders, 155 (1), 49-58.
Ivarsson, D. , Blom, M. , Hesser, H. , Carlbring, P. , Enderby, P. , Nordberg, R.
& Andersson, G. (2014). Guided internet-delivered cognitive behavior therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder: A randomized controlled trial. Internet Interventions, 1 (1), 33-40.
Ljótsson, B. , Hesser, H. , Andersson, E. , Lackner, J. M. , El Alaoui, S. , Falk, L. , Aspvall, K. , Fransson, J.
& et al.
(2014). Provoking symptoms to relieve symptoms: A randomized controlled dismantling study of exposure therapy in irritable bowel syndrome. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 55 (1), 27-39.
Hadjistavropoulos, H. D. , Pugh, N. E. , Nugent, M. M. , Hesser, H. , Andersson, G. , Ivanov, M. , Butz, C. G. , Marchildon, G.
& et al.
(2014). Therapist-assisted Internet-delivered cognitive behavior therapy for depression and anxiety: Translating evidence into clinical practice. Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 28 (8), 884-893.
Andersson, G. , Hesser, H. , Hummerdal, D. , Bergman-Nordgren, L.
& Carlbring, P. (2013). A 3.5-year follow-up of Internet-delivered cognitive behavior therapy for major depression. Journal of Mental Health, 22 (2), 155-164.
Weise, C. , Kleinstäuber, M. , Hesser, H. , Westin, V. Z.
& Andersson, G. (2013). Acceptance of Tinnitus: Validation of the Tinnitus Acceptance Questionnaire. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, 42 (2), 100-115.
Johansson, R. , Björklund, M. , Hornborg, C. , Karlsson, S. , Hesser, H. , Ljótsson, B. L. , Rousseau, A. , Frederick, R. J.
& et al.
(2013). Affect-focused psychodynamic psychotherapy for depression and anxiety through the internet: A randomized controlled trial. PeerJ, 2013 (1).
Andersson, G. , Hesser, H. , Cima, R. F. F.
& Weise, C. (2013). Autobiographical Memory Specificity in Patients with Tinnitus Versus Patients with Depression and Normal Controls. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, 42 (2), 116-126.
Hesser, H. , Molander, P. , Jungermann, M.
& Andersson, G. (2013). Costs of Suppressing Emotional Sound and Countereffects of a Mindfulness Induction: An Experimental Analog of Tinnitus Impact. PLOS ONE, 8 (5).
Andersson, G. , Sarkohi, A. , Karlsson, J. , Bjärehed, J.
& Hesser, H. (2013). Effects of two forms of internet-delivered cognitive behaviour therapy for depression on future thinking. Cognitive Therapy and Research, 37 (1), 29-34.
Ljótsson, B. , Hesser, H. , Andersson, E. , Lindfors, P. , Hursti, T. , Rück, C. , Lindefors, N. , Andersson, G.
& et al.
(2013). Mechanisms of change in an exposure-based treatment for irritable bowel syndrome. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 81 (6), 1113-1126.
Hedman, E. , Mörtberg, E. , Hesser, H. , Clark, D. M. , Lekander, M. , Andersson, E.
& Ljótsson, B. (2013). Mediators in psychological treatment of social anxiety disorder: Individual cognitive therapy compared to cognitive behavioral group therapy. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 51 (10), 696-705.
Ljótsson, B. , Andersson, E. , Lindfors, P. , Lackner, J. M. , Grönberg, K. , Molin, K. , Norén, J. , Romberg, K.
& et al.
(2013). Prediction of symptomatic improvement after exposure-based treatment for irritable bowel syndrome. BMC Gastroenterology, 13 (1).
Andersson, G. , Hesser, H. , Veilord, A. , Svedling, L. , Andersson, F. , Sleman, O. , Mauritzson, L. , Sarkohi, A.
& et al.
(2013). Randomised controlled non-inferiority trial with 3-year follow-up of internet-delivered versus face-to-face group cognitive behavioural therapy for depression. Journal of Affective Disorders, 151 (3), 986-994.
Hesser, H.
& Hesser, H. (2013). Special Issue on Tinnitus. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, 42 (2), 81-83.
Weise, C. , Hesser, H. , Andersson, G. , Nyenhuis, N. , Zastrutzki, S. , Kröner-Herwig, B.
& Jäger, B. (2013). The role of catastrophizing in recent onset tinnitus: Its nature and association with tinnitus distress and medical utilization. International Journal of Audiology, 52 (3), 177-188.
Hesser, H. , Gustafsson, T. , Lundén, C. , Henrikson, O. , Fattahi, K. , Johnsson, E. , Zetterqvist Westin, V. , Carlbring, P.
& et al.
(2012). A randomized controlled trial of Internet-delivered cognitive behavior therapy and acceptance and commitment therapy in the treatment of tinnitus. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 80 (4), 649-661.
Johansson, R. , Hesser, H. , Ljótsson, B. , Frederick, R. J.
& Andersson, G. (2012). Transdiagnostic, affect-focused, psychodynamic, guided self-help for depression and anxiety through the internet: Study protocol for a randomised controlled trial. BMJ Open, 2 (6).
Hesser, H. , Weise, C. , Westin, V. Z.
& Andersson, G. (2011). A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials of cognitive-behavioral therapy for tinnitus distress. Clinical Psychology Review, 31 (4), 545-553.
Brinkborg, H. , Michanek, J. , Hesser, H.
& Berglund, G. (2011). Acceptance and commitment therapy for the treatment of stress among social workers: A randomized controlled trial. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 49 (6-7), 389-398.
Westin, V. Z. , Schulin, M. , Hesser, H. , Karlsson, M. , Noe, R. Z. , Olofsson, U. , Stalby, M. , Wisung, G.
& et al.
(2011). Acceptance and Commitment Therapy versus Tinnitus Retraining Therapy in the treatment of tinnitus: A randomised controlled trial. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 49 (11), 737-747.
Bendelin, N. , Hesser, H. , Dahl, J. , Carlbring, P. , Nelson, K. Z.
& Andersson, G. (2011). Experiences of guided Internet-based cognitive-behavioural treatment for depression: A qualitative study. BMC Psychiatry, 11.
Ljótsson, B. , Hedman, E. , Andersson, E. , Hesser, H. , Lindfors, P. , Hursti, T. , Rydh, S. , Rück, C.
& et al.
(2011). Internet-delivered exposure-based treatment vs. Stress management for irritable bowel syndrome: A randomized trial. American Journal of Gastroenterology, 106 (8), 1481-1491.
Hesser, H. , Weise, C. , Rief, W.
& Andersson, G. (2011). The effect of waiting: A meta-analysis of wait-list control groups in trials for tinnitus distress. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 70 (4), 378-384.
Hesser, H. (2010). Methodological considerations in treatment evaluations of tinnitus distress: A call for guidelines. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 69 (3), 305-307.
Hesser, H. , Westin, V. , Hayes, S. C.
& Andersson, G. (2009). Clients' in-session acceptance and cognitive defusion behaviors in acceptance-based treatment of tinnitus distress. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 47 (6), 523-528.
Hesser, H. , Pereswetoff-Morath, C. E.
& Andersson, G. (2009). Consequences of Controlling Background Sounds: The Effect of Experiential Avoidance on Tinnitus Interference. Rehabilitation Psychology, 54 (4), 381-389.
Hesser, H.
& Andersson, G. (2009). The role of anxiety sensitivity and behavioral avoidance in tinnitus disability. International Journal of Audiology, 48 (5), 295-299.
Books
Hesser, H.
& Andersson, G. (2015). Introduktion till metaanalys och systematiska översikter. Lund: Studentlitteratur AB.
Chapters in books
Hesser, H. (2019). Tinnitus.
In:
Ali Sarkohi, Gerhard Andersson, Somatisk sjukdom: ett biopsykosocialt perspektiv (pp. 217-243).
Lund: Studentlitteratur AB.
Andersson, G. , Hesser, H.
& McKenna, L. (2016). Psychological mechanisms and tinnitus.
In:
David M Baguley, Marc Fagelson, Tinnitus: Clinical and research perspectives (pp. 63-73).
San Diego: Plural Publishing, Inc..
Doctoral theses, comprehensive summaries
Hesser, H. (2013). Tinnitus in Context: A Contemporary Contextual Behavioral Approach.
(Doctoral dissertation).
(Comprehensive summary)
Linköping: Linköping University Electronic Press.