Current Projects

Forest4Youth

Funded by Interreg

Project Duration
48 Months

The project aims to co-design a series of forest-based psychological interventions (real-life and virtual reality) that mental health professionals, young people, and their families can engage with to enhance adolescent health and wellbeing. The nature-based interventions are designed for adolescents aged 15-18. Additionally, they will explore how foresters can adapt Irish forests to create more welcoming environments for young people. By the end of the project, this initiative will deliver a suite of innovative solutions designed to deepen adolescents’ engagement with nature, helping to safeguard them against anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges as well as improving their psychological, emotional and social wellbeing.

Valuing Natural Capital in Communities for Health

Funded by the EU and Science Foundation Ireland

Project Duration
18 Months

This project is a collaboration with Dublin City University and it aims to provide the evidence on the impact of quality natural space on wellbeing. We conduct research with young people in primary schools and adults. We aim to explore how spending time in high quality space, e.g. a beautiful park vs low quality space, e.g. a poorly maintained green area, impacts Heart Rate Variability (physiological measure of stress), Electroencephalogram (measure of electrical activity of the brain) or psychological wellbeing. Additionally, we aim to explore whether repeated visits to high-quality spaces have a cumulative effect on psychological and physiological wellbeing. Lastly, we investigate how practising wellbeing in high-quality outdoor spaces versus indoor environments affects our experience from both physiological and psychological perspectives. This study offers valuable evidence that the environment plays a significant role in maximising wellbeing.

PsyTales

Funded by the EU Erasmus +

Project Duration
27 Months

The aim of this project is to create 33 psychological tales tailored for children between the ages of 9 and 12. The tales aim to develop young people’s skills relating to their Positive Health (Positive Psychology and Lifestyle Medicine). We also aim to create a pedagogical booklet for teachers introducing tales in their schools, and an online programme that guides them through the process of designing tales. Moreover, both the tales and accompanying guidelines will undergo translation into five languages of the European Union, ensuring accessibility across diverse linguistic communities. Concurrently, research will be conducted in five EU countries to assess the effectiveness of these tales in enhancing children’s health and wellbeing.

Research Publications

Forthcoming

Al Ghanim, S., Kaleta, B., Burke, J., Campbell, S., & O’Keeffe, J. (forthcoming). Nature-based interventions for cardiovascular disease: A scoping review.

Burke, J., Collins, M., & Dempsey, M. (forthcoming). Break time: Exploring the impact of taking short and lunch breaks during work.

Burke, J., & Giraldez-Hayes, A. (forthcoming). Wellbeing Mindset: Insights from alumni of positive psychology.

Burke, J., Kaleta, B., Campbell, S., Harper, A., & Burke, J. (forthcoming). Practising a Positive Psychology Intervention outdoors versus indoors amplifies wellbeing: Evidence of psychological and physiological benefits.

Burke, J., Scott, C., & Corrigan, S. (forthcoming). From bees to community bliss: Exploring the effects of a beekeeping intervention on a rural community’s wellbeing.

Campbell, S., Kaleta, B., Laiti, J., Harper, A., Sinnott, F., O’Keeffe, J., & Burke, J. (forthcoming). From Park Bench to Heart Health: A Pilot on the Effect of Quality Urban Nature Exposure on Heart Rate Variability.

Campbell, S., Sinnott, F., Kaleta, B., O’Keeffe, J., & Burke, J. (forthcoming). Valuing Natural Capital: A multi-modal study on adult and child perspectives and its contribution to wellbeing.

Giraldez-Hayes, A., Seligman, M., & Burke, J. (forthcoming). Routledge International Handbook of Wellbeing Arts. Routledge

Sweeney, A., & Burke, J. (forthcoming). The Mindful Kitchen Project – Applied Wellbeing in Culinary Education. In A.Giraldez-Hayes, M. Seligman, & J. Burke (Eds.), Routledge International Handbook of Wellbeing Arts. Routledge.

Garvey, A., van Nieuwerburgh, C., & Burke, J., (forthcoming). The impact of Solution Focused Interventions on Workplace Wellbeing: A Systematic Review.

Grummell, B., Burke, J., & Kenny, M. (forthcoming). Recognition, relationality and wellbeing amongst Youthreach education staff.

Kaleta, B., Campbell, S., O’Keeffe, J., & Burke, J. (forthcoming). Nature-Based Interventions: A Review of Reviews.

Laiti, J., & Burke, J. (forthcoming). Mindful Digital Engagement: Leveraging Everyday Technology to Enhance Youth Resilience. In G. Arslan & M. Yildirim (eds), Growing up resilient: Ways to build resilience in youth for tough times. Springer Publishing.

Loughnane, C., van Nieuwerburgh, C., O’Boyle, C., Byrne, E., Collins, M., Burke, J., Bretherton, R., O’Donovan, R., Meehan, T., & Dunne, P. (forthcoming). The Conceptual Framework for Positive Health Coaching.

Loughnane, C., O’Donovan, R., Laiti, J., Donnelly, J., Scott, C., Burke, J., & Dunne, P. (forthcoming). The role of Positive Health Sciences in Positive Cyberpsychology.

Lynch, G., Campbell, S., Burke, J., Kaleta, B., O’Keeffe, J. (forthcoming). The effect of active vs passive nature-based interventions on physiological inflammatory markers of chronic disease: A scoping review.

Roberson, A., Kaleta, B., & Burke, J. (forthcoming). Costs and Experiences of Green Prescriptions: A Scoping Review

Sweeney, A., & Burke, J. (forthcoming). The Impact of Mindful Pedagogy on Creativity in Higher Education Students, a Systematic Review.

2025

Kelly, R., & Burke, J. (2025). Coaching for heart health and recovery. In J. Passmore, B. Bajaj, L.G. Oades (eds.), The health and wellbeing coaches’ handbook: A practitioner’s guide for clinicians, coaches and health professionals. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003319016

Scott, C., Burke, J., & Collins, M.E. (2025). Coaching for oral health. In J. Passmore, B. Bajaj, L.G. Oades (eds.), The health and wellbeing coaches’ handbook: A practitioner’s guide for clinicians, coaches and health professionals. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003319016

2024

Burke, J., Boniwell, I. Frates, B., Lianov, L., & O’Boyle, C.A. (2024). The Routledge International Handbook of Positive Health. Routledge.

Burke, J., Clarke, D., O’Keeffe, J. (2024). Greening the mind: The power of integrating positive and environmental education for improving wellbeing. In G. Arslan & M. Yildirim (Eds) Handbook of Positive School Psychology Interventions: Evidence-Based Practice for Promoting Youth Mental Health. Springer Publishing.

Burke, J., & Corrigan, S. (2024). Bee Well: A positive psychological impact of a pro-environmental intervention on beekeepers’ and their families’ wellbeing. Frontiers in Psychology, 15, 1354408. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1354408

Burke, J., Corrigan, S., Clarke, D., & O’Keeffe, J. (2024). Positive Psychology and Biodiversity Conservation: Health, Well-Being and Pro-Environmental Actions. Routledge.

Burke, J. & Dunne, P.J. (2024). Mind Meets Body: Lifestyle Medicine and Positive Psychology Interventions for School. In G. Arslan & M. Yildirim (Eds) Handbook of Positive School Psychology Interventions: Evidence-Based Practice for Promoting Youth Mental Health. Springer Publishing.

Burke, J., Dunne, P.J., & Byrne, E. (2024). Positive Health Interventions: An emerging concept. In J. Burke, I. Boniwell, B. Frates, L. Lianov, & C.A. O’Boyle (Eds.) The Routledge international handbook of Positive Health (pp.191-207). Routledge.

Irmischer, K., Cans, M. I., Burke, J., & Sweeney, A. (2024). Self-compassion enhances ıntuitive eating patterns in middle-aged adults. Journal of Happiness and Health, 63-70. https://doi.org/10.47602/johah.v4i2.72

Lianov, L., & Burke, J. (2024). Lifestyle medicine inside and out: A guide on how to apply positive psychology in person-centred medicine. Routledge.

O’Boyle, C.A., Lianov, L., Burke, J., Frates, B., & Boniwell, I. (2024). Positive Health: An emerging new construct. In J. Burke, I. Boniwell, B. Frates, L. Lianov, & C.A. O’Boyle (Eds.) The Routledge international handbook of Positive Health (pp.2-23). Routledge.

2023

Doran, A., Burke, J., & Healy, C. (2023). The domino effect: The impact of school leadership on teachers’ wellbeing. Irish Teachers’ Journal, 11, 61-71.

Lianov, L.S., & Burke, J. (2023). Positive psychology approaches. In G.Merlo, C.P. Fagundes (Eds.), Lifestyle PsychiatryThrough the Lens of Behavioral Medicine. Routledge. https/doi.org.https://doi.org/10.1201/b22810-9.

Egan, D., Forde, U., Galligan, O., & Burke, J. (2023). Leadership matters: An investigation into the leadership behaviours that predict teachers’ morale. Irish Teachers’ Journal, 11, 41-60.

Garvey, A., & Burke, J. (2023). From risk to resilience: Impact of solution focused coaching on teacher efficacy in supporting children with speech, language and communication needs. International Coaching Psychology Review, 18(2), 56–69. doi: 10.53841/bpsicpr.2023.18.2.56

Burke, J., Clarke, D., O’Keeffe, J., & Meehan, T. (2023). The impact of blue and green spaces on wellbeing: A review of reviews through a Positive Psychology lens. Journal of Happiness and Health, 3(2), 93-108. https://doi.org/10.47602/johah.v3i2.48

Burke, J. & O’Donovan, R. (2023). Gratitude as a protective factor against burnout in healthcare professionals: a systematic review. British Journal of Healthcare Management. https://doi.
org/10.12968/bjhc.2021.0163.

Burke, J. & Meehan, T. (2023). Childlessness as a springboard for post-traumatic growth. Irish Journal of Counselling and Psychotherapy, 23(1), 4-9.

Kronsbein, K., Belovski, M., & Burke, J. (2023). Retired High-Flyers: Exploring the Impact of Accomplishment on Well-being in Retired Female CEOs, Work, Aging and Retirement. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1093/workar/waab032

2022

O’Donovan, R., & Burke, J. (2022). Factors Associated with Post-Traumatic Growth in Healthcare Professionals: A Systematic Review of the Literature. Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland), 10(12), 2524. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare10122524

Arslan, G., Burke, J., & Majercakova Albertova, S. (2022). Strength-based parenting and social-emotional wellbeing in Turkish young people: does school belonging matter?, Educational and Developmental Psychologist, 39(2), 161-170, DOI: 10.1080/20590776.2021.2023494

Burke, J. (2022). Positive psychology and school bullying. In A. Giraldez-Hayes & J. Burke (eds.) Applied Positive School Psychology (pp.173-179). Routledge.

Burke, J. (2022). Positive relationships. In A. Giraldez-Hayes & J. Burke (eds.) Applied Positive School Psychology (pp.23-28). Routledge.

Burke, J. & Dempsey, M. (2022). Doing a cryptic crossword without clues: Exploring the factors that protected the wellbeing of school leaders during the Covid-19 pandemic uncertainty. In H. Aker & M. Aiken (Eds.) Cyberchondria, health literacy and the role of media on society’s perception of medical information. Washington: IGI Global.

Burke, J. & Dempsey, M. (2022). Capstone projects and final-Year projects in Psychology. Routledge.

Burke, J. & Dempsey, M. (2022). Undertaking capstone projects in Education: A practical guide for students. Routledge.

Burke, J., & Dunne, P. J. (2022). Lifestyle medicine pillars as predictors of psychological flourishing. Frontiers in Psychology, 13, 963806. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.963806

Burke, J., Dunne, P., Meehan, T. O’Boyle, C. & van Nieuwerburgh, C. (2022). Positive Health: 100+ research-based positive psychology and lifestyle medicine tools for enhancing wellbeing. Routledge.

Burke, J., Kinnarney, P., & Salokangas, M. (2022). “Split in all directions”: An exploration of the impac of wellbeing and daily responsibilities on post primary school leaders’ perceived stress. Journal of School Leadership and Management, 42(2), 110-125, DOI: 10.1080/13632434.2021.2016683

Burke, J., & Mc Guckin, C. (2022). Bullying and character development: An examination of character strengths associated with bullying and cyberbullying in post-primary schools in Ireland. Journal of Character Education, 18(1), 51 – 67.

Dempsey, M. & Burke, J. (2022). Pedagogy for wellbeing: A new model for organic development of wellbeing in schools. In A. Giraldez-Hayes & J. Burke (eds.) Applied Positive School Psychology (pp.212-219). Routledge.

Giraldez-Hayes, A. & Burke, J. (2022). Applied Positive School Psychology. Routledge.

Lucey, C. & Burke, J. (2022). Positive Leadership in practice: A model for our future. Routledge.

Sanders, C., Burke, J., & Muzyk, A. (2022). Contributing to a Healthier World: Exploring the Impact of Wellbeing on Nursing Burnout. Journal of Happiness and Health, 2(2), 70–86. https://doi.org/10.47602/johah.v2i2.14

2021

O’Brien, S.E. & Burke, J. (2021). Heliotropic Leadership: An examination of the role that PsyCap plays in enhancing teachers’ morale. Journal of School and Educational Psychology, 1(1), 17–25. Retrieved from https://www.journalofschoolpsychology.com/index.php/josep/article/view/7

Dempsey, M. & Burke, J. (2021). Flourishing during Covid-19: Exploration of the factors that impacted the wellbeing of school leaders during the pandemic in Ireland. Journal of School and Educational Psychology, 1(1), 28-39.

Lyons, M. & Burke, J. (2021). “When everyone is rowing the boat together”: Exploring teachers’ perspectives on Distributed Leadership using an Appreciative Inquiry (AI) approach.

Arslan, G. & Burke, J. (2021). Positive education to promote flourishing in students returning to school after Covid-19 closure. Journal of School and Educational Psychology, 1, 1-5.

Burke, J. (2021). Positive cyberpsychology: A conceptual framework of an emerging field. In A. Kostic & D. Chadee (Eds.) Positive Psychology: An international perspective (pp.85-101). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.

Quinn, P., McGilloway, S., & Burke, J. (2021). Covid-19 and the class of 2020: A national study of the mental health and wellbeing of Leaving Certificate students in Ireland. Journal of Irish Educational Studies, DOI: 10.1080/03323315.2021.1916564.

Burke, J. & Arslan, G. (2021). A new forum for sharing happiness and health research. Journal of Happiness and Health, 1, 1-3.

Burke, J. & Dempsey, M. (2021). One month before Covid-19 and one year after: An assessment of wellbeing of post-primary school leaders in Ireland. Maynooth: Maynooth University.

Burke, J. & Dempsey, M. (2021). Wellbeing in post-Covid schools: Primary school leaders’ reimagining of the future. Maynooth: Maynooth University.

Burke, J. (2021). “It means a lot to us”: Heeding the voices of the BOM chairpersons in schools in Ireland. Maynooth: CPSMA.

Trom, G. & Burke, J. (2021). Positive Psychology Intervention (PPI) coaching: An experimental application of coaching to improve the effectiveness of gratitude intervention. Coaching: An International Journal of Theory, Research & Practice, 1-12.

2020

Burke, J. & Arslan, G. (2020). Positive education and school psychology during Covid-19 pandemic. Journal of Positive School Psychology, 4(2), 137-139, DOI: 10.1080/17521882.2021.1936585.

Dempsey, J. & Burke, J. (2020). Covid-19 in Primary Schools in Ireland – A Follow-up Report. Maynooth: Maynooth University.

Burke, J. & Dempsey, M. (2020). Covid-19 in Primary Schools in Ireland Report. Maynooth: Maynooth University.

Quinn, P., McGilloway, S., & Burke, J. (2020). The class of 2020: The experience of of Leaving Certificate students during Covid-19 in Ireland. Maynooth: Maynooth University.

Earlier publications

Dunleavy, G. & Burke, J. (2019). Fostering a sense of belonging at an international school in France: An experimental study. Journal of Educational and Child Psychology, 36(4), 34-45.

Burke, J. & Minton, S.J. (2019). Wellbeing in post-primary schools in Ireland: The assessment and contribution of character strengths. Journal of Irish Educational Studies, 37(3)177-192.

Burke, J. & Passmore, J. (2019). Strengths based coaching: A positive psychology intervention. In L.E. van Zyl & S. Rothmann (Eds.) Positive psychological interventions: Approaches to capacity development within multi-cultural context (vol 1). Springer.

Hughes, N. & Burke, J. (2018). Sleeping with the frenemy: How restricting “bedroom use” of smartphones impacts happiness and wellbeing. Computers in Human Behaviour, 85, 236-244.

Burke, J. & Stephens, E. (2018). Applying positive psychology to sex addition. In T. Birchard & J. Benfield (Eds.) The Routledge international handbook of sexual addiction. London/New York: Routledge.

Burke, J. (2018). Conceptual framework for a positive psychology coaching practice. Coaching Psychologists, 14(1), 16-25.

Burke, J (2018). The languishing limbo: Coaching for wellbeing. Coaching Today, 26, 12-17.

Burke, J. (2018). The clinical practice of well-being. The Healthcare Counselling and Psychotherapy Journal, 17(4), 14-17.

Van Nieuwerburgh, C., Lomas, & Burke, J. (2018). Editorial. Integrating coaching and positive psychology: Concepts and practice. Coaching: An International Journal of Theory, Research and Practice, 11(2), 99-101.

Audin, K., Burke, J., & Ivtzan, I. (2018). Compassion Fatigue, compassion satisfaction and work engagement in residential childcare. The Scottish Journal of Residential Childcare, 17(3).

Round, J. & Burke, J. (2018). A dream of retirement: The longitudinal experiences and perceived retirement wellbeing of recent retirees following a tailored positive psychology intervention linking Best Possible Self expressive writing with goal-setting. International Coaching Psychology Review, 13(2), 28-46.

Zhu, J.J., Lomas, T., Burke, J. Ivtzan, I. (2017). Exploring the role of purpose in the lives of career changers: A qualitative inquiry. Journal of Positive Psychology and Well-being, 1(2), 109-128.

Burke, J. & Hackett, M. (2017). When Irish eyes are smiling: Irish therapists’ well-being and their passion for the work of counselling & psychotherapy. Irish Journal of Counselling and Psychotherapy, 17 (3), 20-26.

Burke, J. (2016). Posttraumatic Growth: Examining an increase of optimism amongst targets of bullying in Ireland. The Irish Journal of Counselling and Psychotherapy 16(2), 11-15.

Burke, J. & Minton, S.J. (2016). Rethinking well-being: Deficit vs strength approach in measuring the impact of bullying and cyberbullying in schools. In C. Mc Guckin & L. Corcoran (Eds.) Bullying and Cyberbullying: Prevalence, Psychological Impacts and Intervention Strategies. New York: Nova.