Contacts

Mailing Address: Department of Psychology, Institute for Population and Human Studies, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences “Acad. G. Bonchev” Str., block 6, floor 5, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria
E-mail: vel.hristova@gmail.com

Research Interests

• Health Psychology;
• Behavioural Psychology and Science;
• Clinical Psychology;
• Psychometrics and Experimental Psychology.

Education

• Sofia University, “St. Kliment Ohridski”, Bulgaria, PhD in Psychology (2017-2020)
• Sofia University, “St. Kliment Ohridski”, Bulgaria, MA in Health Psychology (2020-2024)
• NOVA Business School, Portugal, MSc in Management (2012-2013)
• Uni Twente, The Netherlands, BSc in European Studies (2010-2012)
• WWU Uni Muenster, Germany, BA in Public Administration (2008-2012)

Research Projects (last 5 years)

• Researcher on “Long-term consequences of COVID-19: experiences of severely or critically ill patients with COVID-19” project, 2023-2025.
• Senior associate on “Marker for Innovation and Technology Transfer (SUMMIT)” project – “Program for accelerating economic recovery and transformation through science and innovation”, 2023 – 2026.

Selected Publications (10 in the last 10 years)

1. Hristova, V., Schmidtke, K., Lyubenova, L., Makki, F., Vlaev, I. (2025). Behavioral intervention to increase honest responses using pledges. Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, 12, 1066. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-025-05393-8
2. Hristova, V., Mills, F., Vlaev, I. (2025). Identifying and overcoming barriers and facilitators to blood donation in young adults using the theoretical domains frameworks. Journal of Health Psychology. DOI:10.1177/13591053251346387
3. Kolodko, J., Arora,K., Hristova, V., Read, D., & Vlaev, I. (2025). Reducing littering in the UK: A digital behaviour change intervention to engage users in protecting the environment. Behavioural Public Policy, 1–27. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/bpp.2025.4
4. Hristova, V., Haralampiev, K., Vlaev, I., & Karabeliova, S. (2025). Predicting Pro-Environmental Behavior: The Leading Influence of Environmental Attitudes. Behavioral Sciences, 15(3), 291. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15030291
5. Halabi, N., Hristova, V., Vlaev, I. (2024). Milking the Alternatives: Understanding Coffee Consumers’ Preferences for Non-Dairy Milk. Behavioral Sciences. 14, 7, 569. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/bs14070569
6. Evsikov, E., Hristova, V., Vlaev, I., Karabeliova, S. (2024). Virtual Active Sports: identifying main barriers and facilitators for casual fitness fans. International Journal of Sports Marketing and Sponsorship. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/IJSMS-10-2023-0213
7. Hristova, V. & Beloreshka, M. (2024). Nutritional psychology and psychiatry: between food and mental well-being. Bulgarian Journal of Public Health, 16, 1, (pp. 36-49).
8. Bliznashki, S. & Hristova, V. (2021). The imputation of structure in random patterns as a cognitive factor predicting adult picky eating behavior. Appetite, 167, 105645. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2021.105645.
9. Hristova, V. (2020). Associations of personality traits with eating behaviors in adults. In K. Randelovic & M. Doskovic (Eds.), Proceedings of 15th Days of Applied Psychology International Conference: Psychological Research and Practice (pp. 107-119). University of Nis, Serbia.
10. Hristova, V. (2019). Psychometric properties of Bulgarian version of adult eating behaviour questionnaire (AEBQ): a preliminary study. In J. Todorovic, V. Hedrih & S. Doric (Eds.), Proceedings of 14th Days of Applied Psychology International Conference: Modern Age and Competencies of Psychologists (pp. 89-100). University of Niš, Serbia.