Central Department of Psychology

Kritipur

Highlights

Assist. Professor
Dr. Sandesh Dhakal
Teaching Staffs
Male
sandesh.dhakal@cdpsy.tu.edu.np

Position: Lecturer, Central Department of Psychology, Tribhuvan University.

Contact:          Email- sandesh.dhakal@cdpsy.tu.edu.np

                       Cell- 9851120175   

DoB:       28 April 1979     

Education:       Ph.D. in Psychology, Tribhuvan University, Nepal  

Professional Experiences

  • Coordinator, Master’s Program in Counseling Psychology, T.U., Kirtipur, 2025 onwards.
  • Research Assistant, ‘Childhood Maltreatment: Emotional Consequences and Possible Interventions’ project, funded by DFID-MRC, King’s College, UK. 2017-2019.
  • Lecturer, Central Department of Psychology T.U., Kirtipur, 2016 onwards.
  • Part-Time Lecturer, Master’s Program in Counseling Psychology, T.U., Kirtipur, 2017-2018.
  • Part-Time Lecturer, Department of Social Work, MSW Program, CNAS, T.U., Kirtipur, 2014-2017.
  • Teaching Assistant, Central Department of Psychology T.U., Kirtipur, 2008 - 2016.
  • Part-Time Lecturer, Central Department of Psychology T.U., Kirtipur, 2005 to 2008.
  • Volunteer Instructor, Central Department of Psychology T.U., Kirtipur, 2004 - 2005.    
  • Part-Time Lecturer, Tri-Chandra Campus Department of Psychology and Philosophy, 2004 to 2008

    Membership/ Appointment  

  • Member- The Association for Child and Adolescent Mental Health (ACAMH) (2022 onwards).
  • Member (Emerging Nations) – Society for Research on Adolescents (2022 onwards).
  • Member of Executive Committee- ABRIR: Advancing Big Team Reproducible Science through Increased Representation (2023 onwards)
  • Member (International) – American Psychological Association (2022-01-01- 2022-12-31)
  • Member - Tribhuvan University, Faculty of Humanities and Social Science, Psychology, Subject Committee. (2012 onwards)
  • Member - Tribhuvan University, Faculty of Humanities and Social Science, Counseling, Subject Committee. (2015 onwards)
  • Member - Tribhuvan University, Faculty of Humanities and Social Science, Social Work, Subject Committee. (2014 onwards)

Publications

Book

Regmi, M.P. and Dhakal, S. (2007). General Psychology. Quest Publication

Manuals
Paudel. B and Dhakal. S (2019), Emergency Guideline on Mental Health" as a resource book

for the inclusion of mental health and psychosocial issues during a disaster, supported by

KOSHISH, National Mental Health Self-Help Organization.

Paudel, B. and Dhakal. S. (2018), Children in conflict with the law and psycho social assessment and counseling: Guidelines for child psychologists and psycho-social counselors working in juvenile bench and correctional settings.

शर्मा, नन्दिता , ढकाल सन्देश (२०१३). बाल इजलासमा सहभागि हुने बालविशेषज्ञ तथा बालमनोवैज्ञानिकहरुका लागि प्रशिक्षण पुस्तिका, बाल न्याय समन्वय समिति, हरिहर भवन, ललीतपुर नेपाल

ढकाल सन्देश (२०१४, २०१५, २०१६). बाल इजलासमा सहभागि हुने बालविशेषज्ञ तथा बालमनोवैज्ञानिकहरुका लागि प्रशिक्षण पुस्तिका, बाल न्याय समन्वय समिति, हरिहर भवन, ललीतपुर नेपाल

Research Articles  

Besta, T., Thomas, E., Celikkol, G., Olech, M., Jurek, P., van Zomeren, M., Pozzi, M., Pistoni, C., Palace, M., Akbas, G., Becker, J. C., Becker, M., Brik, T., Chayinska, M., Deguchi, M., Dhakal, S., Kelmendi, K., Kende, A., Kosakowska-Berezecka, N., ... Wlodarczyk, A. (2025). Cultural logics of honor, face, and dignity as moderators of the relationship between group process and pro-migrant collective action intentions. Current Research in Ecological and Social Psychology, 6, 100234. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cresp.2025.100234

Kocur, D., Jach, Ł., Sitko-Dominik, M., Dhakal, S., Sharma, N., Harsono, Y. T., Przybylska, I., Nieduziak, E., Dzienniak-Pulina, D., Rychłowska-Niesporek, A. J., & Zozgórnik, D. (2025). To hug or not to hug? Public and private displays of affection and relationship satisfaction among people from Indonesia, Nepal, and Poland. PLOS ONE. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0326115

Thomas, E. F., Stothard, C., Besta, T., Akbas, G., Becker, M., BRIK, T., ... Dhakal, S. & van Zomeren, M. (2025). Anti-immigration conspiracy beliefs are associated with endorsement of conventional and violent actions opposing immigration and attitudes towards democracy across 21 countries. Communications Psychology, 3, 66. https://doi.org/10.1038/s44271-025-00246-1

(A Nature Indexed Journal)

Swami, V., Tran, U. S., Voracek, M., Aavik, T., Ranjbar, H. A., Adebayo, S. O., ...Dhakal,S., & Lukács, A. (2025). Self-Compassion Around the World: Measurement Invariance of the Short Form of the Self-Compassion Scale (SCS-SF) Across 65 Nations, 40 Languages, Gender Identities, and Age Groups. Mindfulness. https://doi.org/1-28. 10.1007/s12671-025-02560-5

Swami, V., Stieger, S., Voracek, M., Aavik, T., Abdollahpour Ranjbar, H., Adebayo, S. O., ... Dhakal, S., & Lukács, A. (2025). Life satisfaction around the world: Measurement invariance of the Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS) across 65 nations, 40 languages, gender identities, and age groups. PLoS One. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0313107

Besta, T., Jurek, P., Olech, M., Włodarczyk, A., Kosakowska-Berezecka, N., Bosson, J. K., … Dhakal, S., ... & Vohra, N. (2024). Measuring collective action intention toward gender equality across cultures. European journal of psychological assessment. https://doi.org/10.1027/1015-5759/a000857

Swami, V., White, M. P., Voracek, M., Tran, U. S., Aavik, T., Ranjbar, H. A., ... Dhakal, S., & Lombardo, C. (2024). Exposure and connectedness to natural environments: An examination of the measurement invariance of the Nature Exposure Scale (NES) and Connectedness to Nature Scale (CNS) across 65 nations, 40 languages, gender identities, and age groups. Journal of Environmental Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2024.102432

Swami, V., White, M. P., Voracek, M., Tran, U. S., Aavik, T., Ranjbar, H. A., Adebayo, S. O., Afhami, R., Ahmed, O., … Dhakal, S., …& Aimé, A. (2024). Exposure and Connectedness to Natural Environments: An Examination of the Measurement Invariance of the Nature Exposure Scale (NES) and Connectedness to Nature Scale (CNS) Across 65 Nations, 40 Languages, Gender Identities, and Age Groups. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 102432. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2024.102432

Paudel, D. B., Dhakal, S., & Khatri, B. B. (2024). Attitudes towards mental health problems: A scoping review. Birat Journal of Health Sciences, 9(3), 3-13. https://doi.org/10.62065/bjhs523

Wojtczuk‐Turek, A., Turek, D., Edgar, F., Klein, H. J., Bosak, J., Okay‐Somerville, B., Fu, N., Raeder, S., Jurek, P., … Dhakal, S., … & Lupina‐Wegener, A. (2024). Sustainable human resource management and job satisfaction—Unlocking the power of organizational identification: A cross‐cultural perspective from 54 countries. Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management. https://doi.org/10.1002/csr.2460

Jovanović, V., Rudnev, M., Abdelrahman, M., Abdul Kadir, N. B., Adebayo, D. F., Akaliyski, P., Alaseel, R., Alkamali, Y. A., Alonso Palacio, L. M., … Dhakal, S., …& Amin, A. (2024). The Coronavirus Anxiety Scale: Cross-national measurement invariance and convergent validity evidence. Psychological Assessment, 36(1), 14. https://doi.org/10.1037/pas0001270

Blackburn, A. M., Han, H., Gelpí, R. A., Stöckli, S., Jeftić, A., Ch’ng, B., Koszałkowska, K., Lacko, D., Milfont, T. L., … Dhakal, S., …& Lee, Y. (2023). Mediation analysis of conspiratorial thinking and anti-expert sentiments on vaccine willingness. Health Psychology, 42(4), 235. https://doi.org/10.1037/hea0001268

Bhattarai, P. N., & Dhakal, S. (2023). Experience and Perception of Psychosocial and Environmental Problems among Migrant Laborers Returned from the Gulf and Malaysia. Patan Pragya, 12(01), 73–84. https://doi.org/10.3126/pragya.v12i01.61635

Dhakal, S., Gupta, S., Sharma, N. P., Upadhyay, A., Oliver, A., Sumich, A., ... & Lau, J. Y. F. (2023). Can we challenge attention and interpretation threat biases in rescued child labourers with a history of physical abuse using a computerised cognitive training task? Data on feasibility, acceptability and target engagement. Behaviour Research and Therapy. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brat.2023.104267

Kafle, A., & Dhakal, S. (2023). History of Victimization, Behavioral and Emotional Problems among Juvenile Delinquents in Child Correction Homes. Pragya Darshan प्रज्ञा दर्शन, 5(1), 64-70. https://doi.org/10.3126/pdmdj.v5i1.52353

Blackburn, A. M., Vestergren, S., & the COVIDiSTRESS II Consortium. (2022). COVIDiSTRESS diverse dataset on psychological and behavioural outcomes one year into the COVID-19 pandemic. Scientific Data, 9, Article 331. (A Nature Indexed Journal). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41597-022-01383-6

Kosakowska-berezecka, N., Bosson, J. K., Jurek, P., … Dhakal,S., … Zanello, V. (2022). Gendered Self-Views Across 62 Countries : A Test of Competing Models. https://doi.org/10.1177/19485506221129687

Pokharel, M., Sharma, P., Dhakal, S., & Thapa, K. (2022). Suicide Risk, Self-Esteem and Family Support among Community School Going Adolescents of Kathmandu Valley, Nepal: A Cross-sectional Study. 15–21. https://doi.org/10.3126/jbpkihs.v5i1.45424

Sharma, N. P., Dhakal, S., Oliver, A., Gupta, S., Kumari, V., Pandey, R., Niraula, S., & Lau, J. Y. F. (2022). Threat biases associate with anxiety and depression in physically-abused young people with a history of child labour. Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry, 77, 101765. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.JBTEP.2022.101765

Grütter, J., Dhakal, S., & Killen, M. (2022). Socioeconomic status biases among children and adolescents: the role of school diversity and teacher beliefs in Nepal. Child Development, https://doi.org/10.1111/cdev.13796

Gurau, S. & Dhakal, S. (2022). Meaning in life and mental health status in public health students. Pragya Darshan, 4(1), 98-109.

Grütter, J., Dhakal, S., & Killen, M. (2021). Adolescents’ own and parental expectations for cross‐group friendship in the context of societal inequalities. Journal of Social Issues, 77(4), 1188–1212. https://doi.org/10.1111/josi.12484

Kaur, H., Duncan, K., Dhakal, S., Sharma, N., Niraula, S., Pandey, R., ... & Singh, T. (2021). Recognising and healing emotional wounds of child labourers: call to action based on the evidence and stakeholder views from India and Nepal. BJPsych International, 19,1-4. https://doi.org/10.1192/bji.2021.50

Bosson, J. K., Jurek, P., Vandello, J. A., Kosakowska-Berezecka, N., Olech, M., Besta, T., ...Dhakal, S.,… Van Laar, C. (2021). Psychometric properties and correlates of precarious manhood beliefs in 62 nations. Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, 52(3), 231–258. https://doi.org/10.1177/0022022121997997

Taku, K., Tedeschi, R. G., Shakespeare-Finch, J., Krosch, D., David, G., Kehl, D., ...Dhakal, S.,… Calhoun, L. G. (2021). Posttraumatic growth (PTG) and posttraumatic depreciation (PTD) across ten countries: Global validation of the PTG-PTD theoretical model. Personality and Individual Differences, 169, 110222. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2020.110222

Dhakal, S., Niraula, S., Sharma, N. P., Sthapit, S., Bennett, E., Vaswani, A., ... & Lau, J. Y. (2019). History of abuse and neglect and their associations with mental health in rescued child labourers in Nepal. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 53(12), 1199–1207. https://doi.org/10.1177/0004867419853882

Lau, J. Y., Sharma, N. P., Bennett, E., Dhakal, S., Vaswani, A., Pandey, R., ... & Kumari, V. (2019). Acceptability of a brief training programme targeting attention and interpretation biases for threat in youth with a history of maltreatment. Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy, https://doi.org/10.1017/S1352465819000663.

Dhakal, S. (2019). The effect of emotional maturity on academic stress. Psychology for a Better World: A Cross-Cultural Anthology on Emotional Well-Being. Publisher: Cambridge Scholar.

Dhakal, S. & Jha A. (2015). Subjective Well-being among Slum Dwellers of Paurakhi Basti after Slum Eviction. Psychological Studies- Journal of Central Department of Psychology,3, 43-46.

Dhakal, S. & Acharya, P. (2015). Impulsiveness among Substance Abusers in Treatment Centers. Psychological Studies- Journal of Central Department of Psychology, 3, 28-30.

Dhakal, S. (2013). Emotional Intelligence and General Well-Being in Adolescents World Without Anger: A Cross-cultural Journal on Emotional Intelligence 5, 52-61.

Dhakal, S. (2013). An Assessment of Academic Stress among Students of Bachelor Level. Psychological Studies- Journal of Central Department of Psychology,2, 12-15. 

Dhakal, S. (2013). Emotional Maturity among Students of Bachelor Level. Nepalese Journal of Behavioral Applications, 1, 1-5. 

Dhakal, S. (2012). Ethnic Identity Achievement among Tamang Adolescents. Psychological Studies- Journal of Central Department of Psychology,1, 24-30.

Involvement in Research Activities

  1. Sustainable Human Resource Management – Cross-Cultural Empirical Study, Collaborating with  Agnieszka Wojtczuk-Turek, Institute of Human Capital, SGH Warsaw School of Economics POLAND, since 2022.
  2. Psi Chi NICE: Crowd Social Support & Help Seeking in a Changing World, Collaborating with Cory J. Cascalheira, New Mexico State University, since 2022.
  3. International and Multidimensional Perspectives on the Impact of Covid-19 (IMPACT-C19), collaborating with Radosveta Dimitrova, Stockholm University, Sweden, since 2021.
  4. Normative and non-normative collective actions: identity, emotions, and cultural dimensions. (Institute of Psychology, University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland), collaborating since 2021.
  5. Body Image in Nature Survey: An International, Collaborative Project, collaborating with Professor Viren Swamy, (Angila Ruskin University, UK) since 2021.
  6. The COVIDiSTRESS global survey, collaborating with Sara Vestergren, University of Salford UK, since April 2021.
  7. Posttraumatic Growth and Depreciation Study 2017 (Nepal); Collaborated with Rebekah Volgin (Queensland University of Technology), 2017-2018.
  8. COVID-19: Understanding how young people respond and manage their emotions during the pandemic coronavirus disease (COVID-19) (Collaborated with researchers from the UK, India and Germany)
  9. Global and cross-cultural examination of stress, resilience, and coping amidst
  10. Covid-19 pandemic, Collaborated with Tomas P Chacko (University of Buffalo, USA)
  11. Prevalence and predictors of the short – term trajectory of psychological distress during COVID 19 pandemic among university students (A collaborative research project) 2021.
  12. Mental Health and Psychosocial Wellbeing of Persons with Disabilities in Times of COVID 19 Outbreak and Lockdown in Nepal (Supported by Koshish, National Mental Health Self-Help Organization and National Federation of the Disabled – Nepal)
  13. Towards Gender Harmony Project. (Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Gdansk, Poland), collaborating since 2018.