Sinha Engel

Forschungsinteressen

Biopsychologische Grundlagen der Posttraumatischen Belastungsstörung
Reproduktive psychische Gesundheit
Geschlechterunterschiede bei psychischen Störungen
Diversitätssensible Klinische Psychologie

Vita

2024 Approbation als Psychologische Psychotherapeutin am Institut für Verhaltenstherapie Berlin

2020 Promotion (Dr. phil.) im Fach Psychologie an der Freien Universität Berlin

2016 Master of Science in Klinischer Psychologie und Gesundheitspsychologie an der Freien Universität Berlin

2014 Bachelor of Science in Psychologie an der Otto-Friedrich-Universität Bamberg

Wissenschaftliche Tätigkeiten

Seit 2025 Akademische Oberrätin

Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen Nürnberg – Lehrstuhl für Klinische Psychologie und Behavioral Health Technology

2023 – 2024 Wissenschaftliche Mitarbeiterin

Universität Hildesheim – Arbeitsgruppe für Experimentelle Psychopathologie

2019 – 2022 Wissenschaftliche Mitarbeiterin

Freie Universität Berlin – Arbeitsbereich Klinisch-Psychologische Intervention

2015-2016 Studentische Hilfskraft

Freie Universität Berlin – Arbeitsbereiche Klinische Psychologie und Psychotherapie und Public Health: Prävention und psychosoziale Gesundheitsforschung

2012 – 2013 Studentische Hilfskraft

Otto-Friedrich-Universität Bamberg – Lehrstuhl für Allgemeine Psychologie und Methodenlehre

Auslandsaufenthalt

März 2018 – Mai 2018: Forschungsaufenthalt am Academic Medical Center, Abteilung Psychiatrie, Universität von Amsterdam, Niederlande

Lehre

Vertiefte Praxis der Psychotherapie (Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, M.Sc. Psychologie mit Schwerpunkt Klinische Psychologie und Psychotherapie, WiSe 2024/25)
Sex und Gender in der Klinischen Psychologie (Universität Hildesheim, M.Sc. Psychologie mit Schwerpunkt Klinische Psychologie, SoSe 2024)
Psychotherapeutisches Fallseminar: Fallkonzeption und Behandlungsplanung (Universität Hildesheim, M.Sc. Psychologie mit Schwerpunkt Klinische Psychologie, WiSe2023/24, SoSe 2024, WiSe2024/25)
Forschungswerkstatt der Klinischen Psychologie (Freie Universität Berlin, M.Sc. Klinische Psychologie und Gesundheitspsychologie, WiSe2020/21)
Therapeutische Beziehung (Freie Universität Berlin, M.Sc. Klinische Psychologie und Gesundheitspsychologie, SoSe 2020)
Schreibwerkstatt: Biologische Prozesse bei der Verarbeitung traumatischer Ereignisse (Freie Universität Berlin, M.Sc. Klinische Psychologie und Gesundheitspsychologie, WiSe2019/20)

Stipendien und Auszeichnungen

April 2024 – Alies Muskin Career Development Leadership Program (CDLP) Award der Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA)
März 2021 – Nachwuchspreis der Deutschsprachigen Gesellschaft für Psychotraumatologie (DGPt)
Oktober 2016 – Juli 2019 – Promotionsförderung der Stiftung der Deutschen Wirtschaft
September 2018 – Reisestipendium des Deutschen Akademischen Austauschdienstes (DAAD)
April 2017 – Santander International Summer School on Social Processes and Mental Health
2013 – 2016 – Studienförderung des evangelischen Studienwerkes Villigst

Publikationen in internationalen Fachzeitschriften mit Peer-Review

2025

Blecker, M. K., Daehn, D., Engel, S., Steudte-Schmiedgen, S., Garthus-Niegel, S., Knaevelsrud, C., & Schumacher, S. (2025). Childbirth-related posttraumatic stress symptoms: exploring the predictive potential of intrapartum hotspots. Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics & Gynecology. 46(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/0167482X.2025.2469290

2024

Engel, S., Blecker, M. K., Daehn, D., Haering, S., Richter, J., Schumacher, S., & Knaevelsrud, C. (2024). Diversitätsdomänen und Diskriminierung bei Frauen in der frühen Postpartalzeit. Trauma & Gewalt. 18(4), 312-322. https://doi.org/10.21706/tg-18-4

Haering, S.*, Meyer, C.*, Schulze, L., Conrad, E., Blecker, M. K., El-Haj-Mohamad, R., Geiling, A., Klusmann, H., Schumacher, S., Knaevelsrud, C. & Engel, S. (2024). Sex and gender differences in risk factors for posttraumatic stress disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective studies. Journal of Psychopathology and Clinical Science. 133(6), 429-444. https://doi.org/10.1037/abn0000918

*shared first authorship

Haering, S., Schulze, L., Geiling, A., Meyer, C., Klusmann, H., Schumacher, S., Knaevelsrud, C. & Engel, S. (2024). Higher risk, less data: A systematic review and meta-analysis on the role of sex and gender in trauma research. Journal of Psychopathology and Clinical Science. 133(3), 257-272. http://doi.org/10.1037/abn0000899

Klusmann, H., Brose, A., Schulze, L., Engel, S., Laufer, S., Bücklein, E. Knaevelsrud, C. & Schumacher, S. (2024). Menstrual cycle related depressive symptoms and their diurnal fluctuations – an ambulatory assessment study. BMC Women’s Health. 24 (611). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-024-03438-9

Klusmann, H., Kapp, C., Engel, S., Schumacher, T., Bücklein, E., Knaevelsrud, C. & Schumacher, S. (2024). Higher depressive symptoms in irregular menstrual cycles – converging evidence from cross-sectional and prospective assessments. Psychopathology, 1-8). https://doi.org/10.1159/000535565

2023

Engel, S., Laufer, S., Klusmann, H., Schulze, L., Schumacher, S., Knaevelsrud, C. (2023). Cortisol response to traumatic stress to predict PTSD symptom development – a systematic review and meta-analysis of experimental studies. European Journal of Psychotraumatology, 14(2). https://doi.org/10.1080/20008066.2023.2225153

Klusmann, H., Luecking, N., Engel, S., Blecker, M. K., Knaevelsrud, C., Schumacher, S. (2023). Menstrual cycle-related changes in HPA axis reactivity to acute psychosocial and physiological stressors – a systematic review and meta-analysis of longitudinal studies. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, 150,105212. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105212

Laufer, S., Schulze, L., Engel, S., Klusmann, H., Skoluda, N., Nater, U. M., Knaevelsrud, C., Schumacher, S. (2023). The effect of an internet-based intervention for depression on cortisol and alpha-amylase. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 152, 106082. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psyneuen.2023.106082

2022

Engel, S., Klusmann, H., Laufer, S., Kapp, C., Schumacher, S. & Knaevelsrud, C. (2022). Biological markers in clinical psychological research – A systematic framework applied to HPA axis regulation in PTSD. Comprehensive Psychoneuroendocrinology, 11, 100148. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpnec.2022.100148

Klusmann, H., Schulze, L., Engel, S., Bücklein, E., Daehn, D., Lozza-Fiacco, S., Geiling, A., Meyer, C., Andersen, E., Knaevelsrud, C. & Schumacher, S. (2022). HPA axis activity across the menstrual cycle – a systematic review and meta-analysis of longitudinal studies. Frontiers in Neuroendocrinology, 66, 100998. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yfrne.2022.100998

Kuester, A., Schumacher, S., Niemeyer, H., Engel, S., Spies, J., Weiß, D., … & Knaevelsrud, C. (2022). Attentional bias in German Armed Forces veterans with and without posttraumatic stress symptoms–An eye-tracking investigation and group comparison. Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry, 76, 101726. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbtep.2022.101726

Laufer, S., Engel, S., Lupien, S., Knaevelsrud, C., & Schumacher, S. (2022). The Cortisol Assessment List (CoAL) A tool to systematically document and evaluate cortisol assessment in blood, urine and saliva. Comprehensive Psychoneuroendocrinology, 9, 100108. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpnec.2021.100108

Schumacher, S., Engel, S., Klusmann, H., Niemeyer, H., Küster, A., Burchert, S., Skoluda, N., Rau, H., Nater, U. M., Willmund, G.-D. & Knaevelsrud, C. (2022). Trauma-related but not PTSD-related increases in hair cortisol concentrations in military personnel. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 150, 17-20. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychires.2022.02.031

Schumacher, S., Engel, S., Niemeyer, H., Küster, A., Burchert, S., Skoluda, N., Rau, H., Nater, U. M., Willmund, G.-D.** & Knaevelsrud, C.** (2022). Salivary cortisol and alpha-amylase in posttraumatic stress disorder and their potential role in the evaluation of cognitive behavioural treatment outcomes. Journal of Traumatic Stress. 35(1), 78-89. https://doi.org/10.1002/jts.22683 .

** shared last authorship

van Zuiden, M., Engel, S., Karchoud, J. F., Wise,. T. J., Sijbrandij, M., Mouthaan, J., Olff, M., van de Schoot, R. (2022). Sex-differential PTSD symptom trajectories across one year following suspected serious injury. European Journal of Psychotraumatology, 13(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/20008198.2022.2031593

2021

Engel, S., Schumacher, S., Niemeyer, H., Küster, A., Burchert, S., Klusmann, H., Rau, H., Willmund, G.-D., & Knaevelsrud, C. (2021). Associations between oxytocin and vasopressin concentrations, traumatic event exposure and posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms: Group comparisons, correlations, and courses during an internet-based cognitive-behavioral treatment. European Journal of Psychotraumatology, 12(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/20008198.2021.1886499

2020

Engel, S., Schumacher, S., Niemeyer, H., Küster, A., Burchert, S., Rau, H., Willmund, G.-D., & Knaevelsrud, C. (2020). Beeinflusst Oxytocin den psychotherapeutischen Prozess? Eine explorative Untersuchung im Kontext einer internetbasierten kognitiv-verhaltenstherapeutischen Behandlung für die posttraumatische Belastungsstörung. Verhaltenstherapie, 30(1), 69-81. https://doi.org/10.1159/000505303

Engel, S.*, van Zuiden, M.*, Frijling, J. L., Koch, S. B. J., Nawijn, L., Yildiz, R. L. W., Schumacher, S., Knaevelsrud, C., Bosch, J. A., Veltman, D. J., & Olff, M. (2020). Early posttraumatic autonomic and endocrine markers to predict posttraumatic stress symptoms after a preventive intervention with oxytocin. European Journal of Psychotraumatology, 11(1), 1761622. https://doi.org/10.1080/20008198.2020.1761622

Kuester, A., Niemeyer, H., Schumacher, S., Engel, S., Spies, J., Weiß, D., Muschalla, B., Burchert, S., Tamm, S., Weidmann, A., Willmund, G., Rau, H., & Knaevelsrud, C. (2020). Attentional Bias in Veterans with Deployment-related Posttraumatic Stress Disorder before and after Internet-based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy – An Eye-tracking Investigation. Journal of Behavioral and Cognitive Therapy. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbct.2020.03.003

Niemeyer, H.*, Knaevelsrud, C.*, Schumacher, S., Engel, S., Kuester, A., Burchert, S., Muschalla, B., Weiss, D., Spies, J., Rau, H.**, & Willmund, G.-D.** (2020). Evaluation of an internet-based intervention for service members of the German armed forces with deployment-related posttraumatic stress symptoms. BMC Psychiatry, 20(1), 205. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-020-02595-z

Spies, J.P., Cwik, J.C., Willmund, G.-D., Knaevelsrud, C., Schumacher, S., Niemeyer, H., Engel, S., Küster, A., Muschalla, B., Köhler, K., Weiss, D., & Rau, H. (2020). Associations Between Difficulties in Emotion Regulation and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Deployed Service Members of the German Armed Forces. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 11, 973. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2020.576553

2019

Engel, S., Klusmann, H., Laufer, S., Pfeifer, A., Ditzen, B., van Zuiden, M., Knaevelsrud, C., & Schumacher, S. (2019). Trauma exposure, posttraumatic stress disorder and oxytocin: A meta-analytic investigation of endogenous concentrations and receptor genotype. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, 107, 560-601. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2019.08.003

Engel, S.*, Klusmann, H.*, Ditzen, B., Knaevelsrud, C., & Schumacher, S. (2019). Menstrual cycle-related fluctuations in oxytocin concentrations: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Frontiers in Neuroendocrinology, 52, 144-155. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yfrne.2018.11.002

Engel, S., Laufer, S., Knaevelsrud, C., & Schumacher, S. (2019). The endogenous oxytocin system in depressive disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 101, 138-149. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psyneuen.2018.11.011

Engel, S., Laufer, S., Miller, R., Niemeyer, H. Knaevelsrud, C., & Schumacher, S. (2019). Demographic, sampling- and assay-related confounders of endogenous oxytocin concentrations: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Frontiers in Neuroendocrinology, 54, 100775. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yfrne.2019.100775

Engel, S.*, van Zuiden, M.*, Frijling, J. L., Koch, S. B. J., Nawijn, L., Schumacher, S., Knaevelsrud, C., Veltman, D. J., & Olff, M. (2019). Patterns of recovery from early posttraumatic stress symptoms after a preventive intervention with oxytocin: Hormonal contraception use is a prognostic factor. Biological Psychiatry, 85(12), e71–e73. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopsych.2019.01.014

Schumacher, S.*, Niemeyer, H.*, Engel, S., Cwik, J.C., Laufer, S., Klusmann, H., & Knaevelsrud, C. (2019). HPA axis regulation in posttraumatic stress disorder: A meta-analysis focusing on potential moderators. Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews, 100, 35-57. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2019.02.005

2018

Engel, S., Wörfel, F., Santa Maria, A., Wolter, C., Kleiber, D., & Renneberg, B. (2018). Leadership climate prevents emotional exhaustion in German police officers. International Journal of Police Science and Management, 20(3), 217-224. https://doi.org/10.1177/1461355718786295

Laufer, S., Engel, S., Knaevelsrud, C., & Schumacher, S. (2018). Cortisol and alpha-amylase assessment in psychotherapeutic intervention studies: A systematic review. Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews, 95, 235-262. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2018.09.023

Schumacher, S.*, Niemeyer, H.*, Engel, S., Cwik, J. C., & Knaevelsrud, C. (2018). Psychotherapeutic treatment and HPA axis regulation in posttraumatic stress disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 9(98), 186-201. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psyneuen.2018.08.006

2016

Trapp, W., Engel, S., Hajak, G., Lautenbacher, S., Gallhofer, B. (2016). Cognitive remediation for depressed inpatients: Results of a pilot randomized controlled trial. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 50(1), 46-55. https://doi.org/10.1177/0004867415622271