The DuLIP-Extended is the extension of the Dutch Linguistic Intraoperative Protocol (De Witte et al., 2015) which aims to test language function on the linguistic levels of phonology, semantics,...Show moreThe DuLIP-Extended is the extension of the Dutch Linguistic Intraoperative Protocol (De Witte et al., 2015) which aims to test language function on the linguistic levels of phonology, semantics, and syntax in cases of awake brain surgery on glioma patients with no or mild aphasia. The extension aims to make awake surgery feasible for glioma patients who have severe preoperative aphasia, by the addition of less complex tasks on all linguistic levels. This study aims to provide insight into how a healthy Flemish and Dutch sample perform on the DuLIP-Extended. Insight was gained by investigating which items should be removed depending on low accuracy rate in a healthy Dutch and a healthy Flemish sample, what the accuracy rates of the performances were on subtask level, whether the performances of the Dutch and Flemish samples significantly differed from each other, and whether the factors of sex, age, and education level affected task performances. The Dutch sample contained 71 participants and the Flemish contained 80 participants. Across the samples the age range was 18 years of age to 83 years of age. Accuracy rate was below 80% for only a few items (k = 6 in the Dutch sample, k = 3 in the Flemish sample) and these items were marked for removal in future versions of the DuLIP-Extended. Overall performances of both samples were high in accuracy (all subtask medians were above 80%). Mann-Whitney U tests revealed differences in performances on four subtasks of the DuLIP-Extended between the Flemish and Dutch sample. Lastly, sex, age, and education level had no effect on the performances of the Dutch sample.Show less
Museums serve several different functions within society, from education to entertainment. For all objectives however, it remains important to provide the visitor with a good visiting experience....Show moreMuseums serve several different functions within society, from education to entertainment. For all objectives however, it remains important to provide the visitor with a good visiting experience. The current study investigates the presence and effectiveness of two possible influences on visitor’s experience. The first investigated topic regards the effects of museum labels on visitors’ emotional experience, and the second topic explores the impact of visitors’ characteristics on their viewing behaviour. Data was collected at the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam over a span of three weeks, using three specifically selected paintings. Eye tracking glasses and questionnaires were used to gather data from 69 participants. The study found that the addition of a museum label helped with making the provided information for artworks clearer, which was especially relevant for paintings with a more subtle message. Secondly, visitors experienced more negative emotions viewing a slavery-related painting when it was accompanied by a descriptive label, implying its aid in connecting visual information to (historical) context. No effects were found for visitors’ characteristics on viewing behaviour, emphasizing the influence of individual characteristics over group characteristics. These findings provide further insight into how visitors observe art in museums, and how to optimize this experience.Show less
In the last few years there has been an increase of divorces and blended families. It is estimated that in about two-thirds of these blended families, the relationship between the new partners ends...Show moreIn the last few years there has been an increase of divorces and blended families. It is estimated that in about two-thirds of these blended families, the relationship between the new partners ends in separation. Improving the relationships between siblings is crucial to improve the stability and the dynamics in these families. Biological siblings seem to have better relationships than step- and halfsiblings, possibly due to the number of shared experiences in their childhood. This study examines the connection between shared experiences in childhood and the quality of the sibling relationship and examines whether this connection differs between different types of siblings. To investigate this, young adults between the age of 18 and 25 years old were asked to complete a questionnaire about the quality of the relationship with their siblings, the Lifespan Sibling Relationship Scale, and other related aspects. The sample consisted of 112 participants that were recruited through online ads through social media, through flyers at Leiden University, and through SONA. The results show a significant association between the number of shared experiences in childhood and the quality of the brother-sister relationship. The experiences that were significant for the quality of the sibling relationship were ‘having the same hobbies or interests’ and ‘played together’. This association did not differ between the different types of siblings, this highlights the universal relevance of shared experiences between siblings. These findings underscore the importance of stimulating shared experiences between siblings. Especially within blended families, where sibling relationships play an important role in family cohesion. Future research should further explore approaches to enhance sibling relationships to improve the development of children and the family itself.Show less
Math is a skill that is relevant throughout life. Therefore, a good mastery of math is crucial for a successful education and career. Previous research indicates that training spatial skills...Show moreMath is a skill that is relevant throughout life. Therefore, a good mastery of math is crucial for a successful education and career. Previous research indicates that training spatial skills improves both math and spatial skills in students. Spatial anxiety might influence the effectiveness of the training. This study aims to determine which spatial training condition works best to improve students' math and spatial skills and what role the spatial anxiety has on this effect. The training in the current research consists of mental rotation tasks. Four training conditions are compared in the current study: concrete, digital, video and control. In the concrete condition, the students can hold a physical figure identical to the task. In the digital condition, the students can turn the figure on their laptop screen. In the video condition, the students can watch a video of the figure turning. In the control condition, the students were not provided with any tools. After correcting for missing values, 189 students from group 7 and 8 of primary schools in the West of The Netherlands participated in the current study. Math and spatial skills were measured through tests. Spatial anxiety was determined using a questionnaire. The results showed that students improved their spatial skills between the pretest and the posttest across all conditions. However, no significant differences were found between the conditions. Math skills improved among students in the control, digital and concrete condition. Spatial anxiety was not found to affect gains in math and spatial skills. These findings were partially aligned with previous research. The differences could possibly be explained by differences in research design or limitations of the current study. Based on this study, several suggestions are made for future research, such as adding an additional control group that does not undergo training.Show less
This study explores the relationship between teacher-student connectedness and teachers' efforts to adopt students' perspectives, considering the potential moderating role of emotional exhaustion....Show moreThis study explores the relationship between teacher-student connectedness and teachers' efforts to adopt students' perspectives, considering the potential moderating role of emotional exhaustion. Data were collected from 65 pre-service teachers who completed measures of connectedness, perspective-taking difficulty, and emotional exhaustion. Correlation analysis revealed weak, non-significant relationships among the variables and regression analyses indicated that connectedness was not a significant predictor of perspective-taking efforts. Additionally, emotional exhaustion did not moderate the relationship between connectedness and perspective-taking. The findings highlight the need for professional development programs aimed at enhancing teacher-student relationships and equipping teachers with strategies to manage emotional exhaustion and strengthen perspective-taking, contributing to a more positive and effective educational environment.Show less
The diagnosis of Sex Chromosome Trisomy (SCT) is increasing rapidly worldwide. About 1 in 650-1000 children are born with an extra X or Y chromosome. These common chromosomal abnormalities,...Show moreThe diagnosis of Sex Chromosome Trisomy (SCT) is increasing rapidly worldwide. About 1 in 650-1000 children are born with an extra X or Y chromosome. These common chromosomal abnormalities, including XXY/Klinefelter syndrome, XXX/Trisomy X and XYY syndrome, affect both physical development and behaviour. There is an increased risk of behavioural problems, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD) symptoms, in children with SCT (Rijn, 2019; Tartaglia et al., 2010; Urbanus, 2022). Despite these findings, there has been limited research on the variations in ASD characteristics in children with SCT and possible protective and risk factors. Therefore, this study aims to better understand the characteristics of ASD in children with SCT, identify possible protective and risk factors related to parenting skills for this group, and ultimately optimise support measures, early detection and appropriate interventions for this specific genetic population. For this purpose, the following research question was formulated; Is there a difference in the level of ASD characteristics in children with SCT 3-7 years compared to peers? And to what extent do the parenting skills (mentalisation and sensitivity) of parents with children aged 3-7 years with SCT correlate with the level of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) characteristics of this specific population? Data for this study is selected from a larger quantitative study conducted by Leiden University and the TRIXY Centre of Expertise. Children with SCT and their parents were recruited through support groups and clinical genetics departments in hospitals in the Netherlands, Belgium and the US. The control group was recruited from nurseries, public locations and primary schools. The study includes 145 children aged between 3 and 7 years, with 71 participants in control group and 74 participants in the SCT group. This study showed that a significant difference was found in the level of autism traits between children with SCT and children without SCT. Children with SCT scored significantly higher on every autism trait that was tested. In addition, no correlation was found between parenting skills; sensitivity and mentalisation and the level of autism traits in children with SCT. Based on this, a dimensional approach, rather than a binary criterion, is recommended as this could help detect subtle variations and gradations in ASD symptoms earlier, enabling early diagnosis. In addition, this research outcome implies that other factors such as biological, neurological and other environmental factors may have a greater influence on the level of ASD characteristics in children with SCT. More research needs to be done on this to say this with great certainty. This study is limited by no distinguish between different types of sex chromosome trisomy, which may limit the generalisability of the results. In addition, the study included children aged 3-7 years, but at this stage children develop rapidly, and ASD traits may manifest differently depending on age, which may limit the generalisability of the results to any age between 3 and 7 years. Besides these limitations, the study also has many strengths, such as contributing to increasing scientific knowledge about ASD traits in children with SCT, early detection of these and possible risk and protective factors.Show less
In Europe, more than half of adults are obese (WHO, 2022). Enhancing the self-regulation of energy intake, the ability to respond to one's own hunger or satiety signals, can reduce the risk of...Show moreIn Europe, more than half of adults are obese (WHO, 2022). Enhancing the self-regulation of energy intake, the ability to respond to one's own hunger or satiety signals, can reduce the risk of obesity (DiSantis et al., 2011). Promoting the self-regulation of energy intake as early as possible in development is therefore crucial. The present study examined the relation between maternal sensitivity in different contexts (during free play and during meals) at 18 months and the child's self-regulation of energy intake at 24 months. The sample consisted of 103 mother-child dyads (41.7% boys), obtained from the longitudinal study "Baby's first bites” (Van der Veek et al., 2019). Maternal sensitivity was measured using “the Ainsworth Maternal Sensitivity Scale” (Ainsworth et al., 1974). The self- regulation of energy intake was assessed using an “Eating in Absence of Hunger” paradigm (Schultink et al., 2021). First, no significant relation was found between maternal sensitivity during free play at 18 months and self-regulation of energy intake at 24 months. Second, maternal sensitivity during mealtime at 18 months was not related to self-regulation of energy intake at 24 months. Finally, maternal sensitivity during free play and during mealtime at 18 months did not make a unique contribution to the child's self-regulation of energy intake at 24 months. This study contributed to the emerging research area of parenting practices and the self-regulation of energy intake. Based on the current research, it cannot be stated that maternal sensitivity contributes to the child's self-regulation of energy intake. Therefore, it is not yet clear how parents can best contribute to good self-regulation of energy intake. Follow-up research is needed.Show less
Primary education teachers can feel incompetent in responding to the needs and behaviors of their pupils, especially those showing disruptive behaviors. By taking the student’s perspective, the...Show morePrimary education teachers can feel incompetent in responding to the needs and behaviors of their pupils, especially those showing disruptive behaviors. By taking the student’s perspective, the teacher should be able to understand the student better and react more responsively. Through this the teacher experiences more positive interactions with the student which contribute to developing and maintaining a positive student-teacher relationship. It is suggested that teachers’ sense of self- efficacy could play a role in the relationship between student-perspective taking and the student- teacher relationship. Therefore, the current study researches the relationship that is described above, and the potential role the teacher’s self-efficacy plays within this. The sample consisted of 133 Dutch regular primary school teachers. Results showed a significant relationship between student-perspective taking and the student-teacher relationship when teachers take the student’s perspective on the level of articulation. The relationship with taking the student’s perspective on the level of positioning, is non-significant. Regarding the role of teachers’ self-efficacy within this relationship, the results show that there is no mediating role. Meanwhile, a significant, positive relationship has been found between the teacher’s self-efficacy and the student-teacher relationship. The findings of this study can be used in developing and shaping interventions for teachers for developing, improving and maintaining positive student-teacher relationships.Show less
This thesis investigates the impact of decisions to repurpose land formerly occupied by historical city fortifications on present-day urban nature. It explores the transformation of these...Show moreThis thesis investigates the impact of decisions to repurpose land formerly occupied by historical city fortifications on present-day urban nature. It explores the transformation of these fortifications, such as moats and ramparts, which once marked urban landscapes across Europe. Over time, these defensive structures became redundant, and most were either fully or partially destroyed, leaving behind traces. The land once occupied by these city fortifications has since been repurposed for various uses, one of which being green spaces. The thesis focuses not on the reasons behind these repurposing decisions but on their consequences. As such the main question that the thesis is answering is: How do decisions made in the past regarding the repurposing of land formerly occupied by historical city fortifications influence present-day urban greening efforts and green space allocation in the cities of Copenhagen and Groningen? Examining how these decisions have influenced the current distribution of green space and the urban greening agendas in cities, for this thesis Copenhagen and Groningen. By understanding the impact of past policies and planning strategies on the development of these former fortification sites, the thesis sheds light on how these decisions continue to shape contemporary urban environments. The thesis underscores the enduring influence of these land-repurposing decisions on today’s urban greening efforts. It highlights their significance for urban landscapes and cultural heritage and the current distribution of urban green spaces and urban greening initiatives. The study provides valuable insights into how past land use decisions continue to affect urban greening agenda efforts in the present day.Show less
This research aimed to comprehensively understand the demographics and characteristics of transgender and gender diverse (TGD) individuals seeking mental health care upon initiating gender...Show moreThis research aimed to comprehensively understand the demographics and characteristics of transgender and gender diverse (TGD) individuals seeking mental health care upon initiating gender-affirming care. Additionally, it focused on optimal integration of mental health care into gender-affirming care according to TGD individuals. Both were within the framework of an ongoing investigation at the Zaans Medical Centre. The quantitative data analysis consisted of intake questionnaire data of twenty-five TGD individuals, variables were derived from sections of the intake questionnaire. For the qualitative data analysis, seven semi-structured interviews were held with TGD individuals. The characteristics of TGD individuals consisted of self-reported psychological distress and well-being. Their relationship to requested mental health care intensity was studied through Spearman rank order correlations. The demographics included age, educational level, ethnicity, employment status, experienced income, and gender assigned at birth. Their association with requesting mental health care was explored through chi-square tests. A thematic analysis with semantic approach was performed to analyse the data. No significant correlations were found between demographic variables and mental health care requests at admission. The correlation between self-reported psychological distress and mental health care intensity was χ2 = -.003, p = .987, for self-reported psychological well-being and mental health care intensity χ2 = -.001, p = .997. Thematic analysis of interview data yielded three overarching themes: motives for seeking mental health care, recommendations for integrating mental health services into gender-affirming care, and desirable attributes of mental health care providers. Reasons for refraining from or seeking mental health care included experiencing psychological distress or good psychological well-being, experiences due to gender dysphoria, acceptance of themselves, and experienced lack of support. Suggestions for optimal mental health care integration were better and more provision of (mental) health care and travel distance to mental health care. Qualities of the ideal mental health care professional were having certain character traits such as being accepting and being specialized in TGD. Overall, this research emphasizes the importance of knowledgeability and empathetic and inclusive qualities in mental health care professionals in the treatment of TGD individuals suggesting its importance over mental health care professionals’ gender identity.Show less
This study examines the relationship between picky eating, parental encouragement, and the frequency of family meals at the table on children's vegetable intake. Understanding the factors that...Show moreThis study examines the relationship between picky eating, parental encouragement, and the frequency of family meals at the table on children's vegetable intake. Understanding the factors that influence vegetable intake is vital for promoting healthy development in children, as unhealthy eating habits can increase the risk of diseases like cardiovascular conditions, cancer, and diabetes. A cross-sectional study was conducted with a sample of 256 mother-child dyads (age children M = 4,68, SD = 0,42). Participants were recruited through email lists and child health centers in four Dutch provinces, targeting mothers about to introduce solid foods to their 4-6 month-old infants The data in this study was collected from the same sample of children, but when they were 24 months old. Information about the variables was gathered using multiple questionnaires: Compl-Eat, Meals in Our Household, CFPQ, and CEBQ-T. Results show that less picky children consume significantly more vegetables on average than picky children, with an average difference of 38.64 grams. However, no significant effects were found for parental encouragement or the frequency of family meals at the table on vegetable intake. Possible explanations for the lack of significant results include the skewed data distribution and potential social desirability bias in parental reporting. Future research should aim to precisely define and measure 'encouragement' and 'meals at the table', considering factors like frequency, method, and context. This will lead to the development of more precise measurement tools, improving the accuracy and reliability of findings. These insights are crucial for developing effective interventions to promote vegetable consumption in children and improve their overall health.Show less
Bachelor thesis | Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology (BSc)
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The thesis "Shaping Tomorrow’s Cities: Exploring Human-Environment Relations for Social Sustainability" examines the diverse interactions between humans and their environments in relation to social...Show moreThe thesis "Shaping Tomorrow’s Cities: Exploring Human-Environment Relations for Social Sustainability" examines the diverse interactions between humans and their environments in relation to social sustainability within urban areas. I focus on marginalised groups whose experiences often diverge from mainstream perspectives. Through case studies such as the Minha Casa Minha Vida project in Brazil and Hyde Park in the United States, this thesis highlights how these communities infuse spaces with personal and collective memories, influencing their interactions with the environment. These studies suggest that standardised urban planning policies may overlook the lived realities of marginalised communities, leading to social sustainability initiatives that fall short of addressing their needs. By examining the complex social, historical, and economic factors that shape human-environment relations, the thesis proposes a reimagined approach to urban planning that could foster more inclusive, equitable and supportive urban spaces.Show less
This study tries to gain knowledge about the relation crochet plays within feminist crochet communities, in the sense of how crochet communities empower women through feminist principles, fostering...Show moreThis study tries to gain knowledge about the relation crochet plays within feminist crochet communities, in the sense of how crochet communities empower women through feminist principles, fostering intergenerational connections, and a strong sense of belonging, within the Brussels (Belgium) crochet feminist club. While crochet is still being gendered as a craft, the study aims to understand the motives and the factors that contribute to the sense of belonging within the community. It also unravels the importance of crochet intertwined with a form of feminist standpoint:crochet can convey feminist statements and actions, when they empower women.Show less
Exposure therapy is an effective treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), yet a substantial number of patients fails to reach symptom relief. Therefore, a deeper understanding of the...Show moreExposure therapy is an effective treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), yet a substantial number of patients fails to reach symptom relief. Therefore, a deeper understanding of the underlying mechanisms may help improve the treatment. Inhibitory learning has been a recently developed approach, stating that new fear associations must be actively developed. One proposed strategy has been that of expectancy violation, in which threat expectancies are actively challenged during exposure. Actively experiencing a mismatch between expectancy and reality is supposed to benefit learning and thus improve exposure success, yet results have been mixed. The aim of this study was to expose the mechanisms of expectancy violation by analyzing the types of expectancies experienced by PTSD patients. Furthermore, the effects of the strength of these expectancies and the extent to which they change in strength during exposure on treatment success was tested. In a clinical assay, participants (N = 60) were randomized across two groups, which both received exposure therapy. The experimental group’s exposure treatment was designed to enhance expectancy violation. In both groups, PTSD symptoms were measured at baseline and follow- up, and threat expectancies were measured right before and right after exposure. Results showed that both threat expectancies and PTSD symptoms reduced significantly. However, baseline expectancy strength did not have a significant effect on the amount of PTSD symptom reduction, both in the total and the experimental group. Furthermore, the amount of expectancy change did not predict PTSD symptom reduction either. A full ranking of expectancy types was provided.Show less
Depression is a leading cause of burden worldwide, disproportionately affecting women. Brooding rumination is a symptom and a risk factor for depression. The default mode network (DMN) is active...Show moreDepression is a leading cause of burden worldwide, disproportionately affecting women. Brooding rumination is a symptom and a risk factor for depression. The default mode network (DMN) is active during brooding rumination. Inadequate suppression of this network obstructs activation of the central executive network (CEN), essential for performing cognitively demanding tasks. While previous research linked DMN suppression to depression, this has not been investigated in a healthy population. This study examined potential gender differences in the time required to switch from the DMN to the CEN in a healthy sample. Additionally, it investigated whether switching time was positively related to brooding rumination and whether this relationship differed between genders. Lastly, it explored whether functional connectivity (FC) between the DMN and the subgenual anterior cingulate cortex (sgACC) was related to brooding rumination. Results indicated a faster DMN-CEN switch in men compared to women. No relationship was found between switching time and brooding rumination in either men or women. Lastly, brooding rumination showed no relationship with sgACC-DMN FC. This study proposes a slower DMN-CEN switch as a possible neural mechanism for higher rates of depression and relapse proneness in women compared to men. Moreover, it suggests that DMN suppression may not underlie brooding rumination as a risk factor for MDD. Researchers developing preventive measures for depression aimed at reducing brooding rumination may consider targeting other neural mechanisms than DMN suppression. Future research should explore these alternative neural mechanisms to support the development of preventive measures for the onset and relapse of depression.Show less
Bij het naleven van gedragsdoelen is een vorm van zelfregulatie van belang. Als deze zelfregulatie niet tot stand komt, spreken we van zelfregulatie falen. Hierbij hoort ook het ervaren van een...Show moreBij het naleven van gedragsdoelen is een vorm van zelfregulatie van belang. Als deze zelfregulatie niet tot stand komt, spreken we van zelfregulatie falen. Hierbij hoort ook het ervaren van een setback, een terugval in het naleven van een gedragsdoel. Om de kans op setbacks zo klein mogelijk te maken, moeten we begrijpen hoe individuen reageren op deze setbacks. In deze thesis wordt onderzoek gedaan naar het belang van gedragsdoelen en welke psychologische constructen invloed hebben of worden beïnvloed door het ervaren van een setback. Deze thesis onderzoekt daarnaast het verschil tussen approach-oriented en avoidoriented doelen in relatie tot subjectief succes bij gedragsverandering. Vanuit de literatuur werd verwacht dat doelen met betrekking tot fysieke gezondheid de belangrijkste gedragsdoelen waren. Daarnaast werd als hypothese gesteld dat approach-oriented doelen meer subjectief succes opleveren dan avoid-oriented doelen. Methoden. Met een steekproef van 167 participanten werden verschillende statistische analyses toegepast om antwoord te geven op de drie onderzoeksvragen. De resultaten duiden op een significant onderscheid tussen beide typen doelen, waarbij approach-oriented doelen aanzienlijk hogere gemiddelde scores op subjectief succes vertonen dan avoid-oriented doelen. In de context van de eerste onderzoeksvraag blijkt dat het verhogen of reguleren van wekelijkse sportactiviteiten het meest voorkomende doel is, terwijl het verhogen of reguleren van gezonde voeding het daaropvolgende meest gangbare doel is. De tweede onderzoeksvraag wijst op een algemene positieve perceptie van doelbereiking onder deelnemers, waarbij approach-oriented doelen, zoals het verhogen van gezonde voeding, meer succesvol lijken dan avoid-oriented doelen, zoals het reduceren van alcoholinname. Echter tonen de resultaten aan dat deelnemers die zich richten op het verhogen of reguleren van sportactiviteiten zich over het algemeen niet significant succesvoller voelen dan degenen die zich concentreren op het verhogen of reguleren van gezonde voeding, Conclusie. De bevindingen suggereren dat het streven naar gewenste resultaten een verhoogd gevoel van succes teweegbrengt in vergelijking met het vermijden van ongewenste resultaten. Dit impliceert praktische implicaties voor interventies gericht op gedragsverandering, waarbij een nadruk op approach-oriented doelen een effectieve strategie lijkt te zijn. Echter wijst dit onderzoek op enkele beperkingen, zoals een beperkte steekproefomvang en de mogelijkheid van vertekening door zelfrapportage. Toekomstig onderzoek zou baat hebben bij een representatievere steekproef en longitudinale ontwerpen om een dieper inzicht te verschaffen in deze dynamiek.Show less
