Background: Studies on Selective Mutism (SM) often focused on young children rather than on adolescents. Emotion regulation difficulties likely play a role in the fear of speaking among children...Show moreBackground: Studies on Selective Mutism (SM) often focused on young children rather than on adolescents. Emotion regulation difficulties likely play a role in the fear of speaking among children with SM. Emotion regulation has been investigated in children and adolescents with anxiety disorders, but knowledge about emotion regulation among adolescents with SM is scarce. To fill this gap, the current mixed-methods study examined which emotion regulation strategies adolescents with SM use in anxiety-provoking situations. First, differences between adolescents with and without SM in the use of adaptive, maladaptive and external emotion regulation strategies were examined. Subsequently, it was investigated whether the use of emotion regulation strategies was related to and predicted SM symptoms in adolescents with SM. In addition, this study investigated in an exploratory qualitative way, which emotion regulation strategies adolescents themselves and parents of adolescents with SM reported in online focus groups. Methods: 33 adolescents with SM (SM-group) and 44 healthy adolescents (control group) were compared using the FEEL-KJ questionnaire on their use of different emotion regulation strategies. 79 parents filled in the Selective Mutism Questionnaire (SMQ) to confirm the SM diagnosis and to measure the severity of SM symptoms. Results: Adolescents with SM significantly used adaptive strategies less often and maladaptive strategies more often, compared to healthy adolescents. The adolescents with or without SM did not significantly differ from each other on external regulation strategies. In contrast, adaptive, maladaptive and external emotion regulation strategies did not relate to or predict the extent of SM symptoms in adolescents with SM. Quotes from the chat- and focus groups suggested that adolescents with SM use adaptive, maladaptive and external emotion regulation strategies, whereby withdrawal after freezing can be seen as an effective useful strategy for adolescents with SM. Conclusions: The results indicate emotion dysregulation among adolescents with SM. Limitations and strengths and suggestions of implications for treatment of adolescents with SM were discussed.Show less
The aim of the present study was to collect knowledge about the role of executive functioning on social development in children (3-7 years) with Sex Chromosome Trisomy (SCT). This knowledge has...Show moreThe aim of the present study was to collect knowledge about the role of executive functioning on social development in children (3-7 years) with Sex Chromosome Trisomy (SCT). This knowledge has contributed the understanding of the social development in children with SCT and has ensured the use of appropriate treatment. SCT children have an extra X- or Y-chromosome. As a result of SCT, these children show deficiencies in several areas of development, primarily focused on social-emotional development. With data from 132 children at an age between 3 and 7 years, this study has given insights about the relationship between executive functioning and social withdrawal. The insights in this study were measured, based on statistical analyses with the outcomes of the ‘Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function’ and ‘The Autism Screening Instrument for Educational Planning- Third Edition’. Children with SCT have shown significant differences in level of executive functioning between children with and without SCT. Especially shifting and planning and organisation have been predictive of the level of social withdrawal. A weak ability of shifting, planning and organisation has led to more social withdrawal in children with SCT. Age has not influenced the relationship between these executive functions and social withdrawal. This knowledge has suggested treatment for young children with SCT should address shifting, planning, and organization to limit social withdrawal. Limitations of this study have been discussed. Additionally, implications for further research have been mentioned and have been focused on development of treatment and deepening the insights.Show less
Youths with conduct disorder and callous-unemotional traits are known to show reactive as well as proactive aggressive behavior. Both forms of aggression are correlated with internalising problems ...Show moreYouths with conduct disorder and callous-unemotional traits are known to show reactive as well as proactive aggressive behavior. Both forms of aggression are correlated with internalising problems (such as anxiety and depression symptoms), although there has been found more scientific evidence for reactive aggression. However, internalising problems are less visible to the outside eye in comparison to externalising problems such as aggression, and therefore more overlooked in this sample. Consequently, the current study examined the relation between both forms of aggression and internalising problems in a sample of 28 male adolescents with conduct disorder and callous-unemotional traits (ages 15 to 19). These youths self-reported on their aggression and internalising problems through the YSR and RPQ and the callous-unemotional traits were established through the ICU. Inconsistent with previous research, all forms of aggression were not significantly correlated with internalising problems. This suggests that both constructs should be treated separately in interventions. This research offers a different view to the current knowledge of aggression and internalising problems in youth with conduct disorder and callous-unemotional traits. Further research with a larger sample and perhaps different research design is necessary to provide more insight and to draw better conclusions.Show less
This study investigated Activities of Daily Living (ADL) and Executive Functioning (EF) in people with Coffin-Siris Syndrome (CSS) in the Netherlands. The main research question was wether...Show moreThis study investigated Activities of Daily Living (ADL) and Executive Functioning (EF) in people with Coffin-Siris Syndrome (CSS) in the Netherlands. The main research question was wether differences in ADL and EF existed CSS-patients different types of genetic mutations. The differences between the groups of genetic mutations were examined taking into account the intercorrelation of ADL and EF, and the age of the (groups of) patients. In the study, 73 patients with Coffin-Siris Syndrome participated (N=73), divided into 2 groups: one group with the genetic mutation ARID1B and 1 group with other genetic mutations. The study data was obtained through the de Voorbereidende vragenlijst Coffin Siris Syndroom poli. This study revealed that no distinction could be made between different genetic mutations with respect to EF, F(1,26) = .21; p = .652. The same is true for ADL, F(1,31) =1.29; p = .264. On average, the groups with different genetic mutations did not score significantly different from each other to distinguish between them. It was also found that when corrected for age, no distinction could be made between the different genetic mutations. There were no significant influences of age in either EF (p= .478) or ADL (p= .214). When looking at the entire target group of CSS patients, rather than the groups of genetic mutations, the study found that initially there does not appear to be a relationship between EF and ADL, r = .33, p = .053. However, the study does show a significant positive weak relationship between EF and ADL when adjusted for age, r = .35, p = .049. Thus the study did not find sufficient results to imply a distinction between different gene mutations in ADL and EF in clinical practice. However, there does seem to be a relationship between EF and ADL in CSS patients. Research with larger groups of CSS-patients with the ARID1B- and other mutations is necessary in order to reveal potential differences. This study investigated Activities of Daily Living (ADL) and Executive Functioning (EF) in people with Coffin-Siris Syndrome (CSS) in the Netherlands. The main research question was wether differences in ADL and EF existed CSS-patients different types of genetic mutations. The differences between the groups of genetic mutations were examined taking into account the intercorrelation of ADL and EF, and the age of the (groups of) patients. In the study, 73 patients with Coffin-Siris Syndrome participated (N=73), divided into 2 groups: one group with the genetic mutation ARID1B and 1 group with other genetic mutations. The study data was obtained through the de Voorbereidende vragenlijst Coffin Siris Syndroom poli. This study revealed that no distinction could be made between different genetic mutations with respect to EF, F(1,26) = .21; p = .652. The same is true for ADL, F(1,31) =1.29; p = .264. On average, the groups with different genetic mutations did not score significantly different from each other to distinguish between them. It was also found that when corrected for age, no distinction could be made between the different genetic mutations. There were no significant influences of age in either EF (p= .478) or ADL (p= .214). When looking at the entire target group of CSS patients, rather than the groups of genetic mutations, the study found that initially there does not appear to be a relationship between EF and ADL, r = .33, p = .053. However, the study does show a significant positive weak relationship between EF and ADL when adjusted for age, r = .35, p = .049. Thus the study did not find sufficient results to imply a distinction between different gene mutations in ADL and EF in clinical practice. However, there does seem to be a relationship between EF and ADL in CSS patients. Research with larger groups of CSS-patients with the ARID1B- and other mutations is necessary in order to reveal potential differences.Show less
Previous studies have shown that partner violence is associated with the development of trauma symptoms in children, as children experience partner violence as a traumatic event. Additionally,...Show morePrevious studies have shown that partner violence is associated with the development of trauma symptoms in children, as children experience partner violence as a traumatic event. Additionally, previous research has shown that emotional safety can play a mediating role in this relationship. As there is increasing attention to the complexity of trauma, such as how it can vary based on factors such as frequency of events, and limited research on emotional safety as a moderator in the relationship between partner violence and trauma symptoms, this study investigated whether emotional safety plays a role in the relationship between the frequency of partner violence and trauma symptoms in children. The study included 226 mother-child pairs, with children aged 10 to 17 years. The mothers and children were referred to Veilig Thuis after a report of domestic violence. The findings of the study showed that there was no direct relationship between the frequency of partner violence and trauma symptoms in children. Additionally, no significant interaction effect was found. However, the results showed that there was an association between emotional safety and trauma symptoms in children. Therefore, emotional safety may not play a moderating but a mediating role in the relationship between the frequency of partner violence and trauma symptoms in children. Additionally, it is possible that mothers may rate the frequency of partner violence more positively than it is. Further research could focus on children's data related to partner violence, as data collected through children is considered reliable. To make well-founded statements, further research is needed to include emotional safety as a mediator and to focus on children's data related to partner violence.Show less
Autism is a complex neurobiological disorder with a broad spectrum of symptoms, making theories and research findings ambiguous. The current study investigates the relationship between visuospatial...Show moreAutism is a complex neurobiological disorder with a broad spectrum of symptoms, making theories and research findings ambiguous. The current study investigates the relationship between visuospatial working memory, strategy use, and autistic traits through the application of dynamic testing. The aim of the study is to acquire more insight into the strategies employed by children with autistic traits and the role of visuospatial working memory. This information can assist professionals in tailoring educational programs to the needs of this specific group. The sample consisted of 41 neurotypical children aged between 8 and 11 years, of which 46 percent were girls. Strategy use was measured using the Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure Task, visuospatial working memory through Picture Span, and autistic traits using the Autism Spectrum Questionnaire. The results showed that there was no significant relationship between strategy use and autism traits. There was also no significant difference in progress in strategy use between children with low and high autism traits. Also, no relationship was found between visuospatial working memory and autism traits. A significant relationship was only found between visuospatial working memory and progress in strategy use when copying the Rey- Osterrieth Complex Figure Task, with greater working memory capacity causing more progress in strategy use. The results of the Autism Spectrum Questionnaire showed a limited distribution of autism traits, which could be a possible explanation for rejecting the hypotheses. The small sample size and other factors that may influence autism traits are also possible explanations. Strengths and other limitations of the study are discussed and recommendations for future research are provided. The present study has contributed to scientific knowledge about the cognitive functioning of children with autism traits.Show less
This study aimed to enhance students general reading ability by training inferences through video. Inference making is an important factor in reading comprehension, it is also a factor Dutch...Show moreThis study aimed to enhance students general reading ability by training inferences through video. Inference making is an important factor in reading comprehension, it is also a factor Dutch students have great difficulty with compared to other important factors in reading comprehension. Therefore a new inference making training was conducted in which students in grade 4 learned these skills through either video or text. In this training looking for clues and the use of graphic organizers was used to teach students inference making skills in eight sessions of 30 minutes. Each week two sessions took place. One for instruction and one for practice. The study used a pre- posttest design with two test groups and a control group. The growth in general reading ability was measured through a maze task. Results indicated that even though the results in general reading ability increased between the pre- and posttest, there was no difference between the intervention groups and the controlgroup. Therefore it was concluded that this training was not effective for both conditions; video and text. When looking at the difference in growth for students with low and high reading motivation there was found no difference in growth for the different conditions. The attitude of the students towards the training was examined as well. These findings indicated that there was no different attitude towards the text training or the video training. When looking at the influence of reading motivation on these results there was a significant effect where students with higher reading motivation had a better attitude towards the training. Students motivation did not differ in text or video condition. This study is a good starting point for further research into inference making training.Show less
Research into child maltreatment has been related to various significant repercussions such as a negative impact on quality of life. This study analyzes to what extent trauma symptoms mediate the...Show moreResearch into child maltreatment has been related to various significant repercussions such as a negative impact on quality of life. This study analyzes to what extent trauma symptoms mediate the relationship between child maltreatment and quality of life among Dutch children who have been reported to Veilig Thuis. In total, 194 children and adolescents between the ages of seven to eighteen years participated in this research through online self-report questionnaires measuring child maltreatment, trauma symptoms, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The statistical analysis resulted in a positive significant relationship between child maltreatment and HRQoL. Additionally, a significant direct and indirect relationship was found and therefore trauma symptoms had a partial mediating effect on the relationship between child maltreatment and HRQoL. As this analysis did not include other key factors that could potentially further explain this relationship, it is recommended for future research to explore other possible mediation and/or moderation analyses. Overall, the findings of this study emphasize the added value of a child’s perspective and the importance of future research to tackle the issue of child maltreatment. Especially as maltreated children appear to fall victim to a system of child protection with multiple structural shortcomings.Show less
The purpose of the current study was to examine whether being interested in a particular text topic affects reading comprehension processes and products of skilled and less-skilled comprehenders...Show moreThe purpose of the current study was to examine whether being interested in a particular text topic affects reading comprehension processes and products of skilled and less-skilled comprehenders differently. Fifty-two upper elementary school children read six expository texts, three of which the topic of the text was rated as interesting and three of which the topic was rated as uninteresting. Eye-tracking was used to monitor the processes while reading. Reading comprehension products were assessed by two types of questions (i.e., literal and inferential), each designed to reflect a different level of comprehension. Students were also asked about how much knowledge they already had about each of the topics. The results indicated that being interested in a topic does not change reading comprehension processes of both skilled and less-skilled comprehenders, suggesting that they do not benefit from interesting topics compared to noninteresting topics. In addition, topic interest affected the amount of literal questions answered correctly. However, no such results were shown for inferential questions. With skilled comprehenders scoring better on both types of questions, and no interest topic x reading comprehension skill interaction being observed, this indicates that less-skilled comprehenders also do not benefit enough from an interesting topic regarding reading comprehension products. The results are discussed in the light of standards of coherence, cognitive abilities, and background knowledge.Show less
Affective empathy plays a crucial role in parenting. One possible predictor of affective empathy is parents’ attitudes towards children. However, little research has been conducted on this...Show moreAffective empathy plays a crucial role in parenting. One possible predictor of affective empathy is parents’ attitudes towards children. However, little research has been conducted on this relationship. Additionally, stress could play a moderating role in this relationship, via suppression of the positive role of attitudes on empathy. The aim of this study, therefore, is to gain insight into the relationship between attitudes towards children and affective empathy, and the moderating role of stress in this relationship. The main question is: “To what extent is there a relationship between attitudes towards children and affective empathy in female students between 18 and 25 years old and is this relationship moderated by stress?”. Affective empathy is measured by sympathy experienced when observing children in negative social contexts and positive affect experienced when observing children in positive social contexts. Participants were randomly assigned to two conditions: the stress condition (Trier Social Stress Test) and the no-stress condition. In both conditions, participants completed an experimental task measuring affective empathy and filled out questionnaires. Results showed that more positive attitudes were related to more sympathy and positive affect. Stress played no role in this relationship. From this study, it can be concluded that there is a positive relationship between attitudes towards children and affective empathy. This provides opportunities for interventions. Positive attitudes can be promoted through education and training, which in turn can be implemented to stimulate affective empathy. Finally, this research provides a starting point for further research into the predictors of affective empathy.Show less
