The stability of the country and maintaining public order and harmony have been among the top priorities of the government of the small city-state of Singapore, ever since its independence in 1965....Show moreThe stability of the country and maintaining public order and harmony have been among the top priorities of the government of the small city-state of Singapore, ever since its independence in 1965. The People’s Action Party (PAP), which has been in constant rule for over 65 years, has sought to maintain their hegemony and “protect the country” by actively limiting citizens' influence over politics and policies, mainly through the development of legal frameworks repressing dissent across different parts of society. By using theories on contentious politics, state repression, and the political opportunity structure, as well as a qualitative content analysis of Singapore’s laws on dissent, this thesis addresses the following research question: What are the strategies employed by the Singaporean government to repress and prevent dissent, and how do these strategies impact the political opportunity structure for contentious politics? Summarizing the findings, this thesis concludes that the state has built an extensive framework of restrictive laws covering all forms of society, rather than explicitly focusing on certain aspects, which has caused opportunities for dissenting citizens to employ methods of contentious political action to achieve their aims of influencing state policies to be exceptionally limited.Show less
This study examines primary school teachers' knowledge of mathematic teaching and learning trajectories, and didactic models, focusing on the teaching and learning trajectories of 'multi-digit...Show moreThis study examines primary school teachers' knowledge of mathematic teaching and learning trajectories, and didactic models, focusing on the teaching and learning trajectories of 'multi-digit addition and subtraction' and 'time'. The study aims to identify knowledge gaps to ensure teachers have adequate knowledge to meet their students' diverse mathematical needs. Factors like the grade level teachers teach, teaching experience, and instructional methods are also considered. The study uses a questionnaire to assess teachers' understanding, including a sequencing task for arranging arithmetic tasks and identifying didactic model phases. Results show teachers better understand the teaching and learning trajectories for 'multi-digit addition and subtraction' than for 'time' (n = 33). Grade level does not affect the knowledge of teaching and learning trajectories, but less experienced teachers sometimes show more insight. The teaching method used also relates to knowledge levels. Teachers excel at classifying assignments by one didactic model but struggle with another. Regarding knowledge acquisition, it appears that teachers gain more understanding of teaching and learning trajectories, and didactic models after completing their teacher education rather than during it.Show less
Previous research has argued the importance of education for future gains (Palomino et al., 2019) and how inequality can negatively affect educational aspirations (Jia et al., 2021). Therefore,...Show morePrevious research has argued the importance of education for future gains (Palomino et al., 2019) and how inequality can negatively affect educational aspirations (Jia et al., 2021). Therefore, this study aimed to further demonstrate whether differences in perceptions of inequality of opportunity and outcome negatively affects students’ educational aspirations. Further, based on previous research demonstrating positive main effect of internal locus of control (Sagone & Caroli, 2014) and a moderating effect of internal locus of control (Jia et al., 2021) on educational outcomes, locus of control was added as a moderator to see if an internal locus of control offsets negative effects of inequality on educational aspirations. Our manipulation, videos explaining inequality of opportunity and outcome, failed to tease apart perceptions of inequality of opportunity and outcome and were consequently combined into one factor, inequality. We found no significant main effect of perception of inequality, but a significant positive main effect of locus of control on educational aspirations. An interaction effect between perceptions of inequality and locus of control on educational aspirations was found. However, unexpectedly, students perceiving inequality within the external locus of control group scored highest on educational aspirations. Implications, limitations, and avenues for further research are discussed.Show less
The exam period can be stressful for students, significantly impacting their lifestyle behaviours. Research indicates that students tend to have poorer diets during exam periods, with stress and...Show moreThe exam period can be stressful for students, significantly impacting their lifestyle behaviours. Research indicates that students tend to have poorer diets during exam periods, with stress and sleep quality potentially influencing this pattern. The decline in diet quality among university students during examinations is a significant social issue that needs to further understanding. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between exam stress and perceived changes in food choice -healthy or unhealthy eating- during an exam period among university students aged 18 to 25 and to assess to what extent this relationship is mediated by sleep quality during an exam period. Utilizing a cross-sectional design, data was collected from 200 Dutch university students who completed three questionnaires, the Examination Stress Scale, a questionnaire about changes in food choice during an exam period and the Regensburg Insomnia Scale. A mediation analysis was conducted using linear regressions in SPSS. The results indicated no significant relationship between exam stress and changes in food choice (β = .042 , p = .558). There was a significant positive relationship between exam stress and poor sleep quality (β = .44, p < .001). No significant association was found between sleep quality and changes in food choice (β = -.02, p < .770). When controlling for sleep quality, exam stress was still not associated with changes in food choices (β = .05, p < .514). Thus, the present study concluded that there is no relationship between exam stress and perceived changes in food choice -healthy or unhealthy eating- among university students ages 18 to 25 and that this relationship is not mediated by sleep quality during exams. However, there was a significant relationship between exam stress and poor sleep quality. Prevention strategies for exam stress and poor sleep should include stress management and education about the importance of sufficient sleep.Show less
Seeking to more profoundly understand the nexus between race and class in Brazil, and comprehend its implications for political consciousness, this thesis centres the question: “How is political...Show moreSeeking to more profoundly understand the nexus between race and class in Brazil, and comprehend its implications for political consciousness, this thesis centres the question: “How is political consciousness of Afro-Brazilian emancipation movements informed by class interests?” In this capacity, class interests are interpreted as racialised consciousness, derived from the neo- Marxist theory of racialisation, a lens that figures prominently in this study. Remaining open to alternative explanations, through exploring discourse of Afro-Brazilian movement Black Coalition for Rights, this study concludes that two forms of consciousness theoretically assumed to be different are both built on similar premises that recognise the role of capitalist structures in processes of racialisation.Show less
Children with sex chromosome trisomy (SCT) are at increased risk for psychopathology, particularly within the social domain. This study investigates whether children with SCT exhibit elevated...Show moreChildren with sex chromosome trisomy (SCT) are at increased risk for psychopathology, particularly within the social domain. This study investigates whether children with SCT exhibit elevated autism traits compared to typically developing children, given the difficulties in social interaction and communication that are typical of autism spectrum disorders. The sample comprised 67 children with SCT (27 girls with XXX, 29 boys with XXY, 11 boys with XYY) and 70 typically developing children, aged 2.5 to 7.5 years. Autism traits were assessed using the Social Responsiveness Scale, Second edition (SRS-2). Statistical analyses revealed that children with SCT demonstrate more severe deficits in social responsiveness than typically developing children, scoring primarily in the subclinical range. Children with SCT scored significantly higher on all assessed autism aspects, with social awareness being the least affected compared to the control group. No differences were found across different karyotypes, suggesting a consistent elevation of autism traits across SCT genetic variants. Age had no effect on the severity of autism traits, implying stability across development. These insights enhance understanding of the specific needs and challenges of children with SCT in their social development, which is crucial for the development of effective support and intervention programs. Additionally, these findings underscore the importance of early detection and intervention for children with SCT, with autism traits serving as potential early indicators of SCT presence.Show less
Objectives: Free-play and social interactions during school recess are crucial for children's development. This study explored the social preferences of autistic and non-autistic children during...Show moreObjectives: Free-play and social interactions during school recess are crucial for children's development. This study explored the social preferences of autistic and non-autistic children during recess, and their impact on children’s recess enjoyment. Based on prior research, the study hypothesized that (1) both autistic and non-autistic children would interact more with in-group peers, and (2) more in-group interactions would contribute to higher recess enjoyment. Methods: Measurements were conducted on 69 children with special educational needs (19 autistic, 50 non-autistic) aged 4-14 years at a special educational primary school in the Netherlands. Radio frequency identification (RFID) proximity sensors tracked children’s number of interaction partners and total interaction time during recess. Recess enjoyment was assessed using six items from the Lunchtime Enjoyment of Activity and Play (LEAP) self-report questionnaire, completed on tablets with assistance. Interaction measures were adjusted for different group sizes and recess duration. Results: Mixed ANOVAs and post hoc tests showed that non-autistic children had significantly more non-autistic interaction partners than autistic partners (t(49) = 8,88, p < .001), whereas autistic children had a similar number of autistic and non-autistic partners (t(18) = .961, p = .175). No significant difference were found in the time spent interacting with autistic and non-autistic peers for either group (F(1, 66) = 1.09; p = .300; partial η² = .016). Regression models showed no significant relationship between in-group interactions and recess enjoyment (b = .40, t(48) = .13, p = .897 for time spent in interaction; b = 1.87, t(48) = .77, p = .443 for number of interaction partners). Conclusion: The study partially replicated previous findings of in-group social preferences among non-autistic children but found no such preference among autistic children during recess. The results highlight the differences in social patterns alongside similarities in the time spent in close interactions and enjoyment of recess in both groups. The findings have implications for professionals in designing and managing school environments that respect diverse social preferences while handling social exclusions. Limitations, future directions, and theoretical implications supporting the social model of autism are discussed.Show less
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE), such as abuse, neglect, and household dysfunction have consistently been associated with the development of dysfunctional thinking patterns, known as Early...Show moreAdverse Childhood Experiences (ACE), such as abuse, neglect, and household dysfunction have consistently been associated with the development of dysfunctional thinking patterns, known as Early Maladaptive Schemas (EMS). This study aimed to investigate the relationship between ACE and the EMS Impaired Limits domain, while exploring the potential moderating role of sex assigned at birth in this relationship. We expected that more adverse experiences would predict more severe difficulties in controlling impulses and following rules and that sex assigned at birth would moderate this relationship. A cross-sectional design with convenience sampling was implemented, and self-report online questionnaires were completed by 131 Leiden University students, who volunteered to participate in the study. The Adverse Childhood Experiences Questionnaire (ACE-Q) and the Young Schema Questionnaire-Short Form; version 3 (YSQ-S3) were used to measure ACE and the EMS Impaired Limits domain respectively. Demographic information was collected, regarding participants’ sex assigned at birth, gender identity, country of origin, years lived in the Netherlands and cumulative GPA. The final sample consisted of 125 participants, out of which 114 were female (91.2%) and 11 (8.8%) were male. The average age of the participants was 19 years. To examine the relationship between ACE and the EMS Impaired Limits domain, linear regression analysis was conducted. The findings revealed that ACE score significantly predicted participants’ scores in the EMS Impaired Limits domain, (β = 1.66, p < .001, 95% CI [20.63, 24.02]), explaining 10.5% of the variance (R2 = 0.105). Moderation analysis to explore the role of sex assigned at birth did not yield reliable results, due to the disproportionate representation of male participants in the sample. The findings underscore the importance of ACE in understanding the development of the EMS Impaired Limits domain, highlighting the need for early and tailored interventions for individuals with a history of ACE. Future studies could further investigate additional factors influencing the development of this EMS domain, including a nuanced exploration of both sex assigned at birth and gender identity, utilizing more balanced and representative samples.Show less
The reading skills of children in the Netherlands have been significantly declining since 2015. Reading skills are fundamental for successful participation in society. The reading enjoyment of...Show moreThe reading skills of children in the Netherlands have been significantly declining since 2015. Reading skills are fundamental for successful participation in society. The reading enjoyment of children is also declining and reading enjoyment is associated with reading skills. Research has shown that struggling readers need individualized intensive multicomponent reading interventions to improve their reading skills. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of two online reading interventions on reading skills and reading enjoyment of struggling readers in grades 4 and 5. The first reading intervention, the ‘Universele Interventie voor Lezen’ (UIL), is individualized and intensive and uses direct and explicit instruction. The second reading intervention, the ‘Meelees Interventie’ (MLI), is individualized, but less intensive and makes less use of direct and explicit instruction. Both interventions cover multiple components of reading. The interventions were compared to a wait-list control group (CG) in which children received the UIL at the end of the study. Reading skills were divided in word reading, reading fluency and reading comprehension and were measured using CBM word reading, CBM reading aloud, and CBM maze-selection. Reading enjoyment was measured using the Reading and Me Survey. Results revealed that struggling readers in the intervention conditions (UIL and MLI) made significantly greater pre-posttest gains in word reading than did struggling readers in the control group. No significant effects were found for reading fluency, reading comprehension or reading enjoyment. The results suggest that providing extra, intensive individualized multicomponent reading interventions to struggling 4th- and 5th-grade readers over a period of 4 weeks with 8 sessions may increase their word reading skills, but not their reading fluency skills, their reading comprehension skills or their reading enjoyment. In addition, the results suggest that interventions with more and less direct and explicit instruction were equally effective.Show less
The occurrence of traumatic experiences in early life is associated with increased vulnerability to psychiatric disorders. The objective of this study is to integrate childhood trauma (CT) and...Show moreThe occurrence of traumatic experiences in early life is associated with increased vulnerability to psychiatric disorders. The objective of this study is to integrate childhood trauma (CT) and emotional eating (EE) with anxiety to show how implementing tailored treatment in standard therapy benefits overall health. This study is the first of its kind to investigate these variables. Three research questions are explored, all using regression analysis: first, is there an association between CT and EE in healthy controls (no diagnosis of anxiety or depression) and with diagnosed anxiety, second, what role does anxiety play in EE and what is the moderating effect of anxiety on CT and EE. The third investigates the five subtypes of childhood trauma (emotional, sexual, physical abuse, emotional and physical neglect) and its association with EE. The population was taken from the Netherlands Study of Depression and Anxiety (NESDA), a total of 1391 participants were included with either a lifetime diagnosed anxiety disorder or healthy controls. There was a significant positive association between CT and EE when controlled for anxiety. EE was higher in participants with an anxiety disorder relative to controls. Emotional abuse had the strongest association with EE, physical abuse had no significant association. The findings provide evidence that risk groups with childhood trauma and emotional eating would benefit from tailored interventions such as mindfulness, emotional regulation and dialectal behaviour therapy. Future research is recommended to investigate factors such as gender and depression to understand the extent of symptomology and ensure successful treatment.Show less
About 40% of Dutch employees engage in physically demanding work (PDW). PDW involves tasks during work that require prolonged standing, heavy lifting, repetitive movements, and taxing postures....Show moreAbout 40% of Dutch employees engage in physically demanding work (PDW). PDW involves tasks during work that require prolonged standing, heavy lifting, repetitive movements, and taxing postures. Recent research shows that PDW deteriorates health, but mechanisms and buffers or boosters for this relation have remained unclear. In the present study, lower leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) and higher alcohol consumption are postulated as explanations and as moderators for the negative relation between PDW and health. Thus, this study investigates the relationship between PDW and health outcomes over one year, and further focusses on the potential mediating and moderating roles of the lifestyle behaviors, LTPA and alcohol consumption. The sample consisted of N = 1,259 Dutch employees and data was used from a longitudinal study (LISS-panel) conducted over two waves with a one-year interval (2021-2022). Using self-reported questionnaires, the participants reported about their health status (at both baseline and after one year), physical work demands, alcohol consumption and participation in LTPA. The statistical analysis involved a regression analysis (main effect), and the PROCESS Macro by Hayes model 1 (moderation) and 4 (mediation). There was controlled for gender, age, education level and health at baseline. The analyses showed that first, in line with the literature, PDW negatively affects health. Second, neither LTPA nor alcohol consumption significantly mediates or moderates the negative relationship between PDW and health outcome. These results suggest that the impact of PDW cannot be explained by the lifestyle factors studied. Also, the findings point at a need for investigating other mechanisms in the relation between PDW and health, such as other lifestyle behaviors or implementing tools to make jobs itself less physically demanding. We also recommend future research to follow up on these findings with objective measurements of health and physical activity (instead of self-reporting questionnaires), longer study periods, and the use of multiple item questions to fully understand the long-term health implications of PDW and lifestyle behavior.Show less
