Depression and anxiety are increasingly prevalent and often co-occur in adolescence. Symptoms of stress are a commonality of these disorders. However, the role of this commonality in the co...Show moreDepression and anxiety are increasingly prevalent and often co-occur in adolescence. Symptoms of stress are a commonality of these disorders. However, the role of this commonality in the co-occurrence remains unknown. This cross-sectional study investigated the co-occurrence of depression, anxiety, and stress in adolescence using the network psychometrics approach. We obtained our data from the Open-Source Psychometrics Project. The data consisted of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS)-42 (N = 25,086, ages 13-24 years old). We estimated Gaussian Graphical Models (i.e., partial correlations between nodes) and analyzed the bridge nodes. Bridge nodes are nodes of the network that are most influential in connecting the different disorders. We expected the bridge nodes to be the overlapping symptoms found among depression, anxiety, and stress as indicated in the DSM-V. Moreover, to examine whether bridge nodes were consistent across adolescence, we divided our sample into three age groups: early adolescence (ages 13-15, N = 2,354), middle adolescence (ages 16-19, N = 9,476) and late adolescence (ages 20-24, N = 13,256). Our findings of the full sample adolescent network indicated that symptoms of restlessness (stress) and negative mood (depression) served as bridge nodes, which was in line with our hypothesis. Other bridge nodes, not in line with our hypothesis, were symptoms of subjective experience of anxiety (anxiety) and situational anxiety (anxiety). Bridge nodes exclusive to the late adolescent network were: Finding it hard to wind down (stress) and feeling terrified (anxiety). Moreover, relief after anxious situations (anxiety) was uniquely present in the early and late adolescent networks. This study expands the current theoretical knowledge by, for the first time to our knowledge, including stress symptoms in the network models and by comparing the different adolescent age groups using a broad age range (13 to 24 years). Future research should examine whether clinicians can successfully incorporate this knowledge into transdiagnostic treatment interventions, which could contribute to better overall mental health.Show less
Background: Selective mutism is an anxiety disorder where individuals fail to speak in specific situations despite being able to speak in others. Research indicates a significant association...Show moreBackground: Selective mutism is an anxiety disorder where individuals fail to speak in specific situations despite being able to speak in others. Research indicates a significant association between selective mutism and social anxiety. Moreover, specific parental behaviours, particularly overprotection, are linked to the development of social anxiety in children. In families with children diagnosed with selective mutism, various parenting styles are observed. Aim: This study analyses the possible relation between parental behaviour and social anxiety in four- and five-year-old children, both with and without the risk of developing selective mutism. Method: The current comparative study employs a cross-sectional design (n = 31), comprising fifteen children in the risk group and sixteen children in the comparison group. Two questionnaires completed by parents were used: the Social Anxiety Scale for Children Revised (SASC-R) to measure social anxiety in their children and the Comprehensive Early Childhood Parenting Questionnaire (CECPAQ) to assess parental behaviour. Results: The main findings indicate that children in the risk group exhibit higher levels of social anxiety and that their parents demonstrate less positive parenting behaviour compared to the control group. No relationship was found between positive parenting behaviour and social anxiety, with group status not being a significant moderator. However, a significant positive correlation was found between the level of structure provided by parents in the risk group and their children's social anxiety. Implications: Longitudinal research and parent-child observations are necessary to further verify and understand these findings. This study suggests that refining and improving interventions for selective mutism may involve increasing the focus on parental behaviour characteristics and parent-child interaction.Show less
Teacher shortage is a significant issue in the Netherlands affecting the entire country, but especially impacting schools in larger cities, where education is particularly important. As a result,...Show moreTeacher shortage is a significant issue in the Netherlands affecting the entire country, but especially impacting schools in larger cities, where education is particularly important. As a result, the children at those schools are more severely affected by the shortage and the shortage therefore acts as a catalyst for social inequality. Strategies to prevent teacher attrition and to promote teacher retention remain unclear. Therefore, in this thesis the motivating and demotivating factors for being a teacher in The Hague were examined. Through interviewing primary education teachers (n=5) and secondary education teachers (n=5) in The Hague, along with a literature study, was attempted to define those factors. The self-determination theory was used as a framework to describe the motivation of teachers. Results showed that fulfilling the basic psychological needs could motivate teachers in their work, while failure to satisfy the basic needs could demotivate teachers. Autonomy seemed crucial, including involvement in decision-making, feeling heard and professional development aligned with personal interests. Relatedness seemed to be fostered through positive student-teacher relationships and the sense of contributing to students' development. Competence seemed to be undermined by illegitimate tasks, yet a strong bond with students made teachers feel competent along with good results from students. The findings of this study can be used in educating school leaders in motivating their teachers. It is hoped that this thesis forms a starting point towards a better understanding of teachers' motivation.Show less
This study delves into the landscape of teacher bullying within South Korea’s education system, examining the Child Welfare Act, the Student Human Rights Ordinance, and the Teacher Rights...Show moreThis study delves into the landscape of teacher bullying within South Korea’s education system, examining the Child Welfare Act, the Student Human Rights Ordinance, and the Teacher Rights Restoration Bill. Its primary goal is to illuminate the prevalence, root causes, and consequences of teacher bullying while proposing effective interventions to foster a healthier educational environment. Through an analysis of these legislative frameworks, including qualitative data from interviews, survey outcomes, experts’ reaction to the situation, and policy analysis, this research aims to shed light on the dynamics of teacher bullying. By identifying various forms of bullying experienced by teachers and highlighting the challenges they face, this study contributes to a better understanding of the complexities surrounding this issue. Moreover, it seeks to provide actionable insights for policymakers, teachers, and stakeholders to implement proactive measures that promote a supportive and respectful school environment, balancing teachers’ well-being and students’ well-being.Show less
Peer relationships are essential during early adolescence when various psycho-social changes occur. More time is spent with peers during a phase wherein sensitivity to peer acceptance and rejection...Show morePeer relationships are essential during early adolescence when various psycho-social changes occur. More time is spent with peers during a phase wherein sensitivity to peer acceptance and rejection is heightened. Engaging in prosocial behavior is a way for adolescents to form positive peer relationships. However, peer victimization may negatively impact adolescents’ abilities to engage in such prosocial behaviors. This may be based on the degree of internalizing behaviors the adolescent engages in. This study aimed to understand whether there is an association between peer victimization and prosocial behavior two years later, as well as to understand whether internalizing behaviors mediate this relationship. This subproject of the Leiden Consortium on Individual Development (L-CID) used longitudinal data from 133 participants. Of these participants, there was a mean age of M = 11.26 years (SD = 0.73), with 54.1% being girls and 48.6% being boys. A mediation analysis investigated the relationship between peer victimization at ages 10-12 years and prosocial behaviors two years later and the role of internalizing behaviors. Results found that peer victimization did not predict prosocial behavior. However, peer victimization was associated with an increase in internalizing behaviors, and internalizing was associated with a decrease in prosocial behavior, respectively. Thus, experiencing peer victimization puts an adolescent at risk for internalizing behaviors later in time. Additionally, adolescents with higher internalizing behaviors may show reduced prosocial behaviors. This implies that peer victimization may have long-term consequences on psychosocial functioning within a non-clinical Dutch sample.Show less
Major depressive disorder (depression) is a prevalent mental health condition characterized by mood disturbance, but it can also impact motor functioning. Impairments in gross motor skills, like...Show moreMajor depressive disorder (depression) is a prevalent mental health condition characterized by mood disturbance, but it can also impact motor functioning. Impairments in gross motor skills, like slower backward walking and compromised balance, are well-documented, but the effects on manual motor skills, important for precise tasks like buttoning clothes, are less studied. Therefore, this study examined whether individuals with depression perform worse on manual motor tasks compared to healthy controls (HC), and if mood changes over 4 months correlate with motor performance changes in those with depression. Manual motor functioning was measured in 20 people with depression and 22 HC (mean age = 31 years) via five tasks: steadiness, line tracking, aiming, tapping, and pin insertion. Depressive symptoms were assessed with the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD) and Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ). Quality of life was evaluated using the World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL) questionnaire. ANCOVAs analyzed group differences, and linear regressions examined longitudinal associations using both frequentist and Bayesian approaches. Results showed that, compared to HC, participants with depression had longer error durations for line tracking, longer total durations for aiming, and fewer hits for tapping, Fs > = 4.946, ps < 0.032, ηp2s > 0.113, BFs10 > 0.050 (uncorrected). No group differences were found for other measures. Longitudinally, within the depressed group, improvements in HAMD-17 and HAMD-24 scores were significantly associated with fewer errors and shorter error durations in steadiness, βs > 0.739, ps < 0.043 BFs10 > 1.000 (uncorrected). Exploratory analyses provided anecdotal evidence for the associations between physical health improvements and decreased error duration in steadiness, β = -0.542, p = 0.044, BF10 = 1.933, and psychological health improvements and decreased task duration in line tracking, β = -0.623, p = 0.025, BF10 = 1.494. The results suggest that depression may specifically affect steadiness. Additionally, physical and psychological health factors were linked to overall manual motor functioning. Limitations include the small sample size and focus on a single subtype of depression. Some authors suggest that current diagnostic methods overlook manual motor functioning in depression, but evidence remains insufficient for clinical application. Larger studies with various depression subtypes and chronicity levels, incorporating both behavioral and fMRI measures, are needed to further investigate the theoretical foundations of manual motor impairments in depression.Show less
Former recent research has shown a worrying trend in current reading skills of Dutch youth, indicating that more young people are leaving school with low literacy. Differences in literary skills...Show moreFormer recent research has shown a worrying trend in current reading skills of Dutch youth, indicating that more young people are leaving school with low literacy. Differences in literary skills exist and increase at early ages. It is important to close the gap early so that every child gets an equal opportunity to develop their literary skills. This research evaluates the effectiveness of digital readingaloud programs aimed at developing early literary skills, such as broad and deep vocabulary which form the basis for later reading comprehension. The role of active attention is studied, as differences in active attention during the reading-aloud programs might cause differences in effectiveness of the program on developing reading skills. Different reading-aloud programs are used in pre-school classrooms (groups 1 and 2 in the Dutch education system) during several weeks. A total of 88 toddlers, of which 53 girls, have participated. Participants’ levels of broad and deep vocabulary are measured prior to following the programs and each time after following one of the programs. Active attention is measured using observations. Results indicated a strong effect for the development of broad vocabulary over the programs, where a program with instructions focused on semantics had the strongest effects. Students with higher degrees of active attention showed greater increases in broad vocabulary. Deep vocabulary develops to a lesser extent and additional instructions from the teacher did not show stronger effects. Toddlers with different degrees of active attention seemed to develop their deep vocabulary similarly. Active attention might play a smaller role in the development of broad and deep vocabulary than previously thought. Follow-up research should be aimed at the development of programs that are effective for every child, especially for those at risk of falling behind.Show less
Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) is a syndrome characterized by a decline in various cognitive domains, including prospective episodic memory (PEM) and executive functions (EF). It has been...Show moreMild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) is a syndrome characterized by a decline in various cognitive domains, including prospective episodic memory (PEM) and executive functions (EF). It has been recognized recently that vascular risk factors (VRF), such as hypertension, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia, can also have detrimental effects on these cognitive domains. Less research has been conducted on the synergistic influence of MCI and VRF on cognition, with available studies providing mixed results. Moreover, only one study has been conducted on the topic regarding the Greek population, so more research is needed to account for possible differences in ethnicity-related variables. Therefore, we sought to investigate how MCI with comorbid VRF influence PEM and EF, compared to VRF alone and healthy ageing. A sample of 111 Greek older adults participated in the study, divided into three groups: patients with MCI and concomitant VRF, patients with VRF and healthy controls. To assess cognition, tests were used to measure PEM, interference control, flexibility and semantic and phonemic verbal fluency. Data were analysed using MANCOVA, controlling for the educational level of the participants. Results showed that there were no differences between the two pathological groups for any of the measures, but the healthy controls outperformed the MCI+VRF (adjusted mean difference of total score being 8.94, 95 % confidence interval (CI) [3.67, 14.20], p < .001) and the VRF group (adjusted mean difference of total score being 8.20, 95% CI [2.94, 13.46], p < .001) in the semantic fluency task. Indeed, literature has shown that both MCI and VRF affect the integrity of frontal networks, which mainly support EF function. Methodological differences, such as the older age of the sample and the simplicity of the PEM task, ethnic differences and limitations in the statistical analysis can possibly account for the discrepancies with previous studies. All in all, this study suggests that there are no differences in cognition between VRF and MCI+VRF patients, while emphasizing the need for and more research into the cognitive consequences of comorbid MCI and VRF both in the Greek population and internationally.Show less
Prosocial behavior can result in favorable developmental consequences in adolescence. Therefore, gaining insight into prosocial behavior is important, so we can assist adolescents. However,...Show moreProsocial behavior can result in favorable developmental consequences in adolescence. Therefore, gaining insight into prosocial behavior is important, so we can assist adolescents. However, previous studies on prosocial did not consider that prosocial behavior takes effort, such as holding the door open for another individual. Additionally, they did not explore whether cognitive and physical effort, and different effort levels, lead to variations in prosocial behavior among adolescents. Therefore, this study examined whether there are differences in cognitive and physical effort-based prosocial behavior in adolescents aged 9-12 across three different effort levels - low, medium, and high. In addition, age was taken into account as covariate. Effort levels referred to how much effort one had to exert in order to complete a specific task. 41 participants completed two experimental effort-based prosocial tasks. The cognitive task involved reversed digit spans, and the physical task was based on the Effort-Expenditure for Rewards Task, where the participant was required to tap on a predetermined number of boxes. The research question was investigated using a two-way repeated measures ANCOVA. Furthermore, an exploratory analysis was done using a three-way repeated measures ANCOVA, to investigate if adding the recipient as a within-subject variable would impact the results of the repeated measure ANCOVA. The main analysis revealed no effect of effort level, effort type, or interaction between these two. Age was not influential in the analysis either. The absence of differences highlighted the potential generalizability of neural mechanisms, the possible role of empathy as a moderator, and considered cognitive and physical effort-based prosocial behavior as constructs that vary across situations. However, the not-significant outcome could also be explained by the not-significant main effect of the recipient, found in the exploratory analysis. This study represented a new area of research that explored the nuances of effort-related prosocial behavior in adolescents. From our findings, we speculated that both kinds of prosocial behavior are equally beneficial, and result in favorable developmental consequences. Future research should investigate whether the findings are generalizable for mid and late adolescents and other forms of prosocial behavior.Show less
Dynamic testing (DT) is a method of testing that includes the provision of a form of feedback and guidance to the testing procedure, and can be used to examine children’s potential for learning in...Show moreDynamic testing (DT) is a method of testing that includes the provision of a form of feedback and guidance to the testing procedure, and can be used to examine children’s potential for learning in various cognitive functions, including working memory (WM). Furthermore, intrinsic motivation (IM) seems to be related to enhanced WM performance and learning, especially in feedback-contexts. However, research on the effectiveness of DT of WM in this age group, as well as the influence of IM, is lacking. Therefore, the current thesis aimed to study the effectiveness of our DT of WM, as well as the influence of IM. The study had a pretest-training-posttest design with two groups. The experimental group received training, whereas control group did not. The sample included 100 typically developing primary school children between 8 and 9 years old (Mage = 8.46, SD = 0.50, 51% girls). Contrary to previous findings, our results showed a decrease from pretest to posttest in WM performance in the control group and a slight increase in performance in the experimental group. Moreover, the children’s IM did not significantly influence the WM improvements when tested dynamically. The findings suggest that the training element in our DT could have protected against the decrease in WM from pretest to posttest and that IM did not have a significant influence on these results. These findings contribute to the field of research by highlighting the importance of factors such as sustained attention and time-on-task effects in the prevention of this decline in WM performance during DT. Besides these factors, future research should look into the effects of age, cognitive load and engagement on the DT of WM and IM to gain a better understanding on how to improve its effectiveness, especially in 8- to 9-year-old children. Further exploration could aid educational professionals in implementing the dynamic approach and supporting children’s learning processes and cognitive development.Show less
