This study examined the relationships between child maltreatment, parental divorce, and callous-unemotional traits in delinquent boys aged 16 to 24 within a juvenile justice institution (JJI) in...Show moreThis study examined the relationships between child maltreatment, parental divorce, and callous-unemotional traits in delinquent boys aged 16 to 24 within a juvenile justice institution (JJI) in the Netherlands. Examining these relationships is crucial to understanding and supporting boys in a JJI. The research aims to identify potential risk factors, such as different forms of child maltreatment (sexual abuse, physical abuse, emotional abuse, emotional neglect, and physical neglect) and parental divorce, contributing to the development of callous-unemotional traits. A total of 58 boys (M = 18.58, SD = 1.91), mainly Dutch, participated in the study, completing questionnaires about child maltreatment (JTV) and callous-unemotional traits (ICU). Additional information on parental divorce was obtained from institutional records. The results indicated a significant association between emotional neglect and higher levels of callous-unemotional traits, as revealed by correlation analysis. These finding suggest that emotional neglect may be a critical risk factor for the development of callous-unemotional traits in boys. However, other forms of child maltreatment and parental divorce did not show significant relationships with callous-unemotional traits. In conclusion, these findings highlight the importance of targeted interventions within JJIs to provide appropriate support for youths exposed to emotional neglect.Show less
Purpose: By reversing the order of the interview stages 'cued invitations' and 'summary', this two-part study aimed to improve investigative interviews of children in cases of (suspected) sexual...Show morePurpose: By reversing the order of the interview stages 'cued invitations' and 'summary', this two-part study aimed to improve investigative interviews of children in cases of (suspected) sexual child abuse. The central thesis is that the adjusted sequence would reduce the child's resistance and lead to more accurate and detailed statements. In part one, forensic interviewers were asked about their methods and expectations regarding the timing of the cued invitations. Part two was an experiment conducted to compare the current Dutch interview method, the scenario model, with the proposed method. Methods: Part one was done through a thematic analysis of interviews conducted with 8 forensic interviewers. In part two, 31 children (7-11 years) were interviewed regarding a simulated online incident using either the scenario model, or the proposed method. Results: Forensic interviewers reported encountering resistance from children during general invitations. They did not expect this to change when switching from the scenario model to the proposed method in terms of resistance and accuracy, but expected that children would provide more extensive statements in the scenario model. According to them, the summary in the scenario model is the moment valuable additions are made and errors corrected. They view the summary as a moment of calm and a foundation for further questioning. In part two, no significant differences were observed between the scenario model and the proposed method regarding resistance, accuracy, and comprehensiveness. Conclusions: This research provided valuable insights into the complexity of child investigative interviews and prompted further investigation. At the time, there appeared to be no benefit in modifying the scenario model. Forensic interviewers favored the established scenario model, while the experimental results showed insufficient significant differences in the efficacy of the interview methods to recommend a change.Show less
The goal of the current study is to investigate whether perspective-taking abilities impact reading comprehension among adolescents at different stages of puberty. To find out if there are any...Show moreThe goal of the current study is to investigate whether perspective-taking abilities impact reading comprehension among adolescents at different stages of puberty. To find out if there are any relations between perspective-taking and reading comprehension the influence of an imposed perspective on the mental representation of a text was investigated for 98 participants. Puberty is taken into account as a factor that could contribute to the mental representation of a text. The Director Task and the Interpersonal Reactivity Index were used to measure perspective-taking abilities. Results on the Director Task show significant differences in error rates amongst the three puberty groups. Post-hoc analysis revealed significant differences between all puberty groups in the Director Experimental conditions. The IRI scores increased between the puberty groups, but was not correlated to the scores on the Director Task. Reading comprehension was measured through two narrative text, the tekst ‘Het Huis’ and the text ‘Het Vakantiepark’. The study revealed a better recall of perspective-relevant elements for the text ‘Het Huis’, increasing between the puberty groups. The total score on the IRI was identified as a significant predictor for memory of elements on ‘Het Huis’. Contradictory to the text ‘Het Huis’, no significant differences were found between perspective-relevant and perspective-irrelevant elements on the text ‘Het Vakantiepark’. The findings align with previous research pointing out that perspective-taking abilities develop throughout puberty. There are some effects of perspective-taking abilities on reading comprehension, but there could be more aspects that influence the effectiveness of applying a reading perspective while reading a text. More investigation into the role of executive functions on the implementation of reading with a perspective is needed.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
Child maltreatment is a major problem with lifelong consequences on the physical and psychological well-being of children. With an increase in parenting stress since COVID-19, this study aimed to...Show moreChild maltreatment is a major problem with lifelong consequences on the physical and psychological well-being of children. With an increase in parenting stress since COVID-19, this study aimed to investigate the relationship between parenting stress and child maltreatment, with attention to the role of childhood trauma in parents. The research question was: How is parenting stress associated with child maltreatment, and is this association influenced by childhood trauma in parents? Data from a specific group of parents (N = 1046; 65.1% mothers), who were recently reported to Veilig Thuis due to concerns of domestic violence or child maltreatment, were included in this study. They filled out self-report questionnaires about parenting stress, child maltreatment and childhood trauma. Data were analysed using simple and multiple regression analyses. The distribution of the data is skewed to the right, indicating a substantial group reporting minimal or no child maltreatment or/and childhood trauma. The results showed that higher levels of parenting stress are related to higher levels of child maltreatment. Additionally, the results indicate that parents who report negative parenting practices show higher levels of parenting stress compared to parents who do not report negative parenting practices. Considering the role of childhood trauma in parents, the results showed no impact on the relationship between parenting stress and child maltreatment. However, the results showed positive significant associations between parenting stress, child maltreatment and childhood trauma in parents. This indicates that higher levels of parenting stress and childhood trauma in parents are associated with increased child maltreatment, and higher levels of childhood trauma in parents are associated with increased parenting stress. These results suggest that early identification of parenting stress may play a crucial role in prevention and intervention of child maltreatment.Show less
