Social anxiety can have a huge impact on adolescents’ lives, including emotional, social, and educational problems. The relationships between social anxiety, audience perception, and expressiveness...Show moreSocial anxiety can have a huge impact on adolescents’ lives, including emotional, social, and educational problems. The relationships between social anxiety, audience perception, and expressiveness are considered to play a role in the development of those problems, since they cause intense distress or even avoidance of social or performance situations. Effective treatment options are therefore important to prevent further problems. This study examined the relationship between social anxiety, audience perception, and expressiveness, and the feasibility of blended care. To examine this, 43 participants followed a 12 week blended care intervention consisting of psychoeducation, social skills training, cognitive restructuring techniques, exposure tasks, assertiveness training, and homework assignments. In addition, the Social Anxiety Scale for Adolescents, the Audience Perception Questionnaire, and the Speech Performance Observation Scale for Youth were administered before and after treatment. A mediation analysis was done to study whether audience perception mediated the relationship between social anxiety and expressiveness. To test whether blended care was feasible in reducing symptoms of social anxiety, and increase audience perception and expressiveness, multiple paired samples t-tests were performed. No significant relationships were found between social anxiety and audience perception (β = -.054, p = .40), between social anxiety and expressiveness (β = .005, p =.37), and between audience perception and expressiveness (β = -.009, p =.75). Logically, the whole mediation model was also not significant (β = .005, p =.45). Results from the paired samples t-tests showed significant differences for social anxiety (t(29) = 2.66, p = .013), lowering the mean scores from 56.8 to 50.6, and audience perception (t(28) = -4.00, p < .001), increasing the mean scores from -3.2 to -0,8. No significant differences were found for expressiveness (t(13) = .10, p = .92). The results show no relationships between social anxiety, audience perception, and expressiveness, which could be explained by the unfamiliarity of the concept of expressiveness, a different mediator that has influence on these variables, having a small sample size, or participants’ level of education. Further research is needed on both, to gain more insight in relationships affecting social anxiety in adolescents. The results did show the feasibility of blended care in reducing social anxiety and increasing audience perception. Using blended care is encouraged to provide more and better care to adolescents.Show less
Het aanleren van woordenschat aan NT2-leerlingen (leerlingen met Nederlands als tweede taal) in kleuterklassen is een cruciaal onderdeel voor de taalontwikkeling van de leerlingen en hun algehele...Show moreHet aanleren van woordenschat aan NT2-leerlingen (leerlingen met Nederlands als tweede taal) in kleuterklassen is een cruciaal onderdeel voor de taalontwikkeling van de leerlingen en hun algehele academisch succes. Echter is het effectief vormgeven van woordenschatonderwijs aan deze doelgroep een uitdaging voor basisscholen. Dit onderzoek richt zich op het identificeren van effectieve strategieën voor het geven van woordenschatonderwijs aan NT2-leerlingen in kleuterklassen alsmede onderzoek naar het gebruik van deze strategieën op een specifieke basisschool. Middels een literatuurstudie zijn er drie principes vastgesteld die bijdragen aan effectief woordenschatonderwijs: 1. Integreer de moedertaal in het onderwijs, 2. Verhoog de hoeveelheid verbale interactiemomenten 3. Werk met directe instructiemomenten. Uit semi-gestructureerde interviews met vijf werknemers van een basisschool die zich met het kleuteronderwijs bezighouden blijkt het volgende. Als eerste heeft de school de integratie van de eerste taal in haar onderwijs nog niet in grote mate geïmplementeerd. Daarnaast blijkt dat leerkrachten actief didactische impulsen geven om interactie tussen leerlingen te bevorderen. Ten slotte wordt vastgesteld dat de school bekend is met het concept van directe instructiemomenten, maar dat er niet altijd voldoende tijd beschikbaar is om dit toe te passen. Deze bevindingen bieden inzichten voor leerkrachten en ondersteunend personeel om woordenschat effectiever te implementeren voor NT2-leerlingen in kleuterklassen.Show less
Background: the vascular hypothesis of apathy suggests a link between vascular factors like cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) and apathy symptoms, through lesions in the brain’s reward network....Show moreBackground: the vascular hypothesis of apathy suggests a link between vascular factors like cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) and apathy symptoms, through lesions in the brain’s reward network. Previous studies found a cross-sectional association between lower blood pressure (BP) and symptoms of apathy in older persons with more CSVD, potentially through reduced cerebral blood flow (CBF). However, longitudinal research on these associations is lacking. This thesis investigated whether structural and dynamic vascular factors are associated with apathy symptoms over time in older persons. Methods: this longitudinal cohort study used participants of the Discontinuation of ANtihypertensive Treatment in the Elderly (DANTE)-Leiden, community-dwelling older persons on antihypertensive treatment with mild cognitive deficits. BP was measured at baseline and apathy was assessed with the Apathy Scale at baseline and after four years of follow-up (n=178). Additionally, a baseline MRI sub-study (n=109) was conducted to measure CSVD and CBF. Results: the mean age of the sample was 80 years (SD 4) and 63% was female. No significant association was found between the summary CSVD scores (β(95% CI)=0.018(-1.089-1.125), p=.975) or its separate features; WMH (β(95%CI)=0.012(-0.011-0.035), p=.318), CMB (β(95%CI)=-0.017(-0.605-0.572), p=.956), lacunar infarctions (β(95% CI)=-0.413(-1.266-0.440), p=.339), and a change in Apathy Scale score. Additionally, no significant association was found between the dynamic vascular factors; CBF (β(95% CI)=-0.029(-0.152-0.094), p=.640), systolic BP (β(95% CI)=-0.019(-0.056-0.018), p=.310) and diastolic BP (β(95%CI) =-0.029(-0.099-0.042), p=.425), and change in Apathy Scale score. The multiple linear regression model, incorporating all the structural and dynamic vascular parameters, was not significant (F(7,90)=1.32 , p=.250, R2=.093). Conclusions: in older persons with mild cognitive deficits, structural and dynamic vascular factors were not associated with apathy symptoms over time, in contrast to previous cross-sectional studies. Our findings did not support the vascular apathy hypothesis. Other factors, such as lifestyle, might confound the cross-sectional association between vascular factors and apathy. This study highlights the importance of further research into vascular factors and apathy, which acknowledge our limitations, or into other possible mechanisms for apathy.Show less
Aim: Effective self-management is essential for managing chronic kidney disease (CKD) and can enhance patients’ functioning and wellbeing. This study aims to examine the relationship between...Show moreAim: Effective self-management is essential for managing chronic kidney disease (CKD) and can enhance patients’ functioning and wellbeing. This study aims to examine the relationship between illness perceptions and self-management behaviors of CKD patients, as to whether illness perceptions are associated with improvements in self-management behaviors over time. Method: A randomized controlled trial was conducted to test an online self-management program with 121 participants, the majority of whom had received a kidney transplant (65.3%). Illness perceptions (helplessness, acceptance, emotional response, timeline and perceived control) were assessed using the ICQ and B-IPQ. Baseline self-management behaviors (medication adherence, healthy diet, physical activity, weight maintenance, and non-smoking) were measured with the PPPQ-self-management and the reported improvements or deterioration with regard to patients self-selected self-management goals with the PPPQ-self-management improvements at 6-months follow-up. Regression analyses were performed to examine the relationship between illness perceptions and self-management behaviors at baseline, as well as between illness perceptions at baseline and the reported improvements in self-management goals at 6-months follow-up. Analysis were controlled for the confounding variables gender, comorbidities, kidney transplantation, and participation in the E-GOAL study. Results: Helplessness showed a significant relationship with the reported self-management improvements at 6-months follow-up (R2= .040, β = -.20, p = .036), which remained significant after controlling for confounders. Patients who experienced greater helplessness at baseline reported smaller improvements in their self-management goals at 6- months follow-up. Conclusion: Helplessness was found to be significantly related to self- management improvements, yet no other significant relationships were found between the other illness perceptions and the self-management behaviors or their improvements in CKD patients. These findings suggest that addressing feelings of helplessness in self-management programs may be crucial, as it can interfere with self-management improvements. Healthcare providers could assess patients’ levels of helplessness and incorporate psychological interventions into self-management programs to reduce these feelings and support patients in improving their self-management behaviors, ultimately leading to better overall patient wellbeing.Show less
This master thesis investigated how social motives (prosocial vs. pro-self) and communication medium (headphones vs. no headphones) affect group negotiation outcomes. The study used a 2x2 factorial...Show moreThis master thesis investigated how social motives (prosocial vs. pro-self) and communication medium (headphones vs. no headphones) affect group negotiation outcomes. The study used a 2x2 factorial design with 41 three-person groups (N = 123), who engaged in a structured negotiation task. Hypothesis 1 predicted that prosocial groups would achieve higher joint outcomes than pro-self groups, and results of an ANOVA supported this prediction. Hypotheses 2 and 3, predicting that structured communication, using headphones to manipulate turn-taking behaviour, would improve prosocial and reduce pro-self groups negotiation outcomes, respectively, were not supported by an ANOVA. This suggests that while prosocial motives significantly improve outcomes, structured communication alone does not. Future research should explore additional communication structuring methods and broader contexts to validate these findings.Show less
Prior research indicates a positive correlation between affective empathy, encompassing both empathic concern and personal distress, and anxiety. Empathic concern is associated with pro-social...Show morePrior research indicates a positive correlation between affective empathy, encompassing both empathic concern and personal distress, and anxiety. Empathic concern is associated with pro-social behaviours, whereas personal distress is linked to avoidant behaviours. However little research has been done in a parental sample. This study explores whether empathic concern might mediate the relationship between parental anxiety and parental bonding. Parental bonding is the expected behavioural outcome of empathy and encompasses supportive parenting behaviours. Using data from the RE-PAIR study, a mediation analysis via regression was conducted. The sample consisted of 143 parents and their (adolescent) child. The parental bonding was measured through a questionnaire that the child had to fill in about their parents after the reminiscence task (REM). The REM was conducted in the lab, the task entailed that the child had to talk about an emotional event. Results showed that there was no mediating effect, though anxiety did seem to correlate significantly with empathic concern (β = 0.20, p = 0.01). There was no correlation found between anxiety and parental bonding or between empathic concern and parental bonding. This suggests that higher empathic concern does not necessarily translate into perceived supportive parenting behaviours. This may indicate issues in the communication of expressing empathy. Perhaps, family therapies or a training focusing on emotional communication could be beneficial. Future research could focus on conducting multiple lab measures in order to take out more situational variables.Show less
Measurement invariance of the Social Interaction Anxiety Scale (SIAS) was examined in secondary samples of young adults and adults from China and the USA. Confirmatory factor analysis found that a...Show moreMeasurement invariance of the Social Interaction Anxiety Scale (SIAS) was examined in secondary samples of young adults and adults from China and the USA. Confirmatory factor analysis found that a unidimensional structure of the SIAS, in which its three reverse- coded items were removed (S-SIAS), showed the best fit for both samples. Subsequently, this model was used in a hierarchical multi-group confirmatory factor analysis (MGCFA). The results of the MGCFA support the S-SIAS’ configural and metric invariance across these two countries. This is an indication of the S-SIAS being a unidimensional measure of social interaction anxiety in the USA and China. However, the results indicate the presence of only partial scalar invariance. Therefore, it is likely that individuals from these cultures interpret certain items of the SIAS differently, which complicates direct comparisons across these groups. What this implies for past and current research comparing individuals from these cultures, in terms of social anxiety, as well as implications for future research, are explored further.Show less
Social network centrality is the social position of a person in a social network. The more friendships or social connections they have in the network, the higher the centrality. A low level of...Show moreSocial network centrality is the social position of a person in a social network. The more friendships or social connections they have in the network, the higher the centrality. A low level of social network centrality is often thought to be related to feelings of loneliness. Yet there is still a lot of discussion if this is also the case for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Thus, this study examined the level of loneliness as well as the level of social network centrality in children with ASD, compared to their peers without ASD, and the relation between these two aspects in special education settings. Children with ASD were expected to show a lower level of social network centrality than children without ASD. However it was expected that children with ASD would not feel lonelier than their peers without ASD. Thus, while it was expected that a lower level of centrality relates to a higher level of loneliness in children without ASD, this was not expected for children with ASD. This study compared a group of 47 children with ASD and a group of 52 children without ASD, aged from 8 to 13 years old (M= 10.806; SD = 1.266), in a special education primary school setting. Loneliness was measured with the Children’s Loneliness Scale, and the centrality was measured in a “Like to Play” measure and was based on the number of friendship nominations a child received. ANOVA showed that the children with ASD did not show a significantly lower level of social network centrality nor feel lonelier than their peers without ASD. A hierarchical regression showed no significant relations between social network centrality and the level of loneliness in the two groups. Based on the results of this study children with ASD in an inclusive environment might be more socially central and less lonely than expected.Show less
Previous studies on pro-environmentalism have highlighted the roles of friend’s pro environmental social norms and the experience of eco-anger as strong predictors of young adults’ pro...Show morePrevious studies on pro-environmentalism have highlighted the roles of friend’s pro environmental social norms and the experience of eco-anger as strong predictors of young adults’ pro-environmental behaviour (PEB). Substantial evidence supports the influential role of emotions, specifically eco-anger, in social influence processes within interpersonal relationships. While the unique effects of social norms and emotioanal responses on PEB are well-documented, the interaction between these factors, particularly in the context of environmental activism among adolescents and young adults, has not been explored. To address this gap, this study investigated the complex interplay between these factors, examining how friends’ pro-environmental social norms and eco-anger together influence young adults’ PEB. A sample of 216 young adults, aged 17-29 years, completed self-report questionnaires in a computer laboratory setting. Pro-environmental behaviour was measured using the Adolescents’ Environmental Behavior scale (AEB), friends' descriptive social norms through an adjusted version of the AEB scale, and self and friend’s eco-anger through self created scales. A moderation model was employed to test the main and interaction effects of friends’ social norms, self and friend’s eco-anger on PEB. Our findings revealed that both friends’ descriptive social norms (b = .27, t(210)= 5.65, p< .001, 95% CI [0.17, 0.36]) and self experienced eco-anger (b= .20, t(210)= 4.70, p < .001, 95% CI [0.12, 0.28]) were significant predictors of PEB. However, friends’ eco-anger did not significantly predict PEB, and the anticipated moderating effects of both self and friends’ eco-anger on the positive relationship between social norms and PEB were not supported. While the direct impact of friend’s social norms and self eco-anger was evident, the interaction between these factors did not enhance pro-environmental behavior as hypothesized. This suggests that eco-anger may drive proenvironmental actions through personal motivations rather than amplifying the effects of peer influence. Future studies should delve deeper into the nuances of these interactions, considering possible intermediate factors. The robust influence of friends’ social norms and eco-anger highlights the importance of leveraging both social networks and emotional engagement in designing effective pro-environmental campaigns and promoting sustainable behaviour.Show less
Problematic behaviour remains a problem within healthcare of individuals with dementia, especially as its patient group is set to expand. Problematic behaviour is often caused by pain and places a...Show moreProblematic behaviour remains a problem within healthcare of individuals with dementia, especially as its patient group is set to expand. Problematic behaviour is often caused by pain and places a heavy burden on both professional and family caregivers. Especially since family caregivers are often overlooked as a factor in care. This study therefore investigates the effectiveness of the STA OP! method (SOM), a stepwise approach to address problematic behaviour and pain in individuals with dementia, as well as how the efficacy of SOM is moderated by family involvement. The study, conducted within the CARED-4 project, utilizes a quasi-experimental longitudinal design with measurements at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months after implementing SOM. It included 84 residents with dementia from 10 Dutch nursing homes units paired with their family caregivers. Problematic behaviour was examined using the Neuropsychiatric Inventory Questionnaire (NPI-Q) and family involvement was examined through a tailored questionnaire. Analysis was performed with RM Anova for problematic behaviour and family involvement and a general linear model for the moderation of SOM by family involvement. Results indicated that SOM effectively reduces problematic behaviour overall (F(2,55) = 3.81, p = 0.028), after 3 months (Mean Difference = 5.47 SE= 1.97, p = 0.007), but not after 6 months (Mean Difference = 5.70 SE = 3.36, p = 0.095). Family involvement did not change overall (F(1.62,30) = 2.12, p = 0.138). Accordingly, family involvement did not moderate the impact of SOM on problematic behaviour (F(2) = 1.43, p = 0.243). Despite methodological challenges mainly due to missing data, the study takes a first step towards understanding how the effectiveness of SOM interacts with family involvement. So, although family involvement did not moderate a significant reduction in problematic behaviour, the efficacy of SOM has further been established.Show less
In multiple studies, the evening chronotype have been associated with poor sleep quality and other negative health outcomes. This study investigates the relationship between chronotype, sleep...Show moreIn multiple studies, the evening chronotype have been associated with poor sleep quality and other negative health outcomes. This study investigates the relationship between chronotype, sleep quality, total sleep time, and misalignment through five hypotheses. We hypothesized that a later chronotype would predict poorer sleep quality (H1), shorter total sleep time (H2), and higher misalignment (H3). Additionally, we predicted that higher misalignment would be linked with poor sleep quality (H4) and mediate the relationship between later chronotypes and sleep quality (H5). The study utilized the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) to measure sleep quality and the Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire (MEQ) for chronotype assessment. Misalignment was assessed using items from both the PSQI and MEQ. The findings supported all hypotheses except for the mediation role of misalignment. These results replicate previous findings on the impact of chronotype on sleep quality and contribute to the literature by employing subjective measures of misalignment and testing its potential mediator role. Future research should focus on improving the measurement of misalignment and exploring other potential mediators.Show less
Eerdere studies hebben aangetoond dat een kritische ouderschapsstijl kan leiden tot symptomen van anxiety bij adolescenten. Om in te kunnen spelen op dit effect is het belangrijk om de...Show moreEerdere studies hebben aangetoond dat een kritische ouderschapsstijl kan leiden tot symptomen van anxiety bij adolescenten. Om in te kunnen spelen op dit effect is het belangrijk om de onderliggende processen hiervan te begrijpen. In deze cross-sectionele studie, waaraan 80 gezonde adolescenten (M_leeftijd = 15.9, 63.7% = meisje) en hun ouders deelnamen, is onderzocht wat de mogelijke modererende rol is van de cognitieve emotieregulatie strategie ‘catastroferen’ in de relatie tussen ouderlijke kritiek en anxiety bij adolescenten. Er werd geen verband gevonden tussen de door adolescenten ervaren ouderlijke kritiek tijdens de interactietaak en de hoeveelheid anxiety die zij ervaren. Ook leek de emotieregulatie strategie catastroferen geen rol te spelen in de relatie tussen ouderlijke kritiek en anxiety bij adolescenten. De resultaten spreken eerdere bevindingen tegen, waardoor het relevant is om verder te onderzoeken wat de onderliggende processen zijn van de relatie tussen ouderlijke kritiek en anxiety bij adolescenten en de mogelijke rol van de emotieregulatie strategie catastroferen in deze relatie.Show less
Uit onderzoek is al gebleken dat mensen met een lage sociaaleconomische status (SES) minder informatiezoekend gedrag vertonen ten opzichte van mensen met een hoge SES. Daarnaast gaan mensen,...Show moreUit onderzoek is al gebleken dat mensen met een lage sociaaleconomische status (SES) minder informatiezoekend gedrag vertonen ten opzichte van mensen met een hoge SES. Daarnaast gaan mensen, ongeacht hun SES, meer op zoek naar positieve informatie dan naar negatieve informatie. In hoeverre SES minder informatiezoekend gedrag vertoont voor specifieke informatie is onduidelijk. In dit paper werd onderzocht of de SES variabelen inkomen en opleiding invloed hebben op informatiezoekend gedrag én of dit afhankelijk is van de valentie van de informatie, positief of negatief. Om deze hoofdeffecten en het interactie effect van SES en valentie te onderzoeken hebben de participanten (N = 130) een informatie zoektaak uitgevoerd, waarin de valentie (positief, negatief) van informatie werd gemanipuleerd en een vragenlijsten ingevuld over inkomen en opleiding. De resultaten toonden een hoofdeffect van valentie aan, waarbij participanten een hogere motivatie hadden voor positieve informatie in vergelijking met negatieve informatie. De hoofdeffecten van SES waren niet significant. De interactie tussen valentie en SES inkomen, en valentie en SES opleiding waren ook niet significant. Hieruit kan geconcludeerd worden dat de valentie van informatie invloed heeft op het informatiezoekend gedrag van mensen, maar dat SES geen invloed heeft op het informatiezoekend gedrag van mensen. Echter is er in dit onderzoek niet naar een breed scala aan SES variabelen gekeken, alleen naar inkomen en opleiding. In dit onderzoek is er alleen gekeken naar informatiezoekend gedrag in een financiële context, terwijl veel van het huidige bewijs in de medische context is gevonden.Show less
Pediatric oncology patients with tumors outside their central nervous system may be at risk for neuropsychological impairments, such as executive dysfunctions, which can manifest shortly after...Show morePediatric oncology patients with tumors outside their central nervous system may be at risk for neuropsychological impairments, such as executive dysfunctions, which can manifest shortly after diagnosis. Oncology treatments can induce peripheral neuropathy, characterized by damaged nerves, which can result in sensory and motor complaints. Previously, peripheral neuropathy has been associated with cognitive impairments, including executive dysfunctions. Understanding the progression of executive dysfunctions and identifying associated risk factors, such as neuropathy, is crucial for early intervention. This longitudinal study investigated executive functioning in pediatric non-CNS oncology patients over the first two years post-diagnosis. Participants (N = 110), aged 6-18 years at diagnosis (M = 11.7; SD = 3.7), were assessed at three time-points (3-6, 6-12, and 12-18 months) post-diagnosis. 40 participants (36%) experienced peripheral neuropathy. Executive functions were measured using neuropsychological tests and a questionnaire. Linear Mixed Models, examining the change over time in executive functions, revealed significant improvements on the neuropsychological tests of working memory (p < .001) and the reaction times of planning (p < .001), inhibition (p = .010), and cognitive flexibility (p < .001) over the first years post-diagnosis. Older age at diagnosis was associated with better cognitive flexibility (p = .042). Males made fewer errors in cognitive flexibility (p = .016). After correcting for multiple testing, improvements over time in working memory and planning and flexibility reaction times remained significant. No significant interaction effects were found between peripheral neuropathy and time on executive functioning. Contrary to hypotheses, executive functioning did not deteriorate over time; instead, improvements were observed in some domains. The hypothesis that neuropathy would exacerbate declines in executive functioning was not supported. Although these findings contrasted with some previous long-term survivors’ studies, they aligned with research showing initial improvements post-diagnosis. Practice effects due to repeated exposure to the same tests may explain some of the observed improvements. The study's strengths include its longitudinal design and comprehensive assessment approach, but limitations such as potential sample heterogeneity were noted. Future research should consider factors such as socio-economic status and the severity and duration of treatments and neuropathy to better understand their impacts on executive functioning.Show less