This study explored cognitive function in patients with hypothyroidism who continue to experience complaints despite achieving biochemical euthyroidism with standard care. These subjective...Show moreThis study explored cognitive function in patients with hypothyroidism who continue to experience complaints despite achieving biochemical euthyroidism with standard care. These subjective complaints are related to fatigue and subjective feelings of cognitive difficulties. Although the link between untreated hypothyroidism and neurocognitive complaints has been thoroughly studied, there is limited data on such complaints among treated hypothyroid patients experiencing cognitive complaints, despite its clinical relevance in their care. This study evaluated whether patients with feelings of cognitive difficulties show objective cognitive deficits in attention, working memory, learning ability, executive function, and psychomotor speed. Additionally, the study investigated whether health-related quality of life (hr-QoL) could be predicted by objective overall neurocognitive function. The cognitive domains were measured in patients with hypothyroidism and subjective complaints despite normalized levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) (N = 17) using several standardized tests and compared to normative data with one sample t-tests. To measure hr-QoL, a widely used thyroid patient-reported questionnaire was used. Subsequently, a linear regression analysis was conducted to determine the predictive relationship between objective cognitive function on hr-QoL. Patients showed significantly lower test scores on the domains of working memory (p < .001, Cohen’s d = .69) and memory and learning (p = .008, Cohen’s d = .77). The total composite score of the objective test measures was not a determinant of hr-QoL (p = .963, R² = 0.00). The observed memory deficiencies emphasize the importance of addressing subjective cognitive complaints, while the absence of significant deficiencies in the other domains highlights the complexity of the relationship between subjective and objective neurocognitive measures. Additionally, this study did not find a predictive relationship between cognitive test scores and hr-QoL, which calls for future investigation into individual cognitive domains or other explanations for the lower hr-QoL of this patient group. This is the first study that distinguished the patient group experiencing subjective neurocognitive complaints from the overall group of patients with hypothyroidism. Consequently, this research contributes valuable insights to enhance future care in managing neurocognitive symptoms, particularly for the subgroup that frequently discusses such concerns with their healthcare provider.Show less
Objective: Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neurological disorder characterized by a wide range of symptoms, of which physical and cognitive impairments are prominent. Cognitive functioning in...Show moreObjective: Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neurological disorder characterized by a wide range of symptoms, of which physical and cognitive impairments are prominent. Cognitive functioning in MS has received increasing attention due to its significant impact on quality of life. However, the exact relationship between physical functioning and cognitive functioning in people with MS (PwMS) remains insufficiently understood. This study aimed to explore the predictive value of physical outcome measures on cognitive functioning. Furthermore, the influence of disease severity and anxiety and depression on the relationship between physical outcome measures and cognitive functioning is explored. Methods: Conducted as part of the ‘Don’t be late!’ project, this study included 23 PwMS (Mean age = 46.63, SD = 11.13; 60.9 % female). Physical functioning was assessed using balance, walking speed, grip strength, dexterity and endurance. Furthermore, cognitive functioning was assessed using the Minimal Assessment of Cognitive Functions in MS and disease severity and anxiety and depression were measured using the Expanded Disability Status Scale and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, respectively. Multiple regression analyses were performed to determine the predictive value of physical functioning on cognitive functioning. Mediation analyses were performed with disease severity and anxiety and depression as mediating factors. Results: No significant model for the predictive value of physical outcome measures on cognitive functioning was found (p = .117). Furthermore, the study found no significant mediating effects of disease severity (p = .979) or anxiety and depression (p = .633) on this relationship. Due to missing values on the Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test (PASAT), a post-hoc analysis was conducted. Significant effects were found for the predictive value of balance (p = .016), dexterity (p = .045) and walking speed (p = .008) on cognitive functioning. Conclusion: The study identified significant links between balance, dexterity, walking speed, and cognitive functioning in PwMS. It faced limitations including a small sample size and its cross-sectional nature. Despite these limitations, this study suggests that the interplay between physical and cognitive domains in MS is multifaceted and warrants more nuance investigation.Show less
This research was performed to see how useful dynamic testing of reading and writing would be for children with and without dyslexia and to explore the relationship between dynamic testing of...Show moreThis research was performed to see how useful dynamic testing of reading and writing would be for children with and without dyslexia and to explore the relationship between dynamic testing of reading and writing and intelligence, specifically fluid and crystallised intelligence. To research this, this research had an experimental pretest-training-posttest design with two groups—dyslexic and non-dyslexic—as well as two conditions—training and no-training. The participants were children in primary school between the ages of 7 and 9. The study consisted of two sessions: a preliminary investigation and a dynamic test. The dynamic test used was the EPALE-NL. It consists of four subtests: phonemic awareness, prosodic awareness, sounds and verbs, and context words. A significant difference was found between the group that was trained and the group that was not trained, in specific for the subtest prosodic awareness, with the trained group showing more improvement in accuracy. For the performance on the posttest by the dyslexic group and non-dyslexic group, no significant difference was found between the groups. No significant relationship was found between the gain score and fluid and crystallised intelligence. Dynamic testing of reading and writing has shown potential to be used in the classroom for its previously discovered benefits, as well as its ability to teach both dyslexics and non-dyslexics of varying intelligence.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
In order to mitigate the negative impacts of climate change (e.g. increase in the global average temperature), it is important to transition to renewable energy sources, such as onshore wind energy...Show moreIn order to mitigate the negative impacts of climate change (e.g. increase in the global average temperature), it is important to transition to renewable energy sources, such as onshore wind energy, that contribute to the reduction of one of the main cause of climate change, namely global CO2 emissions. The successful implementation of wind farms largely depends on the community acceptance of the wind project. Previous studies have shown that providing citizens with a voice opportunity results in higher levels of wind farms project acceptance via increase in the perception of fair decision making and trust in the project developer. The current study was conducted on a sample of UK citizens (N = 450). It used an experimental scenario to replicate these findings and additionally to examine whether the effects of voice opportunity on project acceptance depend on expectations regarding receiving voice opportunity. We manipulated voice expectations and voice opportunity, and found support that voice opportunity has positive effects on community acceptance of wind farm projects. Additionally, we found support for our prediction that these effects are mediated by perceived procedural fairness and trust in the project developer. We did not find support about the moderating role of voice expectations on the effects of voice opportunity on project acceptance. We discussed the implications of these findings for research and practice.Show less
The current study investigated interactions in Dutch adolescents (N = 160, M age = 15.45) between alexithymia, self-concept clarity, and emotional regulation, as well as gender differences, using...Show moreThe current study investigated interactions in Dutch adolescents (N = 160, M age = 15.45) between alexithymia, self-concept clarity, and emotional regulation, as well as gender differences, using data from the first time-point of a longitudinal study. Participants completed the Alexithymia questionnaire for children (AQC), self-concept clarity scale (SCC), and strengths and difficulties questionnaire (SDQ). Results showed a negative relationship between self-concept clarity and alexithymia. In addition, the relationship between self-concept clarity and emotional regulation was partially mediated by alexithymia, and this effect was stronger in females than males. Females demonstrated better emotional regulation, but contrarily to prior research, no significant gender differences were identified in alexithymia or self-concept clarity. In this study, the complexity of these psychological constructs is highlighted, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions for improving adolescent emotional regulation and self-concept clarity. Developing a better understanding of emotional disorders and improving adolescent mental health through further research into gender differences and alexithymia-focused interventions could be beneficial.Show less
In an educational setting, every individual may not have equal access to opportunities (such as educational or financial resources) or outcomes (such as grades or evaluations), which could create a...Show moreIn an educational setting, every individual may not have equal access to opportunities (such as educational or financial resources) or outcomes (such as grades or evaluations), which could create a sense of inequality in the individual. Individuals may then attribute these inequalities to their personal efforts and abilities or to their circumstances. Past studies have focused on associations between inequalities (such as social or gender inequality) and educational aspirations (e.g., Guyon & Huillery, 2017; Chen et al., 2022). The present study assesses the main effects of perceived inequality and the attribution of outcomes to internal or external factors (also known as locus of control) on educational aspirations. The study also assesses whether the academic locus of control significantly moderates the impact of perceived inequality on educational aspirations. Utilizing a 1 (continuous measure of academic locus of control) x 3 (inequality: control vs. perception of inequality of outcome vs perception of inequality of opportunity) study design, participants’ aspiration scores were assessed. The participants included N= 190 students enrolled in an undergraduate program. The results from a moderated multiple regression analysis indicated that perceived inequality did not significantly affect educational aspirations. Academic locus of control significantly positively affected aspirations. Academic locus of control also has a significant moderating effect on the impact of inequality. Specifically simple effects analysis indicated that perceived inequality has a significant positive effect on educational aspirations when there is an external locus of control. The study provides an understanding that inequality in an educational context may not impact every individual in the same manner and may differ according to specific factors (such as locus of control).Show less
Many problems in the world are social dilemmas wherein uncertainty whether collective efforts are effective is a threat to cooperation. This experiment investigates whether productivity uncertainty...Show moreMany problems in the world are social dilemmas wherein uncertainty whether collective efforts are effective is a threat to cooperation. This experiment investigates whether productivity uncertainty undermines cooperation because people who distrust institutions and are overconfident estimate a public good to be unproductive. We did this by presenting people with two public good games. Productivity uncertainty was manipulated by telling respondents in one of the games that all contributions could be wasted. Although the results show that productivity uncertainty undermines cooperation, no support was found for the before mentioned underlying mechanisms. Future research with different methodology could encounter other results.Show less
In the past decades, methylphenidate has gained widespread popularity onto the pharmacological market, directed toward individuals with a diagnosis of Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD...Show moreIn the past decades, methylphenidate has gained widespread popularity onto the pharmacological market, directed toward individuals with a diagnosis of Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), narcolepsy, traumatic brain injury, stroke, and even human immunodeficiency virus infections. This cognitive enhancer exerts its effects by binding to the dopamine transporter, resulting in heightened extracellular dopamine levels. However, the psychophysiological side-effects associated with this medication are not yet fully understood. The present study delves deeper into erratic psychophysiological side-effects, including psychosis, mood changes, experiences of seizures, tics and the development of skin rashes. Our primary objectives were twofold. Firstly, we aimed at exploring the frequency of adverse symptom perception in individuals receiving methylphenidate as treatment. Secondly, we sought to investigate the potential impact of treatment duration on symptom perception, and examine any potential correlation between the two. To achieve this, we implemented an online version of ‘The Methylphenidate monitoring side effects scale’ (MMSES), with a total of 135 participants, 22 belonging to the experimental group, with prescribed medication, and 113 to the control group, not receiving medication. The results of our study revealed that adverse symptom perception did not significantly differ between the experimental and the control group, (t = 0.31, p = .852). However, psychotic symptoms were significantly lower in the control group in comparison to the experimental group (t = 0.56, p = .041). Additionally, the correlational analysis demonstrated a non-significant relationship between treatment duration and symptom perception (r(20) = .21, p = .353). These preliminary findings need to be followed up by future research and require to be interpreted with caution due to a possibly confounding effect of age differences and other limitations. Future directions may comprise the inclusion of neuroimaging techniques to identify the pathophysiological changes associated with methylphenidate administration, and a larger sample size.Show less
This study investigates the relationship between maternal posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptom clusters and young children’s internalizing and externalizing behavior in Dutch domestic...Show moreThis study investigates the relationship between maternal posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptom clusters and young children’s internalizing and externalizing behavior in Dutch domestic violence (DV) shelters. Children in these shelters are susceptible to behavioral problems due to the potential modeling of maternal PTSD symptoms and compromised caregiving as a result of maternal symptoms. Examining maternal PTSD symptoms on a cluster level is crucial as individual presentations of symptoms after intimate partner violence (IPV) exposure can vary significantly, and identifying the specific clusters that predict child behavior in this context can inform targeted treatment efforts. The study uses baseline data from experimental research on effective DV shelter interventions. Maternal self-reported PTSD symptoms (n = 29) and child behavior reported by mothers and social workers are analyzed. Findings reveal that higher maternal PTSD symptoms are associated with increased externalizing problems in children, as reported by mothers. Specifically, symptoms related to negative mood and cognitions, and changes in arousal and reactivity are linked to higher externalizing problems when analyzed in simple regressions. No associations were found between maternal PTSD symptoms and child behavior as measured by social workers or in multiple regression analyses. There were also no associations between maternal symptoms and child internalizing problems. These results underscore the importance of personalized trauma support for women in DV shelters, benefiting both mothers and their children.Show less
The current study experimentally investigated young adults’ help-seeking for financial stress, specifically by testing differences in willingness to seek help between two sources of help ...Show moreThe current study experimentally investigated young adults’ help-seeking for financial stress, specifically by testing differences in willingness to seek help between two sources of help (professionals vs. social network) and between two help types (financial advice vs. emotional support). Young adult participants were randomly assigned to one of four conditions, each presented with a flyer showing a combination of one source of help and one help type. Subsequently, participants’ willingness to seek help was measured. A 2 by 2 factorial ANOVA showed, contrary to the hypothesis, no effect of source of help. Neither an effect of help type nor an interaction effect was found. A correlation analysis showed no significant correlation between personality trait conscientiousness and willingness to seek help. Altogether, these results offer new insights into the nuances of help-seeking among financially stressed young adults and call for more research on a broader range of variables that may be influential.Show less
It is shown that social mindfulness (SoMi) – a form of low-cost cooperation defined by leaving others with a choice – is positively related environmental concern at the country-level. However,...Show moreIt is shown that social mindfulness (SoMi) – a form of low-cost cooperation defined by leaving others with a choice – is positively related environmental concern at the country-level. However, little is known about individual-level environmental concern in relation to SoMi. This study explores whether social mindfulness can be connected to environmental concern on an individual level by differentiating environmental concern into attitudes, intentions, and self-reported and actual pro-environmental behaviors. A positive relationship is hypothesized between SoMi and the various expressions of EC. This relationship was assessed using a questionnaire-based correlational research design (N = 108). The results indicate a lack of associations between SoMi and environmental attitudes and pro-environmental behavior. However, an association is found between SoMi and pro-environmental intentions. This could enhance our understanding of how demonstrating consideration for others may be related to increased environmental concern on an individual level.Show less
Objective: The period after successfully coming off treatment (SCOT) following a childhood cancer diagnosis is known to be a vulnerable time for parents in which increased levels of distress can...Show moreObjective: The period after successfully coming off treatment (SCOT) following a childhood cancer diagnosis is known to be a vulnerable time for parents in which increased levels of distress can play a significant role. It is important to know more about the distress experienced by parents during this period to determine whether an intervention should be used to help parents return to ‘normal life’. The aim of this study was therefore to gain better understanding of parental distress and factors related to their distress during the first year after their child has successfully completed treatment. Methods: A sample of 283 parents of children who had successfully completed cancer treatment in the previous year were included in this cross-sectional study. These parents, who were part of the SCOT group, were invited to complete the Distress Thermometer for Parents (DT-P) within one year after treatment completion. The DT-P consists of a thermometer score to measure experienced distress and problem domains (practical, social, emotional, physical, cognitive, and parenting). Parents in the SCOT group were compared with parents in the general population (NORM group) to see if their distress levels were higher. In addition, the association between distress and the problem domains and child- or parent-related factors (time since the end of treatment, cancer type, child’s age, parental disease, and perceived support) was examined. Results: Parents (73.9% mothers) in the SCOT group experienced higher levels of distress in the first year after SCOT compared to the general population (fathers SCOT: M=3.5, SD=2.6 vs. fathers NORM: M=2.8, SD=2.5; p=.032; mothers SCOT: M=4.1, SD=2.7 vs. mothers NORM: M=3.5, SD=2.7; p=.001). Emotional (p<.001), practical (p=.016), and physical (p=.005) problems were predictors of higher distress levels. Parents’ perceived support from their environment contributed also to their level of distress (p<.001). Conclusions: Parents of children who have successfully completed cancer treatment experience increased levels of distress in the first year after treatment compared to parents in the general population. There may be value in developing an intervention to ease this transition that specifically addresses their emotional well-being and highlights the importance of their social network during this vulnerable period.Show less
Expectations can influence the experience of pain and itch, hence expectations may also contribute to symptoms in patients with chronic itch and pain. Currently there is limited research...Show moreExpectations can influence the experience of pain and itch, hence expectations may also contribute to symptoms in patients with chronic itch and pain. Currently there is limited research investigating the role of expectancies in the perception of these patients’ itch and pain compared with healthy people. This study investigates if and how acquired expectations on ambiguous stimuli applied to the skin affect experiences between three groups; healthy people, and patients with chronic pain and itch. This study hypothesises whether patients with chronic pain and chronic itch have a higher expectation and experience a higher intensity of pain and itch, respectively, compared to healthy individuals, and to what extent the expectation of higher intensity of pain and itch contributes to the actually experienced intensity of pain and itch. A mediation analysis is examined to answer this hypothesis. The study used an observational between-subject design to investigate the three groups (Chronic pain group n = 9, chronic itch group n = 4 and healthy participants n = 10, with the target for further study n = 45). Participants were asked about prior expectations and the experience of pain and itch when applying the Von Frey monofilament. Contrary to our hypothesis, this study showed no significant differences in expectations and experiences between the chronic pain and chronic itch group and the healthy participants. In addition, the results of the mediation analyses did not show an indirect significant mediation effect of expectancies in the relationship between the groups and experienced pain/itch. For mild ambiguous stimuli, expectations determine perceptions of pain and itching, while chronic pain and itching do not seem to determine expectations. However, limitations such as the limited sample size need to be taken into account, and additional research is needed to draw further conclusions.Show less
