Adolescence is characterized by a prominent increase in peer orientation and high sensitivity to peer evaluations. To date, explanations for individual differences in peer evaluation sensitivity...Show moreAdolescence is characterized by a prominent increase in peer orientation and high sensitivity to peer evaluations. To date, explanations for individual differences in peer evaluation sensitivity have not been thoroughly investigated. The present study examined whether a catastrophizing emotion regulation tendency and overprotective parenting could explain why some adolescents are more sensitive to negative peer evaluation than others. Sixty-four adolescents (mean age = 14.66; 49 females) took part in a Social Evaluative Learning through Feedback (SELF-) Profile task. Participants had to predict the valence of peer feedback in a 240-trial paradigm with four fictitious peers that differed in their probability of giving positive feedback. We hypothesized that through the mediating effect of catastrophizing, parental overprotection could predict the ratio of negative predictions of peer evaluations. We also expected that adolescents scoring higher on these self-reported concepts would have a higher ratio of negative predictions for the most negative vs. the most positive peer. Similarly, it was hypothesized that adolescents with higher catastrophizing and overprotection scores would expect more negative feedback in the SELF-Profile task beforehand and also estimate them to have been high afterward. Our results showed that total parental and paternal overprotection, but not maternal, predicted catastrophizing in adolescents. However, we did not find evidence for the hypothesized mediation models or associations between the self-reported concepts and the SELF-Profile pre- and post-ratings. Together, these findings suggest that parental overprotection and catastrophizing are related concepts but they are not sufficient in explaining negative biases in social reinforcement learning in adolescence.Show less
Psoriasis patients frequently report feelings of stigmatization. While many studies have been done on self-stigma, perceived stigma and on the impact of stigmatization on patients with psoriasis,...Show morePsoriasis patients frequently report feelings of stigmatization. While many studies have been done on self-stigma, perceived stigma and on the impact of stigmatization on patients with psoriasis, few studies have focused on the extent and predictors of public stigma towards psoriasis. This cross-sectional study is the first study to date to focus on the extent of public stigma towards psoriasis in the Dutch population, as well as to examine the possible predictive value of four subscales of empathy as assessed by the Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI); perspective taking, PT; fantasy, FS; empathic concern, EC; and personal distress, PD. Respondents (N = 121) were asked to watch video vignettes, after which public stigma was measured with the Impact of Chronic Skin Disease on Daily Life (ISDL). A paired-samples t-test and multiple regression analysis were conducted. Results suggests that that there is public stigma towards psoriasis in the Dutch population (t(119) = -6.55, p < .001). A weak positive relation between personal distress (PD) and public stigma was found (B = .08, p = .04), while the other three empathy subscales (PT, FS and EC) were not found to be significant predictors for public stigma towards psoriasis (all p-values >.05). These results add to the theoretical knowledge about psoriasis and theory development and suggest that interventions against public stigma towards psoriasis might not focus on eliciting empathy, as other mechanisms would possibly be more beneficial in reducing public stigma. Future studies should replicate the study with other measurement instruments.Show less
Advance care planning (ACP) is a process in which the patient expresses their wishes regarding future medical care in the presence of their family and health care provider. ACP is generally...Show moreAdvance care planning (ACP) is a process in which the patient expresses their wishes regarding future medical care in the presence of their family and health care provider. ACP is generally accepted in Western countries and has a positive effect on end-of-life care for people with dementia. However, culture affects expectations and preferences regarding end-of-life care and decision making. This study compared the acceptability of and preference for two types of ACP interventions for patients with dementia in health care providers from the Netherlands, the US and Japan. One intervention focused on concrete treatment orders in which the patient makes specific decisions. The other focused on what the patient finds important in life, resulting in global goals of care. A total of 125 participants were assessed by means of a structured interview and a questionnaire. Participants found both types of ACP acceptable, in general and per country. A multinomial logistic regression analysis indicated no significant difference in acceptability of the concrete or the global ACP approach between countries when adjusted for age and gender. However, age was a significant predictor of acceptability of the concrete ACP approach (2 (2, 123) = 6.32, p = .042), with older participants being less likely to find it acceptable compared to not finding it acceptable (W(8) = 5.50, p = 0.019). Participants preferred the global ACP approach for patients with dementia. A multinomial logistic regression analysis indicated no significant differences in preference between countries when adjusted for age and gender in general. However, Dutch participants were less likely to prefer the global ACP approach (W(8) = 5.18, p = .023). The relationship between country and preference was not influenced by whether participants most strongly considered what the patient with dementia wants for themselves, what the patient’s family wants or what they as the health care provider want for their patient when making medical decisions. ACP is generally regarded as an acceptable form of care for patients with dementia by health care providers across countries. Future research could more specifically determine which cultural or demographic aspects affect health care providers’ views on different ACP approaches.Show less
The Clarion-Clipperton Zone (CCZ) in the Pacific Ocean holds significant reserves of polymetallic nodules, making it a potential exploitation area for deep sea mining. However, the exploitation of...Show moreThe Clarion-Clipperton Zone (CCZ) in the Pacific Ocean holds significant reserves of polymetallic nodules, making it a potential exploitation area for deep sea mining. However, the exploitation of this shared natural resource poses challenges in terms of sustainability and resource management. This thesis examines the governing framework of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) for the management of deep sea mining in the CCZ. The study draws upon the design principles for governing the commons proposed by Elinor Ostrom to analyze the policies and draft regulations of the ISA. By examining to what extent the policies and regulations of the ISA are aligned with Ostrom's principles, this research aims to evaluate the current governance framework for the management of the CCZ and its resources.Show less
In dit onderzoek werd er gekeken naar de relatie tussen academische eisen, academische hulpbronnen en spanningsklachten die Nederlandstalige universitaire studenten ervaren. Er werd onderzocht of...Show moreIn dit onderzoek werd er gekeken naar de relatie tussen academische eisen, academische hulpbronnen en spanningsklachten die Nederlandstalige universitaire studenten ervaren. Er werd onderzocht of academische hulpbronnen als buffer kunnen dienen binnen de relatie tussen academische eisen en spanningsklachten. Het onderzoek is gebaseerd op het Study demands-resources model, wat het Jobs demands-resources model toepast in academische context. Bij dit onderzoek werd er gekeken naar verschillende academische eisen: rolconflict, het tempo en de hoeveelheid werk en de mentale belasting. Voor academische hulpbronnen werd er gekeken naar autonomie, rolduidelijkheid en de relatie met de begeleiding. Het onderzoek is uitgevoerd door middel van een online vragenlijst onder universiteit studenten. Het was een cross-sectioneel onderzoek met 171 respondenten. Uit de resultaten is gebleken dat tempo en hoeveelheid werk zorgt voor meer spanningsklachten. Autonomie daarentegen vermindert spanningsklachten. Rolduidelijkheid heeft een buffer-effect op de relatie tussen tempo en hoeveelheid werk en spanningsklachten onder universitaire studenten. Verder is er gevonden dat een hoge score op relatie met de begeleiding een buffer-effect kan hebben op de relatie tussen mentale belasting en spanningsklachten. De uitkomsten van dit onderzoek bieden de mogelijkheid om in te spelen op academische eisen en academische hulpbronnen om vervolgens de spanningsklachten onder studenten te verminderen. Verder kan dit onderzoek een basis zijn voor uitgebreider onderzoek naar spanningsklachten onder studenten en de oorzaken van de spanningsklachten.Show less
Depressie is een veel voorkomende stoornis, vooral bij vrouwen. Er zijn verschillende cognitieve en neurale risicofactoren die bijdragen aan depressiegevoeligheid. Brooding ruminatie is een...Show moreDepressie is een veel voorkomende stoornis, vooral bij vrouwen. Er zijn verschillende cognitieve en neurale risicofactoren die bijdragen aan depressiegevoeligheid. Brooding ruminatie is een belangrijke cognitieve risicofactor. Een belangrijke neurale risicofactor is abnormale connectiviteit in of tussen een van de netwerken van het triple netwerk model. Het doel van dit bachelorproject is om te onderzoeken wat er in het salience netwerk gebeurt bij vrouwen tijdens acute ruminatie. Hiermee proberen we inzicht te krijgen in eventuele neurale aanwijzingen voor depressiegevoeligheid. Hiervoor zijn de volgende onderzoeksvragen opgesteld; wat is het effect van acute ruminatie op het salience netwerk bij vrouwen? Wordt de grootte van het effect van ruminatie gemodereerd door de gevoeligheid voor depressie? Hebben deelnemers met een hoge score op brooding ruminatie ook een hoge score op de LEIDS? Voor dit onderzoek hebben vrouwelijke participanten verschillende vragenlijsten ingevuld en zijn er MRI-scans van de hersenen gemaakt; één tijdens ruminatie en één tijdens resting-state. Vervolgens is er een region of interest analyse op de scans, een moderatie analyse op het effect en een correlatie analyse op de resultaten van de vragenlijsten uitgevoerd. Hieruit blijkt dat tijdens acute ruminatie verschillende hersengebieden meer connectiviteit met het salience netwerk vertonen. Er zijn geen significante resultaten gevonden voor de moderatie en correlatie analyse. Concluderend, acute ruminatie leidt tot een verhoogde functionele connectiviteit met het salience netwerk, dit leidt niet tot meer depressieve gevoeligheid; hoge connectiviteit met het salience netwerk zou dus geen biologische marker zijn voor depressiegevoeligheid. Voor vervolgonderzoek wordt aangeraden een inclusievere groep te onderzoeken.Show less
This thesis sought to investigate the relationships between treatment delays in bipolar disorder (BD) and cognitive impairments which characterize the disorder, measured both objectively and...Show moreThis thesis sought to investigate the relationships between treatment delays in bipolar disorder (BD) and cognitive impairments which characterize the disorder, measured both objectively and subjectively. Previous studies have established that a long delay occurs between the onset of mood symptoms in BD and the first form of treatment received, estimates ranging between 6 and 11 years. Cognitive impairments in the domains of executive functions, processing speed and memory were found to persist in BD patients even during euthymia. Such cognitive impairments burden BD patients, prevent them from regaining an appropriate level of general functioning and diminish their quality of life. Thus, in order to determine whether treatment delay impacts the cognitive impairments present in BD, 69 participants were followed over the course of one year, at three different time points. The participants took part in clinical interviews, and then were asked to complete multiple measures, such as the YMRS, the QIDS, four WAIS subscales (Block Design, Arithmetic, Information and Digit symbol), and the Cognition subscale of the WHODAS. The average treatment delay found in the current sample was 14.53 years. The results of the current study suggest that longer treatment delays did not significantly predict worse cognitive functioning in BD patients, either when measured subjectively, or when measured objectively.Show less
In the Netherlands, children are interrogated using the Dutch child interrogation method ‘the scenariomodel’. Surprisingly, this method does not consider the impact of children's personality traits...Show moreIn the Netherlands, children are interrogated using the Dutch child interrogation method ‘the scenariomodel’. Surprisingly, this method does not consider the impact of children's personality traits, despite literature indicating that these traits play a central role in their perspectives and can therefore influence the course of the interrogation and their testimony. This correlational study investigated the extent to which the personality trait 'shyness' plays a role in the course of the child interrogation according to the scenariomodel and in the quality of the witness statement. The research target group are children under the age of 12 who are victims of online sexual abuse. Participants (N = 23) underwent an ethically responsible simulation of online sexual abuse and a simulation of a child interrogation according to the scenariomodel. The transcripts of the interrogations were coded to first examine the quality of the testimony based on three indicators: accuracy of the statement, completeness of the statement and the amount of forensic information. And second to investigate the course of the interrogation based on the resistance that children show. Shyness was measured with a questionnaire. The study anticipated that shy children exhibit more resistance and provide lower quality testimonials due to their susceptibility to suggestiveness and social discomfort during interrogations. However, the results showed no significant correlations between shyness and the quality indicators of the testimony, nor between shyness and resistance. A mediating effect of resistance on the quality of the testimony was therefore also excluded. This suggests that the scenariomodel may be resistant to the negative influences of this personality trait and can be used without concern for interrogating shy children who have been victims of online sexual abuse. However, due to important limitations of the study, firm conclusions cannot be drawn and follow-up research is necessary.Show less
Bachelor thesis | Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology (BSc)
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This thesis explores the continuum of East African knowledge production with a particular focus on the dialogue between endogenous East African and Western colonial knowledge production through...Show moreThis thesis explores the continuum of East African knowledge production with a particular focus on the dialogue between endogenous East African and Western colonial knowledge production through colonialism. This dialogue is approached through an investigation of the colonial classifications of tribe and ethnicity, depicting how these classifications were created and enforced, and their interaction with and effect on endogenous East African knowledge production.Show less
Suicidal ideation is more prevalent in people with Borderline Personality Disorder. Negative self-conscious emotions, such as shame and guilt, may be related to this relationship. In this study the...Show moreSuicidal ideation is more prevalent in people with Borderline Personality Disorder. Negative self-conscious emotions, such as shame and guilt, may be related to this relationship. In this study the relationship between suicidal ideation and borderline personality traits was explored. Shame and guilt were analysed as possible mediators. The Personality Assessment Inventory – Borderline Scale was used to assess borderline personality traits, and Ecological Momentary Assessment was used to gather data on suicidal ideation, guilt and shame four times a day, over the course of three weeks via an app. The sample consisted of (N = 82) adults with a history of a suicide attempt or moderate-to-severe suicidal ideation in the past year. The relationships were analysed using a parallel mediation model consisting of multiple multilevel regression analyses. All steps of the model showed significant relationships. The last step showed that instead of typical mediation, the model indicated suppression, because of an increase in the association between borderline personality traits and suicidal ideation when accounting for shame and guilt. More research is necessary to explore the possible cause of these findings.Show less
This research aims to investigate the topology of the brain during reward processing and the influence of dopamine and norepinephrine on this network. So far, most research about reward processing...Show moreThis research aims to investigate the topology of the brain during reward processing and the influence of dopamine and norepinephrine on this network. So far, most research about reward processing has concentrated on specific brain areas and connections between particular regions, rather than the brain's organization and architecture. By investigating this organisation, gaps in our understanding of the brain architecture can be addressed, which could in turn lead to a better understanding of pathologies that disrupt the brain’s architecture. It is hypothesized that the brain will be more integrated during reward processing, and that increased dopamine and norepinephrine activity will result in a more integrated brain organisation. To test this prediction, the Global Efficiency (GE) of a total of 132 Regions of Interest (ROIs) and BOLD- activity of the Substantia Nigra/Ventral Tegmental Area (SN/VTA) and the Locus Coeruleus (LC) were obtained during a reward processing task, which 38 participants completed. During a functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scan, participants completed a reward- emotion recognition test. As predicted, in the reward condition, the paired t-test showed a higher GE in comparison to the no-reward condition in several nodes, mostly in the default mode network. These findings imply that the brain is more integrated when processing reward than when it is not processing reward. However, the catecholamines showed no significant correlation with this integration. Future research is needed to investigate the topology and influence of different catecholamines in more detail. The implications of these findings will be discussed.Show less
