Attachment begins to form during pregnancy, as mothers establish relationships with their unborn child. There is still limited knowledge about prenatal attachment and its relationships with other...Show moreAttachment begins to form during pregnancy, as mothers establish relationships with their unborn child. There is still limited knowledge about prenatal attachment and its relationships with other maternal and child factors. For the present study, the following research question was formulated: How do maternal executive functioning, the prenatal attachment and the pregnancy that was/wasn’t planned influence child problem behavior at the age of 4? Data from the MINDS-Leiden research project (Smaling et al., 2015) were utilized. This study examined potential predictors of early behavioral problems in young children (0-4 years) through tests and questionnaires administered to 275 Dutch women. Using a demographic questionnaire, the mothers were asked if the pregnancy was planned. The BRIEF-A was used to measure the maternal executive functioning. The MAAS was used to measure the prenatal mother-child attachment. The CBCL was used to measure the internalizing and externalizing problem behavior of the child at 4 years old. Results showed that children whose pregnancies were not planned showed more (internalizing and externalizing) problem behavior at the age of 4 than children whose pregnancies were planned. Furthermore, better maternal executive functioning was related to lower (internalizing and externalizing) problem behavior. Maternal executive functioning was also positively related to prenatal mother-child attachment. Multiple regression analyses showed that maternal executive functioning was the only robust predictor of both internalizing and externalizing problem behavior. In conclusion, prenatal attachment is related to childhood behavior problems, but in predictive models including other factors associated with both prenatal attachment and problem behavior (in the present study: planned/unplanned pregnancy and, particularly, maternal executive function) it appears to lose its unique predictive value. Measurement of prenatal attachment could be improved or refined further to obtain the best possible representation of this construct.Show less
This study (N = 178) investigates the optimal timing for negotiators to expand the pie by introducing optional issues to the negotiation. I conducted two-person role-play negotiations and...Show moreThis study (N = 178) investigates the optimal timing for negotiators to expand the pie by introducing optional issues to the negotiation. I conducted two-person role-play negotiations and differentiated between adding issues at the beginning, middle and end by manipulating the order on the pay-off schedules. Specifically, I tested if introducing optional issues at the beginning results in a higher collective benefit than introducing them at the end, and if introducing optional issues in the middle leads to the highest collective benefit. Despite the absence of compelling evidence supporting an effect of issue order on collective benefit, the observed patterns in collective benefit suggests the need for further exploration. Additionally, I explore if relationships and first impressions are improved when pairs introduce optional issues in the middle.Show less
Children are to be interrogated when there are suspicions of physical or sexual abuse, neglect, domestic violence, murder, or other crime in their near environment. Although these children are very...Show moreChildren are to be interrogated when there are suspicions of physical or sexual abuse, neglect, domestic violence, murder, or other crime in their near environment. Although these children are very vulnerable and their information could be of great value for the criminal investigation, there’s often a lack of expertise in interrogating young victims. There has also not much been researched yet about child characteristics in relation to the length and correctness of statements. In the current study has therefore been researched to what extent the imaginativeness of children, besides age, could predict the extensiveness and inaccuracy of statements during a child interrogation. The sample consisted of 31 children between 7 and 11 years old. The children participated in a yoga lesson with three parts. Each part consisted of a certain number of forensic details. A week after the yoga lesson, the children participated in an interrogation where they had been asked about what they remembered about the yoga lesson. The variables were measured by questionnaire and by recordings of the child interrogations. The results of a correlation analysis showed no significant correlations between all four variables. Besides, the stepwise multiple regression analyses showed that imaginativeness, besides age, did not predict the extensiveness and inaccuracy. Therefore, the study showed that imaginative children did not necessarily show more extensiveness and inaccuracy in their answers during the interrogation, despite positive expectations on basis of earlier studies. Some limitations of the current study have possibly contributed to these results. As extensiveness and accuracy of statements is necessary for good results in criminal investigation and proper handling of the case, it is important to continue with research about child interrogation and to find out which factors could contribute to more extensiveness and accuracy of statements.Show less
Although a formal, generally accepted definition of ‘good enough parenting’ is nonexistent, the term is widely used in Dutch youthcare to make important decisions that have a major impact on the...Show moreAlthough a formal, generally accepted definition of ‘good enough parenting’ is nonexistent, the term is widely used in Dutch youthcare to make important decisions that have a major impact on the lives of children and their parents. The aim of this qualitative study is to explore how the concept of 'good enough parenting' is defined and used in research and Dutch Child Protection Services (CPS). In addition, possible influences of personal background of the professional as well as the client on the interpretation of 'good enough parenting' and the attention paid to reflection on this subject were examined. The study was conducted at a certified institution for CPS in the ‘Randstad’. Twenty participants participated in a 45-60 minute long semi-structured interview and five team meetings were observed during the decision-making process about terminating CPS involvement in a specific case. The content was analyzed using a thematic analysis approach. Although there are differences in interpretation of 'good enough parenting', in most cases youth care professionals generally (but not always) agreed about the presence or absence of ‘good enough parenting’ based on the given situations. When queried, youth care professionals were able to reflect on the possible influence of personal perspective on the assessment of ‘good enough parenting’ as a result of different (cultural) background and upbringing, although most participants tended to reflect on fellow professionals rather than on themselves. Possible influences of the personal background of the client family or the youth care professional were not discussed during the five observed team meetings. The results of this study contribute to a better understanding of the complex nature of 'good enough parenting' and emphasize awareness of team composition in cultural background and age/workexperience in Dutch CPS.Show less
Right-wing populist parties have been known for their illiberal positions on gender issues, and their recent critique of the rising “gender ideology”. What is puzzling, however, is an unexpected...Show moreRight-wing populist parties have been known for their illiberal positions on gender issues, and their recent critique of the rising “gender ideology”. What is puzzling, however, is an unexpected emphasis on issues related to gender typically ignored by these right-wing populist parties in their discourses and agendas. To explore the reasons behind these contradicting trends, this thesis aims to examine how right-wing populist parties are integrating gender into their discourse. The typical right-wing populist Dutch Freedom Party (PVV) will be the main research objective and a content analysis has been used to analyse their Tweets. The main finding in this thesis is that the adoption of liberal stances by the PVV demonstrated through a positive commitment to gender equality, looks like a strategic tool for promoting an anti-Islam and anti-migration agenda. Moreover, the conservative stances of the PVV towards the broader concept of gender, including diverse gender identities, the integration of gender in institutions and gender studies, can be explained by the “gender ideology”. The anti-elite element of the right-wing populist ideology is evident in the data, as the PVV consistently attributes the perceived problems with diversity and multicultural policies to elitist actors.Show less
Previous studies have shown that partner violence is associated with problem behavior in children, as children experience partner violence as a traumatic event. This study focused on the possible...Show morePrevious studies have shown that partner violence is associated with problem behavior in children, as children experience partner violence as a traumatic event. This study focused on the possible moderating role of attachment in the relation between partner violence and problem behavior. The hypothesis of the moderating role of attachment was that witnessing partner violence a different effect had on secure and insecure attached children on the extent of problem behavior. The study included 190 children, aged 8 to 17 years. The children were referred to Veilig Thuis after a report of domestic violence. The findings of the study showed that there was a direct relationship between partner violence and problem behavior. The research also focused on the relation between partner violence and attachment and attachment and problem behavior. Additionally, no significant interaction effect was found. However, the results showed that there was an association between attachment and problem behavior in children. 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 attachment as a mediator and to focus on children's data related to partner violence.Show less
Reading comprehension is an essential skill in life that one needs to be able to participate in today’s society. The latest PISA results showed that 1 in 4 of the 15-year-old Dutch children has too...Show moreReading comprehension is an essential skill in life that one needs to be able to participate in today’s society. The latest PISA results showed that 1 in 4 of the 15-year-old Dutch children has too little reading comprehension to understand the written world around them. A meta-analysis of Swart et al. has clearly indicated that extensive feedback given after a reading task shows better understanding of the text than lesser feedback or feedback during the reading task. However, these studies were all conducted with students who study in University. In this thesis we investigated whether extensive feedback given after a reading task to children in Groep 7 (approximately 11 years old) in the Netherlands show a better understanding of the texts compared to children that were given no or less extensive feedback. No significant differences were found between any of the experimental conditions. However, due to low numbers in each experimental group, the outcome of this study should be interpreted with caution. It is also unclear at this moment if the texts that were used during the intervention were suited for these children. Furthermore, the motivation of the children to seriously participate in this study is questioned. It is suggested that further research should be done to investigate the best type and timing of providing feedback to students.Show less
Decisions regarding child protection are complicated and have a large impact on children, parents and families. This study aims to examine whether certain family factors (family conflicts such as...Show moreDecisions regarding child protection are complicated and have a large impact on children, parents and families. This study aims to examine whether certain family factors (family conflicts such as domestic violence, SES, divorce between parents and/or the number of children in the family) cohere with the decision to start an investigation (raadsonderzoek) by the child protection services (Raad voor de Kinderbescherming). This decision regarding an investigation is a particular decision in the Netherlands which is made early in the process of child protection. When an investigation is necessary, the child protection services will further investigate if a supervision order, out-of-home placement or termination of authority is necessary. When an investigation is not necessary the families continue with voluntary youth care and the child protection services are no longer involved. To examine if certain family factors are related to the decision to start an investigation 84 documents filled in by the child protection services and other involved youth workers were analysed. This document contains information about the parents, children and family. For this research an own coding system was developed to code the documents. Family conflicts such as domestic violence, SES, divorce between parents and/or the number of children in the family were not related to the decision to start an investigation by the child protection services. For good decision-making in child protection all factors (family, child and parent factors) need to be taken in account, not only family factors.Show less
The current study investigated the relation between the receptive vocabulary, executive functioning, pragmatics and selective mutism of children between four and eight years old. Selective mutism...Show moreThe current study investigated the relation between the receptive vocabulary, executive functioning, pragmatics and selective mutism of children between four and eight years old. Selective mutism is a rare disorder and is characterized by the absence of speaking in situations like school which can lead to multiple problems in adulthood like reduced academic achievements, social development and mental health. The aim of this study was to acquire more knowledge about the relation between these constructs and selective mutism for future development of interventions so children with selective mutism get the support they need. This was investigated through a quantitative study using research data from Project Omilia. The Children’s Communication Checklist, Selective Mutism Questionnaire, Peabody’s Picture Vocabulary Test III and Minnesota Executive Function Scale were used to measure these constructs. Independent t-tests showed that the receptive vocabulary and pragmatics were less developed for the children with selective mutism. The multiple regression analysis showed a significant positive relation between severity of selective mutism and pragmatics. This indicated that an increase in severity of selective mutism leads to more problems with pragmatics. These results authenticate that it is important to conduct research on pragmatics for children with selective mutism. Pragmatics seem to be vital in the development and conservation of selective mutism and vice versa. However, research on pragmatics of children with selective mutism is scarce. Therefore, it is recommended to conduct more research on this matter for a more thorough development of selective mutism interventions so children with selective mutism get the opportunity to develop better pragmatic skills and hopefully less selective mutism severity.Show less
This thesis aims to address the existing research gap on protective factors related to child abuse and neglect and the successive traumatic complaints. It examines the relationship between child...Show moreThis thesis aims to address the existing research gap on protective factors related to child abuse and neglect and the successive traumatic complaints. It examines the relationship between child abuse and neglect and traumatic complaints, including the possible moderating effect of cognitive functioning. Existing research in this field has uneven gender distributions, women are being researched more, which this thesis aims to balance. The study design is correlational, using a dataset (n = 241) obtained from Buisman et al.'s (2020) research. It has an even distribution of males (42.3 %) and females (57.7%), and the age ranges from 25 to 87 years (M = 50.97, SD = 13.43), comprising participants from the Netherlands with a mostly Western background. Participants were targeted if they had a history of experienced or committed abuse. Various measures were executed, including the RAVEN (cognitive functioning), a combination of the CTQ and CTS-PC questionnaires (experienced child abuse and neglect), and an interview using the PSSI-5 (traumatic complaints). The results showed that women have a significantly higher degree of traumatic complaints. Child abuse and neglect have a significant negative association with traumatic complaints. And lastly, cognitive functioning was not a significant moderator. The discussion stresses balanced gender research, as current focus tends to be on women. Understanding the reasons behind women's higher levels of traumatic complaints, as to how this imbalance can be levelled, is crucial. Even so, a balance in research into protective and risk factors is desirable, as the latter is being researched more. It is worth noting that a potential issue with internal validity arose; the main hypothesis was based on research on IQ, while cognitive functioning served as a possible moderator in this study. Further research is required to examine the moderating effect of general intelligence, measured through multiple variables, for instance cognitive functioning and IQ.Show less
Externalizing behavior problems are profoundly prevalent in school-aged children and are connected to various challenges, including aggression, academic struggles, defiance and theft. This has...Show moreExternalizing behavior problems are profoundly prevalent in school-aged children and are connected to various challenges, including aggression, academic struggles, defiance and theft. This has considerable implications for the broader society. The present study aims to examine the relationship between social cognitive skills, verbal intelligence and performance intelligence and the externalizing behavior problems. Moreover, this research explores the potential influence of verbal and performance intelligence on the relationship between social cognitive skills and externalizing behavior. The study examines 289 children, aged between 5 and 18 years. The children were selected through a program dedicated to reduce and prevent delinquency. Among them, 255 children had a (sub)clinical score on externalizing behavior problems, while an additional 34 children were recruited as a control group. The Teacher Report Form (TRF) was used to measure the externalizing behavior problems. To measure the social cognitive skills, the ‘sociaal-cognitieve vaardigheden test’ was used. The verbal and performance intelligence were measured with the Wechsler Intelligence Scale. The initial analysis focused exclusively on children with (sub)clinical scores of externalizing behavior problems. The regression analyses show no relationship between social cognitive skills, verbal intelligence, performance intelligence and externalizing behavior. Both verbal and performance intelligence did not act as a moderator in the relationship between social cognitive skills and externalizing behavior either. The second analysis also included the control group. The regression analyses show a significant relationship between performance intelligence and externalizing behavior problems. Neither verbal intelligence or social cognitive skills had a unique contribution to externalizing behavior problems. Performance intelligence did not moderate the relationship between social cognitive skills and externalizing behavior problems. A significant moderation effect was found for verbal intelligence, suggesting that optimal assistance for children is achieved through interventions targeting both verbal skills and social cognitive skills.Show less
This study focused on whether parents' traumatic experiences predict their children's neglect, and how this is mediated by (parental) psychopathology. Mediation analysis was performed with parents'...Show moreThis study focused on whether parents' traumatic experiences predict their children's neglect, and how this is mediated by (parental) psychopathology. Mediation analysis was performed with parents' childhood traumatic experiences as the independent variable, parental neglect of own children as the dependent variable, and parental psychopathology as the mediator. From 32 participating families, 237 fathers and mothers were selected for the current study. Outcomes were measured by the parent completed Interview Belastende Ervaringen (IBE), Adult Self Report (ASR) and a combination of the Parent-Child Conflict Tactics Scales (CTS-PC) and the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ). Although the association between committed parental neglect and childhood traumatic experiences (p =.593) and parental psychopathology (p =.059) did not reach significance, a significant relationship was found between parental psychopathology and childhood traumatic experiences (p <.001). Nevertheless, the mediation analysis revealed that the independent variable traumatic experiences in parents and the mediator psychopathology in parents together did not significantly influence neglecting their own children. In conclusion, given that few significant relationships were found, this study will have minor direct clinical implications. However, the results of this study suggest that monitoring children with traumatic events throughout their development might be useful because of an increased risk regarding later psychopathology.Show less
This study examined the effects of a classroom-focused intervention on early literacy. The intervention consisted of interactive e-book reading via a SMART board combined with a print referencing...Show moreThis study examined the effects of a classroom-focused intervention on early literacy. The intervention consisted of interactive e-book reading via a SMART board combined with a print referencing technique via a program called e-Prent&ABC. The goal of the study was to examine whether focusing on print referencing during storytelling improves the book-bound vocabulary and printing knowledge of kindergarteners and to examine whether this relationship between storytelling and acquiring knowledge is different for children with a relatively low inhibition capacity compared to children with a relatively high inhibition capacity. Results indicated significantly larger gains with high effect sizes in book bound vocabulary (ηp2 = .614) and printing knowledge (ηp2 = .433) after participating in the intervention. The print referencing technique was found to be significantly effective with a high effect size for growth in printing knowledge (ηp2 = .450). The growth in vocabulary was not attributable to the print referencing technique, however this technique did not hinder children’s learning of new words. No significant differences were found after participating in the intervention for children with a relatively low inhibition capacity when compared to children with a relatively high inhibition capacity. The findings indicated that shared e-book reading combined with a print referencing technique is an effective method for stimulating and enhancing early literacy skills of kindergarteners such as printing knowledge and vocabulary.Show less
Self-injurious behavior is persistent problem behavior (Gratz et al., 2016; Hendrikse, 2017; Mangnall & Yurkovich, 2008). About 10% to 12% of people with intellectual disabilities show self...Show moreSelf-injurious behavior is persistent problem behavior (Gratz et al., 2016; Hendrikse, 2017; Mangnall & Yurkovich, 2008). About 10% to 12% of people with intellectual disabilities show self-injurious behavior (Hendrikse, 2017). Their caretakers are often strongly and emotionally involved with the clients who show these self-injurious behaviors. This study looks at the type of self-injurious behavior that occurs in care settings, the personality characteristics of the clients who show self-injurious behavior, how the supervisors interact with the clients who show self-injurious behavior and what level of support supervisors experience from the organization. This research was done using the data from the SCORE research project that was conducted earlier. This research shows that clients both bang their heads, scratch or pick their skin, and hit or bite themselves. In addition, the study finds that mental age and adaptive skills have a relationship with clients banging or biting themselves, adaptive skills and mobility problems have a relationship with head banging, and that the personal characteristics used in this research have no correlation with scratching or picking at their skin. In addition, clients who bang their heads often have additional funding for care and those who hit or bite themselves often have a higher ZZP indication. Finally, it appears that supervisors are generally satisfied with the way they respond to clients' needs, but that correctly assessing behavior and flexible responding to client needs is perceived more negatively when clients bang their heads or hit or bite themselves. Caretakers also experience more difficulties in working together concerning these clients. In contrast, clients who scratch themselves or pick their skin are perceived more positively. Caretakers are more aware of their needs and they receive more support from the organization.Show less
Worldwide many teenagers are online daily. However, the online world is not always a safe place. It is said that the most dangerous online phenomena for teenagers is being exposed to pornography or...Show moreWorldwide many teenagers are online daily. However, the online world is not always a safe place. It is said that the most dangerous online phenomena for teenagers is being exposed to pornography or being pressured into sexual activities. Disclosure about online sexual unacceptable behavior is shown to be a useful act to overcome negative feelings. This study examines to what extend relationships with friends or parents predict disclosure of online sexual unacceptable behavior, and if this connection is mediated by negative consequences. Hypothesized was, that a stronger bond with parents and/or friends helps participants to disclose sooner and that relationship with peers is the strongest predictor. Also hypothesized, is that relationships with parents and friends are negative predictors for negative consequences. The last hypothesis states that negative consequences are a partial mediator between relationships and disclosure. To explore disclosure, 67 participants (8 men, 57 women, 1 nonbinary and 1 gender not shared) stated to have had experience in online sexual unacceptable behavior in an online questionnaire. The analyses used three methods; a binominal logistic regression, an ordinal logistic regression and a multiple regression. Results show that only friendships predicted negative consequences; the better the friendship, the lower the negative consequences. Also, when disclosure happened after a month, better friendships were a stronger negative predictor for negative consequences. Lastly, more negative consequences resulted in later disclosure. These results give more insight that can help teenagers disclosure of online sexual unacceptable behavior.Show less
