During this study, the decision-making process of ‘de Jeugdbeschermingstafel’ in complex divorce was examined. ‘De Jeugdbeschermingstafel’ from the Netherlands is a multidisciplinary meeting there...Show moreDuring this study, the decision-making process of ‘de Jeugdbeschermingstafel’ in complex divorce was examined. ‘De Jeugdbeschermingstafel’ from the Netherlands is a multidisciplinary meeting there professionals from various fields and parents come together to assess and discuss the well-being and safety of a child or young person who may be at risk. At ‘de Jeugdbeschermingstafel’, an assessment is conducted to determine the necessity of conducting a counsil investigation (‘raadsonderzoek’). It was examined whether this decision-making differs between families with a high or low socioeconomic status who are going through a complex divorce. The main question of study was: ‘To what extent is a complex divorce related to a custody investigation, and is this relationship moderated by the socioeconomic status of parents?’ To investigate this question a correlational research design was used. For this study, various research requests from ‘de Jeugdbeschermingstafel’ across the Netherlands were investigated. These research requests had been anonymized, read and coded. Seventy-one requests of investigations have been utilized. The distribution between complex divorce and non-complex divorce cases, as well as between socio-economic disadvantage and no socio-economic disadvantage could be improved. It was expected that a counseling investigation would be chosen more often for families going through complex divorce than for families without complex divorces, particularly in cases of high socioeconomic status, as these divorces tend to be more prolonged. Results showed that ‘de Jeugdbeschermingstafel’ does not indicate custody investigation more often for families with complex divorces, than it does in families without complex divorces. Furthermore, this relationship is not moderated by the socioeconomic status of families. However, due to the use of a small sample, this conclusion may be challenging to generalize to the broader population.Show less
This study investigates the relationship between maternal and young child trauma symptoms following exposure to domestic violence, with a specific focus on maternal traumatic childhood experiences...Show moreThis study investigates the relationship between maternal and young child trauma symptoms following exposure to domestic violence, with a specific focus on maternal traumatic childhood experiences as a moderator. Domestic violence is a pervasive issue with far-reaching consequences for families, often resulting in psychological trauma for both mothers and their children. Despite the recognition of this phenomenon, the specific dynamics underlying the transmission of trauma within these families remain poorly understood. A sample was used of 30 mother-child dyads recruited from domestic violence shelters, with children under the age of 6, all of whom had experienced severe domestic violence. Data was collected through self-report and parent-report surveys to assess trauma symptoms in both mothers and children, with the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5) and the Child and Adolescent Trauma Screen (CATS). The study employed a cross-sectional design, focusing on the immediate aftermath of domestic violence. Mothers were also asked to report on their traumatic childhood experiences in a short version of the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ-SF). Results revealed a lack of significant correlation between maternal and child trauma symptoms, challenging conventional assumptions of direct transmission. While mothers reported high levels of trauma symptoms, these were not strongly associated with corresponding symptoms in their children. Additionally, the moderating effect of maternal traumatic childhood experiences was not detected, indicating a more complex relationship than previously assumed. These findings underscore the multifaceted nature of the link between maternal and child trauma symptoms. Future research should utilize longitudinal designs to track evolving dynamics and investigate additional moderators and mediators. Combining self-report measures with clinical interviews is crucial for accurate symptom assessment. This approach can deepen our understanding of trauma dynamics in families, leading to better interventions and support programs, and ultimately reducing intergenerational trauma, creating a safer society for our children.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
Among 11-28% of children (0-6 years) in the Netherlands experience psychosocial problems, such as aggressive behavior and anxiety symptoms. These behavioral problems in childhood are a predictor...Show moreAmong 11-28% of children (0-6 years) in the Netherlands experience psychosocial problems, such as aggressive behavior and anxiety symptoms. These behavioral problems in childhood are a predictor for several problems in later adolescence and adulthood. Studies that examine the underlying mechanisms that play a role in the development of problem behavior can contribute to the development of adequate and effective (preventive) interventions, so that early intervention can be applied. The current study examined the role of physical discipline, ethnicity and attachment in the development of problem behavior in children aged 0-7 years in family residential clinics. The sample consisted of 50 parent-child dyads (Mage children = 3,28 years) recruited in four Dutch family residential clinics. The families had been referred to these clinics for an evaluation of their parenting capacities in the context of a decision regarding out-of-home placement or reunification with their child(ren). The pre-test consisted of a two-hour appointment in a lab setting at the clinic. During this appointment a number of questionnaires and tasks were administered to parent and child. In addition, the family’s therapist filled out a short questionnaire about the family. Physical discipline was observed during a “don’t touch” and “clean up” task and then scored on a 5-point Likert-scale. The preschool Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) was used to assess child’s behavioral problems. Child’s attachment was measured using the Infant Coding System (ICS) and the MacArthur Preschool Attachment Classification System (PACS). The results showed that physical discipline is not related to child’s problem behavior and that ethnicity does not moderate this association. In addition, the results showed that child’s attachment does not play a mediating role in the association between physical discipline and child’s problem behavior. Future research will benefit from the use of multi-informant measures and should include more ethnicities.Show less
