Depression and anxiety are increasingly prevalent and often co-occur in adolescence. Symptoms of stress are a commonality of these disorders. However, the role of this commonality in the co...Show moreDepression and anxiety are increasingly prevalent and often co-occur in adolescence. Symptoms of stress are a commonality of these disorders. However, the role of this commonality in the co-occurrence remains unknown. This cross-sectional study investigated the co-occurrence of depression, anxiety, and stress in adolescence using the network psychometrics approach. We obtained our data from the Open-Source Psychometrics Project. The data consisted of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS)-42 (N = 25,086, ages 13-24 years old). We estimated Gaussian Graphical Models (i.e., partial correlations between nodes) and analyzed the bridge nodes. Bridge nodes are nodes of the network that are most influential in connecting the different disorders. We expected the bridge nodes to be the overlapping symptoms found among depression, anxiety, and stress as indicated in the DSM-V. Moreover, to examine whether bridge nodes were consistent across adolescence, we divided our sample into three age groups: early adolescence (ages 13-15, N = 2,354), middle adolescence (ages 16-19, N = 9,476) and late adolescence (ages 20-24, N = 13,256). Our findings of the full sample adolescent network indicated that symptoms of restlessness (stress) and negative mood (depression) served as bridge nodes, which was in line with our hypothesis. Other bridge nodes, not in line with our hypothesis, were symptoms of subjective experience of anxiety (anxiety) and situational anxiety (anxiety). Bridge nodes exclusive to the late adolescent network were: Finding it hard to wind down (stress) and feeling terrified (anxiety). Moreover, relief after anxious situations (anxiety) was uniquely present in the early and late adolescent networks. This study expands the current theoretical knowledge by, for the first time to our knowledge, including stress symptoms in the network models and by comparing the different adolescent age groups using a broad age range (13 to 24 years). Future research should examine whether clinicians can successfully incorporate this knowledge into transdiagnostic treatment interventions, which could contribute to better overall mental health.Show less
Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) is a syndrome characterized by a decline in various cognitive domains, including prospective episodic memory (PEM) and executive functions (EF). It has been...Show moreMild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) is a syndrome characterized by a decline in various cognitive domains, including prospective episodic memory (PEM) and executive functions (EF). It has been recognized recently that vascular risk factors (VRF), such as hypertension, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia, can also have detrimental effects on these cognitive domains. Less research has been conducted on the synergistic influence of MCI and VRF on cognition, with available studies providing mixed results. Moreover, only one study has been conducted on the topic regarding the Greek population, so more research is needed to account for possible differences in ethnicity-related variables. Therefore, we sought to investigate how MCI with comorbid VRF influence PEM and EF, compared to VRF alone and healthy ageing. A sample of 111 Greek older adults participated in the study, divided into three groups: patients with MCI and concomitant VRF, patients with VRF and healthy controls. To assess cognition, tests were used to measure PEM, interference control, flexibility and semantic and phonemic verbal fluency. Data were analysed using MANCOVA, controlling for the educational level of the participants. Results showed that there were no differences between the two pathological groups for any of the measures, but the healthy controls outperformed the MCI+VRF (adjusted mean difference of total score being 8.94, 95 % confidence interval (CI) [3.67, 14.20], p < .001) and the VRF group (adjusted mean difference of total score being 8.20, 95% CI [2.94, 13.46], p < .001) in the semantic fluency task. Indeed, literature has shown that both MCI and VRF affect the integrity of frontal networks, which mainly support EF function. Methodological differences, such as the older age of the sample and the simplicity of the PEM task, ethnic differences and limitations in the statistical analysis can possibly account for the discrepancies with previous studies. All in all, this study suggests that there are no differences in cognition between VRF and MCI+VRF patients, while emphasizing the need for and more research into the cognitive consequences of comorbid MCI and VRF both in the Greek population and internationally.Show less
For children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), social contact can be particularly challenging, which can impact their level of peer acceptance. This study aimed to explore the relationship...Show moreFor children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), social contact can be particularly challenging, which can impact their level of peer acceptance. This study aimed to explore the relationship between social contact and peer acceptance among children with ASD. We hypothesized that children with ASD had fewer contacts and were less accepted by peers than children without ASD. Furthermore, we hypothesized that increased social contact was associated with greater levels of peer acceptance for both children with and without ASD, but less strong for children with ASD in comparison to children without ASD. With a novel approach, this study documented the amount of social contact and the level of peer acceptance of 95 children in two special education schools in the Netherlands. The sample included 46 children with (Mage = 10.2, SD = 1.0) and 49 children without ASD (Mage = 11.3, SD=1.0), with an age range from 8 to 13 years, who were observed through proximity tags to measure social contact, and the LITOP questionnaire was utilized to assess the level of peer acceptance. MANOVA was employed to investigate whether children with ASD had fewer contacts and were less accepted than their peers without ASD and the hierarchical regression analysis was used to examine the potential relationship between social contact and peer acceptance and. Surprisingly, children with ASD engaged in contact with more partners and were more accepted than children without ASD, despite the expectedly shorter duration of contact. Moreover, no significant relation was found between social contact and peer acceptance, for the two groups alike. These findings indicate that peer acceptance may not solely depend on the quantity of contact, but rather on the quality and context. Consequently, it is advised that educators facilitate structured social activities to facilitate finding similar peers and shared interests. Further research is required to gain a deeper understanding of the nature of the contact and its emotional aspects, with the aim of developing more effective strategies for enhancing peer acceptance among children with ASD. This could be achieved through a combination of quantitative measurements, such as proximity tags and qualitative measurement, including observationsShow less
Food waste is a global problem, which necessitates addressing. A pilot (N = 56) and main study (N = 124) used online survey research to explore the expected negative relationship between viewing a...Show moreFood waste is a global problem, which necessitates addressing. A pilot (N = 56) and main study (N = 124) used online survey research to explore the expected negative relationship between viewing a food waste reduction-poster and food waste intentions, the expected negative relationship between self-efficacy and food waste intentions and the expected moderating effect of self-efficacy on the relationship between poster and food waste intentions. In the main study, participants were randomly allocated to a poster (N = 31) or control condition (N = 30) without a poster. Repeated measures ANOVA showed no differences between groups nor within participants when comparing food waste intentions between two measurement points. Regression analyses showed neither a main- nor a moderating effect of self-efficacy on the relationship between seeing the poster and food waste intentions. Limitations, suggestions and implications were discussed and the importance of future research into this subject was highlighted.Show less
Objective Recent research has found conflicting interactions between health and different domains of physical activity (PA). Occupational physical activity (OPA) seems to negatively impact health,...Show moreObjective Recent research has found conflicting interactions between health and different domains of physical activity (PA). Occupational physical activity (OPA) seems to negatively impact health, whereas leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) positively impacts health, a phenomenon known as the physical activity paradox. What remains unclear is how these different domains of PA interact with each other and how their interaction influences health. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the main and interactive effects of OPA and LTPA on physical and mental health. A better understanding of these relations can contribute to more accurate PA advice, indirectly contributing to the closure of socioeconomic health inequalities. Based on previous studies, it was expected that higher OPA would relate to higher physical and mental health problems, while higher LTPA would relate to lower physical and mental health problems. Additionally, this study aimed to answer the research question whether LTPA functions as a buffer for the negative effects of high OPA on health or as an accelerator. Methods To investigate the hypotheses and research question, data from a longitudinal panel study were used. Two data measurement points were used with a one-year time lag. The sample was heterogeneous and consisted of Dutch employees working ≥ 24-hours a week (N = 1578). Results It was found that OPA and LTPA independently did not affect physical or mental health outcomes differently. Additionally, different combinations of OPA and LTPA did not lead to an increase or decrease in both physical mobility or mental health problems one year later. However, the results did show that individuals who had high levels of both OPA and LTPA had the highest chance on developing physical health problems one year later (b = 0.393, p = <0.001). Conclusion This study shows that OPA and LTPA may have different effects on the development of physical health problems, like headache and sleeping problems. The findings suggest that the health benefits of LTPA are affected by the extent of OPA and that a combination of both high OPA and LTPA is the most unfavourable combination. This combination is associated with an increase in physical health problems. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.Show less
Museums serve several different functions within society, from education to entertainment. For all objectives however, it remains important to provide the visitor with a good visiting experience....Show moreMuseums serve several different functions within society, from education to entertainment. For all objectives however, it remains important to provide the visitor with a good visiting experience. The current study investigates the presence and effectiveness of two possible influences on visitor’s experience. The first investigated topic regards the effects of museum labels on visitors’ emotional experience, and the second topic explores the impact of visitors’ characteristics on their viewing behaviour. Data was collected at the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam over a span of three weeks, using three specifically selected paintings. Eye tracking glasses and questionnaires were used to gather data from 69 participants. The study found that the addition of a museum label helped with making the provided information for artworks clearer, which was especially relevant for paintings with a more subtle message. Secondly, visitors experienced more negative emotions viewing a slavery-related painting when it was accompanied by a descriptive label, implying its aid in connecting visual information to (historical) context. No effects were found for visitors’ characteristics on viewing behaviour, emphasizing the influence of individual characteristics over group characteristics. These findings provide further insight into how visitors observe art in museums, and how to optimize this experience.Show less
The DuLIP-Extended is the extension of the Dutch Linguistic Intraoperative Protocol (De Witte et al., 2015) which aims to test language function on the linguistic levels of phonology, semantics,...Show moreThe DuLIP-Extended is the extension of the Dutch Linguistic Intraoperative Protocol (De Witte et al., 2015) which aims to test language function on the linguistic levels of phonology, semantics, and syntax in cases of awake brain surgery on glioma patients with no or mild aphasia. The extension aims to make awake surgery feasible for glioma patients who have severe preoperative aphasia, by the addition of less complex tasks on all linguistic levels. This study aims to provide insight into how a healthy Flemish and Dutch sample perform on the DuLIP-Extended. Insight was gained by investigating which items should be removed depending on low accuracy rate in a healthy Dutch and a healthy Flemish sample, what the accuracy rates of the performances were on subtask level, whether the performances of the Dutch and Flemish samples significantly differed from each other, and whether the factors of sex, age, and education level affected task performances. The Dutch sample contained 71 participants and the Flemish contained 80 participants. Across the samples the age range was 18 years of age to 83 years of age. Accuracy rate was below 80% for only a few items (k = 6 in the Dutch sample, k = 3 in the Flemish sample) and these items were marked for removal in future versions of the DuLIP-Extended. Overall performances of both samples were high in accuracy (all subtask medians were above 80%). Mann-Whitney U tests revealed differences in performances on four subtasks of the DuLIP-Extended between the Flemish and Dutch sample. Lastly, sex, age, and education level had no effect on the performances of the Dutch sample.Show less
Led by the current aims of museum decolonization and the Dutch government’s goal to improve education on the history of slavery, the present study investigated the effects of slavery-related...Show moreLed by the current aims of museum decolonization and the Dutch government’s goal to improve education on the history of slavery, the present study investigated the effects of slavery-related exhibits’ labels on museum visitors’ emotions and learning. 63 participants were recruited in the Rijks Museum and asked to look at three paintings under one of three label conditions: old labels (designed to guide visitors’ view), new labels (providing slavery-related historical context), and no labels (control condition). Eye-tracking, questionnaire, and interview data were collected. The labels did not seem to have a measurable effect on visitors’ learning, as no differences in label echoing and the number of history and slavery related words spoken during the interview between participants in different conditions could be observed. Moreover, participants in the new and no label condition displayed an increase in positive emotions. There were no changes in negative emotions across conditions. Overall, the differences in emotional changes between conditions were not significant, suggesting that labels did not have a measurable effect on emotions. Eye-tracking data suggested that participants did not find one type of label more engaging. By combining multiple types of data, the present study provides elaborate and complex insights about the challenges that museums face when addressing slavery-related topics.Show less
This research aimed to comprehensively understand the demographics and characteristics of transgender and gender diverse (TGD) individuals seeking mental health care upon initiating gender...Show moreThis research aimed to comprehensively understand the demographics and characteristics of transgender and gender diverse (TGD) individuals seeking mental health care upon initiating gender-affirming care. Additionally, it focused on optimal integration of mental health care into gender-affirming care according to TGD individuals. Both were within the framework of an ongoing investigation at the Zaans Medical Centre. The quantitative data analysis consisted of intake questionnaire data of twenty-five TGD individuals, variables were derived from sections of the intake questionnaire. For the qualitative data analysis, seven semi-structured interviews were held with TGD individuals. The characteristics of TGD individuals consisted of self-reported psychological distress and well-being. Their relationship to requested mental health care intensity was studied through Spearman rank order correlations. The demographics included age, educational level, ethnicity, employment status, experienced income, and gender assigned at birth. Their association with requesting mental health care was explored through chi-square tests. A thematic analysis with semantic approach was performed to analyse the data. No significant correlations were found between demographic variables and mental health care requests at admission. The correlation between self-reported psychological distress and mental health care intensity was χ2 = -.003, p = .987, for self-reported psychological well-being and mental health care intensity χ2 = -.001, p = .997. Thematic analysis of interview data yielded three overarching themes: motives for seeking mental health care, recommendations for integrating mental health services into gender-affirming care, and desirable attributes of mental health care providers. Reasons for refraining from or seeking mental health care included experiencing psychological distress or good psychological well-being, experiences due to gender dysphoria, acceptance of themselves, and experienced lack of support. Suggestions for optimal mental health care integration were better and more provision of (mental) health care and travel distance to mental health care. Qualities of the ideal mental health care professional were having certain character traits such as being accepting and being specialized in TGD. Overall, this research emphasizes the importance of knowledgeability and empathetic and inclusive qualities in mental health care professionals in the treatment of TGD individuals suggesting its importance over mental health care professionals’ gender identity.Show less
Bachelor thesis | Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology (BSc)
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The thesis "Shaping Tomorrow’s Cities: Exploring Human-Environment Relations for Social Sustainability" examines the diverse interactions between humans and their environments in relation to social...Show moreThe thesis "Shaping Tomorrow’s Cities: Exploring Human-Environment Relations for Social Sustainability" examines the diverse interactions between humans and their environments in relation to social sustainability within urban areas. I focus on marginalised groups whose experiences often diverge from mainstream perspectives. Through case studies such as the Minha Casa Minha Vida project in Brazil and Hyde Park in the United States, this thesis highlights how these communities infuse spaces with personal and collective memories, influencing their interactions with the environment. These studies suggest that standardised urban planning policies may overlook the lived realities of marginalised communities, leading to social sustainability initiatives that fall short of addressing their needs. By examining the complex social, historical, and economic factors that shape human-environment relations, the thesis proposes a reimagined approach to urban planning that could foster more inclusive, equitable and supportive urban spaces.Show less
Exposure therapy is an effective treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), yet a substantial number of patients fails to reach symptom relief. Therefore, a deeper understanding of the...Show moreExposure therapy is an effective treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), yet a substantial number of patients fails to reach symptom relief. Therefore, a deeper understanding of the underlying mechanisms may help improve the treatment. Inhibitory learning has been a recently developed approach, stating that new fear associations must be actively developed. One proposed strategy has been that of expectancy violation, in which threat expectancies are actively challenged during exposure. Actively experiencing a mismatch between expectancy and reality is supposed to benefit learning and thus improve exposure success, yet results have been mixed. The aim of this study was to expose the mechanisms of expectancy violation by analyzing the types of expectancies experienced by PTSD patients. Furthermore, the effects of the strength of these expectancies and the extent to which they change in strength during exposure on treatment success was tested. In a clinical assay, participants (N = 60) were randomized across two groups, which both received exposure therapy. The experimental group’s exposure treatment was designed to enhance expectancy violation. In both groups, PTSD symptoms were measured at baseline and follow- up, and threat expectancies were measured right before and right after exposure. Results showed that both threat expectancies and PTSD symptoms reduced significantly. However, baseline expectancy strength did not have a significant effect on the amount of PTSD symptom reduction, both in the total and the experimental group. Furthermore, the amount of expectancy change did not predict PTSD symptom reduction either. A full ranking of expectancy types was provided.Show less
Depression is a leading cause of burden worldwide, disproportionately affecting women. Brooding rumination is a symptom and a risk factor for depression. The default mode network (DMN) is active...Show moreDepression is a leading cause of burden worldwide, disproportionately affecting women. Brooding rumination is a symptom and a risk factor for depression. The default mode network (DMN) is active during brooding rumination. Inadequate suppression of this network obstructs activation of the central executive network (CEN), essential for performing cognitively demanding tasks. While previous research linked DMN suppression to depression, this has not been investigated in a healthy population. This study examined potential gender differences in the time required to switch from the DMN to the CEN in a healthy sample. Additionally, it investigated whether switching time was positively related to brooding rumination and whether this relationship differed between genders. Lastly, it explored whether functional connectivity (FC) between the DMN and the subgenual anterior cingulate cortex (sgACC) was related to brooding rumination. Results indicated a faster DMN-CEN switch in men compared to women. No relationship was found between switching time and brooding rumination in either men or women. Lastly, brooding rumination showed no relationship with sgACC-DMN FC. This study proposes a slower DMN-CEN switch as a possible neural mechanism for higher rates of depression and relapse proneness in women compared to men. Moreover, it suggests that DMN suppression may not underlie brooding rumination as a risk factor for MDD. Researchers developing preventive measures for depression aimed at reducing brooding rumination may consider targeting other neural mechanisms than DMN suppression. Future research should explore these alternative neural mechanisms to support the development of preventive measures for the onset and relapse of depression.Show less