Operations in space are anything but restful for astronauts, as there are both physical and psychological stressors. One known stressor is the lack of sufficient sleep in space which can...Show moreOperations in space are anything but restful for astronauts, as there are both physical and psychological stressors. One known stressor is the lack of sufficient sleep in space which can drastically impact astronauts’ performance. Successful docking is highly important during space missions since small mistakes can lead to disastrous consequences. The docking process can be trained with the 6df task, a simulation in which six degrees of freedom must be controlled. This experimental study aimed to investigate the effect of susceptibility to sleep deprivation (SSD) on 6df docking performance impairment due to sleep deprivation (SD). A total of 62 participants (28 female; 18-39 years, Mage = 24.84; SDage = 4.69) completed a balanced-repeated-measures-cross-over-total-SD design. Test variables were calculated by subjects’ performance differences between “well-rested-“ and “SD measurements”. The dependent variable docking performance impairment due to SD was operationalised by 6df outcomes(“top-level achieved” and “mean docking accuracy”). SSD was defined as 1/reaction time (RT) from the Psychomotor Vigilance Test. A background analysis showed that participants’ RT slows significantly when SD (p < .001). Multinomial regressions (“top-level achieved”) showed no significant relations between SSD and docking performance impairment, whereas multiple regressions (“mean docking accuracy”) showed significant relations (p < .001). Post-hoc analysis showed that testing order is noteworthy because participants assessed in the order “well-rested-“ followed by “SD measurements” have lower docking performance impairment due to SD than the group with reversed order. Further, a posthoc analysis showed when participants split in “least SSD” and “most SSD”, the effect of SSD on 6df docking performance impairment due to SD was affected by testing order. The importance of testing order suggests the presence of a learning effect, meaning that docking performance impairment due to SD could be reduced by exhaustive training in well-rested conditions. In conclusion, this study can help construct guidelines for determining whether an individual can still perform the operationally relevant task safely under SD. This could also be interesting for other professions such as submarines, pilots, and surgeons, in which six degrees of freedom have to be controlled under SD.Show less
Empathy is important for social, cognitive and emotional development in children. Therefore, it is of great value to know what might enhance this development. The current study was designed to...Show moreEmpathy is important for social, cognitive and emotional development in children. Therefore, it is of great value to know what might enhance this development. The current study was designed to examine the development of empathy in children. In addition, the influence of parental sensitivity on empathy (over time) was examined. Parental sensitivity is the ability of the caregiver to understand and respond in an adequate manner to the needs of the child. In this longitudinal study, children were tested with their primary parent for three years, starting when the children were 8 / 9 years old (T1: N = 155, T2: N = 129). Results show a stable level of empathy at the transition from 8 - 9 year olds to 9 - 10 year olds. A decrease was shown at the age of 10 - 11. No significant correlation or interaction over time was found between sensitive parenting and empathy. This indicates that an intervention aimed at enhancing parental sensitivity might not be necessary for the development of higher levels of empathy. Future research should view the three different layers of empathy separately, to see if parental sensitivity has an influence on the different layers of empathy.Show less
Background: Childhood trauma is still prevalent globally as well as in the Netherlands. Approximately 3% of children in the Netherlands had experienced a form of abuse in 2017. Childhood trauma is...Show moreBackground: Childhood trauma is still prevalent globally as well as in the Netherlands. Approximately 3% of children in the Netherlands had experienced a form of abuse in 2017. Childhood trauma is associated with mental illnesses, among which chronic posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. Simultaneously, previous research has shown associations between low distress tolerance and PTSD symptoms, and low distress tolerance and childhood trauma. Aim: The aim of the current study is to investigate the mediating role of distress tolerance on the relationship between childhood trauma and PTSD symptoms. Method: To conduct our mediation analysis, we collected data through an online questionnaire from 169 adults who had experienced a traumatic or stressful experience or event in their lifetime. Exclusion criteria were that they were diagnosed with a mental disorder and/or they were currently receiving any treatment. We conducted the mediation analysis in PROCESS by Hayes (2013). Results: Our results showed a partial mediation of distress tolerance on the relationship between childhood trauma and PTSD symptoms. We also found that childhood trauma is negatively associated with distress tolerance and that distress tolerance is negatively associated with PTSD symptoms. Conclusion: We conclude that distress tolerance explains part of the relationship between childhood trauma and PTSD symptoms. We suggest future research to look more into this relationship as the new knowledge adds to the literature about the onset of PTSD symptoms and could have implications for the prevention and intervention of PTSD symptoms.Show less
A hospital in the Netherlands is currently investigating where they are standing in terms of a safe learning environment. This is investigated to eventually implement Safety-II within their work-...Show moreA hospital in the Netherlands is currently investigating where they are standing in terms of a safe learning environment. This is investigated to eventually implement Safety-II within their work- and learn processes. The safety management approach of Safety-II emphasizes how safety is achieved in daily work. Since speaking up is an important factor for learning and improvement, this study aimed to examine the status of psychological safety among healthcare workers at the Dutch hospital. To address current problems surrounding staff shortage in healthcare, we additionally aimed to investigate how healthcare workers could be retained to their hospital work environment. This pilot study researched the relationship between perceived organizational support (POS), psychological safety, and affective organizational commitment (AOC). Drawing on previous theories, we hypothesized and examined a mediator model predicting AOC. A mixed-method design was used for an in-depth understanding of POS, AOC, and psychological safety among healthcare professionals (N = 38) of a Dutch hospital. The data was collected through a survey, online observations during team meetings, and three interviews. This study provides new support to the importance of POS for organizational commitment. Results showed that POS increased psychological safety among healthcare professionals. Adding to the literature, it was found that in particular support from team leaders was important for higher levels of psychological safety. Our findings also indicate that POS has a positive impact on AOC, but this was not mediated by psychological safety. More research is required to better understand how POS exactly contributes to AOC. Based on our findings, we recommend including perceived support from team leaders within further research on psychological safety.Show less
This study examined whether highly intelligent children experience stronger peer attachment and if they show more prosocial giving behaviour when attending gifted education as opposed to regular...Show moreThis study examined whether highly intelligent children experience stronger peer attachment and if they show more prosocial giving behaviour when attending gifted education as opposed to regular primary education. To examine the relation between peer attachment, prosocial giving behaviour and education type 117 Dutch students between 9 and 12 years old have filled in the Raven Progressive Matrices, the IRI, the Prosocial Donation Task and the IPPA as part of the Brightwave study. The results show that there is no significant effect of education type on peer attachment in highly intelligent children (t(1) = .102, p = .751). Furthermore, no significant effect of education type was found on prosocial giving behaviour (t(44) = .562, p = .577). We did find a significant effect of peer attachment on the number of donated coins F(2,88) = 10.543, p = .002. However, this effect was not influenced by education type. The results from this study were unexpected because previous research has shown that highly intelligent children differ from their classmates in terms of emotional development and playstyle (Kroesbergen et al., 2016). This could make them feel less familiar towards their classmates which would cause them to show less prosocial giving behaviour (Amici, 2015). A possible explanation why highly intelligent children do not experience higher peer attachment or show more prosocial giving behaviour in gifted education is that they do not differ as much from their classmates in regular education as previously thought or despite this difference they may still befriend some classmates that share their interests and playstyle.Show less
A quarter of Dutch cyclists participate in the hazardous behavior of red light running (RLR). Studies show cyclists make a predictive mental model about the traffic situation. The behavioral...Show moreA quarter of Dutch cyclists participate in the hazardous behavior of red light running (RLR). Studies show cyclists make a predictive mental model about the traffic situation. The behavioral outcome of the prediction is possibly influenced by the experienced cognitive load and internal risk arousal optimum. A mismatch between the cyclists' predicted traffic situation and traffic signal indication might partially explain RLR. The main aim of this research is to investigate whether an Intelligent Traffic Management System (ITMS) lowers this mismatch via tracking, prioritization and optimalisation. It is hypothesized that these features increase safety by preventing situations that induce RLR. Cross-sectional observational research is performed by combining Loop-based sensor data with Cooperative Awareness Messages (CAM) to identify the 154 CAM app cyclists from other cyclists on the Dutch N14-N44 intersection from May till July 2021. Cyclists with a smartphone-based application automatically send CAM messages to enhance the ITMS anticipatory modeling and receive prioritization. Based on the multinomial, Firth and Binary logistic regressions, cyclists with CAM-functionality have significantly reduced odds of encountering potentially unsafe situations, red lights, and show less RLR behavior. Therefore, it is concluded that the use of CAM communication and prioritization for cyclists is correlated with an improvement in cycling safety on a signalized intersection. However, methodological limitations and unsafe behavior remain. Future research could further target RLR by also targeting trust with CAM mediated smart system feedback, potentially increasing compliance of a red signal outcome.Show less
In the Netherlands, suicide is the leading cause of death in youths aged 10 – 20. As emphasised by the World Health Organisation, suicide is preventable. Early identification of those at risk of...Show moreIn the Netherlands, suicide is the leading cause of death in youths aged 10 – 20. As emphasised by the World Health Organisation, suicide is preventable. Early identification of those at risk of suicide is essential to provide suitable care. Previous research has shown that those who have experienced adverse life events are at a greater risk of suicide. The Icelandic Model for Primary Prevention of Substance Abuse (IPM) is a pioneering preventative model. The main goal of this model is to prevent substance abuse in Icelandic youths. One major aspect of the IPM is community-building. Community building has shown to be able to aid in not only preventing substance abuse, but suicidality as well, as social isolation is a risk factor for suicidality. This study attempted to assess how youth suicidality, negative life events, and community support interconnect, and whether this relationship is the same in the Netherlands and Iceland. Results showed a significant relationship between negative life events and suicidal thoughts in youths. In the Netherlands, a small moderating effect of community support on this relationship was found; this was not found in Iceland. The relationship between negative life events, suicidal thoughts and community support is different in the two countries. This means that from this research, there is not enough data to support the idea that the IPM could help significantly reduce youth suicidality in the Netherlands through increased community support. Further research could focus more broadly on suicidal behaviour, rather than suicidal thoughts, in relation to community support and negative life events.Show less
Mental fatigue and burnout are an increasing problem within the current working population, prompting research to get a clearer understanding of how individuals can successfully recover. The...Show moreMental fatigue and burnout are an increasing problem within the current working population, prompting research to get a clearer understanding of how individuals can successfully recover. The current study examined recovery at work (i.e., frequency of breaks) and end-of-workday fatigue as predictors of the engagement in two different types of leisure recovery activities (i.e., passive versus active). Based upon the Effort-Recovery Model and Conservation of Resources theory, it was hypothesized that high end-of-workday fatigue would lead to more engagement in passive recovery activities (e.g., watching television) and less engagement in active recovery activities (e.g., working out, meeting up with friends). In addition, a greater frequency of work breaks was expected to lead to less end-of-workday fatigue. Lastly, it was predicted that end-of-workday fatigue acted as a mediator in the relationship between frequency of breaks and type of recovery activity. Data was gathered through a diary study with three daily surveys (i.e., morning, afternoon, evening). Only participants who had worked at least 7.5 hours and had filled in the afternoon and evening survey on that same day were included in the study (N = 53). Results from the study show that frequency of breaks does not predict end-of-workday fatigue. Also, end-of-workday fatigue in turn does not predict the type of recovery activities that are pursued. Consequently, no support is found for end-of-workday fatigue as a mediator between frequency of breaks and type of recovery activities. Due to possible sampling bias, the findings from this study should be interpreted with caution. Future research should try to repeat the current study with a more heterogeneous sample, to know whether the current findings hold true.Show less
Twin pregnancies often go accompanied with increased chances of prenatal and perinatal death of a co-twin. Research has shown there is an association between losing a co-twin during or right after...Show moreTwin pregnancies often go accompanied with increased chances of prenatal and perinatal death of a co-twin. Research has shown there is an association between losing a co-twin during or right after birth and psychological problem in the surviving twin. In addition, losing a baby in a multiple pregnancy can lead to complex feelings of grief in the parents which might influence the parental attachment to the surviving baby. One study found a relationship between losing a co-twin in the womb and anxiety in children, however, to date no studies have examined whether there is an association between losing a co-twin in the womb and emotional and attachment problems in adulthood. The sample of this study consisted of 96 participants (90,63% females, Mage = 44,38) of which 82 single born twins and 14 full siblings. Participants completed an online survey with multiple questionnaires to measure emotional and attachment problems. The regression analyses showed that single born twins reported more emotional and attachment problems than non-single born twins. A paired samples t-test showed the same results for emotional problems when comparing single born twins with their siblings. The age at which single born twins heard about their loss was not associated with the severity of emotional and attachment problems. The results indicate the importance of researching the link between losing a co-twin in the womb and emotional and attachment problems and suggest to take the personal experiences, environmental influences, and nesting of participants in families into account.Show less
Adolescent stress can yield both precipitating and perpetuating factors for internalizing and externalizing disorders. This cross-sectional Dutch study examined possible risk and protective factors...Show moreAdolescent stress can yield both precipitating and perpetuating factors for internalizing and externalizing disorders. This cross-sectional Dutch study examined possible risk and protective factors to find a predictive model for adolescent stress. We hypothesized that mental and/or physical illness in the family, incomplete family composition and financial problems were possible risk factors for adolescent stress. Further, we expected that being religious, having a positive parental relationship and being part of a social group were possible protective factors for adolescent stress. This study included 13,411 participants (52% female, mean age 14.2) completing the Health Monitor Youth 2019 of the Community Health Service North and East Gelderland. Linear regression analyses indicated that having a family member with a mental and/or physical illness, incomplete family composition and having financial problems negatively correlated with adolescent stress. Also, having a good parental relationship positively correlated with adolescent stress. No significant relationship was found between being part of a social group or degree of religious beliefs and adolescent stress. In comparison with males, females reported higher amounts of adolescent stress. With respect to interaction effects, familial illness appeared to affect females more than males. Lower education level and higher age were related to higher amounts of adolescent stress. The results suggest that health care professionals and teachers that come in contact with adolescents should pay special attention to the abovementioned risk and protective factors, so possible interventions can be implemented promptly.Show less
Background: Previous studies have shown that parental bonding (PB) is directly and in interaction with stressful events linked to mental health outcomes. Sexism affects many young women and is...Show moreBackground: Previous studies have shown that parental bonding (PB) is directly and in interaction with stressful events linked to mental health outcomes. Sexism affects many young women and is often associated with psychopathology. This research aimed to further investigate the relation between PB, sexual discrimination and mental health outcomes. Non-optimal maternal and paternal bonding styles and higher frequency of sexual discrimination were expected to be related to greater depressive and anxiety-related symptoms. Furthermore, PB was examined as a moderator on the sexism-symptomatology (depression and anxiety) links. Methods: In a cross-sectional study design, female university students (N = 186) self-reported perceived PB, sexist events, and symptoms of depression and anxiety. Results: Regression analyses revealed that compared to optimal PB, both maternal and paternal affectionless control and neglectful parenting significantly predicted depressive symptoms, whereas symptoms of anxiety were only significantly higher in paternal affectionless control profiles. Frequent sexual discrimination significantly predicted greater depression and anxiety symptomatology, and paternal but not maternal bonding moderated these relations. Non-optimal paternal bonding strengthened the relationships of sexism with symptoms of depression and anxiety, while for optimal paternal bonding, no significant link between sexism and depression was present. Conclusion: The findings indicate direct associations of both non-optimal PB and sexual discrimination with symptoms of depression and anxiety, and provide preliminary evidence that the sexism-symptomatology link might be more pronounced in non-optimal than optimal paternal bonding profiles. This study highlights the centrality of positive father-daughter relationships and sets implications for future research, parenting practices and intervention programs.Show less
Stigmatization frequently occurs in individuals with a skin condition such as psoriasis, which can negatively influence their mental health and disease status. While stigma is known to be the...Show moreStigmatization frequently occurs in individuals with a skin condition such as psoriasis, which can negatively influence their mental health and disease status. While stigma is known to be the leading cause of disability for these individuals, little is known about stigmatizing attitudes among the general population and its correlates. This study aimed to examine stigmatizing attitudes towards psoriasis among the Dutch population and investigated possible predictors. An online survey was administered to 124 participants, which were recruited based on convenience sampling. A 3 x 1 within-subject cross-sectional design was used, investigating the difference in stigmatizing attitudes towards the health conditions psoriasis and common cold (included due to COVID-19), and a healthy control condition. To describe the different conditions, vignettes were used. A one-way repeated measure Manova examined differences between the three conditions on stigmatizing attitudes (assessed by a social distance scale, a direct and indirect version of the impact of skin condition in daily life scale, stereotype endorsement scale, and emotion ratings). In addition, zero-order correlations and multiple regression analyses investigated possible predictors of stigmatizing attitudes towards psoriasis, including sociodemographic variables, familiarity and knowledge about psoriasis, indicators of the behavioral immune system and fear of corona. Manova analysis displayed higher stigmatizing attitudes towards individuals with psoriasis as compared to the control group (p<.001). Besides, overall higher stigmatizing attitudes towards a common cold as compared to the psoriasis group were found. Higher stigmatizing attitudes towards psoriasis were correlated with lower knowledge, higher pathogen disgust, higher perceived infectability, male gender, and familiarity with psoriasis. No correlations were found regarding age, education, fear of corona, or gem aversion. Multiple regression displayed male gender, higher levels of pathogen disgust, and lower levels of knowledge about psoriasis to be predictors of stigmatizing attitudes (p<.05). Stigmatizing attitudes towards psoriasis is shown to be prevalent in Dutch society. As stigmatizing attitudes were shown to be related to reduced knowledge and male gender, future interventions might focus on these factors. Besides, different age groups and professions could be investigated in future studies. Further research is needed, as stigma towards psoriasis is rarely been investigated among the public.Show less
In the current study, we used a modified version of the trust game paradigm to measure the behavioural decisions of trust in an economic setting. In our study, we changed the conditions of the...Show moreIn the current study, we used a modified version of the trust game paradigm to measure the behavioural decisions of trust in an economic setting. In our study, we changed the conditions of the original trust game by adding unexpected outcomes and information (a)symmetry to more closely examine which factors may play a role in the (no) trust decisions of person A. Results of our online study (N = 150) strongly indicate that person’s A willingness to trust is higher when there is information symmetry (both persons have the same information) as compared to information asymmetry (only one of the persons has information about the exact outcome). Also, person A’s willingness to trust is higher when there are no unexpected outcomes as compared to when unexpected outcomes are present. Finally, both trust and uncertainty turned out to be the main (self-reported) drivers of person A (not) to trust person B in the trust game.Show less
Bipolar disorder is a complex and severe mental disorder. Despite evidence-based pharmacological and psychosocial interventions, complete stability is only reached by a small proportion of people...Show moreBipolar disorder is a complex and severe mental disorder. Despite evidence-based pharmacological and psychosocial interventions, complete stability is only reached by a small proportion of people who have BD, with over 90% of BD patients relapsing into new mood episodes during their lifetime. However, tools to differentiate patients who benefit sufficiently from standardized guideline treatment from patients who need more intensive or highly specialized treatment are lacking. The aim of the current study is to develop a decision tool for bipolar disorder that aids clinicians in early identification of a complex disease course in patients with bipolar disorder that are in need of highly specialized tertiary treatment. An earlier literature review led to the identification of 37 factors associated with a more unfavorable and complex disease course. Based on two expert rounds, using the Delphi method seven items were selected for the final tool: insufficient symptomatic recovery, comorbid personality problems, rapid cycling pattern, trauma, somatic comorbidity, psychiatric comorbidity, (the wish to become) pregnant. The pilot validation study indicated that the tool demonstrated good validity to identify patients for highly specialized tertiary care. A total score of ≥3 was found to represent an optimal cut-off point for identifying bipolar patients in need of highly specialized care. The currently developed decision tool could aid clinicians in identifying complex and severe pathology in bipolar disorder in early stages of diagnoses and treatment and subsequently allocating patients to highly specialized treatment. Validation in larger samples sizes is needed to make this tool generalizable to healthcare systems where early identification of severe cases is needed, across and beyond the Netherlands.Show less
The nocebo effect, which occurs when an inert intervention results in the worsening of symptoms due to negative expectations, affects the experience of pain. Negative expectations may be shaped...Show moreThe nocebo effect, which occurs when an inert intervention results in the worsening of symptoms due to negative expectations, affects the experience of pain. Negative expectations may be shaped through verbal suggestions and classical conditioning, but it is unclear how these learning processes affect anticipatory brain processing related to nocebo-enhanced pain. Therefore, this within-subjects study explored whether stimulus-preceding negativity (SPN), a slow-wave event-related potential component that reflects perceptual and emotional anticipation, would increase in response to cues that predicted high heat pain compared to cues that predicted moderate heat pain. A positive relationship between SPN amplitude and the nocebo effect was expected during evocation. The sample consisted of 36 healthy adults (24 females). SPN was measured from -500 ms to 0 ms relative to pain stimulus onset using electroencephalography, and pain intensity was measured using a numeric rating scale. A nocebo effect was induced through a negative verbal suggestion and classical conditioning. During induction participants learned to associate the sham activation of a Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation device with high pain stimuli (nocebo), relative to moderate intensity stimuli when the device was turned off (control). During evocation only moderate pain was applied. Results showed a significant nocebo effect, p < .001. There was no difference in SPN amplitude between nocebo and control trials in the evocation phase, p = .26. There was a trend towards greater negativity for nocebo trials. There was no relationship between SPN and the nocebo effect during evocation, p = .41. Post-hoc, there was a positive relationship between SPN and pain ratings, p = .002. These results suggest that SPN does not directly reflect anticipatory processing related to nocebo-enhanced pain, but that it does become larger as an individual experiences more intense pain. This finding is clinically relevant because it argues that the estimation of SPN could perhaps aid in the assessment and treatment of pain. Future research should explore SPN further with the use of standardized experimental designs and multiple levels of pain intensity, and with the inclusion of clinical groups.Show less
