Although participation in school is critical for supporting children's psychosocial development, this relationship is understudied in the autistic population. The present study investigated the...Show moreAlthough participation in school is critical for supporting children's psychosocial development, this relationship is understudied in the autistic population. The present study investigated the relationship between school participation and psychosocial functioning of Dutch autistic children aged 4-16 years. The potential moderating effect of the child's age, family socioeconomic status, and school physical environment on the relationship were also examined. Parents of a total of 200 autistic children participated in the study, who filled in information of their child on an online survey. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis was used to examine the link between school participation and psychosocial functioning and the moderating role of child’s age, family socioeconomic status, and school physical environment. The results showed that autistic children’s school participation was negatively associated with psychosocial problems. However, no moderating effect of child’s age, parental education, or school physical environment was found. This study was among the first to provide empirical evidence on the contributing role of school participation in psychosocial development of autistic pupils. Despite its limitations, it serves as a preliminary investigation into the relationship, and it provides methodological recommendations for future research to yield more accurate findings.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
