Alcohol use and perceived social support are both predictors of cognitive performance in adolescents. However, it is unclear how these predictors influence cognitive performance in adolescents who...Show moreAlcohol use and perceived social support are both predictors of cognitive performance in adolescents. However, it is unclear how these predictors influence cognitive performance in adolescents who have a parent with a mood disorder. The objective of the study is to better understand these predictors in the offspring of parents with mood disorders, in order to improve future interventions to enhance cognitive performance in high-risk offspring. Hypotheses posited a negative association between alcohol use and cognitive performance, a positive association between perceived social support and cognitive performance, and the idea that social support would attenuate alcohol's negative impact on cognition. This observational study had a cross-sectional design. The study included 104 participants with an age range of 13 to 25 years old. It was known that 57 participants had a parent with a mood disorder, which were called the ‘high-risk’ sample. At the time of the study, it was still unknown if the remaining participants had a parent with a mood disorder or not. Therefore, all hypotheses were tested for the whole group and a sensitivity analysis was conducted as well, comprising the high-risk sample. Cognitive performance was measured with a subtask from the WISC-V and WAIS-IV. Alcohol use and perceived social support were measured using self-report questionnaires. Three hierarchical multiple regression analyses were performed to assess all three hypotheses in the whole sample and in the high-risk sample. In the whole sample, our results showed no significant association between alcohol use and cognitive performance, no significant association between perceived social support and cognitive performance, and a higher perceived social support did not attenuate the effect alcohol use had on cognitive performance. Subsequently, we also conducted the sensitivity analysis and our results showed no significant associations in all three hierarchical multiple regressions as well. This means that the current study did not find evidence that alcohol use and perceived social support are associated with cognitive performance in high-risk offspring. This inconclusive evidence implicates the need for thorough methodology and design set-up when researching predictors of cognitive performance.Show less
It is estimated that between 89.160 and 127.190 children in the Netherlands experience maltreatment every year, which can cause long term effects such as medical problems, trauma, depression and...Show moreIt is estimated that between 89.160 and 127.190 children in the Netherlands experience maltreatment every year, which can cause long term effects such as medical problems, trauma, depression and anxiety. Research has shown that social support is a protective factor for experiencing behavior problems in maltreated individuals. This study examined whether social support moderates the relationship between maltreatment and anxiety by questioning 39 Dutch adolescents between 12 and 17 years old. During lab visits the participants filled out an informed consent and multiple questionnaires like the Parent-Child Conflict Tactics Scales (CTS-PC) and the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ), the Social Support Scales for Children and Adolescents SSSC/SSSA and the Youth Self Report (YSR). A PROCESS-analysis was conducted to determine whether social support moderated the relationship between experienced maltreatment and anxiety. The relationship between child maltreatment and anxiety was found to be non-significant. Results also showed a non-significant negative relationship between social support and anxiety. Furthermore, social support did not moderate the relationship between experienced maltreatment and anxiety. These results may be partially explained by the small sample and the limited number of maltreated children in the sample. Furthermore, the group that experienced anxiety was also lower than expected due to a restriction of range. These results are not as expected, as other research has shown the buffering role of social support in relation to maltreatment and anxiety. Due to previous research and the limitations of this study it is important to implement social support for people who experience anxiety in society. Examples like reading books and school curricula are discussed. Upcoming research should be conducted with a larger and representative sample and ways to diminish social desirability should be taken into consideration.Show less
This study examined needs and perceptions surrounding student burnout and the role that social support plays in the development of burnout. Specific attention was paid to LGBTQ students, a...Show moreThis study examined needs and perceptions surrounding student burnout and the role that social support plays in the development of burnout. Specific attention was paid to LGBTQ students, a vulnerable minority group that has shown to be more susceptible to stress (Meyer, 2003). The study had a mixed methods design. A survey including standardized and self-composed questions was administered among a convenience sample of 974 university students (85% Caucasian; 79% identifying as woman), 214 of whom identified as LGBTQ. Quantitative analysis was done in SPSS, and open questions were assessed using thematic analysis in ATLAS.ti. According to the burnout measure short (BMS), 56% of the sample met the diagnostic criteria of burnout. Social support and stress were significant predictors of burnout; however, a mediating effect of social support was not found. Many students attributed the high levels of stress and burnout to a high workload. Students want universities to reduce workload, teach coping skills, and pay more personal attention to students’ mental health. LGBTQ students showed significantly higher levels of burnout and stress and lower levels of social support. Students indicated that their LGBTQ identity had them navigate additional stressors, and they asked for LGBTQ-specific support from within their universities. The current study shows that burnout is a serious problem among students. Social support may play a small role in burnout; burnout prevention should mainly focus on reducing stress while considering the needs of students. Using firsthand input from the survey, this study presents two frameworks linking student needs to existing and new interventions.Show less
Background: Organ transplantation recipients have been shown to struggle with medication adherence, which has severe consequences on their health. Research on medication non-adherence has...Show moreBackground: Organ transplantation recipients have been shown to struggle with medication adherence, which has severe consequences on their health. Research on medication non-adherence has demonstrated an inconsistent relationship between social integration and support (SIS) and adherence. Two theories can be used to explain a positive association between SIS and adherence. Firstly, according to the Self-Determination Theory, SIS can influence intrinsic motivation, further influencing adherence. Secondly, the Buffer Hypothesis states that high SIS can buffer the impact of negative life experiences that increase non-adherence. Additionally, some studies have suggested that the relationship between SIS and adherence is different for men and women. Aims: The current study studied the effect of SIS on adherence, hypothesizing that higher SIS would be related to adherence. The second hypothesis was that this effect would be stronger among men compared to women. Methods: To investigate the hypotheses in a cross-sectional study, transplant recipients completed questionnaires about their SIS (Health Education Impact Questionnaire) and medication adherence (Basel Assessment of Adherence to Immunosuppressive Medication Scale). Recipients were recruited from seven transplant departments of five University Medical Centres. Analyses of the following associations were conducted using logistic regression: (1) SIS and medication adherence, (2) SIS and medication adherence with gender as a covariate. Results: Overall, 168 transplant recipients completed the questionnaires. The mean age was 53.87 (SD: 13.8), most participants were male (62.5%) and 17% of the patients were considered medication non-adherent. There was no significant association between SIS and adherence, (OR = 0.955, 95% CI [0.472 – 1.933). This effect was not significantly influenced by gender, (OR = 0.83, 95% CI [0.149 – 4.624]. Conclusion: No significant associations between SIS, gender and medication adherence were reported. A possible explanation for these findings is that other moderating and mediating factors exist and that the relationship between SIS and medication adherence is more complicated than this study was able to examine. Alternatively, the type of SIS studied was not specific enough to be associated with adherence. Future studies should investigate the factors that influence medication adherence and specify the type of SIS that is crucial for increasing medication adherenceShow less
Background: Organ transplantation recipients have been shown to struggle with medication adherence, which has severe consequences on their health. Research on medication non-adherence has...Show moreBackground: Organ transplantation recipients have been shown to struggle with medication adherence, which has severe consequences on their health. Research on medication non-adherence has demonstrated an inconsistent relationship between social integration and support (SIS) and adherence. Two theories can be used to explain a positive association between SIS and adherence. Firstly, according to the Self-Determination Theory, SIS can influence intrinsic motivation, further influencing adherence. Secondly, the Buffer Hypothesis states that high SIS can buffer the impact of negative life experiences that increase non-adherence. Additionally, some studies have suggested that the relationship between SIS and adherence is different for men and women. Aims: The current study studied the effect of SIS on adherence, hypothesizing that higher SIS would be related to adherence. The second hypothesis was that this effect would be stronger among men compared to women. Methods: To investigate the hypotheses in a cross-sectional study, transplant recipients completed questionnaires about their SIS (Health Education Impact Questionnaire) and medication adherence (Basel Assessment of Adherence to Immunosuppressive Medication Scale). Recipients were recruited from seven transplant departments of five University Medical Centres. Analyses of the following associations were conducted using logistic regression: (1) SIS and medication adherence, (2) SIS and medication adherence with gender as a covariate. Results: Overall, 168 transplant recipients completed the questionnaires. The mean age was 53.87 (SD: 13.8), most participants were male (62.5%) and 17% of the patients were considered medication non-adherent. There was no significant association between SIS and adherence, (OR = 0.955, 95% CI [0.472 – 1.933). This effect was not significantly influenced by gender, (OR = 0.83, 95% CI [0.149 – 4.624]. Conclusion: No significant associations between SIS, gender and medication adherence were reported. A possible explanation for these findings is that other moderating and mediating factors exist and that the relationship between SIS and medication adherence is more complicated than this study was able to examine. Alternatively, the type of SIS studied was not specific enough to be associated with adherence. Future studies should investigate the factors that influence medication adherence and specify the type of SIS that is crucial for increasing medication adherence.Show less
Aggressive behavior among children is one of the biggest problems in the Netherlands, because of the possible long-term consequences for child and society. At the same time, raising children to...Show moreAggressive behavior among children is one of the biggest problems in the Netherlands, because of the possible long-term consequences for child and society. At the same time, raising children to successfully participate in society can be quite a challenge for future mothers. This is why the main focus of the current research was to examine the relationship of two parental factors: parental self-efficacy and social support, and the child factor: the degree of aggression in children. The participants of this study were 204 future mothers (M age= 22.54 years, SD= 2.25) and their children (M age= 20.25 months, SD= 1.67). The future mothers filled in two questionnaires about their perceived social support and their parental self-efficacy. Once their child was aged 20 months, the mother filled in a questionnaire about the degree of aggression observed in their children. The results show that parental self-efficacy, in contrary to social support, is an important predictor for aggression in children aged 20 months. The perceived social support is not, separate or combined with parental self-efficacy, a predictor for aggression. This concludes the importance of supporting future mothers in their route to parenthood. It will be of great importance to increase the parental self-efficacy and through that contribute to the well-being of mothers, children and society. Future research could help this goal by examining the effectiveness of a variety of intervention on the parental self-efficacy.Show less
Bullying is a phenomenon that is widespread in schools and workplace but is also occurring online in the form of cyberbullying. Previous studies have indicated that bullying is negatively related...Show moreBullying is a phenomenon that is widespread in schools and workplace but is also occurring online in the form of cyberbullying. Previous studies have indicated that bullying is negatively related to social support and self-esteem. Social support and self-esteem thus constitute protective factors in the relation to bullying. Further, it was expected that bullying will be positively related to the negative mental health outcomes loneliness, depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation. To investigate the relations between bullying and social support, self-esteem, loneliness, depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation the present study used the network approach to integrate all the variables and visualize their relations. The data was taken from the WARN-D project, where 453 participants aged between 18 and 53 (M = 22.7, SD = 4) filled out questionnaires about various mental health aspects including the seven variables used in the present study. Results show that the hypothesized positive relationships between bullying and mental health outcomes are present in the network. The same holds for the negative relationships between bullying and the protective factors. In conclusion, the present study provides an important framework for theory development and further use of the network approach in the field of bullying.Show less
In recent years suicidal behavior has become more prevalent among students, especially in cases of depression. The Interpersonal Theory of Suicide has suggested that feelings of thwarted...Show moreIn recent years suicidal behavior has become more prevalent among students, especially in cases of depression. The Interpersonal Theory of Suicide has suggested that feelings of thwarted belongingness and burdensomeness can precede suicidal ideation. Both concepts are rooted deeply in the social world and research suggests that social support may alleviate these feelings offering a promising avenue of research for suicide prevention. The current study aims to explore the relationship between social support and suicidal ideation in the context of depressive symptoms among students by using a network analysis. A network of 11 nodes was computed using a Gaussian Graphical model. Nodes represented depressive symptoms (suicide ideation, low energy, sleep problems, weight/appetite changes, psychomotor changes, concentration problems, guilt, sadness and loneliness), perceived social support and objective social support. Participants (N = 453) were recruited as part of the WARN-D program and suicide ideation, level of social support and depressive symptoms were assessed using various questionnaires. Contrary to our expectation, no relationship was found between suicide ideation and social support or loneliness. Loneliness emerged as the most central node in the network. Guilt was found to have the most connections with other variables in the network. Further research is needed to clarify the role social support can play in preventing suicide ideation and in depression in general.Show less
Background The number of students with an autism diagnosis is increasing at university. Previous research has shown that those students experience lower levels of social support. Previous research...Show moreBackground The number of students with an autism diagnosis is increasing at university. Previous research has shown that those students experience lower levels of social support. Previous research has also shown a positive link between social support and academic performance. However, there is limited research on this topic. Aim To explore the relationship between social support and academic performance in university students, and to check whether this relationship is mediated by stress, perceived self-competence, depression, or anxiety, and moderated by an autism diagnosis. Design and method Online survey. 222 university students (aged 18-56), 59 with an autism diagnosis (aged 18-39), and 163 without an autism diagnosis (aged 18-56), completed multiple questionnaires assessing participants’ academic performance, perception of their competence to do their class work, stress related to studying at university, anxiety, depression, and social support. Participants were recruited at Dutch universities. Results There was no relationship between social support and stress, perceived self-competence, depression or anxiety. There was no relationship between stress, perceived self-competence, depression or anxiety and academic performance. Autism diagnosis moderated the relationship between social support and depression, and the relationship between social support and anxiety. Limitations The results are reliant on self-reports. A snowball procedure was used for recruitment, which may have caused the sample to be unrepresentative. Conclusion Considering the differences in findings to previous research and the limited amount thereof, it remains unclear whether a relationship between social support and academic performance in students with autism is present, and whether the relationship is mediated by stress, perceived self-competence, depression or anxiety. Future research should examine gender differences, as well as a combination of different constructs.Show less
Previous research indicates that both suicidal ideation and several risk factors fluctuate substantially within hours. Factors that increase the risk of suicidal ideation in the long-term may...Show morePrevious research indicates that both suicidal ideation and several risk factors fluctuate substantially within hours. Factors that increase the risk of suicidal ideation in the long-term may differ from factors contributing to present suicidal ideation. The aim of this single-case study was to investigate real-time, concurrent associations between suicidal ideation and perceived burdensomeness, hopelessness, loneliness, optimism, social support, and stress. Data were obtained via ecological momentary assessment with four assessments per day over a 21-day period. It was hypothesised that higher scores of burdensomeness, hopelessness, loneliness, and stress, as well as lower optimism scores and the absence of social support would be associated with concurrent increases in suicidal ideation. Additionally, the role of social support as a potential moderator of the relationships between suicidal ideation and perceived burdensomeness, hopelessness, loneliness, optimism, and stress was examined. A multilevel linear mixed model analysis yielded significant associations between hopelessness, loneliness, and social support with suicidal ideation. Further, social support significantly moderated the association between suicidal ideation and hopelessness, with both being lower when the participant was in company. These results imply that repeated daily assessments of hopelessness, loneliness, and social support in individuals at suicide risk may be used as indicators of the severity of current suicidal ideation. Besides, social support may serve as a protective factor that could be integrated in suicide prevention strategies. Nonetheless, these conclusions are limited in their external validity given the case-study design. Further research replicating this study with a larger sample is needed to obtain generalisable conclusions.Show less
Worldwide, an increase in cases and severity of domestic violence (DV) has been reported as a result of the 2019 Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic. As one’s language can provide inferences...Show moreWorldwide, an increase in cases and severity of domestic violence (DV) has been reported as a result of the 2019 Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic. As one’s language can provide inferences about one’s mental health, this study analyzed word use in a DV online support group, aiming to investigate the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on the mental health of DV victims. As social support and leisure activities might mitigate the consequences of DV on one’s mental health, their role as protective factors was examined. 5856 posts were collected from a DV support group and from two comparison groups on the social media platform Reddit. Confirmatory analysis was conducted following a registered pre-analysis plan. The results show that DV victims used significantly more linguistic indicators of depression than individuals in the comparison groups. However, linguistic indicators of depression did not increase significantly with the onset of COVID-19. Negative emotion words showed a weak negative correlation with words referring to social support (rho = - .110) and leisure activities (rho = -.137). Similarly, pre-occupation with COVID-19 was associated with using more negative emotion words (rho = .148). Exploratory analysis revealed that mid-pandemic, daily posting frequency in the DV support group was 22% higher than pre-pandemic. It is concluded that DV victims show more linguistic indicators of depression than comparison groups and that these characteristics are stable over time. Further, one’s concern with COVID-19 could contribute to negative emotions, whereas social support and leisure activities could function to some degree as protective factors for victims of DVShow less
The COVID-19 pandemic and its negative consequences for psychological health are omnipresent. Increased poor sleep quality and depressive symptoms, which are knowingly interrelated, have been...Show moreThe COVID-19 pandemic and its negative consequences for psychological health are omnipresent. Increased poor sleep quality and depressive symptoms, which are knowingly interrelated, have been reported amongst the general public. From previous research we know that social support can have a protective function and diminish the negative consequences of stressful life situations, such as the pandemic. We hypothesized that poor sleep quality during the COVID-19 pandemic was linked to depressive symptoms. We also assumed perceived social support to moderate this association. This cross-sectional study included 3484 students with Mage= 22.1 and SD = 3.1; 73,5 percent were female; 26.5 percent were male. Three multiple regression analyses were conducted, a moderation term was added to the equation. The post hoc analysis was a subgroup analysis. A positive association between experiencing poor sleep quality during COVID-19 and depressive symptoms was found (β = .38, p < .001). Perceived social support was a statistically significant moderator of poor sleep quality during COVID-19 and depressive symptoms (β = -.03, p = 025). However, only when comparing the beta value of the high social support group (β = .36, p < .001) with the medium-high social support group (β = .33, p < .001) a mitigating effect of perceived social support was identified. In conclusion, throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, poor sleep quality and depressive symptoms co-occurred. Also, the study suggested that perceived social support had a protective effect concerning both, poor sleep quality during COVID-19 and depressive symptoms, a moderating role on the association was not confirmed.Show less
This thesis aimed to examine to what extent the experiences of the LGBTQ+ community at Sogang University reflect the treatment of LGBTQ+ individuals in South Korea as a whole. This study discovered...Show moreThis thesis aimed to examine to what extent the experiences of the LGBTQ+ community at Sogang University reflect the treatment of LGBTQ+ individuals in South Korea as a whole. This study discovered that LGBTQ+ students at Sogang University, to a certain extent, receive social support from the same sources as the queer community on a national level does, but lack support from online communities and through representation in class and on campus.Show less
