This study explores the intricate connections between music, movement, and cognition by exploring the effect of auditory cue on motor and cognitive performance in fifty healthy participants between...Show moreThis study explores the intricate connections between music, movement, and cognition by exploring the effect of auditory cue on motor and cognitive performance in fifty healthy participants between 18-39 years (females n=38). Employing a within-subjects design, participants engaged in tapping tasks under various auditory conditions, including metronome, experimenter-selected, and subject-selected musical tracks, in both single and dual-task scenarios. Objective measures of tapping timing consistency and force, alongside subjective ratings of induced arousal, induced emotional valence, familiarity, and likeness were examined. Two multilevel models were built to assess subjective ratings and/or musical condition as predictors of tapping force, consistency and 2-back performance. Significance was set at p<.05 (∝=.05). Higher ratings of emotional valence, arousal, familiarity, and liking were not found to predict higher tapping force and consistency. A repeated measures ANOVA investigated differences in tapping force and timing consistency between the three auditory conditions, however no significant difference was found for force (F(2, 123) = 0.004, p =.99) or timing consistency (F(2, 121) = 2.813, p = .06). Contrary to expectations, the metronome was found to be the only predictor of working memory (estimate = 4.92, SE = 0.63, p = .001, 95% CI = 3.69, 6.15). No significant difference was found between auditory conditions when compared in an ANOVA (experimenter-selected tracks = (t(56.89) = 1.28, p = 0.2, 95% CI = -0.78, 3.53); subjectselected tracks = (t(53.42) = , p = 0.17, 95% CI = -0.66, 3.58). Findings underscore the potential implications of auditory cues for cognitive tasks, challenging previous assumptions. By addressing gaps in existing literature and exploring the role of force in music-cued tapping, this study contributes to our understanding of human behaviour and cognition. Ultimately, these insights may inform the development of interventions aimed at optimizing performance across diverse cognitive tasks and populations.Show less
Previous research has shown that children’s art viewing behaviour is influenced by bottom-up factors, as opposed to top-down factors in adults. This study examines the influence of painting...Show morePrevious research has shown that children’s art viewing behaviour is influenced by bottom-up factors, as opposed to top-down factors in adults. This study examines the influence of painting descriptions tailored to children aged 10-12 on their visual attention and aesthetic appreciation of art. Sixty-two participants viewed a set of three painting in the halls of the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, while their eye movements were recorded. One group received a description tailored to their age-group before viewing each painting (Child Description Condition), while the two other groups either received the museum’s description (Adult Description Condition) or no description at all (Free-Viewing Condition). After viewing, each participant’s aesthetic appreciation was measured. Findings indicate significant differences in visual attention between conditions, where participants with child-tailored description viewed more areas of interest for a longer period compared to other conditions. However, no difference in aesthetic appreciation was found between conditions. These results highlight the importance of tailoring art descriptions to the knowledge level of specific demographics, children in particular. Furthermore, it shows that adult-level descriptions are just as effective at modulating children’s visual attention as giving no description or information at all. Going further, this knowledge can be applied to enhance children’s understanding and maintain engagement in various real-world settings, such as education and safety.Show less
Movement sonification translates kinesiological parameters into sound stimuli. Many different sonification types are described by existing literature including musically informed sonification (MIs)...Show moreMovement sonification translates kinesiological parameters into sound stimuli. Many different sonification types are described by existing literature including musically informed sonification (MIs) and parameter mapping sonification (PMs). Both techniques have been proven efficient for training and rehabilitation settings, with researchers pointing the cause at different contributing characteristics, such as motivational aspects and enhanced informational content of either MIs or PMs stimuli respectively. Limited consideration has been devoted to personal characteristics, such as musical sophistication. The focus of this study was to investigate the differences between two sonification types, parameter mapping sonification (PMs) and musically informed sonification (MIs), in terms of subjective intuitiveness and motivation. PMs was hypothesized to be more intuitive, as well as MIs was expected to be more motivating, as compared to each other. Additionally, the individual relationship between motivation or intuitiveness and three GMSI subscales – active engagement, perceptual abilities and musical training – were examined for PMs. Here, it was speculated that only the former one would predict intuitiveness and motivation scores for PMs. To test our hypotheses, two paired samples t-tests and two backward stepwise linear regression analyses were performed in a final sample size of 171 healthy participants (67 female). Results demonstrated statistically significant differences between PMs and MIs both for motivation [t (169) = 5.64, p<.001, d = .69] and intuitiveness [t (168) = -9.71, p<.001, d = .83] respectively. The backward stepwise regression analysis yielded statistically significant results for a model of active engagement predicting PMs motivation scores [R2 = .03, F (1, 168) = 4.6, p < .05; adjusted R2 = .02]. All other regression models did not reach statistical significance levels. These observations support the hypothesis that PMs was perceived as more intuitive than MIs and that MIs was rated as more motivating than PMs. Besides, active engagement was the only GMSI subscale to predict motivation scores for PMs, with no GMSI subscales having statistically significant predictive values for intuitiveness ratings of PMs. Based on these findings, practical implications are discussed. Limitations of this research project, as well as recommendations for further research are described.Show less
This study investigates the effectiveness of the 'i-Sleep & BioClock' digital cognitive-behavioral therapy intervention in reducing insomnia severity and anxiety symptoms among university...Show moreThis study investigates the effectiveness of the 'i-Sleep & BioClock' digital cognitive-behavioral therapy intervention in reducing insomnia severity and anxiety symptoms among university students with self-reported sleep problems. Utilizing a Single-Arm Open Pilot Trial design, 216 participants from Dutch universities, aged ≥ 16 years were included. Participants followed the intervention over five weeks and 64 participants answered the post-test questionnaire in week 7. Standardized questionnaires assessed insomnia severity (Insomnia Severity Index), anxiety symptoms (Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale), and chronotype (Munich Chronotype Questionnaire) at baseline and post-intervention. Results indicate significant reductions in insomnia severity and anxiety symptoms from baseline to post-intervention, with large and small to moderate effect sizes, respectively. Although the moderating role of chronotype was nonsignificant, findings suggest that individuals with intermediate chronotypes experienced the most significant change in insomnia symptoms. Limitations include the absence of a control group and a notable dropout rate. This study underscores the promising efficacy of digital interventions for addressing sleep and anxiety issues among university students, advocating for further research to optimize intervention strategies and enhance treatment outcomes.Show less
In this research the effects of childhood scarcity on adult inhibition and task switching while being in a current scarcity mindset, were explored. The hypotheses were based on the life history...Show moreIn this research the effects of childhood scarcity on adult inhibition and task switching while being in a current scarcity mindset, were explored. The hypotheses were based on the life history theory, an evolutionary perspective on learning adaptive behaviors in the childhood environment to adjust to similar situations in later life, and previous research by Mittal et al (2015). Mittal et al. (2015) observed positive effects of childhood unpredictability on switching scores. In this current research it was hypothesized that childhood scarcity has a main effect on inhibition scores, such that high childhood scarcity is related to lower performance on an inhibition task. It was also hypothesized that childhood scarcity has a main effect on switching scores, such that high childhood scarcity is related to higher performance on a switching task. Furthermore, these effects were expected to be moderated by whether a scarcity mindset is activated. This moderation effect was indicated by participants having experienced childhood scarcity to perform better on switching, but worse on inhibition tasks only with an activated current scarcity mindset. This effect was not expected when a current scarcity mindset is not activated. All hypotheses were rejected: no effect of childhood scarcity on adult switching and inhibition was found, and no moderation for this effect was detected.Show less
Background. The elderly population affected by dementia is rapidly increasing, and this rise may lead to more requests for end-of-life interventions like euthanasia, a debated topic worldwide....Show moreBackground. The elderly population affected by dementia is rapidly increasing, and this rise may lead to more requests for end-of-life interventions like euthanasia, a debated topic worldwide. Despite legal restrictions, studies show diverse views on euthanasia acceptability among Japanese and US physicians. Factors like country of practice, religious beliefs, and attitudes toward death have been associated with euthanasia acceptability. Thus, this research aimed to investigate the relationship between country of practice, religion, and attitudes towards death in relation to euthanasia acceptability, while accounting for the influence of age and gender. Methods. The study used a cross-cultural mixed-method design and included 75 participants aged 26 to 71 years. Three separate logistic regression analyses were conducted to measure the influence of these factors on euthanasia acceptability separately. Additionally, a hierarchical multiple regression analysis examined whether the relationship between country of practice and euthanasia acceptability was moderated by religion. Results. The results did not reveal any significant associations between country of practice, religion, attitudes towards death, and euthanasia acceptability. However, there was a significant association between gender and euthanasia acceptability, and results showed that males were more likely to not accept euthanasia as an end-of-life intervention compared to females. Moreover, results showed that the relationship between country of practice and euthanasia acceptability was not moderated by religion. Conclusion. In conclusion, this study suggests that country of practice, attitudes towards death and religiousness, may not be decisive factors in determining euthanasia acceptability, while gender could play a more influential role. These findings serve as an initial step toward understanding the diverse effects of cultural factors on euthanasia acceptability across different countries.Show less
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
Reading and writing are important skills in life. However, children with dyslexia, a neurodevelopmental learning disorder with a genetic basis, have difficulty with these skills. Dynamic assessment...Show moreReading and writing are important skills in life. However, children with dyslexia, a neurodevelopmental learning disorder with a genetic basis, have difficulty with these skills. Dynamic assessment might be a better predictor of children’s cognitive abilities and reading and writing skills than static tests. Dynamic assessment is based on the idea that learning is a social proces and uses feedback. This study investigated the effectiveness of dynamic assessment on reading and writing performance, specifically phonemic awareness, prosodic awareness and spelling, and whether there were group differences between dyslexic and non dyslexic children, and boys and girls. The participants included 91 children aged seven to nine, with 45.1% diagnosed with dyslexia. The participants were divided in an experimental condition with a pretest-training-posttest design, and a control condition with a pretestposttest-training design. It was found that the children in the experimental condition improved more over time than the children in the control condition on prosodic awareness. No group differences were found in the effectiveness of the dynamic test. These results show that the dynamic test can be an effective tool in education for increasing the reading and writing skills in children and examining their learning potential.Show less
The behavioural overlap observed between developmental dyslexia and other neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) such as ADHD and ASD is an ongoing topic of research. The complexity of these...Show moreThe behavioural overlap observed between developmental dyslexia and other neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) such as ADHD and ASD is an ongoing topic of research. The complexity of these conditions, coupled with the overlap in behavioural characteristics, contributes to the challenge of accurately diagnosing dyslexia. Consequently, there is a prevalent tendency for learning disabilities such as dyslexia to be underdiagnosed. This study aims to examine whether there are specific cognitive impairments attributable to dyslexia, that are not observed in NDDs in general. The answer to this question was examined by comparing the cognitive profile of children diagnosed with a NDD and dyslexia to children diagnosed with a NDD but not dyslexia. The WISC-V was administered to 57 children aged between 7 and 16 years. The findings of this study showed no differences in the frequency of a deviant IQ profile between children with a NDD, with or without (suspected) dyslexia. In addition, the results showed no stronger relative weakness on the indexes of working memory, verbal comprehension, and processing speed for children with dyslexia compared to children with a NDD but not dyslexia. To conclude, the current study found no evidence for specific cognitive impairments attributable to dyslexia. Due to the small sample size in this study, further conclusions cannot be drawn from these results. Since the obtained results contradict the results of previous studies, a follow-up study to gain more knowledge about the cognitive profile of dyslexia in co-occurrence with other NDDs is advised.Show less
Limited literature exists on the mental health of older (55+) transgender individuals who have been using long term gender-affirming hormone therapy (GHT). Based on studies that found heightened...Show moreLimited literature exists on the mental health of older (55+) transgender individuals who have been using long term gender-affirming hormone therapy (GHT). Based on studies that found heightened levels of mental health challenges in the transgender population of all ages and the general older population, this study aimed to compare levels of depression, anxiety and loneliness of older transgender women and men who have been using GHT for at least 10 years, to their cisgender peers. Secondly, this study aimed to investigate the potential impact of various social, self-belief and health (risk) factors on the difference in mental health between the groups. This was a cross-sectional study. Mental health outcomes of 73 transgender women and 39 transgender men (age 56-84) receiving long-term GHT (10-47 years) were compared to 219 cisgender men and 219 cisgender women from the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam (LASA) matched on age and level of education. Linear regression analyses per group on the different mental health outcome measures were performed. Clusters of (risk)factors (i.e. social, self-belief and physical health) were (independently) added to the model. Consistent with expectations, transgender women exhibited significantly higher levels of depression, anxiety and loneliness compared to both cisgender women and men. Similarly, transgender men displayed significantly higher levels of these mental health challenges compared to cisgender men. Compared to cisgender women, transgender men only showed significantly higher levels of loneliness. For transgender women, clusters of social, self-belief and health factors separately were identified as risk factors compared to cisgender men and all factors together as risk factors compared to both cisgender groups. For transgender men, self-belief factors and all factors together were identified as protective factors when compared to cisgender women and health factors and all factors together as risk factors compared to cisgender men. More (clinical) awareness of the mental health challenges of older transgender people is warranted in order to provide more effective (mental health) care. Further in-depth research on the risk and protective factors of influence on mental health challenges, including the influence of discrimination, minority stressors and social support, is recommended.Show less
Empathy is known as a multidimensional construct, and it is found to be highly important in parenting. Parents have been found to experience different empathic responses towards their children,...Show moreEmpathy is known as a multidimensional construct, and it is found to be highly important in parenting. Parents have been found to experience different empathic responses towards their children, including differences in emotional reactions, understanding their children’s feelings, and abilities in providing support and care in times of distress. Less is known about how parents’ mental well-being influences their levels of empathic distress towards their adolescent children. This study explored the relationship between parental well-being, specifically levels of anxiety and depression, and empathic distress experienced by parents in response to the suffering of their adolescent children. Additionally, the moderating influence of parental gender on this relationship was taken into account. A multiple linear regression analysis was employed. Significantly, maternal gender played a more prominent role in predicting empathic distress, regardless of the anxiety and depression scores. This highlights the notion that mothers and fathers may respond differently to empathic distress cues. These results emphasize the complexity of parental empathic distress and the multifaceted factors influencing its expression. This study contributes to the understanding of parental empathic responses and their connection to parental well-being and gender. These findings hold implications for mental health interventions aiding family dynamics, offering insights into gender roles, and how parents’ mental well-being is linked to their empathic responses.Show less
Optimizing cognitive functions has become increasingly popular with new measures, such as prolonged fasting, while these often lack scientific support. Fasting causes the body to switch from...Show moreOptimizing cognitive functions has become increasingly popular with new measures, such as prolonged fasting, while these often lack scientific support. Fasting causes the body to switch from glucose as the primary energy supply to ketones, setting into motion a chain of alterations of underlying mechanisms affecting cognition. Here, it has been hypothesized that cognitive functions decrease when fasting while the metabolic switch is incomplete, however, once the switch is complete, cognitive functions increase. Furthermore, the influence of physical features has been hypothesized to modulate cognitive functions via mechanisms impacting prolonged fasting. Using an online task-switching task, changes in task-switching abilities throughout a 72-hour fast have been investigated, as well as the impact of physical features on performance assessed via questionnaires. Results showed differences in reaction times and error rates between fasting and control participants at baseline but not at later time points, indicating no effect of fasting on task performance. Similarly, investigations of switch cost and congruency effect failed to indicate effects of the fasting intervention. Thus, these results could not confirm the hypothesis but also did not show negative effects of prolonged fasting. Although the current study provided inconclusive results regarding the effects of prolonged fasting on task-switching abilities, this project was able to demonstrate a strong interest and willingness of individuals to participate in prolonged fasting experiments. Thereby, the current study laid the foundation for further research indicating the pitfalls and potentials of prolonged fasting studies.Show less
In the context of decision-making and rational behaviour, the decoy effect serves as a frequent example of how the introduction of an inferior option to a choice set can influence choice preference...Show moreIn the context of decision-making and rational behaviour, the decoy effect serves as a frequent example of how the introduction of an inferior option to a choice set can influence choice preference. To investigate the evolutionary origin of this effect and the context in which it occurs, comparative studies need to be conducted. However, existing paradigms do not facilitate comparative research on the decoy effect and do not thoroughly assess the effect of a stressful context on its occurrence. The current field study (N=81) utilizes a virtual foraging environment to explore these methodological and knowledge gaps utilizing a within-subjects design. By constructing an ecologically valid choice set involving trade-offs between effort and amount of food and employing auditive stimuli to elicit stress, this study could offer a promising avenue for future comparative studies with non-human primates such as chimpanzees. The first research question explores the virtual paradigm’s potential for studying the decoy effects by investigating whether alterations of choice preference occur and whether the common characteristic of more prominent decoy effect for larger and delayed rewards in comparison to sooner and smaller rewards can be replicated. The second research question explores the validity of the stress-inducted-to-deliberation (SIDI) model, which posits acute stress increases the decoy effect due to a relative shift towards System 1 decision-making. Moreover, eye-tracking data (N=50) is used to assess the SIDI models default-interventionist proposition of reduced System 2 adjustments under acute stress. Due to the within-subjects nature of the study, a combination of statistical methods was employed including a Wilcoxon Signed-Rank test and two GLMM models to account for participant-level variation in the data. The results show the decoy effect indeed occurs in the paradigm and a more prominent for larger and delayed rewards was found. Conversely, acute stress did not lead to a higher occurrence decoy effect, nor was the default-interventionist account validated. The findings suggest that ecologically valid VE paradigms hold promise for future decoy studies. However, they also highlight the need for further studies on the relationship between acute stress and the decoy effect. In particular, future research should consider employing validated methods of stress elicitation or, in the case of non-validated methods of stress elicitation, consider utilizing relatively objective stress measures such as biomarkers.Show less
