This study investigated Activities of Daily Living (ADL) and Executive Functioning (EF) in people with Coffin-Siris Syndrome (CSS) in the Netherlands. The main research question was wether...Show moreThis study investigated Activities of Daily Living (ADL) and Executive Functioning (EF) in people with Coffin-Siris Syndrome (CSS) in the Netherlands. The main research question was wether differences in ADL and EF existed CSS-patients different types of genetic mutations. The differences between the groups of genetic mutations were examined taking into account the intercorrelation of ADL and EF, and the age of the (groups of) patients. In the study, 73 patients with Coffin-Siris Syndrome participated (N=73), divided into 2 groups: one group with the genetic mutation ARID1B and 1 group with other genetic mutations. The study data was obtained through the de Voorbereidende vragenlijst Coffin Siris Syndroom poli. This study revealed that no distinction could be made between different genetic mutations with respect to EF, F(1,26) = .21; p = .652. The same is true for ADL, F(1,31) =1.29; p = .264. On average, the groups with different genetic mutations did not score significantly different from each other to distinguish between them. It was also found that when corrected for age, no distinction could be made between the different genetic mutations. There were no significant influences of age in either EF (p= .478) or ADL (p= .214). When looking at the entire target group of CSS patients, rather than the groups of genetic mutations, the study found that initially there does not appear to be a relationship between EF and ADL, r = .33, p = .053. However, the study does show a significant positive weak relationship between EF and ADL when adjusted for age, r = .35, p = .049. Thus the study did not find sufficient results to imply a distinction between different gene mutations in ADL and EF in clinical practice. However, there does seem to be a relationship between EF and ADL in CSS patients. Research with larger groups of CSS-patients with the ARID1B- and other mutations is necessary in order to reveal potential differences. This study investigated Activities of Daily Living (ADL) and Executive Functioning (EF) in people with Coffin-Siris Syndrome (CSS) in the Netherlands. The main research question was wether differences in ADL and EF existed CSS-patients different types of genetic mutations. The differences between the groups of genetic mutations were examined taking into account the intercorrelation of ADL and EF, and the age of the (groups of) patients. In the study, 73 patients with Coffin-Siris Syndrome participated (N=73), divided into 2 groups: one group with the genetic mutation ARID1B and 1 group with other genetic mutations. The study data was obtained through the de Voorbereidende vragenlijst Coffin Siris Syndroom poli. This study revealed that no distinction could be made between different genetic mutations with respect to EF, F(1,26) = .21; p = .652. The same is true for ADL, F(1,31) =1.29; p = .264. On average, the groups with different genetic mutations did not score significantly different from each other to distinguish between them. It was also found that when corrected for age, no distinction could be made between the different genetic mutations. There were no significant influences of age in either EF (p= .478) or ADL (p= .214). When looking at the entire target group of CSS patients, rather than the groups of genetic mutations, the study found that initially there does not appear to be a relationship between EF and ADL, r = .33, p = .053. However, the study does show a significant positive weak relationship between EF and ADL when adjusted for age, r = .35, p = .049. Thus the study did not find sufficient results to imply a distinction between different gene mutations in ADL and EF in clinical practice. However, there does seem to be a relationship between EF and ADL in CSS patients. Research with larger groups of CSS-patients with the ARID1B- and other mutations is necessary in order to reveal potential differences.Show less
This study aimed to examine the quality of children's statements during police interviews and its association with various factors. These factors were: gender, age, fantasy proneness, extraversion,...Show moreThis study aimed to examine the quality of children's statements during police interviews and its association with various factors. These factors were: gender, age, fantasy proneness, extraversion, concentration and experienced stress. This was measured based on the length, elaboration, and accuracy of the children's statements. The study employed a cross-sectional design and collected data through transcripts of the police interviews and questionnaires filled in by parents. The sample consisted of 30 participants aged between 7 and 11 years. T-tests, Mann-Whitney-tests and Kruskal-Wallis-tests were conducted to analyze the data and examine the relationships between the independent variables and the quality of children's statements. The results indicated that gender had no significant impact on the quality of the statements. However, age was found to be significantly associated with the length of the statements, with older children providing longer statements. Fantasy proneness, extraversion, concentration, and experienced stress did not show significant relationships with any of the statement quality measures. The findings suggest that age should be taken into account when assessing the length of children's statements, but other factors such as fantasy proneness, extraversion, concentration, and experienced stress may not be crucial in determining the quality of the statements. This implies that the interrogation protocol used in the Netherlands yields statements of comparable quality regardless of individual differences between children. Therefore, it is not necessary to modify these protocols based on individual differences between children.Show less
In the past decades, methylphenidate has gained widespread popularity onto the pharmacological market, directed toward individuals with a diagnosis of Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD...Show moreIn the past decades, methylphenidate has gained widespread popularity onto the pharmacological market, directed toward individuals with a diagnosis of Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), narcolepsy, traumatic brain injury, stroke, and even human immunodeficiency virus infections. This cognitive enhancer exerts its effects by binding to the dopamine transporter, resulting in heightened extracellular dopamine levels. However, the psychophysiological side-effects associated with this medication are not yet fully understood. The present study delves deeper into erratic psychophysiological side-effects, including psychosis, mood changes, experiences of seizures, tics and the development of skin rashes. Our primary objectives were twofold. Firstly, we aimed at exploring the frequency of adverse symptom perception in individuals receiving methylphenidate as treatment. Secondly, we sought to investigate the potential impact of treatment duration on symptom perception, and examine any potential correlation between the two. To achieve this, we implemented an online version of ‘The Methylphenidate monitoring side effects scale’ (MMSES), with a total of 135 participants, 22 belonging to the experimental group, with prescribed medication, and 113 to the control group, not receiving medication. The results of our study revealed that adverse symptom perception did not significantly differ between the experimental and the control group, (t = 0.31, p = .852). However, psychotic symptoms were significantly lower in the control group in comparison to the experimental group (t = 0.56, p = .041). Additionally, the correlational analysis demonstrated a non-significant relationship between treatment duration and symptom perception (r(20) = .21, p = .353). These preliminary findings need to be followed up by future research and require to be interpreted with caution due to a possibly confounding effect of age differences and other limitations. Future directions may comprise the inclusion of neuroimaging techniques to identify the pathophysiological changes associated with methylphenidate administration, and a larger sample size.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
It is shown that social mindfulness (SoMi) – a form of low-cost cooperation defined by leaving others with a choice – is positively related environmental concern at the country-level. However,...Show moreIt is shown that social mindfulness (SoMi) – a form of low-cost cooperation defined by leaving others with a choice – is positively related environmental concern at the country-level. However, little is known about individual-level environmental concern in relation to SoMi. This study explores whether social mindfulness can be connected to environmental concern on an individual level by differentiating environmental concern into attitudes, intentions, and self-reported and actual pro-environmental behaviors. A positive relationship is hypothesized between SoMi and the various expressions of EC. This relationship was assessed using a questionnaire-based correlational research design (N = 108). The results indicate a lack of associations between SoMi and environmental attitudes and pro-environmental behavior. However, an association is found between SoMi and pro-environmental intentions. This could enhance our understanding of how demonstrating consideration for others may be related to increased environmental concern on an individual level.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
Transparency is crucial in psychology research. Recent exposure of poor research practices has contributed to the faltering reputation of research in social sciences. Efforts are being made to...Show moreTransparency is crucial in psychology research. Recent exposure of poor research practices has contributed to the faltering reputation of research in social sciences. Efforts are being made to enhance research transparency through article templates such as registered reports (evaluating and approving preregistered proposals before data collection, Nosek & Lakens, 2014) and verification reports (reanalyzing the original dataset of a study with the intention of reproducing the initial findings and/or testing their robustness, Schiller et al., 2020). However, these article templates can sometimes contribute to a toxic atmosphere wherein researchers argue back and forth instead of collaborating and corresponding with each other. This thesis introduces a new template emphasizing productive communication between the authors of an original study and a second research team that performs the reproductions and/or robustness checks. Based on two studies (the study of Bradshaw et al. (2020) on the interhemispheric deficit theory of dyslexia, where the result was found not to be significant, and the study of Wilks et al. (2021) on the developmental trajectory of speciesism, where the result was found to be significant), this thesis illustrates the application of this template in the context of a multiverse analysis. . The aim of a multiverse analysis is to illustrate how raw data yield multiple datasets processed differently, resulting in various statistical outcomes. This approach allows researchers to explore a range of statistical results instead of analysing just one dataset (Steegen et al., 2016). In the thesis, the corresponding authors of the selected studies were approached to solicit feedback at different stages of the multiverse analyses. Central to this approach is the opportunity for the original authors to offer feedback on the ongoing analyses at any stage, to keep them involved in the process. Both corresponding authors were willing to address questions and, in addition, provided feedback at times when it was requested. Ultimately, two multiverse analyses were conducted. The analysis on the study of Bradshaw et al. (2020) yielded some significant results, while the analysis on the study of Wilks et al. (2021) confirmed the significant results found in their research. This template encourages corresponding authors to actively engage and share their viewpoints. In conclusion, the two case studies show that clear communication and early outreach can create a positive environment focused on improving research transparency and quality.Show less
Gender differences in negotiation behaviours have been widely studied, yet results on the impact of gender on negotiation outcomes remain inconclusive. This thesis investigates the effects of...Show moreGender differences in negotiation behaviours have been widely studied, yet results on the impact of gender on negotiation outcomes remain inconclusive. This thesis investigates the effects of social motives, supervisor gender, and negotiation context on the negotiation behaviours of female negotiators. We propose that alignment among these factors enhances negotiation performance and amplifies gender-stereotypical behaviours. Contrary to expectations, the gender of the experimenter did not significantly influence negotiation behaviours directly; instead, it moderated the effects of social motives on concession patterns. Our findings also reveal that when supervised by a female experimenter under pro-social motives, women place a greater emphasis on maintaining relationships compared to when under male supervision. Additionally, women were less likely to actively engage in negotiations when supervised by men compared to women. These results indicate that gender stereotypes and social expectations significantly influence negotiation behaviours, and contextual factors critically mediate these effects.Show less
The present study adds to the evolving literature on the relationship between social mindfulness (SoMi) and environmental concern (EC) on an individual level. Investigating this relationship is...Show moreThe present study adds to the evolving literature on the relationship between social mindfulness (SoMi) and environmental concern (EC) on an individual level. Investigating this relationship is valuable given the suggested implications of SoMi fluctuations for societal and environmental outcomes (e.g., scarcity and natural resources affecting future generations). Building on existing literature by Van Doesum et al. (2021) and Kirkland et al. (2022), we hypothesized a positive correlation between SoMi and EC on an individual level. We operationalized environmental concern across three dimensions based on the Theory of Planned Behavior: Attitude, behavior and intent (i.e., all towards being environmentally conscious), and investigated the expected SoMi-EC relationship per facet separately. Additionally, we examined the potential connection between SoMi and environmentally friendly consumer behavior, also expecting a positive correlation. Results from a survey of N = 108 participants revealed that greater levels of social mindfulness correspond to increased intentions to behave more environmentally conscious, emphasizing the importance of promoting these concepts to mitigate environmental harm. However, we did not observe a similar relationship between social mindfulness and the facets attitude and (consumer)behavior, indicating a gap between the three dimensions. Future research should focus on addressing this gap to gain a more nuanced understanding of the complete SoMi-EC relationship. As environmental concerns grow increasingly urgent, understanding these dynamics are imperative for future decision-making and the development of effective interventions.Show less
This study focuses on the quality of sibling relationships, measured in warmth and conflict, and its association with internalizing- and externalizing-behavior problems in adolescence. For the...Show moreThis study focuses on the quality of sibling relationships, measured in warmth and conflict, and its association with internalizing- and externalizing-behavior problems in adolescence. For the study, 26 sibling pairs aged 8-15 years were included. These were only biological siblings and all lived in or near Leiden. The sibling pairs came to Leiden University to individually complete a VR task and a computer task and to fill out a questionnaire (SRQ-S). The parent also completed a questionnaire (CBCL 6-18 years) during the study. For this study, the CBCL and the SRQ-S were used. For this specific study, the younger sibling was examined because the older sibling influences the younger sibling more than the younger sibling influences the older sibling. The study found that conflict in a sibling relationship was positively related to internalizing behavior problems in the younger sibling. This can be explained by the cognitive model of depression: conflict causes stress and this stress relates to negative distortions of reality. These negative distorions of reality can form negative cognitive schema’s which relate to internalizing problems. There were no associations between warmth and internalizing problems and between warmth, conflict and externalizing problems. These conclusions must take into account that a general population sample was used: there were no high or low rates of warmth, conflict, internalizing and externalizing problems; they were avarage.Show less
Despite numerous studies investigating need-supportive teaching, research on how students experience such teaching is scarce within the educational context. The current study aims to address this...Show moreDespite numerous studies investigating need-supportive teaching, research on how students experience such teaching is scarce within the educational context. The current study aims to address this gap by examining the influence of both emotional insight (i.e., one's clear understanding of emotions) and teacher expectations on the perceived need support among primary school students. The study involved 23 students aged 8 to 12 years (fifth to eighth grade). Mixed methods research was conducted – both quantitative and qualitative data were collected and analysed. The quantitative research includes questionnaire responses for emotional insight and need support. The qualitative research entailed semi-structured interviews, which involved comparing students' levels of emotional insight using vignettes based on either high or low teacher expectations. Using correlation analysis, the quantitative results indicate there is no correlation between emotional insight and need support. However, an association was found between high expectation teachers and experienced need support by students. The qualitative results suggest that through emotional insight, a student can process information, distance themselves from the situation, and then choose to deal with it in a positive way. Students with high and low emotional insight emphasize the importance of the bond they have with the teacher before asking for help. These findings show that the role of emotional insight in student-teacher interaction and experiencing need support contributes to the development of the literature on social interactions in the classroom.Show less
This 3-wave study aims to examine the relationship between cognitive empathy (awareness and understanding of another’s emotion), affective empathy (experience of emotions consistent with those of...Show moreThis 3-wave study aims to examine the relationship between cognitive empathy (awareness and understanding of another’s emotion), affective empathy (experience of emotions consistent with those of the observed person), and self-perception of close friendships (one’s perception of the ability to form and maintain close friendships), both directly and indirectly through prosocial behavior (voluntary behavior intended to benefit another person) from late childhood to early adolescence. Participants were 127 adolescents aged between 10 and 14 years old who reported on their empathy, prosocial behavior, and self-perception of close friendships in three consecutive years, respectively. Simple mediation analyses revealed that cognitive and affective empathy did not have a significant positive effect on adolescents’ self-perception of close friendships two years later. Considering these findings, prosocial behavior was not found to be a mediator between adolescents’ cognitive or affective empathy and their self-perception of close friendships from late childhood to early adolescence. Moreover, cognitive and affective empathy did not significantly predict prosocial behavior one year later, whereas prosocial behavior did significantly predict the self-perception of adolescents’ close friendships one year later. These results underline the significance of developing tailored intervention programs targeting prosocial behavior to foster adolescents’ self-perception as close friends, a competence that is crucial during this developmental period considering the greater influence of peers.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
It has been demonstrated that exploring a new environment promotes memory in young adults. Animal studies propose that the enhancement of memory in novel settings is linked to hippocampal dopamine....Show moreIt has been demonstrated that exploring a new environment promotes memory in young adults. Animal studies propose that the enhancement of memory in novel settings is linked to hippocampal dopamine. While the dopaminergic system undergoes changes across the lifespan, little is known about the effects of novelty on memory throughout different life stages. This research contributes to the understanding of the effects of novelty in older adults. The participants (n=14) explored both novel and previously familiarised virtual environments to assess the influence of spatial novelty on declarative memory. Subsequently, participants were presented with a word list to memorise, and their memory performance was evaluated through both immediate and delayed recall. Our results indicate superior immediate recall compared to delayed recall, with no evidence for an effect of novelty. We found no difference in spontaneous eye blinking rate following exposure to a novel or familiar environment. Furthermore, a negative correlation was found between spontaneous eye blinking rate and memory recall. Finally, this sample showed that participants had a slightly better performance on day two compared to day three, especially when they had lower expectations. This suggests that there is an extra novelty effect that is noticeable on the second day, which is suggestive of a decreasing novelty effect over the course of subsequent days. Our findings could potentially be explained by the fact that the advantageous effects of novelty decrease as individuals age, likely due to deterioration in the neural pathways associated with novelty processing. In today's society, where the active contribution of older adults is increasingly valued, it is crucial to address age-related cognitive decline. In order to develop intervention for age-related memory decline, further research is necessary for the specific role of novelty-induced memory in older adults.Show less
