Part of the origin of anxiety comes from genetic heredity and the rest is explained by environmental factors. Parental and family characteristics play an important role in the environmental factors...Show morePart of the origin of anxiety comes from genetic heredity and the rest is explained by environmental factors. Parental and family characteristics play an important role in the environmental factors of anxiety. Specific parenting styles are linked to childhood anxiety. Several studies showed that parental overprotection can be linked to anxiety in children. However, there are some inconsistent results between the different studies. This inconsistency may occur because previous studies looked at parents and children in general and possibly, this relationship is mainly important in specific groups of parents and children. Therefore, in this study we look at parents’ socioeconomic status and the gender of the child as a moderator for the link between parental overprotection and anxiety in children. This study was part of a larger research project named Cool Little Kids. We used the pre-intervention, baseline data of the Cool Little Kids project in which 170 parents participated. Parents filled out several questionnaires regarding parental overprotection, child anxiety and demographic characteristics. The results showed that there was no significant effect between overprotective parenting and childhood anxiety that is moderated by SES of the parents and gender of the child. However, the results did point at the expected directions, although they are too small to give significant results. This means that overprotective parenting may not be as important as we assumed. Results of this study must be considered with regard to several limitations. The sample size of this study is small, parents with low socioeconomic status are underrepresented and the study is based on cross-sectional data. Further studies might focus on other parental and environmental factors such as an authoritarian parenting style that may have a larger influence on childhood anxiety and the influence of parenting styles on childhood anxiety in same sex parent-child pairs.Show less
Bachelor thesis | Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology (BSc)
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Following the pioneer work of Bettie,Ortner and McRobbie, this thesis analyzes how cultural discourses arisen from big societal trends in the last decades have contributed to a limited...Show moreFollowing the pioneer work of Bettie,Ortner and McRobbie, this thesis analyzes how cultural discourses arisen from big societal trends in the last decades have contributed to a limited consideration of young women’s class realities. As the internet has become part of everyday life, it has opened up new possibilities for identity formation and representation. Following the increasing blurring between offline and online spaces and identities, the analysis also looks at class, at the intersection of other social axes, as it acquires a transmediated nature, and presents the ways in which online presence and practice remains highly classed and gendered. The three chapters unveil the influence of postfeminism, neoliberalism, and postindustrialism on class expressions, the impact of digital spaces on identity negotiation, and the agency of young women in countering dominant discursive structures. Through an intersectional and transmediated lens, this work emphasizes the importance of recognizing class complexities within contemporary identities. By connecting historical insights with present-day considerations, it contributes to a comprehensive understanding of class dynamics and the nuanced interactions between class, gender, and digital spaces. Current considerations include the content of popular discourse and media, the use of digital spaces and a conceptualization of internet aesthetics such as 'cottagecore' and 'dark academia'. Each chapter offers a specific lens into why and how the class realities of young women are both expressed and hidden through the current prevalent discourses informing the construction, explanation and understanding of young women’s identities.Show less
Master thesis | Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology (MSc)
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This thesis dives into the stories and lives of female low-caste garment workers in South India, uncovering their agency and strategies within the complex web of social norms and expectations. It's...Show moreThis thesis dives into the stories and lives of female low-caste garment workers in South India, uncovering their agency and strategies within the complex web of social norms and expectations. It's all about understanding how factors like caste, gender, and labor intertwine to shape their lives in the bustling world of textile factories. The journey starts by shining a light on the influence of big international brands on the factories' conditions and how the caste systems still affects people’s lives and opportunities. We dig into how traditional gender roles shape the lives of these female workers, dealing with both unequal power dynamics and family expectations. With the guiding question, "How exactly do female low-caste garment workers in South India show their power, and how do they tackle the challenges they face in their lives and jobs?" in mind, the research takes us through six chapters. The heart of the matter reveals that these workers, despite the odds, aren't just passive players. They've got agency and plans, like prioritizing their children’s education if their financial situation allows it in order to break free from the cycle of struggle. And then there's the central role of NGOs like READ, who give them skills and a voice to demand better conditions. Wrapping it all up, the conclusion shows strength doesn't always mean pushing back hard; it's often about finding ways to stand tall and find strategies when facing difficulties. All said and done, this research paints a vivid picture of these female workers' multi-faceted strengths, highlighting how they navigate their world with grit and grace, all while shaking up the social norms that surround them.Show less
Financial scarcity and one’s income have long been studied in relation to people’s financial risk-taking behaviors. In recent years, however, a more recent concept has been introduced in the field...Show moreFinancial scarcity and one’s income have long been studied in relation to people’s financial risk-taking behaviors. In recent years, however, a more recent concept has been introduced in the field of economic psychology research, perceived financial scarcity, which refers to one’s subjective perception of their own financial standing. Considering its novelty, perceived financial scarcity has not been the subject of much research, and its relation to risky behavior even less so. The purpose of this study was to explore the associations between perceived financial scarcity and two dimensions of risk behavior, risk preference and risk tolerance, as well as observe the potential moderating effect of gender on these relationships. Using a sample of 100 participants recruited through an online platform, the results of our research indicated positive associations between risk preference and risk tolerance, in addition to a significant relationship between perceived financial scarcity and risk tolerance. Interestingly, no gender differences were found when testing risk preferences with perceived financial scarcity, while a significant effect of gender was uncovered for the association between perceived financial scarcity and risk tolerance. The results of the study can hopefully provide more clarity regarding the differences between risk preference and risk tolerance, in addition to providing more information that could break down harmful gender stereotypes.Show less
Financial scarcity and one’s income have long been studied in relation to people’s financial risk-taking behaviors. In recent years, however, a more recent concept has been introduced in the field...Show moreFinancial scarcity and one’s income have long been studied in relation to people’s financial risk-taking behaviors. In recent years, however, a more recent concept has been introduced in the field of economic psychology research, perceived financial scarcity, which refers to one’s subjective perception of their own financial standing. Considering its novelty, perceived financial scarcity has not been the subject of much research, and its relation to risky behavior even less so. The purpose of this study was to explore the associations between perceived financial scarcity and two dimensions of risk behavior, risk preference and risk tolerance, as well as observe the potential moderating effect of gender on these relationships. Using a sample of 100 participants recruited through an online platform, the results of our research indicated positive associations between risk preference and risk tolerance, in addition to a significant relationship between perceived financial scarcity and risk tolerance. Interestingly, no gender differences were found when testing risk preferences with perceived financial scarcity, while a significant effect of gender was uncovered for the association between perceived financial scarcity and risk tolerance. The results of the study can hopefully provide more clarity regarding the differences between risk preference and risk tolerance, in addition to providing more information that could break down harmful gender stereotypes.Show less
Sibling aggression is a common phenomenon which can lead to negative outcomes on the development of children. Aggression between siblings can possibly be explained by the quality of the sibling...Show moreSibling aggression is a common phenomenon which can lead to negative outcomes on the development of children. Aggression between siblings can possibly be explained by the quality of the sibling relationship and gender. The aim of the current study is to investigate whether anger in response to a sibling, as an indicator of the quality of the sibling relationship, is related to sibling aggression and whether gender plays a moderating role. A sample of 18 sibling pairs (oldest sibling: aged 10 to 18 years, M = 14, SD = 1.9) participated. The aggression between siblings was measured with the sibling version of the Conflict Tactics Scale, CTS2-SP. To measure anger in response to provocative behavior of the sibling a Virtual Reality (VR) task was used. The provocative behavior was believed to be controlled by their sibling but was actually an avatar. The participants were also asked if they believed if their sibling controlled the avatar during the VR task. The scores of the oldest sibling of the pairs were included. The results showed that anger in response to the sibling was not related to sibling aggression and that participants showed equal aggression towards their sibling. Also, no gender differences were found between participants in the link between anger and aggression, so gender did not play a moderating role. It seems that gender differences in siblings play a smaller role than in boys and girls for showing aggression. The results suggest that aggression between siblings might be more normal and accepted than aggression between boys and girls and that siblings may be more used to each other compared to non-family related children. However, further research is needed, to understand the phenomenon of sibling aggression even better in order to prevent it, since the consequences of sibling aggression can be profoundly serious.Show less
Itch is an unpleasant sensation that induces scratching and is often accompanied by psychological distress. Chronic itch, such as psoriasis or atopic dermatitis (eczema), has a lifetime prevalence...Show moreItch is an unpleasant sensation that induces scratching and is often accompanied by psychological distress. Chronic itch, such as psoriasis or atopic dermatitis (eczema), has a lifetime prevalence of 22% and often carries a marked psychological burden. Catastrophising of itch symptoms can inhibit coping, increase scratching and lower mood, which maintains scratching and creates a vicious cycle. The relationship between sex, gender and chronic itch is not well understood. More broadly, sex and gender differences often go overlooked – this is called the gender data gap. Therefore, the first research question was, to what extent does catastrophising affect the quality of life of patients with chronic itch? The second research question was, to what extent is there a difference in how catastrophising affects the quality of life of men and women with chronic itch? 27 patients with chronic itch (psoriasis or atopic dermatitis) filled in the Pain Catastrophising Scale (PCS) adjusted for itch and the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) online. Contrary to expectations, a simple linear regression analysis showed that catastrophising was not a significant predictor of quality of life. Furthermore, a multiple regression analysis showed that catastrophising does not affect the quality of life of men and women differently. Importantly, the results are limited by low sample size, lack of control variables and the use of convenience sampling. Further research into the relationship between itch catastrophising, quality of life and gender could greatly impact the lives of patients with chronic itch.Show less
Conflict resolution is an inherent aspect of human interactions, representing an essential skill for achieving desirable outcomes. Moreover, recognizing individual differences during conflict may...Show moreConflict resolution is an inherent aspect of human interactions, representing an essential skill for achieving desirable outcomes. Moreover, recognizing individual differences during conflict may help understand the origins of different opinions and develop targeted strategies to solve disagreements. This study investigates whether gender and age differences influence attack investment during a conflict task in which both sides compete for different reasons. Based on research showing that women display less preference for competition, I predicted that women invest less in attack than men. Similarly, considering studies on the risk-averse behavior of older generations, I expected older individuals to invest fewer resources in attack than younger people. Three hundred one participants performed an online computer-based decision-making game following the outline of the attacker-defender contest. Participants were randomly assigned to the attacker or defender role. Depending on the role, the tasks involved deciding how to use monetary units (MU) to attack the opponent or protect one’s endowment. Attack investment was defined as the amount of MU assigned to overpower the opponent by obtaining their resources. The results contradicted the predictions, as age and gender were not significant predictors of attack investment. Therefore, this study challenges potential stereotypes claiming aggressive behavior to be more prevalent for a particular age group or gender. I discuss factors such as revising the research design and considering other individual differences that may impact the results’ significance. Altogether, recognizing and leveraging people’s unique characteristics may benefit interactions by encouraging the work toward achieving beneficial results for all parties involved.Show less
Social anxiety disorder (SAD) is the most common anxiety disorder among adolescents. In SAD, gender differences are more prominent in adolescence (i.e. a higher prevalence amongst females). As...Show moreSocial anxiety disorder (SAD) is the most common anxiety disorder among adolescents. In SAD, gender differences are more prominent in adolescence (i.e. a higher prevalence amongst females). As research on gender differences in SAD is scarce, it is still unknown why gender differences in SAD exist and why they are more prominent in adolescents. A factor contributing to the development of SAD is attachment, as it contributes to the way individuals explore a social life. Compared to securely attached adolescents, insecurely attached adolescents experience more difficulty dealing with social situations, placing them at risk for SAD signs. Moreover, an insecure attachment is more common in females than in males. Thus, adolescents' attachment might explain the gender differences in the prevalence of SAD. The current cross-sectional study investigated the relationship between gender and SAD signs, with attachment as a mediator. We also explored whether this differed between maternal and paternal attachment. It was expected that (1) gender would predict SAD signs; (2) attachment would predict SAD signs; and (3) attachment would mediate the relationship between gender and SAD signs (i.e. females would be more insecurely attached and would therefore show more SAD signs than males). In total, 116 adolescents aged 9-12 years completed the YAM-5 and IPPA-R to measure their SAD signs and attachment to their parents, respectively. Regression analyses yielded three main findings. First, contrary to our hypotheses, gender did not significantly predict SAD signs (B = .145; p = .126) and adolescents’ attachment to their parents. Second, consistent with our hypotheses, both maternal (B = -.314; p < .001) and paternal attachment (B = -.393; p < .001) significantly predicted SAD signs. Thus, adolescents’ attachment did not mediate the relationship between gender and SAD signs, but directly affected SAD signs. Attachment-based interventions are effective, but future research is needed to examine if these will also be effective for adolescents with SAD. Additionally, paternal attachment significantly predicted SAD signs. Most previous research, however, has solely focused on maternal attachment. This study, therefore, highlights the importance of more father representation in future research regarding attachment.Show less
On May 23rd, 2014, Elliot Rodger killed six and injured fourteen near Isla Vista, United States, in his self-declared Day of Retribution. On March 15th, 2019, Brenton Tarrant opened fire in and...Show moreOn May 23rd, 2014, Elliot Rodger killed six and injured fourteen near Isla Vista, United States, in his self-declared Day of Retribution. On March 15th, 2019, Brenton Tarrant opened fire in and around the Al Noor mosque in Christchurch, New Zealand, eventually killing 51. Before their violent acts, both Elliot Rodger and Brenton Tarrant posted manifestos outlining justifications for resorting to violence while incentivising others to do the same. Rodger’s and Tarrant’s manifestos have been highly influential in inspiring other actors to resort to violence and are therefore analysed for the current investigation. However, a lack of analytical attention towards how violent actors with different ideological perspectives utilise gendered narratives in their manifestos necessitates the current investigation to explore how gendered discourses feature in Rodger’s and Tarrant’s manifestos. This thesis takes a gendered approach to violent discourse by applying a Critical Discourse Analysis, which unveils that both Rodger’s and Tarrant’s manifestos contain gendered narratives. However, the results also reveal that the intensities and frequencies of these narratives differ between the two manifestos, as do the ways in which the gendered constructions incite violence. These findings offer valuable insights into how gendered narratives unite ideologically diverse violent actors which can assist future research seeking to better understand the deadly effects of gendered discourse.Show less
This paper aimed to find out whether men and women terrorists of the Provisional IRA were portrayed differently in the media. A critical discourse analysis was conducted on newspaper articles from...Show moreThis paper aimed to find out whether men and women terrorists of the Provisional IRA were portrayed differently in the media. A critical discourse analysis was conducted on newspaper articles from 1969 to 1999, coding and analysing the way these terrorists got framed and portrayed in the media. A gendered difference in media portrayal of PIRA is present based on the analysis of 45 articles. However, this difference is not as large as could be expected based on the media portrayal of female terrorists in general. Throughout PIRA’s existence, from 1969 to 1999, a minimal change over time is visible, with the gender difference in media portrayal declining.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 adherence.Show less
This study had the objective to see the effect between the gender of a police officer and their likelihood to report on domestic violence. In order to answer the research question, “To what extent...Show moreThis study had the objective to see the effect between the gender of a police officer and their likelihood to report on domestic violence. In order to answer the research question, “To what extent does gender affect a police officer’s likelihood to file a report on domestic violence?”, an experimental survey was conducted, which was focussed on the likelihood to report as well as the credibility of the victim. It was expected that female police officers would be more likely to report alleged domestic violence if the victim was a woman and male police officers were expected to be more likely to report if the victim was male, due to their match of gender, which was based on the representative bureaucracy theory. For conclusion, it can be stated that this hypothesis (H1) is not true, as both genders tend to be more likely to report if the victim is a woman. Moreover, it was expected that female victims would be more credible to both male and female officers. When analysing the means of the outcomes, the second hypothesis (H2) seemed true. However, reliability has been a concern as the data is not statistically significant, meaning that for both statements, the null hypothesis cannot be rejected. This has occurred because of a Type II error, due to insufficient sampling. The ration men-women has not been executed well, resulting in to less male participants compared to female participants.Show less
The present study examined the relationship between dysfunctional parenting and pro-social behaviour in children and analysed the role of parent and child gender in this. A total of 238 children...Show moreThe present study examined the relationship between dysfunctional parenting and pro-social behaviour in children and analysed the role of parent and child gender in this. A total of 238 children participated in the Pro-social Cyberball Game, which is an experimental task to measure pro-social behaviour. Their primary parents completed the Parenting Scale, a questionnaire to assess use of dysfunctional parenting practices. A general linear model was performed. Differences in pro-social behaviour between boys and girls were examined and no significant difference was found. Contrary to our hypothesis which stated that more dysfunctional parenting would be related to less pro-social children, results were not significant. We examined this effect in several groups: comparing primary parents who are male to those who are female, and comparing families where primary parent and child belong to the same gender (same-gender dyads) to families where primary parent and child were of opposite gender (mixed-gender dyads). In our sample there was no difference in the way a parent influences his/her child’s pro-social behaviour, between mothers and fathers. Also, there was no difference in the effect of dysfunctional parenting on child’s pro-social behaviour, between same-gender and mixed-gender dyads. The present study contributes to clarifying alleged boy-girl and father-mother differences in pro-social behaviour and the effect of dysfunctional parenting on pro-sociality. The discussion reviewed the influence of gender norms in parenting and child behaviour and implications of these results.Show less
Men and women may cognitively construe power differently, i.e., either as an opportunity or a responsibility. In the current research, we explore the influence of gender identity and conformity on...Show moreMen and women may cognitively construe power differently, i.e., either as an opportunity or a responsibility. In the current research, we explore the influence of gender identity and conformity on power construal. To study these hypotheses, 402 participants were primed with having low power or high power using a recall task; subsequently the different meanings of power (responsibility and opportunity) were measured. Results indicate that the high power condition significantly increased the perception of both opportunities and responsibilities. Sex and conformity did not influence power construal while a more feminine gender identity was significantly related to the perception of responsibilities. Future studies could possibly look into how the findings of the current study fit in with the previously recorded findings, since there seems to be some discrepancy between the findings.Show less
The aim of the present study is to investigate the relationship between the amount of day care and the quality of mother-child relationship for babies around 12 months of age. It is important to...Show moreThe aim of the present study is to investigate the relationship between the amount of day care and the quality of mother-child relationship for babies around 12 months of age. It is important to investigate this relationship as many more parents use daycare for young children nowadays than in the past. The sample of the current study was a semi-random selection from a larger longitudinal study. The participants consisted of 70 mothers between 25 and 44 years old (M = 32.9 years, SD = 3.9) and their babies who where around 12 months old (M = 378.9 days, SD = 12.8). Based on earlier research, it was predicted that fewer hours of day care would be associated with a more secure attachment relationship. In addition, it was predicted that this relationship would be moderated by the temperament and the gender of the child. Mothers where invited to participate in the Babylab at the Leiden University. The Strange Situation Procedure (Ainsworth, 1978) was used to assess attachment quality and temperament was measured by the Dutch version of the Infant Characteristic Questionnaire (Kohnstam, 1984). Contrary to our hypothesis, it was found that infants who spent more than 20 hours of day care were more securely attached than infants who had less than 20 hours of day care. This difference was found not to be moderated by the level of temperamental difficultness or the gender of the infant. In conclusion, the current study takes a more positive view on more hours of day care for babies around 12 months old. Future research should include factors, such as quality of daycare and caregiver sensitivity, to further clarify the relationship between attachment quality and amount of daycare usage.Show less
