Center-based child care settings are a common form of non-parental child care for many families worldwide. However, according to earlier studies, children can experience stress when they attend... Show moreCenter-based child care settings are a common form of non-parental child care for many families worldwide. However, according to earlier studies, children can experience stress when they attend child care. The aim of the current dissertation was to elucidate the correlates of physiological and behavioral stress (especially around transitions) for young children (aged 0 – 4 years, with a specific focus on infants) and their parents in the context of center-based child care, and to examine whether and how we can support families with the aim of reducing stress. We did this by conducting a meta-analysis, a large-scale correlational study, and a small-scale intervention study combining questionnaires, observations, and physiological measures. Results showed that a significant part of children and parents experienced stress during and beyond the transition to center-based child care, irrespective of the quality of child care, and that several child (age and number of hours at child care) and parental (sensitivity and separation anxiety) factors were correlated. We also identified some clues as to what type of support can be helpful to assist families within this context, with the ultimate goal of promoting well-being in both young children and their parents. Show less
Kant, A. van der; Huijbregts, S.C.J.; Levelt, C.C.; Biro, S. 2017
Both social perception and temperament in young infants have been related to social functioning later in life. Previous functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) data (Lloyd-Fox et al., 2009)... Show moreBoth social perception and temperament in young infants have been related to social functioning later in life. Previous functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) data (Lloyd-Fox et al., 2009) showed larger blood-oxygenation changes for social compared to non-social stimuli in the posterior temporal cortex of five-month-old infants. We sought to replicate and extend these findings by using fNIRS to study the neural basis of social perception in relation to infant temperament (Negative Affect) in 37 five-to-eight-month-old infants.Infants watched short videos displaying either hand and facial movements of female actors (social dynamic condition) or moving toys and machinery (non-social dynamic condition), while fNIRS data were collected over temporal brain regions. Negative Affect was measured using the Infant Behavior Questionnaire.Results showed significantly larger blood-oxygenation changes in the right posterior-temporal region in the social compared to the non-social condition. Furthermore, this differential activation was smaller in infants showing higher Negative Affect.Our results replicate those of Lloyd-Fox et al. and confirmed that five-to-eight-month-old infants show cortical specialization for social perception. Furthermore, the decreased cortical sensitivity to social stimuli in infants showing high Negative Affect may be an early biomarker for later difficulties in social interaction. Show less
Potharst, E.S.; Aktar, E.; Rexwinkel, M.; Rigterink, M.; Bögels, S.M. 2017
Many mothers experience difficulties after the birth of a baby. Mindful parenting may have benefits for mothers and babies, because it can help mothers regulate stress, and be more attentive... Show moreMany mothers experience difficulties after the birth of a baby. Mindful parenting may have benefits for mothers and babies, because it can help mothers regulate stress, and be more attentive towards themselves and their babies, which may have positive effects on their responsivity. This study examined the effectiveness of Mindful with your baby, an 8-week mindful parenting group training for mothers with their babies. The presence of the babies provides on-the-spot practicing opportunities and facilitates generalization of what is learned. Forty-four mothers with their babies (0–18 months), who were referred to a mental health clinic because of elevated stress or mental health problems of the mother, infant (regulation) problems, or mother-infant interaction problems, participated in 10 groups, each comprising of three to six mother-baby dyads. Questionnaires were administered at pretest, posttest, 8-week follow-up, and 1-year follow-up. Dropout rate was 7%. At posttest, 8-week follow-up, and 1-year follow-up, a significant improvement was seen in mindfulness, self-compassion, mindful parenting, (medium to large effects), as well as in well-being, psychopathology, parental confidence, responsivity, and hostility (small to large effects). Parental stress and parental affection only improved at the first and second follow-ups, respectively (small to medium effects), and maternal attention and rejection did not change. The infants improved in their positive affectivity (medium effect) but not in other aspects of their temperament. Mindful with your baby is a promising intervention for mothers with babies who are referred to mental health care because of elevated stress or mental health problems, infant (regulation) problems, or mother-infant interaction problems. Show less
Women__s knowledge of medicinal plants has largely been understudied in the field of ethnobotany. In addition to this gender bias, most ethnobotanical research has focused on the expert knowledge... Show moreWomen__s knowledge of medicinal plants has largely been understudied in the field of ethnobotany. In addition to this gender bias, most ethnobotanical research has focused on the expert knowledge of traditional healers, overlooking the domestic knowledge of women. This is a particular concern for African women__s knowledge of reproductive health and childcare, since gynecological morbidity and infant mortality are among the most severe health problems in African countries. This dissertation sought to unravel the relationship between women and plants by assessing women__s medicinal plant knowledge and plant use practices for reproductive health and childcare in B_nin, West Africa and Gabon, Central Africa. Through the use of ethnobotanical questionnaires, botanical specimen collection, and herbal market surveys this study assesses (1) which types of vegetation women harvest for medicinal plants, (2) how closely women__s health perspectives, plant knowledge, and plant use practices reflect the statistical causes of maternal mortality (3) which infant illnesses mothers know how to treat with medicinal plants and for which illnesses they seek biomedical care or traditional healers, and (4) which species, volume, and value of medicinal plant products are sold on herbal markets in Gabon Show less
Nowadays many advanced MR imaging techniques are available for detection of hypoxic-ischemic brain injury in young infants. In tertiary referral centres and large children__s hospitals, these... Show moreNowadays many advanced MR imaging techniques are available for detection of hypoxic-ischemic brain injury in young infants. In tertiary referral centres and large children__s hospitals, these techniques are used on a regular basis. However, a considerable proportion of young infants with hypoxic-ischemic brain injury are imaged in primary and secondary care centres where experience with these advanced techniques is limited. Consequently, cranial ultrasonography and the conventional MR imaging techniques, such as T1- and T2-weighted imaging remain the mainstay of neonatal neuroimaging today. The purpose of this thesis was to study diagnostic and predictive MR imaging features of hypoxic-ischemic brain injury in young infants. We focused on T1-, T2-, and diffusion-weighted imaging, since these are applied on a large scale in primary and secondary centres. It may be anticipated that in the future, the use of these techniques will increase as experience with these techniques increases and access to MR imaging machines becomes more widespread. To identify all cases of neonatal hypoxic-ischemic brain injury and for optimal outcome prediction, a combination of diagnostic modalities is mandatory. For the diagnosis and outcome prediction of hypoxic-ischemic brain injury in young infants, clinical assessment, neuroimaging (cranial ultrasonography and MR imaging), and EEG are complementary. Show less
