To identify adolescents who may be at risk for adverse outcomes, we examined the extent of COVID-19-related concerns reported by adolescents and investigated which prepandemic risk and protective... Show moreTo identify adolescents who may be at risk for adverse outcomes, we examined the extent of COVID-19-related concerns reported by adolescents and investigated which prepandemic risk and protective factors predicted these concerns during the COVID-19 pandemic. Dutch adolescents (N = 188; M-age = 13.49, SD = .81) were assessed before the pandemic and at eight and ten months into the pandemic. Results demonstrated that adolescents' most frequently reported COVID-19-related concerns were about social activities and getting delayed in school. Adolescents that have specific vulnerabilities before the pandemic (i.e., higher stress, maladaptive coping, or internalizing problems) experience more concerns during the pandemic, stressing the importance of guiding and supporting these adolescents in order to prevent adverse developmental outcomes. Show less
Chronic stress is associated with dysregulations in the physiological stress system, resulting in diverse negative developmental outcomes. Since adolescence is a period characterized by increased... Show moreChronic stress is associated with dysregulations in the physiological stress system, resulting in diverse negative developmental outcomes. Since adolescence is a period characterized by increased stress-sensitivity, and schools are an important environment for the developing adolescent, school-based interventions promoting psychosocial functioning are of particular interest to prevent adverse outcomes. The present study therefore aimed to investigate the effectiveness of such interventions on hypothalamic pituitary adrenal-axis (i.e., cortisol) and cardiovascular (i.e., blood pressure [BP] and heart rate [HR]/heart rate variability [HRV]) parameters of stress in adolescents, and examined moderators of effectiveness. The search resulted in the inclusion of k = 9 studies for cortisol, k = 16 studies for BP, and k = 20 studies for HR/HRV. The results indicated a significant small overall effect on reducing BP, but no significant effect for HR/HRV. For cortisol, large methodological variation in the few primary studies did not allow for quantitative analyses, but a qualitative review demonstrated inconsistent results. For BP and HR/HRV, larger effects were observed for intervention programs with a mindfulness and/or meditation component, for interventions without a cognitive-behavioural component and for interventions with a higher intensity. Providing adolescents with techniques to improve indicators of physiological stress may prevent emerging mental health problems. Show less
De sanctionering van jeugdigen die zich schuldig maken aan een ernstig gewelds- of zedenmisdrijf is in Nederland al langere tijd onderwerp van politieke en maatschappelijke discussie. In dit... Show moreDe sanctionering van jeugdigen die zich schuldig maken aan een ernstig gewelds- of zedenmisdrijf is in Nederland al langere tijd onderwerp van politieke en maatschappelijke discussie. In dit onderzoek wordt in kaart gebracht welke sancties Nederland en andere Europese landen – België (Vlaanderen), Duitsland, Engeland en Wales, Ierland en Zweden – hanteren voor minderjarigen en jongvolwassenen (tot 23 jaar) die een ernstig gewelds- of zedenmisdrijf hebben gepleegd. Ook wordt onderzocht wat de effectiviteit van deze sancties is en hoe de diverse sanctiestelsels zich verhouden tot internationale en Europese kinder- en mensenrechten. Vervolgens wordt gereflecteerd op de vraag in hoeverre de bevindingen van dit onderzoek aanleiding geven tot aanpassing van de Nederlandse strafrechtelijke aanpak van jeugdigen die worden veroordeeld voor een ernstig gewelds- of zedenmisdrijf. Uiteindelijk resulteert het onderzoek in een aantal concrete aandachtspunten voor wetgeving en beleid en suggesties voor vervolgonderzoek die de wetgever en beleidsmakers beogen te ondersteunen bij het maken van goed geïnformeerde, weloverwogen en wetenschappelijk onderbouwde beslissingen omtrent dit vraagstuk. Hiermee legt dit onderzoek een belangrijke wetenschappelijke basis voor het ontwikkelen van een effectief en kinder- en mensenrechtenconform sanctiestelsel voor jeugdigen die zich schuldig maken aan een ernstig gewelds- of zedenmisdrijf in Nederland en daarbuiten. Show less
Background: Effective interventions for young adults with severe, multiple problems - such as psychosocial and psychiatric problems, delinquency, unemployment and substance use - are scarce but... Show moreBackground: Effective interventions for young adults with severe, multiple problems - such as psychosocial and psychiatric problems, delinquency, unemployment and substance use - are scarce but urgently needed in order to support an adequate transition to adulthood. A multimodal day treatment program called "New Opportunities" (in Dutch: "De Nieuwe Kans"; DNK) was specifically developed to target multi-problem young adults in The Netherlands. The aim of this study protocol is to describe the design of a randomized controlled trial (RCT) in clinical practice to examine the effectiveness of DNK in comparison with care as usual (CAU). Methods/design: Multi-problem young adults in Rotterdam, The Netherlands, will be assigned randomly to DNK (expected N = 150) and CAU (expected N = 150). Primary outcome measures are recidivism and self-sufficiency. Secondary outcome measures include quality of life, attending school/work, psychological functioning, cognitive distortions and substance use. Participant and program characteristics will be examined as potential moderators of effectiveness. Additionally, cost-effectiveness will be measured. During 14 months, data from multiple resources will be collected at four time points. Discussion: This study is one of the first RCTs on the effectiveness of interventions developed for multi-problem young adults. The results will contribute to the currently scant knowledge about what works for various multi-problem young adults in their transition to adulthood. In addition, the study protocol will provide insight into implementing an RCT in a dynamic setting of clinical practice. Trial registration: Dutch Trial Register, identifier: NTR5163. Registered on 17 April 2015; retrospectively registered during the recruitment phase. Show less
