Background: Early detection of vulnerability during or before pregnancy can contribute to optimizing the first 1000 days, a crucial period for children's development and health. We aimed to... Show moreBackground: Early detection of vulnerability during or before pregnancy can contribute to optimizing the first 1000 days, a crucial period for children's development and health. We aimed to identify classes of vulnerability among pregnant women in the Netherlands using pre-pregnancy data on a wide range of social risk and protective factors, and validate these classes against the risk of adverse outcomes. Methods: We conducted a latent class analysis based on 42 variables derived from nationwide observational data sources and self-reported data. Variables included individual, socioeconomic, lifestyle, psychosocial and household characteristics, self-reported health, healthcare utilization, life-events and living conditions. We compared classes in relation to adverse outcomes using logistic regression analyses. Results: In the study population of 4172 women, we identified five latent classes. The largest 'healthy and socioeconomically stable'-class [n = 2040 (48.9%)] mostly shared protective factors, such as paid work and positively perceived health. The classes 'high care utilization' [n = 485 (11.6%)], 'socioeconomic vulnerability' [n = 395 (9.5%)] and 'psychosocial vulnerability' [n = 1005 (24.0%)] were characterized by risk factors limited to one specific domain and protective factors in others. Women classified into the 'multidimensional vulnerability'-class [n = 250 (6.0%)] shared multiple risk factors in different domains (psychosocial, medical and socioeconomic risk factors). Multidimensional vulnerability was associated with adverse outcomes, such as premature birth and caesarean section. Conclusions: Co-existence of multiple risk factors in various domains is associated with adverse outcomes for mother and child. Early detection of vulnerability and strategies to improve parental health and well-being might benefit from focussing on different domains and combining medical and social care and support. Show less
Molenaar, J.M.; Meer, L. van der; Bertens, L.C.M.; Vries, E.F. de; Waelput, A.J.M.; Knight, M.; ... ; Struijs, J.N. 2022
BackgroundEarly detection of vulnerability during or before pregnancy can contribute to optimizing the first 1000 days, a crucial period for children’s development and health. We aimed to identify... Show moreBackgroundEarly detection of vulnerability during or before pregnancy can contribute to optimizing the first 1000 days, a crucial period for children’s development and health. We aimed to identify classes of vulnerability among pregnant women in the Netherlands using pre-pregnancy data on a wide range of social risk and protective factors, and validate these classes against the risk of adverse outcomes.MethodsWe conducted a latent class analysis based on 42 variables derived from nationwide observational data sources and self-reported data. Variables included individual, socioeconomic, lifestyle, psychosocial and household characteristics, self-reported health, healthcare utilization, life-events and living conditions. We compared classes in relation to adverse outcomes using logistic regression analyses.ResultsIn the study population of 4172 women, we identified five latent classes. The largest ‘healthy and socioeconomically stable’-class [n = 2040 (48.9%)] mostly shared protective factors, such as paid work and positively perceived health. The classes ‘high care utilization’ [n = 485 (11.6%)], ‘socioeconomic vulnerability’ [n = 395 (9.5%)] and ‘psychosocial vulnerability’ [n = 1005 (24.0%)] were characterized by risk factors limited to one specific domain and protective factors in others. Women classified into the ‘multidimensional vulnerability’-class [n = 250 (6.0%)] shared multiple risk factors in different domains (psychosocial, medical and socioeconomic risk factors). Multidimensional vulnerability was associated with adverse outcomes, such as premature birth and caesarean section.ConclusionsCo-existence of multiple risk factors in various domains is associated with adverse outcomes for mother and child. Early detection of vulnerability and strategies to improve parental health and well-being might benefit from focussing on different domains and combining medical and social care and support. Show less
Veling, W.; Sizoo, B.; Buuren, G.M. van; Berg, C. van den; Sewbalak, W.; Pijnenborg, G.H.M.; ... ; Meer, L. van der 2021
Complotdenken komt veel voor in onzekere omstandigheden. Het geeft mensen houvast, zekerheid, morelesuperioriteit en sociale steun. Extreem complotdenken lijkt te passen binnen de gangbare... Show moreComplotdenken komt veel voor in onzekere omstandigheden. Het geeft mensen houvast, zekerheid, morelesuperioriteit en sociale steun. Extreem complotdenken lijkt te passen binnen de gangbare psychiatrische definities van paranoïde wanen, maar toch zijn er ook belangrijke verschillen. Om onderscheid te kunnen maken met complotdenken behoeven gangbare definities van wanen verdieping. In plaats van de sterke focus op de foutieve inhoud van waanideeën zou er meer aandacht moeten zijn voor de onderliggende idiosyncratische, veranderde vorm van de werkelijkheidsbeleving. Show less
Aubeeluck, A.; Stupple, E.J.N.; Schofield, M.B.; Hughes, A.C.; Meer, L. van der; Landwehrmeyer, B.; Ho, A.K. 2019
Family carers of individuals living with Huntington's disease (HD) manage a distinct and unique series of difficulties arising from the complex nature of HD. This paper presents the validation of... Show moreFamily carers of individuals living with Huntington's disease (HD) manage a distinct and unique series of difficulties arising from the complex nature of HD. This paper presents the validation of the definitive measure of quality of life (QoL) for this group. The Huntington's Disease Quality of Life Battery for Carers (HDQoL-C) was expanded (n = 47) and then administered to an international sample of 1716 partners and family carers from 13 countries. In terms of the psychometric properties of the tool, exploratory analysis of half of the sample demonstrated good internal consistency and reliability. Some items on the full version did not meet psychometric thresholds and a short version (HDQoL-Cs)(n = 23) was developed based on more stringent criteria. This was achieved using standard psychometric item reduction techniques to both increase reliability and reduce the burden of carers completing the scale. Confirmatory factor analysis of the model structure showed a good fit for all factors and indicated that the HDQoL-C and HDQoL-Cs are psychometrically robust measures of QoL. We found that carers who lived with and looked after their spouse/partner had reduced sense of coping, hope for the future, and overall QoL. Carers with children who were at risk carried the gene or were symptomatic also had poorer QoL outcomes. Findings indicated the HDQoL-C and HDCoL-Cs are valid in multiple languages and across varied cultures as measures of self-reported QoL in family carers of individual's living with HD. These psychometrically validated tools can aid and guide the implementation of therapeutic interventions to improve life quality in this population and research into international and cross-cultural carer experiences. The HDQoL-Cs is recommended as the definitive international measure of HD carer QoL. Show less
Meer, L. van der; Duijn, E. van; Wolterbeek, R.; Tibben, A. 2014
The potential of the free-electron laser FELIX as a tool for IR spectroscopy has been studied. Tuning the laser by varying the undulator gap has enabled the recording of spectra between 500 and... Show moreThe potential of the free-electron laser FELIX as a tool for IR spectroscopy has been studied. Tuning the laser by varying the undulator gap has enabled the recording of spectra between 500 and 2000 cm(-1) in a single scan. It is demonstrated that IR absorptions can be detected as FELIX-induced transient changes in the intensity of the phosphorescence from the lowest triplet state of a probe molecule. Using pyrimidine as a probe in polyethylene, n-hexane and dodecane, IR transitions in the electronic ground state and the lowest triplet state of pyrimidine have been observed. However, most of the intensity in the spectra derives from the host matrix. Detailed IR spectra of n-hexane and dodecane have been obtained at liquid-helium temperature. These show a large number of previously unobserved combination bands. Show less
