Youth justice settings should provide safe, therapeutic environments, tailored to young people's needs. Current custodial models rarely meet these aims, mainly because a focus on security tends to... Show moreYouth justice settings should provide safe, therapeutic environments, tailored to young people's needs. Current custodial models rarely meet these aims, mainly because a focus on security tends to outweigh an emphasis on care, diminishing rather than encouraging young people's positive development. This article reports on a three-year evaluation of youth justice reforms in the Netherlands, including small-scale, community-embedded facilities with an emphasis on relational security. We outline key operational elements and conditions for implementation of these facilities to provide guidance for youth justice professionals, and for managers and policymakers seeking to promote political and financial investments in effective youth justice strategies. Show less
Souverein, F.; Mulder, E.; Domburgh, L. van; Popma, A. 2023
BackgroundGiven the developmental vulnerability of justice-involved youth, providing a safe environment in secure facilities is a paramount, yet challenging task. Within this complexity, a sound... Show moreBackgroundGiven the developmental vulnerability of justice-involved youth, providing a safe environment in secure facilities is a paramount, yet challenging task. Within this complexity, a sound security framework is key. The security framework exists on three dimensions: physical, procedural and relational security. Existing knowledge points at the importance of a shift in focus on physical and procedural security towards relational security as the core of the security framework. At the same time there is a dearth of knowledge on relational security, particularly in the context of youth justice. This paper explores relational security and its working mechanisms in practice.MethodsThis paper draws on findings of a comprehensive three-year evaluation of three small-scale, community-embedded facilities that are grounded in relational security. The approach of the evaluation was derived from action research, involving a cyclic process alternating between action, research and critical reflection, while engaging all stakeholders in the research process. The action research cycle involved qualitative research (a total of 63 semi-structured interviews) incorporating the perspective of staff, youth and parents.ResultsRelational security is grounded in three distinct, but interrelated, elements - staff's basic attitude, a constructive alliance between staff and youth, staff presence - and promotes a safe and therapeutic environment through several mechanisms.ConclusionsRelational security can be defined in a practical conceptualization; outlining a way of working that guides staff in how to establish a safe and therapeutic environment in secure facilities. This conceptualization finds support in the well-established literature covering the therapeutic alliance and can be substantiated by two aligning theories concerning youth justice strategies: social-ecological theory and self-determination theory. Relational security is not only a way of working, but also a way of being. It encompasses a vision about security and mentality towards justice-involved youth that sees them not merely as 'risks to be managed', but primarly as 'resources to be developed'. Show less
Background: A Dutch committee for National Guidelines in Neonatology developed nineteen evidence- and consensus-based guidelines to be used in all Dutch neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). The... Show moreBackground: A Dutch committee for National Guidelines in Neonatology developed nineteen evidence- and consensus-based guidelines to be used in all Dutch neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). The primary goal was to make clinical practices more uniform and consistent. Objective: This study investigated to what extent the guidelines were implemented and which factors played a role in implementation. Study design: A mixed method study design was used to investigate both the level and the process of implementation. A nationwide, multicenter, cross-sectional survey was performed using a validated instrument for measuring the level of implementation (Normalization MeAsure Development questionnaire, NoMAD). The number of implemented guidelines per NICU and the frequency and content of the amendments that NICUs made to the original consensus guidelines were analyzed. Through semi-structured interviews, perceived barriers and facilitators for implementation were explored. Participants: Fellows and neonatologists working at all ten Dutch level 3-4 NICUs were eligible. Results: On an average, NICUs implemented 12.6 (of 19) guidelines (range 6-17). The Normalization Process Scale was 54 (of 65). Main influencing factors impeding implementation were guideline-related (e.g., unpractical, lengthy guidelines) and personal (e.g., an active representative responsible for local implementation). Conclusion: The implementation of our guidelines appears to be successful. Ways for improvement can be distinguished in personal, guideline-related and external factors. Empowerment of local representatives was considered most essential. Show less
Duinen, V. van; Stam, W.; Mulder, E.; Famili, F.; Reijerkerk, A.; Vulto, P.; ... ; Zonneveld, A.J. van 2020
To advance pre-clinical vascular drug research,in vitroassays are needed that closely mimic the process of angiogenesisin vivo. Such assays should combine physiological relevant culture conditions... Show moreTo advance pre-clinical vascular drug research,in vitroassays are needed that closely mimic the process of angiogenesisin vivo. Such assays should combine physiological relevant culture conditions with robustness and scalability to enable drug screening. We developed a perfused 3D angiogenesis assay that includes endothelial cells (ECs) from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) and assessed its performance and suitability for anti-angiogenic drug screening. Angiogenic sprouting was compared with primary ECs and showed that the microvessels from iPSC-EC exhibit similar sprouting behavior, including tip cell formation, directional sprouting and lumen formation. Inhibition with sunitinib, a clinically used vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptor type 2 inhibitor, and 3-(3-pyridinyl)-1-(4-pyridinyl)-2-propen-1-one (3PO), a transient glycolysis inhibitor, both significantly reduced the sprouting of both iPSC-ECs and primary ECs, supporting that both cell types show VEGF gradient-driven angiogenic sprouting. The assay performance was quantified for sunitinib, yielding a minimal signal window of 11 and Z-factor of at least 0.75, both meeting the criteria to be used as screening assay. In conclusion, we have developed a robust and scalable assay that includes physiological relevant culture conditions and is amenable to screening of anti-angiogenic compounds. Show less
To advance pre-clinical vascular drug research,in vitroassays are needed that closely mimic the process of angiogenesisin vivo. Such assays should combine physiological relevant culture conditions... Show moreTo advance pre-clinical vascular drug research,in vitroassays are needed that closely mimic the process of angiogenesisin vivo. Such assays should combine physiological relevant culture conditions with robustness and scalability to enable drug screening. We developed a perfused 3D angiogenesis assay that includes endothelial cells (ECs) from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) and assessed its performance and suitability for anti-angiogenic drug screening. Angiogenic sprouting was compared with primary ECs and showed that the microvessels from iPSC-EC exhibit similar sprouting behavior, including tip cell formation, directional sprouting and lumen formation. Inhibition with sunitinib, a clinically used vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptor type 2 inhibitor, and 3-(3-pyridinyl)-1-(4-pyridinyl)-2-propen-1-one (3PO), a transient glycolysis inhibitor, both significantly reduced the sprouting of both iPSC-ECs and primary ECs, supporting that both cell types show VEGF gradient-driven angiogenic sprouting. The assay performance was quantified for sunitinib, yielding a minimal signal window of 11 and Z-factor of at least 0.75, both meeting the criteria to be used as screening assay. In conclusion, we have developed a robust and scalable assay that includes physiological relevant culture conditions and is amenable to screening of anti-angiogenic compounds. Show less
Pronk, S.; Kuiper, C.; Smit, D.; Stams, G.J.; Popma, A.; Mulder, E.; Berg, G. van den 2020
In this multilevel meta-analysis the outcomes of adolescents with complex problems at risk for school drop-out attending nonresidential alternative educational facilities were examined. Ten studies... Show moreIn this multilevel meta-analysis the outcomes of adolescents with complex problems at risk for school drop-out attending nonresidential alternative educational facilities were examined. Ten studies (87 effect sizes), examining outcomes on social-emotional functioning, academic achievement, academic attitude, externalizing and internalizing problems, were included. The findings indicated a small but significant overall effect (d = 0.15, p =.03), providing preliminary evidence that these facilities may be associated with positive outcomes for adolescents. Study quality, measurement type and reliability of the assessment instruments were significant moderators of the overall effect size. Results of this study urge for more high quality research on nonresidential alternative educational facilities, because they can contribute to positive youth outcomes, which in turn may prevent school drop-out and other negative life outcomes. Show less
Simons, I.; Mulder, E.; Breuk, R.; Rigter, H.; Domburgh, L. van; Vermeiren, R. 2019
Background: Participation of parents during their adolescent's detention is important for achieving positive treatment outcomes for youths and their families. To improve parental participation,... Show moreBackground: Participation of parents during their adolescent's detention is important for achieving positive treatment outcomes for youths and their families. To improve parental participation, insight in facilitating or hindering factors is necessary. To this end, we studied the perspectives of parents of adolescents detained in two juvenile justice institutions in the Netherlands.Methods: Data were collected from 19 purposefully selected parents through semi-structured interviewing. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and imported into ATLAS.ti where data were coded and analyzed.Results: Parental participation is influenced by a variety of factors that could be categorized based on the following themes: (1) practical facilitating or obstructing factors; (2) parentrelated emotional and mental factors; and (3) factors concerning issues of the parentadolescent relationship.Discussion: Insight into the factors which facilitate and obstruct participation might help JJI staff understand differences in parental participation. This may enable them to tailor solutions which would improve parental participation during their adolescent's detention. Show less
This article offers a novel approach to the difficulties experienced by victims in relation to their social surroundings in general, and to justice processes in particular, by expanding on an... Show moreThis article offers a novel approach to the difficulties experienced by victims in relation to their social surroundings in general, and to justice processes in particular, by expanding on an emerging paradigm of narrative victimology. For victims, ownership of their narrative is a key element of their experience, but this ownership is contested. The article brings together a body of victimological literature drawn from social and personality psychology, criminology and sociology to illuminate mechanisms underlying possible tensions between victims’ narratives and other perspectives on their ordeal. These tensions are relevant to understanding secondary victimisation in the criminal justice processes, as well as to understanding the strengths and weaknesses of restorative justice as a possible avenue for meeting victims’ needs. Show less
While the study of victimology and radicalization mainly focuses on those who suffered from terrorist attacks, this article explores the role of victimological processes in deradicalization.... Show moreWhile the study of victimology and radicalization mainly focuses on those who suffered from terrorist attacks, this article explores the role of victimological processes in deradicalization. Experts from different international deradicalization initiatives were interviewed. Using the narrative framework with its three key concepts—identity, emotion, and culture—as set forth by Pemberton and Aarten in this issue, the relationship between victimization and deradicalization is more thoroughly examined. Key findings include the delicacy of the term “victim” in radicals’ narrative identity, the power of narrative in triggering and transmitting emotions, and the importance of a former radical that acknowledges the narratives of the radical and offers alternative narratives to their radicalized ideologies. Show less
Victims’ perspectives on justice in the aftermath of crime are a key victimological topic. The main justice concepts that have received scholarly victimological attention are retributive justice,... Show moreVictims’ perspectives on justice in the aftermath of crime are a key victimological topic. The main justice concepts that have received scholarly victimological attention are retributive justice, value restoration and procedural justice. In this paper, we argue that the so-called Big Two framework – agency and communion – can further help us understand victims’ experiences with justice. Agency refers to a person striving for individuality, while communion refers to the participation of the individual in and connection with a group. According to the framework outlined in this paper, we argue that victimization by crime involves an impaired sense of agency and communion, and justice can be viewed as an attempt to repair both these dimensions. Retributive justice is a prominent means to repair agency, but other options to do so are also open to the victim. A similar observation can be made about value restoration with respect to communion. Acknowledging this can be of particular importance in cases where no offender is apprehended. As to procedural justice, the framework emphasizes the need to distinguish process participation as a means to re-establish agency from participation to re-establish communion with representatives of society. Show less
