The aim of the current dissertation was to examine the psychological, neurological and behavioral impact of different types of traumatic (A1) and stressful (non-A1) life events, including a focus... Show moreThe aim of the current dissertation was to examine the psychological, neurological and behavioral impact of different types of traumatic (A1) and stressful (non-A1) life events, including a focus on the impact of childhood maltreatment. The role of brain structure (hippocampal volume) and function (neural correlates of emotional face processing and social rejection) in intergenerational transmission of child abuse versus neglect was investigated using a multi-generational family study design. Show less
In 2017 waren in Nederland tussen de 90.000 en 127.000 kinderen van 0 tot 18 jaar slachtoffer van een vorm van kindermishandeling. Zowel in Nederland als in andere landen lijkt het aantal... Show moreIn 2017 waren in Nederland tussen de 90.000 en 127.000 kinderen van 0 tot 18 jaar slachtoffer van een vorm van kindermishandeling. Zowel in Nederland als in andere landen lijkt het aantal slachtoffers van kindermishandeling niet te zijn afgenomen de afgelopen jaren. Dit heeft mogelijk te maken met de complexiteit van het probleem.Om tot een meer integratief beeld te komen van de antecedenten en consequenties van kindermishandeling bestudeerden we het functioneren van individuen op verschillende niveaus (fysiologie, cognitie, gedrag). Dit deden we binnen een multigenerationeel familieonderzoek.Samengenomen kunnen we op basis van de bevindingen verschillende conclusies trekken over mishandeling (bv. slaan, schelden) en verwaarlozing (bv. je kind onvoldoende van voedsel voorzien). Allereerst vonden we een sterkere evidentie voor de intergenerationele overdracht van mishandeling dan voor de intergenerationele overdracht van verwaarlozing. Daarnaast hing mishandeling samen met ouderlijk gedrag: ouders die mishandeling hadden ervaren in hun jeugd en mishandeling pleegden waren negatiever richting hun kinderen. Verwaarlozing, daarentegen, hing sterker samen met fysiologische reacties van ouders: ouders die meer waren verwaarloosd in hun jeugd lieten een verhoogde stressreactiviteit zien. Deze resultaten onderstrepen het belang om onderscheid te maken tussen mishandeling en verwaarlozing, zowel in onderzoek als in de praktijk. Show less
Knowledge of risk factors associated with child maltreatment is critical in assessing the risk for future child maltreatment, and for preventing child maltreatment. Using data from two... Show moreKnowledge of risk factors associated with child maltreatment is critical in assessing the risk for future child maltreatment, and for preventing child maltreatment. Using data from two empirical studies, this dissertation focuses on the risk associated with having experienced childhood maltreatment and on emotion processing deficits as a risk factor. Additionally, because accurately measuring maltreatment experiences is important, we explored the relation between parents’ and children’s perspectives on maltreatment. Results revealed that there was modest agreement between parents and children on parent-to-child maltreatment, especially on emotional neglect. On average, children reported more emotional neglect as victims than parents as perpetrators. Next, we found evidence for type-to-type intergenerational transmission of maltreatment: Abused parents were more likely to abuse their own children, while neglected parents were more likely to neglect. Moreover, neglecting parents showed difficulties identifying fear in others, but this could not explain the intergenerational transmission of maltreatment. Lastly, maltreating mothers used excessive force more often while listening to infant crying and laughter than non-maltreating mothers. Overall, maltreating parents –and neglectful parents in particular– seem less adept in emotion processing: They were less successful in regulating their behavior when exposed to child-related emotional stimuli and showed specific difficulties in emotion recognition. Show less
This dissertation examines the educational positions of children of immigrants in the Netherlands from 1980 to 2020. In particular, the influence of migration background and socioeconomic factors... Show moreThis dissertation examines the educational positions of children of immigrants in the Netherlands from 1980 to 2020. In particular, the influence of migration background and socioeconomic factors on educational positions is studied. Findings reveal substantial progress in education for migrant children overall, especially among the second generation, younger cohorts, and girls with a migrant background, indicating promising upward mobility within the education system for many of these children. The family environment impacts educational outcomes, with socioeconomic background playing a crucial role. Higher parental incomes correlate with higher education levels for children in both the short and long term. Additionally, the living environment affects outcomes such as school dropout rates, especially among boys from migrant backgrounds in larger cities. They are more prone to leaving education prematurely than their female or non-migrant peers. Despite institutional barriers and discrimination within the education system, these children demonstrate an upward trend in education, highlighting the need for further research incorporating discrimination as a factor. Show less
The aim of this dissertation was to explore the biological correlates of child maltreatment in a family context. We used an extended family design to investigate intergenerational transmission of... Show moreThe aim of this dissertation was to explore the biological correlates of child maltreatment in a family context. We used an extended family design to investigate intergenerational transmission of child maltreatment, the role of heritability in child maltreatment, and the association of child maltreatment with parent-childresting state connectome similarity (RScs), hair glucocorticoids, and BMI. In sum, these studies show that child maltreatment (in particular abuse) runs in families– partly because of genetic factors, partly because of environmental factors – is associated with less dyadic RScs, and higher long-term hair cortisone levels andweight. Thus, four biological systems – genetic, neural activation, endocrine, metabolic – are implicated in child maltreatment at a family level. Show less
This qualitative case study uses a life-course approach to explore syndemic vulnerability in a former fishing village in the Netherlands. Building on four years of fieldwork in a low-income... Show moreThis qualitative case study uses a life-course approach to explore syndemic vulnerability in a former fishing village in the Netherlands. Building on four years of fieldwork in a low-income neighborhood, we explored salient themes between and across families and generations. Elderly community members (> 65 years) were interviewed to map village history and explore how contextual factors have affected family life, health, and wellbeing since the 1940s. We systematically traced and compared processes leading to or from syndemic vulnerability by studying seven families across three generations. Adults with at least one of clustering diseases, their parents (when possible), and their children participated in semi-structured life-course interviews. A complex interaction of endemic social conditions, sociocultural normative processes, learned health be-haviors, and disheartening life events shaped families' predispositions for a syndemic of psychological distress, cardiometabolic conditions, and musculoskeletal pain. Educational attainment, continued social support, and aspirational capabilities emerged as themes related to decreasing syndemic vulnerability. This study demonstrates that syndemic vulnerability is potentially intergenerational and reveals the need for culturally sensitive and family-focused syndemic interventions. Future longitudinal research should focus on unravelling the pathogenesis of the clustering of psychological distress, cardiometabolic conditions, and musculoskeletal pain among young people. Show less
The overall aim of this dissertation was to study the contribution of a syndemics framework to understanding and addressing persistent health disparities. Departing from an interdisciplinary... Show moreThe overall aim of this dissertation was to study the contribution of a syndemics framework to understanding and addressing persistent health disparities. Departing from an interdisciplinary approach, the dissertation attends to research questions on syndemics indicators, contextual drivers for syndemics, the intergenerational nature of syndemics, and possibilities for early public health interventions in Katwijk, a former fishing town in the Netherlands. An epidemiological study described the three most prevalent disease clusters in Katwijk. A qualitative life course study found a first indication that syndemic vulnerability is potentially intergenerational, and that syndemic processes can be countered. A mixed method study showed that while challenging, a family-engagement approach can elicit positive effects on families’ health and wellbeing. The ethnographic study described the hurdles for implementing family-focused health promotion for multifaceted health conditions, such as childhood obesity. This dissertation establishes that the syndemics framework provides tools to identify past and present factors on the complex pathways to persistent poor health, which in turn point at directions for breaking patterns of generational health. The findings highlight a need for multisystem approaches in which stakeholders develop a thorough understanding of a community’s history and past legacies with institutions, and professionals are equipped with the necessary knowledge, attitudes and skills for community-based and family-focused interventions. Show less
Wieringen L. van; Weggemans D.J.; Liem M.C.A. 2022
With the recent rise and fall of IS, academics and policy makers around the world are expressing concerns about the fate of children of former foreign fighters. Will they follow in their parents’... Show moreWith the recent rise and fall of IS, academics and policy makers around the world are expressing concerns about the fate of children of former foreign fighters. Will they follow in their parents’ footsteps? In this paper, we argue that in light of this discussion, the intergenerational transmission of extreme beliefs deserves a research agenda of its own. The transmission of extreme ideologies, such as extremism and cultism, constitutes a unique topic, not previously captured in traditional transmission studies. The concepts commonly used in popular media, such as ‘brainwashing’ and ‘indoctrination’, similarly fall short when trying to understand this phenomenon. Instead, a multidisciplinary approach centered around the concept intergenerational transmission is proposed. We present some of our preliminary literature findings on this topic, and consider their relation to broader theoretical frameworks. We conclude with several considerations and suggestions for future research, to better understand the intergenerational transmission of extreme ideologies in all its complexity. Show less
