This dissertation contributes to the literature on fathers’ parenting in families with young children using longitudinal, hormonal, and observational data. The results in Chapter 2 demonstrated... Show moreThis dissertation contributes to the literature on fathers’ parenting in families with young children using longitudinal, hormonal, and observational data. The results in Chapter 2 demonstrated that fathers’ hostile and harsh behaviors were related to children’s bullying behavior in elementary school, whereas the effect of the mothers’ behavior was less pronounced. In Chapter 3, the results suggested that fathers’ testosterone is beneficial for the quality of fathers’ parenting (i.e., sensitivity) when fathers’ testosterone reacts in the expected direction given the context of the father-child interaction (i.e., a decrease during a harmonious interaction and an increase during a challenging interaction). The results in Chapter 4 unexpectedly showed that fathers’ sensitivity was largely independent of varying gender-typed contexts. Chapter 5 provided evidence for a specific role of religious fathers, but not mothers, in communicating implicit gender messages and in turn the development of children’s gender attitudes. The most important take-away from this dissertation is that fathers cannot be ignored in child developmental and parenting research, and consequently also in child and family interventions. Show less
This dissertation aimed to shed light on the study of attachment theory in areas other than western, educated, industrialized, rich, and democratic (WEIRD; Henrich et al., 2010) societies that... Show moreThis dissertation aimed to shed light on the study of attachment theory in areas other than western, educated, industrialized, rich, and democratic (WEIRD; Henrich et al., 2010) societies that dominate the literature. We aimed to describe the extent to which the attachment theory core hypotheses are supported by research in Latin America and specifically in a rural Peruvian Andean area. Show less
Gorris, M.; Janssen, Q.P.; Besselink, M.G.; Broek, B.L.J. van den; Eijck, C.H.J. van; Gils, M.J. van; ... ; Hooft, J.E. van 2022
Background and objectives: Left-sided pancreatic lesions are often treated surgically. Accurate diagnostic work-up is therefore essential to prevent futile major abdominal surgery. Large series... Show moreBackground and objectives: Left-sided pancreatic lesions are often treated surgically. Accurate diagnostic work-up is therefore essential to prevent futile major abdominal surgery. Large series focusing specifically on the preoperative work-up of left-sided pancreatic lesions are lacking. This surgical cohort analysis describes the sensitivity of CT, MRI, and EUS-FNA/B in the diagnostic work-up of left-sided pancreatic lesions.Methods: We performed a post-hoc analysis of patients who underwent surgery for a left-sided pancreatic lesion between April 2010 and August 2017 and participated in the randomized CPR trial. Primary outcome was the sensitivity of CT, MRI, and EUS-FNA/B. Sensitivity was determined as the most likely diagnosis of each modality compared with the postoperative histopathological diagnosis. Additionally, the change in sensitivity of EUS versus EUS-FNA/B (i.e., cyst fluid analysis, and/or tissue acquisition) was measured.Results: Overall, 181 patients were included (benign: 23%, premalignant: 27%, malignant: 50%). Most patients had solid lesions (65%). Preoperative imaging included CT (86%), MRI (41%), EUS (68%). Overall, CT and EUS-FNA/B reached a sensitivity of both 71%, compared with 66% for MRI. When EUS was combined with FNA/B, sensitivity rose from 64% to 71%. For solid lesions, CT reached the highest sensitivity (75%) when compared with MRI (70%) and EUS-FNA/B (69%). For cystic lesions, EUS-FNA/B reached the highest sensitivity (75%) when compared with CT and MRI (both 62%).Conclusions: CT is the most sensitive diagnostic modality for solid and EUS-FNA/B for cystic left-sided pancreatic lesions. EUS-FNA/B was associated with an increased sensitivity when compared to EUS alone. (C) 2021 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of IAP and EPC. Show less
Hoekstra, P.T.; Esbroeck, M. van; Dood, C.J. de; Corstjens, P.L.A.M.; Cnops, L.; Zeijl-van der Ham, C.J.G. van; ... ; Lieshout, L. van 2021
Background: In order to evaluate the diagnostic value of schistosome circulating anodic antigen (CAA) detection, serum and urine CAA-levels were determined in a single cluster of 34 Belgian... Show moreBackground: In order to evaluate the diagnostic value of schistosome circulating anodic antigen (CAA) detection, serum and urine CAA-levels were determined in a single cluster of 34 Belgian tourists at three timepoints within a period of 14 weeks following proven Schistosoma exposure in South Africa and compared with two in-house antibody assays. Methods: Samples were collected 4-5 and 7-8 weeks post-exposure and subsequently 5-6 weeks following praziquantel treatment. Schistosoma antibodies were detected by an adult worm antigen-immunofluorescence assay (AWA-IFA) and a soluble egg antigen-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (SEA-ELISA), while CAA concentrations were determined by the Up-Converting reporter Particle labelled Lateral Flow (UCP-LF) test. Results: Antibodies were detected in 25/34 (73%) travellers pre-treatment and in 27/34 (79%) post-treatment, with the AWA-IFA showing better performance than the SEA-ELISA. Pre-treatment, CAA was detected in 13/ 34 (38%) and 33/34 (97%) of the travellers in urine and serum, respectively. Post-treatment, all except one traveller became serum CAA negative. This in contrast to the detected antibodies, as well as the previously reported diagnostic results of this cluster. Conclusions: The UCP-LF CAA serum assay has been demonstrated as the most sensitive method for the diagnosis of early Schistosoma infections and post-treatment monitoring in travellers. Show less
Ample research has shown that more household chaos is related to lower parenting quality, but it is yet unknown whether this is a causal relation. This dissertation focuses on two research... Show moreAmple research has shown that more household chaos is related to lower parenting quality, but it is yet unknown whether this is a causal relation. This dissertation focuses on two research questions. The first is whether household chaos has a causal effect on parenting. The second is whether the effect of household chaos on parenting is stronger for parents with certain characteristics, such as high sensory-processing sensitivity (SPS), low self-regulation, and more impulsivity. Two experimental studies were conducted in which household chaos was manipulated. The results show that household chaos affects both positive and negative parenting, but only in demanding parenting situations. Moderation by impulsivity was not found and moderation by SPS and by self-regulation was inconsistent. Regarding SPS, this may exacerbate the effect of household chaos on parenting in case of extreme differences between or high levels of household chaos. Regarding self-regulation, parents with low self-regulation may not have enough self-regulation capacities to simultaneously lower their levels of household chaos and refrain from harsh discipline. These results form a promising vantagepoint for further research, which could eventually lead to prevention and intervention programs to improve parenting by reducing household chaos. Show less
This dissertation aimed to contribute to the quality of foster care addressing three main objectives: The first objective was to investigate if existing parenting interventions are effective in... Show moreThis dissertation aimed to contribute to the quality of foster care addressing three main objectives: The first objective was to investigate if existing parenting interventions are effective in supporting/improving parenting and child outcomes in foster care using a meta-analytic approach. The second objective was to study the effectiveness of an adapted version of Video-feedback Intervention to promote Positive Parenting and Sensitive Discipline (VIPP-SD) for foster care, i.e., VIPP-FC. The implementation of VIPP-SD in different types of families and in childcare settings was first reviewed, with special attention to VIPP-FC. Subsequently, the study protocol of the randomized controlled trial (RCT) investigating the effectiveness of VIPP-FC was described. In addition, the results of this RCT regarding the effectiveness of VIPP-FC on parenting behavior and attitudes were presented. The third objective was to examine correlates of indiscriminate friendliness (IF) displayed by foster children. To answer this question, the relations of attachment security, parental sensitivity, and child inhibitory control with IF were examined using data collected during the pretest of the VIPP-FC RCT. Results are described and discussed in different chapters, and implications for clinical practice and recommendations for future research are additionally provided. Show less
This thesis discusses the discovery potential of Intensity Frontier experiments. As a particular examples of such experiment the SHiP and MATHUSLA experiments where taken. The reach of these... Show moreThis thesis discusses the discovery potential of Intensity Frontier experiments. As a particular examples of such experiment the SHiP and MATHUSLA experiments where taken. The reach of these experiments was studied for the number of specific model of the Beyond Standard Model physics, namely neutrino Minimal Standard Model, Higgs-like scalar, axion-like particles and light dark matter. Show less
Willik, D. van der; Pelzer, N.; Algra, A.; Terwindt, G.M.; Wermer, M.J.H. 2017
Het terugdringen van agressie is in de afgelopen jaren in toenemende mate een maatschappelijke prioriteit geworden. Agressie in de vroege kindertijd vergroot de kans op latere agressieproblemen en... Show moreHet terugdringen van agressie is in de afgelopen jaren in toenemende mate een maatschappelijke prioriteit geworden. Agressie in de vroege kindertijd vergroot de kans op latere agressieproblemen en antisociaal gedrag. In de peutertijd is er al een groep hoog-agressieve kinderen te identificeren die later in de ontwikkeling meer persistente, ernstigere vormen van agressie laat zien. Belangrijk is om veranderbare factoren te identificeren die samenhangen met het ontstaan en/of de instandhouding van het probleemgedrag. Het ouderlijk reflectief functioneren (RF) is in dat kader een interessant concept, aangezien deze vaardigheid te trainen is. In dit proefschrift is de invloed van het RF-vermogen van moeder op de ontwikkeling van (voorlopers van) gedragsproblemen in de vroege kindertijd, in het bijzonder fysieke agressie, bekeken. Geconcludeerd kan worden dat het RF-vermogen van de moeder een belangrijke rol speelt bij het ontwikkelen van (voorlopers van) gedragsproblemen. Over het algemeen genomen lijkt een beter prenataal RF-vermogen van de moeder samen te hangen met een kleinere kans op het ontwikkelen van vroege fysieke agressie. De bevindingen suggereren dat het bij de preventie en aanpak van vroege gedragsproblemen belangrijk is om te investeren in het verbeteren van het ouderlijk RF, bij voorkeur al tijdens de zwangerschap. Show less
Smaling, H.J.A.; Huijbregts, S.C.J.; Heijden, K.B. van der; Hay, D.F.; Goozen, S.H.M. van; Swaab, H. 2017
Discussion: Strictly lobar MBs strongly predict CAA in non-ICH individuals when found in a hospital context. However, their diagnostic accuracy in the general population appears limited. (C) 2015... Show moreDiscussion: Strictly lobar MBs strongly predict CAA in non-ICH individuals when found in a hospital context. However, their diagnostic accuracy in the general population appears limited. (C) 2015 The Alzheimer's Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Show less
The overall aim of the studies presented in this dissertation is to provide insight in the differences and similarities between mothers' and fathers' parenting practices. Further, this... Show moreThe overall aim of the studies presented in this dissertation is to provide insight in the differences and similarities between mothers' and fathers' parenting practices. Further, this dissertation examines the effect of biological factors (i.e., parental sex hormones) and child factors (i.e., gender, age, and birth order) on parenting behavior of mothers and fathers. In Chapter 2 differences between mothers and fathers with respect to parental sensitivity and nonintrusiveness are studied, also examining child gender and birth order. Further, in Chapter 3 the effect of child age and birth order on mothers' and fathers' sensitivity and nonintrusiveness is examined longitudinally. Chapter 4 focuses on the association between sex hormones (i.e., testosterone) and parental sensitivity and nonintrusiveness of mothers and fathers towards their two young children. In Chapter 5 differences between mothers' and fathers' discipline strategies towards their firstborn and second-born children are examined, also taking into account child gender. Finally, in Chapter 6 the main findings and implications of the studies presented in this dissertation are discussed and suggestions for future research are made. Show less
This dissertation aims to address the gap in family research concerning the role of siblings in children’s social development. Firstborns’ interactions with their younger sibling and parenting... Show moreThis dissertation aims to address the gap in family research concerning the role of siblings in children’s social development. Firstborns’ interactions with their younger sibling and parenting towards all children in the family are investigated in a four-year longitudinal study following families with two children from the first birthday of the youngest child. In Chapter 2 the prediction of individual differences in sharing with a younger sibling by family and situational factors was investigated. In Chapter 3 the association between parental sensitivity towards both children and compliance and sharing behavior of the firstborn child was investigated. Chapter 4 focuses on sibling discipline and sibling support during parental limit-setting, and associations with inhibitory control, empathy, and gender. Finally, the effect of birth order on toddlers’ social development was examined with a longitudinal within-family design in Chapter 5. Show less
The current thesis focuses on the longitudinal development of early-adopted children in the 1887/29874 Leiden Longitudinal Adoption Study (LLAS). In the LLAS, adopted children were followed from... Show moreThe current thesis focuses on the longitudinal development of early-adopted children in the 1887/29874 Leiden Longitudinal Adoption Study (LLAS). In the LLAS, adopted children were followed from infancy until young adulthood. In Chapter 1 we discuss the role of sensitive parenting and the precursors and developmental outcomes of attachment security. In the empirical study in Chapter 2 we report on the concurrent as well as longitudinal relations between maternal sensitivity, child temperament, and externalizing behavior problems. In the second empirical study in Chapter 3, we follow this line of enquiry and investigate concurrent and longitudinal relations between maternal sensitivity, child temperament and internalizing behavior problems. Chapter 4 reports on the final empirical study of the thesis, and focuses on the associations between maternal sensitivity and attachment in infancy and the diurnal cortisol curve in young adulthood. Our empirical studies show that maternal sensitivity in infancy and middle childhood indirectly predicts fewer internalizing behavior problems in adopted adolescents, and that maternal sensitivity in adolescence predicts less concurrent delinquent behavior. Attachment experiences in early life do not predict the adoptees' diurnal cortisol curve in later life. In Chapter 5 we discuss these results and some methodological issues more thoroughly. Show less
We examined the development of international adoptees from infancy to young adulthood, and factors influencing developmental outcomes in middle childhood, adolescence and young adulthood. The... Show moreWe examined the development of international adoptees from infancy to young adulthood, and factors influencing developmental outcomes in middle childhood, adolescence and young adulthood. The results for cognitive development (Chapter 2) showed that early malnutrition influenced cognitive and health-related outcomes, but its consequences did not extend to socioeconomic success later in life. The human brain seems capable of adapting to changing environmental influences, but earlier placement in a positive family environment should be preferred (see also Chapter 1). The adoptees in the Leiden Longitudinal Adoption Study were exposed to few adversities due to their early adoptive placement, and the combination with the nurturing environment of a permanent adoptive family resulted in positive cognitive and socio-emotional outcomes (Chapters 2 and 3). Our results for longitudinal (sensitivity) and concurrent relations (reactivity to infant crying) with attachment representations in young adulthood (Chapters 3 and 4) clearly point to this role of the family environment in predicting social-emotional outcomes. High parenting quality is important, also in families where children do not share a common genetic basis with their parents. In sum, adoption can be seen as a positive intervention and the (adoptive) family environment matters for children growing up from infants to young adults. Show less
The aim of this set of studies was to provide more insight in individual characteristics that influence care-giving abilities, in particular precursors of harsh and abusive parenting. We examined... Show moreThe aim of this set of studies was to provide more insight in individual characteristics that influence care-giving abilities, in particular precursors of harsh and abusive parenting. We examined how different subtypes of childhood abuse were related to child abuse potential in adulthood. Emotional neglect in childhood was related to child abuse potential, which is in line with earlier research showing the long-lasting effects of emotional maltreatment and neglect in childhood. With regard to the effects of oxytocin on the neural basis of parenting, we used fMRI to examine how oxytocin influenced emotion recognition using pictures of both adult and infant faces, taking experiences of maternal love withdrawal into account as potential moderator. Oxytocin enhanced neural activity in regions involved in emotion processing, such as the IFG, insula and STG. Our findings regarding the moderating role of experiences of maternal love withdrawal are inconsistent for emotion recognition in adult faces and in infant faces. Lastly, a new paradigm (LISSA) to observe sensitivity in response to standardized infant cues was developed and tested. Our results show that sensitivity can be reliably assessed using this procedure, making the LISSA a promising method for future research and clinical practice. Show less
