CHILDREN’S DAMAGED OR FRAGILE SELF-ESTEEM: LINKS TO PSYCHOPATHOLOGY AND VICTIMIZATION

Background: Self-esteem has been the focus of a vast body of literature over the last decades because of its association with psychopathology (e.g. Baumeister, 2003). Most of the research into self-esteem focused on explicit self-esteem. Recently, however, it has been proposed that implicit self-esteem and the discrepancy between implicit and explicit self-esteem are important concepts to further explain the relationship between self-esteem and psychopathology (Greenwald & Banaji, 1995; Bosson, 2000, 2003). Although research is still scarce, discrepancies between implicit and explicit self-esteem seem to be related to psychological maladjustment. Moreover, the direction of this discrepancy seems to be associated with distinct patterns of problems (Bosson, 2003; Schroder-Abe, 2007). High levels of explicit self-esteem and low levels of implicit self-esteem (fragile self-esteem) are linked to e.g. narcissism and defensiveness (Jordan, 2003; Zeigler-Hill, 2006) whereas low levels of explicit and high levels of implicit self-esteem (damaged self-esteem) seem to be related to e.g. depressive symptoms (Creemers, 2012). To date, no studies into these associations and patterns of self-esteem in children exist. The aim of the present study is therefore to analyze the relationship between implicit self-esteem, explicit self-esteem, the discrepancy between the two and emotional, behavioral and social problems in children across the elementary school period. Method: Children (623) from elementary schools in the Netherlands were followed annually from kindergarten until fifth grade. Emotional, behavioral and social problems were obtained annually from multiple informants using a peer nomination procedure (Coie, Dodge et al., 1982) and the Problem Behavior at School Interview (Erasmus MC, 2000). The strength and difficulty questionnaire was used to measure self-reported problems. Implicit self-esteem was assessed using the self-esteem BIAT (Brief Implicit Association Test) (Greenwald & Banaji, 1995). Results: A significant association was found between the discrepancy of implicit and explicit self-esteem and self-reported problems measured at age 12. Additionally, initial results show significant associations between self-esteem discrepancy and teacher and peer reported emotional, behavioral and social problems over the elementary school period. Moreover, associations seem to be dependent on the direction of the discrepancy; fragile self-esteem seems to be related to different problems than damaged self-esteem. Conclusion: This study showed that the discrepancy between children’s implicit and explicit self-esteem is negatively associated with emotional, behavioral and social problems, measured through multiple informants over the elementary school period

The effect of mammographic breast density in the digital imaging era

Objectives: To understand the impact of mammographic density on radiologic diagnostic efficacy and radiologist behaviour in the digital imaging era. Methods: This work consists of three studies: The first was a pilot study to investigate the impact of density on observer performance in a set of 55 digital mammograms classified into low- or high- mammographic density. Cases were read by 22 radiologists. The second study included a set of 150 digital mammograms classified into low- or high- mammographic density and examined by 14 radiologists, taking into account radiologists’ level of mammographic experience. Observer performance was calculated using location sensitivity, specificity and jackknife free-response receiver operator characteristics (JAFROC) figure of merit (FOM). In the third study, seven radiologists underwent eye-position tracking to investigate mammographic density effect on radiologists' search patterns. Results: The pilot study showed significant increase in sensitivity and receiver operating characteristic area under the curve(ROC Az) in high- compared to low- density cases. The second study showed thatexpert radiologists had significantly higher JAFROC FOM for high- compared to low- mammographic density cases. When lesions overlaid the fibroglandular tissue, radiologists showed increased performance with high- compared to low- mammographic density cases. The third study showed significant increase in time to hit lesions located outside, compared to overlaying fibroglandular tissue in both low- and high- mammographic density cases. Dense areas of breast parenchyma and lesion overlaying the dense fibroglandular region attracted radiologists' visual attention. Conclusions: In the digital imaging era, increased mammographic density improved the performance of experienced radiologists, which may be linked to changed observer behaviour when interacting with high mammographic density cases

Portion size labeling and intended softdrink consumption: The impact of labeling format and size portfolio.

OBJECTIVE: To assess what portion size labeling format is most promising in helping consumers selecting appropriate soft drink sizes, and whether labeling impact depends on the size portfolio. METHODS: An experimental study was conducted in fast-food restaurants in which 2 labeling formats (ie, reference portion size and small/medium/large labels) were compared to a control condition, and 2 size ranges were assessed. The main outcome variable was participants' intended soft drink size choice. Stimulus material was presented through photographs. RESULTS: There was a statistical trend for reference portion size labeling increasing the likelihood to choose small sizes (n=158, odds ratio=2.55, P=.06, confidence interval: 0.84-7.70). CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Reference portion size labeling is potentially most promising in reducing large portion size preferences. More research assessing the effectiveness of reference portion size labeling (combined with pricing strategies) on actual choices and consumption behavior in a realistic setting is recommended

[Care to share: Four lessons we can learn from data sharing in older person care research]

Sharing data offers opportunities to make research into older person care more efficient. However, this is not yet common practice in the Netherlands. To optimally utilize the potential of data sharing, insight into factors that promote the implementation of data sharing in older person care research is important. In the TOPICS-MDS project, research data from the National Program for Older Person Care (NPO) was collected, managed and reused on a large scale. The experiences of stakeholders involved in this project can teach us more about the needs researchers have when sharing their data. For this study, we interviewed 23 people involved in different ways in data sharing in TOPICS-MDS about their experiences in the data sharing process. Thematic analysis yielded four overarching themes, which we converted into the following lessons: those who want to promote data sharing must ensure 1) visibility of the added value of data sharing, 2) trust in the database, 3) transparency of the process and 4) communication. These lessons complement the results of previous research with concrete advice. Optimizing data sharing in older person research is both promising and challenging. It requires dedication and involvement from both the researcher and the research participant, and appreciation for both

Recommendations of older adults on how to use the PROM 'TOPICS-MDS' in healthcare conversations: A Delphi study

Contains fulltext : 219491.pdf (publisher's version ) (Open Access