Dutch Adolescents Research Articles

Mental illness and identity in adolescents with internalizing problems: A qualitative exploration of identity-relevant narratives.

Mental illness and identity are related, with issues in identity contributing to the development of psychopathology and vice versa. However, little work has examined how mental illness and identity can become interwoven (i.e., mental illness identity). Mental illness identity may be particularly important during adolescence, as this life phase is marked by the salience of identity and an increase in psychopathology. In the present study, we conducted a qualitative examination of the high point, low point, turning point, and psychopathology-related narratives of 69 Dutch adolescents (Mage = 16.5, 75.4% female, 15.9% male, 8.7% other). The participants were diagnosed with a mood, anxiety, and/or eating disorder, and the majority of them (82.6%) were in treatment at the time of the study. We found that adolescents' mental illness identity could take different forms and that these forms may be more adaptive or maladaptive depending on the context of each adolescent's life. Furthermore, mental illness identity was related to several factors within adolescents (e.g., sense of agency) and their environment (e.g., stigma). These findings contribute to our understanding of adolescent mental illness identity and may be used to improve the treatment of their internalizing problems. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Longitudinal Associations of (Un)popularity with Weight Perceptions and Dieting in Adolescence.

Little is known about the unique effects of (un)popularity on body image and the characteristics influencing these effects. The goals of this study were to examine (1) the longitudinal associations of adolescents' (un)popularity with weight perception and dieting, (2) whether (dis)liking, self-esteem, and gender moderated these associations. Participants were 1697 Dutch adolescents (Mage = 14.18 years, SD = 1.29; 51% female), from a middle-class population. Participants completed peer nominations and self-reports in three consecutive school years. Mixed-effects models showed that (un)popularity did not predict weight perception and dieting over time. Concurrently, when liking was low, popularity predicted positive weight perception. Higher popularity predicted more dieting in females. This study highlighted that adolescents' body image varied in subgroups of social status.

Measuring the Realisation of Well-Being Needs of Adolescents: Validation of the Social Production Function Instrument for the Level of Well-Being–Short (SPF-ILs)

Adolescent well-being is increasingly scrutinized due to its decline. This study was conducted to validate a theory-driven instrument for the measurement of well-being needs with a sample of Dutch adolescents. The short (15-item) Social Production Function Instrument for the Level of well-being (SPF-ILs) measures whether a person’s needs for stimulation, comfort, behavioural confirmation, affection and status are met. In this study, its psychometric properties for adolescents were examined. Data collected in spring 2018 (T1) and spring 2019 (T2) from 1,304 Dutch adolescents (53.0% girls) aged 11–17 (mean, 13.7 ± 1.1) years were used. The instrument’s factor structure, internal consistency, construct validity, and gender and age factorial invariance were evaluated. The results showed that the SPF-ILs is valid and reliable for the assessment of adolescents’ well-being needs realisation. Confirmatory factor analyses supported the five-factor (stimulation, comfort, behavioural confirmation, affection and status) model, showing good internal consistency (α = 0.86 at T1, 0.88 at T2), convergent/divergent validity, as well as gender and age factorial invariance. Comparison across groups revealed the expected differences in the realisation of physical (comfort and stimulation) and social (behavioural confirmation, status and affection) well-being needs between girls and boys and over time. SPF-ILs use increases our understanding of how adolescents achieve well-being via the fulfilment of well-being needs. The maintenance of adolescents’ well-being is a global challenge, and this study revealed clear differences in adolescents’ realisation of well-being needs, increasing our understanding of what interventions are needed to support such realisation.

The development of depression and social anxiety symptoms in adolescents and the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and desire for peer contact.

Adolescence is a dynamic developmental phase in which contact with peers is crucial for socio-emotional development and wellbeing. Depression and social anxiety show patterns of high onset during this period, and more for girls than boys. Here we examine this development among Dutch adolescents, as well as how desire for more peer contact as a result of social distancing measures during the COVID-19 pandemic contributed to this increase. We used a longitudinal three-wave design to examine 406 typically developing Dutch adolescents across two consecutive cohorts; Cohort 1: 2016-2019 (N = 138, 53.6% girls, age at T0 M = 13.00, SD = 0.42), Cohort 2: 2017-2020 (N = 268, 63.1% girls, age at T0 M = 13.05, SD = 0.39), final wave during spring 2020 during the first COVID-19 lockdown. Self-report questionnaires were used to measure depression and social anxiety symptoms, desire for change in the amount of peer contact during lockdowns, and emotion regulation. Parallel process dual latent growth models and autoregressive cross-lagged models were used to test the hypotheses. Results showed that symptoms of both depression and social anxiety increase during adolescence. Gender analysis reveal a higher initial level and increase in depression symptoms for girls, while levels for boys decreased. Adolescents exposed to the pandemic showed a steeper increase in depression but not in social anxiety. Desire for more peer contact was related to an increase in depression and social anxiety, though only in girls. No evidence was found for moderation of emotion regulation skills concerning COVID evoked emotions on the association between desire for peer contact and anxiety and depression symptom development. Symptoms of social anxiety increased during adolescence in boys and girls. Symptoms of depression increased for girls, but decreased for boys. The increase in depression was greater in a cohort who experienced the COVID-19 pandemic. For girls, a desire for more peer contact was associated with an increase of depression and social anxiety symptoms in times of social restrictions.

Dutch adaptation of the Prosocial Behavior Questionnaire (PBQ-NL): a validity and reliability study in adolescents and young adults

ABSTRACT This study assessed the psychometric properties of the Dutch translation of the Prosocial Behavior Questionnaire (PBQ-NL), a self-report questionnaire that distinguishes altruistic, reactive, and proactive prosocial behaviours. Participants were 381 Dutch adolescents and young adults aged 13–30 (M age = 18.62, SD = 2.59, 65.1% female). Test-retest reliability data were available for 199 participants. A Confirmatory Factor Analyses supported the three-factor structure of the questionnaire, with adequate six-month test-retest reliability. Altruistic and reactive prosocial behaviours correlated significantly and positively with prosocial behaviours directed at family/peers and the larger society, but not with depression or aggression. Conversely, proactively motivated prosocial behaviour correlated significantly and negatively with prosocial behaviour directed at family and positively with experienced opportunities for contribution to the larger society, aggression, and depression. These findings show that the PBQ-NL is a reliable measure to disentangle self- and other-serving motivations that underly prosociality during adolescence and young adulthood.

Mediated risks through rose-tinted glasses? Exploring barriers and boosters to critical deconstructions of mediated risk behavior by Dutch adolescents

Mediated risks through rose-tinted glasses? Exploring barriers and boosters to critical deconstructions of mediated risk behavior by Dutch adolescents

Psychometric properties of the Knowledge and Attitudes to Mental Health Scales in a Dutch sample (KAMHS-NL): A comprehensive mental health literacy measure in adolescents

BackgroundMental health literacy (MHL) is crucial for early recognition of and coping with mental health problems, and for the use and acceptance of mental health services, leading to better health outcomes, especially in adolescence. The prevalence of mental health problems among adolescents is seen as a major public health concern and MHL is an important factor in facilitating positive mental health outcomes. However, the availability of valid measurement instruments for assessing the multifaceted nature of MHL is limited, hindering the ability to make meaningful comparisons across studies. The Knowledge and Attitudes to Mental Health Scales (KAMHS) is a promising comprehensive instrument for measuring adolescents’ mental health literacy but its psychometric properties have not been explored in any other contexts than the Welsh. The aim of this study was to translate the KAMHS into Dutch, adapt it in this context, and evaluate its psychometric properties.MethodsWe performed a cross-sectional study with Dutch adolescents between the ages 11–16. We translated the KAHMS and assessed its content validity using cognitive interviewing with n = 16 adolescents. Next, n = 406 adolescents were asked to fill in the translated KAMHS-NL and reference scales, on mental health (SDQ and WHO-5), resilience (BRS), and mental health help-seeking behaviors. We assessed construct validity based on a priori hypotheses regarding convergent and divergent correlations between subscales of KAMHS-NL and the reference scales. Finally, we assessed structural validity via confirmatory factor analysis and exploratory structural equation modeling.ResultsThe KAMHS-NL showed good content validity and satisfactory construct validity. In total, 28 of the 48 hypotheses regarding convergent and divergent correlations between the KAMHS and reference scales were confirmed. Contrary to our expectations, weak, but significant associations were found between MHL and resilience. The KAMHS showed an acceptable to good internal consistency (McDonald’s omega ranging from 0.62 to 0.84). Finally, we could generally confirm the postulated structure of the KAMHS-NL in the Dutch sample with a 5-factor solution (RMSEA = 0.033; CFI = 0.96).ConclusionsThe Dutch version of the KAMHS is a valid measure for detecting differences in MHL levels in adolescents. The KAMHS is a promising instrument for assessing MHL in adolescents in a multifaceted manner in other countries which may facilitate rigorous global MHL research. The instrument therefore deserves further validation research in other settings and comparisons across various cultural contexts.

My feed is what I eat? A qualitative study on adolescents' awareness and appreciation of food marketing on social media.

Adolescents spend much of their time online and hence are exposed to a lot of non-core (energy-dense, nutrient-poor) social media food marketing (SMFM). This may influence their dietary choices and health. This present study aimed to investigate adolescents' perceptions towards SMFM; that is, their recognition and appreciation of SMFM. Semi-structured one-on-one interviews were conducted with Dutch adolescents aged 13-16 years (n = 16), on Skype. Examples of food promotions on Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok and YouTube were discussed with adolescents. Adolescents' reasons for recognising and appreciating or liking SMFM were often related to the level of product integration. Factors that determined participants' recognition of SMFM included product focus (e.g., brand or product prominence), sponsorship disclosure, type of content (paid, influencer and peer-generated content) and promotional strategy (e.g., discounts, promotional texts, layout). Participants' appreciation of SMFM was determined by the format of a post (image, video, text, pop-up), trustworthiness of the source (brand, celebrity, friend/peer), type of product promoted (core, non-core) and appearance or layout of a post (e.g., professionalism, appeal). The present study contributes to the ongoing debate on how to increase adolescents' resilience to commercial messages that promote non-core foods. Adolescents mostly enjoy watching non-core video content from peers or influencers and do not perceive this as food marketing. It is recommended that future studies investigate the effects of earned social media marketing formats (i.e., unpaid peer and influencer endorsements) promoting non-core foods on adolescents' dietary intake, and how they can be made more critical towards such types of SMFM.

The Sexual Double Standard and Adolescent Stigma: A Sociometric and Comparative Approach

ABSTRACT This study applied a sociometric approach to examine the traditional sexual double standard within a sample of Dutch adolescents (N = 1,175; 53.8% females; M age = 14.75). Drawing on script theory and the key concept of social stigma, this study examined associations between self-reported sexual partnerships and three measures of peer preference: (1) received friendship nominations, (2) peer dislike nominations, and (3) perceived popularity. Results from ordinary least squares regressions support the traditional double standard, indicating that girls who report a higher number of self-reported sexual partners receive fewer friendships and more peer dislike nominations than boys reporting similar numbers of sexual partners. Sexual partnerships are positively associated with boys’ and girls’ perceived popularity. Using sociometric measures of peer stigma, we found evidence of a traditional sexual double standard in an adolescent sample from a liberal and gender egalitarian Western democracy, while also pointing to the potential status rewards associated with adolescent sexual behavior.

Bidirectional Within-Family Effects of Restrictive Mediation Practices and Adolescents’ Problematic Social Media Use

Much remains unknown about whether restrictive mediation is an effective parenting strategy to prevent or reduce problematic social media use among adolescents. Therefore, this study examined bidirectional within-family effects between two restrictive mediation practices (rule-setting and reactive restrictions) and problematic social media use using random-intercept cross-lagged panel modeling. Three-wave survey data collected among Dutch adolescents (T1: N = 1928, Mage = 13.31 years, SD = 0.91, 43.3% girl) with a 1 year-interval were used. Results showed that within-family changes in problematic social media use symptoms predicted subsequent within-family changes in perceived parental restrictive mediation. More specifically, an increase in symptoms predicted a decrease in rule-setting and an increase in reactive restrictions 1 year later. Within-family changes in perceived parental restrictive mediation practices did not predict within-family changes in problematic social media use symptoms, suggesting that the relation is unidirectional. However, concluding that limiting adolescents’ Internet use is ineffective to prevent problematic social media use would be premature. Future research should investigate whether it may be an effective parenting strategy for a certain subgroup of adolescents or under certain circumstances.

Parenting, Coparenting, and Adolescents’ Sense of Autonomy and Belonging After Divorce

Although there is ample evidence on the importance of experiencing autonomy and belonging for positive adolescent development and the supporting role of parents in this regard, most knowledge stems from intact families. As many youth grow up with divorced parents, this study tested longitudinal links between warm and autonomy supportive parenting and coparental cooperation and conflict on the one hand, and adolescents’ post-divorce autonomy and belonging on the other. Data consisted of three-wave self-report data of 191 Dutch adolescents (Mage = 14.36, 61.3% girls) and 227 divorced parents (Mage = 46.08, 74% mothers). Random-intercept cross-lagged panel models showed stable between-family differences, with autonomy relating positively to coparenting and parental autonomy support, and belongingness associating positively solely with parenting. No significant effects were found within families, meaning that changes in (co)parental behaviors did not predict adolescents’ experiences of autonomy and belonging or vice versa.

A system dynamics approach to understand Dutch adolescents’ sleep health using a causal loop diagram

BackgroundHealthy sleep is crucial for the physical and mental wellbeing of adolescents. However, many adolescents suffer from poor sleep health. Little is known about how to effectively improve adolescent sleep health as it is shaped by a complex adaptive system of many interacting factors. This study aims to provide insights into the system dynamics underlying adolescent sleep health and to identify impactful leverage points for sleep health promotion interventions.MethodsThree rounds of single-actor workshops, applying Group Model Building techniques, were held with adolescents (n = 23, 12–15 years), parents (n = 14) and relevant professionals (n = 26). The workshops resulted in a multi-actor Causal Loop Diagram (CLD) visualizing the system dynamics underlying adolescent sleep health. This CLD was supplemented with evidence from the literature. Subsystems, feedback loops and underlying causal mechanisms were identified to understand overarching system dynamics. Potential leverage points for action were identified applying the Action Scales Model (ASM).ResultsThe resulting CLD comprised six subsystems around the following themes: (1) School environment; (2) Mental wellbeing; (3) Digital environment; (4) Family & Home environment; (5) Health behaviors & Leisure activities; (6) Personal system. Within and between these subsystems, 16 reinforcing and 7 balancing feedback loops were identified. Approximately 60 potential leverage points on different levels of the system were identified as well.ConclusionsThe multi-actor CLD and identified system dynamics illustrate the complexity of adolescent sleep health and supports the need for developing a coherent package of activities targeting different leverage points at all system levels to induce system change.

Undertreatment of acne vulgaris in Dutch adolescents: A complex interplay of socioeconomic, sex and ethnic‐related differences

Undertreatment of acne vulgaris in Dutch adolescents: A complex interplay of socioeconomic, sex and ethnic‐related differences

Factors influencing the oral health behaviour of Dutch adolescents with mild to borderline intellectual disabilities living in residential care: A qualitative study.

Toothbrushing, limiting intake frequency, and scheduled visits to an oral healthcare professional (OHP) are key for good oral health. We aimed to explore factors influencing these oral health behaviours in Dutch adolescents with mild to borderline intellectual disabilities (MBID) in residential care. Using a qualitative, descriptive approach, we conducted focus groups and interviews with 12 adolescents, 9 counsellors, and 6 OHPs. Thematic analysis mapped factors influencing adolescents' knowledge, attitude, planning, and execution of oral health behaviours to oral care stakeholders. Of nine identified influencing factors, three were pivotal: Structure (influencing toothbrushing and intake frequency), Anxiety (impeding dental visits), and Support (provided by counsellors). Counsellors should provide structured daily guidance on oral hygiene and diet for adolescents with MBID, while respecting the adolescents' autonomy. As intermediaries between adolescents and OHPs, counsellors are key in reducing dental anxiety. Counsellors need clear oral health policies within care facilities to address competing priorities.

The dimensionality of the Conflict Resolution Styles Inventory across age and relationships.

Close interpersonal conflicts between parents and children, marital or romantic partners, and between friends are common, and adjustment in youth and adults depends on how these conflicts are managed. While conflict management is important for relationships and adjustment, the structure of conflict management in adults or in youths has rarely been examined. Knowing how conflict management is structured, and whether this structure changes with age and relationships, is important to understanding what factors influence the development of conflict management skills, and how to intervene. In the current study, we explored the unidimensional vs. multidimensional structure of conflict management in family relationships, friendships and romantic relationships across adolescence and adulthood. The sample consisted of 497 Dutch adolescents (57% boys, Mage = 13.03, SD = 0.46, 11-15 years old) who were followed over 11 years in 9 measurement waves, and their parents, siblings, best friends (six waves), and romantic partner (three waves). First-order factor analyses (CFA) showed that the structure of conflict management is similar for adolescents and adults, across relationships. The results of second-order models, including the theoretical higher dimensions positive/negative conflict management and engagement/disengagement, showed no support for these higher dimensions. The results of bifactor models showed differences between adults and youths: while positive problem solving was part of the general factor of conflict management in adults, it was not part of this general factor in adolescents. The general factor was linked to increases in internalizing and externalizing problems, and with decreases in prosocial behavior. Overall, the bifactor models increased the interpretability and validity of the conflict management measure.

Nonresidential fatherhood and father-child relationships among Curaçaoan and Dutch adolescents and young adults.

Growing up with a nonresident biological father has been portrayed as problematic for different aspects of father-child relationships, but it is unclear whether experiencing nonresidential fatherhood is less problematic in countries where this family structure is more common and thus probably less stigmatized. Cross-country research into nonresidential fatherhood is scarce, especially including Caribbean countries where many children grow up without their biological father in the home. This study examined associations between nonresidential fatherhood and father-child relationship quality and fathers' parenting behaviors among Curaçaoan and Dutch adolescents and young adults. Curaçaoan (n = 450) and Dutch (n = 585) participants completed a digital questionnaire in class, using the same procedures on Curaçao and in the Netherlands. We estimated structural equation models of perceived avoidant and anxious father-child attachment and paternal emotional warmth, rejection, and monitoring for both groups separately because of measurement variance across countries. Nonresidential fatherhood was unrelated to perceptions of most aspects of father-child relationships among both Curaçaoan and Dutch participants. This study adds an important cross-country perspective to the current literature on nonresidential fatherhood and tentatively suggests that correlates of nonresidential fatherhood for father-child relationships might be less evident than previous studies suggest. Instead, young people's socioeconomic status (SES) and the frequency of contact between fathers and children seem to be more important for father-child attachment and paternal rearing behaviors. Further research across demographic characteristics and child outcomes is required to understand whether, when, and how nonresidence of the biological father might affect child well-being and development in different countries. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Social and Economic Indicators of Psychological Symptoms and Life Satisfaction Among Dutch and Hong Kong Adolescents: A Cross-National HBSC Study

Adolescent mental health and life satisfaction are grounded in social and economic factors. However, studies investigating these relations across European and Asian contexts, using identical questionnaires, are scarce. The 2017/18 Health Behaviour of School-aged Children (HBSC) study conducted with 4,168 Dutch adolescents ( Mage 13.0 years) and 1,948 Hong Kong adolescents ( Mage 13.1 years) aged 11, 13, and 15 reported on family status and affluence, school experiences, relations with parents and friends, psychological symptoms (irritability/bad temper, feeling low or nervous, difficulty sleeping), and life satisfaction. Dutch boys had the lowest number of psychological symptoms. Dutch girls and Hong Kong girls and boys reported significantly more symptoms. Dutch boys had the highest level of life satisfaction, followed by Dutch girls and, subsequently, Hong Kong girls and boys. In the Netherlands and Hong Kong, communicative and supportive relationships with parents, low school pressure, school liking, and helpful fellow students related to less psychological symptoms and higher life satisfaction. In addition, family affluence further enhanced life satisfaction. It is concluded that cultural and gender differences may permeate the structuring of adolescent relations with parents, teachers, and peers but that an identical set of social and economic determinants affect adolescent girls’ and boys’ symptoms and satisfaction in a highly similar fashion in the Netherlands and Hong Kong.

Within-family associations of parent-adolescent relationship quality and adolescent affective well-being.

Parent-adolescent relationship quality is theorized to be an important correlate of adolescent affective well-being. Little is known about the within-family processes underlying parent-adolescent relationship quality and affective well-being over a period of months. This three-wave, preregistered study examined within- and between-family associations between parent-adolescent relationship quality (support and conflict) and adolescent well-being (negative and positive affect). In addition, we examined whether the associations differed between mothers and fathers, and for adolescents' affective well-being in different social contexts (at home, at school, with peers). The sample consisted of 244 Dutch adolescents (61.5% girls; age range: 12-17 years; mean age = 13.8 years). Random-intercept cross-lagged panel modelswere used. At the between-family level, higher levels of support and lower levels of conflict were associated with higher levels of positive affect and lower levels of negative affect. At the within-family level, increases in support and decreases in conflict were concurrently associated with increases in positive affect and decreases in negative affect. More parent-adolescent conflict than typical also predicted increases in negative affect, 3 months later, and more negative affect and less positive affect than typical predicted increased conflict, 3 months later. These within-family effects were largely similar for fathers and mothers. Associations for conflict occurred through bidirectional processes: Parent-adolescent conflict shaped and was shaped by adolescents' emotions at home, at school, and with peers. Results suggest that parent-adolescent relationship quality (especially conflict) and adolescent affective well-being cofluctuate and predict each other over time within families.

Development, validity, and reliability of the parent-adolescent communication about adolescents’ social media use scale (PACAS)

ABSTRACT Adolescents spend a substantial portion of their time using social media. Yet, there is a lack of understanding regarding how often parents and adolescents communicate about this social media use. To address this gap, we developed the Parent-Adolescent Communication about Adolescents’ Social Media Use Scale (PACAS). In a first data wave, among 388 Dutch adolescents (13–15 years; 54% girls), exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses distinguished four scales: parental solicitation, adolescent disclosure, adolescent secrecy, and parental knowledge. All four scales had strong internal reliability and correlated in the expected directions. We re-established the validity and internal reliability and obtained test-retest reliability in a second wave, in which 330 adolescents were surveyed again. The findings show that parents and adolescents infrequently communicate about social media. Parental knowledge about adolescents’ social media use strongly depends on the communication efforts of both parties. Altogether, the PACAS provides a valuable tool to explore the dynamics of parent-adolescent communication about social media.

Longitudinal Associations Between Support and Prosocial Behavior Across Adolescence: The Roles of Fathers, Mothers, Siblings, and Friends

Family members and friends can play an important role in adolescents’ prosocial behavior. To better understand the relation between support and prosocial behavior in adolescence, it’s important to conduct longitudinal studies that distinguish between within-dyad variance and between-dyad variance. The current study investigated longitudinal associations between adolescents’ prosocial behavior, autonomy support, and emotional support from family and friends across adolescence. Across six annual years, 497 Dutch adolescents (284 boys; mean age T1 = 13.03 years, SDage = 0.46), fathers, mothers, siblings, and friends reported on their prosocial behavior. Adolescents also reported on perceived autonomy and emotional support. Between-dyads almost all associations of support and prosocial behavior of family members and friends with adolescents’ prosocial behavior were significant, with higher levels of adolescents’ prosocial behavior being associated with higher levels of prosocial behavior and support from fathers, mothers and friends. Within-dyads, several concurrent associations were significant, but within-dyads links between prosocial behavior and autonomy support are particularly driven by adolescent-mother or adolescent-sibling effects. This study highlights processes that occurred either at the between-dyad level or at the within-dyad level, but that varied per relationship type and that adolescents are the main catalysts in within-dyads changes in prosocial behavior and support. Preregistration: This study was preregistered on 20 January 2020 at https://osf.io/vxkm3/?view_only=dca87fd1585c444ba5cd5a00c22280ae.