Native Dutch Research Articles

Contribution of Alcohol and Nicotine Dependence to the Prevalence of Depressed Mood in Different Ethnic Groups in The Netherlands: The HELIUS Study

Objective: Ethnic minorities report different levels of drinking and smoking and higher rates of depression compared to native populations. In this study we aimed to investigate in six ethnic groups whether tobacco and alcohol use were associated with depressive symptoms, which are more prevalent in ethnic minorities.Methods: Cross-sectional data from the multi-ethnic Healthy Life in an Urban Setting (HELIUS) study sample (N = 22,471) was used, comprising 4,580 native Dutch participants which were compared with participants from five ethnic minority groups (3,259 South Asian Surinamese, 4,292 African Surinamese, 2,262 Ghanaian, 3,891 Turkish, and 4,187 Moroccan).Results: Alcohol misuse was positively associated with depressed mood in all ethnic groups except for the Dutch and the Ghanaians. Nicotine dependence was positively associated with depressed mood in all ethnic groups except for the Ghanaian group.Conclusions: Alcohol misuse and nicotine dependence were significantly associated with depressed mood in most but not all ethnic groups and especially in men. However, across all groups the contribution of alcohol misuse and nicotine dependence to depressed mood was small. Prospective multi-ethnic studies should confirm whether the relations are causal and elucidate their direction.

Differences in perceived living group climate between youth with a Turkish/Moroccan and native Dutch background in residential youth care

There is increasing evidence for the importance of a positive living group climate in residential youth care with regard to treatment and recovery. However, cultural differences in perceived group climate and in particular the experiences of the group climate among youth with Turkish/Moroccan background have not been investigated yet. The main objective of this study was to examine differences in experience of living group climate between native Dutch youth and Turkish/Moroccan youth. The sample consisted of 437 youth (age M = 15.44, SD = 1.47) with a native Dutch background (80.3%) or a Turkish/Moroccan ethnical background (19.7%) living in Dutch residential youth care institutions. Data were collected using the Group Climate Instrument. Results indicated that Turkish/Moroccan youth experienced less support by group workers compared to native Dutch youth. These findings imply that professional caregivers working with youth with a different ethnical background should be sensitive to cultural differences in order to be responsive to their needs.

Self-Persuasion Increases Healthy Eating Intention Depending on Cultural Background.

Unhealthy eating behavior has become a global health risk and thus needs to be influenced. Previous research has found that self-persuasion is more effective than direct persuasion in changing attitudes and behavioral intentions, but the influence of the cultural backgrounds of those being persuaded remains unclear. We conducted two studies to investigate the effectiveness of self-persuasion and direct persuasion techniques in promoting healthy eating intention among different ethnicities in the Netherlands. Native Dutch, Moroccan–Dutch, and Turkish–Dutch participated both online and offline. Participants saw a poster with either a self-persuasion message (“Why would you choose healthier food?”) or a direct persuasion message (“Choose healthier food!”), and were then asked to report their intention to eat healthily in the upcoming month. Significant cultural differences were found between native Dutch and Moroccan–Dutch in Study 1, and between the native Dutch and Turkish-Dutch who participated offline in Study 2. Accordingly, cultural background was found to moderate the relationship between persuasion and healthy eating intention among these groups. These results provided preliminary evidence for the moderation effect of persuasion on healthy eating intention: Self-persuasion appears to be more effective for people with an individualistic background, and direct persuasion appears to be more effective for people with a collectivistic background.

Explaining differences in unemployment benefit takeup between labour migrants and Dutch native workers

AbstractThe large increase in Eastern European migrants entering the Dutch labour market has led to concerns about their potential claim on Dutch unemployment benefits. We use a decomposition analysis to investigate differences in uptake of unemployment benefits between migrants and native Dutch employees by analysing register data for all employees in the Netherlands in 2015. The results show that Eastern European migrants, similar to other migrants, receive unemployment benefit more often than native Dutch employees. This difference can be largely ascribed to job characteristics. The inclusion of unemployment risk in the analysis reveals that non‐working migrants are much less likely to receive unemployment benefits than Dutch natives.

Antiprejudice norms and ethnic attitudes in preadolescents: A matter of stimulating the “right reasons”

The present study examined the effects of antiprejudice norms on children’s ethnic attitudes by taking their antiprejudice motivations into account. In a sample of 767 native Dutch preadolescents we found evidence for both an internal and an external motivation to be nonprejudiced which were, respectively, positively versus negatively related to children’s out-group attitudes. Overall, children’s norm perceptions were linked to more positive ethnic attitudes, and this relation was partly explained by their internal antiprejudice motivation. Some normative aspects were found be less effective (moral rule to be nice and honest) than others (equality message) by stimulating an external motivation rather than undermining it and stimulating an internal one. Distinguishing between different normative sources further showed that parents and peers were more influential than teachers. Our findings underline the importance of including motivations in research on norms and out-group attitudes.

Educational mismatches for second generation migrants. An analysis of applied science graduates in the Netherlands

ABSTRACT Studies on overeducation and unemployment show that migrants are worse off in the labour market. In this study we focus on university of applied science graduates and compare second generation migrants and Dutch natives in order to look at a homogenous group. We furthermore extent the definition of educational mismatches by including horizontal mismatches. We find that migrants, and in particular non-western migrants, experience ethnic penalties in employment. Non-western migrants are more likely to experience a double mismatch, i.e. a horizontal as well as a vertical mismatch. Furthermore, western migrants are more likely to experience horizontal mismatches than natives. Analyses on whether ethnic penalties persist across the non-western minority show that Antillean migrants have relatively good labour market outcomes whereas Moroccan migrants are the worst off. Furthermore, we find a gender dimension in the educational mismatches for western migrants. While western male migrants only show slight differences in labour market outcomes, western female migrants are less likely to be correctly matched and more likely to be unemployed than their native counterparts. Comparing educational mismatches before and during the recent economic crisis shows that in times of economic downturns, the labour market position of non-western migrants is disproportionally negatively affected.

Love thy neighbor? Remnants of the social-mix policy in the Kolenkit neighborhood, Amsterdam

In the mid-1990s, one of the main objectives of housing policy in the Netherlands was to stimulate the integration of diverse socio-economic groups through housing strategies, with the goal being to create social cohesion and to address the problems encountered in low-income neighborhoods. Existing literature has studied the impact of social mix policies and policy interventions, concentrating on such outcomes as the spatial consequences of these policies in post-war neighborhoods; macro scale transformations in social mix areas; or shared perceptions of community in gentrifying neighborhoods. Taking a different perspective, this paper studies the impact of such policies at the individual interaction level to assess whether social mix policies can lead to new forms of interaction between the existing residents and newcomers, and consequently, to further cohesion in the area or city from a broader perspective. The paper studies the interaction between new and former neighbors inside out in a special area, Amsterdam Nieuw West neighborhood, Kolenkitbuurt Zuidelijk Veld 1–2, which is recognized as being one of the most deprived neighborhoods in the country. The research of the Kolenkitbuurt case shows clearly that social interactions between the Dutch-Turkish and the new native Dutch residents have been limited to more casual or neither positive nor negative interactions.

A Closer Look at Loneliness: Why Do First-Generation Migrants Feel More Lonely Than Their Native Dutch Counterparts?

Background and ObjectivesAlong with the current aging demographics in the Netherlands, the number of older first-generation migrants is also increasing. Despite studies suggesting a higher quantity of social contacts of migrants, loneliness is more common among migrants as compared to native Dutch. We theorize that migrants experience more emotional and social loneliness due to a lower satisfaction with social relationships and lower participation in social activities, respectively, compared to their native counterparts.Research Design and MethodsWe use data from Statistics Netherlands (N = 7,920) with first-generation migrants aged 40 years and older and their Dutch counterparts. Contact frequency, household composition, satisfaction with social relationships, relationship quality with the partner, and social activities, are used as main predictors and separate regression models for social and emotional loneliness are analyzed.ResultsCompared to the native Dutch, first-generation migrants are both socially and emotionally more lonely. Migrants have a similar contact frequency as the native Dutch, but are less satisfied with their social relationships, which contributes to their higher emotional, social, and overall loneliness. Migrants engage less in social activities but this does not put them at additional risk of loneliness.Discussion and ImplicationsMigrants experience more social and emotional loneliness and are less satisfied with their social relationships compared to their native counterparts. Interventions should focus on reducing both social and emotional loneliness among older migrants. Specific attention should be paid to fostering satisfying social interactions. Additionally, encouraging migrants to broaden their social network may reduce social loneliness.

Accepting Muslim minority practices: A case of discriminatory or normative intolerance?

West European societies have seen strong debates about the acceptance of Muslim minority practices. In the current research we sought to better understand intolerance by examining whether people use a double standard in which the same practices are tolerated of Christians but not of Muslims (discriminatory intolerance), or rather reject the practices independently of the religious minority group because these are considered to contradict society's normative ways of life (normative intolerance). The results of two survey‐embedded experiments among native Dutch were most in agreement with an interpretation in terms of normative intolerance rather than discriminatory intolerance. This suggests that the rejection of Muslim practices has less to do with Muslims per se but rather with the perceived normative deviance of the practices, independently of the religious minority group. These findings broaden the research on anti‐Muslim sentiments and thereby the debate on the place of Islam within Western liberal societies.

Educational expansion in the Netherlands: better chances for all?

ABSTRACT Higher education in the Netherlands has expanded rapidly in the last two decades, giving rise to concerns about possible negative effects on educational quality and the labour market value of a higher education degree. In this paper, we use data from national graduate surveys and adult literacy surveys to explore this. While no evidence was found for a negative effect of the HE expansion on graduate skill levels or unemployment risk, real graduate earnings have decreased over the past two decades relative to those of post-secondary non-tertiary graduates. This does not seem to have been driven by a shift of HE graduates into non-graduate occupations, but rather by a general decline in relative earnings in jobs at all levels. Finally, the more adverse effects of the expansion were particularly apparent for graduates with lower grades, women and graduates with a non-western migration background. These findings indicate that, despite relatively low unemployment, the HE labour market is increasingly becoming a buyers’ market. In this market, graduates with attributes that buyers want – males, native Dutch graduates, high-performers – emerge as relative winners of the educational expansion.

Prevailing head position to one side in early infancy-A population-based study.

AimTo determine the prevalence of prevailing head position to one side (PHP) in young infants and to evaluate its associations with reaching performance, neurological condition and perinatal and socio‐economic factors.MethodsObservational study in 500 infants (273 boys) 2‐6 months corrected age, representative of the Dutch population (median gestational age 39.7 weeks (27‐42); birthweight 3438 g (1120‐4950). Prevailing head position to one side and reaching performance were assessed with the Infant Motor Profile; neurological condition with the Standardized Infant NeuroDevelopmental Assessment. Socio‐economic information and perinatal information were obtained by questionnaire and medical records. Associations were analysed with uni‐ and multivariable statistics.ResultsPrevailing head position to one side was observed in 100 infants (20%), and its prevalence decreased from 49% at 2 months to 0% at 6 months. Only in infants aged 4‐5 months PHP was significantly associated with worse reaching and an at‐risk neurological score. Prevailing head position to one side was weakly associated with prenatal substance exposure, post‐natal admission to a paediatric ward and paternal native Dutch background.ConclusionPrevailing head position to one side at 2‐3 months is a frequently occurring sign with limited clinical significance. Yet, PHP at 4‐5 months is associated with a worse functional and neurological condition. Therefore, PHP at 4‐5 months could serve as a red flag indicating possible challenges in later development.

Evaluating the cross-cultural validity of the Dutch version of the Social Exclusion Index for Health Surveys (SEI-HS): A mixed methods study.

BackgroundThe recently developed Social Exclusion Index for Health Surveys (SEI-HS) revealed particularly strong social exclusion in non-Western immigrant groups compared to the native Dutch population. To qualify such results, cross-cultural validation of the SEI-HS in non-Western immigrant groups is called for.MethodsA sequential explanatory mixed methods design was used, employing quantitative data from the Netherlands Public Health Monitor along with qualitative interviews. Data from 1,803 adults aged 19 years or older of Surinamese, 1,009 of Moroccan and 1,164 of Turkish background and 19,318 native Dutch living in the four largest cities in the Netherlands were used to test the factorial structure of the SEI-HS and differential item functioning across immigrant groups. Additionally, 52 respondents with a high score on the SEI-HS and from different background were interviewed on the item content of the SEI-HS and subjective feelings of exclusion. For each SEI-HS item the semantic, conceptual and contextual connotations were coded and compared between the immigrant groups and native Dutch.ResultsHigh levels of social exclusion were found in 20.0% of the urban population of Surinamese origin, 20.9% of Moroccan, 28.7% of Turkish and 4.2% of native Dutch origin. The 4-factor structure of the SEI-HS was confirmed in all three immigrant groups. None of the items demonstrated substantial differential item functioning in relation to immigration background. The interviews uncovered some methodological shortcomings, but these did not substantially impact the observed excess of social exclusion in immigrant groups.ConclusionsThe present study provides evidence in support of the validity of the SEI-HS in adults of Surinamese, Moroccan and Turkish background and confirms the major social exclusion of these immigrant groups in the main cities in the Netherlands. Policy measures to enhance social inclusion and reduce exclusion are urgently needed.

Reasons for cervical cancer screening participation among Turkish- and Moroccan-Dutch: focus groups

Abstract Background Cervical cancer (CC) is ranked fourth most frequently diagnosed cancer in women worldwide. Compared to the 79% CC screening participation rate of native Dutch women, the rate of 64% among Turkish- and 53% among Moroccan-Dutch women is considerably lower. Our aim was to explore reasons for CC screening (non)participation of Turkish- and Moroccan-Dutch women, and their attitude towards self-sampling. Methods Six focus groups were conducted in March and April 2019 with Turkish (n = 25) and Moroccan (n = 20) women in the Netherlands, aged 30-60 years. Questions were based on an extended Health Belief Model. Discussions were transcribed verbatim and thematically analysed. Results We found that women lack knowledge and awareness about CC. Barriers for screening were lack of a good command of the Dutch language, having a male as general practitioner, fatalism, shame and taboo related to the intimate procedure, and the association of CC with lack of femininity and infertility. Other barriers were fears of the test result, cancer, suffering, death, and leaving their children behind after death. Facilitators were perceived severity of disease, social support, and short procedure time. Additional religious facilitators included the responsibility to take care of one’s own health using medical facilities that God provided. Differences were found between Turkish and Moroccan women, such as lack of a good command of the Dutch language. Conflicting attitudes were found regarding self-sampling. Although perceived easy and accessible, women were hesitant whether they could sample correctly. Overall, women preferred a physician-taken smear to a self-sample. Conclusions Several barriers and facilitators for CC screening participation were identified that can be used to design tailored information materials. Women’s doubts about incorrect self-sampling should be taken into account to encourage self-sampling among nonparticipating Turkish and Moroccan women. Key messages Important barriers and facilitators were identified that can be used to well-inform Turkish and Moroccan women. To promote self-sampling, women’s attitudes on their self-efficacy should be explored.

Variation in Performance and Resistance to Parasitism of Plutella xylostella Populations.

Two major ecological factors determine the fitness of an insect herbivore: the ability to overcome plant resistance strategies (bottom-up effects) and the ability to avoid or resist attack by natural enemies such as predators and parasitoids (top-down effects). In response to differences in selection pressure, variation may exist in host-plant adaptation and immunity against parasitism among populations of an insect herbivore. We investigated the variation in larval performance of six different Plutella xylostella populations originating from four continents when feeding on a native Dutch plant species, Brassica rapa. One of the used populations has successfully switched its host plant, and is now adapted to pea. In addition, we determined the resistance to attack by the endoparasitoid Diadegma semiclausum originating from the Netherlands (where it is also native) and measured parasitoid performance as a proxy for host resistance against parasitism. Pupal mortality, immature development times, and adult biomass of P. xylostella differed significantly across populations when feeding on the same host plant species. In addition, parasitism success differed in terms of parasitoid adult emergence and their biomass, but not their development times. Variation among natural populations of insects should be considered more when studying interactions between plants and insects up the food chain.

Subgroups of tenants at risk of eviction due to rent arrears in five Dutch cities: A latent class approach.

This study identifies subgroups of tenants in a sample of 495 tenants at risk of eviction, due to rent arrears, by 16 housing associations in five Dutch municipalities, and examines the attuning of services to the needs of the tenants in these subgroups. Latent class analysis with eight known risk factors for eviction identified five subgroups of tenants, which can be characterised as young immigrants, native Dutch tenants with little support, highly educated native Dutch tenants with much support, depressed tenants with little support and highly educated mentally stable older single tenants. The young immigrants reported the highest number of unmet care needs; the highly educated native Dutch tenants with much support, on the other hand, mentioned the least unmet care needs. This study demonstrates the diversity of a population of tenants at risk of eviction. Together with the differences in care needs, this indicates the necessity to develop targeted and personalised interventions to prevent evictions.

Hogere waardering voor gemengde wijk

This paper investigates the effects of neighbourhood change caused by the inflow of new residents in the still existing social rental stock in a post-World War II district next to the effects of the changing population as the result of urban restructuring. All residents, native Dutch and residents that belong to an ethnic minority, are critical about the occurring concentration of the latter in the existing rental housing stock. Loss of respectability and of shared norms and values of how to live in the neighbourhood play an important role in the critical stance of mostly older Dutch native residents. Residents with a migrant background criticize the concentration as a negative influence for their integration in Dutch society. Most residents support the idea of a mixed neighbourhood based on income and ethnicity. Restructuring by demolition of old social rental dwellings and new housing development for owner-occupiers is supported by most residents, based on the positive impact on the liveability. Urban restructuring has however not decreased the share of non-Dutch-native residents but it did bring more middle-class households. In the view of the residents these are ‘decent people’ as they have to work in daytime and do not linger at night in the streets.

Preaching and practicing multicultural education: Predicting students' outgroup attitudes from perceived teacher norms and perceived teacher–classmate relations

Research on the role of teachers in bringing about positive interethnic attitudes among their students has largely focused on the norms teachers express about cultural diversity in the classroom without considering teacher's enactment of these norms in their relationships with students. The current study assessed to what extent students' ethnic outgroup attitudes are affected by perceived positive teacher norms about cultural diversity, together with perceived positive teacher-classmate interactions that may serve as an example to students. We investigated whether and how teacher norms and practices interact to affect students' attitudes, and whether these effects may differ for minority and majority students. Data was gathered in two waves among 186 native (majority) Dutch students, and 129 students with a Turkish-Dutch, or Moroccan-Dutch (minority) background in 29 4th–6th grade classrooms. Results showed that both majority and minority students expressed more positive attitudes towards ethnic outgroups when they perceived their teacher to have a positive relationship with their majority classmates, but only when supported by positive teacher norms. Ethnic majority students had more favorable outgroup attitudes when perceiving positive teacher relationships with minority classmates, but only in the absence of positive teacher norms. These results indicate that students in culturally diverse classrooms consider their teachers' interpersonal relationships with classmates to inform their own attitudes about ethnic outgroups.

Recognition Times for 54 Thousand Dutch Words: Data from the Dutch Crowdsourcing Project.

We present a new database of Dutch word recognition times for a total of 54 thousand words, called the Dutch Crowdsourcing Project. The data were collected with an internet vocabulary test. The database is limited to native Dutch speakers. Participants were asked to indicate which words they knew. Their response times were registered, even though the participants were not asked to respond as fast as possible. Still, the response times correlate around .7 with the response times of the Dutch Lexicon Projects for shared words. Also results of virtual experiments indicate that the new response times are a valid addition to the Dutch Lexicon Projects. This not only means that we have useful response times for some 20 thousand extra words, but we now also have data on differences in response latencies as a function of education and age. The new data correspond better to word use in the Netherlands.

The explanatory role of maternal feeding practices: do they explain ethnic differences in body weight of preadolescents?

IntroductionThis study aimed to explore the role of ethnicity and maternal perceived weight status in the association between maternal child feeding practices and childhood Body Mass Index (BMI) at the age of 11–12 years in a multi-ethnic population. MethodsWe collected data on child feeding practices by the validated Child Feeding Questionnaire (CFQ) among 2398 mothers of adolescents (Mage = 11.2, SDage = 0.6). Multivariate linear analyses were used to determine the cross-sectional association between child feeding practices (‘Restriction’, ‘Pressure to eat’, and ‘Monitoring’), maternal perception of child's weight status, SDS-BMI, and ethnicity. Results‘Restriction’ (β = 0.16; 95% CI [0.11; 0.20]) and ‘Pressure to eat’ (β = −0.32 [-0.36;-0.28]) were significantly associated with child SDS-BMI. Both associations were strongly influenced by the mother's perception of child's weight status. Besides, non-native Dutch mothers performed significantly higher levels of ‘Restriction’ (M±SD = 12.17 ± 4.41) and ‘Pressure to eat’ (10.75 ± 4.03) compared to native Dutch mothers (11.25 ± 4.15 and 9.99 ± 3.83, respectively). Native Dutch mothers performed higher levels of ‘Monitoring’ (17.15 ± 2.54) compared to non-native Dutch mothers (16.73 ± 3.01). Furthermore, children of non-native Dutch mothers had a 0.15 (0.27; 0.46) higher SDS-BMI. Finally, results showed that the association between ‘Pressure to eat’ and SDS-BMI was stronger in native Dutch mothers (β = −0.20; 95% CI [-0.24; −0.15]) compared to non-native Dutch mothers (β = −0.11; 95% CI [-0.18; −0.04]). Discussion and conclusionEthnic differences in childhood BMI seemed to be partially attributable to the maternal perception of her child's weight status. Besides, maternal perception of child's weight appeared to play an important role in the association between maternal child feeding practices and childhood SDS-BMI. Hence, our findings contribute to the growing evidence concerning the bi-directional association between child feeding practices and childhood BMI.

To Meet, to Matter, and to Have Fun: The Development, Implementation, and Evaluation of an Intervention to Fulfil the Social Needs of Older People.

Interventions for older people are often not evaluated and, if evaluated, are not proven successful. Based on a systematic literature review and two qualitative studies about the social needs of older people, an intervention has been developed, implemented, and evaluated. Important social needs that emerged from these studies are connectedness, meaningfulness, and independence. Samsam, the developed intervention, aims to fulfil these needs. Samsam is a place where older (native Dutch speaking) people teach the Dutch language to expats, refugees, and immigrants. Two group interviews and one interview with a total of seven older participants were held to find out what the experiences are with this intervention to fulfil the social needs of older people. After analysis, three themes emerged: (1) The general experience of Samsam, (2) connectedness, and (3) meaningfulness and status. Results indicate that the volunteers are content with the conditions of the intervention, although it is sometimes hard work. The older participants indicated that helping other people and contributing to society is important for them. The intervention also has a strong social and fun element which contributes to their feeling of connectedness. The intervention fulfils various social needs, such as connectedness, meaningfulness, and status. When participating in Samsam, participants feel connected to each other, to the students, and to society. The older participants want to have meaningful lives and use their skills and talents. Samsam offers possibilities for them to do so. We further found that participants have some common characteristics such as an openness to others and to other cultures. An openness towards others and to society helps older people to connect. Most interventions focus on stimulating contact between older people, primarily on their need for affection. We conclude that meaningfulness and status are important social needs. Successful interventions for older people should focus more on fulfilling these needs—for example, by engaging in purposeful activities. It becomes easier to connect when a person feels useful.