Netherlands Survey Research Articles

Supplemental Material for Identity Change Among Smokers and Ex-Smokers: Findings From the ITC Netherlands Survey

Supplemental Material for Identity Change Among Smokers and Ex-Smokers: Findings From the ITC Netherlands Survey

External validation of the Motivation To Stop Scale (MTSS): findings from the International Tobacco Control (ITC) Netherlands Survey.

Background: The Motivation To Stop Scale (MTSS) is a single-item instrument which has been shown to predict quit attempts in the next 6 months in a previous validation study conducted in England. The aim of the current study was to determine the external validity of the MTSS among Dutch smokers in predicting quit attempts in the next 12 months. A secondary aim was to compare the discriminative accuracy of the MTSS with that of a Stages of Change assessment. Methods: We analysed data from three consecutive waves of the International Tobacco Control (ITC) Netherlands Survey ( n = 1272). We conducted logistic regression analyses with the baseline score of the MTSS (measured in 2012 or 2013) predicting a quit attempt in the next 12 months (measured in 2013 or 2014). We furthermore compared the area under the Receiver Operating Characteristics (ROCAUC) curves of the MTSS and a Stages of Change measure. Results: A total of 450 smokers (35.4%) made a quit attempt between baseline and 12-month follow-up. The regression analysis showed a positive relationship between scoring on the MTSS and quit attempts (odds ratio = 18.15, 95% confidence interval = 8.12–40.58 for the most vs. least motivated group). The discriminative accuracy of the MTSS (ROCAUC = 0.68) was marginally higher than that of a Stages of Change assessment (ROCAUC = 0.65), but not statistically significant ( P = 0.21). Conclusion: The MTSS is an externally valid instrument to predict quit attempts in the next 12 months.

Attrition analysed in five waves of a longitudinal yearly survey of smokers: findings from the ITC Netherlands survey.

Attrition bias can affect the external validity of findings. This article analyses attrition bias and assesses the effectiveness of replenishment samples on demographic and smoking-related characteristics for the International Tobacco Control Netherlands Survey, a longitudinal survey among smokers. Attrition analyses were conducted for the first five survey waves (2008-12). We assessed, including and excluding replenishment samples, whether the demographic composition of the samples changed between the first and fifth waves. Replenishment samples were tailored to ensure the sample remained representative of the smoking population. We also constructed a multivariable survival model of attrition that included all five waves with replenishment samples. Of the original 1820 respondents recruited in 2008, 46% participated again in 2012. Demographic differences between waves due to attrition were generally small and replenishment samples tended to minimize them further. The multivariable survival analysis revealed that only two of the 10 variables analysed were significant predictors of attrition: a weak effect for gender (men dropped out more often) and weak to moderate effects for age (respondents aged 15-24 years dropped out more than aged 25-39 years, who dropped out more than those aged 40+ years). Weak to moderate attrition effects were found for men and younger age groups. This information could be used to minimize respondent attrition. Our findings suggest that sampling weights and tailored replenishment samples can effectively compensate for attrition effects. This is already being done for the International Tobacco Control Netherlands Survey, including the categories that significantly predicted attrition in this study.

E-cigarette advertisements, and associations with the use of e-cigarettes and disapproval or quitting of smoking: Findings from the International Tobacco Control (ITC) Netherlands Survey

BackgroundMuch attention has been directed towards the possible effects of e-cigarette advertisements on adolescent never smokers. However, e-cigarette advertising may also influence perceptions and behaviours of adult smokers. The aim of our study was to examine whether noticing e-cigarette advertisements is associated with current use of e-cigarettes, disapproval of smoking, quit smoking attempts, and quit smoking success. MethodsWe used longitudinal data from two survey waves of the ITC Netherlands Survey among smokers aged 16 years and older (n=1198). Respondents were asked whether they noticed e-cigarettes being advertised on television, on the radio, and in newspapers or magazines in the previous 6 months. ResultsThere was a significant increase in noticing e-cigarette advertisements between 2013 (13.3%) and 2014 (36.0%), across all media. The largest increase was for television advertisements. There was also a substantial increase in current use of e-cigarettes (from 3.1% to 13.3%), but this was not related to noticing advertisements in traditional media (OR=0.99, p=0.937). Noticing advertisements was bivariately associated with more disapproval of smoking (Beta=0.05, p=0.019) and with a higher likelihood of attempting to quit smoking (OR=1.37, p=0.038), but these associations did not reach significance in multivariate analyses. There was no significant association between noticing advertisements and quit smoking success in either the bivariate or multivariate regression analysis (OR=0.92, p=0.807). ConclusionNoticing e-cigarette advertisements increased sharply in the Netherlands between 2013 and 2014 along with increased e-cigarette use, but the two appear unrelated. The advertisements did not seem to have adverse effects on disapproval of smoking and smoking cessation.

Prevalence and reasons for use of electronic cigarettes among smokers: Findings from the International Tobacco Control (ITC) Netherlands Survey

BackgroundNot much is known about how people in the Netherlands respond to electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes); how many know about them, which people try them, keep using them and why, and what are changes over time regarding awareness and use? MethodsWe used samples of smokers aged 15 years and older from 2008 (n=1820), 2010 (n=1702), 2013 (n=1530), and 2014 (n=1550) as part of the International Tobacco Control (ITC) Netherlands Survey. Reasons for use and characteristics of smokers were examined using the sample from 2014. Logistic regression analyses were conducted to evaluate the associations between smoking-related variables with ever trying e-cigarettes and current e-cigarette use. ResultsIn 2014, 91.4% of Dutch smokers reported being aware of e-cigarettes (97.1% in 2008, 89.2% in 2010, and 85.5% in 2013), 40.0% reported having ever tried them (13.4% in 2008, 14.5% in 2010, and 19.6% in 2013), and 15.9% were currently using them (4.0% in 2008, 1% in 2010, and 3.9% in 2013). The main reason given for using e-cigarettes was to reduce the number of regular cigarettes smoked per day (79%). Ever trying e-cigarettes among those aware of e-cigarettes was associated with being young, smoking more regular cigarettes per day, having made a quit attempt in the last year, having used smoking cessation pharmacotherapy in the last year, and reporting high awareness of the price of regular cigarettes. Smokers who kept using e-cigarettes had a higher educational background, had higher harm awareness for the health of others, and were less likely to have a total smoking ban at home. ConclusionE-cigarettes are increasingly used by Dutch smokers. Commonly endorsed motivations for current e-cigarette use were to reduce tobacco smoking and because e-cigarettes are considered to be less harmful than tobacco cigarettes.

Non-resident Father-Child Contact across Divorce Cohorts: The Role of Father Involvement during Marriage

Using retrospective data from the Divorce in the Netherlands Survey 1998 (SIN98, N = 808), we investigate changes in children’s daytime contact and overnight stays with non-resident fathers across four divorce cohorts from 1949 to 1998. Our findings show that daytime contact and overnight stays increased over time. A modest part of this increase can be explained by a rise in fathers’ child-rearing involvement during marriage. Involved fathers are more likely to remain in contact with their children after divorce, and fathers have become more involved in child rearing over time. Furthermore, the role that father involvement plays in daytime contact has become more important over time. Whereas fathers’ contribution to child rearing during marriage mattered little in the earliest divorce cohort, it is positively related to post-divorce daytime contact in more recent cohorts.

Are there income differences in the impact of a national reimbursement policy for smoking cessation treatment and accompanying media attention? Findings from the International Tobacco Control (ITC) Netherlands Survey

BackgroundThis study examined possible income differences in the impact of a national reimbursement policy for smoking cessation treatment and accompanying media attention in the Netherlands in 2011. MethodsWe used three waves of the International Tobacco Control (ITC) Netherlands Survey, a nationally representative longitudinal sample of smokers aged 15 years and older (n=1912). The main analyses tested trends and income differences in outcome measures (smokers’ quit attempt rates, use of behavioral counseling, use of cessation medications, and quit success) and awareness variables (awareness of reimbursement possibilities, the media campaign, medications advertisements and other media attention) with generalized estimating equations analyses. ResultsIn the first half of 2011, there was a significant increase in quit attempts (odds ratio (OR)=2.02, p<0.001) and quit success (OR=1.47, p<0.001). Use of counseling and medications remained stable at 3% of all smokers in this period. Awareness of reimbursement possibilities increased from 11% to 42% (OR=6.38, p<0.001). Only awareness of the media campaign was associated with more quit attempts at the follow-up survey (OR=1.95, p<0.001). Results were not different according to smokers’ income level. ConclusionsThe Dutch reimbursement policy with accompanying media attention was followed by an increase in quit attempts and quit success, but use of cessation treatment remained stable. The impact of the policy and media attention did not seem to have decreased or increased socioeconomic inequalities in quit attempts, use of cessation treatment, or quit success.

Mesurer les effets de la méthode de collecte des données

Mixed mode surveys are becoming increasingly common. This has led to calls for tests of the differences in response patterns between survey modes. In this article, we present an analysis of mode effects, using data from Wave 1 of the ITC Netherlands Survey, conducted by web (CAWI) and telephone (CATI). For many of the questions, the web and telephone samples differed in the distribution of response options. This was found to be partly attributable to selection effects, since the web and telephone respondents were recruited in different ways, and the web and telephone samples differed on demographic characteristics. Another source of difference in the response option distribution was “administrative” in origin, having to do with the tendency of respondents to process the options differently depending on survey mode. This article illustrates an approach to modelling in a mixed mode survey that takes into account both selection and administration mode effects. The model is also embedded in an analysis of reactions to labels on cigarette packages using ITC data from the Netherlands, Germany, France, and the United Kingdom.

Skipping the pill-free interval: data from a Dutch national sample

IntroductionA monthly pill-free interval is unnecessary and many women prefer to have fewer bleeding episodes. MethodsEight hundred eighteen oral contraceptive pill (OCP) users reported frequency of skipping the pill-free interval in the online 2011 Sexual Health in the Netherlands Survey. Demographics of women who skipped pill-free intervals regularly were compared to those of women who rarely skipped intervals. Results73% of the women have ever skipped pill-free intervals and 38% do so regularly. Women of Dutch or Western origin and non-religious women skip intervals more frequently, but differences are small. DiscussionSkipping pill-free intervals is common, even when it is not actively promoted. ImplicationsWomen who use OCPs can and do skip pill-free intervals, either with or without consulting a physician. If bleeding preferences were structurally discussed with patients, the number of women who skip intervals may increase even further.

Religie en het maatschappelijke midden in Nederland

The civic core is the part of the population that is responsible for a disproportionately large part of civic participation. This paper shows how the level of activity and the composition of the civic core have changed in the Netherlands between 1997 and 2009 using data from the Giving in the Netherlands Survey. The results show that – despite ongoing secularization – the civic core in the Netherlands is increasingly religious. At the same time, the prevalence of higher educated individuals in the civic core has diminished. Engagement in charitable giving is increasingly related to engagement in volunteering. In sum, the increasing concentration of activity in the civic core is especially visible among religious persons and volunteers.

Manifestations of Nationalist Attitudes: Domestic Music Listening, Participation in National Celebrations, and Far Right Voting

In this contribution, we aim to develop an understanding of the behavioural manifestations of nationalism. Building on social identity theory and ethnic competition theory, we examine to what extent nationalist attitudes and perceived cultural ethnic threat are related to domestic music listening, participating in national celebrations and commemorations and voting for far right parties. We use data from the Social and Cultural Developments in The Netherlands surveys (SOCON, wave 2007). We find that the stronger one’s nationalist attitudes and perceived cultural ethnic threat, the more likely one is to listen to domestic music. With regard to participation in national celebrations and commemorations, only nationalist attitudes have a positive effect, which seems to be mainly driven by feelings of national pride. With respect to voting for far right parties, perceived cultural ethnic threat is most important, whereas nationalist attitudes hardly affect far right voting.

The Dynamics of Welfare Opinions in Changing Economic, Institutional and Political Contexts: An Empirical Analysis of Dutch Deservingness Opinions, 1975–2006

Long-term trends in deservingness opinions and how these fluctuate in relation to changes in the economic, institutional and political contexts have not often been examined. In this paper, we address these trend questions by analyzing 22 waves of the repeated cross-sectional Cultural Change in The Netherlands (CCN, 1975–2006) survey. Our analyses show fairly stable public deservingness opinions regarding five different needy groups over the long term. Over the short term, opinions fluctuate more. Explanatory analyses show that economic and political factors, but not institutional factors, are especially influential over fluctuations in opinions. When real GDP grows, the Dutch public is more likely to consider the disabled, the elderly and social assistance beneficiaries deserving of more welfare support. In addition, when unemployment rises, the unemployed and social assistance beneficiaries are more likely to be seen as deserving of more support. Finally, when the national political climate is more leftist, most needy groups are considered to be deserving of more welfare support.

Age and educational inequalities in smoking cessation due to three population-level tobacco control interventions: findings from the International Tobacco Control (ITC) Netherlands Survey

This study aimed to examine age and educational inequalities in smoking cessation due to the implementation of a tobacco tax increase, smoke-free legislation and a cessation campaign. Longitudinal data from 962 smokers aged 15 years and older were used from three survey waves of the International Tobacco Control (ITC) Netherlands Survey. The 2008 survey was performed before the implementation of the interventions and the 2009 and 2010 surveys were performed after the implementation. No significant age and educational differences in successful smoking cessation were found after the implementation of the three tobacco control interventions, although smokers aged 15-39 years were more likely to attempt to quit. Of the three population-level tobacco control interventions that were implemented simultaneously in the Netherlands, only the smoke-free legislation seemed to have increased quit attempts. The price increase of cigarettes may have been only effective in stimulating smoking cessation among younger smokers. Larger tax increases, stronger smoke-free legislation and media campaigns about the dangers of (second-hand) smoking are needed in the Netherlands.

Does smoke-free legislation and smoking outside bars increase feelings of stigmatization among smokers? Findings from the International Tobacco Control (ITC) Netherlands Survey

This study examined whether smokers' perceived level of stigmatization changed after the implementation of smoke-free hospitality industry legislation and whether smokers who smoked outside bars reported more perceived stigmatization. Longitudinal data from the International Tobacco Control (ITC) Netherlands Survey was used, involving a nationally representative sample of 1447 smokers aged 15 years and older. Whether smoke-free legislation increases smokers' perceived stigmatization depends on how smokers feel about smoking outside. The level of perceived stigmatization did not change after the implementation of smoke-free hospitality industry legislation in the Netherlands, possibly because most Dutch smokers do not feel negatively judged when smoking outside.

The influence of newspaper coverage and a media campaign on smokers' support for smoke-free bars and restaurants and on secondhand smoke harm awareness: findings from the International Tobacco Control (ITC) Netherlands Survey

ObjectiveTo assess the influence of newspaper coverage and a media campaign about Dutch smoke-free legislation on smokers' support for smoke-free bars and restaurants and on secondhand smoke (SHS) harm awareness.Design...

Tolerance in the Postindustrial City

This article studies whether and why less educated natives are less ethnocentric in postindustrial Dutch cities than in industrial ones, as suggested by several theories in urban studies. A multilevel analysis of survey data collected among the native working populations (source: Cultural Change in the Netherlands Surveys 2004 and 2006) of 22 Dutch metropolitan agglomerations (sources: Statistics Netherlands Statline and Atlas of Municipalities) confirms that those concerned are indeed less ethnocentric in the most postindustrial cities. This pattern proves not to stem from the better opportunities at the bottom end of the labor market in these cities, as the ethnic competition theory suggests, but from the more tolerant cultural climate in these cities, as emphasized by Richard Florida in his work on creative cities.

Abstract P6-11-08: A Comparison of Chemotherapeutic Treatment Practice in Metastatic Breast Cancer (MBC) in Belgium (BE) and The Netherlands (NL)

Abstract Introduction: Current treatment recommendations provide limited guidance for chemotherapy (CT) of MBC, while physicians have many options to choose from. We undertook a retrospective survey to describe and compare actual CT approaches to MBC in clinical practice in two neighboring European countries, BE and NL. Methods: 20 BE and 18 NL hospitals collected data for 490 and 434 patients (pts), respectively, diagnosed with MBC in 2003-2009 and treated with ≥1 CT regimen. Demographic, disease and treatment data of the last 25 consecutively treated pts per hospital were included in each survey. The NL survey required age ≥70 yrs at MBC diagnosis, the BE survey had no upper age limit. We compared patient characteristics and treatment policies between both cohorts (BE vs. NL, for all comparisons). Results: BE patients were older at MBC diagnosis (median 60 vs. 56 yrs) and had M1 tumor status at primary diagnosis more frequently (26 vs. 20%). Average year of MBC diagnosis was 2005 for both countries. There were no striking differences in ER/PR positivity (61/50 vs. 64/47%), HER2/neu overexpression (27 vs. 31%), triple negative status (12 vs. 15%), or cardiac co-morbidity. Prior hormonal (22 vs. 12%), hormonal + adjuvant CT (32 vs. 26%), and total adjuvant CT (58 vs. 51%) had been given more frequently in the BE cohort. In pts receiving adjuvant CT, anthracyclines had been used more frequently in the NL cohort (61 vs. 78%). Pts in the BE and NL cohort received up to 10 and 6 lines of CT, respectively. 79 vs. 73% and 55 vs. 43% of pts received 2 and 3 lines of CT, respectively. BE pts received far more monotherapy in first line (46 vs. 25%), but not in second (66 vs. 65%) and third line (65 vs. 63%). Drugs used most frequently for monotherapy in lines 1-3 were the same in BE and NL: docetaxel (40 vs. 38%) and capecitabine (13 vs. 26%) in line 1; docetaxel (27 vs. 38%) and capecitabine (23 vs. 16%) in line 2; capecitabine (30 vs. 30%) and vinorelbine (16 vs. 19%) in line 3. The most frequently used CT combinations were very different: FEC (40%)vs. FAC (24%) in first line, FEC (7%) vs. CMF (14%) in second line, and non-pegylated liposomal doxorubicin/cyclophosphamide (6%) vs. CMF (15%) in third line. Many different CT regimens for MBC were used throughout all lines (e.g. &amp;gt; 20 regimens in first line) in both countries. Overall, 81 vs. 71% of pts received a taxane and/or an anthracycline in first line, 57 vs. 60% in second line, and 43 vs. 29% in third line. 33 vs. 36% were re-challenged with an anthracycline after having received anthracycline-based (neo) adjuvant CT. Physician-assessed response (52 vs. 53%) and stable disease rates (22 vs. 26%) to first-line CT were similar. Conclusions: Daily treatment practice of MBC differs considerably between BE and NL, in particular with respect to monotherapy vs. combination CT in first line, specific combination regimens used in lines 1-3, and the number of subsequent lines employed. More adjuvant treatment appeared to have been given to Belgian pts. Despite these differences, reported response rates were remarkably similar. Although a wide variety of CT regimens are used in MBC in BE and NL, anthracyclines and taxanes are the cornerstones in both countries. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2010;70(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P6-11-08.

Union Dissolution and Mobility: Who Moves From the Family Home After Separation?

We investigate which partner of a 2‐gender couple moves out after separation. We test hypotheses on the impact of differences between the partners in the costs of moving out and resources, using data from the Divorce in the Netherlands survey (N = 1,537 ex‐couples who separated between 1972 and 1998). Ex‐partners initiating the separation were more likely to leave, as were those for whom a new partnership was a reason for the separation. An ex‐partner with custody of children was less likely to leave, as was an ex‐partner with more resources. A woman was less likely to leave when the joint children no longer lived at home or when the partnership had been longer lasting.

Anti-Muslim Attitudes in The Netherlands: Tests of Contradictory Hypotheses Derived from Ethnic Competition Theory and Intergroup Contact Theory

In this study, we set out to explain anti-Muslim attitudes in the Netherlands. Although the presence and immigration of Muslims have become widely discussed, there is little systematic evidence about the determinants underlying anti-Muslim attitudes. Using data from the Social and Cultural Developments in the Netherlands (SOCON) survey (2005, 2006), containing a more detailed measurement of anti-Muslim attitudes, we tested two contradictory mechanisms, derived from ethnic competition theory and intergroup contact theory. Results from hierarchical structural equation modelling indicate that the relative outgroup size induces both intergroup friendship contact as well as perceptions of ethnic threat. However, only the latter turned out to affect anti-Muslim attitudes directly. Moreover, our findings revealed that contact with colleagues belonging to ethnic minority groups reduces negative attitudes towards Muslims and mediates the effect of individuallevel determinants on anti-Muslim attitudes. The complementary nature of both ethnic competition theory and intergroup contact theory is illustrated by negative correlation between both mediating mechanisms, as well as the support for a curvilinear relationship between outgroup size and perceived ethnic threat.

Is web interviewing a good alternative to telephone interviewing? Findings from the International Tobacco Control (ITC) Netherlands Survey

BackgroundWeb interviewing is becoming increasingly popular worldwide, because it has several advantages over telephone interviewing such as lower costs and shorter fieldwork periods. However, there are also concerns about data quality of web surveys. The aim of this study was to compare the International Tobacco Control (ITC) Netherlands web and telephone samples on demographic and smoking related variables to assess differences in data quality.MethodsWave 1 of the ITC Netherlands Survey was completed by 1,668 web respondents and 404 telephone respondents of 18 years and older. The two surveys were conducted in parallel among adults who reported smoking at least monthly and had smoked at least 100 cigarettes over their lifetime.ResultsBoth the web and telephone survey had a cooperation rate of 78%. Web respondents with a fixed line telephone were significantly more often married, had a lower educational level, and were older than web respondents without a fixed line telephone. Telephone respondents with internet access were significantly more often married, had a higher educational level, and were younger than telephone respondents without internet. Web respondents were significantly less often married and lower educated than the Dutch population of smokers. Telephone respondents were significantly less often married and higher educated than the Dutch population of smokers. Web respondents used the "don't know" options more often than telephone respondents. Telephone respondents were somewhat more negative about smoking, had less intention to quit smoking, and had more self efficacy for quitting. The known association between educational level and self efficacy was present only in the web survey.ConclusionsDifferences between the web and telephone sample were present, but the differences were small and not consistently favourable for either web or telephone interviewing. Our study findings suggested sometimes a better data quality in the web than in the telephone survey. Therefore, web interviewing can be a good alternative to telephone interviewing.