http://repub.eur.nl/res/aut/15151/ List of Publications en http://repub.eur.nl/static-eur/img/logo.png http://repub.eur.nl http://repub.eur.nl/res/pub/31958/ 2012-01-01T00:00:00Z The accuracy of measuring the prevalence of delinquency by means of self-reported questionnaires is difficult to evaluate. This study assesses the differential validity of self-reported delinquency in adolescents and, more specifically, self-reported police contacts because of suspected misconduct. This study was conducted as part of the Rotterdam Youth Monitor, a youth health surveillance system. Self-report data of pupils (mainly 12-15 years old) in the first or third grade of secondary school in the school years 2007-8 and 2008-9 (n = 23,914) were merged with police data. Of the pupils registered as a suspect, 62 percent admitted to having been interrogated at the police station. However, there were differences between groups. Multivariate analysis showed that Moroccan pupils and first-grade pupils were more likely to give an invalid response. Pupils who were registered for theft, vandalism or assault were more likely to give a valid response, whereas pupils who were registered for an offence involving fireworks were more likely to give an invalid response. We conclude that using only self-reported data to measure delinquency in an ethnically diverse population results in substantial bias. It is advisable to use multiple sources to measure the prevalence of delinquency. http://repub.eur.nl/res/pub/33680/ 2011-06-01T00:00:00Z Objectives. This study examined the factor structure of the self-report Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, paying special attention to the number of factors and to negative effects of reverse-worded items and minor factors within the subscales on model fit. Furthermore, factorial invariance across gender, age, level of education, and ethnicity was investigated. Design. Data were obtained from the Youth Health Monitor Rotterdam, a community-based health surveillance system. Methods. The sample consisted of 11,881 pupils of 11-16 years old. Next to the original five-factor model, a factor model with the number of factors based on parallel analysis and scree test was investigated. Confirmatory factor analysis for ordered-categorical measures was applied to examine the goodness-of-fit and factorial invariance of the factor models. Results. After allowing reverse-worded items to cross-load on the prosocial behaviour factor and adding error correlations, a good fit to the data was found for the original five-factor model (emotional symptoms, conduct problems, hyperactivity-inattention, peer problems, prosocial behaviour) and a model with four factors (emotional symptoms and peer problems, conduct problems, hyperactivity-inattention, prosocial behaviour). Factorial invariance across gender, age, level of education, and ethnicity was found for the final five- and four-factor model, except for the prosocial factor of the four-factor model that showed partial invariance across gender. Conclusions. While support was found for both models, the final five-factor model is theoretically more plausible and gained additional support as the original scales emotional problems and peer problems showed different relations with gender, educational level, and ethnicity. http://repub.eur.nl/res/pub/33773/ 2011-06-01T00:00:00Z In a multiethnic community sample of 1,170 preadolescent children, it was investigated whether discrepancies in parent-child reports of internalizing problems are related with gender, ethnic background (Dutch, Surinamese/ Antillean, Moroccan, Turkish, Other) and with future internalizing problems. No significant differences in discrepancy scores between boys and girls were found. Parent-child disagreement of internalizing problems varied across ethnic groups, with significant differences among children from Surinamese/Antillean (children reporting more internalizing problems than their parents) and Turkish background (parents reporting more internalizing problems than their children). Disagreement between parents and their preadolescent child significantly contributed to the prediction of self-reported internalizing problems in early adolescence. For the early identification of internalizing problems, it is recommended to include both parent and child self-reports as part of routine health examinations in the setting of preventive youth health care because when parents underreport problems relative to their child, this can predict future internalizing problems. http://repub.eur.nl/res/pub/18629/ 2010-04-01T00:00:00Z Under Dutch law, preventive youth healthcare organisations have a duty to ensure the early identification of children with health or developmental problems. Similarly, municipalities have a duty to monitor young people’s health at least every four years. For problem identification and monitoring, both individual and collective, these organisations often use self-report questionnaires. The overall aim of this thesis is to study various methodological and validity issues related to the use of self-report questionnaires among young people in a preventive youth healthcare setting. Seven specific research questions are derived from the Rotterdam Youth Monitor (RYM), a longitudinal youth health surveillance system integrated into preventive youth healthcare in the greater Rotterdam area. http://repub.eur.nl/res/pub/13690/ 2008-10-31T00:00:00Z Background: Children and adolescents are important target groups for prevention of overweight and obesity as overweight is often developed early in life and tracks into adulthood. Research into behaviors related to overweight (energy balance-related behaviors) and the personal and environmental determinants of these behaviors is fundamental to inform prevention interventions. In the Netherlands and in other countries systematic research into environmental determinants of energy balance related behaviors in younger adolescents is largely lacking. This protocol paper describes the design, the components and the methods of the ENDORSE study (Environmental Determinants of Obesity in Rotterdam SchoolchildrEn), that aims to identify important individual and environmental determinants of behaviors related to overweight and obesity and the interactions between these determinants among adolescents. Methods: The ENDORSE study is a longitudinal study with a two-year follow-up of a cohort of adolescents aged 12–15 years. Data will be collected at baseline (2005/2006) and at two years follow-up (2007/2008). Outcome measures are body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, time spent in physical activity and sedentary behaviors, and soft drink, snack and breakfast consumption. The ENDORSE study consists of two phases, first employing qualitative research methods to inform the development of a theoretical framework to examine important energy balance related behaviors and their determinants, and to inform questionnaire development. Subsequently, the hypothetical relationships between behavioral determinants, energy balance related behaviors and BMI will be tested in a quantitative study combining school-based surveys and measurements of anthropometrical characteristics at baseline and two-year follow-up. Discussion: The ENDORSE project is a comprehensive longitudinal study that enables investigation of specific environmental and individual determinants of overweight and obesity among younger adolescents. The project will result in specific recommendations for obesity prevention interventions among younger adolescents. http://repub.eur.nl/res/pub/13228/ 2008-09-15T00:00:00Z Computer tailoring may be a promising technique for prevention of overweight in adolescents. However, very few well-developed, evidence-based computer-tailored interventions are available for this target group. We developed and evaluated a computer-tailored intervention for adolescents targeting energy balance-related behaviours: i.e. consumption of snacks, sugar-sweetened beverages, fruit, vegetables, and fibre, physical activity, and sedentary behaviours. This paper describes the planned development of a school-based computer-tailored intervention aimed at improving energy balance-related behaviours in order to prevent excessive weight gain in adolescents, and the protocol for evaluating this intervention. Methods/design Intervention development: Informed by the Precaution Adoption Process Model and the Theory of Planned Behaviour, the computer-tailored intervention provided feedback on personal behaviour and suggestions on how to modify it. The intervention (VETisnietVET translated as 'FATaintPHAT') has been developed for use in the first year of secondary school during eight lessons. Evaluation design: The intervention will be evaluated in a cluster-randomised trial including 20 schools with a 4-months and a 2-years follow-up. Outcome measures are BMI, waist circumference, energy balance-related behaviours, and potential determinants of these behaviours. Process measures are appreciation of and satisfaction with the program, exposure to the program's content, and implementation facilitators and barriers measured among students and teachers. Discussion This project resulted in a theory and evidence-based intervention that can be implemented in a school setting. A large-scale randomised controlled trial with a short and long-term follow-up will provide sound statements about the effectiveness of this computer-tailored intervention in adolescents. http://repub.eur.nl/res/pub/30186/ 2008-02-01T00:00:00Z Purpose: To contribute to a further exploration of the association of psychosocial well-being with overweight and weight perception among young Dutch adolescents. Methods: Data from the ongoing Rotterdam Youth Health Monitor were used from 1,923 9-10-year-olds and 3,841 12-13-year-olds. The association of mental health indicators with weight status based on self-report and measured height and weight was studied with logistic regression analyses in both age groups cross-sectionally. Additional longitudinal analyses were conducted among the 787 pupils for whom follow-up data were available. Interactions with gender and ethnic background were explored. Among the 12-13-year-olds, the role of weight perception was also studied. Results: We found that 9-10-year-old obese boys scored more favourably on social anxiety than nonoverweight boys. Among 12-13-year-olds body weight perception, rather than self-reported or measured weight status was associated with mental health indicators. Mental health indicators at age 9-10 years did not predict self-reported weight status at age 12-13 or change in weight status between 9-10 and 12-13 years, nor did weight status at age 9-10 years predict later mental health indicators or change in these indicators. Conclusions: This study provides no evidence that overweight does coincide with less favorable psychological well-being in young adolescents. In 12-13-year-old adolescents, feeling overweight, rather than being overweight, appears to be important.