Mia Scheffers | University of Groningen (original) (raw)

Papers by Mia Scheffers

Research paper thumbnail of Body attitude, body satisfaction and body awareness in a clinical group of depressed patients: An observational study on the associations with depression severity and the influence of treatment

Journal of Affective Disorders, 2019

Body attitude, body satisfaction and body awareness in a clinical group of depressed patients

Research paper thumbnail of Assessing anger related interoceptive awareness in individuals with mild intellectual disabilities and borderline intellectual functioning

Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 2019

Research paper thumbnail of ‘Beweging in trauma’ : psychomotorische therapie in de stabilisatiefase van complex trauma

Research paper thumbnail of The Functionality Appreciation Scale (FAS): psychometric properties and results of the Dutch version in a community sample and a sample of women with eating disorders

Research Square (Research Square), Apr 7, 2023

Background Body satisfaction in people with eating disorders (EDs) is negatively affected by thei... more Background Body satisfaction in people with eating disorders (EDs) is negatively affected by their critical evaluation of aesthetic aspects. A focus on body functionality could create a more positive perspective. This study examines psychometric properties of the Dutch version of the Functionality Appreciation Scale (FAS) and differences in scores between women with and without EDs. Method Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and Con rmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) were used to investigate the factor structure in data from a community sample of 669 women and an ED sample of 150 women. Reliability, test-retest scores and correlations with Body Cathexis Scale (BCS) and Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q) were investigated. T-tests were used to evaluate differences between samples. Results EFA identi ed a one-dimensional factor structure, which was con rmed by CFA. Reliability was adequate and convergent and discriminant validity were supported through correlations with BCS and EDE-Q (subscale) scores. FAS-scores were signi cantly lower for women with EDs compared to women from a community sample. Conclusions Psychometric results of the Dutch version of the FAS are promising and validate its use for clinical and research purposes. The signi cant difference between FAS scores in the female ED sample and the female community sample indicates that female ED patients obviously have a lower body satisfaction concerning body functionality compared with healthy women. Further research with male ED participants as well as exploration of sensitivity to change are recommended.

Research paper thumbnail of Beweging in trauma

Research paper thumbnail of Prevention and intervention programs targeting sexual abuse in individuals with a mild intellectual disability: A systematic review of the literature

Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 2019

Research paper thumbnail of Prevention and Intervention Programs Targeting Sexual Abuse in Individuals with Mild Intellectual Disability: A Systematic Review

Journal of Mental Health Research in Intellectual Disabilities, Mar 7, 2021

Introduction: Compared to their non-disabled peers, individuals with mild intellectual disability... more Introduction: Compared to their non-disabled peers, individuals with mild intellectual disability (MID) are at higher risk of becoming a victim of sexual abuse and more vulnerable to its disruptive effects. This review provides an overview of content and effectiveness of prevention and intervention programs targeting sexual abuse in individuals with MID. Methods: PRISMA guidelines were followed and quality and effectiveness of the programs were evaluated taking into account the rating of the Quality Assessment Tool for Quantitative Studies (QATQS). Results: Twelve studies were included. In prevention programs role-play prevailed, whereas the content of intervention programs varied. All studies received a "weak" QATQS rating. By consequence, effectiveness of the program was downgraded to "unclear" in ten, and "ineffective" in two studies. Conclusion: Further development of programs and higher quality of research is needed to investigate whether they are effective in preventing sexual abuse or reducing its consequences in individuals with MID.

Research paper thumbnail of Policy on sexual abuse: A survey study amongst managers of care facilities for individuals with intellectual disability in the Netherlands

Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities

Individuals with intellectual disability living in a care facility are at high risk of sexual abu... more Individuals with intellectual disability living in a care facility are at high risk of sexual abuse. Formal policies on sexual abuse within these care facilities and their effective implementation are a prerequisite to reducing the risk of sexual abuse in this group. The present study aimed to determine the state of affairs in this regard in the Netherlands and identify areas of improvement regarding both policy formulation and implementation. An online survey was sent to the management boards of 129 Dutch care facilities for individuals with intellectual disability. Sixty‐nine managers completed the survey on behalf of their care facility. Descriptive statistics were used to characterize the state of affairs regarding policies on sexual abuse. Areas of improvement reported by the managers were examined qualitatively by thematic analysis. Most care facilities complied with the national legal requirements on sexual abuse, which include the availability of a protocol on sexual abuse a...

Research paper thumbnail of Psychometric properties of the Dresden Body Image Questionnaire: A multiple-group confirmatory factor analysis across sex and age in a Dutch non-clinical sample

PLOS ONE, Jul 26, 2017

Background Body image has implications for psychosocial functioning and quality of life and its d... more Background Body image has implications for psychosocial functioning and quality of life and its disturbance is reported in a broad range of psychiatric disorders. In view of the lack of instruments in Dutch measuring body image as a broad concept, we set out to make an instrument available that reflects the multidimensional character of this construct by including more dimensions than physical appearance. The Dresden Körperbildfragebogen (DBIQ, Dresden Body Image Questionnaire) particularly served this purpose. The DBIQ consists of 35 items and five subscales: body acceptance, sexual fulfillment, physical contact, vitality, and selfaggrandizement. The main objective of the present study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Dutch translation of the Dresden Body Image Questionnaire (DBIQ-NL) in a non-clinical sample. Methods The psychometric properties of the DBIQ-NL were examined in a non-clinical sample of 988 respondents aged between 18 and 65. We investigated the subscales' internal consistency and test-retest reliability. In order to establish construct validity we evaluated the association with a related construct, body cathexis, and with indices of self-esteem and psychological wellbeing. The factor structure of the DBIQ-NL was examined via confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). The equivalence of the measurement model across sex and age was evaluated by multiplegroup confirmatory factor analyses. Results Confirmatory factor analyses showed a structure in accordance with the original scale, where model fit was improved significantly by moving one item to another subscale. Multiple

Research paper thumbnail of Psychological and Body-Related Consequences in Individuals with Intellectual Disability with a History of Sexual Abuse. An Overview of the Literature

European Journal of Psychotraumatology, Jun 11, 2019

Background: Posttraumatic stress disorder is one of the most common mental health consequences of... more Background: Posttraumatic stress disorder is one of the most common mental health consequences of intimate partner violence (IPV), with prevalence estimates ranging from 31-84.4% in women who have suffered intimate partner violence (Golding, 1999). The PTSD Checklist for the DSM-5 (PCL-5) is a commonly used instrument to measure PTSD and the Escala de Gravedad de Síntomas-Versión Forense (EGS-F: Echeburúa et al., 2017) is an instrument designed to measure PTSD symptomology specifically in female victims. Objective: The aim of this poster was to compare PCL-5 and EGS-F questionnaires. Method: The sample included a total of 35 female victims of IPV who were recruited from four non-profit associations for women. Results: The results showed a high Pearson correlation between the PCL-5 and EGS-F total scores [r = 0.822, n = 34, p = .000]. With respect to subscales, the correlations were also highly significant for arousal and reactivity [r = 0.889, n = 35, p = .000], and cognition and mood change [r = 0.699, n = 35, p = .000]. Three additional subscales of the EGS-F were also correlated with the total score of the PCL-5: dissociation [r = 0.654, n = 34, p = .000], central [r = 0.894, n = 35, p = .000] and functionality [r = 0.725, n = 35, p = .00]. Conclusions: These results demonstrate that the EGS-F performs similarly to the PCL-5, a gold-standard instrument in measuring PTSD. Furthermore, the relationship between subscales of the EGS-F and PCL-5 suggests that this questionnaire may provide useful additional information specific to PTSD among female victims.

Research paper thumbnail of Dresden Body Image Questionnaire--Dutch Version

Research paper thumbnail of Body image in patients with somatoform disorder

BMC Psychiatry, Oct 22, 2018

Background: Although body-related problems are common in patients with somatoform disorder, resea... more Background: Although body-related problems are common in patients with somatoform disorder, research focusing on how patients with somatoform disorder perceive and evaluate their body is scarce. The present study compared differences in body image between patients with somatoform disorder and respondents from a general population sample. It also examined differences within the somatoform disorder group between men and women and between the diagnostic subgroups conversion disorder, pain disorder and undifferentiated somatoform disorder. Methods: Data were obtained from 657 patients (67.5% female) with somatoform disorder (DSM-IV-TR 300.7, 300.11, 300.81, 300.82) and 761 participants (58.6% female) from the general population. The Dresden Body Image Questionnaire (DBIQ) was used to assess body image in five domains: body acceptance, vitality, physical contact, sexual fulfilment, and self-aggrandizement. Confirmatory factor analysis and analyses of variance were performed. Since differences in age and sex were found between the somatoform disorder sample and the comparison sample, analyses were done with two samples of 560 patients with somatoform disorder and 351 individuals from the comparison sample matched on proportion of men and women and age. Results: Patients scored significantly lower than the comparison sample on all DBIQ domains. Men scored higher than women. Patients with conversion disorder scored significantly higher on vitality and body acceptance than patients with undifferentiated somatoform disorder and pain disorder. Conclusions: The mostly large differences in body image between patients with somatoform disorder and the comparison sample as well as differences between diagnostic subgroups underline that body image is an important feature in patients with somatoform disorder. The results indicate the usefulness of assessing body image and treating negative body image in patients with somatoform or somatic symptom disorder.

Research paper thumbnail of The Functionality Appreciation Scale (FAS): psychometric properties and results of the Dutch version in a community sample and a sample of women with eating disorders

Background Body satisfaction in people with eating disorders (EDs) is negatively affected by thei... more Background Body satisfaction in people with eating disorders (EDs) is negatively affected by their critical evaluation of aesthetic aspects. A focus on body functionality could create a more positive perspective. This study examines psychometric properties of the Dutch version of the Functionality Appreciation Scale (FAS) and differences in scores between women with and without EDs. Method Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) were used to investigate the factor structure in data from a community sample of 669 women and an ED sample of 150 women. Reliability, test-retest scores and correlations with Body Cathexis Scale (BCS) and Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q) were investigated. T-tests were used to evaluate differences between samples. Results EFA identified a one-dimensional factor structure, which was confirmed by CFA. Reliability was adequate and convergent and discriminant validity were supported through correlations with BCS...

Research paper thumbnail of The impact of sexual abuse on body experience in adults with mild intellectual disability or borderline intellectual functioning

Journal of Intellectual & Developmental Disability

Research paper thumbnail of Body attitude, body satisfaction and body awareness in a clinical group of depressed patients: An observational study on the associations with depression severity and the influence of treatment

Journal of Affective Disorders, 2019

Take-down policy If you believe that this document breaches copyright please contact us providing... more Take-down policy If you believe that this document breaches copyright please contact us providing details, and we will remove access to the work immediately and investigate your claim.

Research paper thumbnail of Shifting the Focus: A Pilot Study on the Effects of Positive Body Exposure on Body Satisfaction, Body Attitude, Eating Pathology and Depressive Symptoms in Female Patients with Eating Disorders

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

One of the most commonly used techniques for the treatment of body image problems in eating disor... more One of the most commonly used techniques for the treatment of body image problems in eating disorders (ED) is body exposure (BE). However, evidence of its effectiveness in clinical populations is scarce. In the Positive Body Experience (PBE) protocol, the focus of positive BE is on aesthetic, functional and tactile aspects of the body. The current study evaluates the outcomes of positive BE with regard to changes in attitudinal body image and eating pathology, as well as the factors that influence these changes, in a sample of 84 adult female patients with different EDs who did not receive any other treatment for their EDs during the period in which BE treatment occurred. The results show significant positive changes in attitudinal body image, ED behaviors and depressive symptoms, with depressive symptoms at baseline mediating the changes in attitudinal body image. This study indicates that the PBE protocol is a suitable intervention for reducing negative attitudinal body image in a...

Research paper thumbnail of Klinische kenmerken van seksueel misbruikte mensen met een lichte verstandelijke beperking: een literatuuroverzicht

Tijdschrift voor psychiatrie, 2020

Research paper thumbnail of Psychomotor therapy targeting anger and aggressive behaviour in individuals with mild or borderline intellectual disabilities: A systematic review

Journal of Intellectual & Developmental Disability, 2017

Background: Poor anger regulation is considered a risk factor of aggression in individuals with m... more Background: Poor anger regulation is considered a risk factor of aggression in individuals with mild or borderline intellectual disabilities. Psychomotor therapy (PMT) targets anger regulation through body-and movement-oriented interventions. This study aims to inform practitioners on efficacy and research-base of PMT in this population. Method: This systematic review evaluated nine studies which met inclusion criteria in terms of participants, intervention procedures, outcomes and certainty of evidence. Results: Seven studies revealed a substantial reduction of aggressive behaviour or anger. Certainty of evidence was rated inconclusive in most cases due to absence of experimental control. Conclusions: We can conclude that body-oriented PMT, involving progressive relaxation and meditation procedure "Soles of the Feet", is a promising approach. However, the paucity of studies and methodological limitations preclude classifying it as an evidence-based practice. This suggests stronger methodological research and research aimed at PMT's mechanisms of action (e.g., improved interoceptive awareness) is warranted.

Research paper thumbnail of Psychological and Body-Related Consequences in Individuals with Intellectual Disability with a History of Sexual Abuse. An Overview of the Literature

Background: Posttraumatic stress disorder is one of the most common mental health consequences of... more Background: Posttraumatic stress disorder is one of the most common mental health consequences of intimate partner violence (IPV), with prevalence estimates ranging from 31-84.4% in women who have suffered intimate partner violence (Golding, 1999). The PTSD Checklist for the DSM-5 (PCL-5) is a commonly used instrument to measure PTSD and the Escala de Gravedad de Síntomas-Versión Forense (EGS-F: Echeburúa et al., 2017) is an instrument designed to measure PTSD symptomology specifically in female victims. Objective: The aim of this poster was to compare PCL-5 and EGS-F questionnaires. Method: The sample included a total of 35 female victims of IPV who were recruited from four non-profit associations for women. Results: The results showed a high Pearson correlation between the PCL-5 and EGS-F total scores [r = 0.822, n = 34, p = .000]. With respect to subscales, the correlations were also highly significant for arousal and reactivity [r = 0.889, n = 35, p = .000], and cognition and mood change [r = 0.699, n = 35, p = .000]. Three additional subscales of the EGS-F were also correlated with the total score of the PCL-5: dissociation [r = 0.654, n = 34, p = .000], central [r = 0.894, n = 35, p = .000] and functionality [r = 0.725, n = 35, p = .00]. Conclusions: These results demonstrate that the EGS-F performs similarly to the PCL-5, a gold-standard instrument in measuring PTSD. Furthermore, the relationship between subscales of the EGS-F and PCL-5 suggests that this questionnaire may provide useful additional information specific to PTSD among female victims.

Research paper thumbnail of Psychometric properties of the Dresdner Body Image Scale (DBIQ) within a Dutch general population sample

Research paper thumbnail of Body attitude, body satisfaction and body awareness in a clinical group of depressed patients: An observational study on the associations with depression severity and the influence of treatment

Journal of Affective Disorders, 2019

Body attitude, body satisfaction and body awareness in a clinical group of depressed patients

Research paper thumbnail of Assessing anger related interoceptive awareness in individuals with mild intellectual disabilities and borderline intellectual functioning

Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 2019

Research paper thumbnail of ‘Beweging in trauma’ : psychomotorische therapie in de stabilisatiefase van complex trauma

Research paper thumbnail of The Functionality Appreciation Scale (FAS): psychometric properties and results of the Dutch version in a community sample and a sample of women with eating disorders

Research Square (Research Square), Apr 7, 2023

Background Body satisfaction in people with eating disorders (EDs) is negatively affected by thei... more Background Body satisfaction in people with eating disorders (EDs) is negatively affected by their critical evaluation of aesthetic aspects. A focus on body functionality could create a more positive perspective. This study examines psychometric properties of the Dutch version of the Functionality Appreciation Scale (FAS) and differences in scores between women with and without EDs. Method Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and Con rmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) were used to investigate the factor structure in data from a community sample of 669 women and an ED sample of 150 women. Reliability, test-retest scores and correlations with Body Cathexis Scale (BCS) and Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q) were investigated. T-tests were used to evaluate differences between samples. Results EFA identi ed a one-dimensional factor structure, which was con rmed by CFA. Reliability was adequate and convergent and discriminant validity were supported through correlations with BCS and EDE-Q (subscale) scores. FAS-scores were signi cantly lower for women with EDs compared to women from a community sample. Conclusions Psychometric results of the Dutch version of the FAS are promising and validate its use for clinical and research purposes. The signi cant difference between FAS scores in the female ED sample and the female community sample indicates that female ED patients obviously have a lower body satisfaction concerning body functionality compared with healthy women. Further research with male ED participants as well as exploration of sensitivity to change are recommended.

Research paper thumbnail of Beweging in trauma

Research paper thumbnail of Prevention and intervention programs targeting sexual abuse in individuals with a mild intellectual disability: A systematic review of the literature

Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 2019

Research paper thumbnail of Prevention and Intervention Programs Targeting Sexual Abuse in Individuals with Mild Intellectual Disability: A Systematic Review

Journal of Mental Health Research in Intellectual Disabilities, Mar 7, 2021

Introduction: Compared to their non-disabled peers, individuals with mild intellectual disability... more Introduction: Compared to their non-disabled peers, individuals with mild intellectual disability (MID) are at higher risk of becoming a victim of sexual abuse and more vulnerable to its disruptive effects. This review provides an overview of content and effectiveness of prevention and intervention programs targeting sexual abuse in individuals with MID. Methods: PRISMA guidelines were followed and quality and effectiveness of the programs were evaluated taking into account the rating of the Quality Assessment Tool for Quantitative Studies (QATQS). Results: Twelve studies were included. In prevention programs role-play prevailed, whereas the content of intervention programs varied. All studies received a "weak" QATQS rating. By consequence, effectiveness of the program was downgraded to "unclear" in ten, and "ineffective" in two studies. Conclusion: Further development of programs and higher quality of research is needed to investigate whether they are effective in preventing sexual abuse or reducing its consequences in individuals with MID.

Research paper thumbnail of Policy on sexual abuse: A survey study amongst managers of care facilities for individuals with intellectual disability in the Netherlands

Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities

Individuals with intellectual disability living in a care facility are at high risk of sexual abu... more Individuals with intellectual disability living in a care facility are at high risk of sexual abuse. Formal policies on sexual abuse within these care facilities and their effective implementation are a prerequisite to reducing the risk of sexual abuse in this group. The present study aimed to determine the state of affairs in this regard in the Netherlands and identify areas of improvement regarding both policy formulation and implementation. An online survey was sent to the management boards of 129 Dutch care facilities for individuals with intellectual disability. Sixty‐nine managers completed the survey on behalf of their care facility. Descriptive statistics were used to characterize the state of affairs regarding policies on sexual abuse. Areas of improvement reported by the managers were examined qualitatively by thematic analysis. Most care facilities complied with the national legal requirements on sexual abuse, which include the availability of a protocol on sexual abuse a...

Research paper thumbnail of Psychometric properties of the Dresden Body Image Questionnaire: A multiple-group confirmatory factor analysis across sex and age in a Dutch non-clinical sample

PLOS ONE, Jul 26, 2017

Background Body image has implications for psychosocial functioning and quality of life and its d... more Background Body image has implications for psychosocial functioning and quality of life and its disturbance is reported in a broad range of psychiatric disorders. In view of the lack of instruments in Dutch measuring body image as a broad concept, we set out to make an instrument available that reflects the multidimensional character of this construct by including more dimensions than physical appearance. The Dresden Körperbildfragebogen (DBIQ, Dresden Body Image Questionnaire) particularly served this purpose. The DBIQ consists of 35 items and five subscales: body acceptance, sexual fulfillment, physical contact, vitality, and selfaggrandizement. The main objective of the present study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Dutch translation of the Dresden Body Image Questionnaire (DBIQ-NL) in a non-clinical sample. Methods The psychometric properties of the DBIQ-NL were examined in a non-clinical sample of 988 respondents aged between 18 and 65. We investigated the subscales' internal consistency and test-retest reliability. In order to establish construct validity we evaluated the association with a related construct, body cathexis, and with indices of self-esteem and psychological wellbeing. The factor structure of the DBIQ-NL was examined via confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). The equivalence of the measurement model across sex and age was evaluated by multiplegroup confirmatory factor analyses. Results Confirmatory factor analyses showed a structure in accordance with the original scale, where model fit was improved significantly by moving one item to another subscale. Multiple

Research paper thumbnail of Psychological and Body-Related Consequences in Individuals with Intellectual Disability with a History of Sexual Abuse. An Overview of the Literature

European Journal of Psychotraumatology, Jun 11, 2019

Background: Posttraumatic stress disorder is one of the most common mental health consequences of... more Background: Posttraumatic stress disorder is one of the most common mental health consequences of intimate partner violence (IPV), with prevalence estimates ranging from 31-84.4% in women who have suffered intimate partner violence (Golding, 1999). The PTSD Checklist for the DSM-5 (PCL-5) is a commonly used instrument to measure PTSD and the Escala de Gravedad de Síntomas-Versión Forense (EGS-F: Echeburúa et al., 2017) is an instrument designed to measure PTSD symptomology specifically in female victims. Objective: The aim of this poster was to compare PCL-5 and EGS-F questionnaires. Method: The sample included a total of 35 female victims of IPV who were recruited from four non-profit associations for women. Results: The results showed a high Pearson correlation between the PCL-5 and EGS-F total scores [r = 0.822, n = 34, p = .000]. With respect to subscales, the correlations were also highly significant for arousal and reactivity [r = 0.889, n = 35, p = .000], and cognition and mood change [r = 0.699, n = 35, p = .000]. Three additional subscales of the EGS-F were also correlated with the total score of the PCL-5: dissociation [r = 0.654, n = 34, p = .000], central [r = 0.894, n = 35, p = .000] and functionality [r = 0.725, n = 35, p = .00]. Conclusions: These results demonstrate that the EGS-F performs similarly to the PCL-5, a gold-standard instrument in measuring PTSD. Furthermore, the relationship between subscales of the EGS-F and PCL-5 suggests that this questionnaire may provide useful additional information specific to PTSD among female victims.

Research paper thumbnail of Dresden Body Image Questionnaire--Dutch Version

Research paper thumbnail of Body image in patients with somatoform disorder

BMC Psychiatry, Oct 22, 2018

Background: Although body-related problems are common in patients with somatoform disorder, resea... more Background: Although body-related problems are common in patients with somatoform disorder, research focusing on how patients with somatoform disorder perceive and evaluate their body is scarce. The present study compared differences in body image between patients with somatoform disorder and respondents from a general population sample. It also examined differences within the somatoform disorder group between men and women and between the diagnostic subgroups conversion disorder, pain disorder and undifferentiated somatoform disorder. Methods: Data were obtained from 657 patients (67.5% female) with somatoform disorder (DSM-IV-TR 300.7, 300.11, 300.81, 300.82) and 761 participants (58.6% female) from the general population. The Dresden Body Image Questionnaire (DBIQ) was used to assess body image in five domains: body acceptance, vitality, physical contact, sexual fulfilment, and self-aggrandizement. Confirmatory factor analysis and analyses of variance were performed. Since differences in age and sex were found between the somatoform disorder sample and the comparison sample, analyses were done with two samples of 560 patients with somatoform disorder and 351 individuals from the comparison sample matched on proportion of men and women and age. Results: Patients scored significantly lower than the comparison sample on all DBIQ domains. Men scored higher than women. Patients with conversion disorder scored significantly higher on vitality and body acceptance than patients with undifferentiated somatoform disorder and pain disorder. Conclusions: The mostly large differences in body image between patients with somatoform disorder and the comparison sample as well as differences between diagnostic subgroups underline that body image is an important feature in patients with somatoform disorder. The results indicate the usefulness of assessing body image and treating negative body image in patients with somatoform or somatic symptom disorder.

Research paper thumbnail of The Functionality Appreciation Scale (FAS): psychometric properties and results of the Dutch version in a community sample and a sample of women with eating disorders

Background Body satisfaction in people with eating disorders (EDs) is negatively affected by thei... more Background Body satisfaction in people with eating disorders (EDs) is negatively affected by their critical evaluation of aesthetic aspects. A focus on body functionality could create a more positive perspective. This study examines psychometric properties of the Dutch version of the Functionality Appreciation Scale (FAS) and differences in scores between women with and without EDs. Method Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) were used to investigate the factor structure in data from a community sample of 669 women and an ED sample of 150 women. Reliability, test-retest scores and correlations with Body Cathexis Scale (BCS) and Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q) were investigated. T-tests were used to evaluate differences between samples. Results EFA identified a one-dimensional factor structure, which was confirmed by CFA. Reliability was adequate and convergent and discriminant validity were supported through correlations with BCS...

Research paper thumbnail of The impact of sexual abuse on body experience in adults with mild intellectual disability or borderline intellectual functioning

Journal of Intellectual & Developmental Disability

Research paper thumbnail of Body attitude, body satisfaction and body awareness in a clinical group of depressed patients: An observational study on the associations with depression severity and the influence of treatment

Journal of Affective Disorders, 2019

Take-down policy If you believe that this document breaches copyright please contact us providing... more Take-down policy If you believe that this document breaches copyright please contact us providing details, and we will remove access to the work immediately and investigate your claim.

Research paper thumbnail of Shifting the Focus: A Pilot Study on the Effects of Positive Body Exposure on Body Satisfaction, Body Attitude, Eating Pathology and Depressive Symptoms in Female Patients with Eating Disorders

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

One of the most commonly used techniques for the treatment of body image problems in eating disor... more One of the most commonly used techniques for the treatment of body image problems in eating disorders (ED) is body exposure (BE). However, evidence of its effectiveness in clinical populations is scarce. In the Positive Body Experience (PBE) protocol, the focus of positive BE is on aesthetic, functional and tactile aspects of the body. The current study evaluates the outcomes of positive BE with regard to changes in attitudinal body image and eating pathology, as well as the factors that influence these changes, in a sample of 84 adult female patients with different EDs who did not receive any other treatment for their EDs during the period in which BE treatment occurred. The results show significant positive changes in attitudinal body image, ED behaviors and depressive symptoms, with depressive symptoms at baseline mediating the changes in attitudinal body image. This study indicates that the PBE protocol is a suitable intervention for reducing negative attitudinal body image in a...

Research paper thumbnail of Klinische kenmerken van seksueel misbruikte mensen met een lichte verstandelijke beperking: een literatuuroverzicht

Tijdschrift voor psychiatrie, 2020

Research paper thumbnail of Psychomotor therapy targeting anger and aggressive behaviour in individuals with mild or borderline intellectual disabilities: A systematic review

Journal of Intellectual & Developmental Disability, 2017

Background: Poor anger regulation is considered a risk factor of aggression in individuals with m... more Background: Poor anger regulation is considered a risk factor of aggression in individuals with mild or borderline intellectual disabilities. Psychomotor therapy (PMT) targets anger regulation through body-and movement-oriented interventions. This study aims to inform practitioners on efficacy and research-base of PMT in this population. Method: This systematic review evaluated nine studies which met inclusion criteria in terms of participants, intervention procedures, outcomes and certainty of evidence. Results: Seven studies revealed a substantial reduction of aggressive behaviour or anger. Certainty of evidence was rated inconclusive in most cases due to absence of experimental control. Conclusions: We can conclude that body-oriented PMT, involving progressive relaxation and meditation procedure "Soles of the Feet", is a promising approach. However, the paucity of studies and methodological limitations preclude classifying it as an evidence-based practice. This suggests stronger methodological research and research aimed at PMT's mechanisms of action (e.g., improved interoceptive awareness) is warranted.

Research paper thumbnail of Psychological and Body-Related Consequences in Individuals with Intellectual Disability with a History of Sexual Abuse. An Overview of the Literature

Background: Posttraumatic stress disorder is one of the most common mental health consequences of... more Background: Posttraumatic stress disorder is one of the most common mental health consequences of intimate partner violence (IPV), with prevalence estimates ranging from 31-84.4% in women who have suffered intimate partner violence (Golding, 1999). The PTSD Checklist for the DSM-5 (PCL-5) is a commonly used instrument to measure PTSD and the Escala de Gravedad de Síntomas-Versión Forense (EGS-F: Echeburúa et al., 2017) is an instrument designed to measure PTSD symptomology specifically in female victims. Objective: The aim of this poster was to compare PCL-5 and EGS-F questionnaires. Method: The sample included a total of 35 female victims of IPV who were recruited from four non-profit associations for women. Results: The results showed a high Pearson correlation between the PCL-5 and EGS-F total scores [r = 0.822, n = 34, p = .000]. With respect to subscales, the correlations were also highly significant for arousal and reactivity [r = 0.889, n = 35, p = .000], and cognition and mood change [r = 0.699, n = 35, p = .000]. Three additional subscales of the EGS-F were also correlated with the total score of the PCL-5: dissociation [r = 0.654, n = 34, p = .000], central [r = 0.894, n = 35, p = .000] and functionality [r = 0.725, n = 35, p = .00]. Conclusions: These results demonstrate that the EGS-F performs similarly to the PCL-5, a gold-standard instrument in measuring PTSD. Furthermore, the relationship between subscales of the EGS-F and PCL-5 suggests that this questionnaire may provide useful additional information specific to PTSD among female victims.

Research paper thumbnail of Psychometric properties of the Dresdner Body Image Scale (DBIQ) within a Dutch general population sample