The current study describes the Rotterdam Cohort (i.e., a sub-project) of the larger Growing Up Together in Society Project, which has the aim to examine combined social contextual, biological, and behavioral mechanisms that drive the transitions…
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Health condition
algemene hersenontwikkeling en gedragsontwikkeling
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Outcome measures
Primary outcome
In line with the primary objectives of the study, the primary study parameters
include self-regulation (e.g., delay discounting, goal setting), reward
processing, trust, inhibition, their neural correlates, and how they are
related to age/development. Using ESM, we will also measure how self-regulation
fluctuates over time.
• Self-regulation, reward processing, inhibition, and trust will be
operationalized both on a behavioral level (i.e., responses on the fMRI tasks
and EEG tasks described under 8.3) and on a neural level.
o For self-regulation, we will calculate the area under the curve (AUC) for the
different task conditions using a 3 (target: self, friend, stranger) by 2
(choice: now vs. later) design. We will then use a repeated measures ANOVA to
examine differences in the AUC depending on the task conditions. Regarding the
brain, the whole brain contrast [self-regulation vs. control] will be assessed,
and we will perform an ANOVA with a 3 (target: self, friend, stranger) by 2
(choice: now vs. later) design. This allows us to measure neural activity in
brain regions related to self-regulation for self and others.
o Reward processing will be operationalized as neural activity during a
vicarious reward task (i.e., whole brain contrast for win > lose to measure
which brain regions are more active when you experience reward as in winning,
indicating higher reward reactivity in those brain regions). In this task, we
will examine the contrast win > lose for self and others, and we will also
compare activity between targets (e.g., [win > lose for self] versus [win >
lose for other] using an ANOVA.
o Trust will be operationalized as the percentage of trust choices in a
dichotomous trust game (i.e., a trust game in which participants can either
trust another person or not) towards different targets (e.g., friends and
strangers). Regarding neural activity, we will examine contrasts in which we
compare trust > no trust and the different targets (e.g., friend > stranger),
as well as a repeated measures ANOVA using both the trust vs. no trust
conditions and the target condition. This allows us to measure neural
activation related to trusting different individuals.
o Inhibition will be measured using a Social Eriksen Flanker Task, and will be
operationalized as the reaction time in milliseconds for correct trials. We
will compare reaction times for the social and non-social condition of the
task, and examine neural activity expressed in ERPs using EEG, for which we
will also compare the social and non-social task conditions.
• Using Experience Sampling (ESM), we will examine fluctuations in daily
self-regulation (i.e., the extent to which individuals indicate making
self-regulated choices) via multiple short questions a day on their
smartphones. Given that we will also assess how much time adolescents spend
with others (e.g., parents, friends), ESM will allow us to not only examine
fluctuations in self-regulation over time, but also how this is influenced by
time spent with specific others, such as parents).
• Using Experience Sampling (ESM), we will examine fluctuations in daily
self-regulation (i.e., the extent to which individuals indicate making
self-regulated choices) via multiple short questions a day on their
smartphones. Given that we will also assess how much time adolescents spend
with others (e.g., parents, friends), ESM will allow us to not only examine
fluctuations in self-regulation over time, but also how this is influenced by
time spent with specific others, such as parents).
Secondary outcome
This study includes a wide range of secondary outcomes, which include
structural MRI; self-regulation, goal motivation, reward sensitivity,
background measures, parenting measures, social media measures, and outcome
measures as assessed by questionnaires (see Table 2 in the protocol); hormone
data collected with saliva and hair; genetic data collected via saliva (see
below); ERPs measured by EEG related to non-social inhibition and reward
processing; and a behavioral effort task. The background measures include
questions asking for sensitive data, such as age, income, and ethnicity. We ask
for this sensitive information because one of the goals of the current study is
to obtain a sample that covers a broad range of different backgrounds, both in
terms of for example income and ethnicity. The lack of information that
scientists have on participants* background, and that certain marginalized
groups are underrepresented in scientific studies is problematic for the
generalizability of findings about brain-behavior mechanisms, as well as for
the validity, reliability, and reproducibility of results. By asking for
sensitive data like income and ethnicity, we can aim to make the current study
representative and we can transparently communicate about the generalizability
of the findings in scientific publications.
Background summary
How do young people successfully grow up in an increasingly complex society,
and what are the main causes for differences in contributing to society?
Society becomes more resilient when its members contribute to common goals
(Masten, 2018; Masten & Motti-Stefanidi, 2020). With the Growing Up Together in
Society (GUTS) research program we study the vital question: How do
neurobiological and social-cognitive development interact with social
(relations with family and peers) and societal (families* social-economic
status) opportunities? How can we understand and predict the extent to which
young people develop into socially contributing citizens?
We hypothesize that successfully developing self-regulation will be a key
factor that explains (i.e., mediates) or compensates and exaggerates (i.e.,
moderates) the relation between inequalities in social and societal
opportunities, neurobiological development, and contributions to society
(Hofmann et al., 2012). People with better self-regulation, defined as
effective goal setting, goal motivation, and goal capacity, are better at
balancing immediate and delayed gratification, and balancing their own and
others* needs (Carver & Scheier, 2012; Hofmann et al., 2012). Understanding the
role of self-regulation, its developmental trajectory, and individuals*
adaptation to environmental challenges may therefore also provide solutions to
decrease the effect of social inequalities on young individuals* potential.
Adolescence is a vital period in the development of self-regulation and
societal contributions, given that this is the transition phase from childhood
- characterized by strong dependency on parents and caregivers - to adulthood,
in which one is expected to function as a mature, independent individual (e.g.,
politically, financially, and socially), and commit to social norms of society
(Crone & Dahl, 2012; Crone & Fuligni, 2020; Steinberg & Morris, 2000).
Adolescence is defined as the period between ages 10-24 years, starting with
the biological onset of puberty (Crone & Dahl, 2012). The end of adolescence is
often described as the time when individuals adopt mature social and societal
norms (Crone & Dahl, 2012). Researchers have described a prolonged period of
adolescent development, also referred to as emerging adulthood, during which
individuals, when provided with opportunities, show further advancement in
education and social development, with longer dependency on parents (Arnett,
2000; Willoughby et al., 2014). Despite important insights in the general
developmental patterns in the last two decades, there is an urgent need to
clarify the impact of diverse societal contexts on development. New insights
from the field of social neuroscience hold the promise of providing
fundamentally new insights in the role of diversity in societal contextual
domains on adolescents* transition into adulthood, either in interaction with
or through the effects of self-regulation.
Study objective
The current study describes the Rotterdam Cohort (i.e., a sub-project) of the
larger Growing Up Together in Society Project, which has the aim to examine
combined social contextual, biological, and behavioral mechanisms that drive
the transitions across adolescence into emerging adulthood, and the impact of
these transitions on how young people function in the societal contexts:
educational settings, social relationships, and societal norms.
The primary objectives of the current Rotterdam cohort are to examine 1) delay
discounting for self and others and the associated neural correlates (using
fMRI) and possible effects of age and social economic status, 2) reward
processing, and the associated neural correlates (using fMRI) and possible
effects of age and social economic status, 3) trust towards others, and the
associated neural correlates (using fMRI) and possible effects of age and
social economic status, 4) how adolescents* self-regulation fluctuates over
time (using experience sampling or ESM), and 5) the neural correlates
(expressed in ERPs measured with EEG) of inhibition in social conditions.
Study design
This cohort-sequential longitudinal study aims to include 800 adolescents and
young adults across ages 10-20 years, with a broad range of Socio-Economic
Status. In addition, we include a pilot sample of 30 young adults. The pilot
measurement will take place in 2023. The first measurement wave of the
longitudinal project is scheduled to take place in 2024, after which
participants will be followed up in 2027 (when they are 13 - 23 years old) and
2030 (when they are 16 - 26 years old). This GUTS-Rotterdam study will include
neuroimaging, behavioral experiments, questionnaires, and hormone data to study
developmental changes across adolescence and young adulthood. Neural activation
will be measured using functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) and
electroencephalograms (EEG) while participants are performing tasks.
Resting-state fMRI will be used to assess functional connectivity. We will use
structural MRI to measure underlying brain anatomical processes. In addition,
we will measure social and cognitive functioning on a battery of questionnaires
and experimental tasks outside of the scanner. Hormone data are collected
through hair and saliva. All measurements are non-invasive.
Study burden and risks
There are no known risks associated with participating in the proposed
measurements, apart from fatigue or other feelings of burden related to the
number of measurements in the current study. MRI and EEG are non-invasive
techniques involving no catheterizations or introduction of exogenous tracers.
Numerous children and adults have undergone magnetic resonance and EEG studies
without apparent harmful consequences. Some people become claustrophobic while
inside the MRI magnet and in these cases the study will be terminated
immediately at the subject's request. The only absolute contraindications to
MRI studies are the presence of intracranial or intraocular metal, or a
pacemaker. Relative contraindications include pregnancy and claustrophobia.
Subjects who may be pregnant, who may have metallic foreign bodies in the eyes
or head, or who have cardiac pacemakers will be excluded because of potential
contraindications of MRI in such subjects. Contraindications for EEG include
seizure disorders, individuals with recent stroke, cerebrovascular or
respiratory diseases, and sickle cell anaemia. Although there is no direct
benefit to the participants from this proposed research, there are greater
benefits to society from the potential knowledge gained from this study. This
knowledge will aid in our understanding of how self-regulation interacts with
environmental and individual differences in typical development and how this
might contribute to beneficial or detrimental outcomes later in life.
Burgemeester Oudlaan 50
Rotterdam 3062
NL
Burgemeester Oudlaan 50
Rotterdam 3062
NL
Listed location countries
Age
Inclusion criteria
In order to be included in the study participants will need to have a good
understanding of Dutch, have normal or-corrected to normal vision
Exclusion criteria
Participants should report no use of psychotropic medication during the first
wave
Participants should not have contraindications for MRI or EEG (e.g., metal
implants, heart arrhythmia, claustrophobia)
Participants should not be pregnant
Participants should be able and willing to provide informed consent (and for
participants under age 16, their legel representatives should also be able and
willing to do so)
Design
Recruitment
Medical products/devices used
Followed up by the following (possibly more current) registration
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Other (possibly less up-to-date) registrations in this register
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In other registers
| Register | ID |
|---|---|
| CCMO | NL84269.078.24 |