Research Monica Dhar

Abstract

Hearing loss is a worldwide public health problem that currently affects over 1.5 billion people and around 65% of adults above the age of 60. An accelerated cognitive decline is observed in adults with peripheral hearing loss compared to their normal hearing peers. This indicates an increased risk for the development of dementia in adults with hearing loss, however, the underlying relationship between cognitive functioning and hearing loss remains clear. Previous studies indicated a significant improvement in cognitive functioning after cochlear implantation. The identification of an objective biomarker to identify cognitive functioning in Cochlear implant (CI) users will help unravel the effect of cochlear implantation on cognitive functioning and can provide insight into the underlying neurophysiological processes. The applicant will investigate Evoked response potentials elicited with an auditory and visual oddball paradigm to identify an objective marker for cognitive functioning. Moreover, the applicant will investigate Error monitoring as a potential indicator for cognitive functioning. The overall aim of this study is to identify an objective marker for cognitive functioning independent of hearing levels, that can be used in CI users but also in other patient populations.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Van Rompaey Vincent
• Co-promoter: Dhar Monica
• Fellow: Vandenbroeke Tinne

Research team(s)

• Translational Neurosciences (TNW)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

A major challenge of the newborn child is to learn to regulate internal states (physiological, emotional, and cognitive) and behavior. The child's self-regulation stems from successful co-regulation between the baby and its caregiver(s) and constitutes the basis of mental health. Regulation problems (RP) in early childhood are the seeds for emergent developmental psychopathology and for persistent mental health problems later in life. Given the increasing pressure on our mental health care system, targeting RP at an early age is a cost-effective prevention strategy. Based on growing empirical and clinical evidence, we hypothesize that child RP largely result from/persist through co-regulation difficulties within the child-parent dyad, which itself is largely impacted by stress and regulation difficulties in the parent. Hence, reducing stress and enhancing parents' regulation abilities may be the most optimal gateway for improving self-regulation in the child, thereby preventing future mental health problems. To date, however, there is a dearth of scientific research on this topic, both with respect to the (1) characterization, detection and understanding of regulation (problems) (WP1&2), and (2) the organization of preventive care around early regulation in young children (WP3&4). The current proposal will address these gaps in 4 work packages aimed at: (1) quantifying micro self- and co-regulation dynamics within a 'biobehavioral synchrony framework'; (2) understanding the prevalence and contextual risk and protective factors of RP; (3) pinpointing the missed opportunities in the preventive care for young children with RP and translating 3rd line clinical expertise to fill these gaps and (4) developing and testing a 0th/1st line health care program empowering parents in the co-regulation process with their child. Together with our committed stakeholders, this multidisciplinary project aims to be a game changer in the early prevention of mental health care.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Wouters Edwin
• Co-promoter: Dhar Monica
• Co-promoter: Van Hal Guido

Research team(s)

• Centre for Population, Family and Health

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

Emotion regulation is a transdiagnostic mechanism that, when maladaptive, underlies mental health problems such as internalising and externalising disorders (e.g. anxiety, depression, behavioural problems). Children with adaptive emotion regulation skills are better equipped to regulate their behaviour and have better mental health outcomes. Therefore, emotion regulation is acknowledged as an important skill to develop in children in order to prevent psychopathology. Parents play a major role in the development of their children's emotion regulation abilities (through modelling, creating a secure family environment and parenting). At first, children learn to regulate their emotions externally by relying on their parents for emotional support and problem solving when stressed. Gradually, they internalise these abilities and become more self-sufficient in this regard and are better able to cope with stressors on their own. So, parents play a crucial part in the initial phase of emotional development. Adequate coaching of a child's emotional behaviour can act as a protective factor for mental health. Therefore, the aim of this project is to develop an evidence-based emotion coaching intervention, designed to help parents coach their children in learning emotion regulation skills, with the ultimate goal to buffer against mental illness. We will adhere to recent insights on emotion regulation by adopting emotion regulation skills that were shown to have positive outcomes on mental health. Furthermore, we will work together with parents to be able to take their needs into account when developing the intervention.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Dhar Monica

Research team(s)

• Collaborative Antwerp Psychiatric Research Institute (CAPRI)

Project website

Project type(s)

• Research Project