In response to the COVID-19 pandemic in the Netherlands, the National Institute of Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) established a longitudinal collaborative cohort study to examine adherence to COVID-19 behaviours, its psychosocial determinants, participant well-being, trust in the Dutch government, with additional attention for COVID-19 test and vaccination uptake. The cohort profile gives a comprehensive description of the cohort’s recruitment and its mixed-method design.
Hyper-realistic silicone masks provide a viable route to identity fraud. Over the last decade, more than 40 known criminal acts have been committed by perpetrators using this type of disguise. With the increasing availability and bespoke sophistication of these masks, research must now focus on ways to enhance their detection. In this study, we investigate whether super-recognisers (SRs), people who excel at identity recognition, are more likely to detect this type of fraud, in comparison to typical-recogniser controls. Across three tasks, we examined mask detection rates in the absence of a pre-task prompt (covert task), and again after making participants aware of their use in criminal settings (explicit task). Finally, participants were asked to indicate which aspects of the masks could support their detection (regions of interest task). The findings show an SR advantage for the detection of hyper-realistic masks across the covert and explicit mask detection tasks. In addition, the eye, mouth, and nose regions appear to be particularly indicative of the presence of a mask. The lack of natural skin texture, proportional features, expressiveness, and asymmetry are also salient cues. The theoretical and applied implications of these findings are discussed.
Recently the Netherlands saw a substantial increase in pro-COVID-19 vaccination intention (48 to 75%). Using qualitative methods we identified vaccination beliefs and contextual factors informing this increase. Quantitative methods confirm that intentions were a function of beliefs: people with stronger intention to vaccinate were motivated most by protecting others and reopening society, those reluctant were mostly concerned by (unknown long-term) side effects. We demonstrate that belief shifts track intentional shifts, and offer insights for improving pro-vaccination campaigns.
Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, key stakeholders in local organisations like sport clubs, cultural-, education- or day- and healthcare facilities, are positioned between governments and citizens. Yet, their experiences, the dilemmas they face and solutions they generate in implementing COVID-19 prevention policies in their setting are understudied. Aim: To understand how formal and informal stakeholders in different organisations and community networks have experienced and responded to the COVID-19 pandemic policies in the Netherlands. Methods: Between October 2020 - November 2021, the Corona Behavioural Unit at the National Institute of Public Health and the Environment (RIVM, Netherlands) conducted narrative research, including 65 in-depth interviews with 95 key persons from 32 organisations in 8 different sectors. An independent expert-panel reviewed the methodology, analysis and interpretation of data. Results: Five main themes emerged. First, local stakeholders support resilience and wellbeing of people involved, and enhance adherence through context-specific interventions and partnerships. Second, adherence is negatively affected when COVID-19 policies conflict with significant organisational goals and values. Third, small changes and unclarity in policies nationally, can have major impact on stakeholders locally. Fourth problem solving was based on trial-and-error, peer support, co-creation and transparent communication. Lastly, pandemic and COVID-19 prevention policies highlight inequalities in access to resources
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