Ten Tilburg University researchers receive NWO grant for research into corona crisis issues
The Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO) developed the call ‘Corona: fast-track data’ to collect data that can only be conducted now, during the COVID-19 crisis, and specifically research into issues that arise in society during the crisis. As many as ten scientists from Tilburg University have been granted within this call.
Below is an overview of the honoured applications.
Child, Conflict & Crisis: a comparative study across the globe on the impact of COVID-19 containment measures on family life
Prof. dr. H.J.A. van Bakel (Tilburg School of Social and Behavioral Science, TSB)
The COVID-19 pandemic drastically changed family life by working remote, closing schools/daycares and isolation measures. So far, little is known about the effects of restrictive government measures on family life. This unique project investigates and compares the effects of COVID-19 restrictions on parental response and the role of individual, family and contextual factors in 40 Western and non-Western countries. It provides insight into factors that may buffer or increase negative effects on family life (e.g., stress, resiliency, conflict and violence).
Intelligent Unlock: Business Resilience during and after the COVID-19 pandemic
Dr. N.R. Barros de Oliveira (Tilburg School of Social and Behavioral Sciences)
The COVID-19 pandemic has been about stopping the virus, but we must now feel the pulse of the economy and society to help policy-makers to identify “intelligent unlock” strategies in business. This research proposal aims to track the spread of innovation (work practices) as well as areas of concern (stress). Using an app, this project will harvest innovations made during the lockdown to help fast tracking a resilient economy and society in The Netherlands.
Why do people (not) adhere to COVID-19 preventive measures? Studying the temporal influence of risk perceptions and media use in a representative sample of the Dutch population
Dr. N. Bol (Tilburg School of Humanities and Digital Sciences)
The COVID-19 pandemic calls for drastic measures to prevent an unmanageable spread of the virus, yet we lack knowledge of how people respond to such measures. This project studies the impact of factors related to risk perceptions and media use on adherence to preventive measures over time. We identify clusters of the Dutch population particularly at risk for non-adherence, which is essential for devising adequate and possibly tailored communication strategies both for this and future pandemic health crises.
Parenting in the time of COVID-19
Dr. M.M.E. Hendricx-Riem (Tilburg School of Social and Behavioral Sciences)
COVID-19 has upended family life. School closures, remote working, social distancing: it is a lot to navigate, especially for parents. Why are some parents successfully keeping their family life on track, whereas others are in distress? The proposed study will shed light on these issues by examining parenting across three countries: China, Italy, The Netherlands. The study will lead to knowledge on factors associated with impaired parenting in the time of COVID-19, needed to target support to at-risk families.
Psychosocial aspects of the Corona virus 2019-2020 epidemic (PSYCOR)
Prof. dr. W.J. Kop (Tilburg School of Social and Behavioral Sciences)
The physical health threat of the COVID-19 pandemic, combined with the socioeconomic impact, have induced high levels of anxiety and other forms of psychological distress. This project examines who is at risk for COVID-19 -related symptoms and psychological problems during and in the aftermath of the epidemic. Building on data collected just before the COVID-19 outbreak, this project will identify psychosocial risk factors for: 1) subsequent COVID related symptoms; and 2) psychological problems (health- and COVID-specific anxiety) and health behaviours.
Tracking levels of fear for the coronavirus
Dr. G. Mertens (Tilburg School of Social and Behavioral Sciences)
Many people are afraid of the coronavirus (COVID-19). Fear is an appropriate emotion as long as the pandemic is ongoing. However, once under control, it is important that fear for the coronavirus and related safety behaviours decline. Otherwise, prolonged fear could have unwanted consequences such as mental distress (at the individual level) and economic recession (at the level of countries). In this project, we want to track levels of fear for the coronavirus across time.
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on perinatal mental health: the C-19—Pandemic Perinatal Project (C19-PP-p), an extension of the Brabant Study
Prof. V.J.M. Pop MD PhD (Tilburg School of Social and Behavioral Sciences)
The lockdown to cope with the COVID-19-pandemic (C19-P) has major impact on psycho-social functioning of everyone in the country, especially on pregnant women because the worries for the unborn child. We propose to set-up focus groups interviews with pregnant women (+partners), eventually resulting in a C19-pandemic-perinatal questionnaire (C19-PPQ). The current proposal is an extension of the Brabant Study (BS) in which mental health is repeatedly assessed in 4000 pregnant women from 12 weeks gestation to 10 weeks postpartum.
Values in Times of Corona. A Follow-Up of the European Values Study Amidst COVID-19
Dr. T. Reeskens (Tilburg School of Social and Behavioral Sciences)
Confronted with COVID-19 and tight measures to contain it, the Netherlands is confronted with several insecurities for which studies suggest that they impact relevant values and attitudes. Insecurities would increase reliance on authority and yield in-group at the expense of out-group solidarity, to give two examples. Our study extends the European Values Study 2017 Netherlands with two follow-ups to be fielded in May and October to detect (1) if values have changed, and (2) how persistent this shift is.
Incidence of COVID-19 and Movement among Migrants in the Central Mediterranean region
Prof. dr. M.E.H. van Reisen (Tilburg School of Humanities and Digital Sciences)
Under-detection of COVID-19 infection, coupled with high movement amongst vulnerable, health-fragile migrants, poses a risk to the management of COVID-19 in the Central Mediterranean. Due to war and unfavourable circumstances, including the lock-down, little information is available on (suspected) infection incidence and migrants’ movements. This undermines control of the crisis, migrants’ health and poses risks in Europe as destination. Open real-time data on (suspected) incidence of COVID-19 infections amongst migrants, their location and movements, is critical for researchers and policy-makers.
The early effects of the coronavirus crisis on health, attitudes, and behaviour, and their long-term consequences for Dutch households
Dr. B. Siflinger (Tilburg School of Economics and Management)
Up to now, the LISS panel has fielded two waves of a questionnaire on the impact of the Corona crisis on daily life in the Netherlands. This includes questions on how the Dutch handle working conditions, childcare and uncertain expectations. To continue this investigation through the crisis and beyond, I propose a third questionnaire in May 2020. This will elucidate the impact of the crisis on household labour supply and mental health for the Dutch population.