Hanjo Berressem

Bio: Hanjo Berressem is an academic researcher. The author has an hindex of 1, co-authored 1 publications receiving 36 citations.

Critical Literature Review

Abstract: Q: Why do a review of the literature? 1. As a way to frame and focus a research project  When research questions are formed without sustained reference to the literature, the study is likely to be marred by 1. Naïve research instruments that lack conceptual underpinnings 2. Problems with sense-making because the researcher is not alert to themes that may be identifiable 3. Problems with claims-making because the researcher lacks the knowledge to state its significance for theory, policy or practice.  Knowledge of the literature can help: 1. Tighten research questions 2. Enhance conceptual sensitivity 3. Provide a source for making comparisons 4. Provide a cache of descriptive data 5. Provide questions for initial observations and interviews 6. Stimulate questions during the analysis 7. Suggest areas for theoretical sampling 8. Confirm findings, or, findings can be used to show where current literature is incorrect, simplistic, or partial 9. Model ways of making claims about the possible significance of your work

Using Virtual Reality in the Treatment of Gambling Disorder: The Development of a New Tool for Cognitive Behavior Therapy.

Abstract: Virtual reality (VR) can be used in the treatment of gambling disorder to provide emotionally charged contexts (e.g, induce cravings) where patients can practise cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) techniques in the safety of the therapist’s office.. This raises practical questions, such as whether the cravings are sufficient to be clinically useful but also manageable enough to remain clinically safe. Pilot data is also needed to test the development of a treatment manual and prepare large randomized control trials. This paper reports on three studies describing: (a) cravings induced in VR compared to real gambling and a control game of skill with no money involved (N = 28 frequent gamblers and 36 infrequent gamblers); (b) the usefulness of a treatment protocol with only two CBT sessions using VR (N = 34 pathological gamblers); and (c) the safety of a four-session treatment program of CBT in VR (N = 25 pathological gamblers). Study 1 reveals that immersions in VR can elicit desire and a positive anticipation to gamble in frequent gamblers that are: (a) significantly stronger than for infrequent gamblers and for playing a control game of skill, and (b) as strong as for gambling on a real video lottery terminal. Study 2 documents the feasibility of integrating VR in CBT, its usefulness in identifying more high-risk situations and dysfunctional thoughts, how inducing cravings during relapse prevention exercises significantly relates to treatment outcome, and the safety of the procedure in terms of cybersickness. Results from Study 3 confirm that, compared to inducing urges to gamble in imagination, using VR does not lead to urges that are stronger, last longer or feel more out of control. Outcome data and effect sizes are reported for both randomized control pilot trials conducted in inpatient settings. Suggestions for future research are provided, including on increasing the number of VR sessions in the treatment program.

Understanding Stakeholders in Off-Site Manufacturing: A Literature Review

Abstract: Off-site manufacturing (OSM) has attracted much attention in the construction industry. OSM stakeholders are crucial in its implementation and are distinct in regard to their management. Ho...

Prenatal noise stress impairs HPA axis and cognitive performance in mice.

Abstract: Noise stress is a common environmental pollutant whose adverse effect on offspring performance has been less studied. This study was novel in terms of using “noise” as a prenatal stress compared with physical stress to explore the effect of stress during gestation on HPA axis activation, cognitive performance, and motor coordination, as well as in investigating the effect of behavioral assessments on the corticosterone (CORT) levels. Three groups of C57BL/6 mice with a gestational history of either noise stress (NS), physical stress (PS), or no stress were examined in several behavioral tests. Plasma CORT level was significantly higher before starting the behavioral tests in NS group than the two other groups. It was significantly increased after the behavioral tests in both prenatal stressed groups relative to the controls. Stress caused anxiety-like behavior and reduced learning and memory performance in both stressed groups compared to the controls, as well as decreased motor coordination in the NS group relative to the other groups. The findings suggested that: prenatal NS severely changes the HPA axis; both prenatal stressors, and particularly NS, negatively impair the offspring’s cognitive and motor performance; and, they also cause a strong susceptibility to interpret environmental experiences as stressful conditions.

Association between Psychosocial Stress and Fecal Microbiota in Pregnant Women

Abstract: Maternal prenatal psychosocial stress is associated with altered child emotional and behavioral development. One potential underlying mechanism is that prenatal psychosocial stress affects child outcomes via the mother's, and in turn the child's, intestinal microbiota. This study investigates the first step of this mechanism: the relation between psychosocial stress and fecal microbiota in pregnant mothers. Mothers (N = 70) provided a late pregnancy stool sample and filled in questionnaires on general and pregnancy-specific stress and anxiety. Bacterial DNA was extracted and analysed by Illumina HiSeq sequencing of PCR-amplified 16 S ribosomal RNA gene fragments. Associations between maternal general anxiety and microbial composition were found. No associations between the other measured psychosocial stress variables and the relative abundance of microbial groups were detected. This study shows associations between maternal pregnancy general anxiety and microbial composition, providing first evidence of a mechanism through which psychological symptoms in pregnancy may affect the offspring.