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Vagedes J, Michael K, Sobh M, Islam MOA, Kuderer S, Jeske C, Kaman A, Martin D, Vagedes K, Erhart M, Ravens-Sieberer U, Zdražil T. Lessons Learned-The Impact of the Third Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic on German Waldorf Parents' Support Needs and Their Rating of Children's Health-Related Quality of Life: A Cross-Sectional Online Survey. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2023; 20:4756. [PMID: 36981668 PMCID: PMC10049119 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20064756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2023] [Revised: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND COVID-19-related lockdowns and homeschooling have imposed a substantial burden on school-aged children and parents. Waldorf education is a reform-educational concept. Little is known about the situation of German Waldorf families under pandemic conditions. METHODS A cross-sectional, online, parent-proxy survey was conducted regarding the third pandemic wave. The primary outcome was parents' support needs, assessed with questions from the German COPSY (COVID-19 and PSYchological Health) study; the secondary outcome was children's HRQoL (KIDSCREEN-10, proxy version). RESULTS We analyzed questionnaires from 431 parents of 511 Waldorf students aged 7 to 17 years. While 70.8% of Waldorf parents (WPs) reported a general need for support in dealing with their children, 59.9% of COPSY parents (CPs) indicated this need. WPs' support needs in dealing with their children's academic demands were similar to CPs' needs but relatively higher in terms of dealing with emotions and moods, behavior, and relationships within the family. WPs sought support mainly from school and teachers (65.6%). Support needs were high, although WPs rated their children's HRQoL higher than CPs. CONCLUSIONS Our results underline the substantial pandemic-related burden on families across school types. WPs participating in this survey gave evidence that supports should focus on academic demands as well as psychosocial issues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Vagedes
- Academic Research in Complementary and Integrative Medicine (ARCIM Institute), 70794 Filderstadt, Germany
- Department of Neonatology, University Hospital Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Karin Michael
- Community Hospital Witten-Herdecke, 58313 Herdecke, Germany
- Department of Health and Pedagogy, Freie Hochschule Stuttgart, 70188 Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Mohsen Sobh
- Academic Research in Complementary and Integrative Medicine (ARCIM Institute), 70794 Filderstadt, Germany
| | - Mohammad O. A. Islam
- Academic Research in Complementary and Integrative Medicine (ARCIM Institute), 70794 Filderstadt, Germany
| | - Silja Kuderer
- Academic Research in Complementary and Integrative Medicine (ARCIM Institute), 70794 Filderstadt, Germany
| | - Christian Jeske
- Academic Research in Complementary and Integrative Medicine (ARCIM Institute), 70794 Filderstadt, Germany
| | - Anne Kaman
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, and Psychosomatics, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - David Martin
- Department of Human Medicine, Faculty of Health, Witten-Herdecke University, 58455 Witten, Germany
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, University Hospital Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Katrin Vagedes
- Academic Research in Complementary and Integrative Medicine (ARCIM Institute), 70794 Filderstadt, Germany
| | - Michael Erhart
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, and Psychosomatics, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
- Department of Public Health, Alice Salomon University of Applied Sciences, 12627 Berlin, Germany
- Department of Psychology, Apollon University of Applied Sciences, 28359 Bremen, Germany
| | - Ulrike Ravens-Sieberer
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, and Psychosomatics, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Tomáš Zdražil
- Department of Health and Pedagogy, Freie Hochschule Stuttgart, 70188 Stuttgart, Germany
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Saini P, Hunt A, Kirkby J, Chopra J, Ashworth E. A qualitative dyadic approach to explore the experiences and perceived impact of COVID-19 restrictions among adolescents and their parents. Health Psychol Behav Med 2023; 11:2173601. [PMID: 36756188 PMCID: PMC9901429 DOI: 10.1080/21642850.2023.2173601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background While evidence exists for the negative and positive effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and associated lockdown on the mental health and well-being of adolescents and parents separately, the potential impact of lockdown, and the effective coping strategies that have been used have so far, by both children and their parents still needs to be explored. Method A dyadic approach was used to explore the perceived impact of COVID-19 restrictions among early adolescents and their parents in Northwest England. Nine parents (8 female and 1 male) and their 10 children (6 boys and 4 girls) aged 11-13, were recruited from 4 secondary schools to be interviewed. Remote interviews took place between October and December 2020 for the adolescents and between March and May 2021 for their parents. Inductive thematic analysis was used. Results Five inter-related themes were identified: (1) overcoming barriers for learning at home; (2) juggling a work-life balance; (3) loss of experiences; (4) caring for other family members; and (5) adopting new self-care and coping strategies during the pandemic. Conclusion Themes identified will help to inform policy and practice for supporting adolescents and parents in the future, including the promotion of positive coping strategies and the provision of resources for adolescents, schools and families.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pooja Saini
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Health, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK, Pooja Saini School of Psychology, Faculty of Health, Liverpool John Moores University, Byrom Street, LiverpoolL3 3AF, UK
| | - Anna Hunt
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Health, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK
| | - Joanna Kirkby
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Health, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK
| | - Jennifer Chopra
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Health, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK
| | - Emma Ashworth
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Health, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK
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Elgendi MM, Stewart SH, DesRoches DI, Corkum P, Nogueira-Arjona R, Deacon SH. Division of Labour and Parental Mental Health and Relationship Well-Being during COVID-19 Pandemic-Mandated Homeschooling. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2022; 19:17021. [PMID: 36554900 PMCID: PMC9779066 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192417021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2022] [Revised: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
While the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the way parents partition tasks between one another, it is not clear how these division of labour arrangements affect well-being. Pre-pandemic research offers two hypotheses: economic theory argues optimal outcomes result from partners specialising in different tasks, whereas psychological theory argues for a more equitable division of labour. The question of which approach optimizes well-being is more pressing in recent times, with COVID-19 school closures leaving many couples with the burden of homeschooling. It is unknown whether specialisation or equity confer more benefits for mandated homeschoolers, relative to non-homeschoolers or voluntary homeschoolers. Couples (n = 962) with children in grades 1-5 completed measures of workload division and parental well-being. A linear mixed modelling in the total sample revealed that specialisation, but not equity, promoted increased parental emotional and relationship well-being. These relations were moderated by schooling status: voluntary homeschoolers' well-being benefitted from specialisation, whereas mandated homeschoolers' well-being did not benefit from either strategy; non-homeschoolers well-being benefitted from both strategies. Across the mixed-gender couples, mothers' and fathers' well-being both benefitted from specialisation; equity was only beneficial for mothers' well-being. Overall, couples might be advised to adopt highly equitable and specialised arrangements to promote both parents' well-being.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariam M. Elgendi
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - Sherry H. Stewart
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - Danika I. DesRoches
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - Penny Corkum
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada
| | | | - S. Hélène Deacon
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada
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Hansen UI, Larsen K, Sundberg H, Munkhaugen EK. Remote Teaching and School Refusal Behavior - Lessons Learned from the COVID-19 Pandemic. Scand J Child Adolesc Psychiatr Psychol 2022; 10:134-43. [PMID: 36687261 DOI: 10.2478/sjcapp-2022-0014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
When the Norwegian government closed down schools and kindergartens in response to the increased spread of COVID-19, the use of homeschooling raised concerns about students with school refusal behavior and the school system's ability to address their special needs in these circumstances. Six students referred to the school absenteeism team were interviewed about their circumstances, using an author-developed interview. The results indicate that the students rated homeschooling as very satisfactory. Students with school refusal behavior participated in homeschooling and their attendance continued during the initial reopening of schools.
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Mosli RH, Barahim A, Zahed LA, Ishaq SA, Al-Eryani FM, Alharbi WA, Kutbi HA, Saleemani H. Changes in Feeding Behavior and Feeding Stress Among Mothers of Preschoolers Before and During the Novel Coronavirus Pandemic. Front Nutr 2022; 9:828557. [PMID: 35548557 PMCID: PMC9082596 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2022.828557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2021] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective To examine changes in maternal feeding behaviors (MFB) and maternal feeding stress (MFS) among mothers of preschoolers in Saudi Arabia before and during the novel coronavirus pandemic. Methods This is a prospective cohort study including 64 mothers of preschoolers who were drawn from a sample of a 2019 study. Study questionnaire was completed during November–December 2020. MFB were assessed using the Child Feeding Questionnaire-Arabic (CFQ-A) and MFS was assessed using the MFS-mealtimes index and the MFS-maternal resentment/difficult child index. Paired samples t-tests were used to examine changes in MFB and MFS. Results Mothers have reported an increase in perceived responsibility (M = 4.09, SD = 0.87 vs. M = 4.33, SD = 0.59, P-value < 0.05) and monitoring (M = 4.23, SD = 0.73 vs. M = 4.48, SD = 0.66, P-value < 0.05) during the pandemic period compared to the period prior to the pandemic. Mothers have reported a decrease in use of food as a reward (M = 4.11, SD = 0.87 vs. M = 2.30, SD = 0.88, P-value < 0.001) and concern about child's diet (M = 3.34, SD = 1.12 vs. M = 2.55, SD = 1.04, P-value <0.001). There was an increase in MFS-maternal resentment/difficult child (M = 2.47, SD = 0.68 vs. M = 2.71, SD = 0.72, P-value < 0.01). Conclusions Findings can help inform future research aiming to measure the long-term effects of the pandemic on child outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rana H Mosli
- Clinical Nutrition Department, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Alaa Barahim
- Clinical Nutrition Department, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Lina A Zahed
- Clinical Nutrition Department, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sara A Ishaq
- Clinical Nutrition Department, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Fatimah M Al-Eryani
- Clinical Nutrition Department, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Warda A Alharbi
- Clinical Nutrition Department, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hebah A Kutbi
- Clinical Nutrition Department, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Haneen Saleemani
- Clinical Nutrition Department, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
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Zheng Y, Wang W, Zhong Y, Wu F, Zhu Z, Tham YC, Lamoureux E, Xiao L, Zhu E, Liu H, Jin L, Liang L, Luo L, He M, Morgan I, Congdon N, Liu Y. A Peer-to-Peer Live-Streaming Intervention for Children During COVID-19 Homeschooling to Promote Physical Activity and Reduce Anxiety and Eye Strain: Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial. J Med Internet Res 2021; 23:e24316. [PMID: 33882021 PMCID: PMC8092026 DOI: 10.2196/24316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2020] [Revised: 01/31/2021] [Accepted: 04/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The COVID-19 pandemic has led to worldwide school closures, with millions of children confined to online learning at home. As a result, children may be susceptible to anxiety and digital eye strain, highlighting a need for population interventions. Objective The objective of our study was to investigate whether a digital behavior change intervention aimed at promoting physical activity could reduce children’s anxiety and digital eye strain while undergoing prolonged homeschooling during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods In this cluster randomized controlled trial, homeschooled grade 7 students at 12 middle schools in southern China were recruited through local schools and randomly assigned by the school to receive (1:1 allocation): (1) health education information promoting exercise and ocular relaxation, and access to a digital behavior change intervention, with live streaming and peer sharing of promoted activities (intervention), or (2) health education information only (control). The primary outcome was change in self-reported anxiety score. Secondary outcomes included change in self-reported eye strain and sleep quality. Results On March 16, 2020, 1009 children were evaluated, and 954 (94.5%) eligible children of consenting families were included in the intention-to-treat analysis. Children in the intervention (n=485, 6 schools) and control (n=469, 6 schools) groups were aged 13.5 (SD 0.5) years, and 52.3% (n=499) were male. The assigned interventions were completed by 896 children (intervention: n=467, 96.3%; control: n=429, 91.5%). The 2-week change in square-root–transformed self-reported anxiety scores was greater in the intervention (–0.23, 95% CI –0.27 to –0.20) vs control group (0.12, 95% CI 0.09-0.16; unadjusted difference –0.36, 95% CI –0.63 to –0.08; P=.02). There was a significant reduction in square-root–transformed eye strain in the intervention group (–0.08, 95% CI –0.10 to 0.06) compared to controls (0.07, 95% CI 0.05-0.09; difference –0.15, 95% CI –0.26 to –0.03; P=.02). Change in sleep quality was similar between the two groups. Conclusions This digital behavior change intervention reduced children’s anxiety and eye strain during COVID-19–associated online schooling. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04309097; http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04309097
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingfeng Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangzhou Regenerative Medicine and Health Guangdong Laboratory, Guangzhou, China.,Research Units of Ocular Development and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuxin Zhong
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Fengchun Wu
- Department of Psychiatry, Affiliated Brain Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University (Guangzhou Huiai Hospital), Guangzhou, China.,Department of Psychiatry, Guangdong Engineering Technology Research Center for Translational Medicine of Mental Disorders, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhuoting Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yih-Chung Tham
- Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore National Eye Centre, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Ecosse Lamoureux
- Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore National Eye Centre, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Liang Xiao
- Zhaoqing Education Bureau, Zhaoqing, China
| | - Erta Zhu
- Zhaoqing Education Bureau, Zhaoqing, China
| | - Haoning Liu
- Duanzhou District Education Bureau, Zhaoqing, China
| | - Ling Jin
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Linyi Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lixia Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Mingguang He
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ian Morgan
- Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
| | - Nathan Congdon
- Centre for Public Health, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, Ireland
| | - Yizhi Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
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Quaedackers L, Overeem S, Pillen S. Two sides of a coin: differential response to COVID-19 distancing measures in children with narcolepsy. J Clin Sleep Med 2021; 17:859-862. [PMID: 33295278 DOI: 10.5664/jcsm.9040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
NONE Narcolepsy is a chronic neurological sleep disorder, debuting before age 15 years in one-third of patients. Narcolepsy has a negative influence on quality of life, with daily functioning being affected by concomitant cognitive, behavioral, and social problems. In December 2019, a new coronavirus emerged worldwide, causing the severe respiratory disease COVID-19. In the Netherlands, a partial lockdown was implemented that included the closure of schools. Here we present 3 illustrative case reports that teach important lessons for the treatment of pediatric narcolepsy. We observed significant consequences of the partial lockdown measures on daytime functioning, well-being, and school performance, both negative and positive. The consequences of the lockdown led to valuable insights for further treatment, substantiating the importance of personalizing education. Involvement of specialized student counselors, flexibility in the way that education is delivered, and enhancement of environmental factors could help in guiding young patients with narcolepsy through challenges at school.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laury Quaedackers
- Center for Sleep Medicine Kempenhaeghe, Heeze, the Netherlands.,Department of Industrial Design, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, the Netherlands
| | - Sebastiaan Overeem
- Center for Sleep Medicine Kempenhaeghe, Heeze, the Netherlands.,Biomedical Diagnostics Group, Department of Electrical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, the Netherlands
| | - Sigrid Pillen
- Center for Sleep Medicine Kempenhaeghe, Heeze, the Netherlands.,Biomedical Diagnostics Group, Department of Electrical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, the Netherlands
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Martarelli CS, Pacozzi SG, Bieleke M, Wolff W. High Trait Self-Control and Low Boredom Proneness Help COVID-19 Homeschoolers. Front Psychol 2021; 12:594256. [PMID: 33679514 PMCID: PMC7930236 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.594256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2020] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
In response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) schools around the world have been closed to protect against the spread of coronavirus. In several countries, homeschooling has been introduced to replace classroom schooling. With a focus on individual differences, the present study examined 138 schoolers (age range = 6 to 21 years) regarding their self-control and boredom proneness. The results showed that both traits were important in predicting adherence to homeschooling. Schoolers with higher levels of self-control perceived homeschooling as less difficult, which in turn increased homeschooling adherence. In contrast, schoolers with higher levels of boredom proneness perceived homeschooling as more difficult, which in turn reduced homeschooling adherence. These results partially hold when it comes to studying in the classroom. However, boredom threatened adherence only in the homeschooling context. Our results indicate that boredom proneness is a critical construct to consider when educational systems switch to homeschooling during a pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Simona G. Pacozzi
- Faculty of Psychology, Swiss Distance University Institute, Brig, Switzerland
| | - Maik Bieleke
- Department for Psychology of Development and Education, Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Wanja Wolff
- Department of Sport Science, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
- Department of Educational Psychology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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