Family breakup dynamics in mammals can be complex due to competing interests between parents and offspring. Parents need to balance their own as well as their offspring's fitness through either terminating care early or extending care. Yet, males can disrupt this trade-off as they may force females to …

In this paper we analyse “interconnected communication sequences” between Professional Foster Parents (PFPs) and Birth Parents (BPs) in family-style group care. Interconnected communication sequences are coherent sequences constructed by participants by use of multiple communication media. In family-style …

Background: Most studies on older adults' vitality focus on linear connections between determinants and outcomes. To design more comprehensive and impactful approaches to support the vitality of older adults, a better understanding of the interplay among elements that shape their vitality is necessary. …

Neck pain is a common condition that hinders people's daily functioning. The care of people with non-specific neck pain requires a personalised biopsychosocial approach. However, integrating psychological factors in therapeutic interventions remains a challenge. Understanding psychological mechanisms …

Abstract Background There is a shift from inpatient to home-based geriatric rehabilitation (HBGR), and potential benefits are demonstrated. Previously, a theoretical HBGR model, version 1.0, has been developed, outlining its essential components. However, clear guidance on the practical design and organisation …

Introduction: Self-management for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is essential in preventing relapse and rehospitalization. This study aimed to adapt a self-management-supporting digital monitoring system that was designed for COPD patients at home, to older patients with COPD …

ABSTRACT Background: Families with a child with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities have to manage the pervasive support needs of their child, which is a complex task. By properly supporting them, we can ensure these families live a positive and meaningful life. Method: A product to support …

BACKGROUND: The mainstay of colorectal cancer care is surgical resection, which carries a significant risk of complications. Efforts to improve outcomes have recently focused on intensive multimodal prehabilitation programs to better prepare patients for surgery, which make the perioperative process …

In this thesis, we focus on developing behaviours for socially interactive agents (SIAs). The context in which the agent is used is a self-regulated learning system for children. We focus on personalising learning objectives and interaction content within an intelligent tutoring system (ITS). We envision …

Quality improvements (QIs) in dynamic and complex health care contexts require resilience and take variability into account in quality improvement. The Functional Resonance Analysis Method (FRAM) helps us understand resilience and gain insight into (un)desirable variability in the complex system of daily …