Psychology, Community & Health (E-Journal - PsychOpen)
Not a member yet
138 research outputs found
Sort by
Promoção de Comportamentos Alimentares Saudáveis e Gestão do Peso: Investigação em Portugal
Full text linkNo abstract available
Predictors of Loneliness in a Sample of College Men and Women in Cyprus: The Role of Anxiety and Social Skills
Full text linkAim: This investigation examined the association between social anxiety and loneliness, and the role of associated characteristics specifically self-esteem, social skills and anxiety sensitivity, among young adults in Cyprus, and potential gender differences in the prediction of perceived loneliness. Method: Questionnaires on loneliness, social skills, anxiety sensitivity and self-esteem were administered to a college sample in Cyprus. Results: Mediated regression supported full mediation by social skills and self-esteem, but not by anxiety sensitivity in the association between social anxiety and loneliness. For men, loneliness was mostly predicted by anxiety sensitivity, but among women by poor social skills and lower self-esteem. For neither gender were these effects moderated by social anxiety level. Conclusion: Social anxiety and loneliness are related but distinct constructs. Interventions focusing on social skill acquisition and practice, and anxiety tolerance for men may improve confidence and ultimately result in decreased loneliness among youth
Psychosocial Adjustment in Pediatric Obesity: A Study With Parents, Children and Adolescents
Full text linkObjetivo: Os objetivos do presente estudo são 1) comparar a qualidade de vida (QdV) e os problemas psicológicos de crianças/adolescentes com obesidade, excesso de peso e peso saudável, e a QdV e sintomas de depressão e ansiedade dos seus pais; 2) averiguar se a adaptação psicossocial dos pais está associada à QdV das crianças/adolescentes através dos seus problemas psicológicos e se estas associações são moderadas pela idade da criança/adolescente. Método: A amostra foi constituída por 264 díades pais-filhos divididas em 3 grupos (peso saudável, excesso de peso e obesidade). Resultados: As crianças/adolescentes com obesidade reportaram pior QdV e maiores níveis de problemas psicológicos do que as crianças/adolescentes com peso saudável. Os adolescentes reportaram pior QdV do que as crianças. Os pais das crianças/adolescentes com obesidade reportaram pior QdV e mais sintomas ansiosos e depressivos comparativamente aos pais das crianças/adolescentes com peso saudável. A associação entre ansiedade dos pais e a QdV das crianças/adolescentes foi mediada pelos problemas psicológicos dos adolescentes. Conclusão: É fundamental a implementação de intervenções multidisciplinares focadas na família, que visem a perda de peso da criança/adolescente, mas também a promoção da saúde mental e da QdV das crianças/adolescentes e dos seus pais.Aim: This study aims to 1) compare the quality of life (QoL) and psychological problems of children/adolescents with obesity, overweight and healthy weight, as well as the QoL and depressive and anxiety symptoms of their parents; and 2) investigate if parental psychosocial adaptation is associated with the QoL of children/adolescents through their psychological problems, and whether these associations are moderated by the age of the child/adolescent. Method: The sample comprised 264 dyads (parent-child) divided into 3 groups (healthy weight, overweight and obesity). Results: Children/adolescents with obesity reported worse QoL and more psychological problems than children/adolescents with healthy weight. Adolescents reported worse QoL than children. Parents of children/adolescents with obesity reported worse QoL and more anxiety and depressive symptoms compared to parents of normal-weight children/adolescents. The association between parental anxiety and the QoL of children/adolescents was mediated by psychological problems of adolescents. Conclusion: It is fundamental to implement multidisciplinary family focused interventions, aiming not only at the weight loss of children/adolescents with obesity, but also at the promotion of mental health and QoL of these children/adolescents and of their parents
An Assessment of the Mental Health of Mastectomized Women in South India
Full text linkAim: The present study is aimed at understanding the psychiatric morbidity among mastectomized women and in identifying differences in depression, anxiety, psychological impact and well-being based on psychiatric diagnosis. Method: One hundred and sixty breast cancer patients who had undergone mastectomy and were on either on adjuvant therapies or on waiting list were interviewed. The Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (M.I.N.I.) - Plus, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, the Impact of Event Scale and the Psychological General Well-Being Schedule were used. Results: Around 68% of patients did not meet psychiatric diagnosis, while the remaining 32% patients were found to have psychiatric morbidity. Of these, 15% diagnosed with adjustment disorders, 13% patients with a major depressive disorder, while 4% patients with anxiety disorders. A significant difference in anxiety, depression, psychological impact and well-being was found among mastectomized women who were grouped on the basis of their psychiatric diagnosis. Conclusion: Psychiatric morbidity is evident in patients. This study reinforces the need for identifying psychiatric disorders among women who are undergoing mastectomy, in order to provide adequate psychological treatment
Dynamic Mental Representations of Habitual Behaviours: Food Choice on a Web-Based Environment
Full text linkAim: Rather than being rigid, habitual behaviours may be determined by dynamic mental representations that can adapt to context changes. This adaptive potential may result from particular conditions dependent on the interaction between two sources of mental constructs activation: perceived context applicability and cognitive accessibility. Method: Two web-shopping simulations offering the choice between habitually chosen and non-habitually chosen food products were presented to participants. This considered two choice contexts differing in the habitual behaviour perceived applicability (low vs. high) and a measure of habitual behaviour chronicity. Results: Study 1 demonstrated a perceived applicability effect, with more habitual (non-organic) than non-habitual (organic) food products chosen in a high perceived applicability (familiar) than in a low perceived applicability (new) context. The adaptive potential of habitual behaviour was evident in the habitual products choice consistency across three successive choices, despite the decrease in perceived applicability. Study 2 evidenced the adaptive potential in strong habitual behaviour participants – high chronic accessibility – who chose a habitual product (milk) more than a non-habitual product (orange juice), even when perceived applicability was reduced (new context). Conclusion: Results portray consumers as adaptive decision makers that can flexibly cope with changes in their (inner and outer) choice contexts
Behavioural Interventions for Childhood Obesity Prevention: State of the Art in Portugal
Full text linkObjetivo: A prevenção do excesso de peso e obesidade infantis em Portugal é prioritária e tem sido alvo de vários programas de intervenção. Este estudo teve como objetivo principal desenvolver um registo nacional, caracterizando as intervenções implementadas. Método: Incluíram-se programas de promoção de estilos de vida saudáveis implementados em Portugal, identificados através do “Google” e de websites Institucionais, que visavam contribuir direta ou indiretamente para a prevenção e controlo da obesidade infantil. A seleção foi realizada pela leitura dos títulos e informação disponibilizada nos websites, e foram depois extraídas informações sobre cada projeto. Resultados: Foram incluídos na análise 29 programas de promoção de alimentação saudável (n = 19), atividade física (n = 2) ou ambos (n = 8), realizados entre 2001 e 2015. À exceção de um programa, as atividades realizadas são descritas, mas o racional teórico e as técnicas de mudança comportamental utilizadas não são explicitadas. Apenas 16 programas foram avaliados, disponibilizando online os resultados obtidos. Conclusão: A maioria dos programas não fornece dados relativamente à sua fundamentação teórica e empírica, nem informação detalhada sobre as atividades realizadas e avaliação. Futuros programas devem fornecer maior detalhe sobre o racional teórico e as técnicas de modificação comportamental utilizadas, e a avaliação da eficácia na mudança do comportamento-alvo.Aim: Childhood overweight and obesity prevention is a priority area in Portugal and has been the focus of several intervention programs. This study aimed to develop a national registry of implemented interventions and their characteristics. Method: An Internet search engine (Google) and institutional websites were used to perform a search to identify healthy lifestyle promotion programs which aimed, directly or indirectly, at preventing and controlling childhood obesity in Portugal. The selection of programs to include in the present study was carried out by reading the titles and information available on the websites. Subsequently, relevant information about each project was extracted. Results: A total of 29 projects, that promoted healthy eating (n = 19), physical activity (n = 2) or both (n = 8), were identified. These were implemented between 2001 and 2015. With the exception of one project, the activities developed in the scope of the projects were described, but the rationale and behavioural change techniques used were not explicit. Only 16 projects were evaluated and had their results available online. Conclusion: Most intervention programs provide no data regarding its theoretical and empirical basis, or detailed information on the activities performed and their evaluation. Future programs should provide greater detail on the rationale and behavioural modification techniques used, as well as the evaluation of their effectiveness in behaviour change
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Illness Perception in Young Survivors of Childhood Cancer
Full text linkObjetivo: Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a presença de Transtorno de Estresse Pós-Traumático (TEPT) e a sua relação com a perceção da doença numa amostra de 65 jovens sobreviventes de cancro infantil, com uma média de idades de 19 anos (DP = 2,70) e que tinham terminado o tratamento, em média, há sete anos. Método: Foram aplicados instrumentos para obtenção de dados sociodemográficos e clínicos, de sintomas de TEPT – “Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist – Civilian” (PCL-C) e de perceção da doença – “Revised Illness Perception Questionnaire for Healthy People” (IPQ-RH). Resultados: A presença de sintomas de TEPT variade 9,2% a 18,5% na amostra, e a perceção da doença esteve correlacionada com os sintomas deste transtorno. As subescalas Representação Emocional e Coerência da Doença (IPQ-RH), foram preditoras dos sintomas de Reexperiência (β = 0,0370; p < 0,01; β = 0,261; p < 0,05, respetivamente). A subescala Representação Emocional (IPQ-RH) também foi preditora de sintomas de Esquiva (β = 0,330; p < 0,001). Conclusão: Concluiu-se que a perceção da doença deve ser investigada para prevenir os sintomas de TEPT em sobreviventes de câncer infantil.Aim: This study assessed the presence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and their relation to illness perception in a sample of 65 young survivors of childhood cancer, mean age of 19 years (SD = 2.70) and who had completed treatment, on average, seven years ago. Method: The instruments used were: sociodemographic and clinical form, PTSD - Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist – Civilian (PCL-C) and Illness Perception questionnaire - Revised Illness Perception Questionnaire for Healthy People (IPQ-RH). Results: The presence of PTSD symptoms ranged between 9.2% and 18.5% in this sample, and illness perception was correlated with the symptoms of this disorder. Emotional representations and Coherence (IPQ-RH) were predictive of Re-experience symptoms (ß = .0370, p < .01; ß = .261, p < .05, respectively). Emotional Representation subscale (IPQ-RH) was also predictive of Avoidance symptoms (ß = .330, p < .001). Conclusion: It was concluded that illness perception should be examined to prevent PTSD symptoms in childhood cancer survivors
Perceived Stress Scale Applied to College Students: Validation Study
Full text linkObjetivo: Apresentar uma versão em português (pós-acordo ortográfico) da Escala de Estresse Percebido (PSS-14), e estimar sua validade e confiabilidade em universitárias brasileiras. Método: Realizaram-se validações de face e conteúdo. Realizou-se análise fatorial confirmatória (n = 1081) e utilizando-se como índices de ajustamento a razão qui-quadrado por graus de liberdade (χ²/gl), Comparative Fit Index (CFI), Normed of Fit Index (NFI) e o Root Mean Square Error of Approximation (RMSEA). Avaliou-se a estabilidade do melhor modelo em amostras independentes por análise multigrupos e a invariância pela diferença do qui-quadrado (Δχ²) para os pesos fatoriais (λ), Covariância entre fatores (Cov) e Resíduos (Res). Estimou-se a validade convergente pela Variância Extraída Média (VEM) e Confiabilidade Composta (CC). As validades concorrente e divergente da PSS foram estimadas por análise correlacional de Pearson (r) com a Weight Concerns Scale e o Inventário de Burnout de Maslach, respetivamente. A consistência interna foi estimada pelo Coeficiente alfa de Cronbach padronizado (α). Resultados: A versão de 10 itens (PSS-10) apresentou melhor ajustamento à amostra (χ²/gl = 10,69; CFI = 0,90; GFI = 0,93; RMSEA = 0,09). A validade convergente esteve abaixo do recomendado (VEM = 0,34; CC = 0,84). A consistência interna (α = 0,83) foi adequada. A estrutura foi estável nas subamostras independentes. As validades concorrente e divergente foram adequadas. Conclusão: A PSS-10 apresentou adequada validade, confiabilidade e estabilidade em amostras independentes de estudantes universitárias.Aim: To present a Portuguese (post-orthographic agreement) version of Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and estimate its validity and reliability in Brazilians female college students.
Method: The face and content validity were estimated. Confirmatory factor analysis (n = 1081) was conducted and the goodness-of-fit indices used were the chi-square by degrees of freedom ratio (χ²/df), the Comparative Fit Index (CFI), the Normed Fit Index (NFI) and the Root Mean Square Error of Approximation (RMSEA). The stability of the best model for independent samples was verified by multigroup analysis and the invariance by difference of chi-squares (Δχ²) for factor weights (λ), covariance between factors (Cov), and residues (Res). The convergent validity was estimated by the Average Variance Extracted (AVE) and Composite Reliability (CR). The concurrent and divergent validity of PSS were estimated by Pearson’s correlation analysis (r) with the Weight Concerns Scale and the Maslach Burnout Inventory, respectively. The internal consistency was estimated by standardized Cronbach’s alpha coefficient (α).
Results: The 10-item version (PSS-10) showed better fit to the sample (χ²/df = 10.69; CFI = .90; GFI = .93; RMSEA = .09). The convergent validity was below recommended (AVE = .34; CR = .84). The internal consistency (α = .83) was adequate. The structure was stable in the independent sub-samples. The concurrent and divergent validity were adequate.
Conclusion: The PSS-10 presented adequate validity, reliability and stability in independent samples of university students
Reading a Scientific Paper for Psychology and the Social Sciences: A Critical Guide
Full text linkAim: A critical review of a journal article is a comprehensive evaluation of the article content, formal structure and methodological approach. Success in this task requires students to develop analytic and reflexive skills as pre-requisites to identify key research question(s), relevant findings and main conclusions reached. Critical skills are also an important aspect of a student’s academic and future professional life, yet this has been a largely overlooked component of academic training. This paper aims to provide undergraduate students with a simple and straightforward set of guidelines for reading, analysing and interpreting research articles. Content, structure and common mistakes in research papers are addressed, along with the most relevant standards for review. Conclusion: With this reference guide we hope students will be able to more thoroughly analyse and critically discuss the strengths and weaknesses of a research article
Redução do Stress em Cuidadoras Formais de Pacientes Crónicos por Meio da Hidroterapia
Full text linkAim: Carers working in institutional settings with people with severe disabilities develop fundamental but consuming activities and are constantly observed by all member of the institution (directors, employees, and even trainees), presenting high levels of stress. The aim of this research was to develop an activity to reduce stress levels in carers of chronic institutionalized patients. Method: Participants were 11 professional carers of a residential institution for patients with severe cerebral palsy who answered to Lipp’s Adults Inventory of Stress Symptoms – ISSL, before and after weekly hydrotherapy sessions. Results: Results showed that all participants had high levels of stress before hydrotherapy sessions and those symptoms were reduced after hydrotherapy. Discussion points to the needs of these professionals, who only finished primary school, who have no technical skills and are extremely demanded by the institution. Conclusion: The better their working conditions, the better their relationship with the patients, who represent the real motives for the existence of institutions.Objetivo: Cuidadoras em trabalho institucional para pessoas com deficiências profundas exercem atividades fundamentais, mas desgastantes, observadas constantemente por todos os memberos da instituição (diretores, funcionários e até voluntários), provocando altos níveis de stress. O objetivo foi realizar uma atividade que reduza o stress em cuidadoras de pacientes crónicos institucionalizados. Método: Participaram 11 cuidadoras formais de uma instituição residencial para atendimento de pessoas com paralisia cerebral severa, que responderam ao Inventário de Sintomas de Stress para Adultos de Lipp – ISSL, antes e após sessões de hidroterapia semanais. Resultados: Os resultados demostraram que todas as participantes apresentaram elevado grau de stress antes das sessões e houve redução dos sintomas na maioria das participantes após a hidroterapia. São discutidas as necessidades destas profissionais com formação escolar básica, sem cursos técnicos e muito exigidas pelas instituições. Conclusão: Quanto melhores forem as suas condições de trabalho, melhor será a sua relação com os assistidos, que são os motivos reais da existência das instituições