Psychology, Community & Health (E-Journal - PsychOpen)
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No full textAim: To evaluate the presence/absence, frequency of cognitive products (positive, negative and neutral thoughts) in a Portuguese community sample of children aged 10 and 11 years.
Method: A total of 274 children participated in this study, 151 girls and 123 boys, from the 5th and 6th grades, aged 10 and 11 years. Cognitive products were accessed through children’s cognitive responses to the Nine Ambiguous Stories.
Results: The answers to the nine stories produced 6,633 thoughts (positive -
2,570, negative - 4,063, neutral - 32). The number of positive and negative thoughts varied according to the stories. The absence of either positive or negative thoughts was observed in a very small number of children. The simultaneous presence of positive and negative thoughts per child occurred in all stories. More than half of the children showed more negative thoughts in all stories except for stories 2 and 6.
Conclusion: The results of this study contribute to the understanding of cognitive development of children, based on what is known and observed in the child and calls attention to the importance of the research of positive and negative content of thoughts shown by children and their impact on childhood anxiety
Burnout in Formal Caregivers of Elderly and Chronically Ill – Current Affairs
Full text linkObjetivo: O estudo visa explorar qual das dimensões associadas ao burnout apresenta maior relevância e a influência de fatores ambientais e relacionais no desenvolvimento desta síndrome. Método: Utilizou-se uma metodologia mista. O estudo inclui uma amostra de conveniência com 15 participantes (93.3% do género feminino), selecionados de acordo com critérios de Burnout (n = 7) e índices elevados de Exaustão Emocional (n = 8). A média de idades situa-se entre os 41.6 (SD = 8.92) e 37.2 (SD = 11.54). O Inventário de Burnout de Maslach (MBI-HSS) foi aplicado para a avaliação quantitativa, e a entrevista semiestruturada para explorar indicações clínicas, problemas, aspetos satisfatórios e constrangimentos vividos no trabalho. As entrevistas foram transcritas, codificadas e analisadas através da análise de conteúdo (Bardin, 2011) por um júri de dois investigadores. Resultados: A manifestação clínica do burnout mais frequentemente mencionada foi a exaustão emocional. Os fatores mais frequentemente reportados foram o lidar com a fragilidade do outro, impacto da morte, os conflitos interpessoais, o fraco suporte social, o investimento excessivo no trabalho e o não corresponder às expectativas. Os modelos teóricos que melhor se adequam à compreensão do burnout nesta amostra são os que enfatizam a dinâmica intrapessoal e relacional. Conclusão: A exaustão emocional é a dimensão mais frequentemente referida pelos participantes para a ocorrência de fenómenos de burnout em profissionais que cuidam de população idosa na amostra estudada. No contexto em estudo, fatores como as relações interpessoais e as vivências/significado atribuído ao trabalho parecem ter maior influência no desenvolvimento do burnout, do que fatores organizacionais.Aim: The study aims to explore which of the dimensions associated with burnout has greater relevance and the influence of environmental and relational factors in the development of this syndrome. Method: The study has used a mixed methodology. A convenience sample, entailing 15 participants (93.3% female) was selected according burnout criteria (n = 7) and high levels of emotional exhaustion (n = 8). The average age is located between 41.6 (SD = 8.92) and 37.2 (SD = 11.54). The Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI-HSS) was applied for quantitative assessment and semi-structured interview was used to explore clinical signs, problems, satisfying aspects and the constraints experienced in their work. The interviews were transcribed, coded and analysed by a jury of two researchers, according to content analysis (Bardin, 2011). Results: The clinical manifestation of burnout most often reported was emotional exhaustion. The most commonly reported factors were dealing with the weakness of the other, the impact of death, interpersonal conflicts, poor social support, excessive investment in work and not meeting the expectations. Theoretical models that best suited to the understanding of burnout in this sample are ones emphasising the intrapersonal and relational dynamics. Conclusion: Emotional exhaustion is the most frequently mentioned dimension to the occurrence of phenomena of burnout in professionals who care for elderly people in the study sample. In this context under study, factors such: interpersonal relationships and the experiences/meanings associated with the work, seems to have greater influence in the development of burnout, than organizational factors
Bullying Genérico e Homofóbico no Contexto Escolar
Full text linkAim: Given the little scientific information about homophobic bullying in Portugal, the purpose of this study was to assess its prevalence, in comparison to generic bullying, from the perspective of the victims; to compare differences related to gender and to understand the association between homophobic bullying and feelings of unhappiness and humiliation and victim’s reporting. Method: A total of 171 (7th grade), 160 (8th) and 156 (9th) students (52.0% female/48.0% male), between 11 and 17 years old, completed a self-report questionnaire in digital format, assessing: gender, victimization, feelings of unhappiness and humiliation and victim’s reporting. Results: Of these students 33.0% were victims of bullying, mostly in the 8th grade. Boys and girls were equally likely to be victims. On the other hand, homophobic bullying situations in school increased from the 7th to the 9th grade and male students were more frequently bullied than females, showing statistically significant differences in the 9th grade. The more frequent the homophobic bullying episodes became, the greater the feelings of unhappiness and humiliation and more frequent the reporting. Conclusion: These findings strengthen the need to promote actions and programs aiming at prevention in schools, from a systemic perspective, emphasizing the intervention of observers of bullying episodes.Objetivo: Tendo em conta a reduzida literatura sobre o bullying homofóbico em Portugal, os objetivos deste estudo foram descrever a sua prevalência, comparativamente ao bullying genérico, na perspetiva das vítimas; comparar as diferenças de género e compreender a relação entre o bullying homofóbico e os sentimentos de infelicidade e humilhação e a denúncia por parte das vítimas. Método: Participaram 171 (7º ano), 160 (8º) e 156 (9º) alunos (52.0% feminino e 48.0% masculino), entre os 11 e os 17 anos, aos quais foi aplicado um questionário de autorrelato em formato digital, avaliando-se: género, vitimação, sentimentos infelicidade/humilhação e denúncia. Resultados: Um total de 33.0% dos alunos foram vítimas de bullying genérico, maioritariamente no 8º ano. Rapazes e raparigas registaram índices de vitimação semelhantes. Quanto ao bullying homofóbico, a prevalência aumentou do 7º para o 9º ano e os rapazes apresentaram maior frequência de vitimação comparativamente às raparigas, havendo diferenças estatisticamente significativas no 9º ano. À medida que as situações de vitimação homofóbica aumentam, maior foi o sentimento de infelicidade e humilhação nas vítimas e maior a denúncia. Conclusão: Estes dados reforçam a necessidade de ações e programas de prevenção nas escolas, enquadrados numa perspetiva sistémica, privilegiando a intervenção dos observadores de situações de bullying
Characterization of Executive Functioning in a Portuguese Sample of Candidates for Bariatric Surgery
Full text linkAim: The prevalence of obesity has been steadily increasing and is a major worldwide public health problem. It is associated with multiple medical and psychological conditions and recent research supports a link to several cognitive deficit domains, including executive functioning. The aim of this article is to describe socio-demographic, clinical and neuropsychological characteristics of a sample of candidates for bariatric surgery (BS) and to compare their performance with normative values. Method: Between May 2012 and May 2013 we evaluated the neuropsychological performance of 42 patient candidates for BS at the Morbid Obesity Consultation at Centro Hospitalar Lisboa Norte (CHLN). Results: The population was predominantly female and education was equally distributed between basic, secondary and tertiary levels. The neuropsychological results showed a significant decrease on Recall (p < .01), Learning (p < .10), Nonverbal Memory (p < .001), Cognitive Flexibility (p < .01) and Resistance to Interference (p < .05). Conclusion: Despite the limitations inherent to a small sample, the results obtained in the Portuguese population coincide with those of earlier studies; namely that obesity differentially effects instrumental functions
Psychosocial Determinants of Intention to Use Tobacco Among Adolescents in India
Full text linkAim: The present study aims to determine the psychosocial factors associated with ‘intention to use tobacco’, because it is influenced by social norms and beliefs about smoking. Method: A cross-sectional survey on a random sample of 665 individuals, aged 15-20 years, was conducted using a pretested questionnaire. Three logistic regression models were constructed to identify determinants of ‘intention to use tobacco’, with the total sample, with respondents under 18 years old, and with respondents 18 years old and above. Results: Odds of intention to use tobacco were higher when friends used tobacco products, and perceived no negative effects on health. Parental use of tobacco increased the odds of intention to use tobacco, and a similar effect was observed when a celebrity was followed as a role model. Approval of occasional use of tobacco increased the odds of intention to use tobacco. Communication with parents about harmful effects of tobacco reduced the odds of intention to smoke among respondents younger than 18 years old. Conclusion: Social factors and perception of risk significantly influenced the intention to use tobacco. Study results are useful in designing interventions for prevention of tobacco use among adolescents
Sleep and the Social Matrix: Determinants of Health Status Beyond Objective Social Status
Full text linkAim: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between subjective social status (SSS) and objective socioeconomic status (SES) on sleep status (sleep duration and daytime sleepiness).
Method: The study sample included 73 primary care patients from a free medical clinic in which low-income individuals are primarily treated. Subjective social status was measured using the MacArthur Scale of Subjective Social Status which uses a pictorial format (social ladder) in order to assess current social status. Socioeconomic status was measured by assessing highest level of education and current income level.
Results: Community SSS did not significantly predict sleep duration or daytime sleepiness. Additional regression analyses were conducted and it was found that an overall model of U.S. SSS and community SSS significantly predicted perceived stress. Community SSS was found to be significantly associated with perceived stress. Regression results also indicated that an overall model of U.S. SSS and community SSS significantly predicted perceived health status.
Conclusion: It may be beneficial for clinicians working with low-income primary care populations to include measures of SSS in addition to the traditional measures of SES for multidimensional patient care
Coping Strategies Adopted by Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease in Preparation for Transplant
Full text linkAim: This paper aimed to analyze the coping strategies adopted by patients in preparation to kidney transplant, as well as associations between coping and socio-demographic data. Method: A total of 76 patients took part in this descriptive, exploratory study. While waiting for the first medical consultation regarding kidney transplantation, participants answered the Brazilian version of the Ways of Coping Scale. Results: The main coping strategies adopted corresponded first to religiosity, then problem focused coping and seeking for social support. There were statistically significant associations between coping categories and gender, marital status, monthly income, children’s ages, and time in dialysis. Conclusion: This study highlights the main coping strategies adopted by patients in preparation to kidney transplant, and it also reveals associations between some socio-demographic data and coping. These results may promote further psychosocial interventions, which may help to improve preparation to kidney transplants, promoting better adaptation and treatment adherence as well as fewer psychological burdens
What is my Baby Like? Representations Concerning the Baby in the Third Trimester of Pregnancy
Full text linkAim: To investigate if during the third trimester of pregnancy fantasies emerge in the baby representations based on the information that pregnant women have on their real babies through ultrasound techniques. Method: A qualitative, descriptive and exploratory research based on a sample of 30 pregnant Portuguese women, whose average age is 32 years old, was developed. A socio-demographic questionnaire and a semi-directive interview entitled "Interview of Maternal Representations During Pregnancy – Revised Version" (IRMAG-R, Ammaniti & Tambelli, 2010) were employed. Results: Baby representations are immersed in a fantasy dimension, which means that the imaginary baby is quite present in this phase of pregnancy. Pregnant women mainly attribute psychological characteristics to the babies, rather than physical characteristics. Regardless of the type of characteristics analysed, the preference for these characteristics emerges based on their wishes. Secondly, characteristics of the parents may also emerge. Fetal movements and information from ultrasound have no significant influence on the characterization of the baby. Conclusion: Despite the development of ultrasound techniques, the imaginary baby defines parents representations about the baby on the third trimester of pregnancy. Consequently, a new understanding of how pregnant women experience the transition to the postnatal phase has to be considered
An Analysis of Suicide Attempts in Jaén Province (Andalusia-Spain)
Full text linkAim: Suicide is the leading cause of non-accidental death in Spain across both sexes and all age groups; however, data on suicide attempts by region are heterogeneous and little reported. This study aimed to examine the socio-demographic and epidemiological variables most strongly related to suicide attempts in Jaén province. Method: Data on people who had attempted suicide over a 26-month period (2009–2011) were collected from the emergency departments of two hospitals via their electronic medical record systems specific to the Autonomous Community of Andalusia (Spain). Descriptive and frequency statistics were obtained and the relationship among variables was examined. Results: Suicide attempters were aged 24 to 53 years, being primarily women (65.25%). The most frequent suicide method was medication ingestion (85.55%); thus, ingestion of toxic substances has become the preferred method among women (LR(3) = 14.731; p = .02). The hospitals discharged the patients (46.44%) or referred them to mental health services in the area (20.08%) following a suicide attempt. There were more hospital discharges when the attempt involved ingestion of toxic substances or self-harm (LR(12) = 20.603; p = .05), and in winter and spring (LR(12) = 69.772; p < .001). Conclusion: The need for emergency departments to have prevention and intervention procedures in place, specifically designed for suicide attempts and at-risk individuals, is discussed
School Diagnostic: Perceptions of Educational Professionals
Full text linkAim: The school is a privileged context to prevent certain problems that may begin during the development of young students. The main objective is to assess the perceptions of educational professionals about the school structure, functioning, and organization, as well as students’ behaviors. Method: We developed an exploratory study using a questionnaire, applied to a sample of 81 educational agents, teachers and non-teachers, aged between 25 and 62 years (M = 45.8, SD = 10.6). Results: Despite the positive perception of the participants about the physical school environment, it is necessary to create spaces for leisure and sport, logistic conditions and multidisciplinary teams in order to maximize the overall good functioning of schools. Adding to this, participants described the participation of parents in the school life as negative; they also identified several disruptive behaviours among students and referred to a general lack of active participation in life school. Conclusion: It is important to create action plans in schools, which should be multimodal and multi-agent in order to have intervention perspectives with connected actions developed by different educational agents