Instituto Universitário de Ciências Psicológicas, Sociais e da Vida
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Pinging the brain to reveal the hidden attentional priority map using encephalography
Get PDFAttention has been usefully thought of as organized in priority maps – putative
maps of space where attentional priority isweighted across spatial regions in a
winner-take-all competition for attentional deployment. Recent work has
highlighted the influence of past experiences on the weighting of spatial
priority – called selection history. Aside from being distinct from more wellstudied,
top-down forms of attentional enhancement, little is known about the
neural substrates of history-mediated attentional priority. Using a task known
to induce statistical learning of target distributions, in an EEG study we
demonstrate that this otherwise invisible, latent attentional priority map can
be visualized during the intertrial period using a ‘pinging’ technique in conjunction
with multivariate pattern analyses. Our findings not only offer a
method of visualizing the history-mediated attentional priority map, but also
shed light on the underlying mechanisms allowing our past experiences to
influence future behavior.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Interaction time with conspecifics induces food preference or aversion in the wild Algerian mouse
Get PDFThe social transmission of a novel food preference can avoid unnecessary costs arising from tasting nonedible foods. This type of social learning has been demonstrated in laboratory rats and mice. However, among wild animals, there may be several constraints that make it less effective. Using wild Algerian mice (Mus spretus) tested in the laboratory, we demonstrate that a preference for a novel food can be transmitted between Observer and Demonstrator individuals and that it is maintained for at least 30 days. However, only half of the Observers acquired a preference for the same food as the Demonstrators, and only when the duration of oronasal investigation was above a certain threshold (≥122 s); below this threshold (<122 s), Observers acquired a preference for the alternative food offered, which was maintained for a shorter time. Sex, size, and identity of individuals did not influence the transmission of social information. The results show that different interaction times will result in animals copying or avoiding the food choices of others. This suggests that the transmission of social information among wild animals is complex and probably influenced by many factors (e.g., dominance, familiarity, and health condition), ultimately conditioning the type of interaction between individuals and its outcome. Testing wild animals and the ecological and social constraints they face is, therefore, an important step in our understanding of how effectively social information is transmitted in nature.Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia -FCTinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Young adults who self-harm: Barriers to and facilitators of seeking help
Get PDFIn Portugal, the lifetime prevalence of DSH in adolescents is situated between 16% and 35% (Duarte et al.,
2020a; Gouveia-Pereira et al., 2016). Help-seeking is an important facilitator to stop these behaviors, although it
is known that most individuals who engage in self-harm do not ask for help (Rowe et al., 2014). Study one (n =
222) examines the differences between two groups of young adults with a history of deliberate self-harm (participants
who asked for help and participants who did not ask for help) regarding these behaviors’ severity and
diversity, suicidal ideation, and family conflicts. Participants completed a self-report questionnaire which
included an open-ended question focused on the reasons that may or may not contribute for seeking help. Significant
differences between the two groups were found for all variables and are further discussed, followed by a
qualitative analysis concerning the help-seeking motives. Study two (n = 110) used a self-report questionnaire to
analyze the expectations of young adults with a history of deliberate self-harm concerning their social support
network and the role of healthcare workers when they asked or thought about asking for help. These expectations
included contents related with problem-solving, confidentiality, understanding and trust, support, and
unburdening.
Identifying facilitators and barriers to help-seeking can be a relevant step in planning and managing interventions
within deliberate self-harm. Future directions and limitations are discussed.Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia - FCTinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Pain-related beliefs, coping, and function: An observational study on the moderating influence of country of origin
Get PDFChronic pain is a multidimensional experience and pain treatments targeting psychosocial
factors reduce pain and improve function. These treatments often overlook the sociocultural factors that
influence pain and the psychological factors associated with function in people with chronic pain.
Although preliminary findings suggest that cultural background may influence pain and function via
their effects on beliefs and coping, no previous study has directly tested if the country of origin moderates
the associations between these psychological factors and pain and function. This study sought to
address this knowledge gap. Five hundred sixty-one adults with chronic pain, born and living in the USA
(n = 273) or Portugal (n = 288), completed measures of pain, function, pain-related beliefs, and coping.
Between-country similarities were found in the endorsement of beliefs related to disability, pain control,
and emotion, and in asking for assistance, task persistence, and coping self-statement responses.
Portuguese participants reported greater endorsement of harm, medication, solicitude, and medical cure
beliefs, more frequent use of relaxation and support seeking, and less frequent use of guarding, resting,
and exercising/stretching. In both countries, disability and harm beliefs and guarding responses were
associated with worse outcomes; pain control and task persistence were associated with better outcomes.
Six country-related small effect-size moderation effects emerged, such that task persistence and
guarding are stronger predictors of pain and function in adults from the USA, but pain control, disability,
emotion, and medication beliefs are more important in adults from Portugal. Some modifications may be
needed when adapting multidisciplinary treatments from one country to another.
Perspective: This article examines the similarities and differences in beliefs and coping endorsed
by adults with chronic pain from 2 countries, and the potential moderation effects of country on the
associations between these variables and pain and function. The findings suggest that some modifications
may be needed when culturally customizing psychological pain treatments.FEDER, Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia-FCTinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
High‐commitment HRM practices during the financial crisis in Portugal: Employees' and HR perspectives
Get PDFOver the recent decades, organizations have had to face a number of major external shocks and crises. Acquiring a better understanding of how human resources
are managed under such critical conditions constitutes the main purpose of this
study. We conducted a study triangulating different sources (employees, HR managers, and secondary data) and types of data (quantitative and qualitative) to
explore how employees in Portuguese organizations perceived the HR practices’
implementation during the years of the financial crisis (2011–2014) and how HR
managers explained it. Longitudinal evidence from 53 organizations attests to perceived decreasing trends, particularly in training and development and performance management. HR managers legitimize these trends, embracing
conventions and revealing the impact of coercive and normative pressures. Our
findings highlight the need for renewed attention to be paid to the contextual pressures on HR managers’ decision-making and actions that could severely endanger
their role as strategic partners and their embrace of sustainable HRM.Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia - FCTinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Cross-cultural adaptability of parenting interventions designed for childhood behavior problems: A meta-analysis
Get PDFThe dissemination of parenting interventions is one of the advised approaches to globally counteract childhood behavior problems, delinquency, and future criminal careers. Many of these interventions are developed in Anglosphere countries and transported to other contexts with distinct cultural backgrounds. However, there are no meta-analyses evaluating the overall effectiveness of these Anglosphere parenting programs in non-Anglosphere settings. This meta-analysis aimed to examine the effectiveness of parenting interventions developed in Anglosphere countries when transported to non-Anglosphere countries, as well as compare effectiveness levels between Anglosphere and non-Anglosphere trials; and analyze the impact of research and contextual factors in the dissemination of these interventions. Parenting interventions were included if they were: created in an Anglosphere setting; tested in non-Anglosphere countries; focused on reducing childhood behavioral problems; designed for children ranging from two to 12 years old; and tested in an experimental randomized trial. A random-effects model was selected for our meta-analysis. Standardized mean differences, confidence intervals and prediction intervals were also computed. Twenty studies were included, and results suggest that parenting interventions designed for childhood behavior problems can be transported to non-Anglosphere countries and potentially maintain effectiveness. This study is a relevant contribution to the evidence of cross-cultural transportability of parenting interventions.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Artificial neural network model for predicting child sexual offending: Role of cognitive distortions, sexual coping, and attitudes
No full textThis research aims to present additional knowledge about individuals
with a history of sexual offenses against children in
Portugal. Although the international literature mentions the
presence of cognitive distortions as a common element for
child sexual offending, it is known that another cognitive pathway
developed since childhood and adolescence will have
a significant weight in the definition of disruptive sexual behaviors.
In this article, we focused on sexual attitudes and sex as
a strategy for sexual coping and assayed to appreciate the
relevance of these variables as predictors of Child Sexual
Abuse (CSA). This research mainly aims to analyze
a hierarchical and predictive model of these variables and cognitive
distortion in the CSA. With resources to Artificial Neural
Networks (ANN), we conclude that these variables, when associated,
have a predictive accuracy of 82.3% in a sample that
included individuals with a history of sexual offenses against
children (N = 59) and the general community (N = 82). New
future approaches can benefit from integrating coping strategies
and sexual attitudes into CSA, adapted to the Portuguese
contextinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
The impacts of Alexithymia and sexual distress on sexual functioning among portuguese women
Get PDFIntroduction: Recognizing own’s emotions seems to have an important role
regarding not only our overall well-being, but also our sexual functioning.
Aims: The aim of this study is to analyze the association or impact of alexithymia on female sexual functioning.
Methods: 459 Portuguese women, with a mean age of 34.57 years (SD =
10.27), ranging from 18 to 65 years, completed the Toronto Alexithymia
Scale (TAS-20), the Female Sexual Distress Scale – Revised (FSDS-R) and,
additionally, completed the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), indicating if and when a sexual relationship occurred in the last month.
Results: The results showed that higher levels of alexithymia were associated
with worse sexual functioning and higher levels of sexual distress. Higher
levels of sexual distress were associated with worse sexual functioning. It
was possible to establish a significant linear regression model between dimensions of alexithymia (difficulties in identifying feelings and difficulties
in describing feelings) and sexual distress in sexual functioning; the variables together explained about 45.2% of sexual functioning in these women.
Conclusions: The results emphasize the relevance of alexithymia’s dimensions in sexual functioning concerning women with or without sexual dysfunction, since they present themselves as significant predictors. Professionals working in women’s sexual health should take this into account for more
effective assessment and intervention in matters concerning sexual healthinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Ser pessoa na relação e na mudança - Um estudo qualitativo com clientes pós terapia
No full textDissertação de Mestrado realizada sob a
orientação do Professor Doutor David Dias
Neto, apresentado no Ispa – Instituto
Universitário para obtenção do grau de
Mestre na especialidade de Psicologia
Clínica.Problema: Os estudos realizados sobre o processo terapêutico têm procurado
compreender as mudanças resultantes da psicoterapia. No entanto, não foi
suficientemente explorada a perceção dos pacientes acerca das suas mudanças
retrospetivamente aos seus processos terapêuticos, após o seu término. Paralelamente, é
importante abordar o papel da relação terapêutica como um fator impulsionador de
transformação psíquica. Objetivo: O presente estudo pretende compreender de que forma
é percecionada a mudança em psicoterapia, em retrospetiva, tendo por base o impacto da
relação terapêutica no processo de mudança de jovens adultos. Método: Foram realizadas
oito entrevistas a pacientes que terminaram o seu processo terapêutico, tendo sido
analisadas segundo o método de análise temática. Resultados: Os resultados foram
analisados, permitindo identificar dois temas relativos às mudanças: “Ser pessoa antes da
mudança” e “Ser pessoa com a mudança”. Adicionalmente, a perceção da relação
terapêutica enquanto propulsora foi dada por um tema: Relação como impulsionador de
mudança psíquica”. Discussão: A psicoterapia e a relação terapêutica estabelecida
exerceram uma influência decisiva nos processos de mudança psíquica dos participantes,
refletindo-se tanto do ponto de vista intrapessoal, quanto interpessoal.ABSTRACT: Problem: Studies conducted on the therapeutic process have sought to understand
the changes resulting from psychotherapy. However, the patients’ perception regarding
their changes retrospectively after the termination of their therapeutic process has not
been sufficiently explored. Simultaneously, addressing the role of the therapeutic
relationship as a driving factor for psychic transformation is important. Objective: The
present study aims to understand how change in psychotherapy is perceived
retrospectively, based on the impact of the therapeutic relationship in the process of
change among young adults. Method: Eight interviews were conducted with patients who
completed their therapeutic process, and these were analyzed using thematic analysis.
Results: The findings were analyzed, allowing the identification of two themes related to
change: “Being a person before the change” and “Being a person with the change”.
Additionally, the perception of the therapeutic relationship as a propulsive element
emerged as a theme: “Relationship as a driver of psychic change”. Discussion: Both
psychotherapy and the established therapeutic relationship exerted a decisive influence
on the processes of psychic change in the participants, reflecting both intrapersonal and
interpersonal viewpoints
Uma análise de fatores associados à masturbação feminina
Get PDFDissertação de Mestrado realizada sob a
orientação da Professora Doutora Ana
Alexandra Carvalheira, apresentada no Ispa –
Instituto Universitário para obtenção de grau de
Mestre na especialidade de Psicologia Clínica.Apesar dos benefícios ligados à masturbação estarem amplamente documentados na
literatura, é ainda um tema controverso e estigmatizado, com poucos estudos sobre a realidade
feminina e variáveis psicossociais associadas. Objetivos: (1) averiguar o conhecimento sobre
o corpo genital feminino; (2) estudar as variáveis associadas à frequência de masturbação e
(3) estudar a relação entre a frequência de masturbação na adolescência e a frequência de
orgasmo em práticas sexuais com parceiro(a). Método: Um total de 583 participantes do sexo
feminino (M = 27.8 anos) participaram neste web survey. Resultados: A maioria (62.3%) da
amostra revelou um elevado conhecimento sobre o corpo genital feminino. Cerca de 96%
reportou já se ter masturbado em algum momento da sua vida, sendo a idade média de início
aos 13.9 anos. A frequência mais prevalente de masturbação foi de 1 vez por semana (25.1%).
Uma regressão múltipla hierárquica revelou os seguintes fatores significativamente
associados à frequência de masturbação: idade, nacionalidade, meio onde vive, estado
relacional, frequência de prática religiosa, conhecimento do corpo genital feminino,
autoimagem genital feminina, frequência de masturbação na adolescência, frequência
orgástica na masturbação e frequência orgástica na atividade sexual com parceiro(a). A
frequência de masturbação na adolescência encontrou-se positiva e significativamente
associada à frequência de orgasmo na atividade sexual com parceiro(a). A frequência
orgástica nas diferentes práticas sexuais com parceiros(as) evidenciou diferenças, podendo
estar associadas à orientação sexual. Conclusão: Os resultados salientam a importância de
diversos fatores para a compreensão da masturbação, contribuindo assim para a sua
destigmatização e intervenção.ABSTRACT: Although the benefits of masturbation are widely documented in the literature, it
remains a controversial and stigmatized topic, with few studies on women's realities and
associated psychosocial variables. Objectives: (1) to investigate female genital knowledge;
(2) to study the variables associated with the frequency of masturbation; and (3) to study the
relationship between frequency of adolescent masturbation and orgasm frequency in partnered
sexual practices. Method: A total of 583 female participants (M = 27.8 years) completed the
web-based survey. Results: The majority (62.3%) of the sample revealed a high level of
knowledge about the female genital body. About 96% reported engaging in masturbation at
some point in their lifetime, with an average onset age of 13.9 years. The most prevalent
frequency of masturbation was once a week (25.1%). A hierarchical multiple regression
analysis indicated that several factors were significantly associated with the frequency of
masturbation: age, nationality, place of residence, relationship status, religiosity, female
genital knowledge, female genital self-image, frequency of masturbation during adolescence,
frequency of orgasm during masturbation, and frequency of orgasm during sexual activity
with a partner. The frequency of adolescent masturbation was found to be positively and
significantly associated with the frequency of orgasm during sexual activity with a partner.
The frequency of orgasm in different sexual practices with partners showed differences that
may be related to sexual orientation. Conclusion: The findings highlight the importance of
several factors in understanding masturbation, thus contributing to its destigmatization and
intervention