Instituto Universitário de Ciências Psicológicas, Sociais e da Vida
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Adaptação e validação da versão portuguesa do Meaning of Food in Life Questionnaire (MFLQp)
Get PDFDissertação de Mestrado realizada
sob a orientação de Professora
Doutora Maria João Gouveia e
Professor Doutor Filipe Loureiro,
apresentada no Ispa – Instituto
Universitário para obtenção de
grau de Mestre na especialidade de
Psicologia da Saúde.Para além da satisfação de uma necessidade fisiológica, a comida assume uma
diversidade de significados na vida das pessoas (e.g., social ou moral), que têm mostrado estar
associados à escolha e comportamentos de consumo alimentares. A presente investigação teve
como objetivos: i) traduzir e adaptar o Meaning of Food in Life Questionnaire (MFLQ) para a
língua portuguesa; e ii) analisar as suas propriedades psicométricas. Com base nas respostas a
um estudo piloto inicial e revisão da literatura, foi proposta uma nova dimensão de
significado da comida na população portuguesa–a da Identidade cultural. A versão portuguesa
do MFLQ (MFLQp) com a sua nova dimensão foi testada em dois estudos. No Estudo 1 (N =
152), na Análise Fatorial Exploratória (AFE) efetuada à versão preliminar do MFLQp
emergiram os seis fatores esperados, todos com bons indicadores de consistência interna (α ≥
.72). Com base nos resultados obtidos, o questionário foi refinado. No Estudo 2 (N = 270), a
estrutura fatorial da versão final do MFLQp foi confirmada, tendo as dimensões apresentando
uma boa fiabilidade compósita. Além disso, os fatores do MFLQp apresentaram correlações
esperadas com variáveis teoricamente relacionadas, fornecendo evidência da sua validade
convergente externa. No geral, a versão adaptada do MFLQ revelou boas propriedades
psicométricas e evidenciou a validade e fiabilidade da dimensão de Identidade cultural.
Limitações, estudos futuros e implicações para a alteração do comportamento alimentar são
discutidos.ABSTRACT: More than the satisfaction of a physiological need, food takes on a variety of
meanings in people's lives (e.g., social or moral) which have been shown to be associated with
food choice and consumption behaviors. This research aimed to: i) translate and adapt the
Meaning of Food in Life Questionnaire (MFLQ) into Portuguese; and ii) analyze its
psychometric properties. Based on the responses to an initial pilot study and review of the
literature a new dimension of the meaning of food was proposed for the Portuguese
population - Cultural identity. The Portuguese version of the MFLQ (MFLQp) with its new
dimension was tested in two studies. In Study 1 (N = 152) the Exploratory Factor Analysis
(EFA) carried out on the preliminary version of the MFLQp revealed the six expected factors,
all with good internal consistency indicators (α ≥ .72). Based on the obtained results the
questionnaire was refined. In Study 2 (N = 270) the factor structure of the final version of the
MFLQp was confirmed, with the dimensions showing good composite reliability. In addition,
the MFLQp factors showed expected correlations with theoretically related variables,
providing evidence of their external convergent validity. Overall, the adapted version of the
MFLQ showed good psychometric properties and evidenced the validity and reliability of the
Cultural identity dimension. Limitations, future studies and implications for eating behavior
change are discussed
Vivências de seniores lésbicas e gays ao longo do ciclo de vida: um estudo qualitativo sobre o bem-estar sexual no contexto português
Get PDFDissertação de Mestrado realizada sob a orientação
da Professora Doutora Isabel Leal e do Dr. José
Alberto Ribeiro-Gonçalves, apresentada no Ispa –
Instituto Universitário para obtenção de grau de Mestre
na especialidade de Psicologia Clínica.Portugal é um dos países do Mundo onde mais se verifica o fenómeno do envelhecimento,
gerando-se, assim, desafios no âmbito da saúde e do bem-estar, nomeadamente em grupos
minoritários e mais vulneráveis, como os seniores lésbicas e gays. Uma dimensão
importante mas pouco estudada nos seniores lésbicas e gays, e especificamente em
Portugal, é o bem-estar sexual. Analisou-se comparativamente como 1) a transição do
período pré revolução de 25 de abril de 1974 até à atualidade e 2) as experiencias de
divulgação/ocultação e gestão da orientação sexual no ciclo de vida influenciaram o bem estar sexual dos seniores lésbicas e gays. Foram realizadas doze entrevistas
semiestruturadas, seis mulheres lésbicas e seis homens gays, com idades compreendidas
entre os 60 e os 83 anos (média= 67 anos). Através do método de Análise Temática
identificaram-se oito temas principais e 15 subtemas organizados de acordo com o
Modelo Bioecológico. Os resultados sugerem a existência de vivências de bem-estar
sexual semelhantes entre as mulheres lésbicas e os homens gays mais velhos, tais como
um padrão de orientação sexual subentendida e os parceiros como promotores
importantes de bem-estar sexual. Contudo, verificaram-se vivências diferentes e
fenómenos específicos a cada um dos grupos, no caso dos homens gays, a pandemia de
HIV-SIDA, e nas mulheres lésbicas, uma melhor integração e aceitação da orientação
sexual minoritária. Este estudo preenche uma lacuna da investigação com seniores
lésbicas e gays, contribuindo com dados para futuras intervenções no bem-estar sexual
desta população.ABSTRACT: Portugal is one of the countries in the World where population aging is more prevalent,
which generates challenges regarding health and wellbeing, namely in minority and
vulnerable groups such as lesbian and gay older adults. An important but understudied
dimension in older lesbian and gay adults, specifically in Portugal, is sexual wellbeing.
We analyzed comparatively how 1) the transition from the pre-revolution of April 25,
1974, to the present and 2) the disclosure/concealment experiences and sexual orientation
management throughout the life cycle influenced sexual wellbeing of lesbian and gay
older adults. Twelve semi-structured interviews were carried out, six lesbian women and
six gay men, between 60 and 83 years old (average= 67 years old). Using Thematic
Analysis, eight main themes and 15 subthemes were identified and organized according
to the Bioecological Model. The results suggest the existence of similar experiences of
sexual wellbeing between older lesbian women and gay men, such as a pattern of implied
sexual orientation and partners as important promoters of sexual wellbeing. However,
there were different experiences and specific phenomena for each group, such as the HIV AIDS pandemic for gay men and a better integration and acceptance of their minority
sexual orientation in lesbian women. This study fills a research gap with lesbian and gay
older people, offering information for future interventions in the sexual wellbeing of this
population
Autism-associated gene shank3 is necessary for social contagion in zebrafish
Get PDFBackground Animal models enable targeting autism-associated genes, such as the shank3 gene, to assess their
impact on behavioural phenotypes. However, this is often limited to simple behaviours relevant for social interaction.
Social contagion is a complex phenotype forming the basis of human empathic behaviour and involves attention
to the behaviour of others for recognizing and sharing their emotional or affective state. Thus, it is a form of social
communication, which constitutes the most common developmental impairment across autism spectrum disorders
(ASD).
Methods Here we describe the development of a zebrafish model that identifies the neurocognitive mechanisms by
which shank3 mutation drives deficits in social contagion. We used a CRISPR-Cas9 technique to generate mutations
to the shank3a gene, a zebrafish paralogue found to present greater orthology and functional conservation relative to
the human gene. Mutants were first compared to wild types during a two-phase protocol that involves the observation
of two conflicting states, distress and neutral, and the later recall and discrimination of others when no longer
presenting such differences. Then, the whole-brain expression of different neuroplasticity markers was compared
between genotypes and their contribution to cluster-specific phenotypic variation was assessed.
Results The shank3 mutation markedly reduced social contagion via deficits in attention contributing to difficulties
in recognising affective states. Also, the mutation changed the expression of neuronal plasticity genes. However, only
downregulated neuroligins clustered with shank3a expression under a combined synaptogenesis component that
contributed specifically to variation in attention.
Limitations While zebrafish are extremely useful in identifying the role of shank3 mutations to composite social
behaviour, they are unlikely to represent the full complexity of socio-cognitive and communication deficits presented
by human ASD pathology. Moreover, zebrafish cannot represent the scaling up of these deficits to higher-order
empathic and prosocial phenotypes seen in humans.
Conclusions We demonstrate a causal link between the zebrafish orthologue of an ASD-associated gene and the
attentional control of affect recognition and consequent social contagion. This models autistic affect-communication
pathology in zebrafish and reveals a genetic attention-deficit mechanism, addressing the ongoing debate for such
mechanisms accounting for emotion recognition difficulties in autistic individuals.Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia- FCT; FEDERinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Perceived quality of life and life satisfaction: Does the role of gender, age, skills, and psychological factors remain relevant after the COVID-19 pandemic?
Get PDFBackground: After two years of psychological, physical, social, economic, environmental, and societal challenges, this paper examines the psychological health and well-being of Portuguese students based on their socioemotional skills (SSES), positive youth development (PYD), depression, anxiety, and stress (DASS), as well as the relationship between these variables and their influence on perceived quality of life and life satisfaction. Methods: This study examined 3235 students from lower to upper secondary, half of whom were female (M = 14.46 ± 1.883 years old). Using SPSS software, descriptive statistics were determined for all variables; mean differences between age and gender were found using ANOVA and the post hoc Scheffe test. Linear regressions with the Enter method were used to study how to predict perceived quality of life and satisfaction with life. Results: Males had scores indicating more SSES|optimism, emotional control, resilience, confidence, sociability, creativity, energy, a sense of belonging to school, and PYD. Girls had better skills for cooperating and relating to teachers but more test anxiety and DASS. Younger adolescents had better psychological health, greater skills, and a better perception of quality of life and life satisfaction when compared to older adolescents. Age, gender, SSES, PYD, and the DASS variables can explain 69% of the variance in life satisfaction, while these variables can explain 60.5% of the variance in perceived quality of life. Conclusions: These results point to the relevance of SSES for psychological health and well-being, suggesting that interventions should focus on promoting these variables, paying special attention to female gender and age-related challenges.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
A qualitative study of imaginary pills and open-label placebos in test anxiety
Get PDFBackground
The efficacy of open-label placebos (OLPs) has been increasingly demonstrated and their
use holds promise for applications compatible with basic ethical principles. Taking this concept one step further an imaginary pill (IP) intervention without the use of a physical pill was
developed and tested in a randomized controlled trial (RCT). To explore participants’ experiences and views, we conducted the first qualitative study in the field of IPs.
Methods
A reflexive thematic analysis (RTA) of semi-structured interviews with test anxious students
(N = 20) was nested in an RCT investigating an IP and OLP intervention. In addition, openended questions from the RCT were evaluated (N = 114) to corroborate the RTA and pill
characteristics were included to more accurately capture the IP experience.
Results
Four key themes were identified: (1) attitude towards the intervention, (2) applicability of the
intervention, (3) experience of effects, and (4) characteristics of the imagination. The IP
intervention was well-accepted, easily applicable, and various effects, pill characteristics
and appearances were described. While many participants did not desire a physical pill,
either due to the absence of the imagination component or aversion to pills, the approach
was considered to be cognitively and time demanding, which in turn, however, encouraged
the establishment of a therapeutic ritual that protected against the increase in test anxiety
during the preparation phase. OLP findings were comparable, and especially the importance of a treatment rationale was stressed in both groups, counteracting an initial ambivalent attitude. The RTA findings were supported by the open-ended questions of the RCT.IPs appear to be a well-accepted and easily applicable intervention producing a variety of
beneficial effects. Thus, the IP approach might serve as an imaginary based alternative to
OLPs warranting further investigations on its application to harness placebo effects without
a physical pill.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Principios éticos en psicoterapia dentro de un amplio marco deontológico psicológico y médico: Una comparación internacional
Get PDFABSTRACT: Awareness of ethics codes and professional guidelines is crucial to a professional role in psychotherapy practice. Psychotherapy practice is increasingly heterogeneous, and there is much discussion about their effectiveness for clients. In some countries, psychotherapy is an autonomous profession. In others, is part of the professional features of psychologists and psychiatrists, and it is possible to find other health professionals working as psychotherapists in some
countries. Considering that ethical principles are central to the performance of a profession,
we intend to find connections between the ethical principles for psychotherapists and psychologists or psychiatrists. A critical review was done to promote an integrative vision of ethics
codes in psychotherapy. Content analysis of the ethics codes in psychotherapy was performed. Confidentiality, competence, and integrity were the principles more frequently found.
Psychotherapists seem to have a major concern with interpersonal relationships and are less
linked to social responsibility.Resumen: El conocimiento de los códigos éticos y las directrices profesionales es crucial para desempeñar
un papel profesional en la práctica de la psicoterapia. La práctica de la psicoterapia es cada
vez más heterogénea y se discute mucho sobre su eficacia para los clientes. En algunos países,
la psicoterapia es una profesión autónoma. En otros forma parte de las características profesionales de psicólogos y psiquiatras, y es posible encontrar a otros profesionales de la salud
trabajando como psicoterapeutas en algunos países. Considerando que los principios éticos son
centrales para el desempeño de una profesión, pretendemos encontrar conexiones entre los
principios éticos para psicoterapeutas y psicólogos o psiquiatras. Se realizó una revisión crítica
para promover una visión integradora de los códigos de ética en psicoterapia. Se realizó un
análisis de contenido de los códigos de ética en psicoterapia. La confidencialidad, la competencia y la integridad fueron los principios más frecuentemente encontrados. Los psicoterapeutas parecen tener una mayor preocupación por las relaciones interpersonales y están menos vinculados a la responsabilidad social.Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia - FCTinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Quantifying annual spatial consistency in chick-rearing seabirds to inform important site identification
Get PDFAnimal tracking has afforded insights into patterns of space use in numerous species and thereby informed area-based conservation planning. A crucial consideration when estimating spatial distributions from tracking data is whether the sample of tracked animals is representative of the wider population. However, it may also be important to track animals in multiple years to capture changes in distribution in response to varying environmental conditions. Using GPS-tracking data from 23 seabird species, we assessed the importance of multi-year sampling for identifying important sites for conservation during the chick-rearing period, when seabirds are most spatially constrained. We found a high degree of spatial overlap among distributions from different years in most species. Multi-year sampling often captured a significantly higher portion of reference distributions (based on all data for a population) than sampling in a single year. However, we estimated that data from a single year would on average miss only 5 % less of the full distribution of a population compared to equal-sized samples collected across three years (min: −0.3 %, max: 17.7 %, n = 23). Our results suggest a key consideration for identifying important sites from tracking data is whether enough individuals were tracked to provide a representative estimate of the population distribution during the sampling period, rather than that tracking necessarily take place in multiple years. By providing an unprecedented multi-species perspective on annual spatial consistency, this work has relevance for the application of tracking data to informing the conservation of seabirds.Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia - FCT; ARNETinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Cross-cultural adaptation and psychometric investigation of the palatable eating motives scale (PEMS) for a sample of Brazilian adults
Get PDFHighly palatable foods and beverages can significantly stimulate appetite through the reward system leading to hedonic
hunger. Investigating palatable food is important, especially in Brazil, which lacks this type of study based on psychometric
instruments such as the Palatable Eating Motives Scale (PEMS). 1. To adapt the PEMS from English to Portuguese; 2. To
evaluate the psychometric properties of the PEMS for a sample of young adults; 3. To verify the influence of sex, age, and
body mass index (BMI) on motives for consuming highly palatable foods and drinks. The PEMS was cross-culturally adapted
and translated into Portuguese. Psychometric properties included analyses of validity (factorial, convergent, discriminant,
and external) and reliability. A hypothetically causal structural model was constructed to verify the relationship between
individuals’ characteristics and PEMS factors. 1031 people participated in the study [female = 61.6%, mean age = 25.5
(SD = 5.3) years]. A PEMS model proposed in Turkish contexts showed adequate adjustment to the sample. Females and
younger individuals reported consuming highly palatable foods and drinks more frequently for Coping; Enhancement; and
other reasons compared to males and older individuals. Individuals with a higher BMI indicated that they consumed these
foods and drinks more frequently only for Coping. The Portuguese version of the PEMS was presented and the data obtained
for the sample were valid and reliable. Sex, age, and BMI are important characteristics to investigate consumption of highly
palatable foods and drinks.FAPESPinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Dialogues with parents: a parental support and empowerment program based on the Touchpoints Model
Get PDF“Dialogues with Parents-welcoming, listening, and empowering” aimed to
understand the impact of an innovative approach supporting parents with
identified social/emotional vulnerabilities. Program goals included the promotion
of positive parenting, the expansion of parents’ knowledge and skills, and the
enhancement of parent–child interactions. Based on the Brazelton Touchpoints
Developmental-Relational Frameworks, the program applied strength-based
assumptions and relationship-based practices to underpin empathic and
collaborative relationships with families, seeking to strengthen their confidence
in parenting. Two modalities were oered with a modular structure from
prenatal–newborn to 6 years. Both included 10 modules, one in which the same
group of parents carried out the complete sequence of sessions (Continuous
Group) and a second in which parents selected one Touchpoint according to
their needs and “drop in” to the session(s) of their choice (Touchpoints 1 by 1
Group). Data were gathered through satisfaction questionnaires at the end of each
encounter. A focus group was also held with parents from the Continuous Group.
The dierence between applications (248) and total participation (99) indicates
that parent’s interest in participating is high but only a third managed to join the
groups. Nevertheless, the results were very positive, highlighting the quality of
the Touchpoints approach and program implementation, namely its impact on
improving parents’ understanding of children’s development and of their own role
in parenting. Parents particularly valued the opportunity to actively participate in
the encounters and, in the Continuous Group, the usefulness of the encounters
for themselves as a person and as parents.Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia - FCTinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Statistical learning of distractor locations is dependent on task context
Get PDFThrough statistical learning, humans can learn to suppress visual areas that often contain distractors.
Recent findings suggest that this form of learned suppression is insensitive to context, putting into
question its real-life relevance. The current study presents a different picture: we show contextdependent
learning of distractor-based regularities. Unlike previous studies which typically used
background cues to differentiate contexts, the current study manipulated task context. Specifically,
the task alternated from block to block between a compound search and a detection task. In both
tasks, participants searched for a unique shape, while ignoring a uniquely colored distractor item.
Crucially, a different high-probability distractor location was assigned to each task context in the
training blocks, and all distractor locations were made equiprobable in the testing blocks. In a control
experiment, participants only performed a compound search task such that the contexts were made
indistinguishable, but the high-probability locations changed in exactly the same way as in the main
experiment. We analyzed response times for different distractor locations and show that participants
can learn to suppress a location in a context-dependent way, but suppression from previous task
contexts lingers unless a new high-probability location is introduced.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio