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- Promoting socioemotional development in early childhood: Implementation and evaluation of the VIPP-SD parenting intervention in PortugalPublication . Verissimo, Manuela; Guedes, Maryse; Fernandes, Marilia; Fernandes, Carla; Santos, Carolina; Diniz, Eva; Oliveira, Paula; Negrão, Mariana; Sampaio, Filipa; Bakermans-Kranenburg, MarianThe prevention of internalizing and externalizing behavioral problems in children is a critical scientific and public health priority. Research highlights maternal sensitivity—defined as a caregiver’s ability to perceive, interpret, and respond appropriately to their child’s cues—and consistent but non-coercive discipline as key factors in reducing these behavioral issues. The Video-feedback Intervention to Promote Positive Parenting and Sensitive Discipline (VIPP-SD) aims to enhance maternal sensitivity and promote non-coercive discipline strategies. Meta-analyses have demonstrated its effectiveness in improving parental sensitivity, limit-setting practices, and child attachment security, particularly among socioeconomically disadvantaged families. However, evidence on its impact on externalizing behaviors remains mixed, with some studies suggesting delayed or context-specific effects. This project aims to evaluate VIPP-SD’s impact on parental sensitivity, discipline, child behavioral problems, and parental mental health in Portugal. Additionally, it seeks to assess the intervention’s cost-effectiveness by analyzing health outcomes, resource utilization, and associated costs. The program consists of a baseline visit, four intervention sessions, and optional booster sessions, focusing on themes such as sensitive responsiveness, positive reinforcement, and empathetic boundary-setting. 120 families from vulnerable populations in Portugal will be recruited and randomly assigned to the VIPP-SD intervention or the same number of contacts without feedback on parenting. Trained interveners will deliver the intervention. Pre- and posttest assessments include observed and self-reported parenting behaviors, parental mental health, quality of life, and resource use. Follow-up assessments include questionnaires on parent and child variables. Discussion The study aims to provide robust evidence to inform health policy decisions and prioritize cost-effective early interventions that improve developmental outcomes, reduce societal costs, and support family well-being.
- Beyond the destination: A qualitative study on how experiencing leisure traveling shapes mental health among older adultsPublication . von Humboldt, Sofia; Ilyas, Namrah; Maria Pereira Leal, IsabelLeisure traveling holds the potential to positively influence the emotional and mental health of older adults, a population increasingly recognized for its unique well-being challenges. This study aims to: a) assess the emotional experiences of leisure traveling among older adults; and b) analyze how leisure traveling influences the mental health of older adults. A total of 784 older adults from three nationalities, aged 65 to 82 years (M = 71.4; SD = 4.47), participated in the study. In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted, and content analysis was employed. For the first objective, eight themes emerged: (1) Less loneliness and isolation (88.3%); (2) Increased selfconfidence (84.9%); (3) Meaningful relationships (75.2%); (4) Opportunities for physical activity (70.1%); (5) Personal growth (66.4%); (6) Improved sense of agency (61.2%); (7) Enhanced coping skills (59.5%); and (8) Increased perceived well-being (57.3%). For the second objective, four themes emerged: (1) Less depressive symptoms (78.3%), (2) Reduced stress and anxiety (77.3%), (3) Cognitive flexibility (75.3%), and (4) Improved sleep quality (63.9%). Portuguese older adults focused on less loneliness and isolation (88.3%) and reduced stress and anxiety (77.3%). English older adults emphasized meaningful relationships (75.2%) and less depressive symptoms (78.3%), while Brazilian participants highlighted opportunities for physical activity (70.1%) and cognitive flexibility (75.3%). Leisure traveling enriches older adults’ lives by enhancing mental health, highlighting its vital role in promoting multifaceted well-being in later life.
- From abuse to offense: The legacy of childhood sexual abuse on the psychological functioning of men who perpetrated child sexual abusePublication . Sousa, Marta; Cunha, Olga; Gonçalves, Tânia; Gonçalves, Rui; de Castro Rodrigues, AndreiaBackground: Childhood sexual abuse (CSA) is often considereda significant factor associated with sexual offending in adulthood.However, the specific role of this experience in the commission ofsexual offenses remains unclear. Objective: This study aimed to exam-ine differences in emotional functioning (i.e. symptomatology, self-esteem) and dysfunctional thinking patterns between men convictedof CSA with and without a personal history of CSA. Participants andSetting: The sample consisted of 109 adult men found guilty of com-mitting CSA, divided into two groups: those who reported havingexperienced CSA (n = 26) and those who did not (n = 83). Methods:Participants were evaluated on several dimensions, including socio-demographic and legal variables, history of sexual, physical, and psy-chological abuse, substance use, psychopathology, aggression, self-esteem, victim empathy, and cognitive distortions. Results: Those witha history of CSA showed more psychological symptoms, greater levelsof aggression, and lower self-esteem compared to those without sucha history. They also demonstrated more distorted beliefs related tosexual drive. Conclusions: The findings highlight important implica-tions for prevention and intervention, suggesting that individuals witha history of CSA may present distinct emotional and cognitive needscompared to those without such experiences.
- Perceived parental emotional availability, emotion regulation, and health-related quality of life in adolescentsPublication . Simão, Sofia; Diniz, Eva; Babore, Alessandra; Brandão, Tânia; Diniz, EvaThis study examines differences in perceived parental emotional availability, emotion regulation (ER), and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among adolescents, considering gender, age, and family structure. It also assesses contextual differences in ER (at home vs. at school) and investigates the mediating role of ER in the relationship between perceived parental emotional availability and HRQoL. The sample consisted of 202 Portuguese adolescents (M age = 13.44 years, SD = 1.01; 52.5% girls) who participated in this cross-sectional study. Self-report scales were used to assess perceived emotional availability, ER, and HRQoL, with data collected during classes using a paper-and-pencil procedure. The results showed that girls’ perceptions of mother and father emotional availability were smaller than perceptions reported by boys; girls reported lower HRQoL. Also, adolescents from divorced/separated families reported higher levels of expressive suppression at home and lower HRQoL. Both maternal and paternal perceived emotional availability were positively associated with better HRQoL in adolescents. Furthermore, expressive suppression (within the home context) and cognitive reappraisal (within the school context) partially explained these associations. These findings have important implications for both practice and research, highlighting the significance of perceived parental emotional availability and the role of ER in enhancing adolescents’ HRQoL.
- Exploring associations between infant attachment, maternal sensitivity, and attention to maternal emotion expressionsPublication . Peltola, Mikko J.; Biro, Szilvia; Huffmeijer, Rens; Sinisalo, Hanneli; Bakermans-Kranenburg, Marian; IJzendoorn, Marinus H. vanRecent studies have indicated that patterns of infant‐caregiver attachment are associated with differences in infants’ processing of social signals of emotion, such as facial expressions. In the current longitudinal study we extended this line of research to social signals of actual attachment figures by investigating whether 7‐month‐old infants’ neural and attentional responses to their mother's angry and happy facial expressions are associated with infants’ attachment security to the mother at 12 months of age. At 7 months , we measured event‐related potentials (ERP) to the mother's angry and happy faces and attention dwell times to the mother's and a stranger's angry and happy faces, and maternal sensitivity was assessed during free play. At 12 months (n = 69), infant attachment was assessed with the Strange Situation procedure. In infants who were later classified as having secure attachment, the Nc ERP component indexing attention allocation was larger to maternal happy than angry expressions, whereas no difference in Nc amplitudes to maternal facial expressions was observed in infants with later insecure attachment. We speculate that this may indicate greater approach motivation triggered by the reward value of happy faces in securely attached infants through repeated experiences of positive interaction with the caregiver. Studies have indicated that different patterns of infant‐caregiver attachment are associated with infants’ processing of emotion expressions. We investigated whether infants’ attachment security is related to attentional and neural responses to their mother's facial expressions. Infants with secure attachment displayed larger attention‐related brain responses to their mother's happy than angry faces, no difference was found in insecurely attached infants.This may indicate greater reward value associated with happy faces in securely attached infants through repeated experiences of positive interaction with the caregiver.
- Menopause and weight loss (ME-WEL) randomised controlled trial: An e-health cognitive-behavioural group intervention for weight management in postmenopausal womenPublication . Leitão, Mafalda; Pérez-López, Faustino; Marôco, João; Pimenta, Filipa; Pimenta, Filipa; Maroco, JoãoBackground: Successful weight management is important for menopausal women, given the high prevalence of overweight and obesity. This study evaluated the efficacy of a cognitive-behavioural e-Health group intervention for weight management in postmenopausal women with overweight or obesity. The intervention incorporates the Health Action Process Approach, Health Belief Model, Oxford Food and Activity Behaviours, and Behaviour Change Techniques. Methods: This randomised controlled trial involved 27 participants − 13 in the intervention group (IG), who received an 8-week intervention, and 14 in the control group (CG), who received an informative leaflet. Five longitudinal assessments were performed. All variables were measured using quantitative instruments, and Body Mass Index was calculated from self-reported weight and height. Latent growth models (LGM) were conducted according to the intention-to-treat principle. Results: The LGM showed that some weight management strategies increase significantly over time in IG (energy compensation, regulation: rule setting) and regarding subjective well-being (positive affect and satisfaction with life). Additionally, the IG showed a decrease in emotional and uncontrolled eating, and an increase in self-esteem and health-related determinants. Discussion: Long-term effects of this cognitive-behavioural intervention were found in some measures, while others only increased for a certain period. Increasing session frequency and incorporating monthly maintenance sessions are recommended to achieve more sustainable results over time.
- Sweating it out: The influence of sex and emotions on human sweat productionPublication . Gomes, Nuno; Benrós, Miguel F.; Martins, Jorge S.; Semin, Gün R.; Semin, Gün Refik; Gomes, NunoHuman sweat conveys a wealth of information about its donors, including their emotional state at the time of release. While extensive research has examined the communicative potential of human sweat, the mechanisms underlying emotional sweat production remain underexplored. This study employed a data-driven approach with a large sample of sweat donors (N = 334; most participants were university students) to investigate the relation between sweat production and the emotional state of males and females across three conditions – fear, happiness, and rest. Four key questions were addressed: (i) Do males produce more sweat than females across emotional conditions? (ii) Does sweat production vary as a function of emotional experience? (iii) Is sweat production associated with self-ratings of emotional experience? and (iv) Are there sex differences in these associations? Results revealed that males produced significantly more sweat than females in fear-inducing conditions, which also showed the highest overall sweat production. Contrary to prior findings, happiness-related sweat production did not exceed that of rest in either sex, a discrepancy potentially due to contextual factors. Moreover, sweat production was positively associated with reported negative emotional experience during the fear-inducing sessions, but only for males. This suggests that male, but not female, donors may have the capacity to encode emotional intensity in sweat production. These findings provide new insights into the physiological and contextual factors that shape emotional communication through sweat, with potentially important implications for future research. Additionally, the observed sex asymmetries are discussed in light of a possible evolutionary explanation.
- High variability in aggression and habituation to the mirror assay in ornamental Siamese fighting fish Betta splendensPublication . Silva, Melina Coelho da; Canário, Adelino V. M.; Hubbard, Peter C.; Cardoso, Sara D.; Gonçalves, David; da Silveira Gonçalves, David Miguel; Pastor, YolandaUnderstanding consistent inter-individual variability in animal behaviour, known as personality traits, is essential for exploring the mechanisms and evolutionary consequences of behavioural diversity. Aggressive behaviour influences survival, resource acquisition, and reproduction, so clarifying individual differences can enhance our understanding of ecological dynamics and improve experimental design accuracy in behavioural studies. In this study, ornamental male Betta splendens, a model organism for aggression research, were analysed for intra- and inter-individual variability in aggressive responses to their mirror image—a standard method for assessing aggression in fish—once per week, and their consistency was evaluated over three consecutive weeks There were significant differences in aggressive behaviour across individuals, with coefficients of variation ranging from 29 to 60%. While most fish exhibited the full suite of aggressive displays, some showed no aggressive behaviour, while others only displayed threat behaviours but did not advance to the attacks. The consistency of individual threat and attack behaviours varied, but repeatability was high overall (intra-class correlation coefficients ≥ 0.5), indicating that individual fish have different levels of aggression. There was habituation to the mirror assay, with aggression decreasing significantly by the second week, though the degree of habituation, a form of learning, varied among individuals in some behaviours. Air-breathing frequency correlated positively with aggression behaviours and can be considered an indicator to infer aggression level in this species. These results indicate that inter-individual variation in aggressive behaviour and habituation to repeated testing using the mirror assay should be considered in aggression studies using and potentially in other species.
- Psychometric properties of the hypoglycemia fear survey—Parents (HFS-P) in the Portuguese ContextPublication . Costa, Vasco; Patton, Susana R.; Vale, Sónia do; Sampaio, Lurdes; Limbert, Catarina; Brandão, TâniaBackground/Objectives: Hypoglycemia occurs when blood glucose levels drop significantly below the normal range leading to unpleasant symptoms and a greater risk of acute complications. Fear of hypoglycemia (FH) is a conditioned psychological response to hypoglycemia frequently experienced by people with type 1 diabetes (T1D) and their loved ones. The present study aimed to examine the psychometric properties of a Portuguese translation of the Hypoglycemia Fear Survey—Parents (HFS-P) for the parents of youths with T1D. Methods: The sample consisted of 102 parents (M = 44.58 years old; SD = 5.01; mothers = 92.2%) of youths with T1D (8 to 17 years of age; M = 12.67; SD = 2.58). Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) and convergent validity were performed to examine the factor structure and the construct validity of the HFS-P. Results: CFA supports a refined two-factor 18-item version of the HFS-P. The results indicate good psychometric properties (χ2 [129] = 220.47.; p ≤ 0.001; χ2/DF = 1.71; RMSEA = 0.08; SRMR = 0.07; CFI = 0.93; TLI = 0.91; GFI = 0.93) along with good to excellent internal consistency coefficients (behavior subscale: α = 0.81, total: α = 0.93, and worry: α = 0.94). Conclusions: Our Portuguese version of the HFS-P appears reliable for assessing FH in parents of youths with T1D, and is ready for use in clinical research and to evaluate psychological interventions targeting parental FH in the Portuguese context.
- Post-traumatic stress symptoms, rumination, and posttraumatic growth in women with a traumatic childbirth experiencePublication . Abreu, Wilson; Brandão, Sónia; Brandão, Tânia; Prata, Ana Paula; Silva, Rosa; Riklikiene, Olga; Jarasiunaite-Fedosejeva, Gabija; Mesa, Ernesto S. González; İsbir, Gözde Gökçe; Inci, Figen; Akik, Burku Komurcu; Uriko, Kristiina; Governo, Tatiana; Thompson, GillBackground: Rumination can either prolong distress or foster growth following traumatic experiences like childbirth. This study investigates the association between post-traumatic stress symptoms and post-traumatic growth in women who underwent traumatic childbirth, examining the potential mediating role of two types of rumination – intrusive and deliberate. Methods: A cross-sectional study in Northern Portugal from January 2020 to December 2021 surveyed 202 women with infants under 12 months, self-reporting traumatic childbirth experiences. Instruments included the City Birth Trauma Scale, Event-Related Rumination Inventory, and Post-traumatic Growth Inventory. Results: Women experienced various childbirth-related traumatic events, with most showing post-traumatic stress symptoms for over three months. Approximately 60% met post-traumatic stress disorder criteria. The results indicate that post-traumatic stress symptoms were positively correlated with post-traumatic growth, and both showed positive associations with intrusive rumination and deliberate rumination. Mediation analysis revealed deliberate rumination significantly