Repositório do ISPA
Repositório Institucional do Ispa-Instituto Universitário
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Outcomes of the therapeutic relationship in treating individuals who have committed crimes: A systematic review
Publication . Sousa, Marta; Félix, Sílvia; Padinha, Catarina; Caridade, Sónia; de Castro Rodrigues, Andreia; Cunha, Olga
Several studies suggest that the quality of the therapeutic relationship (TR) between the patient and their therapist plays a significant role in predicting the outcomes of various forms of psychotherapy. However, it remains unclear whether the TR also influences the outcomes of treatment programs for justice-involved populations. Therefore, this systematic review aims to identify the impact of the TR on treatment outcomes with justice-involved individuals. A comprehensive search was conducted in B-on, Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, PsycInfo, and Scielo for peer-reviewed quantitative studies providing data on individuals who committed crimes, available in English, Portuguese, or Spanish. A total of 18 studies that met the inclusion criteria were included in the final synthesis. Most of the included studies comprised predominantly male samples convicted of sexual offenses or intimate partner violence–related crimes. Regarding therapists, both genders were represented, along with a diversity of academic backgrounds. In terms of effectiveness, the findings suggest that the TR may exert a stronger influence on proximal, intrapersonal outcomes—such as motivation to change and well-being—than on more distal, behavioral outcomes, including aggression or recidivism. However, the existing studies are scarce and present several methodological limitations. Although the findings suggest the relevance of considering therapists and their training as potential responsivity factors in treatment, further research is needed to draw firm conclusions.
Nonapeptide molecular evolution during the adaptive radiation of Tanganyika cichlids
Publication . Sorigue, Pol; Salzburger, Walter; Oliveira, Rui F.
Oxytocin (OT) and vasotocin (VT) are evolutionarily conserved nonapeptides that regulate a wide range of physiological and behavioral processes in vertebrates. Their receptor families have undergone gene duplications that facilitated functional diversification throughout vertebrate evolution. Using the diverse cichlid species in Lake Tanganyika, which have undergone repeated evolutionary transitions between social phenotypes, we investigated the molecular evolution of the nonapeptide system and its potential involvement in social behavior. We performed a positive selection analysis based on the ratio and examined the correlation between amino acid variants and two social phenotypes. We also analysed gene expression data to explore associations between brain receptor expression and social phenotype variation. Our findings reveal that, while most sites in nonapeptide receptors are under strong purifying selection, a few sites– primarily in the extended intracellular loop 3 (IL3) of VTR2A receptors– show signatures of positive selection. Additionally, a specific amino acid in VTR2Aa correlates with pair‐bonding, suggesting its potential role in social attachment. Gene expression analyses further revealed that components of the nonapeptide system, including VTR2Bb and OT, are differentially expressed across social phenotypes, supporting a role for regulatory variation alongside coding changes. Together, these findings provide new insights into how conserved neuroendocrine systems contribute to social diversity in cichlids.
Displacement, personal loss, and psychological strain among physicians and nurses working in Gaza, 2023–2024
Publication . Mohanad S. A. Qudaih; Daqqa, Hamza A. Abu; AlNajjar, Omar R.; Wehedi, Dalia T. A.; Khoury, Rasha; Bouquet, Benjamin; Matos, Lisa; Sariahmed, Karim
On January 26th 2024, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) recognized plausible grounds for genocide being committed in Gaza by Israel. A hallmark of the violence has been unprecedented attacks on health workers since October 7th, 2023. We use the word “genocide” to refer to this period of accelerated violence and displacement in Gaza, following ICJ findings, detailed reports by human rights organizations, and statements by genocide scholars concluding that Israel is indeed committing genocide. To assess impacts of this violence, between December 2023 and January 2024 we conducted an anonymous cross-sectional online survey of physicians and nurses working in Gaza prior to and during the genocide. Participants reported on workplace displacement, personal losses, and psychological impacts using the Professional Quality of Life Scale for Health Workers (ProQOL-H). 56 participants completed one or more survey components. Among 46 participants reporting on displacement, 25 (54%) reported having to change workplaces at least once. Among 41 participants documenting personal loss, 17 (41%) reported that a family member was killed and 32 (78%) reported that a close colleague was killed. Among 35 participants completing the ProQOL-H, 17 (49%) respondents reported “high” compassion satisfaction (scores of 24–30), 13 (37%) reported high burnout, and 13 (37%) reported high secondary traumatic stress. This is markedly different from CS, BO, and STS scores reported by nurses in the West Bank in a recent study, likely reflecting the genocide in Gaza. Further work with survivors is needed to characterize their experiences and reconcile them with culture-specific coping strategies such as . Culturally relevant, mixed methods follow up to this work is needed to inform interventions to support the recovery of survivors and rebuild Gaza’s healthcare system. This will only be possible when the genocide is brought to a permanent end, along with the conditions which have enabled it.
Facial mimicry to infant and adult emotions in mothers and non‐mothers
Publication . Sinisalo, Hanneli; Veistola, Sonja; Bakermans‐Kranenburg, Marian J.; Peltola, Mikko J.
A key aspect of parent–infant interaction is parental mirroring of infant emotions through facial mimicry, the automatic imitation of observed facial expressions. Facial mimicry can be measured using facial electromyography (EMG) and has been associated with empathic abilities, such as recognizing others' emotions. Currently, there is no research investigating how such empathy‐related processes might change during the transition to parenthood. In this study, we compared first‐time mothers of young infants and non‐mothers in their physiological responses in two facial muscle areas (corrugator supercilii and zygomaticus major) to dynamic emotional infant and adult faces. In addition, we examined whether the EMG responses are associated with salivary testosterone levels. Participants performed an emotion recognition task with dynamic infant and adult emotional expressions changing between happy and distressed expressions while facial mimicry was measured with EMG. Mothers showed a more pronounced zygomaticus response specifically to smiling infant faces, and a greater corrugator response to faces changing to distress, regardless of stimulus age. Non‐mothers' zygomaticus response to infant smiles was inversely associated with testosterone level. No other correlations between testosterone and EMG responses were found. These results indicate that new mothers may show heightened affective empathic reactivity especially to infant emotions.
Gender and judicial decision-making: A systematic review of how gendered narratives shape judicial reasoning
Publication . Pereira, Bárbara; Sousa, Marta; Rodrigues, Andreia de Castro; de Castro Rodrigues, Andreia
Gendered assumptions within judicial reasoning shape how cases of
sexual violence (SV) are interpreted, prosecuted, and adjudicated. This
systematic review synthesizes empirical evidence on how gender
stereotypes and cultural myths influence judicial and prosecutorial
perceptions of adult female victims, primarily in SV cases, with limited
evidence from intimate partner violence (IPV). Twenty-eight studies,
with judges, prosecutors, and jury eligible mock jurors’ samples were
identified across five databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Medline,
PsycINFO, and SCOPUS), following PRISMA guidelines. Findings suggest
that gender stereotypes function as heuristic frameworks shaping
the construction and discounting of victim credibility, the interpretation
of evidence, and the attribution of responsibility. These patterns
were most consistently observed in SV contexts, where deviations
from the “ideal victim” stereotype were associated with increased
victim-blaming and reduced case progression. Evidence from IPV studies,
although limited, suggests distinct credibility dynamics linked to
ongoing relational contexts. The review highlights the persistence of
gendered biases across decision-maker types and study designs.
Conclusions are therefore tempered by the heterogeneity of the evidence
base and the predominance of SV research. The findings support
the need for structural, procedural, and training-based
interventions to reduce bias and promote more equitable judicial
outcomes.