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Recent Submissions

Post-traumatic stress symptoms, rumination, and posttraumatic growth in women with a traumatic childbirth experience

Publication . 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, Gill

Background: 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

2025-05-25Journal article

Open access

“Until COVID-19 do us part”: A qualitative study on perceived sexual intimacy and mental health in heterosexual older couples during the Covid-19 pandemic

Publication . von Humboldt, Sofia; Low, Gail; Leal, Isabel

This study aims to explore the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on heterosexual older couples’ sexual intimacy and in relation to their mental health. A content analysis of the ideas and insights shared by 391 older persons (between 65 and 87 years of age) from three different countries was most instructive. The most frequent themes were less sexual satisfaction (68%) and less sexual desire (67%). In terms of mental health, the most frequent themes included less anxiety and distress (78%) and greater attention to negative emotional states (55%) Cultural differences emerged, with Brazilian and Portuguese participants more frequently reporting negative themes compared to British participants, who emphasized stronger emotional bonds. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to unfold, ongoing research and interventions should prioritize understanding and addressing the implications of reduced physical contact and heightened emotional stress on sexual intimacy.

2024-09-10Journal article

Restricted access

Challenges and potential in implementing STE(A)M in teachers’ practices: A systematic review

Publication . Teixeira, Patrícia Bertolo; Rocha, Helena; Martins, Cristina

The potential of STE(A)M has been widely recognised in recent years; however, challenges have also been identified in the implementa- tion of this approach, making it important to deepen research into teachers’ practices. In this study, we conducted a systematic review focused on teaching practices within a STE(A)M approach, to under- stand what challenges and limitations teachers encounter, as well as the possibilities authors suggest to overcome them. The research question is: What are the challenges and potentialities of implement- ing the STE(A)M approach in teachers’ practices? This review anal- ysed articles indexed in the Web of Science and Scopus databases over the last eight years, following the PRISMA scheme. The 26 arti- cles examined highlight challenges such as time management, lack of resources and funding, limited guidance, gaps in teacher train- ing, difficulty integrating subject areas, issues implementing new technologies and obstacles imposed by school structures. In light of of these, the following proposals were suggested: placing greater emphasis on STE(A)M in initial and continuing teacher education, increasing support from schools and government bodies, encourag- ing collaborative work between teachers from different areas, adopt- ing innovative strategies and methodologies and offering a clearer conceptualisation of STE(A)M.

2025-05-09Journal article

Open access

Investigative interviews with individuals who perpetrated sex crimes: A scoping review

Publication . Sousa, Marta; Cláudia, Gouveia; Castro-Rodrigues, Andreia de; Caridade, Sónia; Cunha, Olga

Sex crimes (CS) are a global public health problem with profound negative consequences for victims, their families, and society. The perpetrator's testimony is crucial for case outcomes because sexual offenses are frequently underreported, often due to limited evidence and lack of victim testimonies. Therefore, perpetrator investigative interviews play a decisive role in criminal investigations. The aim of this scoping review is to identify and describe evidence-based investigative interview techniques for gathering testimony from SC perpetrators using a structured methodology. Studies were identified through manual reference checking and in five electronic databases: Scopus, B-On, Web of Science, PsycINFO, and PubMed. Eight studies met the inclusion criteria. Most of the studies focused on rape and child sexual abuse. Five studies presented interview protocols, while three focused on interview techniques that interviewers should employ to elicit more information. It was possible to conclude that both the presented interviews and the techniques share a similar general structure. Clinical, forensic, and criminal implications are elaborated.

2025-07Journal article

Open access

Developing and evaluating a Portuguese-language meditation App for medical students: motivation, adherence, and emotional effects

Publication . Soares, Ana Rita; Soares, Sandra; Brandão, Tânia; Teixeira, Ricardo João; Tavares, Isaura

The well-being of medical students is affected by high stress levels. The relevance of a mindfulness mediation app (Med@Med) specifically produced to help medical students at a Portuguese medical school cope with stress was evaluated. The app, consisting of 21 short meditations, was totally developed in Portuguese to fulfill with the needs of some of the students. The motivations to use the app, adherence to it, and its emotional benefits were evaluated. A total of 147 medical students were enrolled in the study. Students completed questionnaires related to emotional regulation (Emotion Regulation of Others and Self) and emotional thermometers before the first meditation and at the end of the project. Before and after each meditation, the students were invited to identify their basic emotion (joy, fear, disgust, anger, or sadness), no perceived emotion, or no reply. Participants received daily motivational messages (scientific or in lay language) or no message during the first 7 days of the project and the retention was registered. The main motivations to use the Med@Med app were to experience meditation (33%), decrease stress/anxiety (25%), or implement a daily meditation routine (16%). The remaining motivations of the students were sleep improvement or enhancement of academic performance. The self-motivation to use the app was high (7.3 ± 3.2 on a 1–10 scale). Participants that received daily messages in lay language, which summarized scientific findings about the benefits of meditation, were more likely to continue to use the app. The emotions changed from pre- to post-practice, with an increase in self-identification with joy and decrease of fear and sadness. An improvement in the intrinsic emotional regulation subscale (p < 0.01) was detected. In comparison with age-matched students that did not use the Med@Med app, the students that used the app presented less emotional distress and anxiety as evaluated by emotional thermometers. This study shows that medical students are motivated to use a meditation app. The improvement of emotion-related parameters after the use of the Med@Med app is a promising result. The benefits of using the Med@Med meditation app prepared in Portuguese keeping in mind the needs of medical students should be evaluated in other Portuguese-speaking medical schools.

2025-03-05Journal article

Open access