Browsing by Author "Cunha, Olga"
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- Análise confirmatória fatorial de uma versão portuguesa do Questionário de Agressividade de Buss-PerryPublication . Cunha, Olga; Gonçalves, Rui AbrunhosaBuss e Perry (1992) desenvolveram um instrumento composto por 29 itens para avaliar comporta - mentos agressivos, o Questionário de Agressividade de Buss-Perry (AQ). Neste estudo analisaram-se a estrutura fatorial e as propriedades psicométricas de uma versão portuguesa deste Questionário numa amostra de 633 estudantes do Norte de Portugal. A análise fatorial exploratória confirmou a estrutura fatorial de quatro fatores definida por Buss e Perry (1992): agressividade física, agressi - vidade verbal, raiva e hostilidade. A escala evidenciou boa consistência interna, com exceção do fator agressividade verbal. Na análise confirmatória verificou-se uma replicação moderada dos fatores agressividade física, raiva e hostilidade e uma modesta replicabilidade da agressividade verbal. O instrumento evidencia igualmente uma boa capacidade discriminante, verificando-se diferenças entre os sexos, com exceção da hostilidade. Os resultados foram discutidos com base na utilidade do AQ para a prática clínica e forense.
- Attitudes of police recruits towards offenders: the Impact of the police training on attitudinal changePublication . Cunha, Olga; Carvalho, Filipa; Castro Rodrigues, Andreia de; Cruz, Ana Rita; Gonçalves, Rui AbrunhosaThe traditional prevailing perspectives on attitudes assume that attitudes, once formed, are relatively stable over time. However, research has revealed that attitudes may be influenced by different factors that may change them. The present pre-posttest study aims to understand if the police recruits’ attitudes towards offenders change after police training and analyse the impact of sociodemographic and personality variables on recruits’ attitudes towards offenders. The Attitude Scale towards Offenders (ATO) and the NEO-FFI Personality Inventory were used in a sample of 74 recruits of a Portuguese Police Force at the beginning and the end of the police training program. Results revealed that, at the end of the training, recruits hold more negative attitudes towards offenders. Those who had previous professional experience in the army hold more positive attitudes, but only at the beginning of the training. Only attitudes towards offenders at the beginning of the police training program predict recruits’ attitudes towards offenders at the end of the training. These results emphasize the importance of initial and continuous training of recruits and police officers.
- Cognitive behavioural “third wave” therapies in the treatment of justice-involved individuals: A systematic reviewPublication . Cunha, Olga; Pereira, Bárbara; Sousa, Marta; Castro Rodrigues, Andreia dePsychological treatments have been increasingly used with justice-involved individuals; however, evidence regarding their effectiveness remains unclear. Thus, new approaches, such as Cognitive-Behavioural (CB) “third wave” therapies, have been implemented with justice-involved individuals. This systematic review describes and assesses the effectiveness of different CB “third wave” therapies, such as Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT), Mindfulness-based Approaches (MBA), Metacognitive Therapy (MCT), and Functional Analytic Psychotherapy (FAP) with justiceinvolved individuals. The research was conducted in four databases (i.e., B-on, PubMed, Science Direct, and PsycINFO) up to November 2023. Fifty studies were included in the review. DBT was the most assessed, followed by ACT. No studies using FAP and MCT were included. Preliminary evidence for the effectiveness of ACT, DBT, CFT, and MBA with justice-involved populations regarding aggression and violent behaviour reductions was found. However, the studies revealed some methodological shortcomings preventing us from reaching firmer conclusions. More research is needed to understand the impact of CB “third wave” therapies in forensic settings further.
- Dropout among perpetrators of intimate partner violence attending an intervention programPublication . Cunha, Olga; Silva, Andreia; Cruz, Ana Rita; Castro Rodrigues, Andreia de; Braga, Teresa; Gonçalves, Rui AbrunhosaBatterer intervention programs (BIPs) are some of the most relevant strategies to reduce intimate partner violence (IPV). However, the rate of dropout is significantly high, which may impact the effectiveness of such strategies. Literature has identified several factors associated with BIPs’ dropout; nonetheless findings remain inconsistent. Thus, the aims of this study were to analyse the differences between perpetrators who completed the program and those who droped out, in terms of sociodemographic, violence-related and intrapersonal variables, as well as identify the predictors of dropout. Eighty-three IPV perpetrators completed a set of measures that assessed attitudes toward domestic violence, physical and psychological abuse of a partner, aggression, coping skills, and readiness to change. Variables related to past criminal history and sociodemographics were also colletected. 42.2% of IPV perpetrators failed to complete the intervention program. The results revealed that age and previous convictions by other crimes than IPV discriminated perpetrators who completed the program from those who droped out, such that, being young and having a previous conviction predicted dropout. These findings reveal a need to further analyse the impact of these factors so BIPs can be tailored to meet the specificities of IPV perpetrators and prevent treatment dropout.
- In or out: Justice-involved women characterization and their perceptions about penal sanctions.Publication . Castro Rodrigues, Andreia de; Andrade, Joana; Gonçalves, Rui Abrunhosa; Cruz, Ana Rita; Cunha, OlgaWomen incarceration rates in Portugal are rising, nevertheless, noncustodial sanctions should be chosen, whenever possible. This paper aims to understand which women are being sentenced to noncustodial sanctions and which are not, and what they think about their penalty, considering that the penalties’ effectiveness is linked to how they are experienced. A self-report questionnaire was administered to 152 Portuguese women serving custodial and non-custodial sentences. Results demonstrated that women were not spared from prison, regardless of their parental and marital situation and whether or not this was their first penalty or if it was a nonviolent crime conviction. The women generally considered their sentences to be unfair, and rehabilitation was not considered the purpose guiding judges’ sentencing decisions. Implications for the rehabilitation of justice-involved women are discussed since these perceptions might compromise their adherence to the penalties and minimize its effectiveness.
- Initial Validation of Hanson Sex Attitude Questionnaire (HSAQ) in Portuguese perpetrators of child sexual abuse and perpetrators of non-sexual crimesPublication . Sousa, Marta; Gouveia, Cláudia; Cunha, Olga; Basto-Pereira, Miguel; Gonçalves, Rui Abrunhosa; Castro Rodrigues, Andreia deCognitive distortions (CDs) are a crucial element in the etiology of child sexual offending, with most of the intervention programs targeting them to reduce the risk of sexual recidivism in perpetrators of child sexual abuse (CSA). Researchers have developed the Hanson Sex Attitude Questionnaire (HSAQ) to assess CDs. With a total sample of 256 participants, the Portuguese version of the HSAQ revealed a two- factor structure. The HSAQ subscales demonstrated good to acceptable psychometric properties in terms of internal consistency, as well as discriminant validity. One of the subscales also demonstrated conver-gent validity. Additionally, the two subscales exhibited differences between perpetrators of CSA with and without previous interventions, indicating known-groups validity. Overall, our findings partially support the use of the HSAQ in the forensic Portuguese population, underscor-ing its significance for clinical and research purposes. Nevertheless, particular caution is advised, especially regarding factor two
- Intimate partner violence: Perceptions and attributions of male perpetratorsPublication . Cunha, Olga; Pereira, Bárbara; Cruz, Ana Rita; Gonçalves, Rui; Castro Rodrigues, Andreia dehere are many reasons to perpetrate intimate partner violence (IPV). This study analyzes the attributions and perceptions of Portuguese men who perpetrate IPV to understand their justifications for violence against their female partners. In-depth interviews were conducted with seven male perpetrators. Through thematic analysis, three main categories emerged: self, partner, and situational factors. Perpetrators identified self attributes as justifications to abuse, such as individual characteristics, emotional disturbances, and jealousy; partner attributes, such as partners’ characteristics and the use of violence against them; and situational factors, such as alcohol abuse and relational stressors. Perpetrators’ narratives evidenced a tendency to conceive violence as an unintentional and unplanned action, attributing violence to uncontrollable factors, and an attitude of non-accountability for their behaviors/actions. A deeper understanding of perpetrators’ perceptions and attributions for IPV will help to develop more effective intervention programs with offenders or to improve the existent ones, for example, in terms of dropout prevention, to reduce violence against women.
- Intra and extra-familial child sexual abuse: The role of psychopathyPublication . Sousa, Marta; Cunha, Olga; Gonçalves, Rui Abrunhosa; De Castro Rodrigues, AndreiaThe present study analyses the relationship between psychopathic traits, the four facets of psychopathy (i.e., interpersonal, affective, lifestyle, and antisocial), and the type of crime committed (i.e., intrafamilial and extrafamilial child sexual abuse; and nonsexual crimes). The Self-Report Psychopathy Scale – Short Form (SRP-SF) and the Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability Scale – Short Form were completed by 110 male individuals who sexually offended minors (ISOMs) and 146 individuals convicted for nonsexual crimes. Four binary logistic regression analyses were conducted, controlling for sociodemographic, criminal, and individual variables. ISOMs are less likely to score high in the SRP-SF total score and the interpersonal facet and more likely to score high in the affective facet than individuals with nonsexual crimes. Besides, ISOMs are less likely to have a prior history of alcohol and drug abuse and to have previous contact with the justice system but are more likely to have a history of psychological problems. Therefore, only the prior alcohol and drug abuse history emerged as predictors for ISOMs subtypes. According to our results, psychopathic traits should not be considered in the assessment and intervention of ISOMs, and the focus of the intervention should be on the affective dimension and the level of psychopathology
- Male perpetrators of child sexual abuse: A comparison between individuals serving custodial and non-custodial sentencesPublication . Sousa, Marta; Cunha, Olga; Abrunhosa Gonçalves, Rui; Rodrigues, Andreia de CastroThe literature considers individuals who sexually offended children (ISOCs) as a heterogeneous group. In Portugal, ISOCs may be subject to two types of sentences: custodial and non-custodial measures. In the present study, we performed a comparative analysis between 66 male individuals sentenced to prison and 47 male individuals sentenced to community measures for sexual crimes against children, using a set of sociodemographic, penal, and psychological measures. The results showed that the incarcerated ISOCs’ had more static risk factors for sexual and nonsexual recidivism. Only two variables increased the probability of belonging to the incarceration group: having other convictions beyond child sexual abuse and having committed serious sexual offenses. Based on these results, implications for ISOCs’ treatment and sentencing are discussed.
- Perpetration of intimate partner violence and COVID-19-related anxiety during the second lockdown in Portugal: The mediating role of anxiety, depression, and stressPublication . Cunha, Olga; Caridade, Sónia; Castro Rodrigues, Andreia de; Cruz, Ana Rita; Peixoto, Maria ManuelaPurpose The restrictions imposed during lockdown by COVID-19 pandemic entailed increased risks for the perpetration of intimate partner violence (IPV). Widespread fear and uncertainty related to the virus and the policies adopted to contain it have been linked to a set of social, emotional, and economic stressors that can increase the risk of IPV. The present study aims to assess the association between COVID-19-related anxiety, psychological distress (depression, anxiety, and stress), and IPV perpetration in the community, as well as to assess the mediating role of psychological distress and depression, anxiety, and stress in the relationship between COVID-19-related anxiety and the perpetration of IPV. Methods A sample of 336 participants (282 females, Mage=34.91, SD=11.72) was recruited from the Portuguese population through an online self-report questionnaire, completed after the second lockdown (from April and July 2021). Results High rates of IPV perpetration during the confnement, in particular psychological and physical IPV, were found. COVID-19-related anxiety and psychological distress (depression, anxiety, and stress) were related to higher levels of IPV perpetration. Psychological distress and stress mediated the relationship between COVID-19-related anxiety and total IPV perpetration and psychological distress and depression mediated the relationship between COVID-19-related anxiety and psychological IPV perpetration. Conclusions This study highlights the mediating role of psychological distress on IPV perpetration. Practical implications for intervention policies in IPV perpetration will be discussed.