Percorrer por autor "Gaspar de Matos, Margarida"
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- Bullying, mental health, and the moderating role of supportive adults: A cross-national analysis of adolescents in 45 countriesPublication . Kim, Samuel Seunghan; Craig, Wendy Marion; King, Nathan; Bilz, Ludwig; Cosma, Alina; Michal, Cosma; Qirjako, Gentiana; Matos, Margarida Gaspar De; Augustine, Lilly; Šmigelskas, Kastytis; Pickett, William; Gaspar de Matos, MargaridaObjectives: Relationships with supportive adults during adolescence may be a protective factor that lowers the risks associated with bullying. The current study aimed to examine the moderating role of supportive adults in the associations between bullying involvement (in-person and cyber) and mental health problems (psychological symptoms and low life satisfaction). Methods: Data from 45 countries and regions taking part in the 2017/18 Health Behaviour in School-Aged Children study (N = 230,757) were used. Multivariable Poisson regression models were used to estimate relative risks of bullying on mental health. Effect estimates were compared across the number of supportive adults to examine a possible cumulative protective effect of relationships with supportive adults. Results: Bullying involvement was consistently associated with poor mental health across the 45 countries. Risk of mental health problems associated with bullying involvement was greatest among students reporting relationships with multiple supportive adults. This was true for all indicators of bullying involvement.Conclusion: Bullying remains a prevalent and harmful experience for youth worldwide. Merely having supportive adults is not sufficient in protecting youth from experiencing the mental health risks associated with bullying.
- Correlates of active commuting to school among portuguese adolescents: An ecological model approachPublication . Loureiro, Nuno; Loureiro, Vânia; Grao-Cruces, Alberto; Martins, João; Matos, Margarida Gaspar de; Gaspar de Matos, MargaridaActive commuting to and from school can be an important contribution to improving health in adolescents. This study aimed to analyze the influence of multilevel variables of the ecological model in the active commuting of a representative sample of Portuguese adolescents. The 2018 Health Behaviour in School-Aged Children questionnaire was applied to 5695 adolescents with an average age of 15.5 years old (SD ± 1.8), 53.9% of whom were girls. The associations were studied by applying chi-square tests and multivariate logistic regression models. In this study, 36.5% of the participants reported walking or cycling to school. Active commuting to school was directly associated with age (OR = 1.2; p < 0.05), strong family support (OR = 1.2; p < 0.05), a moderate to low financial level of the family (OR = 1.3; p < 0.05) and living near the school (OR = 2.4; p < 0.05). The results revealed that an adolescent’s choice to travel to and from school using an active mode of transportation increased with strong family support. As a result, promotion campaigns should consider the adolescent’s family context.
- Loneliness during the COVID pandemic: Characteristics and associated risksPublication . Paiva, Teresa; Gaspar, Tânia; Tomé, Gina; Gaspar de Matos, MargaridaLoneliness is becoming progressively more frequent despite increasing communication facilities. The COVID lockdown and social interaction restrictions enhanced loneliness complaints in more vulnerable groups while increasing its global prevalence. Objective: To evaluate the prevalence, characteristics, and predictors of loneliness complaints during COVID19 Methods: The sample includes 5230 participants, 67.7% female, mean age 48.6 years and SD 14.30. To assure complexity/ diversity, an extensive internet survey with 177 questions was applied during the first COVID-19 pandemic wave in Portugal, including data from the Continent and Islands (Madeira and Azores). Results: The prevalence was higher in females, emerging adults, those living alone, living in a flat, and in a big city. The following variables were higher in LG (Loneliness Group): Stress, depression, anxiety, irritability, worries, Calamity Experience Check List (CECL), economic problems, Sleep latency and Awakenings, Screen time in TV, Mobile, Social networks, negative attitudes and negative behaviors, dependences from TV, Social networks and Games, morbidities, worsening of previous morbidities, and nightmares. The predictors were civil status, living alone, and having negative attitudes during the pandemic. Conclusions: The study allows us to conclude that loneliness during the COVID-19 pandemic was associated with health, psychological, behavioral, lifestyle, and housing-related factors; it could be predicted by the Calamity Experience Check List (CECL); Frequency of sexual activity; Negative attitudes; Positive attitudes; Negative Behaviors; Civil status; Living alone; Sleep latency weekdays; Sleep latency weekends. There were gender similarities and differences in loneliness predictors.
- Overcoming barriers: Trajectories for a school environment that promotes the participation of adolescents with chronic conditionsPublication . Cerqueira, Ana; Guedes, Fábio Botelho; Gaspar, Tania; Godeau, Emmanuelle; Simões, Celeste; Gaspar de Matos, MargaridaThe characteristics of the school environment can influence students’ participation. Therefore, exploring the existing barriers to school participation and academic success of students with chronic conditions (CCs) is essential since they are a population at an increased risk for impairments and difficulties in these areas. This specific study aimed to explore the personal and school-environment variables associated with the school participation of students with CCs. Additionally, it aimed to analyze the differences between (1) male and female adolescents concerning the impact of CCs on school participation and the personal and school-environment variables; and (2) adolescents with and without school participation affected by the existing CCs regarding personal and school-environment variables. This work included 1442 adolescents with CCs, 56.3% female (n = 769), with a mean age of 15.17 years (SD = 2.33), participating in the Health Behavior in School-Aged Children (HBSC) 2022 study. The results showed that girls and students with school participation affected by CCs are at greater risk regarding the personal and school-environment variables under study. In the multivariable logistic regression analysis of the association between these variables and the school participation of students with CCs, a greater weight of personal variables was observed, followed by those of the school environment related to interpersonal relationships and, finally, the physical environment and safety-at-school variables. The study highlights the relevance of considering the existing barriers to school participation and academic success of students with CCs. The results also underline the importance of aligning the intervention of health and education professionals and policymakers. All of these professionals must make a joint effort to overcome existing barriers in the school context and move towards an increasingly balanced environment that promotes and protects the equal participation of all students.
- Perceived quality of life and life satisfaction: Does the role of gender, age, skills, and psychological factors remain relevant after the COVID-19 pandemic?Publication . Branquinho, Cátia; Moraes, Bárbara; Noronha, Catarina; Ferreira, Tomás; Neto Rodrigues, Nuno; Gaspar de Matos, MargaridaBackground: 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.
- Pressure ulcer risk profiles of hospitalized patients based on the Braden Scale: A cluster analysisPublication . Gaspar, Susana; Peralta, Miguel; Budri, Aglécia; Ferreira, Carlos; Gaspar de Matos, Margarida; Gaspar de Matos, MargaridaThe aim of this work is to identify the pressure ulcer risk profiles of hospitalized patients with reference to Braden Scale subscales. Methods: A total of 2996 hospitalized Portuguese participants were screened using the Braden Scale. A hierarchical and nonhierarchical cluster analysis was conducted, with ethical approval. Five risk profiles (clusters) based on the first risk assessments were identified. Regarding the Braden Scale total score, two profiles with high risk and three profiles with low risk of pressure ulcer development were identified. All clusters were statistically significantly different in terms of sociodemographic and clinical variables. When the first and the last risk assessments were compared, all the clusters improved the Braden Scale total score on the last risk assessment, except Cluster 4 (low‐risk category). Clusters 3, 4 and 5, which were classified as low risk, decreased in several Braden subscales at the last risk assessment.Conclusions: The classification of low risk may misguide the early identification of patients with individual risk factors. Increasing the awareness of health care professionals for the importance of risk assessment of each Braden subscale is necessary for pressure ulcer prevention. We recommend the implementation of strategies for early identification of patients at risk at local and national levels.
- Psychological health and life satisfaction of portuguese teachersPublication . Tomé, Gina; Rodrigues, Nuno; Gaspar de Matos, MargaridaBackground: In Portugal, teachers have constantly sought better working conditions in order to improve their mental health, which can result in demotivation and personal and professional exhaustion. Methods: A total of 1454 national public school teachers participated in this study, 17.4% (n = 253) male, aged between 22 and 66 years old (M = 51.4, SD = 7.5). The instrument used included questions concerning sociodemographic data (gender, years of teaching experience, age, length of service), a life satisfaction scale, WHO-5/quality of life perception, the physical and psychological symptoms scale-HBSC, depression, stress, and the anxiety scale-DASS-21. It also included questions about the school environment: relationship with the principal, and school atmosphere. Results: Four groups of teachers were created for the statistical analyses: No Life Satisfied/No Symptoms; Life Satisfied/No Symptoms; No Life Satisfied/With Symptoms; and Life Satisfied/With Symptoms. The results revealed that male teachers showed higher percentages for the following groups: No Life Satisfied/No Symptoms (χ2 = 17.223(3), p ≤ 0.001, 20.2%), Life Satisfied/No Symptoms (χ2 = 17.223(3), p ≤ 0.001, 43.3%) and No Life Satisfied/With Symptoms (χ2 = 17.223(3), p ≤ 0.001, 23.9%). Conclusions: The results made it possible to identify a profile of teachers who are more likely to develop mental health problems and psychological distress: those who have lower perceived life satisfaction and more psychological symptoms, which are associated with a low perception of quality of life, a worse relationship with principals and a worse perception of the quality of the school environment; this situation seems to be even worse among female teachers.
- Unlocking youth creativity: The power of socioemotional skillsPublication . Branquinho, Cátia; Noronha, Catarina; Carvalho, Marina; Rodrigues, Nuno Neto; Gaspar de Matos, MargaridaBackground/Objectives: Creativity has become an essential skill for children and adolescents to cope with the challenges of contemporary society. Beyond academic success, creativity is closely linked to well-being, social adjustment, and personal development. Schools, therefore, play a crucial role in creating conditions that allow students to explore ideas, express themselves, and develop socioemotional resources. This study aimed to examine how self-perceived creativity relates to educational, socioemotional, and well-being factors in Portuguese students, to identify different creativity profiles, and to explore the main variables that predict creativity. Methods: This cross-sectional study was based on secondary analyses of national data from the project Psychological Health and Well-being|School Observatory. The sample included 3011 students aged between 9 and 20 years (M = 13.62; SD = 2.53), from grades 5 to 12. Data were collected using validated instruments: the OECD Socioemotional Skills Survey (SSES), the Positive Youth Development (PYD) scale, and the WHO-5 Well-Being Index. Analyses included group comparisons, cluster analysis to identify self-perceived creativity profiles, correlation analyses, and multiple regression models. Results: Self-perceived creativity did not differ between boys and girls, but it decreased significantly with higher grade levels. Three profiles were identified: low, medium, and high self-perceived creativity. Students with higher self-perceived creativity reported better well-being, more positive relationships with teachers, a stronger sense of belonging at school, and higher parental educational levels. Self-perceived creativity was positively associated with socioemotional skills such as curiosity, sociability, and optimism, as well as with PYD dimensions and well-being. Negative associations were found with age and test anxiety. Socioemotional variables were the strongest predictors of creativity, explaining 39% of its variance. Conclusions: These results show that creativity is closely connected to students’ socioemotional development. Investing in emotional skills, supportive relationships, and positive school environments may be a powerful way to foster creativity and promote healthier, more balanced development. This has important implications for educational practice and policy.