Percorrer por autor "Sousa, Marta"
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- 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.
- Employer branding and psychological contract in family and non-family firmsPublication . Pimentel, Duarte Nuno Gonçalves; Almeida, Pedro Henrique Garcia Lopes de; Marques-Quinteiro, Pedro; Sousa, MartaABSTRACT: Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to assess differences between employees of family and non-family firms regarding their perceptions of employer branding and psychological contract levels. Moreover, focusing on family firms, the authors assess the relation between the employees’ perceptions of employer branding and the psychological contract levels. Design/methodology/approach – The empirical evidence is provided by a sample of 165 Portuguese employees, 76 employees of family firms and 89 non-family firms’ employees, who responded to a questionnaire that included employer branding and psychological contract measures. All respondents study in small and medium-sized private companies. Findings – The results confirmed the research hypotheses, suggesting that employees of family companies show higher perceptions of employer branding and psychological contract levels than employees of nonfamily companies. Results also reveal that the perceptions of employer branding are positively related to the psychological contract levels of the family firm’s employees. Originality/value – This paper aims to contribute to the literature by addressing two contemporary organizational aspects yet under-addressed in the comparison between family and non-family firms while pursuing to offer insights on the relationship between the perceptions s of employer branding and levels of the psychological contract of employees working in family firms.
- 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.
- Gender and judicial decision-making: A systematic review of how gendered narratives shape judicial reasoningPublication . Pereira, Bárbara; Sousa, Marta; Rodrigues, Andreia de Castro; de Castro Rodrigues, AndreiaGendered 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.
- 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
- INSIGHT intervention for individuals who sexually offended against children: Preliminary results of a randomized pilot studyPublication . Sousa, Marta; Gonçalves, Rui Abrunhosa; De Castro Rodrigues, AndreiaThis study examined the preliminary results of a 25-session individual intervention program designed for individuals who sexually offended against children (ISOCs) in Portugal, whether in prison or the community setting. A randomized controlled pilot study was conducted, where eighteen ISOCs were randomly assigned to receive the INSIGHT intervention plus treatment as usual (TAU) or only TAU. ISOCs in the treatment condition demonstrated significant reductions in cognitive distortions related to child sexual abuse, some early maladaptive schemas, psychopathology, interpersonal problems, and risk of sexual violence, along with increases in self-esteem, empathy, and empathy towards victims, all with larger effect sizes. Most of these improvements were sustained at the 3-month follow-up. The intervention shows a potential promise in reducing the risk of sexual violence by addressing risk-relevant factors. Further evaluation with a larger sample is needed for more robust conclusions.
- 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
- Investigative interviews with individuals who perpetrated sex crimes: A scoping reviewPublication . Sousa, Marta; Cláudia, Gouveia; Castro-Rodrigues, Andreia de; Caridade, Sónia; Cunha, OlgaSex 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.
- 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.
- Outcomes of the therapeutic relationship in treating individuals who have committed crimes: A systematic reviewPublication . Sousa, Marta; Félix, Sílvia; Padinha, Catarina; Caridade, Sónia; de Castro Rodrigues, Andreia; Cunha, OlgaSeveral 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.