PSAU - Artigos em revistas internacionais
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- Cybersex in portuguese chatrooms: A study of sexual behaviors related to online sexPublication . Carvalheira, Ana Alexandra; Gomes, Francisco AllenThe present article is about a particular form of sexual activity on the Internet: cybersex in chatrooms-in Portuguese by Portuguese people. This study aims to identify the reasons for engaging in cybersex on chats and the behavioral domains that characterize this activity. To carry out the study, we developed a self-report questionnaire that we made available on a website. The sample was collected online (n = 400) through the Portuguese Internet Relay Chat. Factor analyses revealed seven domain structures: (a) social skills, (b) preference for cybersex, (c) filter for a later date, (d) sex by phone, (e) fantasies, (f) using masks, and (g) impact on real relationships. We found a huge variety of sexual attitudes and behaviors connected to cybersex in chatrooms and the existence of two major trends: (a) people that use these chats as a starting place for offline relationships (online anonymity prevents the fear of rejection and social sanctions in real life), and (b) people who want and prefer online sex without any interest in further real contacts.
- Anxiety, depression, and peer relationships during adolescence: Results from the portuguese national health behaviour in school-aged children surveyPublication . Matos, Margarida Gaspar de; Barrett, Paula; Dadds, Mark; Shortt, AlisonUsed data from the Portuguese HBSC (Health Behaviour in School-Aged Children) survey, which was conducted by one of the authors who is the national representative of the European Study HBSC, a World Health Organisation collaborative study (Currie, Hurrelmann, Setterbulte, Smith, Todd, 2000; Matos, Simoes, Carvalhosa, Reis & Canha 2000), to examine correlates of depression and anxiety in a large, representative sample of adolescents. The study had four aims: (1) to examine the relationship between feelings of anxiety and depression; (2) to examine the association of positive peer relationships, and anxiety and depression in school-age adolescents; (3) to examine the relationship between health, peer relationships, depression and anxiety; and finally, (4) to assess age and gender differences with regard to the above issues. Measures were constructed of depression, anxiety, peer relationships, and health. Consistent with previous studies, anxiety and depression were found to be significantly correlated. A MANOVA revealed that females and adolescents in grades 8 and 10 were more likely to report high anxiety and/or depressive symptoms. High anxiety and depression in adolescence was associated with poor peer relationships and poorer health. Implications of these results and directions for further research are discussed.
- Quality of life is a primary end-point in clinical settingsPublication . Ribeiro, José Luís PaisThe objective of this review is to present and discuss the quality of life (QOL) construct, more specifically the QOL in the field of health and disease also designated as health-related quality of life (HRQOL). QOL is an everyday language concept with a relatively short history in the health field. It became a principal endpoint in health care as a consequence of the development of patients’ rights movements. It is important for clinical, economic and political decisions. There is no gold standard way to measure QOL and the existence of a huge number of measures and related QOL concepts makes it difficult to discuss QOL. This means that many times we are using the same expression ‘‘QOL’’ but we are not talking about the same thing. So we submit that it is important to keep looking for the good construct and the good measure. The reason why we decide to evaluate QOL influences the measures we choose. In general, QOL measures are based on questionnaires that must be short and easy to answer. The interest in these kind of soft measures (in opposition to the traditional hard physiologically or biochemically oriented measures) is growing fast.
- Health beliefs, stages of change and smoking behaviour in portuguese college studentsPublication . Pimenta, Filipa; Leal, I.; Marôco, J. P.The aim of this cross-sectional study is to explore, in a sample of 380 college students, if there are any differences between regular, occasional and ex-smokers regarding health value, perceived health competence and self-efficacy to refrain from smoking. Stages of change are also assessed according to the transtheoretical model. There were no significant differences between groups regarding the health value. However, perceived health competence and self-efficacy (to refrain from smoking) were significantly different for the different smoking status and several stages of change. These findings provide new insights into how college student’s health-related perceptions relate to smoking behaviour, which may help in the elaboration of smoking cessation interventions for this population.
- O comportamento parental de companheiros de mulheres com depressão pós-partoPublication . Martins, Débora C. da Silva; Pires, António Augusto PazoOs últimos estudos acerca da Depressão Pós-Parto (DPP) parecem concluir que o apoio do companheiro, têm um impacto muito favorável na forma como a nova mãe se adapta à maternidade. Descobrir de que forma os pais vivem a DPP das suas companheiras e a influência que isso tem no comportamento do casal e na relação com o bebé foi o nosso objectivo. Utilizamos a Grounded Theory e investigámos 7 casos de Depressão Pós-parto. Participaram 5 pais e 6 mães e 2 pediatras. Concluímos que: os companheiros das mulheres com depressão pós-parto referem alguma “perplexidade”, face a esta situação inesperada que parece vir “reactivar vivências e conflitos anteriores” nomeadamente a relação precoce com as próprias mães e outros significativos. A “expectativa face à companheira” determina nuns casos a emergência de “ressentimento” e noutros uma “compreensão” que os leva a ajudá-las neste período difícil das suas vidas. Independentemente dos diferentes comportamentos adoptados pelos pais todos eles acabam por “assumir o papel maternal” numa tentativa de compensar a indisponibilidade materna. ------ ABSTRACT ------ Recent research concerning post-partum depression (PPD) seems to conclude that the partner’s support has a very favorable impact in the way the new mother adapts to mothering. Our objective was to investigate how fathers experience the PPD of their partners and its influence on the couple behavior and on the relationship with the baby. We used the Ground Theory to investigate seven (7) post-partum depressed cases. Five fathers, six mothers and two pediatricians participated in the study. We concluded that the partners of post-partum depressed women refer some “perplexity” when facing this unexpected situation, which seems to “reactivate previous experiences and conflicts”, namely the precocious relationships with their own mothers and other significant ones. The “expectation towards the partner” determines in some cases the rising of “resenting feelings” and in other cases “comprehending feeling”, which leads them to help their wives throughout this difficult period in their lives. Despite the different postures adopted by the fathers, all of them wind up “assuming a maternal role” in an attempt to compensate the internal indisposition of the mothers.
- Female sexual arousal disorder with and without a distress criterion: Prevalence and correlates in a representative czech samplePublication . Weiss, Petr; Brody, StuartIntroduction. Sexual medicine would benefit from large representative surveys examining the prevalence of genital female sexual arousal disorder (FSAD) symptoms (with and without the increasingly controversial distress criterion), as well as novel FSAD correlates and potential “protective” factors. Aims. To examine the extent to which genital FSAD symptoms, with and without a distress criterion, are associated with both historical and current aspects of sexual behavior. Methods. In a representative sample of the Czech population (aged 15–88), 1,000 women were asked whether they currently have impaired lubrication and vaginal swelling (and if so, if this produces marked distress or interpersonal difficulty). They provided details of vaginal orgasm (induced by penile–vaginal intercourse [PVI] without clitoral masturbation) consistency, feelings during their first PVI, estimates of their typical foreplay and PVI durations, their degree of mental focus on vaginal sensations during PVI, among other factors. Main Outcome Measures. The current prevalence of FSAD with and without a distress criterion and their associations with current and antecedent sexual behaviors and responses. Results. The current prevalence of FSAD was 10.3% without, plus 7.5% with a distress criterion (which tended to be associated with more impairments than without distress). History of vaginal orgasm (odds ratio = 2.78), never masturbating (odds ratio = 2.4), not having felt pain and discomfort on first PVI (odds ratio = 2.27), and not having frequent anal intercourse are protective against FSAD with distress, but not without distress. Age (especially over 50) and inadequate focusing of mental attention on vaginal sensations during PVI are associated with increased FSAD risk both with and without distress. Conclusions. FSAD with and without distress appear to be different entities to some extent, with the distressed group showing more long-term signs of psychosexual impairment. We suggest that FSAD with and without distress be considered two different disorders.
- Patients’ illness schemata of hypertension: The role of beliefs for the choice of treatmentPublication . Figueiras, Maria João; Marcelino, Dália Silva; Claudino, Adelaide; Cortes, Maria Armanda; Maroco, João; Weinman, JohnThe aims of this study were (1) to investigate what are the illness perceptions of hypertensive patients and their relationship with beliefs about specific medicines, and (2) to identify different illness schemata and how they relate to the choice of medication. This was a cross-sectional study in which 191 Portuguese patients (59% females), with a hypertension diagnosis, aged over 18 years old, were recruited from a hospital clinic in the Lisbon Metropolitan area. The questionnaire included measures of choice of medication, beliefs about specific medicines (BMQ-Specific), illness perception (Brief-IPQ), and socio-demographic information. The results indicated that the components of the illness perceptions were associated with patients’ beliefs about necessity and concerns about medication. Patients seem to differ in their choice of medication (generic or brand names) according to the three illness schemata identified. Patients with more negative illness schemata were more likely to choose a brand medicine, whereas patients with a more positive perception of hypertension were more likely to choose a generic medicine. Our findings support the argument that illness perceptions and beliefs about medicines play a role in influencing patients’ preferences of medicines for the treatment of hypertension.
- Measuring sexual orientation of a Portuguese gay, lesbian and bisexual internet samplePublication . Pereira, Henrique Marques; Leal, Isabel Pereira; Maroco, JoãoThis article surveyed the measurement of sexual orientation of a Portuguese gay, lesbian and bisexual internet population. Total number of participants in the study who filled out the Klein Sexual Orientation Grid (Portuguese version) available on the internet was 714 men and 91 women all gay, lesbian or bisexual identified (a total of 1000). This method was chosen because the internet is now an important tool used by gays, lesbians and bisexuals for socialising and to gather information. Basic ethical issues were observed namely, informed consent, maintenance of privacy and confidentiality. Key theoretical issues were addressed such as the categorisation of sexual orientation, its origins and development. Data analysis consisted of subjecting the items of the Grid to a factor analysis of principal components, internal reliabilities by Cronbach’s alpha coefficient (α=.94), frequency analysis and comparisons between temporal dimensions (present, past, and ideal). The results indicate that sexual orientation is a dynamic process and can be subject to change, when subjected to temporal analysis. The implications of such results are also discussed.
- How are habits formed : Modelling habit formation in the real worldPublication . Phillippa, Lally; Jaarsveld, Cornelia H. M. Van; Potts, Henry W. W.; Wardle, JaneTo investigate the process of habit formation in everyday life, 96 volunteers chose an eating, drinking or activity behaviour to carry out daily in the same context (for example ‘after breakfast’) for 12 weeks. They completed the self-report habit index (SRHI) each day and recorded whether they carried out the behaviour. The majority (82) of participants provided sufficient data for analysis, and increases in automaticity (calculated with a sub-set of SRHI items) were examined over the study period. Nonlinear regressions fitted an asymptotic curve to each individual’s automaticity scores over the 84 days. The model fitted for 62 individuals, of whom 39 showed a good fit. Performing the behaviour more consistently was associated with better model fit. The time it took participants to reach 95% of their asymptote of automaticity ranged from 18 to 254 days; indicating considerable variation in how long it takes people to reach their limit of automaticity and highlighting that it can take a very long time. Missing one opportunity to perform the behaviour did not materially affect the habit formation process. With repetition of a behaviour in a consistent context, automaticity increases following an asymptotic curve which can be modelled at the individual level.
- Memory complaints are frequent but qualitatively different in young and elderly healthy peoplePublication . Ginó, Sandra; Mendes, Tiago; Maroco, João; Ribeiro, Filipa; Schmand, Ben A.; Mendonça, Alexandre de; Guerreiro, ManuelaBackground: Subjective memory complaints are frequently reported by the elderly. There is less information about the characterization of subjective memory complaints in young people. Objective: To determine different memory complaints between young and elderly people with the use of the Subjective Memory Complaints (SMC) scale. Methods: Participants were volunteers attending a health itinerant unit, a blood donor centre, a leisure centre for retired people, a senior citizens college or university. All participants were questioned about their own memory abilities using the SMC scale and assessed for the presence of depressive symptoms. Results: Nine-hundred and forty-six subjects aged 18–92 years were included in the study. The mean total score on the SMC scale was 4.89 +- 3.03, and 75.9% of the participants had at least minor complaints about their memory. Older people had more general memory complaints and reported they were more likely to become transiently confused, whereas younger people reported they were more frequently told by others that they were forgetful and would more often take notes. Conclusions: Memory complaints were frequent both in young and elderly subjects, but the detailed assessment revealed age-related differences in the type of complaints.