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- Applying an adapted theory of planned behavior to visiting art exhibitionsPublication . Duarte, António M.; Konstantinidi, Niki P.; Rocha, Teresa A.The objective was to test the applicability of an adapted form of the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) to the behavior of visiting art exhibitions. A sample responded to a questionnaire on intention and behavior to visit art exhibitions, and on attitudes, subjective social norms, perceived behavioral control and motives related to such behavior. After an exploratory principal components analysis and a reliability analysis, a path analysis was used to test the previewed model. Responses to an additional open question on motives were subjected to thematic analysis. Results partially confirmed the application of TPB to visiting art exhibitions, with subjective social norms, perceived behavioral control and motives with an indirect significant effect on behavior mediated by intention. Subjective social norm had also a significant effect on behavior, while a gap was found between the latter and intention. Furthermore, a variety of motives for visiting art exhibitions were identified. Results help to understand and suggest ways to reduce the mentioned gap and increase the behavior of visiting art exhibitions, considering its potential for personal development and quality of life
- Construction and validation of a Questionnaire on Kinky and BDSM Fantasies and Activities in Portuguese AdultsPublication . Vilhena, Inês; Martins, Margarida; Cardoso, Daniel; Duarte, EvaSexual practices considered unconventional, including kinky and BDSM dynamics, are integrated within the diversity of human sexuality. However, studies often use ad hoc instruments and/or depend on the self-identification of participants, leading to inconsistent results. Therefore, the present work aimed to fill these gaps through the development and validation of the Kinky and BDSM Fantasies and Activities Inventory (Inventário de Fantasias e Atividades kinky e BDSM; IFAKBDSM). This instrument was developed based on the adaptation of two preexisting instruments and in response to discussions with psychologists and researchers experienced in this area, as well as individuals with kinky practices. Study 1 involved an Exploratory Factor Analysis with 260 Portuguese adults (18–72 years; M = 29), and Study 2 comprised a Confirmatory Factor Analysis with 515 Portuguese adults (18–79 years; M = 30). The preliminary factorial analysis identified four factors consistent with the literature: Domination and Sadism, Submission and Masochism, Voyeurism and Exhibitionism, and Fetishism. The second study confirmed this structure with satisfactory factor weights and fit indices and presented good internal consistency. The final version of the IFAKBDSM comprises two sections: the first one includes 28 items that assess seven dimensions organized into the four aforementioned factors; and the second section encompasses 38 items that focus on kinky practices. Globally, the instrument presented satisfactory psychometric results, proving to be a reliable tool for studying kinky and BDSM practices in Portuguese adults.
- The impact of morning meditation and sleep quality on affective and health outcomes in healthcare workersPublication . Junça-Silva, Ana; Kulyk, Marisa; Caetano, AntónioBackground: Health is a critical factor influencing key workplace outcomes, including job attitudes, behaviors, and performance. This study investigated the role of daily micro-breaks, specifically morning meditation practices, and positive affective experiences (i.e., positive affect) at work in predicting health-related outcomes, namely vitality and mental health. Using a non-experimental design, this study tested a moderated mediation model in which sleep quality moderates the relationship between morning meditation and positive affect, which, in turn, predicts end-of-the-day health-related outcomes. Methodology: Data were collected twice a day from 44 healthcare employees over five consecutive workdays using a daily survey approach. Key Results: Multilevel modeling analyses revealed that morning meditation was significantly associated with increased positive affect and improved health indicators at the end of the workday. Moreover, sleep quality moderated the relationship between morning meditation and positive affect, such that the conditional indirect effect of meditation on end-of-day mental health and vitality via positive affect was significant when sleep quality from the preceding night was poor. Conclusions: These findings underscore the interactive effect of prior-night sleep quality and morning meditation on affective and health-related outcomes by the end of the day. By identifying sleep quality as a key boundary condition, we contribute to a more nuanced understanding of when meditation is most beneficial. Our findings have significant implications for both research and practice, particularly in high-stress environments such as healthcare, where optimizing employee well-being is crucial for both individual and organizational performance.
- Perceiving a depressive target: Infrahumanization at emotional and culture levels.Publication . Silva, Diogo C. da; Martins, Ana C.; Garcia-Marques, TeresaAbstract: Background: Health is a critical factor influencing key workplace outcomes, including job attitudes, behaviors, and performance. This study investigated the role of daily micro-breaks, specifically morning meditation practices, and positive affective experiences (i.e., positive affect) at work in predicting health-related outcomes, namely vitality and mental health. Using a non-experimental design, this study tested a moderated mediation model in which sleep quality moderates the relationship between morning meditation and positive affect, which, in turn, predicts end-of-the-day health-related outcomes. Methodology: Data were collected twice a day from 44 healthcare employees over five consecutive workdays using a daily survey approach. Key Results: Multilevel modeling analyses revealed that morning meditation was significantly associated with increased positive affect and improved health indicators at the end of the workday. Moreover, sleep quality moderated the relationship between morning meditation and positive affect, such that the conditional indirect effect of meditation on end-of-day mental health and vitality via positive affect was significant when sleep quality from the preceding night was poor. Conclusions: These findings underscore the interactive effect of prior-night sleep quality and morning meditation on affective and health-related outcomes by the end of the day. By identifying sleep quality as a key boundary condition, we contribute to a more nuanced understanding of when meditation is most beneficial. Our findings have significant implications for both research and practice, particularly in high-stress environments such as healthcare, where optimizing employee well-being is crucial for both individual and organizational performance.
- Healthy minds: A school-based prevention Programme for Deliberate Self-harm in AdolescencePublication . Candeias, Maria de Jesus; Rosa, Pedro J.; Gouveia-Pereira, MariaIn recent years, there has been a notable increase in the prevalence of deliberate self-harm (DSH) among adolescents, which has led to the recognition of this issue as a significant public health challenge. However, school-based prevention programmes for DSH remain scarce. This study aimed to develop, implement, and evaluate the effectiveness of the Healthy Minds programme, a universal school-based prevention intervention targeting DSH in adolescents. Conducted in a Lisbon school, the programme sought to reduce DSH and suicidal ideation, change beliefs about DSH, and promote help-seeking. A quasi-experimental design with experimental and control groups included 137 participants aged 13–19 (M = 14.73; SD = 1.03), assessed at three time points: pre-intervention, post-intervention, and follow-up. The intervention showed partial effectiveness, with delayed reductions in DSH and significant improvements in reducing false beliefs. In addition, both groups showed increased help-seeking behaviours, and these effects were sustained over the follow-up period, suggesting long-term effectiveness. However, no significant improvements were observed in the ability to recognise warning signs of DSH, nor were there reductions in levels of suicidal ideation. The Healthy Minds programme shows promise in reducing DSH, improving mental health literacy and promoting help-seeking behaviours in adolescents, with sustained benefits observed over time. These findings highlight the importance of implementing well-structured, methodologically robust school-based interventions aimed at preventing DSH in this population. To maximise programme effectiveness, longer follow-up periods and more integrated, multifaceted approaches are essential.
- Healthy work environment ecosystems for teleworking and hybrid workingPublication . Gaspar, Tânia; Jesus, Saúl; Farias, Ana Rita; Gaspar Matos, MargaridaThe COVID-19 pandemic has brought global physical, psychological, social and occupational health challenges. Telework and hybrid work have been a necessary response that has sustained and transformed companies and work at a global level. The main objective of this paper is to understand and characterize how ecosystems of healthy work environments in the context of telework and hybrid work. The Healthy Workplace Model proposed by the World Health Organization (Burton, 2010) was adopted. Thus, we analyzed the relationship between core principles related to physical work environment, psychosocial work environment, organizational culture, enterprise internal and external social responsibility and resources for occupational health in teleworking and hybrid working contexts. The study involved a total of 1829 participants, 1246 (68.1%) female and 571 (31.2%) male. The age of the professionals varies between 18 and 72 years, with a mean of 43 years and standard deviation of 10.45. The Healthy Workplaces Ecosystems Tool (EATS) was used (Gaspar et al., 2022). 57% of participants were in telework, 16% in hybrid work and 27% in face-to-face work. The comparative results showed statistically significant differences in relation to all dimensions of healthy work environments between the three types of work. The professionals in hybrid work situations have a more positive perception of the organisational culture, psychosocial work environment, physical work environment, resources for health and social responsibility, and better mental health indicators. The professionals in hybrid situations are followed by the professionals in telecommuting and, finally, the professionals in face-to-face situations. Three linear regression models were performed to understand the factors that best explain the psychosocial risks related to mental health (PRMH) in the three types of work. The results reveal that for workers who are in face-to-face exclusive work what best explains PRMH (R2 =.41) is marital status, psychosocial environment, leadership commitment, professional engagement, physical environment and stress management skills. For professionals in hybrid work what best explains the PRMH (R2 =.36) is age, marital status, psychosocial environment, professional engagement and stress management skills. For teleworking professionals that best explains the PRMH (R2 =.39) is psychosocial environment, leadership commitment, professional engagement, community engagement/social responsibility, physical environment and stress management competencies. The results show that workers in hybrid situation reveal a more positive perception of the ecosystems of healthy work environment. The professionals who have exclusive face-to-face job are those who report a more negative perception of the work environment. For all workers, PRMH are explained by the psychosocial environment, the professional’s involvement and stress management skills. Specificities are identified for each type of work that should be taken into account in the promotion of healthy work environment ecosystems adapted to the new types and diversity of work models in order to promote mental health and prevent psychosocial risks at work.
- The impact of community resilience, well-being, and community attachment on human service workers’ burnoutPublication . Henriques, Joana; Luís, Sílvia; Rivero, Catarina; Gonçalves, Sónia P; Tavares, Lara Patrício; Marujo, Helena ÁBurnout has become an increasingly prevalent condition, especially affecting professionals in direct contact with clients. Human service workers (HSWs) have quite emotionally taxing jobs supporting vulnerable groups. In developing a close relationship with the communities they work with, it could be possible that community-related variables have an impact on HSWs’ burnout. We aim to analyze the prevalence of burnout in a sample of HSWs from Portugal and the role of community resilience as a predictor of their burnout, as well as explore if their subjective well-being and community attachment could explain the relationship between community resilience and burnout, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data were collected through an online questionnaire between August 2020 and January 2021 ( N = 598). Results indicate that HSWs presented medium to low levels of burnout, although 8.9% presented high levels. Those who reported lower levels of burnout perceived higher community resilience and had much higher well-being and community attachment. Findings point to community resilience having a significant direct effect on burnout and also an indirect effect, which was explained by subjective well-being and community attachment Results seem to suggest that this sample's low-medium levels of burnout could be linked to the benefit of experiencing high community attachment and working in communities with high resilience, which consequently impacted their well-being and burnout. This highlights the crucial role of the work context in professionals’ mental health, showing that a broader context needs to be considered in professional mental health promotion programs.
- The importance of co-produced, multi-method, independent scientific evidence in times of alternative truths and global policy debatesPublication . Comiskey, Catherine; Bergeron, Henri; Clausen, Thomas; Colman, Charlotte; Ferrer-Wreder, Laura; Fischer, Gabriele; Gaspar de Matos, Margarida; Ivers, Jo-Hanna; Jauffret-Roustide, Marie; Liem, Marieke; Lintonen, Tomi; Moeller, Kim; Ojanperä, Ilkka; Fonseca, Fernando Rodríguez de; Mèlich, Marta TorrensIn July 2024 the long established and trusted European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) will cease to exist and will evolve to the new European Drugs Agency (EUDA). In response to the ever diversifying, innovative and complex drug phenomena, the EUDA will open with considerably more powers, new methodological tools, and a proactive remit to support preparedness, monitoring and competence development of policy makers, practitioners and researchers (EMCDDA, 2024). This expanded mandate includes threat assessments and alerts; monitoring and addressing poly-substance use; setting up a network of forensic laboratories; developing and promoting best practice; supporting independent evaluation of drug polices and playing a stronger international role within this remit in the EU. As the old adage coined by notaries from Voltaire to Spiderman have said, “with great power comes great responsibility”, and it is in times of global policy pressure from so called ‘fake news’ to Artificial Intelligence generated data and conspiracy theories that the need for trusted, independent scientific evidence has never been greater.
- Identification of neurotransmission and synaptic biological processes Disrupted in Autism Spectrum Disorder using interaction networks and community detection analysisPublication . Vilela, Joana; Martiniano, Hugo; Marques, Ana Rita; Santos, João Xavier; Asif, Muhammad; Rasga, Célia; Oliveira, Guiomar; Vicente, Astrid Moura; Maria Rasga, CéliaAutism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by communication deficits and repetitive behavioral patterns. Hundreds of candidate genes have been implicated in ASD, including neurotransmission and synaptic (NS) genes; however, the genetic architecture of this disease is far from clear. In this study, we seek to clarify the biological processes affected by NS gene variants identified in individuals with ASD and the global networks that link those processes together. For a curated list of 1216 NS candidate genes, identified in multiple databases and the literature, we searched for ultra-rare (UR) loss-of-function (LoF) variants in the whole-exome sequencing dataset from the Autism Sequencing Consortium (N = 3938 cases). Filtering for population frequency was carried out using gnomAD (N = 60,146 controls). NS genes with UR LoF variants were used to construct a network of protein–protein interactions, and the network’s biological communities were identified by applying the Leiden algorithm. We further explored the expression enrichment of network genes in specific brain regions. We identified 356 variants in 208 genes, with a preponderance of UR LoF variants in the PDE11A and SYTL3 genes. Expression enrichment analysis highlighted several subcortical structures, particularly the basal ganglia. The interaction network defined seven network communities, clustering synaptic and neurotransmitter pathways with several ubiquitous processes that occur in multiple organs and systems. This approach also uncovered biological pathways that are not usually associated with ASD, such as brain cytochromes P450 and brain mitochondrial metabolism. Overall, the community analysis suggests that ASD involves the disruption of synaptic and neurotransmitter pathways but also ubiquitous, but less frequently implicated, biological processes.
- Handwashing adherence during the COVID-19 pandemic: A longitudinal study based on protection motivation theoryPublication . Szczuka, Zofia; Siwa, Maria; Abraham, Charles; Baban, Adriana; Brooks, Sydney; Cipolletta, Sabrina; Danso, Ebrima; Dombrowski, Stephan U.; Gan, Yiqun; Gaspar, Tania; Gaspar de Matos, Margarida; Griva, Konstadina; Jongenelis, Michelle; Keller, Jan; Knoll, Nina; Ma, Jinjin; Miah, Mohammad Abdul Awal; Morgan, Karen; Peraud, William; Quintard, Bruno; Shah, Vishna; Schenkel, Konstantin; Scholz, Urte; Schwarzer, Ralf; Taut, Diana; Tomaino, Silvia C.M.; Vilchinsky, Noa; Wolf, Hodaya; Luszczynska, Aleksandra; Gaspar, taniaRationale The associations between the number of COVID-19 cases/deaths and subsequent uptake of protective behaviors may reflect cognitive and behavioral responses to threat-relevant information. Objective Applying protection motivation theory (PMT), this study explored whether the number of total COVID-19 cases/deaths and general anxiety were associated with cross-situational handwashing adherence and whether these associations were mediated by PMT-specific self-regulatory cognitions (threat appraisal: perceived vulnerability, perceived illness severity; coping appraisal: self-efficacy, response efficacy, response costs). Method The study (#NCT04367337) was conducted in March–September 2020 among 1256 adults residing in 14 countries. Self-reports on baseline general anxiety levels, handwashing adherence across 12 situations, and PMT-related constructs were collected using an online survey at two points in time, four weeks apart. Values of COVID-19 cases and deaths were retrieved twice for each country (one week prior to the individual data collection). Results Across countries and time, levels of adherence to handwashing guidelines were high. Path analysis indicated that smaller numbers of COVID-19 cases/deaths (Time 0; T0) were related to stronger self-efficacy (T1), which in turn was associated with higher handwashing adherence (T3). Lower general anxiety (T1) was related to better adherence (T3), with this effect mediated by higher response efficacy (T1, T3) and lower response cost (T3). However, higher general anxiety (T1) was related to better adherence via higher illness severity (T1, T3). General anxiety was unrelated to COVID-19 indicators. Conclusions We found a complex pattern of associations between the numbers of COVID-19 cases/deaths, general anxiety, PMT variables, and handwashing adherence at the early stages of the pandemic. Higher general anxiety may enable threat appraisal (perceived illness severity), but it may hinder coping appraisal (response efficacy and response costs). The indicators of the trajectory of the pandemic (i.e., the smaller number of COVID-19 cases) may be indirectly associated with higher handwashing adherence via stronger self-efficacy.