Loading...
19 results
Search Results
Now showing 1 - 10 of 19
- Can interpersonal problems predict female depression?Publication . Fonseca, Alexandra; Matos, M. G.; Gois, CarlosBackground: Recognized as a common and debilitating condition with a high recurrence rate, depression is considered a severe public health problem. The association between interpersonal problems and depressive disorders is well documented, but studies in non-clinical populations are scarce. The working hypotheses were that (Hp1) depressed women report more interpersonal problems than nondepressed ones, and (Hp2) depression is predicted by interpersonal problems. Methods: The present study analyzes the relationship between depression and interpersonal problems, assessed by the Inventory of Interpersonal Problems (IIP64), in a non-clinical Portuguese female population (n=240), aged 18 to 81. Two groups of participants were considered, based on the Beck Depression Inventory – short form (BDI-SF) cut-off points: G1 "non-depressed" (n=119, M=44.18, SD=12.34) and G2 “depressed” (n=121, M=41.14, DS=13.74). One-way ANOVA and binary logistic regression with forward selection were performed. Results: There was a significant difference in interpersonal problems between depressed and nondepressed women. Specifically, when women experienced depressive symptoms, they identified more interpersonal problems. The sub-scales IIP1 dominating/controlling, IIP7 Self-sacrifice and IIP4 Socially inhibited had the most significant impact on the likelihood of depression. Conclusions: This study emphasizes that clinical practice and universal and selective prevention strategies for depression should include analyses and interventions on factors such as inhibition, reduction of the social network, difficulty in emotional expression and low gratification experienced in interpersonal relationships
- Comportamentos autolesivos, percepção de suporte familiar e sintomas ansiosos e depressivos em adolescentes PernambucanosPublication . De Melo Santana, Suely; Silva, Davi Italo Souza Barbosa da; Bezerra, Artur; Mariano, Tailson Evangelista; Maltoni, Juliana; Matos, M. G.; Neufeld, Carmem BeatrizComportamentos autolesivos na adolescência se tornaram um problema de saúde pública mundial. Frequentemente, esses comportamentos compõem o quadro sintomático de doenças psiquiátricas, sendo conceitualizados como estratégias disfuncionais de regulação emocional. Diante disso, este estudo investiga a relação entre comportamentos autolesivos, percepção de suporte familiar e sintomas ansiosos e depressivos em adolescentes da rede estadual de ensino do Recife, assim como estima a prevalência do fenômeno (n=501). Também buscou-se estimar a prevalência do fenômeno e sua relação com variáveis sociodemográficas. Os instrumentos utilizados foram o Protocolo Health Behaviour in School-Aged Children, aSpence Children's Anxiety Scalee o Inventário de Depressão Infantil, todos adaptados ao português brasileiro. Foram realizadas análises da consistência interna, qui quadrado, teste t, correlação e descritivas. Os resultados apontaram prevalência de 31,3% para comportamentos autolesivos. Adolescentes do sexo feminino apresentaram 2,26 vezes mais chance de engajar na prática de comportamentos autolesivos. Verificou-se diferenças significativas entre participantes que se autolesionavam e aqueles que não se autolesionavam no tangente à percepção de sintomas depressivos, sintomas ansiosos e suporte familiar. Nossos achados enfatizam aimportância dos vínculos familiares no combate aos comportamentos autolesivos. Assim, esperamos contribuir para a construção de estratégias preventivas contra comportamentos de risco, ansiedade e depressão.
- How Is leisure related to wellbeing and to substance use? The probable key role of autonomy and supervisionPublication . Tomé, Gina; Guedes, F. B.; Cerqueira, Ana; Noronha, Catarina; de Freitas, Joaquim Castro; Freire, Teresa; Matos, M. G.Abstract: The present research is based on a large and representative national survey and intends to analyse the correlation of several leisure activities with risk, and with health and well-being outcomes. This work is part of the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study, a collaborative WHO international study that aims to explore the school-aged children behaviour regarding health and risk behaviours in their life contexts. Participants were 8215 Portuguese adolescents, randomly chosen from those attending the 6th, 8th, 10th and 12th grades in 2018. The sample included 52.7% of girls and the mean age was 14.36 years old. Descriptive and comparative analyses were performed (ANOVAS and Chi-Square). The results of the present study suggested that several leisure activities, namely sports and social engagement activities (politic involvement and participation, religious activities, scouting and volunteer work), are associated with the adolescents’ well-being and life satisfaction. However, these types of activities can also be associated with an increase in substance use. However, some activities are also associated with risky behaviour. Identifying activities that promote well-being in young people can be important for professionals, families and public policies.
- Psychosocial factors and quality of life of portuguese adolescents with chronic conditions – Increased risk for victims of bullyingPublication . Cerqueira, Ana; Guedes, F. B.; Gaapar, Tania; Godeau, Emmanuelle; Simões, Celeste; Matos, M. G.The experience of living with a chronic condition (CC) impacts adolescents’ psychological and social adjustment and overall functioning. Considering the increased risk of psychosocial challenges among adolescents with CC, this study aimed to enhance our understanding of the psychological and social factors that impact their quality of life. It also compared the psychological and social variables among (a) adolescents with and without CC and (b) adolescents with CC who are and who are not victims of bullying. The results demonstrated that adolescents with CC showed more psychosocial difficulties than their peers, as they more frequently reported involvement in situations of violence, and demonstrated more difficulties at a psychological and emotional level. Further, being victims of bullying increased the psychosocial vulnerabilities of these adolescents. A better quality of life was associated with the following psychosocial factors: not being a victim of bullying or cyberbullying, having less anxiety and fewer depressive symptoms, liking school, receiving more support from family and friends, having better relationships with peers, and having fewer physical and psychological symptoms. These findings are significant for helping schools develop tools and strategies to address violence and support students with CC, who are at a higher risk of being involved in such situations and require a targeted response.
- Shedding Light on the lifestyle and participation of portuguese adolescents with chronic conditions—Data from the HBSC 2018 StudyPublication . Cerqueira, Ana; Guedes, F. B.; Gaspar, Tania; Godeau, Emmanuelle; Matos, MGVariables associated with lifestyle can constitute either risk or protective factors for the development and progression of chronic conditions (CC). This study intends to explore the differences between adolescents with and without CC and between adolescents whose school participation is affected/not affected by the existing CC with regard to variables related to lifestyle (i.e., sleep, physical activity, BMI, and leisure). In addition, it also intends to analyze the influence of these variables (i.e., CC and lifestyle) regarding the adolescents’ quality of life (QoL). This work is part of the Portuguese HBSC 2018 study. A total of 8215 adolescents participated (52.7% female), with an average age of 14.36 years (SD = 2.28). The results showed that the adolescents with CC and whose school attendance and participation are affected by their CC exhibit more sleep difficulties (i.e., they experience lower sleep quality and have a higher degree of sleepiness), higher BMI levels (i.e., higher values of overweight and obesity), less participation in leisure activities, and a lower perception of QoL. A higher perception of QoL is associated with school participation unaffected by the existing CC, sleeping well, a low level of sleepiness, a more frequent practice of physical activity, a lower BMI, and a greater involvement in leisure activities. Adolescent health and well-being are a prominent issue in terms of public policies, with behavior and lifestyle playing a significant role in this domain. This message needs to be reinforced in regard to families, educators, healthcare professionals, and public sector policies, particularly concerning students with CC.
- Assessing the impact of the European resilience curriculum in preschool, early and late primary school childrenPublication . Simões, Celeste; Santos, Anabela; Lebre, Paula; Daniel, João; Branquinho, Cátia; Gaspar, Tania; Matos, Margarida Gaspar DeResilience is an individual’s ability to adapt successfully to and persevere during and after significant challenges. Resilience programmes based on a socioemotional learning approach have been associated with an increase in protective factors (e.g., prosocial competencies), improvements in physical and mental health, and a decrease in internalised and externalised symptoms. The present study aimed to evaluate the impact of the RESCUR curriculum implemented in Portuguese schools on students’ academic, behavioural, and socioemotional outcomes, based on child and teacher reports. Participants included 1,084 children (53.2% male) aged 3-15 (M¼7.24, SD¼2.31). A quasi-experimental study compared outcomes for an experimental intervention group (AIG) with a waiting list control group (WG). The results showed the RESCUR programme decreased mental health difficulties while increasing both prosocial behaviours and well-being. In addition, academic performance increased for those in preschool after implementation. Both teachers and children consistently reported positive behavioural changes in resilience-related competencies after implementing RESCUR. Our findings contribute to the recent research on the potential of RESCUR to address key socioemotional competencies and improve relevant protective factors. Study limitations and future recommendations are addressed.
- School and family ecosystem: Incentives and barriers to school–family communicationPublication . Guedes, F. B.; Cerqueira, Ana; Marques-Pinto, A.; Branco, Amélia; Galvão, Cecília; Sousa, Joana; LF, Goulao; Bronze, MR; Viegas, Wanda; Gaspar, Tania; Moreno, Carmen; Matos, M. G.The aim of the study was to explore the factors and barriers related to the incentive and opportunity of school–family communication. This work is part of the HOUSE-Colégio F3 Project, ULisbon, which included 1,143 first-year university students from the University of Lisbon, with average age of 19.61 ± 3.96 years. The young people who had better communication with their parents, greater family support and better family relationship were the ones who reported greater incentives for school–family communication. School–family communication and relationship were associated with the incentives for school–family communication and greater parental monitoring. These results align with the literature stating that parents' communication and presence in all areas of young people's lives, including the school context, foster better social and family relationships and academic results. This result should not be read as a call for non-autonomy. Instead, it highlights that monitoring and supporting family presence promotes that autonomy
- Psychosocial profile in portuguese adolescents with chronic disease attending an outpatient department in a hospital settingPublication . Santos, Teresa; Matos, MG; Marques, Adilson; Simões, Celeste; Leal, Isabel Maria Pereira Leal; Machado, Maria do CéuLiving with a chronic disease (CD) in adolescence involves new multifaceted challenges. This study aims to conduct a psychosocial characterization of a group of adolescents with chronic diseases in a hospital setting and to compare such dimensions for the total group and for different diseases. A cross-sectional study included 135 adolescents with chronic diseases (51.9% boys; 48.1% girls), having an average age of 14±1.5 years (SD=1.5) and attending a paediatric outpatient department in a hospital setting. Statistically significant differences were found among the different chronic diseases for the variables self-regulation (adolescents with diabetes had significantly higher competencies) and multiple psychosomatic symptoms (adolescents with neurologic diseases reported significantly more complaints). Boys presented both better health-related quality of life and psychosomatic health when compared to girls. No statistically significant differences were observed for health-related quality of life, psychosomatic health, resilience, and social support. These findings bring important suggestions especially while planning interventions, which must take into account the promotion of a healthy psychosocial development, through an inclusive perspective (covering different chronic diseases), that take into consideration specific and gendered approaches. Such suggestions might help healthcare professionals to better plan interventions in order to increase their effectiveness.
- Ecological model explaining the psychosocial adaptation to COVID-19Publication . Gaspar, Tania; Paiva, Teresa; Matos, M. G.: The main objective of this study is to understand and characterize the adoption of an ecological perspective and the physical, psychological, social, and contextual health factors that may influence the adjustment to and mental health experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study included 5479 participants, of which 3710 were female (67.7%), aged between 18 and 90 years old, with a mean age of 48.57 years (SD = 14.29), were considered three age groups: 21.5% up to 35 years old, 61.8% between 36 and 64 years old, and 16.7% 65 years old or more. The mental health and individual adjustment to the COVID-19 situation are explained by socio-demographic factors, health-related factors, lifestyles, attitudes and behaviors, lockdown experience, and place of residence. A better adaptation and mental health are observed among men, people with a higher educational level, people with lower sadness, nervousness, and burnout, and people whose health situation did not worsen with the pandemic. In terms of lifestyle, a better adaptation is related to a better quality of sleep, fewer nightmares, a higher practice of physical activity, and less consumption of processed foods and sweets. A better adaptation is also associated with lower levels of dependence on alcohol, TV, and SN (social networks) and a more positive experience of the lockdown imposed by the pandemic. Gender and age group differences in the described context were studied. Promoting a better adjustment and improved mental health when dealing with the COVID-19 requires an ecological understanding and multitarget interventions, targeting physical, mental, and social health together with the contextual environment.
- Influence of news media use and political discussions on social self-efficacy through sense of unity: An analysis of mediation model invariance with Spanish and Portuguese adolescentsPublication . Salado, Vanesa; Gaapar, Tania; Moreno-Maldonado, Concepción; Matos, MG; Rivera, FranciscoDiscussing sociopolitical issues with family or friends during adolescence, as well as staying informed through media outlets, is key to developing active civic engagement for both youth and future adults. Likewise, these communicative exchanges promote a sense of belonging and social skills which foster adolescents’ wellbeing. This research aims to analyze the infuence of participation in communication about political and social issues on adolescents’ social self-efcacy, both directly and as well as indirectly through sense of unity, in two Mediterranean countries (Portugal and Spain). The sample was selected through random multistage sampling by conglomerates. The 36,992 adolescents (50.6% girls and 49.4% boys) participated in the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study in Portugal and Spain, and the age groups were distributed as following: 39.6% 13–14-years-old; 35.8% 15–16-years-old; and 25.6% 17–18-years-old. Analyses showed positive associations between the proposed indicator of civic engagement –news media use and political discussions– and social self-efcacy, both directly as well as through sense of unity, with similar results for adolescents in Portugal and Spain. Accordingly, educational programs promoting communication about sociopolitical issues could foster adolescents’ sense of unity and social skills, contributing to their positive development, wellbeing, and civic engagement. Curricular materials on current politics and social afairs could increase classroom dialogue based on respect, healthy peer relationships, and sense of belonging, fostering efective political socialization amongst youth and the development of democratic behaviors benefcial to society