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- How couple’s relationship lasts over time? A model for marital satisfactionPublication . Abreu-Afonso, José; Ramos, Maria Meireles; Garcia, Inês; Leal, Isabel Maria PereiraHigh rates of divorce seem related to low marital satisfaction levels; however, there is still a lack of a model that can help understand the couple's resilience and fragility throughout the life cycle. This research explores the role of communication patterns, their own and partner's motivation for conjugality, cohesion and flexibility within a couple, and several sociodemographic characteristics (e.g., stage of the family life cycle) that can explain marital satisfaction. A sample of 331 Portuguese in a marital relationship completed a sociodemographic questionnaire and marital satisfaction measures, communication and conflict management competencies, cohesion and flexibility, and motivation. Adequate statistical analysis was performed using descriptive statistics and structural equation modeling. Both measurement and structural model performed in the study presented a good fit, with five significant predictors of marital satisfaction (that accounted for 85% of the variability): intrinsic motivation (β = .64), communication (β = .31), families with young children (β = -.08), families with teenagers (β = -.07) and professional/academic status (β = .06). By identifying a model for marital satisfaction, this research provides clues regarding which aspects might need to be considered in couples' clinical work to promote healthier relationships.
- The impact of childbirth on female sexualityPublication . Leal, Isabel Maria Pereira; Lourenço, Sílvia; Oliveira, Raquel V.; Carvalheira, Ana Alexandra; Marôco, João PauloObjective: To compare variables related to sexual functioning, namely: sexual desire, arousal, orgasm, pain, sexual satisfaction and sexual function in women during the pregnancy and 3 months after delivery. Methods: This is an exploratory and descriptive, quantitative study. A non-probability, convenience sample of 62 women in the first stage, and of 52 women in the second stage, was used. The two groups were not significantly different regarding socio-demographic aspects. The main outcome measures used were the female sexual function as assessed by the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and a Socio-demographic and Clinical Questionnaire. Results: The women presented higher mean levels of sexual satisfaction after birth, than during the pregnancy presenting statistically significant differences. Also they had lower mean levels of sexual desire, sexual arousal and vaginal lubrication after delivery. Regarding the orgasm, they presented higher mean levels in the postpartum period. The overall sexual function after childbirth did not present significant differences when comparing the pregnancy period to the postpartum, but presented higher mean levels during the pregnancy. Pain levels were higher during the pregnancy. Conclusion: We found no significant differences between the two groups, in most of the studied variables. However, Sexual Arousal and Sexual Satisfaction presented statistically significant differences.
- FOODLIT-trial: protocol of a randomised controlled digital intervention to promote food literacy and sustainability Behaviours in Adults Using the Health Action Process Approach and the behaviour change techniques taxonomy during the COVID-19 pandemicPublication . Rosas, Raquel; Pimenta, Filipa; Leal, Isabel Maria Pereira; Schwarzer, RalfDietary quality and sustainability are central matters to the international community, emphasised by the burden of the COVID-19 pandemic. To promote healthier and more sustainable food-related practices, the protocol of a web-based intervention to enhance adults’ food literacy is presented. The FOODLIT-Trial is a two-arm, parallel, experimental, and single-blinded randomised controlled trial delivered over 11 weeks. Based on the Food Literacy Wheel framework and supported by the Health Action Process Approach (HAPA) and the Behaviour Change Techniques Taxonomy, weekly content with customised behaviour change techniques (experimental group) is hypothesised to be more effective to promote food behaviour change when compared to a single-time and non-customised delivery of food-related international guidelines, with no theoretically informed approaches (comparison group). Primary outcome is food literacy, including food-related knowledge, skills, and behaviours, assessed with the FOODLIT-Tool; a secondary outcome includes psychological mechanisms that efficaciously predict change in participants’ food literacy, measured with HAPA-driven items. Enlisted through online sources, participants will be assessed across five time points (baseline, post-intervention, and 3-, 6-, and 9-month follow-ups, i.e., T0–T4). A randomisation check will be conducted, analyses will follow an intention-to-treat approach, and linear two-level models within- (T0–T4) and between-level (nested in participants) will be computed, together with a longitudinal mediation analysis. If effective, the FOODLIT-Trial will provide for a multidimensional and cost-effective intervention to enable healthier and more sustainable food practices over the long term.
- How do older adults experience pet companionship? A qualitative study of the affective relationship with pets and its effect on the mental health of older adults during the Covid-19 pandemicPublication . von Humboldt, Sofia; Silva, Sara; Leal, Isabel Maria PereiraThis study aimed to explore the affective relationship of older adults with their pets during the COVID-19 pandemic; and to assess how this contributed to their mental health. This qualitative study included 351 participants aged 65–88 years from Portugal, the United Kingdom, and Spain. All interviews went through content analysis. Findings indicated five themes: (1) Enabling a meaningful affective relationship (86%); (2) Strengthening affective sharing with partner (68%); (3) Easing new affective relationships (61%); (4) Enhancing sensory stimuli and physical touch (55%); and; (5) Feeling physical pleasure (23%). Three main themes emerged from the content analysis regarding the second objective: (1) Fewer depressive and anxiety symptoms (73%); (2) Fewer feelings of loneliness (68%); and (3) Fewer mood swings (43%). The affective relationship between older adults and their pets was relevant during the COVID-19 pandemic since it solidified affective relationships with their partners and fostered the creation of new relationships. Additionally, it contributed to a deeper affective relationship with themselves, in terms of sensory stimuli, physical touch, and physical pleasure. Owning a pet improved mental health symptoms, namely those associated with depression, anxiety, and mood swings.
- Posttraumatic growth in adult cancer patients: an updated systematic reviewPublication . Patrao, Ivone; Leal, Isabel Maria Pereira; Rudnicki, Tânia; Santos, Ana Isabel; Costa, Margarida; Pimenta, Filipa; Ramos, CatarinaThe current systematic review is an updated analysis of studies with adult cancer patients, regarding factors associated with posttraumatic growth (PTG), which is defined as perceived positive changes after traumatic event, such as cancer. A systematic review was conducted according to the PRISMA Statement guidelines. Seven electronic databases were searched. Quantitative studies with or without psychosocial group intervention that assessed PTG or similar construct (benefit finding [BF], positive life changes, stress-related growth, growth) as main outcome were included. The initial systematic search yielded 659 papers, published between 2006 and 2015. From those, 81 studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria: 73 studies without intervention and 8 entailing an intervention program. The results suggested that socio-demographic (e.g. age, educational level, household income), clinical (e.g. stage of cancer), cognitive (e.g. intrusiveness, challenge to core beliefs), coping-related (e.g. positive reframing, religious coping) and other psychosocial variables (e.g. social support, optimism, spirituality) are positively associated with PTG. BF is associated with gender, marital status, cancer stage, both cancer and treatment type, positive active coping, positive reappraisal, social support and optimism. Psychosocial group interventions with cancer patients show significant effect on the increase of growth reported (PTG or BF). As conclusion, Growth following a cancer experience is an effect of several variables which might be targeted and promoted in the context of multidisciplinary teams, in hospital and clinical settings. Group interventions are a favorable context to the development of PTG after cancer, but interventions that assess PTG as primary outcome are still needed to evaluate the effect of group on PTG’ facilitation.
- Posttraumatic growth (PTG) and posttraumatic depreciation (PTD) across ten countries: Global validation of the PTG-PTD theoretical modelPublication . Taku, Kanako; Tedeschi, Richard G.; Shakespeare-Finch, Jane; Krosch, Daniel J; David, Georgina; Kehl, Doris; Grunwald, Selina; Romeo, Annunziata; Di Somma, Marialaura; Kamibeppu, Kiyoko; Soejima, Takafumi; Hiraki, Kohichi; Volgin, Rebekah; Dhakal, Sandesh; Zięba, Mariusz; Ramos, Catarina; Nunes, Romina; Leal, Isabel Maria Pereira; Gouveia, Patrícia; Silva, Carolina C.; Chaves, Pamela Núñez Del Prado; Zavala-Oseguera, Claudia; Paz, Andrea; Durak, Emre; Oshio, Atsushi; Canevello, Amy; Cann, Arnie; Calhoun, Lawrence G.
- Different placement practices for different families? Children’s adjustment in LGH adoptive families.Publication . Costa, Pedro Alexandre; Tasker, Fiona; Leal, Isabel Maria PereiraThe purpose of this study was to examine the characteristics of children placed with lesbian, gay, and heterosexual adopters, and to examine children's problem behaviors and positive psychosocial adjustment across the three family types.
- Psychological distress in older portuguese gay and bisexual men: The mediating role of LGBT Community ConnectednessPublication . Gonçalves, José Alberto Ribeiro; Costa, Pedro Alexandre; Leal, Isabel Maria PereiraObjectives: Examining Psychological Distress (PD) among older Portuguese gay and bisexual men (GBM), and the mediator role of LGBT community connectedness (LGBTCC) of minority stress variables on PD. Methods: We performed a mediation analysis with LGBTCC as mediator between minority stress variables and PD with a sample of 110 elderly GBM. Results: We found moderate PD levels; LGBTCC was a significant mediator between concealment of sexual orientation and PD, but not between internalized stigma and expectations of rejection and PD. Conclusions: More attention is needed to Older Portuguese GBM’s mental health. LGBTCC is an important ameliorating factor for older GBM.
- Fatores de risco da incontinência urinária de esforço femininaPublication . Porto, Marta G.; Pimenta, Filipa; Albergaria, Rita; Leal, Ana; Maroco, João; Mascarenhas, Teresa; Leal, Isabel Pereira
- Adaptação das versões completa e breve da Escala de Relação Coparental (ERC) em uma amostra comunitária de pais e mães portuguesesPublication . Leal, Isabel Maria Pereira; Tasker, Fiona; Garcia, Inês Queiroz; Costa, Pedro AlexandreA Escala de Relação Coparental (ERC) é uma das medidas mais utilizadas para avaliar a relação de coparentalidade. Pretendeu-se avaliar as propriedades psicométricas das versões completa e breve da ERC numa amostra comunitária de 779 pais e mães portugueses, com idades entre os 23 e os 65 anos (M = 42.73; DP = 5.27). As análises fatoriais confirmatórias forneceram evidências de um bom ajustamento dos dados, fiabilidade interna e validade convergente, ainda que em ambas as versões tenha sido eliminada a dimensão Divisão de tarefas parentais. Quando à validade discriminante, duas das sete dimensões – Acordo nas práticas parentais e Suporte coparental – não evidenciaram validade discriminante. A validade concorrente também foi testada e confirmada através das correlações entre das dimensões da ERC e as dimensões da RDAS (ajustamento diádico) e do SDQ (ajustamento infantil).