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- Do impulsivity and alexithymia predict aggressiveness in institutionalized older adults?Publication . Espírito-Santo, Helena; Abreu Paraíso Ferreira, Luís André; Vicente, Henrique Manuel Testa; Vieira Antunes da Cunha, Marina Isabel; Grasina, Alexandra; Daniel, Fernanda; Lemos, LauraAbstract: Introduction: Alexithymia and impulsivity are related and predict aggressiveness in younger adults, especially in forensic contexts. However, little is known about this relationship in older adults, especially in geriatric institutionalized settings, where aggressiveness presents a high prevalence. Thus, we aimed to analyze the impact of impulsivity and alexithymia in institutionalized older adults’ aggressiveness after examining the relationships between these variables. Relevant variables were controlled for in these relations. Methods: Ninety-seven institutionalized participants (60–94 years, 70.1% women, 59.8% nursing homes’ residents) were assessed with the Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire-SF, Toronto Alexithymia Scale-20, and Barratt’s Impulsiveness Scale-15. Results: The self-reported level of aggressiveness was low in our sample. Aggressiveness correlated with and was predicted by alexithymia (R2=17.6%; β=0.24, p<.05) and impulsiveness (R2=17.6%; β=0.34, p<.01). Conclusion: Despite the low levels of aggressiveness (potentially explained by levels of medication, more supervision, and more frailty), our findings with institutionalized older adults demonstrate the relevance of alexithymia and impulsiveness for understanding aggressiveness in older adults, adding to previous studies with other types of populations. We provide directions for psychotherapeutic strategies.
- Representações sociais da velhicePublication . Daniel, Fernanda; Antunes, Anna; Amaral, InêsResumo: O estudo analisa as representações da velhice a partir de uma amostra de pessoas idosas e de cuidadores/as formais. Os instrumentos utilizados na recolha dos dados foram o Inquérito por Questionário e o Teste de Associação Livre de Palavras. A hipótese de trabalho que formulámos é a de que a representação da velhice, sendo uma construção social, traduz uma conceptualização negativa induzida pela consciência coletiva da sociedade marcadamente caracterizada por uma ideia negativa da velhice enquanto figuração do fim da vida ativa. Em concordância com a nossa hipótese de trabalho, os resultados revelam a prevalência de estereotipia idadista associando-se a velhice, em ambos os grupos investigados, a atributos de cariz negativo nomeadamente solidão, doença e dependência. As representações aferidas não serão alheias ao modelo societário que é maléfico para a velhice, onde se rejeita o que é velho (Bosi, 1983). É, contudo, nossa convicção que as melhorias verificadas na qualidade de vida, a par da nova narrativa discursiva do envelhecimento (produtivo, saudável, bem-sucedido, positivo e ativo), poderão vir a metamorfosear o campo representacional da “velhice” aligeirando a sua carga negativa.
- Psychometric properties of the Angolan version of the Reflective Functioning Questionnaire – 8 (RFQ-8) : an exploratory studyPublication . Martins, Karina; Benedito, Luís; Farate, Carlos; Daniel, Fernanda; Vicente, Henrique Manuel TestaAbstract: The Reflective Functioning Questionnaire (RFQ-8) is a brief self-report psychometric instrument designed to assess an individual’s reflective functioning abilities. This study aimed to examine the psychometric properties of the Angolan version of the RFQ-8, namely, to assess its factor structure and to examine its correlations with related constructs and clinical variables in a sample of the general population of Angola. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 132 participants (aged ≥18 years) with Angolan residency and nationality, recruited through non-probability, convenience and snowball sampling procedures. The online research protocol included a Portuguese translation of the RFQ-8 and a battery of self- report measures (Brief Symptom Inventory; Adult Attachment Scale – Revised; Beck Cognitive Insight Scale). Consistent with previous research, results supported a two-factor structure for the RFQ-8 (assessing certainty and uncertainty about mental states; RFQc and RFQu subscales) with satisfactory internal consistency. RFQ-8 scores also showed significant correlations to psychopathological symptoms, suggesting a close relation between uncertainty about mental states and clinical problems, consistent with the mentalization framework; statistically significant relationships with different attachment patterns that support mentalization’s developmental schema; significant correlations with cognitive insight, a construct closely related to reflective functioning. Even though the RFQ-8 was designed to assess two impairments in reflective functioning (hypermentalization and hypomentalization), it seems that only hypomentalization is adequately addressed by this instrument. Further research is thus needed to analyze the probable unidimensionality of the RFQ-8 and the viability of different scoring procedures. In conclusion, this study offers preliminary evidence on the reliability and validity of the Angolan version of this scale. Besides its usefulness in clinical assessment, it could also contribute to developing research on mentalization and the efficacy of psychotherapeutic interventions, including patients’ responses to mentalization-based treatments.