Revista Portuguesa de Investigação Comportamental e Social

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Authors: Fernanda Daniel

[Este Editorial não tem resumo. São apresentadas as primeiras 119 palavras] Este número da Revista Portuguesa de Investigação Comportamental e Social conta com uma secção temática sobre envelhecimento com três artigos empíricos relevantes no domínio das Ciências Sociais e do Comportamento. O primeiro artigo mostra diferenças nas redes sociais entre idosos residentes na comunidade versus em idosos institucionalizados e o seu papel na solidão. O segundo estuda as propriedades psicométricas do Geriatric Anxiety Inventory em pessoas idosas também institucionalizadas. O terceiro apresenta um estudo preliminar de uma intervenção neuropsicológica grupal com pessoas de idade avançada. Em contraponto, na secção não-temática, dois artigos estudam as propriedades psicométricas de dois instrumentos de avaliação, um sobre a depressão e outro sobre a qualidade de vida nas fases mais precoces do ciclo de vida.

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Authors: Maria Helena Reis Amaro da Luz, Isabel Miguel

Objetivos: O apoio proveniente das redes sociais reflete, junto dos idoso, níveis de satisfação diferenciados, os quais se associam a variáveis contextuais, facultando, de igual modo, leituras explicativas sobre a predição da solidão. Deste modo, pretende-se, neste estudo, distinguir as redes sociais dos idosos que constituem a amostra, discutir os níveis de satisfação que apresentam com as redes de apoio social e a percepção que evidenciam relativa a sentimentos de solidão, tendo por base a influência da variável residência. A par, será retida a percepção subjetiva da solidão, para analisar os modelos explicativos que lhe estão hierarquicamente subjacentes. Método: A amostra deste estudo envolveu 221 idosos, dos quais 99 (44,8%) vivem na comunidade e 122 (55,2%) residem em instituição. O protocolo foi composto por: Questionário Sociodemográfico; Escala de Redes Sociais de Lubben; Escala de Satisfação com o Suporte Social (ESSS) e Escala de Solidão da Universidade da Califórnia, Los Angeles (UCLA). Resultados: A comparação nas redes de apoio social entre os participantes revela, a partir dos testes univariados, a existência de diferenças estatisticamente significativas em todas as dimensões consideradas: os residentes na comunidade apresentam uma rede de suporte familiar, de amigos e de confidentes mais alargada do que os residentes em estrutura residencial para idosos. Os testes subsequentes relativos à satisfação com a rede de apoio revelam diferenças estatisticamente significativas nas dimensões relativas à satisfação com os amigos, família e apoio social, sendo os participantes residentes na comunidade os mais satisfeitos. A regressão hierárquica múltipla revela acréscimos na variância explicada da solidão, evidenciando o modelo final que a satisfação com a família, a existência de confidentes e de uma rede de amigos se revelam bons preditores negativos da solidão. Conclusões: Os idosos a residir na comunidade reportam, comparativamente aos participantes em lar, níveis mais elevados de suporte social ativo ou recebido, bem como de suporte social percebido como disponível em caso de necessidade. Por si só, a variável residência não influi na percepção subjetiva da solidão dos grupos em análise. No entanto quando se focalizam as vivências em lar, o apoio recebido e a satisfação com o suporte social revelam ser contributos importantes para minimizar a solidão destes idosos. Aims: The support from social networks reflects different satisfaction levels among the elderly, which are associated with contextual variables, providing at the same time readings on the prediction of loneliness. Thus, the objectives of this study are: to distinguish the social networks of the elderly in the sample, discuss the levels of satisfaction towards social support networks and the perception related to feelings of loneliness, based on the influence of residential context. Additionally, the subjective perception of loneliness will be retained, to analyze the explanatory models that are hierarchically underlined. Method: The sample was composed of 221 elderly, of which 99 (44.8%) living in the community and 122 (55.2%) living in an institution. The protocol was composed of: Sociodemographic Questionnaire; Lubben Social Networks Scale; Social Support Satisfaction Scale (ESSS); and UCLA Loneliness Scale. Findings: The comparison of social support networks amongst participants revealed the existence of statistically significant differences in all considered dimensions: community residents have a wider family, friends, and confidants support network than institution residents. Subsequent tests show statistically significant differences in domains related to friends, family, and social support, showing community residents to be the most satisfied. The multiple regression reveals additions in the explained variance of loneliness, as the final model shows that satisfaction with family, the presence of confidants, and friend networks are important predictors of loneliness. Conclusions: Compared to participants living in institution, the elderly living in the community report higher levels of received social support, as well as perceived social support. By itself, the residential context does not affect the subjective perception of loneliness. However, when the institutionalization context is focused, the received social support and related satisfaction are found to be important contributions to minimize elderly loneliness.

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Authors: Giseli Fabiana Silva, Helena Maria Espírito Santo, Marina Fernandes Costa, Diana Catarina Marques Cardoso, Filomena Vicente, Sónia do Carmo Martins, Laura Lemos

Contexto: O envelhecimento caracteriza-se frequentemente por alterações cognitivas que, por vezes, excedem o esperado para o envelhecimento normal. Estas alterações que não reúnem critérios de demência constituem o Défice Cognitivo sem Demência (DCSD) que, independente da etiologia, apresenta alta taxa de conversão para a demência. Objetivos: Investigar o efeito de um Programa de Reabilitação Neuropsicológica Grupal (PRNG) no funcionamento cognitivo, executivo e emocional de idosos institucionalizados com DCSD. Métodos: A amostra incluiu 24 idosos institucionalizados com DCSD, com idades entre os 67 e 92 anos. Doze idosos foram submetidos ao PRNG e doze idosos ficaram em lista de espera. O estudo teve um desenho quasi-experimental e cego na reavaliação. O PRNG decorreu em 10 sessões de 90 minutos cada, uma vez por semana. Avaliou-se pré e pós-intervenção através da Avaliação Cognitiva de Montreal, da Avaliação Breve do Estado Mental, da Bateria de Avaliação Frontal, da Escala da Depressão Geriátrica e da Escala da Solidão. Resultados: As ANCOVAs mostraram um efeito relevante do PRNG na melhoria do funcionamento executivo (ƞ2 = 0,26) e dos sentimentos de solidão (ƞ2 = 0,77), ambos com diferenças estatisticamente significativas (p < 0,05) na comparação entre o antes e depois da implementação do PRNG. No funcionamento cognitivo e na sintomatologia depressiva foi manifesto o agravamento no grupo de comparação (p < 0,05), sugerindo que o PRNG impede esse agravamento, mas a ANCOVA só foi significativa para o funcionamento cognitivo (ɳ2 = 0,26). Conclusão: O PRNG aplicado em idosos institucionalizados com DCSD oferece resultados promissores e evidencia eficácia na melhoria do funcionamento executivo e dos sentimentos de solidão. Impõe-se a replicação em amostras maiores e mais diversificadas e o estudo da generalização e manutenção dos resultados a longo prazo. | Background: Aging is often characterized by cognitive impairment that sometimes exceeds the expected for normal aging. These changes that do not meet the criteria for dementia establish the cognitive impairment no dementia (CIND) that, regardless of etiology, has a high conversion rate to dementia. Aims: To investigate the effect of a Group Neuropsychological Rehabilitation Program (GNRP) in the cognitive, executive, and emotional functioning of institutionalized elderly with CIND. Methods: The sample included 24 elderly individuals, aged between 67 and 92 years. Twelve elderly underwent the GNRP and twelve elderly stayed on a waiting list. The study had a quasi-experimental design and was blind in the re-assessment. The ten interventions took 90 minutes per session, once a week. The pre and post-intervention assessment included the Montreal Cognitive Assessment, the Mini-Mental State Examination, the Frontal Assessment Battery, the Geriatric Anxiety Inventory, and the Loneliness Scale. Results: The ANCOVAs showed a significant effect of the GNRP on the improvement of executive functioning (ɳ2 = 0.26) and feelings of loneliness (ɳ2 = 0.77), both with statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) between the baseline and the post-intervention. The comparison deteriorated in the cognitive functioning and depressive symptoms (p < 0.05), suggesting that the GNRP prevents that deterioration, but ANCOVA was significant only for cognitive functioning (ɳ2 = 0.26). Conclusion: The GNRP in institutionalized elderly with CIND offers promising results and shows efficacy in improving executive functioning and feelings of loneliness. Larger and more diverse samples and the study of the generalization and maintenance of long-term results are now needed.

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Authors: Helena Espirito Santo; Sónia Guadalupe

[This Editorial does not have an Abstract. The first 73 words are shown]. As publishers, it is our privilege to announce the launch of the first number of the Portuguese Journal of Behavioral and Social Research (PJBSR). The PJBSR arises from a process that involved many wills that have intersected and built together. From the coupling of our perspectives, the PJBSR honors the scientific and educational tradition of Miguel Torga Institute in its 78-year history and the mission of the recent Department of Research & Development.

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Authors: Joana Sequeira, Madalena Alarcão

Aims: The Assessment System of Narrative Change (ASNC) characterizes and evaluates narratives and their changes in therapy, across seven dimensions: singularities (A), nature of the story (B), narrative connotation (C), telling of the story (D), narrative reflexivity (E), session themes (F) and alternative behaviors (G). Method: The ASNC was applied in 83 sessions to evaluate its reliability and validity: 22 sessions of systemic family therapy related to substance abuse problems (study 1), 15 sessions of couple and family therapy related to several different problems (study 2) and 46 sessions of family therapy related to parental neglect, with 18 non-voluntary families (study 3). Results: The estimated reliability of the ASNC (Cohen’s Kappa) varies between excellent and satisfactory. The validity of the ASNC was established through its accuracy in the narrative evaluation of different problems and therapeutic modalities (family and couple therapy). Conclusions: Singularities, narrative reflexivity and the change in session themes (to nonproblematic themes) were the dimensions that changed the most in cases with good outcomes compared to those with poor outcomes.

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Authors: Luís Martins, Marina Cunha, Daniela Guerreiro, Mariana Marques

Objetivos: O trabalho diário com pessoas portadoras de deficiência mental é extremamente exigente do ponto de vista físico e psicológico. Este estudo pretende caraterizar trabalhadores diversos de instituições que prestam cuidados a pessoas com deficiência mental quanto à sua vulnerabilidade ao stress, tipo de personalidade, estratégias de coping e sintomas psicopatológicos e explorar associações entre essas variáveis e algumas variáveis sociodemográficas/profissionais. Métodos: 68 trabalhadores de instituições que recebem pessoas com deficiência mental, entre os 19 e os 62 anos (M = 36,28; DP = 11,65), responderam a um questionário sociodemográfico, ao 23-Questionário de Vulnerabilidade ao Stress (23-QVS), ao Inventário de Personalidade de Eysenck-12 (IPE-12), ao Brief-Cope e ao Brief Symptoms Inventory (BSI). Resultados: Nesta amostra de trabalhadores, níveis maiores de vulnerabilidade ao stresse associaram-se a níveis mais elevados de neuroticismo e de sintomatologia psicopatológica. As mulheres apresentaram maiores níveis de somatização, os profissionais mais novos e com menor grau de escolaridade mostraram ser mais vulneráveis ao stresse. O excesso de horas de trabalho associou-se à vulnerabilidade ao stresse e à sintomatologia psicopatológica. Conclusões: Este estudo confirma que os trabalhadores de instituições que recebem pessoas com deficiência mental apresentam níveis elevados de vulnerabilidade ao stresse e risco de sofrer de sintomatologia psicopatológica. É urgente implementar medidas de intervenção (preventivas ou terapêuticas) no sentido de aliviar o stresse destes cuidadores, melhorando a sua saúde mental. Parece que os trabalhadores com níveis mais elevados de neuroticismo poderão beneficiar mais destas intervenções. [Aims: Daily work with people with mental disabilities is extremely demanding, both physically and psychologically. This study aims to characterize different workers of institutions that deliver care to people with intellectual disabilities regarding their stress vulnerability, personality type, coping strategies, and psychopathological symptoms and explore associations between these variables and some sociodemographic and professionals variables. Method: 68 professionals from institutions that work with people with mental disabilities, aged between 19 to 62 years (M = 36.3; SD = 11.65), answered a sociodemographic questionnaire, the 23-Stress Vulnerability Questionnaire (23-QVS), the Eysenck Personality Inventory-12 (EPI-12), the Brief Cope, and the Brief Symptoms Inventory (BSI). Results: In this sample of workers, higher levels of stress vulnerability were associated with higher levels of neuroticism and psychopathological symptoms. Women presented higher levels of somatization, younger professionals, and with less education were more vulnerable to stress. Work overload was associated with stress vulnerability and to psychopathological symptoms. Conclusions: This study confirms that workers of institutions that receive people with intellectual disabilities present higher levels of stress vulnerability and a higher risk of developing psychopathological symptoms. It is urgent to implement intervention measures (preventive and/or therapeutic) to relieve these professionals' stress, improving their mental health. It seems that workers with higher levels of neuroticism might benefit more from these interventions. [Aims: Daily work with people with mental disabilities is extremely demanding, both physically and psychologically. This study aims to characterize different workers of institutions that deliver care to people with intellectual disabilities regarding their stress vulnerability, personality type, coping strategies, and psychopathological symptoms and explore associations between these variables and some sociodemographic and professionals variables. Method: 68 professionals from institutions that work with people with mental disabilities, aged between 19 to 62 years (M = 36.3; SD = 11.65), answered a sociodemographic questionnaire, the 23-Stress Vulnerability Questionnaire (23-QVS), the Eysenck Personality Inventory-12 (EPI-12), the Brief Cope, and the Brief Symptoms Inventory (BSI). Results: In this sample of workers, higher levels of stress vulnerability were associated with higher levels of neuroticism and psychopathological symptoms. Women presented higher levels of somatization, younger professionals, and with less education were more vulnerable to stress. Work overload was associated with stress vulnerability and to psychopathological symptoms. Conclusions: This study confirms that workers of institutions that receive people with intellectual disabilities present higher levels of stress vulnerability and a higher risk of developing psychopathological symptoms. It is urgent to implement intervention measures (preventive and/or therapeutic) to relieve these professionals' stress, improving their mental health. It seems that workers with higher levels of neuroticism might benefit more from these interventions. [Aims: Daily work with people with mental disabilities is extremely demanding, both physically and psychologically. This study aims to characterize different workers of institutions that deliver care to people with intellectual disabilities regarding their stress vulnerability, personality type, coping strategies, and psychopathological symptoms and explore associations between these variables and some sociodemographic and professionals variables. Method: 68 professionals from institutions that work with people with mental disabilities, aged between 19 to 62 years (M = 36.3; SD = 11.65), answered a sociodemographic questionnaire, the 23-Stress Vulnerability Questionnaire (23-QVS), the Eysenck Personality Inventory-12 (EPI-12), the Brief Cope, and the Brief Symptoms Inventory (BSI). Results: In this sample of workers, higher levels of stress vulnerability were associated with higher levels of neuroticism and psychopathological symptoms. Women presented higher levels of somatization, younger professionals, and with less education were more vulnerable to stress. Work overload was associated with stress vulnerability and to psychopathological symptoms. Conclusions: This study confirms that workers of institutions that receive people with intellectual disabilities present higher levels of stress vulnerability and a higher risk of developing psychopathological symptoms. It is urgent to implement intervention measures (preventive and/or therapeutic) to relieve these professionals' stress, improving their mental health. It seems that workers with higher levels of neuroticism might benefit more from these interventions. [Aims: Daily work with people with mental disabilities is extremely demanding, both physically and psychologically. This study aims to characterize different workers of institutions that deliver care to people with intellectual disabilities regarding their stress vulnerability, personality type, coping strategies, and psychopathological symptoms and explore associations between these variables and some sociodemographic and professionals variables. Method: 68 professionals from institutions that work with people with mental disabilities, aged between 19 to 62 years (M = 36.3; SD = 11.65), answered a sociodemographic questionnaire, the 23-Stress Vulnerability Questionnaire (23-QVS), the Eysenck Personality Inventory-12 (EPI-12), the Brief Cope, and the Brief Symptoms Inventory (BSI). Results: In this sample of workers, higher levels of stress vulnerability were associated with higher levels of neuroticism and psychopathological symptoms. Women presented higher levels of somatization, younger professionals, and with less education were more vulnerable to stress. Work overload was associated with stress vulnerability and to psychopathological symptoms. Conclusions: This study confirms that workers of institutions that receive people with intellectual disabilities present higher levels of stress vulnerability and a higher risk of developing psychopathological symptoms. It is urgent to implement intervention measures (preventive and/or therapeutic) to relieve these professionals' stress, improving their mental health. It seems that workers with higher levels of neuroticism might benefit more from these interventions. [Aims: Daily work with people with mental disabilities is extremely demanding, both physically and psychologically. This study aims to characterize different workers of institutions that deliver care to people with intellectual disabilities regarding their stress vulnerability, personality type, coping strategies, and psychopathological symptoms and explore associations between these variables and some sociodemographic and professionals variables. Method: 68 professionals from institutions that work with people with mental disabilities, aged between 19 to 62 years (M = 36.3; SD = 11.65), answered a sociodemographic questionnaire, the 23-Stress Vulnerability Questionnaire (23-QVS), the Eysenck Personality Inventory-12 (EPI-12), the Brief Cope, and the Brief Symptoms Inventory (BSI). Results: In this sample of workers, higher levels of stress vulnerability were associated with higher levels of neuroticism and psychopathological symptoms. Women presented higher levels of somatization, younger professionals, and with less education were more vulnerable to stress. Work overload was associated with stress vulnerability and to psychopathological symptoms. Conclusions: This study confirms that workers of institutions that receive people with intellectual disabilities present higher levels of stress vulnerability and a higher risk of developing psychopathological symptoms. It is urgent to implement intervention measures (preventive and/or therapeutic) to relieve these professionals' stress, improving their mental health. It seems that workers with higher levels of neuroticism might benefit more from these interventions.