Portuguese Version of the Suicidal Behaviors Questionnaire-Revised: Validation Data and the Establishment of a Cut-Score for Screening Purposes

The aim of the present study is to provide validation data regarding the Portuguese version of the Suicidal Behaviors Questionnaire Revised in nonclinical individuals. Two studies were undertaken with two different nonclinical samples in order to demonstrate reliability, concurrent, predictive, and construct validity, and in order to establish an appropriate cut-score for nonclinical individuals. A sample of 810 community adults participated in Study 1. Results from this study provided information regarding scale internal consistency, exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, and concurrent validity. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis established a cut-off score to be used for screening purposes with nonclinical individuals. A sample of 440 young adults participated in Study 2, which demonstrated scale score internal consistency and 5-month predictive validity. Further, 5-month test-retest reliability was also evaluated and the correlations of SBQ-R scale scores with two other measures that assess constructs related to suicidality, depression and psychache, were also performed. In addition, confirmatory factor analysis was undertaken to demonstrate the robustness of the result obtained in Study 1. Overall, findings supported the psychometric appropriateness of the Portuguese Suicidal Behaviors Questionnaire-Revise

The Decent Work Questionnaire (DWQ): Development and validation in two samples of knowledge workers

This research aimed to develop a questionnaire measure of workers’ perceptions of decent work. The initial pool of 72 items covered the substantive elements used by the International Labour Organization to characterize decent work. It was administered to workers from Portugal (N = 636) and Brazil (N = 1039) and submitted to exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis. The final 31-item version yields seven factor scores in addition to the global decent work score. With good reliability, convergent and discriminant validity indices, the DWQ could open new avenues for empirical studies of the decent work concept.

VALIDATION STUDY OF HEALTH BELIEFS SCALE

Introduction: The Health Belief Scale is a questionnaire used to assess a wide range of beliefs related to health. The objective of this study was to undertake construction and culturally adapt the Health Belief Scale (HBS) to the Portuguese language and to test its reliability and validity. Methods: This new version was obtained with forward/backward translations, consensus panels and a pre-test, having been inspired by some of the items from “Canada’s Health Promotion Survey” and the “European Health and Behaviour Survey”, with the inclusion of new items about food-related beliefs. The Portuguese version of Health Belief Scale and a form for the characteristics of the participants were applied to 849 Portuguese adolescents. Results: Reliability was good with a Cronbach’s alpha coeficient of 0.867, and an intraclass correlation coeficient (ICC) of 0.95. Corrected item-total coeficients ranged from 0.301 to 0.620 and weighted kappa coeficients ranged from 0.72 to 0.93 for the total scale items. We obtained a scale composed of 13 items divided into ive factors (smoking and alcohol belief, food belief, sexual belief, physical and sporting belief, and social belief), which explain 57.97% of the total variance. Conclusions: The scale exhibited suitable psychometric properties, in terms of internal consistency, reproducibility and construct validity. It can be used in various areas of research.

"Novas núpcias da qualificação no Alentejo: a avaliação dos impactos do processo de RVCC em indivíduos residentes no Distrito de Évora (2000-2005)"

Esta investigação teve como objetivo avaliar os impactos pessoais, profissionais, familiares e sociais que o Processo de Reconhecimento, Validação e Certificação de Competências (RVCC) de nível básico causou em indivíduos residentes no Distrito de Évora, que certificaram as suas competências no período 2000-2005. Trata-se de um estudo descritivo em que foi aplicado um inquérito a uma amostra de 149 adultos, com questões relativas às características do adulto na atualidade, ao percurso individual no Processo de RVCC e ao impacto deste no percurso de vida dos adultos. Os dados foram tratados no programa SPSS (versão 20.0) através de uma análise estatística de natureza descritiva. Este estudo mostrou que existiam mais mulheres do que homens a valorizar o Processo de RVCC, e que os seus impactos verificavam-se maioritariamente na dimensão pessoal. Concluiu-se que uma aprendizagem ao longo da vida contribuiu para a valorização pessoal e para o nível de escolaridade dos adultos. ## New Wedding of Qualification in the Alentejo: the assessment of impacts of the RVCC processes on individuals residing in the District of Évora (2000-2005) This research aimed to evaluate the impacts personal, professional, family and social that Recognition Process Validation and Certification of Competences (RVCC) (basic level) caused among residents of the District of Évora, who certified their skills between 2000-2005. This is a descriptive study in which we applied a questionnaire to a sample of 149 adults, with questions relating to today’s characteristics of the adults, their individual path in the RVCC process and the impact of this process on those individuals. The data collected was processed using SPSS (version 20.0) through a descriptive statistical analysis. This study showed that there were more women than men to value the RVCC process, and that the impacts of this process are mostly in the personal dimension. It was concluded that a lifelong learning enhances personal development and educational level of adults. Key words: Adults; Lifelong learning; Recognition Process Validation and Certification of Competences; Adult training.

Increased physical activity and fitness above the 50th percentile prevents the institutionalization of elderly people: a cross-sectional pilot study.

Introduction Institutionalization in a nursing home restricts autonomy, most notably free will, free choice, and free action. Decreased physical activity and fitness are predictive of disability and dependence (Rikli & Jones, 2013; Tak, Kuiper, Chorus, & Hopman-Rock, 2014); however little is known about the impact of these factors on institutionalization. Thus, this study aimed to analyze the impact of physical activity and fitness and on the risk of elderly people without cognitive impairment become institutionalized. Methods This cross-sectional study involved 195 non-institutionalized (80.14.4yrs) and 186 institutionalized (83.85.2yrs) participants. Cognitive impairment was assessed using Mini-Mental State Examination, physical activity was assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, and measures of physical fitness were determined by the Senior Fitness Test. Results: Multivariate binary logistic analysis selected 4 main predictors of institutionalization in both genders. The likelihood of becoming institutionalized increased by +18.6% for each additional year of age, while it decreased by -24.8% by each fewer kg/m2 in BMI, by -0.9% for each additional meter performed in the aerobic endurance test and by -2.0% for each additional 100MET-min/wk of physical activity expenditure (p<0.05). Values ≤50th percentile (age ≥81yrs, BMI≥26.7kg/m2, aerobic endurance ≤367.6m, and physical activity ≤693MET-min/wk) were computed using Receiver Operating Characteristics analysis as cut-offs discriminating institutionalized from non-institutionalized elderly people. Conclusion The performance of physical activity, allied to an improvement in physical fitness (mainly BMI and aerobic endurance) may prevent the institutionalization of elderly people without cognitive impairment only if they are above the 50th percentile; the following is highly recommend: expending ≥693MET-min/wk on physical activity, being ≤26.7kg/m2 on BMI, and being able to walk ≥367.6m in the aerobic endurance test, especially above the age of 80 years. The discovery of this trigger justifies the development of physical activity programs targeting the pointed cut-offs in old, and very old people. References Rikli, R., & Jones, C. (2013). Development and validation of criterion-referenced clinically relevant fitness standards for maintaining physical independence in later years. Gerontologist, 53, 255-267. Tak, E., Kuiper, R., Chorus, A., & Hopman-Rock, M. (2014). Prevention of onset and progression of basic ADL disability by physical activity in community dwelling older adults: a meta-analysis. Ageing Res Rev, 12, 329-338.

Avaliação de impactos dos processos RVCC no Centro Novas Oportunidades da Fundação Alentejo: o período de 2000-2005

Este projeto de investigação teve como objetivo geral avaliar os impactos do processo de Reconhecimento Validação e Certificação de Competências (RVCC) de nível básico, dos adultos que, no Centro de Novas Oportunidades da Fundação Alentejo, no período de 2000-2005, nele participaram e viram certificadas as suas competências. Sendo uma investigação de cariz descritivo, recorre, em termos metodológicos, a uma abordagem quantitativa, operacionalizada pela aplicação de um inquérito por questionário a uma amostra de 147 adultos. A análise dos resultados permitiu-nos concluir que os impactos do processo de RVCC verificam-se, maioritariamente na dimensão pessoal, enquanto, nas dimensões profissional, social e académica, não são tão visíveis. No entanto, são as mulheres que predominam, logo, valorizam mais o processo. Importa, também, verificar que o processo contribui para o aumento da valorização pessoal e do nível de escolaridade dos adultos ao familiarizar-se com o ativar das atividades de Aprendizagem ao Longo da Vida; ABSTRACT:The overall objective of this research project was to assess the impact of the adult basic RVCC (Competence Recognition, Validation and Certification) process in the people that took part in it and whose competences were certified at the Centro de Novas Oportunidades da Fundação Alentejo between 2000 and 2005. Being a descriptive research its methodology implied the application of a questionnaire to a sample of 147 people and a quantitative approach. The analysis of the results allowed us to conclude that the impact of the RVCC process occurred mostly on a personal level; however it is not so visible on the professional, social and academic levels. However, women are in a greater number and, therefore, they value the process more. It is also important to verify that the process contributes to the raise of the sense of self-worth and of the schooling level of adults as they become familiar with the Life-long Learning activities.

O processo de reconhecimento e validação de competências: o impacto da aquisição de competências em tecnologias de informação e comunicação de adultos

Esta investigação insere-se no âmbito geral do Projecto de investigação científica denominado “Novas Núpcias da Qualificação no Alentejo”, promovido pelo Centro de Investigação em Educação e Psicologia da Universidade de Évora. A sua finalidade é avaliar os impactos das TIC na vida dos adultos certificados pelo processo de RVCC. A metodologia utilizada, de carácter quantitativo, baseou-se num estudo descritivo utilizando, como instrumento de investigação, o inquérito por questionário, comum a todas as investigações das “Novas Núpcias da Qualificação no Alentejo”. Este instrumento foi aplicado aos indivíduos certificados entre 2001 e 2005, pelo processo de RVCC, nos seis Centros de RVCC do Alentejo. Dos resultados obtidos, ao nível da dimensão pessoal e profissional, dos indivíduos certificados no Centro de RVCC promovido pelo Centro de Formação Profissional de Portalegre do IEFP, destacamos, na utilização do Computador e da Internet, uma evolução mais significativa nas mulheres e um maior impacto na dimensão pessoal; ABSTRACT: This research falls within the general scope of the research project entitled "Novas Núpcias da Qualificação no Alentejo”, sponsored by the Investigation Centre in Education and Psychology at the University of Évora. Its purpose is to assess the impacts of ICTs in the lives of adults certified by the RVCC program. The methodology in use, the quantitative method, was based on a descriptive study using a research instrument, the questionnaire survey, common to all investigations of "Novas Núpcias da Qualificação no Alentejo". This instrument was administered to individuals certified between the years 2001 and 2005, within the RVCC process in the six RVCC Centres of Alentejo. From the results obtained, at a personal and professional dimension, within the individuals certified in the RVCC Centre sponsored by Vocational Training Centre of Portalegre of “IEFP”, we highlight the use of computer and internet, a most significant development in women and greater impact in the personal dimension.

Os impactos pessoais , sociais e profissionais do processo de reconhecimento validação e certificação de competências, no percurso de vida dos indivíduos, do Concelho de Santiago do Cacém (Periodo de 2000-2005)

A presente dissertação insere-se no âmbito do Mestrado em Ciências da Educação, na especialização de Gestão e Administração Educacional, tendo como base a concretização do projecto de investigação denominado “As Novas Núpcias da Qualificação no Alentejo”, promovido pelo Centro de Investigação em Educação e Psicologia da Universidade de Évora. O objecto da investigação centra-se na análise dos impactos sociais e profissionais do processo de RVCC (Reconhecimento, Validação e Certificação de Competências) nos indivíduos certificados, no período de 2000-2005, no Concelho de Santiago do Cacém. A investigação, de natureza descritiva, assume uma base metodológica quantitativa e recorreu à aplicação de um questionário a toda a população em estudo. O resultado obtido permite-nos concluir que o PRVCC produz efeitos positivos no percurso de vida dos indivíduos, tendo mais impacto em termos pessoais do que sociais e profissionais; ABSTRACT: The current essay falls under the scope of the Education Sciences Master, Educational Administration and Management specialty, and is based on the completion of the investigation project called “The New Nuptials of Qualification in Alentejo”, promoted by the Education and Psychology Investigation Center of the University of Évora. The aim of the investigation is focused on the analysis of the impact, of the effects at social and professional level of the RVCC process (Recognition, Validation and Certification of Competencies) of the certified individuals, between 2000-2005, in the County of Santiago do Cacém. This investigation is of descriptive nature and assumes a quantitative methodological approach, which resorted to the administration of a questionnaire to the entire study population. The results obtained allow to conclude that the RVCC process has positive effects on the individuals’ life path, with more impact at personal level than social or professional.