Coping Style and Depressive Symptomatology during Pregnancy in a Private Setting Sample

Aim: to evaluate the association of antenatal depressive symptomatology (AD) with life events and coping styles, the hypothesis was that certain coping strategies are associated to depressive symptomatology. Methods: we performed a cross sectional study of 312 women attending a private clinic in the city of Osasco, Sao Paulo from 27/05/1998 to 13/05/2002. The following instruments were used: Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Holmes and Rahe Schedule of Recent Events (SSRS), Folkman and Lazarus Ways of Coping Questionnaire and questionnaire with social-demographic and obstetric data. Inclusion criteria: women with 110 past history of depression, psychiatric treatment, alcohol or drug abuse and no clinical-obstetrical complications. Odds ratios and 95% CI were used to examine the association between AD (according to BDI) and exposures variables. Hypothesis testing was done with chi(2) tests and a p value < .05. Results: AD occurred in 21.1% of pregnant women. By the univariate analyses, education, number of pregnancies, previous abortion, husband income, situation of marriage and score of SSRS were associated with AD. All coping styles were associated with AD, except seeking support and positive reappraisal. By the multivariate analyses, four coping styles were kept in the final model: confront (p = .039), accepting responsibility (p < .001), escape-avoidance (p = .002), problem-solving (p = .005). Conclusions: AD was highly prevalent and was associated with maladaptive coping styles.

The ontogenesis of smiling and its association with mothers` affective behaviors: A longitudinal study

Two babies were observed from their third week to their sixth month of life. Our goals in the study were: to investigate developmental changes in smiling patterns; to analyze the smiling patterns observed in the presence of mother`s affective behaviors, and to verify whether the babies can answer contingently, with smiles, to mothers` affective behaviors. The babies and their mothers were videotaped at home. It was verified a positive linear trajectory tendency for the babies` smiles. The babies revealed a particular tendency to display one or two kinds of smiles. Babies answered contingently with smiles to their mothers` affective behaviors. Correlations between the most frequent types of babies` smiles and his/her mothers` smiles were verified (r = 37, p < .0017 - baby1, and r = .62, p < .0017 - baby2). Different types of smiles were exhibited by the babies as contingent answers to mothers` behaviors. The results show an association between babies` smiles and their mothers` affective behaviors. (C) 2009 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Brazilian mothers` socialization goals: Intracultural differences in seven Brazilian cities

The present study aimed to investigate Brazilian mothers` socialization goals. The participants in the study were 349 primiparous mothers, whose ages ranged from 17 to 47 years (mean = 26.6 years), who had children aged between 1 and 48 months (mean = 16.4 months). The families were living in seven different cities representing each of the five geographical regions of the country. A scale to evaluate the families` socio-economic status and an interview about socialization goals were used. The answers were coded in five categories defined in previous studies: self-maximization, self-control, lovingness, proper demeanor, and decency. Comparison of the means showed that Brazilian mothers gave more emphasis to self-maximization and proper demeanor than to the other categories, presenting a pattern that fosters the development of children`s autonomous-relational selves. The intracultural variation found was related to the different cities studied. GLM results showed main effects of both city size and mothers` educational level on their socialization goals. These findings contribute to the understanding of characteristics of socialization goals related with autonomy and sociocentrism.

The Mother-Daughter Relationship in Eating Disorders: The Psychotherapy group of mothers

Psychotherapeutic interventions that bring about differentiation, separation, individuation and autonomy in the mother-daughter relationship are recommended as treatment for eating disorders. With this goal in mind, a psychotherapy group for mothers was organized in an outpatient program for adolescents with eating disorders at a public institution, as one of the psychotherapeutic approaches in the multidisciplinary treatment of adolescent patients. Evidence suggests that this approach can be relevant and effective in the treatment of eating disorders.

Psychology and psychoanalysis in Brazil - From cultural syncretism to the collapse of liberal individualism

This paper focuses first on cultural syncretism, used to characterize Brazilian culture. The other aspect of this socially and racially blended culture is the unfinished assimilation of liberalism in politics and the economy, which defines Brazilian society. The increased assimilation and dissemination of psychology may be linked with these in cultural and social aspects. During the military period (1964-1974) the major expansion in university-level studies in psychology contributed ideologically to the dissemination of psychology throughout Brazilian society. This introduced a type of psychology that was related primarily to clinical practice and developed in opposition to social work practice. This paper examines the ideological bases for this conflict between clinical and social work. Criteria for understanding the cultural dissemination of psychoanalysis are then discussed, and it is argued that cultural incorporation of psychoanalysis involves the development of discourse complexes to reflect particular aspects of Brazilian society. The criteria (a non-totalitarian society and the displacement of a magical and religious interpretation of mental disturbance by psychiatric interpretation) are evaluated in relation to the peculiarities of Brazilian syncretism. The paper argues that cultural syncretism and the incomplete assimilation of liberal ideology must be included as criteria in understanding the particular cultural incorporation of psychoanalysis in Brazil.

Amerindian anthropology and cultural psychology: Crossing boundaries and meeting otherness` worlds

Addressing integrative possibilities between psychology and anthropology, this paper aims to design conceptual linkages between semiotic-cultural constructivist psychology and the anthropological theory of Amerindian perspectivism. From the psychological view, it is the interdependence between the structural and processual dimensions of the personal culture that makes parallels with Amerindian perspectivism fruitful. This anthropological frame proposes an experiment with native conceptions, which I argue similar to what Baldwin (1906) called sembling. Hence, it can be considered an active imitation of otherness` viewpoint in order to approach indigenous worlds. It is supposed that this procedure leads to the emergence of new symbolic elements configuring the cultural action field of each agency in interaction. It is proposed that ""making-believe`` the Amerindian is convergent with the dialogic-hermeneutic approach of semiotic-cultural constructivism. As a result of the present integrative effort, is designed a meta-model that multiplies the genetic process of concrete symbolic objects.

Maternal Depression, Behavioral Profile and School Performance in School-Age Children

The aim of this study was to compare behavioral profile and school performance of school-age children living with a mother who presents clinical history of recurrent depression, diagnosed according to CID-10 criteria in order to verify the influences of such adversity. Thirty-eight mother-child dyads were evaluated using tests, interviews and questionnaires. Approximately two-thirds of the children presented behavioral and school performance difficulties with predominance of emotional and relationship problems, and impairment in the three areas of school performance which were assessed (writing, arithmetic and reading). Such difficulties may be associated with the negative impact of maternal depression. One-third of the children did not present difficulties, which suggests the use of protective mechanisms. The study highlights the importance of considering differences in children's profiles for the planning of mental health practices.

Repeat pregnancies among adolescents in a tertiary hospital in Brazil

Objective: to investigate factors associated with repeat pregnancies among adolescents in a tertiary hospital in the city of Sao Paulo, Brazil. Background: Teenage mothers present a high risk of repeat pregnancies during adolescence. Most of these pregnancies are unplanned. Methods: A cross-sectional study conducted in a tertiary hospital in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The study population included 745 first-time pregnancies and 170 two or more times pregnant teenagers hospitalised for childbirth. Logistic regression models were used to identify independent factors associated with repeat pregnancy in this population. Results: Older age at first pregnancy was associated with a decreased risk of repeat pregnancies (odds ratio and 95% confidence interval 0.78 (0.68-0.89)). Prenatal examinations (0.13 (0.05-0.32)), higher education (0.83 (0.76-0.91)) and higher monthly income (0.79 (0.67-0.95)) were also protective against repeat pregnancies. Those who used contraceptives (2.76 (1.80-4.21)) and lived with their partners (2.44 (1.53-3.88)) had an increased risk of becoming pregnant more than once. Conclusion: Preventive programmes aiming to avoid repeat pregnancies in adolescents should not be restricted to the transmission of information. Behavioural changes in family planning must include access not only to adequate information but also to adequate healthcare, contraceptive methods, education and training.

Inflammatory milieu as an early marker of kidney injury in offspring rats from diabetic mothers

The present study investigated the early presence of inflammatory response in renal tissue of young offspring from diabetic mothers. The effect of L-arginine (L-arg) supplementation was also investigated. The offspring was divided into four groups: group CO (controls); group DO (diabetic offspring); group CA (CO receiving 2% L-arg solution) and group DA (DO receiving the 2% L-arg solution). Glycemia, arterial pressure and renal function were evaluated; gene and protein expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines were also measured. Blood pressure levels were significantly increased in 2 and 6 month-old DO rats, whereas L-arg administration caused a significant decrease in the DA group, at both ages. DO rats showed a significantly blunted glycemic response to exogenous insulin. In 2 month-old DO animals, renal protein expression of pro-inflammatory molecules was significantly increased. At six months of age, we also observed an increase in gene expression of pro-inflammatory molecules, whereas L-arg supplementation prevented this increase at both ages. Our data suggest that activation of inflammatory pathways is present early in the kidney of DO rats, and that L-arg can attenuate the expression of these markers of tissue inflammation. Our results also reinforce the concept that intrauterine environmental factors are a fundamental determinant in the development of metabolic and vascular diseases later in life. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Child Physical Abuse: Evaluating Psychological Risk Factors in Accused Caregivers

It was verified to what extent cognitive and affective/emotional variables could distinguish caregivers accused of committing physical abuse (G1) from those without physical abuse records (G2). The Child Abuse Potential Inventory (CAP), which is an instrument designed to assess psychological risk factors in caregivers, was used. A questionnaire on socio-demographic characterization and another on economic classification were also employed to equate the groups. G1 presented a greater potential risk than G2, higher levels of Distress, Rigidity, Problems with the Child and with Themselves, Problems with Others, and a lower level of Ego Strength. These variables contribute with the composition of physical abuse risk, since, in agreement with the Social Information Processing Model, they would be related to cognitive and affective basic processes which are veiled to the perceptions and evaluation/interpretations, associated to abusive parental behavior.

Impact of maternal mild hyperglycemia on maternal care and offspring development and behavior of Wistar rats

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of maternal mild hyperglycemia on maternal behavior, as well as the development, behavior, reproductive function, and glucose tolerance of the offspring. At birth, litters were assigned either to Control (subcutaneous (sc)-citrate buffer) or STZ groups (streptozotocin (STZ)-100 mg/kg-sc.). On PND 90 both STZ-treated and Control female rats were mated. Glucose tolerance tests (GTT) and insulin tolerance tests (ITT) were performed during pregnancy. Pregnancy duration, litter size and sex ratio were assessed. Newborns were classified according to birth weight as small (SPA), adequate (APA), or large for pregnancy age (LPA). Maternal behavior was analyzed on PND 5 and 10. Offspring body weight, length, and anogenital distance were measured and general activity was assessed in the open field. Sexual behavior was tested in both male and female offspring. Levels of reproductive hormones and estrous cycle duration were evaluated in female offspring. Female offspring were mated and both a GTT and ITT performed during pregnancy. Neonatal STZ administration caused mild hyperglycemia during pregnancy and changed some aspects of maternal care. The hyperglycemic intrauterine milieu impaired physical development and increased immobility in the open field in the offspring although the latter effect appeared at different ages for males (adulthood) and females (infancy). There was no impairment in the sexual behavior of either male or female offspring. As adults, female offspring of STZ-treated mothers did not show glucose intolerance during pregnancy. Thus, offspring of female rats that show mild hyperglycemia in pregnancy have fewer behavioral and developmental impairments than previously reported in the offspring of severely diabetic dams suggesting that the degree of impairment is directly related to the mother glycemic intensity. (C) 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

O brinquedo terapêutico e o preparo da criança para cirurgia de correção de fissura labiopalatina

Objectives: to use the toy as a therapeutic resource in the preparation of children undergoing surgical repair of cleft lip and palate preoperatively; to describe quali-quantitativelly the behavioral reactions of the child during the two periods, pre-and postoperatively. Method: quali-quantitative study, developed in a specialized hospital, with 40 children aged between 7 and 12 years old who underwent surgery for correction of cleft lip and palate. Data collection was by means of an instrument with 21 behavioral variables preoperatively and postoperatively. Content analysis was used in the speech of mothers and children. This study was the research project approved by the Ethics Committee, CAAE No. 050/2011. Results: the variable is a presented questioner p> 0.0265 and four categories emerged after content analysis. Conclusion: therapeutic toy is a feature that makes children relieve stress, and facilitates the implementation of nursing care.

The mother-daughter relationship in eating disorders: the psychotherapy group of mothers

Psychotherapeutic interventions that bring about differentiation, separation, individuation and autonomy in the mother-daughter relationship are recommended as treatment for eating disorders. With this goal in mind, a psychotherapy group for mothers was organized in an outpatient program for adolescents with eating disorders at a public institution, as one of the psychotherapeutic approaches in the multidisciplinary treatment of adolescent patients. Evidence suggests that this approach can be relevant and effective in the treatment of eating disorders.

Healthy maternal bonding as a resilience factor for depressive disorder

INTRODUCTION: Depressive disorders (DDs) are very prevalent disorders particularly in women, a high-risk gender group. Determining the risk and protective factors associated with the development of DDs is fundamental to planning preventive and therapeutic strategies. In this study, we evaluated the correlations between healthy maternal attachment and the development of DDs in adulthood. METHODS: We evaluated 52 women at 6 months to 1 year after premature childbirth at Maternidade Vila Nova Cachoeirinha. They were evaluated using the following instruments: Brazilian Criteria of Economic Classification,Parental Bonding Inventory (PBI),Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), and Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). Cut-off scores on the CES-D and EPDS were used to classifythe subjects as currently having a DD or having probable postpartum disorder (PPD) after childbirth. Multiple logistic regression was used to evaluate the risk factors associated with DDs. RESULTS: We found that 49.1% of the sample had a current depressive episode, and 73.6% had probable PPD. Based on logistic regression, current depression (odds ratio = 1.092 [confidence interval: 1.005; 1.186]), and a PPD (odds ratio = 1.108 [confidence interval: 1.011; 1.21]) were negatively correlated with affective maternal relationships. CONCLUSIONS: Women who reported healthy attachment with their mothers did not develop DDs when faced with stressful situations such as premature childbirth.