Qualidade do processamento sensorial e vinculação infantil

Estudou-se a relação entre a segurança da vinculação e a qualidade do processamento sensorial na primeira infância. Para o efeito, seleccionou-se uma amostra normativa de 40 díades mãe-bebé, com crianças entre os 11 e os 18 meses. Avaliou-se a qualidade da vinculação, observando a díade no procedimento Situação Estranha. Classificaram-se 17 (42,5%) das crianças no grupo de vinculação segura, sendo que as restantes 23 (57,5%) revelaram uma vinculação não segura. A qualidade do processamento sensorial avaliou-se através do Teste de Funções Sensoriais. Constatou-se que a segurança da vinculação infantil associava-se a um score agregando quatro factores ambientais (nível sócio-económico dos pais; existência de internamentos hospitalares; coeficiente de número de irmãos; local onde a criança passa o dia). O Teste de Funções Sensoriais não apresentou valor prognóstico relativamente ao tipo de vinculação. Porém, a boa qualidade no processamento da informação sensorial parece constituir um factor de resiliência no desenvolvimento da vinculação.

Estudo dos indicadores de qualidade e de risco na interaça o mãe-filho(a)

O presente estudo tem como principal objetivo identificar na interação mãe- bebés de 3 meses, indicadores de risco e de qualidade e, consequentemente, criar um guião que ajude os profissionais a identificar esses mesmos indicadores. Para o efeito observámos 30 díades mãe-filho(a) em jogo livre distribuídas em dois grupos: 1) 12 díades sem condições assinaláveis de risco e 2) 18 díades em risco socioeconómico. O comportamento interativo dos bebés e das mães foi avaliado através do Child-Adult Relashionship Experimental, designado pela autora de CARE-Index (Crittenden, 2003). Os comportamentos maternos e infantis foram cotados de acordo com os 7 aspetos do comportamento diádico: Expressão Facial, Expressão Verbal, Posição e Contato Corporal, Afetividade, Reciprocidade, Diretividade e Escolha da Atividade. Os resultados do nosso estudo revelam que as díades mãe-filho(a) sem condições assinaláveis de risco apresentam interações mais positivas, recíprocas e ajustadas à idade das crianças do que as díades sujeitas a condições de risco e que o comportamento materno sensível e responsivo surge associado ao comportamento cooperativo infantil e negativamente correlacionado com a dificuldade infantil, enquanto que uma postura controladora, diretiva ou punitiva da mãe surge positivamente correlacionada com a submissão e evitamento infantil. Por fim, encontramos associados a comportamentos maternos sensíveis uma variabilidade de comportamentos infantis desde satisfação, coerção, procura de proximidade ou evitamento. Na discussão dos resultados apresentamos um script dos indicadores de qualidade e de risco do comportamento materno. - Abstract This study main goal was to study mother-infant quality of interaction in dyads with 3 months babies. Moreover, our goal was to explore maternal and infant key behaviors that shape the quality of the interaction in order to organize a script that helps professionals to identify these critical interactive behaviors. To this end we observed 30 mother-child dyads (a) in free play interaction divided into two groups: 1) 12 dyads without any known risk condition and 2) 18 dyads at socioeconomic risk. The interactive behavior of infants and mothers was assessed using the Child-Adult Relationship Experimental, designated by the author of CARE-Index (Crittenden, 2003). The maternal and infant behaviors were rated according to seven aspects of dyadic behavior: Facial Expression, Verbal Expression, Position and Contact Body, Affection, Reciprocity, Directivity and Choice of Activity. Findings indicate that mother-child dyads without know risk conditions are more likely to present positive interactions, reciprocal and age-adjusted than dyads at risk. The sensitive and responsive maternal behavior emerges associated with children's cooperative behavior and negatively correlated with infant difficultness, while a controlling or punitive maternal behavior is positively correlated with infant compliance and avoidance. Finally, sensitive maternal behaviors were associated with a variability of child behaviors, from satisfaction, coercion, avoidance or proximity search. In the results discussion we present a script of the quality and risks indicators of maternal behavior.

Estudo da sensibilidade materna em díades de risco biológico, ambiental e acumulado

Dissertação apresentada na Escola Superior de Educação de Lisboa para obtenção de grau de Mestre em Intervenção Precoce

Relationship of balance to function independence in stroke survivors

Cerebral vascular disease is the primary cause of permanent disability in Portugal. Impaired stability is considered an important feature after stroke as it is related with higher risk of falls and functional dependence. Physiotherapy intervention usually starts early after stroke in order to direct motor recovery and help patients to improve their ability to perform activities of daily living (ADL). Purpose: to investigate the relationship of balance to functionality in acute stroke patients. Methods: 16 subjects (8 women and 8 men), mean age 63,62 ± 2,16y, with unilateral ischemic stroke in the middle cerebral artery territory, who were admitted to physiotherapy department of Fernando Fonseca Hospital in Portugal, within the first month after stroke were recruited to participate in this study. All subjects have no cognitive impairment according to Mini Mental State, no history of lower extremity orthopedic problems and no other disease that could interfere with treatments. All patients gave their inform consent to participate in this study. Subjects were assessed with the Modified Barthel Index (MBI) and the Berg Balance Scale (BBS).

Validation of a measurement scale for the relationship between the orientation to corporate social responsibility and other business strategic variables

The importance of Social Responsibility (SR) is higher if this business variable is related with other ones of strategic nature in business activity (competitive success that the company achieved, performance that the firms develop and innovations that they carries out). The hypothesis is that organizations that focus on SR are those who get higher outputs and innovate more, achieving greater competitive success. A scale for measuring the orientation to SR has defined in order to determine the degree of relationship between above elements. This instrument is original because previous scales do not exist in the literature which could measure, on the one hand, the three classics sub-constructs theoretically accepted that SR is made up and, on the other hand, the relationship between SR and the other variables. As a result of causal relationships analysis we conclude with a scale of 21 indicators, validated scale with a sample of firms belonging to the Autonomous Community of Extremadura and it is the first empirical validation of these dimensions we know so far, in this context.

More than maternal sensitivity shapes attachment : infant coping and temperament

The aim of this longitudinal studywas to investigate the effect of a set of factors from multiple levels of influence: infant temperament, infant regulatory behavior, and maternal sensitivity on infant’s attachment. Our sample consisted of 48 infants born prematurely and their mothers. At 1 and 3 months of age, mothers described their infants’behavior using the Escala de Temperamento do Beb´e. At 3 months of age, infants’ capacity to regulate stress was evaluated during Tronick’s Face-to-Face Still-Face (FFSF) paradigm. At 9 months of age, mothers’ sensitivity was evaluated during free play using the CARE-Index. At 12 months of age, infants’ attachment security was assessed during Ainsworth’s Strange Situation. A total of 16 infants were classified as securely attached, 17 as insecure-avoidant, and 15 as insecure-resistant. Mothers of securely attached infantswere more likely than mothers of insecure infants to describe their infants as less difficult and to be more sensitive to their infants in free play. In turn, secure infants exhibited more positive responses during the Still-Face. Infants classified as insecureavoidant were more likely to self-comfort during the Still-Face and had mothers who were more controlling during free play. Insecure-resistant exhibited higher levels of negative arousal during the Still-Face and had mothers who were more unresponsive in free play. These findings show that attachment quality is influenced bymultiple factors, including infant temperament, coping behavior, and maternal sensitivity.

Developmental and evolutionary assumptions in a study about the impact of premature birth and low income on mother–infant interaction

In order to study the impact of premature birth and low income on mother–infant interaction, four Portuguese samples were gathered: full-term, middle-class (n=99); premature, middle-class (n=63); full-term, low income (n=22); and premature, low income (n=21). Infants were filmed in a free play situation with their mothers, and the results were scored using the CARE Index. By means of multinomial regression analysis, social economic status (SES) was found to be the best predictor of maternal sensitivity and infant cooperative behavior within a set of medical and social factors. Contrary to the expectations of the cumulative risk perspective, two factors of risk (premature birth together with low SES) were as negative for mother–infant interaction as low SES solely. In this study, as previous studies have shown, maternal sensitivity and infant cooperative behavior were highly correlated, as was maternal control with infant compliance. Our results further indicate that, when maternal lack of responsiveness is high, the infant displays passive behavior, whereas when the maternal lack of responsiveness is medium, the infant displays difficult behavior. Indeed, our findings suggest that, in these cases, the link between types of maternal and infant interactive behavior is more dependent on the degree of maternal lack of responsiveness than it is on birth status or SES. The results will be discussed under a developmental and evolutionary reasoning

Reactividade infantil e a qualidade da interacção mãe-filho

No quadro dos estudos sobre o relacionamento mãe-filho, procurámos averiguar a relação entre a reactividade infantil observada em condições de stress e a qualidade do comportamento interactivo infantil e materno em jogo livre. Para o efeito, seleccionámos uma amostrade 40 díades mãe-filho cujos bebés tinham cerca de 3 meses e não apresentavam nenhuma condição declarada de risco. A qualidade da interacção mãe-filho foi avaliada em jogo livre através da escala CARE-Index. Para testar a reactividade infantil submetemos os bebés à situação experimental Still-Face. Os resultados mostram que a reactividade infantil expressa naquela situação laboratorial não é independente do comportamento dos bebés em jogo livre. Com efeito, os bebés com maior dificuldade em conformar-se com a ausência de resposta materna apresentam um comportamento menos cooperativo e difícil em jogo livre. Em sentido inverso, os bebés que em jogo livre são menos participativos apresentam menores índices de reactividade negativa quando a mãe mantém a cara inexpressiva. Em termos diádicos, verificamos que existe uma forte correlação entre o comportamento cooperativo do bebé e a sensibilidade materna em jogo livre. Os resultados são discutidos no quadro do desenvolvimento dos processos de interacção mãe e filho.

Cork industry wastewater characterization assessment of the biodegradability, reuse and of the relationship between BOD, COD and tannins with TOC

Cork processing involves a boiling step to make the cork softer, which consumes a high volume of water and generates a wastewater with a high organic content, rich in tannins. An assessment of the final wastewater characteristics and of the boiling water composition along the boiling process was performed. The parameters studied were pH, color, total organic carbon (TOC), chemical and biochemical oxygen demands (COD, BOD5, BOD20), total suspended solids (TSS), total phenols and tannins (TP, TT). It was observed that the water solutes extraction power is significantly reduced for higher quantities of cork processed. Valid relationships between parameters were established not only envisaging wastewater characterization but also to provide an important tool for wastewater monitoring and for process control/optimization. Boiling water biodegradability presented decreasing values with the increase of cork processed and for the final wastewater its value is always lower than 0.5, indicating that these wastewaters are very difficult to treat by biological processes. The biodegradability was associated with the increase of tannin content that can rise up to 0.7 g/L. These compounds can be used by other industries when concentrated and the clarified wastewater can be reused, which is a potential asset in this wastewater treatment.

The adjusted effect of maternal body mass index, energy and macronutrient intakes during pregnancy, and gestational weight gain on body composition of full-term neonates

Objective - To evaluate the effect of prepregnancy body mass index (BMI), energy and macronutrient intakes during pregnancy, and gestational weight gain (GWG) on the body composition of full-term appropriate-for-gestational age neonates. Study Design - This is a cross-sectional study of a systematically recruited convenience sample of mother-infant pairs. Food intake during pregnancy was assessed by food frequency questionnaire and its nutritional value by the Food Processor Plus (ESHA Research Inc, Salem, OR). Neonatal body composition was assessed both by anthropometry and air displacement plethysmography. Explanatory models for neonatal body composition were tested by multiple linear regression analysis. Results - A total of 100 mother-infant pairs were included. Prepregnancy overweight was positively associated with offspring weight, weight/length, BMI, and fat-free mass in the whole sample; in males, it was also positively associated with midarm circumference, ponderal index, and fat mass. Higher energy intake from carbohydrate was positively associated with midarm circumference and weight/length in the whole sample. Higher GWG was positively associated with weight, length, and midarm circumference in females. Conclusion - Positive adjusted associations were found between both prepregnancy BMI and energy intake from carbohydrate and offspring body size in the whole sample. Positive adjusted associations were also found between prepregnancy overweight and adiposity in males, and between GWG and body size in females.

Relationship of PON1 192 and 55 gene polymorphisms to calcific valvular aortic stenosis

Introduction and Objectives - Paraoxonases may exert anti-atherogenic action by reducing lipid peroxidation. Previous studies examined associations between polymorphisms in the paraoxonase 1 (PON1) gene and development of coronary artery disease (CAD), with inconsistent results. Given the similarities in clinical and pathophysiological risk factors of CAD and calcific aortic valve stenosis (CAVS), we postulated a link between PON1 alleles and CAVS progression. Methods - We investigated the association between PON1 55 and 192 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), their enzyme activity, and CAVS progression assessed by aortic valve area and transvalvular peak velocity in 67 consecutive patients with moderate CAVS and 251 healthy controls. Results - PON1 paraoxonase activity was higher in CAVS patients (P<0.001). The PON1 genotype Q192R SNP (P=0.03) and variant allele (R192) (P=0.01) frequencies differed between CAVS patients and controls. Significant association existed between PON1 enzyme activity, phenotypic effects of PON1 192 genotype polymorphisms, and CAVS progression, but not between PON1 55 and high-density lipoprotein (P=0.44) or low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (P=0.12), between 192 genotype and high-density lipoprotein (P=0.24) or low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (P=0.52). Conclusion - The PON1 genotype Q192R SNP has an important effect on CAVS disease progression. This study helps outline a genotype-phenotype relationship for PON1 in this unique population.

Estudo exploratório dos comportamentos interativos mãe – filho(a) e pai – filho(a) aos 15 meses de vida.

Dissertação apresentada à Escola Superior de Educação de Lisboa para obtenção do grau de Mestre em Intervenção Precoce

A comparação da qualidade dos momentos de interação em jogo livre entre mãe/ filho - pai /filho e mãe/criança – técnica/criança entre os 13 e 15 meses de idade

Dissertação apresentada para obtenção do grau de Mestre em Ciências da Educação Área de especialização em Intervenção Precoce

A construção de uma parentalidade confiante: influência do Modelo Touchpoints na relação educadorfamília

Dissertação apresentada na Escola Superior de Educação de Lisboa, para obtenção do grau de Mestre em Ciências da Educação - Especialidade Intervenção Precoce

O impacto do modelo touchpoints nas representações do educador

Dissertação apresentada na Escola Superior de Educação de Lisboa, para obtenção do grau de Mestre em Ciências da Educação Especialidade Intervenção Precoce