A saúde mental global, a depressão, a ansiedade e os comportamentos de risco nos estudantes do ensino superior : estudo de prevalência e correlação

RESUMO: A saúde mental é influenciada pelos comportamentos tanto como estes são influenciados pela saúde mental. Por isso é importante compreender quer a saúde mental quer os comportamentos adoptados pelo indivíduo em qualquer momento do seu ciclo vital para melhor poder actuar quando e sempre que necessário. Nos estudantes universitários, não sendo uma população de risco, a saúde mental e os comportamentos de risco afectam não só o próprio estudante e quem com ele convive mas também as próprias instituições que o acolhem. O presente estudo teve como objectivos: nos estudantes universitários 1) caracterizar a saúde mental global; 2) caracterizar os níveis de sintomatologia depressiva e ansiosa; 3) identificar os padrões de comportamentos de risco; 4) analisar a relação entre saúde mental global, depressão, ansiedade e comportamentos de risco. Para tal realizou-se um estudo quantitativo, descritivo, correlacional, transversal e exploratório com 1968 estudantes do 1º ciclo da Universidade da Beira Interior e dos Institutos Politécnicos da Guarda, Castelo Branco e Portalegre. Foram utilizados como instrumentos de investigação uma ficha de Caracterização Socio-Demográfica; o Mental Health Inventory-5; o Patient Health Questionnaire-9; Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7; e o Questionário de Comportamentos de Risco em Estudantes Universitários. Os principais resultados mostraram que 18,3% (n=360) apresentavam saúde mental negativa; 17,7% sintomatologia depressiva moderada a severa; 15,6% sintomatologia ansiosa moderada a severa; e que apenas 15% dos que apresentavam saúde mental global negativa recorreu a ajuda profissional. As mulheres, os alunos de 1ª e 4º ano, e os alunos dos cursos de Artes e Letras apresentavam níveis de saúde mental global inferiores. O Consumo de álcool foi superior nos homens, nos estudantes das áreas de Ciências e Ciências da Saúde e nos estudantes deslocados. Os estudantes com mais de 3 unidades curriculares em atraso apresentavam maior sintomatologia depressiva e ansiosa. Os resultados mostraram ainda que quanto mais positiva a saúde mental global maior o consumo de bebidas alcoólicas e menor a sintomatologia depressiva e ansiosa. As variáveis Curso e Sexo influenciam significativamente a saúde mental global, a depressão e a ansiedade. Apesar de a maioria dos estudantes inquiridos não revelar problemas de saúde mental nem apresentar comportamentos de risco, as principais conclusões apontam para a necessidade de programas de educação para a saúde assim como de programas de literacia de saúde mental para as instituições poderem identificar precocemente as situações problemáticas e ajudar os próprios estudantes a reconhecer em si o sofrimento psicológico e a necessidade de procurar apoio profissional.---------------------------------- ABSTRACT: Mental health is influenced by behaviours as much as behaviours are influenced by mental health. Thus, it is important to understand not only the mental health but also the behaviours adopted by an individual at any stage of its vital cycle in order to accurately intervene whenever and always deemed necessary. Regarding college students, despite not being deemed as a population at risk, mental health and risk behaviours affect not only the student itself and whoever interacts with him but also the institutions that host them. The main purposes of this study were regarding college students 1) characterize the overall mental health; 2) characterize the levels of depression and anxiety symptoms; 3) identify the risk behaviours patterns; and 4) analyse the relation between overall mental health, depression, anxiety and risk behaviours. With that scope a quantitative, descriptive, correlated, transversal and exploratory study has been conducted with 1968 students of the 1st cycle of the University of Beira Interior and of the Polytechnic Institutions of Guarda, Castelo Branco and Portalegre. The investigation instruments used were a chart of Socio-Demographic Characterization; the Mental Health Inventory-5; the Patient Health Questionnaire-9; the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7; and one Questionnaire of Risk Behaviours in College Students. The main results showed that 18.3% (n=360) revealed negative mental health; 17.7% moderated to severe depression symptoms; 15.6% moderated to severe anxiety symptoms; and that only 15% of those revealing negative overall mental health have seek for professional help. Females, students of the 1st and 4th years and students of the Artes and Letras courses revealed inferior levels of overall mental health. Alcohol consumption is higher in males, in the Sciences and Health Sciences’ students and on displaced students. Students with more than 3 curricular units in delay revealed higher depression and anxiety symptoms. The results also showed that the more positive overall mental health the higher alcohol consumption and the lower depression and anxiety symptoms. The Course and Sex variations significantly influence the overall mental health, the depression and the anxiety. Although the majority of the enquired students did not reveal mental health issues or present risk behaviours, the main conclusions indicate the need to implement health education and mental health literacy programmes in order to enable the institutions to prematurely identify problematic situations and help students to recognize the psychological suffering and the need to seek for professional help.

Responsible research and innovation: a global perspective

Based on the paper presented at the Doctorate Conference on Technologogy Assessment in July 2013 at the University Nova Lisboa, Caparica campus

The born global phenomenon- The Portuguese case

The growing significance of companies that conduct international business at or near their funding has been critically challenging previous incremental models of international expansion. This thesis aims to cross-compare, by means of a multiple-case study, eight Portuguese start-ups among themselves and with the theoretical concept of born global firms versus traditional ones. This work project finds that: (1) active entrepreneurs with global vision from inception are essential for the implementation of international strategies; (2) only formal network plays a key role for successful internationalization and (3) inimitable sources of value creation, niche-focused strategies and unique intangible assets are also crucial.

Responsible research and innovation: a global perspective

Based on the paper presented at the Doctorate Conference on Technologogy Assessment in July 2013 at the University Nova Lisboa, Caparica campus

Global trends in modern and contemporary islamic art

Disponível para consulta índice e introdução.

Universal banks and corporate control: Evidence from the global syndicated loan market

We investigate the effects of bank control over borrower firms whether by representation on boards of directors or by the holding of shares through bank asset management divisions. Using a large sample of syndicated loans, we find that banks are more likely to act as lead arrangers in loans when they exert some control over the borrower firm. Bank-firm governance links are associated with higher loan spreads during the 2003-2006 credit boom, but lower spreads during the 2007-2008 financial crisis. Additionally, these links mitigate credit rationing effects during the crisis. The results are robust to several methods to correct for the endogeneity of the bank- firm governance link. Our evidence, consistent with intertemporal smoothing of loan rates, suggests there are costs and benefits from banks’ involvement in firm governance.

UK Mental health professionals volunteering in LMIC-benefits to UK and host countries

RESUMO: O Royal College of Psychiatrists tem um programa de voluntariado internacional desde 2005. O interesse no Reino Unido tem crescido nos últimos 15 anos com muitos projetos novos. Os benefícios para vários países têm sido reconhecidos. O que está menos claro são os benefícios da experiência para o Reino Unido e do programa de voluntariado do Royal College of Psychiatrists. O objectivo desta dissertação é explorar os benefícios do voluntariado para o Sistema Nacional de Saúde focando principalmente, mas não exclusivamente, o programa de voluntariado do Royal College of Psychiatrists. Nesta dissertação abordamos primeiro o contexto antes de discutirmos dois grandes estudos de psiquiatras e hospitais do Sistema Nacional de Saúde no Reino Unido. Incluimos no estudo todos os psiquiatras registados como Voluntários no Royal College of Psychiatrists e o Grupo de Interesse Especial associado. Foi ainda possível incluir os Diretores Médicos de todos os hospitais do Reino Unido. Os estudos foram desenhados para analisar as opiniões dos Voluntários do Reino Unido sobre os benefícios para os países recetores de baixo e médio rendimento e para o Reino Unido. Todos os 60 hospitais do Sistema Nacional de Saúde foram incluí dos para analisar a opinião sobre Voluntariado. As limitações dos estudos foram a baixa taxa de resposta, mas esta foi comparável a outros estudos do College. É provável haver um enviezamento de resposta e favorecimento dos que estão envolvidos no Voluntariado. Os resultados mostraram um interesse forte no voluntariado e benefícios no Sistema Nacional de Saúde, nas. áreas de liderança, transculturalismo, gestão e recursos e capacidades pessoais. Os hospitais do Sistema Nacional de Saúde valorizaram o voluntariado e, em contrapartida, o valor acrescido para competências profissionais. Os obstáculos contra o Voluntariado a nível individual e dos hospitais foram maioritariamente de natureza prática, tais como obter dispensa do trabalho, substituição no trabalho e custos. As implicações destes estudos são que o programa de voluntariado do College precisa de ser fortalecido. Para assegurar que este trabalho continua é necessário existir uma sensibilização nacional e maior responsabilização sobre os benefícios para o Reino Unido e a nível global. -------------------------- ABSTRACT: The Royal College of Psychiatrists has had an international volunteering programme since 2005. The interest in UK has grown over the past 15 years with many new projects. The benefits in various countries has been acknowledged. What has been less clear are the benefits of the experience back in the UK and of the Royal College of Psychiatrists Volunteer Scheme. The aim of this dissertation is to explore the benefit of volunteering to the NHS focusing mainly, but not exclusively on the Royal College of Psychiatrists Volunteering scheme. In this dissertation we first look at background information before discussing two large surveys of Psychiatrists and NHS Trusts in UK. We surveyed all those registered as Volunteers at the Royal College of Psychiatrists and the associated Special Interest Group. We also were able to survey the Medical Directors of all UK Trusts. The Surveys were designed to assess views of UK Volunteers of benefits to hosts in LMIC and back in UK. All 60 NHS Trusts were surveyed to assess the view of Volunteering. Limitation of the surveys were the low response rate but this was comparable to other College surveys. There is likely to be a bias in response and favour those who are engaged in the Volunteering agenda. Results showed a strong interest in volunteering and perceived benefits in NHS. These areas included leadership, transcultural, resource management and personal skills. NHS trusts valued volunteering and added value to professional competencies on return. Obstacles to Volunteering at individual and Trust level were mainly practical issues such as getting time off, cover and costs. Implications of these surveys are that the College volunteering scheme needs strengthening. There needs to be a National advocacy to ensure that this work continues and greater accountability as to benefits in UK and globally.

Projecto de criação de metodologia de análise da Usabilidade para selecção de plataforma SaaS de Gestão de Projectos online CATCH, Global Marketing

O aparecimento de soluções de software baseadas na Cloud vieram democratizar o acesso a aplicações de suporte à actividade empresarial, permitindo a micro e pequenas empresas aceder a ferramentas que outrora apenas as grandes empresas poderiam financiar, dada a introdução de novas formas de pagamento mensais com base em contratos flexíveis, acesso via internet e ausência de instalação de hardware específico ou compra de licenças por utilizador – a verdadeira utilização de software como um serviço, vulgo SaaS (Software as a Service). As aplicações de tipo SaaS aportam inúmeros benefícios para as empresas e mesmo vantagens competitivas importantes, estando disponíveis soluções em diversas áreas, nomeadamente para a Gestão de Projectos, como ferramentas de CRM (Customer Relationship Management) e CMS (Content Management System), entre outros. Assim, as empresas de Marketing e Comunicação, caso da empresa em que se centra este Projecto, têm hoje em dia acesso a um conjunto de aplicações SaaS, que pelo seu custo acessível e fácil acesso online, permitem às empresas mais pequenas serem rapidamente tão competitivas quanto as maiores, por norma com processos mais pesados e tradicionais. Adicionalmente, assistimos também ao fenómeno da consumerização das TI, em que os consumidores passam a querer ter o mesmo tipo de User Experience (UX) de que usufruem na utilização de aplicações fora do seu trabalho, aplicadas à vida empresarial. Este Projecto argumenta que a Usabilidade deve ser um dos elementos chave para a selecção correcta de uma aplicação online de Gestão de Projectos (do tipo SaaS), algo que deveria ser facilitado pela aplicação de uma metodologia de teste da Usabilidade, disponível numa plataforma online de acesso livre. A metodologia deverá ser eficaz e passível de ser utilizada por colaboradores de uma micro ou pequena empresa, apoiando o seu processo decisório de investimento, sendo eles especialistas ou não na matéria. A metodologia proposta neste projecto exploratório pressupõe uma complementaridade entre a avaliação Heurística de Usabilidade pelo método de Nielsen e o Método de Purdue - Purdue Usability Testing Questionnaire (PUTQ).

O espaço das informações no combate ao terrorismo

The management of terrorism presents an added importance because of the ignorance and uncertainty that this threat to peace launches in societies. From the globalization process has resulted a capacity of mobility and communication which allowed the spread of terrorism globally and hence the ability to be in the international agenda. Thus it became necessary a synergy between the main international organizations and states, in the common interest of managing terrorism to acceptable levels. This thesis aims to assess how much space is reserved for intelligence on combating terrorism. To this end, it carried out a literature review related to intelligence, security and terrorism, such as legislation and official documents, national and international. These allowed realize the strategies for combating terrorism of major international organizations and the Portuguese, the institutions that are in charge of fighting terrorism and related crimes, highlighting the intelligence institutions within the European Union and Portugal. Intelligence should enter on this panel by the need to meet the threat and its contours. On the one hand lies to understand the framework which establishes terrorism, tracing relevant scenarios to reduce uncertainty in decision-making and, on the other hand, also be responsible for disseminating information to other stakeholders on security, allowing its commands to use the means efficiently.

The global shopper & brands communication at airports

This project aims to illuminate two perspectives on travel retail. On the one hand, it describes the main character of the shopping scenario at airports, namely the Global Shopper. It covers the entire profile of the referred character, the main nationalities that represent him and the current shopping trends of the passenger. Also estimates of the booming nationalities and the future purchasing trends are accurately presented. On the other hand, the travel retail market is analyzed from the airport brands’ perspective. It is described what is currently done in terms of brands communication in the top ten airports around the world and the expected future market retail trends. To accurately explore the Global Shopper behavior and purchasing preferences, a market research was conducted with a sample of 128 respondents, male and female, from different nationalities, age groups, occupation and education backgrounds. The essay tests hypothesis regarding the relevance of several variables in the purchasing process of the Global Shopper in order to understand the most pleasant way to approach consumers in travel retail. The main variables studied concern the reasons to shop at airports, to whom the passenger shops, the preferred category and brand of purchase, feelings while shopping abroad, impulsive buying behavior, brand loyalty, the use of mobile devices in the shopping process, brands communication at airports, pre-ordering online and the attitude towards self-service stores. Some findings were in accordance with expectations, while others were a surprise and may produce valuable recommendations for future travel retail practices. 4 The main relevant results concern two areas, namely pre-ordering online and self-service stores. Results showed a certain stress about not having enough time to choose between the various offerings in travel retail, as well as difficulty in dealing with crowed stores. However, pre-ordering online was not common, which would be an initiative that could solve the discomfort at airport’s stores. Moreover, self-service would promote efficiency in stores allowing passengers to save time if they already know how to go through the shopping process by themselves. Another possible recommendation concerns differentiating the strategy in travel retail for the two genders. Some differences were found in the categories bought by male and female, as well as to how brands should shape their approach concerning the demands of each gender.

The global radar applied to the precision farming sector

The case describes the development of MyFARM’s internationalization plan, a service of Deimos Engenharia, under the GloCal Radar. This space engineering company hired Lisbon Consulting Company to undertake the project to overcome its lack of market orientation. The consultants’ analysis revealed Stevens County, Kansas, as the market with the highest potential for MyFARM. A suitable entry strategy and adaptation of the service for the local market was proposed. The case culminates with the Board of Directors discussing the viability of implementing the consultants’ recommendations to start diversifying their sources of revenue streams.

How do global born companies ignite their internationalization and survive in international markets?

Over the last decades, the born global firms or the international new ventures (“INVs”) have assumed a growing role in international business, including in Portugal. The rise of this new type of multinational has challenged several theories concerning the development of multinational companies and the origin of companies’ competitive advantage. This qualitative, case-based research explores the most relevant traits shown by some Portuguese born-global firms. More concretely, the aim of this work is to compare some Portuguese international new ventures in order to understand the role of leadership, culture and strategy in their rapid internationalization and the source of their lasting competitive advantage. It was noticed that these firms’ lasting competitive advantage results from a singular combination of resources and dynamic capabilities that evolves over time. Moreover, it was found that these firms’ foreign subsidiaries and local networks may be essential to enhance the firms competitive advantage as it provides each firm a distinctive source of knowledge and capabilities. As a consequence, the effective assimilation of such resources and capabilities in these firms’ may become crucial for their lasting success. In addition, the leadership, strategy and culture in these firms seem to be quite aligned and form a quite virtuous cycle that contributed to the firms rapid internationalization and for the way the firms developed their own resources and dynamic capabilities and adapted to external environment.