Syndemic health disparities and resilience processes related to HIV transmission risk among African American/Black men in south Florida

Rates of HIV infection continue to climb among minority populations and men who have sex with men (MSM), with African American/Black MSM being especially impacted. Numerous studies have found HIV transmission risk to be associated with many health and social disparities resulting from larger environmental and structural forces. Using anthropological and social environment-based theories of resilience that focus on individual agency and larger social and environmental structures, this dissertation employed a mixed methods design to investigate resilience processes among African American/Black MSM.^ Quantitative analyses compared African American/Black (N=108) and Caucasian/White (N=250) MSM who participated in a previously conducted randomized controlled trial (RCT) of sexual and substance use risk reduction interventions. At RCT study entry, using past 90 day recall periods, there were no differences in unprotected sex frequency, however African American/Black MSM reported higher frequencies of days high (P<0.000), and drugs and sex used in combination (P<0.000), and substance dependence (P<0.000) and lower levels of social support (P<0.024) compared to Caucasian/White MSM. At 12- month follow-up, multi-level statistical models found that African American/Black MSM reduced their frequencies of days high and unprotected sex at greater rates than Caucasian/White MSM (P<0.001).^ Qualitative data collected among a sub-sample of African American/Black MSM from the RCT (N=21) described the men's experiences of living with multiple health and social disparities and the importance of RCT study assessments in facilitating reductions in risk behaviors. A cross-case analysis showed different resilience processes undertaken by men who experienced low socioeconomic status, little family support, and homophobia (N=16) compared to those who did not (N=5).^ The dissertation concludes that resilience processes to HIV transmission risk and related health and social disparities among African American/Black MSM varies and are dependent on specific social environmental factors, including social relationships, structural homophobia, and access to social, economic, and cultural capital. Men define for themselves what it means to be resilient within their social environment. These conclusions suggest that both individual and structural-level resilience-based HIV prevention interventions are needed.^

Romantic Relationships and Adjustment in Early Adulthood: The Role of Cross-sex Experience in the Context of Social Norms and Support

Attachment and interpersonal theory suggest a sequential pattern of relationships beginning in the earliest stage of development and progressing to social and eventually romantic relationships. Theoretically, cross-sex experiences have an important role in the progression of interpersonal relationships. Despite the prevalence of these theories about the nature of romantic relationship development, the linkage of cross-sex experience (CSE) to romantic relationships has not been established. Indeed, it is an intuitive assumption, especially within Western society and these theories do not consider socio-cultural factors that may influence CSE and relationship satisfaction. This study addresses the varying contextual factors that may contribute to relationship satisfaction and adjustment, aside from CSE, and is divided into two parts. Study 1, addresses CSE, relationship satisfaction, and adjustment in a unique population, ultra-Orthodox Jews. Among this population, social or romantic CSE is limited and sexes are effectively segregated. Study 2, expanded the study to a larger sample of U.S. college students, to assess the linkage of CSE to romantic relationship satisfaction in a more typical Western population. It included social norm and support variables to address the contextual nature of relationship development and satisfaction. Results demonstrated clear differences in the relation between CSE and relationship satisfaction in the two samples. In the first sample CSE was unrelated to relationship satisfaction; nevertheless, relationship satisfaction was associated with adjustment as it is for more typical populations with greater CSE. These results suggested the importance of specifying how social norms and social support relate to CSE, relationship satisfaction and adjustment. The results from the second sample were consistent with the theoretical framework upon which the social/romantic literature is based. CSE was directly connected to relationship satisfaction. As anticipated, CSE, relationship satisfaction, and adjustment also varied as a function of social norms and support. These findings further validate the influence of socio-cultural factors on relationship satisfaction and adjustment. This study contributes to the romantic relationship literature and broadens our understanding of the complex nature of interpersonal and romantic relationships.

Estratégias de enfrentamento de pessoas vivendo com AIDS frente à situação da doença

The Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), considered today one chronic nature of the disease due to the advent of antiretroviral therapy (TARV), brings to individuals living with this disease, difficulties related to social interaction and adaptation to new physical condition and the routines imposed by the treatment. This reality has a strong impact on the lives of these people in order of overcoming them use coping strategies, Coping. In this context, the aim of this study was to characterize the epidemiological, clinical and life habits of people living with AIDS and analyze the coping strategies used with the situation of the disease, according to sociodemographic, clinical and life habits. This is a cross-sectional study with a quantitative approach. The sample consisted of 331 people registered at the clinic of the Hospital Giselda Trigueiro (HGT), located in Natal / RN, who had scheduling for outpatient medical consultation from January to August 2014. The study was approved by the Ethics Committee the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte with the Presentation of Certificate for Ethics Assessment (CAAE), paragraph 16578613.0.0000.5537. The data of social characterization showed predominance of men (52%), young people (42%) coming from the capital (58%), mulatto (53%), single (56%), heterosexual (79%), poor (68 %). With regard to clinical aspects it has been found that most held the first HIV testing for less than five years (60%) had signs and symptoms of AIDS before the examination (90%) were hospitalized (90%) started ART for less than five years (60%) believe they have good knowledge of the disease (75%) and believe that their health has improved (92%). For lifestyle, it became clear that most do not consume alcohol (71%), do not smoke (88%) and do not use illicit drugs (92%) and never used condoms before diagnosis (62%) and only 192 (58%) use the currently codon. With regard to the reference was higher coping focused modes of emotion, although the problem solving has been the second most common. The mean scores of women, workers, religious and never abandoned the treatment were higher for all factors. Having a partner, living with family members and support in the treatment had higher average scores for various factors, coinciding in the confrontation, withdrawal and social support. As for the leisure and physical exercise also dominated the modes focused on emotion as was seen in the correlation between the time of treatment, education and family income and IEEFL factors, although with low intensity. The profile of the study population confers with national characteristics, suggesting feminization, internalization, pauperization, heterosexual, increased CD4 cell count and viral load reduction during treatment and maintaining healthy lifestyle habits. Coping strategies used were more focused on emotion. In this context, it is understood that the identification of these strategies can facilitate care planning, encouraging such persons to adapt to stressors with the situation of the disease

Utilizing ICT to prevent loneliness and social isolation of the elderly. A literature review

Ageing of the population is a worldwide phenomenon. Numerous ICT-based solutions have been developed for elderly care but mainly connected to the physiological and nursing aspects in services for the elderly. Social work is a profession that should pay attention to the comprehensive wellbeing and social needs of the elderly. Many people experience loneliness and depression in their old age, either as a result of living alone or due to a lack of close family ties and reduced connections with their culture of origin, which results in an inability to participate actively in community activities (Singh & Misra, 2009). Participation in society would enhance the quality of life. With the development of information technology, the use of technology in social work practice has risen dramatically. The aim of this literature review is to map out the state of the art of knowledge about the usage of ICT in elderly care and to figure out research-based knowledge about the usability of ICT for the prevention of loneliness and social isolation of elderly people. The data for the current research comes from the core collection of the Web of Science and the data searching was performed using Boolean? The searching resulted in 216 published English articles. After going through the topics and abstracts, 34 articles were selected for the data analysis that is based on a multi approach framework. The analysis of the research approach is categorized according to some aspects of using ICT by older adults from the adoption of ICT to the impact of usage, and the social services for them. This literature review focused on the function of communication by excluding the applications that mainly relate to physical nursing. The results show that the so-called ‘digital divide’ still exists, but the older adults have the willingness to learn and utilise ICT in daily life, especially for communication. The data shows that the usage of ICT can prevent the loneliness and social isolation of older adults, and they are eager for technical support in using ICT. The results of data analysis on theoretical frames and concepts show that this research field applies different theoretical frames from various scientific fields, while a social work approach is lacking. However, a synergic frame of applied theories will be suggested from the perspective of social work.

Influência do Suporte Social e dos Estilos de Coping na Percepção de Bem-estar Subjectivo em Doentes Mentais Crónicos

O objectivo do presente estudo consistiu em verificar a influência do suporte social e dos estilos de coping sobre a percepção de bem-estar subjectivo e de estados emocionais negativos numa amostra de 41 indivíduos (27 homens e 14 mulheres) portadores de doença mental crónica, com idades compreendidas entre os 18 e 61 anos. Foram, ainda, identificados os principais estilos de coping utilizados por esses indivíduos, bem como um estudo de comparação entre doentes institucionalizados e não-institucionalizados. Foram utilizados os seguintes instrumentos: Escala de Satisfação com o Suporte Social, constituída por quatro subescalas (satisfação com amizades, intimidade, satisfação com a família e actividades sociais); Questionário dos Estilos de Coping, formado igualmente por quatro subescalas (Coping Racional, Coping Emocional, Coping Evitante e Coping Distanciado/Desligado); Escala de Satisfação com a Vida e, por último, a Escala de Depressão, Ansiedade e Stress. Os resultados demonstram que o valor global de suporte social e as suas dimensões “satisfação com amizades”, “intimidade”, “satisfação com a família” e “actividades sociais” se correlacionam positivamente, a nível estatisticamente significativo com o bem-estar subjectivo. Relativamente ao estilo de coping racional, verifica-se que este se relaciona negativamente com a sintomatologia depressiva, ao contrário do coping emocional que apresenta uma correlação positiva com os estados emocionais negativos (depressão, ansiedade e stress) e uma relação inversa com o bem-estar. Os doentes institucionalizados, comparativamente aos não-institucionalizados, apresentam o uso mais frequente de coping desadaptativo (emocional) e níveis mais elevados de ansiedade. O suporte social, os estilos de coping e a percepção de bem-estar subjectivo demonstram estar associados de modo teoricamente esperado, mostrando a importância dos factores psicossociais na adaptação à doença mental crónica. / The aims of this study was to verify the influence of social support and coping styles on the perception of subjective well-being and negative emotional states in a sample of 41 subjects (27 men and 14 woman) with chronic mental illness (aged between 18 and 61 years). We also identified the main coping styles used by these subjects, as well as a comparative study of institutionalized patients and non-institutionalized. Instruments used include the Satisfaction with Social Support (with four dimensions: satisfaction with friendships, intimacy, satisfaction with family and social activities); Coping Styles Questionnaire (with four coping dimensions: rational, emotional, avoidant and distance); Scale of Satisfaction with Life and, finnaly, the Scale for Depression, Anxiety and Stress. Results shows that the global social support and its dimensions “satisfaction with friendships”, “intimacy”, “satisfaction with family” and “social activities” have a statistically significant positive correlation with subjective well-being.and It appears that the rational coping styles is negatively related to depressive symptoms, unlike the emotional coping has a positive correlation with negative emotional states (depression, anxiety and stress) and an inverse relationship with well-being. The institutionalized patients, compared to non-institutionalized, have more frequent use of maladaptative coping (emotional) and higher levels of anxiety. Social support, coping styles and perception of subjective well-being are associated according to the theoretical models, showing the role of psychosocial factors in adaptation to chronic mental illness.

Rede Social Pessoal de Jovens Acolhidos em Lares de Infância e Juventude

A rede social dos sujeitos tem sido considerada fundamental para lidar com a adversidade. O objetivo central deste estudo foi caracterizar as redes sociais pessoais de jovens em regime de acolhimento institucional prolongado, na perspetiva dos próprios e dos técnicos das instituições e perceber se estas relacionam com o projeto de vida. Participaram 84 jovens, com idades compreendidas entre os 12 e os 20 anos de idade, acolhidos em 6 lares de infância e juventude do distrito de Santarém. Os participantes são na sua maioria do sexo feminino, com uma idade média de 15 anos. Para avaliação das variáveis em estudo utilizou-se a versão revista sumária do Instrumento de Avaliação de Redes Sociais Pessoais (IARSP-RS) e um questionário de autorresposta de caracterização da instituição de acolhimento. Os resultados desta investigação permitiram verificar que as redes dos jovens em situação de acolhimento institucional são fragmentadas, constituídas, em média, por 12 elementos e predominantemente compostas por familiares, amigos e profissionais das instituições, destacando-se as relações familiares. O nível de apoio social percebido é elevado na função emocional e informativa. Verificou-se uma maior reciprocidade do apoio por parte das jovens do sexo feminino, a institucionalização pode potenciar a expansão da rede social de suporte e a frequência de contactos associa-se à distância geográfica. A satisfação dos jovens com o suporte social é elevada. Metade dos jovens perspetivam a saída da instituição pela via da autonomização. A perceção dos profissionais das redes de suporte social é mais limitada, no tamanho, reciprocidade, satisfação com o suporte social e nas relações estabelecidas com a família, amigos da comunidade envolvente e relações de trabalho/estudo. Por outro lado, os técnicos identificam um nível mais elevado de densidade e de vínculos com os técnicos e educadores da instituição. Não se verificaram diferenças significativas nas características da rede social em função do projeto de vida, porém perceberam-se diferenças no projeto de vida em função da idade e da duração do acolhimento. A rede social apresenta um potencial protetor que vale a pena conhecer, fomentar e valorizar, destacando-se que é importante conhecer a perspetiva do próprio sujeito, já que esta tem um carácter muito pessoal. / The social network has been considered fundamental to deal with the adversities. The main objective of this study was to characterize the social network of the youngesters in prolonged institutional care, from the perspective of themselves and professionals of the institutions and to observe if their social network fits with their life project. 84 youngsters with ages between 12 and 20 years old living in 6 institutions of childhood and juvenile care from de district of Santarém participated in this study. The participants are mainly female, with an average age of 15 years old. To evaluate the variables in study, it was applied a version of the summary review of the Instrument of Evaluation of Personal Social Networks (IARSP-RS) and a survey of self-response to characterize the institutional care. The results of this investigation allowed to conclude that the social network of youngsters in a situation of institutional care are fragmented, composed by an average of 12 elements and primarily composed by family members, friends and professionals, but the most significant were the family relationships. It was observed that social support is high in terms of emotional and informative functions. It was observed an higher mutual support from the young ladies, institutionalization may foster the expansion of the social support network and that the frequency of connections is related with geographic distance. The satisfaction of the youngsters with social support is high. Half of the youngsters previews getting out of the institution by becoming autonomous. The understanding of the professionals of the social support network is more limited, about size, mutuality, satisfaction with the social support, family, friends of involving community and relationship of work/study. On the other side, the professionals identify an higher level of density and bonds with the technicals and educators of the institutions. Significative differences in the characteristics social network in terms of the life project weren’t found, however there were diferences in the life project in terms of the age and the duration of institutionalization. The social network has a protector potential that is worth of studying, promote and valorize, highlighting that it is important to know the perspective of the individual, because of its personal nature.

Participação Social e Redes Sociais Pessoais de Idosos

Objetivo: O objetivo central deste estudo é caracterizar as redes sociais pessoais de indivíduos com idade igual ou superior a 65 anos, a nível estrutural, funcional e relacional-contextual, analisando-as segundo o nível de participação social dos idosos ao longo da sua vida em estruturas comunitárias ligadas ao lazer, cultura, desporto, religião e voluntariado. Metodologia: Para a avaliação das variáveis em estudo foram utilizados o Instrumento de Análise da Rede Social Pessoal, versão para idosos (IARSP – Idosos) (Guadalupe, 2010; Guadalupe & Vicente, 2012) para avaliar as dimensões da rede social pessoal, um questionário para caracterizar as variáveis sociodemográficas e a participação social e a Satisfaction With Life Scale – SWLS (Diener, 1985) que permite avaliar o grau de satisfação com a vida. Participantes: A amostra é constituída por 567 idosos, com uma média de idades de 75 anos (DP=7,6), entre os 65 anos e os 98 anos, maioritariamente do sexo feminino (63,0%), casados ou em união de facto (53,7%) e com escolaridade (69,8%), sobretudo ao nível do quarto ano (51,3%). A maioria dos idosos inquiridos não vive só (79,4%) numa zona de residência maioritariamente inserida em aglomerado populacional em região rural (57,0%) e não usufrui de qualquer tipo de apoio de resposta social (75,5%). Resultados: A amostra divide-se entre os que participaram comunitariamente ao longo da vida (47,8%; n = 271) e os que não participaram (52,2%; n = 296), sendo que entre os que participam 16,7% fazem-no com elevada frequência. Os idosos do sexo feminino, com idade igual ou inferior a 75 anos, casados, com habilitações literárias e que vivem acompanhados, são os que têm uma maior probabilidade de ter uma participação social mais ativa. Os idosos que apresentam participação social têm uma rede maior, com um membro a mais em média (M = 8,52 vs. 7,51, p = 0,027), e uma composição distinta dos que não participam, com menor peso das relações familiares (M = 72,61% vs. 80,81%, p < 0,001), maior peso e mais relações de amizade (M = 15,43% vs. M = 9,24%, p < 0,001) e maior presença de relações de trabalho (M = 1,11% vs. 0,13%, p = 0,006). Relativamente às características funcionais, podemos constatar que a reciprocidade de apoio é percebida como maior (p = 0,010) entre os idosos que participam comunitariamente, não se verificando diferenças noutras variáveis funcionais e relacionais-contextuais. O nível de participação e a satisfação com o nível de participação correlacionam-se positivamente com a satisfação percebida com a vida (p < 0,001). Conclusão: As conclusões apontam para um efeito da participação social ao longo da vida em estruturas comunitárias nas características estruturais das redes sociais pessoais dos idosos, não se verificando interferência na maioria das características funcionais e nas relacionais-contextuais. Verificámos ainda que há uma associação entre a participação social e a satisfação com a vida, sendo mais satisfeitos os que participam em estruturas comunitárias. É possível constatar que a rede daqueles que referem ter participação social é tendencialmente maior e heterogénea na composição, quando comparada com as redes dos sem participação social, assumindo, assim, relevância na estruturação de uma rede mais diversa e ampla, devendo ser estimulada no sentido de promover uma rede com recursos potencialmente positivos e um envelhecimento mais ativo. / Objectives: The central objective of this study is to characterize the personal social networks of the elderly, aged 65 years or more, analyzing them according to the level of social participation throughout their life in community structures related to leisure, culture, sports, religion and volunteering. Methodology: For the evaluation of the variables we used the Social Network Analysis Tool (IARSP-elderly) (Guadalupe, 2010; Guadalupe Vicente, 2012) to assess the dimensions of the social network; a questionnaire to evaluate social participation; and the Satisfaction With Life Scale SWLS – (Diener, 1985) to acess the degree of satisfaction with life. Participants: The sample consists of 567 elderly, with an average age of 75 years old (SD = 7,595), between 65 and 98 years old, mostly female (63.0 %), married (53.7%) with education (69.8%), mainly with the 4th grade (51.3%). Most of the respondents do not live alone (79.4%) in agglomerations in rural region (57.0%) and are not users of social services (75.5%). Results: The sample is divided between those who had community participation throughout life (47.8 %; n = 271) and those who did not participated (52,2%; n = 296). Between the first, 16.7% do it with high frequency. The elderly women, aged less than 75 years old, married, with educational qualifications and living not alone, are those who have a higher likelihood of having a more active social participation. The elderly that present social participation have a larger network, with one more member (M = 8,52 vs. 7,51, p = 0,027), and a composition distinct from not participating, with less proportion of family relations (M = 72,61% vs. 80,81%, p < 0,001), greater proportion and more friendships (M = 15,43% vs. M = 9,24%, p < 0,001) and greater presence of working relations (M = 1,11% vs. 0,13%, p = 0,006). Regarding the functional dimension, the reciprocity of support is perceived as higher (p = 0.010) among seniors participating in community and there were no differences in other functional and relational-contextual variables. The level of participation and satisfaction with the level of participation correlate positively with perceived satisfaction with life (p <0.001). Conclusion: The findings point to an effect of lifelong social participation in community in structural characteristics of personal social networks of the elderly, not verifying interference in most of the functional and the contextual-relational characteristics. We have also found that there is an association between social participation and life satisfaction, being more satisfied when they participate in community structures. The social network of the elderly who reported having social participation tends to be larger and heterogeneous in composition compared with those without social participation, thus assuming importance in structuring a more diverse and extensive network, should be encouraged in order to promote a network with potentially positive resources and a more active aging.

Estado emocional e satisfação com o suporte social após uma interrupção voluntária da gravidez

Dissertação de Mestrado apresentada no Instituto Superior de Psicologia Aplicada para obtenção de grau de Mestre na especialidade de Psicologia Clínica

Social and environmental determinants, household food insecurity

Food security is defined as a situation that exists when “all people, at all times, have physical and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food to maintain a healthy and active life. It is a multilevel concept, which includes four main dimensions: availability related to food supply; accessibility in order to ensure the physical and economic access to food; adequacy to meet nutritional needs in quantity and quality while respecting individual food preferences and cultural issues (utilization); and, lastly, stability of the guarantee of food security over time. According to the food security definition, it is abroad concept where all these dimensions are largely affected by a considerable number of factors related to: public policies of different sectors, food production/industry/distribution food systems, marketing and advertising of food, social support networks and individual determinants related to food choice behaviour.

Qualidade de vida, percepção de saúde, resiliência, auto-regulação e suporte social nos adolescentes portugueses com a doencça crónica

Tese de Doutoramento em Psicologia na área de especialidade Psicologia da Saúde

Functional Neuroimaging of the Social Regulation of Emotion in Schizophrenia

Negative symptoms in schizophrenia are characterized by deficits in normative experiences and expression of emotion. Social anhedonia (diminished pleasure from social experiences) is one negative symptom that may impact patients’ motivation to engage in meaningful social relationships. Past research has begun to examine the mechanisms that underlie social anhedonia, but it is unclear how this lack of social interest may impact the typically positive effects of social buffering and social baseline theory whereby social support attenuates stress. The present pilot study examines how social affiliation through hand holding is related to subjective and neural threat processing, negative symptoms, and social functioning. Twenty-one participants (14 controls; 7 schizophrenia) developed social affiliation with a member of the research staff who served as the supportive partner during the threat task. Participants displayed greater subjective benefit to holding the hand of their partner during times of stress relative to being alone or with an anonymous experimenter, as indicated by self-reported increased positive valence and decreased arousal ratings. When examining the effects of group, hand holding, and their interaction on the neurological experience of threat during the fMRI task, the results were not significant. However, exploratory analyses identified preliminary data suggesting that controls experienced small relative increases in BOLD signal to threat when alone compared to being with the anonymous experimenter or their partner, whereas the schizophrenia group results indicated subtle relative decreases in BOLD signal to threat when alone compared to either of the hand holding conditions. Additionally, within the schizophrenia group, more positive valence in the partner condition was associated with less severe negative symptoms, better social functioning, and more social affiliation, whereas less arousal was correlated with more social affiliation. Our pilot study offers initial insights about the difficulties of building and using social affiliation and support through hand holding with individuals with schizophrenia during times of stress. Further research is necessary to clarify which types of support may be more or less beneficial to individuals with schizophrenia who may experience social anhedonia or paranoia with others that may challenge the otherwise positive effects of social buffering and maintaining a social baseline.

Perspectiva subjetiva de la calidad de vida del adulto mayor, diferencias ligadas al género y a la práctica de la actividad físico recreativa

El propósito de este estudio fue conocer la relación entre las variables (soporte social, autonomía, salud mental, actividad físico recreativa) que integran la perspectiva subjetiva de la calidad de vida, ligadas al género en personas adultas mayores costarricenses. Además, conocer el principal motivo de estos sujetos para realizar la actividad física y el beneficio percibido por estos, de acuerdo al género. En este estudio participaron 152 sujetos (92 mujeres y 60 hombres) con edades entre los  60 a 75 años, de 21 centros diurnos, a los cuales se les aplicó dos instrumentos: un cuestionario  de calidad de vida (INISA,1994) y una encuesta sobre actividad física recreativa. Los resultados mostraron relación significativa entre las variables autonomía y soporte social; autonomía y estado mental; autonomía  y frecuencia de la actividad; autonomía y duración. Asimismo, en lo que respecta al género; la depresión geriátrica fue superior en las mujeres (F=5.86). La salud fue el motivo principal para realizar la actividad física y los beneficios principales de ésta para ambos géneros fueron, el sentirse más reanimados, más alegres, con energía, y el alivio de dolores. Se concluye, que la calidad de vida (soporte social, autonomía, salud mental)  percibida por el adulto mayor no difiere en lo que respecta al género e incluso en el motivo o beneficio para hacer actividad física, excepto en lo que respecta a la depresión, la cual se presenta con mayor frecuencia en las mujeres. Se comprueba que la actividad física recreativa le permite obtener al adulto mayor resultados positivos entre más cantidad de veces y  de tiempo por  semana le  dedique.

Romantic relationships and adjustment in early adulthood: The role of cross-sex experience in the context of social norms and support

Attachment and interpersonal theory suggest a sequential pattern of relationships beginning in the earliest stage of development and progressing to social and eventually romantic relationships. Theoretically, cross-sex experiences have an important role in the progression of interpersonal relationships. Despite the prevalence of these theories about the nature of romantic relationship development, the linkage of cross-sex experience (CSE) to romantic relationships has not been established. Indeed, it is an intuitive assumption, especially within Western society and these theories do not consider socio-cultural factors that may influence CSE and relationship satisfaction. This study addresses the varying contextual factors that may contribute to relationship satisfaction and adjustment, aside from CSE, and is divided into two parts. Study 1, addresses CSE, relationship satisfaction, and adjustment in a unique population, ultra-Orthodox Jews. Among this population, social or romantic CSE is limited and sexes are effectively segregated. Study 2, expanded the study to a larger sample of U.S. college students, to assess the linkage of CSE to romantic relationship satisfaction in a more typical Western population. It included social norm and support variables to address the contextual nature of relationship development and satisfaction. Results demonstrated clear differences in the relation between CSE and relationship satisfaction in the two samples. In the first sample CSE was unrelated to relationship satisfaction; nevertheless, relationship satisfaction was associated with adjustment as it is for more typical populations with greater CSE. These results suggested the importance of specifying how social norms and social support relate to CSE, relationship satisfaction and adjustment. The results from the second sample were consistent with the theoretical framework upon which the social/romantic literature is based. CSE was directly connected to relationship satisfaction. As anticipated, CSE, relationship satisfaction, and adjustment also varied as a function of social norms and support. These findings further validate the influence of socio-cultural factors on relationship satisfaction and adjustment. This study contributes to the romantic relationship literature and broadens our understanding of the complex nature of interpersonal and romantic relationships.^

Adolescent’s subjective perceptions of chronic disease and related psychosocial factors: Highlights from an outpatient context study

Background: Adolescents with chronic disease (CD) can be more vulnerable to adverse psychosocial outcomes. This study aims: 1) to identify differences in psychosocial variables (health-related quality of life, psychosomatic complaints, resilience, self-regulation and social support) among adolescents who feel that CD affects or does not affect school/peers connectedness (measured by self-reported participation in school and social activities); and 2) to assess the extent to which psychosocial variables are associated with connectedness in school and peer domains. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 135 adolescents with CD (51.9% boys), average age of 14 ± 1. 5 years old (SD = 1.5). Socio-demographic, clinical, and psychosocial variables were assessed, using a self-reported questionnaire, which included the Chronic Conditions Short Questionnaire, KIDSCREEN-10 Index, Symptoms Check-List, Healthy Kids Resilience Assessment Module Scale, Adolescent Self-Regulatory Inventory, and Satisfaction with Social Support Scale. Descriptive statistics, GLM-Univariate ANCOVA and Logistic Regression were performed using the IBM Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), version 22.0. The significance level was set at p < 0.05. Results: Thirteen to eighteen percent of the adolescents felt that CD affected participation at school (PSCH) and participation in leisure time with friends (PLTF). These adolescents presented lower results for all psychosocial study variables, when compared with adolescents who did not feel affected in both areas of participation. From the studied psychosocial variables, the most important ones associated with PSCH (after controlling for age, gender, diagnosis, and education level of father/mother) were self-regulation and psychosomatic health. Concerning the PLTF, social support was the sole variable explaining such association. Conclusions: The present study pointed out the association between psychosocial variables; and living with a CD and school/peers connectedness. The need to focus on the assessment of the effects of a CD on adolescents’ lives and contexts is suggested, as well as on the identification of vulnerable adolescents. Such identification could help to facilitate the maximization of social participation of adolescents with CD, and to plan interventions centered on providing support and opportunities for a healthy youth development. For that purpose, a complex and multifactorial approach that includes clinicians, schools, family, and peers may be proposed.

Apoio social, saúde mental e bem-estar em idosos institucionalizados e não institucionalizados

O apoio social e o bem-estar são variantes importantes para a saúde mental, em particular, quando se trata da população idosa. O presente estudo visa avaliar o apoio social, o bem-estar e a saúde mental em idosos não institucionalizados e institucionalizados. O método utilizado é o quantitativo, tendo sido realizado um estudo descritivo-correlacional, comparativo, transversal, com uma amostra de 100 idosos: 50 institucionalizados em lar e 50 não institucionalizados, mas que frequentam o centro de dia. Os instrumentos de recolha de dados foram a Escala de Bem-Estar Mental de Warwick-Edimburgh (WEMWBS); a Escala Continuum de Saúde Mental (MHC-SF); a Escala de Rede de Apoio Social de Lubben (LSNS-6); Questionário Sociodemográfico. Genericamente, os resultados demonstram que a maioria dos participantes apresenta níveis elevados de bem-estar, nomeadamente bem-estar emocional, bem-estar psicológico e bem-estar social, encontrando-se maioritariamente em flourishing. Relativamente ao apoio social, este evidencia-se como razoável ao nível da família e baixo ao nível dos amigos. Na análise da relação entre bem-estar, saúde mental e apoio social nos idosos em estudo, foram encontradas correlações estatisticamente significativas positivas entre todas estas dimensões, quer nos indivíduos não institucionalizados e quer nos institucionalizados. Assim, a relação positiva encontrada entre a maioria das variáveis consideradas permite concluir que o bem-estar, a saúde mental e o suporte social se encontram relacionados. Os idosos mais velhos, em particular os institucionalizados, são os que apresentam resultados mais baixos ao nível do bem-estar mental, emocional e suporte social.