CARACTERÍSTICAS PSICOSSOCIAIS E DE PERSONALIDADE DE ADOLESCENTES INFRATORES EM CUMPRIMENTO DE MEDIDA SOCIOEDUCATIVA

Para atingir os objetivos propostos, ou seja, levantar e descrever indicadores socioculturais de uma amostra de adolescentes em cumprimento de medida socioeducativa, e descrever características psicológicas e de personalidade dos adolescentes infratores, num estudo que pesquisou adolescentes em cumprimento de medida socioeducativa. O trabalho foi realizado em duas as etapas: na primeira, os 47 adolescentes participaram de uma entrevista semidirigida; na segunda, dez desses adolescentes foram selecionados e submetidos a um instrumento projetivo para investigação de aspectos da personalidade: o “desenho da Figura Humana” de Machower, adaptado por Van Kolck (1956; 1984). A discussão teórica dos resultados baseou-se numa abordagem psicanalítica pós-freudiana para a compreensão da adolescência tanto como fase do desenvolvimento humano como dos comportamentos antissociais. Os resultados do estudo corroboraram a teoria advinda da literatura psicológica que aborda padrões comuns no período da adolescência, fase em que ocorre um complexo de fatores individuais da maturidade biológica associados ao meio social/cultural e que, por sua vez, estabelecem relações com as instâncias psicológicas ou psíquicas do sujeito junto com as características específicas de cada indivíduo. Na busca da compreensão desses padrões comuns da amostra dos adolescentes infratores utilizados no presente estudo, foram levantados dados do perfil psicossocial, cultural e demográfico; dos aspectos psicossociais e aspectos psicodinâmicos e de características de personalidade. A título de conclusão, o estudo destacou a problemática do adolescente em conflito com a lei, associada às questões sociais, de saúde mental, além do desenvolvimento psíquico, sinalizando a necessidade de ações psicoprofiláticas voltadas para população infantil, jovem, agrupamentos familiares e para a comunidade que representa seu entorno.

Adult cortical plasticity depends on an early postnatal critical period

Development of the cerebral cortex is influenced by sensory experience during distinct phases of postnatal development known as critical periods. Disruption of experience during a critical period produces neurons that lack specificity for particular stimulus features, such as location in the somatosensory system. Synaptic plasticity is the agent by which sensory experience affects cortical development. Here, we describe, in mice, a developmental critical period that affects plasticity itself. Transient neonatal disruption of signaling via the C-terminal domain of "disrupted in schizophrenia 1" (DISC1)-a molecule implicated in psychiatric disorders-resulted in a lack of long-term potentiation (LTP) (persistent strengthening of synapses) and experience-dependent potentiation in adulthood. Long-term depression (LTD) (selective weakening of specific sets of synapses) and reversal of LTD were present, although impaired, in adolescence and absent in adulthood. These changes may form the basis for the cognitive deficits associated with mutations in DISC1 and the delayed onset of a range of psychiatric symptoms in late adolescence.

Racial/ethnic differences on the body image perceptions and weight concerns of fourth grade girls

The purpose of this study was to determine the racial and ethnic differences on body image perceptions and weight concerns of fourth grade girls. A purposive sample of 182 fourth grade girls were eligible to participate, 166 were included in the data analysis. The Children's Eating Attitude Test (ChEAT) and a Dieting and Demographic Questionnaire (DDQ) were used to determine eating attitudes of fourth grade girls. A pictoral instrument that was modified from the original was used to assess body image. Anthropometric data was assessed and body mass index (BMI) values were used to classify subjects into percentiles. Results revealed that 56% of all fourth grade girls studied wanted to be thinner and 53% had tried to lose weight. Significantly more non-Hispanic white (NHW) girls reported wanting to be thinner than non-Hispanic black (NHB) and H girls (65.5% vs.32% and 47%, respectively, P=0.005) No significant racial/ethnic differences were revealed for the ChEAT scores. However, 19% of all subjects studied fell into the category indicative of anorexia nervosa. H girls who were less than the 85" %tile for BMI chose significantly smaller figures as their perceived body image (3.5±0.7) than both NHB and NHW girls (4.0±0.6 and 3.9±0.5, respectively, P<0.01). These findings demonstrated that weight concerns were prevalent among girls ages 9- 11 years. NHW and H girls may have more concerns about their body size and shape than their NHB counterparts. Implementing intervention programs at an early age may prevent eating disorders in adolescence and adulthood.

Identity and intimacy as predictors of adolescent adjustment

Stressful developmental transitions related to identity and intimacy may have significant implications for adjustment in adolescence that last into young adulthood. Social and economic barriers experienced by minority adolescents have attracted attention as significant influences on normative developmental processes and psychosocial adjustment. The primary aim of this study was to describe significant relations among identity, intimacy, and adjustment in a sample of adolescents in an alternative school who were at elevated risk for problem behaviors. A sample of 120 multi-ethnic high school students responded to five self-administered questionnaires. In addition to describing significant gender differences in identity, and internalizing problems, this study documented that measures of identity accounted for significant variance in standard measures of internalizing problems using hierarchical multiple regression. The implications of these results for future research and practice are discussed.

Pressão de sono e perfil acadêmico de estudante de medicina do 1º período da UFRN

Academic demands, new social context, new routines and decrease of the parental control, are factors that may influence the sleep pattern of freshman students at the University. Medical students from the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN) have a full-time course, subjects with high-level content, and, at the first semester, classes begin at 7 a.m. This group composed by young adults who still suffering with delayed sleep phase, common in adolescence, indicating that this class schedule can be inappropriate at this age. The reduction of nocturnal sleep during school days, and the attempt to recover sleep on free days – social jet lag (JLS), suggests that in the first semester, students suffer from high sleep pressure. High sleep pressure may reflect on cognitive tasks and performance. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between sleep pressure and the academic profile of medical students from the first semester of UFRN, characterizing this population socio-demographically and investigating possible impacts on therestactivity rhytm and academic performance. A sample of 88 students, healthy men and women awswered the following questionnaires: Pittsburgh Sleep Quality (PSQI), Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), Horne & Ostberg Chronotype (HO), Munich Chronotype (MCTQ) and “Health and Sleep” adapted. Actigraphy was used during 14 days to make actogramas and obtain non-parametric variables of the rest-activity rhythm and the grades of the morning schedule were used as academic performance. The JLS was used as a measure of sleep pressure. Statistics significance level was 95%. The population was sociodemographic homogeneous. Most students have healthy lifestyle, practice physical activity, use car to go to the university and take between 15 and 30 minutes for this route. Regarding CSV, most were classify as intermediate (38.6%) and evening (32%) chronotypes, needs to nap during the week, suffer daytime sleepiness and have poor sleep quality. 83% of the sample has at least 1h JLS, which led us to divide into two groups: Group <2h JLS (N = 44) and Group ≥ 2h JLS (N = 44). The groups have differences only in chronotype, showing that most evening individuals have more JLS, however, no differences were found in relation to sociodemographic aspect, rest-activity rhythm or academic performance. The homogeneity of the sample was limited to compare the groups, however, is alarming that students already present in the first half: JLG, poor sleep quality and excessive daytime sleepiness, which can be accentuated through the university years, with the emergence of night shifts and increased academic demand. Interventionsaddressingthe importance of good sleep habits and the change of the class start time are strategies aimed to improve student’s health.

Can a Broader Education Narrow the Gap? Evidence on Non-Academic Features of Schooling

Empirical studies of education programs and systems, by nature, rely upon use of student outcomes that are measurable. Often, these come in the form of test scores. However, in light of growing evidence about the long-run importance of other student skills and behaviors, the time has come for a broader approach to evaluating education. This dissertation undertakes experimental, quasi-experimental, and descriptive analyses to examine social, behavioral, and health-related mechanisms of the educational process. My overarching research question is simply, which inside- and outside-the-classroom features of schools and educational interventions are most beneficial to students in the long term? Furthermore, how can we apply this evidence toward informing policy that could effectively reduce stark social, educational, and economic inequalities?

The first study of three assesses mechanisms by which the Fast Track project, a randomized intervention in the early 1990s for high-risk children in four communities (Durham, NC; Nashville, TN; rural PA; and Seattle, WA), reduced delinquency, arrests, and health and mental health service utilization in adolescence through young adulthood (ages 12-20). A decomposition of treatment effects indicates that about a third of Fast Track’s impact on later crime outcomes can be accounted for by improvements in social and self-regulation skills during childhood (ages 6-11), such as prosocial behavior, emotion regulation and problem solving. These skills proved less valuable for the prevention of mental and physical health problems.

The second study contributes new evidence on how non-instructional investments – such as increased spending on school social workers, guidance counselors, and health services – affect multiple aspects of student performance and well-being. Merging several administrative data sources spanning the 1996-2013 school years in North Carolina, I use an instrumental variables approach to estimate the extent to which local expenditure shifts affect students’ academic and behavioral outcomes. My findings indicate that exogenous increases in spending on non-instructional services not only reduce student absenteeism and disciplinary problems (important predictors of long-term outcomes) but also significantly raise student achievement, in similar magnitude to corresponding increases in instructional spending. Furthermore, subgroup analyses suggest that investments in student support personnel such as social workers, health services, and guidance counselors, in schools with concentrated low-income student populations could go a long way toward closing socioeconomic achievement gaps.

The third study examines individual pathways that lead to high school graduation or dropout. It employs a variety of machine learning techniques, including decision trees, random forests with bagging and boosting, and support vector machines, to predict student dropout using longitudinal administrative data from North Carolina. I consider a large set of predictor measures from grades three through eight including academic achievement, behavioral indicators, and background characteristics. My findings indicate that the most important predictors include eighth grade absences, math scores, and age-for-grade as well as early reading scores. Support vector classification (with a high cost parameter and low gamma parameter) predicts high school dropout with the highest overall validity in the testing dataset at 90.1 percent followed by decision trees with boosting and interaction terms at 89.5 percent.

Investigating the developmental and behavioral consequences of maternal immune activation on affected offspring

Maternal infection during pregnancy increases the risk of several neuropsychiatric disorders later in life, many of which have a component of dopaminergic (DA) dysfunction, including schizophrenia, autism spectrum disorders (ASD), and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The majority of DA neurons are found in the adult midbrain; as such the midbrain is a key region of interest regarding these disorders. The literature is conflicting regarding the behavioral alterations following maternal immune activation (MIA) exposure, and the cellular and molecular consequences of MIA on the developing midbrain remain to be fully elucidated. Thus, this thesis aimed to establish the consequences of acute and mild MIA on offspring dopamine-related behaviors, as well as the associated cellular and molecular disturbances of MIA on offspring midbrains. We utilized a rat model of MIA using low dose (50μg/kg, I.P.) of LPS administered at different gestational ages. Our first study indicated that MIA at later gestational ages significantly increased pro-inflammatory IL-1β expression, and reduced HSD11B2 expression in the placenta, which is an important regulator of fetal development. In utero LPS exposure at later gestational ages also impaired the growth of neurons from affected offspring. This study identified key gestational stages during which MIA resulted in differential effects. We utilized these time points in subsequent studies, the next of which investigated neurobehavioral outcomes following MIA. Our results from that study showed that motor differences occurred in juvenile offspring following MIA at E16 only, and these differences were compensated for in adolescence. Then, there was a decline in motor behavior capabilities in adulthood, again only for animals exposed to MIA on E16 (and not E12). Furthermore, our results also demonstrated adolescent and adult offspring that were exposed to MIA at E12 had diminished responses to amphetamine in reward seeking behaviors. In our final study, we aimed to investigate the molecular and cellular changes following MIA which might explain these behavioral alterations. This final study showed a differential inflammatory response in fetal midbrains depending on gestational age of exposure as well as differential developmental alterations. For example, LPS exposure at E16 resulted in decreased VM neurosphere size after 7DIV and this was associated with an increased susceptibility to neurotoxic effects of pro-inflammatory cytokines for VM neurospheres and VM DA neurons treated in culture. In utero LPS exposure at E16 also reduced DA neuron count of fetal VM, measured by TH staining. However, there were no differences in DA neuron number in juvenile, adolescent, or adult offspring. Similarly, LPS exposure did not alter cell number or morphology of glial cells in the midbrains of affected offspring. In conclusion, this thesis indicated later rat pregnancy (E16) as vulnerable time for MIA to affect the development of the nigrostriatal pathway and subsequent behavioral outcomes, possibly implicating a role for MIA in increased risk for disorders associated with motor behavior, like PD. These effects may be mediated through alterations in the placenta and altered inflammatory mediators in the offspring brain. This thesis has also shown that MIA in earlier rat pregnancy (E12) results in altered mesocorticolimbic function, and in particular MIA on E12 resulted in a differential response to amphetamine in affected offspring, which may implicate a role for MIA in increasing the risk for disorders associated with this pathway, including drug tolerance and addiction.

Risk Consumption: Children and Online Gaming. The Problem of “Responsible Gambling”

Online gambling is a popular activity among adolescents. However, there has been a notable increase in the number of young people who suffer or are on the verge of pathological gambling. We review the impact of online gambling on young people and discuss the desiderability of the concept of “gambling responsibly” in order to alert of their risks and effectively prevent access to minors. The main factors associated with pathological gambling are the age of start, the family environment, the infl uence of advertising, the consumption of stimulants, and the attitudes of the peer group. Both the government and the gaming industry itself should consider these factors and develop comprehensive plans that ensure a safe and controlled model game. In this context, advertising must take into account criteria of consumer protection knowing that even if they are not allowed, children can easily have access to online gambling. All agents involved, including public and social agents, must provide mechanisms for prevention and awareness of a problem that arouses little social consciousness and excessive carelessness.

Preferencias, dedicación y problemáticas generadas por los videojuegos: Una perspectiva de género

Entre las actividades de ocio de los/as jóvenes, cabe mencionar las asociadas con los videojuegos. Por ello, la finalidad central de este estudio es analizar las preferencias del colectivo de adolescentes con los videojuegos, así como conocer su dedicación y problemáticas que generan, teniendo en cuenta principalmente la variable de género. El presente trabajo se encuadra en un enfoque metodológico cuantitativo-cualitativo, a partir de la recogida de datos con un cuestionario y la técnica del grupo de discusión. En el estudio han participado un total de 151 adolescentes. 124 a partir de la aplicación de un cuestionario cerrado (62 hombres y 62 mujeres) y 27 a través de la realización de 6 grupos de discusión (17 hombres y 10 mujeres). Como resultados y conclusiones, cabe destacar la existencia diferenciada en el uso de los videojuegos en función de la edad y por razón de género. A su vez, las mujeres muestran una responsabilidad mayor en esta actividad, tanto en el tiempo de dedicación como en la elección. Los chicos destinan una gran cantidad de tiempo a los videojuegos de contenido violento, mientras las chicas prefieren los de estrategia. En general, el juego con videojuegos no genera problemáticas sustanciales y controversias, aunque algunos participantes reflejan manifestaciones de mal humor. Por último, cabe indicar que las prácticas con los videojuegos en la adolescencia se ciñen al mero hecho de divertirse, desperdiciando las posibilidades educativas que esta actividad ofrece.

Validação Transcultural das Escalas ZKPQ-50-CC (Personalidade), BAS (Imagem Corporal) e AS (Ambivalência na Decisão de Ter Relações Sexuais) para Adolescentes

Introdução: A adolescência é um período onde se operam muitas mudanças tanto físicas como psíquicas. É comum o surgimento de algumas perturbações que devem ser convenientemente avaliadas pelo Psicólogo. É assim, muito importante o rigor na avaliação em Psicologia sendo essencial a utilização de instrumentos que sejam válidos e fiáveis. Metodologia: O principal objetivo deste estudo foi traduzir e validar, para a população portuguesa, três instrumentos de avaliação de adolescentes: O Zuckerman Kuhlman Personality Questionnaire Cross-cultural 50 items version (ZKPQ-50-CC) (Aluja, Rossier, García, Angleitner, Kuhlman, & Zuckerman, 2006), para avaliação da personalidade; a Body Appreciation Scale (BAS) (Avalos, Tylka & Wood-Barcalow, 2005), para avaliação da apreciação corporal positiva e; a Ambivalence Scale (AS) (Pinquart, 2009) para avaliação da ambivalência na decisão de ter relações sexuais. Este estudo metodológico incidiu sobre 877 a adolescentes das escolas secundárias em Leiria e Porto de Mós sendo maioritariamente (64,08%) do sexo feminino e com média de 16,70 anos (DP = 1,21) de idade. Na validação seguiu-se a mesma metodologia dos autores das escalas originais a quem foi solicitada autorização, assim como às direções das instituições onde recolhemos os dados. Solicitou-se igualmente consentimento aos pais e aos adolescentes. Resultados: A Body Appreciation Scale (BAS) e a Ambivalence Scale (AS) constituídas por 7 itens, permitem obter uma pontuação global e apenas um fator. Por seu lado, a determinação das caraterísticas psicométricas do ZKPQ-50-CC permite manter as 5 escalas da estrutura do original. Conclusão: Os três instrumentos apresentam valores de consistência interna e validade que permitem que sejam considerados rigorosos e fiáveis podendo ser utilizados futuramente em avaliação e investigação. / Introduction: Adolescence is a period of a lot of changes both physical and psychic. It´s common the emergence of some disorders that should be properly evaluated by the Psychologist. It is thus very important the rigor of Psychological Evaluation and it´s essential to use instruments that are valid and reliable. Metodology: The main objective of this study was to translate and validate, for the Portuguese population, three assessment instruments in adolescence: The Zuckerman Kuhlman Personality Questionnaire Cross-cultural 50 items version (ZKPQ-50-CC) (Aluja, Rossier, García, Angleitner, Kuhlman , & Zuckerman, 2006) for personality assessment, the Body Appreciation Scale (BAS) (Avalos, Tylka, & Wood Barcalow, 2005), to evaluate the positive body assessment; and the Ambivalence Scale (AS) (Pinquart, 2009) for assessment of ambivalence in the decision about having sexual intercourse. This methodological study focused on 877 adolescents from high schools in Leiria and Porto de Mós, mostly females (64,08%), mean age of 16,70 years old (SD = 1,21). The validation followed the same methodology the authors of the scale, to whom consent was requested, as well as to directors of the institutions where we collect data. We also asked for consent to parents and adolescents. Results: The Body Appreciation Scale (BAS) and the Ambivalence Scale (AS), both with seven items, allow to obtain an overall score and only one factor. For its part, the determination of the psychometric features of QPZK-50-CC allows to maintain the five scales of the original structure. Conclusion: The three instruments show internal consistency and validity that allow them to be considered accurate and reliable and used in future evaluation and research.

Estudo da Ideação Suicida em Adolescentes com Consumo de Álcool

Este estudo exploratório visa abordar a ideação suicida na adolescência e a importância desta etapa que precede a fase adulta, nomeadamente no desenvolvimento psicológico, físico e social com o intuito do sentimento de bem-estar centrado na harmonia, ou seja, na saúde mental. Na adolescência, experienciam-se várias modificações, e as alterações afectivas podem ser vivenciadas com sofrimento extremo e conduzir à ideação suicida. Sendo diversos os factores que podem ser precipitadores, foi dada especial atenção ao consumo de álcool. A amostra de 333 adolescentes da Escola Secundária Dr. Bernardino Machado, pertencentes ao 10º, 11º e 12º ano foi submetida a um questionário constituído por uma recolha de dados sócio-demográficos, o BSI e a escala CAGE. Após a recolha de dados e o seu tratamento estatístico, verificámos que dos 329 estudantes apenas 6 associaram o consumo de bebidas alcoólicas à ideação suicida; o consumo é feito predominantemente na companhia de amigos; a bebida de eleição é a cerveja; existindo 29 jovens que designamos de bebedores de risco. /

Auto-compaixão: a sua relação com os estados emocionais negativos

O principal objectivo do presente estudo é perceber de que forma a auto – compaixão se relaciona com o auto – criticismo e sintomas psicopatológicos, mais concretamente, a ansiedade, a depressão e o stress na adolescência. Paralelamente pretendeu-se testar a aplicação da escala de auto – compaixão a uma amostra de adolescentes pelo que se procedeu à sua adaptação e estudo das qualidades psicométricas a este período desenvolvimental específico. Fizeram parte da amostra 130 rapazes e 48 raparigas, com uma média de idades de 16.92 anos (DP=1.40) e uma média de anos de escolaridade de 9.99 (DP=1.67). No estudo apresentado foram utilizados os seguintes instrumentos: a Escala de Auto – Compaixão (SCS), a Escala de Ansiedade Depressão e Stress (EADS-21), e a Escala das Formas de Auto – Criticismo e de Auto – Tranquilização (FSCRS). A escala de auto – compaixão mostrou uma boa consistência interna e uma boa estabilidade temporal. Os resultados indicaram que os rapazes apresentam níveis de auto – compaixão significativamente mais elevados que as raparigas. Em ambos os sexos foram observadas correlações no sentido esperado entre a auto – compaixão e os estados emocionais negativos, o auto – criticismo e a auto – tranquilização. Por outras palavras, quanto maior o nível de auto – compaixão do adolescente, menor sintomatologia depressiva, ansiosa e associada ao stress apresenta, bem como menor é o seu auto – criticismo. Em contraste, quanto maior a auto – compaixão, maior a capacidade de se auto – tranquilizar. Conclusão: Partindo da investigação disponível em adultos, o contribuo do presente estudo consistiu em alargar para adolescentes não só a avaliação da auto-compaixão, como também a sua associação às variáveis em estudo. Assim, os resultados sugerem que nos adolescentes, a auto-compaixão pode diminuir a sua vulnerabilidade aos estados emocionais negativos traduzidos, quer por sintomas de ansiedade, depressão e de stress, quer pela adopção de um estilo auto-crítico exacerbado e disfuncional. / The main objective of this study is to understand how self - compassion is related to the self - criticism and psychopathological symptoms, specifically, anxiety, depression and stress in adolescence. At the same time we sought to test the application of the scale of self-pity to a sample of adolescents and it is carried to its adaptation and psychometric study of this specific developmental period. The sample included 130 boys and 48 girls with a mean age of 16.92 years (SD = 1.40) and average years of schooling was 9.99 (SD = 1.67). In the present study we used the following instruments: the Self - Compassion (SCS), Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS), and the Forms of Self – Criticizing/Attacking and Self – Reassuring Scale (FSCRS). The scale of self- compassion showed good internal consistency and good temporal stability. The results indicated that the boys present levels of self - compassion significantly higher than girls. In both sexes were observed in the expected correlations between self-pity and negative emotional states, self-criticism and self-reassurance. In other words, the higher the level of adolescent self-pity, less depressive symptoms, anxiety and stress associated with the present as well as lower your self-criticism. In contrast, the larger the self-compassion, the greater the ability to self-reassuring. Conclusion: Based on the available research in adults, I contribute to this study was to extend to adolescents not only the assessment of self- compassion, as well as their association with variables. Thus, the results suggest that in adolescents, self- compassion can reduce their vulnerability to negative emotional states translated, either by symptoms of anxiety, depression and stress, either by adopting a self-critical style exaggerated and dysfunctional.

Acontecimentos Traumáticos, Sentimentos de Vergonha na Relação com os Sintomas Depressivos na Adolescência: estudo longitudinal

Introdução: As experiências adversas na infância, tal como a exposição a acontecimentos traumáticos e vivências de vergonha, podem ter um contributo importante na vida dos adolescentes moldando a forma estes se percecionam a si próprios e aos outros, e como lidam com as adversidades, podendo aumentar a sua vulnerabilidade para desenvolver uma perturbação depressiva. Este estudo, de desenho longitudinal, consistiu em estudar os factores preditores (acontecimentos de vida traumáticos e sentimentos de vergonha) no desenvolvimento de psicopatologia depressiva a seis meses. Método: A amostra é constituída por 325 adolescentes, com idades compreendidas entre os 12 e os 18 anos a frequentar o 3º ciclo do ensino básico e ensino secundário. Para o estudo das variáveis referidas, foram utilizados os seguintes instrumentos de medida: o Child Depression Inventory, o Childhood Trauma Questionaire e a Escala de Vergonha Externa. Resultados: Os resultados obtidos relativamente à estabilidade absoluta das variáveis demonstram diferenças significativas entre os valores médios do 1ºmomento de avaliação e do 2º momento de avaliação (após 6 meses) para a variável vergonha. Ao longo do estudo, verificou-se uma associação positiva entre as variáveis relacionadas com o trauma e os sentimentos de vergonha avaliados no primeiro tempo (T1) e a variável sintomas depressivos (T2). O modelo de regressão linear múltipla, explicou 63% da variância dos sintomas depressivos no tempo 2, mostrando que o facto de pertencer ao sexo feminino, experienciar mais vivências de vergonha, e mais experiências traumáticas de abuso afetivo, abuso sexual e de negligência emocional permitem predizer mais sintomas depressivos na adolescência. Conclusão: Podemos concluir com a presente investigação, que o impacto de acontecimentos traumáticos, do tipo abuso/negligência, bem como de sentimentos de vergonha durante a fase da adolescência pode ser nocivo para o desenvolvimento harmonioso posterior, nomeadamente no desenvolvimento de sintomatologia depressiva. / Introduction: The adverse experiences in childhood, such as an exhibition of traumatic events and experiences of sham can have important contribution in teenager’s life shaping the way they perceive themselves and the others and how they deal with adversity, increasing their vulnerability to develop a depressive disorder. This study, longitudinal design, it was consisted in study of the predictive factors (traumatic life events and feelings of shame) in the development of depressive psychopathology in six months. Method: The sample consisted of 325 adolescents aged between 12 and 18 years attending the 3rd cycle of basic education and secondary education. To the study of the variables mentioned, the following measuring instruments were used: the Child Depression Inventory, the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire and External Shame Scale. Results: The results obtained regarding the absolute stability of the variables showed significant differences between the mean values of the evaluation 1st moment and 2nd moment of evaluation (after 6 months) for the variable shame. Throughout the study, there was a positive association between variables related to the trauma and feelings of shame evaluated at the first time (T1) and the variable depressive symptoms (T2). The multiple linear regression model explained 63% of variance in depressive symptoms at time 2 , showing that the fact of being female experience more shame experiences, and most traumatic experiences of emotional abuse, sexual abuse and emotional neglect permit predict more depressive symptoms in adolescence. Conclusion: We can conclude with this research, that the impact of traumatic events, the type abuse/neglect, as well as feelings of shame during adolescence can be harmful to the subsequent harmonious development, including the development of depressive symptoms.

Estudo Preliminar de Adaptação e Validação da Escala de Avaliação do Eu Resiliente: resiliência, autodano e ideação suicida em adolescentes

Introdução: Em Portugal, são escassos os instrumentos validados para a população adolescente, que avaliem o importante construto da resiliência. Assim, o principal objetivo deste estudo consistiu na adaptação e validação preliminar da Escala de Avaliação do EU Resiliente (EAER) para adolescentes portugueses. Como segundo objetivo pretendemos, ainda, explorar as associações, na mesma amostra, entre a resiliência, o autodano e a ideação suicida na adolescência. Método: A amostra foi constituída por 226 adolescentes (sexo masculino, n = 139, 61,5%), entre os 12 e os 18 anos, que preencheram um protocolo composto por um questionário sociodemográfico, pela Escala de Avaliação do EU Resiliente (EAER), pelo Questionário de Impulso, Autodano e Ideação Suicida na Adolescência (QIAIS-A) e pela Escala de autoconceito. Resultados: Os resultados obtidos mostraram que a EAER possui boa fidelidade/consistência interna (α = 0,857) e boa estabilidade temporal (r = 0,720). Uma análise de componentes principais mostrou que a EAER apresenta três fatores: fator suporte externo, fator forças pessoais internas e fator estratégias de coping. Encontraram-se correlações negativas entre a resiliência e o autodano e ideação suicida e correlações positivas entre a resiliência e o autoconceito, confirmando-se a validade divergente e convergente da EAER. Verificaram-se níveis elevados de resiliência nos adolescentes da nossa amostra (M = 58,69; DP = 6,67). Na amostra total, 61,5% (n = 139) apresentou ideação suicida e 26,5% (n = 60) apresentou comportamentos de autodano. Conclusão: No seu conjunto, a EAER possui boas características psicométricas, pelo que pode ser considerada uma escala válida e útil e que pode ser usada com segurança na avaliação da resiliência em adolescentes portugueses. Com este estudo alargámos o leque de instrumentos válidos para a medição da resiliência em adolescentes e contribuímos para o avanço da investigação na área da adolescência em Portugal. / Introduction: In Portugal, there are few validated instruments to the adolescent population, to assess the important construct of resilience. Thus, the main objective of this study was the preliminary adaptation and validation of the Escala de Avaliação do EU Resiliente (EAER) to Portuguese adolescents. As a second objective, there is an intention to also explore the associations, on the same sample, between resilience, self-harm and suicidal ideation in adolescence. Method: The sample consisted of 226 adolescents (male, n = 139, 61.5%), between 12 and 18 years, who filled in a protocol consisting of a sociodemographic questionnaire, by the Escala de Avaliação do EU Resiliente (EAER), by the Impulse, Self-harm and Suicide Ideation Questionnaire for Adolescents (ISSIQ-A) and by the Self-concept Scale. Results: The results showed that the EAER has good fidelity/internal consistency (α = 0.857) and good temporal stability (r = 0.720). A principal component analysis showed that EAER has three factors: external support factor, internal personal strengths factor and coping strategies factor. There were negative correlations between resilience and the self-harm and suicidal ideation and positive correlations between resilience and self-concept, confirming the divergent and convergent validity of EAER. There were high levels of resilience in the adolescents of the sample (M = 58.69, SD = 6.67). In the total sample, 61.5% (n = 139) had suicidal ideation and 26,5% (n = 60) had self-harm behaviors. Conclusion: As a whole, the EAER has good psychometric properties, therefore it can be considered a valid and useful range, and can be safely used in the evaluation of resilience in Portuguese adolescents. With this study we have extended the range of valid instruments for the measurement of resilience in adolescents and contributed to the advance of research in the adolescence area in Portugal.

Adolescent boys’ health : managing emotions, masculinities and subjective social status

The health of adolescent boys is complex and surprisingly little is known about how adolescent boys perceive, conceptualise and experience their health. Thus, the overall aim of this thesis was to explore adolescent boys’ perceptions and experiences of health, emotions, masculinity and subjective social status (SSS). This thesis consists of a qualitative, a quantitative and a mixed methods study. The qualitative study aimed to explore how adolescent boys understand the concept of health and what they find important for its achievement. Furthermore, the adolescent boys’ views of masculinity, emotion management and their potential effects on wellbeing were explored. For this purpose, individual interviews were conducted with 33 adolescent boys aged 16-17 years. The quantitative study aimed to investigate the associations between pride, shame and health in adolescence. Data were collected through a cross-sectional postal survey with 705 adolescents. The purpose of the mixed methods study was to investigate associations between SSS in school, socioeconomic status (SES) and self-rated health (SRH), and to explore the concept of SSS in school. Cross-sectional data were combined with interview data in which the meaning of SSS was further explored. Individual interviews with 35 adolescents aged 17-18 years were conducted. In the qualitative study, data were analysed using Grounded Theory. In the quantitative study, statistical analyses (e.g., chi-square test and uni- and multivariable logistic regression analyses) were performed. In the mixed method study, a combination of statistical analyses and thematic network analysis was applied. The results showed that there was a complexity in how the adolescent boys viewed, experienced, dealt with and valued health. On a conceptual level, they perceived health as holistic but when dealing with difficult emotions, they were prone to separate the body from the mind. Thus, the adolescent boys experienced a difference between health as a concept and health as an experience (paper I). Concerning emotional orientation in masculinity, two main categories of masculine conceptions were identified: a gender-normative masculinity and a non-gender-normative masculinity (paper II). Gender-normative masculinity comprised two seemingly opposite emotional masculinity orientations, one towards toughness and the other towards sensitivity, both of which were highly influenced by contextual and situational group norms and demands, despite that their expressions are in contrast to each other. Non-gender-normative masculinity included an orientation towards sincerity, emphasising the personal values of the boys. Emotions were expressed more independently of peer group norms. The findings suggest that different masculinities and the expression of emotions are intricately intertwined and that managing emotions is vital for wellbeing. The present findings also showed that both shame and pride were significantly associated with SRH, and furthermore, that there seems to be a protective effect of experiencing pride for health (paper III). The results also demonstrated that SSS is strongly related to SRH, and high SRH is related to high SSS, and further that the positioning was done in a gendered space (paper IV). Results from all studies suggest that the emotional and relational aspects, as well as perceived SSS, were strongly related to SRH. Positive emotions, trustful relationships and having a sense of belonging were important factors for health and pride was an important emotion protecting health. Physical health, on the other hand, had a more subordinated value, but the body was experienced as an important tool to achieve health. Even though health was mainly perceived in a holistic manner by the boys, there were boys who were prone to dichotomise the health experience into a mind-body dualism when having to deal with difficult emotions. In conclusion, this thesis demonstrates that young, masculine health is largely experienced through emotions and relationships between individuals and their contexts affected by gendered practices. Health is to feel and function well in mind and body and to have trusting relationships. The results support theories on health as a social construction of interconnected processes. Having confidence in self-esteem, access to trustful relationships and the courage to resist traditional masculine norms while still reinforcing and maintaining social status are all conducive to good health. Researchers as well as professionals need to consider the complexity of adolescent boys’ health in which norms, values, relationships and gender form its social determinants. Those working with young boys should encourage them to integrate physical, social and emotional aspects of health into an interconnected and holistic experience.