Identity of care in a Psychosocial Care Center for Children and Adolescents who uses drugs

Objective To associate the territory of identity with the production of care within a PCC focusing on children and adolescents with drug abuse and their institutional identity. Method We used the “ process tracing methodology” in four research categories: focus groups, characterization of professionals, observing the everyday and interviewing two members of emblematic cases of the service. Results territory of identity of the institution, which operates the production of care is crossed by the difficulty of dealing with the complexity brought by the users and the performance of the PCC network. This paper is also permeated by different conceptions of care and small problematization of these issues in collective spaces of service. Conclusion The discussion in focus groups and other devices can be powerful resources to reframe the meaning of care and identity of collective service.

Unwanted sexual experiences among adolescents: shedding light on the gray zone between consensual and non-consensual sex.

This study aimed at exploring adolescents' perceptions of unwanted sexual experiences (USE) in order to set up definitions, categories, and boundaries on the continuum between consensual and non-consensual sex. METHODS: We conducted a qualitative thematic analysis of four focus group discussions gathering a total of 29 male and female adolescents aged 16-20 years. RESULTS: Analysis of participants' discourse revealed three main characteristics that define USE, namely, regret, as most situations discussed were said to be acceptable or not in terms of whether there were regrets after the fact; misperception of sexual intent; and lack of communication between partners. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings revealed that health professionals should be aware of the subtle aspects identifying USE when screening for situations that can have adverse psychological consequences. Where prevention is concerned, it appears important to address these aspects of USE in sex education classes.

Testing new identity models and processes in French-speaking adolescents and emerging adults students

Developing a sense of identity is a crucial psychosocial task for young people. The purpose of this study was to evaluate identity development in French-speaking adolescents and emerging adults (in France and Switzerland) using a process-oriented model of identity formation including five dimensions (i.e., exploration in breadth, commitment making, exploration in depth, identification with commitment, and ruminative exploration). The study included participants from three different samples (total N = 2239, 66.7% women): two samples of emerging adult student and one sample of adolescents. Results confirmed the hypothesized five-factor dimensional model of identity in our three samples and provided evidence for convergent validity of the model. The results also indicated that exploration in depth might be subdivided in two aspects: a first form of exploration in depth leading to a better understanding and to an increase of the strength of current commitments and a second form of exploration in depth leading to a re-evaluation and a reconsideration of current commitments. Further, the identity status cluster solution that emerged is globally in line with previous literature (i.e., achievement, foreclosure, moratorium, carefree diffusion, diffused diffusion, undifferentiated). However, despite a structural similarity, we found variations in identity profiles because identity development is shaped by cultural context. These specific variations are discussed in light of social, educational and economic differences between France and the French-speaking part of Switzerland. Implications and suggestions for future research are offered.

Capacité de discernement des adolescents mineurs: étude qualitative sur les représentations en Suisse romande. [Minor adolescent's competence: a qualitative study about representations in Switzerland's French-speaking part]

This exploratory qualitative study run using focus groups investigates the representations in the field of adolescent confidentiality and competence. Four groups of 3 to 8 participants (two of respectively younger and older adolescents, one of parents, one of pediatricians) have participated in a hone hour and a half discussion, than transcribed verbatim and analyzed by main themes. The concept of confidentiality is well known and understood, but the legal framework which underpins it is less well identified, both among young people and adults. Also, while the participants of all four groups agree with the idea that 14 year old youngsters are usually competent, they all admit that there are circumstances in which this statement should be revisited. Physicians report that they do not feel skilled in how to evaluate competence in such specific situations.

Health risk behaviors in adolescents with chronic conditions

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to compare the frequency of risk behaviors and to measure the extent of co-occurrence of these behaviors in chronically ill and healthy adolescents. METHODS: Data were drawn from the 2002 Swiss Multicenter Adolescent Survey on Health database, a nationally representative survey of 7548 adolescents in postmandatory school aged 16 to 20 years. There were 760 subjects who reported a chronic illness and/or a disability. The comparison group consisted of 6493 subjects who answered negatively to both questions. We defined 8 risk behaviors: daily smoking, alcohol misuse, current cannabis use, current use of any other illegal drug, early sexual debut, eating disorder, violent acts, and antisocial acts. We analyzed each behavior and the sum of behaviors, controlling for age, gender, academic track, parents' education level, depression, and health status. Results are given as adjusted odds ratios using the comparison group as the reference category. RESULTS: Youth with a chronic condition were more likely to smoke daily, to be current cannabis users, and to have performed violent or antisocial acts. Youth with a chronic condition were also more likely to report 3 or >or=4 risk behaviors. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that having a chronic condition carries additional risks for engaging in health risk behaviors and emphasize the importance of health risk screening and preventive counseling for young people in general and among those suffering from chronic conditions in particular.

Transition from pediatric to adult health care: expectations of adolescents with chronic disorders and their parents.

The aim of this study was to assess the expectations of adolescents with chronic disorders with regard to transition from pediatric to adult health care and to compare them with the expectations of their parents. A cross-sectional study was carried out including 283 adolescents with chronic disorders, aged 14-25 years (median age, 16.0 years), and not yet transferred to adult health care, and their 318 parents from two university children's hospitals. The majority of adolescents and parents (64%/70%) perceived the ages of 18-19 years and older as the best time to transfer to adult health care. Chronological age and feeling too old to see a pediatrician were reported as the most important decision factors for the transfer while the severity of the disease was not considered important. The most relevant barriers were feeling at ease with the pediatrician (45%/38%), anxiety (20%/24%), and lack of information about the adult specialist and health care (18%/27%). Of the 51% of adolescents with whom the pediatric specialist had spoken about the transfer, 53% of adolescents and 69% of parents preferred a joint transfer meeting with the pediatric and adult specialist, and 24% of these adolescents declared that their health professional had offered this option. In summary, the age preference for adolescents with chronic disorders and their parents to transfer to adult health care was higher than the upper age limits for admission to pediatric health care in many European countries. Anxiety and a lack of information of both adolescents and their parents were among the most important barriers for a smooth and timely transfer according to adolescents and parents.

Is thinness more prevalent than obesity in Portuguese adolescents?

There is little information regarding the prevalence of thinness in European adolescents. This was assessed in a convenience sample of children and adolescents from the Lisbon area (Portugal). Cross-sectional study including 2494 boys and 2519 girls aged 10-18 years. Body mass index (BMI), waist and hip were measured using standardized methods; thinness was defined using international criteria. Body fat was assessed by bioelectrical impedance. In girls, prevalence of thinness, overweight and obesity were 5.6%, 19.7% and 4.7%, respectively, whereas the corresponding numbers in boys were 3.9%, 17.4% and 5.3%. Prevalence of thinness increased whereas obesity decreased with age: from 1.5% to 7.6% for thinness and from 9.2% to 3.8% for obesity in girls aged 10 and 18, respectively. In boys, the corresponding trends were from 0% to 7.3% for thinness and from 10.6% to 3% for obesity. After adjusting for age, differences were found between BMI groups for weight, body fat percentage, fat mass, lean mass, waist and hip, while no differences regarding height were found between thin and normal weight participants. The prevalence of thinness is more frequent than obesity after age 14 in girls and 16 years in boys. Thinness is associated with a decreased body weight and body fat, whereas no consistent effect on height was noted.

Relatorio de Estágio em Psicologia clínica e da saúde

O presente relatório descreve em grande parte os momentos vividos no processo de estágio curricular em Psicologia Clinica e da Saúde realizado no Hospital Dr. Baptista de Sousa no âmbito do 4º ano do curso de Psicologia ministrada pela Universidade do Mindelo. O estágio teve como objectivo integrar os conhecimentos científicos adquiridos ao longo da formação, preparando assim o futuro profissional para a função de psicólogo clinico e da saúde. Este decorreu num período de 7 meses e foi dividido em 3 fases distintas: A primeira fase, que durou cerca de um mês teve como finalidade a adaptação dos estagiários á instituição, consistindo em consultas dos processos clínicos, contacto com a equipa técnica e com os pacientes internados na enfermaria de Saúde Mental. O segundo momento, que teve uma duração de cerca de dois meses, deu-se com a realização de entrevistas aos pacientes internados na enfermaria e assistência às primeiras consultas externas. A última fase, desenrolou-se nas enfermarias de Saúde Mental, Pediatria, e Cirurgia com a realização das primeiras consultas com o propósito de se proceder a avaliação psicológica. Essa fase durou quatro meses. O presente relatório é constituído por três partes, sendo que a primeira descreve a caracterização geral do contexto institucional onde se realizou o estágio, bem como a exposição das actividades realizadas nos serviços. A segunda parte, apresenta dois estudos de casos com a devida fundamentação e compreensão. A terceira e última parte, engloba a conclusão do relatório, e algumas recomendações na perspectiva do estagiário para a melhoria do processo de estágio.

Relatorio do Estágio em Psicologia Clínica e da Saúde

Os desafios sempre têm que existir, pois, dão significados à vida. Hoje sinto-me diferente e se me perguntarem porque responderia que estou prestes a terminar mais uma etapa desafiante da minha vida e iniciar outros que supostamente vão exigir mais de mim. Durante a minha formação académica ultrapassei varias barreiras, após três anos quase praticamente assentado nas teorias de uma das ciências do comportamento chamada Psicologia, no quarto ano iniciei o estágio curricular no Instituto Cabo-verdiano da Criança e do Adolescente (ICCA) num período de 8 meses. Sendo uma parte indispensável no processo de formação do estudante, o estágio curricular teve como objectivo estabelecer a interlocução entre a formação académica e o mundo profissional, através de uma aproximação contínua entre a teoria e a realidade psico-social de crianças e adolescentes institucionalizados. Pelo facto de muitos serem provenientes de meios familiares disfuncionais e estarem inseridos no centro, houve a necessidade de desenvolver o projecto de estágio de uma forma ecológica, abrangendo a família o centro e os profissionais que trabalham mais directamente com as crianças e adolescentes. Não obstante somente isso, também tive a oportunidade de atender casos de pessoas que por uma preocupação ou outra procuram ou são encaminhados ao serviço da psicologia do ICCA para fazerem a avaliação /Intervenção psicológica ou outros serviços prestados pelo psicólogo. Inserido no 4º ano do curso de psicologia, o relatório de estágio curricular ora aqui presente decorreu entre 26 de Novembro de 2012 a 13 de Julho de 2013, orientado pela Dr.ª Zaida Morais de Freitas. A sua estrutura interna está dividida em três capítulos, sendo o primeiro o leitor encontrará uma breve caracterização dos respectivos locais de estágio, no segundo uma reflexão critica dos projectos implementados e no ultimo capitulo dois estudos de casos clínicos avaliados durante o estágio.

Relatório de Estágio em psicologia clínica

No âmbito do 4º ano do curso de psicologia, iniciei o estágio em Psicologia Clínica e da Saúde no Instituto Cabo Verdiano da Criança e do Adolescente (ICCA) e no Centro Juvenil Nhô Djunga (CJND), e o presente relatório descreve toda a vivência desse período de estágio. Sobre o termo psicologia clínica, J.-L Pedinielli, diz que a psicologia clínica apresenta para todos a particularidade de ser, simultaneamente, uma atividade prática e um conjunto de conhecimentos e dualidade. Ela não consiste nem na estrita aplicação de uma teoria numa atividade prática nem na construção de um conjunto de conhecimentos unicamente a partir da experimentação ou do raciocínio hipotético-dedutivo. O estágio decorreu durante um período de 8 meses e foi dividido em 3 fases: A primeira fase, teve como objetivo a integração dos estagiários no Instituto Cabo Verdiano da Criança e do Adolescente (ICCA). A segunda fase teve como objetivo a integração no Centro Juvenil Nhô Djunga (CJND), de acordo com as escolhas dos estagiários. A terceira e última fase foi a implementação do projeto de estágio no CJND com os intervenientes do projeto. Este relatório está constituído por 3 CAPITULOS, sendo o primeiro descrição e a caracterização geral das instituições onde se realizou o estágio. O segundo é constituído por uma reflexão das atividades realizadas nos locais de estágio O terceiro apresenta dois estudos de casos atendidos durante o estágio. Ainda como parte deste relatório temos, a conclusão, a bibliografia e os anexos que descrevem todo o trabalho feito no estágio.

Évaluation de la Pensée Constructive chez les adolescents délinquants: une approche pour comprendre les réponses inadaptées au stress

Objective: This pilot study aims at assessing Constructive Thinking in a sample of adolescent offenders and in a normative sample of adolescents. Method: 66 adolescent offenders (12-18 years) were compared to 540 control adolescents on the different subscales of the "Constructive Thinking Inventory". Results and Conclusion: Adolescent offenders show a less efficient Constructive Thinking: they show cognitive styles that may hamper their ability to take appropriate decisions when facing stressful situations, increasing self-defeating behaviors. Interventions may focus on improving adequate coping with stress.

Profile of male adolescents with conduct disorder on intellectual efficacy, cognitive flexibility, cognitive coping, impulsivity and alexithymia: a comparison with high-risk controls

Background and Objectives: To specify which of the documented cognitive and emotional deficits characterize adolescents with conduct disorder (CD) compared with high-risk controls. Methods: High-risk adolescent males with and without CD were compared on intellectual efficiency, cognitive flexibility, impulsivity, alexithymia, and cognitive coping strategies. Substance use was controlled for in analyses. Results: Both groups showed normal intellectual efficiency and cognitive flexibility, as weil as heightened alexithymia and bebavioral impulsivity. Youths with CD evidenced more self-defeating and black-and-white tbinking under stress, and more acting-out under negative affect, than those without CD. Conclusions: Deficits specifie to CD resided in facets of emotional functioning and cognitive coping that might be targeted by a coping skills intervention.

Psychological profile of adolescents with a kidney transplant.

To describe the psychological profile of renal transplant adolescents compared to healthy peers and to adolescents with CKD, three groups of adolescents aged 12-18 yr were selected: TX, CX, and adolescents with CKD. Psychiatric symptoms and disorders were evaluated through direct interviews (K-SADS-PL) and self-report questionnaires (YSR and CBCL). Forty TX (14 LRD and 26 DD transplant recipients), 40 CX and 20 CKD were included. Twelve of 40 (30%) TX, three of 20 (15%) CKD, and three of 40 (7.5%) CX had a history of learning difficulties (p = 0.03). Compared to CX, TX had lower total YSR competencies score (p = 0.028) and lower total CBCL competencies score (p = 0.003). Twenty-six of 40 (65%) TX, 12 of 20 (60%) CKD and 15 of 40 (37.5%) CX (p = 0.038) met DSM-IV diagnostic criteria for lifetime psychiatric disorder, with rates of depressive disorder of 35% among TX and CKD compared to 15.2% among CX (p = 0.043). Eight of 40 (20%) TX had a history of simple phobia. Nine of 40 (22.5%) TX met diagnostic criteria for ADHD as compared to one of 20 (5%) CKD and three of 40 (7.5%) CX. In the TX group, we found no significant differences in educational and psychiatric variables between LRD and DD. In conclusion, we found a high prevalence of psychiatric morbidity (depression, phobia, ADHD), educational impairment and social competence problems in the TX group. CKD scored in between TX and CX on most measures.