Álcool e sociabilidade: a farra das adolescentes

The experience as a school psychologist allowed me to notice that expressions like I was like trash in the gang s barbecue , and we chatted away, only the girls, and we all got drunk , are very common in conversations between Elementary and High School students, pointing out to a concerning incidence of alcohol consumption among female adolescents. However, studies about this theme haven t gone deep in the nowadays reality these girls are living in. This study aimed at comprehending the aspects of the relation between girls and alcohol, starting from the point that exaggerated consumption indicates introductory rituals for some groups, making social relations easier and becoming a sociability factor. To give this study some support, a questionnaire was applied to 1028 female teenagers, between 12 and 18 years old, students in private schools in Natal, capital of Rio Grande do Norte. The context chosen for the development of the study - private schools -, arose from the notion that the majority of the data collection carried out about alcohol and other psychotropic drugs aim at public school students. The instrument used was divided in two parts, one that treated about the first contact with alcohol (experimentation), and other that points to the current relation with alcoholic beverages, with 27 closed questions but nevertheless with available space for manifestation like if other; which?, applied collectively in classrooms. The data received a statistic treatment from SPSS and showed that the first contact with alcoholic beverage happens in domestic environment, having parents and friends as companions, very precociously, around 10 years of age, as curiosity. At this moment, Ice drink is the most consumed beverage. The main reason that leads them to drink is to pass the time in parties, and they don t drink alone (93% of students researched), what gives alcohol this recreational and socializing characteristic. They do consider alcohol a kind of drug, but are not afraid of getting addicted. People that drink usually show to be extroverted, they get happier (40,3%) and are not shy at all (29,4%), have attitudes of moral character, like to get involved with unknown boys (18,5%), get numb (9,9%), or get sad (1,9%). They label as vulgar the girls that drink, depending on the amount, and to be stimulated by the boys to drink. The study shows that systematic interventions of the school are necessary, once it is an institution that should care about education and personality traits of children and adolescents, as well as the important role of the psychologist in this context. Besides, it claims the society to get effectively involved with the public policies that already exist

A água nossa de cada dia : percepção, uso e predisposições comportamentais de alunos do ensino médio de Natal, Rio Grande do Norte

Embora a escassez de água seja reconhecida como um dos principais problemas mundiais a ser enfrentado pela humanidade, padrões comportamentais ecologicamente insustentáveis ainda persistem. Assim, o objetivo deste estudo foi analisar determinantes do comportamento pró-ambiental relativo à água, bem como os significados que lhe são atribuídos por alunos do ensino médio do Centro Federal de Educação Tecnológica do Rio Grande do Norte, em Natal. Compuseram a amostra de conveniência 315 estudantes, 146 mulheres e 169 homens, que responderam a um questionário sobre uso e percepção da água, contendo também indicadores de pró-ambientalismo, cuidado ambiental, desenvolvimento sustentável, perspectiva temporal, externalidades e coletivismo, além de inquérito sócio-demográfico. Para os participantes, água é sinônimo de vida, muito embora a relação que mantém com ela parece dúbia e, muito mais funcional que ecológica; consideram-na um recurso finito, um patrimônio indispensável à vida, contudo não foi observada coerência entre as concepções manifestadas e os comportamentos auto-relatados de uso da água. Os resultados encontrados apontaram preditores importantes do comportamento pró-ambiental relativo à água: sexo do respondente, Escala Novo Paradigma Ecológico e deixar forma de contato para participar de campanhas futuras. Seja para aprofundamento teórico em novos estudos, seja para auxiliar na elaboração de programas de educação ambiental, que poderiam contribuir para inibir os efeitos de uma cultura de consumo e de uma visão utilitarista da água, ampliando esforços individuais e coletivos para a preservação de bens comuns, como a água. Palavras-chave: psicologia ambiental; sustentabilidade; água; comportamento próambiental. x xi Abstract Although water scarcity is recognized as one of the main world-wide problems to be faced by human kind, ecologically unsustainable patterns of behavior still persist. Thus, the objective of this study was to analyze pro-environmental behavior related to water, as well as meanings associated to it by high school students of Federal Center of Technological Education of Rio Grande do Norte, in Natal. The convenience sample was composed by 315 students, 146 women and 169 men, who answered a questionnaire about use and perception of water, containing indicators of proenvironmentalism, environmental care, sustainable development, time perspective, externalities and collectivism, besides socio-demographic items. According to participants, water is synonymous of life, even though the relationship they present with it is ambiguous, much more functional than ecological; they consider it a finite resource, an indispensable life patrimony, however there was no coherence between such conceptions and the self-reported behaviors of water use. Results indicated three important predictors of pro-environmental behavior: sex of respondent, New Ecological Paradigm Scale and telephone/address left for eventual contact to participate in future environmental campaigns. They may be used in additional studies for theoretical development, or to assist in the planning of programs of environmental education, aimed at the inhibition of the effects of a culture of consumption and of an utilitarian perception of water, extending individual and collective efforts towards the preservation of common resources as water

Um enfoque psicológico da educação ambiental no contexto da gestão: uma experiência de Fernando de Noronha

Currently, many companies pay attention to the necessities of change of attitude in relation to the use of the natural resources and the environment quality of its products, mainly to keep a positive and competitive image in the market. This new concept of management associates the productive activities to the care with environment using the education of environment as a tool of programs of qualification directed toward the promotion of pro-environment behaviors. For effectiveness of this management it is essential the attachment of the employees and the major understanding of the importance of the preservation of the environment. This was the objective of the qualification process carried out in a lodge in Fernando de Noronha island. The purpose of this study, therefore, was to verify the power of this management system which fulfills the objectives of the environmental education. It was applied questionnaires to employees of three Inns and carried out a interview, in one Inn, with the participants of the program of qualification. The analysis of the data showed that the actions as care with the environment are strongly associates to the management system, which includes garbage control, as well water economy. It was observed that the environment accomplishment (EcoAntro) of the employees with environment decreases in proportion to their qualification. In the same way, as higher the instruction level, of the speaker and/or of the father, less is the apathy for environmental questions. It was also noticed that the knowledge about the development sustainability was very poorly used by the interviewed. The pro-environment behavior mentioned before, is not necessarily related to a local autonomy posture that could express a behavior related to job but not to environment it self. Therefore, a complete understanding about the reverberation of environment information an all the placed factors in a life stile facing a construction of sustainability remains as a question to be studied in future researches

Abordagem clínica da atividade de trabalho do cozinheiro: interação de saberes, gênero profissional e inovação criativa

The focus of this dissertation is the study of work activities developed in the context of professional occupations characterized by varied previous schooling levels amongst those that work in them, and, at the same time, a high degree of complexity related to the typical tasks performed in the context of such professional practices. This dissertation intends to investigate the cook s professional activity, based on data from a determined specific professional genre in Natal (RN), in order to establish aspects related not only to the activity performed (activity which manifests itself empirically in registered behaviors), but also related to the real aspects of the work activity, that also compromises the non-realized options of the guiding of professional activity, be it by a matter of choice, be it due to the activity s own impediment. In this context, we tried to evaluate how much the professional activity observed keeps in relation to the reference practices of the professional genre, be it in terms of conformity, be it in terms of innovation (stylization) in relation to this genre. In addition, we tried to verify the contribution of the school and extra-school knowledge to the professional activity observed. Such work plan took on a preliminary step of the description of the socialprofessional profile of a cook in the city of Natal (RN), followed by a step of clinical labor approach, specifically utilizing as a methodological tool the simple and crossed self-confrontation procedure guided by the francophone theoretical referential of the Activity Clinic. The preliminary step in the description of profile of cooks from Natal (RN), of which 138 cooks took part in, evidenced three professional groupings, all predominantly masculine in their composition and fundamentally differentiated amongst each other by the time of professional activity, schooling type and time, work place and salary. The clinical approach step, composed by a pair of cooks, allowed us to verify elements of the cooks subordination to the professional genre, but also evidences of individual innovation (stylization) by these cooks, as well as the predominance of usage of extra-school knowledge when compared to school knowledge. We tried, in this step, to demonstrate how much the inclusion and submission to the genre dynamic, coordinated with the stylization initiatives, was able to contribute to the maintenance and amplification of the cook s power of acting in his professional practice.

A Água nossa de cada dia: percepção, uso e predisposições comportamentais de alunos do ensino médio de Natal, Rio Grande do Norte

Although water scarcity is recognized as one of the main world-wide problems to be faced by human kind, ecologically unsustainable patterns of behavior still persist. Thus, the objective of this study was to analyze pro-environmental behavior related to water, as well as meanings associated to it by high school students of Federal Center of Technological Education of Rio Grande do Norte, in Natal. The convenience sample was composed by 315 students, 146 women and 169 men, who answered a questionnaire about use and perception of water, containing indicators of proenvironmentalism, environmental care, sustainable development, time perspective, externalities and collectivism, besides socio-demographic items. According to participants, water is synonymous of life, even though the relationship they present with it is ambiguous, much more functional than ecological; they consider it a finite resource, an indispensable life patrimony, however there was no coherence between such conceptions and the self-reported behaviors of water use. Results indicated three important predictors of pro-environmental behavior: sex of respondent, New Ecological Paradigm Scale and telephone/address left for eventual contact to participate in future environmental campaigns. They may be used in additional studies for theoretical development, or to assist in the planning of programs of environmental education, aimed at the inhibition of the effects of a culture of consumption and of an utilitarian perception of water, extending individual and collective efforts towards the preservation of common resources as water

O acolhimento como promoção da saúde entre pacientes com câncer

Cancer has been affecting people all around the world; disregard sex, ethnicity or social class. Despite the fact it is not always deadly, to be diagnosed and treated of cancer brings a lot of physical, emotional and social suffering, specially for those with less economic resources. Considering the complexity of the problem, there has been perceived that medical treatment is not enough to support cancer patients. There is an increasing understanding about their necessity of integral care, supposed to be given by a multidisciplinary health care equip that can consider all the different aspects involved in the illness process. Everyone has a particular way of been ill or healthy, and gives different meanings to the experienced events. The starting point of the research was the contact with a called work `group of shelter', developed with cancer patients by a multidisciplinary health care equip working on the LIGA Norte Riograndense Contra o Câncer. The research goal is to identify meanings people give to the shelter they receive in the group and to understand the way they experience the disease. Considering it singularity of this process, one worked with individually half-structuralized interviews, carried through with nine patients of the chemotherapy clinics and suck, that they had passed for the experience of the group of shelter, having approached getting ill, the treatment, the shelter and the recreation of the psychosocial processes (or not) after all this process. It was chosen as focus of analysis the creation of psychosocial processes and production of felt of these social actors through its discourse analysis perspective, boarded in accordance with the following thematic axles: the experience of the cancer, the shelter and recreation of the psychosocial processes the life. It was found that shelter has an extensive meaning going beyond the the group and involving others besides the multidisciplinary health care equip, and being important to give each patient the best possible benefit. It was also identified the importance of other social actors, such as relatives, friends and neighbors; added of religious faith, mentioned by all interviewees. It is to be considered the recovering capacity shown by eight interviewees, demonstrated by changing the way of interacting with others, getting new values and behaviors, and demonstrating more wisdom. We can consider the possibility of making this strategy to become part of the everyday practices of others health services working with cancer patients, what we think can help to minimize their suffering

Orientação familiar e seus efeitos na gagueira infantil

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Aspectos clínicos e laboratoriais em ovinos submetidos a dietas com níveis elevados de enxofre com objetivo de indução de polioencefalomalácia

A polioencefalomalacia (PEM) é uma doença neurológica que acomete ruminantes e pode ser desencadeada por diversos fatores, dentre eles o consumo excessivo de enxofre. Este trabalho teve como objetivo verificar a relação entre dietas ricas em enxofre, altos níveis de gás sulfídrico ruminal e a ocorrência de polioencefalomalácia em ovinos. Foram utilizados 18 ovinos, divididos em três grupos (G1, G2 e G3) que receberam diferentes níveis de enxofre na dieta; 0,2%, 0,9% e 1,2%, respectivamente. Exames físicos (frequência cardíaca, frequência respiratória, temperatura retal e motricidade ruminal) e complementares (concentração de sulfeto de hidrogênio ruminal, hemogasometria venosa, pH do fluído ruminal, concentração de cobre sérico e hepático, tomografia computadorizada, necropsia e histopatologia) foram realizados. A temperatura retal, a hemogasometria venosa e o pH do fluido ruminal permaneceram dentro dos valores de referência para a espécie. A motricidade ruminal estava diminuída nos grupos G2 e G3 em comparação com o G1 (controle). Quanto maior a ingestão de enxofre, menores foram os níveis de cobre sérico e hepático. Valores elevados de sulfeto de hidrogênio ruminal foram detectados nos grupos G2 e G3. Nenhum animal apresentou sinais clínicos de PEM. Nos exames de tomografia computadorizada, necropsia e exame histopatológico do sistema nervoso central (SNC), não foram observadas alterações compatíveis com PEM. É provável que algum outro fator esteja associado ao excesso de enxofre na dieta para o desenvolvimento de PEM em ovinos.

Comportamento hemodinâmico e metabólico do choque hemorrágico: estudo experimental no cão

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: Diversos modelos experimentais têm sido utilizados para ilustrar as alterações hemodinâmicas e metabólicas que ocorrem durante o choque hemorrágico. O objetivo da pesquisa é o de observar os comportamentos hemodinâmicos e metabólicos que acontecem em um modelo seqüencial e progressivo de choque hemorrágico no cão, verificando quais índices alteram-se mais precocemente. MÉTODO: O estudo foi realizado em 13 cães sob anestesia venosa total com pentobarbital sódico, em normoventilação e previamente esplenectomizados. Os animais não foram hidratados e a velocidade do sangramento foi ditada pela pressão arterial em que o animal se encontrava. Os atributos estudados foram divididos em hemodinâmicos (freqüência cardíaca - FC, pressão arterial média - PAM, índice de resistência vascular sistêmica - IRVS, índice sistólico - IS, índice cardíaco - IC, índice de choque - I.choque, índice de trabalho sistólico do ventrículo esquerdo - ITSVE, pressão capilar pulmonar - PCP, pressão venosa central - PVC) e metabólicos (saturação venosa mista - SvO2, pressão venosa de oxigênio - PvO2, transporte de oxigênio - DO2, consumo de oxigênio - VO2, extração de oxigênio - TEO2, lactato sérico). A coleta de dados e os atributos foram estudados em 6 momentos distintos, sendo M1, o momento controle e os outros momentos correspondentes a decréscimos gradativos de 10% da volemia calculada para cada animal. RESULTADOS: A hemorragia determinou diminuição significativa da FC somente em M6; queda da PAM, IC, IS e ITSVE a cada momento estudado; discreta alteração da PVC e PCP em cada momento; diminuição da PvO2 e da SvO2 nos momentos estudados; redução do DO2, estabilização do VO2 e elevação da TEO2 nos momentos; o índice de choque apresentou elevação até M3, diminuição em M4 e nova elevação até M6; o IRVS elevou-se até M6, ficou inalterado em M5 e apresentou diminuição significativa em M6; o lactato apresentou elevações a partir de M5 e M6. CONCLUSÕES: Considerou-se que a pressão arterial média, freqüência cardíaca, pressão venosa central e pressão capilar pulmonar não refletem o real estado volêmico dos cães no nosso modelo experimental e que o transporte, consumo e a taxa de extração de oxigênio são parâmetros úteis na determinação da reversibilidade e prognóstico do choque hemorrágico.

Protozoários de vida livre em dois trechos da bacia hidrográfica do rio pirangi (RN): relações com a educação em ciências e preservação

The vast hidric wealth of Brazil gets its watersheds more susceptible to impacts that compromise the water quality, affecting the ecosystem stability of aquatic environments. The decrease in the quality of water resources also results in a decrease of its multiple uses, especially in tourist areas of the coast, where the continuous flow of people to these sites increases even further the probability of inappropriate behavior of both tourists and local residents. Studies regarding the microbiological communities are still scarce, especially on the free-living protozoa that play unique roles in the food chain of aquatic ecosystems. Due to the large role played by this group of microorganisms in aquatic environments, the present study aimed at identifying the genus and species of free-living protozoa present in two sections of the Pium River, east coast of Rio Grande do Norte, making an association between the its occurrence and trophic conditions of the environment in which they are, also checking the bioindicator capacity of these organisms in water quality. It also aimed to conduct a survey with students to identify the main difficulties regarding the knowledge of free-living protozoa and hydric transmission diseases in two public schools near the river studied in the Pium district, county of Parnamirim. The survey was analyzed by means of questionnaires at both schools. Students identified several activities developed Pium river, highlighting its multifunctionality and importance to the region. A total of 76 taxa of free-living protozoa was recorded, of these, 33 were ciliates, 19 flagellates and 24 sarcodia. The spatial and temporal patterns of these organisms to both points studied revealed the bioindicator potentiality of some effective species identified. However, knowledge about the free-living protozoa proved quite lagged, presenting misconceptions that show them as pathogenic organisms exclusively, totally disregarding their ecological role. In order to remedy the flaws existing in students in relation to the functional role of protozoa, workshops were planned on these microorganisms while also addressing issues related to hydric transmission diseases through lectures, recreational activities and interactive presentations. These practical activities of Science Education had the goal of bringing students the context of local water resources, aiming to promote a greater clarification regarding of the functional role of free-living protozoa in aquatic environments

Adaptação sociocultural de gestores espanhóis expatriados no Brasil

This study aims at understanding how sociocultural adjustment occurs in the case of managers, and their spouses, expatriated to Brazil by private and public Spanish organizations. To do so, it adopts as main theoretical frame the expatriate adaptation model proponed by Parker & McEvoy (1993), based on Black, Mendenhall & Oddou s model (1991), which establishes three dimensions of adaptation: adjustment to work; adjustment to general environment and adjustment to interaction with host country nationals. This work, of exploratory and descriptive nature, used field research to gather primary data subsequently analyzed with a qualitative approach. Data collection came from individual in-depth interviews with three Spanish managers expatriated in Brazil and two of their spouses. Resulting data were analyzed through one of content analysis procedures, thematic analysis. This research shows that adjustment is obstructed by cultural distance or cultural novelty rather than by work role characteristics, being more successful in expatriates that carry previous solid sociocultural knowledge about host country. It also verifies that the degree of expatriate adjustment is enhanced by the comprehension of cultural differences that originate values and behaviors different from those of the expatriate. It points out that individual factors such as perception and relation skills, flexibility, empathy and self-efficacy are positively linked to the three dimensions of adjustment: work, general adjustment and interaction adjustment. It finds expatriate adjustment to be lowered by spouse unsuccessful adjustment and shows that location in an environment perceived as short in key infrastructures is negatively linked to adjustment in expatriates coming from strongly urban environments. It concludes that expatriate adjustment occurs through progressive understanding of host country environment and through comprehension of the sociocultural context that explains differences between host country behaviors and values and those from the country of origin, a process which is favored by expatriate individual characteristics not directly linked to his/her technical qualification, such as perception and relation skills, flexibility and empathy, together with solid sociocultural knowledge about the host country. This research propones, therefore, that organizations involved in expatriation processes should include in their selection criteria the degree to which candidates possess personal characteristics and sociocultural knowledge that may facilitate adaptation

Empreendedorismo social e protagonismo juvenil: a estratégia socioeducativa do projeto Oasis de intervivência universitária

This dissertation aims to analyze the strategy of socio Intervivência University Project OASIS training of community development from the perspective of social entrepreneurship. This project was part of the context of a sort of university extension, called Intervivência University, which emerged in 2008 through the announcement MCT / CNPq / CT-Agribusiness / MDA - No. 23/2008 - Intervivência University Program. With the analysis of the OASIS project sought to identify a strategy socio, which was used elements of popular education and aimed to develop young people within the social entrepreneurship that made contributions to such has taken actions in their communities seeking range of social gains. For this, the methodological aspect, it was used in the research, a qualitative approach, case study, content analysis, semi-structured interviews and non-participant observation. In the theoretical aspect was addressed in the affairs of: social entrepreneurship, with emphasis on the concept, their differentiations of business entrepreneurship and social responsibility, and characterizing the social entrepreneur, popular education, as for the development of social entrepreneurship is the need for a new way of thinking and seeing reality for the people, and youth leadership, given the importance in the context of social action, to have young people seeking a better life for their communities. Addressed the theory were drawn categories (capital, empowerment and youth participation) and subcategories of analysis (value, attitude, behavior, trust, cooperation, civic participation) used in this work. Given the information and analysis of interviews and observations could be perceived that the strategy promoted socio Project OASIS changes, or the reaffirmation of values, resulting in new attitudes and, consequently, new behaviors in the students interviewed. Has been identified in them the development of trust and cooperation. In the aspect of civic awakening was observed in some of them only. In relation to juvenile activity was perceived to develop actions aimed at social benefits for all respondents. Thus, the OASIS Project Intervivência University made contributions to the young participants in the research aspect of social entrepreneurship, influencing them in developing activities in the social sphere in which cities are embedded

Os farofeiros em excursão nas lagoas de Arituba, Boágua e Carcará (Nísia Floresta/RN): análise de uma outra face do turismo potiguar

This thesis analyzes another side of Potiguar tourism , the unplanned side, neglected and kept out of touristic activities: excursionism, a leisure practice enjoyed by tourists with low consumer power, and who are commonly referred by the pejorative term farofeiros (picnic lovers). The geographic research sites considered for this study include Arituba, Boágua and Carcará lakes in Nísia Florest, Rio Grande do Norte, where on Sundays and holidays the arrival of hundreds of excursionists, from around the metropolitan region of Natal, from surrounding municipalities, and neighboring States, such as Paraíba and Pernambuco, can be observed. The objective of this study is to analyze the appropriation of the physical site by the practice of excursionism, focusing on its relation to other social agents that also appropriate a designated touristic area. The theoretical discussion considers the use of the space by the touristic leisure practice and the appropriation by distinct social agents, using categories of analysis, such as, production of the space, territory and leisure. The field work was completed with interviews and questionnaires administered to excursionists, excursion organizers, local merchants, representatives of the public setor from the municipalities, and professional dune buggy drivers; besides this, photos, informal dialogue and field observations were important methodological instruments used. From the data, statistical analysis and the development of thematic maps demonstrating the established flux between excursionists and the segregated activity were done. With this research, one can affirm that the practice of excursionism is neglected by the public sector, contrary to the intention of the hegemonic agent‟s intentionality present in this touristic territory which aim at the development of a lucrative activity, geared toward tourists with greater spending power. This ignored and neglected faction of Potiguar tourism is considered poor or dirty , and generate conflicts among the distinct social agents: tourists, the market and the public sector, simultaneously peaking interest, which is then appropriated by the informal sector and formal economy. Excursionism is an expressive phenomenon, a socially relevant practice, enjoyed by citizens of the working class who, in order to have a day of leisure, use alternative consumer practices and subvert various strategies of segregation that are imposed within these tourist areas, behavior that, in part, justifies the nickname, picnic lovers , given to these tourists

Emetofobia: revisão crítica sobre um transtorno pouco estudado

INTRODUÇÃO: A emetofobia ou fobia de vômitos - que inclui o medo excessivo de vomitar ou de ver outras pessoas vomitando e pode ser desencadeado por estímulos internos e externos - é um transtorno mental complexo e pouco conhecido. OBJETIVO: Este estudo teve como objetivo levantar os conhecimentos disponíveis sobre diversos aspectos do quadro. MÉTODO: Revisão convencional da literatura dos últimos 30 anos utilizando como estratégia de busca as seguintes palavras-chave: emetofobia, emetofóbico, medo de vomitar, fobia de vomitar efobia de vômito. Foram incluídos artigos sobre epidemiologia, fenomenologia, diagnóstico diferencial e tratamento da emetofobia, assim como artigos referidos nestes. RESULTADOS: Não há dados de prevalência na população geral e pouco se sabe sobre a etiologia da emetofobia. A maioria dos estudos aponta predominância no sexo feminino, início precoce e curso crônico. Os comportamentos de esquiva podem impactar negativamente a vida ocupacional, social e familiar. Os principais diagnósticos diferenciais são: transtorno de pânico com agorafobia, fobia social, anorexia nervosa e transtorno obsessivo-compulsivo. Estudos de tratamento se resumem a relatos de casos e não há ensaios clínicos controlados, mas intervenções cognitivo-comportamentais parecem ser promissoras. CONCLUSÃO: Mais estudos são necessários para melhor compreensão sobre a epidemiologia, o quadro clínico, a etiologia, a classificação e o tratamento da emetofobia.

Health-related behavior and quality of life among the elderly: a population-based study

OBJETIVO: Analisar a associação de comportamentos saudáveis com a qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde em idosos. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal de base populacional que envolveu 1.958 idosos residentes em quatro áreas do estado de São Paulo, em 2001/2002. A qualidade de vida foi aferida com o uso do instrumento Medical Outcomes Study SF-36-Item Short Form Health Survey. As oito escalas e os dois componentes do instrumento constituíram as variáveis dependentes e as independentes foram atividade física, freqüência semanal de ingestão de bebida alcoólica e hábito de fumar. Modelos de regressão linear múltipla foram usados para controlar o efeito de sexo, idade, escolaridade, trabalho, área de residência e número de doenças crônicas. RESULTADOS: Atividade física foi positivamente associada com as oito escalas do SF-36. As maiores associações foram encontradas em aspectos físicos (β = 11,9), capacidade funcional (β = 11,3) e no componente físico. Idosos que ingeriam bebida alcoólica pelo menos uma vez por semana apresentaram melhor qualidade de vida do que os que não ingeriam. Comparados com os que nunca fumaram, os fumantes tiveram pior qualidade de vida no componente mental (β = -2,4). CONCLUSÕES: Os resultados apresentam que praticar atividade física, consumir bebida alcoólica moderadamente e não fumar são fatores positivamente associados a uma melhor qualidade de vida em idosos.