Efeito agudo do exercício aeróbio vigoroso sobre as funções executivas em adolescentes

Executive functions are determinant cognitive processes for student success, since they execute and control complex cognitive activities such as reasoning, planning and solving problems. The development of the executive functions performances begin early at childhood going through the adolescence until adulthood, concomitant with the neuroanatomical, functional and blood perfusion changes over the brain. In this scenario, exercise has been considered an important environmental factor for neurodevelopment, as well as for the promotion of cognitive and brain health. However, there are no large scientific studies investigating the effects of a single vigorous aerobic exercise session on executive functions in adolescents. Objective: To verify the acute effect of vigorous aerobic exercise on executive functions in adolescents. Methods: A randomized controlled trial (RCT) with crossover design was used. 20 pubescent from both sexes/gender with age between 10 and 16 years were submitted to two sessions of 30min each: 1) The aerobic exercise session intensity was between 65 and 75% of heart rate reserve, in which 5min for warm-up, 20min at the target intensity and 5min of cool down; and 2) control session watching cartoons. The computerized Stroop test – Testinpacs and trail making test were used to evaluate the inhibitory control and cognitive flexibility assessment respectively, before and after both experimental and control sessions. The reaction time (RT) and number of errors (n) of Stroop test were recorded. The total time (TT) and the number of errors (n) of the trail making test were also recorded. Results: The control session’s RT did not present significant differences in the Stroop test. On the other hand, the exercise session’s RT decreased significantly (p<0.01) after the session. The number of errors made at the Stroop test had no significant differences in control and exercise sessions. The ΔTT of trail making test of exercise session was significantly (p<0.001) lower than the control session’s. Errors made in trail making test did not show significant differences between control and exercise sessions. Additionally, there was significant and positive association among the Stroop test ΔRT of exercise session with xiii chronological age (r= 0.635, p=0.001; r 2 = 0.404, p=0.003) and sexual maturation (rs= 0.580, p=0.007; r 2 = 0.408, p=0.002). Differently, there was no association among the control session ΔRT and chronological age (r= – 0.144, p=0.273; r 2 = 0.021, p=0.545) or sexual maturation (rs= –0.155, p=0.513; r 2 = 0.015, p=0.610). Conclusion: Vigorous aerobic exercise seems to improve acutely executive functions in adolescents. The effect of exercise on inhibitory control performance was associated to pubertal stage and chronological age. In other words, the benefits of exercise were more evident in early adolescence (↑ ΔRT) and its magnitude decreases along the growing up process.

Age and gender differences in the relation between self-concept facets and self-esteem

This study tested whether the gender intensification hypothesis applies to relations between multiple domain-specific self-concept facets and self-esteem. This hypothesis predicts gender-stereotypic differences in these relations and assumes they intensify with age. Furthermore, knowledge about gender-related or age-related differences in self-concept-self-esteem relations might provide valuable knowledge for designing effective self-esteem enhancement interventions. We investigated grade and gender differences in the relations between domain-specific self-concept facets and self-esteem within a sample of 1958 German students in Grades 3 to 6. Results indicated no difference in the self-concept - self-esteem relations between the subsamples of third and fourth graders and fifth and sixth graders or between boys and girls. These relations also did not differ between boys and girls in the subsamples of third and fourth graders and fifth and sixth graders. These results suggest self-concept-self-esteem relations to be invariant across grade levels and gender and thus did not support the gender intensification hypothesis.

A pré-adolescencia e as imagos parentais – um estudo Longitudinal

Dissertação de Mestrado apresentada ao Instituto Superior de Psicologia Aplicada para obtenção de grau de Mestre na especialidade de Psicologia Clínica.

Comportamentos agressivos e de oposição em pré-adolescentes: Estudo comparativo entre géneros

Dissertação de Mestrado apresentada ao Instituto Superior de Psicologia Aplicada para obtenção de grau de Mestre na especialidade de Psicologia Clínica.

Validação da security scale para a população portuguesa: Análise fatorial confirmatória e estudo empírico davinculação na pré-adolescência

Dissertação de Mestrado apresentada no ISPA – Instituto Universitário para obtenção do grau de Mestre em Psicologia especialidade de Psicologia Clínica.

Representação e relação com o padrasto na pré-adolescência feminina

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

A multidimensionalidade da adaptação escolar na pré-adolescência

A presente investigação procura fomentar a reflexão e a compreensão do fenómeno da adaptação escolar. Partindo da exploração da literatura e de um conjunto de pressupostos teóricos de ordem desenvolvimental e ecológica, foi concetualmente delineado e testado um modelo multidimensional de adaptação escolar na pré-adolescência. O modelo examina principalmente dimensões sociais, mas também a dimensão académica e o nível socioeconómico familiar, propondo uma visão integrada da adaptação escolar. O estudo empírico desenvolveu-se junto de 706 estudantes pré-adolescentes e avaliou as perceções do próprio estudante e as perceções dos professores e pares acerca da competência social dos estudantes. O teste empírico ao Modelo de Adaptação Escolar evidencia um ajustamento global razoável, suportando as associações preconizadas entre as componentes da competência social e entre estas componentes sociais e a realização académica e o nível socioeconómico e cultural da família. Estes resultados sublinham a necessidade de considerar múltiplas facetas na avaliação e promoção da adaptação escolar, reconhecendo-se que esta engloba especialmente conexões entre a competência social e realização académica do estudante. Estes resultados serão ainda alvo de reflexão e discussão, sendo extraídas implicações para a investigação, teoria e intervenção.

Etapas de cambio comportamental frente al consumo de drogas ilegales, tabaco y alcohol en escolares de 9 a 17 años de Bogotá – Colombia

Objetivo: El propósito del estudio fue describir estadísticamente las etapas de cambio comportamental frente al consumo de sustancias psicoactivas –SPA– (alcohol, tabaco y drogas ilegales) en escolares entre 9 y 17 años de Bogotá- Colombia, pertenecientes al estudio FUPRECOL. Método: Se trata de un estudio descriptivo y transversal en 6.965 niños y adolescentes entre 9 y 17 años, pertenecientes a 24 instituciones educativas oficiales de Bogotá - Colombia. La medición de los procesos de cambio propuestos por el Modelo Transteórico (MTT), aplicados al consumo de drogas, tabaco y alcohol se aplicaron de manera auto-diligenciada mediante un cuestionario estructurado. Resultados: De la muestra evaluada, el 58,4% fueron mujeres con un promedio de edad 12,74 ± 2.38 años. En la población en general, frente al consumo de drogas, el 6% de los escolares se encontraban en etapa de pre-contemplación, 44 % en contemplación; 30% en preparación/acción, 20% en mantenimiento. Con relación al consumo de alcohol, el 5% de los niños y adolescentes se encontraban en etapa de pre-contemplación, 36 % en contemplación; 12% en preparación/acción, 46% en mantenimiento. Frente al tabaco, el 4% de los niños y adolescentes se encontraban en etapa de pre-contemplación, 33 % en contemplación; 12% en preparación/acción, 51% en mantenimiento. Conclusiones: En los escolares evaluados, un importante porcentaje se ubica en la etapa de mantenimiento frente a la intención de consumo de tabaco y alcohol. Frente al consumo de drogas ilegales los niños y adolescentes están en la etapa de contemplación. Se requieren esfuerzos mayores para fomentar programas preventivos que enseñen sobre el riesgo del abuso/dependencia de este tipo de sustancias psicoactiva sobre la salud; dándole prioridad en las agendas y políticas públicas dentro del ámbito escolar.

Alcohol consumption in late adolescence and early adulthood - where is the problem?

Risky single-occasion drinking (RSOD) is more common in late adolescence and early adulthood (approximately between the ages of 16 and 30) than in any other period in life. This is also the age when young people in Switzerland and many other European countries are legally allowed to buy and drink alcohol, but they usually do not yet have adult responsibilities. This paper reviews evidence from the international literature and provides examples of studies conducted in Switzerland demonstrating that (a) RSOD is by far most prevalent on Saturday evenings followed by Friday evenings, usually because young people go out and do not have any work or study responsibilities the next day; (b) RSOD results from drinking in private before going out ("predrinking") and accelerating the pace of drinking (i.e. increasing the number of drinks consumed per hour); (c) RSOD is often not accidental but purposeful,. to seek excitement, to have fun and to feel the effects of alcohol; (d) RSOD occurs predominantly outside the home, mostly in bars, pubs, discos or at special events and festivals; (e) RSOD often results in intended and unintended injuries and other acute consequences, which are leading risk factors for mortality and morbidity in this age group. Effective prevention strategies should include attempts to reduce opportunities to engage in heavy drinking as well as strategies to reduce its harmful consequences.

Genetic origin of the relationship between parental negativity and behavior problems from early childhood to adolescence: A longitudinal genetically sensitive study.

Little is known about how genetic and environmental factors contribute to the association between parental negativity and behavior problems from early childhood to adolescence. The current study fitted a cross-lagged model in a sample consisting of 4,075 twin pairs to explore (a) the role of genetic and environmental factors in the relationship between parental negativity and behavior problems from age 4 to age 12, (b) whether parent-driven and child-driven processes independently explain the association, and (c) whether there are sex differences in this relationship. Both phenotypes showed substantial genetic influence at both ages. The concurrent overlap between them was mainly accounted for by genetic factors. Causal pathways representing stability of the phenotypes and parent-driven and child-driven effects significantly and independently account for the association. Significant but slight differences were found between males and females for parent-driven effects. These results were highly similar when general cognitive ability was added as a covariate. In summary, the longitudinal association between parental negativity and behavior problems seems to be bidirectional and mainly accounted for by genetic factors. Furthermore, child-driven effects were mainly genetically mediated, and parent-driven effects were a function of both genetic and shared-environmental factors.

Escalation and deceleration of offending behaviours from adolescence to early adulthood

Relatively little longitudinal research is available in Australia to describe I the age/crime relationship in much detail, particularly patterns of offending occurring during the transition from adolescence to early adulthood. This paper addresses this issue using self-reported criminal involvement from a school-based sample, a group of socially disadvantaged individuals, and a group of officially identified offenders. The findings support the widespread research that rates of offending peak during adolescence, at which time offending is widespread, and that the criminal career is of relatively short duration. However, the results also demonstrate that the age/crime curve is not a unitary phenomenon. The type of offending behaviour being considered, the gender of the population, and the perpetrator's exposure to the criminal justice system contribute to the variability in the curve. In this study, the prevalence and mean level of overall offending for the total sample was higher during early adulthood than adolescence for vehicle offences and drug-use, rates of theft were similar in both periods, and vandalism and serious offending were lower. In addition, socially disadvantaged young people reported involvement in crime that peaked and desisted earlier in the life course compared to the school-based sample, and gender differences within these groups were also found. For the school-based sample, offending for females began and desisted earlier than for males, but within the at-risk group, the opposite was true. Implications for crime-prevention programming are discussed.

The functional impact of developmental co-ordination disorder during adolescence and early adult life

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to increase the understanding of the functional impact that coordination problems have during adolescence and early adult life. In particular, this study aimed to investigate the impact coordination deficits have on day-to-day functioning, activity levels, self-concept with respect to coordination, leisure pursuits, occupational types, accidents and injuries, as well as experiences learning to drive. RELEVANCE: This study may enable clinicians to identify at risk situations, such that appropriate prevention and targeting of treatment can occur. SUBJECTS: The participants involved in this study comprised two groups; 40 subjects previously diagnosed with DCD, and their matched controls. METHODS: Participants were initially contacted by mail for their consent to the study. Consenting participants were then contacted via telephone, and interviewed. ANALYSES: Data analysis was performed using SPSS. Chi squared analysis and Mann Whitney U test was also used to compare groups. RESULTS: During both age periods, the number of DCD subjects participating in sport was significantly less than the number of controls. Although in the 12-14 years age category, the two groups displayed similar results for the type of sport chosen, the 18 – 20 years age group, showed significant differences, with the number of DCD subjects participating in High level coordination activities, being significantly less than controls. Self-perception with respect to coordination was also significantly different amongst groups with more DCD subjects, having perceived themselves as being clumsy. Similarly, a significantly greater number of DCD subjects admitted to tripping over themselves regularly. Some differences have also been noted in the experiences of subjects learning to drive. First, the number of DCD subjects, who had difficulties learning to drive was significantly greater than controls. Second, a much greater number of Control subjects, compared to DCD subjects were successful in obtaining drivers license. Finally, also of interest is the 58% of DCD subjects who have experienced an accident whilst driving, compared to the 35% of controls. The last result of this study was that whilst there was no significant difference between groups, in the number of broken bones, dislocated joints, sprain, burns, stitches, or other significant injuries, the number of control subjects suffering muscle strains was significantly greater than the number of DCD subjects. CONCLUSION: The results of this study indicate that DCD has many implications on day-to-day functioning, both in adolescence and early adulthood. Findings have shown despite the significant sensory-motor deficits displayed by DCD subjects, the impact that this has on day-to-day functioning may be reduced by lifestyle modification.

The impact of childhood residential mobility on mental health outcomes in adolescence and early adulthood: a record linkage study.

Background Understanding the causes of poor mental health in early childhood and adolescence is important as this can be a significant determinant of mental well-being in later years. One potential and relatively unexplored factor is residential mobility in formative years. Previous studies have been relatively small and potentially limited due to methodological issues. The main aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between early residential instability and poor mental health among adolescents and young adults in Northern Ireland.

Methods A Census-based record linkage study of 28% of children aged 0–8 years in 2001 in Northern Ireland (n=49 762) was conducted, with six monthly address change assessments from health registration data and self-reported mental health status from the 2011 Census. Logistic regression models were built adjusting for socioeconomic status (SES), household composition and marital dissolution.

Results There was a graded relationship between the number of address changes and mental ill-health (adjusted OR 3.67, 95% CIs 2.11 to 6.39 for 5 or more moves). This relationship was not modified by SES or household composition. Marital dissolution was associated with poor mental health but did not modify the relationship between address change and mental health (p=0.206). There was some indication that movement after the age of five was associated with an increased likelihood of poor mental health.

Conclusions This large study clearly confirms the close relationship between address change in early years and later poor mental health. Residential mobility may be a useful marker for children at risk of poorer mental health in adolescence and early adulthood

Timing and magnitude of peak height velocity and peak tissue velocities for early, average, and late maturing boys and girls

Height, weight, and tissue accrual were determined in 60 male and 53 female adolescents measured annually over six years using standard anthropometry and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Annual velocities were derived, and the ages and magnitudes of peak height and peak tissue velocities were determined using a cubic spline fit to individual data. Individuals were rank ordered on the basis of sex and age at peak height velocity (PHV) and then divided into quartiles: early (lowest quartile), average (middle two quartiles), and late (highest quartile) maturers. Sex- and maturity-related comparisons in ages and magnitudes of peak height and peak tissue velocities were made. Males reached peak velocities significantly later than females for all tissues and had significantly greater magnitudes at peak. The age at PHV was negatively correlated with the magnitude of PHV in both sexes. At a similar maturity point (age at PHV) there were no differences in weight or fat mass among maturity groups in both sexes. Late maturing males, however, accrued more bone mineral and lean mass and were taller at the age of PHV compared to early maturers. Thus, maturational status (early, average, or late maturity) as indicated by age at PHV is inversely related to the magnitude and late maturers for weight and fat mass in boys and girls. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 13:1-8, 2001. (C) 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.