Assessing the economic costs of parental mental illness

The economics discipline is broadly concerned with the allocation of scarce societal resources in the context of unlimited societal wants. Intrinsic to economics is the concept of choice – that is, how can we best use scarce societal resources when our wants are greater than the resources available to us. If we were able to satisfy all our wants and needs with our available resources, there would be no need for the discipline of economics! In most economies, markets are used to make these decisions. Markets are basically a mechanism whereby consumers and producers interact in such a way that the “best” allocation of resources is thought to occur. This “best” allocation of resources in economics is said to be an efficient allocation. Efficiency basically assumes that the correct types of services are being produced (allocative efficiency) in the least resource-intensive way (technical efficiency). Inherent within all these concepts is not just cost but also the benefit derived from the consumption of different goods and services. A central tenant of economics is the concept of opportunity cost whereby the true cost of any given action (or service) is the benefit which would have been attained if the resources used in providing that action or service were used in an alternative way. Therefore, both costs and benefits are central to the economic way of thinking. Contrary to much public perception, economics is not necessarily about cutting costs; rather, it is about using resources in the “best” possible way. Inherent within this idea of “best” is “value,” “benefit,” or “utility” (utility is the term most often seen in economics textbooks to refer to the value of using resources). Unfortunately, there are many assumptions which need to be met for markets to operate in an ideal way. One important assumption is that consumers of goods and services need to be aware of the full impact and consequences of all consumption choices. When market failures occur, governments can sometimes intervene in the operation of markets either because the markets are not working properly (largely because the assumptions underpinning the market mechanism are not met) or for social-justice or equity considerations (Rice and Unruh, 2009).

The effect of low parental warmth and low monitoring on disordered eating in mid-adolescence: findings from the Australian Temperament Project

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the interactions between low parental warmth and monitoring at age 13-14 years and disordered eating attitudes and behaviours at age 15-16 years. METHOD: Data on 1300 (667 females) adolescents and their parents were drawn from The Australian Temperament Project (ATP), a 30 year (15 wave) population based longitudinal study of social-emotional development. Parent participants completed surveys on parenting practices in late childhood, and adolescent participants reported disordered eating using the drive for thinness and bulimia subscales of the Eating Disorder Inventory (EDI) and an additional body dissatisfaction scale. Interaction was examined on the additive scale by estimating super-additive risk; i.e., risk in excess of the sum of individual risks. RESULTS: For boys, neither parental warmth or monitoring, nor their interaction, was related to disordered eating. For girls, low parental warmth (alone) was associated with bulimic behaviours. In contrast, exposure to both low monitoring and warmth was associated with ∼3½-fold, ∼4-fold and ∼5-fold increases in the odds of reporting body dissatisfaction, drive for thinness and bulimia, respectively. For body dissatisfaction and drive for thinness, risk associated with joint exposure exceeded the sum of individual risks, suggesting an additive interaction between parenting styles. CONCLUSION: Further investment in family-level interventions that focus on promoting parental monitoring behaviour and a warm parent-child relationship remain important strategies for preventing a range of disordered eating behaviours in adolescents.

Negative reactivity and parental warmth in early adolescence, and depressive symptoms in emerging adulthood

ObjectiveCross-sectional research suggests that relationships between temperamental negative reactivity and adolescent depressive symptoms may be moderated by parental warmth. The primary purpose of this study was to conduct the first prospective analysis of this relationship.MethodData from 1,147 families in an Australian population-based longitudinal study were used to examine: (1) temporal relationships between negative reactivity in early adolescence (13–14 years) and depressive symptoms in emerging adulthood (19–20 years); (2) the moderating role of parent-reported warmth in early adolescence (13–14 years); and (3) the moderating role of child gender. Hierarchical multiple regression was conducted to test the hypothesis that parental warmth would moderate the relationship between early adolescent negative reactivity and depressive symptoms in emerging adulthood.ResultsAfter accounting for previous depressive symptoms at age 13–14 years, negative reactivity was positively associated with later depressive symptoms. By contrast, parental warmth at 13–14 years was negatively associated with later depressive symptoms for females but not males. Parental warmth did not moderate the association between early adolescent negative reactivity and subsequent depressive symptoms.ConclusionsThis study was the first to use prospective data to assess the protective effects of early adolescent parental warmth on the association between negative reactive temperaments and early adult depressive symptoms. Findings suggest that parental warmth for negatively reactive children provides only concurrent protection against subsequent depressive risk. This study did not examine parent–child transactional models, which may, in future longitudinal research, improve understanding of how trajectories of parent–child goodness-of-fit contribute to depressive symptoms.

La mediación althusseriana : Oscar Masotta entre la fenomenología y el estructuralismo

Entre fines de 1960 y comienzos de 1970, la obra de Althusser experimentó un significativo proceso de recepción en las franjas críticas de la intelectualidad argentina. La cultura psi -por entonces en proceso de transformación de sus teorías, prácticas e instituciones- fue uno de los terrenos privilegiados para el despliegue su recepción. En este trabajo nos centramos en las lecturas de Althusser realizadas por Oscar Masotta. Nos interesa, al respecto, analizar el modo a través del cual la articulación de las lecturas de Althusser y Lacan acompañó un trabajo de relocalización de la obra de Lacan en la tradición psicoanalítica. En este sentido, la lectura de Althusser propició un desplazamiento del aporte lacaniano desde las corrientes fenomenológicas y existencialistas hacia el marxismo estructuralista

La mediación althusseriana : Oscar Masotta entre la fenomenología y el estructuralismo

Entre fines de 1960 y comienzos de 1970, la obra de Althusser experimentó un significativo proceso de recepción en las franjas críticas de la intelectualidad argentina. La cultura psi -por entonces en proceso de transformación de sus teorías, prácticas e instituciones- fue uno de los terrenos privilegiados para el despliegue su recepción. En este trabajo nos centramos en las lecturas de Althusser realizadas por Oscar Masotta. Nos interesa, al respecto, analizar el modo a través del cual la articulación de las lecturas de Althusser y Lacan acompañó un trabajo de relocalización de la obra de Lacan en la tradición psicoanalítica. En este sentido, la lectura de Althusser propició un desplazamiento del aporte lacaniano desde las corrientes fenomenológicas y existencialistas hacia el marxismo estructuralista

La mediación althusseriana : Oscar Masotta entre la fenomenología y el estructuralismo

Entre fines de 1960 y comienzos de 1970, la obra de Althusser experimentó un significativo proceso de recepción en las franjas críticas de la intelectualidad argentina. La cultura psi -por entonces en proceso de transformación de sus teorías, prácticas e instituciones- fue uno de los terrenos privilegiados para el despliegue su recepción. En este trabajo nos centramos en las lecturas de Althusser realizadas por Oscar Masotta. Nos interesa, al respecto, analizar el modo a través del cual la articulación de las lecturas de Althusser y Lacan acompañó un trabajo de relocalización de la obra de Lacan en la tradición psicoanalítica. En este sentido, la lectura de Althusser propició un desplazamiento del aporte lacaniano desde las corrientes fenomenológicas y existencialistas hacia el marxismo estructuralista

El ámbito de la mediación, como mecanismo de autocomposición de las partes en la resolución de conflictos, en la Universidad Complutense de Madrid

En este artículo, el autor sostiene que la actuación disciplinaria de las universidades, siempre sometida al principio de legalidad, es incompatible con la mediación u con otros alternativos de resolución de conflictos (ADR). Esta labor sancionadora, que suele ser coordinada por los Servicios de Inspección, e irrenunciable para cualquier universidad pública, no puede amparar, ni mucho menos potenciar, la solución negociada de una infracción punible. En concreto, la mediación, como forma de solución de controversias, solo puede tener una función preventiva en el ámbito universitario, y debe ser gestionada, con mucha prudencia, por otros órganos o unidades administrativas, en ámbitos en los que previsiblemente no debe aplicarse, ex lege, ninguna actuación sancionadora. La institución de la mediación (o de otros ADR, como la conformidad o la conciliación) cohonesta muy mal con el principio de legalidad, característico del Derecho sancionador, tanto en su vertiente sustantiva como procesal. Si toda conducta infractora debe ser castigada, tras la prosecución del correspondiente procedimiento administrativo, pero resulta que, por una negociación más o menos disimulada, se soslaya la aplicación del texto sancionador (total o parcialmente) –en función de que la Inspección de Servicios decida «acusar» de una u otra forma sobre la base de la previsible, o segura, actitud posterior del infractor–, se está haciendo saltar por los aires dicho principio de legalidad, que se ve desplazado por el «principio de oportunidad; siendo el de «legalidad» el único principio que debe regir la actuación de la Administración, tal y como establecen los artículos 25.1 y 103 de nuestra Carta Magna. Muchas veces olvidamos que el interés público constituye la razón de ser del procedimiento administrativo disciplinario, verdadero instrumento para el ejercicio del ius puniendi delegado por el Estado, donde no debiera tener cabida sustancial el principio dispositivo, ya que las partes no tienen ningún margen de negociación.

Feeding ecology and life-history strategy of nesting males in a fish with long parental care, Lusitanian toadfish (Halobatrachus didactylus, Batrachoididae)

The Lusitanian toadfish, Halobatrachus didactylus, like other batrachoidids, is a benthic fish species with nesting behaviour during the breeding season. During this prolonged period it engages in mating activities and remains in the nest providing parental care. It is not known whether males feed while providing parental care but it is likely that their limited mobility may restrict their diet and influence their fitness. As a consequence, egg cannibalism could occur as a life-history strategy. The aim of the present study is to ascertain the feeding behaviour of nesting males, in comparison to mature non-nesting males, and to identify potential life-history traits related to egg cannibalism. Nest-holders were sampled from artificial nests placed in an intertidal area of the Tagus estuary, only exposed during spring low tides. The diet of nest-holders was compared with that of non-nesting mature males from the same area, captured by otter trawl. The present study demonstrates that despite their constrained mobility nest-holders feed during the breeding season, although in a more opportunistic fashion than non-nesting males. Nest-holders showed a generalist feeding behaviour, with a more heterogeneous diet. Egg cannibalism was not related to male condition, paternity or brood size but showed a higher incidence early in the season when water temperatures were lower. The results suggest a possible seasonal trade-off strategy between care and energy recovery, triggered by environmental factors, where under unfavourable conditions to sustain viable eggs the male may recover energy by eating eggs, thus benefiting future reproductive success, later in the season.

Young people's well-being and the economic crisis: How does parental unemployment and family wealth affect the downturn experience?

Background: Portugal is among the European countriesmost severely hit by the economic recession and the fifth with the highest unemployment rate. Given that adolescents' development is highly influenced by their living contexts, monitoring the repercussions of the economic recession is essential for the evaluation and improvement of their current and future public health. Objective: To investigate youth perceived repercussions of the economic recession, its association with life satisfaction, as well as to assess differences across parental employment status and family perceived wealth. Methods: Data were drawn from the Portuguese 2014 Health Behaviour in School-aged children survey, aWHO collaborative cross-national study, with a nationally representative sample of 2748 students (Mage = 14.7 years ± 1.2; 48% boys). Descriptive statistics and linear regression models were performed. Results: Levels of life satisfaction are lower when young people perceive that the economic recession generated negative lifestyle changes. Having unemployed parents was found to be significantly associated with perceiving such repercussions and family wealth to decrease the perception of repercussions of the recession. Conclusions: Findings enhance our understanding of how Portuguese youth are being affected by the socioeconomic conditions surrounding them. Such information contributes to improve future research and also allow some considerations about the policies aimed at protecting young people'swellbeing during a period of high unemployment and socioeconomic downturn.

Emoções dos alunos em momentos de envolvimento parental: Um estudo realizado numa escola do MEM

Dissertação de Mestrado apresentada ao ISPA - Instituto Universitário

Parental unemployment and youth life satisfaction: The moderating roles of satisfaction with family life

Abstract While Europe is slowly recovering from the economic recession, its effects on labour markets are still visible. The number of jobless families has increased and previous research has shown that unemployment can affect the wellbeing of both parents and their children. In this study we explored the links between parental unemployment and youth life satisfaction by considering the potential moderating roles played by satisfaction with family life and perceived family wealth. We used descriptive statistics, correlations, simple moderation and moderated moderation models of regression on data from a representative sample of 3937 Portuguese students (Mage = 13.9 years; SD ± 1.7; 48 % boys). Results showed that the negative effects of parental unemployment on youth life satisfaction were moderated by youth perceived satisfaction with family life but not by perceived wealth. This suggested that during family unemployment, young people satisfied with their family life are less vulnerable to the negative effects of parental unemployment on their life satisfaction. The relationship between parental unemployment and youth well-being requires further research, especially during periods of labour market crisis.

Estudo do comportamento parental face à criança com paralisia cerebral

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

Que práticas de envolvimento parental na educação dos filhos: Percepção das mães

Dissertação de Mestrado apresentada no Instituto Superior de Psicologia Aplicada para obtenção do Grau de Mestre na especialidade de Psicologia Educacional