Teacher-student relationships and the link to academic adjustment and emotional well-being in early adolescence

The role of support from teachers on the academic and emotional adjustment of a ethnically and economically diverse sample of adolescents was examined. Analyses were conducted on data from a larger study examining social networks across the transition to junior high school. Participants in the current study included 694 African-American, Hispanic-American and European-American students in grades 6 and 8 from public elementary schools in South Florida. Some of these schools are located in economically distressed areas and some are in middle income areas. Children were interviewed, and information on teacher social support resources, school stressors, risk and academic and emotional adjustment was obtained. Several significant findings emerged from the analyses. First, overall teacher support was a significant predictor of a wide range of academic and emotional adjustment outcomes. Second, teacher support compensated for low peer support on teacher rated behavior problems. Third, teacher support interacted with school stress to predict depressed affect and self esteem. Fourth, teacher support interacted with low ecological risk conditions to predict feelings of loneliness. ^

Child parent dyadic treatment for anxiety disorders in youths

There is evidence for the efficacy of treatments for childhood anxiety disorders; however, less is known about whether including parents in the child's treatment enhances child treatment response. There also are few studies that have examined predictors of treatment completion/non-completion and success/failure. In this dissertation, a child focused individual treatment was compared to a dyadic child-parent treatment. In dyadic, parent anxiety symptoms and child-parent relationships were targeted. Based on the Transfer of Control Model proposed by Silverman and Kurtines (1996a, b, 2005), it was hypothesized that treatment changes in parent anxiety symptoms and child-parent relationships would be related to positive child treatment response. ^ Participants were 119 youths (ages 6 to 16 years, M = 9.93 SD = 2.75; 68 girls) and their parents. All youth were born in the U.S. but had various backgrounds; 40 were European American, 73 were Latinos/as, 6 were of other ethnic backgrounds or did not report their ethnicity. Participants signed informed consent (assent for youths) and completed a pretreatment assessment. Participants were randomized to a child individual treatment or dyadic treatment, were assessed immediately after treatment and one year post treatment. Findings showed that treated youths improved across all measures over time. Comparison of treatment conditions across all measures showed no statistically significant differences between the child individual and dyadic treatment. Reductions in parent anxiety symptoms and improvements in child-parent relationships were significantly related to child treatment change at posttreatment and at one year follow-up across treatments. No factors differentiated completers from non-completers and only parent reported child internalizing behavior problems were significantly negatively related to child treatment response. ^ The study findings support a premise of the Transfer of Control Model that changes in parent anxiety symptoms and child-parent relationships are related to child treatment response. The study findings show that children can be successfully treated when parents are included as co-clients in dyadic treatment, thereby supporting the utility of this approach in practice. ^

Parents’ Perception of Medication Treatments for Preschool Children with or at – risk for ADHD

Introduction: ADHD is a chronic medical condition that affects 3-7% of school-aged children. Over the last few years, there has been increased attention with children in the preschool age range. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that treatment for ADHD in the preschool age range should take the form of behavior modification first, with medication only considered after behavior modification is not effective alone in treating the symptoms (AAP, 2011). However, little research has been done to examine parent perceptions of evidence-based treatment approaches for children in the preschool age range. Objective: This study sought to examine parent perceptions of psychotropic medication use for preschool age (4-6 years) children with or at-risk of ADHD. Method: Data was collected from 176 families who presented for treatment at a clinic in southeast Florida. Parents completed questionnaires about their family background, their child’s behavior, behavioral functioning, and their perceptions of medication treatment. Results: Preliminary results indicate that 50% of parents were not open to the possibility of medication, 44.6% of parents were open to the possibility of medication, and 5.4% of parents chose against medication when a physician recommended it. Results examining the extent to which severity of child behavior problems impacts parent perceptions of medication will also be presented. Conclusion: These findings demonstrate that parents of preschool children are hesitant to consider medication as a treatment option for their young children. The findings of this study are important as more and more young children are being diagnosed with ADHD each year

Rôle de la collaboration famille-école dans la relation entre les caractéristiques sociodémographiques des familles et les difficultés de comportement des enfants de maternelle

Résumé : Les enfants de maternelle dont la préparation scolaire est limitée risquent de présenter des difficultés comportementales nuisibles à leur adaptation ultérieure. L’implication des parents à l’école, plus précisément la collaboration famille-école (CFE), peut représenter un facteur de protection favorisant l’adaptation de l’enfant tout au long de son parcours scolaire. Les écrits scientifiques suggèrent que la CFE jouerait un rôle important dans l’explication des difficultés de comportement, surtout auprès des enfants provenant de familles défavorisées. Cette étude porte sur le rôle de la CFE dans l’explication des difficultés de comportement intériorisé et extériorisé des enfants de maternelle qui présentaient des lacunes sur le plan de leur préparation scolaire. Les analyses de régression linéaire montrent que pour l’ensemble des familles de l’échantillon (n=47), plus il y a de communication entre le parent et l’enseignant, plus il y a présence de comportements extériorisés et intériorisés. Par contre, la CFE modère la relation entre un indice d’adversité constitué du cumul de cinq facteurs de risque sociodémographiques et les difficultés de comportement intériorisé. Ainsi, chez les familles défavorisées, une communication plus fréquente est associée à moins de comportements de type intériorisé.

Psicomotricidade na promoção de competências pessoais e sociais : intervenção com jovens adultos em acompanhamento no âmbito de medidas de execução na comunidade

O presente relatório descreve as atividades realizadas no âmbito do Mestrado em Reabilitação Psicomotora, Ramo de Aprofundamento de Competências Profissionais da Faculdade de Motricidade Humana, realizado na Direção Geral de Reinserção e Serviços Prisionais, Equipa Lisboa 1. O trabalho pressupôs a conceção e implementação de um Programa de Competências Pessoais e Sociais, dirigido a jovens adultos em acompanhamento no âmbito de medidas de execução na comunidade. O Programa encontra-se dividido em três áreas de intervenção: Comunicação Interpessoal, Autorregulação e Resolução de problemas e é composto por 22 sessões, tendo sido implementado na Casa de São Bento, a oito sujeitos, com idades compreendidas entre os 18 e 25 anos. Os resultados obtidos na intervenção permitiram observar melhorias, tanto a nível relacional, como emocional e comportamental, verificando-se uma evolução positiva por parte dos participantes. Na parte final deste relatório é realizada uma análise dos resultados obtidos, por forma a avaliar o impacto do programa, e são apresentadas as dificuldades, conclusões e sugestões para intervenções futuras.

Estudo dos efeitos da aplicação de um programa de promoção da resiliência e de competências sociais e emocionais com crianças em situação de risco da cidade de Tijuana

Artigo teórico: O presente artigo tem como objetivo permitir uma visão global sobre as circunstâncias que podem influenciar, positiva ou negativamente, a vida das crianças e apresentar programas desenhados para promover o seu correto desenvolvimento, mesmo em casos menos favoráveis. Para isto, são revistos os conceitos mais importantes associados às noções de risco, perigo, proteção e resiliência, sintetizadas as relações que estes estabelecem entre si e abordados quais os principais contextos nos quais o profissional pode intervir. Este trabalho foca-se principalmente nas crianças da cidade de Tijuana, pelo que é realizado um trabalho de comparação de estatísticas oficiais entre Portugal e México (quando aplicável, cingido ao estado da Baja Califórnia) de modo a contextualizar os diferentes perigos e proteções que as respetivas culturas providenciam. Para concluir, são apresentados alguns exemplos de intervenções recentes que visam promover a resiliência através de abordagens distintas e em contextos culturais diversos, de modo a deixar no leitor uma ideia das possibilidades e da importância da intervenção nesta área. Artigo teórico-prático: O presente artigo tem como objetivo avaliar o impacto de uma adaptação do programa “Ultrapassar Dificuldades e Vencer Desafios: Manual de Promoção da Resiliência na Adolescência” numa população de crianças em situação de risco, do 1.º ao 6.º ano de escolaridade, da cidade de Tijuana (Baja California, México). Foram realizadas intervenções com dois grupos de crianças que se encontravam em contexto familiar e com um grupo de crianças em contexto institucional. As sessões realizadas, que adaptaram o programa dando-lhe um enfoque psicomotor, compreenderam a duração total de 20 horas e foram realizadas nas instituições de ensino. A intervenção demonstrou ter alguns efeitos positivos ao nível da auto-perceção de competências relacionadas com a resiliência, bem como um efeito de diminuição de alguns fatores de riscos intra-individuais. Na ótica dos prestadores de cuidados, foram ainda encontrados resultados significativos ao nível da diminuição da hiperatividade, dos problemas de comportamento e do total de dificuldades (avaliados pelo instrumento Strenghts and Difficulties Questionnaire). Este programa apresenta assim resultados encorajadores, num contexto diferente ao que serviu de substrato para o desenho do programa, e reforça a noção de que as competências sociais e emocionais são vitais para o correto desenvolvimento infantil em qualquer cultura.

L’adoption coutumière inuit au Nunavik et le comportement de l’enfant à l’âge scolaire

Le principal objectif de cette thèse est de documenter les liens entre l’adoption coutumière inuit et le comportement de l’enfant adopté à l’âge scolaire. Au Nunavik, un tiers des enfants sont adoptés conformément aux pratiques d’adoption coutumière. Le premier article décrit le contexte culturel et les principales caractéristiques de cette pratique. Couramment qualifiée de « don d’enfants », elle repose sur la cession libre et volontaire d’un enfant à un proche parent (tante, oncle, grands-parents) ou à un autre membre de la communauté. Contrairement à l’adoption plénière, en vigueur ailleurs au Canada et aux États-Unis, l’adoption coutumière n’est pas confidentielle et le lien de filiation biologique est préservé. Actuellement, les informations disponibles sur le développement de l’enfant inuit adopté proviennent d’un petit nombre d’études menées auprès d’enfants inuit suivis par les services de protection de la jeunesse. Basée sur les données d’une étude longitudinale prospective menée au Nunavik, cette thèse porte sur un échantillon de 46 enfants adoptés et de 231 enfants non-adoptés suivis de la naissance à l’âge scolaire. Des informations sur l’environnement prénatal et familial ont été collectées et le comportement de l’enfant à l’âge scolaire a été mesuré à l’aide du Child Behavioral Checklist complété par le professeur. Le deuxième article compare les enfants adoptés et non-adoptés sur un ensemble de variables prénatales et familiales et détermine la contribution du statut d’adoption au développement de problèmes de comportements à l’âge scolaire. Les résultats indiquent que le statut d’adoption n’est pas associé aux problèmes de comportements, mais que les enfants adoptés et non-adoptés sont élevés dans des environnements familiaux distincts. Compte tenu de ces différences, le dernier article s’intéresse aux facteurs de risques associés aux problèmes d’attention et aux problèmes externalisés chez les enfants inuit adoptés (n=46). Les caractéristiques de l’environnement familial expliquent une part plus importante des problèmes d’attention et des problèmes externalisés que les caractéristiques prénatales. Ces résultats contrastent avec les études sur l’adoption domestique et internationale menées auprès de populations allochtones. Les points de convergences et de divergences sont discutés et certaines pistes d’explications sont proposées.

Estado del arte sobre estrés laboral entre los años 2005 y 2016

El propósito de este estudio es realizar un estado del arte sobre estrés laboral entre los años 2005 y 2016 utilizando artículos publicados en las bases de datos Ebsco, Apa-Psychnet, Proquest, Psycodoc, Pubmed, Redalyc y Scielo las cuales están abaladas por la Universidad del Rosario. Se hallaron en total 2674 artículos utilizando 6 palabras claves como criterios de búsqueda los cuales fueron Estrés Laboral, Estrés ocupacional, Estrés en el Trabajo, Job Stress, Work Stress y Occupational Stress. El instrumento de recolección de información fue una ficha bibliográfica modificada la cual permitió sistematizar los datos de los artículos encontrados en diferentes dimensiones para así poder utilizar los artículos encontrados como unidades de análisis para la investigación. El análisis de los artículos arrojó una diferencia significativa entre el volumen de publicaciones hechas en español versus las hechas en inglés tanto de artículos empíricos como teóricos. También se encontraron indicadores que permiten ver como el estudio del estrés laboral ha aumentado desde el año 2012 hasta la actualidad, siendo este el lapso en el cual el 59% de los artículos han sido arbitrados y subidos a las diferentes bases de datos.

Imagem do corpo e problemas comportamentais em adolescentes vítimas de abusos sexuais

O estudo tem como objectivo avaliar a percepção da imagem do corpo e os problemas comportamentais em adolescentes vítimas de abuso sexual infantil, de Negligência e não vítimas de violência (NW). A amostra englobou 33 adolescentes do sexo feminino, entre os 11- 18 anos (M=15,21, SD=2,325). Destas, 22 estão institucionalizadas, onde 11 sofreram abusos sexuais e 11 negligência. As restantes residem com a família. Na recolha de dados utilizou-se o Questionário sobre Imagem do Corpo, de Bruchon-Schweitzer, o YSR, de Achenbach, e uma Ficha de caracterização, criada para o estudo, sobre os abusos. Na análise dos dados utilizou-se estatística não paramétrica. Os resultados sugerem que as adolescentes vítimas de violência avaliam e percepcionam o corpo mais negativamente que as adolescentes NW. Não se verificaram diferenças estatisticamente significativas na percepção da imagem do corpo e problemas comportamentais entre vítimas de violência. Esta parece influenciar a imagem corporal e os problemas comportamentais. Contudo, os resultados não são representativos. /ABSTRACT: The study aims to assess the perception of body image and behavior problems in adolescent victims of child sexual abuse, neglect and not victims of violence (NW). The sample comprised 33 adolescent females between 11-18 years (M= 15.21, SD = 2.325). Of these, 22 are institutionalized, where 11 had suffered sexual abuse and 11 neglect. The remaining living with the family. ln data collection we used the Questionnaire on Body lmage in Bruchon¬ Schweitzer, the YSR, Achenbach, and characterization of a sheet, created for the study, about the abuse. ln analyzing the data we used nonparametric statistical. The results suggest that adolescents who are victims of violence and assess the body more negatively perceived that adolescents NW. There were no statistically significant differences in perception of body image and behavior problems among victims of violence. This appears to influence body image and behavior problems. However, the results are not representative.

The Child Behavior Checklist and Youth Self-Report in adolescents with epilepsy : testing measurement invariance of the Attention and Thought Problems subscales

The objective of this study was to test for the measurement invariance of the Attention and Thought Problems subscales of the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) and Youth Self-Report (YSR) in a population-based sample of adolescents with and without epilepsy. Data were obtained from the 14-year follow-up of the Mater University Study of Pregnancy in which 33 adolescents with epilepsy and 1068 healthy controls were included for analysis. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to test for measurement invariance between adolescents with and without epilepsy. Structural equation modeling was used to test for group differences in attention and thought problems as measured with the CBCL and YSR. Measurement invariance was demonstrated for the original CBCL Attention Problems and YSR Thought Problems. After the removal of ambiguous items (“confused” and “daydreams”),measurement invariance was established for the YSR Attention Problems. The original and reduced CBCL Thought Problems were noninvariant. Adolescents with epilepsy had significantly more symptoms of behavioral problems on the CBCL Attention Problems, β = 0.51, p = 0.002, compared with healthy controls. In contrast, no significant differences were found for the YSR Attention and Thought Problems, β = −0.11, p = 0.417 and β = −0.20, p = 0.116, respectively. In this population-based sample of adolescents with epilepsy, the CBCL Attention Problems and YSR Thought Problems appear to be valid measures of behavioral problems, whereas the YSR Attention Problems was valid only after the removal of ambiguous items. Replication of these findings in clinical samples of adolescents with epilepsy that overcome the limitations of the current study is warranted.

The Protective Role of Group Identity: Sectarian Antisocial Behavior and Adolescent Emotion Problems

The protective role of strength of group identity was examined for youth in a context of protracted political conflict. Participants included 814 adolescents (M_age = 13.61, SD = 1.99 at Time 1) participating in a longitudinal study in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Utilizing hierarchical linear modeling, the results show that the effect of exposure to sectarian antisocial behaviors has a stronger effect on youth emotion problems for older adolescents. The results also show that youth with higher strength of group identity reported fewer emotion problems in the face of sectarian antisocial behavior but that this buffering effect is stronger for Protestants compared to Catholics. Implications are discussed for understanding the role of social identity in postaccord societies.

On the Analytical Approach to Present Engineering Problems: Photovoltaic Systems Behavior, Wind Speed Sensors Performance, and High-Speed Train Pressure Wave Effects in Tunnels

At present, engineering problems required quite a sophisticated calculation means. However, analytical models still can prove to be a useful tool for engineers and scientists when dealing with complex physical phenomena. The mathematical models developed to analyze three different engineering problems: photovoltaic devices analysis; cup anemometer performance; and high-speed train pressure wave effects in tunnels are described. In all cases, the results are quite accurate when compared to testing measurements.

Global behavior of positive solutions of nonlinear three-point boundary value problems

We investigate the structure of the positive solution set for nonlinear three-point boundary value problems of the form u('') + h(t) f(u) = 0, u(0) = 0, u(1) = lambdau(eta), where eta epsilon (0, 1) is given lambda epsilon (0, 1/n) is a parameter, f epsilon C ([0, infinity), [0, infinity)) satisfies f (s) > 0 for s > 0, and h epsilon C([0, 1], [0, infinity)) is not identically zero on any subinterval of [0, 1]. Our main results demonstrate the existence of continua of positive solutions of the above problem. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.