The Volunteer Functions Inventory (VFI): Adaptation and Psychometric Properties among a Portuguese Sample of Volunteers.

The Volunteer Functions Inventory (VFI) is an instrument widely used to assess volunteers' motivation based on the Functionalist Model of Omoto and Snyder. It assesses six factors that reflect several motivational functions. The VFI has been translated into various languages and validated in different cultural contexts, but some studies have reported different factor structures (e.g., five or four factors). In the Portuguese context, previous studies have also shown inconsistent results. The aim of this study was to adapt and validate the VFI for Portuguese volunteers, testing several alternative models (nine models) using confirmatory factor analysis. The sample comprised 468 volunteers (76.3% women), aged from 13 to 81 years (M = 36.66, SD = 14.93). The results support the original interrelated six-factor model as the best-fitting one. The VFI showed good internal consistency and convergent validity. Significant correlations were found between the VFI factors, organizational commitment, and volunteers' satisfaction. Overall, the six-factor VFI is a valid and reliable tool for measuring the motivational functions of Portuguese volunteers, with implications for practice and research in the volunteering field.

The Psychometric Properties of the Positive and Negative Suicidal Ideation Scale among Portuguese Young Adults.

Preventing suicide has been a worldwide imperative for the last decade. Accurately assessing suicide risk is the first step towards prevention, and access to reliable tools that measure risk factors is essential to achieve this goal. The Positive And Negative Suicidal Ideation (PANSI) scale is a validated brief suicidal ideation scale that could prove useful to this goal due to its ability to measure both suicide risk and protective factors. The PANSI scale has been adapted to various languages and cultures across various clinical and non-clinical populations. Despite this, no Portuguese has been produced yet. The present study aimed to validate a Portuguese version of PANSI by evaluating its psychometric properties in a sample of 259 young adults. Confirmatory factor analysis showed that the PANSI showed good psychometric properties (TLI = 0.95), good reliability for positive ideation (α = 0.84), and excellent reliability for negative ideation (α = 0.96). The scale also showed good discriminative ability through prediction of a previous suicide attempt and good construct validity in both subscales. The Portuguese adaptation of the PANSI scale is a reliable measure of positive and negative suicidal ideation that could prove useful in both clinical and research settings.

The Positive and Negative Suicidal Ideation Inventory among Portuguese Adolescents: Factor Structure and Gender Invariance.

Suicide worldwide is an issue that needs to be addressed, and adolescents are an at-risk group. Assessing suicidal ideation is central to tackling the issue of suicide. The Positive and Negative Suicidal Ideation inventory is a widely validated measure of suicidal ideation, and yet, very little is known about its invariance across various groups. The present study aimed to adapt and test the PANSI's structure in a Portuguese sample while testing its gender invariance. A total of 750 middle and high school students were recruited for the study, and data were collected on various suicide risk and protective factors, including the Portuguese-translated PANSI. Data were put through exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis. Kaiser's criterion and scree plot both extracted two factors (64.10% variance explained). Confirmatory factor analysis also supported the PANSI's structure (TLI = 0.943). The PANSI showed good reliability (α ≥ 0.83) and good construct and discriminative validity. The PANSI also exhibited scalar, but not strict, invariance. Overall, these results were similar to previous versions of this scale. The PANSI is a reliable measure of suicide risk among Portuguese adolescents. Future studies should further replicate these results in other cultures and expand on them by testing for invariance across other demographic variables.

Vulnerability to Suicide Ideation: Comparative Study between Adolescents with and without Psychosocial Risk.

Adolescents are characterized as a risk group for suicide, being the fourth leading cause of death in young people. The main aim was to compare vulnerability to suicidal ideation in a sample of young people with and without psychosocial risk. The total sample consisted of 137 adolescents, aged between 10 and 19 years (M = 14.76; SD = 1.40), and it was composed of two groups-the psychosocial risk group (n = 60) and general population group (n = 77). In both groups, suicidal ideation correlated positively with negative events and negatively with self-esteem and social support satisfaction. When comparing the two groups, the psychosocial risk group presented significantly higher mean values of negative life events (mainly separations/losses and physical and sexual abuse) and significantly lower mean values of satisfaction with social support (particularly with family and social activities). It was also found that, in the psychosocial risk group, negative life events were the only significant predictors of suicidal ideation. This study allowed identifying the role of risk and protective factors in suicidal ideation, according to the psychosocial risk of adolescents. The practical implications of the findings on adolescents' mental health and the promotion of their well-being are discussed.

Psychological Risk and Protective Factors for Suicidal Ideation: A Study in an Adolescent Sample in an Insular Context.

Objectives: Adolescents are at risk of suicide. As suicide is a multifactorial process, risk and protective factors are relevant constructs for suicide prediction. This study explored the effects of risk and protective factors on suicidal ideation in adolescents on the island of São Miguel (Azores). Methods: A sample of 750 adolescents (male: n=358; 47.7%; mean age=14.67 years; standard deviation=1.85 years) from the island of São Miguel (Azores) completed several measures related to suicidal ideation and associated factors. Using a cross-sectional design, this study conducted descriptive, correlational, predictive, mediation, and moderation analyses. Results: Adolescents generally displayed high levels of risk and protective factors; an indicative proportion exhibited significant suicidal ideation with females presenting the greatest vulnerability. Furthermore, the results highlight that depression is the best predictor of suicidal ideation, however, the association between these variables is mediated. Conclusion: The data corroborate that the suicidal reality of adolescents in the Autonomous Region of the Azores is worrisome. Having substantiated the complexity of the suicidal context in young people in the present research, the need to continue studying risk/protective factors in this area is supported.

Effects of a Mindfulness-Based Intervention on Male Portuguese Prisoners.

Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) in prison environments have revealed positive benefits for prisoners' physical and psychological health. This study aimed to verify the efficacy of an MBI program in decreasing depressive symptoms, anxiety, stress, negative effects, and increasing positive affects, self-esteem, and mindfulness state and capacity in prisoners. The sample comprised 44 Portuguese male prisoners, who were divided into two groups: the mindfulness training group (n = 22) and the control group (n = 22). The mindfulness training group demonstrated increased self-esteem and mindfulness capacities. Qualitative analysis showed the usefulness of the training for inmates, not only in their daily prison life, but also post-release and the importance of breathing in coping with anxious and stressful situations. These findings suggest the benefits of MBI in prison settings and propose that these interventions may hold the potential to improve prisoners' reintegration into society.

Impact of an Online Parenting Support Programme on Children's Quality of Life.

The study aims to describe the parental use of an online parenting support programme, the 'Open Window to Family' (JAF) and to evaluate its impact on perceived children's quality of life (QoL). This programme makes online resources available to support positive parenting. The study included 363 parents (nintervention group = 142) who completed measures to evaluate their children's QoL. The results suggest that using the programme for a longer time and accessing more information/services are positively related to the perception of utility but not to the frequency of use. The programme proved to be more useful for specific difficulties and to search for specific information. We found high levels of parental perception of children's well-being, both physical and psychological, and lower values in social support and relationships with peers. No differences were observed between the total QoL of children in the intervention group and control group. The differences in the dimensions of QoL are due to interaction with the level of education of the mother: mothers with higher education reported higher physical well-being, social support, relationships with peers, and school context. Guidelines are suggested to enhance the accessibility of this type of programme as well as enhance its impact on parents and children.

Reasons for Living Inventory for Young Adults: Psychometric Properties Among Portuguese Sample.

A main protective factor against suicide in young adults is their reasons for living; therefore, suicide risk screening should consider these reasons. However, few psychometric instruments assess reasons for living, and none have been adapted for young adults in Portugal. Thus, we assess the psychometric characteristics of the Reasons for Living Inventory for Young Adults-II (RFL-YA-II) in participants (n = 936; Mage = 21.77; SD = 2.88) from Portugal. Participants answered measures concerning suicidal ideation, depression, hopelessness, and positive and negative affect. The results of an exploratory factorial analysis replicated the original 4-factor model of the RFL-YA-II, and a confirmatory factorial analysis indicated satisfactory indices. In terms of reliability and convergent, discriminant, and concurrent validity, our results are consistent with previous research. Moreover, our results indicate that the RFL-YA-II is a valid and reliable instrument to study the protective factors against suicidal behavior in Portuguese young adults, and should thus be integrated into preventive strategies.

The Influence of Parental Perfectionism and Parenting Styles on Child Perfectionism.

Perfectionism is a significant transdiagnostic process related to the development and maintenance of several psychological disorders. The main models of the development of perfectionism focus on early childhood experiences and postulate that parental relation is an important factor for understanding this construct in children. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between child and parental perfectionism, seeking to evaluate the empirical support of the Social Learning Model and the Social Expectations Model and children's perception of parenting styles. The present study included 119 children (51.2% girls, Mage = 11.67 years) and their parents. Data were collected through administration of several self-report measures. The results show a relationship between the majority of the same parent and child perfectionism dimensions, thus providing supportive evidence for the Social Learning Model. Concerning the analysis of the role of gender in the transmission of perfectionism, observed fathers' perfectionism only relates with the sons' perfectionism, and mothers' perfectionism relates with daughters' perfectionism. Our findings allow for a deeper understanding of the role of the perception of an authoritarian parenting style in the development of maladaptive perfectionism. Mother and fathers' perceived parenting styles contribute more to daughter than son perfectionism. The results contribute to expanding the understanding of the role of parental factors in the development of perfectionism.

Psychological Distress Symptoms and Resilience Assets in Adolescents in Residential Care.

Most studies with institutionalised children and adolescents focus on evaluating the impact of negative life events on emotional development. However, few have investigated the relationship between resilience assets and the teenagers' psychopathological problems. The purpose of the present study was to investigate differences in psychological distress symptoms and in resilience assets in institutionalised and non-institutionalised adolescents. A total of 266 adolescents aged between 12 and 19 years old took part in the study (60.5% female): 125 lived in residential care and 144 resided with their families. Results found a significant and inverse relation between psychopathology and the perception of individual resilience assets, specifically with self-efficacy and self-awareness in the community sample, and with empathy in the institutionalised sample. Overall, and regardless of the age group, adolescents in residential care tend to perceive themselves as significantly less resilient in perceived self-efficacy and empathy, and they report fewer goals and aspirations for the future. The importance of promoting mental health and resilience assets in adolescents, particularly in those in residential care, is discussed. This can be achieved through early interventions that may prevent emotional suffering and deviant life paths, with transgenerational repercussions.

Reasons for Living Inventory for Adolescents: Psychometric Properties Among Portuguese Adolescents.

Reasons for living are protective factors against suicidal behavior in adolescents. One of the most useful measures to assess them is the Reasons for Living Inventory for Adolescents (RFL-A) developed by Osman et al. The goal of this study was to examine the psychometric properties of its Portuguese version of the RFL-A. To this end, we recruited 512 high school adolescents (mean age = 16.7 years), who completed the RFL-A, a Suicidal Ideation Questionnaire, and a hopelessness scale. Exploratory factor analysis replicated the original five-factor model and confirmatory factor analysis obtained satisfactory adjustment values. The RFL-A shows good reliability (internal consistency and temporal stability) as well as good convergent, discriminant, and concurrent validities. These results indicate that the RFL-A is a valid and reliable measure to study protective factors against suicidal behaviors in Portuguese adolescents.

Aprender a viver com a Diabetes Mellitus tipo 2: empoderar a pessoa adulta diabética da UCSP de Ansião / Learning to live with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: empowering diabetic adults at the UCSP of Ansião

Introdução: A Diabetes é uma patologia cuja prevalência tem aumentado de forma exponencial, sobretudo nos grupos etários mais jovens, sendo imprescindível a criação e implementação de estratégias que permitam prevenir e controlar a diabetes reduzindo a mortalidade prematura e a morbilidade. Objetivo: Empoderar o individuo adulto com diabetes tipo 2 na gestão da sua saúde e prevenção de complicações tardias. Método: O projeto de intervenção comunitária baseou-se na metodologia do planeamento em saúde. Procedeu-se a aplicação de instrumentos de recolha de dados aos utentes adultos com diabetes tipo 2 e realizaram-se sessões de educação para a saúde. Resultados: Verificaram-se défices de conhecimento na dimensão controlo da doença e sintomatologia e défices no autocuidado - adoção de uma alimentação saudável e atividade física. Conclusão: A educação para saúde é uma estratégia de intervenção eficaz no empoderamento e capacitação dos indivíduos com diabetes tipo 2.

Introduction: Diabetes is a pathology whose prevalence has increased exponentially, especially in younger age groups, it is essential to create and implement strategies to prevent and control diabetes, reducing premature mortality and morbidity. Objective: To empower the adult individual with diabetes type 2 in the management of their health and prevention of late complications. Method: The community intervention project is based on the health planning methodology. Data collection instruments were applied to adult users with diabetes type 2 and health education sessions were introduced. Results: There was a lack of knowledge in the dimension of the disease control, symptoms and deficits in self-care - adoption of a healthy diet and physical activity. Conclusion: Health education is an effective intervention strategy in the empowerment and training of individuals with diabetes type 2.

[Opioids for Cancer Pain and its Use under Particular Conditions: A Narrative Review]. / Opióides na Dor Oncológica e o seu Uso em Circunstâncias Particulares: Uma Revisão Narrativa.

INTRODUCTION: All health professionals should be aware of the importance of evaluating pain - fifth vital sign- in cancer patients. Peripheral and central acting analgesics are widely used to treat moderate to severe pain, particularly cancer pain. Many guidelines have addressed this issue. However, real life patients' have other problems and comorbidities that may raise doubts when prescribing. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Authors made a literature search, trying to clarify same specific situations: loss of oral route, renal impairment (hemodialysis), hepatic impairment, frequent opiod interactions and the availability of short-acting formulations. RESULTS: The following medicines were included in this analysis: the natural opiates (morphine and codeine), their synthetic and semisynthetic derivatives (hydromorphone, oxycodone, and fentanyl), the partial agonist buprenorphine and finally tramadol and tapentadol. Transdermal systems are only available for buprenorphine and fentanyl. In hepatic impairment, fentanyl is safe, but with the exception of codeine and tramadol; other opioids should be used with caution. In renal failure: fentanyl, hydromorphone, and tapentadol are safe. Morphine should be avoided; other opioids should be used with caution. In hemodialysis, buprenorphine, fentanyl, hydromorphone and tramadol (at doses up to 200 mg/day) may be used. DISCUSSION: Failure to recognize the impact of various situations described throughout this work, including the bioavailability due to loss of oral route, due to pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of the various drugs, either in the context of the impaired metabolism or excretion, or in due to pharmacological interactions, conditions a serious risk of subtreatment of pain and consequent impact in terms of quality of life. CONCLUSION: Opioid prescription is safe and effective, even in moderate to severe comorbidities such as renal and hepatic impairment and in patients with no oral route available. In this case, as when considering pharmacological interactions, an individualized therapeutic plan is the best solution and the patient should be assessed regularly. Unadjusted doses may relate to bad pain control and a higher prevalence of adverse events.

Introdução: A dor é equiparada a quinto sinal vital e deve ser avaliada de forma sistemática em todas as consultas de um paciente com cancro. Os fármacos utilizados na prática oncológica para tratar os doentes com dor crónica moderada a severa incluem analgésicos de ação periférica e central que têm sido abordados em múltiplas diretrizes nacionais e internacionais. No entanto, na prática clínica há que equacionar outros problemas e eventuais comorbilidades, que podem levantar dúvidas no momento da prescrição.Material e Métodos: Fez-se uma revisão da literatura, tentando refletir sobre algumas situações específicas na utilização de opióides, nomeadamente perda da via oral, insuficiência renal (hemodiálise), insuficiência hepática, interações medicamentosas e formulações de ação imediata.Resultados: Os opiáceos naturais (morfina e codeína) e os seus derivados sintéticos e semissintéticos (hidromorfona, oxicodona, fentanilo), o agonista parcial buprenorfina e finalmente o tramadol e tapentadol foram selecionados para esta análise. Os sistemas transdérmicos estão apenas disponíveis para a buprenorfina e o fentanilo. Na insuficiência hepática, o fentanilo foi considerado seguro, mascom exceção da codeína e do tramadol, podem todos ser usados com precaução. Na insuficiência renal, o fentanilo, a hidromorfona e o tapentadol foram considerados seguros. Deve evitar-se a morfina, e os restantes poderão ser usados com precaução. Em pacientes em hemodiálise pode usar-se buprenorfina, fentanilo, hidromorfona e tramadol (em doses até 200 mg/dia).Discussão: O não reconhecimento do impacto das várias situações descritas ao longo deste trabalho, nomeadamente a alteração da biodisponibilidade por perda de via oral, por alteração da farmacocinética e farmacodinâmica dos vários fármacos, quer no contexto da insuficiência de órgão responsável pelo metabolismo ou excreção, quer no contexto das interações farmacológicas, condiciona umnorme risco de subtratamento da dor e consequente impacto em termos de qualidade de vida.Conclusão: A prescrição de opióides é segura e efetiva, mesmo em situações de comorbilidades moderadas a graves como insuficiência renal e hepática e em doentes sem via oral disponível. Neste caso, como quando considerámos as interações farmacológicas, o plano terapêutico deve ser individualizado e o paciente deve ser avaliado regularmente. A seleção inadequada e/ou dose mal ajustada de um fármaco, o não reconhecimento do impacto dos efeitos adversos, frequentemente justificam o mau controlo da dor e a toxicidade excessiva.

The Influence of Planning and Response Inhibition on Cognitive Functioning of Non-Psychotic Unipolar Depressed Suicide Attempters.

Depression is one of the main risk factors for suicide. However, little is known about the intricate relationships among depressive symptomatology in unipolar depression, suicide risk, and the characteristics of executive dysfunction in depressed patients. We compared 20 non-psychotic unipolar depressed suicide attempters to 20 matching depressed non-attempters and to 20 healthy controls to further investigate the possible differences in neuropsychological performance. Depressed subjects were controlled for current suicidal ideation, and their neuropsychological profile was assessed using a range of measures of executive functioning, attention, verbal memory, processing speed, and psychomotor speed. Depressed groups were outperformed by healthy controls. Depressed attempters presented more cognitive impairment than depressed non-attempters on a simple Go/No-go response inhibition task and performed better than non-attempters on the Tower of London planning task. Depressed attempters were clearly distinguished by a deficit in response inhibition (Go/No-go commission errors). The normative planning performance (Tower of London extra moves) of the suicide attempters was unexpected, and this unanticipated finding calls for further research. Normative planning may indicate an increased risk of suicidal behavior.

Perfeccionismo e representação vinculativa em jovens adultos / Perfectionism and attachment representations in young adults

As relações estabelecidas no seio familiar são extremamente importantes no desenvolvimento dos traços de personalidade dos indivíduos. O objectivo deste estudo foi investigar a relação entre o desenvolvimento do perfeccionismo e as representações de vinculação, numa amostra de 690 jovens adultos, com idades entre os 17 e os 30 anos. Os participantes preencheram um Questionário Sócio-Demográfico, duas Escalas Multidimensionais de Perfeccionismo (MPS-F e MPS-H) e um Inventário de Vinculação (IPPA). Os resultados indicam a existência de uma relação entre as dimensões maladaptativas do perfeccionismo e a representação de uma Vinculação Insegura à mãe e ao pai, enquanto as dimensões adaptativas do perfeccionismo relacionam-se com a representação de uma Vinculação Segura. Estes resultados sugerem que um dos factores que contribuem para o desenvolvimento do perfeccionismo é a natureza das relações parentais e consequentes interacções.(AU)

The relationships established within the family are extremely important in the development of individual personality traits. The goal of this study was to investigate the relation between the development of perfectionism and attachment representations in a sample of 690 young adults, aged between 17 and 30 years old. Participants completed two scales of Self-report Measure of Perfectionism (H-MPS and F-MPS) and the Inventory of Parent and Peer Attachment (IPPA), as well as a Social-Demographic Questionnaire. Results indicate the existence of a relation between maladaptive perfectionism dimensions and an insecure attachment representation to parents, whereas adaptive perfectionism dimensions seem to be related to a secure attachment representation. The results suggest that one of the contributing factors to the development of perfectionism is the nature of parental relationships and their consequent interactions.(AU)

Perfeccionismo e representação vinculativa em jovens adultos / Perfectionism and attachment representations in young adults

As relações estabelecidas no seio familiar são extremamente importantes no desenvolvimento dos traços de personalidade dos indivíduos. O objectivo deste estudo foi investigar a relação entre o desenvolvimento do perfeccionismo e as representações de vinculação, numa amostra de 690 jovens adultos, com idades entre os 17 e os 30 anos. Os participantes preencheram um Questionário Sócio-Demográfico, duas Escalas Multidimensionais de Perfeccionismo (MPS-F e MPS-H) e um Inventário de Vinculação (IPPA). Os resultados indicam a existência de uma relação entre as dimensões maladaptativas do perfeccionismo e a representação de uma Vinculação Insegura à mãe e ao pai, enquanto as dimensões adaptativas do perfeccionismo relacionam-se com a representação de uma Vinculação Segura. Estes resultados sugerem que um dos factores que contribuem para o desenvolvimento do perfeccionismo é a natureza das relações parentais e consequentes interacções.

The relationships established within the family are extremely important in the development of individual personality traits. The goal of this study was to investigate the relation between the development of perfectionism and attachment representations in a sample of 690 young adults, aged between 17 and 30 years old. Participants completed two scales of Self-report Measure of Perfectionism (H-MPS and F-MPS) and the Inventory of Parent and Peer Attachment (IPPA), as well as a Social-Demographic Questionnaire. Results indicate the existence of a relation between maladaptive perfectionism dimensions and an insecure attachment representation to parents, whereas adaptive perfectionism dimensions seem to be related to a secure attachment representation. The results suggest that one of the contributing factors to the development of perfectionism is the nature of parental relationships and their consequent interactions.