Impact of social isolation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic on the mood profile of active and sedentary older adults: physical activity as a protective factor.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has changed our habits and lifestyle due to social isolation and mobility restrictions. This new scenario, together with the fear of contracting the coronavirus, influenced mental health, especially among older adults, who presented reductions in social contact and physical activity (PA). Thus, the objective of the study was to analyze the impact caused by social isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic on the mood states of active and sedentary older adults. Methods: This is an observational study conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic. Older adults aged over 60 years, who were registered in the database of the Secretariat for the Promotion of Citizenship from a city in southern Brazil, participated in the research. An online questionnaire was applied with questions about sociodemographic characteristics, level of PA, confinement, and mood states in two periods: May 2020 and June 2021. The Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare the mood states of active and inactive individuals during the pandemic. Results: One hundred and fifty participants answered the questionnaire, of which 80 (53.3%) reported practicing PA. More active older adults suffered fewer changes in mood when compared to inactive older adults, with lower levels of confusion (p = 0.035), depression (p = 0.002), and fatigue (p = 0.000). Older adults confined for more than 50 days were more likely to develop depression. In addition, the mood state correlated with the variable fear of contracting the coronavirus; the greater the fear, the greater the mental confusion, depression, fatigue, and tension, and the lower the vigor in the older adults. The practice of PA is also correlated with the mood state; the greater the number of hours dedicated to PA, the lower the confusion, depression, fatigue, and tension of the older adults. Conclusion: The practice of PA positively influenced the mental health of older adults during periods of isolation and social restrictions. PA has a protective factor for the development of mental health problems and improves mood states, with greater time performing PA leading to more benefits.

Effects of resistance training on sleep of patients with fibromyalgia: A systematic review.

This study investigated the effects of resistance training (RT) on the sleep quality of patients with fibromyalgia (FM), through a systematic review. The search was carried out in the PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science databases. Initially, 148 studies were found, of which six were included for qualitative analysis. Four studies showed significant improvement in sleep after RT. Compared to other exercise modalities, RT proved to be superior to flexibility training and equivalent to aerobic exercise. Interventions lasted from 4 to 21 weeks, the weekly frequency ranged from two to three times, and the intensity ranged from 40% to 80% 1RM, with exercises for the major muscle groups. RT is an intervention that can be used to treat FM, however, more studies are needed to verify its effectiveness in improving sleep.

Effects of Air Pollution on the Health of Older Adults during Physical Activities: Mapping Review.

Atmospheric pollutants present environmental threats to health and have been investigated in different environments, such as highways, squares, parks, and gyms. These environments are frequented by older adults, who are considered fragile to the harmful impacts of pollution present in the air. The aim was to analyze the state of the art on the effects of air pollution on the health of older adults during physical activities (PAs) through a mapping review. The search was performed in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Cinahl databases until June 2022. Of the 10,109 studies initially identified, 58 met the inclusion criteria. The most investigated health outcome was cardiovascular disease, followed by respiratory outcomes. Particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and ozone (O3) were the most investigated pollutants. Of the 75 health outcomes investigated, in 29, air pollution had harmful effects on the health of the older adults during the practice of PA, more frequently in cardiovascular diseases. In 25 outcomes, the beneficial effects of PA to the health of the older adults remained, despite exposure to high and low concentrations of pollutants, most often in terms of mental disorders. We conclude that poor air quality is a harmful factor for the health of older adults during the practice of PAs, more frequently in cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. On the other hand, for mental-health-related outcomes (depression and cognition), in most studies, the beneficial effects of PA in older adults were maintained, even after exposure to pollutants.

Studies in the Mentality of Literates: 3. Conceptual Structure and Nonsense of Personality Testing.

In this study, third in a series of studies of the relationships between the dominant type of the Word Meaning Structure (WMS) and various psychic processes, response patterns on personality questionnaires with Likert-type response format of individuals with different levels of education (including adult illiterates) in Brazil (N = 102) and in Estonia (N = 520) were assessed with person oriented methods of data analysis. We found that responses to two personality questionnaires (International Personality Item Pool Questionnaire, IPIP-Q60 and Estonian Collectivism Scale, ESTCOL) are inconsistent and do not correspond to theories that underlie construction and interpretation of such assessment tools. Two novel ways to assess inconsistent response patterns were developed. The Consistency Index (CI) characterizes between-item inconsistency and the Determinacy Index (DI) characterizes within-item inconsistency. The dominant type of the WMS and the level of education were related to both CI and DI. Higher level of between-item inconsistency characterizes everyday conceptual thinkers with lower levels of education and higher level of within-item inconsistency was observed among logical conceptual thinkers with higher levels of education. Systematic relationships between WMS and inconsistent patterns of responses indicate that responses on personality questionnaires cannot be interpreted in terms of personality characteristics. The results of our study also provide further support to the idea that dominant type of the WMS is a pervasive characteristic of the psyche and determines qualitatively possibilities and limits of the psychic processes. The results of this study are in agreement with the idea that WMS defines the "Great Divide."

Care Practices Between Generations: Ambivalence and Meaning-making Process.

Relationships of exchange and mutual help between family generations are the main factor of survival at older ages, especially in developing countries. However, the demand for care for older parents is primarily attributed to daughters. In addition to the emergence of intergenerational solidarity to carry out this care task, the fulfillment of this personal-collective expectation of care is permeated by many tensions, conflicts, and ambivalences. Thus, we propose to discuss the ambivalence in care practices and the constructions of meaning related to this field, focusing on daughters who assumed the role of caregivers for their older parents. To understand how women deal with this complex situation of multiple demands, two narrative interviews will be analyzed in the light of the theoretical perspective of Semiotic Cultural Psychology. To guide and structure the data analysis, the Trajectory Equifinality Model (TEM) was used, taking the decision to care for older parents as the point of equifinality of the trajectories. The synthesized personal orientation by the daughters towards caring for their parents was characterized by a pendulum movement of dialogical oscillation between traditional and postmodern values, leading to qualitative intergenerational transformations.

Studies in the mentality of literates: 2. Conceptual structure, cognitive inhibition and verbal regulation of behavior.

We studied cognitive inhibitory processes and verbal regulation of behavior of individuals with different levels of education (including adult illiterates) in Brazil (N = 136) and in Estonia (N = 560) with person-oriented methods of data analysis. Our aim was to discover whether dominant type of word meaning structure (WMS) can define the "Great Divide", the single breaking point that universally defines certain direction of subsequent to it cultural evolution. We found that both cognitive inhibition of irrelevant for the task at hand information or actions as well as correct activation of relevant information or actions is significantly more common in individuals who rely predominantly on logical concepts in their thinking. The higher level of education was also associated with more efficient cognitive inhibition and activation. The patterns of test performance also suggest that there can be a qualitative difference in the efficiency of cognitive inhibition-activation processes between everyday conceptual and logical conceptual thinkers. The former group of individuals may achieve much higher performance levels than any individual in the former group. We also discuss cognitive similarities and differences between adults with low or no formal education on the one hand and children and educated adults with brain damage on the other. The results are in agreement with the theory of unilineal hierarchic cultural evolution. Individual psychic development and cultural evolution can be both understood in terms of the WMS development.

Studies in the Mentality of Literates: 1. Conceptual Structure and Aspects of Visual Perception.

We studied visual-perceptual abilities of individuals with different levels of education (including adult illiterates) in Brazil (N = 136) and in Estonia (N = 560) with person-oriented methods of data analysis. Our aim was to discover whether dominant type of word meaning structure (WMS) can define the "Great Divide", the single breaking point that universally defines certain direction of subsequent to it cultural evolution. We particularly focused on the everyday concept-logical concept shift that takes place in the formal education system. We found that logical concepts were rarely available for illiterates; availability of logical conceptual thought increases together with the level of education. Most illiterates were able to find figures of concrete objects from complex overlapping and embedded contour figures but none of them could find all abstract figures from the same complex figures. Also none of the illiterates could perform beyond chance level in both mental rotation tasks together. Ability to perform correctly on all visual-spatial tasks increased with the increase in logical concepts and with the increasing level of education. The distribution of respondents according to the WMS level, level of education, and performance on the visual-spatial tasks indicated that individuals are developmentally heterogeneous: achievement of the tertiary level of education and logical conceptual thinking mechanisms does not guarantee high level performance on the visual-spatial tasks. The results are in agreement with the theory of unilineal hierarchic cultural evolution. Individual psychic development and cultural evolution can be both understood in terms of the WMS development.

Identidades narrativas: construindo sentidos na travessia da juventude / Narrative Identities: constructing meanings trough youth transitions

Baseado nas perspectivas semiótica e sistêmica e na abordagem dialógica do desenvolvimento humano, este estudo teve como objetivo compreender as configurações do self, ao longo de trajetórias desenvolvimentais de jovens, vivendo em condição de vulnerabilidade social. O self é entendido através da construção narrativa, como resultado da negociação de significados interpessoais e intrapessoais, dialogicamente, ao longo do tempo e do espaço. Três entrevistas narrativas com jovens, em diferentes contextos de formação (ONG, grupo de capoeira, Centro Sócio Educativo) na cidade de Salvador-BA foram selecionadas como casos exemplares. A partir de encontros com outros significativos e através da mobilidade das redes de significação, ao longo das transições desenvolvimentais, as narrativas dos jovens apontaram para possibilidades de ressignificação de eventos críticos e para a construção de novidade psicológica. Concluiu-se que através da experiência narrativa foi possível negociar as I-positions, reconfigurando o self dialogicamente e ampliando as perspectivas de futuro.(AU)

Based on the semiotic and systemic perspectives and on the dialogical self approach, this paper analyzes the self configuration, through the developmental trajectories of young people living in social vulnerability conditions. The self is understood through narrative construction, as forms of negotiating interpersonal and intrapersonal meanings, dialogically, over time and space. Three narrative interviews with young people in different contexts of Salvador-Bahia, (NGO, Capoeira group and Socioeducative centre for adolescents in law conflict) were analyzed. The mobility of the network of meanings, configured through meetings with significant others provide re-signification of critical experience and the emergence of psychological novelty. The conclusions highlight the possibility of negotiating I-positions through the experience of narrating life trajectories, reconfiguring the self in a dialogical way and strengthening future expectations.(AU)

O discurso biomédico e o da construção social na pesquisa sobre intersexualidade / The biomedical discourse and the social construction in research on intersexuality

A intersexualidade se define pela existência de desequilíbrio entre os fatores responsáveis pela determinação do sexo: o indivíduo apresenta caracteres tanto masculinos quanto femininos. A ambiguidade sexual apresenta-se como demarcador da condição de intersexo. Esta revisão de literatura analisou artigos científicos de medicina, psicologia, ciências sociais e direito/ativismo político, acessados através de bancos e portais eletrônicos. As publicações foram analisadas segundo contexto, área/disciplina, tipo de artigo, conteúdo e metodologia do estudo. Os resultados apontaram que os artigos médicos consideraram a intersexualidade como doença crônica, enfatizando as características endocrinológicas e genéticas, efeitos físicos e psicológicos da cirurgia genital. Os artigos de psicologia destacaram aspectos da sexualidade, identidade e orientação sexual. As ciências sociais realizaram uma crítica à visão bipolar do gênero, ressaltando o processo de designação sexual dos intersexuais. Os artigos do campo do direito/ativismo político priorizaram temas como: estigmas sociais, implicações das cirurgias da genitália e mobilização social em prol do direito à saúde. Em relação às metodologias dos estudos, as pesquisas médicas utilizaram predominantemente a abordagem comparativa; os estudos em psicologia utilizaram abordagens qualitativas com entrevistas semi-estruturadas ou questionários; em ciências sociais, os artigos priorizaram pesquisas etnográficas e revisões de literatura; no campo do direito/ativismo político, foram destacadas narrativas e estudos de caso. As narrativas das famílias só foram encontradas em uma publicação, pertencente ao campo da psicologia. Na maioria dos artigos, o conceito de intersexualidade aparece claramente atravessado pelo discurso biomédico. O legado da biomedicina atua diretamente na construção de significados sobre o corpo e gênero.

The intersex is defined by the existence of imbalance between the factors responsible for sex determination: the individual holds both male and female characteristics. The sexual ambiguity presents the path of intersex condition. This literature review examined papers in medicine, psychology, law and social/political activism, accessed through electronic databases and portals. The publications were analyzed according to context, area/discipline, article type, content and methodology of the study. The results showed that the medical articles considered intersexuality as a chronic disease, with emphasis on endocrine and genetic characteristics, physical and psychological effects of genital surgery. Articles of psychology emphasized aspects of sexuality, identity and sexual orientation. Social sciences conducted a critique of the bipolar view of gender, emphasizing the process of designation of sex intersex. The articles of the field of law/political activism prioritized issues such as social stigmas, implications of surgery of the genitalia and social mobilization for the right to health. Regarding the methodology of the studies, medical research has predominantly used a comparative approach, the studies in psychology have used qualitative approaches with semi-structured interviews or questionnaires, social sciences articles prioritized ethnographic research and literature reviews, the field of law/political activism highlighted narratives and case studies. The narratives of families have only been found in a publication, belonging to the field of psychology. In most papers, the concept of intersexuality appears clearly crossed the biomedical discourse. The legacy of biomedicine acts directly on the construction of meanings about the body and gender.

Mulheres e cuidado: bases psicobiológicas ou arbitrariedade cultural? / Mujeres y cuidado: ¿bases psicobiológicas o arbitrariedad cultural? / Women and caregiving: psycho-biologically based or culturally arbitrary?

Reflete-se neste artigo sobre práticas e concepções a respeito do cuidar como papel feminino, examinando os pontos de vista psicobiológico e histórico-cultural. São sintetizados dados sugestivos da maior participação feminina em tarefas de cuidado. O enfoque psicobiológico baseia-se no argumento do maior investimento parental feminino, que justificaria especializações e predisposições para o cuidar. O argumento histórico-cultural enfatiza a identificação com modelos como mecanismo fundamental da preservação cultural dos papéis dos gêneros. Procura-se, no final, uma síntese que desvele as profundas interações entre biologia e história, entre natureza e cultura, como ponto de partida para a superação dessas já cansadas dicotomias.

This study examines practices and conceptions regarding caregiving as a female role, both from the psychobiological and historical-cultural perspectives. Data suggest greater participation of women in caregiving tasks. The psychobiological approach is based on the argument of higher female parental investment, which would justify specializations and predisposition to caregiving. The historical-social argument emphasizes the identification with models as basic mechanism for cultural preservation of gender roles. The attempt is to achieve a synthesis that unveils the deep interactions between biology and history, nature and culture, as a starting point for overcoming these already dull dichotomies.

A partir de una mirada psicobiológica y histórico-cultural, analizar las practicas y concepciones del cuidar como papel femenino es el objetivo del texto. El abordaje psicobiológica sigue el argumento de mayor atención parental femenino, justificando predisposiciones y mayor atención para el cuidar. Ya que el argumento histórico-cultural enfatiza la identificación con modelos y perfiles femeninos como parte de la preservación cultural de las funciones/papeles destinadas a los géneros. Procurase, al final, una síntesis acerca de las interacciones entre biología e historia, entre naturaleza y cultura, como punto de partida para la superación de estas dicotomías.

Determinants of cognitive function in childhood: a cohort study in a middle income context.

BACKGROUND: There is evidence that poverty, health and nutrition affect children's cognitive development. This study aimed to examine the relative contributions of both proximal and distal risk factors on child cognitive development, by breaking down the possible causal pathways through which poverty affects cognition. METHODS: This cohort study collected data on family socioeconomic status, household and neighbourhood environmental conditions, child health and nutritional status, psychosocial stimulation and nursery school attendance. The effect of these on Wechsler Pre-School and Primary Scale of Intelligence scores at five years of age was investigated using a multivariable hierarchical analysis, guided by the proposed conceptual framework. RESULTS: Unfavourable socioeconomic conditions, poorly educated mother, absent father, poor sanitary conditions at home and in the neighbourhood and low birth weight were negatively associated with cognitive performance at five years of age, while strong positive associations were found with high levels of domestic stimulation and nursery school attendance. CONCLUSION: Children's cognitive development in urban contexts in developing countries could be substantially increased by interventions promoting early psychosocial stimulation and preschool experience, together with efforts to prevent low birth weight and promote adequate nutritional status.

Determinants of early cognitive development: hierarchical analysis of a longitudinal study.

The study describes the relationship between anthropometric status, socioeconomic conditions, and quality of home environment and child cognitive development in 320 children from 20 to 42 months of age, randomly selected from 20,000 households that represent the range of socioeconomic and environmental conditions in Salvador, Bahia, Northeast Brazil. The inclusion criterion was to be less than 42 months of age between January and July 1999. Child cognitive development was assessed using the Bayley Scales for Infant Development, and the Home Observation for Measurement of the Environment Inventory (HOME) was applied to assess quality of home environment. Anthropometric status was measured using the indicators weight/age and height/age ratios (z-scores), and socioeconomic data were collected through a standard questionnaire. Statistical analysis was conducted through univariate and hierarchical linear regression. Socioeconomic factors were found to have an indirect impact on early cognitive development mediated by the child's proximal environment factors, such as appropriate play materials and games available and school attendance. No independent association was seen between nutritional status and early cognitive development.

Determinants of early cognitive development: hierarchical analysis of a longitudinal study

The study describes the relationship between anthropometric status, socioeconomic conditions, and quality of home environment and child cognitive development in 320 children from 20 to 42 months of age, randomly selected from 20,000 households that represent the range of socioeconomic and environmental conditions in Salvador, Bahia, Northeast Brazil. The inclusion criterion was to be less than 42 months of age between January and July 1999. Child cognitive development was assessed using the Bayley Scales for Infant Development, and the Home Observation for Measurement of the Environment Inventory (HOME) was applied to assess quality of home environment. Anthropometric status was measured using the indicators weight/age and height/age ratios (z-scores), and socioeconomic data were collected through a standard questionnaire. Statistical analysis was conducted through univariate and hierarchical linear regression. Socioeconomic factors were found to have an indirect impact on early cognitive development mediated by the child's proximal environment factors, such as appropriate play materials and games available and school attendance. No independent association was seen between nutritional status and early cognitive development.

Trata-se de um estudo longitudinal sobre a relação entre estado antropométrico, condições sócio-econômicas, qualidade do ambiente doméstico e desenvolvimento cognitivo de 320 crianças de 20 a 42 meses de idade, selecionadas através de amostragem aleatória estratificada em um conjunto de 20 mil residências de diferentes níveis econômicos e condições ambientais em Salvador, Bahia, Brasil. O critério de inclusão foi ter menos de 42 meses entre janeiro e julho de 1999. O desenvolvimento cognitivo foi avaliado pela escala Bayley de desenvolvimento infantil, e o inventário HOME de observação doméstica avaliou a qualidade do ambiente doméstico. Os indicadores peso/idade e altura/idade (escores-z) identificaram o estado antropométrico, e as informações sócio-econômicas foram obtidas utilizando-se questionário padronizado. Utilizou-se a técnica da regressão linear univariada e regressão linear hierarquizada para as análises estatísticas. Encontrou-se que os fatores sócio-econômicos influenciam o curso do desenvolvimento cognitivo na primeira infância de maneira indireta, sendo mediados por fatores do contexto proximal da criança, como disponibilidade de materiais e jogos adequados e freqüência escolar. Não se encontrou uma associação independente entre estado nutricional infantil e desenvolvimento cognitivo na primeira infância.

O Carmo ou porque um quilombo não quer ser um quilombo / Carmo or why a quilombo does not want to be a quilombo

Trata-se de um relato de experiência ocorrido em uma comunidade de origem quilombola em que o método de ôobservação participanteõ revelou como o pesquisador é um personagem historicamente inserido cujas ações têm um teor político. Descreve os acontecimentos que apontaram para o método como engajado e não à margem da política, organizados nos seguintes itens: a lei do silêncio; o progresso; o esquecimento; o ocultamento; a dinâmica do grupo.. As considerações finais sugerem explicações para a morte do quilombo como tal e para a própria ação do pesquisador como uma política em ação.

This is a report of an experience occurred in a community originated from a quilombo (a slave settlement) in which the method of ôparticipant observationõ revealed the researcher as a historical character which actions have a political meaning. It describes the events that pointed to the method as engaged and not apart from politics, organized as: the law of silence; the progress; the forgotten and hidden parts of their history; the dynamics of the group. Final considerations suggested explanations for its death as a quilombo and to the research's action as a political action.

Uma análise semiótico-sistêmica de diferentes ecologias desenvolvimentais da juventude / A semiotic-systemic analyze of different youth developmental ecologies

Este estudo se propôs a descrever e analisar diferentes contextos da juventude em Salvador: uma escola pública, um projeto Social (ONG) e um Centro de atendimento sócio-educativo para adolescentes em conflito com a lei, quanto (a) às possibilidades de participação, (b) aos mecanismos de inclusão oferecidos/construídos e (c) aos posicionamentos atribuídos/assumidos pelos jovens. Foram entrevistados coordenadores e educadores e realizados grupos focais com 7 a 16 adolescentes. Cada contexto foi analisado a partir da noção de redes de significações onde os sujeitos co-constroem sentidos e posicionamentos. Os contextos foram descritos, metaforicamente, como Rede Continente; Rede Vazada e Rede Aprisionadora e apontaram para diferentes formas de inserção e níveis de participação. Os níveis de permeabilidade dos contextos se constituem numa instância mediadora que realiza e ativa o processo de inclusão-exclusão social. Observou-se uma demanda dos jovens pela ampliação das oportunidades de inserção e de participação social e política, considerando-se suas desigualdades.

The purpose of this study was to describe and analyze different adolescence contexts in Salvador: a public school, a social project (NGO) and a socio-educational center for adolescents, in conflict with the law, as far as (a) participation possibilities, (b) inclusion mechanisms offered/constructed and (c) the position taken/assumed by the adolescents in the different contexts. Each context was analyzed as signification nets where processes of co-construction meanings were taking place, while each subject took different positioning. The coordinator and the educators were interviewed and focal groups were organized with 7 to 16 adolescents. The three contexts were described metaphorically as continent net, hollow net, imprisoning net and pointed to different ways of participation and social insertion, among the adolescents. The permeability of the contexts was taken as a mediation category to social inclusion-exclusion. The research points out to the youths demands for social and political participation, enlarging their possibilities of social insertion, considering the differences and iniquities of this group.

Este estudio se propone describir y analizar diferentes contextos de la juventud en Salvador (Bahía-Brasil): una escuela pública, un proyecto social (ONG) y un Centro de Atención Socio-Educativa para adolescentes en conflicto con la ley, en lo que concierne a) las posibilidades de participación, b) los mecanismos de inclusión ofrecidos/construidos y c) los posicionamientos atribuidos/asumidos por los jóvenes. Fueron entrevistados coordinadores y educadores y realizados grupos focales con un número de 7 a 16 adolescentes. Cada contexto fue analizado a partir de la noción de redes de significados donde los sujetos co-construyen sentidos y posicionamientos. Los contextos fueron descritos metafóricamente como Red Continente; Red Ahuecada y Red Encerradora, y apuntaron diferentes formas de inserción y niveles de participación. Los niveles de permeabilidad de los contextos se constituyen en una instancia mediadora que realiza y activa el proceso de inclusión-exclusión social. Se ha observado una demanda de los jóvenes por la ampliación de las oportunidades de inserción y de participación social y política, tomando en cuenta sus desigualdades.

Famílias e projetos sociais: analisando essa relação no caso de um quilombo em São Paulo / Families and social projects: analysis of this relationship in a São Paulo / Familias y proyectos sociales: analizando esa relación en el caso de un quilombo en São Paulo

Dentro de um estudo maior, famílias da localidade do Carmo, interior do Estado de São Paulo, foram analisadas por meio de vários instrumentos, entre os quais: anamnese da família e da criança; fotos e desenhos da moradia; entrevistas com funcionários da escola, creche e posto de saúde. O Carmo é uma localidade rural, de origem quilombola e extensa rede social de parentesco, que perdeu o seu potencial de gerar empregos na agricultura. A análise focalizou os modos de partilhar os cuidados familiares e o envolvimento com organizações não governamentais e o Poder Público, tendo sido identificados quatro tipos de família a partir dos conceitos de enraizamento e apego ao lugar: famílias desenraizada e desapegada; enraizada e apegada; enraizada e desapegada; apegada e desenraizada. A análise apontou para o modo de inserção na trama sociofamiliar como conseqüência de histórias anteriores, como um indicador de sucesso ou de fracasso das empreitadas familiares.

The families of the Carmo village, in the interior of the state of São Paulo SP Brazil, were analyzed through family and child anamneses, photos and drawings of houses, interviews with school, day-care and health officers. Carmo village, originally founded by a group of slaves (quilombo) and characterized by an extended family network, has lost its capacity to produce agricultural jobs. Analysis focused on sharing family concerns, on the inhabitants involvement with non-governmental organizations and with public authorities. Four family types were identified according to place connections and attachment: non-connected and non-attached families; connected and attached families; connected and non-attached families; non-connected and attached families. Insertion modality in the social and familial context is a consequence of past histories and indicates the success and failure of the family enterprise.

Dentro de un estudio mayor, familias de la localidad de Carmo, Interior del Estado de São Paulo, fueron analizadas por medio de varios instrumentos, entre los cuales: anamnesia de la familia y del niño; fotos y dibujos de la vivienda; encuestas con funcionarios de la escuela, guardería y centro de salud. Carmo es una localidad rural, de origen quilombola y extensa red social de parentesco, que perdió su potencial de generar puestos de trabajo en la agricultura. El análisis se fijó en los modos de compartir los cuidados familiares y el envolvimiento con organizaciones no gubernamentales y el Poder Público, habiendo sido identificados cuatro tipos de familia a partir de los conceptos de raigambre y apego al lugar: familias desarraigada y desapegada; arraigada y apegada; arraigada y desapegada; apegada y desarraigada. El análisis apuntó para el modo de inserción en la trama sociofamiliar como consecuencia de historias anteriores, como un indicador de suceso o de fracaso de los destajos familiares.

A família em situações disruptivas provocadas por hospitalização / The family in disruptive situations caused by hospitalization

Este trabalho focaliza a situação disruptiva provocada pela hospitalização de um familiar, vítima de doença ou acidente súbitos, requerendo uma reação de enfrentamento por parte da família. São apresentados resultados relativos a seis famílias que viveram essa situação, obtidos por meio de entrevista em profundidade com um dos familiares. Inicialmente, as famílias e as situações são caracterizadas, e são descritas as estratégias de enfrentamento identificadas em cada caso. A seguir, aprofunda-se a análise das estratégias recorrendo a semelhanças e diferenças entre os casos. Em todos os casos ocorre uma reorganização da família em resposta ao evento e às demandas decorrentes; estratégias de enfrentamento variaram, sendo a mais presente o suporte social. Sugerem-se algumas questões para estudos futuros e para a preparação de profissionais de saúde.

Vínculos e redes sociais em contextos familiares e institucionais: uma reflexão conceitual / Bonds and social networks in family and institutional contexts: a conceptual reflection

Propõe-se uma reflexão conceitual sobre os conceitos de vínculo e rede social. São resumidos quatro trabalhos que utilizam esses conceitos e discutidas suas convergências e divergências. Carvalho sintetiza estudos sobre vínculo na interação criança-criança. Sampaio problematiza a vinculação entre crianças de rua e educadores. Rabinovich relata observações de famílias em uma comunidade quilombola. Bastos reflete sobre redes sociais com base no discurso de mães em grupos de encontro. A comparação dessas pesquisas em termos dos conceitos de vínculo e rede social indica a conveniência de explicitação dos seus sentidos em cada caso, para permitir diálogo entre enfoques diversificados sobre as relações humanas.

This paper suggests a conceptual reflection on bonds and social network concepts. Four studies that use such concepts are synthesized and their convergences and divergences are discussed. Carvalho synthesizes studies on bonds in child-child interaction. Sampaio is concerned with bonds concerning homeless children and educators. Rabinovich reports observations of families in a Quilombola community. Bastos makes reflections on social network, based on the talks of some mothers during group meetings. The comparison between the studies mentioned, in terms of both concepts, that is, bonds or linkings and social network, shows the convenience of a clear explanation in relation to the meanings in each of the cases, so that the dialogue among different approaches on human relationships can be allowed.

Se propone una reflexión conceptual sobre los conceptos de vínculo y red social. Son resumidos cuatro trabajos que utilizan esos conceptos y discutidas sus convergencias y divergencias. Carvalho sintetiza estudios sobre vínculo en la interacción niño-niño. Sampaio problematiza la vinculación entre "niños de la calle" y educadores. Rabinovich relata observaciones de familias en una comunidad quilombola. Bastos refleja sobre redes sociales basado en el discurso de madres en grupos de encuentro. La comparación de esas pesquisas en términos de los conceptos de vínculo y red social indica la conveniencia de explicitación de sus sentidos en cada caso, para permitir diálogo entre enfoques diversificados sobre las relaciones humanas.

Saúde: um dever do estado ou um assunto de família? Análise da experiência de famílias de um bairro popular junto ao Sistema de Saúde / Health: a duty of the state or a family matter? Analysis of an experience of families from a popular neighbourhood regarding the health system

De que forma uma família utiliza os recursos de que dispõe no enfrentamento de circunstâncias relacionadas ao processo saúde-doença? A literatura sugere que o indivíduo submetido a condições adversas usa várias alternativas de superação de agravos: esgotando competências individuais, adota alternativas envolvendo uma rede de apoio social leiga e em seguida a prescrições dos profissionais supostamente competentes. Foram analisadas descrições das formas de enfrentamento de eventos ligados à saúde e doença na vida cotidiana, reconstituindo-se assim a experiência da família ao se relacionar com o sistema profissional de saúde. Os resultados sugerem: (a) a presença de um padrão de comportamentos e idéias gerenciando o uso do sistema profissional de saúde; (b) a adoção de sistemas terapêuticos paralelos, na dependência de uma avaliação contínua dos resultados obtidos, sendo o sistema formal um dos últimos recursos escolhidos, exceto frente a problemas acidentais ou crônicos; (c) a adequação das prescrições médicas às reais condições de vida da família; (d) a re-significação do sofrimento que minore a angústia e propicie o agir; (e) a presença de conflitos na interface família-sistema de saúde, na medida em que estão envolvidos diferentes recursos e sistemas de crenças e práticas.

A resiliência em mulheres de um bairro popular de Salvador, Bahia: recursos pessoais e contextuais / Women's resilience in a popular neighbourhood located in Salvador, Bahia: personal and contextual resources

Resumo: Este é um estudo qualitativo e exploratório que visou caracterizar os recursos pessoais e contextuais utilizados ante abandono, violência em relação a si mesma e aos seus filhos, desemprego e doenças, por mulheres consideradas "resilientes" por apresentarem habilidade de superar de forma socialmente positiva as adversidades. Procurou identificar como tais mulheres,quando crianças e adolescentes, perceberam e exploraram seu entorno quanto ao seu funcionamento e às oportunidades por ele oferecidas, e que recursos pessoais e contextuais utilizaram. Foram escolhidas cinco participantes de um grupo de "Conversa de Família", realizado em um Centro Educativo, no Subúrbio Ferroviário da cidade de Salvador, Bahia. Foi realizada uma entrevista semi-estruturada quanto à história de vida e à rede sociométrica. A análise foi ancorada -em uma perspectiva ecológica do desenvolvimento humano, que considera a pessoa em contexto e processos desenvolvimentais no tempo e na abordagem psicodramática. Os resultados do estudo indicaram uma "resiliência de sobrevivência" alicerçada sobre o próprio desempenho, em que as dificuldades se tornaram meios para o seu sucesso como pessoa. Mostrou a presença de figuras, reais ou imaginárias, e a importância de terem tido uma rede relacional, dentro e/ou fora da família, e de terem podido transitar pela mesma, posto que essas formas de relacionamento irão servir de base para relacionamentos futuros. Alguns traços comuns sobressaíram: confiança em si mesmas e em sua capacidade de encontrar caminhos viáveis, persistência, boa imagem de si próprias, não ter ressentimento e manter o humor. As redes de apoio estavam presentes em todas as histórias, possibilitando a sobrevivência da família de origem, posteriormente a sua e, quando adultas, elas próprias sendo a rede para os seus filhos, netos, afilhados, vizinhos.