Examining resilience among child protection professionals during COVID-19: A global comparison across 57 countries.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic led to numerous challenges for child protection professionals (CPPs). However, limited research has investigated the interwoven concepts of coping, resilience, and mental distress among CPPs during COVID-19 on a global scale. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to explore CPPs' practice, resilience, and mental distress during COVID-19, the relationship between their resilience and mental distress, the global stability of the Multi-System Model of Resilience (MSMR), and how CPPs' resilience varied according to the Human Development Index (HDI). METHODS: Data were collected from 420 CPPs in 57 countries across five continents between July and September 2021. Participants completed an online questionnaire on demographics, resilience, mental distress, coping, and perceptions of child protection during the pandemic in their native languages. The analyses compared the countries grouped according to HDI using means comparisons, correlations, and multiple linear regressions. A two-path analysis was also performed to identify variables associated with behavioral resilience engagement and mental distress. RESULTS: The findings indicated that CPPs' perceptions of COVID-19's impact on child maltreatment varied in correlation with their country's HDI. There were also significant HDI-based differences regarding the perceived opportunity to engage in resilient behavior and its helpfulness. Years of professional experience, internal resilience, and external resilience were shown to be significant predictors of mental distress among CPPs during the pandemic, and resilience mediated how years of experience predicted mental distress. CONCLUSIONS: This study emphasized the importance of experience and internal resilience for CPPs' psychological well-being. It also provides empirical evidence to support the MSMR theory on a global scale. Additionally, it demonstrates how the perceived changes in child maltreatment during COVID-19 may be associated with regional HDI. Lastly, the opportunities CPPs had to engage in resilient behavior and how much this helped them was associated with regional HDI, but not in the way originally predicted. Study results also hold implications for how practice and policy may be altered to help CPPs cope better during times of crisis and generally.

Cross-cultural adaptation of the Mind-Wandering Questionnaire (MWQ) for Brazilian Portuguese and evidence of its validity

Objective: To adapt the Mind-Wandering Questionnaire (MWQ) for the Brazilian context and present evidence of validity based on its internal structure. Methods: A total of 2,682 Brazilian adults from different regions of the country took part in this study. Confirmatory factor analyses and multigroup confirmatory factor analyses (MGCFA) were performed to assess the factor structure of the MWQ. McDonald's omega (ω) was generated to provide reliability indexes. Results: The analyses demonstrated an adequate factor structure for the MWQ adapted to the Brazilian context, corroborating the original article's single-factor model and other adaptation studies. Furthermore, the results demonstrated the instrument's reliability in a Brazilian population (ω = 0.88). Conclusion: The MWQ is thus an adequate, reliable, and quickly administered instrument for those whose aim is to measure deliberate and spontaneous MW in Brazil.

Integrative review of the Brazilian literature on batterers / Revisão integrativa da literatura brasileira sobre agressores conjugais

Abstract Objective This study aimed to investigate approaches, strategies, and relevant variables researched in the Brazilian context regarding spousal aggressors, as well as the therapeutic practices used and their impacts. Method A total of 31 studies were retrieved from the Lilacs database (n = 25), SciELO database (n = 5), and PePsic (n = 1). After excluding duplicates and studies not related to batterers, 9 studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the analysis. Results These articles were analyzed and grouped according to their themes, resulting in five categories: cognitive-behavioral therapy groups; reflective groups on gender stereotypes; cultural determinants; jealousy, anxiety, and alcohol consumption; and parenting practices. Conclusion The review observed theoretical divergences and a dispersion of knowledge on the topic across different areas, which can hinder the planning and standardization of interventions for intimate partner aggressors. Additionally, there is a scarcity of research on the topic within the Brazilian context, which may contribute to the current dispersion of knowledge.

Resumo Objetivo Esse estudo teve como objetivo investigar abordagens, estratégias e variáveis relevantes pesquisadas no contexto brasileiro sobre agressores conjugais, bem como práticas terapêuticas utilizadas e seus impactos. Método Um total de 31 estudos foram recuperados da base de dados Lilacs (n = 25), da base de dados SciELO (n = 5) e do PePsic (n = 1). Após a exclusão de duplicatas e de estudos não relacionados a agressores, 9 estudos atenderam aos critérios de inclusão e foram incluídos na análise. Resultados Estes artigos foram analisados e agrupados de acordo com suas temáticas, resultando em cinco categorias: grupos terapêuticos de enfoque cognitivo-comportamental; grupos reflexivos sobre estereótipos de gênero; determinantes culturais; ciúme, ansiedade e consumo de álcool; e práticas parentais. Conclusão Foram observadas divergências teóricas e dispersão do conhecimento sobre o tema em diferentes áreas, o que pode dificultar o planejamento e a padronização das intervenções para agressores de parceiros íntimos. Além disso, também observou-se escassez de pesquisas sobre o tema no contexto brasileiro, o que pode contribuir para a atual dispersão do conhecimento.

Child protective services and out-of-home Care for Children during COVID-19: A scoping review and thematic analysis.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic challenged child protection and posed new risks for child maltreatment (CM). Moreover, governmental efforts worldwide prioritized mitigating the spread of the virus over ensuring the welfare and protection of families and children. This neglect caused hardship for many vulnerable children, including those in out-of-home care (OOHC), and challenged the functionality of child protective services (CPS). However, only limited research has investigated the impact of COVID-19 on OOHC and CPS and explored how CPS overcame the challenges of helping children in OOHC. OBJECTIVE: This review aims to address this gap in the research to unveil the 'positive legacy' left by CPS in their work with children in OOHC during COVID-19. METHOD: This review utilized three stages of analysis, including a scoping review followed by two rounds of thematic analysis. The scoping review was carried out in six languages: English, Hebrew, Arabic, French, Portuguese, and Spanish. The first round of thematic analysis found eight relevant articles for this review. The second round of thematic analysis found three themes related to this paper's aim in the context of COVID-19. RESULTS: Three main themes were identified: 1) decision-making and OOHC, 2) difficulties in procedures related to OOHC placement, and 3) handling challenges of OOHC. CONCLUSIONS: The discussion emphasizes the crucial role of preserving children's rights, hearing their voices and needs, and considering their safety and well-being when planning policies and practices to protect them. It also emphasizes society's responsibility to acknowledge contextual factors in child protection.

Cross-cultural Adaptation and Validity Evidence of the Mind-Wandering Questionnaire (MWQ) for Brazilian Portuguese.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the present study is to adapt and present validity evidence based on the internal structure of the Mind-Wandering Questionnaire (MWQ) for the Brazilian context. METHODS: A total of 2682 Brazilian adults from different regions of the country have taken part in this study. Confirmatory factor analyses and multigroup confirmatory factor analyses (MGCFA) were performed to assess MWQ factor structure. McDonald's Omega (ω) was generated to provide reliability indexes. RESULTS: It was demonstrated an adequate factor structure of the MWQ for the Brazilian context, corroborating the original article's single-factor model and other adaptation studies. Further, the results demonstrated the reliability of the instrument for the Brazilian population (ω=0.88). CONCLUSIONS: The MWQ is thus an adequate, reliable, and quickly applicable instrument for those whose aim is to measure deliberate and spontaneous MW in Brazil.

The global impact of COVID-19 on child protection professionals: A scoping review and thematic analysis.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic triggered new risks for child maltreatment (CM) and exacerbated existing challenges for families and children, elevating the importance of child protection professionals (CPPs) while also adding barriers to their work. During the pandemic, many CPPs experienced increased workloads, a disrupted work environment, and personal pandemic-related hardships. However, the scope of how COVID-19 impacted CPPs globally, as well as their adopted coping strategies, have not been well explored. OBJECTIVE: This study addresses these gaps in the research by conducting an international scoping review to explore and analyze these topics. METHOD: The scoping review was performed in six languages: English, Hebrew, Arabic, French, Spanish, and Portuguese, across 16 databases. Sixteen manuscripts were included in the final thematic analysis of this review. RESULTS: Two main themes were identified: 1) the impact of COVID-19 on CPPs, and 2) the coping and adaptation strategies employed by CPPs during COVID-19. This review revealed and emphasized the importance of CPPs' resilience during COVID-19, underpinned by the theoretical framework of the social ecology of resilience. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights the responsibility of social ecologies and organizational structures to create readiness for a rapid response in times of crisis as well as valuable evidence to inform how CPPs, children, and families may be better supported in the event of a future crisis.

Resilience during times of enduring challenge: Brazilian Child Protection Professionals' resilience and psychological distress one year into the COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND: The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Child Protection Professionals (CPPs) was widespread. Evidence regarding how those professionals dealt with the pandemic adversities and consequences for their wellbeing are scarce. OBJECTIVE: We sought to analyze whether predictors of resilience had changed one year into the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil. Specifically, we explored the resiliency of CPPs as the stress of the pandemic evolved from an acute stressor to a more chronic and persistent stressor. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING: 263 CPPs from the five regions of Brazil engaged in this study. Participants had a mean age of 40 years and, on average, 13 years of experience in their field. METHODS: CPPs were recruited between March and April of 2021 via professional social media outlets to complete an online survey. CPPs answered questions regarding their perceptions of their work conditions, psychological distress, and resilience. Survey questions were adopted from a prior survey distributed in 2020. RESULTS: We replicated findings from our earlier study in the pandemic: A model of CPPs' resilient behaviors showed good indices of fit even one year into the pandemic. Despite this, paths related to individual importance for personal resilient behavior were not significant in this model. Unmet resilient needs significantly predicted general psychological distress. CONCLUSIONS: CPPs revealed some changing resiliency needs as the pandemic progressed. Results revealed that meeting resilience-related needs is key to decreasing the psychological distress of this population. This work adds to the literature on the understudied topic of CPPs' psychological distress and resilience during international challenges.

Revisão Integrativa sobre a Efetividade de Intervenções Preventivas do Abuso Sexual Infantil / Integrative review addressing the effectiveness of child sexual abuse preventive interventions / Revisión integradora de la efectividad de intervenciones preventivas para abuso sexual infantil

A presente revisão integrativa versa sobre intervenções preventivas primárias do abuso sexual infantil, direcionadas para crianças e adolescentes e para profissionais. Para isso, foram revisadas as seguintes bases de dados: PubMed, BVS, SciELO, Scopus e PsycInfo, utilizando as seguintes palavras-chave: "personal safety education" ou "protective behaviors" ou "personal body safety" ou "child assault prevention" ou "protection education" associadas à expressão "child sexual abuse". Incluíram 16 ensaios, sendo nove intervenções com crianças e adolescentes e sete com adultos. As intervenções preventivas direcionadas às crianças e aos adolescentes aumentavam os comportamentos autoprotetivos e o conhecimento sobre abuso sexual infantil. Por sua vez, as intervenções com adultos apresentaram variedades metodológica e de amostragem que dificultam a generalização dos resultados.

This integrative review addresses primary prevention programs to prevent child sexual abuse focusing on children and adolescents and professionals. We used PubMed, Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde (BVS), Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO), Scopus, and PsycInfo, with the following keywords: "personal safety education" or "protective behaviors" or "personal body safety" or "child assault prevention" or "protection education" associated with the term "child sexual abuse". Sixteen trials were included, nine interventions addressed children and adolescents, and seven, adults. The preventive interventions implemented among children and adolescents improved self-protection behaviors and knowledge regarding child sexual abuse. However, the interventions aimed at adults presented methodological variations that hinder generalization of the results

Este estudio tuvo como objetivo llevar a cabo una revisión bibliográfica integradora sobre las intervenciones preventivas primarias del abuso sexual infantil, centradas en niños y adolescentes y profesionales. Se utilizaron las siguientes bases de datos: PubMed, BVS, SciELO, Scopus y PsycInfo, usando las palabras clave en los metadatos de los encabezados de temas médicos, a saber: "educación de seguridad personal" o "comportamientos de protección" o "seguridad del cuerpo personal" o "prevención de agresión infantil" o "educación de protección" asociada con el término "abuso sexual infantil". Se incluyeron dieciséis ensayos, con nueve intervenciones con niños y adolescentes y siete con adultos. Las intervenciones preventivas dirigidas a niños y adolescentes lograron aumentar las conductas de autoprotección y el conocimiento sobre el abuso sexual infantil. Las intervenciones con adultos presentaron variaciones metodológicas que perjudican la generalización de los resultados.

Longitudinal Distress among Brazilian University Workers during Pandemics.

The present study aimed to examine changes in mental distress in Brazilian university workers during the pandemic. All workers (n ≃ 1850) of an institution were invited to respond to a survey that took place in three stages, with collections in May (n = 407), June/July (n = 258), and August (n = 207) 2020, and included questions on demographic, health, general and psychological support, and psychometric assessment of mental distress (Clinical Outcome Routine Evaluation- CORE-OM) combined with an open question about major concerns. The results of the Multilevel Modeling analysis pointed to the absence of significant differences across the repeated measures of distress. The only variable associated with increased psychological distress over time was a lower level of support for household chores. Qualitative analysis of the reported major concerns was carried out with a sub-sample who showed reliable deterioration in CORE-OM across time (n = 17). The diversity of concerns reported by this group reinforced that work-life imbalance contributes to mental distress of university workers during the pandemic. Low response rate, although not unexpected due to the circumstances, limits the generalization of findings. The present data suggest that in addition to issues related to contagion and specific restricted measures to contain the spread of the disease, the personal reorganization of life required to maintain activities at home and work can be an important contributor to pandemic-related psychological distress.

Influência da percepção de risco sobre a COVID-19 no sofrimento psicológico dos profissionais de saúde / Influence of risk perception of COVID-19 on psychological distress of health professionals / Influencia de la percepción de riesgo del COVID-19 en el sufrimiento psicológico de los profesionales de la salud

A saúde mental dos profissionais de saúde da linha de frente durante a pandemia da doença coronavírus 2019 (COVID-19) está relacionada a uma percepção qualitativa de risco sobre a doença, segundo a Teoria do Traço Difuso. Uma pesquisa de levantamento foi realizada com 134 profissionais de saúde da linha de frente em um município da região metropolitana do Rio Grande do Sul. Os participantes responderam a um questionário on-line sobre percepção de risco e a Clinical Outcome Routine Evaluation - Outcome Measure. Análises de regressão linear corroboraram a literatura, indicando que a percepção qualitativa do risco estava relacionada a menor sofrimento psicológico e uma avaliação quantitativa, a maior sofrimento. Os resultados demonstraram a importância da Teoria do Traço Difuso para compreensão dos riscos associados ao sofrimento mental (potencialmente clínico) de profissionais de saúde durante a pandemia

Mental health of frontline health professionals during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is related to a qualitative perception of risk about the disease, according to Fuzzy Trace Theory. A survey was carried out with 134 frontline health professionals in a city within the metropolitan area of Rio Grande do Sul. Participants answered an online questionnaire on risk perception and the Clinical Outcome Routine Evaluation - Outcome Measure. Linear regression analysis corroborated the literature, indicating that a qualitative perception of risk was related to less psychological distress and, a quantitative assessment, to greater suffering. Results showed the importance of Fuzzy-Trace Theory for understanding the risks associated with (potentially clinical) psychological distress of health professionals during the pandemic

La salud mental de los profesionales de la salud de primera línea, durante la pandemia de enfermedad por coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19), está relacionada con una percepción cualitativa de riesgo sobre la enfermedad, según la Teoría del Rasgo Difuso. Se realizó una encuesta a 134 profesionales de la salud de primera línea en un municipio de la región metropolitana de Río Grande del Sur. Los participantes respondieron un cuestionario en línea sobre percepción de riesgo y la Clinical Outcome Routine Evaluation ­ Outcome Measure. Los análisis de regresión lineal corroboraron la literatura, indicando que la percepción cualitativa del riesgo se relacionó con un menor sufrimiento psicológico y, una valoración cuantitativa, con un mayor sufrimiento. Los resultados demuestran la importancia de la Teoría del Rasgo Difuso para comprender los riesgos asociados con el sufrimiento mental (potencialmente clínico) de los profesionales de la salud durante la pandemia

Psychological Distress of University Workers during COVID-19 Pandemic in Brazil.

The study aimed to explore mental distress during COVID-19 quarantine in a sample of university workers in Brazil. The survey included sets of questions about demographics, health, and support, an open question about major concerns, and the Clinical Outcome Routine Evaluation (CORE-OM), a measure of mental distress. A total of 407 professionals, mean age 40, SD 11.2, fulfilling social distancing (99%) participated in the study. Participants were mostly female (67.8%) and married (64.8%). Using the Consensual Qualitative Research process for simple qualitative data (CQR-M), the main areas of concern were grouped into six domains, as follows: work, health, isolation, personal life and routine, social environment, and future. Many responses were multiple. They form categories indicating specific concerns within these domains. Quantitative data were analyzed by identifying the simple effects of potential predictors of mental distress. The results indicated medium effects of help with household chores (η2 = 0.06, 95% confidence interval (CI) (0.022-0.095)), psychiatric treatment (η2 = 0.06, CI (0.030-0.110)), age (η2 = 0.12, CI (0.070-0.170)), and physical exercise (η2 = 0.12, CI (0.079-0.180)). Having someone available to listen was the only variable with a large effect associated with reduced mental suffering (η2 = 0.18; CI (0.118-0.227)). Psychological experiences of the pandemic are multifaceted and complex. Thus, substantially larger surveys, with both quantitative and qualitative components, are needed.

Brazilian Child Protection Professionals' Resilient Behavior during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic deeply affected child protection professionals. One potential area of concern is whether and how the pandemic has dampened these individuals' ability to engage in the resilient practices that are so vital to their wellbeing. OBJECTIVE: Within the unique and understudied context of a developing economy facing the strain of an international pandemic, this study sought to expand our theoretical understanding of the individual and socio-ecological predictors of whether child protective services professionals engage in resilient behaviors. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING: Three hundred and nine professionals working in child protection related fields (e.g., psychologists, social workers, professors, pediatricians, nurses, and other clinicians). METHODS: Participants were surveyed as to their demographics, current work conditions, their engagement in resilient behaviors, and potential individual and socio-ecological predictors of those behaviors. RESULTS: Both job support for and individuals' beliefs of the importance of resilient behaviors predicted their engagement in such behaviors. CONCLUSIONS: Child protection professionals' resilience must be fostered by socio-ecological contexts, such as their workplace and employers, and additional supports are needed during the trying times of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Construção e estrutura fatorial de uma Escala de Polidez Infantil / Construction and factorial structure of an Infant Politeness Scale / Construcción y estructura factorial de una Escala de Cortesía Infantil

O objetivo deste estudo foi desenvolver e avaliar parâmetros psicométricos da Escala de Polidez Infantil (EPI) nas versões infantil, para genitores e para professores. Inicialmente foi apresentado o desenvolvimento e a avaliação da compreensão dos itens da EPI. Posteriormente, foram investigadas evidências de validade dessas versões por meio de suas estruturas fatoriais. Nessa etapa, participaram 146 crianças (74 meninos) com média de 8,99 anos de idade (DP = 1,46) e de 4,10 anos de estudo (DP = 1,36). Também responderam os genitores (136 mães e 88 pais) e os professores (n = 22) dessas crianças. Na análise fatorial exploratória, a solução mais adequada nas três versões continha dois fatores (polidez moral e polidez convencional). As versões dos genitores e dos professores apresentaram índices de ajuste e de fidedignidade ômega mais adequados, sendo que escala infantil precisará de ajustes. Por fim, apresentou-se uma alternativa viável para mensuração da polidez precursora do comportamento moral. (AU)

The aim of this study was to develop and evaluate psychometric parameters of the child, parent and teacher versions of the Escala de Polidez Infantil (EPI - Infant Politeness Scale). Initially, the development and evaluation of the understanding of the EPI items was presented. Next, the validity of these versions was investigated through their factorial structures. In this stage, 146 children (74 boys) with a mean of 8.99 years of age (SD=1.46) and 4.10 years of study (SD=1.36) participated. The parents (136 mothers and 88 fathers) and the teachers (n=22) of these children also responded. In the exploratory factor analysis the most adequate solution for the three versions contained two factors (moral politeness and conventional politeness). The parent and teacher versions presented more adequate fit and omega reliability indices, while the child version will need adjustments. The scale presents a viable alternative for measuring the politeness precursor of moral behavior. (AU)

El objetivo de este estudio fue desarrollar y evaluar parámetros psicométricos de la Escala de Cortesía Infantil (ECI) en versiones infantiles, para padres y para maestros. Inicialmente, se presentó el desarrollo y la evaluación de la comprensión de los ítems de la ECI. Posteriormente, fueron investigadas evidencias de validez de estas versiones por medio de sus estructuras factoriales. En esta etapa participaron 146 niños (74 varones) con una media de 8,99 años de edad (DS = 1,46) y de 4,10 años de estudio (DS = 1,36). También respondieron los genitores (136 madres y 88 padres) y los maestros (n = 22) de estos niños. En el análisis factorial exploratorio, la solución más adecuada en las tres versiones contenía dos factores (cortesía moral y cortesía convencional). Las versiones de los genitores y de los maestros presentaron índices de ajuste y de confiabilidad omega más adecuados, siendo que la escala infantil necesitará ajustes. Por último, se presentó una alternativa viable para medir la cortesía precursora de la conducta moral. (AU)

Assessment of an Academic Skills Development Program for Youths in Juvenile Correctional Facilities / Avaliação de um Programa de Desenvolvimento de Habilidades Acadêmicas em Adolescentes no Regime de Internação em Unidade de Socioeducação / Evaluación de un Programa de Desarrollo de Habilidades Académicas para Adolescentes Internados en Unidad de Socio Educación

Abstract School deficit is considered a risk factor for the development of antisocial behavior. This study assessed the efficacy of individual program on academic skills for adolescents admitted to juvenile detention. The sample consisted of 18 adolescents, nine who received the intervention (experimental group) and nine in the control group. The schooling activities were developed in a range of 12 to 18 weeks with two to four hours per week and efficacy was measured by School Performance Test (SPT) that evaluates writing, reading and arithmetics. The results of the comparison between pretest and post-test showed a statistically significant increase in the experimental group's math skills (Z = -2.673, p = .008) and overall score (Z = -2.549, p = .012). Calculated via the STP the average educational lag at the time of the pretest was 8.3 years for the experimental group and 8.9 years for the control group. Subsequent to the intervention, the average lag dropped to 7.3 years for the experimental group and remained to 8.6 years for the control group. This intervention proved to be a promising technique to reduce academic deficits in adolescents from juvenile detention.

Resumo O déficit escolar é considerado um fator de risco para o desenvolvimento do comportamento antissocial. Esse estudo avaliou a eficácia de um programa para o desenvolvimento de habilidades acadêmicas para adolescentes em conflito com a lei. A amostra foi composta por 18 adolescentes, nove receberam a intervenção (grupo experimental) e nove participaram do grupo controle. As atividades de estimulação foram desenvolvidas entre duas e quatro horas semanais em um período entre 12 e 18 semanas. A eficácia do programa foi medida pelo Teste de Desenvolvimento Escolar (TDE) que avalia habilidades de escrita, leitura e aritmética. Os resultados da comparação entre pré teste e pós teste demonstraram que o grupo experimental teve melhoras significativas nas habilidades aritméticas (Z = -2,673, p = 0,008) e no escore total (Z = -2,549, p = 0,012). Medida pelo TDE a média de atraso escolar no pré teste foi de 8,3 anos no grupo experimental e de 8,9 anos no grupo controle. Após a intervenção a média caiu para 7,3 anos no grupo experimental e se manteve em 8,6 anos no grupo controle. Essa intervenção demonstrou ser uma técnica promissora para reduzir déficits escolares em adolescentes em conflito com a lei.

Resumen El déficit escolar se considera un factor de riesgo para el desarrollo del comportamiento antisocial. Esta investigación evaluó un programa de escolarización individual, en la modalidad refuerzo escolar, con adolescentes internados en unidad de socio educación. La muestra se constituyó de 18 adolescentes, nueve que recibieron la intervención y nueve en grupo control. Las actividades de escolarización se desarrollaron en un intervalo de 12 a 18 semanas, con duración de dos a cuatro horas por semana. Sus efectos fueron medidos por el Teste de Desarrollo Escolar (STP) que evaluó lectura, escritura y aritmética. Los resultados de la comparación del pre con el pos test demostraron que hubo aumento significativo de aprendizaje en aritmética (Z = -2.673, p <0,008) y en la puntuación total (Z = -2,549, p <0,012) en el grupo objetivo. El promedio del desfase escolar en pre-test, calculado por el STP, fue de 8,3 años para el grupo objetivo y 8,9 años para el control; después de la intervención promedio el desfasaje escolar cayó a 7,3 años para el grupo objetivo y se mantuvo en 8,6 para el control. La intervención en la escolarización se mostró prometedora para reducir el déficit escolar de adolescentes en régimen de internación.

O Procedimento Selective Reminding na Avaliação da Memória e Aprendizagem: Um Levantamento de Estudos Brasileiros / Assessing Memory and Learning Using the Selective Reminding Procedure: A Survey of Brazilian Studies

RESUMO Os pesquisadores têm à sua disposição uma variedade de métodos que auxiliam a compreensão dos processos de memória e aprendizagem. O presente artigo tem como objetivo revisitar o procedimento de recordação seletiva, apresentando suas características e variações, e realizar um levantamento de estudos brasileiros que fizeram uso do mesmo. São apresentadas as diferenças entre a recordação seletiva e o procedimento padrão em tarefas de aprendizagem por recordação livre. Constatou-se que, no Brasil, além de diferentes tarefas, são utilizadas formas de aplicações distintas do procedimento. A utilização da recordação seletiva apresenta relevância no estudo da memória e da aprendizagem, em especial na busca pela diferenciação entre as dificuldades normais de memórias e os déficits patológicos dessa função cognitiva.

ABSTRACT Researchers have a wide variety of methods that help to understand the processes of memory and learning. This paper aims to revisit the selective reminding procedure by presenting its characteristics and variations, and carry out a survey of Brazilian studies that made use of it. Differences are presented between the selective reminding procedure and the standard procedure in the use of free recall learning tests. The study showed that, in Brazil, the selective reminding procedure uses, not only different tasks, but also different application methods. The use of selective reminding is relevant to the study of memory and learning, especially to differentiate normal memory difficulties from pathological deficits in this cognitive function.

Relationship between inflammation and oxidative stress and cognitive decline in the institutionalized elderly.

OBJECTIVE: Cognitive impairment reduces quality of life and is related to vascular and neurodegenerative disorders. However, there is also a close relationship between these diseases and oxidative stress. Thus, the purpose of this study was to assess whether inflammation and oxidative damage are associated with low cognitive performance in the elderly with different housing conditions. METHODS: The study groups consisted of 32 institutionalized and 25 noninstitutionalized Brazilian elderly subjects. Oxidative damage, inflammation markers, and cognitive function were evaluated. RESULTS: The results demonstrated pronounced oxidative stress in the institutionalized elderly group, which also had a lower antioxidant status compared to noninstitutionalized subjects. High levels of proinflammatory cytokines were also observed in the institutionalized elderly. Furthermore, the raised levels of inflammatory markers were correlated with increased oxidative stress, and both were associated with low cognitive performance. However, based on multiple linear regression analysis, oxidative stress appears to be the main factor responsible for the cognitive decline. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that individuals with lower antioxidant status are more vulnerable to oxidative stress, which is associated with cognitive function, leading to reduced life quality and expectancy.

Criação e normatização de um conjunto brasileiro de estímulos pictóricos / Development and standardization of a brazilian set of pictorial stimuli / Creación y estandarización de un conjunto brasileño de estímulos pictóricos

O objetivo do presente estudo foi criar e normatizar um conjunto de 89 estímulos pictóricos para brasileiros adultos de idade intermediária e adultos idosos (40-89 anos). Foram selecionados 89 conceitos verbais de um estudo prévio sobre normas de associação semântica categórica. Todos os conceitos foram representados graficamente e avaliados por três juízes. Posteriormente, cada estímulo pictórico foi normatizado pelos seguintes atributos: concordância conceitual, concordância de nomeação, familiaridade conceitual e complexidade visual. Os resultados sugerem que 93,3% (83) dos estímulos apresentaram concordância conceitual satisfatória. Os demais atributos apresentaram índices de correlação próximos aos observados nos estudos de normatização dos maiores bancos internacionais de estímulos pictóricos. Esses resultados sugeriram a qualidade do conjunto de estímulos e contribuirão tanto para o desenvolvimento do Teste MAPS (Memória e Aprendizagem através de Pistas Seletivas) quanto para a criação de outros instrumentos de avaliação psicológica e cognitiva...

The aim of this study was to create and to standardize a new set of 89 pictorial stimuli for Brazilian middle aged and elderly people (40-89 years). Verbal Concepts (89) were selected from studies that investigated norms semantic association. All concepts are drawn and evaluated by three judges. Thereafter, each pictorial stimulus was standardized on the following attributes: conceptual agreement, naming agreement, conceptual familiarity and visual complexity. At least 93.3% (83) stimuli presented satisfactory conceptual agreement. The other attributes showed correlation coefficients close to those observed in the standardization of the largest international sets pictorial stimuli. These results suggest the quality of this set of pictorial stimuli and will contribute for the development of the test called MAPS (Memory and Learning with Selective Cues) and others psychological assessment tools...

El objetivo del presente estudio fue crear y estandarizar un conjunto de 89 estímulos pictóricos para personas de adultos y ancianos (40-89 años). Se seleccionaron 89 conceptos verbales derivadas de los estudios de estandarización de asociación semántica. Todos los conceptos se representaron y evaluados por tres jueces. Para cada estimulo fue estandarizado para los siguientes atributos: el acuerdo conceptual, el acuerdo de nombramiento, la familiaridad conceptual y la complejidad visual. Una gran parte de los estímulos (93,3%) presentaron acuerdo conceptual satisfactorio y los otros atributos presentan índices compatibles con los conjuntos internacionales de estímulos pictóricos. Estos resultados sugieren que la calidad de este conjunto y contribuirán en la elaboración de un test MAPS (Memoria y Aprendizaje com Pistas Seleccionadas) y otras herramientas de evaluación psicológica...

Normas de associação semântica para 20 categorias em adultos e idosos / Semantic association norms for 20 categories in adults and elderly / Normas de asociación semántica para 20 categorías en adultos y ancianos

O desenvolvimento de normas para categorias semânticas é necessário para a compreensão do modo como os indivíduos organizam o conhecimento na memória e para a construção de instrumentos de avaliação cognitiva. O objetivo do presente estudo é fornecer normas associativas de 20 categorias semânticas para adultos e idosos brasileiros. Participaram do estudo 236 pessoas, entre 40 e 88 anos, das cinco regiões brasileiras. Os participantes responderam a um questionário de dados sociodemográficos e a um questionário de itens para categorias semânticas, e foram solicitados a produzir os cinco primeiros exemplares de cada categoria apresentada. Os resultados foram agrupados e são apresentadas as normas das categorias (exemplares, tamanho da categoria, respostas corretas, em branco e erros), bem como as respostas de cada categoria que foram comuns a todas as regiões brasileiras...

The development of semantic category norms is necessary to assist in the understanding of how individuals organize knowledge in memory, and to the creation of cognitive assessment instruments. The aim of this study is to provide associative norms of 20 semantic categories for Brazilian adults and elderly. The study included 236 participants from 40 to 88 years of age from the five Brazilian regions. They answered a socio-demographic questionnaire and a semantic category questionnaire, in which they were asked to produce the first five items of each category. Results are presented in category norms (items, category set size, correct responses, no responses and errors), as well as the responses that were common to all Brazilian regions belonging to each category...

Es necesario el desarrollo de normas para categorías semánticas para poder comprender cómo las personas organizan el conocimiento en la memoria y para la construcción de instrumentos de evaluación cognitiva. El objetivo de este estudio es proporcionar normas asociativas de 20 categorías semánticas para muestras de brasileños adultos y ancianos. Participaron 236 personas entre 40 y 88 años, de cinco regiones de Brasil. Los participantes completaron un cuestionario de datos sociodemográfico y un cuestionario de ítems para categorías semánticas y se les solicitó la producción de los cinco primeros ejemplares de cada categoría presentada. Los resultados fueron agrupados y son presentadas las normas de las categorías (ejemplares, tamaño de categoría, respuestas correctas, en blanco y errores), así como las respuestas de cada categoría, comunes a todas las regiones de Brasil...

Screen for child anxiety related emotional disorders: are subscale scores reliable? A bifactor model analysis.

The aim of this study was to investigate the utility of creating and scoring subscales for the self-report version of the Screen for Child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders (SCARED) by examining whether subscale scores provide reliable information after accounting for a general anxiety factor in a bifactor model analysis. A total of 2420 children aged 9-18 answered the SCARED in their schools. Results suggested adequate fit of the bifactor model. The SCARED score variance was hardly influenced by the specific domains after controlling for the common variance in the general factor. The explained common variance (ECV) for the general factor was large (63.96%). After accounting for the general total score (ωh=.83), subscale scores provided very little reliable information (ωh ranged from .005 to .04). Practitioners that use the SCARED should be careful when scoring and interpreting the instrument subscales since there is more common variance to them than specific variance.

Memória e aprendizagem no procedimento de recordação seletiva livre e com pistas / Memory and learning in a free and cued selective reminding procedure / Memoria y aprendizaje en un procedimiento de recuerdo selectivo libre y facilitado

O procedimento de Recordação Seletiva Livre e com Pistas (RSLP) é um importante método para avaliação da memória e da aprendizagem. O objetivo do estudo foi explorar a estrutura fatorial e verificar a aprendizagem através dos ensaios de um instrumento que utiliza este procedimento. Para isso, foram analisadas retrospectivamente as respostas de 83 idosos em uma tarefa que utiliza esse procedimento. Observou-se uma curva ascendente entre os ensaios na evocação livre, e que não há melhora significativa do desempenho após o segundo ensaio no total recordado (evocação livre mais evocação guiada por pistas). A estrutura fatorial observada foi de três fatores, sendo que os Fatores 1 e 2 sustentaram uma divisão entre escores de recuperação e de armazenamento da memória.O terceiro fator sugeriu a presença de um armazenamento temporário de informação. Tem-se como hipótese que o Fator 3 esteja relacionado ao buffer episódico da memória operacional. Esses resultados auxiliam na compreensão da RSLP e fornecem subsídios para o desenvolvimento de um novo teste de memória (Teste MAPS).

The objective of the study was to verify, in an exploratory way, the factor structure and differences between each trial on instruments that use the procedure Free and Cued Selective Reminding (FCSR). The responses of 83 elderly people to FCSR were retrospectively analyzed. The results suggest that there is an ascending curve between almost all trials in a free recall and no significant differences after second trial in a total remembered. In addition, a three factor solution was observed. Factors 1 and 2 suggest maintaining a division between recovery and storage scores, while the presence of factor 3 suggests the presence of a score that asses a temporary storage of information. There is a hypothesis that factor 3 was related with episodic buffer in working memory. These results serve to better understanding the FCSR and used to develop a new memory test (MAPS Test).

El objetivo del estudio fué hacer una verificación exploratoria, de la estructura factorial y de las diferencias entre cada ensayo de los instrumentos que utilizan el procedimiento Recuerdo Selectivo Libre y Guiado (RSLG). Para hacer esto, se analizaron las respuestas de 83 personas mayores a una tarea con el RSLG.Se há observado una curva lineal y ascendente en lo recuerdo libre. No hubo diferencias significativas después del segundo ensayo en lo recuerdo facilitado. Se observó una estructura de tres factores. Factores 1 y 2 apoyaron una división entre la recuperación y el almacenamiento de la memoria. El tercer factor sugirió un almacenamiento de corto plazo de la información. Una hipótesis presentada fué de que el factor 3 se relaciona com el buffer episodico de la memoria de trabajo. Estos resultados sirven para entender mejor el RSLG y se utilizarán para desarrollar una nueva prueba de memoria (Test MAPS).