Brief cognitive behavioral intervention in groups in a Brazilian assisted reproduction program.

The study's objective was to assess the effect of a cognitive behavioral group intervention on the pregnancy rates of patients submitted to in vitro fertilization (IVF) techniques or to intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). The study was conducted on 188 patients, 93 who participated in a group of psychological intervention before the IVF and ICSI procedures and 95 patients submitted to IVF and ICSI during the same period of time, who did not participate in the intervention (control group). Clinical pregnancy was the outcome measure. Demographic and clinical variables were compared between groups in order to assess the group's homogeneity. Participants in the psychological intervention obtained a pregnancy rate of 39.8%, significantly higher than the 23.2% rate of nonparticipants (χ(2) = 6.03, p = .01, odds ratio of 22 (CI: 1.16-4.13). The data suggest that group psychological intervention before IVF and ICSI in order to control stress seems to increase the rate of success of these procedures.

Be a Mom, a Web-Based Intervention to Prevent Postpartum Depression: Results From a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.

Be a Mom is a self-guided web-based intervention, grounded in cognitive behavioral therapy, delivered to postpartum women to prevent persistent postpartum depression [PPD] symptoms. We aimed to evaluate Be a Mom in terms of its preliminary efficacy, feasibility, and acceptability. A pilot randomized, two-arm controlled trial was conducted. Eligible women (presenting PPD risk-factors and/or early-onset PPD symptoms) were enrolled in the study and were randomly assigned to the intervention (Be a Mom) or to the waiting-list control group. Participants in both groups completed baseline (T1) and postintervention (T2) assessments. The 194 women presenting risk factors/early-onset PPD symptoms were allocated to the intervention (n = 98) or to the control (n = 96) group. A significant Time × Group interaction effect was found for both depressive and anxiety symptoms, with women in the intervention group presenting a larger decrease in symptoms from T1 to T2 (p < .05). Less than half of the women (41.8%) completed Be a Mom. Most women (71.4%) would use Be a Mom again if needed. Results provide preliminary evidence of the Be a Mom's efficacy, acceptability and feasibility, although further research is needed to establish Be a Mom as a selective/indicative preventive intervention for persistent PPD.

Be a Mom, a Web-Based Intervention to Prevent Postpartum Depression: The Enhancement of Self-Regulatory Skills and Its Association With Postpartum Depressive Symptoms.

Aim: Be a Mom is a self-guided, web-based intervention to prevent persistent postpartum depression symptoms [PPD], targeting both at-risk postpartum women and/or women presenting early-onset postpartum depressive symptoms (selective/indicated preventive intervention). Be a Mom is grounded on the principles of Cognitive-Behavior Therapy and incorporates the recent contributions of acceptance and compassion-based approaches (third-wave approaches) applied to the perinatal context. This study aimed to explore the processes underlying therapeutic change in the Be a Mom intervention, by: (1) exploring whether participation in the Be a Mom promotes the enhancement of self-regulatory skills (emotion regulation abilities, psychological flexibility and self-compassion) in comparison with women who did not participate in the program; and (2) exploring whether changes in self-regulatory skills are associated with changes in depressive symptoms, among women who participated in the Be a Mom program. Methods: A pilot randomized, two-arm controlled trial was conducted. Eligible women (presenting PPD risk-factors and/or early-onset PPD symptoms) were enrolled in the study and were randomly assigned to the intervention group (Be a Mom, n = 98) or to the waiting-list control group (n = 96). Participants in both groups completed baseline (T1) and post-intervention assessments (T2), including measures of depressive symptoms, emotion regulation abilities, psychological flexibility and self-compassion. Results: From baseline to post-intervention assessment, women in the intervention group showed a significantly greater decrease in the levels of emotion regulation difficulties (p < 0.001) and a significant greater increase in the levels of self-compassion (p < 0.001) compared to the control group. No significant differences were found concerning psychological flexibility. Moreover, a greater decrease in difficulties in emotion regulation and greater increase in self-compassion levels were significantly associated with a greater decrease in depressive symptoms, among women in the intervention group. Discussion: Be a Mom promotes the enhancement of women's emotion regulation abilities and self-compassion, and this seems to exert a protective effect in the presence of PPD risk factors (or early-onset symptoms) because it led to a reduction of depressive symptoms. By providing some insights into the processes that underlie treatment response to Be a Mom, this study highlights the important role of the targeted third-wave processes applied to the perinatal context.

Psychological distress in patients listed for liver transplantation.

PURPOSE: To assess the level of depression in patients listed for liver transplantation. METHODS: Sixty-four adult patients, listed for liver transplantation, were submitted to psychological evaluation, including assessment of depression by means of the Beck Depression Inventory. RESULTS: Twenty-two percent of the patients had mild/major depression. The group consisted mainly of male patients aged 47 on average, with a history of alcohol abuse and a Meld (Model for End-Liver Disease) value of 14.5. Patients that had been awaiting liver transplant longer presented less severe liver disease according to the Child-Pugh criteria. CONCLUSION: It is extremely important to assess psychological distress in patients listed for liver transplantation. An interdisciplinary approach is essential to improve the patients' quality of life both in the pre- and post-transplant periods.

Women's use of online resources and acceptance of e-mental health tools during the perinatal period.

OBJECTIVES: The women's professional help-seeking rate for perinatal depression is low, despite the prevalent and disabling nature of this condition. Therefore, new approaches should be implemented to increase women's access and utilization of treatment resources, namely e-mental health tools. This study aimed to characterize women's current pattern of use of online resources for mental heal issues and women's acceptance of e-mental health tools during the perinatal period, and to investigate its main determinants. METHODS: This study used an online cross-sectional survey that was completed by 546 women during the perinatal period. RESULTS: 31.3% had prior knowledge of websites targeting mental health illness. Women presenting an actual need for help (i.e., a positive screen for depression) reported greater use of online resources and greater engagement in e-health behaviors related to mental health (d=0.46-0.61), and being more accepting of e-mental health tools, particularly of informative websites. Women's perceptions concerning the e-mental tools were found to predict their intentions to use them. CONCLUSIONS: The results seem to globally support Portuguese women's acceptance of e-mental health tools. To improve the level of acceptance, women should be involved as stakeholders in the development of new e-mental health tools and provided with specific information before their utilization.

Women׳s help-seeking behaviours for depressive symptoms during the perinatal period: Socio-demographic and clinical correlates and perceived barriers to seeking professional help.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to characterize the help-seeking behaviours of women who were screened positive for perinatal depression, to investigate its sociodemographic and clinical correlates, and to characterize the perceived barriers that prevent women from seeking professional help. DESIGN: Cross-sectional internet survey. SETTING: Participants were recruited through advertisements published in pamphlets and posted on social media websites (e.g., Facebook) and websites and forums that focused on pregnancy and childbirth. PARTICIPANTS: 656 women (currently pregnant or who had a baby during the last 12 months) completed the survey. MEASUREMENTS: Participants were assessed with the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale, and were questioned about sociodemographic and clinical data, help-seeking behaviours and perceived barriers to help-seeking. FINDINGS: Different pathways of help-seeking were found, with only 13.6% of women with a perinatal depression seeking help for their emotional problems. Married women, currently pregnant women, and women without history of psychological problems had a higher likelihood of not engaging in any type of help-seeking behaviour. The majority of women who had not sought professional assistance identified several barriers to help-seeking, particularly knowledge barriers. KEY CONCLUSIONS: Strategies to increase women׳s help-seeking behaviours should be implemented, namely improving mental health literacy, introducing screening procedures for mental health problems in pre/postnatal health care settings, and offering women innovative opportunities (e.g., web-based tools) that allow them to overcome the practical barriers to help-seeking.

[Association between headache and anxiety disorders indicators in a school sample from Ribeirão Preto, Brazil]. / Cefaléia associada a indicadores de transtornos de ansiedade em uma amostra de escolares de Ribeirão Preto, SP.

A sample of 374 public elementary and junior high school students aged 8 to 13 years were evaluated to assess the prevalence of frequent headache complaints, associated with indications of anxiety disorder. Parents answered a questionnaire to investigate the presence and frequency of headache and of behaviors/symptoms that might indicate the presence of anxiety disorders. Children were evaluated using the Revised Children's Manifest Anxiety Scale adapted to this population. Among them, 45.4% had never had a headache complaint; 41.2% had occasional headache complaints; and 13.5% had frequent headache complaints. Among children with frequent headache complaints there were more girls than boys, higher anxiety scores, higher occurrence of bruxism, and higher frequency of agitation. The high prevalence of headache and its association with bruxism in this sample is compatible with North American and Brazilian epidemiological data. Results show an association between frequent headache complaints and high anxiety scores.

Effectiveness of psychological intervention for treating symptoms of anxiety and depression among pregnant women diagnosed with fetal malformation.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effectiveness of a psychological intervention targeting pregnant women with fetal malformation. METHODS: A clinical study was conducted that enrolled 65 pregnant women attending Clinics Hospital at Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Brazil, between February 2004 and May 2008. Participants were allocated to 1 of 4 groups: normal pregnancy (NP), fetal malformation (FM), fetal or neonatal death (FD), and control (CG). Psychological intervention-including support, empathy, education, and desensitization-was provided to the NP, FM, and FD groups. Women in CG did not receive the intervention and were assessed in the postnatal period only. Anxiety was measured using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression (HAD) scale. Depression was measured by HAD and the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. RESULTS: Significant reductions from baseline were observed in anxiety and depression scores after psychological intervention in the NP and FM groups. Symptom scores in the postnatal period were also significantly reduced among these groups (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: Psychological intervention was effective in relieving symptoms of anxiety and depression experienced by pregnant women with fetal malformation.

Human experimental anxiety: actual public speaking induces more intense physiological responses than simulated public speaking.

OBJECTIVES: a) To perform a systematic and meta-analytic review to verify whether the Simulated Public Speaking Task (SPST) leads to a greater increase in self-rated anxiety than in physiological correlates of anxiety; and b) to compare the results obtained with the SPST with an actual public speaking task involving healthy volunteers. METHODS: a) The PubMed and ISI Web of Knowledge databases were searched for studies involving the SPST prior to 2012. Eleven publications were eligible and provided data from 143 healthy volunteers for meta-analysis; b) 48 university students without somatic or psychiatric disorders were divided into three experimental groups of 16 subjects to undergo one of the following: SPST, real-world public speaking task (real-world), and control situation (control). RESULTS: The meta-analysis showed that the SPST induced a significant increase in the Visual Analogue Mood Scale (VAMS) anxiety factor, but no significant increases in systolic blood pressure or heart rate. The empirical study showed that the real-world public speaking task increased heart rate, systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure significantly more than the control and SPST conditions. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that real public speaking might be better than SPST in inducing experimental anxiety.

Factors Associated with Treatment Adherence of Brazilian Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis

To evaluate patients' adherence to hemodialysis (HD) and its relationship to psychosocial variables. Methods: 64 adult patients undergoing HD participated in the study and were assessed in regard to depression, anxiety, social support, disease and treatment knowledge, and adherence. Results: Association between sex and adherence to HD, and to diet and medication was found, as well as between schooling and overall adherence. There is association between disease knowledge and depression, with adherence to fluid restrictions. No association was found between adherence and anxiety. Conclusion: Identifying the determinants of treatment adherence is essential to devise efficacious strategies to improve patients' quality of life.

Objetivo: Evaluar la adherencia de pacientes al tratamiento de la hemodiálisis (HD) y su relación con variables psicosociales. Método: Participaron 64 pacientes adultos con HD, evaluados en cuanto a depresión, ansiedad, apoyo social, conocimiento de la enfermedad y del tratamiento, y la adherencia. Resultados: Hay asociación entre sexo y adherencia a la HD, la dieta y la medicación, así como entre escolaridad y la adherencia general. Hay asociación entre niveles de conocimiento de la enfermedad y depresión con la adherencia a la restricción de líquidos. No se encontró asociación entre la adherencia y la ansiedad. Conclusión: La identificación de los determinantes de la adherencia al tratamiento es esencial para la elaboración de estrategias eficaces para mejorar la calidad de vida de los pacientes.

Chronic pelvic pain: multifactorial influences.

RATIONALE: Chronic pelvic pain (CPP) is a common and complex disease whose cause is often clinically inexplicable, with diagnosis and treatment being more difficult. From a clinical viewpoint, CPP is defined as non-cyclic, non-menstrual pain lasting at least 6 months and sufficiently severe to interfere with habitual activities and requiring clinical or surgical treatment. Thus, CPP is a syndrome resulting from a complex interaction of the nervous, musculoskeletal and endocrine systems and also influenced by psychological and sociocultural factors. CPP is influenced by emotional aspects with an impact on quality of life, and involving high costs for health services. Its aetiology is not always clear and a cure or significant improvement of symptoms is not always obtained with the treatments employed, with constant frustration of the professionals involved. It can be seen that its treatment is often unsatisfactory, simply providing temporary relief of symptoms. METHODS: In the present study, we reviewed the bibliography regarding pelvic pain, with emphasis on emotional aspects and on the importance of a multidimensional approach to the care for these patients. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: New investigations are needed to clarify these relations and interventions in a more effective manner. Interdisciplinary care can minimize the impact of the disease, helping the patients to cope with symptoms and improving their quality of life.

Efeitos de Intervenção Cognitivo-Comportamental sobre Fatores de Risco Psicológicos em Cardiopatas / Effects in Cognitive-Behavioral Intervention on Psychological Risk Factors of Cardiac Patients

RESUMODiminuir fatores de risco para cardiopatias pode melhorar a qualidade de vida e reduzir a mortalidade e morbidade relacionadas a elas.O presente estudo avaliou a eficácia de uma intervenção cognitivo-comportamental em grupo sobre ansiedade, depressão, estresse e saúde cardiovascular em cardiopatas. Foram avaliados 91 pacientes antes e após participação nos grupos, com entrevistas semiestruturadas, Inventários Beck (Ansiedade e Depressão) e Inventário de Sintomas de Stress para Adultos de Lipp. Coletaram-se medidas fisiológicas para cálculo do escore de Framingham. A participação no grupo resultou em redução dos sintomas de ansiedade, depressão, estresse e melhora do enfrentamento ao estresse. Não houve diferença no escore de Framingham. A intervenção se mostrou eficaz para a redução dos fatores de risco psicológicos nessa amostra.

ABSTRACTReducing risk factors for cardiovascular diseases may increase quality of life and decrease mortality and morbidity secondary to these disorders.The present study evaluated the efficacy of a cognitive-behavioral group intervention on anxiety, depression, stress and cardiovascular health of cardiac patients. Ninety-one patients were assessed before and after the group intervention by means of semi-structured interviews, the Beck Anxiety and Depression Inventories and the Lipp's Stress Symptoms Inventory for Adults. Cardiovascular status was estimated using the Framingham Score. The intervention decreased anxiety, depression, and stress, and improved coping with stress. No significant differences were seen for the Framingham Scores. The intervention was effective in improving psychological risk factors for the investigated sample.

A 44ª. Reunião anual de psicologia - homenagem aos 50 anos do departamento de psicologia da faculdade de filosofia, ciências e letras de Ribeirão Preto da universidade de São Paulo (FFCLRPUSP) / The 44th annual congress of psychology: homage to the 50th anniversary of the department of psychology, school of philosophy, sciences and language, Ribeirão Preto, university of São Paulo (FFCLRPUSP) / El 44º. Congreso Anual de Psicología: Homenaje al 50º Aniversario del Departamento de Psicología, Facultad de Filosofía, Ciencias e Letras, Ribeirão Preto, Universidad de São Paulo (FFCLRPUSP)

A Diretoria da Sociedade Brasileira de Psicologia (SBP) deliberou realizar a 44ª. Reunião Anual de Psicologia em Ribeirão Preto, SP, cidade onde nasceu a Sociedade de Psicologia de Ribeirão Preto, sua predecessora. Tal decisão teve como motivação realizar uma homenagem ao Departamento de Psicologia da Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto da Universidade de São Paulo, local onde foi criada a SBP. Para descrever os motivos de tal homenagem escrevemos este breve artigo destacando as características da reunião, deste histórico departamento e sua relação com o nascimento da própria Sociedade Brasileira de Psicologia.

The Board of Directors of the Brazilian Society of Psychology (SBP) decided to organize its 44th Annual Meeting in Ribeirão Preto, city where the Society of Psychology of Ribeirão Preto, SBP's antecessor, was founded. Such decision had as motivation to honor the Department of Psychology, from the School of Philosophy, Sciences and Languages at Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo University, where the SBP was born. In order to describe the reasons for such homage, this short article was written, pointing out the characteristics of the meeting, of this historic department and its relation with the foundation of the Brazilian Society of Psychology itself.

El Consejo Director de la Sociedad Brasileña de Psicología (SBP) decidió celebrar la 44a. Reunión Anual de Psicología en Ribeirão Preto, SP, lugar donde nasció la Sociedad de Psicología de Ribeirão Preto, su predecesora. Esto fue motivado para realizar un homenaje al Departamento de Psicología de la Facultad de Filosofía, Ciencias y Letras de Ribeirão Preto de la Universidad de São Paulo, donde se creó la SBP. Para describir las razones del tributo fue escrito este breve artículo que destaca las características de este departamento histórico y su relación con el nacimiento de la propia Sociedad Brasileña de Psicología.

Coping by relatives of critical care patients.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the coping strategies used by the relatives of patients hospitalized in an intensive care unit. METHODS: This is a descriptive study that uses a convenience sample and both qualitative and quantitative methods. The study was conducted at a tertiary university hospital in Brazil. Participants included 41 relatives who were selected during the first 96 hours of patient hospitalization in the intensive care unit. RESULTS: The participants reported that they more frequently used Coping Strategies Based on the Stressor, followed by Religiosity/Fantasy Thinking and Seeking for Social Support. There was a statistically significant relationship (P < .01) between the use of the strategy Seeking for Social Support and elevated Acute Physiology, Age, and Chronic Health Evaluation II scores. Qualitative analysis allowed a clearer understanding of the relation between the patient's condition and changes in the coping strategies used by the patient's relatives. CONCLUSION: This study describes the coping strategies used by patients' relatives during the early hospitalization period. This investigation allowed for a better understanding of the relatives' psychologic aspects and their relation with the patient's clinical condition. The results shall assist the design of specific interventions directed at facilitating positive coping responses on the part of relatives.

Importance of psychological intervention for the recovery of children submitted to elective surgery.

PURPOSE: The effects of anxiety on the patient and his/her family are known to be the main factors that influence health recovery in child surgery. When the whole family can be prepared and supported by psychologic intervention, the damage to child behavior and family anxiety is attenuated. METHODS: This study was conducted in children between 2 and 6 years old, divided into 2 groups of 10 pairs each. The experimental group received psychologic intervention, whereas the control group did not. One month after the surgery, they were reevaluated and compared with the same instruments used in the beginning of the study. The instruments used were as follows: the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory with the mothers and the Rutter's Child Behavior A2 Scale and the Posthospital Behavior Questionnaire with the children. RESULTS: The results were compared by the Wilcoxon and Mann-Whitney nonparametric tests for independent samples, both at the P < .05 significance levels. Mothers stated that anxiety was different in the postsurgery period, showing a significant decrease when comparing the experimental and control groups. Both instruments to measure child behavior also showed that prepared children had less habit changes than the control group, which showed increased levels of inadequate behavior. CONCLUSIONS: These data confirm reports in literature regarding child preparation before medical intervention and reinforces the importance of specialized presurgery planning procedures by the proper professional interfaced with the surgical colleagues, all aiming toward the best recovery for the children.

Análise qualitativa do uso de manual informativo para familiares em UTI / Qualitative analysis of the information booklet use on ICU patient's relatives / Análisis cualitativo del uso de manual de información para familiares en UCI

O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar qualitativamente os efeitos do uso de Manual Informativo (MI) sobre a compreensão das informações e comportamentos dos familiares nas visitas aos pacientes. Foram utilizadas entrevista semiestruturadas. Os seis primeiros familiares, Grupo I, não receberam o MI. Os seis seguintes, Grupo II, receberam o MI. Todos foram entrevistados nas primeiras 72 horas de internação. No Grupo I, identificaram-se percepções incompletas sobre UTI e paciente, dificultando a formulação perguntas e acentuando sentimentos de impotência e isolamento. No Grupo II, evidenciaram-se maiores compreensão e coerência das informações, maior domínio de termos técnicos e comportamentos mais ativos dos familiares. A informação escrita sistematizada colaborou para o esclarecimento dos familiares, aumentando segurança em relação aos profissionais/pacientes, diminuindo seu sofrimento.

The aim of this study was to analyse qualitatively the use of Informative Booklet (IB) in order to comprehend information and behaviours of relatives during visits to patients. Semi-structured interviews were held. At first, six relatives, named Group 1, were not analysed with IB. On the other hand, the following six, group 2, were. All of them were interviewed during the first 72 hours of hospitalization. In Group 1, incomplete perceptions were identified on ICU and patients. Thus, not only was it difficult to pose questions, but also feelings of helplessness and isolation have been accentuated. In Group 2, we could perceive a higher comprehension of information, greater use of technical terms, and more active behaviours. Systematised and written information contributed to enlighten relatives, increasing confidence on professionals and patients, thus reducing suffering.

El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar cualitativamente efectos del uso del Manual de Información (MI) sobre la comprensión de las informaciones y los comportamientos de los parientes en las visitas a los pacientes. Se utilizaron entrevistas semi estructuradas. Los primeros seis familiares, Grupo I, no recibieron el MI. Los seis siguientes, Grupo II, recibieron el MI. Todos ellos fueron entrevistados en las primeras 72 horas de hospitalización. En el Grupo I, fueron identificadas percepciones incompletas sobre la UCI y paciente, lo que puede dificultar la formulación de preguntas y acentuar los sentimientos de impotencia y aislamiento. En el Grupo II, los familiares mostraron más comprensión de la información, mayor dominio de términos técnicos y comportamientos más activos. La información escrita y sistematizada parece contribuir para la clarificación de los parientes, para aumentar la seguridad en lo referente a profesionales/pacientes, reduciendo su sufrimiento.

Caracterização psicossocial de pacientes diabéticos de um hospital público universitário / Psychosocial characterization of diabetes mellitus patients of a public university hospital / Caracterización psicosocial de pacientes diabéticos de un hospital público universitario

OBJETIVOS: caracterizar sociodemograficamente pacientes diabéticos adultos de um hospital público universitário, avaliar o conhecimento da doença e seu impacto psicossocial. MÉTODO: realizadas 62 entrevistas, criadas categorias com conteúdos verbais e feita contagem da frequência. RESULTADOS: da amostra, 54,8% eram do sexo feminino, 67,7% casados, 77,4% cursaram o Ensino Fundamental e 88,7% tinham Diabetes Mellitus tipo 2. Sabiam da necessidade de fazer dieta 82,3%, mas 46,8% tinham dificuldade em segui-la. Quanto ao impacto psicossocial, 37,1% deixavam de sair de casa devido à doença, 45,2% referiram prejuízo da capacidade ocupacional e 29%, dificuldade nos relacionamentos. Apresentaram queixa emocional 67,7%. CONCLUSÃO: observou-se alta frequência de queixas emocionais, pouco conhecimento e dificuldade para lidar com a doença. Ressalta-se a importância das ações multidisciplinares, auxiliando o paciente no processo de aceitação da doença e adaptação às mudanças necessárias, favorecendo a adesão ao tratamento.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize diabetic adult patients of a public university hospital, to evaluate their disease's knowledge, and the psychosocial impact of their illness. METHOD: 62 interviews were performed, verbal contents categorized and frequency counted. RESULTS: 54.8% of the patients were female, 67.7% were married, 77.4% with high school educational level and 88.7% with type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. 82.3% of the population knew the importance of a diet, but 46.8% had difficulties in following it. About psychosocial impact, 37,1% gave up on going out because of the disease, 45,2% had affected their ability to work, 29% reported relationship problems. 67.7% presented emotional complaints. CONCLUSION: Patients reported high frequency of emotional complaints, little knowledge and difficulties in dealing with their disease. It is also pointed out the importance of multidisciplinary actions, helping the patient in the disease acceptance process and in the adaptation to the necessary changes favoring treatment adherence.

OBJETIVOS: caracterizar sociodemográficamente pacientes diabéticos adultos de un hospital público universitario, evaluar el conocimiento de la enfermedad y su impacto psicosocial. MÉTODO: se realizaron 62 entrevistas, se crearon categorías con contenidos verbales y se hizo el cómputo de frecuencia. RESULTADOS: el 54,8% de la muestra fueron mujeres, el 67,7% casados, el 77,4% asistió a la escuela primaria y el 88,7% tenían Diabetes Mellitus tipo 2. Sabían de la necesidad de dietas el 82,3%, pero el 46,8% tenía dificultad en seguirla. En cuanto al impacto psicosocial, el 37,1% dejaba de salir de casa debido a la enfermedad, el 45,2% reportó pérdida de capacidad laboral y el 29%, dificultad en las relaciones. Presentó queja emocional el 67,7%. CONCLUSIÓN: hubo una alta frecuencia de quejas emocionales, poco conocimiento y dificultad para hacer frente a la enfermedad. Destacando la importancia de acciones multidisciplinarias, ayudando al paciente en el proceso de aceptación de la enfermedad y adaptarse a los cambios requeridos, alentando la adherencia al tratamiento.

Human experimental anxiety: actual public speaking induces more intense physiological responses than simulated public speaking

Objectives: a) To perform a systematic and meta-analytic review to verify whether the Simulated Public Speaking Task (SPST) leads to a greater increase in self-rated anxiety than in physiological correlates of anxiety; and b) to compare the results obtained with the SPST with an actual public speaking task involving healthy volunteers. Methods: a) The PubMed and ISI Web of Knowledge databases were searched for studies involving the SPST prior to 2012. Eleven publications were eligible and provided data from 143 healthy volunteers for meta-analysis; b) 48 university students without somatic or psychiatric disorders were divided into three experimental groups of 16 subjects to undergo one of the following: SPST, real-world public speaking task (real-world), and control situation (control). Results: The meta-analysis showed that the SPST induced a significant increase in the Visual Analogue Mood Scale (VAMS) anxiety factor, but no significant increases in systolic blood pressure or heart rate. The empirical study showed that the real-world public speaking task increased heart rate, systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure significantly more than the control and SPST conditions. Conclusions: These results suggest that real public speaking might be better than SPST in inducing experimental anxiety. .

Psychological characteristics associated with tobacco smoking behavior.

This article is a literature review of the psychological aspects of smoking behavior, highlighting personality characteristics of the smoker as an obstacle to smoking cessation. It describes the relation between smoking behavior and personality, and between smoking and the principal psychiatric disorders. Studies reveal that smokers tend to be more extroverted, anxious, tense, and impulsive, and show more traits of neuroticism and psychoticism than do ex-smokers or nonsmokers. The literature also reveals a strong association between smoking and mental disorders, such as schizophrenia and depression. Understanding the psychological factors associated with tobacco smoking and dependence can further the development and improvement of therapeutic strategies to be used in smoking-cessation programs, as well as of programs aimed at prevention and education.

Psicologia na atenção primária: ações e reflexões em programa de aprimoramento profissional / Psychology in primary health care: actions and reflexions on a program of professional training / Psicología en la atención primaria: acciones y reflexiones en programa de perfeccionamiento profesional

A inserção da Psicologia na Atenção Primária exigiu dos profissionais um repensar de suas práticas, ações e condutas, considerando a realidade da população com que se pretende atuar e os objetivos desse nível de atenção. O objetivo deste estudo é retratar a experiência de psicólogos do Programa de Aprimoramento Profissional em Promoção de Saúde na Comunidade em Núcleos de Saúde da Família em Ribeirão Preto, SP. Para o desenvolvimento das intervenções, inicialmente foram realizadas análises das necessidades, a fim de se verificar os padrões de morbimortalidade da população. A atuação dos psicólogos foi dividida em duas frentes de trabalho: uma voltada para o suporte à equipe e outra para realizar ações com a comunidade. Com os usuários, o psicólogo realizou visitas domiciliares, atendimentos individuais, familiares e coordenação de grupos. Os grupos eram abertos ou fechados, podendo ser classificados em educativos/reflexivos e de socialização. Para auxiliar no desenvolvimento das atividades, foram utilizados recursos audiovisuais, técnicas de dinâmica de grupo, discussões em grupos e trocas de experiências. Notase a importância de as ações do psicólogo na Atenção Básica estarem focadas na interferência nos fatores de risco à saúde da população, visando a alcançar mudanças comportamentais que proporcionem melhor qualidade de vida...

The insertion of Psychology in the primary level of health care demanded professionals to think over their practices, actions and conducts, considering the reality of the population they will work with, as well as the objectives of this level of health attention. This study aims to describe the experience of the psychologists from the Program of Professional Training in Community Health Promotion, in Family Health Units in Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil. For the development of the interventions, the assessment was initially performed to check the morbid-mortality patterns of the population. The psychologists' work was divided into two different approaches: one to support the professional team and another to accomplish community actions. Together with the clients, the psychologists did home visits, gave individual and familiar attention and group coordination. The groups were open or closed, being classified as educational/reflexive and socialization groups. In order to develop these activities, they used audio-visual resources, group dynamic techniques, group discussions and experience exchanges. It is noticed that the importance of the psychologist's actions in the primary attention should be focused on the intervention on the population health risk factors, aiming to attain behavior changes which might allow quality of life improvement...

La inserción de la Psicología en la Atención Primaria exigió de los profesionales un replanteamiento de sus prácticas, acciones y conductas, considerando la realidad de la población con que se pretende actuar y los objetivos de ese nivel de atención. El objetivo de este estudio es retratar la experiencia de psicólogos del Programa de Perfeccionamiento Profesional en Promoción de Salud en la Comunidad en Núcleos de Salud de la Familia en Ribeirão Preto, SP. Para el desarrollo de las intervenciones, inicialmente fueron realizados análisis de las necesidades, a fin de verificar los estándares de morbi-mortalidad de la población. La actuación de los psicólogos fue dividida en dos frentes de trabajo: uno dirigido al soporte al equipo y otro para realizar acciones con la comunidad. Con los usuarios, el psicólogo realizó visitas domiciliarias, atendimientos individuales, familiares y coordinación de grupos. Los grupos eran abiertos o cerrados, pudiendo ser clasificados en educativos/reflexivos y de socialización. Para auxiliar en el desarrollo de las actividades, fueron utilizados recursos audiovisuales, técnicas de dinámica de grupo, discusiones en grupos e intercambios de experiencias. Se nota la importancia de que las acciones del psicólogo en la Atención Básica estén enfocadas en la interferencia en los factores de riesgo a la salud de la población, visando a alcanzar mudanzas de comportamiento que proporcionen mejor calidad de vida...