Do behavioral drivers matter for healthcare decision-making during crises? A study of low-income women in El Salvador during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Understanding health-seeking behaviors and their drivers is key for governments to manage health policies. A growing body of research explores the role of cognitive biases and heuristics in health and care-seeking behaviors, but little is known about how a context of heightened anxiety and uncertainty might influence these behavioral drivers. This study analyzes the association between four behavioral predictors-internal locus of control, impatience, optimism bias, and aspirations-and healthcare decisions among low-income women in El Salvador, controlling for other factors. We find positive associations between internal locus of control and preventive health behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic. For instance, a one standard deviation increase in locus of control is associated with a 10% increase in an index measuring the use of masks, distancing, hand washing, and vaccination. Locus of control was also associated with women's use of preventive health services (one standard deviation improves the likelihood of having a hypertension test in the last six months by 5.8 percentage points). In a sub-sample of mothers, we find significant relationships between the four behavioral drivers and the decisions the mothers make for their children. However, we find these associations are less robust compared to the decisions they make for themselves. Some associations were stronger during the pandemic, suggesting that feelings of uncertainty and stress could amplify behavioral drivers' influence on health-related behaviors. This novel finding is relevant for designing policy responses for future shocks. JEL CODES: I12, D10, D91, I30.

Cultural values, parenting and child adjustment in Colombia.

This study examined associations of mothers' and fathers' individualism, collectivism and conformity values with parenting (warmth, rules/limit-setting, knowledge solicitation and expectations regarding children's family obligations) and child internalising and externalising behaviours in Colombia. Mothers, fathers and children (N = 100) from Medellín, Colombia were interviewed when children were, on average, 10 years old. Higher maternal collectivism and conformity values were associated with higher maternal warmth and fewer child externalising problems, whereas higher paternal collectivism was associated with lower maternal warmth and more child externalising problems. Fathers' cultural values also were related to their expectations regarding children's family obligations. The findings suggest differences in how mothers' and fathers' cultural values are related to parenting and child adjustment in Colombia, as well as the need to examine cultural values beyond individualism, collectivism and conformity values.

Lócus de controle materno, saúde bucal positiva e Hipomineralização Molar-Incisivo (HMI): uma investigação transversal / Maternal locus of control, positive oral health, and Molar-Incisor Hypomineralization (MIH): a cross-sectional investigation

A Hipomineralização Molar-Incisivo (HMI) é uma alteração do esmalte dental de origem multifatorial que afeta um ou mais primeiros molares permanentes, podendo estar associada a incisivos permanentes. A condição gera inúmeras consequências para os indivíduos, como sensibilidade, risco aumentado para lesões de cárie e fraturas, além de problemas estéticos. Investigar percepções acerca dessa condição, especialmente a percepção materna, é de suma importância, haja vista que tal construto é um dos fatores decisivos quanto ao cuidado em saúde bucal. Sendo assim, o presente trabalho teve como objetivo investigar e comparar o Lócus de Controle (LoC) e a saúde bucal positiva de mães de crianças com e sem HMI. Foi realizado um estudo transversal comparativo com 111 crianças com e sem HMI de 6 a 12 anos atendidas pelas diferentes disciplinas clínicas do Departamento de Saúde Bucal da Criança e do Adolescente (SCA) da Faculdade de Odontologia da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (FAO-UFMG) e suas mães que responderam aos questionários socioeconômico, história médica, o instrumento Brazilian - Positive Oral Health and Well-Being (B-POHW) e o LoC. Ainda, as crianças foram avaliadas clinicamente por uma pesquisadora previamente calibrada para cárie dentária e HMI. As variáveis foram analisadas de forma descritiva, incluindo valores absolutos e frequências. Testes inferenciais de associação e análises bivariadas foram utilizados (Qui-Quadrado de Pearson, Qui-Quadrado de Tendência Linear e Mann- Whitney) para investigar a relação entre as variáveis de exposição e os desfechos investigados. Análises não ajustada e ajustadas foram realizadas por meio de Regressão de Poisson (medida de associação Razão de Prevalência). As variáveis independentes que apresentaram p < 0,25 no modelo bruto foram inseridos no modelo ajustado. O valor de significância adotado foi de 5% e o intervalo de confiança de 95% e foi utilizado o programa Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) (25.0). Conclui-se que o LoC predominante das mães das crianças com HMI foi o LoC interno, assim como uma autopercepção menos positiva em relação a sua própria saúde bucal, quando comparada às mães das crianças sem HMI. A análise multivariada mostrou ainda que primeiros molares permanentes com cárie dentária e mães com saúde bucal menos positiva tem maiores probabilidades de apresentarem crianças com HMI.

Hypomineralization of Molar-Incisor (MIH) is a multifactorial enamel alteration affecting one or more first permanent molars, possibly associated with permanent incisors. This condition generates numerous consequences for individuals, such as sensitivity, increased risk for caries and fractures, as well as aesthetic problems. Investigating perceptions about this condition, especially maternal perception, is of paramount importance, considering that such a construct is one of the decisive factors regarding oral health care. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate and compare the Locus of Control (LoC) and positive oral health of mothers of children with and without HMI. A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted with 111 children with and without HMI aged 6 to 12 years attended by different clinical of the Department of Child and Adolescent Oral Health (SCA) of the School of Dentistry at the Federal University of Minas Gerais (FAO-UFMG), and their mothers who answered socioeconomic, medical history, Brazilian - Positive Oral Health and Well-Being (B-POHW) instrument, and Locus of Control (LoC) questionnaires. Additionally, the children were clinically evaluated by a previously calibrated researcher for dental caries and HMI. Variables were analyzed descriptively, including absolute values and frequencies. Inferential tests of association and bivariate analyses were used (Pearson's Chi-Square, Linear Trend Chi-Square, and Mann-Whitney) to investigate the relationship between exposure variables and the investigated outcomes. Unadjusted and adjusted analyses were performed using Poisson Regression (Prevalence Ratio measure of association). Independent variables with p < 0.25 in the crude model were inserted into the adjusted model. The significance level adopted was 5%, with a 95% confidence interval, and the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) program (25.0) was used. It was concluded that the predominant locus of control of mothers of children with HMI was internal locus of control, as well as a less positive self-perception regarding their own oral health, compared to mothers of children without HMI. The multivariate analysis also showed that first permanent molars with dental caries and mothers with oral health are more likely to have children with Molar-Incisor Hypomineralization.

May the force be with you during the quarantine: a cross-sectional study on the perception of health locus of control, sports engagement and emotional eating of individuals who exercised regularly / Que a força esteja com você durante a quarentena: um estudo transversal sobre a percepção do locus de controle da saúde, engajamento esportivo e alimentação emocional de indivíduos que se exercitam regularmente

ABSTRACT Objective This study evaluated the perception of health locus of control, sports engagement, and emotional eating during quarantine of individuals who regularly exercised before the quarantine. Methods Individuals who regularly attended the gym before the quarantine period were enrolled in the study. The questionnaire included the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scale-A, Sport Engagement Scale, and Emotional Eating Scale, which was applied online to 513 gym members. Results 74.9% of participants adopted the perception of internal health locus of control. Emotional eating scores were higher in participants who did not exercise during the quarantine when compared to those who did and in those adopting the perception of chance health locus of control compared to participants adopting the perception of internal health locus of control. Participants who adopted the perception of internal health locus of control compared to the those who adopted the perception of chance or powerful others health locus of control had higher sports engagement (p<0.05). Individuals with a high BMI, who did not have a perception of internal health locus of control and who did not exercise during the quarantine were prone to emotional eating. Conclusion In conclusion, in those individuals who regularly went to gym before the quarantine, continuing to exercise during the quarantine may have provided an advantage in preventing emotional eating, and we also showed that sports engagement supported the continuation of exercise during the quarantine period. In addition, we determined that individuals with a high body mass index, who do not have a perception of internal health locus of control and who did not exercise during the quarantine were prone to emotional eating.

RESUMO Objetivo Este estudo avaliou a percepção do locus de controle da saúde, entre o envolvimento em esportes e comer emocional durante a quarentena de indivíduos que se exercitavam regularmente antes do período de isolamento. Métodos Indivíduos que frequentavam regularmente a academia antes do período de quarentena foram incluídos no estudo. O questionário incluiu: a Escala Multidimensional de Locus de Controle da Saúde, Escala de Envolvimento em Esportes e Escala de Comer Emocional. Esse estudo foi aplicado online a 513 membros da academia Resultados 74,9% dos participantes que adotaram a percepção locus de controle da saúde interno. As pontuações do comer emocional foram mais altas em participantes que não se exercitaram durante a quarentena, em comparação com aqueles que fizeram, e aqueles que adotaram a percepção de locus de controle da saúde de chance, em comparação com participantes que adotaram a percepção de locus de controle da saúde interno. Participantes que adotaram a percepção de locus de controle da saúde interno tiveram um maior envolvimento em esportes em comparação com aqueles que adotaram a percepção de locus de controle da saúde de chance ou de poder de outros (p<0,05). Indivíduos com um alto IMC, que não tinham a percepção de locus de controle da saúde interna e que não se exercitaram durante a quarentena estavam mais propensos à comer emocional. Conclusão Em conclusão, naqueles indivíduos que frequentavam regularmente a academia antes da quarentena, continuar se exercitando durante a quarentena pode ter fornecido uma vantagem em termos de prevenção da Escala Comer Emocional, e também mostramos que o engajamento esportivo apoiou a continuação do exercício durante o período de quarentena. Além disso, determinamos que indivíduos com alto índice de massa corporal, que não têm percepção do locus de controle interno da saúde e que não se exercitam durante a quarentena eram propensos a Escala Comer Emocional.

Changes and predictors of adolescent emotion regulation, self-esteem, and locus of control during the COVID-19 pandemic: 2004 Pelotas Birth Cohort.

OBJECTIVES: There is growing interest in examining the impacts of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on adolescent socioemotional development. This study aimed to examine changes in adolescent emotion regulation (ER), self-esteem (SE), and locus of control (LoC) from before to during the pandemic in a Brazilian birth cohort, and to investigate the variables associated with changes in those socioemotional competences. METHODS: 1,949 adolescents from the 2004 Pelotas Birth Cohort were assessed before (T1, November 2019 to March 2020) and during (T2, August to December 2021) the COVID-19 pandemic (mean ages [SD] = 15.69 [0.19] and 17.41 [0.26], respectively). Adolescents' socioemotional competences were assessed, including ER, SE, and LoC. Sociodemographic, pre-pandemic, and pandemic-related correlates were examined as predictors of change. Multivariate latent change score models were used in the analyses. RESULTS: There were significant mean increases in adolescents' ER and SE (mean ER = 1.918, p < 0.001; mean SE = 1.561, p = 0.001) and a significant mean decrease (towards internalization) in LoC levels (MLoC = -0.497, p < 0.01) during the pandemic. Factors that predicted a lower competency increase included family conflicts, harsh parenting, and maternal depressive symptoms during the pandemic. CONCLUSION: Despite the stress imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the adolescents of this cohort showed positive development in their socioemotional competences. Family-related factors emerged as important predictors of adolescent socioemotional adjustment during the study period.

Histórico, desafios e mudanças da auditoria no SUS enquanto instrumento de gestão / History, challenges and changes of auditing in the SUS as a management tool

Este trabalho de pesquisa realizou um histórico da Auditoria no SUS, sua formação, organização e atuação nas duas primeiras décadas dos anos 2000, evidenciando o Sistema Nacional de Auditoria, e seu órgão, o DENASUS, cuja nomenclatura foi recentemente modificada para AUDSUS. Destacou também, nesse contexto, o componente estadual de Auditoria da Secretaria de Estado de Saúde do Rio de Janeiro e seu alinhamento com os Planos Estaduais de Saúde. Buscou evidenciar as legislações que acompanharam e acompanham a Auditoria no SUS e sua correlação com outros conceitos e outros Órgãos do Poder Público, como o Tribunal de Contas da União e a Controladoria Geral da União, pontuando os principais desafios e mudanças que se desdobraram. (AU)

This research work carried out a history of Auditing in the SUS, its formation, organization and performance in the first two decades of the 2000s, highlighting the National Audit System, and its body, DENASUS, whose nomenclature was recently changed to AUDSUS. He also highlighted, in this context, the state Audit component of the Rio de Janeiro State Health Secretariat and its alignment with the State Health Plans. It sought to highlight the laws that followed and follow the Audit in the SUS and its correlation with other concepts and other Public Power Bodies, such as the Federal Court of Auditors and the General Comptroller of the Union, pointing out the main challenges and changes that unfolded. (AU)

Impacto de condições bucais na qualidade de vida de crianças/adolescentes com e sem transtorno do espectro autista e de seus familiares / Impact of oral conditions on the quality of life of children/adolescents with and without Autistic Spectrum Disorder and their family

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o impacto dos fatores psicossociais familiares relacionados à saúde bucal de crianças/adolescentes com Transtorno do Espectro Autista (TEA) comparados com a percepção de pais/cuidadores de crianças/adolescentes sem TEA. Para avaliação da percepção do impacto de condições bucais na qualidade de vida relacionada a saúde bucal (QVRSB), 80 crianças/adolescentes com TEA e 80 sem TEA foram examinadas. Os pais/cuidadores responderam a versão curta do Parental-Caregiver Perceptions Questionnaire (P-CPQ). A avaliação da influência dos fatores comportamentais na experiência de cárie dentária foi avaliada em 80 mães de crianças/adolescentes com TEA comparada com 76 mães de crianças/adolescentes sem TEA por meio dos questionários Senso de Coerência e Lócus de Controle (LOC). Informações sociodemográficas das famílias foram coletadas por meio de um questionário estruturado autorrespondido pelos responsáveis. Um único examinador avaliou os seguintes indicadores clínicos: cárie dentária (CPO-D/ceo-d), consequências clínicas da cárie dentária não tratada (PUFA/pufa), presença de placa visível (IPV), sangramento à sondagem periodontal (ISS), má oclusão e traumatismos dentoalveolares (TD). O teste Wilcoxon comparou os domínios e o escore total do P- CPQ entre indivíduos com e sem TEA. O teste qui-quadrado de Pearson foi empregado para avaliar a associação entre o escore total do P-CPQ com os dados sociodemográficos, de saúde e com os indicadores clínicos. As variáveis que apresentaram um nível de significância (p<0,20) na análise bivariada foram incorporadas no modelo final da regressão de Poisson (IC 95%, p<0,05). Para a análise dos fatores comportamentais, os testes Qui-quadrado de Pearson, Teste-t de Student e Teste de Mann-Whitney foram realizados para avaliar as diferenças de experiência de cárie e variáveis independentes em ambos os grupos. As variáveis que apresentaram nível de significância (p<0,20) no modelo não-ajustado da Regressão Logística foram incorporadas no modelo final da regressão (IC 95%, p<0,05). Não foram encontradas diferenças estatisticamente significativas em relação à percepção de pais/cuidadores das crianças/adolescentes com TEA sobre as repercussões das condições bucais na qualidade de vida de seus filhos quando comparados à percepção dos pais/cuidadores dos indivíduos sem TEA (p=0,721). O modelo ajustado de crianças com TEA encontrou que crianças que já haviam realizado visita prévia ao dentista têm 3,682 (IC 95% = 1,007 ­ 13,462) vezes mais chance de apresentar experiência de cárie dentária que crianças que nunca foram ao dentista. Enquanto crianças com presença de placa visível têm 3,426 (IC 95% = 1,089 ­ 10,783) vezes mais chance de apresentar experiência de cárie dentária quando comparadas a crianças que não possuem placa visível. A presença de placa visível e a atribuição do acaso ao LOC materno foram determinantes para maior prevalência de experiência de cárie dentária em crianças/adolescentes sem TEA. O grupo com TEA apresentou os mesmos fatores, entretanto a visita prévia ao dentista também foi determinante. A experiência de cárie dentária ainda foi associada à percepção da ocorrência de repercussões negativas na qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde bucal das crianças/adolescentes com TEA.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of family psychosocial factors related to the oral health of children/adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) compared with the perception of parents/caregivers of children/adolescents without ASD. To assess the perception of the impact of oral conditions on oral health- related quality of life (QHRSB), 80 children/adolescents with ASD and 80 without ASD were examined. Parents/caregivers answered the short version of the Parental- Caregiver Perceptions Questionnaire (P-CPQ). The evaluation of the influence of behavioral factors on the experience of dental caries was evaluated in 80 mothers of children/adolescents with ASD compared with 76 mothers of children/adolescents without ASD using the Sense of Coherence and Locus of Control (LOC) questionnaires. Socio-demographic information of the families was collected through a structured questionnaire self-reported by the guardians. A single examiner evaluated the following clinical indicators: dental caries (DMFT/dmft), clinical consequences of untreated dental caries (PUFA/pufa), presence of visible plaque (IPV), bleeding on periodontal probing (ISS), malocclusion and dentoalveolar trauma (TD). The Wilcoxon test compared the domains and the total score of the P-CPQ between individuals with and without ASD. Pearson's chi-square test was used to assess the association between the total P-CPQ score and sociodemographic and health data and clinical indicators. Variables that showed a significance level (p<0.20) in the bivariate analysis were incorporated into the final Poisson regression model (95% CI, p<0.05). For the analysis of behavioral factors, Pearson's chi-square test, Student's t-test and Mann-Whitney test were performed to assess differences in caries experience and independent variables in both groups. The variables that showed a significance level (p<0.20) in the unadjusted logistic regression model were incorporated into the final regression model (95% CI, p<0.05). No statistically significant differences were found in relation to the perception of parents/caregivers of children/adolescents with ASD about the repercussions of oral conditions on their children's quality of life when compared to the perception of parents/caregivers of individuals without ASD (p=0.721). The adjusted model of children with ASD found that children who had already made a previous visit to the dentist are 3.682 (95% CI = 1.007 ­ 13.462) times more likely to experience dental caries than children who had never been to the dentist. While children with visible plaque are 3.426 (95% CI = 1.089 ­ 10.783) times more likely to experience dental caries when compared to children who do not have visible plaque. The presence of visible plaque and the attribution of chance to maternal LOC were determinants for a higher prevalence of dental caries in children/adolescents without ASD. The group with ASD presented the same factors, however the previous visit to the dentist was also decisive. The experience of dental caries was also associated with the perception of the occurrence of negative repercussions on the quality of life related to the oral health of children/adolescents with ASD.

Relationship among Self-Efficacy Expectations, Locus of Control, and Attributions in Bariatric Patients.

Background: Bariatric surgery is the most effective method for achieving accelerated weight loss. However, in the short- and medium-term, between 20% and 40% of patients regain a significant percentage of the weight lost. Cognitive and attitudinal psychological variables contribute to explaining weight regain. The aim of this study was to analyze differences in self-efficacy, locus of control, and attributions among bariatric patients, in accordance with weight maintenance or weight regain. Methods: Participants were classified according to weight regain (≥15% weight regain) and weight maintenance (<15% weight regain). A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was employed to assess the diagnostic value of the locus of control for weight loss and to establish a cutoff point to differentiate those who maintained weight loss from those who regained more than 15% of the weight lost. Results: Those who maintained weight loss showed a statistically higher locus of control ratio than those who regained weight. The locus of control ratio was associated with a lower risk of weight regain (odds ratio 0.760, p = 0.018). Using the area under the ROC curve (AUC), the locus of control significantly identified those who maintained weight (AUC = 0.761; p = 0.001). The maximum combination of sensitivity and specificity was shown at the cutoff point of 39. Qualitative results show a difference in the type of attributions and expectations according to current weight maintenance or weight regain status. Conclusion: Participants' self-efficacy expectations, locus of control, and attributions change in accordance with the outcome achieved in terms of weight regain or weight maintenance.

Locus of control, personality and depression symptoms in cancer: Testing a moderated mediation model.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the mediator role of locus of control on the relationship between the Big Five personality traits and the manifestation of depression symptoms in cancer outpatients. METHOD: Participants consisted of 220 cancer outpatients (138 women and 82 men), evaluated individually at the hospital waiting room. The measures applied were as follows: The NEO-Five Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI), Multidimensional Health Locus of Control (MHLC) Scale and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). RESULTS: The factor structure of NEO-FFI was reexamined. A moderated mediation model was found for the powerful others external locus of control (LOC), depression symptoms and extraversion and conscientiousness traits across sex. CONCLUSIONS: Extraverted individuals can seek for others' support and use their attachments to find someone to guide them; conscientious patients can rely on their physician and follow every rule and orientation demanded, temporarily delegating to others the responsibility for their lives. All these strategies can help to decrease symptoms of depression. The perception of control can be taught, and it may be specifically relevant for mental health and in the performance of health behaviours.

Problemas internalizantes e externalizantes de crianças e adolescentes com fibrose cística / Internalizing and externalizing problems of children and adolescents with cystic fibrosis / Problemas de internalización y externalización de niños y adolescentes con fibrosis quística

A fibrose cística é uma doença genética, ainda sem cura, provocada por mutações cromossômicas, que pode afetar vários sistemas, dentre os quais o respiratório e o digestivo são os mais comumente atingidos. O adoecimento crônico traz alterações psicológicas para os pacientes e seus cuidadores. Com o objetivo de avaliar problemas internalizantes e externalizantes, e também competências de crianças e adolescentes com fibrose cística, foram entrevistados 31 cuidadores familiares, majoritariamente mães de pacientes na faixa etária de 6 a 18 anos, em salas de espera de três centros de referência no tratamento da doença na cidade de São Paulo. Os instrumentos utilizados foram: Inventário de Comportamentos da Infância e da Adolescência e diário de campo. Os resultados apontaram a prevalência de problemas internalizantes em adolescentes com fibrose cística. A análise do diário de campo indicou dificuldades na adesão ao tratamento e demandas de atendimento psicológico não assistidas em pacientes e seus cuidadores familiares. A ausência de profissional de Psicologia nas equipes multiprofissionais configurou-se como um prejuízo frente as condições psicológicas dos pacientes de fibrose cística e seus cuidadores familiares.(AU)

Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disease, still without cure, caused by chromosomal mutations that can affect various systems, the respiratory and digestive systems being the most common. Chronic illness brings psychological changes to patients and their caregivers. Aiming to evaluate internalizing and externalizing problems, and competences of children and adolescents with cystic fibrosis, we interviewed 31 family caregivers, mostly mothers, of patients aged 6 to 18 years in waiting rooms of three Reference Centers in the treatment of the disease in the municipality of São Paulo, state of São Paulo. The instruments used were: Child behavior checklist and Field Diary. The results pointed out the prevalence of internalizing problems in patients with cystic fibrosis in adolescence. Field diary analysis indicated difficulties in adherence to treatment and unassisted demands for psychological care in patients and their family caregivers. The absence of a Psychology professional in the multiprofessional teams showed to be prejudicial to the psychological conditions of cystic fibrosis patients and their family caregivers.(AU)

La fibrosis quística es una enfermedad genética, aún sin cura, causada por mutaciones cromosómicas y que puede afectar varios sistemas, entre ellos los sistemas respiratorio y digestivo son los más comunes. La enfermedad crónica trae cambios psicológicos a los pacientes y sus cuidadores. Para evaluar los problemas de internalización y externalización, así como las competencias de niños y adolescentes con fibrosis quística, se entrevistó a 31 cuidadores familiares, en su mayoría madres de pacientes de 6 a 18 años de edad, en salas de espera de tres centros de referencia en el tratamiento de la enfermedad en la ciudad de São Paulo. Los instrumentos utilizados fueron: Inventario del Comportamiento de Niños y Adolescentes y diario de campo. Los resultados mostraron la prevalencia de problemas de internalización en pacientes con fibrosis quística en la adolescencia. El análisis del diario de campo indicó dificultades en la adherencia al tratamiento y demandas de asistencia psicológica no asistida en pacientes y sus cuidadores familiares. Se hace necesario un profesional de psicología en los equipos multiprofesionales ante las condiciones psicológicas de los pacientes con fibrosis quística y sus cuidadores familiares.(AU)

Transactional processes between childhood maltreatment and depressive symptoms from middle childhood to early adolescence: Locus of control as a mediator.

BACKGROUND: Previous research has identified a significant, positive relation between childhood maltreatment and depressive symptoms. However, the findings required replication at the within-person level. Moreover, the mediating mechanism of locus of control accounting for their relations has yet to be fully evaluated. Thus, this study examined the dynamic longitudinal relations between childhood maltreatment and depressive symptoms including whether locus of control functioned as a mediator between them after separating between-person effects from within-person effects. METHODS: A sample of 4110 Chinese children (50.60% boys; Mage = 9.89 at Wave 1) covering the transitional period from middle childhood to early adolescence completed a package of self-report measures on 5 occasions across 2.5 years, using 6-month intervals. Random Intercept Cross-Lagged Panel Models were applied to disaggregate between- and within-person effects. Also, alternative Cross-Lagged Panel Models were applied. RESULTS: Locus of control played a mediating role in the reciprocal relations between childhood maltreatment and depressive symptoms at the within-person level. LIMITATIONS: Some limitations existed in the measures. Moreover, sexual abuse was not investigated in this study. CONCLUSIONS: The findings highlighted the mediating role of locus of control in the reciprocal relations between childhood maltreatment and depressive symptoms at the within-person level, suggesting that interventions targeted at promoting internal locus of control may help prevent the developmental pathway from childhood maltreatment to depressive symptoms and vice versa from middle childhood to early adolescence.

Evidências de validade da escala de locus de controle da preservação e conservação ambiental / Evidence of validity of the locus scale for environmental preservation and conservation control

A questão ambiental é um campo de grande importância na atualidade, principalmente no que tange aos estudos sobre valores pró-ambientais. Uma interação normalmente investigada consiste na relação entre conexão com a natureza e locus de controle, especialmente considerando a crença por parte do indivíduo de que suas ações sejam importantes para a conservação do meio ambiente. Participaram do estudo 898 estudantes universitários, sendo 452 (49,8%) homens, 456 (50,2%) mulheres de idade média, de 28,87 (DP=8,90) anos, do estado do Rio de Janeiro. Para fins de validade interna, foram empregados procedimentos de análise fatorial. A escala foi analisada também junto à medida de conexão com a natureza, para oferecer uma evidência inicial de validade concorrente. Conexão com a natureza foi mensurada por meio da escala proposta por Mayer e Frantz (2004). A Escala de Locus de Controle da Preservação Ambiental foi desenvolvida neste estudo. Considerando os resultados obtidos, é possível afirmar uma qualidade satisfatória da medida desenvolvida.

The environmental issue is a field of great importance today, especially with regard to studies on pro-environmental values. A commonly investigated interaction is the relationship between connection with nature and locus of control, especially considering the individuals' beliefs that their actions are important for the conservation of the environment. The study included 898 university students, which 452 (49.8%) were men, 456 (50.2%) were women of average age, of 28.87 (SD = 8.90) years old, from the state of Rio de Janeiro. For purposes of internal validity, factor analysis procedures were used. The scale was also analyzed together with the measure of connection with nature, to offer initial evidence of concurrent validity. Connection with nature was measured using the scale proposed by Mayer and Frantz (2004). The Locus Scale for Environmental Preservation Control was developed in this study. Considering the results obtained, it is possible to affirm a satisfactory quality of the measure developed.

Association between serum sphingolipids and eudaimonic well-being in white U.S. adults.

Emerging research has linked psychological well-being with many physiological markers as well as morbidity and mortality. In this analysis, the relationship between components of eudaimonic well-being and serum sphingolipids levels was investigated using data from a large national survey of middle-aged American adults (Midlife in the United States). Health behaviors (i.e., diet, exercise, and sleep) were also examined as potential mediators of these relationships. Serum levels of total ceramides-the main molecular class of sphingolipids previously associated with several disease conditions-were inversely linked with environmental mastery. In addition, significant correlations were found between specific ceramide, dihydroceramide, and hexosylceramides species with environmental mastery, purpose in life, and self-acceptance. Using hierarchical regression and mediation analyses, health behaviors appeared to mediate these associations. However, the link between ceramides and environmental mastery was partially independent of health behaviors, suggesting the role of additional mediating factors. These findings point to sphingolipid metabolism as a novel pathway of health benefits associated with psychological well-being. In particular, having a sense of environmental mastery may promote restorative behaviors and benefit health via improved blood sphingolipid profiles.

Who is in charge when I have a headache? Brazilian version of the Headache-Specific Locus of Control Scale.

BACKGROUND: Headache-Specific Locus of Control (LOC) refers to individuals' beliefs about their control over the onset, course and consequences of headaches. LOC beliefs have been associated with depression, coping strategies, headache-related disability and treatment outcomes. OBJECTIVE: To test the cross-cultural adaptation and psychometric properties of a Brazilian version of the Headache-Specific Locus of Control Scale (HSLC). METHODS: One hundred and thirty-four migraine outpatients completed the HSLC and provided measurements of psychopathological symptoms, pain catastrophizing, depression, anxiety, quality of life and headache-related disability. RESULTS: The three-factor structure of the HSLC (LOC-P, LOC-C and LOC-I) was confirmed in the Brazilian sample. The instrument showed good internal consistency, with Cronbach's α of 0.77 for total HSLC and 0.70, 0.83 and 0.87, for LOC-P, LOC-C and LOC-I, respectively. LOC-C correlated with headache frequency and headache intensity. Along with headache intensity, depression and pain catastrophizing, LOC-I accounted for 45% of the variance (adjusted R2=0.45; F=12.97; p<0.01) in headache-related disability. CONCLUSIONS: The Brazilian version of the HSLC is a valid and reliable measure of headache-specific LOC beliefs. It is important to consider the balance between the three LOCs for each individual, instead of interpreting them separately.

Who is in charge when I have a headache? Brazilian version of the Headache-Specific Locus of Control Scale / Quem está no comando quando tenho uma cefaleia? Versão brasileira de Escala de Lócus de Controle Específica para Cefaleia

ABSTRACT Background: Headache-Specific Locus of Control (LOC) refers to individuals' beliefs about their control over the onset, course and consequences of headaches. LOC beliefs have been associated with depression, coping strategies, headache-related disability and treatment outcomes. Objective: To test the cross-cultural adaptation and psychometric properties of a Brazilian version of the Headache-Specific Locus of Control Scale (HSLC). Methods: One hundred and thirty-four migraine outpatients completed the HSLC and provided measurements of psychopathological symptoms, pain catastrophizing, depression, anxiety, quality of life and headache-related disability. Results: The three-factor structure of the HSLC (LOC-P, LOC-C and LOC-I) was confirmed in the Brazilian sample. The instrument showed good internal consistency, with Cronbach's α of 0.77 for total HSLC and 0.70, 0.83 and 0.87, for LOC-P, LOC-C and LOC-I, respectively. LOC-C correlated with headache frequency and headache intensity. Along with headache intensity, depression and pain catastrophizing, LOC-I accounted for 45% of the variance (adjusted R2=0.45; F=12.97; p<0.01) in headache-related disability. Conclusions: The Brazilian version of the HSLC is a valid and reliable measure of headache-specific LOC beliefs. It is important to consider the balance between the three LOCs for each individual, instead of interpreting them separately.

RESUMO Introdução: O lócus de controle específico para a dor de cabeça (LOC) refere-se às crenças dos indivíduos acerca de seu controle sobre o início, o curso e as consequências das dores de cabeça. As crenças sobre LOC têm sido associadas à depressão, às estratégias de enfrentamento, à incapacidade relacionada às dores de cabeça e aos resultados do tratamento. Objetivo: Testar a adaptação transcultural e as propriedades psicométricas de uma versão brasileira da Escala de Lócus de Controle Específico para Dor de Cabeça (HSLC). Método: Cento e trinta e quatro pacientes ambulatoriais com enxaqueca completaram a HSLC e medidas de sintomas psicopatológicos, catastrofização da dor, depressão, ansiedade, qualidade de vida e incapacidade relacionada à dor de cabeça. Resultados: A estrutura de 3 fatores da HSLC (LOC-P, LOC-C e LOC-I) foi confirmada na amostra brasileira. O instrumento demonstrou boa consistência interna, com α de Cronbach de 0,77 para HSLC total e de 0,70, 0,83 e 0,87 para LOC-P, LOC-C e LOC-I, respectivamente. LOC-C correlacionou-se com a frequência e a intensidade da dor de cabeça. Acompanhado de intensidade da dor de cabeça, depressão e catastrofização da dor, o LOC-I foi responsável por 45% da variância (R2 ajustado=0,45; F=12,97; p<0,01) na incapacidade relacionada à dor de cabeça. Conclusões: A versão brasileira da HSLC é uma medida válida e confiável de crenças de LOC específicas para dor de cabeça. É importante considerar o equilíbrio entre os três LOCs para cada indivíduo, em vez de interpretá-los separadamente.

The correlation between children's own health control and their health perceptions and behaviours, and the associated factors

The study was conducted as a correlational descriptive study to determine the correlation between children's own health control and their health perceptions and behaviours, as well as the associated factors. The sample of the study consisted of 963 children in the age group of 7-12 years studying at one primary schools affiliated with the Ministry of National Education. It was determined that age affected health control and health perception and behaviours in children. A positive significant correlation was found between the health locus of control and health perceptions and behaviours of the children. The children had positive health behaviours, and they had high internal control in their own health management. In accordance with these results, children's own health management should be increased to increase their positive perceptions and behaviours.

[Consequences, visibility and denial of a pandemic: processes of self-care]. / Consecuencias, visibilizaciones y negaciones de una pandemia: los procesos de autoatención.

The COVID-19 pandemic has shown - once again - the decisive and structural importance of health/disease/care-prevention processes, as it has generated consequences and reactions in all areas of collective and individual life in ways that no other process could. That being said, it was expected that the intelligentsia would focus their attention on these processes; however, figures such as Agamben and Zizek leaped at the opportunity to frame the pandemic in terms of their perennially unfulfilled socio-ideological prophecies rather than attempting to understand the reality of the pandemic as a health/disease/care-prevention process. Taking these dominant tendencies among contemporary intellectuals as a starting point, in this article I analyze the self-care processes of micro-groups related to disease, which have informed health policies in all countries. In other words, the core strategy for combatting COVID-19 has been and continues to be self-care, which constitutes one of the basic structures that micro-groups generate in order to live and to survive, but that biomedicine has coopted as a "policy" of its own making, thereby masking once again the true locus of power in containing the pandemic.

La pandemia de COVID-19 evidenció, una vez más, la importancia estructural y decisiva de los procesos de salud/enfermedad/atención-prevención, dado que ha generado consecuencias y reacciones en todos los ámbitos de la vida colectiva e individual, como ningún otro proceso podría generar. En función de ello, se esperaba que la intelligentzia focalizara el papel de este tipo de procesos, pero una vez más los Agamben y los Zizek buscaron de inmediato en la pandemia sus profecías socioideológicas nunca cumplidas, en lugar de tratar de entender la realidad que estaba generando la pandemia en tanto proceso de salud/enfermedad/atención-prevención. Sobre la base de estas tendencias dominantes en la intelectualidad actual, en este texto realicé un análisis de los procesos de autoatención de los padecimientos, basados en los microgrupos, que han constituido el eje de las políticas de salud en todos los países. Es decir, el núcleo básico para enfrentar al COVID-19 ha sido y sigue siendo la autoatención, que constituye una de las estructuras que los microgrupos generan para poder vivir y sobrevivir, pero que la biomedicina ha manejado como "política" propia, ocultando una vez más dónde está el real poder de contención de esta pandemia.

Uncovering Underlying Processes Before Illusion of Control Begins in Gambling Disorder: A Pilot Study.

Gambling Disorder (GD) is characterized by persistent betting even in face of accruing debts and psychosocial hardship. Gambling Disorder behavior has been linked to conditioning, cognitive distortions and superstitious behavior. Previous studies have demonstrated that during response-outcome analytical tests (ROAT), non-gambling individuals are precluded from response extinction when failure feedback is suppressed, and develop superstitious behaviors and illusion of control instead. Gambling can be regarded as a ROAT paradigm in which disordered gamblers (DGs) fail to compute failure feedback; hence they do not perceive the independence between response and outcome. In order to investigate early phenomena on response and outcome processing in DGs, we developed two short ROAT versions, one with a controllable outcome and one with an uncontrollable outcome, both with explicit failure feedback. Twenty DGs and twenty healthy controls were assessed using this novel paradigm. Compared to controls, DGs reported higher distress during the controllable ROAT, less self-confidence in the uncontrollable ROAT, and more random responses and less use of analytical strategies in both tests, evidencing potential deficits in cognitive control. In contrast to previous findings, DGs did not demonstrate more superstitious beliefs, or illusion of control, and were generally more skeptical than controls regarding the controllability of both ROAT versions. Taken together, our findings provide some support for deficits in cognitive control in GD that precede illusion of control and superstitious behaviors.

Locus of control, knowledge, attitude and practice for contraception among adolescents.

OBJECTIVES: to assess the relation of the locus of control with the adolescents' knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP). METHODS: this is a cross-sectional study with 1,192 high school students. Data were collected using the KAP questionnaire and the Levenson locus of control scale and analyzed by descriptive statistics, Mann-Whitney U test and Kruskal-Wallis H test. RESULTS: Women presented higher Externality Powerful Others locus of control than man (p=0.0015) and adolescents over 17, higher Externality Chance locus of control (p=<0.0001). Students who used contraceptive methods at the first contraceptive method had higher Externality Powerful Others (p=0.0107) and those who used coitus interruptus, had higher Externality Chance (p=0.0013). Internality was inversely proportional to the practice in relation to the dimensions of the locus of control. CONCLUSIONS: The dimensions of the locus of control were related to some contraceptive practices, but little or no relation to knowledge and attitude.

Coping processes that foster accommodation to loss in old age.

Aim: Flexible adjustment or accommodation to loss is healthy; however, little is known about how it can be achieved in old age. We sought to identify and characterize effective coping processes for achieving accommodation at this stage of life. Our aim was to foster the activation of the psychological resources of those who must deal with significant losses to which they will inevitably need to adapt.Method: Qualitative study with a sample of men (n = 16) and women (n = 19) aged 60 years and up. Information was collected through observation and content analysis applied to 35 in-depth interviews, using Atlas-Ti (v7).Results: Eighteen coping processes implemented in response to loss were identified and characterized. Although no single process led to full adjustment by itself, the difference between the participants who accommodated and those who lacked accommodation was reflected in the predominance of certain processes. This approach enabled us to identify 13 effective processes, such as the search for meaning and the use of humor, which were generally used by participants who had achieved accommodation. The processes regarded as ineffective, such as avoidance and procrastination, were used more often by those who displayed insufficient accommodation.Conclusion: It was confirmed that accommodation to losses in old age not only results from "the passage of time"; rather, it can be fostered by people's active efforts. Knowledge of these practices can help practitioners orient mental health interventions for older adults who have difficulty coping in healthy ways and preserving their subjective well-being.