Carla M. Teixeira

Preliminary Analysis of the Psychometric Properties of Ryff's Scales of Psychological Well-Being in Portuguese Adolescents

This article presents a set of research studies that aim to adapt Carol Ryffs scales of psychological wellbeing (SPWB) and to analyze its psychometric properties in adolescents. The first two studies focused on the reliability and factorial validity of different Portuguese short versions of SPWB, revealing measurement models inadequacies and low internal consistency. In the third study we developed a shortened version (30 items), taking into account the application of psychometric criteria suggested by van Dierendonck (2005). The scales of this version revealed better reliability and adequate goodness of fit indices for the six-factor model, as proposed by Carol Ryffs PWB theory. Although further research focused on the psychometrical properties reanalysis of this shortened version of SPWB is needed, this article provides a contribution to the research and intervention on positive mental health during adolescence.

Factor structure and reliability of the depression, anxiety and stress scales in a large portuguese community sample

The purpose of the present study was to assess the factor structure and reliability of the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scales (DASS-21) in a large Portuguese community sample. Participants were 1020 adults (585 women and 435 men), with a mean age of 36.74 (SD = 11.90) years. All scales revealed good reliability, with Cronbachs alpha values between .80 (anxiety) and .84 (depression). The internal consistency of the total score was .92. Confirmatory factor analysis revealed that the best-fitting model (*CFI = .940, *RMSEA = .038) consisted of a latent component of general psychological distress (or negative affectivity) plus orthogonal depression, anxiety and stress factors. The Portuguese version of the DASS-21 showed good psychometric properties (factorial validity and reliability) and thus can be used as a reliable and valid instrument for measuring depression, anxiety and stress symptoms.

Sexting: Adaptation of sexual behavior to modern technologies

Abstract This is the first research that aim to analyze the practice of Sexting in Portugal. The goals of this study included comparing the differences between the Sexting dimensions and independent factors (gender, age, literacy qualifications, profession, residence, marital status, existence of a stable relationship, most used media, place of frequent use of the media, most commonly used technological device, security perception of communication technology, number of text messages sent per day, recipients of text messages) and corroborating the existence of correlations between the Sexting dimensions. The study sample consisted of 301 individuals aged between 18 and 52 years (158 adults and 143 young adults) and included both females (169) and males (132). The instruments used included a translated and adapted version of the Sex and Tech Survey, created by The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy, and the elaboration of 7 social and demographic questions and 6 questions about media consumption and daily technology use. The results showed that environment exposure was higher in males as well as in the group of individuals of both sexes who sent approximately 76–90 written messages per day. By contrast, positive emotions and the development of greater interest in Sexting were higher in women. Positive emotions were higher in young adults, students of both sexes and unemployed persons.

Factor structure and normative data of the Greene Climacteric Scale among postmenopausal Portuguese women

OBJECTIVES The purposes of the present study were to assess the factorial structure and reliability of the Greene Climacteric Scale (GCS), and provide normative data for a sample of postmenopausal Portuguese women. METHODS A sample of 401 Caucasian women, with ages between 47 and 91 years, divided into four age groups (47-57: 31.4%, 58-68: 40.4%, 69-79: 21.4% and ≥80: 6.7%), voluntarily participated in the study. The Greene Climacteric Scale aims to measure psychological symptoms divided into anxiety and depression, somatic and vasomotor symptoms with a total of 21 items. Data were analyzed by reliability, correlation and confirmatory factor analyses. Age group differences in the raw and the standardized scores of symptoms clusters were investigated by means of ANOVA procedures. RESULTS The CFA performed supported the 4-factor structure specified by Greene (*CFI=0.937; SRMR=0.046; *RMSEA (90%IC)=0.050 (0.042-0.058). The computed internal consistency estimates ranged from 0.73 to 0.90. Vasomotor symptoms (hot flushes and sweating at night) were experienced most frequently by the younger age group (47-57 years) while nonspecific symptoms (e.g. difficulty in concentrating, feeling tired or lacking in energy, breathing difficulties) were reported more frequently by the older age groups. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that the Portuguese version of the GCS is a reliable and a valid instrument for the measurement of climacteric-related factors in postmenopausal women.

Adaptation and Validation of the Temple Presence Inventory in a Portuguese Population

ABSTRACT The present study aims to translate and validate the Temple Presence Inventory (TPI) for the Portuguese context, respecting the maintenance of an equivalent semantics as well as the validity of its contents and concepts. This study also aims to verify the psychometric properties of the instrument (factor validity and internal consistency). The sample consisted of 455 individuals (male = 271, female = 184). The fidelity of the factors varied between 0.5 and 0.84. The confirmatory factor analysis produced a theoretical model with 38 items distributed among eight factors. The covariance between some residual errors of instrument items was considered, and the following fit indices were observed: χ2/df = 2.073; GFI = 0.858; CFI = 0.887; RSMEA = 0.049; AIC = 1527. The results confirm the appropriateness of the version adapted to the Portuguese language of the TPI and that it can be used in research projects aiming to evaluate Presence in the Portuguese-speaking population (Europe).

Autoconceito, agressividade e perfecionismo em pessoal militar

Pretende-se compreender o perfil dos militares portugueses no que concerne aos niveis de Agressividade, Autoconceito e Perfecionismo, recorrendo a analises comparativas por genero e patente militar. A amostra foi constituida por 183 militares, com idades entre os 18 e os 35 anos, 18 do genero feminino e 165 do genero masculino. As variaveis do estudo foram avaliadas atraves da Escala Multidimensional de Perfecionismo, Questionario de Agressividade e Inventario Clinico de Autoconceito. Os resultados demonstram que o perfil geral dos militares se caracteriza por niveis elevados de Perfecionismo e Autoconceito gerais e niveis moderados de Agressividade Geral. A comparacao entre generos evidenciou diferencas significativas nos resultados apenas no que concerne aos niveis de agressividade. Por outro lado, as analises comparativas das patentes militares indicam a existencia de diferencas significativas nos niveis de autoconceito e agressividade. Os resultados demonstram que a agressividade se correlaciona negativamente com o autoconceito e positivamente com o perfecionismo.

Níveis de ideação suicida em jovens adultos

Suicide is a serious public health problem and is among the top ten causes of death worldwide for all age groups. It is the third leading cause among 15-35-year olds. The main objective of this quasi-experimental, quantitative, and cross-sectional study was to compare the levels of suicidal ideation among college students (n = 50) and nonstudents (n = 51). Subjects were compared according to sex, age, place of residence, living arrangements, educational level, and occupational status using the Suicidal Ideation Questionnaire. The sample consisted of 101 individuals aged 18-25 years, Mean of 21.44 years and Standard Deviation of 2.43. The results showed higher levels of suicidal ideation among the non-college students. Statistically significant effects were found among the following variables: level of education, occupational status, living alone, and presence of anxiety disorder and/or depression. The findings of this study suggest the need for suicide prevention measures in order to reduce deaths by suicide and suicide attempt rate.

Uma reflexão crítica sobre a prática científica e o seu contributo para a qualidade de vida da sociedade

O crescente ritmo a que atualmente o conhecimento e acumulado nao tem reflexo na melhoria da qualidade de vida dos povos, em geral. Na realidade, em alguns casos, os progressos tem servido para reforcar a ideia, crescente nos tempos que correm, que os seres humanos nao sao valorizados por essa condicao (a de serem Humanos), mas sim por outros artificios culturais, nomeadamente a capacidade financeira que tem. Esta e uma constatacao que se faz sentir de forma muito particular na area da saude. O objetivo nobre da ciencia tem sido, ao longo dos tempos, apresentado como sendo o de explicar os fenomenos e assim contribuir para a melhoria de vida da Humanidade. Mas, na realidade, a pratica cientifica tem vindo a ser promovida com um enfoque praxico que, de alguma forma, e condicionador do comportamento daqueles que investigam, uma vez que tende a privilegiar aspetos que encontram pouco eco no bem-estar coletivo, mas sim nos que promovem a competicao entre aqueles que deveriam cooperar para produzir melhor ciencia e com maior relevância sociocultural. Sao encorajados e financiados, fundamentalmente, as areas de pesquisa onde se podem identificar novos produtos a serem industrializados, ou seja, capazes de gerar mais-valias. E neste quadro que nos propomos a apresentar uma reflexao critica sobre a forma como alguns ganhos tem sido integrados na vida de todos nos. Tomaremos como ponto de partida o que nos e dado a observar no caso dos tratamentos de alguns tipos de cancro. Ninguem contesta que a investigacao na area dos estudos do cancro tem produzido ganhos fantasticos, especialmente no que se refere as intervencoes terapeuticas atraves de novos farmacos. Acontece, porem, que estes, apesar de serem financiados pelas populacoes em geral, atraves dos seus impostos, so estao disponiveis para os que tem uma capacidade financeira diferenciada na acumulacao de capital. Quem mais tem, melhor tratamento recebe. Aos olhos dos que se inspiram numa ideologia neoliberal nada emerge de estranho nesta pratica: e a lei do mercado. Porem, para quem recorre a analises um pouco mais ricas, por serem de natureza interdisciplinar, tal diferenca nao deveria existir, e o argumento economicista nao e mais que a evidencia de uma capacidade limitada de processar informacao que va para alem do ganho imediato que o EU deseja ter. A evidencia-lo esta o fato de na crise que atualmente os paises enfrentam, como sequencia de mas praticas da banca, se considere normal e ate exigivel que os Estados (todos os cidadaos e que nada fizeram para que a crise tivesse lugar) tenham de estar a financiar a recapitalizacao desses bancos que continuam a acumular lucros a um ritmo interessante. Seria de esperar que os que defendem a diferenca no acesso diferenciado dos medicamentos erguessem a voz contra o apoio do Estado aos bancos e aos empresarios falidos.