Caroline Tozzi Reppold

GENDER DIFFERENCES IN BRAZILIAN STREET YOUTH’S FAMILY CIRCUMSTANCES AND EXPERIENCES ON THE STREET

OBJECTIVESnIt has been proposed that homeless street girls are more likely to be from dysfunctional families and exhibit psychological distress than homeless street boys, reflecting cultural factors that result in differential norms for male and female behavior. The current analysis examined whether male and female street youth in a mid-sized Brazilian city differed in their family circumstances and day-to-day functioning on the street.nnnMETHODSnThe opportunity sample consisted of 33 male (mean age 14.3, range 10-17 years) and 33 female (mean age 14.6, range 11-18 years) street youth who participated in a sentence completion task and structured interview examining family experiences and ability to meet daily needs on the street.nnnRESULTSnConsistent with the cultural hypothesis, girls described more negative family backgrounds than boys (e.g., they were more likely to have left home because of conflict or abuse, and reported more negative relationships with their parents). However, girls functioning on the street was similar to, and in some cases more positive than, that of boys (e.g., fewer girls reported police violence and begging to earn money).nnnCONCLUSIONSnThe few gender differences that emerged in this study offer little support for the cultural hypothesis. The findings make sense if local factors, such as services available for male and female youth and public response to street youth, are considered. It appears that street youth differ in their experiences depending on local circumstances, highlighting the need for caution in generalizing about the situation of street youth in different countries.

Estabilidade do comportamento anti-social na transição da infância para a adolescência: uma perspectiva desenvolvimentista

The term antisocial is widely used in the literature to describe non-specific behavior problems such as delinquent behavior, aggressiveness, and oppositionist behavior. The aim of the present study was to describe and to discuss the concept of antisocial behavior as an indicator of specific mental disorders such as Attention-deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder, Conduct Disorder, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, and Antisocial Personality Disorder. Also, we discuss the factors that contribute to the stability of such behaviors in the transition from childhood to adolescence and the losses incurred throughout development. A recommendation is made to broaden conceptual discussions about mental disorders using wider categories such as antisocial behavior.

How Do Brazilian Street Youth Experience 'The Street'?: Analysis Of A Sentence Completion Task

This study investigated how homeless Brazilian youth experience the street and examined factors linked to positive and negative feelings about the street. An opportunity sample of 35 boys and 34 girls aged 10-18 completed a structured interview and sentence completion task aimed at eliciting open-ended responses in a standardized manner. Analyses revealed great diversity in Youths views of the street; moreover, in analyses controlling for age and gender, youth reporting feeling positive on the street differed from those who felt negative in reasons for leving home, family situation and daily survival. The findings support the value of the sentence completion task in exploring the subjective experiences of street youth.

Crianças em situação de rua de Porto Alegre: um estudo descritivo

The present paper presents a description of a sample of street children from a central area of Porto Alegre, Brazil. Twenty children, twelve boys and eight girls, aged six to 12 years were interviewed. The interview was structured to investigate the relationships between the children and their family, work and school activities, and the way they spent their time. The results emphasize the importance of descriptive studies. Such studies allow a better understanding of this population, which is essential to provide adequate information to intervention programs.

Reflexão social, controle percebido e motivações à adoção: características psicossociais das mães adotivas

Social reflection, perceived control, and motivation to adopt a child: psychosocial characteristics of adoptive mothers. The literature points out that the social imaginary of adoption is associated with altruism and hedonism of adopters. Thus, the present study aimed to investigate some psychosocial characteristics of adoptive mothers, such as the motivation to adopt, moral judgment, locus of control, and perceived social support. The participants were 20 adoptive and 20 biological mothers. Data were collected using a questionnaire of psychosocial items, the Sociomoral Reflection Objective Measure, and Levenson’s Multidimensional Locus of Control Scale. The results indicated that 60% of participants related adoption to fertility problems. However except for perceived social support, there were no significant differences between the type of maternity and the variables investigated. The results suggest new directions for studies about the moderator factors of psychological adaptation of adoptive families.

A construção de uma metodologia observacional para o estudo de crianças em situação de rua: criando um manual de codificação de atividades cotidianas

Este estudo teve por objetivo descrever uma metodologia criada para a observacao de criancas em situacao de rua em seu ambiente natural. Questoes sobre o desenvolvimento dessas criancas, sobre a utilizacao e significado do espaco da rua e sobre os aspectos metodologicos foram relevantes para a realizacao deste tipo de estudo. Os resultados encontram-se condensados em um manual criado especialmente para a codificacao das atividades cotidianas apresentadas pelas criancas em situacao de rua. A discussao enfatiza a importância da realizacao de estudos observacionais exploratorios e descritivos para avaliar o processo de criacao de metodologias especificas para entender e analisar o desenvolvimento humano em situacoes de risco. A aplicabilidade deste metodo e discutida como conhecimento produzido pela Psicologia do Desenvolvimento.

Atividades Cotidianas de Crianças em Situação de Rua

A method and system for providing a magnetic memory are disclosed. The method and system include providing a plurality of magnetic memory cells and at least one programmable current source. Each of the plurality of magnetic memory cells includes a first magnetic element. The programmable current source(s) are for programming a portion of the plurality of magnetic memory cells. Each of the programmable current source(s) includes a controller and a current source coupled to the controller. The controller is for determining a current provided by the current source and includes at least a second magnetic element. The second magnetic element(s) are substantially the same as the first magnetic element. The controller determines the current provided by the current source based on the at least the second magnetic element.

Escala de autopercepção de harter para adolescentes: um estudo de validação

The present papers purpose was to investigate the Harter Self-Perception scale thru a convergent validity analysis. The participants were 291 southern adolescents, mean age 17 years, from both sexes and high school students. The instruments were the Harter Self Perception Scale (HSPS-A), the Rosenbergs Self Esteem Scale, the Multidimensional Life Satisfaction Scale and the Children Depression Inventory. The results offered evidence of satisfactory psychometrics characteristics of the HSPS-A. The reliability analysis indicated acceptable coefficients (∝=0.60 a ∝=0.88). The construct validity was confirmed thru the correlation analysis with the other instruments once all coefficients were significant and in the expected direction. The high correlation among the instruments indicates the need of other research to evaluate the self-perception dimensions and the relations between this and other correlates constructs such as self-esteem, life satisfaction and self-concept.

Risk factors for proper oral language development in children: a systematic literature review

PURPOSEnTo conduct a systematic review of literature production related to risk factors for proper oral language development in children.nnnMETHODSnWe used the terms child language, risk factors, and randomized controlled trial in MEDLINE (accessed via PubMed), Lilacs, SciELO, and The Cochrane Library from January 1980 to February 2014. Randomized controlled trials involving the study of some risk factors related to child language were included. Works with individuals who were not from the age group 0-12 years and presented no reliable definition of risk factors were excluded. The research findings were classified according to their theme and categorized methodological aspects.nnnRESULTSnWe observed the lack of a standardized list of risk factors for language available for health professionals. The main risk factor mentioned was family dynamics, followed by interaction with parents, immediate social environment, and encouragement given to the child in the first years of life. It was also observed that organic hazards such as brain injury, persistent otitis media, and cardiac surgery, besides the type of food and parental counseling, may be related to language disorders.nnnCONCLUSIONnMore randomized controlled trials involving the evaluation of risk factors for child language and the creation of further studies involving children above 6 years of age and males are needed.