Filipa Daniela Marques

Construindo a integridade familiar no fim da vida

A integridade familiar constitui um desafio normal no desenvolvimento das pessoas idosas, fortemente influenciado por factores do sistema familiar. Este estudo pretende aprofundar o conhecimento sobre o que contribui para o desenvolvimento do sentimento de integridade familiar em pessoas idosas. A recolha de dados efectuou-se com a aplicacao de uma entrevista semi-estruturada (baseada em King & Wynne, 2004), administrada a 8 individuos com idade superior a 64 anos (5 mulheres e 3 homens), que vivem em contexto familiar. Os principais resultados sugerem que o sentido de integridade familiar na pessoa idosa e influenciado por: i) redefinicao da identidade pessoal sustentada por uma filosofia de vida; ii) existencia de proximidade afectiva nas relacoes; iii) aceitacao de conflitos; iv) satisfacao com a transmissao de legado; v) continuidade das relacoes familiares; vi) existencia de projectos de vida futuros. A integridade nao exclui contrariedades e amarguras, mas envolve-as num significado de paz com a vida. Na intervencao as pessoas idosas devem ser apoiadas no processo de aceitacao de si e do outro, pois este e um mecanismo facilitador da integridade familiar.

Integridade familiar: especificidades em idosos pobres

El establecimiento de la integridad familiar constituye un desafio para el desarrollo integral del anciano, ademas esta fuertemente influenciado por factores del sistema familiar y sociales. Este estudio analiza las trayectorias de vida de personas ancianas que vivieron en la pobreza a lo largo de sus vidas y como estas se vieron influenciadas en el sentido de la integridad o desconection familiar. Fue aplicada una entrevista enfocada en la unidad familiar a 12 participantes con mas de 64 anos (seis de cada sexo), tres en cada grupo fueron considerados como situacion de integridad familiar o desconexion. Los principales resultados sugieren que existen algunas circunstancias comunes en la vida de familias pobres tales como: conflicto y/o distancia familiar, violencia domestica, emigracion/inmigracion, multiples enfermedades cronicas severas, empleos temporales y bajos rendimientos que pueden dificultar la conquista de la integridad familiar y promover la desunion familiar. Sin embargo, los participantes que superaron los acontecimientos negativos de forma positiva (circunstancias que permiten el desarrollo) siendo evaluados enfocados a la unidad familiar.Constructing family integrity is a normal developmental challenge for older people, which is infl uenced by the family and social systems. This study examined the life trajectories of older people who lived in poverty throughout their lives and how they evolve towards family integrity or family disconnection. A semi-structured interview on family integrity was administered to 12 participants aged over 64 years old (six of each sex), three in each group were considered as living family integrity situation or disconnection. The main fi ndings suggested that some common circumstances of poverty in peoples lives namely: family confl ict and/or distance, domestic violence, (e)migration, multiple severe chronic diseases, informal work, low income, may prevent family integrity and promote family disconnection/alienation. However, participants who

Family integrity: pathways of elderly poor persons

El establecimiento de la integridad familiar constituye un desafio para el desarrollo integral del anciano, ademas esta fuertemente influenciado por factores del sistema familiar y sociales. Este estudio analiza las trayectorias de vida de personas ancianas que vivieron en la pobreza a lo largo de sus vidas y como estas se vieron influenciadas en el sentido de la integridad o desconection familiar. Fue aplicada una entrevista enfocada en la unidad familiar a 12 participantes con mas de 64 anos (seis de cada sexo), tres en cada grupo fueron considerados como situacion de integridad familiar o desconexion. Los principales resultados sugieren que existen algunas circunstancias comunes en la vida de familias pobres tales como: conflicto y/o distancia familiar, violencia domestica, emigracion/inmigracion, multiples enfermedades cronicas severas, empleos temporales y bajos rendimientos que pueden dificultar la conquista de la integridad familiar y promover la desunion familiar. Sin embargo, los participantes que superaron los acontecimientos negativos de forma positiva (circunstancias que permiten el desarrollo) siendo evaluados enfocados a la unidad familiar.Constructing family integrity is a normal developmental challenge for older people, which is infl uenced by the family and social systems. This study examined the life trajectories of older people who lived in poverty throughout their lives and how they evolve towards family integrity or family disconnection. A semi-structured interview on family integrity was administered to 12 participants aged over 64 years old (six of each sex), three in each group were considered as living family integrity situation or disconnection. The main fi ndings suggested that some common circumstances of poverty in peoples lives namely: family confl ict and/or distance, domestic violence, (e)migration, multiple severe chronic diseases, informal work, low income, may prevent family integrity and promote family disconnection/alienation. However, participants who

Automated high-throughput screening of carbon nanotube-based bio-nanocomposites for bone cement applications

In this work we demonstrate the potential of using an automated cell viability analyzer for developing high-throughput screening of orthopedic bioactive materials. We used a biomaterial of carbon nanotubes (CNTs)-based composite integrated with hydroxyapatite/polymethyl methacrylate (HA/PMMA) with controlled physical and chemical properties to evaluate the usefulness of morphometric analysis in conjunction with trypan blue dye exclusion assays in MG63 cell cultures. The MG63 cell line, derived from human bone osteo-sarcoma, is often used as a model for studying osteoblast-like cellular response to bioactive materials for orthopedic surgery. The viability analyzer, Vi-CELLTM XR, Beckman Coulter, was used with trypan blue dye exclusion method in cell suspensions obtained after trypsinization along with determining the distribution plots of cell diameter and circularity, which are critical cellular characteristics. In addition, the activity of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), a typical representation of osteogenic activity of osteoblasts, was also measured spectro-photometrically using p-nitrophenol phosphate as the substrate. Comparative analysis of the frequency histogram of average cell diameter and circularity allowed for the analyses of significant alterations in cell morphology not only over time in control cultures (spherical vs. a flat morphology) but also with respect to PMMA and HA nanocomposites. After cell exposure to HA/PMMA/CNTs, a shift toward loss of cell circularity was observed. The appearances of more differentiated morphologic features were well correlated with the increase of secreted ALP activity. In conclusion, the evaluation of material-induced changes of cell morphology could represent a valuable prescreening test for bioactive properties.

Homens Idosos Homossexuais Portugueses: Caminhos Para a Integridade Familiar

A investigacao centrada em homens idosos homossexuais ainda e escassa. Este estudo exploratorio analisa especificidades da homossexualidade na construcao da integridade familiar(versus desconexao ou alienacao). A integridade familiar e uma perspectiva de desenvolvimento que associa a integridade do ego a um processo maisvasto de construcao de significado dentro do sistema familiar. A amostra reune 10 participantes (60-88 anos). A entrevista semi-estruturada foi administrada e submetida a analise de conteudo. Os principais resultados sugerem tres especificidades na construcao da integridade familiar: (i) influencia da homossexualidade ao longo da vida; (ii) formar uma familia de escolha; (iii) formarum legado associado a homossexualidade. A integridade familiar em idosos homossexuais parece evoluir da divulgacao (da homossexualidade) na juventude,ganhando ascendencia na velhice quando a homossexualidade se torna um legado.Research in the field of older gay men remains scarce. This exploratory study examines older gay mens experiences in the construction of family integrity (versus disconnection and alienation). The family integrity approach is a developmental perspective that links ego integrity to a larger process of constructing meaning within the family system. The sample comprises ten participants (from 60 to 88 years old). A semi-structured interview was conducted and submitted to content analysis. The main findings suggest three experiences in older gay mens construction of family integrity: (i) influence of homosexuality throughout life; (ii) establishing a family of choice; (iii) creating a legacy associated with homosexuality. Family integrity in older gay men seems to evolve from disclosure at a young age to making homosexuality a legacy in old age.

Hombres Gay Mayores Portugueses: Vías Para Acceder a la Integridad Familiar

A investigacao centrada em homens idosos homossexuais ainda e escassa. Este estudo exploratorio analisa especificidades da homossexualidade na construcao da integridade familiar(versus desconexao ou alienacao). A integridade familiar e uma perspectiva de desenvolvimento que associa a integridade do ego a um processo maisvasto de construcao de significado dentro do sistema familiar. A amostra reune 10 participantes (60-88 anos). A entrevista semi-estruturada foi administrada e submetida a analise de conteudo. Os principais resultados sugerem tres especificidades na construcao da integridade familiar: (i) influencia da homossexualidade ao longo da vida; (ii) formar uma familia de escolha; (iii) formarum legado associado a homossexualidade. A integridade familiar em idosos homossexuais parece evoluir da divulgacao (da homossexualidade) na juventude,ganhando ascendencia na velhice quando a homossexualidade se torna um legado.Research in the field of older gay men remains scarce. This exploratory study examines older gay mens experiences in the construction of family integrity (versus disconnection and alienation). The family integrity approach is a developmental perspective that links ego integrity to a larger process of constructing meaning within the family system. The sample comprises ten participants (from 60 to 88 years old). A semi-structured interview was conducted and submitted to content analysis. The main findings suggest three experiences in older gay mens construction of family integrity: (i) influence of homosexuality throughout life; (ii) establishing a family of choice; (iii) creating a legacy associated with homosexuality. Family integrity in older gay men seems to evolve from disclosure at a young age to making homosexuality a legacy in old age.

Portuguese Older Gay Men: Pathways to Family Integrity

A investigacao centrada em homens idosos homossexuais ainda e escassa. Este estudo exploratorio analisa especificidades da homossexualidade na construcao da integridade familiar(versus desconexao ou alienacao). A integridade familiar e uma perspectiva de desenvolvimento que associa a integridade do ego a um processo maisvasto de construcao de significado dentro do sistema familiar. A amostra reune 10 participantes (60-88 anos). A entrevista semi-estruturada foi administrada e submetida a analise de conteudo. Os principais resultados sugerem tres especificidades na construcao da integridade familiar: (i) influencia da homossexualidade ao longo da vida; (ii) formar uma familia de escolha; (iii) formarum legado associado a homossexualidade. A integridade familiar em idosos homossexuais parece evoluir da divulgacao (da homossexualidade) na juventude,ganhando ascendencia na velhice quando a homossexualidade se torna um legado.Research in the field of older gay men remains scarce. This exploratory study examines older gay mens experiences in the construction of family integrity (versus disconnection and alienation). The family integrity approach is a developmental perspective that links ego integrity to a larger process of constructing meaning within the family system. The sample comprises ten participants (from 60 to 88 years old). A semi-structured interview was conducted and submitted to content analysis. The main findings suggest three experiences in older gay mens construction of family integrity: (i) influence of homosexuality throughout life; (ii) establishing a family of choice; (iii) creating a legacy associated with homosexuality. Family integrity in older gay men seems to evolve from disclosure at a young age to making homosexuality a legacy in old age.

Integridad familiar en la vejez: características de los ancianos pobres

El establecimiento de la integridad familiar constituye un desafio para el desarrollo integral del anciano, ademas esta fuertemente influenciado por factores del sistema familiar y sociales. Este estudio analiza las trayectorias de vida de personas ancianas que vivieron en la pobreza a lo largo de sus vidas y como estas se vieron influenciadas en el sentido de la integridad o desconection familiar. Fue aplicada una entrevista enfocada en la unidad familiar a 12 participantes con mas de 64 anos (seis de cada sexo), tres en cada grupo fueron considerados como situacion de integridad familiar o desconexion. Los principales resultados sugieren que existen algunas circunstancias comunes en la vida de familias pobres tales como: conflicto y/o distancia familiar, violencia domestica, emigracion/inmigracion, multiples enfermedades cronicas severas, empleos temporales y bajos rendimientos que pueden dificultar la conquista de la integridad familiar y promover la desunion familiar. Sin embargo, los participantes que superaron los acontecimientos negativos de forma positiva (circunstancias que permiten el desarrollo) siendo evaluados enfocados a la unidad familiar.Constructing family integrity is a normal developmental challenge for older people, which is infl uenced by the family and social systems. This study examined the life trajectories of older people who lived in poverty throughout their lives and how they evolve towards family integrity or family disconnection. A semi-structured interview on family integrity was administered to 12 participants aged over 64 years old (six of each sex), three in each group were considered as living family integrity situation or disconnection. The main fi ndings suggested that some common circumstances of poverty in peoples lives namely: family confl ict and/or distance, domestic violence, (e)migration, multiple severe chronic diseases, informal work, low income, may prevent family integrity and promote family disconnection/alienation. However, participants who