Jean Von Hohendorff

Violência sexual contra meninos: dados epidemiológicos, características e consequências

This theoretical essay provides information about sexual violence against males in Brazil, given the scarcity of national studies on the subject. This lack of theoretical and practical knowledge creates challenges for professional work. Searching the national databases of scientific research revealed only one study, so international publications were employed. This study examines epidemiological data about sexual violence against males in Brazil as well as the characteristics of the victims, authors, and situations of sexual violence. This essay also considers the possible consequences of this type of violence. The found literature often discusses the difficulties boys have in reporting their experiences of sexual abuse, as well as their doubts about their sexual orientation. In conclusion, although sexual violence against males is less frequent, it does occur and thus requires preventative and therapeutic strategies. Furthermore, more national studies on this topic must be made.O objetivo desse ensaio teorico e contribuir para a producao de conhecimento sobre a violencia sexual masculina no Brasil, tendo em vista a escassez de estudos nacionais. A carencia de conhecimento teorico-pratico torna a atuacao profissional um desafio. Buscaram-se trabalhos cientificos em bases de dados nacionais, porem apenas um estudo foi encontrado. Diante disso, recorreu-se a publicacoes internacionais. Dados epidemiologicos da violencia sexual masculina no Brasil, bem como as caracteristicas das vitimas, dos autores e das situacoes de violencia sexual, alem das possiveis consequencias deste tipo de violencia, foram conteudos abordados nesse estudo. A dificuldade dos meninos em relatar suas experiencias de violencia sexual e as duvidas quanto a orientacao sexual sao aspectos frequentes na discussao da literatura encontrada. Conclui-se que, embora em menor prevalencia, a violencia sexual masculina ocorre e necessita de estrategias preventivas e terapeuticas. Alem disso, e necessario o incremento de estudos nacionais sobre a tematica.

Associations between self-perceived quality of life and socio-demographic, psychosocial, and health variables in a group of elderly

The objectives of this study were to investigate: (a) multiple relations between socio-demographic, psychosocial, and health variables and quality of life in the elderly and (b) the models validity through correlation with depressive symptoms. The sample included 339 elderly individuals from 60 to 98 years of age (M = 73.4; SD = 8.3), who answered a socio-demographic questionnaire, WHOQOL-100, and BDI. Cluster analysis of the sample distributed the elders into two groups according to self-perceived quality of life (better versus worse), and logistic regression analysis identified variables that explained better quality of life. Social class, self-rated health status, volunteer work, use of medication, and data collection setting were associated with quality of life (predictive capacity for correct classification 72.3%, specificity 73.6%, and sensitivity 71.1%). The inverse correlation between the models variables and BDI scores provided evidence of the models validity. The model can help support public policies aimed at promoting quality of life in the elderly.Os objetivos do estudo foram: (a) investigar relacoes multiplas entre variaveis sociodemograficas, psicossociais e de saude sobre a qualidade de vida em idosos; e (b) investigar a validade do modelo pela correlacao com sintomatologia depressiva. Participaram 339 idosos com idades entre 60 e 98 anos (M = 73,4; DP = 8,3), os quais responderam a um questionario sociodemografico, ao WHOQOL-100 e ao BDI. Pela analise de conglomerados os idosos foram distribuidos em dois grupos, conforme a percepcao de qualidade de vida (melhor e pior) e, por meio de uma analise de regressao logistica, verificou-se as variaveis que explicaram a melhor percepcao de qualidade de vida. As variaveis classe social, percepcao do estado de saude, trabalho voluntario, uso de medicacao e contexto de coleta se associaram a qualidade de vida (a capacidade preditiva de classificacao correta foi de 72,3%, especificidade de 73,6% e sensibilidade de 71,1%). A correlacao inversa das variaveis do modelo com os escores do BDI indicou evidencias de validade do modelo. O modelo aqui encontrado pode fomentar politicas publicas que visem a promocao da qualidade de vida de idosos.

Documentary analysis of cases of sexual violence against boys reported in Porto Alegre

A violencia sexual (VS) contra meninos e um tema sobre o qual ha poucas pesquisas no Brasil. Diante disto, objetivou-se investigar os casos notificados na Coordenadoria Geral de Vigilância em Saude de Porto Alegre (CGSV POA) entre 2009 e 2011. Foram analisadas descritivamente 239 fichas quanto a: caracteristicas das vitimas (i.e, idade, cor, escolaridade, deficiencia, consequencias da VS); da VS (i.e., ano de ocorrencia e de notificacao, estabelecimento notificador, âmbito, local de ocorrencia, tipo de VS, ocorrencia de penetracao, numero de episodios, outras formas de violencia, numero de agressores, classificacao final – confirmado ou nao – e encaminhamentos); e dos agressores (i.e., sexo, relacao com a vitima, uso de alcool/drogas). Houve predominância de meninos entre sete e 12 anos, brancos, vitimas de SV intrafamiliar em dois ou mais episodios, perpetrada por agressores do sexo masculino. Tais resultados podem ser utilizados no planejamento de intervencoes preventivas e terapeuticas especificas para meninos vitimas de VS.

Psicoterapia para Crianças e Adolescentes Vítimas de Violência Sexual no Sistema Público: Panorama e Alternativas de Atendimento

This article aims to address the issue of ensuring access to psychotherapeutic treatment to children and adolescents victims of sexual violence in the public health system in view of the association between exposure to sexual violence and the development of short and long term psychopathologies. The main laws and guidelines in the organization of the Brazilian public services of social assistance and health care for victims of sexual violence were reviewed, as well as studies on referrals conducted in these cases. It was found that the social assistance public service should offer psychosocial treatment, while the health care public service should offer psychotherapy. However, studies addressing cases of sexual violence against children and adolescents indicate low rates of referrals to services that offer psychotherapy. This scenario is discussed based on the guidelines regarding the population assisted in the mental health public service, as well as on the figures of these services in Brazil. Alternatives to ensure access to psychotherapeutic treatment of children and adolescents victims of sexual violence by the public health system are discussed.

Adaptação e avaliação de uma intervenção cognitivo-comportamental para meninos vítimas de violência sexual

Objetivou-se adaptar, aplicar e avaliar um modelo de intervencao cognitivo-comportamental para meninos vitimas de Violencia Sexual (VS). Participaram tres meninos com idades entre oito e 16 anos, vitimas de VS, que foram avaliados antes e apos a intervencao com instrumentos psicologicos acerca de transtornos disruptivos, de humor e de ansiedade. A aplicacao do modelo foi avaliada por juizes que analisaram os relatos das sessoes terapeuticas por meio de seis indicadores. Os resultados indicaram variabilidade no numero de sintomas de cada participante. A avaliacao da aplicacao revelou a adequacao do modelo quanto a dois indicadores (Alianca Terapeutica e Autorrevelacao), bem como reajustes necessarios no modelo adaptado. Esses resultados se constituem como evidencias iniciais sobre a acao psicoterapeutica do modelo adaptado.

“A boy, being a victim, nobody really buys that, you know?”: Dynamics of sexual violence against boys

The aim of this study was to present the dynamics of sexual violence against boys. Interviews were conducted with four male victims of sexual abuse between the ages of six and 10, as well as four psychologists employed in the health care system and involved in the treatment of sexually abused boys. Results were examined using thematic content analysis, based on six deductively identified themes corresponding to the following stages of sexual violence against children and adolescents: preparation, episodes, silencing, narratives, repression and overcoming. The results suggested that proximity between victims and offenders, who were mostly adolescent boys, was a facilitator of abuse. The interviews also revealed that victims faced significant levels of disbelief and discrimination. Lastly, the findings pointed to the importance of protective actions and of the system itself, though all practitioners perceived the latter as flawed and unprepared to handle cases involving sexually abused boys. These findings underscore the social invisibility of sexual violence against boys, due to the low number of referrals as well as the disbelief and discrimination, which permeates the management of these cases.

Habilidades sociais na adolescência: psicopatologia e variáveis biosociodemográficas

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between social skills, psychopathology and sociodemographic characteristics among adolescents. Participants were 50 adolescents from Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil (30 girls and 20 boys, Mage=14 years, SD=1.61) who attended either a public or a private school. The participants answered a sociodemographic questionnaire, the social skills Inventory for Adolescents Del-Prette (frequency and difficulty) and, to assess symptoms of psychopathology, the Self Report Questionnaire 20. Results indicated that there were no differences in the frequency of the social skills investigated with regard to genders, age, type of school attended, and the indication of psychopathology. However, the difficulty score reported on the use of social skills was related with psychopathology. This relationship was further moderated by the type of school. Thus, sociodemographic variables and personal characteristics (such as psychopathology) must be considered in social skills studies.

Re-escolha profissional: relato de experiência de orientação profissional com estudantes do Ensino Normal

Professional guidance programs reach their proposal when they are able to lead individuals to analyze their features and explore aspects of their personality that might influence on the choice process. A program of professional guidance was performed with a group of nine High School students from the fourth grade of teaching practice from a private school in Rio Grande do Sul. This project had the focus on a rather unexplored audience and indicates the importance of practices designed to this group. Through some discussions, it was aimed to arouse students’ interest in professional guidance and reguidance. There were six meetings, in order to discuss subjects such as questions, choices, occupations and family. With this study, it was evidenced that students have some doubts about the inclusion in professional market and also about college, which means a reevaluation of their first professional choice. The project experience was seen as satisfactory by the participants, since the students reported significant gains in this participation. Key words: professional guidance, high school students, school psychology.

Understanding and Combating Domestic Violence in Brazil

Brazilian public policies on combating domestic violence are specific laws that focus on preventing this act from occurring, especially against children and adolescents, women, and the elderly. This reality suggests that these groups are at risk of victimization. Regarding the legislation, its focus is on ensuring effective methods to assist victims, especially by creating entities that provide specialized assistance. Another goal is to increase the efficiency and thoroughness in investigating incidents of violence and to punish perpetrators for their acts because it entails an increase in the sentence under aggravating circumstances such as in the case of vulnerable groups. Therefore, the objective of this chapter is to present a general view of domestic violence in Brazil and, more specifically, to present cultural concepts that permeate this phenomenon, laws that refer to domestic violence, and the available epidemiological data such as the main existing combating strategies, describing the services that are available to victims in the Brazilian territory.

An Integrative Conceptual Model for Enhanced Understanding of the Dynamics of Sexual Violence Against Children

A literature review regarding five extant models of dynamics of sexual violence against children was performed aiming to provide an integration of its models. Due to the complexity of the dynamics, none of the existing models provides a comprehensive understanding of both the process and product of victimization. Each extant model contributes to understanding the dynamics of sexual violence against children from slightly different perspectives. In an effort to provide a more thorough, yet parsimonious, understanding of the behavioral dynamics of sexual violence against children, the authors propose an integration of five extant models. This proposition is based on careful readings of the literature describing each of the five models, teaching others about the models and listening to their questions and comments, rereading the models, and writing about the models. The resulting intellectual integration thus occurred over time with thoughtful input from academic colleagues, practitioners, and students. The resulting more integrated model may enhance researchers’ and practitioners’ efforts to understand and intervene.