Mirela de Oliveira Figueiredo

Transcultural analysis of the effectiveness of a program to promote self-regulated learning in Mozambique, Chile, Portugal, and Spain

The current investigation aims at assessing the effectiveness of an intervention program designed to enhance self-regulated learning (SRL) strategies at the university level, with students from different cultural, linguistic, and educational backgrounds. The central tool of the program is a set of letters in which a fictional first-year student describes his experiences as an SRL student. The program was implemented in four universities in different countries and continents (Portugal, Spain, Chile, and Mozambique), with an experimental group and a comparison group at each university (263 students from experimental groups and 247 from comparison groups). Findings display the effectiveness of the program in enhancing a set of motivational variables related to the study process and the use of SRL strategies. Data were consistent across the different cultural and academic contexts in which the program was implemented. The implications of these findings for university administrators and faculty are discussed.

Análisis de la producción científica en Brasil sobre dificultades de aprendizaje: una revisión bibliométrica

Resumen El objetivo de este estudio ha sido analizar la produccion cientifica disponible sobre dificultades de aprendizaje (DA) en Brasil, e identificar las posibles deficiencias teoricas y metodologicas derivadas de la falta de una definicion universal del problema, la posible confusion y la generalizacion de las DA en este pais. Se realizo una revision sistematica de los articulos nacionales publicados entre los anos 2001 y 2011 en las bases de datos SciELO, Lilacs y BVS Adolec Brasil, en funcion del ano de publicacion, diseno metodologico, participantes y area tematica o topico. En un primer momento se obtuvieron 2187 resultados, aunque solo 167 de los articulos diseminados entre las 2187 salidas fueron analizados de acuerdo con los criterios de inclusion. En 2009 se observo el mayor numero de publicaciones, un total de 23. El diseno metodologico utilizado con mayor frecuencia fue el descriptivo de tipo correlacional (43 estudios). En 141 articulos, los participantes de la investigacion eran alumnos y el area tematica mas representada estuvo relacionada con las habilidades de lectura y escritura (27 estudios). Este trabajo ha contribuido a delimitar la investigacion realizada en torno a las DA, en Brasil, en relacion con los criterios de interes mencionados.

Terapia ocupacional: uma profissão relacionada ao feminino

An analysis and description is given for the possible reasons why occupational therapy is seen as a female profession. An analytical narrative-style literature review is offered in conjunction with qualitative data analysis. The entry of women to the workplace was shrouded in stereotypes associated with the female gender, determining typically female professions. The stereotypes of skill in caregiving and tasks that required fine motor skills, kindness, and patience were the qualities required for the first occupational therapists and determined the gendered nature of the profession. Changes in gender stereotypes are today taking place in a context of debates, and this discussion could help garner greater recognition and value for the profession.

Relationships between falls, age, independence, balance, physical activity, and upper limb function in elderly Brazilians

Abstract Background: Falls are the most serious and frequent household accidents occurring in the elderly; their prevention is important in decreasing morbidity, mortality, and medical costs. This study aimed to identify and correlate factors such as gender, level of independence in daily activities, balance, physical activity, and function of the upper limbs within the elderly population. Methods: This was a correlational and cross-sectional study with a quantitative approach. Forty-three elderly participants were selected from a Primary Health Care Unit in the city of São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil. Collection instruments included a questionnaire, the Berg Balance Scale, the Functional Independence Measure, and the Box and Blocks Test. Data were analysed using Pearson correlation. Results: Most participants were women (46.5%) between 60 and 70 years old being 58% of the sample. The total number of falls for older women was 31. The number of falls increased proportionally with the increasing age of the participant (r = 0.41) (p = 0.0063). The greater the number of falls, the lower the performance in balance (r = −0.47) (p = 0.0015) and independence (r = −0.63) (p ≤ 0.0001). Conclusion: This study resulted in evidence that can strengthen the development of preventative strategies, focusing on physical activity and its importance in the prevention of falls.

An historical overview of the development of occupational therapy educational institutions in Brazil

The history of OT in Brazil shows that initially the profession and the subsequent employment of these practitioners into the workplace opened the possibility of new fields of practice that in turn required changes to the profile and role of these specialists and also to their professional education 2,3,4 .