Normanda Araujo de Morais

Fatores de proteção relacionados à promoção de resiliência em pessoas que vivem com HIV/AIDS

The aim of this theoretical review was to articulate the resilience concept with key aspects in the lives of people living with HIV/AIDS. We emphasize the analysis of protective factors traditionally related to resilience (personal characteristics and social and affective support networks). The reviewed studies show important protective factors that contribute to the health and well-being of people with HIV/AIDS, such as cognitive coping and acceptance of their HIV status, family participation in treatment and family support, the role of governmental and nongovernmental institutions, and religious beliefs. The concept of resilience defined as a dynamic process that allows human beings to overcome adversities is essential for understanding HIV infection and treatment of AIDS patients. It helps decrease stigmatization and prejudice towards the disease and patients. It also helps alter the notion that living with AIDS is incompatible with well-being and quality of life and fosters the creation of new HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment perspectives.

Developmental risks and psychosocial adjustment among low-income Brazilian youth

Exposure to developmental risks in three domains (community, economic, and family), and relations between risks and psychosocial well-being, were examined among 918 impoverished Brazilian youth aged 14-19 (M = 15.8 years, 51.9% female) recruited in low-income neighborhoods in one city in Southern Brazil. High levels of developmental risks were reported, with levels and types of risks varying by gender, age, and (to a lesser extent) race. Associations between levels of risks in the various domains and indicators of psychological (e.g., self-esteem, negative emotionality) and behavioral (e.g., substance use) adjustment differed for male and female respondents. Findings build on prior research investigating the development of young people in conditions of pervasive urban poverty and reinforce the value of international research in this endeavor.

“Vocês me encontram em qualquer lugar”: realizando pesquisa longitudinal com adolescentes em situação de rua

With the goal of furthering longitudinal research with hard to reach populations, this article describes the methodological strategies used in a longitudinal study conducted with 113 children and adolescents in street situations in three Brazilian capital cities. In addition to describing the different stages of the research process, the article details the multimethod strategies that enabled good sample retention (72% at 6 months and 62% at 12 months), as well as the validity of data resulting from ecological insertion and triangulation of data. Attrition analysis revealed only a few differences between youth who were retained vs. lost to follow-up on demographic and psychosocial indicators. Examination of reasons for attrition provides information that can be used in future research of development in atypical contexts. Finally, it is argued that research of this nature can have positive impacts on the rights protection system and consequently for participants’ network of protection.

Caracterização qualitativa do bem-estar subjetivode crianças e adolescentes em situação de rua

Trata-se de estudo de casos multiplos com objetivo de investigar qualitativamente o bem-estar subjetivo de criancas e adolescentes em situacao de rua. Participaram 6 adolescentes de Fortaleza (10-17 anos), todos do sexo masculino. Destes, tres viviam em instituicao de acolhimento, dois em servico aberto e um na rua. Utilizou-se entrevista estruturada, figuras representativas dos contextos (escola, familia, rua, amigos e instituicao) e diario de campo para contemplar os aspectos de satisfacao de vida, afetos positivos e negativos. A analise de conteudo permitiu identificar uma avaliacao positiva da satisfacao de vida pela maioria dos adolescentes. Eles tenderam a relaciona-la a rede de apoio, projetos futuros e estar vivendo numa situacao melhor do que vivia antes de virem para a rua. Atribuiu-se os afetos positivos ao relacionamento com os pares, a presenca dos familiares, apoio das instituicoes para familiares e envolvimento em atividades ludicas e de lazer. Ja os afetos negativos relacionaram-se aos conflitos e brigas (com amigos, familiares e profissionais das instituicoes), preconceitos da sociedade, punicoes por desobedecer regras, realizacao de atividades domesticas e violencia fisica e sexual. A rua e a familia foram os contextos mais associados aos afetos negativos quando comparados a instituicao, a escola e aos amigos. Porem, os afetos positivos nao estiveram excluidos da rua e da familia. Enfatiza-se a importância de estudos acerca dos processos positivos, os quais propoem uma leitura mais abrangente do desenvolvimento humano em contextos de vulnerabilidade e que nao estejam baseados exclusivamente no levantamento de indicadores de risco vivenciados por essas populacoes. (AU) This multiple case study aimed to investigate qualitatively the subjective well-being of children and adolescents that live on streets. Six male adolescents from Fortaleza city (10-17 years old) participated. Three were living in the foster care institution, two on temporary shelter and one on the streets. Structured interviews, pictures representing different contexts (school, family, streets, friends and institution), and field notes were used to contemplate the aspects of life satisfaction, positive and negative affects. Content analysis allowed the identification of a positive evaluation of life satisfaction by most adolescents. They tended to relate it to their support network, to future projects and by comparing their improved present situation to the time spent on the streets. Positive affects were related to relationships with partners, presence of family, support from institutions to family and involvement in recreational and leisure activities. Whereas negative affects were related to conflicts and quarrels (with friends, family and professional institutions), prejudices of society, punishment for disobeying rules, performing household activities and physical and sexual violence. The streets and family were the most associated with negative affects compared to the institution, school and friends. However, positive affects were not excluded from the streets and family. It can be emphasized the importance of studies related to the positive processes that propose a more comprehensive reading of the human development in contexts of vulnerability and that are not based solely on the survey of risk indicators experienced by these populations. (AU) Es un estudio de casos multiple para investigar cualitativamente el bienestar subjetivo de los ninos y adolescentes que viven en la calle. Participaron 6 adolescentes de Fortaleza (10-17 anos), todos de sexo masculino. Tres vivian en institucion de acogida, dos en servicio abierto y uno en la calle. Utilizamos entrevistas estructuradas, figuras representativas de contextos (escuela, familia, calle, amigos y institucion) y diario de campo para incluir asuntos de satisfaccion con la vida y afectos. Analisis de contenido permitio identificar un balance positivo acerca de la satisfaccion con la vida en la mayoria de los adolescentes. Tendieron a relacionarla con red de apoyo, proyectos futuros y vivir en una mejor situacion que antes de su salida a la calle. Atribuyeron afectos positivos a relacion con pares, presencia de miembros de la familia, apoyo de las instituciones para la familia y participacion en actividades recreativas y de ocio. Relacionaron emociones negativas con conflictos y peleas (con amigos, familia y instituciones profesionales), discriminacion por parte de la sociedad, castigos por desobedecer reglas, realizacion de tareas domesticas y violencia fisica y sexual. La calle y familia fueron contextos que mas se asociaron con efectos negativos en comparacion con institucion, escuela y amigos. Sin embargo, afectos positivos no fueron excluidos de la calle y familia. Hacemos hincapie en la importancia de estudios sobre procesos positivos, que ofrecen una lectura mas amplia del desarrollo humano en contextos de vulnerabilidad y no basadas exclusivamente en un sondeo de los factores de riesgo experimentados por estas poblaciones. (AU)

(In)Visibilidade da Vivência Homoparental Feminina: entre Preconceitos e Superações

Este artigo teve como objetivo investigar a ambiguidade quanto a (in)visibilidade das vivencias homoparentais femininas no cenario brasileiro: situacoes em que o preconceito se revela com crueldade; e, por outro lado, situacoes em que as mulheres superam esta discriminacao e assumem as suas orientacoes afetivo-sexuais, bem como o projeto de ser mae. Foram entrevistadas quatro mulheres que se assumem como lesbicas e tem filhos e a entrevista aberta foi o instrumento utilizado para colher os dados. A analise de conteudo das entrevistas evidenciou que as familias homoparentais chefiadas por lesbicas vivem um momento paradoxal em relacao aos direitos humanos da populacao LGBT. Por um lado, verificam-se diversas expressoes de preconceito e violencia homofobica na vida dessas mulheres; mas, por outro, tambem sao relatadas circunstâncias em que as mulheres superaram esta discriminacao e assumem as suas orientacoes afetivo-sexuais, bem como o projeto de ser mae.

Um estudo com egressos de instituições para crianças em situação de rua: percepção acerca da situação atual de vida e do atendimento recebido

A study on street children who have left institutions: perceptions of current life situations and received treatment. This article aims to identify the life situations of street children and adolescents after leaving care institutions; note how they evaluate their current life; and understand how they perceive the institution in which they stayed and the treatment they received there. Nine male adolescents participated (18-20 years old). A semi-structured interview script, evaluated through content analysis, was used. The results revealed a variety of life situations. The participants tended to describe their current life situation as satisfactory and they also positively evaluated the institution in which they stayed. The results are discussed in the context of Institutional Tie Trajectory (ITT); the modalities for leaving the streets as described in the literature; and the importance of the relationship between educator and child/adolescent. The implications for public policies treating this population are discussed.

Methodological Strategies for Resilience Research in Lesbians, Gays and Bisexuals (LGBs): Integrative Review of the Literatur

Through the integrative literature review, this article aimed to analyze the methodological strategies for resilience research in empirical studies with lesbians, gays and bisexuals (LGBs). The searches were carried out at SciELO, PePSIC, LILACS, Index Psi, PsycINFO e PUBMED, until the year 2015. In order to guide and systematize the undergoing of the review, the guidelines laid down in the Protocol PRISMA were followed and after consideration of the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 31 articles were identifi ed and analyzed in full. Studies focused only on variables, with focus only on people and including both variables and people were identifi ed. Despite the conceptual and methodological advances about the resilience and the LGB population, some controversies are still observed, compromising the quality of evaluation of this construct. The measuring and/or understanding of resilience is not a simplistic task. It passes through observation and dialogue among risk factors, protection factors and positive adaptation factors, as well as dialectically relating to different levels and contexts involved such as individual, family, community and culture. The inconsistency in the operationalization of these factors can impair the generalization and the understanding of the empirical results.

Developmental Psychology in Latin America

Human development is an area with numerous research studies and fields of application. This chapter presents a perceptive overview of the subject in Latin America. It centers on recent advances with special emphasis on the last 30 years. The review of the field is organized in three sections. The first contains a brief update on the recent history of developmental psychology in Latin American countries. The second describes the main areas of research in some nations (Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela). Finally, the last section focuses on developmental psychology in Brazil, presents authors’ country of origin, and includes a discussion of the main research groups affiliated with the National Association for Research and Graduate Studies in Psychology. Future directions in research and practice are suggested at the end of the chapter.

Adverse childhood experiences and adjustment: A longitudinal study of street-involved youth in Brazil

Most research on adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) has been conducted in high-income countries in the global North. The current longitudinal study examined the prevalence, overlap, and impact of ACEs in a sample of Brazilian children and adolescents who use city streets as spaces for socialization and survival (i.e., street-involved youth). Participants (N = 113; M age = 14.18 years) were recruited in three cities following standardized procedures. Most youth were male (80.5%) and non-White (91%). Lifetime exposure to ACEs was assessed at the first study time point; six indicators of psychological, behavioral, and physical adjustment were assessed 6 months later. Analyses addressed three research goals. First, the prevalence of seven ACEs was examined. Youth reported an average of 4.8 ACEs (SD = 1.25); no significant age or gender differences were found in ACEs exposure (all ps > .05). Second, the overlap between different ACEs was explored. Family dysfunction was correlated with family disruption and physical abuse; poverty and physical abuse were related (ps < .05). Third, prospective associations between ACEs and adjustment were tested. Total number of ACEs was not significantly correlated with any outcome, but several associations emerged for specific ACEs. For example, death of a close friend or family member was prospectively associated with negative affect; sexual abuse was associated with illicit drug use and physical health symptoms (ps < .05). Findings highlight the prevalence of ACEs in this vulnerable population and underscore the value of extending research on ACEs into novel populations and contexts.

A vivência de casais inférteis diante de tentativas inexitosas de reprodução assistida

espanolEste articulo tuvo como objetivo comprender la experiencia de parejas infertiles que enfrentan intentos infructuosos de reproduccion asistida (RA). Especificamente se busco indentificar los sentimientos mas frecuentes durante los intentos infructuosos y comprender los posibles impactos de estos intentos. Se realizaron estudios de caso multiples con tres parejas heterosexuales (38-45 anos de edad), a partir de entrevistas individuales con cada miembro de la pareja. El analisis de contenido evidencio una fuerte inversion subjetiva en la llegada del hijo, y que la repeticion de los tratamientos influyo en el sufrimiento de los conyugues, con consecuencias en la sexualidad y la comunicacion de las parejas. La dimension financiera, por otro lado, no sufrio un gran impacto. Las parejas demostraron un fuerte vinculo emcional, permaneciendo juntas frente a los intentos infructuosos y en la busqueda de nuevas alternativas para vivenciar la parentalidad. Se concluye destacando la importancia del apoyo psicologico (antes, durante y despues de los ciclos) a las parejas sometidas a los procedimientos de (RA). EnglishThis article aims to understand the experience of infertile couples facing lack of success on assisted reproduction (AR) attempts. It describes, specifically, the most common feelings during unsuccessful attempts and possible impacts of these attempts. There were multiple case studies with three heterosexual couples (38-45 years old), from individual interviews with each member of the dyad. The content analysis showed a strong subjective investment of many kinds for the arrival of the child and that the repetition of the treatments influenced the increased suffering of the spouses, bringing consequences for the couples’ sexuality and communication. The financial dimension, on the other hand, did not suffer major impacts. Couples have shown strong emotional bonds, staying together under the unsuccessful attempts and in the search for new alternatives for the parenting experience. As a conclusion of this study we stress the importance of psychological support (before, during and after the realization of cycles) to couples undergoing procedures for AR. portuguesEsse artigo tem como objetivo compreender a vivencia de casais inferteis diante de tentativas inexitosas de reproducao assistida (RA). Especificamente, busca-se descrever os sentimentos mais frequentes durante as tentativas inexitosas e os possiveis impactos destas tentativas. Realizaram-se estudos de casos multiplos com 3 casais heterossexuais (38-45 anos de idade), a partir de entrevistas individuais com cada membro da diade. A analise de conteudo evidenciou um forte investimento subjetivo para a chegada do filho e que a repeticao dos tratamentos influenciou no aumento do sofrimento dos conjuges, trazendo consequencias para a sexualidade e comunicacao dos casais. A dimensao financeira, por outro lado, nao sofreu grandes impactos. Os casais demonstraram forte vinculo emocional, permanecendo juntos diante das tentativas inexitosas e na busca de novas alternativas para a vivencia da parentalidade. Conclui-se ressaltando a importância do apoio psicologico (antes, durante e apos a realizacao dos ciclos) aos casais submetidos aos procedimentos de RA.