Otília Monteiro Fernandes

Posição na fratria e personalidade

This study addresses the presence or absence of siblings influence on the personality. The position occupied in the family provides diversified experiences - consequently, some aspects of the personality are also different and individual. This sample includes 1142 university students: 874 females and 268 males. The statistical analysis indicated the existence of personality differences among the subjects that occupy the main sibling positions: the only, the oldest, the youngest and the middle. These were the facets of detachment: straightforwardness, altruism and compliance (in the domain of Agreeableness), dutifulness and deliberation (in the domain of Conscientiousness) and angry hostility (in the domain of Neuroticism). The results were discussed through Adler, Toman and Sulloways siblings theories.

Psychometric Properties of Revised Conflict Tactics Scales: Portuguese Sibling Version (CTS2-SP)

The Revised Conflict Tactics Scales (CTS2, Straus et al. Journal of Family Issues, 17, 283–316, 1996) were conceived to measure Psychological Aggression, Physical Assault, Sexual Coercion, Injury and the use of Negotiation towards a partner in a marital, cohabiting or dating relationship. The CTS2-SP was designed for obtaining data on conflict tactics between siblings. The main objective of this study was to examine the psychometric properties of the CTS2-SP Portuguese version. Data were collected among 590 Portuguese university students. Reliability was assessed through Cronbach’s alpha ranging from 0.65 to 0.81 for the perpetration scales and ranging 0.66 to 0.84 to victimization scales. Significant correlations between different forms of the CTS2 illustrate its construct validity. The psychometric characteristics of CTS2-SP Portuguese version were found to be adequate. The CTS2-SP offers a reliable and valid measure to be used within the Portuguese population.

An exploration of sibling violence predictors

Purpose – Sibling violence is generally considered to be the most prevalent form of family violence. This paper aims to examine the association between sibling violence and other forms of violence: parent-to-parent violence, parent-to-child violence and dating violence. Design/methodology/approach – Data were collected from 590 Portuguese university students. Findings – There was a strong positive association between sibling violence and other forms of family violence. Psychological and physical aggression is highly prevalent among siblings. Results also show that sibling violence is the most prevalent form of family violence. Regression models demonstrated that parent-to-child violence is a substantial predictor of sibling violence. Originality/value – The results of this study point to the importance of studying the co-occurrence of different forms of family violence.

Psychometric Proprieties and Construct Validity of the Brother-Sister Questionnaire in a Sample of Portuguese Adolescents

The Brother-Sister Questionnaire (BSQ; Graham-Bermann and Cutler 1994) is an instrument designed to measure qualities of sibling relationships. Aim: In the present study the main objective was to examine the psychometric properties and validity construct of BSQ - Portuguese version. Data were collected among 197 adolescents. The Cronbach’s alpha of the four domains ranged from .58 to .84. The psychometric characteristics of BSQ Portuguese version were found to be adequate. The results confirm the multi-dimensional model composed of four factors proposed by the authors of this instrument, as well as their suitability to assess quality of Portuguese sibling relationships. The BSQ offers a reliable and valid measure to be used within Portuguese population.

INTERNET ADDICTION: THE RELATIONSHIP WITH PSYCHOPATHOLOGICAL SYMPTOMATOLOGY

The present study aims to corroborate associations between Internet addiction and psychopathological symptomatology. For this purpose, a sample of 418 participants, between the ages of 18 and 35, completed a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Internet Addition Test and the Brief Symptom Inventory depression, anxiety, hostility and interpersonal sensitivity scales. The factorial structures and the internal consistencies of the scales were analysed. We observed that 87.8% of the participants had low to mild addition, being males significantly more addicted. Internet addiction was positively associated with depression, anxiety, hostility, and interpersonal sensitivity. Moreover, analysing the differences between the three levels of addition present in the sample, we found significant differences in the psychopathological symptomatology among all groups, except for hostility. Our study concludes that Internet addiction is a problematic with associations to psychopathological symptomatology, emphasizing the need for greater attention on the part of the health professionals, regarding the habits developed online and the individual’s own perception of their degree of addition.