Raquel Farias Diniz

Life experiences and the formation of pro-ecological commitment: exploring the role of spirituality / Experiencias de vida y la formación del compromiso pro-ecológico: explorando el papel de la espiritualidad

Abstract In order to understand what leads people to commit to both practices of environmental care and simple living, this work investigates how significant life experiences influence people who develop a pro-ecological commitment (PEC), focusing on experiences related to either religion or spirituality. Twenty-nine people socially perceived (and referred) as having PEC (17 males, aged between 23 and 79) participated in individual semi-structured interviews and described experiences that worked as a source of influence for their own commitment. In addition to what the literature proposes on the relation between spirituality and environmental care, the accounts highlighted the distinction made between religion and spirituality; the contact with nature mediated by religious practices; associations of the idea of the sacred (divine) with the environment; and the importance of these experiences as contexts of socialization and care for oneself and others.

Percepção de Moradores de uma Cidade Sede sobre a Copa do Mundo de Futebol 2014

The 2014 football world cup, in Brazil, aroused expectations about the final result, particularly about its impacts generated during its preparation. The objective of this research was to investigate the citizens’ environmental perception, in the city of Natal/RN, about the changes caused by the mega-event. The questionnaire was responded voluntarily by 214 residents of different areas of the Metropolitan Region. The age mean among participants was 35 years old. 53% of participants were male and the majority had degree of instruction between high school and graduated. Participants evaluated more positively the changes in the city during the event than after its ending. The areas of tourism, employment and the image of the city (advertising) were better evaluated. Traffic presented the lower evaluations in both moments. It can be concluded that participants do not believe in improvement obtained with the event.

Cuidado Ambiental em Tempos de Sustentabilidade: Relação Entre Compromisso Pró-Ecológico e Orientação de Futuro

In order to explore some of the psychological dimensions that are part of a sustainable lifestyle, in the present research were investigated relationships between indicators of pro-ecological commitment (Ecocentric and Anthropocentric Environmentalism scales) and temporal orientation (Consideration of Future Consequences scale), and their associations with self-reported practices of environmental care. 380 college students participated, most were female (77%), with a mean age of 22 years old (SD = 3.66). The results were consistent with previous studies, albeit with modest statistical indices. The association between pro-ecological commitment, stronger in case of ecocentrism, and future time orientation was corroborated. There were clear associations between anthropocentrism, environmental apathy and immediacy, and the absence of reports of environmental care practices. The implications and limitations of the study are discussed, as well are made appointments for future researches.

Crenças e opiniões no cuidado de idosos com AIDS: um estudo exploratório - doi:10.5020/18061230.2010.p243

Objective: To explore what informal caregivers of elderly with AIDS think about the disease itself, the infection in elderly people, and about being a caregiver. Methods: A qualitative study in which the thematic content analysis of interviews resulted in the emergence of three categories: “conceptions about AIDS”, “AIDS in old age” and “being a caregiver”. Results: We observed the emergence of issues related to the three aspects, which must be considered in a broader analysis within the patient-caregiver relationship. Such questions involve information about the disease, living with the patient, gender differences and the specificities resulting from the infection at this stage of life. Conclusion: From this study, it is expected that greater attention be given to relationships of care provided by informal network of support to elderly people living with AIDS, in order to foster researches on social, affective, motivational and behavior aspects of caregivers.