Renatha El Rafihi-Ferreira

Similaridades e Diferenças de Crianças/Cuidadores Atendidos em Serviço-Escola de Psicologia e Psiquiatria

In order to provide the best care to children and adolescents referred for university-based psychology and psychiatry centers, this research describes and compares the profile of families who looked for treatment in these services. Forty mothers and children were assessed (20 participants in each group – Waiting list for psychological counseling or psychiatric care). The mothers completed the Child Behavior Checklist, Beck Depression Inventory, Marital Adjustment Scale and semi-structured interview. The children referred to psychiatry services had higher scores in the clinical range for somatic complaints, thought problems and externalizing problems. The comparison of the caregivers’ profiles indicated that the choice of the type of service for the child was related to maternal variables, since mothers with greater adversity levels and depression choose drug treatment. This highlights the importance of simultaneously care for mother and child and proposals to ensure demand and adherence to psychological treatment.

Semejanzas y Diferencias de Niños/Cuidadores Atendidos en Servicio-Escuela de Psicología y Psiquiatría

In order to provide the best care to children and adolescents referred for university-based psychology and psychiatry centers, this research describes and compares the profile of families who looked for treatment in these services. Forty mothers and children were assessed (20 participants in each group – Waiting list for psychological counseling or psychiatric care). The mothers completed the Child Behavior Checklist, Beck Depression Inventory, Marital Adjustment Scale and semi-structured interview. The children referred to psychiatry services had higher scores in the clinical range for somatic complaints, thought problems and externalizing problems. The comparison of the caregivers’ profiles indicated that the choice of the type of service for the child was related to maternal variables, since mothers with greater adversity levels and depression choose drug treatment. This highlights the importance of simultaneously care for mother and child and proposals to ensure demand and adherence to psychological treatment.

Similarities and Differences of Children/Caregivers at Traning-Clinic of Psychology and Psychiatry

In order to provide the best care to children and adolescents referred for university-based psychology and psychiatry centers, this research describes and compares the profile of families who looked for treatment in these services. Forty mothers and children were assessed (20 participants in each group – Waiting list for psychological counseling or psychiatric care). The mothers completed the Child Behavior Checklist, Beck Depression Inventory, Marital Adjustment Scale and semi-structured interview. The children referred to psychiatry services had higher scores in the clinical range for somatic complaints, thought problems and externalizing problems. The comparison of the caregivers’ profiles indicated that the choice of the type of service for the child was related to maternal variables, since mothers with greater adversity levels and depression choose drug treatment. This highlights the importance of simultaneously care for mother and child and proposals to ensure demand and adherence to psychological treatment.

Brief treatment for nighttime fears and co-sleeping problems: A randomized clinical trial

Sixty-eight 4-6 year old children who co-slept with their parents and who avoided sleeping alone due to intense nighttime fears were randomized to a brief combined parent-based intervention (CBT-based bibliotherapy plus doll) or a wait list control group. After the waiting period, the wait list participants were offered treatment. Co-sleeping patterns, sleep records, anxiety, general fears, and behavior problems were assessed with parent-report measures. Nighttime fears were assessed with parent-report measures and a single item visual analogue scale for the young children. Assessments were completed pre-treatment, post-treatment, and at 3 months following treatment. Results showed that the combined intervention was superior to the wait list control condition and that treatment effects were maintained at 3-month follow-up. This study provides initial support for use of CBT-based bibliotherapy plus doll in the treatment of nighttime fears. Such a treatment might be used to supplement standard CBT approaches in routine clinical practice or in a stepped care approach to treatment.