Sara Monteiro

Optimismo disposicional, sintomatologia psicopatológica, bem-estar e rendimento académico em estudantes do primeiro ano do ensino superior

Dispositional optimism, psychopathological symptomatology, well-being and academic performance among first year higher education students. The present ex post facto study investigates the relationship between dispositional optimism and psychopathological symptomatology, well-being and academic performance among first year higher education students. A total of 316 students of a Portuguese university completed the Life Orientation Test Revised, Brief Symptom Inventory, Echelle de Mesure des Manifestations du Bien-Etre Psychologique and gave indicators of academic performance. From the results, we can distinguish: (a) the negative and significant correlation between dispositional optimism and psychopathological symptomatology; (b) the positive and significant correlation between dispositional optimism and well-being; and, (c) the positive and significant correlation between dispositional optimism and academic success. Interpretation of the results and their implications for student counselling are discussed in the light of the relevant literature.

Non-technical skills assessment for prelicensure nursing students: An integrative review

BACKGROUND In nursing, non-technical skills are recognized as playing an important role to increase patient safety and successful clinical outcomes (Pearson and McLafferty, 2011). Non-technical skills are cognitive and social resource skills that complement technical skills and contribute to safe and efficient task performance (Flin et al., 2008). In order to effectively provide non-technical skills training, it is essential to have an instrument to measure these skills. METHODOLOGY An online search was conducted. Articles were selected if they referred to and/or described instruments assessing non-technical skills for nurses and/or prelicensure nursing students in educational, clinical and/or simulated settings with validation evidence (inclusion criteria). RESULTS Of the 53 articles located, 26 met the inclusion criteria. Those referred to and/or described 16 instruments with validation evidence developed to assess non-technical skills in multidisciplinary teams including nurses. CONCLUSION Although articles have shown 16 valid and reliable instruments, to our knowledge, no instrument has been published or developed and validated for the assessment of non-technical skills of only nurses in general, relevant for use in high-fidelity simulation-based training for prelicensure nursing students. Therefore, there is a need for the development of such an instrument.

2077 – Preliminary validation study of a portuguese version of the patient health questionnaire (PHQ-9)

Introduction Depression is one of the most common health issues impacting the university student population. The Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) is a short measure that has the potential to serve as a dual-purpose instrument that establishes depressive disorder diagnoses as well as grades the depressive symptom severity. Objectives The current study was designed to study the psychometric properties of a Portuguese version of the PHQ-9 in a sample of university students. Aims Specifically, we examined the internal reability and convergent validity of the measure. Methods The English language of the PHQ-9 was translated into Portuguese. The process involved back-translation, crosscultural adaptation, field testing of the pre-final version, as well as final adjustments. A sample of university students completed the PHQ-9, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Results Complete data were obtained from 1241 participants. The mean age of the participants was 23.81 years (SD = 4.87) and 75.3% of them were females. The mean PHQ-9 score was 4.15 (SD = 4.05). The Portuguese version of the PHQ-9 had satisfactory internal consistency (Cronbachs alpha = 0.86) and showed moderate convergent validity with the HADS anxiety (r = 0.61; p Conclusions The PHQ-9 has good psychometric properties amongst Portuguese university students. Implications for using the measure as an assessment instrument in the university setting are discussed.

Effectiveness of psycho-educational interventions with telecommunication technologies on emotional distress and quality of life of adult cancer patients: a systematic review

Abstract Purpose: To provide a comprehensive review of psycho-educational interventions using telecommunication technologies developed for adult cancer patients, assessing their effectiveness in reducing emotional distress and improving quality of life (QoL). Materials and methods: A narrative approach was used for extraction and synthesis of the data. Relevant studies were identified through the electronic databases PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, ProQuest, Psychology & Behavioral Sciences Collection (through EBSCOhost), and CENTRAL. Results: Eight studies involving 1016 participants met inclusion criteria. The majority of the studies included (n = 6) used a randomized design and were published between 2007 and 2016. Interventions used a variety of delivery resources, such as telephone, e-mail and websites, but all were aiming to respond to information needs and develop stress control skills. A trend toward reducing distress and improving QoL was found, but estimated effect sizes were typically small (d < 0.5). Telephonically delivered psycho-educational interventions presented the highest between-group effects on these outcomes during survival, but were limited by sample size. Conclusions: The efficacy of interventions using distance approaches in the cancer setting is still not well-established. Further research should be conducted through well-designed studies with more interactive features that minimize the lack of face-to-face interaction. Implications for rehabilitation Rehabilitation professionals working in the field of oncology should invest in the development of psycho-educational interventions responding the patients’ educational needs and promoting their stress control skills. Programs using telecommunications technologies may reduce disparities in service delivery within this setting, minimizing geographic and socio-economic barriers to engagement in the interventions. With the current technological development, it is possible to perform more interactive interventions that stimulate therapist–patient interactions. However, available protocols in this field still employ basic resources (e.g., websites, e-mail, and videos). Young adult cancer patients are exposed to additional requirements related to fertility and parenthood. New intervention approaches should consider their informational needs.

Psychological Adjustment of Infertile Men Undergoing Fertility Treatments: An Association With Sperm Parameters

BACKGROUND The difficulties in the psychological adaptation to the infertility diagnosis and assisted reproductive technology (ART) treatments have shown influence on the sperm quality. The biological and psychological aspects of infertility seem not to be independent. OBJECTIVE To analyze the impact of depressive symptoms, anxiety, dyadic adjustment and infertility stress on the sperm quality of the men proposed to ART first or repeated experience. MATERIALS AND METHODS This transversal study was conducted in the Medically Assisted Reproduction Unit of Centro Hospitalar de São João, in Porto, Portugal. 112 men with infertility diagnosis were included to initiate an ART cycle. Participants completed the Inventory State-Trait Anxiety-Form Y (STAI-Y), the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II), the Dyadic Adjustment Scale (DAS) and the Inventory of Fertility Problems (IFP) before the beginning of the treatment. RESULTS The state-anxiety had a negative linear impact on the slow progressive motility (p<0.05). However, depressive symptoms assumed a suppressor effect on this variable, enhancing its importance as a predictor. CONCLUSION Results show that psychopathological symptoms before an ART cycle can influence the sperm motility. However, this association seems to only be present in men undergoing first experience ART treatments. Thus, this research shows the need for mental health professionals to respond to emotional difficulties of the male gender, through the development of psychological interventions adjusted, so as to minimize the impact of exposure to ART treatments.

P02-59 - Risk factors for depression in young adulthood: pessimism, dysfunctional attitudes and neuroticism

Introduction Major depression was the fourth most important determinant of the burden of human disease in 1990 and is expected to rank second in the world by 2020. Objectives As the causes of depression are complex, the identification of modifiable risk and protective factors, and understanding the processes through which they operate is crucial. Aims The main aim of the present study is to identify potential risk factors to the development of depression. Methods A total of 304 college students completed an on line questionnaire which assessed: depressive symptomathology (IACLIDE; Vaz Serra, 1994), pessimism (LOTR; Scheier, Carver, & Bridges, 1994), dysfunctional attitudes (DAS; Weissman & Beck, 1978) and neuroticism (EPQ; Eysenck & Eysenck, 1969). Results The main results indicated that pessimism, dysfunctional attitudes, and neuroticism correlated significantly and positively with depressive symptomathology. Conclusions The results suggested that pessimism, dysfunctional attitudes, and neuroticism can be considered risk factors for depression and important variables to be included in the depression prevention program under development. Overall, the results of this study indicate that understanding the relationships between these variables may be important to the prevention of depression.

P03-520 - Efficacy of cognitive behaviour group therapy with Portuguese breast cancer survivors

Introduction Breast Cancer is the most frequent cause of death by cancer in Women. Therefore Breast Cancer is a priority of the Portuguese Health Ministry. Mental illness, as Depression, is also a priority of that Ministry and breast cancer presents higher psychopathology comorbidity than general population. These both facts emphasize the relevance of the studies about interventions to promote mental health of Portuguese breast cancer women. Simultaneously, there are little studies about the applicability and efficiency of Cognitive Behavior Group Therapy in the European context and in Portugal in particular. Objectives We purpose to develop a group cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) program to breast cancer survivors and implement it in a Portuguese group. Methods After a proper review of cognitive behavior group therapy programs to oncologic patients, we will adapt them to the Portuguese population. Then, a study will be made with a group of breast cancer survivors. We intent to assess them before and after the therapy in respect to the following psychological variables: self-concept, optimism, coping, quality of life and psychopathology. Results We expect to improve the knowledge about the applicability of Cognitive Behavior Group Therapy in Portuguese (and European) context. Conclusions In sum, we expect to contribute with efficient psychological interventions to Breast Cancer Women survivors, in respect to self-concept, optimism, coping, quality of life and psychopathology.

Non-technical skills assessment scale in nursing: construction, development and validation

ABSTRACT The introduction of non-technical skills during nursing education is crucial to prepare nurses for the clinical context and increase patient safety. We found no instrument developed for this purpose. Objectives: to construct, develop and validate a non-technical skills assessment scale in nursing. Method: methodological research. Based on the literature review and experience of researchers on non-technical skills in healthcare and the knowledge of the principles of crisis resource management, a list of 63 items with a five-point Likert scale was constructed. The scale was applied to 177 nursing undergraduate students. Descriptive statistics, correlations, internal consistency analysis and exploratory factor analysis were performed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the scale. Results: scale items presented similar values for mean and median. The maximum and the minimum values presented a good distribution amongst all response options. Most items presented a significant and positive relationship. Cronbach alpha presented a good value (0.94), and most correlations were significant and positive. Exploratory factor analysis using the Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin test showed a value of 0.849, and the Bartlett’s test showed adequate sphericity values (χ2=6483.998; p=0.000). One-factor model explained 26% of the total variance. Conclusion: non-technical skills training and its measurement could be included in undergraduate or postgraduate courses in healthcare professions, or even be used to ascertain needs and improvements in healthcare contexts.

Unmet needs and quality of life in multiple myeloma patients

This cross-sectional study analysed the contributors and moderators of quality of life. The sample comprised 124 Portuguese multiple myeloma patients assessed on social support, spirituality, unmet needs, psychological morbidity and quality-of-life measures. Results showed that being older and a woman, as well as psychological morbidity and unmet emotional needs were significant predictors of worse quality of life as measured by the QLQ-C30. Unmet financial needs moderated the relationship between psychological morbidity and quality of life. Results emphasize the importance of intervening in patients’ unmet emotional needs and psychological morbidity in order to promote quality of life, in this population.

1745 – Emotional distress, quality of life and personal growth in young adults with cancer

Introduction Adolescents and young adults are an understudied and often a misrepresented population in oncology research and practice. Objectives The current study was designed to assess the impact of cancer on a sample of Portuguese young adults with cancer, regarding emotional distress, quality of life (QOL) and personal growth. Aims The specific aims of the present work are 1) to assess current emotional distress, QOL and personal growth of young adults with cancer, which are compared to those of a group of healthy controls, and 2) to assess current emotional distress, QOL and personal growth of young adults with cancer according to treatment status (patients or off treatment survivors). Methods A sample of 36 Portuguese young adults with cancer and 435 healthy controls was evaluated through four instruments: Socio-demographic and clinical questionnaire, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core-30 (EORTC QLQ-C30), and Personal Growth Subscale (PG) from the Psychological Well Being Scale. Results Cancer patients scored lower than controls in the role, cognitive and social domains of QOL and in personal growth. Cancer patients scored lower than cancer survivors in the role domain of QOL and personal growth. Conclusions The cancer patients revealed QOL and personal growth difficulties, mainly those undergoing treatment. These issues need to be considered in the psychosocial intervention within adolescents and young adults’ oncology care.