RCAAP Repository

Abstract The purpose of this study was to investigate the link between multi-generational household arrangements (uni-, bi- or tri-generational) and sociodemographic variables, functional performance, mood, social support and life satisfaction in cognitively healthy elderly individuals. This is a cross-sectional, descriptive and quantitative study. A total of 107 elderly individuals from the Federal District were evaluated using the Geriatric Depression Scale, the Mini Exame do Estado Mental (Mini-Mental State Examination), the Scales of Basic, Instrumental and Advanced Activities of Daily Living, the Perceived Social Support, and the Life Satisfaction Scale. Bivariate statistical analysis indicated that tri-generational arrangements were associated with being female, being a widowed individual and having more children; and uni- or bi-generational arrangements were associated with a greater life satisfaction in comparison to people of the same age, a bigger participation in cultural activities and driving an automobile. These findings indicate that, for elderly individuals, living arrangements are associated with family composition, life satisfaction and social engagement.

Abstract The transition between the two cycles of Elementary School is a process with anticipations and expectations in the 5th as well as demands and adaptations in the 6th year. The objective of this paper is to investigate the effects of the transition taking into account the nature of the transition. A prospective study was carried out with two data collections (5th and 6th grade). A total of 379 public-school students (212 girls), with a mean age of 10.6 years (SD = 0.91), were enrolled at the beginning of the study. The instruments used were Brazil Test, Child Stress Scale, Social Skills Assessment System, Self-Concept Assessment Questionnaire, and Multidimensional Life Satisfaction Scale for Children. When comparing the two grades, children who did not change schools showed more stability, especially in academic self-concept; those enrolled in municipal schools showed a greater decrease in self-concept and satisfaction with life. School change seems to increase the demands of transition.

Abstract Considering the relevance of the development of socio-emotional and career skills to deal with educational and occupational transitions, this study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the Edu-Car Program, which purpose is the development of socio-emotional and career competence. From the quasi-experimental design with intervention and comparison groups, 116 high school students from the 10th year, of two public schools in the interior of the State of São Paulo, specifically 60 girls and 56 boys, with mean age of 15, participated. The Social and Emotional or Non-cognitive Nationwide Assessment, called Senna 1.0 and the Career Education Questionnaire, were used as pre and post-test instruments. For the inter and intra-group comparison the T-Test was used for independent and paired samples. The results show that the intervention had significant effects on career exploration, with more search for help and/or information from different people and sources.

Abstract The present study compared and correlated interactive behaviors of 15 mothers and their very preterm infants (gestational age: 28-32 weeks). Mothers and infants were observed in the experimental Face-to-Face Still-Face paradigm, consisting of three episodes: in the first and third episodes (play and reunion episodes), mother and infant interact freely; in the second (still-face episode), the mother maintains a still-face expression. The behaviors of the infants were allocated in three categories: positive social orientation, negative social orientation and self-regulation. Maternal behaviors were classified into positive and negative social orientation. Intragroup comparisons indicated that maternal vocalizations were significantly higher in the play episode. Compared to other studies with preterm infants, babies in this study exhibit fewer interactive behaviors and more self-soothing behaviors in the still-face episode. In addition, in the reunion episode, values of the behaviors presented in the play episode were recovered. Correlations between intrusive maternal behaviors and noninteractive or negative-interaction behaviors of the infant suggest the relevance of providing intervention to promote maternal sensitivity.

Abstract Research on atypical developing parenting usually investigates only the mother. This happens even if the investigation outcome points to the influence of the parenting style and the child’s relationship with the father on his/her perception of well-being. This investigation aimed to understand the relationships between the behavior of children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder, parenting styles and coparenting of 45 biparental families with children aged, on mean, 59 months, according to defined profiles based on children’s behavioral differences. Data was reviewed by hierarchical clustering. Among the four profiles found, those characterized by behavioral difficulties showed more authoritarian/permissive parenting styles and negative impacts on coparenting; profiles with greater prosociability had a more authoritative parenting style and better coparenting quality. The behavioral assessment of children should drive the formulation of interventions/public policies to promote positive parenting in this population.

Abstract Intellectual styles comprise a preference of people to use their cognitive abilities to solve problems. In this sense, the objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between thinking styles, verbal reasoning, and learning strategies in basic education. A total of 470 students from the 2nd to the 9th gradein a city in the state of Paraná participated in the study. We used the Thinking Styles Inventory - Revised II, the Learning Strategies Assessment Scale, and the Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence. The Wechsler Scale was administered individually and to a restricted sample of 45 students. Positive relations were obtained between the intellectual styles inventory score and the learning strategies. The data pointed towards the need for further national studies to assess these correlations due to the early stage of these studies within the Brazilian population.

Abstract The aim of the study was to identify students’ self-regulation through learning strategies adoption in connection with motivation. A sample of 212 freshmen students answered a Likert-type questionnaire with the aim to assess learning strategies, mastery achievement goal, extrinsic goals, procrastination, and discipline valuation. Strategy use consisted in a specific task of writing a text. A person-centered approach was adopted according to the statistical data and four self-regulation clusters were identified, namely, highly self-regulated students, low regulation students, and two clusters with mixed scores. Through variance analysis mastery achievement goal appeared significantly associated only with thehighly self-regulated students cluster. Results were discussed in the framework of a self-regulated learning model and achievement goals theory. Finally, future investigations on other specific learning activities were proposed.

Abstract Exposure to school bullying is a situation experienced in children and adolescents’ routine and a few bullying complex conditions have not yet been sufficiently explored. Thus, this study’s objective aimed at synthesizing empirical evidence concerning the relationship between bullying and family variables in a theoretical model. Adopting a mixed design, the total sample included 2,354 students from 11 public schools who participated in the quantitative stage study. Data were collected using two scales. In the quantitative stage 55 students were randomly selected for semi-structured interviews. The results revealed that positive family interactions have a protective power in relation to bullying and victimization, while negative family interactions increase the risk of students becoming involved in such situations. The factors that influence students’ involvement in school bullying belonged to the analytical components of the Bioecological Model. The outcome helped a better understanding of bullying and provided empirical support for family inclusion in the issue.

Abstract Quality of life is often acknowledged as an important outcome of rehabilitation programs for people with amputation. Despite the importance of the subject, the number of studies focusing on the multiplicity of factors influencing this matter is still limited. These assessments are increasingly needed to demonstrate changes related to intervention over time. In order to evaluate the quality of life of patients with lower limb amputation and wearing prostheses, a study was conducted with 49 patients followed in a rehabilitation hospital in the Midwest region of Brazil. A generic instrument (Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey) for quality of life assessment and Trinity Amputation and Prosthesis Experience Scale-Revised that is specific for people with amputation were used in addition to a functional assessment measure. The results showed that the time since amputation, male gender and below-knee amputations were predictors of a better perception of quality of life and better adjustment to amputation.

Resumen Los comportamientos externalizados en niños y adolescentes en acogimiento residencial se presentan con regularidad, convirtiéndose en predictores de conductas delictivas, dinámicas relacionales disfuncionales, consumo de sustancias, entre otros. El objetivo general del presente estudio fue identificar y comparar problemas de comportamiento externalizado de niños y adolescentes en acogimiento residencial y con sus familias, reportados por padres, profesores y cuidadores. La muestra estuvo conformada por 222 adolescentes y preadolescentes entre los 11 y 16 años del Distrito Federal de Caracas y del Estado Miranda-Venezuela. El instrumento utilizado fue el Cuestionario sobre el Comportamiento de Niños y Niñas de 6-18 años. No se encontraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre los grupos. Sin embargo, la puntuación en ruptura de normas es más alta en el grupo que vive en acogimiento residencial, contrario a la del grupo control cuya puntuación más alta fue en conducta agresiva. Los hallazgos permiten entrever que, aunque en los reportes de padres, profesores y cuidadores no se encontraron diferencias entre los grupos en relación con el comportamiento externalizado, los puntajes altos pueden concebirse como conductas en riesgo ante las cuales hay que actuar con cautela y hacer seguimiento.

Abstract Several types of cognitive interventions have been performed with elderly individuals to verify physical and quality of life benefits. The objective of this study was to verify if the cognitive gains found in two cognitive intervention programs are related to changes in the mood, quality of life and physical fitness variables (maximum oxygen consumption, lean mass, fat percentage and handgrip strength). A total of 39 elderly women from the Distrito Federal (Brazil), participating in a cognitive training group based on mnemonic strategies and a group of cognitive stimulation based on perceptual and attention exercises. Both groups showed a tendency to reduce depressive symptoms, an increase in their fat mass and a decrease in their lean mass. Taken together, these findings may contribute to identify the directionality of mnemonic interventions in Brazilian elderly individuals regarding the subjective and physical performance variables.

Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of Reiki (as well as the effectiveness of Physical Activities) on relatively healthy individuals (not hospital patients), members of a sample of 338 volunteers, and to confirm whether practicing Reiki contributes to psycho-emotional stabilization, having a beneficial impact on mood and emotional wellbeing. For the first time, a positive confirmation of Reiki was carried out in Ukraine. The respondents were divided into two main groups: non-Reikists (individuals who did not practice Reiki) and Reikists (individuals who practiced or taught Reiki). It was found that, in comparison with non-Reikists, the results obtained by Reikists were twice as good, showing higher levels of emotional comfort, less anxiety/dissatisfaction, and more optimism, energy and self-confidence. At that, senior pupils and university students of psychology performed worse. This study confirms that the practice of Reiki is a quickly healing, stimulating, long-term, and cost-effective technique, positively influencing to positive well-being, mood and psychosomatic responses.

Abstract The internalized attachment in childhood has consequences in the adult life, specifically in the marital life, which demands greater closeness, intimacy and interdependence. In this sense, it was analyzed whether the communication, marital adjustment, frequency, intensity and conflict resolution variables discriminate individuals with secure and insecure attachment in heterosexual relationships. It is a quantitative, descriptive and explanatory study. Data from 485 participants were collected in the south of Brazil through the following measures: Experience in Close Relationship, Marital Conflict Scale, Conflict Resolution Behavior Questionnaire, Communication Questionnaire and Revised Dyadic Adjustment Scale. The results of the discriminant analysis indicated that the variables tested characterize secure or insecure attachment. Therefore, the type of attachment is a relevant resource in the assessment of individual and marital functioning. Psychotherapy interventions are discussed considering the relational bias of the attachment theory and the results observed in the scientific literature.

Abstract Gender issues are present in different work environments, including the academic world. This secondary data research aimed to compare, by gender, distribution and scientific output of Brazilian faculty who are active in stricto sensu postgraduation. A collection protocol was developed to capture data made available by the Coordination of Improvement of Higher Education Personnel, in the quadrennium 2013-2016 (n = 50.533, 57.5% men). The results indicate no difference in production by gender, but the following gender disparities in the researchers’ career were identified: (i) female prevalence in the areas of Health, Humanities and Linguistics and Arts, and male prevalence in the Exact and Earth Sciences, Engineering and Agrarian Sciences; (ii) gender differences in favor of men in the earning of research productivity scholarships. We conclude that a reduction in gender disparities in science is expected over time, although there is still a male predominance in the scientific field.

Abstract Continuous changes in Brazilian federal universities have affected the lives of workers in these institutions. Considering that reflections on the quality of working life of their civil servants can contribute to rethinking work r and/or people management policies, we aim to identify the quality of working life conceptions and practices of federal universities according to the public information documents made available on the Web pages by the federal universities. We understand quality of working life by considering the different levels of analysis (micro, meso and macro) that intersect with it. We identify and analyze the quality of working life conceptions available on the Web pages of 60 institutions. From the content analysis, we found four conceptions. The most frequent ones were the assistentialist (30.0%) and systemic and preventive (33.3%) conceptions. Limitations and suggestions for further studies were indicated.

Resumen El artículo presenta una estrategia de intervención sobre la violencia intrafamiliar a partir de una resignificación conceptual de la noción de violencia y el planteamiento de su función y sentido. La violencia se entiende como una fuerza de carácter simbólico inherente al sistema familiar, que cumple la función de mantener, modificar o sustituir los vínculos, teniendo como efecto su reorganización. El sentido es abordado bajo las acepciones de significación, propósito y orientación que constituyen el carácter discursivo bajo el cual se manifiesta la violencia. La intervención tiene como base un modelo analítico que privilegia la palabra de los sujetos. Mediante el análisis, ellos comprenderán de qué manera su historia familiar, los lugares y funciones de sus integrantes, el modo de desempeñarlos y sus expectativas sobre aquellos, favorecen la expresión de la violencia como un modo de hacer frente a la falla propia de todo sistema familiar.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a gestão municipal do Programa de Alimentação Escolar nas três capitais da região Sul do Brasil. MÉTODOS: Pesquisa avaliativa por meio de estudo de casos múltiplos. O modelo contempla as dimensões político--organizacional (intersetorialidade da gestão) e técnico-operacional (responsabilidades da gestão específicas ao ambiente escolar). Foram coletados 22 indicadores por meio de entrevistas com os nutricionistas do programa. RESULTADOS: Dois casos foram classificados como regular e um como ruim. Destaque para Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, na gestão financeira e no estímulo ao desenvolvimento regional. Ênfase para Curitiba, Paraná, na qualificação profissional, no atendimento adequado às necessidades nutricionais específicas e na disponibilização de dados antropométricos. Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, destacou-se com a adequada equipe de produção de alimentos e a boa execução dos cardápios. CONCLUSÃO: Ainda que os resultados tenham sido menos satisfatórios do que o esperado, eles poderão estimular melhorias na gestão do programa ao dar ênfase à importância da avaliação como ferramenta legítima para qualificar os serviços.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a qualidade da dieta entre consumidores e não consumidores de carnes vermelhas e processadas em residentes do município de São Paulo. MÉTODOS: Foram utilizados dados do estudo transversal do Inquérito de Saúde de São Paulo - 2008, com informações de 726 indivíduos que possuíam todas as informações dos inquéritos dietéticos, sendo 195 adolescentes, 272 adultos e 259 idosos. Os dados de consumo alimentar foram obtidos por dois recordatórios alimentares de 24 horas, aplicados em dias não consecutivos, incluindo final de semana e todas as estações do ano, e um questionário de frequência alimentar para estimar a frequência do consumo de carnes vermelhas e processadas. A ingestão alimentar habitual foi estimada pelo Multiple Source Method. O Índice de Qualidade da Dieta - Revisado foi calculado a partir da ingestão habitual dos participantes. As recomendações da Organização Mundial de Saúde foram utilizadas para estimar a participação percentual dos macronutrientes no valor energético total. RESULTADOS: O grupo de não consumidores apresentou maior pontuação média do índice (p=0,006), do grupo das frutas integrais (p=0,022), dos leites e derivados (p<0,001) e menor pontuação média de gordura sólida, álcool e açúcar de adição (p=0,039) e carnes, ovos e leguminosas (p<0,001). Também se mostrou maior percentual de adequação de gordura no grupo de não consumidores de carnes vermelhas e processadas. CONCLUSÃO: Sugere-se que não consumidores de carne vermelha e processada tenha melhor qualidade da dieta e maior adequação da contribuição energética dos lipídeos em comparação com consumidores desse alimento.

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate whether the single nucleotide polymorphism rs7895833 (A/G) of the gene SIRT1 is associated with metabolic syndrome criteria in a sample of Brazilian adults. Methods: Serum samples and oral mucosal cells were collected from 243 subjects aged 30 to 70 years. Biochemical, hormonal, and anthropometric data were obtained. The single nucleotide polymorphism rs7895833 (A/G) was analyzed by polymerase chain reaction using the amplification refractory mutation system. Results: Among the 243 study subjects, 100 (41.15%) were classified as non-metabolic syndrome and 143 (58.85%), as metabolic syndrome. The frequency of the single nucleotide polymorphism rs7895833 (A/G) did not differ between the groups. However, 111 patients (45.67%) were overweight (body mass index: 25-29.9 kg/m2). Blood glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides, very low density lipoprotein, low density lipoprotein, waist and hip circumferences, and blood pressure were higher in the metabolic syndrome group than in the non-metabolic syndrome group. Free thyroxine 4, grown hormone, and insulin levels were within the normal range. The metabolic conditions of the patients with metabolic syndrome indicate biochemical, anthropometric, and hormonal changes characteristic of overweight and obesity. Conclusion: The SIRT1 polymorphism rs7895833 (A/G) is not associated with the metabolic syndrome in the adult Brazilian population.

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate adherence to non-pharmacological treatment of hypertension by comparing biochemical, clinical, anthropometric, and dietary parameters before and after three health educational and nutritional strategies. Methods: This longitudinal clinical trial included 212 hypertensive individuals who met the inclusion criteria. The participants were allocated to three groups to assess the impact of monthly intervention methods over twelve months. Results: Waist circumference decreased significantly in all groups. Weight and body mass index decreased significantly in Groups 2 and 3. Blood glucose, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol decreased significantly in Groups 1 and 2. The interventions also reduced the mean per capita intakes of oil, sugar, and salt in all groups. Conclusion: Educational interventions promoted adherence to non-pharmacological treatment of treatment of hypertension evidenced by anthropometric (weight, body mass index, and waist circumference), biochemical (blood glucose, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol), and dietary (meanper capita intake of oil, sugar, and salt) parameters.