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  • The Volunteer Satisfaction Survey (VSS): adaptation and psychometric properties among Portuguese Volunteers
    Publication . Martins, Cátia; De jesus, Saúl; da Silva, José Tomás; Ribeiro, Conceição; Nunes, C.; Ferreira Cunha, Francisca; Marcelo, Beatriz
    (1) Background: Volunteering satisfaction is one significant construct that nourishes the sustaining of volunteer work, and it is present in reference models such as the three-stage volunteer process model (VPM). The volunteer satisfaction survey (VSS), created by Vecina, Chacón and Sueiro, evaluates three different domains of volunteer satisfaction: specific motivations, organization management and volunteering tasks. The aim of this study was to adapt the instrument and explore the psychometric properties of the 17 items of the VSS in a sample of Portuguese volunteers. (2) Methods: The sample was composed of 335 Portuguese volunteers (aged between 14 and 81 years), mainly women (76.4%). Measures included volunteer satisfaction, work engagement and organizational commitment. (3) Results: The original three-factor model was tested with a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and the model fitted the data. Satisfactory levels of internal consistency, discriminant and convergent validity were found. (4) Conclusions: The VSS reveals good psychometric properties and can be considered a useful tool for professionals and future research for volunteers’ satisfaction assessment.
  • Family education and support programme: implementation and cultural adaptation in Cape Verde
    Publication . Correia, Adriana; Matavelli, Rafaela; Cunha, Francisca Ferreira; Hidalgo, Victoria; Jesus, Saúl; Nunes, C.
    This article describes some preliminary data on the implementation of the Family Education and Support Programme (FAF) on psychosocially at-risk families of Boavista Island, Cape Verde, specifically in relation to its effectiveness in parenting competences. The FAF is a family intervention programme designed to be integrated into preventive and formative actions and it has the purpose of promoting positive parenting and preventing child abuse. This study aims to (a) describe the participants’ psychosocial profile regarding sociodemographic characteristics and negative or risky life events, (b) analyse the effectiveness of the FAF on improving parenting competences, and (c) address the main procedural topics related to the implementation of the FAF in Cape Verde. An experiential and participatory methodology was used with 66 parents, who participated in 12 group sessions, with a weekly periodicity, for four months. The evaluation was performed, in the pre-test and post-test, with the control group and the intervention group. Results show the effectiveness of the FAF in an African context, including its impact. The intervention group improved their post-intervention scores on perceived efficacy and satisfaction with a moderate and high effect size, respectively. We present some recommendations to be considered in future programs to promote positive parenting, since improvements in parents’ competences, are key to reducing neglectful or abusive situations.
  • Vulnerability to suicide ideation: Comparative study between adolescents with and without psychosocial risk
    Publication . Brás, Marta; Elias, Patrícia; Ferreira Cunha, Francisca; Martins, Cátia; Nunes, Cristina; Carmo, Cláudia
    Adolescents are characterized as a risk group for suicide, being the fourth leading cause of death in young people. The main aim was to compare vulnerability to suicidal ideation in a sample of young people with and without psychosocial risk. The total sample consisted of 137 adolescents, aged between 10 and 19 years (M = 14.76; SD = 1.40), and it was composed of two groups—the psychosocial risk group (n = 60) and general population group (n = 77). In both groups, suicidal ideation correlated positively with negative events and negatively with self-esteem and social support satisfaction. When comparing the two groups, the psychosocial risk group presented significantly higher mean values of negative life events (mainly separations/losses and physical and sexual abuse) and significantly lower mean values of satisfaction with social support (particularly with family and social activities). It was also found that, in the psychosocial risk group, negative life events were the only significant predictors of suicidal ideation. This study allowed identifying the role of risk and protective factors in suicidal ideation, according to the psychosocial risk of adolescents. The practical implications of the findings on adolescents’ mental health and the promotion of their well-being are discussed.
  • Parental involvement in school and quality of life: a longitudinal study with Portuguese parents during the COVID-19 pandemic period
    Publication . BELÉM MOCHO ALCAPARRA, HELENA SOFIA; Martins, Cátia; Marcelo, Beatriz; Ferreira Cunha, Francisca; Nunes, Cristina
    ObjectivesDuring the COVID-19 pandemic in Portugal, the lockdown periods were particularly challenging for families, and were marked by school closures and disruptions in work and educational routines, that may have significantly impacted children's well-being. The present study aims to analyse Parental Involvement in School (PIS) during the period of COVID-19 in Portugal and its relation to children's Quality of Life (QoL). The level of PIS was assessed at two times: (T1) during the first lockdown and (T2) at the end of the school year.MethodThe sample consisted of 131 parents, aged between 29 and 55 years, and 71.8% were mothers. The family's sociodemographic characteristics were assessed, as well as the Parental Involvement in School and the children's QoL.ResultsIn general, the results revealed that families evaluate child's QoL as higher in T2 and PIS and authoritative style were significant predictors of children's QoL in the two times and a mediation effect of the authoritative style was found.ConclusionBased on these results, the article discusses practical implications to promote PIS and children's QoL. What is already known about this topic: During the pandemic, different contexts provided children with different learning opportunities.Parental involvement in school is associated with better outcomes, however its relationship with quality of life remains understudied.There are few studies that investigate inequalities in parental involvement in school during the COVID-19 lockdown period.What does this topic add: Parents reveal more positive perceptions regarding their involvement and children's quality of life after a period of lockdown due to COVID-19.Parental involvement in school could be a protective factor that allows families to thrive in the face of adversity, in this case a period of lockdown.The higher socio-economic status and higher educational level of the parents seem to have a positive contribution to parental involvement in school.