Loading...
4 results
Search Results
Now showing 1 - 4 of 4
- Meditation effects on anxiety and resilience of preadolescents and adolescents: a randomized controlled studyPublication . Gomes, Alexandra; Santos, Joana; Vieira, Luís SérgioMeditation has been described as having a positive impact on well-being while reducing anxiety and stress among those who practice, mainly working as a resource to cope with everyday difficulties. As a simple and easy to apply meditation technique, transcendental meditation (TM) has shown promising results in adults and in children, although more studies are needed to show the impact on psychological and behavioral dimensions in children and adolescents. This quasi-experimental, pre-test–post-test study, with a control group, aimed to evaluate the impact of TM on the stress and resilience of children and adolescents, with ages between 9 and 16 years old. Participants were selected within schools which implemented the Quiet Time Program (QT), from those who volunteered to participate. They were randomly assigned to an experimental group (immediate TM learning) and to a control group (delayed TM learning). A repeated measures ANOVA showed an interaction of time and group on externalizing behavior, from the strengths and difficulties measure. The experimental group decreased on externalizing less adjusted behaviors, while the control group increased in this aspect, after a twelve-week period. TM failed to reduce anxiety and to contribute to resilience in the TM experimental group. Both groups improved anxiety indicators. The results might suggest students were acting upon their expectation of improvement on practicing TM or solely modifying their behavior along the contextual factors, which affected both groups equally.
- Social representation of COVID-19, attitudes and knowledge in the adult Portuguese population (La representación social, las actitudes y los conocimientos de la población adulta portuguesa sobre la COVID-19)Publication . Gomes, Alexandra; Vieira Dos Santos, JoanaThe goal of the present study was to measure COVID-19 social representation and to characterize attitudes and knowledge about the virus SARS-CoV-2. With an exploratory nature, it used a non-probabilistic sample of 297 Portuguese adults. To measure COVID-19 social representation, we used a free evocation task; attitudes were assessed by 20-item questionnaires divided into cognitive, affective and behavioural dimensions; knowledge was assessed by a true or false test based upon general information made available by DGS [Portuguese health general directorate]. Results suggest participants have little belief that they could be infected, have the disease or even be preoccupied about it. Concerning social representation, results suggest the existence of two different groups of participants, one with a more favourable attitude towards COVID-19 and another with a less favourable attitude. The study raises questions to be developed in future research.
- Are we getting less sexist? a ten-year gap comparison analysis of sexism in a Portuguese samplePublication . Gomes, Alexandra; Sousa, Cátia; Vieira dos Santos, J.; Giger, Jean-Christophe; Gonçalves, GabrielaWidely and slowly, discrimination against women based upon gender has become socially unacceptable. However, less is known about how sexist beliefs have progressed in the last years and if we are responding to this social antagonizing of a sexist discourse. Our goal was to verify the existence of differences in ambivalent sexism and neosexism over a ten-year gap in a Portuguese adult sample and to assess possible modifications in the relationship between the variables. A cross-sectional, correlational study was conducted using two independent groups, with measures taken in 2009 and then in 2019. Both groups were invariant in terms of average age and proportion of sexes. Our results show a decrease in hostile and benevolent forms of sexism, while neosexism remains constant. The relationships between variables suggest that sexist beliefs are changing to accommodate subtler and modernized forms of sexism, like neosexism, that deny the existence of discrimination against women, resent discrimination complaints, and maintain a paternalistic view of women. Neosexism also seems to have a stronger correlation with hostile sexism than with benevolent forms of sexism in the male subsample. This relationship is stronger for the 2019 sample. These relationships suggest that sexism is more deeply rooted than we would like to admit and adapts to social discourse. Despite our best efforts, it is yet to be overcome.
- Flourishing, cinematic self, and sense of self as predictors of death anxiety: A gender-invariant modelPublication . Gomes, Alexandra; AL-Dossary, Saeed A.; Sousa, Cátia; Gonçalves, GabrielaThis research delved into the intricate landscape of death anxiety, a profound psychological phenomenon that deeply influences individuals’ perceptions and responses to mortality. Through a meticulous examination of key psychological factors – flourishing, cinematic self, and sense of self – we aimed to unravel the complexities surrounding this existential concern. With a diverse sample of 327 Portuguese participants, our study sheds light on the significant role these constructs play in shaping individuals' experiences of death anxiety. Notably, we highlight the profound impact of a robust sense of self in mitigating anxiety levels. Additionally, our exploration of gender dynamics revealed consistent patterns across diverse groups, underscoring the universal nature of these psychological processes. By providing a nuanced understanding of death anxiety and its determinants, our study offers valuable insights for the development of tailored interventions aimed at alleviating psychological distress and promoting well-being in individuals facing existential concerns.