Loading...
42 results
Search Results
Now showing 1 - 10 of 42
- The volunteer functions inventory (VFI): Adaptation and psychometric properties among a portuguese sample of volunteersPublication . Martins, Cátia; da Silva, José Tomás; Jesus, Saúl; Ribeiro, Conceição; Estêvão, M. Dulce; Baptista, Ricardo; Carmo, Cláudia; Brás, Marta; Santos, Rita; Nunes, C.: The Volunteer Functions Inventory (VFI) is an instrument widely used to assess volunteers’ motivation based on the Functionalist Model of Omoto and Snyder. It assesses six factors that reflect several motivational functions. The VFI has been translated into various languages and validated in different cultural contexts, but some studies have reported different factor structures (e.g., five or four factors). In the Portuguese context, previous studies have also shown inconsistent results. The aim of this study was to adapt and validate the VFI for Portuguese volunteers, testing several alternative models (nine models) using confirmatory factor analysis. The sample comprised 468 volunteers (76.3% women), aged from 13 to 81 years (M = 36.66, SD = 14.93). The results support the original interrelated six-factor model as the best-fitting one. The VFI showed good internal consistency and convergent validity. Significant correlations were found between the VFI factors, organizational commitment, and volunteers’ satisfaction. Overall, the six-factor VFI is a valid and reliable tool for measuring the motivational functions of Portuguese volunteers, with implications for practice and research in the volunteering field.
- Psychological distress symptoms and resilience assets in adolescents in residential carePublication . Lemos, Ida; Brás, Marta; Lemos, Mariana; Nunes, CristinaMost studies with institutionalised children and adolescents focus on evaluating the impact of negative life events on emotional development. However, few have investigated the relationship between resilience assets and the teenagers’ psychopathological problems. The purpose of the present study was to investigate differences in psychological distress symptoms and in resilience assets in institutionalised and non-institutionalised adolescents. A total of 266 adolescents aged between 12 and 19 years old took part in the study (60.5% female): 125 lived in residential care and 144 resided with their families. Results found a significant and inverse relation between psychopathology and the perception of individual resilience assets, specifically with self-efficacy and self-awareness in the community sample, and with empathy in the institutionalised sample. Overall, and regardless of the age group, adolescents in residential care tend to perceive themselves as significantly less resilient in perceived self-efficacy and empathy, and they report fewer goals and aspirations for the future. The importance of promoting mental health and resilience assets in adolescents, particularly in those in residential care, is discussed. This can be achieved through early interventions that may prevent emotional suffering and deviant life paths, with transgenerational repercussions.
- Parents' perceived social support and children's psychological adjustmentPublication . Nunes, Cristina; Martins, Cátia; Nunes, Lara; Adelaide de Matos, Filomena; Costa, Emília Isabel; Gonçalves, AndreaPerceived social support has often been investigated due to its direct and indirect effects in reducing the impact of several risk factors on physical and psychological well-being. Moreover, many studies have revealed a link between social support and positive parenting, which in turn has an impact on children's well-being. In Portugal, there is a significant lack of studies in this area. The aim of the present study was to analyze the relationship between parents' perceived social support and children's psychological adjustment. The sample consisted of 409 parents (83.13% mothers) living in the region of Algarve (South of Portugal). The Duke-UNC Functional Social Support and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaires were used. Findings The results showed that, on average, families had a social support network of nine people, with a balanced presence of family (M = 4.25, SD = 3.54) and friends (M = 4.36, SD = 3.17). Parents reported medium-high levels of confidant and affective support, but instrumental support was lower. However, single-parent families, immigrant families, and divorced parents were found to be more socially isolated and received less support than they needed. Affective social support showed predictive value for child psychological adjustment. Applications These findings suggest that developing universal and selective parental education and support programs that focus on strengthening informal social support networks is needed, especially for vulnerable families. Implications for social workers who intervene with families are discussed.
- The Volunteer Motivation Scale (VMS): Adaptation and psychometric properties among a Portuguese Sample of VolunteersPublication . Martins, Cátia; Jesus, Saúl; da Silva, José Tomás; Ribeiro, Conceição; Estêvão, M. Dulce; Mocho, Helena; Ratinho, Elias; Nunes, C.Using self-determination theory, this study examined the autonomous motivation and regulatory styles of volunteers. The Volunteer Motivation Scale (VMS) is one of the main instruments available to assess these constructs, but it requires validation and adaptation for different contexts. Therefore, the goal of this study was to analyze the psychometric properties of the 12-item VMS in a sample of Portuguese volunteers. The sample consisted of 207 volunteers, mostly women (74.4%), aged from 14 to 81 years, from various areas of volunteering. The measures included self-regulation, basic psychological needs, causality orientation, and autonomy support. Confirmatory factor analysis using the lavaan package in R was performed to test a four-factor model and a two-factor model. The results indicated that the four-factor model had a better fit to the data. The VMS showed good internal consistency, discriminant validity, and convergent validity. The VMS can be viewed as a valuable tool for professionals and a promising avenue for future research on the motivations of volunteers.
- Workforce skills in family support: a systematic reviewPublication . Zegarac, Nevenka; Isakov, Anita Burgund; Nunes, Cristina; Antunes, AnaPurpose: Skills used in the practice of family support workforce are implemented in different settings and frameworks. The conceptual assumptions and epistemological frameworks of diversity are a challenge. Various paradigms of intervention, different sectors, and disciplinary involvement indicate the need to systematize and clarify knowledge in the field. Method: Using preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses guidelines, a systematic review was conducted, including qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-method studies on skills in the practice of family support. Results: The literature was collected in an exhaustive search of several databases, where a set of 8,489 papers was selected. The workforce skills described were the qualities of the professionals, technical skills, and specific knowledge. Discussion: Most of the studies were literature reviews, did not define specific skills, had very small samples, and had issues with bias. We discuss implications for practice in social work as well as the gaps to be covered in further research of family support.
- Examination of the SUPPS-P impulsive behavior scale among male and female youth: Psychometrics and invariancePublication . Pechorro, Pedro; Revilla, Rebecca; Palma, Victor Hugo; Nunes, Cristina; Martins, Cátia; Cyders, Melissa A.The UPPS-P Impulsive Behavior Scale is one of the most used and easily administered self-report measures of impulsive traits. The main objective of this study was to examine the psychometric properties of the shorter SUPPS-P scale among a school sample of 470 youth (Mage = 15.89 years, SD = 1.00) from Portugal, subdivided into males (n = 257, Mage = 15.97 years, SD = 0.98) and females (n = 213, Mage = 15.79 years, SD = 1.03). Confirmatory factor analysis results revealed that the latent five-factor structure (i.e., Negative urgency, Lack of perseverance, Lack of premeditation, Sensation seeking, and Positive urgency) obtained adequate fit and strong measurement invariance demonstrated across sex. The SUPPS-P scale also demonstrated satisfactory psychometric properties in terms of internal consistency, discriminant and convergent (e.g., with measures of youth delinquency, aggression) validities, and criterion-related validity (e.g., with crime seriousness). Findings support the use of the SUPPS-P scale in youth. Given the importance of adolescence as a critical period characterized by increases in impulsive behaviors, having a short, valid, reliable, and easily administered assessment of impulsive tendencies is important and clinically impactful.
- Emotional availability in mother-child and father-child interactions as predictors of child’s attachment representations in adoptive familiesPublication . Almeida, Ana Susana; Giger, Jean-Christophe; Mendonça, Sandra; Fuertes, Marina; Nunes, CristinaEmotional availability (EA) in parent-child interactions is associated with positive child outcomes, including attachment security. However, little is known about EA in adoptive families. This study investigated the associations between secure representations of attachment in adopted children and the adoptive parents’ EA. The participants (n = 75) included 26 mothers, 23 fathers, and 26 children who were aged 3 to 9 years. Children completed the Attachment Story Completion Task. Adult-child dyadic relationships were assessed using the EA® System. The results showed that the children’s and parents’ EA, age when adopted, and time elapsed since adoption were associated with more secure children’s attachment representations. Implications for family support and public policy are discussed.
- Screening for light personalities in Portugal: a cross-cultural validation of the light triad scale with an at-risk-of-delinquency samplePublication . Pechorro, Pedro; Baptista, Makilim N.; Bonfá-Araujo, Bruno; Nunes, Cristina; DeLisi, MatthewThe Light Triad of personality refers to three prosocial personality traits-Faith in Humanity, Humanism, and Kantianism-that promote the worth and dignity of other people, focus on ethical behavior and empathy, and confidence that other people are naturally good. The aim of the present study is to examine the psychometric properties of the Light Triad Scale (LTS)-Portuguese version. Our convenience sample consisted of 242 male and female participants (M = 30.19 years, SD = 12.78, range = 16-77) from Portugal. The proposed latent structure models of the LTS obtained adequate fits. Internal consistency/reliability, as measured by the alpha and omega coefficients, was adequate to good. Construct validity with other psychometric measures (i.e., empathy, dark traits of personality, propensity to morally disengage, and antisociality/criminality measures) and criterion-related validity (with justice involvement variables such as problems with the law, arrested by the police, sentenced to prison and alcohol/drug abuse variables) were demonstrated. Cross-gender measurement invariance was established, with females scoring higher than males. The findings support the use of the LTS as a valid and reliable measure.
- Benefits and damages of the use of touchscreen devices for the development and behavior of children under 5 years old—a systematic reviewPublication . Rocha, Bruno; Nunes, CristinaAim Several health organizations have been expressing concern about the amount of time children spend using electronic devices and about the benefits and damages of the use of touchscreen devices, such as smartphones or tablets, for the development and behavior of children under the age of 5. A systematic review was carried out in order to understand the impact of touchscreen device usage toward children’s development and behavior under the age of 5. Methods Using the PRISMA method, from a total of 6314 studies found in online databases, searched in English, between 01/01/2000 and 01/10/2018, 11 studies were selected for analysis. Results The results revealed that, in children under the age of 5, the damages of the use of touchscreen devices are superior to the benefits that may result, especially when there are more hours of screen time. More importance is given to the quality of the child-adult relationship and not to the use of touchscreen devices. Nevertheless, some studies emphasize some aspects that may reduce the negative effects, such as moderate use, less screen time, parental monitoring, and viewing educational programs in an academic environment. Conclusions Guidelines that should be given to parents about the use of touchscreen devices by children are discussed. The limitation of this study was the difficulty in finding studies directed to the desired age and type of electronic device. This may be taken as a potential cause of bias.
- Análise psicométrica das escalas de defensividade e validade do Weinberger Adjustment InventoryPublication . Pechorro, Pedro; Nunes, Cristina; Paulino, Mauro; R. Simões, MárioO presente artigo tem como principal objetivo examinar as propriedades psicométricas das escalas de defensividade e de validade do Inventário de Ajustamento de Weinberger (Weinberger Adjustment Inventory - WAI) numa amostra de jovens adultos portugueses (N=610, M=21.33 anos, DP=3.09) provenientes de meio universitário. Os resultados da análise fatorial confirmatória indicaram a presença de uma estrutura tridimensional com um bom ajustamento. As escalas de defensividade e de validade do WAI demonstraram propriedades psicométricas adequadas, nomeadamente ao nível de fiabilidade e de validade convergente, discriminante e de critério. Tais resultados apoiam a utilização das escalas de defensividade e validade do WAI na investigação e avaliação psicológica de jovens adultos portugueses.