Percorrer por autor "Caridade, Sónia"
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- The different contexts of domestic violence before and during the COVID-19 pandemic : a Portuguese overviewPublication . Ribeiro, Rita; Almeida, Iris; Saavedra, Rosa; Caridade, Sónia; Oliveira, Ana; Santos, Manuela; Soeiro, CristinaThe COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent restrictions impacted the world in numerous ways. These restrictions resulted in victims of domestic violence spending more time with their abuser, contributing to a rise in requests for help. The contexts for domestic violence include intimate partner violence (IPV), abuse of children/adolescent and victimization of the elderly within the family. This article compares the prevalence of domestic violence contexts between a pandemic and a non-pandemic year. Based on the assessment of data, taken from a Service Management Platform (PLAGA) and provided by the Portuguese Association for Victim Support (APAV), 12,576 requests from 2019 to 2020 were analyzed. Findings revealed that a 13.3% increase in requests for help, mainly from child/adolescent victims, was registered in 2020 compared with 2019, with a 100.7% increase solely during the lockdown period. Physical and psychological violence, often reported by victims of IPV, children/adolescents and elders, also increased during this period. Requests for help through distance support increased substantially in the pandemic year. The importance of support for victims during the pandemic and the need for new support strategies have been highlighted if victims, bystanders and professionals are to be assisted.
- Effectiveness of the motivational interviewing techniques with perpetrators of intimate partner violence : a non-randomized clinical trialPublication . Cunha, Olga; Almeida, Telma Catarina; Gonçalves, Rui Abrunhosa; Caridade, SóniaThe effectiveness of perpetrators’ intervention programs (PIPs) remains controversial. Readiness and motivation for change are associated with treatment success among intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetrators. In this study, we aimed to verify whether adding Motivational Interviewing Techniques (MIT) during the intake phase of a standard PIP (SPIP) increases treatment adherence. We also sought to evaluate the effectiveness of the MIT plus SPIP concerning an SPIP alone. In this non-randomized clinical trial, 50 participants were assigned to one of the two conditions SPIP alone or MIT plus SPIP. Data were collected at baseline and the end of the intervention. Proximal outcomes (dropout, intervention dose, motivation, attitudes toward IPV, problem-solving skills) and final outcomes (IPV perpetration, risk of IPV) were assessed. The Reliable Change Index (RCI) was also computed. Results indicated that SPIP plus MIT participants concluded the curriculum in a more advanced stage of change, revealed more readiness to change, evidenced greater clinical improvements, and displayed higher reductions in attitudes toward IPV, IPV perpetration, and recidivism risk than SPIP participants. These findings point to MIT’s ability to promote readiness to change and progression into the stages of change, enhancing intervention efficacy with IPV perpetrators. (NCT05484440)
- Exposição à violência familiar e abuso íntimo em jovens: Que relação?Publication . Faias, Joana; Caridade, Sónia; Cardoso, JorgeEste estudo analisa a relação entre a exposição à violência familiar e o abuso íntimo juvenil. Para tal recorreu-se à Escala de Sinalização do Ambiente Familiar Natural Infantil e à Escala de Táticas de Conflitos Revisada. Participaram no estudo 505 jovens com uma média de idades de 21.76 (DP = 2.15). Os resultados revelaram altas taxas de prevalência do abuso íntimo, sendo a agressão psicológica a tipologia mais frequente, na perpetração e vitimação (52.3% - 50.4%, respetivamente). Apuraram-se elevadas taxas de violência (80.8%) no contexto familiar, destacando-se a violência emocional (74.3%), seguida do controlo (65.9%), a coerção (34.5%) e por fim, a violência física (16.4%). As análises de associação comprovaram que existe uma relação positiva entre o abuso íntimo e a exposição à violência familiar. Reitera-se, assim, a necessidade de criação de medidas de prevenção e intervenção na violência familiar, atendendo ao seu potencial impacto nas dinâmicas íntimas relacionais.
- The impact of imprisonment on individuals’ mental health and society reintegration : study protocolPublication . Cunha, Olga; Rodrigues, Andreia de Castro; Caridade, Sónia; Dias, Ana Rita; Almeida, Telma Catarina; Cruz, Ana Rita; Peixoto, Maria ManuelaBackground: Prison sentences are a particular type of penalty that aim to reintegrate individuals into society. Nonetheless, research suggests that prison sentences have a null or a criminogenic effect on recidivism and a critical impact on inmates’ mental health, negatively interfering with their successful reintegration into society and recidivism. Prevalence rates of mental health disorders among individuals who commit crimes are high, but little is known about how incarceration perpetuates and/or worsens mental health symptoms. In the Portuguese context, no studies focused on understanding the impact of imprisonment on prisoners’ mental health. Thus, this project aims to understand incarceration’s mental health and well-being impact on male and female individuals convicted to prison, both while incarcerated and after release. Methods: The study will follow a quantitative cross-sectional design of male and female individuals in prison and parole, aiming to assess different samples at different moments of the prison sentence. It will also follow a longitudinal design in a subsample of male and female individuals sentenced to prison and on parole who will be followed for one year. Discussion: This study intends to have a meaningful impact on the understanding of imprisonment effects, giving important clues for developing and implementing evidence-based prevention and intervention strategies to address prisoners’ and ex-prisoners’ mental health and improve their ability to successfully reintegrate into society and reduce recidivism.
- The impact of positive childhood experiences : a systematic review focused on children and adolescentsPublication . Sousa, Marta; Machado, Ana Beatriz; Pinheiro, Marina; Pereira, Bárbara; Caridade, Sónia; Almeida, Telma Catarina; Cruz, Ana Rita; Cunha, OlgaChildhood and adolescence are crucial stages of life, characterized by significant changes that profoundly influence overall development. While positive childhood experiences (PCEs) can help mitigate the effects of adverse events during these formative years, they have not been as thoroughly researched. Then, this systematic review aims to address this gap by organizing the existing literature on PCEs and examining their impact on both positive and negative outcomes in children and adolescents. A search through databases such as B-On, PsycINFO, PubMed, SCOPUS, and Scielo, as well as supplementary searches, identified 30 studies that met the inclusion criteria. The results indicate that most studies were published in the last 4 years, primarily in the USA, and focused on community populations with mixed samples. In addition, the results reveal that among children and adolescents, higher levels of PCEs were associated with better mental health outcomes (e.g., reduced depressive symptoms, anxiety, self-harm, substance use, and suicidal ideation), improved psychosocial outcomes (e.g., enhanced adult functioning and future orientation), better academic achievement (e.g., reduced absenteeism and fewer academic difficulties), and some improvements in physical health (e.g., reduced chronic pain). However, the relationship between PCEs and behavioral outcomes showed mixed results. Strengthening efforts to promote PCEs and resources that support child and adolescent resilience is crucial. Further research involving diverse samples is needed to gain a deeper understanding of the role of PCEs.
- Positive childhood experiences and adult outcomes : a systematic reviewPublication . Cunha, Olga; Sousa, Marta; Pereira, Bárbara; Pinheiro, Marina; Machado, Ana Beatriz; Caridade, Sónia; Almeida, Telma CatarinaAlthough positive childhood experiences (PCEs) may serve as protective factors against the negative consequences of childhood adversity, they have been less extensively studied. However, more recently, there has been a growing interest in understanding the role of these experiences. This systematic review aims to address this research gap by systematizing the existing literature on PCEs and examining their relationship with both positive and negative outcomes. A comprehensive search of databases such as B-On, PsycINFO, PubMed, SCOPUS, and Scielo identified 87 studies that met the inclusion criteria. Different studies have employed various designs and samples to investigate the relationship between PCEs and adult outcomes. The findings suggest that higher levels of PCEs are consistently associated with better mental health outcomes, such as decreased depressive symptoms, anxiety, and suicidal behaviors, as well as improved psychosocial well-being, including reduced perceived stress and increased life satisfaction. Conflicting results were found for behavioral outcomes, physical health, stressful life events, and parenting and family functioning. In addition, the interaction effect of PCEs on adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) in adulthood is inconsistent. PCEs and ACEs appear to be independent sets of experiences that often coexist, with PCEs frequently not moderating the consequences of adversity on outcomes. More research with diverse samples is needed to better understand the role of PCEs.
- Psychosocial risks factors among victim support workers during the COVID-19 pandemic : a study with the Copenhagen Psychosocial QuestionnairePublication . Caridade, Sónia; Oliveira, Ana; Saavedra, Rosa; Ribeiro, Rita; Santos, Manuela; Almeida, Iris; Soeiro, CristinaBackground: Being a victim support worker (VSW) involves exposure to victims' suffering, pain, and traumatic events, which may trigger the risk of VSWs developing mental health problems. Psychosocial risks (PSR) and work-related stress are considered the most challenging issues in occupational safety and health, considering they impact individuals, organizations, and economies. Methods: The purpose of the present study was to identify the PSR in a sample of 196 Portuguese victim support workers (VSW) (Mean age = 36.49; SD = 10.52). A questionnaire with socio-demographic characteristics, variables related to VSW's job, and the Portuguese medium version of the Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire II (COPSOQ II) were used to assess these professionals' perception of PSR factors. Results: The results reveal that although VSW recognizes some psychosocial factors favourable to their health and well-being, they also identify some PSR that place them at intermediate and severe risk, i.e., emotional and cognitive demands, which are the main areas of risk to the VSW. VSW over 38 years old scored higher in job insecurity, burnout, and offensive behaviours. Conclusions: These findings give important insights into the areas that must be enhanced in this context involving VSW. Additionally, the results highlight the relevance of encouraging a healthy and supportive work environment, preventing and promoting the health and well-being of VSW, particularly when considering the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
- Resilience and hopelessness mediate the relationship between benevolent childhood experiences and life satisfaction : evidence from a cross-cultural studyPublication . Sever, Melih; Tatlıcıoğlu, Oktay; Almeida, Telma Catarina; Azeez, E. P. Abdul; Caridade, Sónia; Cunha, OlgaBackground: A growing body of literature focuses on the role of benevolent childhood experiences (BCEs) in predicting adulthood well-being, in addition to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). However, cross-cultural differences are generally ignored in this endeavor. Hence, this study aimed to explore the role of BCEs in predicting life satisfaction, resilience, and hopelessness. We also examined the potential of resilience and the role of hopelessness in mediating the relationship between BCE and life satisfaction. Methods: A total of 850 university students from Turkey (n = 371), Portugal (n = 248), and India (n = 231), aged 17 to 58 years (M = 22.12, SD = 4.41), participated in the study. Participants completed an online protocol consisting of measures to assess BCEs, life satisfaction, resilience, and hopelessness. Results: BCEs, hopelessness, and life satisfaction have significantly differed among the samples based on the country of residence. BCEs were positively correlated to resilience and life satisfaction and negatively to hopelessness. In the sequential mediation model, after controlling for country and sex, resilience and hopelessness sequentially mediated the relationship between BCEs and life satisfaction. BCEs were associated with life satisfaction, resilience, and hopelessness across countries and sexes. The model explains 42.8% of the variability. Conclusion: Despite differences between countries, BCEs are important predictors of adult well-being in all three countries and should be monitored along with ACE. Further, resilience seems to have an important role in lowering the negative consequences of lower BCEs and feelings of hopelessness, pointing to the need to strengthen psychological resilience among adults.
- Risk factors for antisocial behavior in children: comparison between boys and girlsPublication . Coelho, Inês Castro; Neves, Ana Cristina; Caridade, SóniaRecognizing the importance of assessing the risk of antisocial behavior, this study aimed to characterize the risk factors for the occurrence of antisocial behavior, seeking to understand if there are differences between boys and girls. Eighty-five cases of children referred by the promotion and protection system due to the display of antisocial behaviors were reviewed. A total of 65 were boys and 20 were girls, aged between six and eleven years. Data collection was performed using the Portuguese version of the risk assessment instruments Early Assessment Risk List for boys and for girls. Gender differences were assessed, with boys exhibiting a higher risk level for antisocial behavior, adopting more serious behaviors (e.g., impulsive behaviors). Girls engaged in less serious behavior (e.g., disrespect). By characterizing the most prevalent risk factors, the results of this study may contribute to the identification of intervention priorities.
- Violence against women during the COVID-19 pandemic : from children to the elderlyPublication . Soeiro, Cristina; Ribeiro, Rita; Almeida, Iris; Saavedra, Rosa; Caridade, Sónia; Oliveira, Ana; Santos, ManuelaWomen of all ages can be exposed to violence both within and outside of the home, especially in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of this study is to analyze violence against women (VAW) before and during the first year of the pandemic in Portugal. Crimes perpetrated against female victims from 17 years old and younger to 65 years old and older were analyzed by comparing requests for help in 2019 and 2020. A total of 12,045 requests for help for VAW were received by the Portuguese Association for Victim Support and analyzed in the current study. The findings reveal a 16% increase in requests for help in 2020 and a 95% increase when the lockdown was implemented. That said, the most reported, intimate partner violence (IPV), showed a decrease of 5% in 2020. Furthermore, compared to 2019, requests for help concerning criminal offenses involving psychological violence in non-IPV contexts increased 79% in 2020, especially for victims 17 years old or younger (116%), and attempted femicide/femicide requests for help increased 53%. We are still in the early stages of understanding how the pandemic will affect this situation. Future directions concerning support of female victims during the pandemic are outlined.