FFCS - Dissertações de Mestrado / Master Dissertations
URI permanente para esta coleção:
Navegar
Entradas recentes
- Análise semiótica e cognitiva de videojogos : o caso de Xenoblade ChroniclesPublication . Cunha, Igor Nogueira Leite da; Silva, Augusto Soares daThis dissertation offers a semiotic and cognitive analysis of Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition (2020), framing the videogame as a multimodal text and a symbolic space of meaning construction. Adopting a multidisciplinary approach that combines semiotics, cognitive linguistics, and game studies, the research examines how the game transforms complex and abstract concepts — such as life, power, body, and transcendence — into interactive experiences. The methodology integrates qualitative narrative analysis with the identification and classification of conceptual metaphors, following the framework proposed by Lakoff and Johnson (1980). Findings demonstrate that Xenoblade Chronicles organizes its narrative through ontological and existential metaphors — such as LIFE IS A STRUGGLE, THE BODY IS A CONTAINER, and POWER IS AN INNER FORCE — which shape themes of agency, sacrifice, and freedom. The study also highlights the role of icons, indices, and symbols in constructing the game’s mythical dimension, as well as the interplay between technology and spirituality in its world-building. Ultimately, the dissertation concludes that Xenoblade Chronicles operates not merely as an interactive story, but as a cognitive-semiotic environment for philosophical reflection on human existence, demonstrating the value of videogames as legitimate objects of academic inquiry.
- Papel da autorregulação na relação entre o suporte percebido, qualidade das relações e bem-estar : um estudo com estudantes do 1º ano de psicologiaPublication . Silva, Felicidade Maia Ferreira da; Dias, Paulo César AzevedoWell-being has gained prominence in the literature due to its predictive power for students’ academic functioning as well as for other life domains. However, during critical periods of transition and change, such as adapting to higher education, lifestyle, and attitudinal changes may compromise students’ well-being. The present study aims to explore the role of self-regulation in the relationship between perceived support, quality of relationships, and well-being among first-year psychology students in higher education. This quantitative, cross-sectional, correlational study followed a purposive non-probabilistic sampling method. The sample consisted of 89 students, aged between 18 and 22 years, mostly female (87.6%). Data collection was conducted through an online platform (Google Forms) accessed via QR code. Self-report questionnaires included the Interpersonal Relationships and Perceived Support subscale (QVA-r), the Dispositional Self-Regulation Scale (SR), the Personal Wellbeing Index (general satisfaction and satisfaction across eight domains), as well as a sociodemographic questionnaire. The results indicate significant positive correlations between perceived support and the quality of relationships and students' well-being, but do not support self regulation as a mediator of the relationship between social support, relationship quality, and well-being. This study provides a more detailed understanding of their influence on well-being by exploring predictive and mediating factors in the relationships between these variables. Therefore, it contributes to identifying areas for intervention that promote mental health and academic success.
- Relação entre phubbing e vinculação : diferenças entre jovens adultos e adultosPublication . Fernandes, Joana Eduarda Oliveira; Maia, Berta Maria Marinho RodriguesPhubbing, the act of ignoring someone to use a mobile phone during a social interaction, is an increasingly common behavior, with implications for interpersonal relationships by contributing to their deterioration and reducing the quality of emotional bonds. This study aims to analyze the relationship between phubbing and attachment in Portuguese young adults and adults. The sample consisted of 299 participants, aged between 18 and 59 years (M = 27; SD = 9.85), who completed a sociodemographic questionnaire, a mobile phone usage questionnaire, the Phubbing Scale, and the Experiences in Close Relationships – Relationship Structures questionnaire. Results indicate that among young adults, 37.7% use their mobile phones for 3 to 4 hours during the week and 45.6% during the weekend, mainly to communicate with friends or family (55.3%). Among adults, 56% use their phones for 1 to 2 hours during the week and 34.5% during the weekend, with the same purpose (58.3%). Communication disturbance was the highest phubbing dimension (M = 9.78) in both groups. Anxious attachment stood out among young adults (M = 3.89), while avoidance was predominant among adults (M = 3.89). A positive correlation was found between phubbing and anxious attachment in young adults, who also showed higher levels of phubbing and anxious attachment than adults. These findings are consistent with the existing literature but highlight the need for further research into the impact of phubbing on emotional relationships in the national context.
- Qualidade das alternativas e infidelidade : o papel dos estilos de vinculação ansiosa e evitantePublication . Oliveira, Beatriz Dias; Leite, Ângela Maria TeixeiraThis study aims to analyze the relation between anxious and avoidant attachments, infidelity and the quality of alternatives. Anxious and avoidant attachments, known as insecure attachment, are made up of a lack of trust and negative feelings, so individuals are more likely to experience relationships with low quality and satisfaction. Infidelity is the breaking of exclusivity of a relationship, leading to instability and its possible end; it can also cause low psychological well-being, as it generates suffering and insecurity. The quality of alternatives refers to the individual’s analysis of possible partners other than the current one, evaluating the costs, benefits and satisfaction they could obtain from them; the number of perceived alternatives can affect the commitment of the primary relationship. These constructs were assessed using the Experiences in Close Relationships Inventory, the Attitudes Towards Infidelity Questionnaire and the Quality of Alternatives Subscale. Subsequently, the data collected was analysed using the SPSS statistical analysis software (version 28), with the aim of answering the hypotheses raised by the objectives of this study. Results: Correlations were found between the three instruments, as well as a correlation between avoidant attachment and attitudes towards infidelity. It was also observed that individuals with avoidant attachment had higher scores for the quality of alternative partners. In terms of gender differences, men had more positive attitudes towards infidelity and the quality of alternative partners. Conclusion: The results show that avoidant attachment is associated with a greater likelihood of infidelity and valuing alternative partners, revealing the impact of attachment styles in romantic relationships.
- O impacto da agressividade e do consumo de substâncias psicoativas em indivíduos com traços de personalidade borderlinePublication . Cruz, Marta Cristina do Vale de Sousa; Azeredo, Andreia Alexandra CunhaAggression, psychoactive substance use, and borderline personality traits are relevant variables due to their association with mental health problems, violence, and difficulties in social integration. The main objective of this study was to understand how the high or low presence of borderline traits is associated with aggression and psychoactive substance use. An online questionnaire was used, including the Sociodemographic Questionnaire, Buss & Perry Aggression Questionnaire (QA), Borderline Symptom List-23 (BSL-23), Social Desirability Scale (EDS-20), and Alcohol, Smoking, and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST), with 390 participants. The results indicated significantly positive associations between aggression and substance use, with alcohol being the strongest predictor. In addition, high borderline personality traits predicted both aggression and psychoactive substance use, with differences between the sexes, with greater aggression being observed in men. Individuals with high borderline personality traits also showed higher consumption and aggression, reinforcing the role of borderline personality in understanding these behaviors. These results highlight the importance of prevention and intervention strategies targeting at risk populations, considering emotional and behavioral factors.
- Relação entre experiências adversas na infância, vinculação e regulação emocional numa amostra de adultos portuguesesPublication . Araújo, Filipe André Gomes; Moreira, Diana Patrícia da Silva DiasAdverse Childhood Experiences (EAI) encompass actions or omissions by caregivers that cause harm or risk to the child, such as physical, sexual, and verbal abuse, neglect, exposure to domestic violence, etc. Emotional regulation (ER) involves processes of emotional control, such as the ability to adjust, intensify, or diminish emotional responses. Attachment theory posits that early interactions with caregivers shape attachment styles (EV). This dissertation examines the relationship between EAI, EV, and RE in Portuguese adults. A quantitative approach was adopted. The sample included Portuguese adults over 18 years old who participated in the study. They completed a Sociodemographic Questionnaire, the Childhood Adversity History Questionnaire, the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale – Short Form (DERS-SF), and the Adult Attachment Scale (AAS). The results indicated a high prevalence of ACEs (61.7%). A higher ACEs score was significantly associated with greater difficulties in ER and an insecure attachment style. The study's central finding emerged from the mediation analysis: difficulties in ER fully mediated the relationship between ACEs and the likelihood of an insecure AS. Testing an alternative model, with AS as the mediator, revealed only partial mediation, reinforcing the centrality of ER as a procedural mechanism. It is concluded that the impact of early adversity on adult relational patterns operates primarily through the impairment of ER skills. These findings underscore the importance of clinical interventions focused on emotion regulation to mitigate the effects of developmental trauma.
- Relação entre experiências adversas na infância, vinculação e violência nas relações de intimidadePublication . Sampaio, Beatriz Isabel Vieira; Moreira, Diana Patrícia da Silva DiasChildhood is a crucial stage of development, in which caregivers play a central role in creating a safe and supportive environment. However, not all children grow up in protective environments, facing adversity. It is in this early relational context that attachment styles, influencing how individuals establish and maintain relationships throughout life. Based on this premise, the present study's main objective was to explore the relationship between Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), Attachment Styles (AS), and the perpetration of Violence in Intimate Relationships (VIR) in a sample of 521 participants aged 18 to 74 (M = 30.38, SD = 12.61). Therefore, we used: a purpose-built sociodemographic questionnaire; the Portuguese version of the Childhood Adversity History Questionnaire (HAQQ) to assess adversities experienced during childhood; the Portuguese version of the Adult Attachment Scale (AAS) to measure attachment, and the Portuguese version of the Revised Conflict and Tactics Scale (CTS-R) to measure perpetration of intimate partner violence. The results indicated that participants with insecure attachment styles, particularly anxious individuals, reported higher levels of ACEs. It was also found that higher levels of ACEs are associated with greater perpetration of VIR, these being the only significant predictive variables identified in the regression models, since attachment styles did not demonstrate a statistically significant contribution in predicting VIR.
- O ensino de tecnologias como fator de autonomia e qualidade de vida para pessoas idosas : a experiência do projeto "Chá Tecnológico e Social" (Instituto Idear) em MacarenaPublication . Freitas, Adriana Farias Lacerda de; Duque, Eduardo Jorge Gomes da CostaGiven the global phenomenon of population aging and the increasing centrality of technology, older adults, mostly from the Baby Boom generation, confront a significant digital divide. Born in an analog context, the rapid technological evolution imposes the challenge of inclusion, making the use of digital resources a necessity for contemporary life. This research aims to analyse the importance of technology education as a strategy to promote autonomy and strengthen the quality of life of older adults. To this end, the study uses bibliographic research for theoretical foundation and proposes a descriptive analysis of a practical experience: the Technological and Social Tea Project (Projeto Chá Tecnológico e Social), conceived and carried out since 2019 by the Idear Institute in Maracanaú, Ceará. The project, a Civil Society Organization initiative, offers live online classes to participants, who receive internet-enabled tablets. The didactic material is adapted, utilizing simulators and an E Learning environment for content retention. The technological training is complemented by cognitive development lessons and new skill courses, chosen from a range of 14 options. The study proves that the Technological Tea Project, by promoting digital inclusion, develops skills that lead to social inclusion, expand participation processes, improve social interaction, and foster new life projects.
- Os efeitos do conteúdo corporal positivo das redes sociais na imagem corporalPublication . Carvalho, Marta Alves; Dias, Cláudia Alexandra CastroIn recent years, there has been a noticeable increase in social media posts associated with body positive content. This type of content aims to promote body acceptance, diversity appreciation, and psychological well-being. The present study aimed to explore the effects of exposure to body positive content on social media on body image among higher education students. The study adopted a quantitative, cross-sectional approach with a non-random convenience sample of 182 higher education students aged between 18 and 60 years. The instruments used for data collection were a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Body Investment Scale, the Body Shape Questionnaire, and the Social Media Questionnaire. The results did not reveal statistically significant associations between exposure to positive body content and body image indicators, nor were any moderating effects observed. This study offers a relevant contribution to a field that is still emerging in the national context, pointing to future more robust investigations, with mixed methodologies and diverse samples, that will allow us to understand the influence of social media on body image.
- Diferenças entre baby boomers, geração X, Y e Z na relação entre nomofobia, phubbing e sintomas psicopatológicosPublication . Pinheiro, Sofia Forte; Maia, Berta Maria Marinho RodriguesNomophobia, the fear of being without a cell phone, and phubbing, the act of ignoring others in favor of using a smartphone, are increasingly common behaviors and are linked to psychopathological symptoms. Although it is a problem that affects all generations, studies have focused mainly on younger generations. The overall objective of this research was to explore the relationship between nomophobia, phubbing, and psychopathological symptoms across different generations. The sample consisted of 331 participants, aged between 18 and 84 years (M = 31.98, SD = 15.63), who were grouped based on generational status (generation Z, generation Y, generation X, and baby Boomer). The subjects completed a Sociodemographic Questionnaire, the Smartphone Usage Pattern Questionnaire, the Nomophobia Questionnaire, the Phubbing Scale, and the Psychopathological Symptom Inventory. The results indicated that all participants reported some level of nomophobia, with 13.8% of generation Z presenting a severe level of nomophobia. Communication disruption was the highest dimension of phubbing. Positive correlations were found between nomophobia, phubbing, and psychopathological symptoms across different generations, especially in generation Z and generation X. Daily smartphone use time was positively correlated with levels of nomophobia and phubbing in baby boomers and generation Z. Gender differences revealed that women had higher levels of nomophobia and phubbing. Generation Z had the highest levels of these behaviors. The presence of these phenomena in all generations highlights the importance of further studies, especially regarding their etiology, with a view to developing prevention and intervention programs.