CEDH - Working Papers / Preprints
Permanent URI for this collection
Browse
Recent Submissions
- Online holistic program to foster health amongst students: a pilot study in a Portuguese university during COVID-19 pandemicPublication . Veiga, Elisa; Duarte, Raquel; Capela, Inês; Pinto, Elisabete; Silva, Margarida; Sá, Cristina; Sá, Luís; Kunz, Sahra; Serra, Sofia; Pereira, Henrique; Machado, Bárbara C.; Gomes, Ana; Pimenta, Ana; Almeida, Armando; Silva, Patrícia O.; Correia, MartaDuring the COVID-19 pandemic, several preventive mental health interventions took place to increase the psychological well-being of university students due to the high levels of stress, anxiety and negative emotions experienced in that period. This context reinforced the role of universities in supporting students and preventing the mental health risk factors they faced. In this context a multidisciplinary team of professionals (psychologists, nurses, nutritionists, and artists) in the Portuguese Catholic University, gathered efforts and developed an holistic intervention program for university students based on a mind and body integrated approach. This program of 8 online sessions aims to improve students’ resilience to the psychosocial consequences of COVID-19 pandemic and promote their wellbeing. The twenty university students that participated in this pilot study reported that this intervention improved their emotional self-awareness, their ability to apply self-care strategies, as well as they believed it promoted healthier lifestyle changes. These findings suggest that this program consists in an innovative approach with the potential to promote the psychological health and well-being of university students in adverse circumstances.
- Meaning of life therapy: a pilot study of a novel psycho-existential intervention for palliative care in cancerPublication . Cardoso, Ana Rita; Remondes-Costa, Sónia; Veiga, Elisa; Almeida, Vera; Rocha, José; Teixeira, Ricardo João; Macedo, Gerly; Leite, ManuelaIntervention in Palliative Care aims to provide physical, psychosocial, and spiritual relief for patients and family members. Brief interventions with a psycho-existential approach have shown positive responses; however, cultural adaptations are needed. This pilot study aimed to develop the Meaning of Life Therapy (MLT), a novel psycho-existential intervention, rooted in the Dignity Therapy, Life Review, and Meaning-Centered Psychotherapy. MLT was culturally adapted to the Portuguese context to include questions about forgiveness, apology, reconciliation, farewell, and a legacy document, i.e., the Life Letter. Nine PC cancer patients answered a 14-question MLT protocol, intended to help patients find purpose and meaning in life. Eight themes emerged: Family, Preservation of Identity, Life Retrospective, Clinical Situation, Achievements, Socio-Professional Valorization, Forgiveness/Apology/Reconciliation, and Saying Goodbye. MLT has proved its ability to respond to the psycho-existential needs of PC patients. Further studies should be conducted to gain extensive knowledge of the effectiveness of culturally responsive interventions.