Centro de Estudos em Desenvolvimento Humano

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Publications

Emotional induction through music: measuring cardiac and electrodermal responses of emotional states and their persistence

Publication . Ribeiro, Fabiana Silva; Santos, Flávia Heloísa; Albuquerque, Pedro Barbas; Oliveira-Silva, Patrícia

Emotional inductions through music (EIM) procedures have proved to evoke genuine emotions according to neuroimaging studies. However, the persistence of the emotional states after being exposed to musical excerpts remains mostly unexplored. This study aimed to investigate the curve of emotional state generated by an EIM paradigm over a 6-min recovery phase, monitored with valence and arousal self-report measures, and physiological parameters. Stimuli consisted of a neutral and two valenced musical excerpts previously reported to generate such states. The neutral excerpt was composed in a minimalist form characterized by simple sonorities, rhythms, and patterns; the positive excerpt had fast tempo and major tones, and the negative one was slower in tempo and had minor tone. Results of 24 participants revealed that positive and negative EIM effectively induced self-reported happy and sad emotions and elicited higher skin conductance levels (SCL). Although self-reported adjectives describing evoked-emotions states changed to neutral after 2 min in the recovery phase, the SCL data suggest longer lasting arousal for both positive and negative emotional states. The implications of these outcomes for musical research are discussed.

2019Journal article

Open access

Mental health literacy in young adults: adaptation and psychometric properties of the mental health literacy questionnaire

Publication . Dias, Pedro; Campos, Luísa; Almeida, Helena; Palha, Filipa

Mental health literacy (MHL) is considered a prerequisite for early recognition and intervention in mental disorders, and for this reason, it has become a focus of research over the past few decades. Assessing this construct is relevant for identifying knowledge gaps and erroneous beliefs concerning mental health issues, to inform the development of interventions aimed at promoting mental health literacy as well as the evaluation of these interventions. Recently, we developed a new self-reporting measure (MHLq) for assessing mental health literacy in young people (12–14 years-old), meeting the need to assessMHLfrom a comprehensive perspective of the construct instead of focusing on a restricted number of mental disorders or specific dimensions (e.g., knowledge concerning specific disorders; stigma). The present study aimed to adapt the MHLq for the young adult population and to examine its psychometric properties, according to the following steps: (1) item adaptation, using a think aloud procedure (n = 5); (2) data collection (n = 356, aged between 18 and 25 years old; and (3) psychometric analyses (exploratory factor analysis and internal consistency analysis). The final version of the questionnaire included 29 items (total scale = 0.84), organized by four dimensions: (1) knowledge of mental health problems ( = 0.74); (2) erroneous beliefs/stereotypes ( = 0.72); (3) help-seeking and first aid skills ( = 0.71); and (4) self-help strategies ( = 0.60). The results suggest that the MHLq-adult form is a practical, valid, and reliable screening tool for identifying gaps in knowledge, beliefs, and behavioral intentions related to mental health and mental disorders, planning promotion programs, and evaluating intervention effectiveness.

2018Journal article

Open access

Is it possible to “find space for mental health” in young people? effectiveness of a school-based mental health literacy promotion program

Publication . Campos, Luísa; Dias, Pedro; Duarte, Ana; Veiga, Elisa; Dias, Claudia Camila; Palha, Filipa

Lack of knowledge regarding, and the stigma associated with, mental disorders have been identified as major obstacles for the promotion of mental health and early intervention. The present study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a school-based intervention program focused on the promotion of mental health literacy (MHL) in young people (“Finding Space for Mental Health”). A sample of 543 students (22 classes), aged between 12 and 14 years old, participated in the study. Each class of students was randomly assigned to the control group (CG; n = 284; 11 classes) or the experimental group (EG; n = 259; 11 classes). MHL was assessed using the Mental Health Literacy questionnaire (MHLq), which is comprised of three dimensions—Knowledge/Stereotypes, First Aid Skills and Help Seeking, and Self-Help Strategies. The scores on these dimensions can also be combined to give an overall or total score. Participants from the EG attended the MHL promotion program (two sessions, 90 min each) delivered at one-week intervals. Sessions followed an interactive methodology, using group dynamics, music, and videos adapted to the target group. All participants responded to the MHLq at three points in time: pre-intervention assessment (one week prior to the intervention), post-intervention assessment (one week after the intervention) and follow-up assessment (six months after the intervention). The intervention effectiveness and the differential impact of sociodemographic variables on the effectiveness of the program were studied using a Generalized Estimation Equation (GEE). Results revealed that participants from the EG demonstrated, on average, significantly higher improvement in MHL from pre-intervention to follow-up when compared to participants from the CG. Different sociodemographic variables affected the effectiveness of the program on distinct dimensions of the MHLq. Overall, “Finding Space for Mental Health” showed efficacy as a short-term promotion program for improving MHL in schools.

2018Journal article

Open access

Functional evaluation instruments for the elderly, validated for the portuguese population

Publication . Fonseca, António; Medeiros, Sofia

The aging process is as complex as any other development phase. The clinical evaluation of aging must, therefore, encompass dimensions such as functionality and quality of life. The concept of quality of life, in turn, encompasses the idea of wellbeing (Barnes, Gahagan & Ward, 2013). Being that the functionality is related to the independent life (Ramos, 2003). By contemplating these categories in psychological assessment, a more effective intervention is possible. In order to understand what is used as evaluation instruments in Portugal, a bibliographic research was carried out with the support of electronic databases (PsycArticles, Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection, Education Source, Emerald and ScienceDirect). We searched for articles that related assessment tools for the elderly, directly related to the functionality and quality of life. A pre-analysis was performed, followed by material exploration and data interpretation. Our research gathered 15 validated evaluation instruments for the Portuguese elderly population. These instruments vary in their approach to the problem, with different focus of evaluation, in a logic of “favorable/unfavorable”, allowing or not to also consider the perspective of the caregiver. When applied together, according to the need, these instruments allow to approach cognitive, emotional, behavioral and physical competence valences, being able to describe the functionality and quality of life of the elderly subject.

2019Journal article

Restricted access

Do school sports deter or facilitate juvenile delinquency?: a multi-method study

Publication . Veríssimo, Lurdes; Carvalho, Hugo; Soares, Mónica; Matos, Raquel

The present study seeks to understand how school sports deter or facilitate delinquent behavior among youth. Literature in this field reveals inconsistent results about this relation. Self-report data about sports participation and delinquent behavior were collected among 621 students. Results showed that there are no significant differences for most delinquent behaviors between students with and without school sports activity. However, students who practice sports revealed higher weapon possession and less shoplifting. Considering these contradictory results, six school sports coaches were interviewed and, in general, results emphasized the positive impact of school sports. These participants highlighted that by promoting socioemotional skills, reinforcing rules, and structuring prosocial contexts, sports can deter delinquent behavior. However, some of the coaches recognized that when competition is encouraged by them, sports can facilitate delinquent behavior. Results are discussed based on the evidence that school sports’ impact on youth behavior depends on how sports are framed, developed and implemented in school settings.

2018Journal article

Restricted access