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- High evening smartphone use drives sleep debt and lower morning affect in athletesPublication . Rozman, Liza; Barreira, João; Brito, João; Costa, Júlio A.; Reis, CátiaIn athletic populations, adequate sleep is critical for performance, recovery, and emotional well-being. However, behavioural habits such as late-night smartphone use may disrupt sleep and circadian alignment, leading to sleep debt and impaired morning functioning. This study examined associations between pre-sleep smartphone use, sleep debt (defined as the difference between average sleep duration on work/schooldays and free days), and morning affect in athletes. A sample of 174 Portuguese athletes (aged 15–65) completed questionnaires assessing sleep patterns, pre-sleep smartphone use, and morning affect. Participants were grouped as high (daily) vs. low/moderate (?6 days/week) smartphone users. Greater sleep debt significantly predicted lower morning affect (? = –0.215, p = 0.004), especially among high smartphone users (? = –0.30, p = 0.001). While smartphone use did not significantly predict sleep debt, high use was marginally associated with lower morning affect. Mediation analysis showed sleep debt did not account for the association between smartphone group and next-day morning affect, suggesting a more direct association with bedtime screen exposure. Findings indicate that frequent pre-sleep smartphone use is associated with poorer mood upon waking, reflecting immediate sleep disruptions rather than accumulated sleep loss. Given prevalent evening screen use in athletes, promoting healthier pre-sleep routines may support emotional recovery and performance readiness.
- Grieving process during the COVID-19 pandemic: development and preliminary findings of a group intervention based on cognitive-narrative theoryPublication . Marques, Inês; Godinho, Cristina A.; Francisco, RitaThe COVID-19 pandemic has been associated with a substantial number of deaths, exposing many individuals to bereavement under particularly adverse circumstances, as public health restrictions often prevented individuals from engaging in customary farewell and mourning practices. In this context, the development of interventions capable of mitigating the psychological impact of grief is of critical importance. This mixed-methods study, with a predominantly qualitative design, aimed to develop and pilot-test a group intervention grounded in cognitive-narrative theory for individuals experiencing bereavement during the COVID-19 pandemic, in Portugal. Four patients aged between 18 and 65 years (M = 49.25; SD = 21.24) participated in the 6-week intervention, between July and August 2022. Quantitative data were collected using the Grief and Meaning Reconstruction Inventory, the Prolonged Grief Assessment Instrument, and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, with pre- and post-intervention comparisons. To assess the intervention process, participants completed an individual evaluation form, and a group interview was conducted at the end of the intervention. The results indicated a clinically significant reduction in feelings of emptiness and loss of meaning in most participants, with improved meaning-making related to the loss. The thematic analysis performed on the qualitative data highlighted the strengths of the intervention (e.g., adjustment to grief and sharing) and some areas for improvement (e.g., more regular feedback and group composition). Despite limitations, particularly the small sample size, the findings are promising and support further evaluation of this intervention in larger samples of individuals diagnosed with prolonged grief.
- Mediation and moderation effect of psychosocial factors on the relationship between health literacy and well-being in adolescentsPublication . Gaspar, Tania; Carvalho, Marina; Arriaga, Miguel; Sousa, Barbara; Gaspar-Matos, MargaridaPurpose: Higher health literacy is associated with better health behaviors and better overall well-being; however, the contribution of relational and socio-economic factors to this association remains insufficiently explored. The present study aimed to examine the relationships between health literacy, well-being, social support, and stress among adolescents. In particular, the mediating roles of social support (family, peers, and teachers) and stress in the association between health literacy and well-being were analyzed. Participants and Methods: Data were drawn from the 2022 wave of the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study, an international survey conducted every four years in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) and implemented according to a standardized protocol. The sample comprised 7643 students from the 6th, 8th, 10th, and 12th grades of Portuguese public schools. Of the participants, 53.9% were female, and the mean age was 15.05 years (SD = 2.36). Gender-based comparisons indicated statistically significant differences for all study variables, with the exception of health literacy. Results: Mediation analysis reveals an effect of health literacy on well-being. After the inclusion of the mediating variables, the direct effect of health literacy on lack of well-being remained negative. All four mediators showed statistically significant indirect effects, accounting for the difference between the total and direct effects. These findings indicate that the association between health literacy and lack of well-being was partially mediated by family support, peer support, relationships with teachers, and stress. Health literacy influenced lack of well-being both directly and indirectly through these mediating pathways, with stress emerging as the strongest indirect contributor. Conclusions: The findings support an ecological interpretation of health literacy and well-being, as these constructs are embedded within multiple interacting systems. Individual adolescent characteristics, such as gender, age, and stress management, are interconnected with interpersonal contexts, including relationships with family members, peers, and teachers. In addition, adolescents’ socio-economic circumstances appear to play a relevant role in shaping both health literacy and perceptions of well-being.
- Adaptation and validation of the Couple Resilience Inventory (CRI) in a Portuguese sample: the Portuguese Couple Resilience InventoryPublication . Grané-Morcillo, Jaume; Costa-Ramalho, Susana; Donato, Silvia; Parise, Miriam; Pérez-Testor, Carles; Vall, BertaIntroduction: Several studies have proved that fostering resilience in couples when facing adversities plays a key role in intimate relationships. Aim: The aim of this study was to adapt and validate the Portuguese version of the Couple Resilience Inventory (CRI). Method: Data was collected from 336 individuals from the Portuguese general population, from 18 to 80 years (M = 35.38; SD = 15.36). We tested the internal structure of the CRI using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and also examined the reliability and construct validity. Results: The results supported the two-factor correlated structure of the original validation study: Positive Couple Resilience (PCR) and Negative Couple Resilience (NCR). The overall fit of the nested model was satisfactory. The internal consistency was high for both PCR (? = .920; ? = .919) and NCR (? = .860; ? = .862) CRI factors. Thus, both CRI factors showed adequate internal consistency, as indicated by the reliability coefficients and item-factor correlations. Evidence of convergent and divergent validity emerged via a hierarchical regression model that showed significant associations between couple resilience and dyadic coping factors. Conclusion: These findings provide evidence regarding the psychometric properties of the Portuguese version of the Couple Resilience Inventory.
- The art of living in the 21st centuryPublication . Matos, Margarida Gaspar de
- Loneliness and depression among older adults: associations with perceived social changes during the COVID-19 pandemicPublication . Francisco, Rita; Domingos, Samuel; Pedro, Marta; Gaspar, Rui; Godinho, CristinaIn addition to the higher levels of depression, loneliness and social isolation faced by the older adults, considered a public health problem, recently the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated many of the problems that this population group already had, putting older adults at an even greater disadvantage. This study aims to 1) characterise the levels of depression, feelings of loneliness, and suicide ideation of a representative sample of older adults living in different areas of the Alentejo (the most aged region of Portugal), as well as the levels of social isolation and changes in the size of the social network perceived during the pandemic period; 2) identify the predictors of a high risk of depression among older adults. The study involved 324 older adults aged 65-92 (M=75.11; SD=6.89), mostly female (67.9%), who answered in person to self-report instruments on the variables under study. Most participants (65.4%) reported unlikely or mild levels of depression, but 31.2% were at clinical risk. The results show a tendency towards more depression and loneliness in rural areas, but more suicidal ideation in urban areas. Although the majority (73.8%) perceived a moderate or high level of social isolation during the most critical periods of the pandemic, which was more evident in urban residents, there was a tendency to maintain the size of the social network during the most critical periods of the pandemic (91.0%). Regression analysis identified age (80+ years), being female, having a more difficult financial situation and poorer health as predictors of a higher risk of depression, as well as lower social support. The contribution of the study is discussed in the context of preventive measures for depression among older adults and interventions that facilitate the reduction of the adverse consequences of social isolation and loneliness, considering the role of social support networks.
- The Portuguese adaptation of the HLS19-Q47: insights into health literacy levels and public health implicationsPublication . Arriaga, Miguel; Francisco, Rita; Oliveira, Jorge; Nogueira, Paulo; Costa, AndreiaBackground: Health literacy (HL) relates to the knowledge, motivation and skills necessary to make informed decisions on health care, disease prevention and health promotion. It is an important social determinant of healthrelated behaviours and health outcomes, being considered as a modifiable risk factor in public health. Levels of HL vary greatly across Europe, which raises the need for a systematic assessment to guide interventions and policies. Method: This study aimed to adapt the Health Literacy Survey (HLS19-Q47), developed by the M-POHL - WHO Action Network on Measuring Population and Organizational Health Literacy, to the Portuguese context. A representative sample comprising 1,027 valid cases was collected following CATI methodology. The survey included the HLS19-Q47 and the optional packages on Communicative HL and Costs and Health Economics. Results: Results supported the adequacy of this measure. Reliability assessment based on Cronbach’s alpha showed satisfactory internal consistency across HL dimensions (? = 0.85–0.89), and general HL score ? = 0.94. Construct validity was evidenced through associations between HL and known predictors of HL (education, socioeconomic status), and positive correlations with Communicative HL. General HL was scored as M = 59 (SD = 10) while Communicative HL scored M = 65 (SD = 14) indicating higher scores on Communicative HL than with General HL in the Portuguese population. Results related to health economics suggested a significant economic burden due to health-related issues. Conclusions: The present study supported the reliability and validity of the adapted version HLS19-Q47 in Portugal, while laying the ground for monitoring of HL levels and development of strategies to tackle HL disparities. Increased HL can contribute to the sustainability of the national health system by promoting positive health behaviours, leading to better public health outcomes.
- Unlocking youth creativity: the power of socioemotional skillsPublication . Branquinho, Cátia; Noronha, Catarina; Carvalho, Marina; Rodrigues, Nuno Neto; Matos, Margarida Gaspar deBackground/Objectives: Creativity has become an essential skill for children and adolescents to cope with the challenges of contemporary society. Beyond academic success, creativity is closely linked to well-being, social adjustment, and personal development. Schools, therefore, play a crucial role in creating conditions that allow students to explore ideas, express themselves, and develop socioemotional resources. This study aimed to examine how self-perceived creativity relates to educational, socioemotional, and well-being factors in Portuguese students, to identify different creativity profiles, and to explore the main variables that predict creativity. Methods: This cross-sectional study was based on secondary analyses of national data from the project Psychological Health and Well-being|School Observatory. The sample included 3011 students aged between 9 and 20 years (M = 13.62; SD = 2.53), from grades 5 to 12. Data were collected using validated instruments: the OECD Socioemotional Skills Survey (SSES), the Positive Youth Development (PYD) scale, and the WHO-5 Well-Being Index. Analyses included group comparisons, cluster analysis to identify self-perceived creativity profiles, correlation analyses, and multiple regression models. Results: Self-perceived creativity did not differ between boys and girls, but it decreased significantly with higher grade levels. Three profiles were identified: low, medium, and high self-perceived creativity. Students with higher self-perceived creativity reported better well-being, more positive relationships with teachers, a stronger sense of belonging at school, and higher parental educational levels. Self-perceived creativity was positively associated with socioemotional skills such as curiosity, sociability, and optimism, as well as with PYD dimensions and well-being. Negative associations were found with age and test anxiety. Socioemotional variables were the strongest predictors of creativity, explaining 39% of its variance. Conclusions: These results show that creativity is closely connected to students’ socioemotional development. Investing in emotional skills, supportive relationships, and positive school environments may be a powerful way to foster creativity and promote healthier, more balanced development. This has important implications for educational practice and policy.
- EditorialPublication . Branco, Francisco
- A construção da acção colectiva em processos de desenvolvimento sócio-territorialPublication . Ramos, Teresa MargaridaO presente artigo tem como ponto de partida os desafios que a questão social e urbana colocam na implementação de processos de intervenção sócio-territorial, nomeadamente em termos da construção da acção colectiva, que constitui hoje um requisito intrínseco à administração das politicas públicas territoriais. Contudo, a construção da acção colectiva revela-se um campo instável, onde a mobilização dos actores não é inata, nem emerge de forma automática, e pressupõe a capacidade de desvendar as justificações e lógicas de acção dos actores em presença, bem como as tensões e contradições que aí se estabelecem e desenvolvem.