Loading...
49 results
Search Results
Now showing 1 - 10 of 49
- Validation and invariance across gender of the Beliefs About Appearance Scale (BAAS) in a community sample of heterosexual adults in a committed relationshipPublication . Pascoal, Patricia M.; Alvarez, Maria-João; Roberto, Magda SofiaObjective: To evaluate the psychometric properties of the Beliefs About Appearance Scale (BAAS) in terms of its factorial structure and invariance, reliability, and validity when applied to adults from the community. Methods: Participants consisted of 810 heterosexual Portuguese individuals in a committed relationship. As a confirmatory factor analysis did not support the original structure of the BAAS, an exploratory factor analysis was performed. Results: A 12-item version was extracted comprising two dimensions: one personal and the other social. The factorial model depicting this bidimensional structure revealed an adequate fit following confirmatory factor analysis. Multigroup confirmatory factor analyses indicated invariance across gender. Concurrent and discriminant validities and internal consistency were estimated and observed to be adequate. Conclusions: This shorter measure of the BAAS can accurately assess body appearance beliefs and may be used in different research settings and contexts.
- A Fertile Ground for Ambiguities: Casual Sexual Relationships Among Portuguese Emerging AdultsPublication . LUZ, RITA; Alvarez, Maria-João; Godinho, Cristina Albuquerque; Pereira, Cicero RobertoCasual sexual relationships (CSRs) are frequent relationship experiences in young adulthood that provide opportunities for many to explore sexual relationships and to construct their sexual identity. Empirical research on casual sex is still lacking outside North-American countries, despite evidence pointing to the need to contextualize sexual interactions in their own sociocultural context. In order to better understand casual sexual relationships, these should be examined in with novel samples in other countries where a “hookup culture” as it is described in the North-American university campus is apparently absent. Through a qualitative study, we explored what casual sexual relationships consist of according to the perceptions of Portuguese college students (N=35). The thematic analysis of eight focus group interviews resulted in the generation of six themes, three of which are presented here: (1) What CSRs are, regarding features and types of CSRs, (2) Why individuals engage in CSRs, focusing on positive and negative motivations, and (3) What one gets from CSRs, focusing on positive and negative outcomes of CSRs. Our findings showed that Portuguese emerging adults are familiarized with CSRs, particularly with one-night stand, friends with benefits and “curte”/hookup. Sexual interactions associated with other CSRs, such as booty call or fuck buddies, were mentioned but rarely associated with a distinctive label and established characteristics. Participants described the CSRs in a partially overlapping manner presenting some areas of ambiguity, such as with regard to sexual exclusivity and still-unlabeled sexual interactions. CSRs are generally evaluated as positively motivated and mainly beneficial. This study adds to the literature around casual sexual relationships by exploring and describing CSRs in a different sociocultural context, as well as indicating directions for future research in order to better prepare and empower young adults in their sexual and relational trajectories.
- The Practice of Physical Activity After Breast Cancer Treatments: A Qualitative Study Among Portuguese WomenPublication . Sequeira, Margarida; LUZ, RITA; Alvarez, Maria-JoãoBackground: Women survivors of breast cancer treatments face significant challenges around initiation or maintenance of physical activity (PA) as they transit to recovery. Embracing their needs and preferences is important to increase adherence. This study aimed to explore the perspectives of Portuguese women survivors of breast cancer regarding regular performance of PA and individual choices and strategies that should be considered in designing effective interventions. Methods: The individual semi-structured interviews (N = 20) were analyzed through thematic analysis, following an inductive process, seeking to identify the barriers, facilitators, and particular influencing circumstances associated with regular PA. Results: Four themes and several contextual, emotional, physical, and social factors were identified as determinants of regular PA. Guilt, women’s duties, and altruism to help close relatives were identified as emotional and cultural factors that are less-found in the existing literature. PA showed influence both from health professionals’ counseling and from knowledge and beliefs held by these women. Conclusion: While confirming the already-known impact of breast cancer diagnosis and treatments on PA, which redefine participants’ availability to be active, the findings highlight beliefs and specific emotional factors that should be considered when planning culturally sensitive interventions.
- The role of behaviour‐change theory in sleep interventions with emerging adults (aged 18–29 years): a systematic review and meta‐analysisPublication . Pegado, Ana; Alvarez, Maria-João; Roberto, Magda SofiaPrevious systematic reviews and meta-analysis of sleep interventions with young adults have not reached consensus on what contributes to their efficacy. Behaviourchange theories may influence the efficacy of interventions; hence, the aim of this research was to investigate the role of such theories in sleep interventions with this population. Six electronic databases and reference lists were searched (April–May 2021) for published sleep behaviour-change interventions with emerging adults (aged 18–29 years) that used control groups. A selection of 20 studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria, but only six were based on behaviour-change theories. Meta-analysis was run with eight studies, as the others had a high risk of bias or did not present the necessary data to calculate Hedges’ g. The estimation of a random effects model for the studies showed a small effect in the sleep quality of the participants in the experimental group (g = 0.26; 95% confidence interval 0.42 to 0.09), with low levels of heterogeneity (I 2 = 21%), and a small 95% prediction interval ( 0.59 to 0.08). Although we could not examine theory or any other moderators of the effect, a qualitative analysis of the behaviour-change techniques present in the interventions leads us to hypothesise that there is not a direct link between behaviour-change techniques and the success of the intervention. Other characteristics of the interventions may be linked to their variable levels of efficacy and should be investigated in the future, as for now there are no answers as to what the key is for successful sleep interventions.
- Emphasizing the losses or the gains: Comparing situational and individual moderators of framed messages to promote fruit and vegetable intakePublication . Godinho, Cristina Albuquerque; Alvarez, Maria-João; Lima, M LuisaHealth messages are a commonly used way to promote changes in dietary habits but their efficacy could be enhanced by strategies such as the way in which the presented arguments are framed. This study aimed to test the effectiveness of framed messages (gain vs. loss) on behavioural intention and fruit and vegetable (FV) intake, comparing predictions based on prominent theoretical perspectives on message framing (function of the health behaviour and recipients' motivational orientation) and by further exploring the role of baseline intentions as a potential moderator of the framing effects. Undergraduate students (N ¼ 180) completed the three assessment points in time. At baseline, individual moderators (motivational orientation and intentions) and fruit and vegetable intake were assessed. One week later, participants were randomly assigned to the loss or gain-framed message and indicated their intentions for FV intake the following week. A week later, FV intake over the previous week was assessed. The gainframe was not conducive, per se, to higher intentions or behaviour. Having intention as the outcome, only baseline intentions moderated the effects of message frame. When considering FV intake as the outcome, both motivational orientation and baseline intentions moderated the effects of message frame, with the loss-frame promoting higher FV intake among individuals who were prevention-oriented and had higher baseline intentions. Findings suggest that the success of framed messages for FV intake depends upon the recipient's characteristics, such as motivational orientation, baseline intentions, and cultural background, with implications for health communication interventions.
- The effect of mobile text messages and a novel floss holder on gingival health: A randomized control trialPublication . Araujo, Mario-Rui; Godinho, Cristina Albuquerque; Alvarez, Maria-JoãoPurpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of using mobile text messages and a novel floss holder as compared to finger flossing or the novel floss holder alone, on the psychological, behavioral, and clinical parameters of patients with gingivitis. Methods: A total 165 adults were assessed for eligibility and 144 met the criteria for randomization into three groups: Finger Floss (FF, n=43), Novel Floss Holder (NFH, n= 40 ), and Novel Floss Holder plus Text Messages (NFH+TM, n= 61) following a dental hygiene consultation appointment. Gingival bleeding points were measured on probing (BOMP) at baseline and four months later by a calibrated dental hygienist, blinded to the experimental groups. Participants also self-reported their oral hygiene behaviors, and indicated psychological determinants of behavior change prior to the dental hygiene consultation and at four months. Descriptive statistics and repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used to compare groups over time. Results: Two subjects dropped out of the study making the total number of participants 142. At the four month follow-up, the NFH group and the NFH+TM groups demonstrated significantly higher levels of self-reported flossing, action selfefficacy, intention, action planning, and action control. The NFH+TM group showed lower levels of bleeding and higher levels of oral hygiene and recovery self-efficacy than the other groups, in addition to higher levels of maintenance self-efficacy as compared to the FF group. Conclusions: The use of a novel floss holder, NFH, was shown to improve the behavioral and psychological determinants of periodontal health four months after introduction of the device. However the clinical measures of BOMP only improved significantly when used in conjunction with text messages (NFH+TM). The use of a consciousness awareness technique,TMs, in combination with a novel device, may help patients to reach therapeutic objectives and contribute to the management of periodontal pathologies such as gingivitis.
- Development and Initial Validation of the Beliefs About Sexual Functioning Scale: A Gender Invariant MeasurePublication . Pascoal, Patricia M.; Alvarez, Maria-João; Pereira, Cicero Roberto; Nobre, Pedro J.Background: Past research on cognitive models of sexual functioning has focused on sexual beliefs as an important vulnerability factor for sexual dysfunction. However, the existing measurements of sexual beliefs are lengthy and entangle beliefs about sexual functioning with moral beliefs and ideas about sexuality. Furthermore, they have female and male versions, which does not allow for sex comparisons or dyadic research with heterosexual couples. Aim: To describe the development and validation of the Beliefs About Sexual Functioning Scale (BASEF), which assesses beliefs about sexual functioning in men and women. Methods: This study included two cross-sectional online studies with adults in heterosexual dyadic committed and exclusive relationships. In study 1 (sample A, n ¼ 274, mean age ¼ 32.27 years; sample B, n ¼ 114, mean age ¼ 30.6 years), the factorial validity of the BASEF was analyzed through an exploratory factor analysis with an initial poll of 51 items, followed by a test of its structure in a confirmatory factor analysis. In study 2 (n ¼ 426, mean age ¼ 31.5 years), the factorial equivalence of the BASEF was tested across sexes and its association with total scores of sexual functioning was analyzed. Outcome: The main outcome was a new instrument for measurement of beliefs about sexual functioning. Results: In study 1, 15 items indicating 5 factors were retained. The structure was confirmed by confirmatory factor analysis, establishing its factorial validity with the five factors aggregated in a second-order latent variable. In study 2, the equivalence of the BASEF was demonstrated across sexes and its association with theoretically related measurements, the International Index of Erectile Function and the Female Sexual Function Index, was supported. Clinical Implications: This new measurement could be useful to evaluate clients and design interventions that take into account similarity and discrepancy in sexual beliefs in couples, such as those interventions framed in cognitive and systemic clinical models. Strengths and Limitations: This study presents a new measurement of beliefs about sexual functioning suited to address an equivalent set of beliefs for men and women. In future studies, the scale will be useful to compare the unique role of these same beliefs in the sexual outcomes of men and women. One major limitation is the lack of examination of the BASEF criterion validity with a clinical sample. Conclusions: Results are indicative of a brief, valid, and reliable sex-invariant measurement of beliefs about sexual functioning that enables testing of cognitive models of sexual functioning in men and women in clinical and research settings.
- Definições sexuais de estudantes universitáriosPublication . Alvarez, Maria-João; Nogueira, JoãoO objectivo deste estudo foi o de clarificar, através de questionários, que comportamentos se associam a ter sexo, a parceiro sexual e a infidelidade e explorar factores preditores das definições encontradas,comparando os resultados de uma amostra de 152 estudantes universitários portugueses com os estudantes de amostras de outros países. Ter relações sexuais revelou-se sinónimo de relações pénis-vagina (>95%) e de sexo anal (91-92%). Ao contrário de resultados encontrados noutras amostras, os contactos orogenitais foram considerados como uma forma de ter sexo (78-84%). A amplitude das definições mostrou-se diferente, sendo possível ter um comportamento de infidelidade sem ser um parceiro sexual e ser considerado um parceiro sexual sem que exista sexo entre duas pessoas. Encontraram-se poucas diferenças de acordo com o género e a existência de orgasmo afectou as definições de ter sexo e de parceiro sexual. Conclui-se ser essencial explicitar o que se entende pelos termos sexuais utilizados na investigação e discutem-se as implicações para a prevenção de comportamentos sexuais de risco.
- A Dyadic Approach to Understanding the Link Between Sexual Functioning and Sexual Satisfaction in Heterosexual CouplesPublication . Pascoal, Patricia M.; Byers, E. Sandra; Alvarez, Maria-João; Santos Iglesias, Pablo; Nobre, Pedro J.; Pereira, Cicero Roberto; Laan, EllenResearchers have demonstrated that several dimensions of sexual functioning (e.g., sexual desire, arousal, orgasm) are associated with the sexual satisfaction of individuals in a committed mixed-sex (male–female) relationship. We extended this research by comparing a dyadic model that included both own (i.e., actor effect) and partner (i.e., partner effect) domains of sexual functioning to an individual model that included only actor effects. Participants were 124 mixed-sex couples who completed online measures of sexual functioning and sexual satisfaction. Data analysis using the actor–partner interdependence model (APIM) and structural equation modeling (SEM) indicated that the dyadic model had a better fit than the individual model. Women’s sexual desire and orgasm and men’s erectile functioning were significant positive predictors of both own and partner’s sexual satisfaction. These results are discussed in terms of the importance of taking a dyadic approach to research and clinical work related to sexual satisfaction.
- Estudo exploratório das percepções de estudantes universitários sobre proteção sexualPublication . Delgado Amaro, Helena; Alvarez, Maria-João; Ferreira, JoaquimA investigação mostra que os estudantes universitários heterossexuais ainda se expõem a risco sexual, nomeadamente riscos que dizem respeito ao uso inconsistente do preservativo. Não obstante, em Portugal os estudos estão mais centrados na análise da presença/ausência de comportamentos de risco/proteção e menos nos fatores que os explicam. Foi nosso objetivo explorar as perceções de estudantes universitários portugueses sobre proteção sexual e indagar sobre as suas barreiras e facilitadores, bem como sobre diferenças de género nesta dimensão da saúde sexual. Para o efeito foram dinamizados oito grupos focais compostos por 47 estudantes (64% homens, M=21.4 anos e DP=2.9) e os dados analisados qualitativamente. Os participantes reconheceram que nos relacionamentos ocasionais o uso do preservativo é a norma, apesar de existirem inconsistências. Nos relacionamentos regulares, o uso do preservativo cessa, sendo fraca ou inexistente a comunicação sobre a decisão de deixar de o utilizar, bem como sobre o despiste de Infeções Sexualmente Transmissíveis (ISTs) para informar a decisão. Além destas barreiras específicas à proteção sexual, os participantes identificaram outras, gerais, como o facto de a preocupação dos jovens ser, mais do que evitar doenças, evitar a gravidez, o consumo de álcool, o significado (negativo) atribuído ao preservativo e às ISTs. A informação e o acesso a meios de proteção sexual foram referidos como facilitadores. Barreiras e facilitadores são sobretudo de natureza social, relacional e contextual e o género é entendido como uma provável barreira à proteção sexual de homens e facilitador da proteção das mulheres. Destaca-se a importância de desenvolver programas de educação para a saúde sexual no ensino superior, adaptados às reais dificuldades/necessidades dos estudantes universitário.