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- Motivational Interview Techniques and the Effectiveness of Intervention Programs With Perpetrators of Intimate Partner Violence: A Systematic ReviewPublication . Pinto E Silva, Teresa; Cunha, Olga; Caridade, S.Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is widely recognized as a severe public health issue. Perpetrators’ Intervention Programs (PIPs) have been essential to prevent recidivism, and the incorporation of Motivational Interview Techniques (MIT) has shown to be an added value in this area. Objective: The present systematic review aims to analyze the incorporation of MIT (i.e., pre-treatment, isolated treatment, and conjoined with PIPs) in interventions with IPV perpetrators and its potential impact on their behavior and attitudes regarding motivation for change and treatment compliance. Method: The following research equation was used: “Intimate Partner Violence” AND (“Perpetrator” OR “Batterer” OR “Offender”) AND (“Motivation” OR “Motivational Interview”) AND (“Intervention” OR “Intervention Program” OR “Batterer Intervention Program”) AND (“Effectiveness OR “Program Effectiveness”); in four separate databases: PubMed, PsycINFO, Science Direct, and EBSCO. Studies in English, Portuguese, and Spanish were included, and 15 were identified according to the defined inclusion criteria. Results: Studies demonstrated that MIT increases attendance rates, treatment adherence, motivation for change, and behavioral and attitudinal outcomes. More specifically, MIT showed greater effectiveness among participants with low readiness to change and in the early stages of change. Conclusion: This systematic review corroborates the importance of incorporating MIT in PIPs to improve intervention efficacy.
- Violence against Women during the COVID-19 Pandemic: From Children to the ElderlyPublication . Soeiro, Cristina; Ribeiro, Rita; Almeida, Iris; Saavedra, Rosa; Caridade, S.; Oliveira, Ana Cristina; Santos, ManuelaWomen of all ages can be exposed to violence both within and outside of the home, especially in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of this study is to analyze violence against women (VAW) before and during the first year of the pandemic in Portugal. Crimes perpetrated against female victims from 17 years old and younger to 65 years old and older were analyzed by comparing requests for help in 2019 and 2020. A total of 12,045 requests for help for VAW were received by the Portuguese Association for Victim Support and analyzed in the current study. The findings reveal a 16% increase in requests for help in 2020 and a 95% increase when the lockdown was implemented. That said, the most reported, intimate partner violence (IPV), showed a decrease of 5% in 2020. Furthermore, compared to 2019, requests for help concerning criminal offenses involving psychological violence in non-IPV contexts increased 79% in 2020, especially for victims 17 years old or younger (116%), and attempted femicide/femicide requests for help increased 53%. We are still in the early stages of understanding how the pandemic will affect this situation. Future directions concerning support of female victims during the pandemic are outlined.
- Dating Conflict-Resolution Tactics and Exposure to Family Violence: University Students’ ExperiencesPublication . Portugal, Alda; Caridade, S.; Santos, Ana Sofia; Spínola, Joana; Sani, AnaAn increasing prevalence of abusive dynamics in intimate relationships among young people has been reported in recent data. The purposes of this study are to outline the conflict resolution strategies used in dating relationships, to describe the exposure to violent dynamics in the family of origin, and to analyse the correlation between conflict-resolution tactics in dating and exposure to family violence. This quantitative/cross-sectional study, using self-report instruments (sociodemographic questionnaire; revised conflict tactics scales; children’s natural family environment signalling scale), involved 247 university students (mean age = 21.07; SD = 2.07). The results revealed a high prevalence in the use of abusive conflict-resolution tactics and exposure to family violence. Positive and significant correlations between these two variables were also found. These results raise the possibility of the transgenerational transmission of abusive dynamics and multiple victimisation and signal the need for action (prevention and intervention) on beliefs and expectations that young people have about marital relationships.
- The Mediating Effect of Parental Involvement on School Climate and Behavior Problems: School Personnel PerceptionsPublication . Caridade, Sónia Maria Martins; e Sousa, Hélder Fernando Pedrosa; Pimenta Dinis, Maria Alzira; Dinis, Maria Alzira PimentaAs a reflection of the culture and norms of the school community, the school climate (SC) is a potential factor connected to students’ major behavior problems (BP). Parental involvement (PI) is considered as an essential factor for SC, contributing to promote good students’ educational results, as well as better social functioning. The present study aimed to analyze the mediating effect of PI on the relationship between SC and BP, taking into consideration the school personnel perceptions. A total of 329 school personnel (teachers versus no teachers) aged between 29 and 66 (M = 50.78, SD = 7.56), mainly female (79%), were integrated in the sample. Based on the perception of the school personnel, the results indicate moderate level of PI and SC, as well as the existence of different BP in the school context. The mediating effect of PI in the relationship between the SC and BP has been demonstrated. These results suggest that, if the SC and PI are improved, it could be an effective strategy to enhance the social functioning of students in the school context. This study thus contributes to a comprehensive empirical analysis of how PI can improve the relationship between the SC and the BP of Portuguese students.
- School climate and students’ disruptive behavior: Perceptions of school professionalsPublication . Azevedo, Vanessa; Caridade, S.; Dinis, Maria Alzira Pimenta; Nunes, L. M.; Sani, AnaSchool climate (SC) reflects the culture and norms of the school community, being a potential factor linked to students’ disruptive behavior (DB). This study intended to characterize the Portuguese school professionals’ perception on SC, analyzing the connections to the students’ DB. Another objective was to explore the differences on SC based on the functions of school professionals and school geographic location. An exploratory study with 333 school professionals was carried out. Concerning SC, the participants were asked about environmental-structural and relationships, while absenteeism, behavior problems, and incivilities were included in the students’ DB. Overall, the participants generally reported positive perceptions about SC. Differences were observed on DB, based on SC ratings. The participants rating poorer environmental-structural and relationships tended to report more DB. SC differed according to the school geographic location and to functions of school professionals. Additional research about the implications of SC on students’ DB is needed to develop preventive strategies.
- The Influence of Bidirectional Intimate Partner Violence on the Parent-child RelationshipPublication . Vasconcelos, Diana; Machado, Andreia; Caridade, Sónia; Cunha, OlgaPurpose Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a public health issue and a human rights violation. Recent studies have revealed that most IPV is bidirectional rather than unidirectional, which can result in serious consequences for those involved. However, the impact of bidirectional violence (BV) on parenting, and more specifically on the parent-child relationship, is understudied. Thus, this study aims to understand the impact of BV on the parent-child relationship and analyze the differences in the perceptions about the quality of the parent-child relationship between parents involved in unidirectional IPV, parents involved in bidirectional IPV, and parents without IPV. Methods The sample comprised 138 participants of both sexes, aged 18 years or over, and with underage children. The study was conducted online, and data were collected through a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Inventory of Marital Violence, and the Inventory of Parent-Child Relationship. Results Parents (male and female) involved in bidirectional IPV reported that the communication dimension was the most impacted and presented perceptions of lower quality in the relationship with their children than parents involved in unidirectional IPV perpetration. Conclusions These results suggest that individuals involved in BV might transpose the dynamics they establish in their marital relationship to their relationship with their children, resulting in less positive parent-child relationships. A new perspective on victim and perpetrator profiles emerges from this study, which should be considered regarding parenting intervention.
- Beliefs on Marital Violence Among Portuguese Adolescents: Monitoring Their Evolution and Relationship With Dating ViolencePublication . Neves, Sofia; Cameira, Miguel; Caridade, S.In the last two decades, the problem of violence in the family sphere in particular and in intimate relationships in general has been on the agenda for Portuguese governmental and nongovernmental agencies. Several initiatives and campaigns have been launched, which are aimed at reducing occurrence of this violence, particularly among teenagers. This present study aims to assess the evolution in adolescents' attitudes and behaviors concerning intimate partner violence. We collected data from a sample of adolescents (n = 913) to compare with corresponding data collected 7 years ago by Neves and Nogueira (2010) in a sample that had identical sociodemographic characteristics (n = 899). Both cohorts resided in the same areas in the northeastern region of Portugal. The instruments used were the Scale of Beliefs about Marital Violence (ECVC) and the Marital Violence Inventory (IVC; Neves & Nogueira, 2010). The results indicate that although respondents tend to reject traditional beliefs on marital violence more now than in the past, especially male and older respondents, the percentage of dating violence reports has not decreased. Among girls, there was even an increase in perpetration of emotional and mild physical violence. We discuss possible reasons for this discrepancy between the evolution of attitudes and behaviors and make suggestions for improvement in the actions implemented among teenagers to increase their effectiveness.
- Psychosocial profiles of college students: chemical and Behavioural addictionsPublication . de Moura, Andreia Paiva; Castro, Natália; e Sousa, Hélder Fernando Pedrosa; Dinis, Maria Alzira Pimenta; Ferros, Lígia; Ferreira, Maria José; Caridade, S.; Negreiros, JorgeAddiction behaviours, whether referring to psychoactive substances or others of a behavioural dependencies, constitute a public health problem to be addressed. This cross-sectional and comparative exploratory study aims to identify the psychosocial profile of college students in terms of chemical and behavioural addictions. This convenience sample consisted of 260 adult college students (32 male), aged between 18 and 51 years old. Life Events Checklist 5 (LEC-5), Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist 5 (PCL-5), Childhood History Questionnaire, Experiences in Close Relationships-Relationship Structures Scale (ECR-RS), Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire, Levenson Self-Report Psychopathy Scale (LSRPS), Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT), Alcohol, Smoking, and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST) and Internet Addiction Test (IAT), were used. Using the Mann-Whitney U test, significant differences were found between the low-level alcohol consumers group and moderate to high-level consumers group in aggressiveness, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and insecure attachment. Regarding Internet addiction, the results reveal differences in terms of aggressiveness, insecure attachment, and secondary psychopathy between subjects with normative use and subjects addicted to the Internet. When compared to subjects without addictions, subjects with addiction behaviours experience more adverse childhood experiences (ACE), more PTSD symptoms, higher levels of aggressiveness, greater avoidance and anxiety in affective relationships, and more predisposition to manifest deviant psychopathy behaviours. This study contributes to identifying different psychosocial profiles of college students concerning chemical and behavioural addictions and highlights the impact of those profiles on aggressiveness, PTSD, and insecure attachment, essential for the design of more effective prevention and intervention programs with these specific groups.
- Cyber and Offline Dating Abuse in a Portuguese Sample: Prevalence and Context of AbusePublication . Caridade, S.; e Sousa, Hélder Fernando Pedrosa; Dinis, Maria Alzira PimentaThe increasing use of information and communication technologies (ICT) and networking has promoted the occurrence of different forms of victimization, specifically in terms of interpersonal interaction (e.g., cyberbullying or online risk-taking behaviour), which also includes cyber dating abuse (CDA). Some studies report that CDA is an extension of offline dating abuse (ODA). Because Portuguese studies in this area are scarce, this study aims to bridge this knowledge gap, seeking to investigate the extent and the context of CDA occurrence, and the relationship between CDA and all forms of ODA, i.e., physical, verbal–emotional and control. A convenience sample of 173 Portuguese adolescents and young adults was studied. This sample is mostly female (86.7%), has a mean (M) age of 25.36 years old and a standard deviation (SD) of 6.88 years of age. The results show that CDA and ODA among the Portuguese are very prevalent and related. Control (31.8 vs. 20.8%) and verbal–emotional ODA (26.7 vs. 20.2%) as well as control CDA (38.2 vs. 43.4%) were the most prevalent forms of abuse, either in terms of victimization or in terms of perpetration. The results also showed that CDA usually appears in a context of jealousy, also explaining control CDA and CDA direct aggression. A significant relationship between control CDA and CDA direct aggression and physical, verbal–emotional and control ODA was found. Experiencing control and verbal–emotional ODA are the main risk factors of control CDA victimization. This study allows to lay the groundwork for further research on dating victimization and perpetration through ICT, and has important practical implications at the level of Portuguese prevention strategies and intervention policies, thus emphasizing the role of the official authorities and the law itself.
- Associations between Cues of Sexual Desire and Sexual Attitudes in Portuguese WomenPublication . Silva, Juliana; Ferreira, Susana; Barros, Vanessa; Mourão, Ana; Corrêa, Gabriela; Caridade, S.; E Sousa, Hélder Fernando Pedrosa; Dinis, Maria Alzira Pimenta; Leite, ÂngelaSexuality is defined as a multidimensional experience that involves genital, mental, and bodily components. It is also assumed as a basic condition inherent to the human existence that encourages the search for love, intimacy, sex, and proximity to others. The main objective of this study is to assess the relationship between cues of sexual desire and sexual attitudes in Portuguese women. This is a cross-sectional study with 804 Portuguese women to whom the protocol was applied. It included an informed consent, a sociodemographic questionnaire, a questionnaire related to intimacy, a scale of sexual attitudes, and the scale of cues of sexual desire. The protocol was applied via Google Forms due to the current pandemic situation (COVID-19). Differences were found in sexual attitudes and the cues of sexual desire in terms of sociodemographic characteristics, as well as in terms of women’s intimacy. Significant correlations were found between the brief sexual attitudes scale (BSAS) and the cues of sexual desire scale (CSDS). Age, sexual orientation, relation nature, sexual practices, visual proximity cues, erotic explicit cues, and sensory explicit cues explain, altogether, 25% of the total sexual attitudes. Additionally, age, sexual orientation, the relation’s nature, sexual practices, visual proximity cues, emotional bonding cues, romantic implicit cues, erotic explicit cues, and sensory explicit cues explain, altogether, 30% of the permissiveness. Sexual attitudes are developed under the influence of sociodemographic variables, variables related to women’s intimacy, and cues of sexual desire, which are new data in the study of sexual attitudes and have implications at the level of gender issues.