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- The youth-caregiver relationship quality in residential youth care: Professionals perceptions and experiencesPublication . Magalhães, Eunice; Ferreira, Margarida; Ornelas, Sandra; Silva, Carla; Camilo, Cláudia; Calheros, M. M.This study aimed to explore the perceptions and experiences of professionals working in residential care (RC) settings (i.e., caregivers and directors) about youth-caregiver relationship quality (YCRQ). Method: A qualitative study was developed in Portugal including 15 caregivers (73.3% women, 23–50 years) and 15 directors (73.3% women, 34– 45 years) working in 18 generalist RC units. Data were collected through six focus groups using a semi-structured interview script. Data were analyzed following a content analysis approach using NVIVO 12 software. Results: Our findings revealed that the concept of YCRQ in RC was mainly described in terms of good qualities, and the organizational determinants of YCRQ relationships were most mentioned both by caregivers and directors (i.e., organizational social context, intervention models and strategies). Individual characteristics of youth and staff were less described as determinants of YCRQ. These findings provide important insights for practice. Conclusions: efforts should be made to design interventions in RC that aim to improve its organizational social climate so as to provide caregivers with the necessary support and resources that enable them to enhance positive YCRQ.
- Why do I think what I think I am? mothers' and fathers' contributions to adolescents' self-representationsPublication . Silva, Carla; Martins, Ana Catarina; Calheros, M. M.This study analyzed adolescents’ self-representations construction process, relying on the Looking Glass Self Hypothesis (LGSH), within parent-child relationships – that is, the mediating role of mothers’ and fathers’ reflected appraisals (i.e., adolescents’ perceptions of their parents’ appraisals of them) in associations between parents’ actual appraisals and adolescents’ selfrepresentations. Participants were 221 adolescents, 12-16 years old, and both their parents. The standard paradigm was used to measure the LGSH elements: self-representations were measured with the Self-Representation Questionnaire for Adolescents, which was reworded to measure parents’ actual and reflected appraisals. Structural equation modeling with bootstrap estimation supported the LGSH for all self-representation domains under analysis. Results are discussed considering the specificities of the adolescent-mother and adolescent-father relationships, and the different self-representation domains analized.
- Security in the Interparental Subsystem (SIS) Scale: Psychometric Characteristics in a Sample of Portuguese AdolescentsPublication . Silva, Carla; Calheros, M. M.; Carvalho, HelenaThe Security in the Interparental Subsystem Scale (SIS) is based on emotional security theory. This study examined the psychometric properties of an adaptation of the SIS to a sample of Portuguese adolescents (60.3% girls; 10 to 18 years old; Mage = 13 years; N = 229), recruited in public schools. Discriminant and concurrent validity were assessed by analyzing SIS dimensions associations with adolescents’ exposure to interparental conflict (IC), and psychological adjustment, respectively. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses of the SIS supported a six-factor solution, with satisfactory internal consistency. Evidence for discriminant and concurrent validity was provided: most SIS dimensions significantly discriminated between adolescents exposed to higher vs. lower levels of IC; and a significant positive association between emotional reactivity and adolescents’ externalizing symptoms was found. These findings suggest that the SIS is a reliable tool for assessing adolescents’ emotional insecurity in the interparental relationship within the context of this sample.
- ‘Why do I think what I think I am?’: Mothers’ and fathers’ contributions to adolescents’ self-representationsPublication . Silva, Carla; Martins, Ana Catarina; Calheros, M. M.This study analyzed adolescents’ self-representations construction process, relying on the Looking Glass Self Hypothesis (LGSH), within parent-child relationships – that is, the mediating role of mothers’ and fathers’ reflected appraisals (i.e., adolescents’ perceptions of their parents’ appraisals of them) in associations between parents’ actual appraisals and adolescents’ self-representations. Participants were 221 adolescents, 12-16 years old, and both their parents. The standard paradigm was used to measure the LGSH elements: self-representations were measured with the Self-Representation Questionnaire for Adolescents, which was reworded to measure parents’ actual and reflected appraisals. Structural equation modeling with bootstrap estimation supported the LGSH for all self-representation domains under analysis. Results are discussed considering the specificities of the adolescent-mother and adolescent-father relationships, and the different self-representation domains analized.
- Maltreatment experiences and psychopathology in children and adolescents: The intervening role of domain-specific self-representations moderated by agePublication . Silva, Carla; Calheros, M. M.Background: Associations between maltreatment experiences and psychopathology symptoms in children and adolescents are well established. However, the role of domain-specific self-representations (SR) in those associations remains unexplored. Objective: This multi-informant study aimed to explore the indirect associations between maltreatment experiences and children’s and adolescents’ psychopathology symptoms (i.e., internalizing and externalizing problems), through domain-specific self-representations, and the moderating role of age in those indirect associations. Participants and setting: Participants were 203 children/adolescents (52.7 % boys), aged 8–16 years old (M = 12.64; SD = 2.47), referred to child/youth protection commissions, their parents, and case workers. Method: Case workers reported on child/adolescent maltreatment, children/adolescents reported on SR, and parents reported on psychopathology symptoms. Results: Controlling for chronicity of maltreatment and child/adolescent sex effects, multiple mediation path analysis revealed that: 1) higher levels of physical and psychological abuse were associated with less externalizing problems through more negative social SR; 2) higher levels of physical neglect were associated with more externalizing problems through more positive opposition SR; 3) higher levels of psychological neglect were associated with less externalizing problems through more negative physical appearance SR, and 4) associated with more externalizing problems through more negative opposition SR. Moreover, the indirect effects of physical and psychological abuse on internalizing and externalizing problems through instrumental SR were conditional on child/adolescent age. Conclusion: Findings signal the relevance of preventing child/adolescent maltreatment and promoting the construction of positive and, foremost, realistic and adaptive self-representations as protection against maladjustment.
- Youth's self-construction in the context of residential care: The looking-glass self within the youth-caregiver relationshipPublication . Silva, Carla; Calheros, M. M.Youth in residential care typically struggle to construct a positive sense of self, given their often highly adverse life experiences. However, the processes that explain youth’s self-representations process in residential care have not been systematically analyzed. Based on the symbolic interactionism theory, this study addressed this gap in the literature by testing the Looking Glass Self Hypothesis (LGSH) in this development context within the relationship between youth and their main residential caregiver. Participants were 755 youth from 71 residential care units in Portugal, 12–25 years old, and their respective main caregiver (N = 300). Through a multi-mediator model, we examined whether caregivers’ actual appraisals of the youth in care were associated with youth’s selfrepresentations via caregivers’ reflected appraisals (i.e., youth’s perceptions of their main caregiver’ appraisals of them). Results supported the LGSH in the context of youth-caregiver relationships in residential care, emphasizing the important role of residential caregivers in youth’s self-construction process.
- Stop Yelling: Interparental Conflict and Adolescents’ Self-Representations as Mediated by Their Perceived Relationships With ParentsPublication . Silva, Carla; Calheros, M. M.Adolescents’ perceptions of their relationship with both parents were examined as mediators linking interparental conflict to their self-representations (SR). Portuguese adolescents (N = 214; 58.4% girls), aged 10-16 years old (M = 13.39), attending public elementary and secondary schools, filled out self-report measures. Multi-mediator path analysis models revealed that interparental conflict predicted less favorable SR in most evaluated domains. This association was mediated by adolescents’ perceptions of (a) support in the mother–adolescent relationship, related to instrumental, social, emotional, physical appearance, and intelligence SR; (b) negative interactions in the mother–adolescent relationship, related to instrumental and physical appearance SR; (c) support in the father–adolescent relationship, related to social and physical appearance SR; and (d) negative interactions in the father–adolescent relationship, related to instrumental SR. This study emphasizes the relevance of interparental conflict and adolescents’ perceptions of their relationship with both parents in their SR construction. Practical implications point to promoting constructive conflict and improving parent–adolescent relationships.
- Stop yelling: Interparental conflict and adolescents self-representations as mediated by their perceived relationships with parentsPublication . Silva, Carla; Calheiros, M MAdolescents’ perceptions of their relationship with both parents were examined as mediators linking interparental conflict to their self-representations (SR). Portuguese adolescents (N = 214; 58.4% girls), aged 10-16 years old (M = 13.39), attending public elementary and secondary schools, filled out self-report measures. Multi-mediator path analysis models revealed that interparental conflict predicted less favorable SR in most evaluated domains. This association was mediated by adolescents’ perceptions of (a) support in the mother–adolescent relationship, related to instrumental, social, emotional, physical appearance, and intelligence SR; (b) negative interactions in the mother–adolescent relationship, related to instrumental and physical appearance SR; (c) support in the father–adolescent relationship, related to social and physical appearance SR; and (d) negative interactions in the father–adolescent relationship, related to instrumental SR. This study emphasizes the relevance of interparental conflict and adolescents’ perceptions of their relationship with both parents in their SR construction. Practical implications point to promoting constructive conflict and improving parent–adolescent relationships.
- Friendship Quality and Mental Health of Youth in Residential Care: The Moderating Role of Individual and Contextual Variables.Publication . Calheiros, M M; Rodrigues, Ana Filipa; Camilo, Cláudia; Silva, CarlaBackground: Supportive relationships provide positive afect and a sense of belonging, which enable positive mental health outcomes. Objective: This study examines the association between the quality of the relationship of youth in Residential Care (RC) with their best friend and their mental health, considering the moderator role of gender and age and the context of friendship (in/outside RC) in these associations. Method: Participants were 752 youth (46.4% girls), aged 11–25 years (M=16.19, SD=2.25), and their main caregiver. Youth flled out the Network of Relationships Inventory to evaluate their relationship quality with their best friend through six conceptually distinct, though interrelated, dimensions (companionship, intimate self-disclosure, emotional support, satisfaction, confict and criticism), while their main residential caregiver completed the Child Behaviour Checklist (internalizing and externalizing problems). Results: Younger youth with higher levels of perceived emotional support have fewer internalizing problems, compared to older youth. Boys with higher perceived companionship are described as having lower levels of internalizing problems compared to girls. Girls with higher perceived intimate disclosure are described as having lower levels of internalizing problems, compared to boys. And girls with higher perceived confict are described as having higher levels of externalizing problems, compared to boys. Conclusions: The fndings add to existing evidence on the association between quality friendship relationships and youth’s mental health, by highlighting the moderating role of youth’s age and gender in that associations.
- Maltreatment and youth self-representations in residential care: The moderating role of individual and placement variablesPublication . Calheros, M. M.; Silva, Carla; Patrício, JoanaThe objective of this study was to explore the effects of previous maltreatment on current self-representations (i.e., the attributes used to describe oneself) of youth in residential care and the moderating role of gender, age, number of previous placements and length of placement in residential care. The sample was composed of 809 adolescents and youths in residential care. The youth completed the self-representation questionnaire for youths in residential care (SRQYRC). In order to analyze the impact of previous maltreatment on self-representation, retrospective accounts of previous maltreatment experiences were used, and a set of multiple regression analyses were conducted. Results of multiple regressions suggest previous experiences of maltreatment contribute to youth’s self-representations. Specifically, youth that experienced sexual abuse reported higher levels of negative self-representations (i.e., negative valence attributes, such as aggressive, sad, misfit, neglected) while youth that experienced physical and psychological abuse, emotional and educational maltreatment, and neglect in terms of physical provision reported less positive self-representations (i.e., positive valence attributes, such as nice, intelligent, cherished). Some of these associations were moderated by gender, age, number and length of placements in residential care. These results underline that the type of maltreatment has a differential impact on youth’s self-representation dimensions and that placement stability (i.e., without moving the youth other residential care placements), and the continuity of care in the same residential care unit may protect the self-representations of youth with previous experiences of abuse and neglect.
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