ULHT/HEI-Lab - Artigos de Revistas Internacionais com Arbitragem Científica

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Predictors of higher education dropout intention in the post-pandemic era : The mediating role of academic exhaustion
(Public Library of Science, 2025-07-08) GONZALEZ, BARBARA ISABEL DINIZ; MENDES, TERESA PAULA GAMEIRO POMPEU; Pinto, Ricardo José Martins; Correia, Sónia Vladimira; Albuquerque, Sara; Paulino, Ana Paula Oliveira; HEI-LAB - Human Environment Interaction Lab; CIDEFES - Research group in Sports behavior, Physical Education, and Exercise and Health Sciences
Introduction The phenomenon of dropout in higher education needs the acknowledging of its multi-domain complexity. In the post-pandemic era, exhaustion may be a relevant feature affecting students. This cross-sectional study aimed primarily to test a predictive model of five domains of variables (background, academic, social, psychological, and economic) on dropout intention, in a relation mediated by academic exhaustion. Secondarily, it aimed to assess the structural invariance of this model across working status (working vs. non-working students) and residence status (living away from family’s residence vs. living in family residence). If these groups are differently affected by dropout determinants, specific dropout prevention measures should be implemented. Method A stratified sample of 1402 Portuguese university students aged between 19 and 45 years (M=22.87, SD=3.64), selected through a convenience quota method, was assessed for background, academic, social, psychological, and economic variables using self-report instruments. Structural equation modelling was used. Results The predictive model explained 51% of the variance in dropout intention. Academic exhaustion was the stronger predictor (β=0.523, p<.001), followed by social connecteness to the campus (β=−31, p<.001), vocational difficulties (β=0.274, p<.001), and course value (β=−0.256, p<.001). Except for the course value, and family educational level, all significant predictors had their effect on dropout intention through academic exhaustion. The model was invariant across working and residence status. Discussion This study shows the relevance of students’ academic exhaustion experiences as a pathway through which different types of factors exert their influence on students´ dropout intentions. The invariance of the predictive model of dropout intention across different groups points the robustness of the model and the relevance of the integrated variables. The results emphasize the importance of student´s individual factors (e.g., academic exhaustion, lack of fit with the course) in dropout decisions, also stressing the role of academic institutions and of the education system in addressing this phenomenon, concerning academic workload, vocational orientation, social environment, and financing.
Prevalence of autism spectrum disorder in children in the Azores Islands (Portugal) : sociodemographic and clinical profile
(Springer, 2025-06-17) Dias, Ana Rita Conde; Mota, Pilar; Botelho , Tânia; Caldeira, Suzana Nunes; Rego, Isabel Estrela; Silva, Osvaldo; Toledo de Sousa , Áurea; Freitas , Carina; HEI-LAB - Human Environment Interaction Lab
Prevalence studies are essential to provide objective indicators about Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and are a source of information for public policies. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of ASD among children in the Azores Islands (Portugal). Administrative data on the number of children with a proven diagnosis of ASD were collected from all schools. Parents completed a questionnaire about the child’s sociodemographic characteristics, the diagnostic process, and clinical history. The overall prevalence of ASD in the Azores region was 9.92 per 1000 children, approximately equivalent to 1% (0.99). The prevalence of ASD in the Azores seems to be higher when compared with the global rate in Portugal, as well as with other regions of Europe. There appears to be a concentration of children with ASD in the region, and the results appear to support the hypothesis of a heritable predisposition to ASD.
Towards cyberbullying detection : building, benchmarking and longitudinal analysis of aggressiveness and conflicts/attacks datasets from Twitter
(Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc., 2024-12-16) Ferreira, Paula; Pereira, Nadia; Rosa, Hugo; Oliveira, Sofia; Coheur, Luisa; Francisco, Sofia; Souza, Sidclay; Ribeiro, Ricardo; Carvalho, Joao P.; Paulino, Paula; Trancoso, Isabel; Veiga-Simao, Ana Margarida; HEI-LAB - Human Environment Interaction Lab
Offense and hate speech are a source of online conflicts which have become common in social media and, as such, their study is a growing topic of research in machine learning and natural language processing. This article presents two Portuguese language offense-related datasets that deepen the study of the subject: an Aggressiveness dataset and a Conflicts/Attacks dataset. While the former is similar to other offense detection related datasets, the latter constitutes a novelty due to the use of the history of the interaction between users. Several studies were carried out to construct and analyze the data in the datasets. The first study included gathering expressions of verbal aggression witnessed by adolescents to guide data extraction for the datasets. The second study included extracting data from Twitter (in Portuguese) that matched the most frequent expressions/words/sentences that were identified in the previous study. The third study consisted in the development of the Aggressiveness dataset, the Conflicts/Attacks dataset, and classification models. In our fourth study, we proposed to examine whether online aggression and conflicts/attacks revealed any trend changes over time with a sample of 86 adolescents. With this study, we also proposed to investigate whether the amount of tweets sent over a period of 273 days was related to online aggression and conflicts/attacks. Lastly, we analyzed the percentage of participants who participated in the aggressions and/or attacks/conflicts.
History of mental health problems moderates the association between partner support during childbirth and women's mental health in the postpartum period
(Churchill Livingstone, 2025-05) Tavares, Daniela; Fidalgo, Daniela; Sousa, Matilde; Morais, Ana; Jongenelen, Inês; Lamela, Diogo; Alves, Stephanie; Costa, Raquel; Pinto, Tiago Miguel; HEI-LAB - Human Environment Interaction Lab
Background: Partner support during childbirth is an important protective factor for women's perinatal mental health. However, its protective role in women experiencing vulnerabilities is largely unknown, namely in those with history of mental health problems. Aim: This study analysed (1) the association between partner support during childbirth and depressive, anxiety, and childbirth-related post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms in the postpartum period; and (2) the moderating role of previous diagnosis of mental health problems in those associations. Design: Cross-sectional study with 284 women. Methods: At 2 months postpartum, participants reported on sociodemographic, obstetric, and mental health-related data, partner support during childbirth, and depressive (Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale), anxiety (State Anxiety Inventory), and childbirth-related post-traumatic stress disorder (City Birth Trauma Scale) symptoms. Findings: More partner support during childbirth was associated with lower depressive, anxiety, and childbirth-related post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms. Previous diagnosis of mental health problems was associated with higher depressive, anxiety, and childbirth-related post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms and moderated the association between partner support during childbirth and depressive and anxiety symptoms. Higher partner support during childbirth was associated with lower depressive and anxiety symptoms, only in women without a previous diagnosis of mental health problems. Discussion: Findings suggest that partner support during childbirth can be a protective factor for women's postpartum mental health, particularly for women without a previous diagnosis of mental health problems. However, for those with a previous diagnosis of mental health problems, this support was not associated with symptoms. Conclusion: Women with a history of mental health problems may require additional support beyond that provided by their partners to prevent or mitigate postpartum mental health problems.
Exploring Hypersexuality Pathways From Eye Movements : The Role of (Sexual) Impulsivity
(Oxford University Press, 2021-09) Carvalho, Joana; Rosa, Pedro J.; Štulhofer, Aleksandar; HEI-LAB (FCT) - Digital Laboratories for Environments and Human Interactions
Background: Impulsivity is regarded as a key factor underpinning hypersexuality like-conditions. However, impulsivity is a multifaceted construct, and existing research has not been capturing such complexity, which includes the effects of domain-general and domain-specific impulsivity in hypersexuality. Aim: The aim of this study was to test the predictive role of specific impulsivity domains, ie, domain-general and domain-specific, in hypersexuality and its associated consequences. Methods: Fifty-five men and 58 women went through an emotional Go/-no-Go task (including sexual, high-valence positive, and neutral pictures), aimed at capturing domain-general and domain-specific impulsivity. Ocular metrics were further considered in order to increase the validity of the experimental task, and provide a metric of attention capturing. The study was carried out in a community sample. Outcomes: Self-reported (general)impulsivity and commission errors toward high-valence positive and sexual pictures (signaling domain-general and domain-specific impulsivity, respectively) were settled as independent variables, along with Time to First Fixation to stimuli, capturing early/uncontrolled attention. Scores on hypersexuality and negative consequences emerging from hypersexual behavior were settled as outcome variables. Results: Self-reported (general)impulsivity was the only predictor of hypersexuality scores, while negative consequences were best accounted by higher fixation time to sexual pictures. In all, findings did not support the role of domain-specific impulsivity (ie, sexual impulsivity) in hypersexuality. Clinical Translation: Findings tentatively suggest that hypersexuality, as captured at the community level, may be best positioned within the general spectrum of psychopathology, thus influencing educational and clinical intervention protocols aimed at addressing hypersexuality related complaints. Protocols would be expected to primarily target general psychopathology phenomena, rather than specific sexual aspects. Strengths & Limitations: This study implemented an innovative approach to capture different impulsivity domains, thus adding to previous literature in the field. However, the current study precludes the generalization of findings to clinical samples, where psychological comorbidities are expected to impact results. Further, findings must be read with caution given to limited effect sizes. Conclusion: While hypersexuality was related to self-reported (general) impulsivity, findings on the negative consequences associated with hypersexual behavior mirrored response patterns found in depression. Such evidence aligns with the assumption that hypersexuality related phenomena might be better positioned in the psychopathology domain, rather than simply framed as a specific sexual problem. Carvalho J, Rosa PJ, Štulhofer A. Exploring Hypersexuality Pathways From Eye Movements: The Role of (Sexual) Impulsivity. J Sex Med 2021;18:1607–1614.
O papel mediador da autorrevelação sexual na relação entre a expressão de sentimentos e a satisfação sexual em adultos heterossexuais
(Konrad Lorenz Editores, 2019) Pascoal, Patrícia M.; Lopes, Catarina R.; Rosa, E. Pedro J.; HEI-LAB (FCT) - Digital Laboratories for Environments and Human Interactions
O objetivo de deste estudo foi testar um modelo de mediação da expressão de sentimentos e a satisfação sexual via autorrevelação, enquanto processo, é uma variável mediadora significativa da associação entre a expressão de sentimentos e a satisfação sexual. A amostra deste estudo foi constituída por 564 participantes (370 mulheres, 65,60%), cisgénero, heterossexuais, numa relação diádica de exclusividade e compromisso. Foram testados dois modelos: um modelo de mediação simples e um modelo de mediação moderada, sendo este último usado para testa a influência do género no modelo de mediação. Os resultados demonstraram que, globalmente, homens e mulheres apresentaram valores médios idênticos na autorrevelação sexual e satisfação sexual; se contudo, na expressão de sentimentos, as mulheres apresentaram valores significativamente superiores. A expressão de sentimentos revelou-se uma variável preditora significativa da satisfação sexual e a autorrevelação sexual como uma variável parcialmente mediadora do modelo. No entanto, o género não modera a expressão de sentimentos e a autorrevelação. O presente estudo demonstra que a expressão de sentimentos e a autorrevelação sexual são importantes aspetos da satisfação sexual de ambos os géneros.
Does caffeine matter for arousal? Affective and autonomic responses induced by caffeine in coffee intake: evidence from a double-blind tasting task
(Edições Universitárias Lusófonas, 2021-03-26) Rodrigues, Fernando; Diogo, Julien; Rodrigues, Carla; Figueira, Cláudia; Rosa, Pedro Joel; HEI-LAB (FCT) - Digital Laboratories for Environments and Human Interactions
Coffee is consumed worldwide, but there are different types of espresso blends, each with its unique concentration of caffeine, which can have different effects on the human being. The aim of this study was to understand the effect of the impact of caffeine on the autonomic nervous system, evaluating the physiological changes and subjective responses due to different levels of caffeine intake. A double-blind tasting task consisting of one within-subject factor design (caffeine level: high / double caffeine mixture (blend A) vs single-charge caffeine mixture (blend B) vs low-caffeine mixture (blend c) allowed us to assess participants’ autonomic responses using Heart Rate Variability (HRV) and Pupillary Reactivity (PR). Arousal was also assessed through the Self-Assessment Manikin (SAM). Results revealed statistically significant differences in HRV and PR between coffee blends, showing the blend A,a more pronounced autonomic response that blend C. However, no significant differences were found in arousal level among coffee blends. These results are similar to previous research that pointed out to a discordance between subjective and objective measures when caffeine is consumed.
Is pupil activity associated with the strength of memory signal for words in a continuous recognition memory paradigm?
(Frontiers Media SA, 2021-11-23) Oliveira, Jorge; Fernandes, Marta; Rosa, Pedro J.; Gamito, Pedro; HEI-LAB (FCT) - Digital Laboratories for Environments and Human Interactions
Research on pupillometry provides an increasing evidence for associations between pupil activity and memory processing. The most consistent finding is related to an increase in pupil size for old items compared with novel items, suggesting that pupil activity is associated with the strength of memory signal. However, the time course of these changes is not completely known, specifically, when items are presented in a running recognition task maximizing interference by requiring the recognition of the most recent items from a sequence of old/new items. The sample comprised 42 healthy participants who performed a visual word recognition task under varying conditions of retention interval. Recognition responses were evaluated using behavioral variables for discrimination accuracy, reaction time, and confidence in recognition decisions. Pupil activity was recorded continuously during the entire experiment. The results suggest a decrease in recognition performance with increasing study-test retention interval. Pupil size decreased across retention intervals, while pupil old/new effects were found only for words recognized at the shortest retention interval. Pupillary responses consisted of a pronounced early pupil constriction at retrieval under longer study-test lags corresponding to weaker memory signals. However, the pupil size was also sensitive to the subjective feeling of familiarity as shown by pupil dilation to false alarms (new items judged as old). These results suggest that the pupil size is related not only to the strength of memory signal but also to subjective familiarity decisions in a continuous recognition memory paradigm.
Ocular fixations modulate audiovisual semantic congruency when standing in an upright position
(Konrad Lorenz Editores, 2021-06-02) Rodríguez-Martínez, Guillermo; Castillo-Parra, Henry; Rosa, Pedro J.; Marroquín-Ciendúa, Fernando; HEI-LAB (FCT) - Digital Laboratories for Environments and Human Interactions
Introduction: Multisensory audiovisual semantic congruency is the process by which visual information is perceived as integrated to auditory stimuli, because both coincide in terms of simultaneity and semantic correspondence. This study was aimed at establishing whether visual percepts, which semantically correspond to auditory stimuli, are associated with ocular fixations in modulating bottom-up areas while keeping a body posture alignment between the up-direction and the idiotropic axes, as well as in another orientation corresponding to a vectorial opposition between the up-direction and the head idiotropic axis. Method: Two groups (one for each position) were selected from a sample of 88 people. A bistable image was presented on a screen of a fixed 120 Hz eye-tracker device, providing background auditory stimuli so as to establish semantic congruencies and their relations to ocular fixations. Results: It was found that audiovisual semantic congruency is associated with fixations when idiotropic vectors are aligned with the up direction. Fixations manifested in bottom-up modulating areas are not associated with multisensory audiovisual semantic congruency when the head idiotropic vector is parallel with the gravity vector. Eye fixations decrease significantly if the head idiotropic axis is aligned with the gravity vector. Conclusion: It is concluded that body position can affect visual perceptual processes involved in the occurrence of semantic congruency.
The update of semantic memories in amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment
(wiley, 2021) Mendonça, Alexandre de; Cardoso, Sandra; Maroco, João; Guerreiro, Manuela; Carmo, Joana Costa; HEI-LAB (FCT) - Digital Laboratories for Environments and Human Interactions
It is still controversial to what extent neocortical consolidated memories are susceptible of change by processes of reconsolidation and transformation throughout experience, and whether the medial temporal lobes are necessary for this update of semantic consolidated memories, as they are for episodic remembering. We hypothesise that patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) who have deficits in episodic memory may also have difficulties in updating information on added new features of objects. Sixteen participants with aMCI and 20 healthy control participants performed a semantic Word-to-Picture task, in which they were asked to identify as belonging to a given semantic category NEW objects, that have incorporated novel features, as well as OLD items, semantically and visually SIMILAR items and UNRELATED items. Patients with aMCI made a greater percentage of errors than healthy controls. Participants globally made greater percentages of errors in difficult types of items, namely NEW and SIMILAR, as compared to easier ones, OLD and UNRELATED. Importantly, an item by diagnostic group interaction effect was observed, and post hoc analysis showed that patients with aMCI made a higher percentage of errors than controls in NEW items only. In conclusion, patients with aMCI had a particular difficulty in identifying the NEW items of the Word-to-Picture task as compared to the control participants, supporting the concept of a flexible and dynamic conceptual knowledge system, involving the update of semantic memories and the integration of new attributes in a constant transformation process, which is impaired in these patients. Keywords: Mild Cognitive Impairment; memory transformation account; semantic system; semantic update
Special issue. Places and human behaviour: from local to global — PSICAMB 2017 / XIV Conference on Environmental Psychology
(SAGE Publications Inc., 2020) Loureiro, Ana Luisa Cardoso Marques Teixeira; Bernardo, Maria de Fátima Campos; HEI-LAB (FCT) - Digital Laboratories for Environments and Human Interactions
This special issue publishes a selection of works presented at the XIV Conference on Environmental Psychology, held in Évora in June 2017, under the auspices of PSICAMBAsociación de Psicología Ambiental
Pupil dilation reflects the authenticity of received nonverbal vocalizations
(Nature Publishing Group, 2021-12) Cosme, Gonçalo; Rosa, Pedro J.; Lima, César F.; Tavares, Vânia; Scott, Sophie; Chen, Sinead; Wilcockson, Thomas D.W.; Crawford, Trevor J.; Prata, Diana; HEI-LAB (FCT) - Digital Laboratories for Environments and Human Interactions
The ability to infer the authenticity of other’s emotional expressions is a social cognitive process taking place in all human interactions. Although the neurocognitive correlates of authenticity recognition have been probed, its potential recruitment of the peripheral autonomic nervous system is not known. In this work, we asked participants to rate the authenticity of authentic and acted laughs and cries, while simultaneously recording their pupil size, taken as proxy of cognitive efort and arousal. We report, for the frst time, that acted laughs elicited higher pupil dilation than authentic ones and, reversely, authentic cries elicited higher pupil dilation than acted ones. We tentatively suggest the lack of authenticity in others’ laughs elicits increased pupil dilation through demanding higher cognitive efort; and that, reversely, authenticity in cries increases pupil dilation, through eliciting higher emotional arousal. We also show authentic vocalizations and laughs (i.e. main efects of authenticity and emotion) to be perceived as more authentic, arousing and contagious than acted vocalizations and cries, respectively. In conclusion, we show new evidence that the recognition of emotional authenticity can be manifested at the level of the autonomic nervous system in humans. Notwithstanding, given its novelty, further independent research is warranted to ascertain its psychological meaning.
Spiritual Intelligence Self-Assessment Inventory : Psychometric properties of the Portuguese version of SISRI-24
(Routledge, 2018-01-02) Antunes, Roque R.; Silva, Ana Paula; Oliveira, Jorge; CeiED - Interdisciplinary Research Centre for Education and Development; HEI-LAB - Human Environment Interaction Lab
Spiritual intelligence has gained increasing importance as an academic construct in the field of psychology. We present the psychometric properties for the Portuguese adaptation of the Spiritual Intelligence Self-Report Inventory-24, SISRI-24. The exploratory analysis showed a factorial structure different from the original scale, comprising three factors instead of four as in the original version, in which “Transcendental Awareness” was removed. The confirmatory factorial analysis revealed adjustment to a three-factor model for the Portuguese version. The main indexes of adjustment are generally better than the original four-factor version, suggesting the adequacy of this solution for the Portuguese population. The analysis with the convergent measures (SWBQ and MPWQ) provides evidence of the construct’s validity and criterion. The results are promising, allowing us to proceed with the uses of this tool for measuring spiritual intelligence, which may, however, be improved in the future.
Perceptual reversals and time-response analyses within the scope of decoding a bistable image
(Centro Interamericano de Investigaciones Psicologicas y Ciencias Afines, 2022) Rodríguez-Martínez, Guillermo; Marroquín-Ciendúa, Fernando; Rosa, Pedro J.; Castillo-Parra, Henry; HEI-LAB - Human Environment Interaction Lab
A bistable image admits two possible interpretations, so that the observer can recognize the two percepts, but never at the same time. The alternations between percepts are called “perceptual reversals”. When the observer’s position is different from the upright position, the ability to make perceptual alternations may be impaired. Besides, the recognition of the percepts of a bistable image can be a complex reaction time visual task, if it involves recognizing two different conceptual units, added to the fact of having to make a subsequent report. A visual task was performed by 88 people in order to establish whether the perception of Boring’s bistable image My girlfriend or my mother-in-law is associated with areas that condition its interpretation. It was assumed that decoding the image and reporting the perceived percept implied a complex reaction time. The task itself was done in front of a fixed 120 Hz eye-tracker, in two opposite body positions. Analyses were made reviewing the association of the percepts with bottom-up modulation areas of the image, and considering ocular fixations made 200 and 250 milliseconds before the time of the report. The records of these fixations were obtained so as to establish which of the two reaction times (200 ms or 250 ms) was involved in the bottom-up modulation process from the moment of ocular fixation to the reports given by the participants. It was concluded that perceptual reversals decrease significantly when head idiotropic axis points in the gravity vector direction, in comparison to the upright position. Likewise, associations between visual percepts and bottom-up modulating areas of the image were found when analyses were done by considering ocular fixations made 250 ms before the moment of the report. Interpreting Boring’s bistable image implies a complex visual task in accordance with the results obtained.
Moving from VR into AR using Bio-Cybernetic Loops and Physiological Sensory Devices for Intervention on Anxiety Disorders
(Springer London, 2023-03) Arquissandás, Preyesse; Oliveira, Jorge; Lamas, David Ribeiro; HEI-LAB - Human Environment Interaction Lab; ECATI - School of Communication, Architecture, Arts and Information Technologies
Anxiety disorders comprise different clinical conditions that affect individuals in their personal, professional and social domains. The development of new intervention approaches for the treatment of anxiety disorders is crucial. As a step forward into promoting the well-being through adaptive physiological responses, we developed an Augmented Reality (AR) based system using bio-cybernetic loops to create an adaptive system for exposure therapy in anxiety disorders. The system was built using open source software (e.g., NyARToolkit, and Unity 3D). AR technology uses computer-generated information to enrich the real world. It can be used with less intrusive devices to collect physiological data (e.g., Bitalino) describing human behavior in a cycle. In this context our research project aims to study behavior during exposure to biologically relevant stimuli such as snakes. Phobia is described as an irrational fear to an object/stimulus. This fear triggers several physiological responses from sensors as increased heart rate (ECG) and skin conductance (EDA), which are responses from the autonomous nervous system. This approach can be used in several sessions, where the system through machine learning algorithms adapts the tresholds to the individual profile of each participant from historical data. Our study has been carried out in two stages: (1) The participants in a total of 35 students (30 males and 5 females with ages ranging from 19 to 29 years) were invited to fill a snake questionnaire (SNAQ). (2) A sub-sample was enrolled in an exposure session in AR using a virtual snake while collecting psychophysiological responses from sensors data. The results have shown increased physiological responses in two AR exposure sessions using snakes as stimuli. Therefore we conclude that the system was efficient to detect changes in physiological responses during the exposure sessions.
Virtual reality-based cognitive stimulation on people with mild to moderate dementia due to alzheimer’s disease : a pilot randomized controlled trial
(Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI), 2021-05-02) Oliveira, Jorge; Gamito, Pedro; Souto, Maria Teresa Soares; Dias, Ana Rita Conde; Ferreira, Maria; Corotnean, Tatiana; Fernandes, Adriano; Silva, Henrique; Neto, Teresa; HEI-LAB - Human Environment Interaction Lab
The use of ecologically oriented approaches with virtual reality (VR) depicting instrumen-tal activities of daily living (IADL) is a promising approach for intervention on acquired brain inju-ries. However, results of such an approach on dementia caused by Alzheimer’s disease (AD) are still lacking. This research reports on a pilot randomized controlled trial that aims to explore the effect of cognitive stimulation reproducing several IADL in VR on people with mild to moderate dementia caused by AD. Patients are being recruited from residential care homes of Santa Casa da Misericórdia da Amadora (SCMA) which is a relevant non-profit social and healthcare provider in Portugal. This intervention lasts 2 months with a total of 10 sessions (2 sessions/week). Neuropsy-chological assessment is carried out at baseline and follow-up using established neuropsychological instruments for assessing memory, attention and executive functions. The sample consisted of 17 patients of both genders randomly assigned to the experimental and control groups. The prelimi-nary results show an improvement in the overall cognitive function in the experimental group, which suggest this approach to be effective for neurocognitive stimulation for older adults with dementia, contributing to maintain cognitive function in AD.
Attitudes of Police recruits towards offenders : the impact of the Police training on attitudinal change
(Springer Verlag, 2022-03) Cunha, Olga; Carvalho, Filipa; de Castro Rodrigues, Andreia; Cruz, Ana Rita; Gonçalves, Rui Abrunhosa; HEI-LAB - Human Environment Interaction Lab
The traditional prevailing perspectives on attitudes assume that attitudes, once formed, are relatively stable over time. However, research has revealed that attitudes may be influenced by different factors that may change them. The present pre-post-test study aims to understand if the police recruits’ attitudes towards offenders change after police training and analyse the impact of sociodemographic and personality variables on recruits’ attitudes towards offenders. The Attitude Scale towards Offenders (ATO) and the NEO-FFI Personality Inventory were used in a sample of 74 recruits of a Portuguese Police Force at the beginning and the end of the police training program. Results revealed that, at the end of the training, recruits hold more negative attitudes towards offenders. Those who had previous professional experience in the army hold more positive attitudes, but only at the beginning of the training. Only attitudes towards offenders at the beginning of the police training program predict recruits’ attitudes towards offenders at the end of the training. These results emphasize the importance of initial and continuous training of recruits and police officers.
A home-based individual cognitive stimulation program for older adults with cognitive impairment : a randomized controlled trial
(Frontiers Media SA, 2021-11-22) Silva, Rosa; Bobrowicz-Campos, Elzbieta; Santos-Costa, Paulo; Cruz, Ana Rita; Apóstolo, João; HEI-LAB - Human Environment Interaction Lab
Objective: This study aims to assess the feasibility and meaningfulness of a home-based individual cognitive stimulation (iCS) program delivered by caregivers to persons with cognitive impairment (PwCIs). It also aims to assess whether the older adults receiving this program improved their cognitive, neuropsychiatric, and depressive symptoms and quality of life and whether their caregivers improved their mental and physical health. Methods: A randomized controlled trial (RCT) was conducted with PwCI-caregiver dyads recruited from the community. Participants were allocated to two groups: intervention (n = 28) and control (n = 24). The intervention group received the European Portuguese version of the Individual Cognitive Stimulation Program—Making a Difference 3 (MD3-P). The control group received usual care. The iCS therapy program was implemented three times a week for 12 weeks. Caregivers were supported by the researchers to deliver the sessions at home. Participants were assessed at baseline and at the end of the intervention (week 13). Feasibility and meaningfulness were assessed through the attrition rate, adherence, and degree of satisfaction with the sessions. Four interviews were conducted (after week 13) to understand participants’ experiences. Results: The attrition rate was 23.1%. The dyads reported that they did not have high expectations about the iCS program before starting the study. Nevertheless, as the program evolved, caregivers noted that their family members had improved some areas of functioning. Intention-to-treat analysis based on group differences revealed a significant improvement in PwCIs’ cognition, specifically in their orientation and ability to follow commands. The intervention had no impact on other variables such as caregivers’ physical and mental health. Conclusion: The iCS program implemented by caregivers showed promising results in improving PwCIs’ cognition. The participants who completed the intervention attributed a positive meaning to the MD3-P, confirming it as a valid non-pharmacological therapeutic approach to reducing frailty in PwCIs in community settings. Clinical Trial Registration: www.ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier [NCT03514095].
“Everything is gonna be alright with me” : the role of self-compassion, affect, and coping in negative emotional symptoms during Coronavirus quarantine
(Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI), 2021-02-02) Beato, Ana Filipa; da Costa, Leonor Pereira; Nogueira, Rita; HEI-LAB - Human Environment Interaction Lab
Self-compassion has been associated with less distress, particularly when people face stressful and negative events. This study analyzed the mediation role of coping and affect in the relation between self-compassion and negative emotional symptoms during the quarantine decreed by Portuguese Health Authorities in the first phase of the coronavirus outbreak. A total of 428 Portuguese adults (75% women; Mage = 40.8, SD = 11.6) completed an online survey comprised by the Self-Compassion Scale (predictor); Short Version of Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (out-comes); The Positive and Negative Affect Schedule; and Brief-COPE. These instruments were adapted to COVID 19’s epidemic. Parallel mediation analyses demonstrated that self-compassion-ate participants were at less risk of suffering from symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress during the quarantine. Plus, the relation between self-compassion and depressive, anxious, and stress symptoms were mediated by negative affect and dysfunctional coping style, but only for symptoms of depression. The findings support coping strategies and affect as links between self-compassion and distress but also the importance of separately analyzing the role of self-compassion, negative affect, and coping on symptoms of anxiety, depression, and stress. Low self-compassion might increase negative affect, maintaining stress responses to face demanding events during the COVID-19 epidemic. Results were discussed in the context of the pandemic outbreak.
Environmental Action Scale: psychometric properties of the Portuguese version (Escala de Acciones Ambientales: propiedades psicométricas de la versión portuguesa) : psychometric properties of the Portuguese version (Escala de Acciones Ambientales: propiedades psicométricas de la versión portuguesa)
(SAGE Publications Inc., 2021) Carmona, Beatriz; Loureiro, Ana Luisa Cardoso Marques Teixeira; Aguilar-Luzón, M. Carmen; HEI-LAB - Human Environment Interaction Lab
The Environmental Action Scale (EAS) is an 18-item questionnaire designed to assess the degree of involvement in collective actions in favour of the environment. This scale is of interest for research in environmental domains, particularly the recent study of environmental activism. The main objective of this study is to contribute to the adaptation and validation of the Portuguese version of the EAS. The EAS Portuguese version — following its adaptation — was administered to a total of 346 participants. Confirmatory factor analysis revealed the two dimensions considered by the authors of the original version: participatory actions and leadership actions. In addition, evidence of validity was obtained based on the relationship with other variables such as environmental identity. In conclusion, the Portuguese version maintains the 18 items and replicates the two-factor structure, showing good psychometric properties.

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