Portuguese Journal of Behavioral and Social Research

Maladaptive perfectionism and cognitive test anxiety in Brazilian undergraduates: The role of sex and age

2025-01-07T17:16:30+00:00

Aim: This study investigated the extent to which maladaptive perfectionism predicts cognitive test anxiety, while controlling for the effects of sex and age, in undergraduate students from the inland region of Piauí, Brazil. Method: A total of 224 undergraduate students from the city of Piripiri, Piauí (M_age = 24.48; SD = 6.14) participated in the study. Most were female (77.7%), enrolled in public institutions (70.1%), and mainly pursuing degrees in Pedagogy (37.6%), Chemistry (11.6%), and Law (8.9%). Participants completed the short version of the Almost Perfect Scale, the Cognitive Test Anxiety Scale, and a sociodemographic questionnaire. Results: Hierarchical multiple linear regression indicated that maladaptive perfectionism (β = 0.56; p < .001) and sex (β = -0.20; p < .001) were significant predictors of cognitive test anxiety, accounting for approximately 39% of the total variance. Conclusions: The results suggest that higher levels of maladaptive perfectionism are significantly associated with increased cognitive anxiety in evaluative contexts, particularly among female students. These findings highlight the need for future research exploring the underlying mechanisms of this association in university populations.

Validation of the Personalized Psychological Flexibility Index in a Portuguese sample

2025-05-10T11:37:12+00:00

Background: Psychological flexibility is essential for mental health, yet its assessment still lacks instruments suited to the Portuguese context. This study aimed to address that gap by validating an innovative instrument that integrates specific dimensions and presents robust evidence of reliability and validity, distinguishing it from existing measures. Aim: To validate the Personalized Psychological Flexibility Index (PPFI) for the Portuguese population by analyzing its factorial structure, internal consistency, item quality, test-retest reliability, and relationship with relevant variables. Method: A total of 368 participants aged between 18 and 62 (M = 25.44, SD = 9.50) completed an online protocol comprising sociodemographic questions and self-report instruments assessing psychological flexibility (PPFI and MPFI-24), values (ELS-9), psychological inflexibility (AAQ-II), and positive and negative affect (PANAS). The PPFI retest was conducted with 57 participants after a four-week interval. Results: Confirmatory factor analysis supported a hierarchical model with a higher-order factor (total score) and three lower-order factors (Avoidance, Acceptance, and Engagement), yielding acceptable fit indices. The PPFI demonstrated good reliability (α = 0.70) for both the total score and subfactors and strong test-retest reliability. It positively correlated with psychological flexibility (MPFI-24), personal values (ELS-9), and positive affect (PANAS-P) and negatively with experiential avoidance (AAQ-II) and negative affect (PANAS-N). Age and gender showed no significant correlation with the overall PPFI score. Conclusions: The PPFI proved to be a valid and reliable instrument for assessing psychological flexibility in Portuguese adults. Its validation contributes to evidence-based practice and is particularly relevant for research on the effectiveness of interventions promoting psychological flexibility.

The voice of women: Perceptions of obstetric violence in Southern Brazil

2025-05-03T14:05:41+00:00

Background: Obstetric violence is described as the imposition of hospital practices that disregard women’s autonomy during the childbirth process. Objective: To understand women's perceptions of obstetric violence in a municipality in southern Brazil. Method: This is a descriptive, qualitative study conducted between July and September 2024 with 20 women aged 18 years or older, who had given birth within the previous two years and were not in the puerperal period. Data collection was carried out through semi-structured interviews, which were audio-recorded, transcribed using Happyscribe software, and subjected to content analysis. Results: Three thematic categories emerged: perception of obstetric violence, false perception of non-obstetric violence, and satisfaction with adequate care. Participants’ narratives revealed dehumanizing practices, such as the Kristeller maneuver, pubic hair removal, food restriction, non-consensual interventions, and violations of autonomy during childbirth. Some women did not initially identify these practices as violent, reflecting a cultural normalization of unnecessary interventions. Conclusions: Obstetric violence is perpetuated by the normalization of abusive practices in hospital settings and by the lack of awareness regarding women's rights. Humanizing care is essential to reduce such practices, ensuring autonomy and respect for women's choices during childbirth.

Violence and health: Consequences of homophobic and transphobic hate crimes in Portugal

2025-05-03T10:29:26+00:00

Violence against sexual and gender diversity is a present reality worldwide reaching all social subjects independent of their Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, Gender Expressions and/or Sexual Characteristics – OIEC. This still poorly investigated phenomenon has advanced in recent years with the growth of hate discourse against all social subjects threatening and/or rupturing with heteronormativity in society, causing numerous consequences and aggravates the health of their direct and indirect victims. This paper focuses on the analysis of the consequences of homotransphobic violences against sexual and gender diversity in Portugal, through the study of officials of the officials in the Public Safety Forces and the Judiciary Police Office, among the PJ, among the years 2015 and 2020. The study in question reviews 29 reports/news records, documents with records of complaints of Criminal Criminal Investigation Departments Surveys – DIAPs across national territory. The investigation stands out as the first mapping of official hate crime cases with homophobic and/or transphobic motivations in Portugal. It consists of a descriptive and documentary study of qualitative character using content analysis, in the embodiment of thematic categorization of Bardin (2016). Major results show that most homotransphobic hate crimes are cyber-crimes and cyberbullying with unknown, disknowledge and underreported authorships, featuring diverse types and natures of violence with serious consequences of physical, psychological, economic and social character, directly compromising health and the welfare of their victims.

Living and working conditions of penitentiary security agents in the Amazonian context

2025-03-27T16:38:19+00:00

Background: Prison work is associated with intense physical, emotional, and social demands and is internationally recognized as a high-risk occupation with significant psychosocial vulnerability. In the Amazonian context, these challenges are further exacerbated by institutional precariousness and structural inequalities. Objectives: To understand, from the perspective of prison workers themselves, the living and working conditions of prison security agents in Santarém, Pará, and to analyze the impacts of this experience on their physical, mental, and relational health. Methods: This exploratory, descriptive, and qualitative study was conducted with 33 prison officers from two correctional facilities. Data were collected through focus groups and analyzed using Bardin's content analysis, supported by NVivo 11 Pro Student software. Results: The findings revealed adverse working conditions, including functional overload, institutional insecurity, and inadequate infrastructure. Narratives showed evidence of physical and mental suffering, rigid professional identity, familial and social repercussions, and gender inequalities. Coping strategies included emotional support from family members and the role of spirituality. Conclusions: The study highlights the urgent need for institutional policies that recognize occupational suffering as a collective phenomenon and promote comprehensive care and professional recognition within the prison system.

Clinical empathy and physicians’ compassion satisfaction: Analysis of potential mediators

2025-01-16T13:53:09+00:00

Background: Clinical empathy is an intrinsic attribute of the medical profession and is associated with greater physicians’ compassion satisfaction levels. However, little is known about the potentially modifiable mechanisms underlying this relationship. Aim: This study aimed to analyze the direct and indirect effects of clinical empathy on physicians’ compassion satisfaction via the quality of therapeutic relationships and barriers to compassion. Method: A sample of 222 physicians, collected exclusively online, completed a set of self-report instruments. Direct and indirect effects were analyzed using structural equation modeling. Results: Clinical empathy was moderately and positively correlated with the quality of therapeutic relationships and compassion satisfaction, and negatively correlated with barriers to compassion. An indirect effect of clinical empathy on compassion satisfaction was observed through the quality of therapeutic relationships (b = .05, 95% IC [.02; .10]) and barriers to compassion (b = .02, 95% IC [.01; .05]). The model explained around 31% of the variability in compassion satisfaction levels. Conclusions: Higher levels of empathy among physicians may lead to greater compassion satisfaction through better quality of therapeutic relationships and lower perceived barriers to compassion. Intervention programs targeting these mechanisms might increase positive mental health in these professionals.

Behavior analysts and COVID-19: A review of empirical and conceptual publications

2025-04-24T17:26:38+00:00

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic emphasized the need for behavioral interventions in public health. Behavior analysts worldwide responded with research and practical strategies to address emerging challenges, particularly related to prevention, telehealth, and mental health. Objective: This narrative review aimed to identify, organize, and synthesize behavior-analytic publications on the COVID-19 pandemic, thereby improving access to and use of this knowledge. Method: The review included theoretical, basic, and applied studies published in Portuguese or English, available online without date restrictions. Sources were limited to peer-reviewed journals in behavior analysis. Results: A total of 272 documents were screened, and 62 met the inclusion criteria. These publications addressed five key domains: the adaptation of services to telehealth, promotion of safety and prevention behaviors, general mental health, social and domestic contexts, and research proposals. Most studies emphasized remote service delivery and the implementation of protective health behaviors. Conclusions: The findings demonstrate that behavior analysts made timely and relevant contributions during the pandemic, particularly by adapting clinical practices and promoting behavioral adherence to public health guidelines. These insights highlight the importance of behavioral science in shaping crisis responses and indicate promising avenues for future research and intervention.

Between tears and struggles: The Role of organizations in combating domestic violence

2025-01-23T11:02:00+00:00

Background: Domestic violence, an expression of gender inequality that permeates both private and public spheres, has significant repercussions on family and organizational environments. Experiences related to violence can cause psychological distress, compromising concentration and decision-making abilities, which are essential for any professional activity. Objective: This study aimed to systematize the literature on the role of organizations in addressing domestic violence, integrating empirical evidence into a theoretical framework and a research agenda. Method: Initially, a bibliometric review was conducted using the Scopus database with the support of VOSviewer software. Subsequently, based on the 4W’s model, a systematic literature review was carried out through the Scopus and Web of Science databases. Results: A growing trend in scholarly production on the topic has been identified in recent years, particularly in international publications, with emphasis on the multidimensional impacts of domestic violence on workers’ well-being and occupational performance, including physical, psychological, and emotional symptoms. Conclusions: The findings highlight the urgency of proactive organizational measures and the implementation of targeted policies to address domestic violence, underscoring the workplace as a critical setting for social support and assistance to victims. This analysis contributes to developing a theoretical framework and a research agenda focused on the effectiveness of corporate actions against domestic violence.

Guidelines for integrative reviews in psychology

2024-11-14T18:49:28+00:00

Background: Integrative Review is a systematic literature review method that enables comprehensive analysis and synthesis of theoretical and empirical research using different methodologies. The literature highlights the need to establish minimum guidelines during its construction due to a lack of consensus among researchers in implementing the method. Objective: The aim is to present a precise systematization of all necessary and sufficient steps to conduct an Integrative Review. Method: To this end, an analysis of the items reported as necessary for constructing systematic reviews in the PRISMA protocol was carried out, as well as their adequacy to the Integrative Review method and steps presented in psychology studies. Results: It was concluded that two items were adequate, 16 items were partially adequate with modifications, nine items were not satisfactory, and one item was developed and added. At the end, a checklist with 15 items was constructed and presented with examples of the expected reports for each item developed. Conclusion: It was concluded that the Integrative Review method has its characteristics. This study will likely help reduce the disparity found in the field involving Integrative Reviews in Psychology and help promote the replication and extension of research.

Resilience in people living with HIV: An integrative literature review

2025-03-13T11:56:32+00:00

Background: People living with HIV (PLHIV) face significant psychosocial adversities that can compromise their well-being. Resilience has been investigated as a key process in fostering positive adaptation to these challenges. Aim: To conduct an integrative literature review on resilience in PLHIV, identifying the conceptual frameworks used, risk and protective factors, and psychosocial adjustment indicators examined. Method: A comprehensive search was performed in the PUBMED, PsycINFO, SciELO, LILACS, PePSIC, and Index Psi databases for articles published between 2014 and 2023. Empirical studies with an explicit focus on resilience in the context of HIV were included. Results: Thirty-three studies were analyzed. Main risk factors identified included stigma in its various forms, structural inequalities, mental health disorders, and barriers to care. Protective factors included social support, religiosity, active coping strategies, access to health services, and awareness of rights. Resilience was associated with improved mental health, enhanced quality of life, and greater adherence to treatment. Conclusions: Resilience in PLHIV is a dynamic and context-sensitive process, influenced by multiple ecological levels. Understanding its mechanisms is essential for designing clinical interventions and public health policies that promote well-being and equity.