Assessment of a Person's Emotional State Based on His or Her Posture Parameters.

This article is devoted to the study of the correlation between the emotional state of a person and the posture of his or her body in the sitting position. In order to carry out the study, we developed the first version of the hardware-software system based on a posturometric armchair, allowing the characteristics of the posture of a sitting person to be evaluated using strain gauges. Using this system, we revealed the correlation between sensor readings and human emotional states. We showed that certain readings of a sensor group are formed for a certain emotional state of a person. We also found that the groups of triggered sensors, their composition, their number, and their location are related to the states of a particular person, which led to the need to build personalized digital pose models for each person. The intellectual component of our hardware-software complex is based on the concept of co-evolutionary hybrid intelligence. The system can be used during medical diagnostic procedures and rehabilitation processes, as well as in controlling people whose professional activity is connected with increased psycho-emotional load and can cause cognitive disorders, fatigue, and professional burnout and can lead to the development of diseases.

[Abilitest battery - psychometric properties: a preliminary study]. / Bateria testów abilitest ­ wlasnosci psychometryczne narzedzi: badania wstepne.

BACKGROUND: Cognitive efficiency is crucial for many areas of human activity. It affects the employees' efficiency and safety at the workplace. An important element of the prevention of accidents at work is the appropriate professional selection, which consists in checking the characteristics of candidates needed for a given position, and for this purpose, a psychological diagnosis is carried out. The aim of the study was to develop tools for cognitive diagnosis that are characterized by good psychometric properties. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Tools for the diagnosis of simple reaction time (Abili-time), choice reaction time (Abili-select), prolonged attention (Abili-space, Abili-digit), and working memory (Abili-langmem, Abili-mathmem) were developed. Validation studies were conducted with 221 individuals aged 20-60 to assess relevance and reliability (internal consistency and temporal stability), and with the participation of 61 in a retest 3 months after the first measurement. Paper tests (CTT, TUS, Digit Span from WAIS-R(PL)) and tests from the Vienna test system (RT, SIGNAL, CORSI, ALS) were used to assess validity. RESULTS: The analysis showed that the Abili-time and Abili-select tests have satisfactory internal consistency. Analysis of temporal stability showed significant test-retest correlations for Abili-select, Abili-space, Abili-digit and Abili-langmem. Abili-time had slightly lower temporal stability. The temporal stability of Abili-mathmem was not confirmed. Significant correlations were obtained between the results of the developed tools with measures measuring similar constructs. CONCLUSIONS: The conducted research confirms the validity and reliability of Abili-time, Abili-select and Abili-space. Further work is needed on working memory tests, which are noteworthy due to the lack of other tools available on the market to test these functions. Further research should involve more people as well as carrying out standardization work. Med Pr. 2023;74(2):103-18.

Heterogeneity of Cognitive Profiles in Children and Adolescents with Mild Intellectual Disability (MID).

Mild Intellectual Disability (MID) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that begins in childhood and is characterized by limitations in intellectual functioning (IQ = 55-69) and adaptive behavior that manifests in everyday living. In addition to these specific criteria, clinical practice shows that the population of children with MID has heterogeneous deficits in cognitive functioning. Thus, the aim of this study was to identify groups of homogenous cognitive profiles within a heterogeneous population of students with MID. The cognitive profiles of 16,411 participants with Mild Intellectual Disability were assessed based on their performance on the Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scales-Fifth Edition. Prior to the assessment, participants were divided into three age groups corresponding to the levels of the Polish education system: (1) 7;00-9;11, (2) 10;00-14;11, and (3) 15;00-18;11 years old. Using cluster analysis, we identified three distinct cognitive profiles (clusters) in each age group. These clusters differed from each other within and between each age group. Distinguishing cognitive profiles among children and adolescents with MID is important both in the context of diagnosis as well as the development of research-based interventions for these students.

Impact of the Norwegian Agreement for a More Inclusive Working Life on diagnosis-specific sickness absence in young adults: a difference-in-difference analysis.

BACKGROUND: The Norwegian Agreement for a More Inclusive Working Life (the IA Agreement) aims to reduce sickness absence (SA) and increase work participation. Potential impacts of the IA Agreement have not been thoroughly evaluated. The study aimed to estimate the impact of the IA Agreement on musculoskeletal and psychological SA prevalence and duration among young adult men and women, and to identify whether the impact was modified by economic activity or SA grade. METHODS: Data from national registries were combined for 372,199 individuals born in Norway 1967-1976. ICPC-2 codes identified musculoskeletal (L) and psychological (P) diagnoses. A difference-in-difference method compared prevalence and mean duration of first SA > 16 days between 2000 and 2005 separately for men and women working in IA companies relative to non-IA companies. Analyses were adjusted for mean company size and stratified by economic activity and SA grade (full/graded). Average marginal change was calculated with 95% confidence intervals (CI). RESULTS: The impacts of the IA Agreement on SA prevalence were mixed as the direction and size of marginal changes varied according to diagnosis, gender, and economic activity. However, there was a general tendency towards reduced mean SA duration for both diagnosis groups, and in particular men with musculoskeletal SA (- 16.6 days, 95% CI -25.3, - 7.9). Individuals with full SA in IA companies had greater reductions in mean SA duration. Only the wholesale and retail economic activity indicated a beneficial contribution of the IA Agreement for both SA prevalence and duration, in both diagnoses and genders. CONCLUSIONS: Potential impacts of the IA Agreement on SA in young men and women varied according to diagnosis and economic activity. However, results indicated that the IA Agreement could reduce SA duration. Further research should identify reasons for gender and economic activity differences.

Developmental and family environment predictors of diagnostic decision-making in children with autism spectrum disorder and comorbid disorders.

BACKGROUND: Clinical psychologists are observing an increasing number of children with comorbid disorders such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), anxiety disorders, depressive disorders and others. Due to the importance of higher efficacy of implementing early therapeutic interventions, factors determining the age of first diagnostic intervention and the age of diagnosis are particularly significant aspects when considering this topic. PARTICIPANTS AND PROCEDURE: An in-depth analysis of the documentation of 112 patients of one of the psychological and pedagogical counselling centres was conducted to identify family and developmental factors that contribute to the diagnostic decision-making process in children with comorbid disorders. These children were 2-17 years old and diagnosed with co-occur-rence of ASD and other disorders. RESULTS: The results indicate that children with comorbid disorders are reported for diagnostic intervention at the age of 4 years old and 3 months old (M = 4.24, SD = 2.29) and the mean age of receiving an ASD diagnosis is 7 years old and 3 months old (M = 7.28, SD = 3.25). Predictors of the age of diagnostic intervention and ASD diagnosis were also identified. Somatic diseases and potentially speech disorders were related to the earlier age of diagnostic intervention, whereas learning difficulties were related to the later age of diagnostic intervention. Moreover, it has been found that children with comorbid externalizing disorders have an earlier age of diagnostic intervention than children without disrupting behaviours. However, this circumstance does not affect the age of ASD diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: It is important to raise parents' awareness of detecting early markers of disorders as intervention and diagnosis are implemented too late. In such circumstances, therapeutic interventions under-taken may have limited effectiveness.

Estigmatización social en el ámbito escolar generada por un diagnóstico psicológico / Social stigmatization in the school field generated by a psychological diagnosis

La presente investigación surge de la pregunta por la estigmatización social en el ámbito escolar, generada por un diagnóstico psicológico. El contexto educativo es escenario de diversas dinámicas que influyen en el proceso de desarrollo de los estudiantes, allí se viven etapas de transición como el paso de primaria a bachillerato, en un período de la vida en el cual el adolescente está en plena construcción de su identidad. Es una etapa de adaptación al entorno, siendo éste un período de vulnerabilidad que puede ser afectado significativamente cuando además, el estudiante lleva consigo un diagnóstico psicológico que puede generar estigmatización social. Esta investigación se llevó a cabo a partir de un rastreo teórico y un estudio de caso único, en el cual se le realizó una entrevista a un estudiante con un diagnóstico psicológico establecido, otra a su madre, una a un docente y finalmente a dos psicólogos de la institución educativa. Se lograron identificar las categorías de diagnóstico, sujeto escolar e identidad en relación a la estigmatización; y a partir de un trabajo riguroso de rastreo y análisis, se concluyó que tener un diagnóstico psicológico sí está altamente relacionado con la estigmatización social y la rotulación por parte de otras personas, lo cual tiene implicaciones importantes en el desarrollo psicosocial de la persona estigmatizada, generando repercusiones negativas como baja autoestima, inseguridad, depresión, aislamiento, agresividad, estrés, temor social, timidez, sensación de incapacidad, entre otras afectaciones que pueden surgir a partir de procesos de estigmatización.

This research arises from the question of social stigmatization in the school field generated by a psychological diagnosis. The educational context is the scene of various dynamics that influence the process of student development, there are stages of transition such as the transition from elementary to high school, in a period of life in which the adolescent is in full construction of his identity. It is a stage of adaptation to the environment, this being a period of vulnerability that can be significantly affected when the students also carries with them a psychological diagnosis that can generate social stigma. This research was conducted on the basis of a theoretical trace and a unique case study, in which an interview was conducted with a student with an established diagnosis, another to its mother, a teacher and two psychologists of the educational institution. It was possible to identify the categories of diagnosis, school subject and identity in relation to stigmatization, and from rigorous work of tracking and analysis, it was concluded that having a psychological diagnosis is highly related to social stigma and labeling by other people, which has important implications for the psychosocial development of the stigmatized person, generating negative repercussions such as low self-esteem, insecurity, depression, isolation, aggressiveness, stress, social fear, shyness, feeling incapacity, among other impacts that can arise from stigmatization processes.

Psicodiagnóstico na internação psiquiátrica da infância e adolescência: panorama do triênio 2015-2016-2017 / Psychological assessment in a child and adolescent inpatient psychiatric unit: 2015-2016-2017 triennial overview

Introdução: A internação psiquiátrica é um recurso terapêutico utilizado para a estabilização dos sintomas, contenção de riscos, elucidação diagnóstica e planejamento terapêutico. O psicodiagnóstico permite acesso a questões emocionais e cognitivas do indivíduo. Objetiva-se apresentar um panorama referente à realização de psicodiagnósticos em leitos da especialidade da Psiquiatria Infância e Adolescência de um hospital geral nos anos 2015, 2016 e 2017. Métodos: Trata-se de um estudo transversal, em que foram obtidas informações a partir do prontuário eletrônico de pacientes internados em leitos da especialidade. Os dados analisados foram sexo, idade, naturalidade, realização de psicodiagnóstico, motivo e tempo de internação. Resultados: Durante o triênio estudado, houve realização de psicodiagnóstico em 65,1% das internações. Entretanto, constatou-se diminuição estatisticamente significativamente (p = 0,006) no número de psicodiagnósticos em relação ao número de internações: 82% em 2015; 63% em 2016; e 53% em 2017. Conclusão: Esta diminuição no número de psicodiagnósticos realizados durante a internação indica que houve uma mudança nesse processo, onde se passou de um período em que a grande maioria das crianças e adolescentes (82%) realizava a avaliação, para um panorama onde metade dos pacientes (53%) realiza o psicodiagnóstico. Esse resultado sugere que estratégias de psicoeducação, voltadas para equipes assistentes, tendo por objetivo otimizar custo-efetividade e qualidade da assistência, levaram esses profissionais a refletirem sobre relevância, riscos e benefícios da realização do psicodiagnóstico durante a internação psiquiátrica de crianças e adolescentes. (AU)

Introduction: Inpatient psychiatry is a therapeutic resource for symptom stabilization, risk management, diagnostic clarification and/or treatment planning. Psychological assessment provides information on emotional and cognitive functioning. This study aims to provide an overview of psychological assessment in a child and adolescent inpatient psychiatric unit at a general hospital in southern Brazil in 2015, 2016 and 2017. Methods: This cross-sectional retrospective study obtained information from electronic medical records of patients admitted to the hospital psychiatric unit. Data for analysis were sex, age, place of birth, psychological assessment, reason and length of stay. Results: In those three years, psychological assessments were requested in 65.1% of all unit admissions. However, there was a statistically significant decrease (p = 0.006) in the number of psychological assessments in relation to the number of admissions: 82% in 2015; 63% in 2016; and 53% in 2017. Conclusion: The decrease in the number of psychological assessments performed in the inpatient unit indicates that there was some changes in the process, as first most children and adolescents (82%) underwent the assessment and then the rate reduced to half of all patients (53%). This can be explained by the implementation of strategies to educate the health care team about psychological assessment, with the purpose of improving costeffectiveness and quality of care. This led to greater reflection on relevance, risks and benefits of psychological assessment in a child and adolescent inpatient psychiatric unit. (AU)

[Clinical and psychological characteristics of children and adolescents with different forms of cognitive dysontogenesis in schizophrenia]. / Klinicheskaia i psikhologicheskaia kharakteristika detei i podrostkov s raznymi vidami kognitivnogo dizontogeneza pri shizofrenii.

AIM: To perform a clinical and psychological analysis of cognitive dysontogenesis in children and adolescents with schizophrenia spectrum disorders based on the diagnosis, age at onset and disease duration. MATERIAL AND METHODS: One hundred and sixty-eight children and adolescents, aged from 7 to 16 years, with schizophrenia were studied. The pilot assessment of the individual dynamics of cognitive development (21 patients) was made to establish the form of cognitive dysontogenesis (cognitive deficit). RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Evaluation of harmony-disharmony and deficiency of basic cognitive processes in this patient population shows persistent disturbances of thinking, memory and attention which are more pronounced in severe forms of the disease and its early onset. Age-related differences are observed as well.

Pharmacology and psychiatry at the origins of Greek medicine: The myth of Melampus and the madness of the Proetides.

Melampus is a seer-healer of Greek myth attributed with having healed the young princesses of Argos of madness. Analysis of this legend and its sources sheds light on the early stages of the "medicalizing" shift in the history of ancient Greek medicine. Retrospective psychological diagnosis suggests that the descriptions of the youths' madness rose from actual observation of behavioral and mental disorders. Melampus is credited with having healed them by administering hellebore. Pharmacological analysis of botanical specimens proves that Helleborus niger features actual neurological properties effective in the treatment of mental disorders. The discussion aims at examining the rational aspects of the treatment of mental conditions in Greco-Roman antiquity.

Estudio del clima social y variables que lo influyen en un centro penitenciario femenil de Aguascalientes, México (2012) / A study on the social climate and influencing variables at awomen’s correctional center in Aguascalientes, México (2012) / Estudo do clima social e variáveis que influenciam nele emuma cadeia para mulheres de Aguascalientes, México (2012)

El clima social ha sido objeto de estudio en distintos escenarios,como la escuela, la familia, los centros de trabajo olos establecimientos penitenciarios. Este artículo presentalos resultados de la aplicación de la Escala de Clima Socialpara Instituciones Correccionales (CIES) (Moos, Moos &Trickett, 1995) en un establecimiento penitenciario femenilde Aguascalientes, México. El estudio fue psicométrico noexperimental, con cohorte transversal, y en él participaron72 internas, que eran la población total del establecimiento.Con los instrumentos contestados se corrieron estudiosde correlación bivariada, cuyos resultados permitieron identificarque variables como el tipo de delito, el nivel de riesgo,la presencia de algunos diagnósticos psicopatológicos y laescolaridad correlacionan positivamente con la percepciónelevada de algunas subescalas del instrumento usado paraanalizar el clima social. Asimismo, se obtuvo un perfil globalde percepción de este clima, que mostró que, en general,este es percibido como favorable.

The social climate has been subject to scrutiny in differentenvironments such as schools, family groups, work centers,and prisons. This article shows the results of the applicationof the Social Climate Scale for Correctional Institutions (CIES)(Moos, Moos & Trickett, 1995) at a women’s correctional centerin Aguascalientes, Mexico. This was a non-experimentalcohort, cross sectional study of psychometrical nature, withthe participation of 72 inmates composing the total femalepopulation of this establishment. With the instruments providedby the answers it was possible to run bivariate correlationstudies, the results of which helped realize that variablessuch as the type of crime, the risk level, the presence ofsome psychopathological diagnosis and the schooling levelare positively correlated with the elevated perception ofsome subscales of the instrument used to analyze the socialclimate. Likewise, with respect to this climate, a global perceptionprofile was obtained, which showed that it is perceivedas favorable in general terms.

O clima social foi objeto do estudo em cenários diferentes,como a escola, a família, os centros de trabalho ou os estabelecimentospenitenciário. Este artigo apresenta os resultadosda aplicação da Escala do Clima Social ara instituiçõesCorrecionales (CIES) (Moos, Moos & Trickett, 1995) em umestabelecimento penitenciário de mulheres de Aguascalientes,México. O estudo foi psicométrico não experimental,com coorte transversal, e nele participaram 72 internas, queera a população total do estabelecimento. Com os instrumentosrespondidos, os estudos de correlação bivariada foramrealizados. Os resultados permitiram identificar quaisvariáveis, como o tipo de crime, o nível do risco, a presençade alguns diagnósticos e a escolaridade correlacionam positivamentecom a percepção elevada de algumas subescalasdo instrumento usado para analisar o clima social. Também,um perfil global da percepção deste clima foi obtido; issomostrou que, me geral, é percebido como favorável.

Vulnerabilidade social:: o psicodiagnóstico como m étodo de mapeamento de doenças mentais / Social vulnerability:: psychological assesment as a mapping method of mental diseases / Vulnerabilidad social:: el psico-diagnóstico como método de mapeo de dolencias mentales

O presente estudo demonstra a experiência de trabalho em um Centro de Referência de Assistência Social do interior do Rio Grande do Sul. Foi realizado um mapeamento de doenças mentais na população em vulnerabilidade social, através do processo de psicodiagnóstico, em caráter de estudo-piloto. Foram escolhidos três sujeitos como amostragem: uma mulher, uma adolescente e um menino. Foram analisados os fatores psicossociais, e os resultados revelaram que essa população está mais sujeita ao desenvolvimento de psicopatologias. O estudo demonstrou que a inserção do psicodiagnóstico pode contribuir como instrumento de diagnóstico da população. É necessário que haja interesse por parte das políticas públicas em ofertar os serviços de saúde à população para trabalhar com os fatores de risco socioemocionais de maneira satisfatória....(AU)

This study demonstrates the experience of working in a Reference Center of Social Welfare of the state of Rio Grande do Sul. A mapping of the mental illnesses of the population in social vulnerability was carried out, through the process of psychological diagnosis, as a pilot study. Three subjects were chosen as sample: a woman, a female teenager and a boy. The social and psychological factors were analyzed. The pilot study showed that the inclusion of psychological diagnosis can contribute as an important diagnostic tool of the population. However, it is necessary that public policy offers the proper health services to the population as a strategy to the work with risk factors....(AU)

El presente estudio demuestra la experiencia de trabajo en un Centro de Referencia de Asistencia Social del interior de Rio Grande do Sul. Fue realizado un mapeo de dolencias mentales en la población en vulnerabilidad social, a través del proceso de psico-diagnóstico, en carácter de estudio-piloto. Fueron escogidos tres sujetos como muestreo: una mujer, una adolescente y un niño. Fueron analizados los factores psicosociales, y los resultados revelaron que esa población está más sujeta al desarrollo de psicopatologías. El estudio demostró que la inserción del psico-diagnóstico pode contribuir como instrumento de diagnóstico de la población. Es necesario que haya interés por parte de las políticas públicas en ofertar los servicios de salud a la población para trabajar con los factores de riesgo socioemocionales de manera satisfactoria....(AU)

Vulnerabilidade social:: o psicodiagnóstico como m étodo de mapeamento de doenças mentais / Social vulnerability:: psychological assesment as a mapping method of mental diseases / Vulnerabilidad social:: el psico-diagnóstico como método de mapeo de dolencias mentales

O presente estudo demonstra a experiência de trabalho em um Centro de Referência de Assistência Social do interior do Rio Grande do Sul. Foi realizado um mapeamento de doenças mentais na população em vulnerabilidade social, através do processo de psicodiagnóstico, em caráter de estudo-piloto. Foram escolhidos três sujeitos como amostragem: uma mulher, uma adolescente e um menino. Foram analisados os fatores psicossociais, e os resultados revelaram que essa população está mais sujeita ao desenvolvimento de psicopatologias. O estudo demonstrou que a inserção do psicodiagnóstico pode contribuir como instrumento de diagnóstico da população. É necessário que haja interesse por parte das políticas públicas em ofertar os serviços de saúde à população para trabalhar com os fatores de risco socioemocionais de maneira satisfatória.(AU)

This study demonstrates the experience of working in a Reference Center of Social Welfare of the state of Rio Grande do Sul. A mapping of the mental illnesses of the population in social vulnerability was carried out, through the process of psychological diagnosis, as a pilot study. Three subjects were chosen as sample: a woman, a female teenager and a boy. The social and psychological factors were analyzed. The pilot study showed that the inclusion of psychological diagnosis can contribute as an important diagnostic tool of the population. However, it is necessary that public policy offers the proper health services to the population as a strategy to the work with risk factors.(AU)

El presente estudio demuestra la experiencia de trabajo en un Centro de Referencia de Asistencia Social del interior de Rio Grande do Sul. Fue realizado un mapeo de dolencias mentales en la población en vulnerabilidad social, a través del proceso de psico-diagnóstico, en carácter de estudio-piloto. Fueron escogidos tres sujetos como muestreo: una mujer, una adolescente y un niño. Fueron analizados los factores psicosociales, y los resultados revelaron que esa población está más sujeta al desarrollo de psicopatologías. El estudio demostró que la inserción del psico-diagnóstico pode contribuir como instrumento de diagnóstico de la población. Es necesario que haya interés por parte de las políticas públicas en ofertar los servicios de salud a la población para trabajar con los factores de riesgo socioemocionales de manera satisfactoria.(AU)

Vulnerabilidade social: o psicodiagnóstico como método de mapeamento de doenças mentais / Social vulnerability: psychological assesment as a mapping method of mental diseases / Vulnerabilidad social: el psico-diagnóstico como método de mapeo de dolencias mentales

O presente estudo demonstra a experiência de trabalho em um Centro de Referência de Assistência Social do interior do Rio Grande do Sul. Foi realizado um mapeamento de doenças mentais na população em vulnerabilidade social, através do processo de psicodiagnóstico, em caráter de estudo-piloto. Foram escolhidos três sujeitos como amostragem: uma mulher, uma adolescente e um menino. Foram analisados os fatores psicossociais, e os resultados revelaram que essa população está mais sujeita ao desenvolvimento de psicopatologias. O estudo demonstrou que a inserção do psicodiagnóstico pode contribuir como instrumento de diagnóstico da população. É necessário que haja interesse por parte das políticas públicas em ofertar os serviços de saúde à população para trabalhar com os fatores de risco socioemocionais de maneira satisfatória.(AU)

This study demonstrates the experience of working in a Reference Center of Social Welfare of the state of Rio Grande do Sul. A mapping of the mental illnesses of the population in social vulnerability was carried out, through the process of psychological diagnosis, as a pilot study. Three subjects were chosen as sample: a woman, a female teenager and a boy. The social and psychological factors were analyzed. The pilot study showed that the inclusion of psychological diagnosis can contribute as an important diagnostic tool of the population. However, it is necessary that public policy offers the proper health services to the population as a strategy to the work with risk factors.(AU)

El presente estudio demuestra la experiencia de trabajo en un Centro de Referencia de Asistencia Social del interior de Rio Grande do Sul. Fue realizado un mapeo de dolencias mentales en la población en vulnerabilidad social, a través del proceso de psico-diagnóstico, en carácter de estudio-piloto. Fueron escogidos tres sujetos como muestreo: una mujer, una adolescente y un niño. Fueron analizados los factores psicosociales, y los resultados revelaron que esa población está más sujeta al desarrollo de psicopatologías. El estudio demostró que la inserción del psico-diagnóstico pode contribuir como instrumento de diagnóstico de la población. Es necesario que haya interés por parte de las políticas públicas en ofertar los servicios de salud a la población para trabajar con los factores de riesgo socioemocionales de manera satisfactoria.(AU)

Aproximación a la depresión infantil por parte de psicólogos que trabajan en COSAM de la Región Metropolitana / Approach of Psychologists Working for COSAM, Región Metropolitana, to Childhood Depression

Se analiza cómo se aproximan a la depresión infantil, psicólogos clínicos que trabajan en Salud Pública en la Región Metropolitana. Chile. Es un estudio descriptivo, de diseño no experimental, transversal y de muestra intencionada. Participan 19 psicólogos de Centros Comunitarios de Salud Mental y Familiar. Se recaba la información a través de entrevistas semiestructuradas, las cuales se analizan mediante la técnica de Análisis de Contenido. Los resultados señalan que: a.- Los psicólogos tienen una comprensión teórica parcial del fenómeno, b.- Relacionan el trastorno fundamentalmente con disfunciones familiares y contextos poco contenedores, haciendo poca alusión a etiología biológica, c- Realizan el tratamiento principalmente de manera individual, con inclusión ocasional de la familia. Se discute el fortalecimiento de la aproximación realizada por los profesionales.

The research analyzes how clinical psychologists working for the Public Health Service, Región Metropolitana, Chile, approach childhood depression. It is a descriptive research, of non-experimental cross-sectional design and with a delibérate sarnple. 19 psychologists of Centros Comunitarios de Salud Mental y Familiar (Community Centers for Mental and Family Health) took part in the research. The information was collected through semi-structured interviews, which were analyzed by means of the Content Analysis technique. The results show that these psychologists have a partial theoretical understanding of the phenomenon. They relate this disorder mainly to family dysfunctions and not very containing contexts, making little mention of biological etiology. They mostly give treatment on an individual basis, including the family occasionally. The strengthening of these professional's approach is discussed.

Nível de estresse entre trabalhadores em uma clínica odontológica / Level of stress among workers in an oncology center

Introdução - O trabalho teve por objetivo avaliar o nível de estresse e os principais sinais e sintomas desta doença entre trabalhadores do Centro de Oncologia Campinas, SP. Material e Métodos - O estudo foi realizado no período de 15 de maio a 15 de junho de 2006. Dois questionários epidemiológicos semi-estruturados foram aplicados para um grupo de 26 trabalhadores da clínica. Os seguintes dados foram coletados: informações pessoais, tempo de trabalho na empresa, carga horária desenvolvida, doenças psicossomáticas, nível de estresse, e tolerância na vida cotidiana dos trabalhadores. Resultados - Os sintomas com maior freqüência foram: cansaço ao levantar (66,7%), alteração do sono (52,7%), ansiedade (47,6%), irritabilidade excessiva e esquecimento de coisas corriqueiras (42,9%). Em média, 85,5% de trabalhadores apresentaram estresse. Em relação à magnitude, 38% apresentaram nível baixo, 42,8% nível alto, 4,7% nível altíssimo. Em relação à tolerância diária, 76% apresentam sobrecarga, 4,7% sobrecarga excessiva, e 19% apresentaram quadro de tolerância. Conclusões - Verificou-se, portanto,um alto nível de estresse entre os trabalhadores e a necessidade de implementar medidas minimizadoras deste quadro. Propõe-se uma reestruturação da organização do trabalho, incentivos e valorização do desempenho dos trabalhadores. Tais medidas atuariam no resgate da autoestima, implicando na melhoria do trabalho e na qualidade de vida dos trabalhadores.

Introduction - We investigated signs, symptoms, and level of stress among workers at Centro de Oncologia Campinas, SP. Material and Methods - The study was carried out from May 15th through June 15th, 2006. Two semi-structered questionaries on epidemioly were applied to a group of 26 workers of the clinic. The following data were collected: personal information, time employed, working hours psychosomatic disorders, level of stress and daily life tolerance. Results - The main symptoms were: early morning fatigue (66.7%), sleep disorders (52.7%), anxiety (47.6%), excessive irritability as well as forgetfulness of common daily routines (42.9%). Inaverage, 85.5% of the workers presented stress, where 38% had low levels of stress, 42.8% high levels, and 4.7% had very high levels of stress. Regarding the daily tolerance, 76% showed an overcharge, 4.7% an excessive overcharge and 19% had signs of tolerance. Conclusions -Overall, we found high levels of stress among the studied workers. To overcome this situation, a few basic measures are proposed, as follows: organizational rearrangements, company incentives, and performance awards. Such measures would act to elevate the self-steem, thus resulting in the improvement of the work environment as well as the quality of life of the workers.