Psychological Distress Symptoms and Resilience Assets in Adolescents in Residential Care.

Most studies with institutionalised children and adolescents focus on evaluating the impact of negative life events on emotional development. However, few have investigated the relationship between resilience assets and the teenagers' psychopathological problems. The purpose of the present study was to investigate differences in psychological distress symptoms and in resilience assets in institutionalised and non-institutionalised adolescents. A total of 266 adolescents aged between 12 and 19 years old took part in the study (60.5% female): 125 lived in residential care and 144 resided with their families. Results found a significant and inverse relation between psychopathology and the perception of individual resilience assets, specifically with self-efficacy and self-awareness in the community sample, and with empathy in the institutionalised sample. Overall, and regardless of the age group, adolescents in residential care tend to perceive themselves as significantly less resilient in perceived self-efficacy and empathy, and they report fewer goals and aspirations for the future. The importance of promoting mental health and resilience assets in adolescents, particularly in those in residential care, is discussed. This can be achieved through early interventions that may prevent emotional suffering and deviant life paths, with transgenerational repercussions.

Calidad de vida y competencias sociales: un estudio comparativo entre adolescentes nativos e inmigrantes de España y Portugal / Quality of life and social skills: a comparative study between native and immigrant adolescents in Spain and Portugal

Resumen Esta investigación pretende conocer las relaciones entre las competencias sociales y la calidad de vida (CdV) de los adolescentes nativos e inmigrantes de España y Portugal, para analizar la importancia que tienen estas variables en el desarrollo ajustado adolescente. Para ello, se evaluaron 1151 adolescentes, con edades entre los 12 y 18 años, a través de dos cuestionarios: el KIDSCREEN-52 y Social Skills Rating System (SSRS). Los resultados señalan que los inmigrantes presentan un índice de CdV menor que los nativos en las dimensiones de bienestar psicológico, relación con los padres, recursos económicos y aceptación social. El rendimiento académico correlaciona con las dimensiones de CdV y con las competencias sociales, aunque existen diferencias entre los adolescentes nativos e inmigrantes.

Abstract This research aims to determine the relationship between social skills and quality of life (QoL) in native and immigrant adolescents of Spain and Portugal, in order to understand the importance of these variables in the adolescents' development and adjustment. In order to accomplish this, 1151 adolescents, aged between 12 and 18 years, were assessed through two questionnaires: the KIDSCREEN-52 and the Social Skills Rating System (SSRS). The results indicate that immigrants have a lower QoL index than natives in the dimensions of feelings, relationship with parents, economic resources and social acceptance. Academic performance correlates with the dimensions of QoL and social skills, although there are differences between natives and immigrant adolescents.

Quality of life of Portuguese and Spanish adolescents. A comparative study between natives and immigrants.

The aim of this study was to analyse differences in quality of life (QOL) between Spanish and Portuguese immigrant and native adolescents. In total, 475 native and immigrant adolescents (52% boys) from Algarve (Portugal) and Huelva (Spain), aged between 12 and 17 years old, were assessed with the KIDSCREEN-52. QOL dimensions were not related to most academic variables, with the exception of number of school failures, Financial Resources and Social Support from Peers. Multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) was used to examine statistical differences in adolescents QOL. Age differences in QOL levels were not found. Girls reported worse QOL levels on Physical Wellbeing than boys (F = 10.32, p = .001, η2 =.02). Immigrant Portuguese adolescents scored higher on Mood (F = 17.57, p = .000, η2 =.11), and native Portuguese adolescents scored higher on Social Acceptance (F = 4.87, p = .002, η2=.033). Immigrant and native adolescents had similar levels of perceived QOL. Overall, it seems that in both countries, the living contexts for immigrant and native adolescents are fairly homogeneous.

Quality of life of Portuguese and Spanish adolescents. A comparative study between natives and immigrants / Qualidade de Vida nos adolescentes portugueses e espanhóis. Um estudo comparativo entre nativos e imigrantes

Abstract The aim of this study was to analyse differences in quality of life (QOL) between Spanish and Portuguese immigrant and native adolescents. In total, 475 native and immigrant adolescents (52% boys) from Algarve (Portugal) and Huelva (Spain), aged between 12 and 17 years old, were assessed with the KIDSCREEN-52. QOL dimensions were not related to most academic variables, with the exception of number of school failures, Financial Resources and Social Support from Peers. Multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) was used to examine statistical differences in adolescents QOL. Age differences in QOL levels were not found. Girls reported worse QOL levels on Physical Wellbeing than boys (F = 10.32, p = .001, η2 =.02). Immigrant Portuguese adolescents scored higher on Mood (F = 17.57, p = .000, η2 =.11), and native Portuguese adolescents scored higher on Social Acceptance (F = 4.87, p = .002, η2=.033). Immigrant and native adolescents had similar levels of perceived QOL. Overall, it seems that in both countries, the living contexts for immigrant and native adolescents are fairly homogeneous.

Resumo Neste estudo são analisadas as diferenças na qualidade de vida (QVD) entre adolescentes imigrantes e nativos de Espanha e Portugal. Avaliou-se a QDV percebida de 475 adolescentes nativos e imigrantes (52% rapazes) entre os 12 e os 17 anos de idade do Algarve (Portugal) e Huelva (Espanha) através do questionário KIDSCREEN-52 e o perfil sociodemográfico. As dimensões da QDV não estavam associadas à maioria das variáveis acadêmicas, excetuando o número de repetições, recursos econômicos e apoio dos pares. Para analisar as diferenças da QVD entre os adolescentes foram realizadas análises de variância multivariada (MANOVA). Não se encontraram diferenças na QDV por idade. As raparigas reportaram piores níveis de QDV no bem-estar físico do que os rapazes (F = 10.32, p = .001, η2 =.02). Os adolescentes portugueses imigrantes mostraram níveis mais elevados no Humor (F = 17.57, p = .000, η2=.11) e os nativos obtiveram pontuações mais altas na Aceitação social (F = 4.87, p = .002, η2 =.033). Os resultados sugerem que os adolescentes imigrantes e nativos têm níveis semelhantes de QDV percebida. Em conjunto, parece que nos dois países os contextos vitais dos adolescentes nativos e imigrantes são bastante homogêneos.

Psychosocial adversity, delinquent pathway and internalizing psychopathology in juvenile male offenders.

The main aim of the present study was to investigate the presence of a set of risk factors relating to childhood life events and other psychosocial factors that may be associated with criminal indicators and with the prevalence of internalizing psychopathology in a sample of adolescent offenders. Fifty male adolescents in the custody of the Portuguese Juvenile Justice System participated in the study (M=15.8 years of age). The Adolescent Psychopathology Scale - Short Form (APS-SF) was administered in a structured interview format, and the sociodemographic, family and criminal data questionnaire was filled in by the justice professional after consulting the adolescent's file. Forty-six percent of all subjects had previous delinquent behavior. About 32% of the boys had committed violent offenses and 88% acted with peers. Also, the persistence of the delinquent behavior (50% of the offenders), coupled with the increase in the severity of the crimes committed (38% of the sample), suggests that these adolescents were at risk for serious and chronic delinquency at the time of the intervention. About 32% of the participants reported posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms, 20% had suicide ideation, and a lower percentage reported other internalizing problems. Institutionalization, maltreatment and conduct problems in childhood, and family risk factors (parental conflict, absence of a father figure, lack of parental control and family substance addiction) were related with the report of internalizing problems. Moreover, the increase in the severity of criminal offenses and living in a correctional facility were associated with higher levels of posttraumatic stress, interpersonal problems, anxiety and depression. This study draws attention to the importance of assessing indicators of psychopathology and of psychosocial risk in intervention programs with young offenders, but also to the need of family focused interventions in order to help prevent recidivism.

Características psicométricas da versão portuguesa da escala de Socialização Parental na Adolescência ESPA-29 / Psychometric properties of the portuguese version of the Parental Socialization Scale in Adolescence (ESPA-29)

O objetivo do estudo foi validar a versão portuguesa da Escala de Estilos de Socialização Parental na Adolescência (ESPA-29) de Musitu e García (2001, 2004). Participaram 849 adolescentes de ambos os sexos (57,2% raparigas e 42,8% rapazes), com idades compreendidas entre os 10 e os 18 anos (M = 14,57, DP = 2,43) e residentes no sul de Portugal. A validade de constructo foi estudada através da análise fatorial exploratória e a fidelidade do instrumento através da análise da consistência interna e da estabilidade temporal (pelo método de teste-reteste). Os resultados obtidos foram consistentes com os da versão original e reproduziram a estrutura bidimensional da escala. A versão portuguesa da ESPA-29 apresentou boas características psicométricas, com níveis de consistência interna e de estabilidade temporal bastante satisfatórias. Estes resultados sugerem que a versão portuguesa da ESPA-29 é fiável para o estudo dos estilos de socialização parental em adolescentes portugueses. (AU)

The aim of this study was to validate the Portuguese version of the Parental Socialization Scale in Adolescence (ESPA-29) by Musitu and García (2001, 2004). A sample of 849 adolescents (57.2% girls and 42.8% boys), aged 10 to 18 years (M = 14.57, SD = 2.43), from the southern region of Portugal, participated in the study. Construct validity was studied using exploratory factor analysis, and the reliability study was conducted through the analysis of internal consistency and temporal stability (through the test-retest method). Results were consistent with those obtained in the original version of the instrument and reproduced the bi-dimensional structure of the scale. Furthermore, the Portuguese version of ESPA-29 showed good psychometric characteristics, with satisfactory levels of internal consistency and temporal stability. These results suggest that this is a reliable instrument for studying parental socialization styles in Portuguese adolescents. (AU)

Predictores del estrés parental en madres de familias en riesgo psicosocial / Parenting Stress Predictors in Mothers of Families at Psychosocial Risk

En este estudio se han analizado las relaciones entre el estrés parental, las competencias parentales percibidas y la contribución de factores sociodemográficos y psicológicos para la explicación del estrés parental. Participaron 80 madres portuguesas usuarias de servicios de protección a menores en riesgo. Los resultados mostraron niveles muy elevados de estrés parental -especialmente en madres con hijos adolescentes y desempleadas- y relaciones significativas entre el estrés y las competencias percibidas como madre. La satisfacción con el rol maternal y el empleo fueron los factores más robustos a la hora de explicar el estrés parental, prediciendo un 37% de la varianza.

In this study we analyzed the associations between parenting stress, parental sense of competence and the contribution of socio-demographical and psychological factors to the explanation of parenting stress. Participants were 80 Portuguese mothers, recipients of the child protection services. Results showed high levels of parenting stress, especially in unemployed mothers with adolescent children, and significant associations between parenting stress and perceived parental competences. Maternal role satisfaction and employment were the most robust factors on the explanation of parenting stress, predicting 37% of the variance.

Adolescent quality of life and health behaviors: a comparative study between adolescents from the south of Portugal and Spain / Qualidade de vida e comportamentos de saúde: um estudo comparativo entre adolescentes do sul de Portugal e da Espanha / Calidad de vida y estilos de vida en adolescentes: un estudio comparativo entre el sur de España y el sur de Portugal

An observational, transversal study was carried out to examine cross-cultural differences in perceived quality of life and health-related behaviors on adolescents from southern Portugal and southern Spain. Sample consists in 319 adolescents. The Kidscreen-27 child self-report, a short version of Health Behavior in School-aged Children Questionnaire, and a Socio-demographic questionnaire were used. Results suggest significant differences between Portuguese and Spanish adolescents health behaviors. Portuguese adolescents experiment more legal drugs and consume more wine and beer. More Spanish adolescents smoke. No differences were found between countries on hashish use, liquor consumption, inebriation, and on the age of first sexual intercourse. Spanish adolescents perceived themselves with better quality of life. Gender differences were found on several dimensions of Quality of Life. Results are discussed with previous research on these topic and might be considered by nurses when promoting adolescent health.

Desenvolvemos um estudo observacional, transversal para analisar eventuais diferenças na qualidade de vida percebida e em comportamentos de saúde em 319 adolescentes do sul de Portugal e do sul de Espanha. Utilizamos o Kidscreen-27, uma versão breve do "Health Behavior in School-aged Children" e um questionário sociodemográfico. Foram encontradas diferenças significativas entre os adolescentes portugueses e espanhóis nos comportamentos de saúde. Os portugueses consomem mais vinho e cerveja e experimentam mais drogas legais, os espanhóis apresentam um maior consumo de tabaco. Não foram encontradas diferenças no consumo de haxixe, e bebidas destiladas, embriaguês e idade da primeira relação sexual. Os espanhóis reportaram maiores níveis de qualidade de vida percebida. Foram encontradas diferenças de gênero em várias das suas dimensões. Os resultados são discutidos com base nos estudos prévios nestes tópicos, e podem contribuir para a prática profissional de enfermagem na promoção da saúde na adolescência.

Se realizó un estudio observacional, transversal para examinar diferencias en calidad de vida percibida y estilos de vida de adolescentes del sur de Portugal y del sur de España. A 319 adolescentes, se les administró el Kidscreen-27, una versión corta del cuestionario "Health Behavior in School-aged Children", y un cuestionario sociodemográfico. Se observaron diferencias estadísticas entre adolescentes portugueses y españoles. Los portugueses experimentan más drogas legales, y consumen más vino y cerveza. Los españoles consumen más tabaco. No se encontraron diferencias entre países en el uso de hachís, bebidas destiladas, embriaguez y edad de la primera relación sexual. Los españoles se perciben con mayor calidad de vida. Se encontraron diferencias de género en varias dimensiones de la calidad de vida, principalmente entre adolescentes españoles. Se discuten los resultados con investigaciones previas sobre estos tópicos, y pueden ser considerados por las enfermeras en la promoción de salud adolescente.

Saúde e bem-estar nos adolescentes imigrantes em Espanha e Portugal: um estudo comparativo / A comparative study on the health and well-being of adolescent immigrants in Spain and Portugal

O modo como as novas gerações de imigrantes se irão integrar nas sociedades espanhola e portuguesa terá uma influência decisiva no futuro de ambos os países. Promover a sua saúde, bem-estar e adaptação psicológica é por isso uma questão de interesse estratégico. Este trabalho analisa os factores em jogo no bem-estar e adaptação psicológica numa amostra de 108 adolescentes (55 rapazes e 53 raparigas), filhos de imigrantes em Huelva (Espanha) e no Algarve (Portugal), com idades compreendidas entre os 10 e os 17 anos. Foram recolhidos dados sobre as características sócio-demográficas e o bem-estar percebido dos adolescentes. Utilizámos o KIDSCREEN-52, questionário que avalia a percepção dos adolescentes sobre a sua saúde e bem-estar em dez dimensões: Bem-estar físico, Bem-estar psicológico, Estado de ânimo, Auto-percepção, Autonomia, Relações com os pais e vida familiar, Recursos económicos, Apoio social e dos pares, Ambiente escolar e Aceitação social (Bullying-rejeição). Entre os principais resultados destacamos as diferenças significativas entre as pontuações obtidas na amostra de Espanha e Portugal no Bem-estar físico, Bem-estar psicológico, Estado de ânimo, Recursos económicos e Aceitação social (Bullying-rejeição) respectivamente. Os rapazes percebem-se com melhor bem-estar físico. O nível de escolaridade da mãe está relacionado com o bem-estar psicológico e o estado de ânimo. Não encontrámos efeitos do tempo de residência nem de outras variáveis sociodemográficas estudadas no bem-estar e adaptação psicológica dos adolescentes.