Playing remotely in times of crisis: A program to overcome social isolation.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to examine the feasibility of an intergenerational remote intervention program designed to promote the wellbeing and social connection of vulnerable older adults, mainly people with aphasia and dementia during the COVID-19 pandemic in the south of Brazil. Undergraduate students were guided to lead weekly sessions of clowning, storytelling, dancing, and cooking-related activities for 3 months (from November/2020 to February/2021). METHOD: The mixed-method design of the study addresses the implementation and feasibility of the program. Data analysis considered both quantitative-number of individuals who accepted the invitation to participate, voluntary dropouts, attendance-and qualitative data-participative observation and thematic analysis of evaluative conversations. An inclusive group of 34 older adults with stroke-induced cognitive impairments, dementia and individuals without any neurological conditions enrolled in the program based on social and racial equity principles. Feasibility and acceptability were addressed in terms of recruitment, implementation, remote evaluation, delivery of remote intervention, adherence, and attendance. Activities and participants' perceptions are described. RESULTS: The initial period of the program achieved 83.7% of adherence and sustainability for additional 3 months. Preliminary results suggest feasibility and acceptability, considering formal and informal support in digital inclusion. Participatory observations describe that the structure of sessions and activities were well received. The analysis of participants' perceptions detects the thematic saliency of feelings of social connection and a sense of having learned with the group. CONCLUSIONS: Preliminary results of this study demonstrate the feasibility and acceptability of the program, pointing to its potential mental health benefits.

Fatores associados à percepção de aliança terapêutica por pacientes em psicoterapia psicanalítica / Factors associated with patient's perception of therapeutic alliance in psychoanalytic psychotherapy

A percepção do paciente sobre a relação com seu psicoterapeuta é determinante para a sua permanência em tratamento e para o sucesso da psicoterapia. Estabelecer preditores de aliança terapêutica pode ter o potencial de auxiliar os psicoterapeutas a utilizar formas de intervenção durante as fases iniciais do tratamento. O objetivo do estudo foi investigar a associação entre fatores sócio-demográficos e clínicos do paciente e do terapeuta e a forma como o paciente percebe a aliança terapêutica. Trata-se de um estudo transversal que avaliou a qualidade da aliança em pacientes adultos atendidos em psicoterapia psicanalítica em um ambulatório de saúde mental. A amostra foi constituída por 118 pacientes que chegaram até a quarta sessão de psicoterapia psicanalítica. Os resultados apontam para a influência da intensidade dos sintomas de psicoticismo e do gênero do paciente na percepção da aliança terapêutica.(AU)

The patient's perception of the relationship with their therapist is determinant for their treatment adherence and for the success of psychotherapy. Establishing predictors of therapeutic alliance may potentially help psychotherapists to use forms of intervention during the early stages of treatment. This study aimed to investigate the association between socio-demographic and clinical factors of both patient and therapist and the way in which the patient perceives the therapeutic alliance. It is a cross-sectional study that evaluated the quality of the alliance in adult patients attended in psychoanalytic psychotherapy in a mental health outpatient clinic. The sample consisted of 118 patients who reached the fourth session of psychoanalytic psychotherapy. The results suggest that the intensity of psychoticism symptoms and patient gender influence the perception of the therapeutic alliance.(AU)

Perfil de pacientes que buscam atendimento em saúde mental perto das suas datas de aniversários: curiosidades empíricas / Profile of patients seeking for mental health care near their birthday dates: empirical curiosities

Introdução: O objetivo deste estudo foi verificar se o perfil de paciente que busca atendimento próximo à data de seu aniversário difere dos demais quanto a características sociodemográficas e clínicas. Método: A diferença de tempo entre as datas de aniversário e as datas de triagem dos 1056 pacientes adultos que procuraram atendimento foi associada com os fatores em estudo. Resultados: Pacientes que procuram atendimento em saúde mental em datas próximas ao seu aniversário apresentam maior número de sintomas, maior pontuação em ansiedade e psicoticismo, defendem-se mais antecipando o conflito e menos o negando. Discussão: É possível que, para pacientes com essas características, o aniversário represente um evento estressante, mas ao mesmo tempo motivador para a busca de atendimento. A escassez de literatura quanto ao tema dificulta a interpretação dos achados. Conclusões: Entender a motivação para o tratamento, bem como seu fator desencadeante, parece relevante para a aderência do paciente ao atendimento e para o sucesso terapêutico em pacientes que buscam ajuda para lidar com o sofrimento psíquico. A proximidade do aniversário com a data da busca por atendimento aparece como mais uma variável potencialmente significativa para entender a motivação para o tratamento

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to determine whether the profile of patients seeking for mental health care near their birthday dates present different socio-demographic and clinical characteristics. METHOD: The time difference between the 1056 patients' birthday dates and the dates of their intake interviews was associated with the factors of this study. RESULTS: Patients who seek for mental health care at a date close to their birthdays present a higher number of symptoms, higher scores in anxiety and psychoticism, defend themselves more anticipating the conflict and less denying it. DISCUSSION: It is possible that for patients with these characteristics, the birthday date represents a stressful event, but at the same time motivating to search for care. The lack of literature on the subject complicates the interpretation of the findings. CONCLUSIONS: Understanding the motivation for treatment, as well as its triggering factor, seems relevant to understand treatment compliance and success in patients who seek for help to deal with psychological distress. The date of search, when occurring close to the patient's birthday date, appears as a variable potentially significant to understand the motivation for treatment.