Psychometric Properties of the Psychological Capital Scale in the Student Context (PsyCap-S)

The resources provided by psychological capital can contribute to the successful academic performance of students, as well as to overcome obstacles and achieve established goals. There is an absence of a Brazilian instrument to measure psychological capital in students. Thus, this study aimed to develop and to seek evidence for the validity and accuracy of the psychological capital scale in the student context (PsyCap-S). The research was conducted based on two studies, with 697 students in each. In both samples the majority was composed of females who intended to enter undergraduate studies. The results indicated the validity and reliability of a structure of four dimensions (resilience, hope, self-efficacy, and optimism). Theoretical and practical dimensions of using the instrument are discussed, as well as implications for intervention in the context of the studies.

Teachers of Hospital Pedagogy: A Systematic Review

Hospital teachers face the challenge of working in complex contexts with few empirical references. This systematic review aims to analyze empirical studies published between 2000-2020 related to teaching in hospital settings. Using the PRISMA guidelines, we identified 363 articles in the Web of Science, SciELO and Scopus databases: 11 studies were selected after the inclusion criteria were applied. We identified three areas of study: research trends; work dimensions and teacher characteristics; and challenges. We found a predominance of descriptive studies, theoretical frameworks of inclusion and civil rights, and female teachers and researchers. The analyzed studies emphasize emotional aspects, a lack of guidelines, and difficulties related to teachers’ work. We conclude by signaling the need to strengthen the methodology of related studies, increase the joint responsibility of teachers and medical staff, and generate specific policies and preparation. These findings identify advances and challenges in the field that could guide its development.

Validity Evidence of the Autistic Spectrum Disorder Behavior Scale

Screening instruments to detect symptoms of Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in the school setting are still needed. The study aimed to develop the Autistic Spectrum Disorder Behavior Scale (ASD-BS) according to the criteria of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V). The scale consists of 31 items, divided into communication; social interactions; restrictive, repetitive and ritual behaviors; and other indicators. The content validity included five expert judges and a pilot sample with 29 children between six and 12 years old. The results were shown to be adequate, all items reached agreement rates above 80% and Kappa of 0.84. Exploratory statistical analyzes showed Cronbach’s alpha equal to 0.78, sensitivity values ranging from 86 to 93% and specificity from 34 to 100%. ASD-BS is of quick implementation, uses the teacher as an informant and contributes to psychological assessment.

Meanings Attributed by Adolescents to Intrafamily Sexual Violence and Assistance in the Judiciary

The aim was to know and analyze the meanings of intrafamily sexual violence experienced and the Court support for adolescents who underwent the questioning. A qualitative research study through semi-structured interviews and free observation with nine adolescents aged between 13 and 17 years old, in a specific Court of Childhood and Youth. Data was analyzed using the technique of content analysis, with “Distance and negative”, and “Secondary victimization” pointed out. First, by signifying the intrafamily sexual violence suffered, the adolescent presents memory lapses about what happened, and it shows a wide spectrum of detrimental effects of intrafamily sexual violence. Secondly, it shows that the intervention of the Judiciary Branch has caused secondary victimization, gaps in care, and reproduction of power relationships. It was concluded on the importance to articulate a children and adolescents rights guaranteeing system, considering the new social frameworks, as well as the issue of human development.

Predictor Variables of Childbearing Motivations in Brazilian Women and Men

This study aimed to analyze the relationships between positive (PCM), negative (NCM) childbearing motivations and psychological, sociodemographic, family of origin and partner relationship variables in a sample of 1969 Brazilians (83.6% female), aged 18 to 50 years (M = 29.27; SD = 5.97). Spearman correlations, Mann-Whitney and Kruskal Wallis U-tests, and multiple regressions were performed. The results of the correlations and multiple regressions verified the relationship between both motivations and the various variables postulated. It was also verified that religiosity was the variable with greater predictive power for PCM and having or not having children was the variable with greater predictive power for NCM. In the group difference analysis, significant differences were found for PCM according to occupation, type of relationship, and presence/absence of a partner. As for the NCM, significant differences were found according to sex.

The Working Memory as Predictor of Performance in Arithmetic of Brazilian Students

Working memory (WM) is a predictor of school learning. This study aimed to investigate the predictive power of verbal and non-verbal working memory (WM) on students’ performance in arithmetic. 126 children between 6 and 11 years old participated in the research. The instruments were: School Performance Test, Raven’s Colored Progressive Matrices, Corsi Block-tapping Test, and Digits Subtest. The results showed strong and positive correlations of school performance with fluid intelligence r = 0.64, with verbal WM and non-verbal WM, both with r = 0.51 (p < 0.001). After multiple linear regression, it was found that the performance in visuospatial WM was a strong predictor for arithmetic, an effect not found for reading. The regression showed that WM explains 38% of the variance for arithmetic. It is concluded that WM has an expressive contribution to school performance, being more specific the contributions of visuospatial WM for arithmetic.

Experiences of Falling Ill with Fibromyalgia: An Incursion into the Collective Imaginary of Women

A psychoanalytic exploration of the collective imaginary of patients about a chronic condition can help health professionals to understand the experience of falling ill in its intersubjective aspect. This study aimed to investigate the collective imaginary about fibromyalgia in women affected by this syndrome. This is a qualitative study based on the psychoanalytic investigative method. Data were collected from 18 women through group interviews guided by the Drawing-Story with Theme Procedure. Data analysis followed technical movements defined by the oscillation from a receptive passivity to an active receptivity. Results showed that, after falling ill, the participants did not feel to be the same persons they were before or, in certain cases, no longer regard themselves as persons at all. It was also verified that delegitimation generates psychological suffering described by the participants as a kind of pain. Therefore, it is recommended to value relational technologies in health care offered by multidisciplinary teams to women with fibromyalgia

Personality Impairment in Children and Adolescents with ADHD

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children and adolescents manifests itself in a heterogeneous manner as regards personality aspects. This study aimed to evaluate, by using the Ego Impairment Index, the personality functioning characteristics of children and adolescents between 9 and 15 years old (to be completed), diagnosed with the disorder (clinical group) and compare them with a non-clinical group. The groups included 42 participants each. The Kiddie Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School-Age Children - Present and Lifetime version was used for diagnosis, and the Rorschach Performance Assessment System (R-PAS) was utilized for personality traits. When compared to their peers, the participants in the clinical group showed ability to discern adaptive behaviors through proper judgment, difficulty in keeping thinking and reasoning processes stable, a negative view of themselves and others, in addition to difficulty in establishing cooperative relationships.

Incremental Validity between the Wartegg and Rorschach tests (R-PAS)

Incremental validity indicates how much a measure can add prevision to a criterion, more than what can be previewed by other sources of data. In other words, it means how an instrument can complement and aid on information comprehension derived from another. The objective of the study was to verify evidence of incremental validity between the Wartegg and the Rorschach tests (R-PAS). A total of 40 subjects with ages varying between 21 to 70 years participated, divided into two groups, one composed by schizophrenia diagnosis and another, by subjects with a history of psychiatric diseases. Everybody responded to the Rorschach and Wartegg tests. The results indicated predictive capacity among the instruments of 75% for the variable Formal Quality, 98% for Movement and 100% for Content. New studies are suggested about validity evidences with larger samples as well as the analysis of other variables, not explored in this study.