Be a Mom, a Web-Based Intervention to Prevent Postpartum Depression: The Enhancement of Self-Regulatory Skills and Its Association With Postpartum Depressive Symptoms

Aim: Be a Mom is a self-guided, web-based intervention to prevent persistent postpartum depression symptoms [PPD], targeting both at-risk postpartum women and/or women presenting early-onset postpartum depressive symptoms (selective/indicated preventive intervention). Be a Mom is grounded on the principles of Cognitive-Behavior Therapy and incorporates the recent contributions of acceptance and compassion-based approaches (third-wave approaches) applied to the perinatal context. This study aimed to explore the processes underlying therapeutic change in the Be a Mom intervention, by: (1) exploring whether participation in the Be a Mom promotes the enhancement of self-regulatory skills (emotion regulation abilities, psychological flexibility and self-compassion) in comparison with women who did not participate in the program; and (2) exploring whether changes in self-regulatory skills are associated with changes in depressive symptoms, among women who participated in the Be a Mom program. Methods: A pilot randomized, two-arm controlled trial was conducted. Eligible women (presenting PPD risk-factors and/or early-onset PPD symptoms) were enrolled in the study and were randomly assigned to the intervention group (Be a Mom, n = 98) or to the waiting-list control group (n = 96). Participants in both groups completed baseline (T1) and post-intervention assessments (T2), including measures of depressive symptoms, emotion regulation abilities, psychological flexibility and self-compassion. Results: From baseline to post-intervention assessment, women in the intervention group showed a significantly greater decrease in the levels of emotion regulation difficulties (p < 0.001) and a significant greater increase in the levels of self-compassion (p < 0.001) compared to the control group. No significant differences were found concerning psychological flexibility. Moreover, a greater decrease in difficulties in emotion regulation and greater increase in self-compassion levels were significantly associated with a greater decrease in depressive symptoms, among women in the intervention group. Discussion: Be a Mom promotes the enhancement of women's emotion regulation abilities and self-compassion, and this seems to exert a protective effect in the presence of PPD risk factors (or early-onset symptoms) because it led to a reduction of depressive symptoms. By providing some insights into the processes that underlie treatment response to Be a Mom, this study highlights the important role of the targeted third-wave processes applied to the perinatal context.

Factors associated with treatment adherence of Brazilian patients undergoing hemodialysis

Objetivo: Evaluar la adherencia de pacientes al tratamiento de la hemodiálisis (HD) y su relación con variables psicosociales. Método: Participaron 64 pacientes adultos con HD, evaluados en cuanto a depresión, ansiedad, apoyo social, conocimiento de la enfermedad y del tratamiento, y la adherencia. Resultados: Hay asociación entre sexo y adherencia a la HD, la dieta y la medicación, así como entre escolaridad y la adherencia general. Hay asociación entre niveles de conocimiento de la enfermedad y depresión con la adherencia a la restricción de líquidos. No se encontró asociación entre la adherencia y la ansiedad. Conclusión: La identificación de los determinantes de la adherencia al tratamiento es esencial para la elaboración de estrategias eficaces para mejorar la calidad de vida de los pacientes.

Women's use of online resources and acceptance of e-mental health tools during the perinatal period

OBJECTIVES

The women's professional help-seeking rate for perinatal depression is low, despite the prevalent and disabling nature of this condition. Therefore, new approaches should be implemented to increase women's access and utilization of treatment resources, namely e-mental health tools. This study aimed to characterize women's current pattern of use of online resources for mental heal issues and women's acceptance of e-mental health tools during the perinatal period, and to investigate its main determinants.

METHODS

This study used an online cross-sectional survey that was completed by 546 women during the perinatal period.

RESULTS

31.3% had prior knowledge of websites targeting mental health illness. Women presenting an actual need for help (i.e., a positive screen for depression) reported greater use of online resources and greater engagement in e-health behaviors related to mental health (d=0.46-0.61), and being more accepting of e-mental health tools, particularly of informative websites. Women's perceptions concerning the e-mental tools were found to predict their intentions to use them.

CONCLUSIONS

The results seem to globally support Portuguese women's acceptance of e-mental health tools. To improve the level of acceptance, women should be involved as stakeholders in the development of new e-mental health tools and provided with specific information before their utilization.

Women׳s help-seeking behaviours for depressive symptoms during the perinatal period: Socio-demographic and clinical correlates and perceived barriers to seeking professional help

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to characterize the help-seeking behaviours of women who were screened positive for perinatal depression, to investigate its sociodemographic and clinical correlates, and to characterize the perceived barriers that prevent women from seeking professional help.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional internet survey.

SETTING

Participants were recruited through advertisements published in pamphlets and posted on social media websites (e.g., Facebook) and websites and forums that focused on pregnancy and childbirth.

PARTICIPANTS

656 women (currently pregnant or who had a baby during the last 12 months) completed the survey.

MEASUREMENTS

Participants were assessed with the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale, and were questioned about sociodemographic and clinical data, help-seeking behaviours and perceived barriers to help-seeking.

FINDINGS

Different pathways of help-seeking were found, with only 13.6% of women with a perinatal depression seeking help for their emotional problems. Married women, currently pregnant women, and women without history of psychological problems had a higher likelihood of not engaging in any type of help-seeking behaviour. The majority of women who had not sought professional assistance identified several barriers to help-seeking, particularly knowledge barriers.

KEY CONCLUSIONS

Strategies to increase women׳s help-seeking behaviours should be implemented, namely improving mental health literacy, introducing screening procedures for mental health problems in pre/postnatal health care settings, and offering women innovative opportunities (e.g., web-based tools) that allow them to overcome the practical barriers to help-seeking.

Efeitos de Intervenção Cognitivo-Comportamental sobre Fatores de Risco Psicológicos em Cardiopatas

RESUMODiminuir fatores de risco para cardiopatias pode melhorar a qualidade de vida e reduzir a mortalidade e morbidade relacionadas a elas.O presente estudo avaliou a eficácia de uma intervenção cognitivo-comportamental em grupo sobre ansiedade, depressão, estresse e saúde cardiovascular em cardiopatas. Foram avaliados 91 pacientes antes e após participação nos grupos, com entrevistas semiestruturadas, Inventários Beck (Ansiedade e Depressão) e Inventário de Sintomas de Stress para Adultos de Lipp. Coletaram-se medidas fisiológicas para cálculo do escore de Framingham. A participação no grupo resultou em redução dos sintomas de ansiedade, depressão, estresse e melhora do enfrentamento ao estresse. Não houve diferença no escore de Framingham. A intervenção se mostrou eficaz para a redução dos fatores de risco psicológicos nessa amostra.

Percepção de homens idosos sobre saúde e os serviços primários de saúde

Objetivo: compreender a percepção de homens idosos acerca dos temas: “Saúde”, “Unidade de Saúde da Família” (USF) e “Grupos em Saúde”. Métodos: estudo exploratório-descritivo, de abordagem qualitativa, com amostra de conveniência. Para selecionar os participantes, utilizou-se uma lista elaborada pela equipe com os nomes dos homens idosos da área de cobertura da USF que utilizavam os serviços de saúde oferecidos pela unidade. Para a coleta de dados realizou-se entrevista semi-estruturada e os dados foram analisados de acordo com a Análise de Conteúdo Temática. Resultados: participaram desse estudo 11 homens idosos. Os entrevistados possuem um conceito ampliado de saúde, abordando aspectos biopsicossociais em suas descrições. Eles apresentaram um bom vínculo com a USF, frequentando-a para consultas e participação em grupos de prevenção e promoção. Os participantes referiram não se engajarem em tantas atividades preventivas quanto as mulheres. Avaliam os Grupos em Saúde como benéficos, com repercussões positivas para a saúde e para a vida. Alguns, no entanto, carregam modelos de grupos de outros contextos, principalmente do mundo do trabalho, os quais não coincidem com os modelos de Grupo em Saúde. Conclusão: os participantes, por serem idosos e terem maior disponibilidade de tempo e vínculo com a unidade, conseguiram se engajar em mais atividades de promoção e prevenção. Observa-se que a unidade de saúde e os grupos atuam como fatores protetores para essa população, favorecendo o cuidado e as relações socias. No entanto, percebe-se que fatores associados ao gênero ainda dificultam um melhor cuidado de saúde por parte de homens.

Human experimental anxiety: actual public speaking induces more intense physiological responses than simulated public speaking

OBJECTIVES

a) To perform a systematic and meta-analytic review to verify whether the Simulated Public Speaking Task (SPST) leads to a greater increase in self-rated anxiety than in physiological correlates of anxiety; and b) to compare the results obtained with the SPST with an actual public speaking task involving healthy volunteers.

METHODS

a) The PubMed and ISI Web of Knowledge databases were searched for studies involving the SPST prior to 2012. Eleven publications were eligible and provided data from 143 healthy volunteers for meta-analysis; b) 48 university students without somatic or psychiatric disorders were divided into three experimental groups of 16 subjects to undergo one of the following: SPST, real-world public speaking task (real-world), and control situation (control).

RESULTS

The meta-analysis showed that the SPST induced a significant increase in the Visual Analogue Mood Scale (VAMS) anxiety factor, but no significant increases in systolic blood pressure or heart rate. The empirical study showed that the real-world public speaking task increased heart rate, systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure significantly more than the control and SPST conditions.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that real public speaking might be better than SPST in inducing experimental anxiety.

Brief cognitive behavioral intervention in groups in a Brazilian assisted reproduction program

The study's objective was to assess the effect of a cognitive behavioral group intervention on the pregnancy rates of patients submitted to in vitro fertilization (IVF) techniques or to intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). The study was conducted on 188 patients, 93 who participated in a group of psychological intervention before the IVF and ICSI procedures and 95 patients submitted to IVF and ICSI during the same period of time, who did not participate in the intervention (control group). Clinical pregnancy was the outcome measure. Demographic and clinical variables were compared between groups in order to assess the group's homogeneity. Participants in the psychological intervention obtained a pregnancy rate of 39.8%, significantly higher than the 23.2% rate of nonparticipants (χ(2) = 6.03, p = .01, odds ratio of 22 (CI: 1.16-4.13). The data suggest that group psychological intervention before IVF and ICSI in order to control stress seems to increase the rate of success of these procedures.

Psicologia na atenção primária: ações e reflexões em programa de aprimoramento profissional

A inserção da Psicologia na Atenção Primária exigiu dos profissionais um repensar de suas práticas, ações e condutas, considerando a realidade da população com que se pretende atuar e os objetivos desse nível de atenção. O objetivo deste estudo é retratar a experiência de psicólogos do Programa de Aprimoramento Profissional em Promoção de Saúde na Comunidade em Núcleos de Saúde da Família em Ribeirão Preto, SP. Para o desenvolvimento das intervenções, inicialmente foram realizadas análises das necessidades, a fim de se verificar os padrões de morbimortalidade da população. A atuação dos psicólogos foi dividida em duas frentes de trabalho: uma voltada para o suporte à equipe e outra para realizar ações com a comunidade. Com os usuários, o psicólogo realizou visitas domiciliares, atendimentos individuais, familiares e coordenação de grupos. Os grupos eram abertos ou fechados, podendo ser classificados em educativos/reflexivos e de socialização. Para auxiliar no desenvolvimento das atividades, foram utilizados recursos audiovisuais, técnicas de dinâmica de grupo, discussões em grupos e trocas de experiências. Notase a importância de as ações do psicólogo na Atenção Básica estarem focadas na interferência nos fatores de risco à saúde da população, visando a alcançar mudanças comportamentais que proporcionem melhor qualidade de vida.

Chronic pelvic pain: multifactorial influences

RATIONALE

Chronic pelvic pain (CPP) is a common and complex disease whose cause is often clinically inexplicable, with diagnosis and treatment being more difficult. From a clinical viewpoint, CPP is defined as non-cyclic, non-menstrual pain lasting at least 6 months and sufficiently severe to interfere with habitual activities and requiring clinical or surgical treatment. Thus, CPP is a syndrome resulting from a complex interaction of the nervous, musculoskeletal and endocrine systems and also influenced by psychological and sociocultural factors. CPP is influenced by emotional aspects with an impact on quality of life, and involving high costs for health services. Its aetiology is not always clear and a cure or significant improvement of symptoms is not always obtained with the treatments employed, with constant frustration of the professionals involved. It can be seen that its treatment is often unsatisfactory, simply providing temporary relief of symptoms.

METHODS

In the present study, we reviewed the bibliography regarding pelvic pain, with emphasis on emotional aspects and on the importance of a multidimensional approach to the care for these patients.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

New investigations are needed to clarify these relations and interventions in a more effective manner. Interdisciplinary care can minimize the impact of the disease, helping the patients to cope with symptoms and improving their quality of life.

Avaliação de depressão, problemas de comportamento e competência social em crianças obesas

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a ocorrência de depressão, problemas comportamentais e competência social em crianças obesas, comparativamente a crianças não obesas. Participaram do estudo 90 crianças, das quais 60 eram obesas e 30 não eram, com idade entre 7 e 13 anos. Na coleta de dados foram utilizados: Ficha de Identificação, Inventário de Depressão para Crianças e Inventário de Comportamentos da Infância e Adolescência. Os dados foram analisados quantitativamente, com testes estatísticos não paramétricos e paramétricos, com nível de significância de 0,05. Os resultados apontaram diferença significativa entre as crianças obesas e as crianças não obesas em relação às variáveis psicológicas estudadas. Na análise multivariada, a depressão e os distúrbios internalizantes foram as variáveis que mais discriminaram as crianças obesas das não obesas. Os dados indicam, portanto, a necessidade de uma intervenção precoce e a realização de programas de prevenção.

Psicologia da saúde no Brasil

O artigo apresenta uma descrição do desenvolvimento da Psicologia da Saúde no Brasil a partir do ponto de vista do autor, com o relato de suas próprias experiências, desde sua graduação até hoje. São enfatizadas suas experiências de aprendizagem com professores relevantes para o desenvolvimento da Psicologia e da Psicologia da Saúde no país. Alguns termos, utilizados de maneira confusa, como Psicologia da Saúde x Psicologia Clínica x Psicologia Hospitalar são analisados. A produção científica da área é avaliada, bem como discutidas formas de incremento. Efetua-se também uma análise de instrumentos necessários ao desenvolvimento da área, sendo identificados alguns grupos de pesquisadores em Psicologia da Saúde com base em evidências e apontada uma perspectiva de crescimento da área.

Caracterização clínica e psicossocial da clientela de um ambulatório de esterilidade

Este estudo teve como objetivo descrever características demográficas, clínicas e psicossociais da clientela de um ambulatório de esterilidade e identificar motivação para atendimento psicológico. Tratou-se de estudo retrospectivo, com 50 casais, entrevistados no início do processo de investigação médica. Constatou-se que 80% dos casais estavam na primeira união conjugal, 64% tinham até oito anos de casados, 72% não tinham filhos e 78% vinham tentando engravidar há no máximo seis anos. Desconheciam as causas da infertilidade 36% dos casais, e 78% nunca haviam se submetido a procedimentos de reprodução assistida. Demonstraram interesse em participar de grupo de apoio psicológico 94% dos casais. Referências a medo de abortamento, malformação fetal e parto foram estatisticamente superiores aos medos relacionados à gravidez, procedimento de Reprodução Assistida e responsabilidades com o filho. Esses dados revelam variáveis importantes para a elaboração de intervenções fundamentadas no conhecimento da realidade dos pacientes.

Importance of psychological intervention for the recovery of children submitted to elective surgery

PURPOSE

The effects of anxiety on the patient and his/her family are known to be the main factors that influence health recovery in child surgery. When the whole family can be prepared and supported by psychologic intervention, the damage to child behavior and family anxiety is attenuated.

METHODS

This study was conducted in children between 2 and 6 years old, divided into 2 groups of 10 pairs each. The experimental group received psychologic intervention, whereas the control group did not. One month after the surgery, they were reevaluated and compared with the same instruments used in the beginning of the study. The instruments used were as follows: the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory with the mothers and the Rutter's Child Behavior A2 Scale and the Posthospital Behavior Questionnaire with the children.

RESULTS

The results were compared by the Wilcoxon and Mann-Whitney nonparametric tests for independent samples, both at the P < .05 significance levels. Mothers stated that anxiety was different in the postsurgery period, showing a significant decrease when comparing the experimental and control groups. Both instruments to measure child behavior also showed that prepared children had less habit changes than the control group, which showed increased levels of inadequate behavior.

CONCLUSIONS

These data confirm reports in literature regarding child preparation before medical intervention and reinforces the importance of specialized presurgery planning procedures by the proper professional interfaced with the surgical colleagues, all aiming toward the best recovery for the children.

High levels of anxiety and depression have a negative effect on quality of life of women with chronic pelvic pain

BACKGROUND

Chronic pelvic pain (CPP) is a common and complex disease whose cause is often clinically inexplicable, with consequent difficulty in diagnosis and treatment. Patients with CPP have high levels of anxiety and depression, with a consequent impairment of their quality of life.

AIMS

The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of anxiety and depression and their impact on the quality of life of women with CPP.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A cross-sectional controlled study was conducted on 52 patients with CPP and 54 women without pain. Depression and anxiety were evaluated by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and quality of life was evaluated by the World Health Organization Quality of life Whoqol-bref questionnaire. Data were analysed statistically by the Mann-Whitney U-test, the Fisher exact test, chi-square test and Spearman correlation test.

RESULTS

The prevalence of anxiety was 73% and 37% in the CPP and control groups, respectively, and the prevalence of depression was 40% and 30% respectively. Significant differences between groups were observed in the physical, psychological and social domains. Patients with higher anxiety and depression scores present lower quality of life scores.

DISCUSSION

The fact that DPC is a syndromic complex, many patients enter a chronic cycle of search for improvement of medical symptoms. The constant presence of pain may be responsible for affective changes in dynamics, family, social and sexual. Initially the person is facing the loss of a healthy body and active, to a state of dependence and limitations. In this study, patients with higher scores of anxiety and depression scores had lower quality of life and patients with lower scores of anxiety and depression had scores of quality of life. These results show that perhaps the depression and anxiety may be related to the negative impact on quality of life of these patients.

CONCLUSION

In view of this association, we emphasise the importance of a specific approach to the treatment of anxiety and depression together with clinical treatment to improve the quality of life of these patients.

Coping by relatives of critical care patients

OBJECTIVE

To describe the coping strategies used by the relatives of patients hospitalized in an intensive care unit.

METHODS

This is a descriptive study that uses a convenience sample and both qualitative and quantitative methods. The study was conducted at a tertiary university hospital in Brazil. Participants included 41 relatives who were selected during the first 96 hours of patient hospitalization in the intensive care unit.

RESULTS

The participants reported that they more frequently used Coping Strategies Based on the Stressor, followed by Religiosity/Fantasy Thinking and Seeking for Social Support. There was a statistically significant relationship (P < .01) between the use of the strategy Seeking for Social Support and elevated Acute Physiology, Age, and Chronic Health Evaluation II scores. Qualitative analysis allowed a clearer understanding of the relation between the patient's condition and changes in the coping strategies used by the patient's relatives.

CONCLUSION

This study describes the coping strategies used by patients' relatives during the early hospitalization period. This investigation allowed for a better understanding of the relatives' psychologic aspects and their relation with the patient's clinical condition. The results shall assist the design of specific interventions directed at facilitating positive coping responses on the part of relatives.

Características psicológicas associadas ao comportamento de fumar tabaco

Este artigo apresenta uma revisão da literatura sobre a psicologia do tabagismo, destacando características de personalidade do fumante como um dos obstáculos à cessação do tabagismo. Descreve-se a relação entre tabagismo e personalidade e, a seguir, a relação do tabagismo com os principais transtornos psiquiátricos. Estudos revelam que os fumantes tendem a ser mais extrovertidos, ansiosos, tensos, impulsivos e com mais traços de neuroticismo e psicoticismo, em comparação a ex-fumantes e não fumantes. A literatura revela, ainda, forte associação entre tabagismo e transtornos mentais, como esquizofrenia e depressão, entre outros. A compreensão dos fatores de natureza psicológica associados ao consumo e à dependência pode contribuir para a elaboração e aperfeiçoamento de estratégias terapêuticas para o tratamento da dependência e/ou programas de cunho educativo/preventivo.

Psychological distress in patients listed for liver transplantation

PURPOSE: To assess the level of depression in patients listed for liver transplantation. METHODS: Sixty-four adult patients, listed for liver transplantation, were submitted to psychological evaluation, including assessment of depression by means of the Beck Depression Inventory. RESULTS: Twenty-two percent of the patients had mild/major depression. The group consisted mainly of male patients aged 47 on average, with a history of alcohol abuse and a Meld (Model for End-Liver Disease) value of 14.5. Patients that had been awaiting liver transplant longer presented less severe liver disease according to the Child-Pugh criteria. CONCLUSION: It is extremely important to assess psychological distress in patients listed for liver transplantation. An interdisciplinary approach is essential to improve the patients' quality of life both in the pre- and post-transplant periods.

Depressão, ansiedade, competência social e problemas comportamentais em crianças obesas

A obesidade infantil alcança índices preocupantes e sua ocorrência na população brasileira tem adquirido grande significância na área da saúde, principalmente devido ao impacto que causa na vida das crianças, trazendo conseqüências físicas, sociais, econômicas e psicológicas. Neste artigo enfatiza-se a depressão, a ansiedade, a competência social e os problemas comportamentais, dentre os múltiplos fatores relacionados à obesidade infantil. São discutidos estudos que mostram estes fatores como causa ou como conseqüência da obesidade infantil, apesar de não haver consenso na área. Porém, a ocorrência concomitante de depressão, ansiedade e déficits de competência social com obesidade infantil demonstra a relevância deste tema. Uma maior difusão desse conhecimento e a proliferação desses estudos são importantes para proporcionar um atendimento e intervenção adequados a essa população.

Depressão, ansiedade e competência social em crianças obesas

Obesidade infantil alcança índices preocupantes, e sua ocorrência na população brasileira tem adquirido grande significância na área da saúde, principalmente devido ao impacto que causa na vida das crianças, trazendo conseqüências físicas, sociais, econômicas e psicológicas. Neste artigo dá-se ênfase à depressão, ansiedade e competência social, dentre os múltiplos fatores relacionados à obesidade infantil. Discutem-se aqui estudos que mostram estes fatores como causa ou como conseqüência da obesidade infantil, apesar de não haver consenso na área. Porém, a ocorrência concomitante de depressão, ansiedade e déficits de competência social com obesidade infantil demonstra a relevância deste tema. Uma maior difusão deste conhecimento bem como a proliferação destes estudos são importantes para proporcionar um atendimento e intervenção adequada a essa população.

Ser mulher dói: relato de um caso clínico de dor crônica vinculada à construção da identidade feminina

O presente artigo apresenta um caso clínico de dor crônica atendido no Ambulatório de Psicologia Médica do HCFMRP-USP e discute o alcance da linguagem sobre o corpo, a presença de aspectos inconscientes na formação de sintomas físicos e a relação entre queixa somática e história afetiva. Propõe uma reflexão sobre a inter-relação entre os domínios médico e psicológico.

[Association between headache and anxiety disorders indicators in a school sample from Ribeirão Preto, Brazil]

A sample of 374 public elementary and junior high school students aged 8 to 13 years were evaluated to assess the prevalence of frequent headache complaints, associated with indications of anxiety disorder. Parents answered a questionnaire to investigate the presence and frequency of headache and of behaviors/symptoms that might indicate the presence of anxiety disorders. Children were evaluated using the Revised Children's Manifest Anxiety Scale adapted to this population. Among them, 45.4% had never had a headache complaint; 41.2% had occasional headache complaints; and 13.5% had frequent headache complaints. Among children with frequent headache complaints there were more girls than boys, higher anxiety scores, higher occurrence of bruxism, and higher frequency of agitation. The high prevalence of headache and its association with bruxism in this sample is compatible with North American and Brazilian epidemiological data. Results show an association between frequent headache complaints and high anxiety scores.

Cefaléia associada a indicadores de transtornos de ansiedade em uma amostra de escolares de Ribeirão Preto, SP

Avaliaram-se 374 crianças de 8 a 13 anos de idade em escolas públicas de Ribeirão Preto, objetivando averiguar a prevalência de queixas de cefaléia e sua associação com indicadores de transtornos de ansiedade. Os pais responderam um questionário sobre a presença e frequência de cefaléia e de comportamentos/sintomas associados a transtornos de ansiedade. As crianças foram avaliadas através da escala de ansiedade "O que Penso e Sinto". Das 374 crianças, 45,4% nunca se queixaram de cefaléia; 41,2%, ocasionalmente e 13,5%, frequentemente. Entre aquelas que se queixam frequentemente de cefaléia, encontrou-se maior número de meninas, índice de ansiedade mais elevado e maior frequência de bruxismo e agitação. A alta prevalência de cefaléia na amostra e sua associação com maior frequência de bruxismo é compatível com dados epidemiológicos norte-americanos e brasileiros. Os resultados apontam para uma associação entre queixas frequentes de cefaléia e elevado índice de ansiedade.

The utility of the Psychosomatic Symptom Checklist among hospitalized patients

We examined the utility of the Psychosomatic Symptom Checklist in an inpatient medical setting with particular emphasis on the putative ability of the PSC to discriminate psychosomatic from nonpsychosomatic patients. First, 80 hospitalized psychosomatic patients were compared to 80 hospitalized medical patients on the PSC. Second, a sample of 187 psychosomatic patients was studied to examine the relationship among psychosomatic distress, depression, and functional impairment. The results indicate that while psychosomatic patients scored significantly higher than comparable medical patients on the PSC, discriminant analyses indicate that the PSC is not able to identify psychosomatic patients in an inpatient medical setting. Factor analyses and correlations show that the PSC is positively related to increased depression and decreased functional status. Results are interpreted in light of current psychosomatic theory.

Evaluation of a multicomponent group smoking cessation program

BACKGROUND

Participants who had completed a multicomponent group smoking cessation program were interviewed to determine their smoking status and satisfaction with the program.

METHODS

The follow-up interviews occurred an average of 20 months after entry to the program, with a response rate of 80% (89 out of 111 enrollees). Most individuals interviewed (82%) were able to quit for at least 24 hr; 25% were able to maintain nonsmoking status for 1 year or longer.

RESULTS

Initial quit rates were comparable for both men and women, but women were more than twice as likely to have relapsed by the time of the follow-up interview. Participants rated self-monitoring as the most helpful of 10 program components, including nicotine fading, nicotine gum, group support, health information, and talks by ex-smokers. Ratings for the program overall were higher than the rating of any individual component.

CONCLUSIONS

Since earlier studies have found that successful quitters use more coping strategies than relapsers, multicomponent programs offer participants an opportunity to learn a variety of techniques and choose the combination that works best for them.

Child rearing patterns in Brazil

Perceived childrearing patterns have been studied in Brazilian samples of college students, normal population and depressives. Furthermore comparisons were made with the original Swedish normative sample, showing the Brazilian parents as more tolerant, affectionate, performance oriented and punitive. As concerns the depressed patients they experienced their parents among others as more guilt engendering, more depriving and less affectionate. The implications of these findings for clinical work are also discussed.