Exploring Family Change Processes: A Dynamic Qualitative Analysis of Family Trajectories, Change and Coordination in Child Protection Cases

This paper reports an exploratory discovery-oriented study aimed at inspecting change processes and dynamics in families referred by the Courts and Child Protection Services for family assessment in the Integrated Family Assessment and Intervention Model (IFAIM; Melo & Alarcão, 2011, 2013) due to child neglect. The families received support for change during an assessment aimed at facilitating and exploring their potential for change. The parents reported, in quantitative diaries, their family’s experiences and changes inside and outside the sessions. We coded the data with a qualitative coding-scheme emergent from a preliminary qualitative exploration based on grounded theory methods and sensitizing concepts from Complexity Science and Dynamic Systems Theories. Core categories of Trajectories of States, Trajectories of Coordination and Influence and Other Coordination Effects emerged as relevant indicators to understand the families’ potential for change, describing basic dynamic change processes and contributing to understand therapeutic outcomes. We discuss the implications of the results and directions for future studies

A Rentabilidade Financeira como Alavanca da Competitividade das PME em Portugal

O tecido empresarial português é constituído maioritariamente por Pequenas e Médias Empresas (PME). O estudo procura identificar as estratégias a adotar por parte das empresas para serem mais competitivas no mercado nacional e internacional. Assim, realizou-se uma breve caracterização do tecido empresarial português, onde foram referidos temas como a estrutura das PME, a Competitividade e as PME em Portugal. Posteriormente foi feita uma análise sobre o efeito patamar como alavanca da competitividade das empresas em Portugal

Exploring the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health and well-being of migrant populations in europe: an equity-focused scoping review

© 2022 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).The pandemic is aggravating health inequalities, particularly mental health inequalities, while revealing the social determinants of these inequalities, including migration as a social determinant that mediates the interaction of social, economic, cultural, institutional, and structural factors with health indicators. Therefore, it is of most relevance to identify the multiple interconnected factors that influence the mental health and well-being of migrant populations. A scoping review was developed to map the research performed in this area and to identify any gaps in knowledge, following the PRISMA extension for scoping reviews. MEDLINE, Scopus, and WHO Global Health research databases on COVID-19 were searched from January 2020 to October 2021. The review followed the inclusion criteria Population/Concept/Context (PCC): Population-Adult International migrants (including refugees, asylum seekers, and undocumented migrants); Concept-determinants of (and factors influencing) mental health and well-being; Context-COVID-19 anywhere in the world. Of the sixty-five selected studies, eleven were from European countries and were the focus of this review with special attention to health inequalities experienced by migrants in Europe. The results cover a diversity of themes related to the effects of COVID-19 on the mental health of migrants (country-level environmental factors, social determinants of mental health, mental health indicators and outcomes), responses (such as solidarity and resilience), populations, and study methods. The evidence found can inform recommendations and interventions focused on health promotion and mitigation of the inequalities accentuated by the pandemic.The study “Equity in health in times of pandemic: assessment of the impact on mental health and well-being of the Brazilian and Cape Verdean population in Portugal (EQUALS4COVID19)”, is supported by a grant by the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (PT/2021/FAMI/697).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Family and systems therapy and training in Portugal

"Author's personal copy"The history of systemic family therapy in Portugal since its appearance until the present is discussed. Some data on systemic family therapists' training is provided in the context of the Portuguese Society of Family Therapy and Academic Institutions. In Portugal, family therapy has been extended to various contexts, including medical and community services. Finally, future directions for family and systems therapy practice and training in Portugal are provided emphasizing the importance of family interventions as an important resource to empower families living with health chronic conditions. The Portuguese Family Therapy Society, every 2 years, organizes a scientific Iberian conference with Portuguese and Spanish speakers. This allows the exchange of clinical experience and research about family and systems theory

Intersections of immigration and sexual and reproductive health : an umbrella literature review with a focus on health equity

Copyright: © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).Identifying the opportunities and barriers of promoting and fulfilling the sexual health rights of migrants remains a challenge that requires systematic assessment. Such an assessment would include estimating the influence of acculturation processes on sexual and reproductive health, and mapping intersectional inequities that influence migrants’ sexual and reproductive health in comparison with the native population. The aim of this research was to locate, select, and critically assess/summarize scientific evidence regarding the social, cultural, and structural factors influencing migrants’ sexual and reproductive health outcomes in comparison with native population. An umbrella review of systematic reviews and/or meta-analyses, following preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis (PRISMA) standards was undertaken. Medline, Scopus, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews were searched from their start date until June 2019. The quality of the included articles was determined using the assessment of multiple systematic reviews tool (AMSTAR 2). From the 36 selected studies, only 12 compared migrant with native populations. Overall, the findings indicated that migrants tend to underuse maternal health services and have an increased risk of poor sexual and reproductive health outcomes. Specific intersectional inequities were identified and discussed.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Os primeiros meses na dança relacional mãe-bebé(s): desafios decorrentes da situação gemelar

It is due to the mother and baby’s perceptive and relational skills, and their relational dance, that the bonding behavior gradually develops; and it is the quality of this relational dance that will depend, a posteriori, on the individual solo and the articulation of two interconnected but independent developments. However, in the case of twin mothers, they have to establish individual relationships with two or more children of the same age, taking into account their identical needs as well as their different personalities, needs and patterns of interaction.The research presented here seeks to investigate the existence of a relationship, within the first six months of life, between the type of mother-twin bond binding and the mother’s differentiation.In terms of procedures, three semi-directive interviews were conducted with forty clinical twin mothers, one after delivery and the other both three and six months. For data analysis, a quantitative methodology was chosen, using a correlational analysis of the variables.The analysis concluded that there was no clear relationship between the two variables. Nevertheless, the quality of the mother-infant relationship seems to be affected by variables such as the maternal experience of childbirth in relation to yourself and babies; clinical complications during childbirth; the first maternal image of the real babies and the babies’ stay in the incubator; the ability of the mother to integrate the real baby into the imaginary baby; the maternal perception of the (dis) advantages of the twin situation and their competence to deal adequately with both children and each in particular.Thus, it is understood the importance of twin mothers being supported, particularly in the postpartum period, as they face a multitude of challenges that can affect the processes of attachment and separation-individuation.É decorrente das competências percetivas e relacionais da mãe e do bebé, e da sua dança relacional, que o comportamento de vinculação se vai gradualmente desenvolvendo; e é da qualidade desta dança relacional que dependerá, a posteriori, o solo individual e a articulação de dois desenvolvimentos interligados, mas independentes.Ora, no caso das mães gemelares, estas têm de estabelecer relações individuais com duas ou mais crianças, com a mesma idade, tendo em conta as suas necessidades idênticas, assim como as suas distintas personalidades, necessidades e padrões de interação.A pesquisa que se apresenta procurou investigar a existência de uma relação, nos seis primeiros meses de vida, entre o tipo de ligação vinculativa mãe-bebés gémeos e a diferenciação que a mãe faz dos mesmos.Em termos de procedimentos, foram realizadas três entrevistas semi diretivas a quarenta mães gemelares, de tipo clínico, uma após o parto e as outras aos três e aos seis meses. Para a análise dos dados, optou-se por uma metodologia quantitativa, utilizando uma análise correlacional das variáveis.A análise realizada concluiu sobre a não existência de uma relação clara entre as duas variáveis. Não obstante, a qualidade da relação mãe-bebés parece ser afetada por variáveis como: a vivência materna do parto relativamente a si e aos bebés; as complicações clínicas durante o parto; a primeira imagem materna dos bebés reaise a estadia dos bebés na incubadora; a capacidade de a mãe integrar o bebé real no bebé imaginário; a perceção materna das (des)vantagens da situação gemelar e da sua competência para lidar adequadamente com ambas as crianças e com cada uma, em particular. Compreende-se, assim, a importância de as mães gemelares serem apoiadas, particularmente no período pós-parto, já que têm de enfrentar uma multiplicidade de desafios que podem afetar os processos de vinculação e de separação-individuação

A morte de um filho jovem em circunstância violenta: compreendendo a vivência da mãe

This study was aimed at understanding the life of a mother who lost their child in violent circumstances. The methodological proceedings were supported on phenomenology. The study population was constituted by five mothers who had lost its young children for homicide. These homicides occurred different times ranging from 50 days to 10 years. I used as instrument of collection of data open interview the phenomenological method guided by a orienting question. The analysis phenomenology in their discourses showed the comprehension of essential meanings which were systematized in categories: the child's mummification in the memory; the two ways followed by the publicity concerning the death; fondness to spirituality to endure the pain from the child's death; maternal complicity and impunity. The results of this study can contribute to elaboration of intervention proposals close to the mothers in the sense of helping them in the reorganization of their lives after son's death.Este trabajo tuvo como objetivo comprender la vivencia de la madre delante de la pérdida de un hijo joven en circunstancias violentas. El procedimiento metodológico fue guiado por la fenomenología. La población del estudio fue constituida por cinco madres que perdieron sus hijos jóvenes por homicidio. Esos homicidios ocurrieron en distintos intervalos de tiempo, entre 50 días y 10 años. Utilizamos como instrumento de recolección de datos la entrevista abierta del método fenomenológico dirigida por una pregunta orientadora. El análisis fenomenológico de los discursos reveló la comprensión de los significados esenciales sistematizados en las categorías: momificando el hijo en la memoria; los caminos recorridos por la publicidad frente a la muerte; apego a la espiritualidad para soportar el dolor de la muerte de un hijo; complicidad materna; e impunidad de los asesinos. Los resultados de este estudio pueden contribuir para elaborar propuestas de intervención junto a las madres para ayudarlas a reconstruir sus vidas después de la muerte de un hijo.Este trabalho teve como objetivo compreender a vivência da mãe na perda de um filho jovem em circunstâncias violentas. O procedimento metodológico foi apoiado na fenomenologia. A população de estudo foi constituída por cinco mães que perderam seus filhos jovens por homicídio. Esses homicídios aconteceram em épocas distintas, com intervalo de tempo entre 50 dias e 10 anos. Utilizou-se como instrumento de coleta de dados a entrevista aberta do método fenomenológico, norteado por uma questão orientadora. A análise fenomenológica dos discursos desvelou a compreensão das significações essenciais sistematizadas nas categorias: mumificação do filho na memória; dois caminhos trilhados pela publicidade frente à morte; apego à espiritualidade para suportar a dor da morte de um filho; cumplicidade materna e impunidade dos assassinos. Os resultados deste estudo podem contribuir para a elaboração de propostas de intervenção junto às mães no sentido de ajudá-las na reorganização de suas vidas após a morte de um filho

Instrumentos para Avaliação da Capacidade Parental e Familiar em Situações de Risco

The Integrated Family Assessment and Intervention Model (IFAIM) incorporates an assessment process whichaims to inform decision making in situations of psychosocial risk or danger for the child, as well as the elaboration or familysupport projects. The Instruments of Synthesis of Comprehensive Assessments in IFAIM (ISCAI) were built to support theorganization and synthesis of this assessment process. The purpose of this study is to evaluate its psychometric propertiesconcerning construct validity, concurrent validity and reliability, considering internal consistency and inter-rater agreement.The ISCAI revealed quite satisfactory psychometric properties which allow recommending its use in the organization andsynthesis of comprehensive assessments.O Modelo de Avaliação e de Intervenção Familiar Integrada (MAIFI) incorpora um processo de avaliação que visa informar a tomada de decisão em situações de risco psicossocial ou de perigo, para a criança, bem como a elaboração de projetos de apoio à família. As Grelhas de Síntese da Avaliação Compreensiva no MAIFI (GRESAC) foram construídas para apoiar a organização e síntese desse processo de avaliação. O objetivo deste estudo é avaliar as suas propriedades psicométricas no que diz respeito à validade de constructo, validade concorrente e fidelidade por avaliação da consistência interna das subescalas e acordo entre-cotadores. As GRESAC revelaram propriedades psicométricas bastante satisfatórias que permitem recomendar a sua utilização na organização e síntese de avaliações compreensivas

Understanding male (con)tradi(c)tions through an in-depth interview study

This study aims to explore the diversity of male attitudes towards, and experiences of, sexual problems in the context of their relationships, through a qualitative approach on the historically and culturally specific patterns of change in sexual pleasures and experiences over the life course.Merck Sharp & Dohme Foundationinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Parcerias para a inovação social: o caso da orquestra geração

Classificação JEL: I24 - Education and Inequality; I31 - General Welfare; L14 - Networks; L31 - Nonprofit Institutions; M14 - Cultura Corporativa; Responsabilidade Social; O35 - Social InnovationAs respostas socialmente inovadoras florescem em diversas áreas e domínios de ação. A inovação social, que visa e gera mudança social, através da capacitação de indivíduos e coletivos, passa, também, pela transformação das relações sociais que caracterizam a estrutura de uma comunidade ou sociedade. A Orquestra Geração é um projeto de intervenção social, considerado socialmente inovador, que pretende promover a inclusão social de crianças e jovens em risco, através da música, em particular através da prática coletiva e orquestral, cuja dinâmica assenta no estabelecimento de parcerias entre uma tipologia diversificada de agentes. Tal como numa orquestra, em que vários instrumentos, com características diferentes, papéis e sons diversos, se juntam, num todo harmónico, para chegarem a um determinado resultado, uma obra musical ou a realização de uma performance, também na construção de uma parceria social, diversos parceiros trabalham em conjunto na pressecução de um objetivo social específico, procurando conciliar os benefícios desejados pelos próprios e os benefícios sociais a atingir. É este efeito sinérgico que se procura atingir com uma parceira social, criando mais valor, do que se os parceiros trabalhassem separadamente e ampliando impactos através de um tipo de colaboração cocriativo, inovador e transformacional. O tipo de relações colaborativas que se estabelecem entre os diversos parceiros, a forma como se conciliam os diversos interesses, objectivos e agendas e a maneira como se ultrapassam os desafios estratégicos e operacionais que se manifestam, podem ser determinantes para o progresso, a continuidade e para a própria sustentabilidade de um projecto. O projecto Orquestra Geração acaba de entrar no seu oitavo ano de existência. O alcance da sua intervenção, o número elevado de beneficiários e agentes envolvidos e as suas dinâmicas colaborativas, fazem, do projecto, um caso de referência, concretizado através de parcerias transsectoriaisSocial Innovation flourishes in different areas and fields of action. Its main goal is to seek and create social change by empowering individuals and collectives. The transformation of social relations that characterize the structure of a community or society is one of the purposes of social innovation action. The project Generation Orchestra is a programme for social inclusion, considered socially innovative, focused on children and adolescents who are socially vulnerable and it aims to integrate children and young people through music, particularly through collective and orchestral practice. The partnership of the project is very diverse and the cooperation established among partners effectively defines this project. As in an orchestra, in which several instruments with different characteristics, roles and different sounds come together, in a harmonious way, to reach a particular result, like a musical piece or a performance, in building a social partnership, several partners come together to reach a specific social purpose. One of the key issues for a social partnership is to try to ensure complimentarity between the societal purpose of the partnership and the participants’ desired benefits. This is the the synergistic effect that social partnerships aim to achieve. By developing a co-creative, innovative and transformational type of collaborative relationship, they create more value together than they could have done separately. The type of collaborative relationships established between the various partners, how they conciliate the different interests, aims and agendas and the way they overcome strategic and operational challenges, can be crucial for the project’s progress, developement and sustainability. The Generation Orchestra project has just entered its eighth year of existence. The scope of its intervention, the high number of beneficiaries and agents involved and its collaborative relantionships dynamics make it a reference case, due to its cross-sectorial partnershi