Cyberbullying and bullying: Impact on psychological symptoms and well-being

Related, but with different impacts on psychological symptoms and well-being, bullying and cyberbullying have been the subject of numerous studies. The present study analysed the associations between cyberbullying and bullying, specifically: 1) gender, school grade and age associations with cyberbullying and bullying; 2) the impact of cyberbullying and bullying on psychological, social and contextual symptoms and well-being according to cyberbullying involvement, and 3) a combined bullying context was compared to single bullying contexts and to non-involvement for psychological, social and contextual factors, and well-being, among a cross-sectional and randomly assigned sample based on the 2014 Health Behaviour in School-aged Children Portuguese Study, a World Health Organization collaborative study (HBSC/ WHO). Composed by 6026 adolescents (47.7% male), aged between 10 and 19.92 years old (M=13.77;SD=1.68), in the 6th, 8th,and 10th grades, results showed that 10.9% of the participants reported being involved in cyberbullying, as cybervictims, cyberbullies or cyberbully-victims, and 47.9% in bullying. Most of the cybervictims reported being involved as victims and bully-victims in bullying; cyberbullies as bully-victims in bullying, and most of the cyberbully-victims reported having the same role in bullying. Frequently, cybervictims were females and most of the cyberbullies and cyberbully-victims were males. No significant associations were found for age and for Body Mass Index. Comparisons between groups, based on the participants’ role in cyberbullying, showed significant differences for substances use, emotional symptoms, school context, fights and friends. Further comparisons (according to participant’s role, not involved, or involved in single or combined bullying) evidenced the cumulative effect of combined bullying. In conclusion, given the different characteristics and impact of cyberbullying on cybervictims, cyberbullies and cyberbully-victims, is crucial to consider the interrelations between the groups and focus on a more engaging perspective, based on an ecological intervention model. Results will be discussed from a public policy perspective.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Cyberbullies, cybervictims and cyberbullies-victims : discriminant factors in portuguese adolescents

© Sociedade Portuguesa de Psicologia da SaúdeEnhancers of new and positive opportunities and learning, new technologies are also promoters of risks to the health and well-being of young people. Cyberbullying is one of those risks. The aim of this study was to analyse the differences between cyberbullies, cybervictims and cyberbully-victims for individual, relational and contextual factors. This is a Cross-sectional study. Results showed that cyberbully-victims reported higher alcohol consumption, as opposed to the increased drug use revealed by cyberbullies. Cybervictims reported more emotional symptoms, such as fear and sadness, and less night outs. Cyberbullies were more often involved in fights, and had an easier access to a larger amount of money and were more easy making friends, when compared to cybervictims. Based on the results, it is crucial to develop a greater awareness and education of parents and youth about the dangers of cyberbullying, together with the monitoring of technological development. A strong argument is also made related to the need of the inclusion of youth participation in the definition of public policies to prevent cyberbullying, as well as the need to focus not only in the prevention of cyber-peer related violence, but also to focus on violence-free, positive peer relationships, both virtual and in presence.This research was supported by the Ministry of Health. The authors would like to acknowledge the collaboration of the HBSC Portuguese team integrated in the Social Adventure Projects of the Faculty of Human Kinetics, University of Lisbon, for data collection. Branquinho, C. receives a PhD grant from the University of Lisbon (UL) (Grant Number 800178).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Stop difficulties! learn with fun

As crianças e jovens com necessidades educativas especiais (NEE) no sistema educativo são cada vez mais comuns. Segundo o Conselho Nacional de Educação, no ano letivo 2013/2014 o número de crianças com NEE alcançava o total de 56.886, verificando-se uma escassez de resposta face à problemática. Com vista à melhoria das condições desta população, o relatório do grupo de trabalho sobre Educação Especial para além do reforço dos mecanismos de prevenção e intervenção atempadas e adequadas, da alteração de procedimentos, da formação de professores, reforça a importância das tecnologias de apoio. Face a esta necesidade, a Aventura Social encontra-se a desenvolver um software de tecnologia assistida, com um conjunto de aplicações desenhado para apoiar as crianças e jovens (1.º ao 9.º ano de escolaridade) com NEE. O programa inicia-se com uma avaliação para determinar as forças e dificuldades de cada criança/jovem, por forma a corresponder às características únicas de cada um. Este programa permite uma aprendizagem a um ritmo próprio, primando pela motivação e diversão, oferecendo um sistema compreensivo, educacional, que reforça as competências da leitura, escrita e matemática. Sendo possível a sua utilização como uma ferramenta de trabalho na escola ou em casa, permitindo aos professores e pais, acompanhar o desenvolvimento/progresso da criança ou jovem que utiliza o software.Children and young people with special educational needs (SEN) in the education system are increasingly common. According to the National Board of Education, in the academic year 2013/2014 the number of children with SEN reached the total of 56 886, verifying a shortage of response to the problem. To improve the conditions of this population, the special working group on Special Education in addition to strengthening the mechanisms of prevention and timely and appropriate intervention response, changing procedures, training of teachers, reinforces the importance of assistive technologies. Given this requirement, the Social Adventure is developing an assistive technology software with a set of applications designed to support children and young people (1st to 9th grade) with SEN. The program begins with an assessment to determine the strengths and difficulties of each child/young person in order to meet the unique characteristics of each one. This program allows for learning at their own pace, striving for motivation and fun, offering a comprehensive, educational system, which strengthens the skills of reading, writing and mathematics. Being possible to use as a work tool in school or at home, allowing teachers and parents to monitor the development/progress of the child or young person who uses the software.Palavras-chave / KeywordsNecessidades educativas especiais, Aprendizagem, Apoio, Software de tecnologia assistida.Special educational needs, Learn, Support, Assistive technology software

Dream Teens Project in the Promotion of Social Participation and Positive Youth Development of Portuguese Youth

To present a youth participatory action-research program developed in Portugal - Dream Teens project, focused on promoting social participation and active citizenship, alongside with its impacts. Methodology: In total, Dream Teens brought together 147 participants (girls=66.66%; boys=33.33%). Five studies were conducted to assess its impact: (i) pre and post test assessment of actionresearch skills among participants (feelings and action-oriented competencies, interpesonal skills, problem solving skills, humanitarianism and feelings towards life); (ii) analysis of the most and least prioritized themes of the program. (iii) interpretation of the project’s results by core group of participants (iv) interpretation of the project’s results by stakeholders; (v) actionresearch projects implemented by core group within their community. A multimethod and multiparticipant approach was used. Results: Although in the pre and post-test there are no statistically significant differences in any action-research skill, there is a perception of overall improvement by young people. The most prioritized themes are associated to the cognitive and relational levels (in what society and friends are concerned, respectively); and the least prioritized is the cognitive level but only for school-related topics. When interpreting the results, participants report positive impacts on personal development, actions, feelings of social support and relationships. In turn, stakeholders clarify that the absence of statistically significant impacts is common in programs that aim to promote competencies, that school is not the main concern of this generation, and that bureaucracies in accessing institutions are due to their difficulty in self-reforming. Two main projects and a conference emerged from the core group’s work. Conclusions: results suggest that participatory research programs with young people can constitute important resources to promote the positive development of this populationPresentar un programa de investigación-acción participativa para jóvenes desarrollado en Portugal (Proyecto Dream Teens), centrado en promover la participación social y la ciudadanía activa, junto con sus consecuencias. Metodología: En total, el proyecto Dream Teens reunió a 147 participantes (niñas = 66,66%; niños = 33,33%). Se realizaron cinco estudios para evaluar su impacto: (i) evaluación previa y final de las habilidades de investigación-acción entre los participantes (sentimientos y competencias orientadas a la acción, habilidades interpersonales, habilidades para la resolución de problemas, humanitarismo y sentimientos hacia la vida); (ii) análisis de los temas más y menos priorizados del programa, (iii) interpretación de los resultados del proyecto por parte del grupo principal de participantes (iv) interpretación de los resultados del proyecto por parte de las partes interesadas; (v) proyectos de investigaciónacción implementados por grupos centrales dentro de su comunidad. Se utilizó un enfoque multimétodo y multiparticipante. Resultados: Aunque en la prueba previa y posterior no se hallaron diferencias estadísticamente significativas en ninguna habilidad de investigación-acción, hay una percepción de mejora general por parte de los jóvenes. Los temas más priorizados están asociados con los niveles cognitivo y relacional (en lo que a sociedad y amigos se refiere, respectivamente); y el menos priorizado es el nivel cognitivo, pero sólo para temas relacionados con la escuela. Al interpretar los resultados, los participantes informaron de impacto positivo en el desarrollo personal, acciones, sentimientos de apoyo social y relaciones. A su vez, los organizadores indicaron que la ausencia de impactos estadísticamente significativos es común en los programas que buscan promover competencias, que la escuela no es la principal preocupación de esta generación de jóvenes y que las burocracias en el acceso a las instituciones se deben a su dificultad para auto-reformarse. Del grupo principal de participantes surgieron dos proyectos principales y una conferencia. Conclusiones: los resultados sugieren que los programas de investigación participativa con jóvenes pueden aportar recursos importantes para promover el desarrollo positivo de esta població

COVID-19, distancia social y conductas de riesgo de los adolescentes, bienestar y satisfacción con la vida: un estudio proxy extraído del estudio HBSC

Depriving people of their liberty has devastating effects upon wellbeing and mental health, especially in adolescents. This was the situation with the recent COVID-19 pandemic that forced adolescents to stay at home. In order to simulate a situation of absence of social interactions outside the family context, Portuguese data from the HBSC / WHO 2018 study were used. It was intended to explore and understand which of the usual adolescents’ health risk and protective factors would be more affected among those who do not have contact with peers after school. The results show that, on the one hand, “social distancing from colleagues” in general reduces health risks, such as consumption of soft drinks, alcohol, tobacco and drug use and involvement in violence (fights, victimization by bullying and injuries). On the other hand, it decreases the perception of well-being and life satisfaction and in general increases the psychological symptomsPrivar a las personas de su libertad tiene efectos devastadores sobre el bienestar y la salud mental, especialmente en los adolescentes. Esta fue la situación con la reciente pandemia de COVID-19 que obligó a los adolescentes a quedarse en casa. Para simular una situación de ausencia de interacciones sociales fuera del contexto familiar, se utilizaron datos portugueses del estudio HBSC / WHO 2018. Se pretendía explorar y comprender cuál de los factores de riesgo y de protección de la salud de los adolescentes habituales se vería más afectado entre aquellos que no tienen contacto con sus compañeros después de la escuela. Los resultados muestran que, por un lado, el “distanciamiento social de los compañeros” en general reduce los riesgos para la salud, como el consumo de refrescos, el consumo de alcohol, tabaco y drogas y la participación en la violencia (peleas, victimización por bullying y lesiones). Por otro lado, disminuye la percepción de bienestar y satisfacción con la vida y, en general, aumenta los síntomas psicológico

Dimensions of social and personal skills in children and adolescents : age and gender differences

Copyright © 2018, Tânia Gaspar et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.Personal and social skills play a key role in children and adolescents’ development, as well as their psychological well-being. Was used the Scale "For me it’s Easy" to assess personal and social skills in children and adolescents. The study includes 960 Portuguese children and adolescents with a mean age of 12.5 years (SD = 1.61). Included were 56.8 % boys of different educational levels. The studied version of the instruments demonstrated good psychometric properties and the factor structure identifies 5 dimensions of personal and social skills (Basic Skills, Problem Solving, Emotional Regulation, Interpersonal Relationships and Defining Objectives). Differences were found in the social and personal skills related to gender and related to age. The behavior of the different dimensions of social and personal skills was studied. It was found that there was a strong relationship between social and personal skills and psychological well-being in children and adolescents. The study contributes to the research and evaluation of intervention in children and adolescents, especially in the prevention and promotion of personal and social skills and healthy development.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Youth have a voice : qualitative exploration of a participatory action-research program

© Under License of Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 LicenseAlthough the participatory action-research programs with young people are increasingly common around the world, their inclusion in the evaluation of intervention programs in the area of health promotion is still not a rule. This study presents youths’ assessment of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of the Dream Teens project, along with its impact on their development as a person, the development of their individual action and their social support (family, school and community). Two studies are presented: study 1, referring to individual interviews, including a total of 12 young people, with a mean age of 18.5 years (± 1.62), mostly girls (83.3%) attending secondary school (41.67%), higher education (33.33%) and third grade (25%); and study 2, referring to a focus group that involved 8 young people, mostly girls (75%), age 18.5 years ( ± 2) attending higher education (37.5%), secondary school (37.5%) and third grade (25%). The NVivo software was used for the analysis and processing of data. Overall, young people identify the establishment of goals in the project, the relationships established, the acquired knowledge and face-to-face meetings as forces; their difficulty in dealing with empowerment, and weak participation of some young people as weaknesses; the availability of local authorities and some teachers to listen to young people as opportunities; and the necessary bureaucracy in order for a project to be implemented, the lack of support from the educational community and some teachers, along with the lack of support of political power as threats. In terms of impact on the participants, there is an increase in their capacity for the development of the person, in the promotion of their self-esteem, personal goals, a sense of community participation, communication skills and respect for themselves and for others; and their development of individual action, a greater political empowerment, development of skills and confidence for research-action, and relationships established. The opportunities created include the establishment of new contacts and the feeling of support from some political bodies at a social support level; promotion of active listening, capacity for argumentation and development of new interests at the family level; at school, these include better relationships with teachers and colleagues, better academic performance, easier coping with frustration, better acceptance of the other; and in the community, although they have not noticed significant changes, they believe that their work will have future repercussions. This work is expected to contribute to an increase in the number of research-action programs with the participation of young people, enhancing their effectiveness as a way to promote their health and wellbeing.Branquinho, C. receives a PhD grant from The University of Lisbon (UL) (Grant Number 800178), and Matos, M. G. receives a Sabbatical grant from the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) (SFRH / BSAB / 135160 / 2017).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Environmental Action as Asset and Contribution of Positive Youth Development

Positive Youth Development theory (PYD) presents a strength-based conception of transition to adulthood in which positive outcomes appear as consequence of the alignment of youth individual skills and contextual developmental assets. PYD may emerge from environmental action because it allows for developing reasoning skills, decision-making skills, self-efficacy, optimism, good relationships and civic engagement, among other thriving outcomes. Moreover, because values, attitudes and behaviors formed in this life stage influences those in later life stages, youth environmental education deserves greater attention. Developing youth as active citizens creates positive environmental and social change that provides the basis for more sustainable communities. Considering environmental action as a context for PYD, educators or program managers should consider young people as contributors, letting them participate in shared decision making, critical reflection and possibility to inquiry, as well as providing meaningful participation, sense of belongness and authentic care. Some experiences in youth environmental action are reviewed and some recommendations are provided in order to design and implement programs to jointly promote sustainable communities and PYDLa teoría del desarrollo positivo juvenil (DPJ) presenta una concepción de la transición a la adultez basada en las fortalezas, en la que los resultados positivos aparecen como consecuencia de la conjunción de las competencias individuales de los jóvenes y los activos de los contextos de desarrollo. El DPJ puede surgir de la acción medioambiental porque permite desarrollar competencias de razonamiento, de toma de decisiones, autoeficacia, optimismo, buenas relaciones y compromiso cívico, entre otros resultados positivos. Además, debido a que los valores, las actitudes y los comportamientos formados en esta etapa de la vida influyen en los de etapas posteriores, la educación medioambiental de los jóvenes merece una mayor atención. Desarrollar a los jóvenes como ciudadanos activos permite crear un cambio social y medioambiental positivo que sienta las bases para construir comunidades más sostenibles. Al considerar la acción medioambiental como un contexto para el DPJ, los educadores o gestores de programas deben considerar a los jóvenes como agentes, permitiéndoles participar en la toma de decisiones, la reflexión crítica y la posibilidad de investigar, además de brindar una participación significativa, un sentido de pertenencia y una verdadera actitud de cuidado. En este trabajo se revisan algunas experiencias en acción medioambiental juvenil y se ofrecen algunas recomendaciones para el diseño e implementación de programas para promover a la vez comunidades más sostenibles y el DP

The effect of a social-emotional school-based intervention upon social and personal skills in children and adolescents

Copyright for this article is retained by the author(s), with first publication rights granted to the journal. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).In the middle of the 20th century, there was a shift from a skills deficit approach to a positive approach, focused on promoting assets and individual strengths. The role of social-emotional competences became salient. School is a privileged arena for universal and selective prevention interventions that can help pupils in raising their competence to cope with life challenges in a relaxed, non-violent and effective way. Personal and social-emotional skills play a key role in children and adolescents’ development, as well as their behavior towards risk factors and there is a need to evidence-based interventions. The scale “For me it’s Easy” is an evaluation tool for personal and socio-emotional skills and was used to assess the effect of a Social and Emotional Skills Promotion Program. Personal and social skills play a key role in children and adolescents’ development, as well as their behavior towards risk factors. The study includes an intervention group with 960 Portuguese children and adolescents with a mean age of 12.5 years (SD = 1.61) and included were 56.8% boys of different educational levels. The waiting-list group included 171 children and adolescents; 46.2% were boys. The mean age was 14.7 years and the SD was 3.3. The results reveal significant differences in the intervention group related to the competences before and after the intervention, namely in the interpersonal relationships and definition of goal related skills, while in the waiting list group there were no significant differences in the moment before and after the intervention, and the scale “For me it’s Easy” can be considered an instrument which contributes to the research and evaluation of intervention in children and adolescents, especially in the prevention and promotion of personal and social skills and healthy development.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Truancy: the relevance of resilience-related internal assets, student engagement and perception of school success in youth living with parents and in residential care

© 2022 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).Background: School absenteeism is associated with multiple negative short and long-term impacts, such as school grade retention and mental health difficulties. Objective: The present study aimed to understand the role of resilience-related internal assets, student engagement, and perception of school success as protective factors for truancy. Additionally, we investigated whether there were differences in these variables between students living in residential care and students living with their parents. Methods: This study included 118 participants aged 11 to 23 years old (M = 17.16, SE = 0.26). The majority were female (n = 61, 51.7 %) and Portuguese (n = 98, 83.1 %), with half living in residential care. In this cross-sectional study, participants responded to self-report questionnaires. Hierarchical regression analysis was used to understand the factors associated with truancy. Results: There were no group differences in resilience-related internal assets and their perception of school success. On the contrary, participants in residential care reported more unexcused school absences, more grade retentions, higher levels of depression, and lower levels of student engagement. Moreover, hierarchical linear regression controlling for key variables (i.e., living in residential care or with parents, school grade retention, and depression) showed that perception of school success and resilience-related internal assets significantly contributed to truancy. Conclusions: Results are discussed in the context of universal and selective interventions. These interventions can foster individual strengths and provide opportunities for every student to experience success. Consequently, they promote engagement and reduce the likelihood of school absences, especially for those in more vulnerable situations such as youth in residential care.The Portuguese National Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT-MCTES) funded this study through the PhD grant SFRH/BD/126304/2016 attributed to A.C. Santos.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio