Sexual Satisfaction in Portuguese Women: Differences Between Women With Clinical, Self-Perceived and Absence of Sexual Difficulties

Publish at: International Journal of Sexual Health, Volume 34, Issue 2corresponding author: Email: [email protected] Full postal address: Maria Manuela Peixoto, Centro de Investigação em Psicologia para o Desenvolvimento Positivo, Instituto de Psicologia e Ciências da Educação, Universidade Lusíada do Porto, Rua de Moçambique, 21 e 71, Aldoar, 4100 - 348, Porto, Portugalcorresponding author: Email: [email protected] Full postal address: Maria Manuela Peixoto, Centro de Investigação em Psicologia para o Desenvolvimento Positivo, Instituto de Psicologia e Ciências da Educação, Universidade Lusíada do Porto, Rua de Moçambique, 21 e 71, Aldoar, 4100 - 348, Porto, PortugalObjectives: Female sexual functioning and satisfaction are affected by the presence of sexual difficulties. The current study examines differences in sexual satisfaction according to three groups of women: (i) clinical sexual difficulties assessed by the Female Sexual Functioning Index (FSFI) cut-off; (ii) self-perceived sexual difficulties at a non-clinical level; and (iii) sexually healthy. Methods: A convenience sample of 329 Portuguese women, with a mean age of 28.69 (SD = 8.78), answered a specific question on the presence of self-perceived sexual difficulties, the Sexual Satisfaction Scale for Women and the FSFI. From the 329 women, 56 were assigned to the group with clinical sexual difficulties, 60 were assigned to the group with self-perceived sexual difficulties at nonclinical level, and 213 constituted the sexually healthy group. Results: Sexually healthy women were more sexually satisfied compared with women who self-perceived sexual difficulties and women who had clinical sexual difficulties according to the FSFI. In addition, women who self-perceived sexual difficulties were also more sexually satisfied compared to women with clinical sexual difficulties according to the FSFI. Conclusions: Women's sexual satisfaction was negatively affected by sexual difficulties assessed by the FSFI cut-off. Although with less impact, self-perceived sexual difficulties also negatively affect women's sexual satisfaction

Measurement Invariance of Female Sexual Function Index: A study with heterosexual and lesbian Portuguese women

corresponding author: E-mail: [email protected] Full postal address: Instituto de Psicologia e Ciências da Educação, Universidade Lusíada do Porto, Rua de Moçambique, 21 e 71, Aldoar, 4100 - 348, Porto, Portugal.The Female Sexual Function Index is a powerful screening tool for female sexual dysfunction extensively used across worldwide. Nonetheless, its factorial structure and psychometric properties have been tested almost exclusively with heterosexual samples. Current study aimed to testing the original factorial structure, reliability and temporal stability in two samples of women (heterosexual and lesbian), and to assess the measurement invariance across sexual orientation. An online sample of 752 Portuguese women (376 lesbian women and 376 heterosexual women) recruited between May 2012 and 2013 participated in the study and completed a sociodemographic questionnaire and the FSFI. For temporal stability, 30 Portuguese women were recruited online in May 2017. Confirmatory factor analysis, reliability analysis and temporal stability were assessed independently for each sample. Measurement invariance (configural, metric, and scalar) was also assessed. Main findings for both samples corroborate the six-factor structure and revealed excellent levels of temporal stability, with Cronbach alphas and McDonalds Omega of .95 for heterosexual sample, and .96 for lesbian women sample. Results corroborate measurement invariance (configural, metric, and scalar) across sample type. Overall, the FSFI revealed a good-fit for the six-factor model in both heterosexual and women sample, with excellent levels of reliability and temporal stability, and showed measurement invariance across sexual orientation. These findings support the use of the FSFI with lesbian women

Repetitive Negative Thinking and Sexual Functioning in Portuguese Men and Women: A Cross-Sectional Study

Publish at: International Journal of Sexual Health, Volume 34, Issue 4Repetitive negative thinking (RNT) is a transdiagnostic process involved in the development and maintenance of emotional disorders that negatively affect sexual functioning. However, empirical evidence for the role of RNT on sexual functioning is still lacking. The current study aimed to investigate the role of RNT on sexual functioning in men and women by examining differences in RNT between men and women and between individuals with and without subclinical sexual difficulties. It also aimed to investigate the predictive role of RNT on sexual function indices in men and women. A total of 424 participants (270 women) completed online a sociodemographic questionnaire and Portuguese versions of the Persistent and Intrusive Negative Thoughts Scale, the Female Sexual Functioning Index, and the International Index of Erectile Function. The main findings showed that women scored significantly higher than men on the RNT. Similarly, individuals with subclinical sexual difficulties scored significantly higher on the RNT compared with individuals without sexual difficulties. RNT was a statistically significant and negative predictor of sexual functioning in women and men. The role of RNT on sexual functioning in women and men was found, with men and women with subclinical sexual difficulties more likely to express persistent and intrusive negative thoughts compared with men and women without sexual difficulties. In summary, RNT appears to be a negative predictor of sexual functioning in both women and men, suggesting that individuals with more intrusive and negative persistent thoughts also have more difficulty in their sexual response

Quality of life and emotional well-being during COVID-19 as mediators in the relationship between sexual functioning and satisfaction in Portuguese women

Publish at: Women & Health Volume 62, 2022 - Issue 4corresponding author: Email: [email protected] Full postal address: Maria Manuela Peixoto, Centro de Investigação em Psicologia para o Desenvolvimento Positivo, Instituto de Psicologia e Ciências da Educação, Universidade Lusíada do Porto, Rua de Moçambique, 21 e 71, Aldoar, 4100 - 348, Porto, PortugalWomen’s quality of life, emotional well-being, sexual functioning and satisfaction are associated, and little is known about this relationship during COVID-19 pandemic. This study examines the mediating role of quality of life and emotional well-being in the relationship between sexual functioning and sexual satisfaction in women during COVID19 outbreak in Portugal. A sample of 301 women was recruited in May 2020, and women answered to a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Female Sexual Functioning Index, the Sexual Satisfaction Scale for Women, the brief WHOQOL, and the Positive Affect – Negative Affect Scale (emotional well-being). Results indicated that quality of life was the only significant mediator for the relationship between sexual functioning and sexual satisfaction. Overall, the results emphasize the role of perceived quality of life in women’s sexuality, by extending previous knowledge to a crisis context (COVID-19 pandemic), enhancing quality of life promotion during adverse moments to improve women's sexual satisfaction

Sintomas de ansiedade generalizada e satisfação com a vida: O papel mediador do pensamento repetitivo negativo

This study examines the mediating role of repetitive negative thinking in the relationship between generalized anxiety symptoms and life satisfaction. A web survey was administered to 857 participants (365 men) who filled out a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7, the Persistent and Intrusive Negative Thoughts Scale, and the Satisfaction with Life Scale. Then, participants were divided into four groups according to levels of symptomatology. The results showed that scores for repetitive negative thinking increased due to the severity of generalized anxiety symptoms. For life satisfaction, individuals without generalized anxiety symptoms scored significantly higher than individuals with generalized anxiety symptoms. Furthermore, repetitive negative thinking mediates and explains over 54% of the relationship between generalized anxiety symptoms and life satisfaction when controlling for age, sex, clinical diagnosis, and current psychiatric medication. Overall, the current findings highlight the central role of repetitive negative thinking in the relationship between generalized anxiety symptoms and life satisfaction and reinforce a transdiagnostic process in the maintenance of anxiety symptomatology and well-being impairment. Este estudo tem como objetivo avaliar o papel mediador do pensamento repetitivo negativo na relação entre os sintomas de ansiedade generalizada e a satisfação com a vida. Um questionário online foi administrado a 857 participantes (365 homens) que preencheram um questionário com informação sociodemográfica, a Perturbação de Ansiedade Generalizada-7, a Escala de Pensamentos Negativos Persistentes e Intrusivos, e a Escala de Satisfação com a Vida. Posteriormente, os participantes foram divididos em quatro grupos de acordo com os níveis de sintomatologia. Os resultados revelaram que os níveis de pensamento repetitivo negativo aumentam em função da severidade dos sintomas da ansiedade generalizada. Indivíduos sem sintomas de ansiedade generalizada pontuaram significativamente mais na satisfação com a vida comparativamente a indivíduos com sintomas de ansiedade generalizada. O pensamento repetitivo negativo mediou e explicou 54% da relação entre os sintomas de ansiedade generalizada e a satisfação com a vida, quando controladas as variáveis idade, sexo, diagnóstico clínico e medicação psiquiátrica atual. Os resultados do presente estudo enfatizam o papel central que o pensamento repetitivo negativo apresenta na relação entre os sintomas de ansiedade generalizada e a satisfação com a vida, e reforça o papel dos processos transdiagnósticos na manutenção dos sintomas de ansiedade e o prejuízo no bem-estar.

A autoavaliação das aprendizagens : perspectivas e práticas de professores e alunos

Dissertação de mestrado em Ciências da Educação (área de especialização em Avaliação)A legislação relativa à avaliação das aprendizagens dos alunos (despacho normativo 1/2005, de 5 de janeiro) consigna a avaliação como i) um elemento integrante e regulador da prática educativa, permitindo uma recolha sistemática de informações que, uma vez analisadas, apoiam a tomada de decisões adequadas à promoção da qualidade das aprendizagens; ii) um processo regulador das aprendizagens e elemento fundamental no processo de formação de cidadãos responsáveis, críticos, ativos e intervenientes, com recurso, nomeadamente, ao intercâmbio de experiências vividas pelos alunos e à sua participação, individual e coletiva. Neste sentido, a autoavaliação desempenha um papel fundamental, pelo que enunciámos como propósito da investigação conhecer se e de que forma professores e alunos perspetivam e implementam práticas de autoavaliação para cumprir os objetivos enunciados, regular as aprendizagens e promover a autonomia dos alunos. Tendo como base um quadro conceptual focado na avaliação das aprendizagens centrada nos alunos e no saber, abordámos a problemática, com recurso a uma metodologia de natureza qualitativa. O principal meio de recolha de dados foi a entrevista semiestruturada, dirigida a um grupo de quatro professores e nove alunos do 8º ano de uma escola E.B. 2,3. A técnica de análise de conteúdo foi o modo de tratamento da informação recolhida nas treze entrevistas. Os resultados obtidos revelam que a autoavaliação das aprendizagens é implementada com limitações, decorrentes da impossibilidade de se promover um ensino diferenciado com turmas heterogéneas e com muitos alunos, da extensão dos programas, bem como da falta de maturidade e do hábito dos alunos refletirem conscientemente sobre as suas aprendizagens. Parece poder concluir-se que, na opinião de professores e alunos, a prática de autoavaliação promoverá a melhoria das aprendizagens se houver capacidade do professor para envolver os alunos, motivação destes para se envolverem e tempo suficiente para a diferenciação.The legislation concerning evaluation of students’ assessment (Law 1/2005, 5th January) consigns evaluation as: i) an integrative and regulating element of educational practice that allows a systematic data collecting that once analyzed will support taking appropriate decisions; ii) as a leveling process of learning assessment. Bothe are a fundamental condition to develop responsible citizens, who are actively and critically intervenient and able to use and share their knowledge and experiences. As selfevaluation plays an important role, the main goal of this study is to get information about if and how teachers and students implement self-assessment, as a means to selfregulation in order to accomplish the regulation of learning, autonomy promotion and cognitive development. We carried out the study in a qualitative approach, developed in an exploratory perspective. It was focused on the issue of autonomy and knowledge improvement through metacognitive strategies and taking into account a conceptual framework focused on learning assessment centered on students and knowledge near a group of four teachers and nine students in the 8th grade from an intermediate school (E.B.2, 3). Data collection was retrieved through semi-structured interview, and the content analysis was the methodology used to study their strategies to develop self-assessment practices. The results show that there are some limitations in the promotion of a differentiated coaching which are due to long syllabuses, heterogenic classes with too many students in each as well as student’s immaturity and inability to develop metacognitive strategies when it comes to self-regulation and self-assessment. It seems legitimate, though, to say that both students and teachers consider self-assessment can stimulate knowledge improvement as long as the teachers are able to involve the students, and the students are willing to get involved and they both have the right conditions to promote differentiation

Avaliação do marketing na banca e o “pricing” dos produtos financeiros

Mestrado em GestãoNo ambiente financeiro desregulamentado dos anos noventa, os gestores bancários continuam a não encarar o marketing em toda a verdadeira dimensão, e a restringir o seu desempenho ao campo da publicidade e das relações públicas. Na verdade, o marketing na Banca encontra-se ainda na fase da adolescência. Os problemas, que têm dificultado o seu normal desenvolvimento, radicam em falhas registadas a nível da apreensão dos conceitos fundamentais, e em dificuldades experimentadas no processo de adequação das técnicas, utilizadas no marketing dos serviços, à especificidade do negócio bancário. Considerando a necessidade premente da avaliação da rendibilidade dos produtos financeiros, numa época marcada pelo aumento generalizado da concorrência e pela descida continua da margem de intermediação financeira, foi desenvolvida uma análise empírica baseada na Teoria do Pricing' Quadrático proposta por Moebs ( 1986), com o objectivo de apurar um `pricing' para o produto Poupança- Habitação, gerador de boas oportunidades de negócio para o banco. Os resultados obtidos confirmam o interesse e a viabilidade da aplicação da metodologia adoptada, evidenciando a importância da concertação das quatro competências estratégicas - custo, concorrência, relacional e valor - no processo da tomada de decisão do ` pricing' do produto Poupança-Habitação.In the financial environnment of deregulation of the 90s, bank managers still do not view marketing in its true dimension, and persist in restricting their performance to the areas of advertising and public relations. In fact, the bank marketing is still in its adolescence. The problems which have hindered its normal development are rooted in failure in the understanding of fundamental concepts and in difficulties felt in the process of adapting slcills used in service marketing to the specific area of banking. Bearing in mind the urgent need of evaluate profitability of financial services at a time of increasing competition and continuous fali of net interest revenue, an empirical analysis has been developed based on the Theory of Quadratic Pricing proposed by Moebs ( 1986) in order to estimate a pricing for the Poupança-Habitação product as a generator of good business opportunities for the bank. The results achieved confirm the importance and viability of the aplication of the methodology adopted stressing the importance of integrating the four basic strategic areas - cost, competition, relationship and value - in decision making concerning the Poupança-Habitação product.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Measuring self-serving cognitive distortions with special reference to juvenile delinquency: a validation of the "How I Think" questionnaire in a sample of portuguese adolescents

The present study aims to test the psychometric properties of the Portuguese version of the "How I Think" (HIT) questionnaire. The HIT questionnaire is a self-report measure of self-serving cognitive distortions. Our sample was comprised of 442 Portuguese-speaking adolescents and young adults (254 males and 188 females), aged between 12 and 20 years. Of the total 442 participants, 351 were recruited from a Portuguese school and 91 from four Portuguese detention centers for juvenile delinquents. Data analysis provided evidence supporting the original six-factor model solution, composed of a four-category typology of self-serving cognitive distortions (i.e., Selfcentered, Blaming Others, Minimizing/Mislabeling, and Assuming the Worst), an Anomalous responding, and one Positive filler factor. Further, results showed satisfactory internal consistency, convergent validity, and discriminant validity. In conclusion, this article provides Portuguese researchers and practitioners with a valid measure of self-serving cognitive distortions.The author(s) disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: This study was conducted at the Psychology Research Centre (PSI/01662), School of Psychology, University of Minho, and supported by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology and the Portuguese Ministry of Science, Technology and Higher Education (UID/PSI/01662/2019), through the national funds (PIDDAC). The first author was supported by a doctoral grant from the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT-SFRH/BD/122919/2016)

A kernel clustering algorithm based on diameters

This paper analyzes an iterative kernel partitioning clustering algorithm that dynamically merges, removes and adds clusters using some characteristics, like the radii and diameters of the clusters, and distance between centers. The clustering is carried out in feature space in terms of a kernel function so that non-linearly separable clusters are identified. The preliminary experiments with seven datasets show that the proposed algorithm is able to successfully converge to the expected clustering. It is also shown that the algorithm performance is sensitive to the parameter σ of the Gaussian kernel.This work has been supported by FCT – Funda¸c˜ao para a Ciˆencia e Tecnologia within the R&D Units Project Scope: UIDB/00319/2020, UIDB/00013/2020 and UIDP/00013/2020 of CMAT-U