Seeking a perfect body look: Feeding the pathogenic impact of shame?

Shame feelings often lead individuals to adopt compensatory mechanisms, such as the minimization of the public display or disclosure of mistakes and the active promotion of perfect qualities, conceptualized as perfectionistic self-presentation. Although perfectionism is considered a central characteristic of disordered eating, the investigation on the specific domain of body image-related perfectionistic self-presentation and on its relationship with psychopathology is still scarce. The main aim of the present study was exploring the moderator effect of body image-related perfectionistic self-presentation on the associations of shame with depressive symptomatology, and with eating psychopathology, in a sample of 487 women. Results revealed that body image-related perfectionistic self-presentation showed a significant moderator effect on the relationships of external shame with depressive symptomatology, and with eating psychopathology severity, exacerbating shame's impact on these psychopathological indices. These findings appear to offer important clinical and investigational implications, highlighting the maladaptive character of such body image-focused strategies

Self-compassion: An adaptive link between early memories and women's quality of life.

Research has emphasized the important role of recalling childhood experiences on adult mental health, and also the benefits of self-compassion on well-being. This study explored self-compassion as a mediator between early memories with family and peers and quality of life, on a wide age range female sample ( N = 645). Path analysis revealed that self-compassion mediated the impact of both types of memories on women's perceived quality of life. Overall, results revealed that the recall of early positive memories, either with family and peers, associate with a more compassionate self-to-self relationship, and the perception of greater psychological and social well-being

Defensive Responses to Early Memories with Peers: a Possible Pathway to Disordered Eating.

Childhood and early adolescence experiences, specifically those that provide an adulthood enriched with warm and safe memories, are consistently stated in literature as powerful emotional regulators. In contrast, individuals who scarcely recall positive experiences may begin to believe that others see the self as inferior, inadequate and unattractive. In order to cope with a perceived loss of social desirability and achieve other's acceptance, individuals may become submissive, and women, particularly, may resort to the presentation of a perfect body image. Both mechanisms are defensive responses suggested to be associated with mental health difficulties, particularly disordered eating behaviors. The present study aimed at exploring the association between early memories of warmth and safeness with peers and eating psychopathology. Also, a path analysis was conducted to investigate the mediator role of submissiveness and perfectionistic self-presentation focused on body image on this association, in a sample of 342 female students. Results revealed that the absence of early positive memories with peers holds a significant effect over eating psychopathology's severity, and also that this effect is mediated through submissiveness and body image-related perfectionistic self-presentation. This model accounted for 13%, 19% and 51% of submissiveness, perfectionistic self-presentation of body image and eating psychopathology's variances, respectively, and showed excellent model fit

Understanding the Role of Self-Judgment in the Association between Body Dissatisfaction and Quality of Life on Normal-Weight and Overweight Portuguese Women.

Literature has demonstrated the negative impact of body image dissatisfaction on women's quality of life. Nonetheless, it has been suggested that the relationship between body dissatisfaction and women's well-being is not linear, and that the processes that mediate this association remain unclear. This study aims to clarify the mediator role of self-judgment in the association between negative body image and psychological quality of life, in two groups: normal-weight and overweight women. This cross-sectional study comprised 200 normal-weight and 92 overweight female college students, aged between 18 and 24 years old, that completed self-report instruments of body dissatisfaction, self-judgment, and quality of life. Results showed that women who presented harsher self-judgment about their perceived failures tended to present lower levels in all quality of life domains. Also, results from mediation analyses indicated the relationship between body dissatisfaction and psychological quality of life was significantly mediated by the mechanisms of self-judgment in the two BMI groups (95% CI [-2.41 to -0.04]; 95% CI [-6.35 to -.89]). This mediational model accounted for 28.3% and 40.7% of psychological quality of life in the normal-weight and overweight groups, respectively. These results suggest that a lower ability to deal with one's failures or inadequacies (e.g., negative evaluation of body image) in a kind and accepting manner may significantly increase the negative impact of body dissatisfaction on one's psychological quality of life. In this way, it seems that, the focus of interventions should go beyond body dissatisfaction and also target the development of adaptive attitudes (opposed to self-critical attitudes) to deal with negative body-related experiences

Probable Person-to-Person Transmission of Legionnaires’ Disease

Correspondence to the Editor.Legionnaires’ disease is an often severe form of pneumonia that is typically acquired by susceptible persons (e.g., elderly persons and smokers) through inhalation of aerosols that contain legionella species.1-4 A cluster of cases of this disease occurred in Vila Franca de Xira, Portugal, in 2014

A interação entre Música e Dança na aula de Técnica de Dança Clássica : estratégias para o desenvolvimento da sensibilidade musical com alunas do 5º ano da Escola Vocacional de Dança da Sociedade Filarmónica Gualdim Pais

Relatório Final de Estágio apresentado à Escola Superior de Dança, com vista à obtenção do grau de Mestre em Ensino de Dança.A Música na aula de Técnica de Dança, além de proporcionar o suporte dinâmico adequado à correta execução do gesto técnico, relevando as diferentes qualidades de movimento que lhe são inerentes, cria a atmosfera necessária ao desenvolvimento da sensibilidade musical e da expressividade do próprio movimento. Esta sensibilidade para a música pode ser uma aptidão natural, mas também pode formar-se com o treino. Assim, a participação de um acompanhador musical ou a utilização de diferentes estímulos e ambientes musicais na aula de Dança poderão ser vetores que potenciam o seu aperfeiçoamento. Tendo em conta a relevância desta interação entre a música e a dança no desenvolvimento artístico do futuro bailarino, orientámos para esta temática a nossa prática pedagógica, da qual damos agora testemunho através do presente Relatório Final de Estágio. Este reporta-se ao desenvolvimento, aplicação e avaliação do projeto de estágio profissional realizado com 5 alunas do 5º ano da Escola Vocacional de Dança do Centro de Formação Artística da Sociedade Filarmónica Gualdim Pais, em Tomar. O nosso objetivo principal incidiu sobre a estimulação da sensibilidade musical e da expressividade das alunas através da utilização de distintos estímulos musicais na aula de Técnica de Dança Clássica. Pretendemos que a comunicação artística proporcionada pela simbiose Música-Dança fosse interiorizada e absorvida pelas alunas, contribuindo para o desenvolvimento da sua sensibilidade musical e da sua expressividade enquanto intérpretes e futuras bailarinas. O plano de ação de intervenção pedagógica foi estruturado segundo a metodologia de investigação-ação, tendo em conta os processos cíclicos de observação, aplicação e subsequente avaliação. Os instrumentos de recolha de dados selecionados (tabelas de observação, diário de bordo, questionários e gravação audiovisual) promoveram a reflexão e posterior análise das estratégias metodológicas implementadas. Da aplicação e avaliação do nosso projeto, concluímos que a audição de diferentes estímulos musicais promoveu o incremento da acuidade auditiva e o “treino do ouvido”, capacidades essenciais para a formação do bailarino musical. Verificámos, de igual modo, que a perceção da importância da ligação existente entre a Dança e a Música deverá ser fomentada através da aquisição de competências teórico-práticas e didáticas específicas, por parte do professor de Dança, nestas duas áreas artísticas, indo ao encontro das necessidades dos alunos.ABSTRACT - Music in the Dance Technique class, besides providing the adequate dynamic technical support for a correct execution of the gesture, highlighting the different movement inherent qualities, creates the necessary atmosphere for the development of musical sensitivity and expressiveness of movement itself. This sensitivity to music can be a natural skill, but it may also be acquired through workout. Thus, the participation of an accompanist or the use of different musical stimuli and different environments in the dance class may be vectors that enhance its improvement. Given the relevance of this interaction between music and dance in the artistic development of the future dancer, we directed our pedagogical practice to this theme, of which we now bear witness through this Final Internship Report. This relates to the development, implementation and evaluation of the internship project conducted with five students of the 5th year of Vocational Dance School at Centro de Formação Artística da Sociedade Filarmónica Gualdim Pais, in Tomar. Our main objective was focused on stimulating the students’ musical sensibility and dance expression through the use of different musical stimuli in the Classical Dance Technique class. We intend artistic communication provided by Music-Dance symbiosis to be absorbed and interiorized by students, contributing to their musical sensibility and dance expression development, while interpreters and future dancers. The action plan of pedagogical intervention was structured according to the methodology of action research, taking into account the cyclical processes of observation, application and subsequent evaluation. The selected instruments for data collecting (observation tables, logbook, questionnaires and audio-visual recording) promoted reflection and further discussion of the implemented methodological strategies. Through the implementation and evaluation of our project, we conclude that listening to different musical stimuli promotes and increases hearing acuity and "ear training”, essential capabilities in the formation of musical dancers. We verify, as well, the perception of the importance of the Dance and Music connection, which should be enhanced through the acquisition of specific theoretical, practical and didactic teaching skills by the Dance teacher on these two artistic areas, meeting students' pressing needs

TERT promoter mutations in pancreatic endocrine tumours are rare and mainly found in tumours from patients with hereditary syndromes

One of the hallmarks of cancer is its unlimited replicative potential that needs a compensatory mechanism for the consequential telomere erosion. Telomerase promoter (TERTp) mutations were recently reported as a novel mechanism for telomerase re-activation/expression in order to maintain telomere length. Pancreatic endocrine tumors (PETs) were so far recognized to rely mainly on the alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT) mechanism. It was our objective to study if TERTp mutations were present in pancreatic endocrine tumors (PET) and could represent an alternative mechanism to ALT. TERTp mutations were detected in 7% of the cases studied and were mainly associated to patients harbouring hereditary syndromes. In vitro, using PET-derived cell lines and by luciferase reporter assay, these mutations confer a 2 to 4-fold increase in telomerase transcription activity. These novel alterations are able to recruit ETS transcription factor members, in particular GABP-α and ETV1, to the newly generated binding sites. We report for the first time TERTp mutations in PETs and PET-derived cell lines. Additionally, our data indicate that these mutations serve as an alternative mechanism and in an exclusive manner to ALT, in particular in patients with hereditary syndromes.Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia; Norte 2020 – Programa Operacional Regional do Norte project: (“Advancing cancer research: from basic knowledgment to application” - grant: NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000029); Associate Laboratory of the Portuguese Ministry of Science, Technology and Higher Education: (I3S)

Modelo de turismo criativo como ecossistema de coopetição

A presente investigação visa propor um modelo de gestão e monotorização do turismo criativo nas cidades criativas da UNESCO em Portugal, tendo como base a coopetição. Este estudo proporcionou uma melhor compreensão das características, variações, variáveis, bem como, dos modelos e das vantagens das indústrias criativas, turismo criativo e coopetição. No contexto atual, a economia criativa continua a ser um sector económico de rápido crescimento e acredita-se que continuará a ter peso no PIB a nível mundial. A importância da criatividade também está presente no turismo, tal como se verifica através do crescimento de nichos de mercado no turismo cultural, sendo o turismo criativo um deles. A criatividade no turismo passou a ser vista como uma vantagem competitiva num mercado cada vez mais saturado, apresentando-se como bastante versátil, podendo ser desenvolvida tanto em territórios rurais como urbanos. Atualmente, é importante apostar no desenvolvimento de produtos turísticos que permitam o envolvimento ativo do turista com a comunidade local e a possibilidade que aquele possa ser co-criador e co-produtor da sua própria experiência. Em termos de coopetição turística, observa-se um crescente interesse pela temática na investigação, sendo interessante estabelecer mais conhecimento sobre a construção de redes de coopetição no turismo. Sendo, a investigação recente nas áreas do turismo criativo e da coopetição, este estudo evidencia que o turismo criativo pode ser desenvolvido tendo como base uma rede de coopetição turística. Em termos metodológicos, a abordagem foi mista, tendo numa primeira fase sido utlizada uma abordagem qualitativa para a validação da escala de dimensões e variáveis para o desenvolvimento do turismo criativo. O face validity foi obtido através do parecer de três especialistas em turismo cultural, criativo e modelos de governança. Mais tarde foi utilizado um método quantitativo, o inquérito por questionário, uma vez que a escala validada foi transformada em questionário. Os questionários foram aplicados nas 10 Cidades Criativas da UNESCO em Portugal, sendo destinados a entidades públicas, agentes da oferta turística, trabalhadores da indústria criativa, projetos criativos, associações, instituições de ensino e comunidade local. A metodologia de análise de dados foi o PLS-SEM (Partial Least Squares – Stuctural Equation Modeling), tendo este método validado o modelo proposto. Tendo por base as variáveis do turismo criativo e da coopetição, a presente investigação propõe um modelo de gestão e monotorização do turismo criativo baseado na perspetiva da coopetição.This research aims to propose a management and monitoring model for creative tourism in UNESCO Creative Cities in Portugal, grounded in the concept of coopetition. The study offers a comprehensive understanding of the characteristics, variations, and variables, as well as the models and advantages of creative industries, creative tourism, and coopetition. In the current context, the creative economy remains a rapidly growing economic sector and is expected to continue contributing significantly to global GDP. Creativity also plays a crucial role in tourism, as evidenced by the growth of niche markets in cultural tourism, with creative tourism being an example. Creativity in tourism has become a competitive advantage in an increasingly saturated market. Given its versatility, it can be developed in both rural and urban areas. Currently, it is essential to invest in the development of tourism products that foster active engagement between tourists and local communities, allowing tourists to become co-creators and co-producers of their experiences. Regarding tourism coopetition, there is a growing interest in the topic within the research community, making it worthwhile to delve deeper into the construction of coopetition networks in tourism. Given recent research in creative tourism and coopetition, this study demonstrates that creative tourism can be developed based on a tourism coopetition network. Methodologically, a mixed approach was adopted. Initially, a qualitative approach was employed to validate the scale of dimensions and variables for the development of creative tourism. Face validity was obtained through the assessment of three experts in cultural tourism, creative tourism, and governance models. Subsequently, a quantitative method was used, specifically a questionnaire survey, as the validated scale was transformed into a questionnaire. The questionnaires were distributed to public entities, tourism providers, creative industry workers, creative projects, associations, educational institutions, and the local community in all 10 UNESCO Creative Cities in Portugal. Data analysis was conducted using PLS-SEM (Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling), which validated the proposed model. Based on the variables of creative tourism and coopetition, this research proposes a management and monitoring model for creative tourism from a coopetition perspective.Mestrado em Gestão e Planeamento em Turism

The roles of self-compassion and social support on the maternal adjustment to a child’s hip dysplasia

Parenthood can be challenging when facing a child’s chronic illness such as developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH). Although social support is known as a protective factor for the caregiver’s mental health, the role of self-compassion is less explored. This study, conducted in Portugal, explored whether self-compassion and social support mediate the relationship between mothers’ psychological adjustment and perception of their child’s illness. Ninety-four mothers of children with DDH completed questionnaires on illness perception, self-compassion, perceived social support, and psychological distress. Results suggested that self-compassion and social support mediated the relationship between mothers’ overall negative perception of the children’s illness and psychological distress. The final model accounted for 50% of the variance of depressive symptoms, 40% of anxiety, and 63% of perceived stress. This study highlights the potential value of encouraging mothers to seek social support when facing their child’s DDH diagnosis. Promoting self-compassion may be important in clinical intervention

Estudo da estrutura fatorial e das qualidades psicométricas da versão portuguesa da Male Body Attitude Scale-Revised

Background & Objectives: Literature has shown that body image is a central dimension of self- and hetero-evaluation, and a focus of concern, not only for women but also for men. Several authors have argued the need for more significant investment in the development and validation of assessment measures of male body image, given that men and women are significantly different regarding their body image concerns. The Male Body Attitude Scale-Revised(MBAS-R) was explicitly designed for the male population and aims to evaluate attitudes and concerns regarding body image. The present study aimed at studying the factor structure and psychometric properties of the Portuguese version of MBAS-R. Method: The present study used a sample composed of 222 men form the general male Portuguese population, aged between 18 and 65. Results: Results of a series of confirmatory factor analyses showed the adequacy of the Portuguese version of MBAS-R (12-items), with a two-factor structure (muscularity and body fat). The analysis of the items of the Portuguese version of MBAS-R revealed that all items' consistency contributes to the respective subscale, as well as the global measure. Additionally, both the global scale and its subscales revealed good internal consistency. Results also showed that body image attitudes and concerns measured by the MBAS-R associated positively with external shame, body image shame, and eating inflexibility. Conclusions: Results suggest that the MBAS-R is a brief and valid measure to assess and characterize male body image concerns, both globally and specifically, i.e., regarding two different central dimensions of body image in this population (muscularity and body fat).Contexto e Objetivo: A literatura demonstra que a imagem corporal é uma dimensão central de auto e heteroavaliação e um foco de preocupação não só para as mulheres, mas também para os homens. Diversos autores têm sublinhado a necessidade de um maior investimento no desenvolvimento e validação de instrumentos de medida para a imagem corporal para o sexo masculino, dado que homens e mulheres se distinguem significativamente em relação às preocupações associadas à aparência física. A Male Body Attitude Scale-Revised(MBAS-R) é a versão revista de um instrumento de medida (MBAS), especificamente desenvolvido para a população masculina, que visa avaliar as atitudes e preocupações em relação à imagem corporal. O presente estudo visa estudar a estrutura fatorial e as propriedades psicométricas da versão portuguesa da MBAS-R. Método: O estudo foi conduzido numa amostra constituída por 222 homens da população geral portuguesa, com idades compreendidas entre os 18 e os 65 anos. Resultados: Os resultados de uma série de análises fatoriais confirmatórias demonstraram a adequação da versão portuguesa da MBAS-R (12-itens) com uma estrutura de dois fatores (massa muscular e massa gorda). A análise dos itens da versão portuguesa da MBAS-R revelou que todos os itens contribuem consistentemente para a respetiva subescala e para a medida global. Adicionalmente, tanto a escala total como as subescalas da versão portuguesa da MBAS-R revelaram boa consistência interna. Os resultados mostraram ainda que as preocupações e atitudes em relação à imagem corporal, avaliadas pela MBAS-R, se associam positivamente a vergonha externa, vergonha corporal e inflexibilidade alimentar. Conclusões: Os resultados sugerem que a MBAS-R é uma medida breve e válida para avaliar e caraterizar as preocupações masculinas em relação à imagem corporal de um modo global e, simultaneamente, especificamente em relação a duas dimensões centrais da vivência da imagem corporal (massa muscular e gordura corporal) nesta população