Validação da security scale para a população portuguesa: Análise fatorial confirmatória e estudo empírico davinculação na pré-adolescência

Dissertação de Mestrado apresentada no ISPA – Instituto Universitário para obtenção do grau de Mestre em Psicologia especialidade de Psicologia Clínica.Na pré-adolescência ocorrem mudanças físicas, cognitivas e sociais importantes. Porém, na Teoria da Vinculação tem sido dada menor atenção a este período, pelo que será pertinente compreender que implicações são introduzidas na relação pais-criança nesta fase da vida. Objetivo: adaptar a Security Scale (KSS) para a população portuguesa, com o propósito de apoiar futuras investigações neste tema. Questão de Investigação: as dimensões da KSS para a mãe e o pai (Base Segura e Porto de Abrigo) quando adaptadas à população portuguesa relacionam-se tal como na KSS original? Hipótese de Investigação: se o modelo da escala original é confirmado, e se quanto maior for o Porto de Abrigo ou Base Segura para a mãe, maior serão estas mesmas dimensões para o pai. Resultados: Seguiu-se um delineamento empírico correlacional, recorrendo a uma análise fatorial confirmatória, aplicada numa amostra de 176 alunos do segundo ciclo. A análise revelou um bom ajustamento, fiabilidade e consistência interna, mas uma validade convergente frágil. As estruturas fatoriais da escala “Pai” e da escala “Mãe” apresentaram-se significativamente diferentes. A amostra expressou ter vinculações parentais seguras e dar primazia ao uso da figura materna. As raparigas recorreram (mais que os rapazes) à mãe como Base Segura e ao pai como Porto de Abrigo. Discussão: Os resultados do estudo original foram replicados. Evidenciou-se a relevância e complementaridade do papel do pai na família tradicional. Em estudos futuros recomenda-se recorrer a amostras maiores e menos específicas, assim como adaptar a KSS para outras figuras de vinculação e diferentes modelos familiares.In Early adolescence, important physical, cognitive and social changes happen. However, attachment theory has given this period fewer attention. Therefore, it is pertinent to deepen about the implications in the relationship between parent and child introduced in this phase of life. Goal: to adapt the Security Scale (KSS) to the Portuguese population, with the purpose of supporting future investigations within this topic. Research Question: when adapted to the Portuguese population, are the dimensions of mother’s and father’s KSS (Secure Base and Safe Haven) related in the same way as in the original KSS’s? Research Hypothesis: If the original KSS’s model is confirmed; and if the higher the level of Secure Base and Safe Haven to mothers, the higher these same dimensions will be to fathers. Results: It was applied a correlational and empirical design, using a confirmatory factorial analysis. This analysis showed good adjustment, reliability and internal consistency but a poor convergent validity. The factorial structure of the “Mother” and “Father” dimensions were tested as significantly different. The sample was shown to have a secure attachment to their parents, and the girls expressed to use (more than boys) mothers as Secure Base and fathers as Safe Haven. Discussion: The results obtained in the original study were replicated. It was evidenced the relevance and complementary role that fathers have in a traditional family. In the future studies, we recommend to use a less specific and larger sample and to adapt the KSS to other attachment figures and to different family structures

How Different are Girls and Boys as Bullies and Victims? Comparative Perspectives on Gender and Age in the Bullying Dynamics

Bullying involves aggressive behaviors with the intention to harm others, including manifestations of systematic abuse of power. Two types of bullying can be considered: physical and psychological. Students may get involved in bullying dynamics as bullies, victims, or both - aggressive victims. The literature defines bullying as a global phenomenon, affecting both girls and boys. Therefore, Portuguese schools are no exception, with several studies from North to South of the country demonstrating the presence of bullying in schools, both in elementary and middle schools. The aim of this study is to elaborate the differences and experiences by both genders, boys and girls, in the current dynamics of school bullying. Thus, answering the question - how different are girls and boys as bullies and victims?  In addition, it intends to impart the acquired knowledge and raise awareness of the implications of this social context in which Portuguese children are currently involved. The results obtained from a sample of 1147 students attending the 1st cycle of Portuguese education (elementary schools) were in line with previous studies. In order to enrich the literature, bullies, victims, and aggressive victims were characterized in detail. Finally, the importance of the adults’ intervention, especially teachers, was highlighted