Social and parental support as moderators of the effects of homophobic bullying on psychological distress in youth

The aim of this study was to explore homophobic bullying in Portugal, including its forms, prevalence, and consequences, and to verify whether parental and social support moderated the effects of homophobic bullying for victims. An online questionnaire was completed by 211 female and male students, aged 12 to 20 years. Results showed that psychological violence prevailed, male students were more often victims than female students were, and lesbian, gay, and bisexual adolescents were victims more often than their heterosexual peers were. The emotional impact on victims was higher when social support was low, including suicidal ideation and school difficulties. Furthermore, a main effect of parental support was found for emotional and behavioral distress indices experienced by adolescents.info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio

Improving provision of effective psychological care for LGB persons: client perceptions of diversity competences of clinical psychologists and psychotherapists

While clinicians are becoming increasingly aware of the need to be competent in terms of cultural and individual diversity, European professional associations have made little progress in establishing guidelines and standards of care, practice and training – contrary to their North American counterparts. The purpose of the present paper is to contribute to the recognition of clinician diversity competences as viewed by LGB clients. It further aims to describe the perceptions that these clients have of these competences, in terms of their dimensions, illustrations, and their presence/absence in actual clinical practice. The present study utilizes a qualitative methodological approach, involving the use of 3 focus groups with 15 LGB persons. A focus group plan was developed and focus groups were conducted in a non­‑clinical setting, after recruitment through LGBT associations. Content analysis was conducted on the transcripts of the focus groups. Results included similar proportions of units of analysis in the dimensions of awareness (31%), knowledge (37%) and skills (32%). Clinician LGB awareness, however, was evaluated as more central in relation to the other two dimensions; and, overall, perceptions of competences actually present in clinical practice only made up 6% of units of analysis. The results argue for the foundational role of clinicians LGB diversity competences when working with sexually diverse individuals

Processos de resiliência em migrantes: narrativas biográficas de brasileiros em Portugal

Studies on migration have focused on the difficulties, barriers and obstacles upon arrival and stay in the host country. Recognizing the existence of these adverse processes, just a few studies have been turning their attention to the way that migrants overcome the difficulties they encounter. Moreover, a small number of studies have been investigating the migration process as a whole, starting in the country of origin. Based on the resilience theoretical perspective, this study sought to understand the adversity contexts and the resources mobilized by Brazilian migrants in Portugal, throughout their life trajectories, observed on the link between the country of origin and the host country, through 12 biographical narratives. The analysis of the narratives revealed the diversity of resilience processes amongst those migrants. It revealed that the adverse context arose by means of devaluation and rejection relationships with the Portuguese, stressing the importance of affective ties, sense of belonging, as well as the role of the Brazilian diaspora in Portugal, as meaningful resources. The article also discusses the clinical implications of the analysis of the narratives, from a resilience perspective.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Looking (also) at the other side of the story: resilience processes in migrants

Studies on migration have focused on obstacles and barriers encountered by migrants when they arrive in a new country. Recognizing that there are difficulties, it is also important to know the resources used by migrants to overcome adversity. This study springs from a theoretical perspective of resilience, based on a culturally significant ecological model (Ungar M, Resilience across Cultures. British Journal of Social Work, 38(2), 218–235, 2008) to analyze the processes of cultural adjustment to the host country in migratory movements. Thus, it seeks to understand the various dynamics in adversity and in resources experienced by migrants in Portugal originated from Portuguese-speaking countries (Guinea, Cape Verde, Brazil, Angola, Mozambique). To this end, seven focus groups (N?=?35) were facilitated for a discussion on the dimensions of resilience processes. The thematic analysis revealed five main themes in the adversity dimension with some of its topics further grouped in specific sub-topics. In the resources dimension, four salient themes have emerged. Data was discussed in an articulated perspective of themes, illustrating some of the difficulties and resources of migrants in the specificity of the Portuguese context. Implications for research on resilience are highlighted, and some bridges are built for the context of intervention in migrant integration.info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio

Religiosidade, espiritualidade e saúde mental: da conceptualização, à relação e às orientações para a integração (revisão teórica)

In the Portuguese research society, particularly in the mental health field, little has been done regarding religiosity, spirituality and mental health. Thus, this paper strives to stimulate the interest in this area by providing an overview of the body of research on religiosity, spirituality and mental health, highlighting the role and importance these dimensions represent in the life of many people, whether in health or mental distress and illness. A brief review of the conceptualisation of religion (religiosity) and spirituality is provided, as well as some areas of disagreement and contention. Guidelines for the integration and professional training are also included, not discarding the ethical considerations inherent in this process. Finally, reflections are offered as to why bringing religiosity and spirituality into mental health field is important, as well as some implications for clinical practice, with particular focus on Portuguese mental health systeminfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

La inclusión de las poblaciones lesbianas y gay a la investigación en salud: una revisión sistemática de la literatura

This paper presents a systematic review of the literature and research conducted with the lesbian, gay and bisexual population in 10 years in the framework of health and mental health. A search in the Pubmed database for publications between 2001 and 2011 (inclusive) produced 404 articles. We firstly systematically mapped the empirical studies (n=314) from among these articles and then did a detailed systematic literature review of those publications that are focused on health (n=14). The analysis revealed that issues such as physical and sensory disabilities, sexual dysfunctions, and even the evaluation and integration of their sexual orientation in patients? sexual histories have been neglected.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Sexual orientation and gender identity: review of concepts, controversies and their relation to psychopathology classification systems

Numerous controversies and debates have taken place throughout the history of psychopathology (and its main classification systems) with regards to sexual orientation and gender identity. These are still reflected on present reformulations of gender dysphoria in both the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual and the International Classification of Diseases, and in more or less subtle micro-aggressions experienced by lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans patients in mental health care. The present paper critically reviews this history and current controversies. It reveals that this deeply complex field contributes (i) to the reflection on the very concept of mental illness; (ii) to the focus on subjective distress and person-centered experience of psychopathology; and (iii) to the recognition of stigma and discrimination as significant intervening variables. Finally, it argues that sexual orientation and gender identity have been viewed, in the history of the field of psychopathology, between two poles: gender transgression and gender variance/fluidity.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Violence in Portuguese schools

The present article presents the situation of violence in schools in Portugal. It aims to provide a revision of the literature with regards to both official statistics and research studies conducted in the areas of violence, such as delinquency, aggression, bullying, and indiscipline in the educational system. It reports the major conclusions from Portuguese experts in the field of school violence and implications for community-based prevention programs to be developed in this regard. Finally, the paper points toward future directions for further studies in order to deepen our knowledge and ability to prevent violence in schools

Having friends with gay friends? The role of extended contact, empathy and threat on assertive bystanders behavioral intentions

Peers are present in more than 80% of bullying episodes and research showed that bystanders have a very important role in stopping bullying episodes. However, little is known about the predictors of assertive interventions by bystanders. The current study explored if extended contact (i.e., having friends who have gay friends), is related to assertive behavioral intentions to help the victims of homophobic bullying, through increased empathy and decreased masculinity/femininity threat. An online survey was completed by 87 heterosexual adolescents (12 to 18 years old). Results revealed that, as expected, extended contact was associated with more assertive interventions, via increased affective empathy and decreased masculinity/femininity threat. These findings replicated and extended previous studies by illustrating the underlying mechanisms through which extended contact positively affects bystanders' interventions.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio