Experiências de mau trato e estratégias de "coping" na adolescência: o papel mediador da auto-eficácia

A literatura sugere que as experiências de mau trato podem ter impacto negativo no desenvolvimento e bem-estar de uma criança ou jovem (Calheiros, 2006). Teoricamente, a forma como as crianças e os jovens lidam com as situações stressantes afigura-se como dimensão relevante para a investigação, pois permite compreender o impacto destas experiências no ajustamento adequado dos indivíduos (Compas et al., 2001). Para além disso, verifica-se que as crenças de auto-eficácia são importantes determinantes na motivação do indivíduo para ultrapassar situações adversas, sendo que estas crenças poderão facilitar ou dificultar a utilização de estratégias de "coping" adaptativas (Bandura, 1977). Apesar desta evidência o presente tópico parece, ainda, não ser muito explorado, principalmente com adolescentes (Compas et al., 2001). Com efeito, parecem também existir reduzidos esforços de investigação no que respeita ao papel mediador da auto-eficácia na relação entre as experiências de mau trato e as estratégias de "coping". No presente estudo participaram 171 jovens, sinalizados no sistema de promoção proteção de crianças e jovens em perigo, com idades compreendidas entre os 11 e os 17 anos (M=14.11; DP=1.78), 59.6% do sexo feminino. Os resultados revelaram efeitos de mediação estatisticamente não significativos, no entanto, foram obtidos efeitos diretos estatisticamente significativos entre as variáveis, sugerindo que diferentes experiências de mau trato podem afetar diferentemente as crenças de auto-eficácia e as estratégias de "coping". Os resultados são genericamente consistentes com a evidência empírica existente, elucidando para a necessidade de desenvolvimento de estudos que permitam contribuir para a elaboração de programas de intervenção adequados.Literature suggests that maltreatment experiences can have a negative impact on children and youth development and well-being (Calheiros, 2006). Theoretically, the way children and young people deal with stressful situations seems to be a relevant dimension for research, since it allows understanding the impact of these experiences on the individual adjustment (Compas et al., 2001). In addition, self-efficacy beliefs are important determinants of an individual's motivation to overcome adverse situations. These beliefs may facilitate or hinder the use of adaptive coping strategies (Bandura, 1977). Despite this evidence, this topic seems to be unexplored, especially with adolescents (Compas et al., 2001). In fact, scarce research efforts have been done regarding the mediating role of self-efficacy in the relationship between maltreatment experiences and coping strategies. In the present study, 171 adolescents, aged 11 to 17 (M = 14.11, SD = 1.78) and enrolled in the child protection system accepted to participate (59.6% female). The results showed statistically non-significant mediation effects. However, statistically significant direct effects were obtained between the variables, suggesting that different maltreatment experiences may affect beliefs of self-efficacy and coping strategies differently. The results are generally consistent with the existing empirical evidence, suggesting the need to develop studies that may contribute to the development of appropriate intervention programs

Characterization of a large cluster of HIV-1 A1 infections detected in Portugal and connected to several Western European countries

HIV-1 subtypes associate with differences in transmission and disease progression. Thus, the existence of geographic hotspots of subtype diversity deepens the complexity of HIV-1/AIDS control. The already high subtype diversity in Portugal seems to be increasing due to infections with sub-subtype A1 virus. We performed phylogenetic analysis of 65 A1 sequences newly obtained from 14 Portuguese hospitals and 425 closely related database sequences. 80% of the A1 Portuguese isolates gathered in a main phylogenetic clade (MA1). Six transmission clusters were identified in MA1, encompassing isolates from Portugal, Spain, France, and United Kingdom. The most common transmission route identified was men who have sex with men. The origin of the MA1 was linked to Greece, with the first introduction to Portugal dating back to 1996 (95% HPD: 1993.6-1999.2). Individuals infected with MA1 virus revealed lower viral loads and higher CD4+ T-cell counts in comparison with those infected by subtype B. The expanding A1 clusters in Portugal are connected to other European countries and share a recent common ancestor with the Greek A1 outbreak. The recent expansion of this HIV-1 subtype might be related to a slower disease progression leading to a population level delay in its diagnostic.Supported by FEDER, COMPETE, and FCT by the projects NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000013, POCI-01-0145-FEDER-007038 and IF/00474/2014; FCT PhD scholarship PDE/BDE/113599/2015; FCT contract FCT IF/00474/2014; European Funds through grant BEST HOPE (project funded through HIVERA, grant 249697) and by FCT PTDC/DTP-EPI/7066/2014. Global Health and Tropical Medicine Center are funded through FCT (UID/Multi/04413/2013). We would like to acknowledge all the patients and health care professionals from the Portuguese hospitals that contributed in some way to this study

NEOTROPICAL XENARTHRANS: a data set of occurrence of xenarthran species in the Neotropics

Xenarthrans—anteaters, sloths, and armadillos—have essential functions for ecosystem maintenance, such as insect control and nutrient cycling, playing key roles as ecosystem engineers. Because of habitat loss and fragmentation, hunting pressure, and conflicts with domestic dogs, these species have been threatened locally, regionally, or even across their full distribution ranges. The Neotropics harbor 21 species of armadillos, 10 anteaters, and 6 sloths. Our data set includes the families Chlamyphoridae (13), Dasypodidae (7), Myrmecophagidae (3), Bradypodidae (4), and Megalonychidae (2). We have no occurrence data on Dasypus pilosus (Dasypodidae). Regarding Cyclopedidae, until recently, only one species was recognized, but new genetic studies have revealed that the group is represented by seven species. In this data paper, we compiled a total of 42,528 records of 31 species, represented by occurrence and quantitative data, totaling 24,847 unique georeferenced records. The geographic range is from the southern United States, Mexico, and Caribbean countries at the northern portion of the Neotropics, to the austral distribution in Argentina, Paraguay, Chile, and Uruguay. Regarding anteaters, Myrmecophaga tridactyla has the most records (n = 5,941), and Cyclopes sp. have the fewest (n = 240). The armadillo species with the most data is Dasypus novemcinctus (n = 11,588), and the fewest data are recorded for Calyptophractus retusus (n = 33). With regard to sloth species, Bradypus variegatus has the most records (n = 962), and Bradypus pygmaeus has the fewest (n = 12). Our main objective with Neotropical Xenarthrans is to make occurrence and quantitative data available to facilitate more ecological research, particularly if we integrate the xenarthran data with other data sets of Neotropical Series that will become available very soon (i.e., Neotropical Carnivores, Neotropical Invasive Mammals, and Neotropical Hunters and Dogs). Therefore, studies on trophic cascades, hunting pressure, habitat loss, fragmentation effects, species invasion, and climate change effects will be possible with the Neotropical Xenarthrans data set. Please cite this data paper when using its data in publications. We also request that researchers and teachers inform us of how they are using these data