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- YES, WE COPE: dyadic coping as a mediator between perceived relationship quality and emotional representation of COVID-19Publication . Relvas, Ana Paula; Lacomba-Trejo, Laura; Portugal, Alda; Chiarolanza, Claudia; Major, Sofia; Rosa, Catarina; Sotero, Luciana; Randall, Ashley K.; Portugal, AldaBackground The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about social changes that have impacted the functioning and dynamics of couples in a romantic relationship, arising from the overwhelming amount of added stress they have endured. Specifically, the divorce rate in Portugal has increased after lockdown, which underscores the adverse consequences of COVID-19 on couples. A lower quality of the couple’s relationship may worsen the emotional representation of COVID-19; however, the literature suggests that perceived partner dyadic coping responses have a great influence on adverse events. The aim of the present study was to assess the mediating role of partner coping in the association between relationship quality and emotional representation of COVID-19. We also sought to observe whether the length of the relationship moderates this association. Methods Participants (N=528) were adults living in Portugal (84.7% female) currently in a romantic relationship with their current partner for at least 1 year. Online data collection. Results We found that relationship quality predicted COVID-19 emotional representation, but this association was fully mediated by total dyadic coping. This association was especially significant in couples with a shorter length of time in the relationship. Conclusions We point out the importance of dyadic coping as a protective factor against emotional distress to cope with the ongoing stressors associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. These data suggest the need for relationship education programs that promote positive coping between partners.
- Escala do impacto da dor na família (FIPS)Publication . Branco, Sandra; Portugal, Alda; Sotero, Luciana; Relvas, Ana Paula; Portugal, Alda; Marques Portugal, Alda PatríciaA Escala do Impacto da Dor na Família é a versão portuguesa da The Family Impact of Pain Scale (FIPS; Newton-John, 2005), um questionário de auto-resposta composto por 10 itens que permite avaliar o impacto da dor crónica na família. A partir de uma amostra de 51 sujeitos com dor crónica foram realizados estudos de tradução e adaptação para a população portuguesa, assim como estudos descritivos, de precisão e de validade de constructo. Os resultados demonstram uma elevada con sistência interna dos itens (α = .91). Na análise fatorial confirmatória não se verificou uma correspondência com os fatores da escala original. As correlações, com base no coeficiente de Spearman, permitem concluir que existe uma relação estatisticamente significativa entre o impacto da dor crónica na família e as crenças de autoeficácia e a depressão (r = -.754, p < .01; r = .332, p < .05, respetivamente). Futuramente, o estudo da dor crónica na família deverá contemplar, não só os sujeitos com dor crónica, como também os seus familiares.
- Epistemological development in higher education: a study at University of MadeiraPublication . Beja, Maria João; Beja, Maria João; Franco, Glória; Sousa, Fábia; Portugal, Alda; Portugal, Alda; Maria JoãoThe present study fits into the emerging adult cognitive development domain, more precisely in the analysis of higher education student’s epistemological beliefs development. The scientific literature of the area considers that student’s epistemological beliefs evolve, throughout the academic formation, of more sim plistic/absolutist forms to more complex/relativistic forms (Baxter-Magolda, 2004; Perry, 1999). However, most of the students do not reveal higher levels of epistemological complexity (Figueiredo, Pinheiro, & Huet, 2015). In this paper we present and compare the results of two studies carried out at the University of Madeira, in 2010 and 2016, respectively, which main goal was to ana lyse the epistemological development of students of higher education and the influence of social and academic variables in the epistemological development. The research adopted a quantitative methodology and the sample was composed of students from the University of Madeira (295 in study 1 and 232 in study 2), of the 1st and 2nd cycle, distributed by different academic areas. The data were evaluated through the portuguese version of the Parker Cognitive Development Inventory (Ferreira, & Bastos, 1995). The analysis of the results revealed, in both studies, a predominance of absolut ist thinking in the students of the University of Madeira, Contrary to the litera ture and the studies carried out in this field, there has not been a developmental progression in terms of an absolutist for a more relativistic thought, but rather an increase of absolutism as one advances in the academic formation, being that the students of the 2nd cycle have proved to be more absolutist than students in the 1st cycle. Concomitantly, in both studies, the epistemological development of students varies according to social and academic variables.
- One year of COVID‐19: a longitudinal study of individual and relational factors of psychological adjustment of individuals living in a romantic relationship in Portugal during the COVID‐19 pandemicPublication . Relvas, Ana Paula; Portugal, Alda; Lacomba‐Trejo, Laura; Major, Sofia; Sotero, Luciana; Agostinho, Rafaela; Moreira, Marta; Randall, Ashley K.; Portugal, AldaAbstractThis longitudinal study explored the impact of COVID‐19 on individuals in romantic relationships. The sample spans three waves: first confinement (n = 52), deconfinement (n = 49), and second confinement (n = 26). The study tested sociodemographic factors, psychological adjustment (anxiety, depression, stress, well‐being), COVID‐19 threat perception, dyadic coping, and relationship quality. Results from repeated measures ANOVA and fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) models revealed a decline in anxiety, depression, and stress symptoms, coupled with improved relationship quality over time. Well‐being and dyadic coping remained stable, while COVID‐19 threat perception increased. QCA models emphasized the predictive power of initial mental states (anxiety, depression, stress, and well‐being at W1) on subsequent adjustment. Notably, shorter relationship duration, healthcare worker status, and not having children, when combined with prior mental states, explained increased symptoms and diminished well‐being. The study underscores the significance of addressing these factors in individuals navigating romantic relationships during the pandemic.
- (Dis)Connected: finding the link between problematic use of internet, parent-child communication and academic performance in emerging adultsPublication . Portugal, Alda; Almada, Carina; Sotero, Luciana; Relvas, Ana Paula; Portugal, AldaInformation and Communication Technologies (ICT) play a central role in the lives of emerging adults, offering both opportunities and challenges. While ICT facilitates communication and access to information, its problematic use has raised concerns about its impact on family relationships and academic performance during this developmental stage. This cross-sectional study aims to describe the use of ICT in academic context and analyse differences between groups considering the problematic use of the internet, the perception of academic performance and parent-child communication in a sample of college students (N = 201, aged between 18 to 29). In addition to instruments for sociodemographic characterisation and of ICT use, Generalized Problematic Internet Use Scale-2 and Perception Scale of Parenting Communication-Emerging Adults were used. The results suggest that young people with problematic use of internet for non-academic purposes tend to report poorer communication with their parents, particularly their fathers. Additionally, half of the sample exhibited moderate problematic use of the internet. These results are relevant for professionals working with young adults, such as college professors, as well as for young adults themselves and their parents. Professors may benefit from implementing structured guidelines for ICT use in the classroom to promote academic engagement while minimizing distractions. For young adults, the findings emphasize the importance of developing self-regulation strategies to balance digital life, enhance academic performance, and maintain healthy relationships. Parents are encouraged to foster open communication and support positive family dynamics to mitigate the negative effects of problematic internet use.
- Exploring the role of relationship dynamics and chronic illness in psychological outcomes among cohabiting couples during the COVID-19 pandemicPublication . Lacomba-Trejo, Laura; Portugal, Alda; Vieira, Ana Diniz; Randall, Ashley K.; Relvas, Ana Paula; Portugal, AldaBackground: The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has exacerbated mental health difficulties among couples. Factors such as chronic physical illness, perceived threat of COVID-19, dyadic coping, and relationship quality may influence levels of psychological distress, including symptoms of anxiety, depression, and stress. This study aimed to examine how these individual and relational variables are associated with psychological outcomes in cohabiting couples during the first national lockdown in Portugal. Methods: A mixed-methods study was conducted with a sample of 956 individuals (83.9% women), aged 18 to 81 years (M = 40.76, SD = 10.42), living with a romantic partner for at least one year. Participants completed validated self-report instruments: Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scales - 21 Items (DASS-21) to assess anxiety, depression, and stress; the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire (B-IPQ) to evaluate COVID-19 threat perception; the Perceived Relationship Quality Component – Short Version (PRQC-SV) to assess relationship quality; and the Dyadic Coping Inventory (DCI) to measure dyadic coping. Hierarchical linear regression and fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA) were used to examine associations between variables. The study received prior approval from the Ethics Committee of the Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences of the University of Coimbra. Results: The regression models accounted from between 17% to 21% of the variances of the dependent variables. In the case of the Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA) models, the models explained between 11% and 85% of the cases. Hierarchical regression models (HRMs) showed that COVID-19 threat perception and relationship quality were significantly associated with mental health outcomes. In QCA models, low threat perception and high relationship quality and coping skills correlated with lower psychological distress. Conclusions: Chronic illness was not significantly associated with psychological distress when compared to COVID-19 threat perception, relationship quality, and dyadic coping. These insights are vital for managing mental health of couples during crises. By underscoring the importance of threat perception, relationship quality, and coping for psychological well-being management during health crises, this study offers valuable insights for supporting couples through periods of adversity.
- When play gets serious: can a game-based mobile application serve as an intervention for preventing intimate partner violence among emerging adults?Publication . Saial, Ana Cristina; Rúbio, Élvio Gouveia; Portugal, Alda; Peres, Beatriz Jardim; Satar, Muhammad; Relvas, Ana Paula; Gouveia, Élvio Rúbio; Portugal, AldaGames have been an approach used to facilitate increased knowl edge and changes in attitudes and behaviors related to well-being and mental health. However, the design and application of games to sensitive topics such as intimate partner violence (IPV) needs more exploration. Therefore, this 120-minute game-based work shop aims to analyze the perceptions collected from stakeholders (emerging adults aged 18-24; N=19) regarding the acceptability of using games and mobile applications to raise awareness of IPV, through a qualitative cross-sectional study. This research presents a preliminary study to inform the development of a game-based mobile intervention designed to increase knowledge and prevent IPV among emerging adults. This study contributes to a better un derstanding of the application of games to IPV among emerging adults, also highlighting the value of digital tools, such as mobile applications. More studies are needed on the design of games and digital tools that respond to the IPV problem. However, this work is still preliminary, and the insights gained from it will help to improve future work.
- Between kisses and bytes: cyber dating abuse and internet use in emerging adulthoodPublication . Saial, Ana Cristina; Portugal, Alda; Gouveia, Élvio Rúbio; Nascimento, Paulo; Satar, Muhammad; Relvas, Ana Paula; Portugal, Alda; Gouveia, Élvio RúbioAbstract Emerging adults use the internet to connect with intimate partners, which can promote closeness but also increase vulnerability to abusive behavior, such as cyber dating abuse (CDA). In this study, we explored the use of the internet and information and communication technologies (ICT) and determined the prevalence of CDA among 105 emerging adults, with an average age of 23.2 years (SD = 3.65). Through an online cross-sectional study, our results indicate that emerging adults spend an average of 6.67 h a day online (SD = 3.34), with 37.6% communicating with their partner for more than 5 h daily via ICT. A high prevalence of CDA was observed: 62.9% victimization and 74.3% perpetration, with an emphasis on controlling behaviors. This study explores the relationship between problematic internet use (PIU) and CDA and highlights the normalization of CDA behaviours.