Portuguese Context Research Articles

“A Fly in the Ointment”: The Barriers to Portuguese Female Political Participation

The latest data from the Gender Equality Index ranks Portugal 10th in female political power. Despite a larger female resident population, parity in access to power and decision-making remains limited. Research on local political power reveals low female representation within parties and a lack of motivation to recruit or affiliate women. This study utilizes thematic analysis eight interviews with women in political leadership positions to identify barriers to female political participation in the Portuguese context. Key questions addressed include the following: How do media representation, role models, stereotypes, and cultural norms impact the political arena? Is it the lack of representation that deters women, or does the political environment alienate them? The analysis explores how media portrayal, stereotypes, double standards, scrutiny, and cultural norms interconnect, perpetuating the political arena as a male-dominated space, thereby marginalizing women politicians.

Eyes on phishing emails: an eye-tracking study

Abstract Objective This study aims to explore susceptibility to phishing emails by analysing the visual patterns of individuals. Method A quasi-experimental study was developed, using 28 emails (13 phishing; 13 legitimate; 2 control) which were subdivided into two groups (G1; G2) and presented to the participants who looked at a set of 15 emails. The sample consisted of 70 participants. Results Phishing emails showed significantly higher average fixation times and total fixations in the sender’s area compared to legitimate emails. However, no significant correlations were found between fixation time, total number of fixations in various areas of the email, and the accuracy of email identification (both general and phishing). Conclusion This pioneering study within the Portuguese context lays the foundation for future research on analysing and accurately detecting different types of emails, including differentiating between them. It also supports the development of targeted training to improve the recognition of various emails cues.

Sustainable development in higher education in business sciences: a multidimensional analysis in the Portuguese context

Sustainable development in higher education in business sciences: a multidimensional analysis in the Portuguese context

Motivating Medical Students: Adaptation of the Academic Motivation Scale within the Framework of the Self-Determination Theory

Introduction: Motivation plays a crucial role in the academic success and professional development of medical students. Understanding the intricacies of motivation within the context of medical education is essential for designing effective interventions and support systems. The aim of this study was to explore the adaptation of the Academic Motivation Scale within the framework of the self-determination theory and of the self-efficacy theory to assess motivation among medical students.Methods: The study adapted the Academic Motivation Scale to the Portuguese context, drawing upon insights from the self-determination theory. Two existing Portuguese scales, MATAMS and Ribeiro et al scale, served as foundational frameworks for the adaptation process. The study included qualitative interviews, which informed the creation of the Minho Medical Academic Motivation Scale – Minho-MEDAMS. This scale was applied to 281 medical students. To assess the scale’s validity, we used the exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, and the Cronbach’s alpha to measure internal consistency.Results: The exploratory factor analysis showed strong results with a KMO of 0.862, leading to five factors and the removal of two items. The initial confirmatory factor analysis indicated poor fit, prompting the removal of items with low R-squared values. The final Minho-MEDAMS includes 18 items: six for intrinsic motivation, nine for extrinsic motivation and three for amotivation. This refined scale demonstrates high internal consistency (α = 0.831), making it a reliable tool for assessing medical students’ motivation.Conclusion: The successful adaptation of the Academic Motivation Scale within the self-determination theory framework presents a valuable instrument for assessing motivation in medical students. The Minho-MEDAMS offers a comprehensive understanding of motivational dynamics, facilitating targeted interventions and support mechanisms to enhance student engagement and success. Its validity and reliability render it a practical tool for educators, administrators, and researchers in the field of medical education. Ultimately, the Minho-MEDAMS contributes to the advancement of strategies aimed at cultivating motivated and proficient healthcare professionals.

Validation of ELPO-PT: A Risk Assessment Scale for Surgical Positioning Injuries in the Portuguese Context

Background/Objectives: Surgical procedures carry inherent risks, including injuries from surgical positioning, which impact patient safety and healthcare quality. An instrument to assess and prevent these injuries is essential. This study aimed to validate and culturally adapt the ELPO-PT for the Portuguese population to ensure its applicability and effectiveness in assessing the risk of injury from surgical positioning. Methods: A validation study was conducted with 126 adult patients undergoing surgical procedures at a central hospital in northern Portugal. Statistical analyses, including the calculation of Cronbach’s alpha coefficient, assessed the internal reliability of the scale. Additionally, sensitivity and specificity analyses evaluated the ELPO-PT’s diagnostic accuracy in identifying patients at risk of developing positioning-related injuries. Results: The validation showed a Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of 0.782, indicating reasonable internal reliability. Sensitivity analysis revealed an 85% accuracy rate in identifying patients at risk of positioning injuries, while specificity analysis demonstrated a 90% accuracy rate for patients not at risk. Conclusions: The ELPO-PT is a valid and reliable instrument for aiding nurses in clinical decision-making, with significant sensitivity and specificity in identifying the risk of positioning-related injuries, including pressure ulcers, in adult patients during the intraoperative period. Its implementation is expected to be beneficial in healthcare settings, contributing to the prevention of complications associated with surgical positioning.

Evolution and future prospects in quantifying the chemical burden in Portugal

Abstract The quantification of the burden associated with chemicals is essential for comprehending their impact on public health and implementing effective risk management strategies. This presentation underscores the significance of conducting such assessments at both national and local levels, taking into account the exposures and vulnerabilities of those populations. Our objective is to provide an overview of past burden quantification exercises in the Portuguese context while identifying ongoing and future initiatives. Drawing from past experiences, we have initially characterized the burden of the Portuguese population’s exposure to mycotoxins through food consumption, particularly aflatoxins, and the consequent health burden. This laid the groundwork for discussing the potential consequences of climate change in this context and the associated burden. Subsequently, various exercises have been undertaken, incorporating diverse data sources, including human biomonitoring. Currently, several exercises are ongoing or planned, addressing different chemicals and contexts. These include arsenic and its association with various types of cancer, mercury and lead linked to cognitive impairment, and air pollution (e.g., PM2.5 and NO2) and its impact on health (e.g., cardiovascular diseases, lung cancer, asthma). Given the evolving challenges posed by climate change and emerging contaminants, understanding the burden of chemicals assumes increased importance, reinforcing the role of these assessments in safeguarding public health, guiding policy decisions, and highlighting the necessity of prioritizing research and surveillance efforts to protect human health and mitigate the adverse effects of chemical exposures.

Self-determination and self-affirmative paths of trans* and gender diverse people in Portugal: Diverse identities and healthcare

Abstract Background Trans* and gender diverse (TGD) people are very heterogeneous. While legal contexts and healthcare practices have been growingly endorsing self-determination and consent for gender affirmative care in some countries, gender affirmation trajectories need to be understood as unique and fluid processes, constructed and negotiated by each individual in a given social and cultural context. This study aimed to characterize diverse profiles of TGD people in Portugal, regarding individual choices and trajectories in social, legal, and medical gender affirmative processes. Methods A questionnaire, first developed in France and used in Brazil, Italy, Norway, and Chile, was adapted to the Portuguese context. The conducted survey is comprised of 120 questions, organized into six sections: 1) sociodemographic variables; 2) gender affirmation processes and medical and psychological care; 3) general health and sexual health; 4) mental health; 5) sexuality and sexual concerns; 6) experiences of discrimination and gender identity. Data were collected from a convenience sample of 115 adults who identified as TGD. Content analysis was performed on the written responses, and later categorized. Results Approximately 21% of people identified as men, 17% as trans men, 7% as women, 12% as trans women, 26% as non-binary persons, and 17% as agender or other identifications. Differences were calculated among profiles of TGD participants and their choices for affirmative care, social, and legal transition, revealing an association between the way people self-identify and the request for legal recognition of gender identity, as well as the choices of procedures (or aspirations) for medical affirmation (i.e., hormonal treatments, top surgery, bottom surgery). Conclusions The provision of health care practices consistent with the principles of self-determination requires training of health care professionals and adjustment of public policies, to allow for unique trajectories and profiles.

Alfredo Magalhães Ramalho’s scientific correspondence: historical connections between oceanography and marine biology from Portugal (1919–1949)

This article presents Alfredo Magalhães Ramalho’s scientific correspondence between 1919 and 1949, both nationally and internationally. It consists of 181 unpublished letters, exchanged with 30 relevant figures belonging to 11 countries, including France, the UK, Croatia, Japan, Germany, Canada, Sweden, Norway, Morocco, Belgium and Spain. This correspondence shows a network among different research institutions devoted to the marine sciences. This includes biological stations, such as the Istituto Italo-Germanico di Biologia Marina, laboratories and museums, e. g. the British Museum of Natural History. At the national level, the correspondence between Ramalho and Augusto Nobre represents a historical axis between Lisbon and Porto, involving two of the most relevant scientists in the fields of oceanography and marine biology. At the international level, Ramalho corresponded with personalities such as Henry Gascoyne Maurice and other members of the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea, including for example the oceanographer Vagn Walfrid Ekman. This correspondence represents an archival discovery of the Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere in Lisbon, marking a decisive historical scientific moment for both Portuguese and international contexts in the field of marine sciences. This article aims to reconstruct Portugal’s internal and external networks.

Translation and cross-cultural adaptation of the Posthumous Dignity Therapy Schedule of Questions to Brazilian Portuguese.

Dignity Therapy (DT) is a brief form of psychotherapy that helps people with life-threatening illnesses and their loved ones cope with emotional pain and demoralization. Unfortunately, not everyone has the opportunity to receive DT during their lifetime. Posthumous Dignity Therapy (PDT) was then devised to be administered to bereaved family members. However, PDT has not yet been validated or studied in the specific cultural and linguistic context of Portuguese-Brazilians. This study aims to fill this gap by validating PDT for the Portuguese (Brazilian) context. Using Beaton's methodology, including the processes of translation, synthesis, back-translation, evaluation by an expert committee, and pre-testing, the PDT Schedule of Questions underwent validation and cultural adaptation. The research was conducted in a Palliative Care Unit at a tertiary cancer hospital in Brazil. The questionnaire was translated, back-translated, and evaluated by the panel of experts, obtaining a Content Validity Index of 0.97. During the pretest phase, it was observed that the participant's interview method needed to be changed from remote (telephone or videoconference) to in-person. Additionally, it was necessary to modify some terms related to death and dying, as they caused discomfort to the participants. As a result of this process, the PDT was modified, and adapted to the Brazilian cultural and linguistic reality. This validation study will be significant for future DT research from the caregivers' perspective and for projects aiming to implement this therapeutic modality in palliative care units, in addition to helping participants remember their loved ones better by providing a tangible legacy document that assists them emotionally and materially in coping with the grieving process.

Molecular Screening and Characterization of Enteric Protozoan Parasites and Microsporidia in Wild Ducks from Portugal.

Enteric parasites pose significant threats to both human and veterinary health, ranking among the top causes of mortality worldwide. Wild migratory waterfowl, such as ducks, may serve as hosts and vectors for these parasites, facilitating their transmission across ecosystems. This study conducted a molecular screening of enteric parasites in three species of wild ducks of the genus Anas (A. acuta, A. platyrhynchos and A. crecca) from Portugal, targeting Blastocystis sp., Balantioides coli, Cryptosporidium spp., Encephalitozoon spp., and Enterocytozoon bieneusi. Fecal samples from 71 ducks were analyzed using PCR and sequencing techniques. The results revealed a 2.82% occurrence of Blastocystis sp. subtype 7 and Cryptosporidium baileyi, marking the first molecular detection of these pathogens in wild ducks in Portugal. While previous studies have documented these parasites in Anas spp. in other regions, this study contributes novel data specific to the Portuguese context. No evidence of Balantioides coli, Encephalitozoon spp. or Enterocytozoon bieneusi was found. These findings highlight the potential role of migratory ducks as vectors for zoonotic protozoa, emphasizing the need for enhanced surveillance of avian populations to mitigate cross-species transmission risks. Further research is warranted to understand the global public health implications associated with migratory waterfowl.

EARLY COMMUNICATION INDICATOR-PORTUGAL: EVIDENCE FOR ITS USE IN ASSESSING AND MONITORING COMMUNICATION IN YOUNG CHILDREN

The need for effective, globally validated tools to assess and monitor communication in early childhood has led different populations to explore and adapt tools that have already been validated in other countries and languages. A promising tool to support the assessment and monitoring of early communication is the Early Communication Indicator (ECI), developed in the USA. The ECI has recently been adapted for the Portuguese population, and the aim of this paper is to describe its characteristics and report the results obtained with Portuguese children aged between 6 and 42 months, presenting evidence for its use in assessing and monitoring communication in Portuguese children at an early age. This evidence shows the sensitivity of the ECI-Portugal in capturing the changes that occur throughout the communicative development of Portuguese children in the early years, and in identifying differences between children with and without communication disorders. Further research is needed to advance the development of the ECI in the Portuguese context. Consequently, a discussion of the research and practical steps needed to move this project forward is presented.<p> </p><p><strong> Article visualizations:</strong></p><p><img src="/-counters-/soc/0798/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /></p>

Let's Talk About Grief: Building a Theoretical Framework for Grief Counseling with Systematic Literature Review

Grief is a universal life experience characterized by the loss of an affective bond, leading to Normal Grief responses. Grief Counseling is a specialized therapeutic intervention aimed at facilitating adaptation to the new reality and preventing complications from prolonged grief. A systematic literature review was conducted to inform the development of a curricular program for training in Grief Counseling in the Portuguese context. From Research Summit 2022.

Corporate Donations in the Context of Covid-19: Insights on Trust and Policy Innovation Opportunities

This study aims to investigate the determinants of corporate donations during the initial phase of the Covid-19 pandemic, focusing on the Portuguese context. It explores the interplay between pandemic-related factors, corporate structures, recipient profiles, and media coverage on the levels of corporate donations. In the absence of publicly available data, a comprehensive database of corporate donations was constructed by analyzing over six thousand news pieces from various media sources between March and May 2020. The database comprises 1171 donations from 709 different institutions. The relationship between corporate donations and multiple variables was examined, including the epidemiological progression of the pandemic, corporate ownership structures, recipient characteristics, and media coverage. Our analysis reveals that during the initial wave of the Covid-19 pandemic in Portugal, corporate donations were predominantly made by large companies, primarily directed toward their local regions. Notably, nearly 93% of all donations were allocated to the National Health System. PPEs and hospital equipment were the preferred donation items among the contributing companies. These findings shed light on the factors influencing corporate donation behavior during emergency situations and provide valuable insights into trust levels within the healthcare system. This study contributes to the existing literature by offering a unique exploration of corporate donation behavior during the Covid-19 pandemic, specifically in Portugal. The comprehensive dataset and findings provide novel insights into the factors shaping corporate donation decisions during crises. Doi: 10.28991/ESJ-2024-08-05-010 Full Text: PDF

Development and Validation of the Teachers’ Perceptions of Classroom Climate Scale for the Portuguese Population

To improve learning outcomes, evidence-based processes suggest that classroom climate is a means of creating more sustainable schools committed to improving the quality of teaching and learning. Therefore, valid measures of classroom climate are necessary to enable comparative studies focused on teachers' perceptions, including important dimensions such as cooperation. As no validated instruments exist for the Portuguese context, we developed and validated the Teachers' Perception of Classroom Climate (TPCC), consisting of five dimensions: teacher support, peer support, academic competence, satisfaction with the school, and cooperation. Following a quantitative research approach, the construct validity was analyzed using Confirmatory Factor Analysis, internal consistency was evaluated using Cronbach’s Alpha coefficient, and test-retest reliability was assessed using univariate and multivariate General Linear Models and Spearman’s rho correlations. The study supported the five-factor structure of the TPCC and demonstrated good psychometric properties. These results support the use of the TPCC to evaluate teacher perceptions of classroom climate.

The Social Motivational Orientations in Sport Scale (SMOSS): Validation for Portuguese Physical Education Students

Social goals are increasingly seen as motivational factors for youth sports participation and can strongly motivate participation and engagement, not only in structured sports contexts but also in physical education (PE), given the opportunities for social interaction with peers and the presence of skills like communication, cooperation, and competition within groups. The Social Motivational Orientations in Sport Scale (SMOSS) measures three types of social goals in sports participation: affiliation, status, and recognition. The current study aimed to adapt and validate the SMOSS for the Portuguese context, using a sample of 460 PE students (14–19 years old, 58.9% female). The confirmatory factor analysis results supported the three-factor model (affiliation, recognition, and status), after excluding two items. This adapted 13-item SMOSS demonstrated invariance across genders and showed good internal consistency across its three dimensions. It also exhibited convergent, discriminant, and concurrent validity. These findings indicate that the Portuguese version of the SMOSS is a valid and reliable instrument. It is now well suited for use by schools, teachers, and psychologists to effectively assess PE students’ social goals. Additionally, the SMOSS can assist in evaluating intervention programs aimed at enhancing students’ social motivation, thus contributing to more effective educational and developmental strategies in PE settings.

“How Can You Be a Feminist if You’re Always Online?” Online Activisms, Ambivalence, and Dis/Connection

Digital presence and participation are often imagined as essential for contemporary feminist practices and identities. However, feminist engagements with digital and social media platforms can be tempered by drawbacks and tensions. This leads activists and everyday feminists to the need to negotiate digital dis/connection in their everyday lives. This article explores the affective dimensions of social media dis/connection in feminist contexts, grounding it on 22 in-depth interviews with people engaged with online feminisms and activisms in the Portuguese context. The article foregrounds the relationship between digital activisms and different affective ambiences, both internal and platform-driven. It explores the pressures felt by activists, the sense of disillusionment that paradoxically co-exists with discourses of political potential of social media, and, finally, practices of partial or temporary disconnection that emerge as means to negotiate the affective ambivalences of digital activism.

Understanding the political connections of Portuguese companies through their board members

PurposeThis study aims to analyse the political connections of Portuguese companies through the members of the board of directors, exploring how these connections influence, in particular, the composition and characteristics of the boards.Design/methodology/approachThe research used a strategy based on analysing the financial statements and curriculum vitae of the directors of Portuguese companies listed on Euronext Lisbon from 2014 to 2019. The political connections of board members were examined, considering the variables identified in the existing literature.FindingsThe results indicate that companies with political connections maintain these relationships for long periods and have a greater number of members on the board of directors compared to companies without such connections. Directors with political experience tend to occupy non-executive positions, suggesting that companies may value political contacts more than the management skills of these directors. It was also found that there are politically connected directors who belong to multiple boards and that women appointed to the board are less likely to have a political background, reflecting male dominance in Portuguese politics.Research limitations/implicationsThe main limitations of this study include the small number of listed companies in the sample, which may affect the statistical robustness of the results, as well as the use of secondary sources, which may not capture all relevant policy linkages. In addition, the results are specific to the Portuguese context and may not be generalisable to other countries or other regions of the world.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the understanding of political connections in Portuguese companies, offering valuable insights into how these connections influence board composition and can impact corporate strategy and governance. The findings of this study can be especially useful for business leaders looking to optimise the formation of their boards of directors.

Transforming how we communicate with victims :moving beyond information provision to a system of communication

This article is based on Victim Support Europe’s policy paper “Transforming how we communicate with victims: moving beyond information provision to a system of communication”, drafted and published in 2022 under the Project INFOVICTIMS 3. The three INFOVICTIMS projects, co-financed by the Criminal Justice Programme of the European Union, were developed and led by the Portuguese Association for Victim Support (Associação Portuguesa de Apoio à Vítima, APAV). As a result of multiple contacts and exchange of knowledge and experiences, a partnership between APAV and the Instituto Brasileiro de Atenção e Apoio Integral às Vítimas (PRÓVÍTIMA) was established. The connection between APAV and ProVítima is characterized by collaborative efforts and synergies to create a more robust and integrated response to the complex challenges associated with victimisation. APAV's expertise in victim support and ProVítima's specialized focus contribute to a collective and coordinated approach to prevention, intervention, and assistance for those affected by crime. This collaboration exemplifies a concerted endeavour to provide holistic support and advocate for the rights and well-being of victims within the Portuguese and Brazilian context. Under this partnership,Infovictims reached Brazil, and ProVítima Institute created the website Infovictims Brazil.

Tourism in rural areas as a broader concept: Some insights from the Portuguese reality

Abstract For sustainable rural development, the complementarity between the socioeconomic activities developed in rural areas is fundamental to create synergies and economic dynamics with positive externalities for the populations in less favoured spaces. The great challenge for the rural regions is the creation of attractive employment to avoid the desertification of these areas and the respective consequences. Some of the impacts of the rural exodus are related to the agroforestry activities abandonment and the increase of biomass in the respective land which, in certain circumstances, is fuel for forest fires. Tourism in rural areas/space (TRA/S) may contribute significantly to improving the complementarity among activities in less favoured spaces and promoting sustainability in mentioned areas. From this perspective, this research aims to explore dimensions associated with TRA/S, highlighting the main contributions from the scientific literature and showing that it can be considered, in some contexts, a broader concept than the concept of rural tourism. To achieve these objectives, first a systematic review based on metrics from the bibliometric analysis was carried out, considering 165 documents found in the Scopus database in a search performed on 19 March 2024 for the following topics and conditions: “tourism in rural areas” or “tourism in rural space.” Then, statistics on the Portuguese reality are presented and analysed, highlighting evidence of the context in Portugal. The findings obtained from the systematic review and bibliometric analysis show the importance of this economic activity for the rural regions and reveal some gaps in the literature that may be considered in future studies, namely the following: the links between tourism in rural areas and economic dynamics should be further developed, further address the interconnection between TRA/S dynamics and the Sustainable Development Goals, and more knowledge about the particularities of each Portuguese context. The statistical analysis of the Portuguese context shows that tourism in rural areas has benefited from the pandemic; it seems that tourists have discovered this form of tourism.

Laughing ‘With’ vs. ‘At’: Exploring Emotional Bonds in Media Strategies

This study examines the role of laughter in media strategies. The aim is to distinguish between laughter shared ‘with’ the audience and laughter directed ‘at’ the audience. The research briefly traces the historical evolution of laughter from a repressed and morally criticised expression to a symbol of wealth and empowerment, a transformation facilitated by media diffusion. The subsequent analysis, based on the Portuguese context, seems to indicate a current tendency towards a more empathetic, lighter, and more visibly expressive form of laughter that transcends boundaries such as age, education, and social status, thus fostering a deeper connection with the audience. This study underlines the profound impact of laughter on audience engagement and highlights the central role of communal laughter—laughing ‘with’ the audience—in contemporary media communication. In conclusion, the findings suggest that a more empathetic and less critical approach to audience behaviour through laughter has the potential to attract larger audiences. Indirectly, this emerging trend may be indicative of a growing reluctance among members of contemporary society to tolerate ideas or perspectives contrary to their own.