Portuguese Women Research Articles

Do Psychosocial Factors Moderate the Relation between Testosterone and Female Sexual Desire? The Role of Interoception, Alexithymia, Defense Mechanisms, and Relationship Status

Low sexual desire is a common complaint among women in the reproductive years. There is controversy regarding the relationship between testosterone (T) and female desire, but there is also lack of research on moderators. Lack of awareness of effects of T on emotions and bodily sensations might interfere with the subjective experience of desire. Moreover, T appears to be more important for searching and competing for partners than for long-term pair bonding. Therefore, we examined if interoception, alexithymia, maladaptive psychological defenses, and relationship status, moderated the relationship between salivary T and female desire. One hundred sixty eight Portuguese women of reproductive age completed the desire dimension of the Female Sexual Function Index, the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20), and the Defense Style Questionnaire (DSQ-40). Interoception was determined by a heartbeat detection task. Participants reported if they had a regular sexual partner. Luminescence immunoassays were used to determine salivary T. Three multiple regressions models revealed that, among unpartnered women, higher desire was predicted by the combinations of 1) higher T and lesser alexithymia, 2) higher T and less use of maladaptive defenses, 3) higher T and greater interoception. For partnered women, neither T nor the interactions of T with indices of emotional and bodily awareness predicted desire. These findings provide preliminary evidence that T is more important for the desire of unpartnered women, and that lack of conscious awareness of emotions and bodily sensations interferes with the effects of T on the subjective experience of desire.

Attitudes Towards Sexuality in Older Men and Women Across Europe: Similarities, Differences, and Associations with Their Sex Lives

The aim of the study was to explore attitudes towards sexuality and sexual behaviour in older adults in Norway, Denmark, Belgium, and Portugal. A cross-sectional survey with representative samples of the population aged 60–75 years recruited through phone registers in Norway (676 men and 594 women), Denmark (530 men and 515 women), Belgium (318 men and 672 women), and Portugal (236 men and 273 women) was conducted. The data collection was carried out using an anonymous postal questionnaire. Four dimensions of attitudes towards sexuality were identified: ‘sex for love’, ‘sexual pressure in society’, ‘sex for well-being’, and ‘sexual changes and ageing’. Discriminant analyses identified three discriminant attitude functions: sex for well-being, sexual changes due to ageing, and sex for love. Portuguese men had positive attitudes towards sex as good for well-being in older adults but believed ageing was an obstacle to being sexual at this stage of life. Portuguese women believed sex was good for well-being and did not consider ageing an obstacle to sexual enjoyment. Norwegian men and Danish women believed changes in sexuality due to ageing were no obstacle to being sexual but did not believe that sex was good for well-being. The attitudes of Belgian and Danish men were largely inclined in the direction that sex is not particularly important for elderly people and that changes in sexuality occur due to the ageing process. Men and women were committed to the attitude of sex for love, although this was observed most in Belgian participants and least in Danish men. Positive attitudes towards sex for well-being and towards ageing and sexual changes correlated with less change in sexual interest and sexual enjoyment, and with increased frequency of intercourse and masturbation. To tailor successful sexual health interventions, attitudes of sexuality in older people should be addressed.

European Female Wind Band Composers and Their Works

Name: Renata Oliveira Main Subject: Wind Band Conducting Research Supervisors: Anna Scott, André Granjo Title of Research: European Female Wind Band Composers and Their Works Research Question: Can shedding new light on women composers’ contributions to the wind band and ensemble repertoire via the creation of a catalogue, the preparation of a critical edition, and the commission of a new work, help to encourage more Portuguese women to compose for this medium? Summary of Results: In Portugal, as far as it is possible to assess, only two established women composers have written works for wind band or large wind ensemble: Berta Alves de Sousa, who composed Porto Heróico in 1943, and Maria de Lourdes Martins, who composed Rapsódia de Natal, Rondó and Suite de Danças Tradicionais Portuguesas in 1978. In a country with an important tradition of wind band musical practice, it seems strange that so few women composers have used this medium to convey their musical ideas. In order to put the production of female composers for this medium in perspective, I researched relevant works from as many European female composers as possible. Ultimately, the hope was to better understand their outputs for wind band, to promote their works, and to make way for a new composition for wind band from a female Portuguese composer. This project has three main outcomes: 1) an online and physical catalogue of virtually all European female composers who have written for wind ensemble, including biographical data, a list of their works, and statistical analyses of their personal data (by age, country, type of ensemble); 2) a critical edition of Berta Alves de Sousa's Porto Heróico manuscript; and 3) my commissioned work for wind band O Soldado da Misarela by Anne Victorino d’Almeida. At the end of this project I can answer yes to the question of whether shedding new light on this field can encourage more female Portuguese composers to write for wind band. Biography: Renata Oliveira is a Portuguese conductor. She began her orchestra conducting studies with Jean-Marc Burfin and later with Jean-Sebastien Béreau. In conducting masterclasses Renata has worked with: Jose Pascual-Vilaplana, Kenneth Kiesler, Jean-Sebastien Béreau, Ernst Schelle, Robert Houlihan, Felix Hauswirth, Jan Cober and Douglas Bostock. She holds a Masters in Psychology and a Masters in Orchestra Conducting. She is conductor of two Portuguese wind bands, and is responsible for their associated music schools. Renata simultaneously studies Wind Band Conducting with Alex Schillings at the Royal Conservatoire of The Hague and a Masters in Music Teaching (Wind Band Conducting specialisation) at the University of Aveiro.

Exploring the paths between self-compassionate attributes and actions, body compassion and disordered eating.

The relationship between self-compassion and well-being and health (e.g. a lower proneness for eating-related disturbances) is well stressed in the literature. However, the specific contribution of self-compassionate attributes, actions, and body compassion remains scarcely studied. The main aim of the present study was to examine whether the link between self-compassionate attributes and disordered eating attitudes and behaviours is mediated by self-compassionate actions and body compassion, in a sample of 299 Portuguese women from the general population. The tested model explained 44% of eating psychopathology's variance and presented excellent fit indices. The most interesting contribution of this study was the suggestion that the ability to act in accordance with self-compassionate attributes is associated with higher levels of body compassion, that is, an attitude of appreciation, acceptance, warmth toward body-related thoughts, perceptions and feelings, which reflects in a lower susceptibility to adopt disordered eating attitudes and behaviours. These results seem to offer an important contribution for research and clinical practice by supporting the importance of including strategies to develop self-compassionate skills and body compassion competencies in prevention and treatment programs in the area of eating psychopathology.Level of evidence Level III, evidence obtained from a well-designed cohort.

Understanding the relationship between BMI and sexual dysfunction: Can DSM-5 shed light into this topic?

IntroductionThe links between body weight and sexuality, notably sexual dysfunction (SD), are intricate and not yet fully understood. A more individual-focused evaluation of sexual difficulties, as recently provided by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), contributes to improve precision in SD diagnosis and has the potential to advance our knowledge on the association between body weight and SD. ObjectivesTo identify gender differences in sexual behaviors and SD among Portuguese men and women within different classes of body mass index (BMI); and to explore the association between BMI and SD by using the new DSM-5 criteria. Material and methodsFace-to-face interviews followed by self-completed questionnaires of primary healthcare users in Portugal (n=323). Data on sociodemographic variables, BMI, sexual behaviors and SD were collected. DSM-5 criteria were used to assess sexual dysfunction. The International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) and the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) for men and women, respectively, were used for comparison purposes. ResultsOverweight and obese women reported less sexual partners, less satisfaction with sexual frequency and rated sexual life as less important. These differences were not found among men. Normal weight men and women had a higher score of IIEF and FSFI, respectively, than those overweight and obese. No significant effects of BMI scale on SD following DMS-5 were detected. ConclusionsWomen's sexual function is more impacted by BMI than men's. Individual-orientated approaches, as proposed in DSM-5, may allow a better understanding on the relation between body size and sexuality in both genders.

The central role of self-reassurance to explain body and eating attitudes.

Literature has emphasized the significant role of social acceptance and connectedness in well-being and the benefits of cultivating a positive body image in the prevention and treatment of body and eating-related difficulties. The current study aims to examine whether strategies of self-reassurance and body-image appreciation mediate the association of feelings of social safeness and acceptance with the "core" dimensions of body and eating-related psychopathology (restraint, eating concern, weight concern, and shape concern), while controlling the effects of body mass index (BMI). Participants were 309 Portuguese women, aged between 18 and 50years that completed self-report measures. Results from the performed path analysis revealed that self-reassurance and body-image appreciation mediated the impact of feelings of social safeness and acceptance on eating psychopathology-related dimensions. Results seem to suggest that women who perceive the self as acceptable and desirable tend to adopt self-reassurance strategies. These strategies in turn seem to predict a protective and caring relationship with one's own body and decreased severity of eating psychopathology symptoms. This path model explained 22%, 27%, 51%, and 47% of restraint, eating concern, weight concern, and shape concern, respectively, and showed an excellent model fit. Our findings appear to offer significant insights in the field of body and eating-related psychopathology and seem to support the pertinence of creating intervention programs for women from the general community with body and eating-related difficulties that encourage the adoption of self-reassurance strategies and promote a positive and respectful relationship with one's own body image.Level of evidence V, cross-sectional descriptive study.

System justification moderates the relation between hostile (but not benevolent) sexism in the workplace and state anxiety: An experimental study

ABSTRACTIn an experimental vignette study performed with 92 Portuguese women, we analyzed the relations between exposure to hostile sexism (HS) and benevolent sexism (BS) in a workplace context, system justification (SJ), and anxiety, measured after participants were exposed to an HS, a BS, or a neutral communication about the context of the industry they would have worked in, if selected. The results indicated that both HS and BS fostered participants’ anxiety, and that SJ moderated the relation between HS and anxiety. Anxiety was highest among participants low in SJ. Main contributions of the study, limitations, and possible future research directions are discussed.

Assessment of Dietary Vitamin D, Vitamin K and Calcium Intake of Portuguese Women of Childbearing age living in Switzerland

Background: The lack of sun plays a major role in vitamin D deficiency, particularly among vulnerable groups, including migrants and women. Vitamin D and calcium are crucial nutrients for optimal bone health, heart function and muscle contraction. Recent studies suggest that the two micronutrients alone do not appear to be as beneficial as when their intake is coupled with vitamin K. Therefore, it is necessary to prevent their deficiencies. To this date, we observe a deficit of culturally sensitive methods for assessing dietary intake. The aim of this study was to estimate the dietary vitamin D, vitamin K and calcium intake among Portuguese women of childbearing age living in Switzerland. Methodology: A food frequency questionnaire was developed and administrated. A comparative method, a 24-hour dietary recall, was applied twice, over two non-consecutive days. The same methodology was applied to and compared with two control groups: Portuguese women living in Portugal and Swiss women living in Switzerland. Data were analysed using Microsoft Excel® version 15.0, 2013, Nutritional. Software® version 1.32.44, 2012 and IBM SPSS®, version 24.0, 2016 for windows. Results: Portuguese in Switzerland had the lowest vitamin D intake (6.04 µg /day) from food. When dietary supplements were considered, significant differences were found between the Swiss (11.1 µg) and Portuguese groups (7.04 µg) (p = 0.004). Regarding vitamin K, the focus group had the lowest intake (102.20 µg/day). Concerning calcium, the Swiss group was the only one achieving the daily recommendations (1355.14 mg) and significant differences were found between the Swiss and the Portuguese groups (p < 0.001). Conclusion: In the present study the three participant groups had a deficient intake of vitamin D and only the Swiss group had an adequate calcium intake. Vitamin K intake did not seem to be a concern in terms of dietary deficiencies for all the groups of participants.

The breastfeeding self-efficacy scale-short form: Psychometric characteristics in Portuguese pregnant women

BackgroundThe Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale-Short Form is a reliable instrument to measure mother's confidence in her ability to breastfeed. The Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale-Short Form has traditionally been used postnatally, but evidence suggests that it can be used antenatally to identify mothers at-risk of requiring additional support to improve breastfeeding outcomes. ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to examine the psychometric characteristics of an antenatal version of the Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale-Short Form, among pregnant Portuguese women. DesignMethodological prospective study to examine the psychometric characteristics of the antenatal Portuguese version of the Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale-Short Form. SettingsTwo public hospital units in the Northern Portugal. ParticipantsThe sample was comprised of 373 pregnant women recruited at 30–34 gestational weeks. MethodsThe original English version of the antenatal Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale-Short Form was translated into Portuguese and the Portuguese antenatal version of the scale was tested in a sample of 373 pregnant women. To examine the psychometric characteristics of the Portuguese antenatal version of the scale, the maternal demographic variables and the depressive and anxiety symptomatology of the participants were examined. The predictive validity of the Portuguese antenatal version of the scale was studied according to infant feeding method at one, three, and six months postpartum. ResultsThe Cronbach's alpha coefficient was 0.92. The antenatal version of the Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale-Short Form scores were found to be associated with women's parity, educational level, occupational status, time they intend to breastfeed, and previous breastfeeding experience. Also, the antenatal version of the Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale-Short Form scores significantly predicted exclusive breastfeeding at 1 month postpartum. ConclusionsResults provided evidence that the antenatal Portuguese version of the Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale-Short Form is a valid and reliable measure to assess breastfeeding self-efficacy in pregnant women. The antenatal version of the Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale-Short Form could be a useful tool to assist Portuguese health professionals during routine prenatal care appointments to screen women with lower antenatal breastfeeding self-efficacy and, consequently, those that could be at risk for not initiating or early breastfeeding cessation.

Urinary incontinence and disordered eating in female elite athletes

ObjectivesTo evaluate the association between urinary incontinence and disordered eating, in elite female athletes. DesignThis cross-sectional study included 744 young and healthy Portuguese women: 372 elite athletes and 372 age-matched non-athletes, mean age 21±5.3years. MethodsData regarding clinical, demographic, and sport practice characteristics were collected by questionnaire. The International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Urinary Incontinence-Short Form was applied to identify urinary incontinence. The Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire was applied to identify disordered eating. Odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were used to estimate the association between UI and disordered eating. ResultsThe prevalence of urinary incontinence in athletes and non-athletes was 29.3% and 13.4%, p<0.001, respectively. No difference in prevalence of disordered eating was found between athletes (17.7%) and non-athletes (20.2%), p=0.435. Urinary incontinence was associated with disordered eating only in the athletes. After adjustment for age, type of sport, smoking and alcohol intake, athletes with disordered eating presented increased odds of urinary incontinence of any type over athletes without disordered eating (OR=3.09; 95% CI: 1.74–5.50). ConclusionsAthletes with disordered eating were three times more likely to present urinary incontinence than women without disordered eating. There is a need for further studies to elaborate on mechanisms for this association.

472 Sexual dysfunction in portuguese women with type 2 diabetes

472 Sexual dysfunction in portuguese women with type 2 diabetes

Why women do not seek professional help for anxiety and depression symptoms during pregnancy or throughout the postpartum period? Barriers and facilitators of the help-seeking process

Goals: This study examined Portuguese women’s help-seeking intentions to address their emotional problems during pregnancy andthe first 12 months after childbirth, and the relative influence of main attitudinal and knowledge barriers and facilitators (prior experienceand encouragement from the partner).Methods: Pregnant women or women within the first 12 months postpartum answered to a cross-sectional online survey that includedself-reported questionnaires to assess depressive and anxiety symptoms, depression literacy, attitudes towards help-seeking and intentionsto seek professional help.Results: Women’s (N = 243) have a greater intention to resort to informal sources of help than to formal sources of help. Women withclinically relevant psychopathological symptoms reported less positive attitudes towards help-seeking and a poorer perception of theirpartner’s support in seeking professional help. Both stigma and the perceived encouragement from the partner to seek professionalhelp were strong predictors of formal help-seeking intentions.Discussion: These results elucidate the importance of including the partner in the women´s help-seeking process and recovery, as wellas the important role of the media and health professionals in reducing the stigma about perinatal depression.

Portuguese Women’s Activity in the Past: Comparing Entheseal Changes Through Time

Portuguese Women’s Activity in the Past: Comparing Entheseal Changes Through Time

Diferencias y similitudes en las decisiones laborales y familiares de las mujeres en España y Portugal

El objetivo del presente trabajo es analizar qué factores influyen en las decisiones laborales, de convivencia en pareja y de no ser madres de las mujeres trabajadoras en España y Portugal. Para alcanzar este objetivo se ha explotado la Encuesta de la Unión Europea sobre Condiciones de Vida. La estrategia empírica ha consistido en un modelo probit trivariante, lo que permite estimar las tres variables dependientes de manera simultánea. Los resultados muestran que la edad, el país de nacimiento, el estado de salud y el año de la entrevista tienen un impacto distinto en las mujeres españolas respecto de las mujeres portuguesas.

Women Rectors and Leadership Narratives: The Same Male Norm?

This paper examines how two Portuguese women rectors constructed narratives on their path to leadership positions and their performance of leadership roles. The study is based on a qualitative empirical analysis based on life story interviews with two women rectors in Portugal. The results from this research suggest that women rectors tend to develop narratives about their professional route to the top as based on merit and hard work, and tend to classify their leadership experience as gender-neutral and grounded on the establishment of good relationships with their peers along their professional path. These narratives may contribute to reinforcing the male norm that leads other women to blame themselves for not being able to progress in their career, hindering the creation of an organisational environment that is open to the development of institutional policies to improve equal opportunities. Portugal is a very interesting case study, considering that despite the long history of its higher education system and the high participation of women in higher education, there were only two women rectors in the country until 2014.

Ethnic differences in results of fertility and mother’s health care: Portuguese population and Cape Verdeans living in Portugal

This paper pursues a comparison between sociographic profiles and birthcare conditions related to the Portuguese and Cape Verdean mothers living in Portugal, considering the cultural and ethnic variables as determinants to possible distinctions. Based on the live birth Survey, the Fertility Survey results and the Population Census (official statistics produced by the National Statistics Institute), a statistical analysis was performed, namely, a K-means Cluster Analysis and a Multiple Correspondence Analysis. We adopted a longitudinal and comparative perspective in the 1995–2013 period. Furthermore, a synchronic analysis approach has been underlined, thoroughly exploring the database of entries of live births for the year 2013. Despite the fertility rate being lower in the Portuguese population, there is a tendency for convergence between the fertility patterns of both populations, which reveals a porosity of the Cape Verdean population by incorporating a different fertility model from the one that exists in their country of origin. Fertility occurs later in the Portuguese women compared with the Cape Verdeans. Differences were also observed in both populations, regarding the sociographic profiles, the birthcare conditions and, finally, the marital status and family structure.

Genital mycoplasmas and ureaplasmas in cervicovaginal self-collected samples of reproductive-age women: prevalence and risk factors.

The purpose of this study was to characterise the prevalence and risk factors associated with genital mycoplasmas ( Mycoplasma hominis [MH], M. genitalium [MG]) and ureaplasmas ( Ureaplasma urealyticum [UU], U. parvum [UP]) in Portuguese women of reproductive age. The cross-sectional study included 612 cervicovaginal self-collected samples from women aged 15-44 years, tested for MH, MG, UU, UP by polymerase chain reaction. Y chromosome (Yc) DNA was detected as a biomarker of recent unprotected sexual intercourse. The prevalences of UU, UP, MH and MG were 28.4% (95% confidence interval [CI] 25.0-32.1), 22.4% (95% CI 19.3-25.9), 8.5% (95% CI 6.5-11.0) and 0.8% (95% CI 0.4-1.9), respectively. Overall, women aged 20-29 years (odds ratio [OR] 1.78; P = 0.010) and the presence of Yc-DNA (OR 2.33; P = 0.038) were associated with an increased risk of UU. Lifetime number of sexual partners was a predictor of UU, UP and MH (OR 2.46; P < 0.001, OR 2.78; P < 0.001 and OR 1.55; P < 0.001, respectively, for more than one versus one partner). The prevalence of MG was low, while UU, UP and MH were common in Portuguese women of reproductive age. The presence of UU, UP and MH was associated with sexual activity (number of sexual partners), although the consequences of its prevalence are not fully understood and should be further investigated.

Social Support and Self-Esteem Moderate the Relation Between Intimate Partner Violence and Depression and Anxiety Symptoms Among Portuguese Women

Psychological distress and alcohol abuse have been linked to intimate partner violence (IPV). However, not all victims develop these problems. This study analyses the impact of IPV severity, social support, and self-esteem on depressive and anxiety symptoms as well as on alcohol abuse, and tests social and personal resources as moderators of the abuse-psychological distress-substance abuse link in a sample of Portuguese women including victims and non-victims of IPV (N = 209). IPV severity contributed significantly to depression and anxiety symptoms as well as to alcohol abuse, after controlling for socio-demographic factors. Both social support and self-esteem were found to moderate the relation between IPV and depression and anxiety symptoms. However, moderation did not occur for the association between IPV and alcohol abuse. This study shows the impact of IPV on mental health and on alcohol abuse, and highlights the need to design effective interventions that promote social and personal resources in victimized women.

Childbearing across borders: Fertility and parenthood attitudes and decisions among breast cancer survivors in USA and Portugal

ObjectiveTo compare fertility and childbearing attitudes and decisions of Portuguese and American female reproductive aged breast cancer survivors. MethodsThis was a cross-sectional study of 102 young breast cancer survivors (59 from Portugal and 43 from USA). Demographic, clinical and reproductive information were collected. Fertility and parenthood attitudes and decisions were assessed through a self-report questionnaire devised specifically for the study. ResultsFertility issues became very important after the diagnosis for most of the women (51%). Few differences existed between USA and Portuguese participants. USA participants were more likely to undergo FP (23% USA vs Portugal 5%, p = 0.01). Portuguese women were more dissatisfied with their physician's explanations about fertility (Portugal: 23% vs USA: 3%; p = 0.01). Overall, women relied on their oncologist for fertility information (70%); only Portuguese women discussed fertility with their family medicine physician (11%). Overall, women showed positive attitudes towards motherhood. Portuguese women were more likely to report their partners placed more value on the family after their illness (Portuguese agree: 55% vs USA agree: 14%; p < 0.001). ConclusionsFertility and childbearing after breast cancer are important issues regardless of culture, background or country's heath care system. Overall, few differences across the USA and Portuguese samples were found on fertility and childbearing attitudes and decisions.

Arguing in Portugal: A cross-cultural analysis

ABSTRACTWe report data on Portuguese understandings of interpersonal arguing, based on a survey conducted in Portugal (N = 252). Employing concepts and methods developed for studying interpersonal arguing, we report on the levels of argumentativeness, verbal aggressiveness, personalization of conflict, and argument frames. After comparing Portuguese men and women, we compare Portuguese respondents with two groups of US respondents. In contrast to US respondents, Portuguese report to argue more prosocially, cooperatively and civilly, and are more sophisticated in their reflections about arguing. We discuss these results in the context of the Portuguese notion of argumentation (argumentação) and Portuguese culture more broadly.