Papers by Bárbara Figueiredo
Revista Psicologia - Teoria e Prática, Dec 1, 2009
Resumo: Na gravidez, a mulher experiencia mudanças desenvolvimentais ao nível dos seus relacionam... more Resumo: Na gravidez, a mulher experiencia mudanças desenvolvimentais ao nível dos seus relacionamentos significativos. Este estudo compara a qualidade do relacionamento com o companheiro e com outra figura significativa em grávidas adolescentes e adultas, e analisa preditores sócio-demográficos para a qualidade destes relacionamentos. Uma amostra de 130 grávidas (66 adolescentes e 64 adultas) foi avaliada no terceiro trimestre de gestação quanto às características sociais e demográficas e à qualidade do relacionamento com figuras significativas. Os resultados mostram que as adolescentes referem menor confiança (χ 2 = 3.365, p = 0,055) e maior discórdia (χ 2 = 3.842, p = 0,041) no relacionamento com o companheiro e maior sentimento de ligação (χ 2 = 19.126, p = 0,000) e apatia (χ 2 = 8.568, p = 0,004) no relacionamento com a outra figura significativa, comparativamente com as adultas. Verifica-se ainda que a gravidez na adolescência associa-se a relacionamentos de menor qualidade, especialmente devido a situações sócio-demográficas mais desfavoráveis e não tanto à condição de ser ou não adolescente.
Human Reproduction Update, 2014
results: A total of 39 studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the review. More t... more results: A total of 39 studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the review. More than half of the studies (n ¼ 21) used a quantitative methodology, and the remaining were qualitative (n ¼ 15) or mixed-methods (n ¼ 3) studies. The studies were derived mainly from European countries (n ¼ 18) and the USA (n ¼ 11). The proportion of IVF users who donated embryos for research varied from 7% in a study in France to 73% in a Swiss study. Those who donate embryos for research reported feelings of reciprocity towards science and medicine, positive views of research and high levels of trust in the medical system. They described their decision as better than the destruction of embryos and as an opportunity to help others or to improve health and IVF treatments. The perception of risks, the lack of information concerning research projects and the medical system and the conceptualization of embryos in terms of personhood were the most relevant motives for not donating embryos for research. Results relating to the influence of sociodemographic characteristics and reproductive and gynaecological history were mostly inconclusive. conclusions: Three iterative and dynamic dimensions of the IVF patients' decision to donate or not to donate embryos for research emerged from this review: the hierarquization of the possible options regarding embryo disposition, according to the moral, social and instrumental status attributed to embryos; patients' understanding of expectations and risks of the research on human embryos; and patients' experiences of information exchange and levels of trust in the medical-scientific institutions.
Psicologia Saude Doencas, 2009
RESUMO: Com o objectivo de avaliar o impacto da ecografia do 1º trimestre de gravidez na ansiedad... more RESUMO: Com o objectivo de avaliar o impacto da ecografia do 1º trimestre de gravidez na ansiedade e vinculação pré-natal, 22 mães e 22 pais foram recrutados numa Unidade de Medicina Fetal e Diagnóstico Pré-Natal. Foram administrados a
Human Reproduction, Nov 24, 2017
Do mode of conception [ART versus Natural (NC)] and depression have an interactive effect on ante... more Do mode of conception [ART versus Natural (NC)] and depression have an interactive effect on antenatal paternal adjustment and paternal attitudes? SUMMARY ANSWER: Depression increased the negative effect of ART on antenatal paternal adjustment and paternal attitudes, specifically on antenatal marital relationship satisfaction. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: Research on antenatal paternal adjustment and paternal attitudes after ART is scarce and has produced inconsistent results. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION: This cross-sectional study assessed 197 primiparous men (71 ART and 126 NC) during their partner's second trimester of gestation. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS: Participants were derived from three larger longitudinal studies recruited at public Health Services in Northern Portugal. All men, for who this was their first child and had filled in a socio-demographic questionnaire, measures of depression and anxiety, and antenatal paternal adjustment and paternal attitudes were selected. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: An interaction effect of mode of conception and depression was found on antenatal paternal adjustment and paternal attitudes. ART men showing high depressive symptomatology had lower antenatal marital relationship satisfaction than ART men showing low depressive symptomatology and NC men showing high or low depressive symptomatology. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION: Due to the cross-sectional design of this study and the small sample size in the depression groups, the findings should be interpreted with caution. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: Specialized psychological support should be available for ART men screened with high depressive symptomatology as part of routine prenatal care appointments.
Counselling Psychology Quarterly, 2020
Portugal is one of the European countries that implemented early protective measures in the conte... more Portugal is one of the European countries that implemented early protective measures in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Portugal declared a state of emergency on 18 March, and a set of regional and national preventive public health measures was progressively implemented. Studies on the psychological impact of pandemics show evidence of the negative impact on mental health. Of particular concern are individuals with previous fragility (e.g. personal, family or occupational) and those undergoing life transitions. In this paper, we present a telephone-based psychological crisis intervention that was implemented to provide brief, appropriate, and timely psychological help. This intervention follows standard models of crisis intervention and is structured in five phases and five different intervention modules to take into account the impact of the pandemic on the mental health of specific risk groups. With these support services, we hope to help our community better cope with the immediate impact of the pandemic and to contribute to preventing serious mental health problems in the medium and long term.
Journal of Adult Development, 2018
This study aimed to examine the psychometric characteristics of the Coparenting Relationship Scal... more This study aimed to examine the psychometric characteristics of the Coparenting Relationship Scale when administered in fathers during pregnancy. During the first trimester of a partner's pregnancy, 91 primiparous fathers completed the Coparenting Relationship Scale-Father's Prenatal Version (CRS-FPV), and self-report measures of depressive and anxious symptoms, adult attachment, and partner's relationship quality. The CRS-FPV revealed good internal consistency. Exploratory factor analysis revealed four factors: lack of coparenting support, coparenting conflict, coparenting disagreement, and coparenting undermining. Confirmatory factor analysis revealed a good model fit. Significant associations between the CRS-FPV and the original CRS subscales were found. Hypothesized associations between the CRS-FPV subscales and individual (depressive and anxious symptoms and adult attachment) and dyadic (partner's relationship quality) constructs were also significant. The present study suggested that the CRS-FPV is a reliable multidimensional measure to assess coparenting in fathers during pregnancy.
Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology, 2017
Aims: The aims of this study were to analyse the changes in anxiety and depression symptoms from ... more Aims: The aims of this study were to analyse the changes in anxiety and depression symptoms from early pregnancy to 30 months postpartum according to gender and parity. Method: 129 couples (N = 258) recruited from an obstetrics unit completed self-report measures of anxiety and depression at each pregnancy trimester, childbirth, 3 and 30 months postpartum. Using multilevel modelling, piecewise dyadic growth curve models were performed, assessing time, gender and parity as predictors of anxiety and depression symptoms. Results: Anxiety and depression symptoms decreased from the first trimester to 3 months postpartum and increased from 3 to 30 months postpartum, returning to the baseline levels in the overall sample. The symptoms were positively correlated within-dyad; in a given time point when a partner reported more symptoms, the other reported more symptoms as well. Changes in anxiety and depression symptoms over time were different according to gender and parity, especially from 3 to 30 months postpartum. Primiparous women revealed low stable symptoms, whereas multiparous women revealed the steepest symptoms increase (in comparison to primiparous men and women and multiparous men). Conclusions: This study corroborates the literature considering that the transition to parenthood can last until the child's age of 2 or 3 years. Results point out that the risk for anxiety and depression symptoms increasing over the postpartum period is greater for multiparous and lesser for primiparous women. Future studies should explore the factors that contribute to the high risk of symptoms increase over the postpartum period for multiparous women. Screening and intervention should target couples and not only women.
Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology, 2016
Background: Little is known about the development of fathers' parenting self-efficacy during the ... more Background: Little is known about the development of fathers' parenting self-efficacy during the transition to parenthood. Objectives: To analyse (1) fathers' parenting self-efficacy developmental path and (2) the effects of anxious and depressive symptoms and coparenting support on fathers' parenting self-efficacy developmental path, from the first trimester of pregnancy to 6 months postpartum. Methods: Eighty-six fathers recruited at the first trimester of pregnancy completed self-report measures of anxious and depressive symptoms, coparenting support and parenting self-efficacy at the first and third trimesters of pregnancy, and at 1 and 6 months postpartum. Growth curve models were performed. Results: An increase in fathers' parenting self-efficacy was found from the first trimester of pregnancy to 6 months postpartum. The main effects of anxious symptoms and interaction effects of anxious symptoms and time were found on fathers' parenting self-efficacy. Fathers with higher anxious symptoms revealed lower levels of parenting self-efficacy at the first trimester of pregnancy and a lower increase of parenting self-efficacy from this time to 6 months postpartum. The main effects of coparenting support were found in fathers' parenting self-efficacy. At the first trimester of pregnancy, fathers who perceived more coparenting support revealed higher levels of parenting self-efficacy. Conclusion: The present study may contribute to the literature by describing fathers' parenting self-efficacy developmental path and the effects of anxious symptoms and coparenting support on fathers' parenting self-efficacy developmental path during the transition to parenthood.
Jornal de Pediatria (Versão em Português), 2013
Objective: To review the literature on the association between breastfeeding and postpartum depre... more Objective: To review the literature on the association between breastfeeding and postpartum depression. Sources: A review of literature found on MEDLINE/PubMed database. Summary of findings: The literature consistently shows that breastfeeding provides a wide range of benefits for both the child and the mother. The psychological benefits for the mother are still in need of further research. Some studies point out that pregnancy depression is one of the factors that may contribute to breastfeeding failure. Others studies also suggest an association between breastfeeding and postpartum depression; the direction of this association is still unclear. Breastfeeding can promote hormonal processes that protect mothers against postpartum depression by attenuating cortisol response to stress. It can also reduce the risk of postpartum depression, by helping the regulation of sleep and wake patterns for mother and child, improving mother's self-efficacy and her emotional involvement with the child, reducing the child's temperamental difficulties, and promoting a better interaction between mother and child. Conclusions: Studies demonstrate that breastfeeding can protect mothers from postpartum depression, and are starting to clarify which biological and psychological processes may explain this protection. However, there are still equivocal results in the literature that may be explained by the methodological limitations presented by some studies.
Psychological Medicine, 2013
BackgroundThis prospective cohort study explored the effects of prenatal and postpartum depressio... more BackgroundThis prospective cohort study explored the effects of prenatal and postpartum depression on breastfeeding and the effect of breastfeeding on postpartum depression.MethodThe Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale (EPDS) was administered to 145 women at the first, second and third trimester, and at the neonatal period and 3 months postpartum. Self-report exclusive breastfeeding since birth was collected at birth and at 3, 6 and 12 months postpartum. Data analyses were performed using repeated-measures ANOVAs and logistic and multiple linear regressions.ResultsDepression scores at the third trimester, but not at 3 months postpartum, were the best predictors of exclusive breastfeeding duration (β = −0.30,t = −2.08,p < 0.05). A significant decrease in depression scores was seen from childbirth to 3 months postpartum in women who maintained exclusive breastfeeding for ⩾3 months (F1,65 = 3.73,p < 0.10,ηp2 = 0.05).ConclusionsThese findings suggest that screening for depressio...
Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology, 2008
Partner relationships are relevant in the psychological adjustment during the transition to paren... more Partner relationships are relevant in the psychological adjustment during the transition to parenthood, but mothers have been studied more often than fathers in this respect. The Relationship Questionnaire (RQ) to assess positive and negative dimensions of the partner relationship, the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) to assess depression and the State Anxiety Inventory (STAI) to assess anxiety were administered to forty-three women and their partners recruited during the second trimester of pregnancy and seen again until after delivery in order to assess differences in women's/men's anxiety and depression according to partner relationships. Results indicate that women/men with a less positive relationship with the partner show higher anxiety than women/ men with a more positive partner relationship, and those women/men with a more negative relationship with the partner show both higher depression and higher anxiety than women/men with a less negative relationship with the partner. Also partners of women/men with a more negative partner relationship show higher depression than partners of women/men with a less negative partner relationship. Psychological adjustment during the transition to parenthood of both the women/ men and the partner is impacted by the partner relationship.
Journal of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology, 2014
Study Objective: This study analyzes differences between adolescent and adult pregnant women and ... more Study Objective: This study analyzes differences between adolescent and adult pregnant women and the contribution of maternal age to maternal adjustment and maternal attitudes during pregnancy. Design, Setting, and Participants: A sample of 398 Portuguese pregnant women (111 younger than 19 years) was recruited in a Portuguese Maternity Hospital and completed the Maternal Adjustment and Maternal Attitudes Questionnaire between the 24 th and 36 th weeks of gestation. Main Outcome Measures: Maternal Adjustment and Maternal Attitudes Questionnaire 1 Results: Adolescent pregnant women show lower maternal adjustment (poorer body image and worse marital relationship) and poorer maternal attitudes (more negative attitudes to sex) than adult pregnant women. When controlling for socio-demographics, age at pregnancy predicts poorer body image and more negative attitudes to sex, but not a worse marital relationship, more somatic symptoms or negative attitudes to pregnancy and the baby. A worse marital relationship was better predicted by living without the partner, and more somatic symptoms and negative attitudes to pregnancy and the baby was predicted by higher education. Conclusion: Adolescent pregnant women show lower maternal adjustment and poorer maternal attitudes than adult pregnant women according to socio-demographics and unfavorable developmental circumstances.
Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, 2008
Prenatally depressed women (N ¼ 47) were randomly assigned to a group that received massage twice... more Prenatally depressed women (N ¼ 47) were randomly assigned to a group that received massage twice weekly from their partners from 20 weeks gestation until the end of pregnancy or a control group. Self-reported leg pain, back pain, depression, anxiety and anger decreased more for the massaged pregnant women than for the control group women. In addition, the partners who massaged the pregnant women versus the control group partners reported less depressed mood, anxiety and anger across the course of the massage therapy period. Finally, scores on a relationship questionnaire improved more for both the women and the partners in the massage group. These data suggest that not only mood states but also relationships improve mutually when depressed pregnant women are massaged by their partners.
Journal of Affective Disorders, 2011
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Papers by Bárbara Figueiredo