Introduction

Personality traits like neuroticism and trait-anxiety, as well as the predisposition to a greater sensitivity to pain, are risk factors for dental anxiety. Although perfectionism has been associated with both anxiety and pain, particularly when mediated by repetitive negative thinking/RNT (Macedo et al.2015;Albuquerque et al.2013), its role in dental anxiety has not yet been studied.

Objectives

To analyze the role of perfectionism and RNT in dental anxiety.

Methods

A community sample of 552 adults (68.2% women;mean age=35.15±15.79 years) completed the Portuguese versions of:Hewit and Flett Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale–13, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Sensitivity to Pain Traumatization/SPT Scale, Fear of Dental Pain/FDP Questionnaire, Perseverative Thinking Questionnaire and Dental Fear Survey/DFS.

Results

Trait-anxiety (r=.225), socially prescribed perfectionism/SPP (r=.177), SPT (r=.286), FDP (r=.509) and RNT (r=.274) were significantly (p<.01) correlated with dental anxiety (DFS total score).Serial mediation analysis using the PROCESS-macro 3.5 for SPSS (Hayes,2020; Model 6) showed that even controlling for trait-anxiety and gender (as SPT, FDP and RNT mean scores were significantly higher in women,p<.01) SPP plays a significant indirect effect through SDT, FDP and RNT on dental anxiety, which are (isolated or sequentially) full mediators of this relationship (Total effect: .553,p<.001).

Conclusions

This study shows for the first time that negative perfectionism is a predictor of dental anxiety; its influence operates through the increase in levels of sensitivity to pain, DPA and RNT. We suggest that when intervening in this health problem it is important to evaluate perfectionism and try to mitigate its negative impact, namely diminishing RNT and the focus on pain and fear.

Introduction

The main risk factor for dental anxiety is previous traumatic experiences of pain in the dental office. Other consistent etiologic factors are trait-anxiety and preparedness (genetic predisposition to increased sensitivity to pain and aversive stimuli). However, there is a wide inter-individual diversity in the anxiety experience – not all individuals with traumatic experiences at the dentist will develop dental anxiety anxiety

Objectives

To explore potential paths by which a traumatic experience at the dentist (TRAUMA) can lead to dental anxiety.

Methods

A community sample of 552 adults (68.2% women; mean age= 35.15±15.790) completed the Portuguese validated versions of: Dental Fear Survey/DFS, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Sensitivity to Pain Traumatization/SPT Scale, Fear of Dental Pain/FDP Questionnaire and Perseverative Thinking Questionnaire–15.

Results

140 participants (25.2%) had TRAUMA; it was significantly (p<.01) correlated with trait-anxiety (Spearman r=.190), SPT (r=.192), FDP (r=.333), RNT (r=.274) and dental anxiety (DFA total score; r=.418). In the mediation analysis (PROCESS macro 3.5 for SPSS; Model 81; Hays, 2020), trait-anxiety and gender were controlled (as RNT, SPT, FDP mean scores were higher in women, p>.01). Our model was significant (R²=17.15%; p<.001) and showed that TRAUMA predicted dental anxiety directely [direct effect: 10.25 (95% CI - 7.10-13.40)] and also through SPT, FDP and RNT (5 significant indirect effects).

Conclusions

This study underlines the importance of avoiding traumatic experiences in the dental office and of good clinical communication in pain management. If trauma still occurs, dentist should learn how to reduce its impact on the sensitivity and fear of pain and on the RNT.

Introduction

Risk perception of COVID-19 is potentially a significant determinant of the pandemic evolution and the public’s response to it. Acceptable levels of risk perception can be considered good for people to effectively fight the pandemic and adopt preventive health behaviors while high levels of risk perception may be damaging. Recently, Yıldırım&Güler (2020) developed the Covid-19 Perceived Risk Scale (C19PRS) to measure this construct.

Objectives

To analyze the psychometric properties of the C19PRS Portuguese version, namely construct validity, internal consistency and convergent validity.

Methods

A community sample of 234 adults (75.6% women; mean age= 29.53±12.51; range:16-71) completed an on-line survey with the Portuguese versions of the CPRS and the Fear of Covid-19 Scale (FCV-19S; Cabaços et al. 2020). The total sample was randomly divided in two sub-samples: sample A (n=117) was used to perform an exploratory factor analysis/EFA; sample B (n=117) to make a confirmatory factor analysis/CFA.

Results

EFA resulted in three components. CFA revealed that the second-order model with three factors presented good fit indexes (X2/df=1.471; CFI=.959; GFI=.948; TLI=.932; p[RMSEA≤.01]=.065). CPRS Cronbach alphas was α=.687; for F1 Worry, F2 Susceptibility to Covid-19 and F3 Susceptibility to Overall Morbimortality were α=.747, α=.813 and α=.543, respectively. The total and dimensional scores significantly correlated with FCV-19S (r>.30, p<.01).

Conclusions

This study provides evidence for the validity and reliability of the Portuguese version of CPRS, which will be used in an ongoing research project on the relationship between Covid-19 perceived risk, perfectionism, cognitive processes and adherence to public health measures to contain the pandemic.

Introduction

Research following the Covid-19 pandemics has shown that psychological reactions to the pandemic and its constraints can vary significantly depending on personality. One of the traits that has not been studied yet, but can play a harmful role in the COVID-19 psychological impact is perfectionism. This trait, characterized by setting excessively high standards of performance and striving for flawlessness, has increased in recent years and is considered a transdiagnostic process involved in several (mental) health problems (Curran & Hill 2019).

Objectives

To analyze the role of Perfectionism in the levels of fear of COVID19 and of perception of infection risk by COVID-19.

Methods

234 adults (75.6% women; mean age=29.53±12.51) completed an on-line survey with the Portuguese validated versions of Covid-19 Perceived Risk Scale (C19PRS; Pereira et al. 2020), Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FC19S; Cabaços et al. 2020) and Big Three Perfectionism Scale (BTPS; Garrido et al. 2020). SPSS was used to perform correlation and regression analysis.

Results

Perceived Risk and Fear of COVID-19 were significantly correlated with perfectionism (.243, .228, respectively ) (both, p<.01). Perfectionism explains 5.5% (Adjusted R2) of the FC19S variance (Beta=.243, p<.001) and 4.8% of the C19PRS variance (Beta=.228, p=.01).

Conclusions

This study provides preliminary, but completely innovative evidence that perfectionism contribute to the psychological impact of Covid-19 pandemics. In the near future we will test the hypothesis that the nature of unpredictability and the limitations imposed by the global crisis may be exacerbating the already high levels of psychological distress that affect negative perfectionists.

Introduction

The conceptualization of impulsivity and compulsiveness has fluctuated between two different perspectives: they are (1) distinct and orthogonal dimensions, (2) extreme poles of the same dimension/ spectrum. We favor this latter, accepting that these dimensions contribute to the etiopathogenesis of impulsive-compulsive disorders, namely alcohol use disorder/AUD.

Objectives

To analyze: Differences of impulsivity and compulsivity levels between AUD patients vs. participants from the community; prevalence of impulsive-compulsive disorders/ICD in AUD; if impulsivity/compulsivity predict the severity of alcohol use and ICD in AUD.

Methods

32 AUD patients (21% women, mean age 46±10) answered the Portuguese versions of: Alcohol-Use-Disorders-Identification-Test, Questionnaire-for-Impulsive-Compulsive-Disorders-in-Parkinson’s-Disease, Barrat-Impulsiveness-Scale, Obsessive-Compulsive-Inventory and Depression-Anxiety-Stress-Scales; 50 adults from the community (68% women, mean age 29±14) answered the former three. Mann-Whitney-U, Spearman and regression tests were performed using SPSS.

Results

AUD individuals vs. subjects from the community presented higher levels of impulsivity and compulsivity (p<.001). AUD-group: AUDIT median score was 25 (>8 harmful use); 81% reported ICD-symptoms; impulsivity and compulsivity highly correlated (r=.639; p<.001); impulsivity levels explained the presence of certain ICD (gambling, compulsive buying, eating disorders) and depression/anxiety/stress (OR=.152; p<.05); compulsivity levels also explained the occurrence of specific ICD (compulsive buying and other repetitive automatic behaviours) and depression/anxiety/stress (OR=.131 p<.05).

Conclusions

Our results indicate that impulsivity and compulsivity co-occur and contribute to the explanation of AUD, and related comorbidity and psychological distress. This highlights the utility of considering impulsivity and compulsivity when subtyping, stratifying, and treating AUD patients. Finally, we assert that disorders of impulsivity and compulsivity (eg.: AUD and ICD) co-occur.

Introduction

Generalized problematic internet use/GPIU has recently been associated with the impulsive-compulsive spectrum/ICS, but its mapping onto these behaviour dimensions is relatively unexplored.

Objectives

To compare patterns of internet use and scores of BIG-5 personality traits, perfectionism and psychological distress between groups with low/high levels of GPIU.

Methods

475 university students (78.9% girls; mean age 20.22±1.695) answered the Portuguese versions of: GPIU Scale, Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale-13, NEO-FFI-20, Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scales and other questions about internet use. Chi-square and Mann-Whitney tests were performed using SPSS.

Results

Individuals with high levels of GPIU (median+2SD; n=18; 3.8%) spent significantly more time/day in online activities, exceeding what they have planned; had no other hobbies and used social networks to meet friends; reported that GPIU interfered with affective/work relationships and academic performance (all p<.05). There were no significant differences in the purposes of the internet use (e-mail, social networks, shopping, videogames, multimedia, sexual, work…), unless for general information searching and betting games (both p<.05). High-PGIU group also presented significant higher levels of neuroticism, negative (but not positive) perfectionism, depression, anxiety, and stress (all p<.001).

Conclusions

Our results indicate that unlike the purposes of internet use, personality, perceived interference and the associated cognitive-emotional processes and symptoms (psychological distress) may help distinguishing between functional vs. dysfunctional internet use. Considering the preponderance of processes over contents and the presence of certain dimensions, such as perception of uncontrollability, interference and social isolation we add more evidence to consider PGIU as falling within the spectrum of impulsive-compulsive disorders.

Introduction

The Internet Addiction Test (IAT) is a 20-item, self-reported questionnaire that measures the presence and severity of Internet addiction which is an increasing problem in adolescents. Although a Portuguese version IAT has been validated in adults, its psychometric properties have never been evaluated before, in adolescents.

Objectives

To analyse the reliability and construct and concurrent validity of the IAT in a Portuguese adolescent sample.

Methods

772 adolescents (53.5% girls), mean aged 13.21±2.246, answered the Portuguese versions of the IAT and the Portuguese versions of validated scales to evaluate: Cyberbullying, Game Addiction, Agressivity and Anxiety, Depression Scales. To study the temporal stability, 377 (60.5% girls) respondents answered the questionnaires again after approximately four-six weeks. The total sample was aleatory splitted to realize the exploratory and the confirmatory factor analyses.

Results

Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses supported a second order two-factor structure - “Isolation and Social Commitment” and F2-“Negligence and Functional Commitment”. The χ2/df value was 2.260 and had a significant p value; it had the lowest RMSEA score = .074 (p< .001) and it had the highest TLI (.980) and CFI (.905). IAT mean scores were no different between genders [Girls=29.25±18.775 vs. Boys: 30.85±17.929, p=.405]. The Cronbach’s alphas were > .85. Pearson correlation between the test and the re-test was r=.660. The IAT, video game addiction (r=.434), Cyberbullying (r=.383), anxiety (r=.209) and depression (r=.263) were significantly correlated (p<.001).

Conclusions

The Portuguese IAT has good reliability and validity, showing to be an adequate instrument for measuring Internet Addiction symptoms in Portuguese Adolescents.

Introduction

Screening programs for perinatal depression are systematicly implemented in developed countries. To circumvent the most commonly pointed limitation by the primary healthcare professionals (the questionnaires length), we have developed shorter forms of the Beck and Gable Postpartum Depression Screening Scale-35. The shortest version consists of seven items, each one representing a dimension evaluated by the PDSS. This PDSS-7 demonstrated equal levels of reliability and validity as the 35-item PDSS with the advantage of being completed in as little as 1-2 minutes(Pereira et al. 2013).

Objectives

To analyze the construct validity of the PDSS-7 using Confirmatory Factor Analysis, to use both in Portugal and in Brazil.

Methods

The Portuguese sample was composed of 616 women (Mean age: 32.29±4.466; Mean gestation weeks=17.13±4.929). These participants were not the same who participated in the psychometric study that led to the selection of the seven items. The Brazilian sample was composed of 350 women (Mean age: 30.01±5.452; Mean gestation weeks=25.17±6.55). They all had uncomplicated pregnancies and completed the European/Brazilian Portuguese versions of PDSS-24 (Pereira et al. 2013/ Barros et al. 2021), which was composed of the same items and included the seven items that compose the PDSS-7.

Results

The unidimensional model of PDSS-7 presented a good fit in both samples (Portuguese/Brazilian:χ²/d.f.=3.439/2.653; RMSEA=.066/.069, CFI=.974/.981, TLI=.947/.957, GFI=.939/.957; p<.001). The PDSS-7 Cronbach’s alphas were .82/.83 and all the items contribute to the internal consistency.

Conclusions

The PDSS-7 is a valid and precise, economic, fast and easy screening instrument for perinatal depression, a major public health problem, both in Portugal and in Brazil.

Introduction

Bipolar disorder (BD) is frequently underdiagnosed and due to poor screening, the average time between onset of symptoms and diagnosis is more than 7-years (Mantere et al., 2004). Improper diagnosis has serious consequences in intervention (Ghaemi et al., 2001), and previous assessment instruments are now considered insufficient to detect intervention changes, and to provide a more functional and integrated view of BD.

Objectives

Our study aims to develop a new DSM-5 based Clinical Interview for Bipolar Disorder (CIBD), providing criteria to diagnose BD, but also the individual’s perceptions dealing with BD symptoms. This interview follows the same structure of CIPD (Martins et al., 2015), which has shown acceptability by the participants and experts.

Methods

CIBD was developed by a multidisciplinary team considering the DSM-5 criteria for Bipolar Disorders. There was a thorough research regarding assessment and evaluation of BD, and several suggestions from an international task force of specialist working with BD patients were considered, when writing the questions for the interview. A detailed description of CIBD development is presented. The authors of the interview have extended experience in the management and assessment of BD patients, and CIBD is now being assessed by a wider non-related panel, regarding pertinence and clarity.

Results

Preliminary assessment and qualitative feedback from participants that were interviewed is shown, with an overall positive feedback.

Conclusions

CIBD assesses both the diagnosis/presence of mood episodes (hypo/mania, and depressive) and symptoms’ psychosocial correlates. CIBD detects subtle changes caused by intervention adding a much needed recovery focused perspective.

Introduction

Perfectionism is a consistent risk factor for various psychopathological conditions, including psychological distress and eating disorders. Recently, we have shown, for the first time, that there is a relationship between perfectionism and generalized problematic internet use/GPIU (Sobral et al. 2020). Specifically, we found that the role of perfectionism in psychological disorder is partially mediated by GPIU.

On the other hand, it has been suggested that the widespread use of digital media can lead to negative body image perception and abnormal eating attitudes and behaviors.

Objectives

To explore, for the first time, the relationship between perfectionism, GPIU and disordered eating behavior.

Methods

475 university students (78.9% girls; mean age 20.22±1.695) answered the Portuguese validated versions of: Composite Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale, GPIU Scale and Eating Attitudes Test-25. SPSS and Hayes’ Process Macro (2020) were used.

Results

Bulimic Behaviours/BB significantly and moderately correlated with Perfectionist efforts (r=.263), Perfectionist concerns (r=.284) and GPIU (r=.25) (all p<.001). The mediation analyses revealed that GPIU is a partial mediator of the relationship between both perfectionism dimensions and BB.

Conclusions

The evidence that both negative and “positive” perfectionism dimensions are associated to eating pathology is in line with our previous research. The present study adds, for the first time, that one of the perfectionism pathways of influence on BB operates through UGPI. Assessment and intervention to diminish eating psychopathology should focus on perfectionism and compulsive traits which could be involved in both ED and GPIU and in their comorbidity.