Health Psychology ResearchFew studies have explored the impacts of COVID-19 and lockdown on the mental health of undergraduate nursing students. This study aimed: a) to explore perceived stress among undergraduate nursing students in Portugal and Spain during the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak; and b) to analyze several COVID-19 related factors and psychological issues that may be associated with perceived stress. A cross-sectional study was conducted with a convenience sample of Portuguese and Spanish undergraduate nursing students (n=1075). The data gathered included demographic information, questions about COVID-19 related factors, and psychological issues. Data were analyzed using multiple logistic regression with a degree of significance at p<0.05. High perceived stress scores were found in 558 participants (51.9%). Students with high perceived stress most likely had a COVID-19 diagnosis in their household; their household income had been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic; experienced difficulty falling asleep or sleeping all night; consumed junk food in excess; neglected their appearance; felt headaches, stomach aches, and back pain; and lacked the patience or desire to exercise. Additionally, high perceived stress was negatively associated with life satisfaction. The results provide evidence that infectious diseases, such as COVID-19, may significantly influence mental health. Further research should explore the long-term psychological effects of the COVID-19 pandemic among nursing students.

Resumo A hospitalização pediátrica é um acontecimento crítico, com repercussões na vida da criança internada e da sua família. Este estudo teve como objetivos auscultar as principais preocupações e necessidades experienciadas pelos pais durante a hospitalização de um filho em situação de internamento agudo e explorar eventuais diferenças entre o pai e a mãe no conjunto de vivências partilhadas. Para isso, realizou-se um estudo qualitativo, de natureza exploratória, do qual participaram 16 casais (16 pais e 16 mães) com um filho internado no serviço de pediatria de um hospital do norte de Portugal. Os dados foram recolhidos por meio de entrevistas e avaliados com base na metodologia de análise de conteúdo. O discurso dos pais evidencia como preocupações mais expressivas as referentes ao estado de saúde do filho e, entre as necessidades mais prementes, as associadas à sua recuperação e regresso ao domicílio. Os resultados encontrados revelam igualmente a presença de expressivas diferenças nas vivências desses casais, não devidas à variável pai/mãe, mas à centralidade do papel assumido em termos dos cuidados ao filho (cuidador principal ou secundário).

Social support plays an important role in these families, especially in the impact of the disease on healthy siblings. Nurses should identify the support systems that families have available, as well as their family functionality and the implications for healthy siblings.

OBJECTIVE To identify the socioeconomic variables which influence the families of the child with cancer. METHODS Quantitative, descriptive, correlational research with 128 families of children with cancer. Three instruments were used: "Questionnaire assessing the impact on the family of children with cancer", "Social Support Satisfaction Scale", and "Graffar Scale". RESULTS Families report increased economic spending due to the disease, with the displacements to hospital and medication. The loss of income by one of the parents also exacerbates the economic impact of the disease. Families with greater support needs and lower social support present greater economic impact. CONCLUSION The social support assumes an important role in the decrease of the economic needs incited by the disease. Nurses must identify the economic needs of the families and become part of the support network of them, being a source of support so they can strengthen themselves in caring.

Childhood obesity is a prevalent condition in modern societies which can negatively impact people's health during life. Although there are several factors contributing to obesity, sleep duration has been pointed out as an important risk factor. This study, held in the district of Porto, Portugal, aimed to analyze the association between sleep duration and the nutritional status of school-aged children studying in Portugal. 1396 students from 35 and 3 public and private schools, respectively, were contacted, of which 829 participated in this study (9.2±0.38 years old; 50.3% male; 49.7% female). Age, sex, sleep duration, height, weight and body composition were registered trough a questionnaire. According to the obtained z-score for Body Mass Index (BMI), 22.9% of the children were overweight and 15.2% were obese. The mean of sleep duration was 9.7±1.08 hours and z-score for BMI was 0.78±1.21, demonstrating a statistically significant (p<0.01) weak negative correlation (r=-0.15) between sleep duration and z-score of BMI. Results were also stratified and analyzed by sex, and the same finding was observed. Therefore, the results suggest a negative association between sleep duration and overweight/obesity in these children. Although more studies are necessary, this finding highlights the need of a global approach which includes sleep assessment and counselling when promoting an appropriate nutritional status.