No abstract

Research suggests that mental health problems in adolescents in residential care (RC) are more prevalent than for youth in the community, and that psychosocial competencies are protective factors of mental health. This study compared adolescents in RC in Portugal, with a Portuguese community sample on the incidence of mental health problems and psychosocial skills, explored gender differences and the relationships between mental health problems and psychosocial competencies. Four hundred and forty-three adolescents in RC participated. Results showed that the RC adolescents had higher levels of mental health problems lower academic achievement, a poorer social support network, but were more involved in sports and hobbies, household chores than the adolescents in the normative sample. Gender differences were observed. Psychosocial skills were negatively correlated with mental health problems. These findings indicate an urgent need in Portugal for early screening of mental health problems and socio-cognitive interventions for youth in RC.

Residential care (RC) in Portugal accounts for almost 90% of out-of-home placements of childrenSince the Youth Self-Report (YSR) and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) are the most commonly used psychological (mal)adjustment screening instruments, it is important to analyze their comparative validity specifically in the context of RC. This study aims to analyze the comparative effectiveness of YSR/SDQ as screening tools of psychological (mal)adjustment, looking for differences in the way psychological problems and difficulties are identified by these two measures in adolescents in RC. Sixty-one adolescents, aged 12 to 20, living in five RC settings participated in this study. Participants' characteristics at the time of admission were collected using the Previous Request for Infomation (PIP) from the Portuguese Comprehensive Assessment System for Residential Care Quality (ARQUA-P). Participants filled out both the YSR and the self-report form of SDQ. Results showed significant correlations between the two self-report measures of adolescents' psychological adjustment.Additionally, the utility of each measure differed based on youngsters' characteristics, potentially supporting the simultaneous use of both instruments. Implications for further research and professional practice in RC are discussed, namely the differential utility of using YSR and/or SDQ as a screening tool with this population.

The purpose of the current study was to explore the delivery of the Group Lifestyle Triple P (GLTP) parent group programme through digital practice. Eight mothers of obese children aged 6–11 were recruited from a university hospital. Using a mixed‐methods approach, the study sought to characterise the perceived changes throughout the intervention and explore the outcome measures on children’s BMI z‐score, weight‐related behaviour problems, parents’ self‐efficacy, interparental conflict and parenting styles assessed pre‐ and post‐intervention. Participants identified changes in themselves, in positive parenting, and in their ability to manage children’s nutrition and physical activity, contributing to improve children’s lifestyle behaviours. The clinical results were similar to the findings of studies in which GLTP was delivered in‐person. Delivering GLTP through digital practice seems to be a possible way of implementing the intervention, particularly during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Practitioner points GLTP sessions’ contents and activities were adapted for digital delivery without compromising the programme’s implementation fidelity. Parents perceived an increase in positive parenting behaviours and their ability to manage children’s nutrition and physical activity. The clinical results of the GLTP delivered through digital practice were similar to those of studies in which the programme was delivered in‐person.

Resumo Em Portugal existem mais de 8000 crianças em Acolhimento Residencial (AR). Neste estudo participaram 77 crianças em AR (63,6% rapazes). Através da Bateria ASEBA foi possível observar que os participantes apresentaram níveis clínicos de problemas de saúde mental (maioritariamente as raparigas). Estes estão relacionados com o motivo de acolhimento e com o tipo de apoio recebido. A dimensão da casa medeia a relação entre a sintomatologia e o número de apoios recebidos. Estes resultados apelam à necessidade de instituir procedimentos de avaliação psicológica no momento de admissão da criança, sensibilizar os profissionais das casas de AR para estes sinais e sintomas e implementar programas de prevenção e promoção da saúde mental. Palavras-chave: Acolhimento residencial, problemas de internalização, problemas de externalização, total de problemas, bateria ASEBA.