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.

Background Genomic surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 in Portugal was rapidly implemented by the National Institute of Health in the early stages of the COVID-19 epidemic, in collaboration with more than 50 laboratories distributed nationwide. Methods By applying recent phylodynamic models that allow integration of individual-based travel history, we reconstructed and characterized the spatio-temporal dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 introductions and early dissemination in Portugal. Results We detected at least 277 independent SARS-CoV-2 introductions, mostly from European countries (namely the United Kingdom, Spain, France, Italy, and Switzerland), which were consistent with the countries with the highest connectivity with Portugal. Although most introductions were estimated to have occurred during early March 2020, it is likely that SARS-CoV-2 was silently circulating in Portugal throughout February, before the first cases were confirmed. Conclusions Here we conclude that the earlier implementation of measures could have minimized the number of introductions and subsequent virus expansion in Portugal. This study lays the foundation for genomic epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 in Portugal, and highlights the need for systematic and geographically-representative genomic surveillance.

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.

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