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- Benefits, concerns, and perceptions of knowledge workers regarding a video stress detection softwarePublication . Rodrigues, Matilde; Ferreira, Simão; Figueiredo, Henrique; Rodrigues, Fátima; Moreira, Fernando; Costa, Luís; Rocha, NunoStress is not only highly destructive, causing various mental health disorders (anxiety, insomnia, depression), cardiovascular diseases, poor immune function, and presenteeism, as it is costly. While concerns about occupational stress have increased, new solutions for its management have emerged. Systems based on the use of facial recognition, posture, eye movements, video monitoring, and behavioral stress detection have shown good results. Their drawback has mainly been the recording of the said video feed and privacy threats proceeding. This Focus Groups aimed to raise the opinions, perceptions, and concerns of end users regarding the system under development. With a new solution in mind, we gathered two groups of knowledge workers, one group of team leaders, and a group of consulting psychologists to gather their perceptions. A Focus Groups was conducted online via Microsoft Teams, as COVID-19 restrictions were applied during that period. Against previous reports, knowledge workers showed that privacy threats were not their major concern. Both groups showed that Mental Health was their main focus as the follow-up structure regarding stress detection was the most prevalent topic being close to information sharing and software adaptation. The results highly contribute to the development of future stress detection applications/software and the importance of a detailed and thorough explanation regarding the software framework.
- Dissociating self reported interoceptive accuracy and attention: Evidence from a Portuguese community samplePublication . Campos, Carlos; Rocha, Nuno; Barbosa, FernandoThe 2x2 factorial model has been recently proposed as a promising framework to measure individual differences in interoception. The first factor addresses which domain is being measured (interoceptive accuracy vs. attention), while the second distinguishes how it is being measured (self-report beliefs vs. objective performance). The current study examined the association between self-reported interoceptive accuracy and attention. We hypothesized no linear association between these constructs, although a quadratic U-shaped association was expected. Furthermore, alexithymia should be differentially related to interoceptive accuracy and attention. An online community sample (*n *= 515) completed the Interoceptive Accuracy Scale (IAS), the Body Perception Questionnaire (BPQ) *ndexing self-reported interoceptive attention, and the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS). Pearson correlations, Steiger’s Z-test, polynomial regression analysis, and two-lines testing were used for statistical analysis. IAS was positively correlated with BPQ, r = .204, p < .001. In the polynomial regression analysis, the linear model indicated a positive association between IAS and BPQ (4.2%), but the quadratic term explained an additional 12.7% of the variance. Two-lines testing indicated a U-shaped association between self-report interoceptive accuracy and attention. IAS was negatively correlated with TAS, r = -.291, p < .001, while there was no significant association between BPQ and TAS, r = -.030, p = .500, as these correlations were statistically different. These results suggest that interoceptive accuracy and attention can be dissociated using self-report measures and may display a quadratic U-shaped association, providing further evidence for the 2x2 factorial model. Future studies should explore the non-linear relationship between interoceptive accuracy and attention using alternative questionnaires and performance-based measures.
- Untangling self-reported interoceptive attention and accuracy: Evidence from the european portuguese validation of the body perception questionnaire and the interoceptive accuracy scalePublication . Campos, Carlos; Rocha, Nuno; Barbosa, FernandoThis study included an online community-sample (n = 515) and aimed to: (1) explore the factor structure and psychometric properties of the European Portuguese versions of the Interoceptive Accuracy Scale (IAS) and the Body Perception Questionnaire (BPQ) - Body Awareness and Autonomic Reactivity scales; (2) examine the association between self-reported interoceptive attention and accuracy (indexed by the BPQ Body Awareness and IAS, respectively). Parallel-analysis indicated a one-factor solution for the BPQ Body Awareness. For the IAS and BPQ Autonomic Reactivity, bifactor ESEM models were retained. Ancillary measures revealed that both scales were mainly unidimensional and presented reliable total scores. All scales displayed excellent internal consistency, although test-rest reliability was modest. There was a quadratic U-shaped association between the IAS and BPQ Body Awareness. Alexithymia was negatively correlated with the IAS and unassociated with the BPQ Body Awareness. These findings suggest that interoceptive attention and accuracy may be dissociated using self-report questionnaires.
- New taxonomy for prolonged disorders of consciousness may help with decisions on withdrawal of clinically assisted nutrition and hydration: A proposed decision-making pathwayPublication . Teixeira, Liliana da Conceição; Rocha, Nuno; Nunes, RuiThe number of patients surviving severe brain injury is increasing; however, many are left in a prolonged disorder of consciousness. With appropriate treatment, patients with prolonged disorders of consciousness can survive for years. Unless an advance directive exists, the treating clinicians can authorize withdrawal of clinically assisted nutrition and hydration for these patients, based on best interests. The classic terminology used in prolonged disorders of consciousness ranges from coma, vegetative state to minimally conscious state. However, a new group of patients with covert cognition has been identified in the last decade, making it necessary to revise the current taxonomy to better reflect our understanding of these conditions. With the introduction of a less ambiguous terminology, the challenges when it comes to withdrawal of clinically assisted nutrition and hydration of these patients may ease. A decision- making pathway for withdrawal of clinically assisted nutrition and hydration for patients with prolonged disorders of consciousness, based on a new taxonomy is proposed. These decisions should be based primarily on best interests. The adoption of a new classification for impairments of consciousness would clarify and improve how we think about these patients. Moreover, the development of accurate prognostic predictors would be a major step in the decision-making process, as it would influence the beneficent pathway towards the best clinical outcome.
- Exploring the associations between early maladaptive schemas and impulsive and compulsive buying tendenciesPublication . Rocha, Susana ; Fernández, Xosé Manuel ; Castro, Yolanda Rodríguez ; Ferreira, Simão; Teixeira, Liliana; Campos, Carlos; Barbosa Rocha, NunoThe main purpose of this preliminary study was to investigate a potential relationship between early maladaptive schemas (EMSs) and impulsive and compulsive buying tendencies in a sample of young adults (college students). This research adds to the cognitive perspective of consumer behavior that the cognitive schemas putatively associated with early experiences may have a strong impact on impulsive and compulsive buying. Data was obtained from 365 participants in a cross-sectional study design. Participants completed an online survey with the following instruments: Young Schema Questionnaire; Impulsive Buying Tendency Measurement Scale; Richmond Compulsive Buying Scale; and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Using multiple linear hierarchical regressions, we confirmed that the domain of over vigilance and inhibition schemas was positively associated with impulsive and compulsive buying tendencies, while an opposite association was found for the domain of impaired limits. Being a female was also a predictor of impulsive buying and compulsive buying. The results were discussed in terms of the coping mechanisms to deal with negative emotions, as a way to obtain rewards, or as a way to escape painful self-awareness. Other mechanisms related to the internalization of perfectionist expectations and the propensity to shame were also explored.
- Mad@ work mental health and productivity boosting in the workplacePublication . Rocha, Nuno; Rodrigues, Matilde; Ferreira, SimãoOur work life is changing rapidly. Globalization is ramping up competition, and digitalization is transforming all but the simplest manual labor into knowledge work. These changes don’t come without a price – and it seems that the price is paid in an increase of stress and burnout. The cost of work-related stress in Europe was estimated to be around 200 billion annually and, in the USA, job stress alone is estimated to cost companies approximately 300 billion dollars a year. To face the high costs, the key to success requires tackling the work stress-related issues, first, in an individual level. This project aims to develop novel stress detection solutions for workplaces, which will help to manage and reduce stress in the work context and build safe, positive, and productive work environments. Existing technologies for stress detection have been developed in relatively short-term studies and are not practical and/or mature enough for continuous, real-life usage. To overcome these shortcomings, we will develop novel solutions to detect workplace problems and stress, convenient for long-term real-life use. Pilots in real workplaces will be conducted to achieve project goals and to evaluate developed solutions. Ultimately, our goal is to support and mitigate ongoing transformation, helping individuals flourish and companies thrive, paving the way for healthier workplaces where people throw up their arms, not in frustration or anger but inspiration and excitement.
- Are emotional and behavioral problems of infants and children aged younger than 7 years related to screen time exposure during the Coronavirus disease 2019 confinement? An exploratory study in PortugalPublication . Monteiro, Rita; Rocha, Nuno; Fernandes, SandraThe coronavirus disease 2019 outbreak forced most of the world’s population to be confined at home to prevent contagion. Research reveals that one of the consequences of this confinement for children is an increased amount of time spent using screens (television, computers, and mobile devices, etc.) at home. This exploratory study aims to analyze the association between screen time exposure and emotional/behavioral problems of infants and children aged under 7 years, as manifested during the lockdown period in Portugal due to the coronavirus disease 2019 outbreak.
- The retinoid X receptor: a nuclear receptor that modulates the sleep-wake cycle in ratsPublication . Murillo-Rodríguez, Eric; Millán-Aldaco, Diana; Arankowsky-Sandoval, Glória; Yamamoto, Tetsuya; Cid, Luís; Monteiro, Diogo; Rocha, Nuno; Telles-Correia, Diogo; Teixeira, Diogo S.; Veras, André Barciela; Budde, Henning; Machado, Sérgio; Imperatori, Cláudio; Torterolo, PabloThe nuclear receptor retinoid X receptor (RXR) belongs to a nuclear receptor superfamily that modulates diverse functions via homodimerization with itself or several other nuclear receptors, including PPARα. While the activation of PPARα by natural or synthetic agonists regulates the sleep-wake cycle, the role of RXR in the sleep modulation is unknown.
- Assessing the management of excessive daytime sleepiness by napping benefitsPublication . Murillo-Rodríguez, Eric; Yamamoto, Tetsuya; Monteiro, Diogo; Budde, Henning; Rocha, Nuno; Cid, Luis; Teixeira, Diogo S.; Telles-Correia, Diogo; Veras, André Barciela; Machado, Sérgio; Imperatori, Claudio; Torterolo, PabloPurpose Demanding lifestyle characterized by extended working hours, shift work schedules as well as excessive use of mobile gadgets leads to the disruption of the circadian and homeostatic factors affecting the sleep quality of individuals. As consequence, subjects complain of suffering several sleep disorders some of them characterized by inducing excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS). Currently, the therapeutic approaches for managing EDS include medication, promotion of sleep hygiene, cognitive and behavioral therapy or using of continuous positive airway pressure machine. In this review, we propose the posology of the personalized sleep medicine by the prescription of naps for treating EDS. Methods This review included the online search in PubMed and manual review of articles (basic and clinical trials) of a range of personalized medicine potentially associated to factors of dosage in areas such as nutrition, sports and sleep. Articles in English were identified and subsequently analyzed for consideration for this review. Results Current evidence has demonstrated that naps exert positive outcomes for individuals complaining with EDS. The dosage of naps might follow similar procedures as reported for personalized interventions in diets or exercise programs (by taking the right dose, at the proper time, with a recommended frequency) which have demonstrated successfully results. Conclusions The management of EDS may include the personalized sleep medicine considering the prescription of dosage of naps.
- What do preschool teachers and parents think about the influence of screen-time exposure on children’s development? Challenges and opportunitiesPublication . Monteiro, Rita; Fernandes, Sandra; Rocha, NunoChildren’s exposure to screens has been increasing in recent years and so has the concern about its impact on children’s development. This study aims to analyze preschool teachers’ and parents’ views on the influence of screen-time exposure on children’s development. Semi-structured interviews with preschool teachers (n = 9), as well as data from a previous quantitative study, based on an online questionnaire applied to parents of children in preschool (n = 266) were used for data collection. For this study, eminently of qualitative nature, the following dimensions were analyzed: children’s habits of exposure to screens at home, changes in children’s play habits at school, strategies/methodologies used by preschool teachers, use of technologies at school and children’s language development. The results from the study with parents show that screen-time exposure of children is between 1 h to 2 h of television per day, mostly to watch cartoons. Parents also report that most of the children use vocabulary in other languages at home. Most preschool teachers agreed that children are changing their play habits and mainly their behaviors and attitudes, influenced by screen-time exposure. They believe that language development is also changing, mentioning more language problems in children. Changes in pedagogic strategies and specialized training on educational technology are needed to get closer to children’s interests.