Relationship between Quality of Life and Adult Attachment Factors in Mothers of Children with and without Type 1 Diabetes

The mothers of children with a specific clinical situation such as type 1 diabetes mellitus may have a higher level of stress, causing a worse perception of their quality of life, greater anxiety, and greater avoidance (adult attachment factors). The objective of this research was to verify if there is a relationship between the adult attachment factors of mothers of children with and without type 1 diabetes mellitus and the perception of the quality of life of these mothers. This survey was carried out from July to September 2022, with mothers of children aged 5 to 10 years, with and without diabetes. The data were collected through an online questionnaire, with socioeconomic data from the attachment scale Experience in Close Relationship-(Reduced), and the questionnaire on the quality of life, the WHOQOL-abbreviated questionnaire. For statistical analysis, the Statistical Package for Social Science 24 was used. A total of 45 mothers of children with DM1 and 55 mothers of healthy children were evaluated. The mothers of children with DM1 had a worse perception of their quality of life when compared to the mothers of healthy children (p < 0.05), with no difference in terms of the attachment style. Therefore, it is understood that actions aimed at improving the quality of life of these mothers are necessary.

Facial morphometric differences across face databases: influence of ethnicities and sex

The scientific need for standardized, high-quality facial stimuli has driven the creation of several face image databases in recent years. These stimuli are particularly important in facial asymmetry research. However, previous studies have reported facial anthropometric differences across a variety of ethnicities. This highlights the need to investigate whether these differences can also impact the use of face image databases, particularly in facial asymmetry research. In this study, we investigated facial asymmetry-based morphometric differences between the multi-ethnic Chicago Face Database (CFD) and the LACOP Face Database, which is composed of Brazilian subjects. We found reliable differences in facial asymmetry between the two databases, which were related to ethnic groups. Specifically, differences in eye and mouth asymmetry seem to drive these differences. The asymmetry-based morphometric differences among databases and ethnicities found in this study reinforce the necessity of creating multi-ethnic face databases.

Controlling mothers, insecure daughters: parental style and adult attachment

There is a proven relationship between adult attachment and parental style, yet the use of Life History Theory, in a “majority of the world” country, with advanced statistical analysis, can bring new results. In view of this, the objective of this study was to identify and relate the perceived parental style of 150 Brazilian women aged 18-45 years. The Relationship Style Scale and the Parental Bonding Instrument were used. Attachment security ranged from 48.0% to 67.9%, which exposes the impact of the type of statistical analysis. Analyses of structural equation models revealed that the maternal control dimension was more important to the attachment style of women, while paternal care and control were both relevant. Life History Theory can explain this result through the influence of maternal control on changes in female development, which are due to different parental investment, which influences sexual strategy.

Percepção, atratividade e probabilidade de engajamento em situações de risco: diferenças de gênero

Diferenças de gênero em comportamentos de risco podem ser explicadas pela teoria evolucionista, que prediz diferenças conforme o domínio avaliado. Visando a investigar esse problema, utilizou-se uma escala de propensão ao risco com 358 pessoas, que responderam um questionário de 15 itens, cobrindo cinco domínios, avaliados quanto às dimensões Percepção, Atratividade e Probabilidade de engajamento. Em geral, foram encontradas diferenças de gênero nas dimensões, mas a análise dos domínios sugeriu diferenças apenas em Desafio ambiental, e Acasalamento e recursos. Esses resultados confirmam a literatura quanto à maior propensão dos homens ao risco, mas também sugerem que o tipo de domínio envolvido pode ser relevante na propensão ao risco. Discute-se a necessidade de novas pesquisas que refinem os presentes achados. Palavras-chave: percepção de risco; comportamento de risco; psicologia evolucionista; diferenças de gênero.  

Itinerários terapêuticos face à hipertensão arterial em famílias de classe popular

Na compreensão sobre a hipertensão arterial sistêmica (HAS) é importante considerar a influência dos conhecimentos e crenças associados à doença, bem como, os recursos disponíveis para o seu tratamento. Este trabalho analisa itinerários terapêuticos de três famílias de classe popular do tipo extensa que possuíam portadores de HAS. Investigou-se as alternativas adotadas, os determinantes das escolhas, a avaliação sobre os serviços utilizados e os reflexos da interação com os serviços no cuidado doméstico. Foi realizado um estudo etnográfico em um bairro popular de Salvador por meio de observação e entrevistas semi-estruturadas com informantes em espaços domiciliares e institucionais. Constatou-se que os itinerários das famílias participantes não seguiam um padrão rígido, sendo influenciados pelas experiências prévias com a hipertensão e outras doenças, pelo suporte social disponível e pelas condições do atendimento do sistema formal no bairro. Observou-se, também, a apropriação e adaptação do conhecimento técnico de saúde pelos grupos familiares.