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Introduction The COVID-19 pandemic has brought additional worries and challenges to people’s lives, with potential implications for psychological well-being. Objectives To understand which worries and life changes have affected most the Portuguese general population during the COVID-19 pandemic and to analyse which contents are associated with higher levels of repetitive negative thinking/RNT and psychological distress/PD. Methods In September-December 2020, 413 Portuguese adults (69.2% female; Mean age= 31.02±14.272) were asked one open questions, with reference to the COVID-19 pandemic period: “what was your biggest worry?”; the answers were independently categorized by two researchers. Participants also filled the validated Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale and the Perseverative Thinking Questionnaire. Results The most prevalent worries were about: 1) fear of contamination (oneself and others-48.7%; 2) physical and mental health and well-being (self and others)-27.2%; 3) studies and profession-13.3%; 4) uncertainty about the future-7.7%; 5) economic-financial issues-6.5%; 6) miscellaneous-3.3%; 7) no worries-0.7%. Participants who had worries of the theme 4 had the highest RNT and PD mean scores, followed by themes 3 and 5, and then themes 2 and 1. These thematic groups significantly (p

Introduction Almost 5 million people worldwide have lost their lives due to SARS-CoV-2 (source: WHO coronavirus (COVID-19) dashboard, data of 1.10.2021; https://covid19.who.int/) and therefore, globally, there is an increase of people in grief due to the death of a significant other. Objectives To study psychological correlates of grief during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods 591 university students, with a mean age of 23.84±7.95 years (range 18-65 years; 76.8% women; 91.2% Portuguese) completed an online questionnaire during the second COVID-19 confinement (from 15.02 to 13.03.2021), with sociodemographic questions, the Pandemic Stress Index, the Mental Health Inventory, Insomnia Scale, questions on physical/ psychological health, and social isolation. Results Students bereaving the death of a significant other (n=93, 15.7%; n=25, 26.9% reported cause was SARS-CoV-2; time since death: < 3 months to 1-year), compared to those who did not (n= 498; 84.3%), described poorer psychological health, higher psychological distress (depression, anxiety, lack of control) and sleep difficulties, higher levels of stress (higher impact of COVID pandemic in daily life, and higher behavior changes in response to COVID-19) and more social isolation. Conclusions COVID-19 pandemic-related stress is a source of additional stress for bereaved students. Grief is also associated with social isolation, poor mental health (depression, anxiety, lack of control) and sleep difficulties. Screening efforts, guidance, and counseling from professionals of mental health care, primary health care, and universities health care services during and after the COVID-19 pandemic could be extremely beneficial for bereaved students, particularly for those at higher risk of developing prolonged grief disorder. Disclosure No significant relationships.

Introduction During a public health crisis, preventive measures are essential. However, to make them effective, all citizens must be engaged. Objectives To analyse the differential role of individual and contextual variables in the adherence to public health recommendations. Methods 1376 adults (70.5% female; mean age=35.55±14.27) completed a survey between September/2020 and May/2021 with: Adherence Scale to the Recommendations during COVID-19 (ASR-COVID19; evaluates three dimensions of adherence), Fear of Covid-19 Scale (FC19S) and Toronto and Coimbra Prosocial Behaviour Questionnaire (ProBeQ; assesses empathy and altruism). Results Adherence did not differ between individuals with or without personal or family history of COVID-19 infection. ASR-COVID19 and all dimensions were positively correlated to ProBeQ’s altruism and empathy (from r=.32 to r=.54); FCV19S correlated positively to total adherence score and house sanitation (from r=.18 to r=.26; all p

Introduction Public health authorities around the world have been disseminating messages to support mental health and psychosocial well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic. Based on the Portuguese guidelines, we have developed the Adherence Scale to the Recommendations for Mental Health during the COVID-19 Pandemic (ASR-MH-COVID19) to better understand this health behaviour. Objectives To analyse the relationship between sociodemographics, personality traits, Adherence (to the Recommendations for Mental Health during the COVID-19 Pandemic) and psychological distress. Methods 413 individuals (69.2% female; mean age=31.02±14,272) completed an on-line survey, in September-December 2020, including sociodemographic questions, ASR-MH-COVID19, NEO-FFI-20 and Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21) and Health Perception Scale. Results Adherence scores did not significantly differ by gender, age and years of education. Women presented higher DASS and Neuroticism scores (p

Introduction The COVID-19 crisis has generated an increasing stress throughout the population. Objectives To develop and validate the Adherence Scale to the Recommendations for Mental Health during the COVID-19 pandemic from the Portuguese General Directorate of Health (GDH) (ASR-MH-COVID19). Methods The items content was based on the GDH guides for the prevention of mental health and psychosocial well-being of the general population during the COVID-19 outbreak. After content and facial validity analysis, the preliminary version of the ASR-MH-COVID19 (8 items to be answered on a Likert scale) was completed by 413 individuals (69.2% female; mean age=31.02±14,272), in September-December 2020 (Sample1) and then by 967 (70.9% female; mean age=34.02±14,272), in February-May 2021 (Sample2). Sample1 was randomly divided in two sub-samples. Sample1A was used for exploratory factor analysis/EFA and Sample1B for confirmatory factor analysis/CFA; CFA was then replicated with Sample2. The online surveys also included the Adherence Scale to the Recommendations of Portuguese GDH to minimize the impact of COVID-19 (ASR-COVID-19; Pereira et al. 2020). Results CFAs were informed by EFA and showed that the unidimensional model presented acceptable-good fit indexes (Sample1B: χ2/df=2.747; RMSEA=.0980, p

Introduction Self-Generated Stress might be defined as stress that is created by oneself by engaging in behavior or making decisions that ultimately add strain to pre-existing personal stress. The Self-Generated Stress Scale (SGSS; Flett et al. 2020) is a seven-item self-report measure built to assess this tendency to make one’s own life more stressful. Objectives To analyze the psychometric properties of the Portuguese Version of the SGSS. Methods Participants (127 medicine and dentistry students; 78.0% female) answered an online survey including the preliminary Portuguese version of the SGSS and other validated questionnaires: Maslach Burnout Inventory – Students Survey, Depression Anxiety and Stress Scales, HEXACO-60 and Big Three Perfectionism Scale. Results Confirmatory Factor Analysis showed that the unidimensional model presented good fit indexes (χ2/df=1.546; RMSEA=.0666, p.550; Perfectionism, .600; Emotionality, .315; Extroversion, -.411. After controlling for the effect of Emotionality and Extroversion, SGSS explained significant additional increments of 19.9% and 14.0% of the DASS and MBI variance; controlling for Perfectionism, the increments were respectively of 27.9% and 2.0%. SGSS mean score (22.96±5.90 was not significantly different by gender. Conclusions As observed with the original English-language scale, the Portuguese version of SGSS showed good validity (construct and convergent-divergent) and internal consistency. As such, the SGSS might be useful in further investigation, particularly to explore the different pathways between personality traits, emotional regulation processes and psychological distress. Disclosure No significant relationships.

Introduction Perceived vulnerability to disease/PVD may influence psychological reactions to COVID-19 pandemic. Objectives To analyse the role of PVD in psychological distress/PD during the COVID-19 pandemic, testing whether it is mediated by perceived risk of COVID-19, fear of COVID-19 and repetitive negative thinking/RNT. Methods Participants (N=413 adults; 69.2% women) were recruited from September until December 2020, via social networks. They completed the following self-report validated questionnaires: Perceived Vulnerability to Disease Questionnaire/PVDQ; Perceived Risk of COVID-19 Scale, Fear of COVID-19 Scale; Perseverative Thinking Questionnaire and Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale. As women had significantly higher levels of PVD, COVID-19 perceived risk and fear, RNT, and psychological distress/PD, gender was controlled in mediation analysis (using PROCESS macro for SPSS; Hayes 2018). Results All the variables significantly (p.20) and positively correlated. The serial mediation model 6 with the three sequential mediators resulted in significant total effect (c=.326, se=.0791, pCOVID19 perceived risk->COVID19 fear->RNT->PD), meaning full mediation. Conclusions The effect of PVD on psychological distress operates by increasing the perception of risk and the fear of COVID-19, which intensify related worries and ruminations in times of pandemic. People with high perceived threat, aversion and discomfort in situations associated with increased risk of infection should be helped to decrease dysfunctional cognitive contents and processes in times of pandemic. Disclosure No significant relationships.

Introduction With the huge increase of life expectancy in developed countries, new needs for long-term care arise in order to guarantee an active ageing for an increasing older adult population. One way to promote emotional well-being and quality of life in elderly is through socio-educational interventions. Objectives To test the effects of a socio-educational intervention in quality of life and mental health of institutionalized elderly. Methods This study employed a pretest-posttest design. Measures: Portuguese version of Mental Health Inventory (Ribeiro, 2001) and WHOQOL-OLD (Vilar, Sousa & Simões, 2009). Qualitative assessment was made using a logbook. Participants: 15 institutionalized elderly, 60% females, with mean age of 82.5 years (sd=8.5). The intervention ran for 2 months, with 12 group sessions, 60 minutes each, held twice a week. A nonparametric paired samples tests was conducted to evaluate the impact of the intervention. Results After the intervention, results showed a significant increase of total value of mental health (p=.021). Concerning dimensions: significant increase of positive psychological well-being (p=.014), emotional ties (p=.050), positive affect (p=.004), behavioural emotional control (p=.018), and a significant decrease of depression (p=.043). Concerning quality of live, the results showed a significant increase of the mean values of the facets: social participation and intimacy (p=.005; p=.027, respectively). Conclusions Overall, the intervention implemented with institutionalized elderly had good results, with significant increase of positive psychological well-being and decrease of depression. Although there was no control group, the results suggest that the socio-educational intervention implemented can contribute to promote mental health in elderly.

Introduction Intergenerational programs involving children and the elderly promote intergenerational interactions and can positively affect physical and mental health, and the quality of life of the elderly. Objectives To test the effects of an intergenerational intervention in social isolation, depressive symptoms and quality of life of the elderly. Methods This study employed a pretest-posttest design. Measures: Portuguese versions of Geriatric Depression Scale, Lubben Social Networks Scale and WHOQOL-OLD. Participants: 12 elderly, 75% females, with mean age of 80.8 years (sd=8.8) and 20 kindergarten children (65% female) with mean age of 4,1 years (sd=0.79). The intervention ran for 6 weeks, with 11 intergenerational group sessions, each range between 30 and 120 minutes. A nonparametric paired samples tests was conducted to evaluate the impact of the intervention. Results After the intervention, when comparing elderly with and without depressive symptoms, results showed significant differences in the total value of quality of life (p=.048) and in the facets: 1) Sensory functioning, 2) Autonomy, 3) Past, present and future activities (p=.003; p=.018; p=.030, respectively). 12,5% of de elderly with depressive symptoms before the intervention no longer have depressive symptoms after the intervention. Regarding social networks, there were no significant differences (p=.576) between the mean values of the two assessments. Conclusions The implemented intergenerational program was effective in promoting quality of live and minimized depressive symptoms. After the intervention, the number of the elderly without depressive symptoms have increased and these presented a higher quality of life. Finally, longitudinal studies with a large sample are needed to consolidate results.

Introduction The confinement associated with COVID-19 pandemic was an experience with significant physical and mental health implications, including higher stress levels, decreased sleep quality, pain symptoms and changes in lifestyle behaviours. Objectives The main goal of this study was to analyze the relationship between stress and health variables (sleep, health symptoms, health perception, and lifestyle behaviours) in a Portuguese university during COVID-19 home confinement. Methods A cross-sectional online survey design was conducted. A sample of 263 Portuguese workers (64.3% females), with mean age of 48.3 years (sd=8.9), filled in the PSS10, answering questions concerning health symptoms (perceived health, pain symptoms and fatigue), lifestyle behaviours (sleep and eating habits, use of alcohol and tobacco) during COVID-19 home confinement. A descriptive statistical analysis, a Pearson correlation analyses and the t Student test, for independent samples, were performed. Results The results showed significant correlations between stress and perceived health (r=-.404; p

Introduction Sleep represents an important process in the stable behavioural and emotional functioning of the individual and is an important health indicator. Personality is related with academic and occupational achievement, quality of interpersonal relationships, but also with sleep. Concerning personality, individuals with lower emotional stability have greater sensitivity to stress and maladaptive sleep-related behaviour. Objectives The main goal of this study is to analyze the relation between sleep quality and personality in college students. Methods This study employed a correlational design. A sample of 220 Portuguese students (84.9% females), with mean age of 19.5 years (sd=3.4), from different health courses, filled in the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Questionnaire and HEXACO-60, during a single individual session. A descriptive statistical analysis, a Pearson correlation analyses and the t Student test, for independent samples, were performed. Results The results showed a predominance of poor sleep quality among students (96.3%). The more prevalent HEXACO dimensions are: Conscientiousness (X=32.6; sd=4.2) and Emotionality (X=31.2; sd=5.2). When exploring personality differences between sleep groups (GSG=Good Sleep Group; PSG=Poor Sleep Group) a significant difference was found in mean scores of the dimension Emotionality. It was observed that the PSG revealed higher levels of Emotionality than the GSG (PSG=31.5; sd=5.1; PSG=26.3; sd=4.0; p