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This study aimed to identify the main predictors of suicidal ideation (SI) and how they are related in individuals undergoing psychological distress (PD) during the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil.

Earlier research revealed that cocaine users display impairments in emotional but not necessarily in cognitive empathy. However, no study to date has tested whether empathy is generally altered or whether impairments are restricted to specific social targets. The current investigation addresses this open question. In addition, we examined whether attributions of warmth and competence as well as personal future expectancies differed between cocaine users and substance-naive controls. Twenty-two chronic cocaine users and 40 stimulant-naive controls specified their perceived warmth and competence for four social targets [in-group member, opposite consumption out-group member (cocaine user for controls and non-user for cocaine user), opposite consumption out-group member of opposite gender, and elderly person]. They also specified their cognitive and emotional empathy for these four targets facing eight desirable and eight undesirable events. Finally, they rated the likelihood of these scenarios happening to themselves. Both cocaine users and controls attributed lower warmth to cocaine-using than non-using targets. Comparably, no in-group preference was observed in cocaine user's emotional empathy ratings, and greater denigration of the in-group was associated with higher frequency and doses of cocaine consumption. In addition, cocaine users rated both desirable and undesirable events as more likely to happen to themselves than did controls. Results show that substance-naive individuals stigmatize cocaine users. They further point to compromised self-esteem in cocaine users resulting from such stigmatization. Interventions should address stigmatization processes to break the vicious circle of mutual social distancing and stronger dedication to the drug., Frontiers in Psychiatry, 13, ISSN:1664-0640

Introduction : There is strong evidence to indicate that childhood maltreatment can negatively affect both physical and mental health and there is increasing interest in understanding the occurrence and consequences of such experiences. While several tools have been developed to retrospectively investigate childhood maltreatment experiences, most of them do not investigate the experience of witnessing family violence during childhood or bullying exposure. Moreover, the majority of scales do not identify when these experiences may have occurred, who was involved or the feelings evoked, such as helplessness or terror. The Maltreatment and Abuse Chronology of Exposure (MACE) scale was developed to overcome these limitations. Objective : In view of the improvements over previous self-report instruments that this new tool offers and of the small number of self-report questionnaires for childhood maltreatment assessment available in Brazil, this study was conducted to conduct cross-cultural adaptation of the MACE scale for Brazilian Portuguese. Method : The following steps were performed: translation, back-translation, committee review for semantic and conceptual evaluation, and acceptability trial for equivalence. Results : Semantic and structural changes were made to the interview to adapt it for the Brazilian culture and all 75 of the items that comprise the longer version of MACE were translated. The results of the acceptability trial suggest that the items are comprehensible. Conclusion : The MACE scales may be useful tools for investigation of childhood maltreatment and make a valuable contribution to research in Brazil. Future studies should consider testing the availability and reliability of the three versions of the instrument translated into Brazilian Portuguese. Introdução : Há evidências robustas na literatura indicando que os maus-tratos na infância podem afetar negativamente a saúde física e mental. Além disso, há um crescente interesse em compreender a ocorrência e as consequências dessas experiências. Vários instrumentos vêm sendo desenvolvidos para investigar retrospectivamente experiências de maus-tratos na infância, mas a maioria deles não investiga a experiência de testemunhar violência familiar durante a infância ou a ocorrência de bullying . Além disso, a maioria não identifica quando as experiências ocorreram, quem estava envolvido ou os sentimentos que evocaram, como desespero ou terror. A escala Maltreatment and Abuse Chronology of Exposure (MACE) foi desenvolvida para superar essas limitações. Objetivos : Considerando as vantagens dessa nova escala em relação aos instrumentos de autorrelato existentes e o reduzido número de questionários de autorrelato disponíveis no Brasil para avaliar maus-tratos na infância, este estudo teve como objetivo conduzir a adaptação transcultural da escala MACE para o português brasileiro. Método : Foram realizadas as etapas de tradução, retrotradução, análise de equivalência semântica e correspondência conceitual por um comitê avaliador e teste de aceitabilidade. Resultados : Adaptações semânticas e estruturais foram realizadas na entrevista para a realidade cultural brasileira, e todos os 75 itens incluídos na versão estendida da MACE foram traduzidos. Os resultados do teste de aceitabilidade sugerem que os itens foram adequadamente compreendidos. Conclusões : A escala MACE é uma ferramenta útil para a investigação de maus-tratos na infância, contribuindo para a pesquisa no Brasil. Futuros estudos devem considerar testar a validade e fidedignidade das três versões do instrumento traduzidas para o português do Brasil.

Objetivo Este estudo teve como objetivo adaptar a Cocaine Selective Severity Assessment (CSSA) para o português do Brasil e verificar as propriedades psicométricas do instrumento em uma amostra de usuárias de crack. Métodos Após as etapas de tradução e adaptação, 125 mulheres usuárias de crack, internadas em uma unidade pública de desintoxicação, foram avaliadas. Para caracterização da amostra e análise das validades concorrente, de construto e preditiva, foram utilizados os seguintes instrumentos: SCID-I, ASI-6, BDI-II e CCQ-B. Resultados A análise fatorial exploratória identificou cinco fatores, com níveis adequados de consistência interna tanto para os fatores quanto para o escore geral da CSSA. Quanto à validade concorrente, a CSSA vai ao encontro de instrumentos já utilizados na clínica e em pesquisas. Em relação à validade de construto e preditiva, a CSSA pode ser sensível ao declínio dos sintomas de abstinência durante o processo de desintoxicação do crack. Conclusões Nossos achados foram além da tradução e adaptação da CSSA, proporcionando testes de validade e sugerindo que a CSSA é um instrumento confiável na avaliação dos sintomas de abstinência do crack. Objective This study aimed to describe the translation and adaptation of Cocaine Selective Severity Assessment (CSSA) into Brazilian Portuguese and verify the psychometric properties in a sample of crack cocaine users. Methods After the translation and adaptation steps, 125 female crack cocaine-dependent inpatients who were enrolled in an inpatient detoxification unit were evaluated. To characterize the sample and realize the analysis of concurrent validity, construct validity and predictive validity the following instruments were used: SCID-I, ASI-6, BDI-II e CCQ-B. Results The exploratory factorial analysis identified five factors and revealed appropriate levels of internal consistency, as well as the total score of the CSSA. The concurrent validity showed that CSSA was in line with instruments used in clinical practice and in researches. Further, both construct and predictive validity indicated adequate sensitivity to decline of withdrawal symptoms during the detoxification processes. Conclusions Our findings were beyond the translation and adaptation, providing the reliability and validity of CSSA regarding the evaluation of withdrawal symptoms in crack cocaine abstinence.