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The security of attachment has been related to several advantageous developmental outcomes, such as good sleep quality and higher well-being indicators. However, few studies concern the associations between attachment dimensions to both parents, sleep, and well-being in late middle childhood. Our study aims to expand knowledge in this area, clarifying the above-mentioned associations by considering the secure base and safe haven dimensions of attachment. We also investigate the role of sleep as a mediator of the relationship between attachment and well-being. The 258 participants (49.2% girls, mean age = 11.19, SD = 0.85) completed self-report questionnaires regarding attachment (KSS), sleep (SSR), and well-being (CHIP-CE). The results show significant associations between attachment to both parents (0.40 ** ≤ r ≤ 0.61 **) and between attachment security, sleep (−0.21 ** ≤ r ≤ −0.35 **) and child well-being (0.42 ** ≤ r ≤ 0.47 **). Besides, sleep quality partially mediated the relations between all attachment dimensions to both parents and wellbeing. The results are discussed in light of attachment theory, focusing on the comparison between attachment to mother and father as a valid framework to unravel differences in child well-being, with sleep as a process that can help to explain the mechanisms through which attachment security enables subjective perceptions of well-being. Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia - FCT info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

Resumo: A inibição comportamental (IC) em idade pré-escolar pode ser definida com o retraimento biologicamente determinado perante pessoas, situações e atividades novas e associa-se a um risco acrescido de se vir a desenvolver sintomas de ansiedade. Apesar da IC não ser um conceito unitário, poucos estudos até à data procuraram caracterizar diferentes subgrupos de crianças, com recurso a medidas multidimensionais de relato parental, e compará-los relativamente à manifestação de sintomas de ansiedade. Este estudo teve como objetivos identificar diferentes perfis de crianças com IC e explorar se estes diferentes perfis se distinguem ao nível da sintomatologia ansiosa. Centro e oito mães de crianças, com uma média de idade de 54 meses preencheram o Behavioral Inhibition Questionnaire e o Preschool Anxiety Scale. Foram identificados dois perfis: crianças com níveis elevados, e médios de IC. As crianças com níveis elevados de IC apresentaram mais sintomas de ansiedade generalizada, ansiedade social e medo de danos do que as crianças com níveis médios de IC. Estas diferenças foram de maior magnitude para os sintomas de ansiedade social. Os resultados obtidos veem reforçar a importância de se intervir precocemente com as crianças que, já nas idades pré-escolares, evidenciem níveis elevados de IC. Abstract: Behavioral inhibition (BI) during the preschool years can be defined as a biologically-based wariness when exposed to novel people, situations and activities, and has been associated with an increased risk of developing anxiety symptoms. Although BI is not a unitary concept, to date, few studies aimed to characterize different subgroups of children, using multidimensional parental measures, and compare them in terms of anxiety symptoms. This study aimed to identify different profiles of children with BI and explore potential differences concerning anxiety symptoms. One hundred and eight mothers of children with a mean age of 54 months completed the Behavioral Inhibition Questionnaire and the Preschool Anxiety Scale. Two profiles of children were identified: children with high and medium levels of BI. Children with high levels of BI displayed more generalized anxiety, social anxiety and physical injury fears symptoms than children with average BI levels. These differences were of greater magnitude for social anxiety symptoms. These findings highlight the importance of early intervention with children who display high levels of BI as early as the preschool years. info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

There is a lack of knowledge regarding the connection between parental emotional responsiveness and children’s executive functioning (EF). This study aimed to explore the relations between caregivers’ reactions to their children’s distress and children’s EF. Mothers of 136 preschoolers reported their reactions to their children’s negative emotions using the Coping with Children’s Negative Emotions Scale. Children’s EF was assessed through the mothers and teachers’ reports using the Behavioral Inventory of Executive Functioning for Preschool Children. Results showed that the mothers’ perceived use of negative emotional regulation responses (i.e., punitive and minimizing reactions) was associated with lower levels of EF in children, as reported by both mothers and teachers. The association between the mothers’ use of positive emotional regulation responses (i.e., problem-focused, emotion-focused, and expressive encouragement reactions) and children’s EF was not significant. Multiple regression analyses revealed that the mothers’ use of negative emotional regulation responses accounted for significant proportions of variance in EF indexes. These findings suggest that parental socialization of emotion could be important for children’s EF. Specifically, caregivers’ negative emotional regulation responses to children’s distress may serve as a risk factor for poorer EF in children. Efforts to improve children’s EF may be more effective when parental emotional responsiveness to their distress is considered.

In recent years mothers have been finding themselves overwhelmed by the need to balance work and maternal duties. Father involvement in childcare has been related to a decrease in mother’s burden in childcare. This association is influenced by multiple aspects, such as the way parents share parenting perspectives and views about child rearing, i.e., coparenting. Nevertheless, the mediating role of coparenting on the association between father involvement and maternal stress has been overlooked. This will be addressed by the current study. A total of 254 Portuguese married/cohabiting mothers of preschool children reported on maternal stress, father involvement in caregiving, and coparenting. Data was collected in public and private schools through questionnaires and online through advertisements in social media. Results show that greater father involvement in direct care was associated with greater maternal stress, but this direction changes when mediated by cooperative coparenting. Moreover, results suggest that when mothers perceived less conflict in coparenting, greater father (in)direct care contributed to decreased maternal stress. The current study supports the notion that fathers involvement and parent’s cooperation account to mothers’ wellbeing, which will improve family dynamics. Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia - FCT info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

Given the high prevalence of anxiety disorders, there has been an increasing need to intervene on the early risk factors for their development, namely behavioral inhibition and social withdrawal (BI/SW) during early childhood. However, the participation rates in preventive evidence-based interventions targeted at BI/SW have been modest, due to the gaps in parents’ and key gatekeepers’ (teachers and pediatricians) problem recognition. Given their pivotal role in enhancing problem recognition, this study aimed to explore the perceptions of Portuguese psychologists about BI/SW and their related intervention needs. Eighteen psychologists were distributed into three focus groups. Each focus group was moderated by a trained researcher, using a semi-structured interview guide. The thematic analysis revealed that Portuguese psychologists identified the manifestations and consequences of BI/SW, particularly in the social domain. Portuguese psychologists recommended the development of multi-component family interventions and interventions targeted at preschool teachers to promote social skills in the classroom.

Resumo: O presente estudo teve como objetivo analisar a concordância entre os dados antropométricos das crianças (peso, altura, respetivos IMC e z-score de IMC calculados) reportados pelos pais e medidos objetivamente pelos investigadores, bem como a sua relação com as práticas parentais alimentares. Participaram no estudo 71 famílias, com crianças entre os 2 e os 6 anos. Verificou-se uma discordância entre os dados reportados pelos pais e os dados medidos para 45,5% das crianças. Foram encontrados efeitos bidirecionais entre a prática restrição por controlo de peso e a altura e peso reportados, bem como entre a prática pressão e o peso, IMC e z-score de IMC reportados. Os resultados sugerem que perceções parentais incorretas sobre o estado ponderal da criança poderão levar a maiores níveis de práticas parentais alimentares negativas, com impacto no peso das crianças. Por outro lado, pais e filhos, influenciam-se mutuamente, pelo que os pais são reativos ao peso das crianças, mas também o influenciam. Abstract: The present study aimed to analyze the agreement between the parent-reported and measured children’s anthropometric data (weight, height, respective BMI and BMI z-score calculated), as well as their relationship with parental feeding practices. Seventy-one families with children between 2 and 6 years of age participated in the study. There was a discrepancy between parent-reported and measured data for 45,5% of the children. Bidirectional effects were found between the practice restriction for weight and parent-reported height and weight, as well as between the practice pressure to eat and parent-reported weight, BMI and BMI z-score. Results suggest that incorrect parents’ perceptions of the child’s weight status may lead to higher levels of negative parental feeding practices, with an impact on children’s weight. On the other hand, parents and children influence each other, therefore parents are reactive to the children’s weight, but they also influence it. info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

Attachment theory and research are drawn upon in many applied settings, including family courts, but misunderstandings are widespread and sometimes result in misapplications. The aim of this consensus statement is, therefore, to enhance understanding, counter misinformation, and steer family-court utilisation of attachment theory in a supportive, evidence-based direction, especially with regard to child protection and child custody decision-making. The article is divided into two parts. In the first, we address problems related to the use of attachment theory and research in family courts, and discuss reasons for these problems. To this end, we examine family court applications of attachment theory in the current context of the best-interest-of-the-child standard, discuss misunderstandings regarding attachment theory, and identify factors that have hindered accurate implementation. In the second part, we provide recommendations for the application of attachment theory and research. To this end, we set out three attachment principles: the child’s need for familiar, non-abusive caregivers; the value of continuity of good-enough care; and the benefits of networks of attachment relationships. We also discuss the suitability of assessments of attachment quality and caregiving behaviour to inform family court decision-making. We conclude that assessments of caregiver behaviour should take center stage. Although there is dissensus among us regarding the use of assessments o attachment quality to inform child custody and child-protection decisions, such assessments are currently most suitable for targeting and directing supportive interventions. Finally, we provide directions to guide future interdisciplinary research collaboration. info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

In recent years, the development of social and moral emotions (often associated to pro-social behaviors) has become the subject of increased research interest. However, the relation between these emotions and attachment is less studied. The present systematic literature review (PROSPERO: CRD42021247210) was designed to synthesize current empirical contributions that explore the link between attachment and the development of moral emotions (e.g., empathy, sympathy, altruism, and guilt) during childhood and adolescence. Article exclusion criteria included: studies with participants not living in natural contexts (e.g., institutionalized); studies on mental illness; qualitative research; research that does not reliably evaluate attachment or moral emotions; research on intervention programs; and non-peer-reviewed articles. Only 10 studies were found eligible. Results highlight a present focus on empathy and guilt and gaps regarding sympathy and altruism. The mediator role and positive effect of emotion regulation was noted. Significant positive correlations between attachment security and guilt, shame and forgiveness were emphasized. Limitations of the eligible studies included: representativeness of the participants; causality of the results; and the validity and significance of the instruments (e.g., lack of results reported by various parties involved). The present review aims to contribute to the understanding of an empathic, healthy development, in contrast to the alienation and bullying affecting the youth’s emotional, relational and academic lives.

Increasing evidence suggests that attachment plays an important role in obesity. However, few studies examined this relationship in preschool children. This study aimed to systematically examine the empirical, peer-reviewed evidence regarding the relationship between attachment quality and obesity in the preschool years. Using established guidelines, relevant peer-reviewed literature published between 2000 and July 2021 was searched through EBSCO. This yielded a total of 1124 records for review. Established inclusion criteria comprised: empirical studies published in peer-review journals; include at least one anthropometric measure and/or food consumption measure. Exclusion criteria comprised: attachment measures not following Bowlby-Ainsworth conceptualization of the construct; children in institutionalized settings; context of severe mental illness, documented substance use disorders, or eating disorders; include only a measure of the psychological aspects of eating; intervention programs. After exclusions, eight studies with a total of 9225 participants met the inclusion criteria. Results support the role of attachment in weight-related outcomes, suggesting that considering attachment in the risk of obesity could contribute to the elaboration of effective prevention and intervention programs. Limitations included the small number of studies, predominately cross-sectional designs, the diversity of methodologies, most samples not including fathers, and lack of evidence about the developmental mechanisms underlying the association between attachment and obesity. More evidence is needed to determine how attachment and obesity are linked, and the potential underlying mechanisms accounting for this relationship.

The main goal of this study was to explore the contributions of early father-child and mother-child attachment relationships to children's later social competence with their preschool peers; possible unique and shared contributions were tested. Using a multi-method design and focusing on direct observation, attachment was assessed at home at age 3 with the Attachment Behavior Q-sort (AQS) and two years later social competence was assessed at classrooms of 5-year-olds using a set of seven measurement indicators that are part of the Hierarchical Model of Social Competence. Results show that attachment to each parent made unique and significant contributions to children's social competence and suggested the possibility that each caregiver may have somewhat different patterns of influence on the different indicators of children's social competence. Findings also suggest the possibility that a secure attachment with one parent may buffer the impact of having an insecure relationship with the other. Due to sample size, these results should be seen as a starting point to generate new and larger studies. info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

Associations between attachment security, assessed as a secure base script (SBS), and teachers' social competence ratings were examined in two samples (one from the Midwest region and the other from the Southern region of the United States). Consistent with previous reports, significant associations between domains were obtained in both samples and after combining the two samples, r = .33, p .001. The associations remained significant when child sex, age, and verbal intelligence were controlled. Findings are discussed with reference to relations between SBS scores and the covariates. Regarding sex differences, an existing literature suggests that girls, compared with boys, may be advantaged with respect to skills that could support higher scores on the task used to assess secure base scripts. In both samples, teachers rated girls as somewhat higher on scales of social competence and controlling for sex reduced the magnitude of associations between SBS and social competence, but the results remained significant in all tests.

High and stable behavioral inhibition (BI) during early childhood have been associated with an increased risk of later anxiety disorders and peer difficulties. Developing evidence-based early interventions to prevent these unhealthy developmental trajectories has become a major focus of interest. However, these interventions are not yet available in Europe. This study aimed to explore the perceptions of Portuguese psychologists about the acceptability of the child component of the Turtle Program, before its dissemination in Portugal. Eighteen psychologists were distributed into three focus groups. Each group was moderated by a trained psychologist, using a semi-structured interview guide. The thematic analysis revealed that Portuguese psychologists acknowledged that the intervention needs to go beyond social skills training and enhance children’s positive self-perceptions. Overall, psychologists perceived the structure, contents, activities, and materials of the intervention to be acceptable. However, participants recommended minor modifications to strengthen the connection with naturalistic contexts, broaden the focus on emotional expressiveness and social interaction, and introduce creative activities and materials. These findings are consistent with previous research with LatinX practitioners, who typically agree with the acceptability of evidence-based child intervention principles and only report the need to introduce minor changes related to the way how interventions are delivered to children.

Background: Oxytocin (OXT) has attracted research interest for its potential involvement in many of the behavioural problems observed in childhood. Due to its logistical advantages, saliva is an attractive fluid to quantify neuropeptides in children. Salivary OXT has been suggested as a potential biomarker for psychopathology during childhood. However, several questions still remain about the extent to which, and under what conditions, concentrations of OXT in saliva can be reliably measured and are related to behavioural problems in preschool age children.Methods: Seven samples of saliva from 30 preschool children (17 girls) were collected in five different days at their homes. Three of the samples were collected by the children's parents at baseline daily routine conditions, and four of the samples were collected by researchers during two home-visits: before and after two 15-minute dyadic play sessions (one with mothers and one fathers) between each individual parent and the child. Oxytocin concentrations were quantified by Radioimmunoassay with prior extraction. Children's behavioural problems were assessed by the Caregiver-Teacher Report Form (C-TRF) questionnaire, completed by the child's’ preschool teacher.Results: Salivary OXT measured in baseline samples collected by the parents could not predict any of the behavioural problems measured by the C-TRF. However, when collected by the researchers, salivary OXT before playing with parents correlated negatively with the C-TRF depression and anxiety subscales. Additionally there was a richer and stronger pattern of negative correlations between the salivary OXT measured after playing with parents and the depression, opposition, externalization and total problem scales of the C-TRF. Furthermore, salivary OXT was unlikely to be reliably measured using single sampling, but acceptable reliabilities were achieved when averaging several samples. Finally, the salivary OXT evoked after an episode of play with parents showed better reliabilities than collected at baseline.Conclusion: measurements of OXT evoked after positive affect interactions with parents seem to capture aspects of the OXT system in young children that are relevant for understanding the role of this system in children’s social behaviour.

Although there is a large body of research connecting emotion to eating behaviors, little is known about the role of caregivers’ responses to children’s emotions in the context of child feeding. The purpose of this study was to analyze the relation between caregivers’ emotional responsiveness and feeding responsiveness. The mothers of 137 children between 2 and 6 years of age reported on their responses to children’s negative emotions using the Coping with Children’s Negative Emotions Scale and on their feeding practices using the Comprehensive Feeding Practices Questionnaire. The results showed that mothers’ supportive emotion responses (e.g., problem-focused, emotion-focused, and expressive encouragement reactions) tend to be positively associated with responsive feeding practices (e.g., encouraging, modelling, and teaching healthy food-related behaviors). Instead, mothers’ unsupportive responses (e.g., distress, punitive and minimization reactions) tend to be positively associated with nonresponsive feeding practices (e.g., food as reward or to regulate emotions, and pressure to eat) and negatively associated with responsive feeding practices. Our results suggest that emotional and feeding responsiveness may be intertwined and that differences in parent’s emotional responsiveness may translate into differences in their feeding styles, setting the stage for parents’ use of positive vs. negative feeding practices. Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia - FCT info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

During recent years, fathers’ involvement has been addressed as a key source of family well-being and positive child development. However, the pathways to father involvement and its consequences for child development are varied, influenced by social, cultural, and ecological variables, and lack a systematic integration. This paper aims to bridge this gap by offering a systematic review of studies examining the psychosocial processes of father involvement during early childhood over the last 10 years. A database search was performed using a combination of relevant keywords, leading to identification of 3,655 articles, with 109 manuscripts assessed for eligibility, and finally 59 included. Most of the studies examine determinants of father involvement, with an emerging number of studies relying on the father’s assessment and longitudinal designs. Nevertheless, the focus on white middle-class families is dominant, leaving unexplored father involvement in other cultures and contexts. The findings are analyzed aiming to open new avenues for future research. info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersion

The increase in women's labor market participation emphasizes the importance of understanding maternal separation anxiety, that is, the unpleasant maternal emotional state, due to the actual or anticipated short-term separation from the child. Drawing on the insights of the attachment and psychoanalytic perspectives, the Maternal Separation Anxiety Scale (MSAS) was developed to overcome existing measurement gaps. However, prior research did not replicate its original three-factor structure in the contemporary context and in other cultural settings, using large samples composed of mothers of preschool children. This study aimed to examine the factorial structure of the MSAS in a sample of 597 Portuguese mothers of children aged 5-84 months who completed the questionnaire. The exploratory factor analysis (EFA) conducted in subsample 1 revealed a four-factor structure: Maternal Negative Feelings, Beliefs about Exclusive Maternal Care, Need of Proximity, and Perceptions of Separation Benefits for Children. Confirmatory factor analyses conducted in subsample 2 revealed that the original three-factor structure revealed a poor fit, whereas the four-factor solution (obtained in the EFA) revealed an acceptable fit. As in previous studies, our findings report deviations from the original three-factor structure of the MSAS. Three of the newly identified factors seem to reflect specific sub-dimensions that originally guided item development in the MSAS, namely, maternal negative feelings, maternal attitudes about the value of exclusive maternal care, and the need of proximity with the child. The last factor appears to represent a refinement of original items pertaining to perceptions about separation effects for children. Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia - FCT info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

The pandemic situation of COVID-19 has introduced new challenges on family routines, affecting interpersonal relationships, which may have detrimental consequences to child well-being. The current study aimed to examine the direct effects of marital adjustment on child socioemotional adjustment and to test if parental self-efficacy mediated this association during home confinement due to COVID-19. A final sample of 163 caregivers was recruited online during home confinement period. On average children were 6 years-old (SD=2.92; 44.8% girls). Caregivers and their child were in home confinement for an average of 31 days (SD=12.08). Most of the couples had been married or living together for an average of 14 years (SD=5.77) and had a university degree, mostly living in metropolitan areas. Caregivers answer to a set of measures assessing marital adjustment, parental selfefficacy, and child socioemotional competence and behavior. Findings depicted a direct effect on the positive association between marital satisfaction and parental self-efficacy, and negatively associated with anger-aggression. Parental self-efficacy was positively associated with child's: social competence, negatively associated with anger-aggression, and anxiety-withdrawal. Indirect effects depicted that marital satisfaction was associated with child's social competence, anger-aggression and anxietywithdrawal through parental self-efficacy. Thus, higher marital satisfaction was associated with more parental self-efficacy which in turn was associated with more child's social competence. Findings are relevant to the current state of the art, given the lack of information regarding imposed isolation due to COVID-19 and the consequences it may have to child's well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR Resumo: O confinamento devido à pandemia da COVID-19 trouxe desafios às rotinas familiares, nomeadamente as relações interpessoais, com consequências para o bem-estar das crianças. O presente estudo pretende investigar: (a) os efeitos diretos do relacionamento conjugal no bem-estar socioemocional da criança; e (b) avaliar se a auto-eficácia parental mediou esta associação durante o primeiro confinamento devido à pandemia da COVID-19. Uma amostra final de 163 cuidadores (principalmente mães) foi recolhida online durante este período. Em média as crianças tinham 6 anos (DP=2.92; 44.8% do sexo feminino). As crianças e os seus cuidadores estavam em confinamento, em média, há 31 dias (DP=12.08). A maioria dos participantes era casado/vivia junto, em média, há 14 anos (DP=5.77), tinha educação superior e vivia em áreas metropolitanas. Os participantes responderam a um conjunto de instrumentos que avaliavam qualidade do relacionamento conjugal, auto-eficácia parental e desenvolvimento socioemocional da criança. Os resultados revelaram a existência de um efeito direto na associação entre satisfação conjugal e auto-eficácia parental, negativamente associado com a agressividade da criança. A auto-eficácia parental revelou-se positivamente associada com a competência social da criança e negativamente associada com sua agressividade e ansiedade. Os efeitos indiretos revelaram que a satisfação conjugal se associou à competência social da criança e estava negativamente associada com a sua agressividade e ansiedade através da auto-eficácia parental. Ou seja, maior satisfação conjugal associou-se a maior auto-eficácia parental, o que por sua vez se associou a maior competência social da criança. Os resultados destacam a importância da qualidade das relações interpessoais no bem-estar das crianças, em particular durante um período de maior vulnerabilidade, como o confinamento devido à pandemia da COVID-19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] This research was funded by Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia – FCT [UIDB/04810/2020] to Eva Diniz [CEECIND/04111/2017]. info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

Sleep is a biological process that impacts nearly every domain of a child’s life. Sleep-wake regulation influences and it is highly influenced by developmental variables related to parent-child relationships, such as attachment. The main goal of the present systematic review is to analyze and integrate the findings of empirical studies investigating the relations between attachment and sleep in preschool age, a period marked by important developmental changes that challenge both attachment system and sleep-wake regulation. A database search was performed using a combination of relevant keywords, leading to the identification of 524 articles, with 19 manuscripts assessed for eligibility; finally, seven studies (2344 children) were included. Overall, the findings were not consistent, with some studies reporting significant associations between attachment security and sleep quality, as well as between attachment insecurity and sleep problems, whereas others did not find significant associations. The results are discussed in light of the available theoretical models and integrated in the context of measurement approaches to attachment and sleep heterogeneity, aiming to guide future research on the topic. Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia - FCT info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

Os programas de competências socioemocionais têm mostrado ser benéficios para crianças com perturbação de hiperatividade com défice de atenção, sendo escassos os programas desenvolvidos neste âmbito que se direcionam especificamente a crianças com esta perturbação do neurodesenvolvimento. Para dar respostas às limitações existentes nesta área de intervenção, este estudo teve como objetivo explorar as perceções de aceitabilidade de psicólogos portugueses sobre um novo programa de promoção de competências socioemocionais. Dezanove participantes, com especialização em psicologia clínica e/ou educacional e com experiência prévia em trabalho com crianças/jovens foram distribuídos, em quatro grupos focais. Os grupos focais foram moderados por um investigador treinado, seguindo um guião de entrevista semiestruturado. A análise temática dedutiva conduzida por dois investigadores independentes revelou que os psicólogos portugueses percecionaram as dinâmicas, conteúdos e materiais como aceitáveis, sugerindo apenas modificações menores no sentido de: (1) maximizar a generalização de competências, (2) acompanhar os progressos das crianças ao longo do tempo, e (3) atender às especificidades desenvolvimentais e às barreiras práticas ao envolvimento de pais e professores durante a implementação do programa de intervenção info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

Children acquire and develop emotional regulatory skills in the context of parent-child attachment relationships, nonetheless empirical studies have focused mainly on mother and less information is available regarding the role of both parent-child attachment relationships. Furthermore, despite its importance, there is no information regarding preschool years. This study aims to fill this gap by exploring the potential influences of both mother-child and father-child attachments on preschooler’s later emotion regulation observed in the peer group. Fifty-three Portuguese nuclear families (mother, father and focal child) participated in the study; 47% of the children were boys and 53% were girls. Attachment Security was assessed at home using the Attachment Behavior Q-set when children were 3 years of age, and emotion regulation was observed in the preschool classrooms attended by the children at age 5, using the California child Q-sort to derive an Emotion Regulation Q-Scale. Results showed that the combined influence of both parent-child attachment security predicted better emotion regulation results, than did the specific contributions of each parent per se. Findings are consistent with integrative approaches that highlight the value of including both mother- and father-child attachment relationships, as well as their combined effect, when studying emotion regulation. Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia - FCT info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

High and stable behavioral inhibition during early childhood is a risk factor for later anxiety disorders. The few available interventions targeted at behavioral inhibition have not yet been implemented in European countries. Evaluating intervention acceptability is essential when introducing interventions in new cultures. This study aimed to explore the perceptions of parents about the acceptability of the multicomponent Turtle Program in Portugal. Participants were 12 parents (from seven families) of children with a positive screening on the Behavioral Inhibition Questionnaire and no diagnoses of developmental disorders/selective mutism. Children's mean age was 55.86 months and most children were female and first-born. Parents and children participated in the eight-sessions Turtle Program. After each session, parents completed weekly satisfaction checklists. Following completion of the full intervention, parents were invited to participate in individual qualitative in-depth interviews. The thematic analysis revealed that both parents perceived the intervention objectives and contents as relevant. Both parents suggested the introduction of follow-up sessions, the discussion of practical experiences, the need to be sensitive to cultural differences in positive language, and the provision of more feedback about children's activities. These findings support prior research on the acceptability and cultural tailoring needed for parenting and child socioemotional learning interventions.Una alta y estable conducta de inhibición durante la temprana niñez es un factor de riesgo para posteriores trastornos de ansiedad. Las pocas intervenciones disponibles que se enfocan en la inhibición de la conducta no se han implementado aún en países europeos. Evaluar el nivel de aceptación de la intervención es esencial cuando las intervenciones se introducen en nuevas culturas. Este estudio se propuso explorar las percepciones de los progenitores acerca del nivel de aceptación del multi-compuesto Programa Tortuga en Portugal. Los participantes fueron 12 progenitores (de siete familias) de niños con una positiva detección en el Cuestionario de Inhibición de la Conducta y sin diagnóstico de trastornos de desarrollo/mutismo selectivo. La edad promedio de los niños fue 55.86 meses y la mayoría eran niñas y primogénitas. Los progenitores y los niños participaron en las ocho sesiones del Programa Tortuga. Después de cada sesión, los progenitores completaron listas semanales de chequeo de la satisfacción. Luego de completar la intervención en su totalidad, se invitó a los progenitores a participar en entrevistas cualitativas individuales para profundizar. Los análisis temáticos revelaron que ambos progenitores percibieron como relevantes los objetivos y el contenido de la intervención. Ambos progenitores sugirieron introducir sesiones de seguimiento, la discusión de experiencias prácticas, la necesidad de mostrarse sensible a las diferencias culturales en lenguaje positivo y la provisión de más información sobre las actividades de los niños. Estos resultados apoyan la investigación anterior sobre el nivel de aceptación y la adaptación cultural necesarias en las intervenciones sobre la crianza y el aprendizaje socioemocional del niño.L'inhibition comportementale élevée et stable durant la petite enfance est un facteur de risque pour des troubles de l'anxiété plus tard. Quelques interventions disponibles ciblant l'inhibition comportementale n'ont pas encore été mises en œuvre dans les pays européens. Evaluer l'acceptabilité de l'intervention est essentiel lorsqu'on introduit des interventions dans de nouvelles cultures. Cette étude s'est donnée pour but d'explorer les perceptions des parents à propos de l'acceptabilité du Programme Tortue à composants multiples au Portugal. Les participants ont consisté en 12 parents (de sept familles) d'enfants ayant eu un dépistage positif au Questionnaire d'Inhibition Comportementale et aucun diagnostic de troubles développementaux / mutisme sélectif. L’âge moyen des enfants était de 55,86 mois et la plupart des enfants étaient des filles et des premières nées. Les parents et les enfants ont participé au Programme Tortue de huit séances. Après chaque séance les parents ont rempli des checklists de satisfaction hebdomadaires. Après avoir terminé l'intervention totale les parents ont été invité à participer à des entretiens individuels en profondeur et qualitatifs. L'analyse thématique a révélé que les deux parents percevaient les objectifs d'intervention et les contenus comme étant pertinents. Les deux parents ont suggéré l'introduction de séances de suivi, la discussion d'expériences pratiques, le besoin d’être sensible aux différences culturelles dans le langage positif et le besoin de plus de commentaires sur les activités des enfants. Ces résultats soutiennent les recherches précédentes sur l'acceptabilité et l'adaptation culturelle nécessaire pour le parentage et les interventions pour le développement socioémotionnel de l'enfant.Wahrnehmung portugiesischer Eltern hinsichtlich der Akzeptanz einer Mehrkomponentenintervention zur Verhaltensinhibition in der frühen Kindheit Eine hohe und stabile Verhaltensinhibition in der frühen Kindheit ist ein Risikofaktor für spätere Angststörungen. Die wenigen verfügbaren Interventionen zu Verhaltensinhibition wurden in europäischen Ländern noch nicht implementiert. Wenn Interventionen in neue Kulturkreise eingeführt werden sollen, ist es wichtig, deren Akzeptanz zu evaluieren. Ziel dieser Studie war es, die elterliche Wahrnehmung hinsichtlich der Akzeptanz des Mehrkomponenten-Schildkrötenprogramms in Portugal zu untersuchen. 12 Elternteile (aus sieben Familien) von Kindern mit einem positiven Screening auf den Fragebogen zur Verhaltensinhibition und ohne Diagnose von Entwicklungsstörungen / selektivem Mutismus nahmen an der Studie teil. Das Durchschnittsalter der Kinder betrug 55,86 Monate und die meisten Kinder waren weiblich und erstgeboren. Eltern und Kinder nahmen an acht Sitzungen des Schildkröten-Programms teil. Nach jeder Sitzung füllten die Eltern wöchentliche Zufriedenheitschecklisten aus. Nach Abschluss der vollständigen Intervention wurden die Eltern eingeladen, an individuellen qualitativen Tiefeninterviews teilzunehmen. Die thematische Analyse ergab, dass beide Elternteile die Interventionsziele und -inhalte als relevant empfanden. Beide Elternteile schlugen eine Einführung von Follow-up-Sitzungen, eine Diskussion praktischer Erfahrungen, die Notwendigkeit, auf kulturelle Unterschiede in der positiven Sprache zu achten, und mehr Feedback zu den Aktivitäten der Kinder zu geben, vor. Diese Ergebnisse stützen bisherige Forschungsarbeiten zur Akzeptanz und kulturellen Anpassung, die für sozioemotionale Lerninterventionen von Eltern und Kindern erforderlich sind.乳幼児期における行動抑制を対象とした複数構成要素からなる介入への受容性に ついてのポルトガル人両親の認識 乳幼児期の行動抑制が高い割合で変化することなく生じている時、それは後の不 安障害の危険因子となる。行動抑制を対象としたいくつかの利用可能な介入は、 ヨーロッパ諸国ではまだ実施されていない。新しい文化において介入を導入する 場合、その介入の受容性を評価することが不可欠である。本研究は、ポルトガル における複数構成要素からなるTurtle Programの受容性についての両親の認識を 調査することを目的とした。参加者は、行動抑制質問紙で陽性のスクリーニング を受け、発達障害/場面緘黙症の診断を受けていない子どもの (7家族からの) 12 人の親であった。子どもの平均年齢は55.86ヶ月で、ほとんどの子どもは女子で 長子であった。親子で8セッションのTurtle Programに参加した。各セッション 後、両親は満足度チェックリストに毎週答えた。全ての介入の完了後、両親は質 的で詳細なインタビューを受けることを勧められた。主題分析により、両親は介 入の目的と内容が適切であると認識していることが明らかとなった。両親は共に、 フォローアップセッションの紹介、実践的な体験の議論、肯定的な言葉を使って 文化の違いに繊細であることの必要性、そして子どもたちの活動についてのより 多くのフィードバックの提供、を提案した。これらの調査結果は、子育て及び子 どもの社会情緒的な学習介入に必要な受容性と文化的な調整に関する先行研究を 支持する。.幼儿期明显而持续的行为抑制是未来焦虑症的一个危险因素。欧洲国家尚未实施针对行为抑制的少数可用干预措施。在新文化中引入干预措施时, 评估干预措施的可接受性是至关重要的。本研究旨在探讨葡萄牙家长对多因素“海龟计划”可接受性的看法。参与者为12名 (来自7个家庭) 行为抑制问卷筛查阳性, 且未诊断为发育障碍或选择性缄默症的儿童家长。儿童的平均年龄为55.86个月, 且多为女性和头胎。父母和儿童参与了八期“海龟计划”。每期干预结束后, 父母都要填写每周的满意度检查清单。在完成全面干预后, 父母被邀请参加个性化的深入访谈。主题分析显示, 父母双方都认为干预目标和内容是相关的。父母双方都建议采取跟进干预活动, 讨论实践经验, 需要对正面语言中的文化差异保持敏感, 并提供更多关于儿童活动的反馈意见。这些发现支持了先前对育儿和儿童社会情感学习干预所需的可接受性和文化适应性的研究。.تصورات الآباء والأمهات البرتغاليين حول قبول تدخل متعدد المكونات يستهدف الكبت السلوكي خلال مرحلة الطفولة المبكرة الكبت السلوكي خلال مرحلة الطفولة المبكرة هو عامل خطر يؤدي لاضطرابات القلق في وقت لاحق. ولم تنفذ بعد في البلدان الأوروبية التدخلات القليلة المتاحة التي تستهدف الكبت السلوكي. إن تقييم مقبولية التدخل أمر ضروري عند إدخال التدخلات في الثقافات الجديدة. تهدف هذه الدراسة إلى استكشاف تصورات الآباء والأمهات حول قبول برنامج Turtle متعدد المكونات في البرتغال. وكان المشاركون 12 من الآباء والأمهات (من سبع عائلات) وأطفالهم الذين أظهروا نتيجة إيجابية على استبيان الكبت السلوكي ولم يتم تشخيصهم باضطرابات النمو. وكان متوسط عمر الأطفال 655.8 شهراً، ومعظم الأطفال كانوا من الإناث. شارك الآباء والأطفال في برنامج Turtle الذي امتد ثماني جلسات. وبعد كل جلسة، أكمل الآباء قوائم التحقق الأسبوع عن القبول والرضا. وبعد الانتهاء من التدخل الكامل، دُعي الآباء إلى المشاركة في مقابلات فردية متعمقة نوعية. وكشف التحليل المواضيعي أن كلا الوالدين كانا يعتبران أهداف التدخل ومحتوياته ذات صلة بهم. واقترح الوالدان إدخال جلسات متابعة، ومناقشة التجارب العملية، وضرورة مراعاة الاختلافات الثقافية من خلال استخدام لغة إيجابية، وتقديم مزيد من المعلومات عن أنشطة الأطفال. وتدعم هذه النتائج البحوث السابقة بشأن المقبولية والتكييف الثقافي اللازمين لتدخلات التنشئة الأبوية والتعلم الاجتماعي العاطفي للأطفال.

Given the impact of sleep in several domains of a child's development, the comparison between actigraphy and parental questionnaires is of great importance in preschool-aged children, an understudied group. While parental reports tend to overestimate sleep duration, actigraphy boosts the frequency of night-waking's. Our primary goal was to compare actigraphy data and parental reports (Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire, CSHQ), regarding bedtime, wake-up time, sleep duration, and wake after sleep onset (WASO), using the Bland-Altman technique. Forty-six children, age 3-6 years, and their parents participated. Results suggest that, despite existing associations between sleep schedule variables measured by both methods (from r = 0.57 regarding bedtime at weekends to r = 0.86 regarding wake-up time during the week, ps), differences between them were significant and agreements were weak, with parents overestimating bedtimes and wake-up times in relation to actigraphy. Differences between actigraphy and CSHQ were ± 52 min for weekly bedtime, ± 38 min for weekly wake-up time, ±159 min for total sleep time, and ± 62 min for WASO, indicating unsatisfactory agreement between methods. Correlations between actigraphy data and CSHQ dimensions are also explored. Our study contributes to the knowledge of the characteristics of each instrument, along with their tendency to overestimate and underestimate certain sleep parameters. We conclude that a complementary use of both instruments would better inform clinical practice and research on a child's sleep. Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia - FCT info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

The increase in women’s labor market participation emphasizes the importance of understanding maternal separation anxiety, that is, the unpleasant maternal emotional state, due to the actual or anticipated short-term separation from the child. Drawing on the insights of the attachment and psychoanalytic perspectives, the Maternal Separation Anxiety Scale (MSAS) was developed to overcome existing measurement gaps. However, prior research did not replicate its original three-factor structure in the contemporary context and in other cultural settings, using large samples composed of mothers of preschool children. This study aimed to examine the factorial structure of the MSAS in a sample of 597 Portuguese mothers of children aged 5–84 months who completed the questionnaire. The exploratory factor analysis (EFA) conducted in subsample 1 revealed a four-factor structure: Maternal Negative Feelings, Beliefs about Exclusive Maternal Care, Need of Proximity, and Perceptions of Separation Benefits for Children. Confirmatory factor analyses conducted in subsample 2 revealed that the original three-factor structure revealed a poor fit, whereas the four-factor solution (obtained in the EFA) revealed an acceptable fit. As in previous studies, our findings report deviations from the original three-factor structure of the MSAS. Three of the newly identified factors seem to reflect specific sub-dimensions that originally guided item development in the MSAS, namely, maternal negative feelings, maternal attitudes about the value of exclusive maternal care, and the need of proximity with the child. The last factor appears to represent a refinement of original items pertaining to perceptions about separation effects for children.

We examine the factorial structure of the Security Scale Questionnaire (SSQ), exploring measurement invariance across mother-father-child attachment relationships, child sex, and country. We used the new 21-item SSQ version that integrates both safe haven and secure base behaviors in a two factors structure. Participants were 457 children (224 girls and 233 boys), ranging from 9 to 14 years old (M = 10.84, SD = 1.02) from Portuguese and USA samples. We confirmed the SSQ's two-factor structure, although four items were unrelated to the latent structure and excluded from the final model. Results showed that SSQ can be used to study both mother/child and father/child attachment relationships. Multi-group analyses suggested measurement invariance between boys and girls and between Portuguese and USA samples. Our findings suggest that the SSQ can be considered a valid and cost-effective tool to measure perceived attachment security in middle childhood for both mother/child and father/child relationships. info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

Correlated trait-correlated method minus one was used to evaluate convergent and discriminant validity of Social Competence Behavior Evaluation questionnaire (Social Competence, Anger-Aggression, Anxiety-Withdrawal) between multiple raters. A total of 369 children (173 boys and 196 girls; M age = 55.85, SD age = 11.54) were rated by their mothers, fathers, and teachers. Results showed more convergence between parents than parent-teacher ratings. Mother-teacher share a common view of child behavior that is not shared with father. Parents had more difficulty distinguishing internalizing and externalizing behaviors (especially fathers). Measurement invariance across child sex was explored, results imply that differences between boys and girls were not due to measure. Girls (compare to boys) were described as more social competent by their fathers and teachers, while boys as more aggressive by mothers and teachers. info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

Este estudo teve como principal objetivo explorar as relações entre as representações de vinculação (script de base segura) do pai, e o seu envolvimento em atividades práticas (relacionadas com a gestão e cuidados à criança) e em atividades com características lúdicas (brincadeira/lazer). Participaram 62 famílias nucleares, com crianças entre os 2 e os 5 anos, de estatuto socioeconómico médio e de duplo- -rendimento. De modo a analisar os scripts de base segura utilizou-se as Narrativas de Representação da Vinculação em Adultos, aplicadas individualmente ao pai, tendo a mãe e o pai preenchido, de modo independente, um questionário sobre o envolvimento parental. Os resultados indicam que os pais possuem e acedem ao script de base segura em contextos onde este é elicitado; que participam mais nas atividades lúdicas, do que nas práticas; e que pais com valores mais elevados de script adulto/ /criança se encontram mais envolvidos nas atividades práticas, mesmo quando a idade da criança e as habilitações do pai são controladas. The associations between father’s attachment representations and his involvement in care/management and play/leisure activities: An exploratory analyses The main goal of this study was to explore the associations between father’s attachment representations (secure base script knowledge) and his involvement in management and childcare, as well as in play and leisure activities. Sixty-two nuclear Portuguese families, with children between 2 and 5 years of age participated. Families were middle-class from a socioeconomical perspective, and both parents worked full time. In order to assess the secure-base script the Attachment Script Representation task was used individually with the father, and both mother and father independently reported on parental involvement. Results show that fathers access the secure-base script knowledge in contexts eliciting it; that fathers participate significantly more in play/leisure activities than in management/childcare. Finally, fathers with higher secure-base script scores in adult/child stories are more involved in management and childcare, even when child’s age and father’s education are controlled for. info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion