Search

To investigate if and how the incidence of post-operative delirium is related to the existence of pre-operative delirium and other peri-operative risk factors in older patients undergoing hip fracture surgery. Delirium was present more often pre- than post-operatively. The presence of pre- and post-operative delirium increased according to cognitive impairment severity. Identifying delirium onset is crucial to provide appropriate prevention and management by a multidisciplinary team. Hip fractures are a worldwide health issue primarily for older patients, conditioning major morbidity and mortality. An experienced multidisciplinary team is essential to manage surgery and peri-operative implications, to enable rapid functional and cognitive recovery. Delirium is a recognizable problem associated with negative outcomes. Our study aims to determine the influence of pre-operative delirium in the incidence of post-operative delirium, and to evaluate the association between other known peri-operative risk factors with both conditions. A single-center, retrospective cohort study, conducted at a Level II trauma center over a 14-month period, included 241 patients with 65 years of age or older submitted to hip fracture surgery. Peri-operative data were gathered regarding baseline characteristics (sociodemographic, functional and cognitive status), intra-operative events (anesthesia technique, surgery duration, blood loss) and post-operative outcomes (delirium occurrence). Statistical analysis evidenced a female (75.5%) and elderly population (83.9 ± 7.8 years old) with significant comorbidities (cognitive impairment in 51.9%, ASA ≥ III in 79.7%, mean CIRS-G 8.83 ± 4.69) that underwent surgical fracture repair, mostly under 4 h (96.3%) and under regional anesthesia (63.1%). Pre- and post-operative delirium incidence was 18.3% and 12.9%, respectively, displaying increased presence according to cognitive impairment severity. Post-operative delirium was almost inexistent when it was absent pre-operatively. Moreover, pre-operative cognitive status was associated with the development of pre- and post-operative delirium. Careful cognitive assessment, implementation of preventive strategies and avoidance of peri-operative pro-delirium factors are crucial for comprehensive geriatric care.

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.

Coparenting conflict and triangulation after separation or divorce are associated with poorer child adjustment when parenting gatekeeping and conflict occur. Fewer studies reported psychosocial adjustment of children under three. We explored the effects of authoritarian and permissive parenting styles and negative coparenting on child adjustment in a purpose sample of 207 Portuguese newly separated/divorced parents (50.2% mothers/49.8% fathers) with sole or joint (49.8%/50.2%) physical custody processes ongoing in court. Parents filled out the Parenting Styles Questionnaire—Parents’ report, the Coparenting Questionnaire, and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. Parenting and coparenting moderations path analysis to predict child adjustment were tested for two groups (2/3-year-old child/>3-year-old-child) and showed a good fit, followed by multigroup path analysis with similarities. Findings suggest harsh parenting and interparental conflict and triangulation as predictors for poor early child adjustment. The ongoing custody process could contribute to increased interparental conflict. The families’ unique functioning, parenting, and conflict should be considered in young children custody decisions made in a particularly stressful period when the parental responsibilities’ process is still ongoing and conflict may increase to serve the best interest of the child and promote healthy development. Future directions and practical implications are discussed. Fundação para a Ciencia e Tecnologia - FCT info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

(1) Background: One key assumption of attachment theory is the relationship between security and the development of prosocial behavior. A secure child is more likely to feel and show concern for another individual, resulting in higher levels of prosocial behaviors (defined as voluntary behavior intended to benefit others—e.g., helping, sharing, comforting). (2) Method: Using a systematic review of the literature (PROSPERO: CRD42022290706), 703 articles were identified (EBSCO databases), from which 16 were considered eligible by the first two authors (inter- reviewer agreement: 85.714%). The criteria for an article’s exclusion were as follows: samples of children/teens not living in natural contexts; studies on psychopathologies; intervention programs; qualitative designs; studies on development or the validation of measures; studies that did not reliably measure the variables studied. (3) Results and Discussion: The eligible studies revealed incongruous results about the potential associations between attachment security to mothers and fathers and prosocial behavior. More consistent and significant relationships were found between the quality of attachment and empathy, while the associations between attachment and prosocial behavior were inconsistent (e.g., nine articles revealed significant associations; seven did not). In six studies, empathy was revealed to play an important role as the mediator between attachment security and prosocial behavior. The limitations and future recommendations were discussed. info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

Bullying carries great harm for all involved, undermining academic achievement as well. The strength of such impact is yet to be clarified, existing many possibilities and variables to analyze – classroom behavior being one. The present cross-sectional investigation goal was to study the impact of bullying (mediated by the classroom behavior) on the academic achievement. Participants consisted of 288 children (from the 1st to 4th school years), 51% females and 49% males, and an average age of: M= 8.09 years (SD = 1.193; Min = 7.94, Max = 8.21). Children filled out a self-report questionnaire on bullying; their teachers reported on classroom behaviors and academic achievement. Results showed that the bullying situation itself, didn’t significantly explain the academic achievement of those involved. Indirect effects were found for both victims and perpetrators. Victims revealed worse school results through worse classroom behavior (specifically, excessive motor activity). Aggressor presented worse school results through worse classroom behavior (specifically, opposition behavior, excessive motor activity, and hyperactivity). These results highlight the importance of the educational agents’ attention to the existing behaviors in their classrooms, not only to the disruption established in each classroom’s environment, but as a possible sign of an involvement in the existing bullying dynamics.

Introduction: Sleep is a physiological necessity that interferes with the activity during the day. This study aimed to analyze child perception about sleep quality and compare it with parent’s perception about the quality of their children’s sleep, and to investigate the sleep quality of Portuguese schoolchildren. Analyze the differences between the sexes and the type of school attended. Material and Methods: Cross-sectional study, quantitative methodology. The results of two questionnaires, the Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) answered directly by the children, and the children’s sleep habits questionnaire (CSHQ), answered by the parents of 883 children, were analyzed and compared. Results: PSQI reveals good sleep quality, which contradicts the results of CSHQ. The CSHQ indicates a mean sleep deterioration index (IPS) value of 46.12 (above the cutoff point, 44) indicating that on average the children in this sample have poor sleep quality. There is no significant difference between girls and boys regarding IPS. There is a significant difference in the level of daytime drowsiness (p=.018), girls wake up moodier (p=.011), have more difficulty getting out of bed in the morning (p=.019), and take longer to fully awaken than boys (p=.004). Conclusion: The data show that children seem to have poor sleep quality and that they erroneously evaluate it, but these same data should be read with caution since the reason for the different perception between parents and children is not known.