Executive functions (EF) are associated to frontal lobes and cognitive decline (CD) with worse results on EF tests.

Analyze if the Frontal Assessment Battery/FAB assessing EF discriminates elders with CD (vs. with no CD; Montreal Cognitive Assessment/MoCA), and if the results obtained with the Rey Osterreith Complex Figure Test/ROCF (copy's quality, immediate, and delayed memory) are associated with the CD presence/absence. Moreover, we wanted to assess if copy's quality and 3 minutes memory test are associated with FAB results, since these two tests are supposedly associated with EF and with frontal lobes assessed by the FAB, contrarily to the 20 minutes memory (supposedly related to the temporal area).

556 institutionalized elders (age: M ± SD =80.2 ± 5.23; range=60-100) filled in voluntarily a sociodemographic questionnaire, ROCF, MoCA and FAB.

FAB and all ROCF tests were associated with the absence/presence of CD. Regarding variables stratified by age and education, FAB was associated with immediate memory but not with copy's quality nor with delayed memory. With no stratified ROCF and FAB, correlations confirmed the previous associations, but also between FAB and copy's quality.

Results follow the literature regarding the association between immediate memory and EF (associated to frontal lobes), in contrast to the long-term memory which is associated with the temporal area and that was not associated with FAB. Results concerning copy's quality (ROCF) are not consensual.

The progressive increase in the prevalence of anxiety disorders in advanced ages advises the extensive use of of screening measurements in this population, that, everywhere in the world, has raised numerically.

The aim of this study was to examine the psychometric properties of a Portuguese version of the Geriatric Anxiety Inventory-Short Form (GAI-SF, 5-item format) in a sample of 932 elders.

Quantitative and cross-sectional study with descriptive and correlational planning. Translation and back-translation was performed by language proficiency experts. The reliability was assessed through Cronbach's alpha coefficient and the factorial validity through Principal Components Analysis. The convergent validity was conducted with the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) and the Positive and Negative Affects Scale (PANAS-Negative sub-scale), while discriminant validity was performed with the PANAS-Positive sub-scale and the Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS). A Confirmatory Factor Analysis, using a structural equation modeling, was performed to test the fit of the model with the five items.

The GAI-SF showed good internal consistency (α = 0.77), good convergent, and discriminant validity (p < 0.05). The factorial structure presented a single factor that explained 52% of the variance. The model showed a good fit to the data (χ2= 1.233, TLI = 0.997, CFI = 0.999, RMSEA = 0.020).

The GAI-SF, a brief self-report scale, has good validity and reliability, and factorial qualities adequate to measure anxiety symptoms in epidemiological surveys and in geriatric settings.

Adolescence is a critical period for dissociation, until more effective coping strategies are developed. Dissociate in a chronic manner is likely to interfere with the construction of a cohesive sense of self, and may potentiate later psychopathology. Adolescent Dissociative Experiences Scale/A-DES is yet to be studied in Portugal.

Analyze the psychometric properties of the A-DES 11-item format; compare between nonclinical with psychological disturbed adolescents/PDA; and determine the variables that associate with A-DES.

A sample of nonclinical (n = 69) and PDA (n = 45) aged between 11 to 18 years, 55.3% boys and 44.7% girls, education mean years 8.96 (SD = 2.74), completed the A-DES and the Youth Self Report/YSR.

The A-DES had a very good internal consistency (α = 0.94), presenting significant large correlations with YSR (r = 0.67). Confirmatory factor analysis suggested a 1-factor structure.

The mean scores (2.78 ± 1.82) were equivalent to other countries, and significantly discriminated (t = 6.02; p < 0.001; Cohen's d = 1.12) between the nonclinical (M = 2.06 ± 1.41) and PDA (M = 3.89 ± 1.84).

There were no differences between the sexes, but the younger, less educated, and institutionalized had more dissociative experiences (r = 0.21 to 0.30). Hierarchical multiple regression revealed that only YSR was statistically significant in predicting levels of A-DES (Beta = 0.64; p < 0.001).

The Portuguese A-DES version seems a valid and reliable screening for dissociation amongst adolescents.

Depression is very common among institutionalized elders. Because of the increased risk of cognitive impairment/dementia, and mortality we want to describe the evolution of depression and analyze predictive factors.

In the Aging Trajectories Study (Instituto Superior Miguel Torga - Coimbra), we followed up a sample of 83 nondemented persons (M ± SD baseline age = 79.51 ± 6.58; men: 17; women: 66). In a 2-year prospective cohort analysis (2010-2011, and 2013), we assessed depression using the Geriatric Depressive Scale/GDS as screening tool and the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview to diagnose depression. We also used the UCLA Loneliness Scale, the Geriatric Anxiety Inventory/GAI, the Positive and Negative Affect Scale/PANAS. Sociodemographics, and health were control variables. We performed a multinomial logistic regression to identify predicitive factors.

Fifty participants had depression at baseline, nine developed, 49 maintained, nine remitted, and 16 maintained without depression.

Having depression was associated with worse scores in UCLA, GAI, and PANAS. Not having depression was correlated with higher positive affect.

Baseline higher GAI and UCLA, and lower positive affect and satisfaction predicted recurrent depression.

Improvement in GDS, GAI, and positive affect predicted depression remission.

Results show that depression is a concern issue for professionals working with institutionalized elderly. Anxiety, loneliness, low positive affect and satisfaction constitute a risk factor for maintaing depression in institutionalized elderly and low anxiety and depressive symptoms are a protective factors for depression. These results could be used in depression prevention programs.

Cognitive rehabilitation techniques, reminiscence therapy, and reality orientation therapy, have shown an impact on cognition, life satisfaction, mood, and on the progression of cognitive decline in elderly.

To test the effectiveness of a NRGP on the cognitive and emotional functioning of institutionalized elderly.

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single blind randomized controlled study with paired groups.

Coimbra institutionalized elderly, aged between 64-92 (N = 88) with cognitive impairment no dementia, mostly women (75.0%).

randomization of participants to the rehabilitation group/RG (n = 41) and to the comparison/waiting-list group/CG (n = 23). NRGP involved groups of five elders, and took 90 min. per day, once a week, for 10 weeks.

Mini-Mental State Examination/MMSE, Frontal Evaluation Battery/FAB, Geriatric Depression Scale/GDS.

We used general linear model with repeated measures analysis of variance.

RG improved significantly on cognitive, and executive function (p < 0.001), and CG worsened on cognitive, executive function, and mood (p < 0.01). There was a significant effect on the MMSE, FAB, and GDS scores, after excluding pre-rehabilitation scores as covariates [F (1, 81) = 43.98, p < 0.001; η2 = 0.35; F(1, 80) = 28.37, p < 0.001; η2 = 0.26; F(1, 79) = 19.66, p < 0.001; η2 = 0.20].

A NRGP including cognitive rehabilitation, reminiscence therapy, and reality orientation proved to be effective on cognitive and executive functioning, and on depressive symptoms of institutionalized elders with cognitive impairment no dementia.

When cognitive decline (CD) is present, attention is one of the impaired mental functions. CD is also associated with anxious/depressive symptoms and with some demographic variables, particularly, age.

Investigate the associations between selective attention (Stroop Test: Stroop_Word, Stroop_Color, Difference between Stroop_Word and Stroop_Color, Stroop Ratio_Word, Stroop Ratio_Color and Difference between Stroop Ratio_Word and Stroop Ratio_ Color) and CD (Montreal Cognitive Assessment/MoCA) in institutionalized elders; explore the predictive value of Stroop variables for CD, controlling anxious/depressive symptoms and sociodemographic variables.

140 institutionalized elders (mean age, M = 78.4, SD = 7.48, range = 60-97) voluntarily answered to sociodemographic questions, the MoCA, the Geriatric Anxiety Inventory/GAI, the Geriatric Depression Scale/GDS and Stroop test.

73 elders (52, 1%) had CD. Dichotomized MoCA was associated with Stroop_Word, Stroop_Color, Stroop Ratio_Word, Stroop Ratio_Color, GDS and the sociodemographic variable schooling × profession. Age and education were not tested, since MoCA was stratified according to those variables. GDS, Stroop Ratio_Word and Stroop Ratio_Color showed to predict CD.

There was an association between Stroop_Word, Stroop_Color, Stroop Ratio_Word and Stroop Ratio_Color and CD, confirming that selective attention is smaller when the elderly reveal CD. GDS and CD were, also, associated. However, there was no association between MoCA dichotomized and differences between the correct answers (Stroop_Word and Stroop_Color) and Ratios (Stroop Ratio_Word and Stroop Ratio_Color). Selective attention and depressive symptoms predicted CD. It would be important to intervene through cognitive rehabilitation with the elders to improve their attention.

Research has shown the importance of social support on mental health, however, this investigation has not been done in elder population.

Our aim is to study the relationship between perceived social support, satisfaction with life, anxiety symptoms and depressive symptoms.

We collected a sample of 46 institutionalized elderly aged between 65 and 95 years old. We used the Geriatric Anxiety Inventory (GAI) and Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) to assess anxious and depressive symptoms. To assess social support we used the Older Americans Resources and Services Program (OARS), which evaluated the social resources, and to assess the life satisfaction we used the Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS).

We found that 91.3% of subjects were illiterate or with low education and only 4 (8.7%) had studied beyond the fourth grade. The elders showed an high average of anxiety and depression symptoms, and dissatisfaction with life. Regarding the perception of social support, the elderly essentially reveal high dissatisfaction with the extent of contact with others and the availability of help. We also found that perceived social support is related with GAI, GDS, and SWLS.

Intervention strategies should involve the integration of elder population in social life.

Elderly institutionalization involves an emotional adaptation and the research shows that the risk of depression increases.

Evaluate the impact of a neuropsychological group rehabilitation program (NGRP) on depressive symptomatology of institutionalized elderly.

NGRP influences the decrease of depressive symptoms.

Elderly were assessed pre- and post-intervention with the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) and divided into a Rehabilitated Group (RG), a Waiting List Group (WLG), and a Neutral Task Group (NTG).

In this randomized study, before rehabilitation, 60 elderly people (RG; 80.31 ± 8.98 years of age; 74.2% women) had a mean GDS score of 13.33 (SD = 9.21). Five elderly included in the NTG (80.13 ± 10.84 years; 75.0% women) had a mean GDS score of 10.60 (SD = 4.72). Finally, 29 elderly in the WLG (81.32 ± 6.68 years; 69.0% women) had a mean GDS score of 14.93 (SD = 6.02). The groups were not different in GDS baseline scores (F = 0.74; P = 0.478). ANCOVA has shown significant differences (P < 0.05) in GDS scores between the three groups after 10 weeks. Sidak adjustment for multiple comparisons revealed that elderly in the WLG got worse scores in GDS, comparing with elderly in RG (P < 0.01), and with elderly in NTG (P < 0.05).

Elderly that are not involved in a task get worse in depressive symptomatology. Being involved in a structured group task means lower depressive symptoms and being in a NGRP means even greater results.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

To our knowledge there are no research about the influence of self-criticism and self-compassion in the occurrence of insomnia.

To study the association between self-criticism, self-compassion and insomnia on university students; to explore differences in these associations on two moments of student's lives–examination and no examination period.

We anticipate that the stress and pressure of the examination period have an impact on student's sleep and there are, also, differences by age and gender.

Self-Criticism and Self-Reassurance Scale, Self-Compassion Scale, Pre-Activation Sleep Scale, Insomnia Assessment Scale and Anxiety and Depression and Stress Scales were answered by 160 college students (M = 26.45, SD = 7.98; range = 19–54 years) during an examination period and by 108 college students during a no examination period (M = 26.34; SD = 0.43; range = 19–54 years).

In both periods (examination and no examination period) older students (30–54 years) tended to be more self-compassionate and tolerant, such as less self-critical and punitive. During the examination period, younger students (19–29 years) showed higher levels of self-criticism, cognitive, and somatic activation before falling asleep. There was also a higher proportion of younger students in the insomniac and insomnia symptomatic groups. Moreover, significant correlations were found between cognitive and somatic activation and depression, anxiety, and stress in both moments.

In the examination period, the youngest students are more critical and less compassionate, what might lead to greater cognitive and somatic activation before sleep and, consequently, to insomnia symptoms and insomnia itself.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Depression is one of the main causes of incapacity worldwide. Research has shown that mindfulness practice, self-compassion promotion, and spiritual well-being are beneficial for depressed individuals.

Analyze the associations between compassion, mindfulness, and spiritual well-being, during and after a therapeutic intervention (concluded less than a year ago).

To determine if mindfulness, self-compassion, and spiritual well-being are predictors of depression.

Patients diagnosed with chronic depression were treated in a residential therapeutic community for a period of six to eight months. The 63 participants (M = 32.84, SD = 10.24, range = 15–50 years old; 32 during treatment; 31 after treatment) were assessed with the Beck Depression Inventory, the Questionnaire of the Five Facets of Mindfulness, the Self-Compassion Scale, and the Spiritual Well-Being Questionnaire.

There were differences in mindfulness, self-compassion, spiritual well-being and depression by sex, existence of previous psychiatric treatment, moment of the study (during versus after intervention), and depression levels. After intervention the group had higher levels of mindfulness and self-compassion (common humanity) and lower levels of over-identification, compared with group during treatment. The predictors of depression were the self-judgment dimension of the self-compassion scale and, negatively, the mindfulness dimensions of non-reactivity and non-judging, and the spiritual well-being dimension of personal well-being.

Results confirm the relationship between the study variables and depression. This reinforces the importance of intervention based on positive psychology enhancing positive areas of human experience, rather than focusing on psychological pain, weaknesses, and disabilities.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Research shows that variables, such as depression, less functionality and health, less contact with family and others, may have a negative impact on life satisfaction.

To verify which variables correlate with satisfaction with life (SWL) and analyse which of them predict the evolution of SWL.

To examine correlates and predictors of SWL in institutionalized elderly.

This study involved a subsidiary longitudinal analysis of cross-sectional data gathered at Phase I (2010–2012; n = 493 elderly) and after 36 months at Phase II (2013–2014; n = 85) of Aging Trajectories Project from Miguel Torga University College.

At Phase I, higher scores in SWL scale correlated with having visits (r = 0.17; P < 0.01), specially from family (r = 0.20; P < 0.01), less depressive (r = –0.42; P < 0.001) and anxiety symptoms (r = –0.25; P < 0.001), less loneliness feelings (r = –0.37; P < 0.001), less functionality (r = 0.15; P < 0.01), and better general physical health (r = 0.25; P < 0.001). Age, sex, civil status, cognitive, and executive status did not correlate with SWL. SWL, depressive and anxiety symptoms, and loneliness feelings were stable through time, between assessment stages (P < 0.01). The worsening of depression and loneliness through time predicted the negative evolution of SWL (respectively, β = 1.16; P < 0.01; β = –0.69; P < 0.05).

These findings highlight the relevance of early detecting depressed mood and loneliness feelings in institutionalized elderly, and the importance of the treatment and the development of preventive interventions for this vulnerable population.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Positive and organizational psychology can offer an important contribution to strengthen human virtues that protects intra- and interpersonal functioning, which, in turn, might enhance worker's well-being and the success of organizations.

To study the associations between a psychological construct, self-compassion, and some organizational constructs, organizational commitment and organizational virtuosity and to explore differences in each construct by gender, age, working time (in the organization), type of employment bond and professional group.

Positive actions inside organizations promote positive emotional states.

One hundred and thirty workers from local administration (men, n = 78; 60%; age, M = 44,22; SD = 8,67; range = 19-63 years old) filled in the Self-Compassion Scale, the Organizational Commitment Questionnaire, the Organizational Virtuosity Questionnaire and the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scales.

There was a positive association between organizational commitment and organizational virtuosity. Optimism and integrity (organizational virtuosity dimensions) positively correlated with the self-criticism dimension and with self-compassion total score. Some dimensions of mental health (depression and stress) were negatively associated with organizational virtuosity. Employees with less education, belonging to a professional group less qualified or with an unfavourable employment bond perceived the organization as less virtuous, and were less committed.

Promoting positive actions inside organizations seem to encourage positive emotional states in individuals. The development of a compassionate capacity, by self-compassion and mindfulness, humanize both individuals and organizations. These workers, with their leaders, can promote affective and normatively committed workforces, presenting positive perceptions about organizational virtues.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.