Adolescents and their Parents' Emotion Regulation in Daily Life: Links to Psychopathology and Optimal Functioning (Eliana Silva – FCT, SFRH/BD/90581/2012)
In the last three decades, there has been increased attention to the study of emotion regulation. Adolescence is an important period of development to explore its processes and correlates. Due to the changes experienced and parental influence, adolescents are susceptible to both risks and opportunities in terms of emotional development (Steinberg, 2005; Yap, Allen, & Sheeber, 2007). Emotion regulation has been studied in association to psychopathology (Silk, Steinberg, & Morris, 2003) and optimal functioning (Freire & Tavares, 2011). The present study aims to evaluate emotion regulation in daily life of adolescents and their parents, with retrospective measures and real time measures, as the Experience Sampling Method (ESM). A better understanding of these processes may help to understand individual differences in terms of mental health and optimal functioning.
From psychopathology to optimal functioning: Contributions to psychotherapy in adolescents with Major Depression Disorder (Ana Teixeira – FCT, SFRH/BD/102728/2014)
This research project aims to develop and implement a manualized individual intervention for the treatment of Major Depressive Disorder in adolescents: The Optimal Functioning Therapy for Adolescents (OFTA). This therapy not only intends to reduce major depressive symptoms but also to promote optimal functioning of adolescents. The innovation of this therapy lies in the integration of techniques from Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Positive Psychology Interventions (PPI). Through this integration, we intend to enhance the effects of CBT, going beyond the reduction of depressive symptoms and bridging some of the methodological limitations pointed to the PPI (eg., absence of clinical samples, absence of follow-up measures…). The assessment of the effectiveness of OFTA will be performed using two types of measures: retrospective self-report questionnaires, and real-time measures, namely Experience Sampling Method (ESM). The ESM methodology will allow us to evaluate the impact of the therapeutic process in the subjective experience and daily life of adolescents.
Influence of attentional control and emotion regulation in adolescents’ optimal experience of daily lives: a longitudinal study (Dionísia Tavares – FCT, SFRH/BD/104117/2014))
Despite the theoretical and empirical advances in the field of positive psychology there is still little evidence about the influence of attentional control and emotion regulation in adolescents' optimal or flow experience. This study aims to deepen the relationship between these variables over time, in a normative sample of Portuguese adolescents. In order to reach this propose, it employs a longitudinal design and a mixed methodology with real time (Experience Sampling Method) and retrospective measures. The results may contribute to expand the knowledge about the role of attentional processes and emotion regulatory mechanisms in the experiencing of flow and, consequently, in individual complexification and in positive adolescents' development. It may also show new directions and applications for research and clinical intervention.
Development of the emerging adult and adjustment to university: relations with positive functioning and psychological distress (Keith Gissubel)
Transitioning from high school to university is a time full of social, emotional, and developmental challenges. There has not been much research on the positive adjustment to university for emerging adults. The present study will include the measurement of variables related to positive functioning and to psychological distress, besides some socio-demographic variables to further unveil factors that contribute to a healthy, positive adjustment of university students in Portugal. To understand how these variables are related with adjustment and what kind of patterns emerge between variables is a main aim, following a longitudinal design (T1, T2, T3). A sample of University students will be studied, along three repeated moments, using self-report scales, validated to the Portuguese students. Structural Equation Model will be used for data analysis. The results of this research can be used in intervention strategies to promote a more positive transition and adjustment to university life.
