To investigate the role of perfectionism in the development of disordered eating behaviours.

382 female university students completed the Hewitt & Flett MPS and the EAT-40 at baseline, one year after (T1) and two years later (T2).

Perfectionism at baseline was significantly associated with long-term abnormal eating attitudes/behaviours. Self-Oriented Perfectionism (SOP) and Socially Prescribed Perfectionism (SPP) were significant predictors of disordered eating behaviours. SOP at baseline was predictive of diet concerns, at T1 and T2. Baseline SPP was correlated with overall eating disturbance at T1 and T2. Regression analysis revealed that only SPP was a significant predictor of bulimic behaviours and social pressure to eat at T1, but not at T2.

Our findings contribute to a more clear understanding of the association between perfectionism and eating disorders. SOP and SPP were prospectively associated with abnormal eating attitudes/behaviours and SOP was found to be predictive of diet concerns.

To investigate associations between perfectionism dimensions and psychological distress 421 pregnant women (M=29.8, SD=4.48 years) completed measures of Self-Oriented Perfectionism (SOP), Socially-Prescribed Perfectionism (SPP) (MPS; Hewitt & Flett, 1991; Soares et al., 2003), mood (POMS; McNair et al., 1971; Azevedo et al., 1991) and depressive symptomatology (BDI-II; Beck et al., 1996; Coelho et al., 2002).

A 2-factor model of Perfectionism with SOP and SPP dimensions and a 3-factor model with SOP, SPP-Others’ High Standards and SPP-Conditional Acceptance factors were explored. Correlations and Linear Regressions were calculated between perfectionism factors and mood variables/depressive symptoms.

Higher levels of SPP factors were in general associated with increased Anxiety, Depression, Anger, Fatigue and Confusion, with decreased Vigour and with more severe depressive symptomatology. SPP dimension and both SPP sub-scales explained depressive symptoms.

Our results, in contrast with those from the study of Campbell and DiPaula (2002) did not confirm a preferential association between SPP-Conditional Acceptance and psychological distress (PD), revealing that both components of SPP were associated with PD.

Bipolar Disorder is a serious, common and disabling mental disorder which is associated to high morbidity and high suicide attempt rates.

To identify clinical and social-demographic variables associated to suicidal behaviour in Bipolar Disorder.

The samples comprises 124 patients (62.1% females) diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder (ICD-10 diagnosis following DIGS/OPCRIT). The variables selected to the analysis were extracted from DIGS and OPCRIT.

Suicidal behaviour occurs in 27.1% of the patients; the most used method was voluntary drug poisoning; it's more frequent in females, with males using more violent methods - remaining results still unavailable.

This study identifies several clinical and social-demographic variables that can help the clinician to delineate a suicidal profile among his Bipolar patients, hence improving his ability to develop an early intervention plan and suicide prevention strategies.

To investigate the role of perfectionism in the development of disordered eating behaviours.

382 female university students completed the Hewitt & Flett MPS and the EAT-40 at baseline, one year after (T1) and two years later (T2).

Perfectionism at baseline was significantly associated with long-term abnormal eating attitudes/behaviours. Self-Oriented Perfectionism (SOP) and Socially Prescribed Perfectionism (SPP) were significant predictors of disordered eating behaviours. SOP at baseline was predictive of diet concerns, at T1 and T2. Baseline SPP was correlated with overall eating disturbance at T1 and T2. Regression analysis revealed that only SPP was a significant predictor of bulimic behaviours and social pressure to eat at T1, but not at T2.

Our findings contribute to a more clear understanding of the association between perfectionism and eating disorders. SOP and SPP were prospectively associated with abnormal eating attitudes/behaviours and SOP was found to be predictive of diet concerns.

This study examines the relationship between the personality traits of Neuroticism and Extroversion and sleep patterns and others sleep behaviours in medical students.

Neuroticism and Extroversion were assessed using the Portuguese version of the Eysenck Personality Inventory. Sleep was assessed with a self-response questionnaire covering a wide range of sleep-wake habits and difficulties. A factor analysis with varimax rotation was performed with seventeen items of the questionnaire and four factors were extracted: Sleep Disturbance, Sleep Timing, Insufficient Sleep and Dreams/Nightmares. A total of 203 third year medical students (127 females, 62.6%) mean age 20.01 (SD=1.09; Range=18-24) participated in the study.

There were no significant gender differences in Neuroticism and Extroversion mean scores (Neuroticism: p=.454; Extroversion: p=.891). Extroversion was significantly correlated with Sleep Timing (p=.000), whereasthere was a trend for Neuroticism to be associated with Sleep Disturbance (p=.095). Concerning the relationship of Neuroticism and Extroversion mean scores with other Sleep problems, Neuroticism was found associated with concentration difficulties in the morning (p=.006), inadequate sleep duration (p=.001), sleep problems (p=.012), and use of sleep medication (p=.052). No significant associations were found with Extroversion.

Neuroticism was significantly associated with sleep problems, use of sleep medication, inadequate sleep duration, and concentration difficulties in the morning. Extroversion was correlated only with later Sleep Timing.

The role of perfectionism as a correlate of perinatal depressive symptomatology, and as a predictor of postpartum depressive disorder was examined.

386 women in their third trimester of pregnancy (mean age = 30.08 years; SD = 4.205; range = 19–44) completed the Portuguese versions of Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale, Beck Depression Inventory-II/BDI-II, Postpartum Depression Screening Scale/PDSS and three additional questions evaluating anxiety trait, life stress perception and social support. Diagnoses of depression (ICD-10/DSM-IV) were obtained using the Portuguese version of the Diagnostic Interview for Genetic Studies/OPCRIT system. Women who were clinically depressed in pregnancy (ICD-10/DSM-IV) were excluded from the analysis.

Self-Oriented Perfectionism/SOP and Socially Prescribed Perfectionism/SPP subcomponents were significant correlates of depressive symptomatology (BDI-II/PDSS) in pregnancy. SPP-Others High Standards/OHS was a significant predictor of postpartum depressive symptomatology (BDI-II/PDSS), and SPP-Conditional Acceptance/CA was a predictor of postpartum depressive symptomatology (PDSS). None of the perfectionism subscales predicted postpartum depressive disorder (ICD-10/DSM-IV).

SOP and SPP have shown to be relevant correlates of depressive symptomatology in pregnancy. In the present study, SPP-OHS and SPP-CA were also significant correlates of perinatal depressive symptomatology, as well as important risk factors for depressive symptomatology in postpartum. Perfectionism subscales were not significant predictors of postpartum depressive disorder (ICD-10/DSM-IV). While SPP maladaptive influence was supported, SOP was shown to be more heterogeneous in its consequences. These findings may have important implications both for clinical practice and for research.

The objective of this study was to examine the sleep patterns of medical students and its associations with significant health behaviours.

Sleep was assessed with a self-response questionnaire covering a wide range of sleep-wake habits and difficulties. A factor analysis with varimax rotation was performed with seventeen items of the questionnaire and four factors were extracted: Sleep Disturbance, Sleep Timing, Insufficient Sleep and Dreams/Nightmares. The questionnaire also included questions on coffee use, cigarette smoking, alcohol intake and physical exercise. The sample consisted of 212 females (M age=20.32 years, SD=1.26) and 128 males (M age=20.19 years, SD=1.23) third year medical students.

Habitual alcohol intake was reported by 6.5% of the students (males=14.8% vs females=1.4%; p=.000) and regular physical exercise by 37.9% (males=47.7% vs females=32.1%; p=.004); The mean number of coffee cups used per day was 2.16±1.16 (males M=2.18±1.35 vs females M=2.13±1.03; NS) and the mean number of cigarettes smoked per day was 3.69±5.71 (males M=4.41+6.55 vs females M=3.25±5.10; NS). Students who regularly practice physical exercise reported less Sleep Disturbance (p=.004). Habitual alcohol intake was significantly associated with Sleep Timing (p=.051) and Insufficient Sleep (p=.007). Significant correlations were also found between cigarette smoking and Sleep Timing (p=.000), Dreams/nightmares (p=.023) and Insufficient Sleep (p=.001). Coffee use was correlated only with Sleep Timing (p=.000).

In this sample of healthy young adults habitual alcohol intake and cigarette smoking was associated with Insufficient Sleep and regular physical exercise was associated with less Sleep Disturbance.

Screening for perinatal depression is essential. The Postpartum Depression Screening Scale (PDSS; Beck & Gable, 2002) is a self-report instrument, composed of 35 items. The Portuguese version of the PDSS revealed to be a valid instrument to screen for perinatal depression (Pereira et al., 2010a,b).

To develop PDSS short version and to determine its cut-off points and associated conditional probabilities to screen for depression according to DSM-IV and ICD-10 criteria.

Participants were 452 women in their third month post-partum (M = 13.07 weeks post-partum; SD = 1.808). All women completed the Portuguese PDSS and were interviewed using the Mood Disorders Section/Diagnostic Interview for Genetic Studies. To select items for the short version the items that showed the highest correlations with their respective seven dimension scores were retained. ROC analysis was applied and both cut-off points and associated conditional probabilities adjusted to the real prevalence were determined.

For major depression/DSM-IV the cut-off point of 15, resulted in sensitivity of 77.8%, specificity of 88.9%, positive predictive value (PPV) of 21.7% and negative predictive value (NPV) of 98.9%; for depressive disorder/ICD-10 the cut-off point of 14 determined sensitivity 77.3%, specificity 84.0%, PPV 19.7%, NPV 98.6%; for mild/moderate depression with somatic syndrome or severe depression without psychotic symptoms/ICD-10 the cut-off point of 18 was associated to sensitivity 91.7%, specificity 94.5%, PPV 31.4% and NPV 99.8%.

The Portuguese short version of PDSS is a good alternative to the 35-items version, equally valid and precise, but more economic, faster and easier.

Insight and treatment adherence in serious mental illness, namely psychotic disorders, are well recognized as strong predictors of prognosis; several psychometric instruments have been developed for their evaluation.

To analyze the relation between self and hetero-evaluated insight and treatment attitudes in a clinical sample of psychiatric patients, besides assessing it's clinical correlates and relevance.

60 patients with serious mental illness (schizophrenia and bipolar disorder with psychotic features) were assessed using the Portuguese versions of the ‘Insight Scale' (IS), ‘Medication Adherence Rating Scale’ (MARS) and ‘Insight and Treatment Attitudes Questionnaire’ (ITAQ). General psychopathology and functioning scales were also applied, such as the BPRS, BDI-II and FAST. Relevant sociodemographic and clinical variables were also obtained. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS version 19.

Self-reported insight using the IS was not correlated with the insight subscale of the ITAQ, a hetero-evaluation instrument. Similarly, we found no correlation regarding attitudes to treatment when comparing self-report (MARS) and hetero- evaluation (treatment attitudes subscale of the ITAQ). Nonetheless, patients with a history of medication non-compliance and worse clinical outcomes had significantly lower (p< .05) scores in hetero-evaluation measures of insight and treatment attitudes (ITAQ), yet exhibited no differences in the self-evaluation measures of those dimensions.

Insight and treatment attitudes assessments can be valuable in clinical practice, contributing to decisions in both in- and outpatient settings involving treatment planning and level of monitoring. Clinician-rated instruments are probably more reliable, with clearer prognostic relevance.

The Maudsley Obsessional-Compulsive Inventory (MOCI; Hodgson & Rachman, 1977) continues to be a widely used self-report measure of obsessive-compulsive symptoms. It has been translated into at least seven languages and the respective validations have resulted in good psychometric characteristics. It has not been validated to the Portuguese population yet.

To investigate the psychometric properties and factorial structure of the MOCI Portuguese version.

The process of translation/re-translation followed the required steps. The MOCI was administered to a community sample of 217 first year university students (178 girls; 82.0%). The mean age was 18.50 (± 2.345: range: 17–35). To study the temporal stability 166 (135 girls; 81.3%) respondents answered the questionnaires again after approximately six weeks.

The MOCI Cronbach's a was good (.79). The test-retest coefficient for the total score was high (.79; p < .001). An inspection of the Cattel's Scree plot and also of the item's content led us to select a three factors structure, which explained variance was of 29.17%: Factor (F) 1 “Doubting and Rumination” (VE = 15.43%; a = .72); F2 “Checking” (VE = 7.65%; a = .66) and F3 “Cleaning” (VE = 6.08%; a = .63). Temporal stability of F1, F2 and F3 were high: .67, .65 and .73 (all p < .001), respectively. Pearson correlations between factors were moderate and significant (≥.30).

The MOCI Portuguese version has good psychometric properties and its factorial structure is in accordance with those reported by other groups. It could be very useful to clinical and epidemiological purposes, as well as to transcultural studies.

Perfectionism has been a topic of increased interest in recent years. Findings from the literature have shown that perfectionism is associated in the development and maintenance of a wide range of psychopathological conditions.

1. 1) to analyze the psychometric properties of the Portuguese version of the Frost Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale (FMPS);

2. 2) to explore the associations between perfectionism dimensions and positive/negative affectivity.

217 students from two Portuguese Universities filled in the FMPS and the Profile of Mood States (POMS). A subgroup (n=166) completed a retest of the FMPS with a four weeks interval.

Scale reliability was good (Cronbach alpha = .857). Corrected item-total correlations ranged from .019 and .548, and were higher than .2 for most of the items. Test-retest reliability suggested a good temporal stability for FMPS total score (r=.765). A principal component analysis with Varimax rotation was performed and based on Scree plot, two robust factorial structures were suggested (four and six factors). The more maladaptive dimensions of perfectionism were significantly and positively associated with negative affect and negatively associated with positive affect. Depression and anxiety/hostility dimensions are both positively associated with concern over mistakes (respectively, r=.338, r=.360, p< .01), parental criticism (respectively, r=.180, r=.254, p< .01) and doubts about actions (respectively, r=.312, r=.189, p< .01). An unexpected result was the positive association with personal standards dimension (respectively, r=.178, p< .05; r=.204, p< .01).

The Portuguese version of FMPS showed good reliability and internal consistency. The perfectionism personality trait is associated with mood states.

To investigate in non-depressed perinatal women, whichBeck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) and Postpartum Postpartum DepressionScreening Scale (PDSS) scores and proportions of symptomatic items significantlydiffer through the perinatal period.

273 women were assessed with the Diagnostic Interviewfor Genetic Studies, BDI-II and the PDSS at the third trimester of pregnancy/T0(mean age =29.42±7.159 years; mean weeks gestation=32.6±3.61),three/T1, six/T2 and twelve/T3 months postpartum.

Significantlyhigher scores in T0 than in T1/T2/T3 and in T1 than in T2/T3 were found for: Total PDSS, Sleeping-Eating Disturbances, Emotional Liability, Total BDI-II andits dimension Somatic-Anxiety. Only T0 and T1/T2 didnot significantly differ in Anxiety/Insecurity, Mental Confusion, and Loss of Self. In Guilty/Shame only T1 was significantly higher than T3. Suicidalthoughts were significantly higher in T0 than T1 and lower in T1 than T2/T3.

Theproportions of symptomatic items systematically and significantly decreased fromT0 to T3 in changes of sleep, loss of interest in sex, feeling overwhelmed. Significantlyhigher symptomatic proportions in T0 than in all post-partum moments were foundfor: loss of energy, irritability, fatigue, changes in appetite, crying, indecisiveness and worthlessness (these last three also higher in T1 than inT3). Agitation was significantly higherin T1 than in T0. All the cognitive-affective symptoms from BDI-II and PDSSdid not differ.

From pregnancy to the twelfth month postpartum the depressivesymptomatology, particularly somatic-affective symptoms, significantlydecreased. However even for the women who are not clinically depressed, theperinatal period requires considerable psychological adjustment.

Factors associated with postpartum/PPT anxiety have been insufficiently investigated.

To identify correlates of PPT anxiety.

201 3-months postpartum women completed the Portuguese versions of Postpartum Depression Screening Scale (PDSS), Beck Depression Inventory/BDI-II, Profile of Mood States, Difficult Infant Temperament Questionnaire/DITQ, Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale and questions on sociodemographic variables, Lifetime history of insomnia/LTHD, Lifetime history of depressive symptomatology/LTHDS, Current insomnia, Health perception/HP, Stress perception/SP, Perceived social support/PSS, Quality of life/QOL, Health problem/complication postpartum, Sensibility to hormonal fluctuations, Type of delivery and Type of feeding. Postpartum anxiety was measured with the Anxiety/Insecurity (AI) subscale of the PDSS.

AI significantly correlated with LTHDS (rS=.32), LHI (rS=.18), Current insomnia (rS=.32), BDI-II (r=.76), SP (rS=.38), PSS (rS=.25), Perceived QOL (rS=.37), Health perception (rS=.29), Health problem in the postpartum (rS=.26), Negative Affect/NA (r=.66), Positive Affect/PA (r=.58), Conditional Acceptance/CA (r=.29) and DIT (r=.38) (all p< .01). Mean comparisons revealed that women with vs. without LHDS, with vs. without LTHI, good sleepers vs. with insomnia syndrome, high vs. low SP, low vs. high PSS, bad/very bad vs. good/very good QOL, bad/very bad vs. good/very good HP, high (< M+1DP) vs. low (>M-1DP) DIT, CA, NA and low vs. high PA had significantly higher mean scores in AI (all p< .01). Linear regression model composed of all correlated variables explained 53.7% of AI variance and showed that NA, PA and DIT are significant (p< .05) predictors of AI.

Our findings are in accordance with previous research and contribute to the progress on this topic.

Postpartum depressive symptomatology is highly prevalent and has negative impact in the entire family.

To identify correlates of postpartum depressive symptomatology.

201 3-months postpartum women completed the Portuguese versions of Postpartum Depression Screening Scale/PDSS, Profile of Mood States, Difficult Infant Temperament Questionnaire/DITQ, Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale and questions on sociodemographic variables (marital status, work status, educational level, parity), Lifetime history of insomnia/LTHD, Lifetime history of depressive symptomatology /LTHDS, Current insomnia, Sleep needs, Health perception/HP, Stress perception/SP, Perceived social support/PSS, Quality of life/QOL, Health problem/complication postpartum, Sensibility to hormonal fluctuations, Type of delivery and Type of feeding.

Total PDSS significantly correlated with LTHDS (rs=.35), LHI (rs=.22), Current insomnia (rs=.37), SP (rs=39), PSS (rs=.25), Perceived QOL (rs=.31), Health perception (rs=.28), Health problem or complication in the postpartum (rs=.16), Negative Affect/NA (r=.59), Positive Affect/PA (r=-.67), Conditional Acceptance/CA(r=.29) and DIT (r=.40) (all p< .01). Mean comparisons revealed that women with vs. without LHDS, with vs. without LTHI, good sleepers vs. with insomnia syndrome, high vs. low SP, bad/very bad vs. good/very good QOL, bad/very bad vs. good very good HP, high (< M+1DP) vs. low (>M-1DP) DIT, CA, NA and low vs. high PA had significantly higher mean scores in AI (all p< .01). Linear regression model composed of all correlated variables explained 53.9% of depressive symptomatology variance and showed that NA, PA, DIT and HP are significant (p< .05) predictors of AI.

These results are in line with previous findings and contribute to the progress on this topic.