The present study examines a new factor structure and the convergent validity of the Portuguese version of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) with college students. This measure has been used to evaluate depressive symptoms in adults. The total sample included 958 college students. Data were collected from a Web-based survey carried out in schools forming the Polytechnic Institute of Coimbra. Students completed the PHQ-9 and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI) subscales as convergent measures. Results pointed to good fit of a second-order factor model with three first-order factors (somatic, cognitive and affective dimensions of depression). Strong positive correlations were found between PHQ-9 scores and HADS depression and BSI depression subscales. Our findings reinforce the PHQ-9 as a valid tool in higher education settings. Future studies should re-examine the dimensional structure of the tool considering its implications for the clinical interpretation of the measure.

Addressing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) within universities is an urgent necessity. Understanding and measuring the environmental behaviors of university students is an essential initial step in this process. This study had two primary objectives: to translate and adapt the General Ecological Behavior (GEB) Scale for European Portuguese and to provide an exploratory analysis of environmental connection, awareness, and behaviors within a Portuguese university student sample. A convenience sample of 112 university students, aged 18–65, was surveyed using a paper-based, self-report questionnaire. This instrument included sections on sociodemographics, environmental concerns, preferences, and self-report measures (GEB, GAD-7, and PHQ-9). We present the translation and adaptation procedure for the GEB, alongside preliminary findings that suggest acceptable reliability, factorial validity, and discriminant validity. Moreover, exploratory data on environmental connection, awareness, and behaviors are discussed. This study provides a foundational measure for future research into pro-environmental behaviors in the Portuguese context and contributes preliminary insights into the environmental attitudes and behaviors of Portuguese university students. We urge future research to focus on the SDGs, examining factors, measures, and strategies to enhance pro-environmental behaviors.

Background: Cancer-related cognitive impairment is a common and potentially debilitating symptom experienced by patients with non-central nervous system (CNS) cancers, with negative impact on their quality of life. The Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Cognitive Function-Version 3 (FACT-Cog-v3) is the most extensively used instrument specifically developed to evaluate cognitive complaints in adult cancer patients. Nevertheless, this self-report measure is not yet validated for the Portuguese population. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the FACT-Cog-v3 among patients with non-CNS cancers in Portugal. Methods: The validation study was conducted based on a convenience sample of 281 patients with non-CNS cancers, aged between 18 and 65 years, recruited online. A confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to test the factor structure of the Portuguese FACT-Cog-v3 version; internal consistency analysis was also conducted. The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core-30 (EORTC QLQ-C30–version 3) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) were also used to test the concurrent, convergent, and discriminant validity of the scale. Results: CFA supported a four-factor model with good fix indexes and internal consistencies: perceived cognitive impairments (α = 0.97), comments from others (α = 0.92), perceived cognitive abilities (α = 0.93), and impact on quality of life (α = 0.92). Concurrent, convergent, and discriminant validities were confirmed. Moderate and strong correlations were found between the FACT-Cog-v3 subscales and the QLQ-C30 cognitive functioning subscale. Good convergent validity, with moderate correlations, was found between the FACT-Cog-v3 subscales and the HADS-A, HADS-D, and QLQ-C30 fatigue, sleep disturbance, and global health status subscales. Acceptable discriminant validity, with weak and moderate correlations, was demonstrated between the FACT-Cog-v3 subscales and the QLQ-C30 pain and nausea/vomiting subscales. Conclusions: The Portuguese FACT-Cog-v3 version can be considered a reliable and valid measure to assess cognitive concerns of patients with non-CNS cancers, with relevance for research and clinical practice.