This study sought to assess newborn feeding knowledge and attitudes among medical students. A sample of 649 Portuguese medical students completed an online survey containing a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Newborn Feeding Ability Questionnaire (NFA), and the Iowa Infant Feeding Attitudes Scale (IIFAS). The overall sample showed moderate scores for all variables. Gender analysis identified significant differences only for the dimension related to the benefits of skin-to-skin contact between mother and newborn where women scored higher. Analysis by year of training found that students with more years of training scored higher on all variables of newborn feeding knowledge that were positively correlated and were positive predictors of newborn feeding attitudes. Students with fewer years of training scored higher on work practices interfering with newborn feeding ability, which were negatively correlated and were negative predictors of newborn feeding attitudes. These results demonstrate that medical students with more years of training are the most prepared, however, the moderate results of the sample raise concerns. Our results point to the importance of providing medical students with adequate knowledge in order to influence their attitudes toward newborn feeding and contribute to better working practices for future health professionals.

Introduction: Different religious narratives associate same-sex sexuality, in its various manifestations, with moral deviation or sin. Gay men who are socialized in more religious communities appear to experience and internalize greater levels of homonegativity, as well as to present greater indicators of depressive symptoms. The purpose of this study was to evaluate indicators of perceived homonegativity in the community and internalized, and signs/symptoms of depression reported by Brazilian gay men with a nominal religion and compare them to those reported by Atheists or Agnostics. Method: Our sample comprised 194 Brazilian gay men, distributed into three groups: Christians (Protestants and Catholics, n = 71; 36.6%); Spiritualists (Kardecists or religions of African origin, n = 52; 26.8%) and Atheists or Agnostics (n = 71; 36.6%). The following measurement instruments were used: sociodemographic questionnaire, Internalized Homophobia Scale and Beck Depression Scale. Results: High mean scores of depression were verified in all groups, and 60% of the sample presented some level of depression. There was a higher level of self-reported homonegativity among Christians and Spiritualists compared to that reported by Atheists or Agnostics, with the differences between the groups being significant. The regression analysis indicated a significant effect of religion on homonegativity, but not on depression. Conclusion: Our results suggest that gay men’s chronic exposure to non-affirming religious affiliation contexts may harm the construction of a positive gay identity and should be taken into consideration when addressing mental health inequalities of sexual minorities.

Discriminatory experiences have an impact on the positive and negative affects of the people who suffer them. This study aimed to understand how the experiences of discrimination in the Roma and non-Roma communities living in poverty in Portugal impact on their positive and negative affects. A case–control study, with a sample of 114 participants (50% Roma community and 50% non-Roma), aged between 18 and 70 years (mean = 34.82; SD = 12.90) was performed. The instruments used were the Everyday Discrimination Scale (EDS) and the Short Version of the Portuguese Positive and Negative Affect Scale (PANAS-VRP). It appears that there areS significant differences between the Roma community and non-Roma in discrimination with a higher value of discrimination in the Roma community (Roma: 2.77; non-Roma:1.30; p < .001), contrary to what happens in negative affect (Roma: 1.73; non-Roma: 2.39; p < .001). Regarding the reasons for discrimination, all self-declared Roma participants pointed to ethnicity as the main reason. In contrast, in the Non-Roma community, the reasons were more diverse, with socioeconomic status standing out. The results of the logistic regression show that Roma community have 88% lower probability to have high negative affect (p < 0.01; CI [0.04–0.40]. Discrimination has a significant impact on the positive and negative affects of Roma and non-Roma communities in poverty in Portugal, with effects on their psychosocial health, with the effect of discrimination being more prevalent in the Roma community. It is, therefore, essential to carry out longitudinal investigations in this context to explore these relationships over time and identify possible underlying mechanisms.

Background: Social inequalities and vulnerability associated with ethnic and social minority status are risk factors for health inequities. Objective: To assess associations be-tween psychosocial health, social discrimination, perceived social support, and resilience among people living in Portugal based on ethnic origin. Method: This is an observational investigation carried out with 756 individuals (M=39.3; SD=13.79), who responded to the Brief Symptom Inventory, Everyday Discrimination Scale, Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale, along with a sociodemographic questionnaire. Participants were divided into two groups, the first consisting of white Portuguese of European origin (majority group, n=609, 80.56%) and the second consisting of black individuals, Afro-descendants, Roma, and Portuguese Roma (minority group, n=147, 19.44%). Results: Sociodemographic markers remained inferior in the minority group. This group also had elevated scores for both psychological distress and social discrimination (p’s< .001). Perceived social support (majority: 5.58; minority: 6.09; p< .001) and resilience (majority: 2.64; minority: 3.17; p< .001) were statistically significantly different. Regression analyses indicated that minority ethnicity was a predictor of psychological distress. Conclusions: In summary, discrimination linked to ethnic origin predicted poor health indicators. Consequently, further work is needed to clarify the social context of individuals who experience any form of discrimination and to assist the governments in addressing this situation through public policies grounded in informed data to reduce the risk factors and enhance the health of these communities.

Aims: Despite social changes that have contributed to greater gender equality, there is still a long way to go, as differences in living conditions between women and men can affect their mental health. The main goal of this study is to examine the relationships among psychological distress, social discrimination, perceived social support, and resilience by gender. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study with 752 participants aged 18 to 84 years (M = 39.34; SD = 13.77). The tools used included the Brief Symptom Inventory, the Portuguese Everyday Discrimination Scale, the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, and the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale. Results: We identified a strong correlation between psychological distress and social discrimination (r = .642, p < .01), and a moderate link between resilience and perceived social support (r = .417, p < .01). Women make up 95% of those reporting gender as a reason for discrimination. In the linear regression analysis, gender was significant, with women showing higher psychological distress after adjustment. Men also showed higher levels of social discrimination and resilience when groups were compared. Discussion: These findings suggest that, despite differences in living conditions, men and women use distinct coping mechanisms for adversity, and these mechanisms do not follow a linear pattern. The results emphasize the value of a gender-sensitive approach when analyzing mental health, one that considers how multiple social identities may shape distress. Research in this field is crucial for public policies to address and promote gender equality, which, although improved, remains an ongoing challenge.

This systematic review (SLR) evaluated the effectiveness of interventions aimed at enhancing psychosocial well-being and empowerment (PWE) for women affected by gender-based violence (GBV). Following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, studies were systematically analyzed from Scopus and Web of Science, published between 2018 and 15 January 2024. The PICO framework guided inclusion criteria: (P) women affected by GBV, (I) interventions to enhance PWE, (C) comparison between initial and final intervention phases, and (O) assessed outcomes related to PWE. The Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) tools assessed the risk of bias, while the GRADE system evaluated evidence quality. Thirteen studies involving 1,813 participants met the inclusion criteria. The experimental groups demonstrated significant improvements, including reductions in symptoms of depression, anxiety, stress, and PTSD, and increased resilience, self-esteem, self-efficacy, and quality of life. Mindfulness and relaxation techniques, counseling, and expressive therapies emerged as the most effective strategies. This review highlights the positive impact of targeted interventions on PWE among women affected by GBV. Nonetheless, limitations such as small sample sizes, methodological quality, and geographical diversity indicate the need for larger, culturally sensitive studies. These findings inform future intervention development and stress the importance of integrating structured and evidence-based interventions into health and social policies to enhance PWE for women impacted by GBV. Culturally adapted approaches are recommended to maximize their effectiveness. This SLR is registered with CRD42024514325. Madalena Cruz is a research fellow of the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) of Portugal.