A substantial body of research has demonstrated the challenges commonly facing people with visible differences (disfigurements) and explored the potential benefits offered by specialist psychosocial support and intervention for those who are negatively affected. However, little is known about the availability of such support in Europe for people whose appearance is in any way different to 'the norm'. This survey of 116 psychosocial specialists from 15 European countries, working with a range of patient groups, has shown a tendency for specialists to prioritise Cognitive-behavioural-based approaches, amongst a wide range of other approaches and interventional techniques. It indicates variations in the availability of support, and a perceived need for improved access to interventions, additional training, and greater awareness of the psychosocial issues associated with visible differences.

Tourism has been affirmed as an activity that promotes health and well-being. The present study aims to present a confirmatory analysis of the PERMA model in a sample of Portuguese senior tourists who visited the island of São Miguel (Azores). After approval of the study by the ethics committee (reference 6/2022), a Sociodemographic Questionnaire, PERMA Profiler, and Life Satisfaction Scale—SWLS were applied to 1083 senior tourists (≥55 years) of various nationalities. To evaluate the PERMA model for senior tourism in Portugal, a total of 434 senior tourists of Portuguese nationality were extracted from the sample. The results revealed that most of the participants attributed scores above the midpoint in the five dimensions of PERMA (positive emotions, engagement, relationships, meaning, accomplishment) and in the satisfaction with life scale. Using scale reliability analyses, we found that some of the dimensions in the PERMA model showed relatively low values both for Cronbach alpha and composite reliability. Several confirmatory structural equation models (single factorial, second order, and five factors) were calculated, as well as the usual adjustment measures, with the five-factor PERMA model presenting the best structure, although with a relatively low fit. The modification of the model by the weight of regressions between some of the items with larger covariances allowed a better adjustment: χ²(73) = 264.960, p < 0.001, χ²/df = 3.63, CFI = 0.94, TLI = 0.91, IFI = 0.94; GFI = 0.92, RMSEA = 0.078, p < 0.001. Although the results revealed that the experiences of senior tourists when visiting the island of São Miguel contributed significantly to their well-being and the modified model presented superior adjustment quality, future studies are suggested to evaluate the quality of the PERMA model applied to tourism.

Bronchial asthma is a chronic pathology and a global public health problem. However, asthma can be controlled and treated for the most part by patients, so the Portuguese General Directorate of Health recommends shared medical appointments in primary health care (PHC). The present study aims to identify the role of PHC nurses in the control and treatment of asthma in adults. Using the MeSH platform, the following descriptors were validated: asthma, nurses, adults. An individual search was carried out in the following databases: CINAHL (ESBSCO host), MEDLINE (Pubmed host), Web of Science, and Scopus. Out of a total of 280 publications, 79 of which were duplicates and 185 publications which did not meet the inclusion criteria, 16 publications remained readable. Of the eligible articles, there were 13 specialist reports, one mixed study, one quasi-experimental study, and one randomized trial. Education was the intervention most identified in the scientific evidence analyzed, and patient assessment, application of an asthma control questionnaire, verification and training of inhalation technique, empowerment for self-management of the disease, support, promotion of seasonal influenza vaccination, and use of written action plans were also identified. The results reveal that, although the scientific evidence on the intervention of these professionals is poorly developed, nurses play a crucial role in the control and treatment of asthma. The scientific evidence analyzed allowed the identification of interventions that can help the organization of a nursing health appointment, providing nurses with a crucial role in the control and treatment of asthma in adults in the context of PHC.

Objetivos: O sono ao demonstrar-se fundamental para o desenvolvimento do indivíduo, despertando o interesse em investigar qualidade do sono em estudantes do ensino superior. Assim, pretendeu-se com o presente estudo, caracterizar as componentes da qualidade subjetiva do sono e sonolência excessiva diurna numa amostra de estudantes do ensino superior. Método: Aplicaram-se as versões portuguesas do Índice da qualidade do sono (PSQI-PT) e da Escala de Sonolência excessiva diurna (ESS), em 257 estudantes do ensino superior distribuídos por sete instituições de ensino superior. Resultados: A maioria dos participantes revelou subjetivamente uma má qualidade do sono e referiu dormir mais de sete horas durante a semana, sendo este número maior durante o fim de semana. A perceção da Latência do Sono e da Disfunção Durante o Dia diferiu em função do sexo dos participantes. Os trabalhadores-estudantes mostraram percecionar uma fraca Qualidade Subjetiva do Sono e uma menor Duração do Sono. Encontrou-se uma correlação baixa com significância estatística entre o PSQI-PT e a ESS. Apesar da maioria dos participantes da amostra percecionar uma má qualidade do sono, também a maioria revelou uma eficiência subjetiva do sono superior a 85,0%. Conclusões: Verificou-se que os participantes em estudo avaliaram subjetivamente a qualidade do sono como sendo pobre. Estudos futuros devem explorar possíveis programas de prevenção (i.e., alimentação, TIC, exercício físico) que melhorem a qualidade subjetiva do sono.

Purpose: According to the theory of push and pull factors, the current work aims to present two objectives: (1) to detect what attributes drive senior tourists to travel to the Azores islands, the role played by lecturing activities (LA) as push factors and their influence on the island's offer (pull factors) are analysed; and (2) to understand the personal and contextual barriers of tourists to provide information to the agents who form part of the tourism supply process on the island.Design/methodology/approach: The data has been processed using the statistical package SmartPLS version 26. Using an exploratory methodology based on structural equation modeling (SEM) structural equations applied to small sample sizes, a tentative model has been generated to define the drivers of tourism for elderly people who visit the islands.Findings: The research study reveals that LA are the key factor in completing the offering of tourist destinations in the Azores. Educational packages should be made available to senior tourists. Likewise, several tourism barriers, such as flight times, cost of the trip, concern about the safety of destinations, type of accommodation, language difficulties and medical and health care should also be revised by tourism authorities and flight stakeholders with regard to the Azores Islands.Research limitations/implications: The reduced sample has made the results impossible to show greater predictive power.Practical implications: The role played by push factors, such as lecturing or educational activities, and pull factors, such as the tourism offering by the island, allows us to envisage educational packages based on the preferences of senior tourists, such as attending lectures on the history of the Azores, gastronomy (traditional food), active ageing flora, and interesting facts and legends of the islands.Social implications: As a push factor, social interaction has become the main motivation among senior tourists. Such tourists have conveyed not only their desire to meet other tourists but also their interest in socialising in tourist activities, relaxing and visiting other new places.Originality/value: Even though LA are relatively common among university students and those with bachelor's degrees, educational packages for senior tourism are now gaining in popularity. Better socio-economic conditions worldwide and easier access to education for mature people have allowed them to expand their knowledge by travelling to exotic destinations such as the Azores. This paper links that interest with barriers to travel as well as to the Azores' rich touristic offering.

Aim: There has been a considerable interest in research on concerns about appearance The aim of this study is to assess the factorial validity and reliability of the Derriford Appearance Scale (DAS-24) in the Portuguese population. Method: Five hundred and eight subjects participated in this research, using a convenience sample. Participants were asked to fill a set of questionnaires containing socio demographic questions, and questions related to investment schematic appearance and self-consciousness of appearance. Results: The DAS-24 presented good internal consistency (α = .91). The Confirmatory Factor Analysis of the DAS-24, presents an acceptable (χ²/df = 2.5; GFI = .912, CFI = .925, TLI = .909, RMSEA = .054, p [rmsea ≤ .05] = .130). Conclusion: The Portuguese version of the DAS-24, is psychometrically robust in evaluate self-consciousness of appearance.