O propósito do princípio da precaução é evitar danos irreversíveis ao meio ambiente e à saúde humana ao permitir a ação preventiva, mesmo na ausência de certeza científica sobre as causas ou conseqüências de determinada atividade. A precaução é uma resposta às novas tecnologias e aos fenômenos que podem provocar impactos irreparáveis e incomensuráveis e que, portanto, precisam ser revistos pela comunidade internacional, Estados e indivíduos. Significa, também, envolver a participação popular nas decisões sobre quais riscos são aceitáveis em determinada sociedade e quais devem ser evitados. A base sociológica sob a qual está baseado o trabalho é a teoria de Ulrich Beck sobre a sociedade de risco global. O princípio da precaução é analisado sob os prismas dogmático e funcional: as principais características do princípio são apresentadas, bem como as críticas ao instituto; também são expostas as funções do princípio da precaução, sua eficácia social e status jurídico. A fim de explicar as dificuldades que circundam o tema dos princípios do direito internacional do meio ambiente, as principais teorias dos princípios são analisadas, concluindo-se que os princípios do DIMA necessitam de uma teoria própria. Na última parte, o trabalho procura demonstrar como o princípio da precaução pode ser operacionalizado através do fortalecimento institucional, sobretudo da Convenção-Quadro das Nações Unidas sobre Mudança do Clima. O tema das mudanças climáticas é paradigmático, já que exige ação internacional preventiva a fim de evitar os impactos do aquecimento global, mesmo face à inexistência de consenso científico sobre as causas e consequências desse fenômeno. Ao permitir maior participação democrática e abrir espaço para que a percepção pública sobre os riscos possa refletir em decisões jurídico-políticas, o arranjo institucional criado pela Convenção permite, ainda que com algumas falhas, uma discussão maior sobre os desafios que circundam o tema. Considerando os fundamentos da teoria de Beck sobre a modernização reflexiva, a origem política dos riscos e a democratização das discussões sobre eles, o papel da subpolítica na sociedade atual e a irreversibilidade de catástrofes ambientais, conclui-se que o princípio da precaução é indispensável ao direito e à política ao inserir a responsabilização a priori dos possíveis danos e a participação social nas decisões futuras / The purpose of the precautionary principle is to avoid irreversible damage to the environment and human health by allowing preventive action, even in the absence of scientific certainty regarding the causes or consequences of certain activity. Precaution is an answer to new technologies and phenomena that may promote irreparable and incommensurable impacts and, therefore, need to be reviewed beforehand by the international community, states and individuals. Furthermore, it nurtures popular participation in decision-making regarding what risks are acceptable in a given society and what risks should be avoided. The sociological foundation of this work is Ulrich Becks world risk society. The precautionary principle is analysed under the dogmatic and functional viewpoints: the principles main characteristics and critiques are presented, and I also explore the precautionary principles functions, social efficacy, and legal status. In order to explain the difficulties pertaining to the subject of international environmental law, this thesis analyzes the main theories on legal principles, and concludes that a more suitable theory for international environmental law principles is needed. In the last part, this work demonstrates how the precautionary principle can be operationalized through institutional strengthening, especially of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Climate change is a paradigmatic case, since it demands international preventive action in order to avoid the impacts of global warming, even in the absence of scientific consensus regarding its causes and consequences. By allowing greater democratic participation and by creating space for communication so that public perception can be reflected in legal and political decisions, the institutional arrangement created by the Convention allows for, if imperfectly, a wider discussion about the challenges of climate change. Considering the foundations of Becks theory about reflexive modernization, the political origin of risks and the democratization of discussions on risks, the role of subpolitics in modern society and irreversibility of environmental catastrophes, this work concludes that the precautionary principle is indispensable to law and politics by adding a priori responsibility of possible damages and social participation in future decisions.

Submitted by Andreza Leão (andrezaflh@gmail.com) on 2018-08-17T18:00:30Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Tese_AdaptacaoEscalaAnsiedade.pdf: 2285139 bytes, checksum: b295e8c466d520b74ef9e1eff658d99e (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Celia Santana (celiasantana@ufpa.br) on 2018-12-12T17:55:09Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 Tese_AdaptacaoEscalaAnsiedade.pdf: 2285139 bytes, checksum: b295e8c466d520b74ef9e1eff658d99e (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-12-12T17:55:09Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Tese_AdaptacaoEscalaAnsiedade.pdf: 2285139 bytes, checksum: b295e8c466d520b74ef9e1eff658d99e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-09-05 / CAPES - Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / O presente trabalho reuniu três artigos a respeito da adaptação de instrumentos psicológicos para avaliação da população de surdos e de cegos. Considerando que estes instrumentos não são adaptados para avaliar pessoas com necessidades educacionais especiais, dificultando o diagnóstico e o prognóstico. Portanto a necessidade de adaptação desses instrumentos para essa população é indiscutível. Essa realidade ocorre também na área da surdez e da cegueira, na qual existe uma escassez de trabalhos no Brasil. No primeiro artigo foi realizada uma revisão da literatura dos instrumentos adaptados para essa população. Conclui-se que na área da surdez as escalas de avaliação são adaptadas para vários fatores psicométricos como para medida da depressão, ansiedade e inteligência, mas na área da cegueira os instrumentos adaptados são para a avaliação do funcionamento cognitivo. O objetivo do segundo estudo foi adaptar a Escala de Ansiedade de Beck (BAI) para língua de sinais e alfabeto digital gerando uma escala para avaliar ansiedade em surdos usuários da língua de sinais brasileira (LIBRAS). A amostra foi composta por 25 surdos usuários de LIBRAS (grupo experimental) e de 25 ouvintes (grupo controle), com idade entre 18 e 25 anos de idade de ambos os sexos, pareados por idade e sexo. A aplicação foi realizada em grupo. Após as orientações, os sujeitos preencheram a escala, o grupo controle a escala padrão e o grupo experimental a escala adaptada. Os resultados obtidos no estudo mostraram que a BAI adaptada não apresentou diferença estatística significativa comparada à escala padrão na ansiedade total e nas subescalas: subjetiva, neurofisiológica, autonômica e de pânico. Portanto o BAI adaptado mostrou eficácia equivalente ao BAI padrão para avaliar ansiedade em surdos, os itens adaptados parecem não ter modificado as estruturas fatoriais do instrumento, permitindo assim a sua utilização na avaliação de ansiedade em surdos usuários da LIBRAS. O terceiro estudo foi realizado com deficiente visual, essa deficiência é a de maior incidência na população atingindo 35,8 milhões de pessoas com dificuldade de enxergar mesmo com uso de lentes corretivas, sendo 506,3 mil são cegos. Apesar do número expressivo de cego, na literatura existem poucos trabalhos de adaptação de instrumentos de avaliação para cegos, sendo estes avaliados nos parâmetros dos videntes. Diante dessa realidade o objetivo do presente trabalho foi de adaptar a Escala de Ansiedade de Beck (BAI) para o Braille gerando uma escala para avaliar ansiedade em cegos usuários do Braille. A amostra foi composta por 25 cegos usuários do Braille (grupo experimental) e de 25 videntes (grupo controle), com idade entre 18 e 25 anos de idade de ambos os sexos, pareados por idade e sexo. A aplicação foi realizada em grupo. Após as orientações, os sujeitos preencheram a escala, o grupo controle a escala padrão e o grupo experimental a escala adaptada. Os resultados obtidos no estudo mostraram que a BAI adaptada não apresentou diferença estatística significativa comparada à escala padrão na ansiedade total e nas subescalas: subjetiva, neurofisiológica, autonômica. Na subescala de pânico na estatística esta diferença foi no limite significância. Portanto o BAI adaptado mostrou eficácia equivalente ao BAI padrão para avaliar ansiedade em cegos, os itens adaptados parecem não ter modificado as estruturas fatoriais do instrumento, permitindo assim a sua utilização na avaliação de ansiedade em cegos usuários do Braille / This study met three articles concerning the adaptation of psychological instruments to evaluate the population of deaf and blind. Considering that these instruments are not adapted to evaluate people with special educational needs, complicating diagnosis and prognosis. Therefore the need to adapt these instruments for this population is indisputable. This situation also occurs in the area of deafness and blindness, in which there is a shortage of jobs in Brazil. In the first article was conducted a literature review of instruments adapted for this population. It is concluded that the area of hearing assessment scales are adapted to various factors as psychometric for measuring depression, anxiety and intelligence, but the area of blindness instruments are suited for the assessment of cognitive functioning. The aim of the second study was to adapt the Beck Anxiety Scale (BAI) to sign language and alphabet digital generating a scale to assess anxiety in deaf users of Brazilian Sign Language (LIBRAS). The sample consisted of 25 deaf users LIBRAS (experimental group) and 25 listeners (control group), aged between 18 and 25 years of age of both sexes, matched for age and sex. The application was made in a group. Following the guidelines, the subjects completed the scale, the scale pattern control group and the experimental group the adapted scale. The results of the study showed that the BAI adapted not statistically significant compared to the standard scale and total anxiety subscales: subjective, neurophysiological, autonomic, and panic. Therefore BAI adapted showed validity equivalent to BAI standard to assess anxiety in deaf, the items appear to have adapted the modified factor structure of the instrument, thus allowing its use in the assessment of anxiety in deaf users of LIBRAS. The third study was conducted with visually impaired, this deficiency is most prevalent in the population reaching 35.8 million people with difficulty seeing even with corrective lenses, and 506,3 thousand are blind. Despite the significant number of blind in the literature there are few studies of adapting assessment tools for the blind, as they are evaluated on the parameters of the seers. Given this reality, the objective of this study was to adapt the Beck Anxiety Scale (BAI) for Braille generating a scale to assess anxiety in blind Braille users. The sample consisted of 25 blind Braille users (experimental group) and 25 seers (control group), aged between 18 and 25 years of age of both sexes, matched for age and sex. The application was made in a group. Following the guidelines, the subjects completed the scale, the scale pattern control group and the experimental group the adapted scale. The results of the study showed that the BAI adapted not statistically significant compared to the standard scale and total anxiety subscales: subjective, neurophysiological, autonomic. Subscale panic in this difference was statistically significant at the limit. Therefore BAI adapted showed equivalent BAI validity standard for evaluating anxiety blind, adapted items seem to have modified the factor structures of the instrument, allowing their use in the evaluation of anxiety in users blind Braille.

Many risk factors have been put forward to account for the significant increase in adolescent male suicide over the last 20 years, and the pronounced sex difference in suicide statistics. In particular, hopelessness has been shown to be a strong indicator of suicidality. This study investigated the relationship of gender role, stress, and coping to hopelessness in a normal adolescent population. It was hypothesized that stress, coping and a masculine gender role would contribute to hopelessness. 288 adolescent students between the ages of 15 and 18 were surveyed using the Adolescent Stress Scale, the Beck Hopelessness Scale, the Australian Sex Role Scale, and the Adolescent Coping Scale. Contrary to expectation, having a masculine gender role was not related to hopelessness; students with an undifferentiated gender role had higher levels of hopelessness than androgynous, masculine, and feminine students. However, the majority of students who had an undifferentiated gender role were male. Hopelessness was also associated with high levels of stress and the use of avoidance coping strategies. The results are discussed within the transactional stress model and the stress-diathesis model.

<p>HIV and AIDS are disease conditions that have led to high mortality rates in Southern Africa since the late 1970s. The socio-economic system has led to the unequal spread of resources&rsquo / and vulnerability and exposure to HIV is more prevalent in poorer communities. The added burden of life stresses cause for many to be isolated and stigmatised and are often not equipped with the necessary support and coping skills to deal with the magnitude of these circumstances. There is a high prevalence of mental disorders and especially depression amongst individuals infected with either HIV or AIDS. Research shows that stressful life events can impact HIV course progression and impacts the QoL of those infected with HIV or AIDS. Given the social and psychological context of HIV and AIDS, the aim of the study was to examine the relationship between depression and QoL in a sample of adults diagnosed with HIV or AIDS. This quantitative, cross-sectional study used the Becks Depression Inventory II (BDI II) and the Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire (Q-LES-Q), to measure the variables concerned. This battery of&nbsp / questionnaires was administered to a purposive sample of adult individuals diagnosed with HIV or AIDS residing in a previously disadvantaged area in the Cape Metropole region. Using SPSS,&nbsp / data was analysed and descriptive and inferential statistics were conducted. The study found that there were more women than men with HIV or AIDS that were found to be depressed (mild, moderate and severe depression). Furthermore, the depressive state increased when the progression of the disease increased. There were generally no significant differences in the QoL&nbsp / experienced within various areas of life and overall life satisfaction experienced. However, the QoL experienced in work was lower. There was a significant relationship between the depressed state and QoL and life satisfaction experienced in household duties and tasks. The contribution of this study includes informing the larger research project, with regards to future treatment&nbsp / regimes. It will update statistics on the prevalence of depression and QoL of adults diagnosed with HIV or AIDS in the area. This study is framed within a biopsychosocial model and is&nbsp / theoretically underpinned by Beck&rsquo / s theory of depression. Key words: HIV, AIDS, adults, depression, quality of life (QoL), Beck Depression Inventory II (BDI II), Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire (Q-LES-Q), Antiretrovirals (ARV&rsquo / s), prevalence data, correlations.</p>

ABSTRACT Hospice and Dementia Special Care Units (DSCUs) have been shown to be gold standards of care for individuals who are dying and for those with dementia in nursing homes. Using a retrospective administrator and family survey, this study investigated whether the processes of care used in hospice and DSCUs are associated with increased quality of end of life (EOL) care for individuals with dementia. A convenience sample of 17 facilities in four states (FL, PA, MD and MA) was included in the study. Nursing home administrators were surveyed between September 2008 and October 2009. The administrators identified 116 family members of decedents with dementia who were surveyed with the End-of-Life Dementia (EOLD) scale as the outcome. The Donabedian Structure-Process-Outcome theory was used to test the hypothesis that the process characteristics of hospice and DSCU will be associated with higher EOLD scores. Hierarchical regression models were conducted for two of the three subscales of the EOLD. The resident risk characteristics (decedent length of stay and resident immobility), the structure characteristics (profit status, percent Medicaid and presence of other palliation), and the process characteristics (hospice, DSCU, dual, and traditional enrolled, and strength of inter-disciplinary team (IDT)] were entered into the model to determine their association with Satisfaction With Care and Comfort At Death. Strength of the IDT was included as a moderating factor of this association. Only DSCU enrollment was associated with increased Satisfaction With Care (SWC; DSCU: b = .31, p < .01). The moderation analysis showed that strength of IDT did significantly moderate the association between DSCU enrollment and increased SWC (DSCU: b = -.09, p < .05). Study implications include the need for more research into DSCUs and Strength of IDT as best practices in EOL care. This study contributes to an expanding body of research on the extra value of enrollment in a DSCU and the role of IDT in quality of EOL care for individuals with dementia in nursing homes.

The aims of the studies were to assess body image perceptions, the role of stress and other possible associated psychopathologies within a non-clinical sample. The prevalence of body image concern is increasing and is widely considered as secondary to evolving socio-cultural trends. Negative self-perceptions about body image can be manifest as measurable indicators of physiological stress, or even psychopathology. This thesis describes two quantitative studies into the role and relevance of various causative factors in the development of negative body image in cohorts of volunteers drawn from the general population of the University of Bradford in West Yorkshire, UK. In Study One, subjects (n=360) completed a self-directed questionnaire that psychometrically measured satisfaction/dissatisfaction with personal appearance, queried which external sources influenced those opinions, and correlated these with demographic information. In particular, we sought to examine how a subject's opinion about their personal appearance varied with age, gender, ethnicity, mental health, relationship status, sexual orientation and Body Mass Index (BMI). Subjective views regarding personal appearance were determined by answers given to specific body image questions that revealed a subject's day-to-day appearance concerns, all preoccupations, and the extent to which these concerns resulted in distress, all social impairment. Overall, the results demonstrated that BMI values were positively correlated with personal appearance concerns. High BMI values correlated with greater dissatisfaction with personal appearance. Self ratings of appearance values were negatively correlated with BMI scores. Subjects who gave themselves high appearance ratings were relatively unaffected by media influence with regard to their image, compared to subjects rating themselves less attractive. These latter subjects also showed higher peer pressure scores in terms of both the amount of time they compared themselves to peers, and the degree to which peer comparisons affected their self-appearance ratings. Based on responses to the body image questions specifically, the entire cohort of subjects were categorised into principal clusters: those largely unaffected by any body image concerns; and those profoundly distressed by their self assessed body image. Perhaps the most interesting aspect of these findings is that the scores for this latter (n=17) group of subjects on the body image questions revealed a degree of personal distress this is almost identical to the scores expected from those people diagnosed with body dysmorphic disorder (BDD). Collectively, these results suggest that high BMI values in subjects negatively impact on self-appearance ratings, render subjects more prone to media messages that portray body image ideals, and elicit frequent comparisons with peers to validate self-image concerns. Furthermore, severely affected subjects with high BMI scores may show similar psychopathology to that of BDD sufferers. In Study Two, a small cohort of subjects (n=60) were given questionnaires and were interviewed to further investigate self-appearance ratings and mood/depressive traits. The body image questions used in Study One to assess image concerns and the magnitude of distress were repeated in Study Two. Mood and depressive state were measured using the validated Beck's Depression Inventory (BDI). In parallel, subjects completed the Derriford Appearance Scale 59 (DAS 59), which is a valid psychometric indication of an individual's perception of their appearance as 'normal' or 'disfigured', and used as a tool by plastic surgeons to inform decisions regarding the necessity for surgery to correct an individual's appearance. Physiological markers were recorded before and after exposure of subjects to a physical and a psychological stressor: these were saliva concentrations of cortisol and sIgA (an immune marker), blood glucose and blood pressure. The results of Study Two revealed no changes in scores for any of the physiological measures following stressors. BDI scores for most subjects fell within normal ranges, although females scored higher than males, but not at a pathological level. Those subjects with a history of mental illness or those who reported feeling a high degree of stress on a daily basis, or those who expressed greater self-appearance concerns, all had significantly elevated BDI values. Perhaps the most intriguing finding from Study Two, as in Study One, was that subjects again tended to fall within specific categories for body image concerns: those unaffected or minimally affected by body image concerns, and those (n=6) greatly and deleteriously affected by body image concerns. This subsection of subjects also scored very high on the DAS 59 for disfigurement. On the basis of these findings it would seem that body image concerns may be severe enough for some individuals for them to perceive themselves as actually being disfigured, or that the DAS 59 (a widely used assessment tool in plastic surgery), may not be entirely appropriate for assessment of an individual's need for surgery because it cannot distinguish between those genuinely disfigured and those merely expressing severe body image concerns.

<p>HIV and AIDS are disease conditions that have led to high mortality rates in Southern Africa since the late 1970s. The socio-economic system has led to the unequal spread of resources&rsquo / and vulnerability and exposure to HIV is more prevalent in poorer communities. The added burden of life stresses cause for many to be isolated and stigmatised and are often not equipped with the necessary support and coping skills to deal with the magnitude of these circumstances. There is a high prevalence of mental disorders and especially depression amongst individuals infected with either HIV or AIDS. Research shows that stressful life events can impact HIV course progression and impacts the QoL of those infected with HIV or AIDS. Given the social and psychological context of HIV and AIDS, the aim of the study was to examine the relationship between depression and QoL in a sample of adults diagnosed with HIV or AIDS. This quantitative, cross-sectional study used the Becks Depression Inventory II (BDI II) and the Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire (Q-LES-Q), to measure the variables concerned. This battery of&nbsp / questionnaires was administered to a purposive sample of adult individuals diagnosed with HIV or AIDS residing in a previously disadvantaged area in the Cape Metropole region. Using SPSS,&nbsp / data was analysed and descriptive and inferential statistics were conducted. The study found that there were more women than men with HIV or AIDS that were found to be depressed (mild, moderate and severe depression). Furthermore, the depressive state increased when the progression of the disease increased. There were generally no significant differences in the QoL&nbsp / experienced within various areas of life and overall life satisfaction experienced. However, the QoL experienced in work was lower. There was a significant relationship between the depressed state and QoL and life satisfaction experienced in household duties and tasks. The contribution of this study includes informing the larger research project, with regards to future treatment&nbsp / regimes. It will update statistics on the prevalence of depression and QoL of adults diagnosed with HIV or AIDS in the area. This study is framed within a biopsychosocial model and is&nbsp / theoretically underpinned by Beck&rsquo / s theory of depression. Key words: HIV, AIDS, adults, depression, quality of life (QoL), Beck Depression Inventory II (BDI II), Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire (Q-LES-Q), Antiretrovirals (ARV&rsquo / s), prevalence data, correlations.</p>

Thesis (M.S.)--Brigham Young University. Dept. of Communications, 2008. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 173-180).

A depressão é uma doença com alta prevalência no mundo todo e se manifesta através de diversos sintomas observáveis, os chamados sintomas depressivos. Determinar a intensidade dos sintomas depressivos pode ser importante para verificar o estágio da depressão e avaliar seu desfecho, e quanto mais acurada e rápida for esta medida mais benefícios podem ser alcançados. A intensidade dos sintomas depressivos é um traço latente que pode ser medido através de instrumentos compostos por itens representativos destes sintomas observáveis, como o Inventário de Depressão Beck (BDI). É importante que a metodologia para analisar instrumentos do tipo do BDI considere que nem todos os sintomas depressivos têm a mesma importância em relação ao traço latente que pretendem medir. A Teoria da Resposta ao Item (TRI) compreende um grupo de modelos lineares generalizados e procedimentos estatísticos associados, que descrevem a associação entre o nível de um indivíduo sobre o traço latente e a probabilidade de uma resposta a um item. Estes modelos têm como uma de suas características especiais que os níveis estimados do traço latente sendo medido incorporam as diferenças em discriminação e gravidade de cada item constante no instrumento de medida, isto é, os itens entram com diferentes pesos na estimativa do traço latente dos indivíduos avaliados. OBJETIVOS: Este trabalho tem por objetivo mostrar a potencialidade dos modelos da TRI e o total aproveitamento das informações quando do uso destes modelos na análise de dados oriundos do BDI para a medida de intensidade de sintomas depressivos. MÉTODO: Os dados são provenientes de um estudo transversal conduzido para realizar a adaptação, normatização e validação para o português das Escalas Beck, em um estudo conduzido pela Dra. Jurema Alcides Cunha (PUCRS) e publicado em 2001; os modelos TRI utilizados na análise destes dados foram o modelo de Resposta Gradual de Samejima (1969) e o modelo para Itens Constrangedores de Cúri (2006). RESULTADOS: Os sintomas depressivos que melhor discriminam a população quanto ao nível de intensidade de sintomas depressivos são sentimento de fracasso, insatisfações, tristeza, auto-aversão, indecisão, dificuldade de trabalhar e pessimismo; e os que menos discriminam são perda de peso, irritabilidade e auto-acusações. Os sintomas mais graves são perda de peso, retraimento social, idéias suicidas, sentimento de fracasso apenas para as mulheres e perda da libido apenas para os homens (estes dois últimos são itens com funcionamento diferencial). CONCLUSÕES: Este estudo mostrou os inúmeros ganhos advindos da utilização de modelos TRI na avaliação da intensidade de sintomas depressivos, pois sua utilização aproveita totalmente a informação, considerando o perfil de cada indivíduo que responde ao instrumento, contribuindo na identificação daqueles que apresentam potencial depressivo. / CONTEXT: Depression is a disease with high prevalence worldwide and manifests itself through various symptoms observed, so-called depressive symptoms. To determine the intensity of depressive symptoms may be important to determine the stage of depression and evaluate its outcome, and the more rapid and accurate is this more benefits can be achieved. The intensity of depressive symptoms is a latent trait that can be measured by instruments consisting of items representative of observable symptoms, as the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). It is important that the methodology for analyzing instruments of the type of BDI considers that not all depressive symptoms have the same importance in relation to the latent trait they wish to measure. The Item Response Theory (IRT) comprises a group of generalized linear models and statistical procedures involved, which describe the association between the level of an individual on the latent trait and the likelihood of a response to an item. These models have as one of its special characteristics that the estimated levels of latent trait being measured incorporate the differences in discrimination and severity of each item contained in the measuring instrument, that is, those items come with different weights in the estimation of latent trait of individuals evaluated. OBJECTIVES: This paper aims to show the capability of the models of the IRR and total utilization of information when using these models to analyze data from the BDI to measure the intensity of depressive symptoms. METHOD: The data come from a cross-sectional study conducted for the adaptation, standardization and validation of Beck scales for the portuguese, in a study conducted by Dr. Alcides Jurema Cunha (PUCRS) and published in 2001; the TRI models used in the analysis of these data was the Graded-Response model of Samejima (1969) and the model IRT for embarrassing items of Cúri (2006).RESULTS: The depressive symptoms that best depict the population about the level of intensity of depressive symptoms are feeling of failure, dissatisfaction, sadness, self-hatred, indecision, difficulty of work and pessimism; and those who are less discriminating are weight loss, irritability and self-accusations. The symptoms are more severe weight loss, social withdrawal, suicidal thoughts, feelings of failure only for women and loss of libido only for men (the latter two items are working with differential functioning). CONCLUSIONS: This study showed the many gains resulting from use of IRT models in the assessment of the intensity of depressive symptoms, because their use completely takes the information, considering the profile of each person who responds to the instrument, helping to identify those which have the potential depression.

Text in Afrikaans / Die studie het ten doel om 'n moontlike verband tussen lokus van kontrole jeens skoolwerk en depressie by die adolessent te identifiseer. Die literatuurstudie ondersoek lokus van kontrole - as aspek van verantwoordelikheid - en depressie, sowel as die ontwikkeling van die adolessent. Uit die literatuurstudie ontstaan die gevoel dat sodanige verband wel bestaan. 'n Gerieflikheidsteekproef - bestaande uit graad 11 leerders - is vir die navorsing gebruik. Die deelnemers vul 'n biografiese vraelys in, sowel as Afrikaanse weergawes van Crandall se Intellectual Achievement Responsibility Questionnaire en die Beck Depression Inventory. Die resultate van die biografiese vraelys, lokus van kontrole vraelys en depressie opname word individueel uiteengesit voordat daar 'n ondersoek gedoen word na moontlike samevallende verskille of korrelasies tussen lokus van kontrole tellings en depressie tellings. weergegee. Gelyktydige voorkoms word ook as persentasies Geen statisties beduidende korrelasies tussen depressie en lokus van kontrole jeens skoolwerk is gevind nie, wat moontlik toegeskryf kan word aan die aard van die steekproef. Verdere navorsing word aanbeveel. / The aim of the study was the identification of a possible relation between locus of control towards schoolwork and depression in adolescence. Locus of control - as an aspect of responsibility - and depression, as well as the development of the adolescent are examined in a literature study. As a result of this the feeling that a relationship between the named variables do exist is expressed. A convencience sample- consisting of grade 11 learners - is used in the research. The participants complete a biographic questionnaire, as well as Afrikaans translations of Crandall's Intellectual Achievement Responsibility Questionnaire and the Beck Depression Inventory. The result of the biographic questionnaire, the responsibility questionnaire and the depression inventory are reported on their own before an investigation is done regarding possible simultaneous differences or correlations between locus of control values and depression values. Percentages are used for the report of simultaneous values. No statistical meaningful differences or correlations were found, which might be ascribed to the nature of the sample. Further research is recommended. / Psychology of Education / M. Ed. (Voorligting)