This diploma thesis deals with the influence of teenage girl magazines and school on the self-concept of adolescent girls. Theoretical part aims to bring comprehensive review of current scientific research on the topic of development of self-identity during adolescence where self-concept is created with strong emphasis on physical appearance. The thesis subsequently examine possible disorders that can arise from erroneous self-concept. The impact of printed media and especially girl magazines, on components of adolescent girl's self-concept is considered. School and educational system as another important contributor in development of self-concept is reflected in my thesis as well. Experimental aims to explore which areas of self-concept and girls behavior are influenced by girl magazines most significantly and whether educational system takes girl magazines into consideration during educational process. In order to collect necessary data the experiment was concluded with sixty respondents, which were instructed to valuate several body parts before and after the exposition to the picture from girl magazine capturing fashion ideal of woman body. Six semi structured interviews with girls were performed in order to explore girl's attitude towards mentioned magazines. Analysis of results proves...

The diploma thesis covers the theme of mutual influence of assessment, self-evaluation and social position of a student in lower secondary level classes. Focus lies also on the relationship of the studied phenomena to sex of the respondents. The data from the social relationship study are analyzed thoroughly to disclose the social structure of the studied classes. The thesis is divided into two parts, a theoretical part and a practical part. The theoretical part deals with assessment and its specifics, functions, types, forms, phases and also with self-evaluation. The topic of social group is then developed focusing on different kinds of social groups, the position and the role of the member of a group and social norms. As the third topic, the bachelor thesis concerns with a school class and its specifics, factors determining its status, the position and the role of a student in a class and also with the methods of analyzing a school class. The last topic of the theoretical part are general features of psychological development, its determiners, and life stages of psychological development with special regard to puberty. In the practical part there are presented the results of research which was realized with the students of sixth grade, respectively seventh grade classes at lower secondary...

TITLE: Coping with sudden motility limitation and its implication - coping strategies among young people with spinal cord injury and with multiple sclerosis SUMMARY: This thesis is focused on process of adjustment of motility limitation, caused by spinal cord injury or by attack of multiple sclerosis, among young people. The motoric ability limitation affects their mobility as well as their social interaction, interests, plans and especially their independence. Thus, in age of gaining emancipation from nuclear family, they become dependant on their home-folks again. The theoretical part of the thesis acquaints with spinal cord injuries and multiple sclerosis from biological and psychosocial point of view, thereinafter it's engaged in coping generally and coping in relation to these two groups. Furthermore it's dealt with developmental periods characterization of adolescence and young adulthood, consequences of health turnover in self-concept in social context. The empirical part is based on semi-structured interviews with six young people (3 with spinal cord injury, 3 with multiple sclerosis). The important findings gained from interviews are presented in form of casuistries. On the basis of the interviews analysis it's demonstrated problematic domains, that are affected by motility limitation, and ways of...

ABSTRACT This study aims to explore, the nature and the extent of parental involvement in the career development of young adolescents through the perceptions of disadvantaged young adolescents. The two-fold goals were to identify the role of parents and the awareness of other barriers in the career development of young adolescents. Therefore, qualitative research method of semi-structured interviews was applied to fourteen volunteers (eight boys and six girls) from a Secondary School at Mabopane Township in the North West Province. In accordance with previous trends, parental involvement was revealed by young adolescents to be an important factor and was further categorised as constructive and destructive parental involvement. Furthermore, the effects of parental involvement in the development of the young adolescents’ career self-concept and self-efficacy were revealed. Destructive parental involvement and low household incomes were identified as career barriers. Most young adolescents demonstrated a strong resilience in overcoming these barriers. The study also illustrated a dire need for attention to and funding of career programmes aimed at empowering disadvantaged parents and young adolescents. Keywords: Parents, parental involvement, career, career development, young adolescents, disadvantaged communities, career barriers, career counselling, career self-concept and self-efficacy.

Introdução: A imagem corporal, a autoestima, o distress e a Síndrome Anorexia-Caquexia (SAC) em doentes com câncer gastrointestinal são pouco conhecidas. Objetivos: caracterizar o perfil sociodemográfico, clínico, antropométrico, bioquímico e nutricional dos doentes e analisar a prevalência e os fatores independentemente associados à acurácia e insatisfação da imagem corporal, autoestima e distress em doentes com Pré-SAC, SAC e Sem SAC. Método: Estudo transversal com 378 adultos com câncer gastrointestinal, classificados nos grupos Pré-caquexia (Pré-SAC, 53 doentes, 14%), Caquexia (SAC, 122, 32,3%) e Sem Caquexia (Sem SAC, 203, 53,7%). Foram elegíveis aqueles com escolaridade 6 anos, KPS 60%, sem quadro infeccioso e anasarca. As análises univariadas e de regressão logística identificaram os fatores associados à imagem corporal, autoestima e distress. Resultados: A maioria dos doentes foi homem (55,3%), idade média de 53 anos. Os tumores mais frequentes foram cólon/sigmóide (29,6%) e reto/ânus (29,4%) e sem metástases (65,1%). O grupo SAC teve maior prevalência de tumor de esôfago/estômago, metástases, perda de peso, desnutrição moderada a grave e sintomas mais intensos, além de menor tempo de diagnóstico, menor KPS, menor ingesta alimentar, menores níveis de hemoglobina e albumina e maior nível de proteína C-reativa. A prevalência de acurácia do tamanho corporal foi 75,8% e de insatisfação foi 78,8%. A maior parte relatou autoestima alta (81,2%) e 51,8% referiram distress. No grupo Pré-SAC/SAC, foram fatores de risco para distorcer a imagem corporal, subestimando-a, sexo masculino e presença de metástase. Idade elevada foi fator protetor para subestimar o tamanho corporal. Sexo masculino e depressão moderada/intensa foram fatores de risco para aumentar o tamanho corporal. Quanto à insatisfação corporal, tumor de cólon/sigmóide e maior tempo de diagnóstico diminuíram o desejo de aumentar o tamanho corporal. O risco de autoestima alta foi aumentado por idade mais elevada e ausência de dor e diminuído por fadiga muito incapacitante e ansiedade intensa. Distress, neste grupo, teve como fatores de risco maior intensidade de ansiedade, prejuízo no sono e de alteração da sensação de bem-estar e como fator protetor maior tempo de diagnóstico. No grupo Sem SAC, ter maior KPS protegeu e ter companheiro e depressão leve foram fatores de risco para superestimação do tamanho corporal. Na insatisfação corporal, sexo masculino diminuiu o desejo de ser mais magro e tumor de cólon/sigmóide diminuiu o desejo de ser mais gordo. Ausência de impacto da fadiga na vida diária foi fator protetor para autoestima alta. Ansiedade e dispneia intensas aumentaram o risco de distress neste grupo. Conclusão: Os doentes do Grupo SAC eram mais debilitados clinicamente, com maiores alterações nutricionais e sintomas mais intensos. Subestimação e desejo de aumentar peso, menor autoestima e ter distress estavam relacionados a características clínicas, antropométricas, nutricionais ou sintomas presentes no Grupo SAC; o inverso estava relacionado ao Grupo Sem SAC. Variáveis sociodemográficas, clínicas e sintomas foram os fatores independentemente associados à IC, AE e DT nos grupos. A identificação de diversos fatores de risco e protetores para acurácia e insatisfação com a imagem corporal, piora da autoestima e ocorrência de distress permite o planejamento de ações que previnam ou controlem essas variações / Introduction: Body image, self-esteem, distress and the cancer Anorexia Cachexia Syndrome (CACS) in patients with gastrointestinal cancer are not well known. Objectives: To characterize sociodemographic, clinical, anthropometric, biochemical and nutritional profile and to analyze the prevalence and the factors independently associated with accuracy and dissatisfaction of body size, self-esteem and distress in patients with pre-CACS, CACS and No CACS. Methods: Cross-sectional study of 378 adults with gastrointestinal cancer, classified in Pre-cachexia groups (Pre-CACS, 53 patients, 14%), cachexia (CACS, 122, 32.3%) and without cachexia (No CACS, 203, 53.7%). Patients with schooling 6 years, KPS 60% without infectious condition and anasarca were eligible. The univariate and logistic regression analyzes identified factors associated with body image, self-esteem and distress. Results: Most patients were men (55.3%), mean age 53 years. The most common tumors were colon/sigmoid (29.6%) and rectum/anus (29.4%), without metastasis (65.1%). The CACS group had a higher prevalence of esophageal/stomach tumor, metastases, weight loss, moderate to severe malnutrition and more severe symptoms, as well as shorter diagnosis time, lower KPS, lower food intake, lower levels of hemoglobin and albumin and higher level of C-reactive protein. The prevalence of accuracy of body size was 75.8% and dissatisfaction was 78.8%. Most reported high self-esteem (81.2%) and 51.8% reported distress. In the Pre-CACS/CACS group, risk factors to underestimated body image were male gender and metastasis. And older age was a protective factor to underestimantion their body size. To overestimation, male gender and moderate/severe depression were risk factors. As for body dissatisfaction, the Pre-CACS/CACSgroups, colon/sigmoid tumor and longer diagnostic time decreased the desire of increase body size. Older age and no pain increased the risk of high self-esteem; very disabling fatigue and severe anxiety decreased the risk of high self-esteem. Anxiety, impaired sleep and change sense of well-being were risk factors of distress. In the group No CACS, having a partner and mild depression were risk factors for overestimation of body size. Male gender decreased the desire of being slimmer and duodenum/colon/sigmoid tumor decreased the desire of being fatter. No fatigue impact in daily life was a protective factor for high self-esteem. Delayed diagnosis was a protective factor and anxiety and intense dyspnea have increased the risk of distress. Conclusion: CACS Group patients were more clinically impaired, with more nutritional changes and more severe symptoms. Sociodemographic, clinical and symptom variables were the factors independently associated with bo self-esteem and distress in the groups. The identification of various risk and protective factors for distortion and dissatisfaction with body image, low self-esteem and distress allows planning actions to prevent or control these variations

A violência doméstica tem sido considerada uma condição de risco psicossocial ao desenvolvimento infantil. Em nosso meio, é obrigatória a notificação dessa forma de violência ao Conselho Tutelar. Objetivou-se avaliar as variáveis pessoais de crianças que, há três anos, foram identificadas como estando em risco psicossocial, associado à violência doméstica, o que implicou em medidas legais junto ao Conselho Tutelar. Propô-se analisar os elementos de proteção a tal situação de risco, integrando as informações relativas às crianças com as do ambiente familiar, enquanto recursos e adversidades. Foram avaliadas 40 crianças, de ambos os sexos, de oito a 12 anos incompletos, que residiam com pelo menos um dos pais biológicos, divididas em dois grupos. G1: 20 crianças (grupo com história de risco psicossocial associado à violência doméstica), que receberam medidas do Conselho Tutelar há três anos; G2: 20 crianças (grupo de comparação), sem história de risco psicossocial relatada. Para a seleção dos participantes, foi aplicado às crianças o Teste das Matrizes Progressivas Coloridas de Raven e, com os pais, realizou-se, individualmente, uma entrevista semi-estruturada visando a investigar aspectos do cuidado com a criança e história prévia de atendimento pelo Conselho Tutelar. Para a coleta de dados junto às crianças, foram aplicadas a Escala de Stress Infantil, a Escala Infantil Piers-Harris de Autoconceito e o Teste de Desempenho Escolar. Os responsáveis responderam à Escala Comportamental Infantil de Rutter, ao Inventário de Recursos no Ambiente Familiar, à Escala de Eventos Adversos e ao Critério de Classificação Socioeconômica. Procedeu-se às análises de comparação dos grupos, através do teste paramétrico t de student ou do teste não-paramétrico U de Mann-Whitney, Teste Exato de Fisher e/ou Teste do Qui-quadrado (X2), e a integração dos dados, pelos testes de correlação univariada e análise de regressão logística, considerando um p < 0,05. Observaram-se diferenças significativas entre os grupos tanto para as variáveis das crianças como para as do ambiente familiar. Com relação às variáveis pessoais das crianças, as do G1 foram referidas pelas mães como apresentando maior dificuldade de comportamento e maior necessidade de cuidados especializados do que as do G2. As crianças do G1 se autoperceberam com um autoconceito mais negativo na área comportamento e apresentaram mais dificuldade no desempenho escolar na área de escrita. Quanto às características do ambiente familiar, observaram-se diferenças significativas quanto à ocorrência de adversidades, particularmente, a adversidade parental. Com relação aos recursos do ambiente familiar, observaram-se, para ambos os grupos, recursos semelhantes, entretanto, as correlações entre recursos do ambiente familiar e variáveis da criança sugeriram um melhor aproveitamento destes recursos pelas crianças sem história de risco psicossocial relatada. Concluiu-se que as crianças e as famílias se encontram em condições de vulnerabilidade, o que pode estar dificultando, para as crianças, a realização das tarefas evolutivas próprias da idade escolar. A atuação do Conselho Tutelar teve um caráter pontual, como um disparador de ações da rede de serviço de apoio. Contudo os dados evidenciam a necessidade de dar continuidade às medidas de saúde mental, preventivas e de seguimento, para as crianças e famílias. / Domestic violence has been regarded as a condition of psychosocial risk to the childs development. In our midst, it is mandatory to notify the Child Protection Agency of this type of violence. The present work aimed to assess the personal variables of children who, three years ago, were identified as being in psychosocial risk, associated with domestic violence, which implicated in legal actions with the Child Protection Agency. The elements of protection associated with such risk situation were analyzed, integrating the information related to the children with the variables from the familiar environment, when resources and adversities. 40 children were assessed, girls and boys, at the age of eight to twelve. They were divided in two groups: G1, with 20 children (group with a history of psychosocial risk associated with familiar violence) who received measures from the Child Protection Agency three years ago; and G2, with 20 children (control group) without a related history of psychosocial risk. In order to select the participants, The Raven Colored Progressive Matrices Test was administered to the children, and a semi-structured interview was carried out with the parents, individually, so as to investigate aspects of the care with the children and the precious history of assistance by the Child Protection Agency. To collect data from the children, the Child Stress Scale, Piers-Harris Children Self-Concept Scale and School Achievement Test were administered. The parents answered to Rutter Childrens Behavior Scale, the Familiar Environment Resources Inventory, the Adverse Events Scale, and the Criterion of Social-economic Classification. The analyses of comparison between the groups were performed, using the parametric test of t of student or the non-parametric test U of Mann-Whitney, Fishers Exact Test and/or Chi-square Test (X 2), and the data integration, through univariated correlation tests and the logistic regression analysis, considering a p < 0,05. Significant differences were observed between the groups for both the childrens and the familiar environment´s variables. As for the childrens personal variables, the ones from G1 were referred by the mothers as presenting greater difficulty with behavior than the ones in G2. The children in G1 perceive themselves with a more negative self-concept in behavior and presented more difficulty in school achievement in writing. As for the familiar environments characteristics, significant differences were observed as for the occurrence of adversities, particularly the parental one. Regarding the familiar environments resources, for both groups, similar resources were observed; however, the correlations between the familiar environments resources and the childrens variables suggested a better use of these resources by the children without a related history of psychosocial risk. It was concluded that the children and the families are found to be in a condition of vulnerability, which may be making it more difficult for the children to perform the developing tasks which are proper of school age. The action of the Child Protection Agency had an important character, as a trigger to the actions from the support net; however, the data show a need for the continuity of the mental health measures, which are preventive and follow-up, for the children and families.

O transtorno de déficit de atenção/hiperatividade (TDAH) é uma condição neurobiológica que atinge de 3 a 7% da população pediátrica Possui como característica um padrão persistente de desatenção, hiperatividade e/ou impulsividade, mais frequente e grave do que aquele tipicamente observado em indivíduos em nível equivalente de desenvolvimento. O TDAH está associado a prejuízos em vários contextos, incluindo o desempenho acadêmico, comportamento escolar, as relações entre colegas e o funcionamento familiar, influenciando diretamente na qualidade de vida de seus portadores. Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a qualidade de vida de crianças com TDAH do tipo combinado, utilizando a escala PedsQLTM. Foram avaliadas crianças com idade de oito a doze anos, comparando com um grupo sem o transtorno e relacionando com a percepção de seus pais e/ou cuidadores. No total 88 crianças participaram do estudo, em todos os casos os respectivos pais e/ou cuidadores também responderam ao questionário de qualidade de vida. Destas 45 pertenciam ao grupo de estudo e 43 ao grupo controle. Não houve diferença estatística entre os grupos nas variáveis: sexo, renda familiar, estado civil dos pais, escolaridade do pai e escolaridade da mãe, demonstrando semelhança em ambos os grupos. Os resultados indicaram que no Autorrelato Infantil o grupo com TDAH apresentou pontuação inferior ao grupo controle em todos os domínios avaliados. A diferença foi significante nos domínios aspecto social (p = 0,010), atividade escolar (p < 0,001), saúde psicossocial (p < 0,001) e qualidade de vida total (p = 0,002). Os domínios capacidade física e aspecto emocional não apresentaram diferença estatística entre os grupos, p = 0,841; p = 0,070, respectivamente. Segundo a percepção dos pais e/ou cuidadores, o grupo com TDAH apresentou pontuação inferior em todos os domínios. Neste caso ocorreu diferença significante em todos os domínios capacidade física (p < 0,001), aspecto emocional (p < 0,001), aspecto social (p < 0,001), atividade escolar (p < 0,001), saúde psicossocial (p < 0,001) e qualidade de vida total (p < 0,001). A relação entre o autorrelato infantil e o relato dos pais indicou que há maior concordância entre o grupo com o TDAH, exceto em atividade escolar. Este dado sugere que tanto a criança com o transtorno quanto o pai tem a percepção quanto à limitação funcional que a doença proporciona. Os pacientes com TDAH apresentaram prejuízo em múltiplos domínios de qualidade de vida, principalmente os relacionados com fatores psicossociais, indicando que as questões comportamentais, sociais e escolares possuem grande interferência no bem-estar destas crianças. A realização de estudos que verifiquem a qualidade de vida em crianças com TDAH na população brasileira é necessária, podendo gerar meios de intervenção mais adequados visando proporcionar e mensurar o alcance destes no bem-estar destas crianças / The Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurobiological condition that affects 3-7% of the pediatric population. Has a characteristically persistent pattern of inattention, hyperactivity and / or impulsivity, more frequent and severe than that typically observed in individuals at an equivalent level of development. ADHD is associated with losses in several contexts, including academic performance, school behavior, peer relationships and family functioning, directly influencing the quality of life of sufferers. This study aimed to evaluate the quality of life of children with ADHD combined subtype, using the scale PedsQLTM. We evaluated children aged eight to twelve years, compared with a group without the disorder and relating to the perception of their parents or caregivers. In total 88 children participated in the study, in all cases their parents or caregivers answered the quality of life. Of these 45 were study group and 43 in the control group. There was no statistical difference between groups in gender, family income, parents\' marital status, father\'s and mother\'s education, showing similarity in both groups. The results indicated that the self-reported, the group with ADHD had scores lower than the control group in all domains assessed. The difference was significant for the social aspect (p = 0,010), school activity (p <0,001), psychosocial health (p <0,001) and overall quality of life (p = 0,002). The physical functioning domain and emotional aspect did not differ significantly between groups, p = 0,841, p = 0,070, respectively. In the perceptions of parents / carers, the children with ADHD had lower scores in all domains. In this case there was a significant difference in all domains - physical functioning (p <0,001), emotional (p <0,001), social functioning (p <0,001), school activity (p <0,001), psychosocial health (p <0,001) and overall quality of life (p <0,001). The relationship between self-reported child and parents report indicated that there is greater agreement among the group with ADHD, except in school activity. This suggests that the child with the disorder and their father has the perception of functional limitation that the disease brings. Patients with ADHD showed impairment in multiple domains of quality of life, especially those related to psychosocial factors, indicating that the behavioral issues, social and school have great interference in the wellbeing of these children. It is important to undertake studies to verify the quality of life in children with ADHD in our population, which can generate the most appropriate means of intervention aiming to provide and measure the scope of the wellbeing of these children

Estudos realizados no Brasil e no mundo relataram desigualdades sociais relacionadas à saúde bucal de idosos, porém ainda faltam esclarecimentos sobre as medidas subjetivas da saúde bucal desta população e a relação com as condições socioeconômicas. Este estudo tem o objetivo de avaliar a desigualdade social relacionada à autopercepção de saúde bucal entre idosos no município de São Paulo entre 2000 e 2010. Foram utilizados dados do estudo Saúde, Bem-Estar e Envelhecimento (SABE), cuja amostra foi representativa de idosos residentes no município em 2000, 2006 e 2010. A variável de interesse foi o impacto da saúde bucal na qualidade de vida, obtida por meio do Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI), categorizada em autopercepção de saúde bucal (ASB) boa (impacto positivo) e ruim (impacto negativo). O nível educacional foi a variável socioeconômica utilizada. Foram utilizados modelos de regressão de Poisson ajustados por dados sociodemográficos, acesso a serviços de saúde, saúde geral e bucal. Para a análise da desigualdade social utilizou-se as medidas complexas Slope Index of Inequality (SII) e Relative Index of Inequality (RII), assim como equiplots. A prevalência de ASB boa foi 46,02 por cento, 54,51 por cento e 54,36 por cento, em 2000, 2006 e 2010, respectivamente. Fatores sociodemográficos, percepção de saúde geral, depressão, número de dentes presentes, uso e necessidade de prótese estiveram associados a autopercepção de saúde bucal ruim nos anos analisados. Em 2010, oito anos ou mais de escolaridade (RP:0,74;IC 0,63;0,87), autopercepção ruim da saúde geral (RP:1,33; IC 1,17;1,50) e não ter necessidade de prótese (RP:0,71; IC 0,62;0,82) foram alguns fatores associados a ASB ruim. Nota-se a presença de desigualdade social absoluta e relativa relacionada a ASB boa em 2006 e 2010, principalmente entre idosos dentados (2010 - SII:33,90;IC18,80;48,99 e RII:2,03;IC 1,47;2,82) e de 60 a 69 anos. A desigualdade social relacionada a autopercepção de saúde bucal aumentou entre os idosos no período avaliado, portanto, são necessárias ações destinadas à esta população para eliminar as iniquidades. / Studies conducted in Brazil and in the world have reported social inequalities in oral health among the elderly, but the role of socieconomic conditions on the subjective measures of oral health in this population is still not clear. This study aims to assess social inequalities on self-perceived oral health across among the elderly from São Paulo between 2000 and 2010. Datarom the Saúde, Bem estar e Envelhecimento (SABE) study were used, which sought to evaluate elderly people living in the city of São Paulo in 2000, 2006 and 2010. The variable of interest was the impact of oral health on the quality of life obtained by means of the Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI), categorized as good (positive impact) and poor (negative impact) oral health self-perception (OHSP). Education level was the socioeconomic variable used. Poisson regression models, adjusted by sociodemographic, access to health services, general health and oral health, were fitted. For the analysis of social inequality complex measures were used: Slope Index of Inequality (SII) and Relative Index of Inequality (RII), as well as equiplots. The prevalence of good OHSP was 46.02 per cent, 54.51 per cent and 54.36 per cent, in 2000, 2006 and 2010, respectively. Socio-demographic factors, general health perception, depression, number of teeth present, use and need for prosthesis were associated with poor OHSP in the analyzed years. In 2010, eight years or more of schooling (PR: 0.74; CI: 0.63, 0.87), poor self-perceived health (PR: 1.33, CI: 1.17, 1.50) and have no need for a prosthesis (PR: 0.71; CI 0.62, 0.82) were associated with poor OHSP. Absolute and relative social inequality related to good OHSP was observed in 2006 and 2010, especially among dentate elderly (2010 - SII: 33.90; CI: 18.80, 48.99 and RII: 2.03; CI: 1.47, 2.82) and in those aged from 60 to 69 years. Social inequality related to self-perception of oral health increased among the elderly in the period evaluated, therefore, actions aimed at this population are necessary to diminish inequities.

Grounded in Festinger s (1954) theory of social comparison processes, this thesis aims to examine three aspects of this theory in the physical education context, where ability is the characteristic under comparison: adolescent motives for comparison; frames of reference; and consequences of comparison. Although there is a growing evidence base investigating social comparison processes in academic subjects, there remains a dearth of knowledge concerning the role that comparison can play in determining outcomes in physical education. Furthermore, there is very little research within psychology in general that examines young peoples motives for and outcomes of comparison. This thesis begins to address this lack of knowledge by providing an in-depth exploration of social comparison processes (Study 1) which is followed by an examination of the role that two frames of reference (the class and a chosen individual) and motives for comparison (evaluation, improvement, enhancement) play in determining: physical self-concept; engagement; disaffection; self-efficacy, positive affect and negative affect (Studies 2-4). Additionally, the moderating role of behavioural regulations, motivational climate and perceived autonomy support are also investigated. Across the four studies, comparative evaluations with the class are influential in determining both positive and negative outcomes whilst the role of individual comparisons varies according to the dependent variable under investigation. Evidence for both the moderating and direct role of motives for comparison is presented as well as support for the moderating role of motivational climate and behavioural regulations. The findings highlight the need to investigate multiple aspects of social comparison processes simultaneously in addition to investigating moderators of comparative evaluations in order that a more comprehensive understanding of social comparison processes is achieved.

Em decorrência dos avanços científicos e tecnológicos da última década, a aids passou a ser considerada como doença crônica. O grande benefício gerado pelo uso da terapia anti-retroviral é o prolongamento da sobrevida e a redução da mortalidade; entretanto, o impacto psicossocial da doença e dos efeitos adversos associados a esta terapia pode provocar alterações na qualidade de vida. Objetivos: avaliar a qualidade de vida de portadores do HIV/aids e suas relações com os fatores demográficos, clínicos e psicossociais, utilizando o WHOQOL HIV bref e o HATQoL. Metodologia: Trata-se de um estudo analítico correlacional, de corte transversal, realizado em dois serviços de atendimento especializado em aids, no município de Ribeirão Preto-SP. Cinco instrumentos foram utilizados para a coleta de dados: Instrumento para caracterização sociodemográfica, Inventário de Sintomas de Depressão de Beck, Escala de auto-estima de Rosemberg, WHOQOL HIV bref e o HATQoL. Resultados: Dos 228 portadores do HIV/aids, 122 (53,5%) eram homens e 106 (46,5%), mulheres, com idade média de 39 anos. Com relação aos domínios do WHOQOL HIV bref, não se observaram importantes diferenças, nas médias deste instrumento, que variaram de 58,0 a 69,2. O domínio Espiritualidade apresentou os maiores escores de qualidade de vida, seguido pelos domínios Físico, Psicológico, Relações Sociais, Nível de Independência e Meio Ambiente. Quanto às dimensões da escala HATQoL, os valores médios encontrados variaram de 31,6 a 95,7. Os domínios que apresentaram maiores escores foram: Confiança no Médico, Questões Relativas à Medicação, Atividade Geral e Satisfação com a Vida. Dentre os domínios mais comprometidos do HATQoL, destacam-se: Preocupação com o Sigilo, seguido de Preocupação Financeira, Preocupação com a Saúde. Diferentes variáveis influenciaram na qualidade de vida. Quanto às sociodemográficas, destaca-se que as mulheres apresentaram pior qualidade de vida, quando comparadas com os homens em vários domínios. Os indivíduos analfabetos e com menos de oito anos de escolaridade, aqueles sem renda e sem vínculo empregatício apresentaram qualidade de vida considerada prejudicada em diversos domínios. Sobre as variáveis clínicas, identificou-se que os portadores de aids, com baixa contagem de CD4 e alta carga viral, apresentaram pior qualidade de vida. Com referência às variáveis psicossociais, identificaram-se menores escores entre os portadores que não têm parceria afetivo-sexual e que apresentam sintomas depressivos. A depressão e o gênero constituíram-se nos preditores mais associados com pior qualidade de vida, e, ao contrário, a auto-estima associou-se com melhor qualidade de vida em vários domínios. Conclusão: O presente estudo constatou diversas variáveis que influenciam na qualidade de vida de pessoas que vivem com o HIV/aids. Este estudo oferece importante contribuição para a equipe de saúde, pois fornece subsídios para compreender melhor os fatores que podem influenciar a qualidade de vida destes indivíduos. Aponta, ainda, os domínios mais prejudicados, o que contribui para que sejam implementadas intervenções específicas pelos profissionais de saúde, bem como pelos gestores de políticas públicas. / As a result of last decades scientific and technological advances, AIDS is now regarded as a chronic disease. The great benefit of the antiretroviral therapy is the prolongation of survival and reduction of mortality; nevertheless, the psychosocial impact of the disease and the adverse effects associated to this therapy can cause changes in the quality of life. Objective: to evaluate the quality of life of HIV/AIDS carriers and their relations to demographic, clinical and psychosocial factors, using the WHOQOL HIV bref and the HATQoL. Methodology: Correlational analytical cross-sectional study, carried out at two specialized care services in Ribeirão Preto-SP. Five instruments were used for the data collection: Instrument for sociodemographic characterization, Beck Depression Inventory, Rosemberg Self- Esteem Scale, WHOQOL HIV bref and the HATQoL. Results: Of the 228 HIV/AIDS carriers, 122 (53,5%) were men and 106 (46,5%) women, with average age of 39 years. Regarding the WHOQOL HIV bref domains, it was not observed important differences on the means of this instrument, which vary from 58,0 to 69,2. The domain Spirituality had the highest quality of life score, followed by the domains Physical, Psychological, Social relations, Independence level and Environment. Regarding the HATQoL scale dimensions, the mean values vary from 31,6 to 95,7. The domains which presented the highest scores were: Trust in Doctor, Questions Related to Medication, General Activity and Satisfaction with Life. The domains highlighted at the HATQoL were: Concern about secrecy, Financial worry and Concern with health. Different variables influenced on the quality of life. Regarding the sociodemographic variables, it is highlighted that in many domains women present worse quality of life when compared to men. Analphabets, people who have studied for less than 8 years, the ones without income and not legally employed presented quality of life impaired in many domains. About the clinical variables, it was identified that AIDS carriers with low CD4 count and high viral load presented worse quality of life. Regarding the psychosocial variables, it was identified lower scores among the carriers who do not have affective-sexual partner and who present depressive symptoms. Depression and gender were the predictors most associated to worse quality of life, on the contrary, in many domains self-esteem was associated to better quality of life. Conclusion: The present study evidenced many variables which influence on quality of life of people living with HIV/AIDS. This study provides important contribution for the health team, since it offers support for better comprehension of the factors which can influence the quality of life of these individuals. The study also shows the most impaired domains, what contributes for the implementation of specific interventions by the health personnel and the public policies managers.