Abstract Objectives: In this study, we analyzed the validation and effects of a brief intervention of Attachment-Based Compassion Therapy (ABCT). Specifically, the aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of this brief protocol in improving compassion and other related variables. Method: The intervention consists of two five-hour sessions, in a controlled trial with one intervention group (ABCT) and one control group. Before and after the intervention, a short questionnaire was administered, focused on compassion and other related variables (i.e. transcendence beliefs, happiness, endo-group solidarity, and global identity). Participants in the experimental group were 17 healthy adults (i.e., students and university teachers) attending a compassion intervention based on ABCT. The control group was composed of 44 participants who did not attend the intervention. Results: Results showed that, compared to the control group, the brief ABCT intervention significantly improved compassion, which was the main aim of the intervention, and further analysis showed that it also significantly increased transcendence beliefs and endo-group solidarity. Moreover, the ABCT intervention were empirically validated. Conclusions: These results confirm and validate the potential of a brief ABCT intervention.

Resumen Objetivos: Este estudio pretende analizar la validación y los efectos de una intervención breve centrada en la Terapia de compasión basada en los estilos de apego (ABCT). Específicamente, se trata de evaluar la eficacia de este breve protocolo para mejorar la compasión y otras variables relacionadas. Método: La intervención consta de dos sesiones de cinco horas, en un ensayo controlado con un grupo de intervención (ABCT) y un grupo control. Antes y después de la intervención, se administró un cuestionario, centrado en la compasión y otras variables relacionadas (creencias de trascendencia, felicidad, solidaridad endogrupal e identidad global). Los participantes en el grupo experimental fueron 17 adultos sanos (estudiantes y profesores universitarios) que asistieron a una intervención de compasión basada en ABCT. El grupo de control estuvo compuesto por 44 participantes que no asistieron a la intervención. Resultados: Los resultados mostraron que en comparación con el grupo control, la intervención breve ABCT mejoró significativamente la compasión, que era el objetivo principal de la intervención, y un análisis posterior mostró que también aumentaron significativamente las creencias de trascendencia y la solidaridad endogrupal. Además, la intervención ABCT fue validada empíricamente. Conclusiones: Estos resultados confirman y validan el potencial de una intervención breve en ABCT.

RESUMO: Objetivo: Avaliar o estresse percebido (EP) de profissionais da Estratégia de Saúde da Família (ESF) e a associação com características das equipes. Também foi investigada a ocorrência de associação entre EP e morbidade autorreferida. Métodos: Trata-se de estudo transversal com 450 trabalhadores de 60 equipes em 12 Unidades Básicas de Saúde (UBS), em uma região de São Paulo. As diferenças entre o escore total da Escala de Estresse Percebido e suas associações com as características individuais e das equipes foram avaliadas por meio de modelos múltiplos de regressão linear. Resultados: Observaram-se níveis mais elevados de EP naqueles com tempo de trabalho igual ou superior a um ano na mesma equipe, nas categorias de médicos, enfermeiros e agentes comunitários de saúde, gênero feminino, em não praticantes de credos religiosos, e em profissionais de UBS com equipes incompletas (ausência do médico). Menor estresse percebido foi encontrado em viúvos. Observou-se que indivíduos com níveis mais elevados de EP têm mais chance de relatar problemas crônicos de saúde. Conclusão: Conclui-se que a percepção de estresse na população estudada está associada a fatores individuais, profissionais, e à composição das equipes nas unidades básicas de saúde.

ABSTRACT: Objective: To evaluate the perceived stress (PS) of professionals in Primary Health Care and its association with the characteristics of the teams in the Family Health Program (FHP). The association between PS and self-referred morbidity was also investigated. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study conducted with 450 employees from 60 teams in 12 Basic Health Units (BHUs) in a region of São Paulo. The differences in the total score in the Perceived Stress Scale were evaluated through multiple linear regression models. Results: Higher levels of PS were observed in those who had been working for one year or more in the same team, in the categories of doctors, nurses and community health workers, females, non-religious, and in BHU professionals in incomplete teams (absence of a physician). Lower perceived stress was found in widowers. It was observed that individuals with higher levels of PS have higher chances of reporting chronic health problems. Conclusion: It can be concluded that the perception of stress in this population is associated with individual, professional factors, and the composition of teams in healthcare units.

RESUMO: Objetivo: Avaliar o estresse percebido (EP) de profissionais da Estratégia de Saúde da Família (ESF) e a associação com características das equipes. Também foi investigada a ocorrência de associação entre EP e morbidade autorreferida. Métodos: Trata-se de estudo transversal com 450 trabalhadores de 60 equipes em 12 Unidades Básicas de Saúde (UBS), em uma região de São Paulo. As diferenças entre o escore total da Escala de Estresse Percebido e suas associações com as características individuais e das equipes foram avaliadas por meio de modelos múltiplos de regressão linear. Resultados: Observaram-se níveis mais elevados de EP naqueles com tempo de trabalho igual ou superior a um ano na mesma equipe, nas categorias de médicos, enfermeiros e agentes comunitários de saúde, gênero feminino, em não praticantes de credos religiosos, e em profissionais de UBS com equipes incompletas (ausência do médico). Menor estresse percebido foi encontrado em viúvos. Observou-se que indivíduos com níveis mais elevados de EP têm mais chance de relatar problemas crônicos de saúde. Conclusão: Conclui-se que a percepção de estresse na população estudada está associada a fatores individuais, profissionais, e à composição das equipes nas unidades básicas de saúde.

ABSTRACT: Objective: To evaluate the perceived stress (PS) of professionals in Primary Health Care and its association with the characteristics of the teams in the Family Health Program (FHP). The association between PS and self-referred morbidity was also investigated. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study conducted with 450 employees from 60 teams in 12 Basic Health Units (BHUs) in a region of São Paulo. The differences in the total score in the Perceived Stress Scale were evaluated through multiple linear regression models. Results: Higher levels of PS were observed in those who had been working for one year or more in the same team, in the categories of doctors, nurses and community health workers, females, non-religious, and in BHU professionals in incomplete teams (absence of a physician). Lower perceived stress was found in widowers. It was observed that individuals with higher levels of PS have higher chances of reporting chronic health problems. Conclusion: It can be concluded that the perception of stress in this population is associated with individual, professional factors, and the composition of teams in healthcare units.

Introduction: An inverse association between depression and some serum micronutrient levels (selenium, zinc, iron, magnesium, vitamin B and folic acid) has been reported. In addition, other studies reported that this micronutrient supplementation may improve depressed mood. The Mediterranean diet contains a sufficient amount of the micronutrients mentioned, although no study has reported an association between diet prescription and increased levels of them in depressive patients. Objective: To examine the impact of dietary patterns recommendations on micronutrient levels in depressive patients. Methods: 77 outpatients were randomly assigned either to the active (hygienic-dietary recommendations on diet, exercise, sleep, and sun exposure) or control group. Outcome measures were assessed before and after the six month intervention period. Results: Serum selenium and zinc levels were slightly low at basal point and serum selenium was inversely correlated with severity of depression (r=-0.233; p=0.041). A better outcome of depressive symptoms was found in the active group. Nevertheless, no significant differences in micronutrient levels were observed after the Mediterranean diet pattern prescription, probably due to an insufficient adherence. Conclusion: Selenium, zinc, iron, magnesium, vitamin B12 and folic acid serum levels didn't increase in depressed patients after six months of the Mediterranean diet pattern prescription.

Introducción: Se ha comunicado una correlación inversa entre depresión y el nivel sérico de algunos micronutrientes (selenio, zinc, hierro, magnesio, vitamina B y acido fólico). Además, otros estudios han señalado que la suplementar de estos micronutrientes puede mejorar la depresión. La dieta mediterránea proporciona una suficiente cantidad de los micronutrientes mencionados, aunque ningún estudio ha probado si la prescripción de dicha dieta puede incrementar los niveles de micronutrientes en pacientes depresivos. Objetivo: Examinar el impacto de recomendar un patrón dietético mediterráneo en los niveles de micronutrientes de pacientes deprimidos. Material y Métodos: 77 pacientes ambulatorios se aleatorizaron entre un grupo de intervención (recomendaciones higiénico-dietéticas sobre dieta, ejercicio, sueño y exposición solar) y un grupo control. La evolución fue evaluada antes y después de los seis meses del periodo de intervención. Resultados: Los niveles de selenio y de zinc fueron ligeramente bajos en la determinación basal y el nivel de selenio correlacionaba inversamente con la severidad de la depresión (r=-0.233; p=0.041). El grupo activo evolucionó mejor de la clínica depresiva. Sin embargo, no se observaron diferencias significativas en los niveles de micronutrientes después de la prescripción del patrón de dieta mediterránea probablemente a causa de una insuficiente adherencia. Conclusión: Los niveles séricos de selenio, zinc, hierro, magnesio vitamina B12 y acido fólico no aumentaron en pacientes depresivos seis meses después de prescribir un patrón de dieta mediterránea.