Repositório Científico da UMAIA
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Obstetric violence: Reproductive and sexual health trajectories of racialised Brazilian women in Portugal
Publication . Rusu, Mariana Holanda; Nogueira, Conceição; Topa, Joana Bessa
I Was the Violence Victim, I Am the Perpetrator: Bullying and Cyberbullying Perpetration and Associated Factors among Adolescents
Publication . Jankowiak, Barbara; Jaskulska, Sylwia; Martínez, Vanesa Pérez; Py˙zalski, Jacek; Barbero, Belén Sanz; Bowes, Nicola; De Claire, Karen; Neves, Sofia; Topa, Joana; Silva, Estefânia; Mocanu, Verónica; Cases, Carmen Vives
Bullying and cyberbullying significantly threaten the development and mental health of both victims and perpetrators. This study aimed to analyze the associations between socioeconomic characteristics, personal experiences of violence, perceived social support from peers, and acceptance of violence and (cyber)bullying perpetration. The study involved 1146 secondary school students, consisting of 698 females and 448 males, aged 13 to 16. Prevalence ratios (PRs) were calculated using Poisson regression with robust variance. The results indicated that 12.32% of girls and 18.97% of boys reported engaging in bullying and/or cyberbullying. The likelihood of perpetration was lower among adolescents who had not experienced physical and/or sexual abuse before age 15, but higher among those in romantic relationships who had been victims of dating violence or had experienced (cyber)bullying victimization. Additionally, perceived social support from classmates was associated with a lower likelihood of becoming a perpetrator, whereas acceptance of violence was positively associated with (cyber)bullying perpetration. Preventing adolescents from becoming perpetrators of bullying and/or cyberbullying requires early intervention to prevent all forms of violence in childhood and adolescence, as well as bolstering personal and environmental resources by providing social support.
The (Non)Place of Migration? The European Pillar of Social Rights and the Representations of People with a Migration Background in Portugal
Publication . Marques, Joana S.; Martinho, Ana Luisa; Topa, Joana
Recognising migration as a defining feature of contemporary society and politics, this article critically uses the European Pillar of Social Rights (EPSR) as an analytical framework and examines how it relates to migration. Although migration is intrinsically linked to every dimension of the EPSR, we argue that it is largely absent from this framework. Moreover, while existing literature has explored various factors shaping public attitudes toward people with a migration background (PMB) and migration policies, little is known about how PMB represent these issues. Based on 73 semi‐structured interviews conducted in Porto, Portugal, this study fills that gap by analysing their perspectives on EPSR principles and on recent migration policy changes in the country, which have become less inclusive. Our findings show that framing migration as a crisis reinforces material and symbolic borders, which PMB simultaneously contest and internalise.
Perceptions of Adverse Childhood Experiences Among Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex People Victims of Domestic Violence by their Families: A Portuguese Qualitative Study
Publication . Neves, Sofia; Ferreira, Mafalda; Sousa, Edgar; Topa, Joana; Borges, Janete; Vieira, Cristina P.
Research shows lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex (LGBTI) people are vulnerable to more adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). The research focused on the perceptions of experiencing ACEs among 36 Portuguese LGBTI people who were exposed to domestic violence by their parents or other family members (M = 34.11; SD = 10.77). Semi-structured individual interviews were conducted and data were subjected to thematic analysis. Results reveal a great exposure to different types of domestic violence, such as psychological, physical and sexual abuse, corrective practices and home expulsion. Affirmative and trauma-informed approaches, especially in counseling, are required to address LGBTI children’s needs.
Obstetric Violence: Inequalities and Vulnerabilities of Being a Racialised Brazilian Woman During Pregnancy in Portugal
Publication . Rusu, Mariana Holanda; Nogueira, Maria da Conceição de Oliveira Carvalho; Topa, Joana Bessa
This article presents issues related to obstetric violence (OV) during pregnancy, which affects women all over the world. This form of gender-based violence results in the subordination of women's access to sexual and reproductive health. OV can be defined as disrespect for women's rights during the pregnancy-puerperium cycle, manifesting itself in various ways, such as omission, neglect, physical and psychological violence, sexual abuse, the use of interventions and medications without scientific proof, and the deprivation of basic needs that generate suffering for women. It is a multifaceted practice, present in health institutions and rooted in power relations, which materialises through the manipulation of women's bodies, disrespectful forms of communication, inadequate provision of services and systematic violations of fundamental rights. This practice is often perpetuated by health professionals who exercise power over pregnant women, reflecting the inequality rooted in a patriarchal, monogamous and sexist society. It is thus an example of oppression and control over women, revealing a regime of domination and exploitation. In Portugal, this reality not only affects national women but also
accentuates inequalities, especially among racialised Brazilian women. This topic is still invisibilized in the academic and social environment, and this exploratory qualitative study aims to fill this gap. Based on an intersectional feminist epistemology and the approach of social constructionism, the research examines the experiences of OV during pregnancy of these women in the Portuguese National Health System (NHS). The aim is to understand the reality of obstetric violence and its consequences for women, with attention to the intersections of migration and race that heighten their vulnerability. These women often have no social ties or support, and when they cross borders, they face realities marked by discrimination, which intensifies their vulnerability and makes it difficult for them to express their desires and intuitions in an environment that often makes their bodies invisible. This paper seeks to discuss the interrelationships between gender equality, race, and nationality, gathering information that can contribute to the formulation of health management strategies, especially in the care of migrant women during pregnancy in Portugal.