Background Clozapine, an antipsychotic with unique efficacy in treatment-resistant psychosis, is associated with increased susceptibility to infection, including pneumonia. Aims To investigate associations between clozapine treatment and increased risk of COVID-19 infection in patients with schizophrenia-spectrum disorders who are receiving antipsychotic medications in a geographically defined population in London, UK. Method Using information from South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (SLAM) clinical records, via the Clinical Record Interactive Search system, we identified 6309 individuals who had an ICD-10 diagnosis of schizophrenia-spectrum disorders and were taking antipsychotics at the time of the COVID-19 pandemic onset in the UK. People who were on clozapine treatment were compared with those on any other antipsychotic treatment for risk of contracting COVID-19 between 1 March and 18 May 2020. We tested associations between clozapine treatment and COVID-19 infection, adjusting for gender, age, ethnicity, body mass index (BMI), smoking status and SLAM service use. Results Of 6309 participants, 102 tested positive for COVID-19. Individuals who were on clozapine had increased risk of COVID-19 infection compared with those who were on other antipsychotic medication (unadjusted hazard ratio HR = 2.62, 95% CI 1.73–3.96), which was attenuated after adjusting for potential confounders, including clinical contact (adjusted HR = 1.76, 95% CI 1.14–2.72). Conclusions These findings provide support for the hypothesis that clozapine treatment is associated with an increased risk of COVID-19 infection. Further research will be needed in other samples to confirm this association. Potential clinical implications are discussed.

Obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) is achronic psychiatric disorder characterized by recurrent intrusive thoughts and/or repetitive compulsory behaviors. This psychiatric disorder is known to be stress responsive, as symptoms increase during periods of stress but also because stressful events may precede the onset of OCD. However, only a few and inconsistent reports have been published about the stress perception and the stress-response in these patients. Herein, we have characterized the correlations of OCD symptoms with basal serum cortisol levels and scores in a stress perceived questionnaire (PSS-10). The present data reveals that cortisol levels and the stress scores in the PSS-10 were significantly higher in OCD patients that in controls. Moreover, stress levels self-reported by patients using the PSS-10 correlated positively with OCD severity in the Yale–Brown Obsessive–Compulsive Scale (Y–BOCS). Interestingly, PSS-10 scores correlated with the obsessive component, but not with the compulsive component, of Y–BOCS. These results confirm that stress is relevant in the context of OCD, particularly for the obsessive symptomatology.

Objective: Many studies point to the negative impact of discrimination on the psychological and social functioning of ethnic minority persons. The realization of these studies across multiple European countries enables a systematization of this knowledge, which is our goal in the present work. Method: This study presents a meta-analysis of the correlates of perceived ethnic discrimination among minorities living in European countries. Results: The analyses of 121 effect sizes reveal that discrimination is positively associated with symptoms of psychiatric disturbances, depression, psychosis, perceived stress, and externalizing behavior. Discrimination is also negatively associated with the self-esteem, positive evaluation of life, self-efficacy/mastery, well-being, and psychological adaptation of migrants. The results show that the strength of these significant relationships is, in some cases, moderated by persons' gender, age and ethnicity and countries' multicultural approach and rating in the Migrant Integration Policies Index (MIPEX), namely in regards to labor market mobility, permanent residence, and anti-discrimination policies. Conclusions: The detrimental effect of discrimination on many psychosocial dimensions emphasizes the need for governmental agencies to develop systemic and concrete interventions to decrease ethnic prejudice in Europe. Moreover, the results show that fostering multiculturalism, implementing broad anti-discrimination policies and enabling labor market mobility has a protective function in the face of discrimination as fundamental ways to promote the psychological adjustment of ethnic minority persons.

ResumoO objetivo deste estudo foi a adaptação da Escala de Discriminação Quotidiana para a população jovem portuguesa. Após tradução, ajustes semânticos aos itens, inclusão de dois itens para aumento da validade de constructo e a aferição da validade facial, os itens da escala foram respondidos por 2996 jovens estudantes do ensino secundário em Portugal. A Análise Fatorial Exploratória (AFE) revelou uma estrutura de dois fatores -Tratamento Injusto e Rejeição Pessoal -com quatro itens cada (sete itens da escala original e um formulado neste estudo). A Análise Fatorial Confi rmatória (AFC) validou um modelo hierárquico, em que os dois fatores observados na AFE estão subordinados a um fator latente de segunda ordem, a Percepção de Discriminação. A escala permite diferenciar a discriminação percepcionada por grupos alvo de preconceito social, observando-se diferenças signifi cativas nos valores reportados entre pessoas negras e brancas e entre jovens lésbicas, gays, bissexuais e participantes heterossexuais. O instrumento explica parcialmente variações ao nível de saúde mental, observando-se uma correlação negativa moderada entre a discriminação percepcionada e a saúde mental. Os resultados sugerem que a versão adaptada da escala apresenta validade de constructo, sendo bastante apropriada para avaliar e comparar a percepção de discriminação de jovens. Palavras-chave: Validação, análise fatorial confi rmatória, discriminação. AbstractThe aim of this study was the adaptation of the Everyday Discrimination Scale to Portuguese youth. Scale items were subject to translation and adaptation, and two items were incorporated into the scale to increase construct validity. After establishing face validity, data from 2996 high school students were subject to Exploratory Factorial Analysis (EFA) and Confi rmatory Factor Analysis (CFA). The EFA results portrayed a two-factor solution -Unfair Treatment and Personal Rejection -with four items each (seven items of the original scale and one prepared to this study). The CFA validated a hierarchical model in which the two factors observed in the EFA are subordinated to a second order latent factor, the Perception of Discrimination. The instrument was able to distinguish the perceptions of discrimination felt by prejudiced groups, since signifi cant differences were observed between black and white participants, and between lesbian, gay and bisexual participants and their heterosexual counterparts. The instrument partially explains variations in mental health levels, given the observation of a negative correlation between perceived discrimination and mental health. The study concludes that this adapted version of the scale is a proper resource to the measurement and comparison of the perceptions of discrimination felt by the young.

Given the mental health disparities among LGB and heterosexual youth, literature has increasingly emphasized the need to identify the mechanisms that promote resilience among sexual minorities. This systematic review sought to answer the question: what are the protection mechanisms against homophobia among LGB youth? Of the 147 references located in the search, 13 studies were analyzed. The identified protection mechanisms were organized by two criteria: specific to sexual orientation or general, and considered to be at the personal, relational and contextual level. Most of the mechanisms revealed to solely promote the positive adjustment in the presence of risk. General protective mechanisms frequently revealed to be more compensatory of the risks than those specific to sexual orientation.Keywords: resilience (psychology), homophobia, bullying, sexual orientation, victimization Resiliência em Jovens LGB: Uma Revisão Sistemática de Mecanismos de ProteçãoResumo: Considerando as disparidades observadas em diversos indicadores de ajustamento entre jovens lésbicas, gay e bissexuais (LGB) e jovens heterossexuais, revelou-se importante identificar os mecanismos que promovem a resiliência das minorias sexuais. Por meio de uma revisão sistemática, procurou-se responder à questão: quais são os mecanismos de proteção perante a homofobia junto dos jovens LGB? Das 147 referências localizadas na pesquisa sistemática, 13 estudos foram analisados. Os mecanismos de proteção identificados foram organizados de acordo com dois critérios: especificidade (serem gerais ou específicos à orientação sexual) e nível (pessoais, relacionais ou contextuais). Os resultados demonstram que a maioria destes mecanismos são unicamente promotores do ajustamento positivo na presença do risco. Os mecanismos gerais revelaram-se mais frequentemente compensatórios dos riscos do que os específicos. Palavras-chave: resiliência (psicologia), homofobia, bullying, orientação sexual, vitimização Resiliencia en los Jóvenes LGB: Una Revisión Sistemática de los Mecanismos de ProtecciónResumen: Considerando las disparidades observadas en varios indicadores de ajuste entre jóvenes gais, lesbianas y bisexuales y jóvenes heterosexuales, ha sido enfatizada en la literatura la necesidad de identificar los mecanismos que promueven la resiliencia entre las minorías sexuales. Esta revisión sistemática trató de responder la pregunta: ¿cuáles son los mecanismos de protección contra la homofobia entre los jóvenes LGB? De las 147 referencias localizadas en la búsqueda sistemática, 13 estudios fueron analizados. Los mecanismos de protección identificados fueron ordenados según dos criterios: específicos a la orientación sexual o generales, y considerando su nivel de expresión: personales, relacionales o contextuales. Los resultados demuestran que la mayoría de estos mecanismos son exclusivamente promotores del ajuste positivo en la presencia del riesgo. Los mecanismos de protección generales se revelan más a menudo compensatorios de los riesgos que los específicos....

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Parenting is a challenging life-cycle transition, particularly for lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) persons who have to deal with prejudice and discrimination. Considering this position of social disadvantage and the potential protective role of social support, our aim in this work was to systematize existing knowledge about the role of social support (i.e., social support, family support, community support, LGBT support, support, and engagement) in the transition to parenthood among LGB persons. Through a systematic review process conducted in May 2019 using PRISMA guidelines, the present study identified 22 manuscripts which accomplished all inclusion criteria. Our results suggested closer relationships to the family of origin and a detachment from the LGBT community in this stage of life cycle. Furthermore, the social support received in the transition to parenthood seems to influence, not only the psychological well-being of these parents and prospective parents, but also the quality of their relationships with different support networks. Thus, we understand that inclusive clinical and human professional interventions aimed at improving the available social support networks of LGB persons and, consequently, enhance their psychosocial well-being and family relations during this life transition.

Neste estudo procurámos caracterizar as atitudes relativamente à homoparentalidade feminina e masculina, por parte de um conjunto de futuros/as intervenientes da rede social. Cada participante (N = 1288) leu uma de 14 vinhetas contendo a descrição de uma situação de adoção, na qual a orientação sexual e o estatuto conjugal dos/as candidatos/as a adotantes foram manipulados experimentalmente. Posteriormente, os/as participantes pronunciaram­?se sobre diversos aspetos da competência parental dos/as candidatos/as. Apesar de as competências parentais dos/as candidatos/as terem sido avaliadas positivamente, a parentalidade heterossexual foi avaliada de forma mais positiva do que a homoparentalidade. Além disso, os/as participantes consideraram que as lésbicas ou os gays celibatários receberiam mais apoio da comunidade do que os casais do mesmo sexo (femininos ou masculinos). No caso das lésbicas, verificou­?se ainda uma maior probabilidade de atribuição da custódia da criança a uma pessoa solteira do que a um casal. Esta visão heteronormativa da parentalidade é discutida e são consideradas implicações para a formação académica dos/as futuros/as intervenientes da rede social, nomeadamente no que diz respeito à necessária inclusão desta temática nos curricula universitários. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.17575/rpsicol.v26i1.263