Sofia Silva

Assessing loneliness is essential to better understand older adults’ mental health needs and to inform timely and appropriate interventions. The De J

Introduction: Loneliness is a growing public health priority, particularly among older adults. The De Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale (DJGLS) is widely used internationally, yet no validated version exists for Portugal. This study aimed to describe the cultural adaptation and content and face validity of the DJGLS for older adults, and highlights key lessons learned regarding the culturally sensitive assessment of loneliness. Methods: Methodological study with three steps: (i) translation and cultural adaptation; (ii) content validity ( n = 14 experts); (iii) face validity ( n = 10 cognitive interviews). Descriptive and content validity indices were calculated. Interviews were analyzed using content analysis, analyzing item clarity, acceptability, as well as participants' emotional responses and perceptions of the assessment process. Results: The Portuguese DJGLS demonstrated linguistic equivalence and excellent content validity indices by item (≥ 0.8) and scale (> 0.9). Cognitive interviews supported the scale clarity, acceptability, and comprehensibility. Important semantic, emotional, and ethical considerations were identified as relevant to administering loneliness measures. Some items (such as those referring to emptiness, completely trusting others, or feeling rejected) required clarification or sensitive delivery due to abstract wording, varied interpretations, or emotional vulnerability. These findings highlight the need for careful contextualization, compassionate communication, and awareness of participants' comfort when addressing existential or relational concepts. Conclusion: The Portuguese version of the DJGLS demonstrated strong content and face validity. Lessons learned underscore the importance of a person‐centered and ethically sensitive approach when assessing loneliness in older adults, including providing emotional support during administration and offering information about support services when appropriate.

Severe loneliness poses a significant risk to older adults' health and quality of life. This study assessed the psychometric properties (reliability and validity) of the Portuguese version of the ALONE scale in community-dwelling older adults and explored the scale's associations with sociodemographic, social isolation, depression, life satisfaction, and daily functioning. A descriptive, correlational study was conducted with 285 Portuguese older adults. The questionnaire included sociodemographic and health data, the ALONE scale, Social Isolation Scale (SIS), Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS), Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15), UCLA Loneliness Scale (UCLA-16), and Lawton and Brody IADL Scale. Analyses included confirmatory factor analysis, internal consistency, group comparisons, correlations, and logistic regression. The confirmatory factor analysis supported a unidimensional model with satisfactory fit indices and internal consistency (α = 0.743). Severe loneliness correlated positively with social isolation and depression and negatively with life satisfaction and daily functioning. Participants experiencing severe loneliness were likely older, female, living alone, socially isolated, depressed, and dependent in daily activities. Significant predictors included social isolation (OR = 0.806) and depression (OR = 1.131). The ALONE scale demonstrated validity and reliability for assessing loneliness in older adults, making it a suitable, efficient tool for clinical practice.

Enquadramento: A solidão nos idosos é uma preocupação de saúde pública que requer deteção precoce para intervenções eficazes. A escala ALONE é breve (cinco itens) e fiável, prometendo utilidade clínica. Objetivo: Tradução, adaptação cultural, validade de conteúdo e validade facial da escala ALONE para idosos portugueses residentes na comunidade ( ≥ 65 anos). Metodologia: Este estudo metodológico compreendeu três fases: (a) tradução e adaptação cultural; (b) avaliação da validade de conteúdo com 15 especialistas (índice de validade de conteúdo, IVC); e (c) avaliação da validade facial através de entrevistas semiestruturadas com oito idosos. Resultados: Alcançou-se equivalência linguística com a escala ALONE original. Os itens demostraram forte validade de conteúdo (IVC ≥ 0,8, IVC médio de 0,97, concordância universal de 0,71, kappa excelente). A validade facial mostrou que a escala ALONE deteta sentimentos de solidão, é útil e fácil de compreender e responder. Conclusão: A escala ALONE, traduzida e culturalmente adaptada, é válida para avaliar a solidão nos idosos portugueses em contextos comunitários.

In this paper, we have focused on the Self-Determination Theory, paying special attention to intrinsic motivation, which is understood as the motivation that leads the subject to perform a task without the expectation of obtaining an external reward. In the field of sport, motivation is one of the most studied variables and one of the most researched, since it is closely related to the reasons that lead the athletes to start, maintain, and abandon sports practice. The main objective of this study is to analyze the relationship between intrinsic motivation (IM) and emotional intelligence from the theoretical contributions of the Self-Determination Theory. The specific objectives are to analyze attention, clarity, and emotional regulation, as well as intrinsic motivation to acquire knowledge. Additionally, we aim to explore the relationship between attention, clarity, and emotional regulation and the intrinsic motivation to achieve something. Lastly, we investigate the correspondence between attention, clarity, and emotional regulation and the intrinsic motivation to experience stimuli. The sample consists of 163 undergraduate and master’s students related to Physical Activity and Sports Sciences, studying at a Spanish public university, located in the southeast region of Andalusia—specifically, in the city of Almería. The participants had a mean age of 20.33 years. In terms of gender, 70.9% (n = 117) were men and 27.9% (n = 46) women. In terms of degree, 76.7% (n = 147) were undergraduate students and 23.3% (n = 18) were postgraduate students. The Sports Motivation Scale (SMS/EMD) was used to assess intrinsic motivation, and the TMMS-24 was used to assess emotional intelligence. The main findings of this research demonstrate the existence of a relationship between the three dimensions of emotional intelligence (emotional attention, emotional clarity, and emotional regulation) and intrinsic motivation (intrinsic motivation to know something, intrinsic motivation to achieve something, and intrinsic motivation to experience stimulation). These findings emphasize the importance of emotional intelligence for intrinsic motivation.