Abstract

Abstract
The aim of this study was to compare by sex, physical activity, and academic qualifications the symptomatology of depression among elders. The sample consisted of 140 elderly, 70 elements were male and 70 female, aged over 62 years. The instruments used to assess the dependent variables were the Scale of Moderate to Vigorous Physical Activity, the Beck Depressive Inventory and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Significant gender effects were obtained demonstrating that those who practiced physical activity had lower rates of depression and anxiety. Comparisons showed that women had higher values than men. At the level of educational attainment it was found that individuals with lower level of education tended to have higher values for both depression and anxiety. Finally, a significant correlation was identified between physical activity, depression and anxiety, and for trait anxiety, however this correlation was not statistically significant. It was concluded that physical activity is associated with lower levels of depression and anxiety.

Abstract
The present study aims: i) to translate and adapt the TOPS2 to the Brazilian context (semantic equivalence/conceptual and content validity) ii) to examine its psychometric properties (fidelity and factorial validity), and iii) to examine the effects of context, gender, type of sport, competitive level and age in the use of psychological skills. The sample consisted of 540 subjects (423 male and 117 female). The fidelity of the factors varied between 0.50 and 0.82. The results indicated the AFC a reduced version (39 items) of TOPS2, accepting covariances between residual errors of some items of the instrument, as the best structural representations of the data analyzed. Multivariate analysis revealed that the effects of context, gender, type of sport, competitive level and age were significant in the use of psychological skills. These results suggest that the TOPS2 presents psychometric properties for use in Brazilian athletes, although further studies are recommended.

Abstract
There still are many clinical and biological aspects of the natural history of cancer of the upper aerodigestive tract to be unveiled; which in Brazil is a direct consequence of the failure of systematic prevention and early diagnosis campaigns. Objective: To analyze the signs and symptoms presented by patients with the disease at initial and advanced stages. Other variables such as disease duration, general and nutritional status were considered. Method: A historical cohort study with a cross-section involving 895 subjects with cancer of the upper aerodigestive tract. Results: Clinical findings were not statistically correlated with disease progression, nor with the disease in early stages, but it showed rapid disease development. Conclusion: The results suggest a disease of insidious onset in the early stages and fast course afterwards. The long disease duration - greater than three months, was associated with worsening in general and nutritional states of patients.

Abstract
The purpose of the present study was to assess the factor structure and reliability of the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scales (DASS-21) in a large Portuguese community sample. Participants were 1020 adults (585 women and 435 men), with a mean age of 36.74 (SD = 11.90) years. All scales revealed good reliability, with Cronbach's alpha values between .80 (anxiety) and .84 (depression). The internal consistency of the total score was .92. Confirmatory factor analysis revealed that the best-fitting model (*CFI = .940, *RMSEA = .038) consisted of a latent component of general psychological distress (or negative affectivity) plus orthogonal depression, anxiety and stress factors. The Portuguese version of the DASS-21 showed good psychometric properties (factorial validity and reliability) and thus can be used as a reliable and valid instrument for measuring depression, anxiety and stress symptoms.

Abstract
The study of factors influencing competitive anxiety, according to a multidimensional perspective and supported by valid instruments, is scarce among Brazilian athletes of different sports. The present study aims to: i) investigate the theoretical relationship between the different dimensions of the multidimensional theory of anxiety (i.e., cognitive anxiety, somatic anxiety and self-confidence); and ii) investigate the effects of gender, type of sport (individual or collective) and competitive experience levels on cognitive anxiety, somatic anxiety and self-confidence. A total of 303 athletes (233 males and 70 females), from different sports, aged between 18 and 40 years (M =24.22, SD = 5.07) completed a shortened version of CSAI-2 (i.e., CSAI-2R), about one hour before the start of competitions. Results revealed significant correlations between cognitive anxiety, somatic anxiety and self-confidence dimensions, in accordance with the assumptions of the multidimensional theory. Additionally, comparative analyses indicated that female athletes and athletes from collective sports showed higher levels of cognitive anxiety, while male athletes and athletes with high competitive experience reported higher levels of self-confidence. These results were discussed taking into account the theoretical and practical implications of these findings for planning interventions of sport psychology in Brazil with athletes of different contexts. © Creative Commom.