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Informal caregivers must cope with situations that may induce stress and burden. A sample with 120 addicts’ caregivers, living in Portugal, completed a survey that included BDI (Beck, et al., 1961; McIntyre & Araújo-Soares, 1999), BSI (Canavarro, 1999; Derogatis, 1975, 1993), CRA (Given, et al., 1992), WHOQOL–Bref (Fleck, 2000; Vaz Serra, et al., 2006) and IESSS (Ensel & Woe lfel, 1986; Faria, 1999). Afterwards, the participants were assigned to one of three groups (G1, G2 and G3), based on the abstinence time of the family member whom they cared. This study explored the relationship among clinical variables, psychological variables and s ocial s upport in those caregivers. The results revealed that l iving with the patient, distress, q uality of life (social relations and psychological) and burden predict s ocial s upport, explaining 48% of the observed variance. The mediation model demonstrated the s ocial s upport was a partial mediator of the relationship between distress and burden, explaining 60% of the observed variance. Thus, the study emphasizes the importance of promoting s ocial s upport in order to lessen the impact of distress and burden on informal caregivers.

In Portugal, 11,7% of the population has diabetes (APDP, 2009) 90% of which as type 2 diabetes. This study aims to evaluate the relationship between illness representations, marital adjustment, adherence to self-care and metabolic control in type 2 diabetics, recruited in health care centers. The following instruments were administered: Revised Summary Diabetes Self-Care Activities RSDSCA), (Toobert, Hampson and Glasgow (2000); Illness Perception Questionnaire - brief (IPQ-B), (Broadbent, Petrie, Main, & Weinman, 2006); Revised Dyadic Adjustment Scale (RDAS) of Busby, Christensen, Crane, & Larson, 1995). All instruments were adapted to Portuguese samples. Metabolic control was assessed through glycosylated hemoglobin. Results revealed that participants with lower identity perception and higher marital adjustment had better metabolic control. Regarding adherence to foot care, the predictors were age and illness' identity perception. Results emphasize the importance of interventions that focus on the representations patients developed about their illness since these seem to be key variables responsible for adherence behaviors and, consequently, optimal illness' management.