Portuguese Journal of Social Science - Current Issue

Through the case of Montemor-o-Novo, a municipality of the rural interior of southern Portugal, we aim to contribute to the understanding of the phenomenon of emigration to Switzerland, Germany and France that occurred in the 1960s and 1970s. We identify the causes and obstacles to the departure of young adults, situating them within the economic and political reality of the Alentejo region and the country as a whole. We explore the immigration destinations of Portuguese people to the light of the various migration policies of these countries. Additionally, we analyse the challenges faced by immigrants in the host countries and how they overcame them, as well as the type of work in which they engaged. We outline the motivations for returning to Portugal and the reasons for the ongoing connection they maintain with their country of immigration. Finally, we endeavour to assess the socio-economic impact of emigration on national life and to contextualize the national migratory phenomenon within the broader European socio-economic landscape.

Biobanks for clinical research collect human biological samples and associated data for biomedical research. The establishment of biobanks in Portugal is still an understudied phenomenon, although there are signs of a growing trend in setting up these repositories to support biomedical research. Among other factors, individuals’ willingness to donate samples and public trust in biobanks play a crucial role in sustaining biobanking activities. In this article, we analyse public attitudes in Portugal towards biobanking, based on data from the biotechnology survey conducted by Eurobarometer in 2010. Different assumptions about science and technology enabled profiling the Portuguese population into four distinct groups: the optimistic, the cautious, the sceptical and the pessimistic. Each profile implies a diverse range of intentions and attitudes regarding biobanks. Furthermore, we found that previous study of science could be an important predictor of the willingness to donate information to biobanks.

Regular exercise helps to mitigate psychological issues during stressful conditions, such as the COVID-19 lockdown. Since the mental health impact depends on the duration of social isolation, we aimed to characterize exercise routines and mental health after the first and second Portuguese COVID-19 lockdowns. A total of 27 Portuguese amateur athletes (AA, n = 11) and fitness enthusiasts (FE, n = 16) participated in a semi-structured interview. The results showed that both FE and AA experienced negative symptoms (stress, anxiety, depression, frustration, fatigue and saudade) during the first lockdown, which were reported as both barriers to and motivators for physical activity. Both groups managed to adapt to changes in daily schedules, the closure of sports facilities and a lack of social support by modifying their exercise routines. Strategies such as using music and social media networks were employed to enhance motivation and self-perception. We can conclude that mental health issues served both as barriers to and motivators for physical activity, and exercise was a valuable tool for overcoming the psychological consequences of the two lockdowns.

Housing has always been a key component of social inequalities, as housing comfort conditions have largely depended on household socio-economic status. However, little is known about how housing inequality relates to sociopolitical attitudes and behaviours. This article aims to examine this relationship by exploring the association between housing conditions and trust in political, public and private institutions. It does so through an exploratory analysis of data from two Portuguese nationwide surveys on housing conducted in 2018 (N = 1222) and 2021 (N = 848). The results highlight the significance of housing conditions, housing affordability and (in)security, including the accessibility and services of neighbourhoods, in determining people’s trust in institutions. This study thereby provides evidence supporting the pivotal relationship between housing inequality and social cohesion and calls for future research to better understand this connection.