Dr. Miguel Freitas
Lecturer of Psychology
Born in Lisbon, Miguel holds a PhD in Developmental Psychology from ISPA – Instituto Universitário. He especializes in the study of peer relations as a context for socioemotional development during adolescence. He is an Associate Professor at Universidade Lusíada, where he teaches modules on basic research methods and developmental psychopathology to a wide range of students, on both BSc and MSc in Psychology. Before joining Universidade Lusíada, he was a lecturer at ISPA – Instituto Universitário, ISCTE – Instituto Universitário and Universidade Europeia. He is also a former member of the William James Center for Research, one of the top Portuguese research units in the field of Psychology.
As an educator, he believes that it is crucial to establish a good rapport with the students, which carries on throughout their academic journey. This will contribute to the empowerment of international undergraduate students on fundamental competencies when facing research problems and thus promoting scientific culture and practices.
Miguel joined Forward College in 2021 has since taught Research Design and Statistics and Developmental Psychology at Forward’s Lisbon campus.
Research Interest
- Social development
- Peer relationships
- Friendship
- Social withdrawal
- Adolescence
Select Publications
Peer reviewed articles:
Guedes, M., Ribeiro, O., Freitas, M., Rubin, K. & Santos, A. (2022). USA and Portuguese young adolescents’ perceived qualities and satisfaction in their relationships with mothers, fathers and best-friends. Children, 9(26). https://doi.org/10.3390/children9010026
Oh, W., Bowker, J., Kim, H.K., Guedes, M., Santos, A.J., Ribeiro, O., Freitas, M., Song, S. & Rubin, K.H. (2021). Distinct profiles of relationships with mothers, fathers, and best friends and socio-emotional functioning in early adolescence: A cross-cultural study. Child Development, 92(6), e1154–e1170. doi: 10.1111/cdev.13610
Almeida, T., Ribeiro, O., Freitas, M., Rubin, K.H. & Santos, A.J., (2021). Loneliness and social functioning in adolescent peer victimization. Frontiers in Psychology, 12(2549). doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.664079
Guedes, M., Matos, I., Almeida, T., Freitas, M., Alves, S., Santos, A., Veríssimo, M., Chronis-Tuscano, A., & Rubin, K. (2020). Perceptions of Portuguese parents about the acceptability of a multi-component intervention targeted at behavioral inhibition during early childhood. Infant Mental Health Journal (42)2, 263-278. https://doi.org/10.1002/imhj.21900
Ribeiro, O., Santos, A.J., Freitas, M. & Rubin, K.H. (2019). Loneliness in adolescence: Confirmatory factor analysis of the Relational Provisions Loneliness Questionnaire (RPLQ) in a Portuguese sample. International Journal of Behavioral Development, 43(5), 457-465. doi:10.1177/0165025419850893
Freitas, M., Santos, A.J., Ribeiro, O., Daniel, J.R. & Rubin, K.H. (2019). Prosocial behavior and friendship quality as moderators of the association between anxious withdrawal and peer experiences in Portuguese young adolescents. Frontiers in Psychology, 9(2783). http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2018.02783.
Freitas, M., Santos, A.J., Ribeiro, O., Pimenta, M. & Rubin, K.H. (2018). Qualidade da amizade na adolescência e ajustamento social no grupo de pares. Análise Psicológica, 2(36), 219-234. doi: 10.14417/ap.1551
Guedes, M., Santos, A.J., Ribeiro, O., Freitas, M., Rubin, K.H., & Veríssimo, M. (2018). Perceived attachment security to parents and peer victimization: Does adolescents’ aggressive behaviour make a difference? Journal of Adolescence, 65(2018), 196-206. doi: 10.1016/j.adolescence.2018.03.017
Articles in National Press:
Prego a fundo e sem travões: Uma viagem pela (nova ciência da) adolescência. Opinion article, Público, P2 (April 4th, 2021).
O poder medicinal da amizade. Interview, Visão Saúde (November 1st, 2018).
