Psychology and Health

Parental functioning as predictor of bullying from the perspective of victims and aggressors

Tue, 06 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

In contrast to research analyzing the effects of factors related directly to school environment on bullying, there are very few studies exploring the relationship between parental functioning and bullying. In this context, this research aimed to identify the effects of parental predictors such as cohesion, communication, hostility, support, interest, and supervision on bullying. We also examined differences between women and men, as well as between students who have been victims and those who have been aggressors concerning parental authority styles. Results revealed that parental supervision was the most significant predictor of victimization experience, followed by hostility present in the family. Likewise, regarding violence exerted by the perpetrator, parental supervision was also the most important predictor, followed by support offered by parents. On the other hand, significant differences resulted between women and men in the permissive and authoritative styles, as well as between victims and aggressors in the authoritarian, permissive, and negligent styles. In conclusion, this research provides a better understanding of the effects of a hostile family environment as a risk factor in bullying, both in the aggressors and in the victims, as well as the relevance of parental supervision and support as protective factors.

Qualitative exploration of cyber dating abuse experiences in university students

Tue, 06 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Objective. To explore and analyze experiences of cyber dating abuse in university students. Method. This is a qualitative study based on semi-structured interviews with university students who experienced partner cyberbullying by victimization or perpetration, captured by "snowballing." We approached the information through the analysis of referential frameworks. Results. The interviews yielded information on five original thematic axes and one emerging one: 1) Control and monitoring, leading to five categories of content: Control over interactions with the environment, Control of time and activities, Control over freedom of expression in networks, Manipulation and victimization, and Reciprocal control strategies; 2) Direct aggression, with four categories: Verbal or psychological, Relational, Coercive harassment, and Transition to face-to-face harassment or physical violence; 3) Sequelae, with three categories: Psychological, Social, and Health; 4) Support networks, with three categories: Peer group, Family, and Professional; 5) Current situation and new relationships, three categories: Relationship rupture, Identification of relational patterns, and New relationships; 6) Resignification of the experience. Discussion and conclusions. Control and monitoring constitute the most frequent forms of partner cyberbullying and, together with direct aggression, reflect a tendency to objectify women and the persistence of myths or preconceived ideas about romantic love. Anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress, isolation, guilt, difficulty in establishing new relationships, and health problems are some of the consequences of this experience, confirming that cyber dating abuse is one of the most emotionally damaging forms of violence.

Measuring school violence, bullying, and teacher presence. Results in Baja California

Tue, 06 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Despite the high rate of school violence and bullying in Baja California and, in general, in Mexico, no test measures peer violence and peer bullying, distinguishes the type (psychological, physical, or cybernetic), identifies victims, perpetrators, and observers, as well as the presence of the teacher and the level of awareness of being victims or victimizers. This study identifies the design and contrasts the effectiveness of a questionnaire for these purposes, with expert review and application to a sample of 5,750, stratified by level of violence and municipalities (students). The research focused on the assessment of the psychometric properties of such questionnaires. Cronbach’s Alpha confirmed its reliability and applicability to similar contexts. The present study contributes to the
diagnosis and management of policies for preventing and correcting violence in schools.

Dark personality traits in law and medical students at Mexican universities

Tue, 06 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Individuals with dark traits may function in society, negatively impacting their environment. Some authors associate these personality traits with pursuing power and status and, therefore, with certain professions. Thus, this research sought to explore scores in dark traits among Law and Medical students in Mexican universities, as well as possible differences by career, gender, age, and semester studied, using the Corporate Personality Inventory (CPI-R) in Spanish. The results showed moderate values for audacity and cruelty and low scores in interpersonal dominance in all groups, with statistically significant differences in the latter scale and, consequently, in the overall scale, with higher scores for Law students and men. Furthermore, interpersonal dominance scores were platykurtic for male and Law students, and audacity scores showed a positive bias in female and medical students. Their scales did not correlate with age or semester, but the correlations for interpersonal dominance and cruelty tended to be negative and statistically significant at p < 0.05 for Law students. A second set of analyses showed low scores in antisocial behavior. Still, the scale had statistically significant differences, with higher scores for male and law students, which aligned with previous career-based studies. In contrast, the scores were moderate for thrill-seeking, pressure on others, persuasion, and poise. Given that the mixed model fits in with factorial results and group size differences, additional studies should examine more specific associations.

Psychology of eating: a review

José Enrique Díaz-Camacho, Elí Alejandra Garcimarrero-Espino — Tue, 06 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Humans need to eat to produce the energy necessary for the organism's primary survival activities and functions: feeding activities, activation of the nervous system and skeletal muscles, moving, working, and other daily activities. Feeding is an activity common to all species on the phylogenetic scale. However, food selection, quality, and quantity are not always adequate; errors frequently result in bad habits and emotional disorders that do not allow adequate dietary planning, causing nutritional and psychological problems and leading to serious public health problems. The present paper reviews experimental studies that trigger compulsive behaviors caused by emotional states as well as the most common health problems, among which collective physical and mental health issues stand out.

Relationship between risky eating behaviors and gaudiebility

Martha Zamora-Cervantes, María Patricia Martínez-Medina, Ferrán Padrós-Blázquez — Tue, 06 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The presence of anhedonia is frequently associated with Eating Disorders (ED). However, no previous studies examine the relationship between risky eating behaviors and enjoyment modulators, that is, gaudiebility. Objective. To compare the levels of gaudiebility between participants with high risk of eating disorders and their peers without such risk. In addition to studying the relationship between risky eating behaviors and gaudiebility. Method. The Brief Questionnaire of Risk Eating Behaviors (BQREB) and the Gaudiebility Scale for Adults of Morelia (GSAM), which assess risky eating behaviors and gaudiebility, respectively, were administered. Results. Lower levels resulted in the Concentration and Irrational Beliefs factors of the GSAM scale in the participants with a risk of eating disorders but with a small effect size. Negative, albeit low, relationships were also observed between the same GSAM and BQREB factors. Conclusions. The factors Irrational Beliefs and Concentration of the GSAM are related to an increased risk of eating disorders.

Effects of a mediated by technology intervention based on positive psychology in older adults

Tue, 06 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This study aimed to probe the efficacy of a technology-mediated intervention based on positive psychology to enhance well-being in older adults. The design was an AB intrasubject design with additional pre-posttest measures. The participants were twelve older adults aged 60-72. The program included five 1-hour weekly sessions, and the implementation was via videoconferences, the
main program topics included character strengths. The variables assessed were psychological well- being, subjective well-being, character strengths, program element satisfaction, and videoconference usability. The results showed medium to large effects on subjective well-being, clinical effects in all variables, significant differences in all measured variables, and high satisfaction levels with intervention components and technology implementation. Enhancing well-being in older adults was effective and feasible by videoconference technology-mediated intervention.

Transdiagnostic treatment for emotional disorders using a telepsychology system: a case study

Tue, 06 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Emotional disorders are the most prevalent and with the greatest comorbidity. The present study shows the findings of a single case that used an A-B design to address the comorbidity of emotional disorders through the transdiagnostic perspective of telepsychology. The participant, a 41-year-old woman with symptoms of anxiety and depression derived from being a victim of physical and emotional violence, experienced significant improvements throughout a web/mobile-based intervention program with weekly accompaniment from a therapist synchronously for 60 minutes videoconference for 8 weeks. A considerable reduction resulted in the general and specific symptoms of anxiety, depression, and emotional dysregulation, with changes of between 50% and 60% compared to the baseline. The most notable reduction in symptoms occurred in post-traumatic stress symptoms. The participant evaluated the treatment received as highly acceptable, suitable, and adequate and highlighted the high usability of the system. The results indicated that the transdiagnostic intervention program via the Internet proved to be a promising tool to address emotional and traumatic disorders, even in situations of limited access to clinical care. However, future research is required to support its long-term effectiveness.

Self-care to exert care and the teamwork’s dilemma

Susana E. Morgado — Tue, 06 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The narratives of health service users interviewed in the framework of a research project carried out in the health services system in the Province of Mendoza, Argentina, have raised questions about the absence of a "humanized treatment," particularly when examining aspects involved in the perceived quality of care. Also, the professionals responsible for providing these services express discomfort associated with the demands for immediate care responses, numerous burdens in short periods, and emphasis on the lack of opportunities for training and promotion of teamwork. Besides, these aspects are valuable devices to improve their work, acting as a protective framework in terms of their health practices and conditions. The present paper follows a theoretical-conceptual methodology based on a literature review that addresses these issues. The general objective is to contribute from the psychology area to work in the health field, deepening knowledge about health processes, e.g., health-illness-care, and high- lighting its eminently social character. Among the specific objectives, the aim is to propose an assessment of the health conditions of professionals whose mission is to care for, protect, restore, or maintain the state of health of their patients. It also aims to analyze criteria for teamwork practices among health professionals, their impact on their health, and the quality of care they provide, particularly in contexts affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The results achieved in this review raise questions for analyzing proposals that contribute to the well- being of health professionals and the quality of care they can provide based on the formation of work teams.

Giving birth during the first wave of the covid-19 pandemic: inequities in care and their impact on the lived experience and psychosocial health of Nahua and Nuntajɨɨyi women from southern Veracruz, Mexico

Aimé López-González, Amada Rubio Herrera, Alejandra Núñez-de la Mora — Tue, 06 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

In Mexico, Indigenous communities often face violence, poverty, and social and cultural exclusion, resulting in health inequities, including access to good quality continuous maternal health coverage. These inequalities usually lead to worsened child-maternal mortality and morbidity profiles, as well as higher rates of obstetric violence and dissatisfaction among users of health services in such communities. This situation was even worse during the COVID-19 pandemic due to the interruption of health services, particularly for individuals in marginalized localities, as well as the implementation of restrictive measures in hospitals. Thus, the aims of this qualitative research were: 1) to describe the experience of perinatal care in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic of a group of Nahua and Nuntajɨɨyi primigravidae women in southern Veracruz and 2) to identify barriers in the access and limitations of the health system to provide quality care, the importance of psychosocial health and well-being of Indigenous women. We conducted in-depth interviews with 16 women (8 Nahua and 8 Nuntajɨɨyi), and their contents were analyzed using a phenomenological approach. The following key themes surfaced from the analysis of the participants’ lived experience: 1) uncertainty and lack of opportunities to exercise agency to decide on the place, birth plan, and preferred type of maternal care, 2) the fear of becoming infected and infecting their baby with covid-19 during their stay in hospital, and 3) unfavorable conditions to recover adequately during the postpartum and puerperium period. The findings highlight the deterioration in access and quality of maternal care received by Indigenous women who gestated and gave birth in the state of Veracruz during the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on women’s psychosocial health.

Evaluation of resistant personality in caregivers of patients in hemodialysis

Tue, 06 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Caring for a chronically sick person requires a lot of time, effort, and patience. For this reason, it is necessary to assess the factors that diminish stress, as in the case of the resistant personality. In this analysis, 358 Cuban caregivers from different provinces evaluated this construct, chosen by a simple probabilistic sample. Participants responded to the Occupational Hardiness Questionnaire which yields a global score and the dimensions that include (Commitment, Control, and Challenge). The results of the socio-demographics variables show a predominance of the feminine sex. The most representative schooling levels were secondary and technical ones. The age range of caregivers was between 25 and 81, with a median of 48. The results also revealed a dominance of the medium level of resistant personality, both globally and by dimensions. The present findings emphasize the need for a continuous study of chronic patient caregivers to identify the resistant personality levels to design actions to improve the quality of life of ill persons, caregivers, and health personnel in general.

Psychometric properties of a scale to assess the adjustment disorder in Mexican population

Tue, 06 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Adjustment disorder is one of the most prevalent in clinical practice; however, in México, there is a significant lack of standardized instruments for its identification. The New Module for the Measurement of Adjustment Disorder (ADNM-20) is a German self-report questionnaire with adequate psychometric properties based on the diagnostic criteria proposed by the ICD-11 composed of two central symptoms: worry and failure to adapt and four accessory symptoms: anxiety, depression, avoidance, and impulsivity. Objective. To validate ADNM-20 in a Mexican socio-cultural context. Method. ADNM-20 was translated into Spanish and submitted to a judgment of seven experts who provided suggestions about the linguistic relevance of the items. The corrections finally produced a culturally adapted version. Data collection involved 285 participants between 18 and 70 years who answered a digital battery of the Mexican adaptation of ADNM-20, the Check-List of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder for the DSM-5 (PCL-5), and The Abbreviated Multidimensional Scale of Coping Styles (Brief COPE). Subsequently, a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) compared three models: (1) the unifactor model, (2) the model of six related factors, and (3) the second-order model. Results. The best fit resulted from the single-factor model. The internal consistency index was adequate (α=.937), and discriminant validity measures showed moderate to high negative correlations with active coping and coping through social support styles. Discussion. In the Mexican population, ADNM-20 is a valid and reliable instrument that assesses adjustment disorder through a unifactorial structure. However, additional studies controlling types of stressors are necessary to describe the dimensionality better.

Theoretical approach and evidence of indicators of risk and resilience post covid-19 in adolescence

Norma B. Coppari, Laura Bagnoli, María Laura Romero Lévera — Tue, 06 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Introduction. The impact of COVID-19 on the mental health of adolescents and young people implies a risk to the welfare of an entire generation. Objective. To review and analyze the theoretical references and evidence on this topic to support the execution of the INIC01-82 PROCIENCIA II Conacyt Project, Paraguay. Method. Theoretical review, selection, and critical analysis of evidence on the problem. Results. The primary theoretical and background sources of the last five years, and especially of the pre and post-COVID-19 period, recorded the impact of risk and resilience indicators on the mental health of adolescents and young people in Latin America at the local and global levels. Conclusions. The health area has a commitment, communication, and action as part of a comprehensive approach to promote good mental health for all adolescents and youth, protect the vulnerable, and care for those facing the greatest challenges. Scarce evidence in our country on the status and consequences of the day after the pandemic in our sociodemographic bond, in the personal, school, family, and social spheres, justify the need and urgency to present a line of research such as the INIC 01-82 proposal. The expected results could be the basis for public policies to be more accurate.

Parental behaviors, virtual communities, risks, and protection in internet

Tue, 06 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The constant connection of technological devices increases risks in adolescents, such as dependency and addiction. Also, the forms of interaction have changed, leading to virtual connections where users seek interpersonal relationships, and the family obtains the role of mediator against risky behaviors. The present quantitative study sought to identify the influence of parental behaviors on risk, protection, and virtual communities through a correlational-causal design. The Parenting Behavior Scale, the Risk and Protection Behavior Scale in Virtual Communication Media, and the Virtual Communities Scale were applied. The data were collected in Mexico City with a non-probabilistic sample of 503 participants, with a mean age of 20.1 years (SD = 2.49). Correlation and linear regression analyzed dyads: mother-son, mother-daughter, father-son, and father-daughter. The results indicated the influence of parental behaviors on risk behaviors, protection, and use of virtual communities.

Prevalence of perceived stress among first-year UIFT medical students

Tue, 06 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Perceived stress refers to how people perceive their environment's demands as unpredictable and uncontrollable. The present study sought to determine the prevalence, mean, and distribution of perceived stress scores among second and third-semester medical degree students by age, sex, school year, extracurricular activity, employment status, and marital status. 98 students participated in a cross-sectional study. There was an 86% response rate. Interviews registered independent variables and stress employing the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). The mean age was 19.24 ±.93. Women comprised 62% of the participants. The prevalence of Perceived stress was 95.9%, and 27.97 ± 7.86 was the mean stress score. Women had a higher perceived stress score (29.93±7.54) compared to men (24.75±7.40) (p=0.001). No statistically significant differences resulted in mean perceived stress with the rest of the independent variables. The study concludes that perceived stress is high, and women are more likely than males to have significant perceived stress levels in their second and third semesters of medical school. These findings show the urgent need to design a university program to reduce stress by applying support strategies or extracurricular activities that promote mental health among students in the first semesters of medical school and consider women as a group at higher risk.

Suicidal ideation in students from a university at Toluca (Mexico)

Tue, 06 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Suicide represents a serious threat to mental health worldwide. Although Mexico has shown relatively low rates, increased suicidal ideation has occurred recently, especially among young people, during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this context, the present study aimed to determine the prevalence of suicidal ideation, hopelessness, and depression in a sample of university students in the city of Toluca. A total of 158 participants responded to the Beck Suicidal Ideation Scale (BSI), the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II), and the Beck Hopelessness Scale. The results revealed a prevalence of suicidal ideation of 21.51%, with a higher incidence in women. Likewise, a high prevalence of hopelessness (60.63%) and depression (47.49%) resulted in the sample. Students who reported suicidal ideation presented moderate levels of depression and mild levels of hopelessness. These findings suggest the need to implement prevention and early detection programs for mental health problems in the university setting, primarily aimed at women.