Actualidades en Psicología

Psychometric Properties of the Spirituality Index in Costa Rican Older Adults

Rafael Román-Quirós — 2024-07-31

Objective. The aim of this study was to show evidence of the Spirituality Index for the elderly in Costa Rica. Method. 282 elders participated (M = 64 years, SD = 7.55) and data was collected in the Great Metropolitan Area between 2015 and 2016. Results. A Confirmatory Factor Analysis showed validity evidence indicating a one-dimensional structure (χ2 = 21.03, gl = 9, p = .001; CFI = .997; TLI = .994; RMSEA = .094 [.041 - .148], SRMR = .022). Reliability, as indicated by Cronbach's alpha and McDonald’s omega, demonstrated adequate internal consistency (.91). Validity evidence was also found with Temporal Life Satisfaction (r = .263, p = .001) and Psychological Well-Being (r = .173, p < .01). The results suggest that the Spirituality Index for the elderly is a satisfactory indicator to measure spirituality in Costa Rican elders.

Effect of Spiritual Health and Resilience on Aggressiveness in a Sample of Active Christian Young Adults

Ruth Priscila Badilla Torres — 2024-08-31

Objective. This study evaluated the adequacy of a structural equation model examining the relationship between spiritual health, resilience, and aggressiveness. Method. Four hundred young individuals (aged 18-30) from Costa Rica and Mexico (66.5% females, 33.5% males) actively involved in religious congregations completed Spiritual Health, Mexican Resilience, and Aggression Questionnaire scales. Data was analyzed using a structural equation model. The analysis revealed a statistically significant but suboptimal fit (χ² = 224.333, df = 51, p < .001). Nevertheless, the estimated fit indices exhibited reasonably satisfactory fit (CFI = .912, TLI = .886, RMSEA = .092, SRMR = .060). Results. Spiritual health positively affects resilience and negatively affects aggressiveness, while resilience negatively impacts aggressiveness. Consequently, fostering spiritual health may enhance the positive response in challenging situations.

Common-sense and self-regulation model-based intervention to increase adherence and asthma control

Isaías Vicente Lugo González — 2024-09-19

Objective. The effects of a common-sense and self-regulation model-based intervention to increase adherence behaviors and asthma control were valuated. Method. We tested an A-B and follow-up design, replicating the intervention with five women, ages between 25 and 55. The treatment was applied over three 90-minute sessions based on the following strategies: psychoeducation, reattribution, problem-solving, and objective feedback. Effects were assessed with standardized and behavioral measures of adherence, asthma control and pulmonary obstruction measurement over a period of 28-75 days, using visual analysis, effect size and clinical significance. Results. The increase in adherence behaviors for phase B and follow-up had a moderate-strong effect (NAP = .86-1, p < .01). In the case of asthma control, there were significant clinical effects (RCI = 2.32-5.42), as well as in pulmonary obstruction where patients decreased it between 11%-40%.

Effect of Recreation on Self-esteem: A Meta-analysis

Cecilia Enith Romero-Barquero — 2024-10-07

Objective. This meta-analysis (MA) aimed to assess the effectiveness of recreation on self-esteem and to analyze possible moderating variables. Method. Fifty-five studies were included, with 3782 participants, and 117 effect sizes (ES). The analyses comprised within-groups design, the random effects model, the Q statistic and inconsistency with the I2. Results. It was found that the ES of the experimental group was moderate, positive and significant (ES = .70). Recreational programs significantly improved self-esteem. In addition, the type of leadership of the activity, the type of recreational activity and the condition of the sample were variables that significantly moderated the ES of self-esteem. It is recommended to offer recreational activities to people from the ages of 9.5 to 79.

Family Conflict, Stressful Family Situations and Aggression in Adolescence. The Role of Hostility

María Isabel Vegas — 2024-11-06

Objective. To analyze the relationship between family conflicts and other stressful family situations with aggression in adolescents. Method. A total of 1193 Spanish adolescents aged 14 to 18 years were selected from 51 educational centers or juvenile centers. The Buss and Perry Aggression Questionnaire –BPAQ– was used. Results. Family conflict and poor school grades were risk factors for physical aggression, anger and hostility; the absence of parental figures was a risk factor for anger and hostility; and economic or work-related difficulties were a risk factor for hostility. Hostility correlated positively with all of the stressful family factors analyzed and emerged as a variable simultaneously linked to the increase in family conflicts, family stress, and adolescent physical aggression. Intervention proposals are suggested.

Emotional Dependence, Cyberviolence and Control through Social Networks in Relationships in Young People

Marina García Valcárcel — 2024-11-29

Objective. The aim of this study is to analyze the relationship between emotional dependence and psychological abuse by controlling and manipulative behaviors both perpetrated and victimized in dating relationships through social networks. Method. 122 Spanish young people aged between 18 and 32 years old (x = 21.89; DT = 2.14) were selected. Emotional dependence has been evaluated, as well as partner violence in Social Networks. Results. It was proven that there is a positive relationship between emotional dependence and psychological abuse in the form of cyber control and cyber aggression. Young people with emotional dependence have higher average scores than non-dependent youth in victimization related to cybercontrol. It was found that there are no statistically significant differences based on gender and age in both perpetration and victimization due to cyber control. Intervention must be done to avoid the normalization and legitimization of cybercontrol behaviors and psychological abuse in couple relationships.

Self-concept and Social Representations of Brazilians about their LGBTQIA+ Experiences

Raimundo Nonato de Sousa Barros Neto — 2024-12-12

Objective. The objective of this research was to identify the constituent elements of the self-concept and the representational structure of Brazilians about their LGBTQIA+ experiences Method. The study involved the participation of 120 LGBTQIA+ people, all Brazilian, aged between 18 and 42 years (M = 27.19 and SD = 5.95). Data collection employed a sociodemographic questionnaire and the Free Word Association Test (FWAT) with the inducing stimulus "Myself". Results. The analysis indicated that participants demonstrated positive self-representations, suggesting a healthy self-concept. However, despite the predominance of positive traits, the stressors faced by LGBTQIA+ individuals may negatively impact their self-concept. In this context, some of the words evoked following the presentation of the inducing stimulus referred to negative characteristics and feelings associated with an impoverished self-concept.