Actualidades en Psicología

Predictors of Professional Identity in Psychology Students: a Path Analysis Study

David J. Cuadra-Martínez — 2019-07-01

The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between professional identity, university student identity, academic self-efficacy, professional self-efficacy, credits taken and difficulty perceived in the career, in traditional and non-traditional psychology students. We used a cross-sectional design and a non-probabilistic sample of 136 psychology students from a public university in the north of Chile. Four scales and a sociodemographic survey were used. Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation analysis, analysis of variance (ANOVA) and path analysis were performed. Results showed significant differences in the academic and professional self-efficacy grouped into traditional and non-traditional students and a model that predicts professional identity based on the variables of university student identity, academic self-efficacy, professional self-efficacy, credits taken and perceived difficulty in the career (R2= .24). Outcomes are discussed according to the existing literature.

Psychometric Evidence of Factorial Structure of Ambivalent Sexism in Brazilian Psychologists

Icaro Bonamigo Gaspodini — 2019-08-07

A perspective to assess prejudice against women can be obtained through the Ambivalent Sexism Inventory (ASI). Ambivalent sexism consists of two forms of manifestation: hostile and benevolent. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the factorial structure of ambivalent sexism in a sample of Brazilian psychologists. In addition, ambivalent sexism was also evaluated in relation to age, time served and how much the professional identified with a list of psychology fields. A total of 497 psychologists, between the ages of 22 and 69 (M = 34.52; SD = 9.57) from all regions of the country responded to an online survey. In addition to descriptive statistical analysis, the confirmatory factor analysis was carried out using several quality indices to adjust the model to the data, and the associations were calculated with Pearson’s correlations. Results showed reliable psychometric scores for the bifactorial structure of ambivalent sexism (hostile and benevolent). Sexism was positively correlated with age and showed no correlations with time of occupation. As far as the identification with psychology fields, sexism was negatively correlated with Social and Community Psychology, and positively correlated with Psychological Evaluation, Neuropsychology and Behavioral Neurosciences, Sport Psychology, Traffic Psychology, Experimental Psychology and Organizational Psychology.

Questionnaire of Emotions and Beliefs Regarding Diet and Weight (CECAP)

Cecilia Silva — 2019-09-17

Objective. To build and assess the psychometric properties of an instrument that allows the emotions and beliefs elicited by food consumption to be operationalized. Participants. 1833 men (49.9%) and women (50.1%), between 14 and 18 years old (M = 15.43, SD = .93) participated in this study in a non-probabilistic and intentional way. 95.4% of the participants were studying at high school level, and 4.6% began their higher education in public schools in Mexico City. Method. The quality of the instrument was tested according to the Classical Test Theory. Only the purposely-made instrument was implemented. Results. A valid and reliable instrument was obtained, with three dimensions: erroneous beliefs about weight control, experiencing of pleasant emotions when eating, and importance given to body weight.

Animal Model of Sexual Motivation and Arousal: Effects of Alcohol

Miguel Angel Guevara — 2019-10-28

Sexual motivation and arousal are two semi-independent processes that are fundamental to the performance of sexual behavior. In this study, male Wistar rats were used as an animal model to determine the effects of different doses of alcohol (0.75, 1.0 and 1.25 g/kg ethanol) on genital-grooming and nose-touching (two indices of sexual motivation), and non-contact penile erections (an index of sexual arousal). The moderate and high doses of alcohol had deleterious effects on both processes, while the low dose, in contrast, facilitated sexual activation. The results of this study confirm that sexual motivation and arousal are two semi-independent processes, and show that alcohol exerts differential effects on each one.

Stereotypes About the Elderly Adult Population in Three Age Groups of Carers of Dependent Elderly People

Daysy Katherine Pabón Poches — 2019-11-07

The presence of stereotypes in carers implies unfavourable effects for dependent elderly people. Objective. This qualitative phenomenological study was therefore intended to describe the stereotypes that exist towards elderly adults in caregivers of three age groups (young, middle and older adults). Method. A semi-structured interview was applied to 20 caregivers of dependent older adults. The report was analyzed via axial coding using biological, chronological, psychological and sociological stereotype categories. Results. Positive and negative stereotypes were identified in the three age groups, although negative stereotypes related to biological aspects such as loss and disease prevail.

Internal Structure of a Scale of Helplessness for young people in northern Mexico

Jose Gonzalez Tovar — 2019-11-28

Objective. Analyze the internal structure of the proposal for a Youth Helplessness Scale (EIJ, by its acronym in Spanish) in a sample of the city of Saltillo, Coahuila, Mexico. Method. A quantitative methodology of instrumental design was used. An incidental sample of 750 cases was chosen, of which 50.3% were men and 49.7% women, and whose average age was 21.85. A Scale of Hopelessness for Young people consisting of 47 reactants was used, measuring affection, motivation, cognition and behavior. The reliability was. 898, and an exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis was carried out. Results. Adjustment indices met the criterion of good fit. This tool provides a way to measure the predictor variables of suicidal behavior, all of which constitute a current public health problem, and which are partly predicted by indicators of helplessness.

Clinical Symptoms Prevalence in Patients and its Relation to Variables Associated with Psychotherapeutic Context

Horacio Daniel Garcia — 2019-11-28

Objective. Inquire the prevalence of clinical symptoms in patients and verify possible relationships with some variables linked to the psychotherapeutic context. Method. A quantitative research was designed, at an exploratory level, with a descriptive and correlational design. The Symptom Evaluation Questionnaire (Sandín, Valiente, Chorot, Santed, & Lostao, 2008) and an ad hoc questionnaire were applied to a non-probabilistic sample of 90 subjects (M = 33.80 years, DT = 12.88). Results. There is a marked prevalence of depressive symptoms, anxiety and obsessive-compulsive behaviors; Patients with higher levels of Hostility tend to be linked to younger therapists and remain shorter in treatment; Younger patients tend to show lower levels of Somatization and higher levels of Depression, Interpersonal Sensitivity and Paranoid Ideation. The women obtained higher scores in Somatization, Depression and Phobic Anxiety, while it was found that female therapists tend to assist people with higher levels of Depression, Anxiety and Paranoid Ideation.

Towards a Healthy Aging: A Systematic Review about Music and Physical Exercise as Modulating Factors

Veronika Diaz Abrahan — 2019-12-05

Aging is defined as a set of biological processes genetically determined, that are characterized by the manifestation of gradual and progressive cognitive deterioration. Currently, there is a strong interest to identify which factors promote healthy cognitive aging, and the interventions and strategies that protect against age-related neurodegenerative diseases. The aim of this systematic review is to outline non-pharmacological interventions that included music or physical activity programs for older adults. Studies published between the years of 2007 and 2018 in major databases (Redalyc, Scielo, Science Direct, PubMed, Taylor, & Francis) were included in this review, obtaining 34 empirical articles (17 related with music and 17 with physical activity). The main conclusion is that an enhanced cognitive performance is found in older adults who were exposed to these interventions.