Subjective well-being: Self-perception in beneficiaries of a Social Program in Guanajuato, Mexico / Bienestar subjetivo: autopercepción en beneficiarios de un programa social en guanajuato, méxico

RESUMEN El objetivo fue medir el bienestar subjetivo en beneficiarios de los Centros Impulso Social en el estado de Guanajuato, México. La investigación tiene enfoque cuantitativo y alcance descriptivo; el instrumento fue una encuesta de 76 reactivos aplicada a una muestra incidental de 419 beneficiarios en 54 Centros ubicados en 32 de 46 municipios del estado. En los resultados los beneficiarios perciben una satisfacción vital de 8.89 (escala 0-10); los dominios de satisfacción mejor valorados son vida familiar, vida afectiva y logros personales; el estado de ánimo se inclina hacia emociones positivas; el índice de felicidad es de 8.71 (escala 0-10). Se concluye que el Programa Social sí ha cumplido su objetivo, puesto que el bienestar subjetivo percibido por los beneficiarios es superior a la media estatal y nacional.

ABSTRACT The aim of this investigation is to measure the subjective well-being of the Centros de Impulso Social beneficiaries in the state of Guanajuato (Mexico). The research has a quantitative approach and a descriptive scope; the instrument used was a survey of 76 items applied to an incidental sample of 419 beneficiaries in 54 Centers located in 32 of 46 municipalities in the state. In the results, the beneficiaries of the Program perceive a vital satisfaction of 8.89 (scale 0-10); the best valued domains of satisfaction are family life, emotional life, and personal achievements; the mood leans towards positive emotions; and finally, the happiness index is 8.71 (scale 0-10). It is concluded that the Social Program has fulfilled its objective, since the subjective well-being perceived by the beneficiaries is higher than the state and national average.

Modelo psicoeducativo para la prevención del suicidio en jóvenes / Psycho-educative model for young suicide prevention

Suicide occurrence is ever more often amongst 15-24-year-old youngsters, and it ranks as the second or third cause of death in some countries. Likewise, suicide attempts are more frequent amongst teenagers than amongst any other age group. Several studies agree that the portion of population with the highest suicide risk is that ranging from ages 15 to 24 and that Mexico is one of the countries wherein this trend, and suicide in general, is more rapidly increasing. On the other hand, almost 5% of all the country's suicides take place in the State of Guanajuato. The process of suicide is a complex and dynamic one that goes through a series of stages before culminating in the life-ending act. These phases, from merely picturing the idea to brandishing it as a verbal threat, planning and executing it, may very well be identified in advance, hence allowing for adequate intervention. Therefore, understanding suicide dynamics and identifying risk factors reduce the likelihood of suicide in specific populations: this is the core of suicide prevention. Such prevention programs take place within the every day environment of the people to whom they are targeted and their efficiency increase as the acknowledgement of both their needs and resources is more precise. It is because of this, and as a response to the lack of information pertaining suicide prevention programs in Mexico, that this report is presented. It stems from a preventive experience amongst high school youths in the State of Guanajuato. The aim of the aforementioned preventive workshop was to awaken risk prevention amongst high school students through a psycho-educative strategy. The workshop, called <>, inspired in the <> model and based on previous studies of that same population, consisted of ten hours spliced in five two-hour sessions throughout which scientific information on suicide was presented, suicide-related myths analyzed, attendants were trained for detecting people at stake, and intervention, channeling and self-care suggestions were made. Suicide awareness was assessed both prior and upon workshop ending; furthermore, the workshop itself was evaluated through a questionnaire. Trained psychology students cursing the tenth semester were appointed coordinators and high school students of both sexes attended the workshop. The invitation was open to the general public and those who completed all five stages were certified <>. The workshop was carried out in eight of the ten high schools administered by the Universidad de Guanajuato in the state. Sixty-nine students attended and completed all five set sessions. The average age of attendants was 16.1 years old; standard deviation was 1.3 years; 69% of them were female. Out of 22 possible points included in the suicide knowledge evaluation questionnaire, the average result on first answering was 12.59 correct answers, which rose to 15.97 upon completing the workshop. The range of grades was increased one point for both the minimum and the maximum values and standard deviation was reduced from 2.62 to 2.49. The increase in suicide knowledge was then proved through a <> test for two dependent samples since it showed the significance of the result increase (p<0.001). The benefits of the workshop were tested through attendants' comments and coordinators reports analyses. Tearing down of suicide myths such as the confusion between the embracing of suicide ideas and their actual fulfillment, the consideration of suicide as a sign of either bravery or mental illness, the notion that talking about suicide with someone who has expressed his wish for committing suicide is tactless or that a suicidal does not show any warning signals were outstanding elements. The workshop evaluation questionnaire, objective fulfillment, workshop methodology, time management and topic selection were all praised by the attendants. The third workshop evaluation instrument involved the coordinators' reports, thus corroborating the workshop reach and gaining further information: six of the attendants knew someone who had tried suicide; seven more had embraced suicidal ideas, of whom five actually tried them out actively. <> left amongst its conclusions the fact that 12 out of 69 attendants acknowledged having either embraced or tried suicide previously. This could have proved motivation enough so as to become <> and pin-points the importance or teenage prevention, for not only are they the group with the highest risk but also because they are the first to know of changes and/or suicide risk within their circle of friends. Besides, when trained as suicide prevention agents, they may spread the word and adequate information not only in school-based environments but wherever they happen to interact, be it at home or recreational centers, amongst many others. Another benefit that stems from the workshop is an even more accurate definition of suicide concepts. Several suicide myths were clarified. The fact that the workshop coordinators were students was regarded as positive by both attendants and the coordinators themselves. In spite of the appalling increase in mortality figures due to suicide, there are virtually no suicide prevention programs in Mexico, and the scarce ones are utterly limited. The proposed workshop proved a means of effective objective reach since not only does it provide information pertaining specific suicide facts but also focuses on the needs and helping possibilities embodied by the <> Moreover, thanks to having been designed based on previous studies of the same population, it is so flexible a project that it can be adapted for further use in elementary schools. Such an extensive and urgent task as suicide prevention should summon the combined effort of all social spheres. The established misconception that suicide care is a responsibility constrained to certain institutions, limits the individual responsibility so much as the society's, as well as prevention itself. An effective dispel of such conception amongst young attendants was another achievement of the workshop. The challenge now is to reach cooperation agreements with all social participants who have a word in it so as to stop and revert the current increasing trend in suicide.

El fenómeno del suicidio impacta cada vez más en la población joven de entre 15 y 24 años de edad y en algunos países es la segunda o tercera causa de muerte en ese sector. Diversos estudios coinciden en señalar que ése es el segmento poblacional con mayor riesgo suicida y que México es uno de los países en los que esta tendencia se incrementa más rápido. Por otro lado, en el Estado de Guanajuato tienen lugar casi 5% de los suicidios ocurridos en todo el país. El proceso dinámico y complejo del suicidio pasa por varias etapas antes de culminar en el acto que le quita la vida a la persona. Sus fases previas pueden ser identificadas oportunamente para dar pie a la intervención adecuada. De este modo, el conocimiento específico de la dinámica del suicidio sumado al reconocimiento de los factores de riesgo, reduce la probabilidad de su aparición, es decir, lo previene. Por este motivo, y como respuesta ante la falta de reportes sobre programas de prevención del suicidio en México, se presenta esta experiencia preventiva con jóvenes del nivel de educación medio superior del Estado de Guanajuato. El objetivo del taller fue incidir en la prevención de riesgo suicida en estudiantes del nivel medio superior por medio de una estrategia psicoeducativa. El taller <>, fundamentado en estudios previos en esa misma población, constó con una duración de diez horas divididas en cinco sesiones. Se evaluaron los conocimientos relativos al suicidio antes y al finalizar el taller, además de que los asistentes evaluaron al propio taller mediante un cuestionario. El taller fue llevado a cabo en ocho de las diez preparatorias con que cuenta la Universidad de Guanajuato en el Estado. Participaron en total 69 estudiantes (69% mujeres). El promedio de edad de los asistentes fue de 16.1 años con desviación estándar de 1.3 años. La puntuación promedio obtenida en el cuestionario de evaluación de conocimientos sobre suicidio aumentó de 12.59 respuestas correctas al inicio, a 15.97 al finalizar el taller. El rango de calificaciones se incrementó en un punto y la desviación estándar se redujo. La mejora en los conocimientos evaluados se constató mediante una prueba T para dos muestras dependientes (p<0.001). Otro de los beneficios del taller fue que favoreció el derrocamiento de mitos en torno al suicidio. En el cuestionario de evaluación del taller, el cumplimiento de los objetivos y la metodología empleada fueron calificados positivamente. Además, seis de los participantes conocían a alguien que ha intentado quitarse la vida, siete más reconocieron haber tenido ideación suicida y cinco de ellos lo habían intentado. Se concluye que es un imperativo intervenir preventivamente con los adolescentes ya que no sólo son el grupo de mayor riesgo suicida, sino porque además son los primeros en enterarse de cualquier riesgo suicida en su grupo de amigos y además al estar capacitados para prevenirlo pueden ser multiplicadores de una mayor conciencia y de información adecuada en otros ámbitos en donde conviven. El taller demostró ser una forma eficaz de prevenir el suicidio porque no sólo aporta información sobre aspectos específicos, sino que también contempla las necesidades y posibilidades de ayudar del <>. Además, el hecho de estar diseñado sobre la base de estudios previos con esa misma población, le hace de tal modo flexible que es posible adaptarlo para su aplicación en centros escolares de educación básica; el reto a futuro es lograr la colaboración entre todos los actores sociales que tienen algo que aportar para detener el alza del suicidio.

Triatoma mexicana (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) in Guanajuato, Mexico: house infestation and seasonal variation

Triatoma mexicana was described by Herrich-Schaeffer in 1848. In 1940, a male specimen was found in Hidalgo. In 1970, this species was recorded in the state of Queretaro. Later, it was registered in Guanajuato and San Luis Potosi. In the present paper we performed an investigation in 545 dwellings from three counties in the state of Guanajuato, Mexico, from March 2003 to May 2004. The search and capture of triatomines were seasonally performed indoors and outdoors. Entomological indexes were calculated. The risk and no risk relations between triatomine presence and housing construction materials were analyzed. Fourteen triatomines were collected indoors and 151 outdoors. The vectors were collected in houses built with either risky and non-risky materials. Adults go indoors but do not settle there, hence, no relationship was found between the building materials and infestation of houses. Conventional interventions like house improvement or insecticide spraying are not efficient for the control of T. mexicana, because its developmental cycle is accomplished outdoors in the area surrounding the houses.

Maltrato y suicidio infantil en el Estado de Guanajuato

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SUMMARY The understanding of child suicide has achieved more and more specific notions since it started to be studied from the theory of adult suicide. Now, the implication of certain factors such as the evolution of death conceptualization, the desire of joining an absent significant person, the premeditation of the suicidal act, the involvement of family environment as a contributing or protective factor, or a previous mistreatment experience, has become clearly recognized. Suicides which occur during the childhood period have been associated to previous sexual-nature abuse experiences. In adult suicides, the presence of some kind of mistreatment during their childhood period has also been found. Both phenomena, mistreatment and child suicide, are usually under-registered because of the variability of their defining approaches or because of some cultural influences such as violence occurring naturally or negation of child suicide or premeditation. It is postulated that the mechanics of child mistreatment traps the abuser into a dynamics based on the inequality of physical, intellectual and/or moral conditions; this reality plus the defenseless nature of children, impedes the termination of that situation unless it finishes by means of another violent act such, as a suicide. Furthermore, the consequences suffered by a child victim of mistreatment can become contributing factors for a suicidal behavior consummation. Consequently, dysfunctions or disturbances on cognitive, psychological, identity, belonging or hopelessness state of the victim, as well as the emotional pain caused by the mistreatment may favor a suicide behavior. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to determine the presence of any given type of child mistreatment in children (since eight to 14 years old) that incurred in a suicide in the State of Guanajuato between 1995 and 2001. The methodology used for this descriptive, observational, retrospective and transversal study, was ex-post-facto (after the event), since the technique for data gathering was carried out by psychological autopsy. This technique facilitates an access into the families and to the understanding of their dynamics, and also to recognizing the circumstances prior to the decease. This technique included one or several interviews with people close to deceased child, besides a detailed analysis of the suicidal event and of all the deceased child's residual belongings (suicide notes in this case). This study searched some direct and indirect indicators of a possible child mistreatment suffered by suicidal children. The psychological autopsy was conformed by a Questionnaire of Psychosocial data, a Suicidal Act Evaluation Questionnaire and by an Informant's Reliability Scale. Because of the lack of specific backgrounds for the cases of child suicide, the Psychological Questionnaire was specifically developed for this study. Studied cases were those belonging to child suicides, up to 14-year-old children, who consummated their death in the State of Guanajuato in the 1995 to 2001 period. The files were obtained by the General Attorney Department. With the information extracted from such files, we proceeded to establish phone and mail contact with relatives of the deceased children. Later on, some interviews were carried out with one or more people close to each child; these interviews were held by psychologists qualified in Psychological Autopsy and Emotional Contention Techniques. The examined data came basically from the Psycho-Social Questionnaire and from the Content Analysis of suicide notes. The analysis method for first data, of quantitative nature, was by frequency distribution and correlation, computed by SPSS statistical software. Qualitative data resulting from the analysis of suicide notes content were verified by a technical jury integrated by three participating clinical psychologists. Results: Twenty nine suicide cases were analyzed, representing 69% of child suicides up to 14-year-old children in the State of Guanajuato within the aforementioned period. The rest of the files were not included in this research because the impossibility for locating the victim's relatives due to changes of residence, and in a lower percentage because they refused to participate in the study due to the emotional pain of talking about the suicide event, or because they ignored the minor child's data regarding the circumstances and causes of his death. Of all the examined cases, 19 (65.5%) were men and 10 (34.5%) were women. The range of child suicides' age was from eight to 14 years old, with a 12.55 year-old average and a 1.62 year-old standard deviation. Five suicide notes were analyzed, which belonged to 4 children: 3 girls (one of them left two notes) and one boy. With respect to 72.4% of the cases, the interviewed persons were first-degree relatives and regarding the remaining percentage, they were cousins, uncles or grandparents who reported having had a close relationship with the deceased child. The average age of the interviewees was 43 years, with a standard deviation age of 17.19 years. In almost half of the suicides (51.7%) some kind of violence was suffered. According to the interviewees' statements, 31% of the children who committed suicide had suffered some kind of psychological mistreatment, 41.1% of them had received some of kind of physical mistreatment, 3.4% were victims of sexual abuse and 10.34% were neglected. Almost a quarter of all the children had suffered two or three kinds of mistreatment. Additionally, 41.4% of suicidal children had seen physical violence at home. Four of the suicide notes included explicit declarations of mistreatment experiences. Other variables that were found were the presence of previous suicide attempts in 20.7% of the cases; and a 26.3% of cases where a relative also had a previous suicide attempt. Family alcohol consumption was detected in 65.5% and drug consumption in 24% of the cases. Further analysis show a correlation between child previous suicide attempts and psychological mistreatment (p= 0.004) or any other kind of violence exposure (p= 0.015). It is concluded that an important percentage of children who incurred in a suicide were indeed victims of some kind of child mistreatment, of which physical one was particularly evident. However, neither physical nor sexual abuse can be separated from their implicit component: the emotional mistreatment. Studies of pure qualitative nature could contribute with more information about the dynamics that associates both phenomena. It is deemed that child mistreatment prevention would directly impact both suicide occurrence for the same group of age, and probably also within adult populations thus reducing its prevalence.