Factor structure and reliability of the Lasher and Faulkender’s Anxiety about Aging Scale in Mexican adults / Estructura factorial y confiabilidad de la Escala de Ansiedad por el Envejecimiento de Lasher y Faulkender en adultos mexicanos

The worry and anticipation of physical, psychological and personal losses centered on the aging process generate anxiety. This study analyzes the factorial structure, internal consistency and factorial invariance according to gender of the Lasher and Faulkender Anxiety about Aging Scale. The sample consisted of 706 Mexican adults. The factor structure of the questionnaire was analyzed with confirmatory factor analysis. The analyses show a four-factor structure (fear of the elderly, psychological concerns, physical appearance and fear of loss) is viable and adequate for both the total sample (GFI .979; RMSEA .037; CFI .987) as for women (GFI .970; RMSEA .045; CFI .980) and men (GFI .919 and RMSEA .080; CFI .947). The four-factor structure, based on statistical and substantive criteria, has shown adequate reliability and validity fit indicators and can be considered a short and computerized version of the original version by Lasher and Faulkender. On the other hand, the factor structure, the factor loadings and the intercepts are considered invariant in the two populations studied (men and women); however, there are differences between the populations on the means of the physical appearance and fear of loss factors.(AU)

La preocupación y anticipación de pérdidas físicas, psíquicas y personales centradas en el proceso de envejecimiento generan ansiedad. El presente estudio analiza la estructura factorial, consistencia interna e invarianza factorial de acuerdo al sexo de la Escala de Ansiedad ante el Envejecimiento de Lasher y Faulkender. La muestra fue de 706 adultos mexicanos. La estructura factorial del cuestionario se analizó a través de análisis factoriales confirmatorios. Los análisis, muestran que una estructura de cuatro factores (miedo a las personas mayores, preocupaciones psicológicas, apariencia física y miedo a las pérdidas), es viable y adecuada tanto para la muestra total (GFI .979; RMSEA .037; CFI .987) como para las mujeres (GFI .970; RMSEA .045; CFI .980) y hombres (GFI .919 y RMSEA .080; CFI .947). La estructura de cuatro factores, atendiendo a criterios estadísticos y sustantivos, ha mostrado adecuados indicadores de ajuste de fiabilidad y validez y se puede considerar una versión corta e informatizada de la versión original de Lasher y Faulkender. Por otro lado, la estructura factorial, las cargas factoriales y los interceptos se consideran invariantes en las dos poblaciones estudiadas (hombres y mujeres); sin embargo, existen diferencias entre las poblaciones para las medias de los factores apariencia física y miedo a las pérdidas.(AU)

Evidencias de validez y confiabilidad del Inventario de Trastornos de Ansiedad Generalizada en universitarios mexicanos / Evidence of validity and reliability of the Generalized Anxiety Disor-ders Inventory in Mexican university students

El presente estudio analiza las propiedades psicométricas, en hombres y mujeres universitarios, de la versión española propuesta por Blanco et al. (2017) para el Inventario de Trastornos de Ansiedad Generalizada. La mues¬tra total fue de 1220 participantes; 640 mujeres y 580 hombres, con una edad media de 20.40 años (DE= 1.92) y 20.54 años (DE= 2.04) respectivamente. Los análisis factoriales confirmatorios mostraron que una estructura trifactorial (síntomas cognitivos, trastornos del sueño y síntomas somáticos) es viable y adecuada para ambas poblaciones (mujeres y hombres) de acuerdo a los requisitos psicométricos establecidos. Además, la estructura factorial, las cargas factoriales y los interceptos se consideran invariantes en las dos poblaciones; sin embargo, existen diferencias entre las poblaciones para las medias de los factores síntomas cognitivos y síntomas somá¬ticos.

The present study analyses the psychometric properties, in university men and women, proposed for Blanco et al. (2017) to the Spanish version of the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Inventory. The overall sample consisted of 1220 subjects: 640 women and 580 men, with a mean age of 20.40 years (SD= 1.92) and 20.54 years (SD= 2.04) respectively. Psychometric analysis showed that a tri-factorial structure (cognitive symptoms, sleep disorders and somatic symptoms) was viable and adequate for both populations (men and woman) according to the established psychometric requirements. The results showed that factor structure, factor loadings and intercepts of the instrument could be considered invariant across groups; however, there are differences between groups for the means of factors cognitive anxiety and somatic symptoms.

Quality of Life in Mexican Older Adults: Factor Structure of the SF-36 Questionnaire.

The evaluation of quality of life may enable researchers to produce information that may improve health care and the quality of older people's lives. This research has two main goals: the first is to assess the psychometric properties of the SF-36 Health Questionnaire (construct validity and internal consistency), and the second, to calculate the factorial invariance of the questionnaire in two random, independent samples (i.e., cross-validation). The total sample consisted of 970 elderly subjects from the cities of Chihuahua and Monterrey, Mexico, with an average age of 71.18 (SD = 7.69). The factor structure of the SF-36 was analyzed through confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). The analyses show an adequate four-factor structure. The four-factor structure (Physical Function, Body Pain, Physical Role and Psychological Health) shows adequate reliability and validity indices. In addition, the results from the CFA analyses for the subsamples provide strong evidence of the stability of the four-factor structure. Future research should consider replicating the present findings in larger samples.

Factor Structure of the AUDIM-M Dimensional Self-Concept Questionnaire in Mexican Adolescents.

Self-concept is one of the most relevant variables in the field of personality, and a negative self-perception can pose a risk to the adolescent's development. The present study aimed to analyze the psychometric properties proposed by Aguirre and collaborators for the dimensional self-concept questionnaire (AUDIM-M). The total sample was 560 adolescents from the city of Chihuahua, Chihuahua, with a mean age of 12.96 ± 0.88 years. The factor structure of the questionnaire was analyzed using confirmatory factor analysis. The analyses show that a four-factor structure is viable and adequate (GFI 0.964; RMSEA 0.057; CFI 0.950). The four-factor structure (personal self-concept, physical self-concept, social self-concept, and academic self-concept), according to statistical and substantive criteria, shows adequate indicators of reliability and validity adjustment. The model obtained coincides with that proposed by Aguirre et al. Improving adolescents' self-concept undoubtedly contributes to their quality of life, hence the need for valid and reliable instruments for its measurement; this study could be a first approach for future research.

Validation of a Computerized Version of the Trait Subscale of the Physical Appearance State and Trait Anxiety Scale in Mexican Preadolescents.

Anxiety is a feeling of fear, dread or restlessness and can develop into a weight-related disorder. The objective was to analyze the psychometric properties of the trait anxiety subscale of the Physical Appearance State and Trait Anxiety Scale (PASTAS), as well as the invariance in Mexican preadolescents. The sample consisted of 604 participants, 285 female and 319 male, whose ages ranged between 11 and 12 years (M = 11.37; SD = 0.48). The questionnaire's factor structure was analyzed using confirmatory factor analyses. The analyses show the viability and adequacy of a two-factor structure (weight and non-weight factors) both for the total sample and for the populations of male and female. The two-factor structure showed adequate reliability and validity fit indicators. The factor structure, the factor loadings and intercepts are considered invariant according to the variable sex; however, differences between female and male participants were found for levels of anxiety caused by physical appearance. In conclusion, the PASTAS can be considered a convenient instrument to assess the variables related to anxiety generated by one's physical appearance, as well as allowing more participants to be quickly assessed.

Evidence of Validity and Reliability of the Lasher and Faulkender Anxiety about Aging Scale in Mexican Older Adults.

Anxiety about aging is an important mediating factor in attitudes and behavior toward elderly individuals as well as a mediating factor in the adjustment to one's own aging processes. The aim of this study was to analyze the factor structure, internal consistency and factorial invariance by sex of the Lasher and Faulkender Anxiety about Aging Scale. The sample consisted of 601 Mexican older adults, 394 women and 207 men, with a mean age of 70.69 ± 8.10 years. The factor structure of the questionnaire was analyzed using confirmatory factor analysis. Analyses show that a four-factor structure is feasible and adequate. The four-factor structure (fear of the elderly, psychological concerns, physical appearance and fear of loss), according to statistical and substantive criteria, showed adequate reliability and validity indicators. However, the obtained model does not fully coincide with that proposed by the questionnaire authors, although it continues to support the multi-factor component of anxiety about aging. On the other hand, the factor structure, the factor loadings and the intercepts are considered invariant in the two populations (men and women); however, there are differences between populations on the means of the physical appearance and fear of loss factors.

Composition and Factorial Invariance for the Assessment of Body Image Dissatisfaction Questionnaire in Mexican Adolescents.

Body image is a mental representation that a person has, which could become a body dissatisfaction due to the pressure exerted by the culture, affecting several life stages specially in adolescents. The aim of this study was to analyze the psychometric properties and factorial invariance of the questionnaire to assess body image dissatisfaction. The sample consisted of 552 Mexican teenagers, 259 female, and 293 male, with a mean age of 12.91 ± 0.96 years. Confirmatory Factor Analyses show that a five-factor structure is viable and adequate. The five-factor structure (perceptual, emotional distress, behavioral, proposal to change, and fear of gaining weight) show adequate fit indices and validity, even though the obtained model does not completely correspond to that proposed by the authors of the scale, it continues to endorse the multifactorial component of body dissatisfaction. On the other hand, the factorial structure, the factor loadings, and the intercepts are considered invariant in both populations; however, there are differences between the populations for the means of the perceptual, emotional distress, and fear of gaining weight factors. This study serves as a premise for future research on the study of instruments for measuring body image in populations with different personal and cultural factors.

Impact of urbanization on soil loss: a case study from sod production.

The rapidly increasing population of urban centers leads to the increasing need for greenspaces. Sodding of turfgrass provides instant greenspace, but it removes soil from sod farms. The extent of such removal has not been widely quantified. The amount quantity of soil and organic matter lost with sod harvest and the associated cost of nutrients lost from six sod farms in the Marmara region of Turkey were determined. Soil loss ranged from 166 to 243 Mg ha-1 year-1, while the associated organic matter loss ranged from 1 to 6 Mg ha-1 year-1. The amount of soil loss increased with increases in gravimetric water, clay, and silt contents, and duration under sod harvest, while it decreased with an increase in sand content. Annual nutrient lost ranged from 117 to 449 kg ha-1 for N, from 2 to 18 kg ha-1 for P2O5, and from 21 to 175 kg ha-1 for K2O. Replacing the nutrient lost would cost about $134 ha-1 year-1 for sandy soils and $444 ha-1 year-1 for fine-textured soils. Soil lost with sod harvest was 134 times higher than that from agricultural lands by erosion in the region, although the area under sod production is much smaller than that under croplands. Similarly, organic matter loss was 4 to 5 times higher than the accumulation rate under established turfgrass in golf courses and lawns in locations with similar climate. Overall, sod harvesting results in significant and costly soil, organic matter, and nutrient loss, which, although small in area, can be an important component of total soil erosion.

Forages and pastures symposium: cover crops in livestock production: whole-system approach. Can cover crops pull double duty: conservation and profitable forage production in the Midwestern United States?

Data from a recent survey suggest that the major reasons Nebraska farmers plant cover crops are to improve soil organic matter, reduce erosion, improve soil water holding capacity, produce forage, and increase soil microbial biomass. Many of these benefits appear to be positively correlated with production of above-ground biomass. Thus, selecting species that will produce the greatest biomass should be beneficial for both soil conservation and forage production. Furthermore, the limited data available suggest that grazing of cover crops does not have large negative crop production, soil, or environmental impact. In the Midwestern United States, the production window following wheat harvest, male row destruction in seed corn, and to a lesser extent following corn silage harvest is long enough to produce 2,500 to 4,500 kg DM per hectare of high-nutritive value, fall forage. In the past 4 yr, we have conducted eight trials using predominantly oats and brassicas planted in mid- to late-August. Forage nutritive value of oats and brassicas is extremely high in early November (70% to 80% IVDMD; 14% to 23% CP) and remains high through December with only a 4% to 7% unit decrease in IVDMD and no change in CP concentration. Thus, it appears that delayed grazing could be an option to maximize potential forage yield. Fall-weaned calves (200 to 290 kg BW) grazing oats with or without brassicas in November and December (48 to 64 d) at stocking rates of 2.5 to 4.0 calves per hectare have ADG between 0.60 and 1.10 kg. The cost of gain has ranged from $0.53 to $2.08/kg when accounting for seed costs plus establishment ($60 to 117/ha), N plus application ($0 to 58/ha), fencing ($11/ha) and yardage ($0.10 calf-1 d-1). Although soybeans and corn harvested for grain do not provide a large enough growing window to accomplish fall grazing, similar dual purpose cover crop practices are often accomplished by planting winter-hardy small grain cereal grasses, such as cereal rye or winter triticale in the fall and grazing in the spring. However, traditional planting dates for corn and soybean result in a 30 to 45 d grazing period prior to corn and a 45 to 60 d period prior to soybean planting. Planting cover crops to provide late fall or early spring grazing has potential. However, incorporating forage production from cover crops into current cropping systems greatly increases the need for timeliness of management since the window of opportunity for forage production is quite narrow.

The Spanish Adaptation of the Sport Motivation Scale-II in Adolescent Athletes.

The aim of this study was to adapt and validate the Spanish version of the Sport Motivation Scale-II (S-SMS-II) in adolescent athletes. The sample included 766 Spanish adolescents (263 females and 503 males; average age = 13.71 ± 1.30 years old). The methodological steps established by the International Test Commission were followed. Four measurement models were compared employing the maximum likelihood estimation (with six, five, three, and two factors). Then, factorial invariance analyses were conducted and the effect sizes were calculated. Finally, the reliability was calculated using Cronbach's alpha, omega, and average variance extracted coefficients. The five-factor S-SMS-II showed the best indices of fit (Cronbach's alpha .64 to .74; goodness of fit index .971, root mean square error of approximation .044, comparative fit index .966). Factorial invariance was also verified across gender and between sport-federated athletes and non-federated athletes. The proposed S-SMS-II is discussed according to previous validated versions (English, Portuguese, and Chinese).

Actividad física, imagen corporal y autoconcepto personal en jóvenes universitarias mexicanas / Atividade física, imagem corporal e auto-conceito pessoal em jovens universidade mexicanas / Physical activity, body image and personal self-concept in female Mexican university students

El objetivo principal de este estudio fue construir un modelo predictivo del autoconcepto personal a partir de la actividad física y la imagen corporal en jóvenes mexicanas mediante un modelo de ecuaciones estructurales. Un total de 515 mujeres de 18-25 años de edad cumplimentaron el Cuestionario Internacional de Actividad Física, el Cuestionario de Autoconcepto Personal y el Multidimensional Body Self Relations Questionnaire modificado. Los resultados del modelo de ecuaciones estructurales mostraron que la práctica regular de actividad física, a través de la importancia subjetiva de la forma física y de la apariencia física, tiene un efecto indirecto positivo sobre el autoconcepto personal en la dimensión de ajuste emocional y ésta a su vez ejerce un efecto directo positivo sobre la autonomía (e indirecto a través de la autorrealización). El modelo propuesto obtiene un ajuste satisfactorio, explicando el 63% de la varianza en el autoconcepto personal en la dimensión de autonomía (variable criterio) (AU)

The main purpose of the present study was to construct a predictive model of the personal self-concept from physical activity and body image in female Mexican young adults through structural equation modeling. A total of 515 female aged 18-25 years old completed the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, Personal Self-concept Questionnaire and modified Multidimensional Body Self Relations Questionnaire. The results of structural equation modeling showed that regular physical activity, through the subjective importance of fitness and importance of physical appearance, has an indirect positive effect on personal self-concept in the dimension of emotional self-concept and this in turn has a direct positive effect on autonomy (and indirect through self-fulfillment). The proposed model obtains a satisfactory fit, accounting for 63% of the variance in personal self-concept in the dimension of autonomy (variable criteria) (AU)

O objetivo principal de este estudo foi construir um modelo de predição do autoconceito pessoal a partir da atividade física e la imagem corporal em adultas jovens mexicanas mediante um modelo de equaciones estruturais. Um total de 515 mulheres de 18-25 anos de idade preencherem o Questionário Internacional de Atividade Física, o Questionário de Autoconceito Pessoal e o Multidimensional Body Self Relations Questionnaire modificado. Os resultados do modelo de equaciones estruturais mostraram que la prática regular de atividade física, a través de la importância subjetiva da forma física e da aparência física, tem um efeito indireto positivo sobre o autoconceito pessoal na dimensão de ajuste emocional e esta por sua vez exerce um efeito direto positivo na autonomia (e indireto a través da autorrealização). O modelo proposto obtém um ajuste satisfatório, explicando o 63% da variância no autoconceito pessoal na dimensão de autonomia (variável critério) (AU)

Psychometric Properties of the Spanish Adaptation of the Tactical Skills Inventory for Sports in the School Context.

Tactical skills in sport are the basis for current models of invasion team sports instruction, and relate to other psychological variables that exert a mediating influence on people's normal physical activity. This study aimed to validate the Spanish adaptation of the Tactical Skills Inventory for Sports by Elferink-Gemser, Visscher, Richart, and Lemmink (2004) and verify its factorial invariance. The sample included 540 participants 12.89 ± 1.73 years of age (10 to 17 years old; 333 males and 207 females). The adaptation and translation of the original questionnaire followed the methodological steps established by the International Test Commission. Then two measurement models with the original questionnaire's four-factor structure were compared. Confirmatory analyses were conducted using the software AMOS 21 and maximum likelihood estimation. Results indicated a four-factor structure (positioning and deciding, knowing about ball actions, knowing about others, acting in changing situations) was viable and showed goodness of fit to the data, with adequate indices of reliability (α between .72 and .86) and validity (GFI = .955; RMSEA = .044; CFI = .974), and strong evidence of stability in the factor structure. Moreover, factorial invariance was observed between participants who do and do not practice team sports, with practitioners scoring higher than non-practitioners on all factors (p < .001; effect sizes between .97 and 1.08).

Effects of a Stretching Development and Maintenance Program on Hamstring Extensibility in Schoolchildren: A Cluster-Randomized Controlled Trial.

The main purpose of the present study was to examine the effects of a physical education-based stretching development and maintenance program on hamstring extensibility in schoolchildren. A sample of 150 schoolchildren aged 7-10 years old from a primary school participated in the present study (140 participants were finally included). The six classes balanced by grade were cluster randomly assigned to the experimental group 1 (n = 51), experimental group 2 (n = 51) or control group (n = 49) (i.e., a cluster randomized controlled trial design was used). During the physical education classes, the students from the experimental groups 1 and 2 performed a four-minute stretching program twice a week for nine weeks (first semester). Then, after a five-week period of detraining coinciding with the Christmas holidays, the students from the experimental groups 1 and 2 completed another stretching program twice a week for eleven weeks (second semester). The students from the experimental group 1 continued performing the stretching program for four minutes while those from the experimental group 2 completed a flexibility maintenance program for only one minute. The results of the two-way analysis of variance showed that the physical education-based stretching development program significantly improved the students' hamstring extensibility (p < 0.001), as well as that these gains obtained remained after the stretching maintenance program (p < 0.001). Additionally, statistically significant differences between the two experimental groups were not found (p > 0.05). After a short-term stretching development program, a physical education-based stretching maintenance program of only one-minute sessions twice a week is effective in maintaining hamstring extensibility among schoolchildren. This knowledge could help and guide teachers to design programs that allow a feasible and effective development and maintenance of students' flexibility in the physical education setting. Key pointsA physical education-based stretching maintenance program of only one-minute sessions twice a week is effective in maintaining hamstring extensibility among schoolchildren.A four-minute maintenance program shows similar effects that the one-minute maintenance program on hamstring extensibility among schoolchildren.Physical education teachers and other practitioners could carry out one-minute programs for a feasible and effective maintenance of students' flexibility.

Psychometric properties of the Spanish adaptation of the tactical skills inventory for sports in the school context

Tactical skills in sport are the basis for current models of invasion team sports instruction, and relate to other psychological variables that exert a mediating influence on people’s normal physical activity. This study aimed to validate the Spanish adaptation of the Tactical Skills Inventory for Sports by Elferink-Gemser, Visscher, Richart, and Lemmink (2004) and verify its factorial invariance. The sample included 540 participants 12.89 ± 1.73 years of age (10 to 17 years old; 333 males and 207 females). The adaptation and translation of the original questionnaire followed the methodological steps established by the International Test Commission. Then two measurement models with the original questionnaire’s four-factor structure were compared. Confirmatory analyses were conducted using the software AMOS 21 and maximum likelihood estimation. Results indicated a four-factor structure (positioning and deciding, knowing about ball actions, knowing about others, acting in changing situations) was viable and showed goodness of fit to the data, with adequate indices of reliability (α between .72 and .86) and validity (GFI = .955; RMSEA = .044; CFI = .974), and strong evidence of stability in the factor structure. Moreover, factorial invariance was observed between participants who do and do not practice team sports, with practitioners scoring higher than non-practitioners on all factors (p < .001; effect sizes between .97 and 1.08) (AU)

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Psychometric properties of the Physical Self-Concept Questionnaire with Mexican university students.

This study analyzes, in a sample of Mexican students, the factor structure of the Physical Self-Concept Questionnaire of Goñi, Ruiz de Azúa, and Rodríguez (2006), which assesses physical ability, physical fitness, attractiveness, strength, general physical self-concept, and global self-concept. A representative sample of 1,466 Mexican university physical education students was selected (754 men, 712 women; M age=20.6 yr., SD=2.0). Confirmatory factor analysis showed a two-factor structure (motor competency and physical attractiveness). The two-factor structure, regarding statistical and substantive criteria, had good fit indices. Results of the factor analyses carried out with the sub-samples indicated a strong stability and evidence for the factor structure obtained. The findings support the use of this questionnaire to measure physical self-concept in Mexican university students. Future studies should replicate these findings in other populations.

Instalacion de servicio telefonico en Uyuni

Contenido: Cap.1 Introduccion.Generalidades.Contexto economico general.Objetivos.Descripcion general del proyecto. Cap.2 Antecedentes y motivaciones.Antecedentes.Situacion de Uyuni.Perspectivas.Generalidades de area.Provision de equipos y materiales. Cap.3 Estudio del mercado.El servicio telefonico.El sistema telefonico nacional.Clasificacion de la demanda telefonica.La demanda de suscripcion potencial e insatisfecha de uyuni.Proyeccion de la demanda de suscripcion.Capacidad de la Red y localizacion.Demanda de trafico. Cap.4 Ingenieria del proyecto.Generalidades.Partes de la red.Planta interna.Equipo de energia.Operacion y mantenimiento.capacitacion.Planta externa.Aparatos telefonicos.Interconexion y señalizacion.Plan de transmision.Plan de numeracion.Plan de enrutamiento.Tonos.Tarifacion.Sincronizacion.Mediciones y estadistica de trafico.Supervision y mantenimiento.Obras civiles.Personal tecnico.Documentacion tecnica.Servicios para el sistema. Cap.5 Inversiones y financiamiento.Generalidades.Inversiones en activos fijos.Inversiones en activo diferido.Inversiones en activo circulante.Plan de inversiones y estructura de financiamiento. Cap.6 Economia del proyecto.Recuperacion de inversion.Valor de la accion telefonica.Plan de pagos de la accion telefonica.