Sexismo Ambivalente como Correlato y Predictor de la Agresión Psicológica / Ambivalent Sexism as a Correlate and Predictor of Psychological Aggression / Sexismo Ambivalente como Correlato e Preditor de Agressão Psicológica

Resumen Introducción. El sexismo ambivalente perpetúa la discriminación laboral con base en el género, la objetificación sexual y subyugación de la mujer, y restringe las oportunidades económicas, laborales y políticas de crecimiento y desarrollo para la población femenina. Es un factor de riesgo para la agresión psicológica. No obstante, son pocos los estudios que han abordado dichas variables en población mexicana. Objetivo. El objetivo de este estudio fue desarrollar y probar un modelo de trayectorias de la agresión psicológica teniendo como predictores al sexismo hostil y benevolente. Materiales y métodos. Se seleccionaron de manera no probabilística a 163 mujeres de la Ciudad de México y zona conurbada. Se aplicaron los instrumentos de sexismo ambivalente y de relación con compañeros, ambos adaptados a la población mexicana. Se llevaron a cabo análisis de trayectorias y multivariados de varianza. Resultados. Los resultados principales mostraron que el sexismo hostil es un predictor significativo de la agresión psicológica directa. También, se observó que la religión católica se asoció con un nivel de sexismo benevolente mayor, mientras que un nivel socioeconómico bajo con un índice de sexismo hostil más alto. Conclusiones. Los hallazgos obtenidos permiten identificar algunos factores de riesgo asociados al sexismo y a la agresión psicológica. La utilidad clínica del estudio estriba en desarrollar estrategias de acción tomando en cuenta dichos factores para la disminución del sexismo ambivalente y con ello de la agresión psicológica, particularmente en el contexto de ciudades Latinoamericanas.

Abstract Introduction. Ambivalent sexism perpetuates gender discrimination at work, sexual objectification and subjugation of women, and limits females' power across personal, economic, and political domains. It is a risk factor for psychological aggression. Objective. The aim of this study was to develop and test a path model analysis of psychological aggression with hostile and benevolent sexism as explanatory variables. Materials and methods. 163 women were selected non-randomly from Mexico City and Metropolitan area. Measures of ambivalent sexism and psychological aggression adapted to Mexican population were applied. A path model analysis was carried out as well as a multivariate analyses of variance. Results. Main results showed that hostile sexism significantly predicts the index of psychological aggression. It was also observed that catholic religion was associated with a greater level of benevolent sexism, while a low economic status with a higher degree of hostile sexism. Conclusions. Findings obtained allowed the identification of some risk factors associated with sexism and psychological aggression. Thus, this research encourages the design and implementation of effective intervention strategies addressing such factors in order to diminish ambivalent sexism and psychological aggression, particularly in the context of Latin American cities.

Resumo Introdução. O sexismo ambivalente perpetua a discriminação no trabalho com base no gênero, na objetificação sexual e na subjugação das mulheres, e restringe as oportunidades econômicas, trabalhistas e de crescimento e desenvolvimento da população feminina. É um fator de risco para agressão psicológica. No entanto, existem poucos estudos que abordaram essas variáveis na população mexicana. Objetivo. O objetivo deste estudo foi desenvolver e testar um modelo de trajetória de agressão psicológica com sexismo hostil e benevolente como preditores. Materiais e método. 163 mulheres da Cidade do México e da área de conurbação foram selecionadas de maneira não probabilística. Foram aplicados os instrumentos de sexismo ambivalente e relacionamento com parceiros, ambos adaptados à população mexicana. Trajetória e análise multivariada de variância foram realizadas. Resultados. Os principais resultados mostraram que o sexismo hostil é um preditor significativo de agressão psicológica direta. Além disso, observou-se que a religião católica estava associada a um nível mais alto de sexismo benevolente, enquanto a um nível socioeconômico baixo, com uma maior taxa de sexismo hostil. Conclusões. Os resultados obtidos permitem identificar alguns fatores de risco associados ao sexismo e agressão psicológica. A utilidade clínica do estudo reside no desenvolvimento de estratégias de ação, levando em consideração esses fatores para a redução do sexismo ambivalente e, com ele, a agressão psicológica, particularmente no contexto das cidades latino-americanas.

Depression in Mexican medical students: A path model analysis.

BACKGROUND: Depression is a mental health disorder present in medical students that foster cumulative disadvantages throughout life and that may compromise patient care. Yet, in Mexico there is a dearth of research concerning prediction models for depression in this population. METHODS: The aim of this cross-sectional study was to develop and test a path model analysis of depression in 103 freshmen Mexican medical students ages 18-23 years old selected non-randomly. Anxiety, emotion dysregulation, and coping skills were used as factors influencing depression. Mexican self-report scales were used as assessment measures. RESULTS: Main results showed that anxiety and emotion dysregulation had a significant direct influence on depression. Emotion dysregulation had a significant direct effect on coping skills and anxiety, while anxiety had a significant direct effect on problem drinking and alcohol problems. Fit indexes obtained indicate an excellent adjustment to data. R square indicates that 53.7% of the variance in depression can be explained by this model. LIMITATIONS: The results are exploratory rather than confirmatory. The sample size was not large enough and the research focused on only Mexican freshmen medical students. Other factors associated to depression in medical students were not considered. CONCLUSIONS: The current research provides unique findings in terms of a model of depression in Mexican medical students through which it is possible to design and implement interventions that decrease depression, thus positively affecting their well-being, their future careers as medical doctors and their abilities to serve the society adequately, especially in the context of Latin American cities.

Psychosocial predictors of social anxiety in children / Predictores psicosociales de la ansiedad social en niños

Abstract Social Anxiety (SA) is one of the most prevalent psychiatric disorders in childhood that negatively impacts well-being and fosters cumulative disadvantages throughout life. The aim of this study was to predict SA for the first time in Mexico using these explanatory factors: assertiveness, specific phobia, separation anxiety disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, self-concept, depression, and coping skills. 649 children aged 6-13 years old (M=8.87, SD=1.889) were randomly selected from public elementary schools in Mexico City. The main results obtained with multiple regression analyses showed that specific phobia, obsessive compulsive disorder, indirect assertiveness, and separation anxiety disorder significantly predicted SA in both genders. Concerning boys, assertiveness was also a relevant explanatory variable. Regarding girls, actual self-concept was also a significant predictor. The regression model explained 56.3% of the variance for boys, and 43.5% of the variance for girls. The findings of our study -comorbidity of SA with anxiety disorders underline the importance of early intervention strategies to prevent the development of other disorders. Also, since assertiveness was a significant predictor, assertiveness training should be promoted in schools, with parents, and included in intervention programs in order for them to be efficient and sustainable, and to prevent and diminish social anxiety.

Resumen La ansiedad social (AS) constituye uno de los desórdenes psiquiátricos más prevalentes en la infancia que afecta negativamente el bienestar y acumula desventajas a lo largo de la vida. El objetivo de este estudio fue predecir AS por primera vez en México usando los siguientes predictores: asertividad, fobia específica, trastorno obsesivo compulsivo, trastorno de ansiedad por separación, autoconcepto, afrontamiento y depresión. Se seleccionaron aleatoriamente a 649 menores de entre 6-13 años de edad (M=8.87, DT=1.889) de escuelas primarias públicas de la Ciudad de México. Los principales resultados obtenidos mediante un análisis de regresión múltiple mostraron que la fobia específica, el trastorno obsesivo compulsivo, la asertividad indirecta y el trastorno de ansiedad por separación significativamente predicen AS en ambos sexos. Referente a los niños, la asertividad también fue un predictor relevante, mientras que en las niñas lo fue el concepto actual. El modelo de regresión explicó el 56.3% de la varianza para niños y 43.5% de la varianza para niñas. Los hallazgos de este estudio -comorbilidad de AS con trastornos de ansiedad subrayan la importancia de estrategias tempranas de intervención para prevenir el desarrollo de otros trastornos. Además, dado que la asertividad fue un predictor significativo, el entrenamiento asertivo debe ser promovido en las escuelas, con los padres e incluido en los programas de intervención para que estos sean eficientes y sostenibles, y para prevenir y disminuir la ansiedad social.

Towards a psychosocial and cultural definition of Mexican homeless girls: A qualitative approach / Hacia una construcción de una concepción psico-sociocultural de niñas y jóvenes mexicanas en situación de calle: Una aproximación cualitativa

Homeless women are one of the most vulnerable groups worldwide since they are victims of labor and sexual exploitation, abuse, discrimination and marginalization at a higher rate than the rest of the population. However, currently, Mexico lacks of an accurate definition of such social group, and their characteristics as well as the magnitude and dimensions of the phenomenon are only partially and superficially known. The purpose of this research was to develop and validate a typology of homeless girls living in Mexico City. To fulfill this purpose, 300 in-depth interviews were conducted and examined thoroughly with a systematic analysis of the content. The main results indicate that Mexican homeless girls constitute a social group immersed predominantly in circumstances of violence, marginalization, poverty and social exclusion. Also, this collective includes two subgroups: girls at risk of homelessness, and girls who are emergency sheltered, unsheltered or absolutely homeless and living in places not intended for human habitation. With this typology it is possible to define, characterize and distinguish Mexican homeless girls. In addition, the phenomenon can be known with more certainty and accuracy enabling, thus, the design of effective treatment strategies

Las niñas y jóvenes en situación de calle padecen explotación laboral y sexual, violencia, discriminación y censura en una proporción mayor que el resto de la población. Empero, actualmente, al menos en México, todavía no hay una definición de dicho colectivo social y tanto sus características como la magnitud y dimensiones del fenómeno son conocidas parcial y superficialmente. Se realizó esta investigación para elaborar y validar una tipología que permita definir y caracterizar a niñas y jóvenes en situación de calle de la Ciudad de México. Se llevaron a cabo 300 entrevistas a profundidad, con las cuales se efectuó un análisis de contenido. Los resultados principales muestran que las menores y jóvenes en situación de calle son un grupo social inmerso en condiciones de marginación, exclusión social, pobreza y violencia predominantemente. A su vez, dicho colectivo incluye a dos subgrupos: aquéllas en riesgo de calle o en desventaja social y aquéllas de calle o sin hogar. Con tales resultados se tiene una tipología que permite definir, caracterizar y delimitar a la población bajo estudio, y a partir de la cual se puede conocer con mayor certeza y precisión la problemática y elaborar e implementar estrategias efectivas de atención

Niñas y adolescentes en riesgo de calle: Bienestar subjetivo y salud mental / Girls at risk of homelessness: Subjective well-being and mental health

La salud mental de mujeres menores en riesgo de calle se ve seriamente afectada por las condiciones vulnerables en las que se desenvuelven; empero, mundialmente, hay pocos estudios al respecto. Este estudio se realizó para explorar la salud mental de 26 niñas y adolescentes en riesgo de calle mediante diferencias por nivel de bienestar subjetivo y el efecto de la ansiedad, depresión, asertividad y regulación emocional sobre éste. Los resultados principales muestran discrepancias significativas por grado de bienestar subjetivo en conductas asertivas y regulación emocional; consecuentemente, se encontraron deficiencias en salud mental. La utilidad clínica reside en elaborar intervenciones partiendo de las necesidades detectadas, contribuyendo, así, a mejorar la salud mental y, con ello, la calidad de vida de tal colectivo social.

Mental health of girls at risk of homelessness is seriously affected by the vulnerable conditions in which they are involved. However, there are few studies that have addressed the issue worldwide. This study was conducted to explore the mental health of a sample of 26 girls at risk of homelessness, through differences by subjective well-being level and the effect of anxiety, depression, assertiveness and emotional regulation. The findings show significant discrepancies by subjective well-being grade in assertiveness and emotional regulation. Therefore, participants present mental health deficiency. The clinical benefit consists in taking action from the identified needs, in order to improve mental health conditions and consequently, the quality of life of the mentioned social group.