A mobile phone intervention to reduce heavy drinking: a preliminary analysis of anchoring heuristics.

BACKGROUND: Preliminary evidence has been presented for interventions focused on preventing alcohol consumption or reducing the occurrence of episodes of excessive drinking. The anchoring text message intervention is a newly proposed theory-based approach to reducing heavy drinking among youth. The current study tests the preliminary efficacy of this intervention for reducing heavy drinking among Mexican youth. METHODS: Focusing on a sample of sixteen Mexican youths-nine not-heavy drinkers and seven heavy drinkers-the participants completed a survey on alcohol consumption and anchoring heuristics. Pretest and post-test questionnaire data were collected to evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention. The anchoring text messages consisted of strategies to limit alcohol use and feedback reminder messages. Assessments were conducted at baseline, four weeks of intervention, and post-intervention. RESULTS: Logistic regression analyses indicated a significant effect on heavy drinking episodes post-intervention. The post-intervention anchoring effects among the heavy drinker participants were different from those among the non-heavy drinkers in terms of reporting heavy drinking and future drinking. The anchoring heuristic-based intervention reduced the quantity of drinking and the future estimation of drinking and improved the ability to reject alcohol in the heavy drinker group. CONCLUSIONS: These findings provide preliminary support for the effectiveness of the anchoring heuristic-based intervention, conducted through text messages sent by mobile phone to reduce alcohol consumption. The intervention promoted a reduction in alcohol consumption. Future research should be directed toward investigating the anchoring effects among heavy drinkers.

Psychometric Properties of a New Mexican Optimism Scale: Ethnopsychological Approach.

BACKGROUND: In this paper, a Mexican Optimism Scale was constructed to investigate and estimate psychometric properties (reliability and validity based on the measurement model). The convergent validity and validity criterion were evaluated for a sample of young Mexicans. METHODS: The scale was presented to 848 Mexican young people aged between 17 and 30 years from three different regions of Mexico. The scale was reduced to 20 items on the basis of CFA and analyses of internal consistency. RESULTS: The confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) suggested a three-factor structure of optimism: affective resources, positive vision and hope. The data provided evidence for convergent validity with positive affect, negative affect and coping. Additionally, males scored higher on affective resources and positive vision than females. Finally, the results support the reliability of the instrument. CONCLUSIONS: The psychometric properties of the Mexican Optimism Scale proved to be highly acceptable and allow for a novel assessment of optimism from an ethnopsychological perspective. Validity, reliability and invariance were determined, as well as percentiles for the practical use of the scale. This scale may be of crucial importance for future research on optimism and health.

Balance decisional sobre el uso del condón asociado a la conducta sexual de riesgo en universitarios / Decisional balance of condom use associated with risky sexual behavior in university students

Resumen La adquisición de alguna Infección de Transmisión Sexual (ITS) y los embarazos no planificados son riesgos a los que se enfrentan los jóvenes ante la decisión de no usar condón al tener relaciones sexuales. La aproximación del balance decisional enfatiza qué costos y beneficios están asociados a la conducta sexual de riesgo. Las decisiones acerca del uso del condón son un precursor de la conducta y este proceso puede estar influido por los beneficios que se perciban sobre él. El objetivo de la presente investigación es identificar la relación de las ganancias y pérdidas del uso del condón con la conducta sexual de riesgo. Se evaluó la conducta sexual de riesgo y el uso del condón masculino en sus relaciones sexuales. Se midieron las ganancias y las pérdidas del condón con una escala de medición, en una muestra de 257 universitarios, con una edad entre 18 y 39 años (. = 22.34; DE = 3.6) de Querétaro, México. La evaluación del balance decisional indica que las ganancias son mayores que las pérdidas (costos) del uso consistente del condón en las relaciones sexuales. Se encontraron asociaciones entre las ganancias y las pérdidas con indicadores de la conducta sexual de riesgo. Se observa que los universitarios que no utilizan condón manifiestan mayores pérdidas por utilizarlo. En las ganancias, se aprecia un aumento en las puntuaciones cuando se usa condón. Lo encontrado provee apoyo para el desarrollo de intervenciones que promuevan las ganancias o beneficios para incrementar el uso consistente del condón.

Abstract The acquisition of a Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) and unplanned pregnancies are risks that young people deal when deciding not to use a condom when having sexual intercourse. During the decision-making process, individuals value the benefits (gains) and losses (costs) associated with a behavior. Cost-benefit analysis has been investigated to examine the differential impact of gains and losses on risky behaviours. The decisional balance approach emphasizes that costs and benefits are associated with risky sexual behavior. Decisions about condom use are a precursor to behavior, and this process may be influenced by perceived benefits. In the present study, it is proposed that the balance between the benefit and the loss of condom use contributes to consistent condom use. These factors as determinants of behaviour must be considered under the cultural context in which they are carried out. The objective of this research is to identify the relationship of gains and losses from condom use with risky sexual behaviour. It was hypothesized that: 1) Young people will evaluate the benefits (gains) with higher scores compared to the losses (costs) in deciding to use a condom in sexual intercourse. 2) The gains will be greater in those college students who use a condom more frequently and the losses will not be the same among those who use a condom. To evaluate risky sexual behavior and the use of the male condom in their sexual relations were considered. Condom gains and losses were measured with a measurement scale in a sample of 257 university students, aged between 18 and 39 years (. = 22.34; SD = 3.6) from Querétaro, México. With reference to sexual behavior, it was found that 89.1 % have started their sexual activity. The average age of initiation of sexual life is 15.41 years. The frequency of sexual activity is once or twice each month. The mean of sexual partners is 4.2, with a median of 3. The 68.5 % reported using some contraceptive method and regarding the use of condoms, 27.8 % always use it and 5.7 % never use it. To evaluate the decisional balance, subtracting the gain and loss factors created a net difference score. The gain factor was subtracted from its counterpart of the loss factor to indicate the preference for having sex with a condom. The decisional balance assessment indicates that the gains are greater than the losses (costs) of consistent condom use in sexual intercourse. Associations were found between gains and losses with indicators of risky sexual behavior. It is observed that university students who do not use a condom show greater losses from using it. In gains, there is an increase in scores when using a condom. Additionally, it is observed that university students, who sometimes use a condom, show greater losses for using it, unlike those who always use it, which show low scores in the losses of using it. In gains factor, there is an increase in the scores when using a condom, that is, those who never or almost never use a condom have the lowest scores and as the scores increase, the frequency of using a condom in their sexual relations also increases. In conclusion, gains and losses from male condom use are associated with risky sexual behavior (age of sexual activity, number of partners and condom use) in the university context. The findings provide support for the development of interventions that promote gains or benefits to increase consistent condom use. It is important to consider in specific interventions those young people who decide to continue having sex without using a condom despite the costs and possible consequences of not using it.

Perceived Stress Is Directly Associated with Major Consumption of Sugar-Sweetened Beverages among Public University Students.

Stress is a condition that has been related to the development of risk behaviors for health such as sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) consumption. The aim of this study was to examine the link between SSBs consumption and perceived stress level in university students. This was an observational, cross-sectional and single-time-point study where the subjects were recruited as a non-probabilistic sample of first-year university students. The students reported their SSBs consumption through a validated questionnaire, as well as their perceived stress level, evaluated through the Cohen scale. Comparisons were made between the means of all variables. Factorial analysis of variance was conducted to explore the effect of the variables' interaction on the stress level. One-way analysis of variance was performed to assess differences between the sexes. Men consumed more SSBs (6101.17 ± 3772.50 mL/week) compared to women (4294.06 ± 3093.8 mL/week). However, women had higher scores of perceived stress and showed a strong association of stress with the SSBs consumption pattern (r and p-value). This study shows for the first time the association that exists between stress and SSBs consumption and indicates that it is related to sex in the young population.

Soft Drink Consumption in Young Mexican Adults Is Associated with Higher Total Body Fat Percentage in Men but Not in Women.

A high consumption of soft drinks (SDs) has been linked with the development of anthropometric and metabolic alterations. We evaluate the association between SD consumption and some anthropometric and metabolic variables. This study is an observational study, using a sample of 394 university students, of which 158 were men (40.1%) and 238 women (59.9%), between 18 and 30 years. An SD intake questionnaire provided the consumption of different SDs. The participants' weight, height, and waist and hip circumferences were collected. Metabolic biomarkers were analyzed. The average intake of caloric SDs (CSDs) was 1193.6 ± 1534.8 mL/week and 84.5 ± 115.02 mL/week for non-caloric SDs (NCSDs). Sex differences were found in the amount of SD consumption and these statistical differences were driven by those men subjects with a high total body fat percentage (TBF%). In men, correlations were found between the intake of CSDs and the body mass index, waist and hip circumferences, TBF%, and visceral fat percentage. In woman, a correlation was found with glucose and triglycerides. The prediction model revealed that the intake of CSDs predicts TBF% and low-density lipoprotein only in men. A high amount of CSD consumption in men was associated with a high TBF%, and this may be predictive of future development of metabolic abnormalities.

[DIFFERENCES IN SEXUAL NEGOTIATION STYLES AND SEXUAL SELF-EFFICACY IN USE OF CONDOM IN UNIVERSITY MEN AND WOMAN OF QUERETARO, MEXICO, 2018].

OBJECTIVE: To compare sexual negotiation levels and self-efficacy in male condom use in men and women. METHODS: Comparative crosssectional study of undergraduate students carried out during the year 2018 in a private university in the city of Querétaro, Mexico. Non-probabilistic sampling was used. Measured variables included sociodemographic characteristics, risky sexual behaviors, negotiation skills and sexual self-efficacy for condom use. The Mann Whitney U test and non-parametric variance analysis (Kruskal - Wallis) were used. RESULTS: Overall, 270 students were enrolled; 89.6% of university students were sexually active; the mean age of sexual activity initiation was 15.41 years. The average reported number of sexual partners was 4.2. In each sexual relation, 27.8% had used a condom. Differences were found between men and women in terms of sexual negotiation styles in the avoidance (p=0.04) and accommodation (p<0.00) domains, with higher scores for men compared to women. Women scored higher for self-efficacy in condom use (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The young university students interviewed engage in risky sexual activities. Women exhibit greater sexual self-efficacy as well as better skills at negotiating condom use. Strengthening public policies targeted to the student population for the prevention of risky sexual behavior is needed. Further studies on interventions aimed at building strong sexual negotiation and self-efficacy among adolescents are required.

TITULO: DIFERENCIAS EN LOS ESTILOS DE NEGOCIACIÓN SEXUAL Y AUTOEFICACIA EN EL USO DEL CONDÓN EN HOMBRES Y MUJERES UNIVERSITARIOS DE QUERÉTARO, MÉXICO, 2018. OBJETIVO: comparar los niveles de negociación sexual y autoeficacia en el uso del condón masculino en hombres y mujeres. METODOS: estudio transversal de tipo comparativo en el que se incluyeron estudiantes de licenciatura de una universidad privada de la ciudad de Querétaro, México, durante el año 2018. Muestreo no probabilístico. Se midieron: características sociodemográficas, conductas sexuales de riesgo, habilidades de negociación y autoeficacia sexual para uso de condón. Se compararon los grupos mediante la prueba U de Mann Whitney y el análisis de varianza no paramétrico (Kruskal-Wallis). RESULTADOS: ingresaron 270 estudiantes, el 89,6 % de los universitarios tiene vida sexual activa, la edad promedio de inicio de vida sexual es a los 15,41 años; el promedio de parejas sexuales reportado es de 4,2. El 27,8 % ha usado condón en cada relación sexual. Se encontraron diferencias entre hombres y mujeres en los estilos de negociación sexual en los dominios de evitación (p = 0,04) y acomodación (p < 0,00), con puntajes más altos para los hombres en comparación con las mujeres. Respecto a la autoeficacia en el uso del condón, las mujeres son quienes puntúan más alto (p < 0,001). CONCLUSIONES: los jóvenes universitarios entrevistados tienen conductas sexuales de riesgo. Se requiere fortalecer las políticas públicas que faciliten la prevención de la conducta sexual de riesgo dirigidas a la población estudiantil. Es necesario realizar más estudios sobre intervenciones que fortalezcan las habilidades de negociación y la autoeficacia sexual en adolescentes.

Differences in sexual negotiation styles and sexual self-efficacy in use of condom in university men and woman of Queretaro, Mexico, 2018 / Diferencias en los estilos de negociación sexual y autoeficacia en el uso del condón en hombres y mujeres universitarios de querétaro, méxico, 2018

RESUMEN Objetivo: comparar los niveles de negociación sexual y autoeficacia en el uso del condón masculino en hombres y mujeres. Materiales y métodos: estudio transversal de tipo comparativo en el que se incluyeron estudiantes de licenciatura de una universidad privada de la ciudad de Querétaro, México, durante el año 2018. Mues- treo no probabilístico. Se midieron: características sociodemográficas, conductas sexuales de riesgo, habilidades de negociación y autoeficacia sexual para uso de condón. Se compararon los grupos mediante la prueba U de Mann Whitney y el análisis de varianza no paramétrico (Kruskal-Wallis). Resultados: ingresaron 270 estudiantes, el 89,6 % de los universitarios tiene vida sexual activa, la edad promedio de inicio de vida sexual es a los 15,41 años; el promedio de parejas sexuales reportado es de 4,2. El 27,8 % ha usado condón en cada relación sexual. Se encontraron diferencias entre hombres y mujeres en los estilos de negociación sexual en los dominios de evitación (p = 0,04) y acomodación (p < 0,00), con puntajes más altos para los hombres en comparación con las mujeres. Respecto a la autoeficacia en el uso del condón, las mujeres son quienes puntúan más alto (p < 0,001). Conclusiones: los jóvenes universitarios entrevistados tienen conductas sexuales de riesgo. Se requiere fortalecer las políticas públicas que faciliten la prevención de la conducta sexual de riesgo dirigidas a la población estudiantil. Es necesario realizar más estudios sobre intervenciones que fortalezcan las habilidades de negociación y la autoeficacia sexual en adolescentes.

ABSTRACT Objective: To compare sexual negotiation levels and self-efficacy in male condom use in men and women. Materials and methods: Comparative cross-sectional study of undergraduate students carried out during the year 2018 in a private university in the city of Querétaro, Mexico. Non-probabilistic sampling was used. Measured variables included sociodemographic characteristics, risky sexual behaviors, negotiation skills and sexual self-efficacy for condom use. The Mann Whitney U test and non-parametric variance analysis (Kruskal - Wallis) were used. Results: Overall, 270 students were enrolled; 89.6% of university students were sexually active; the mean age of sexual activity initiation was 15.41 years. The average reported number of sexual partners was 4.2. In each sexual relation, 27.8% had used a condom. Differences were found between men and women in terms of sexual negotiation styles in the avoidance (p=0.04) and accommodation (p<0.00) domains, with higher scores for men compared to women. Women scored higher for self-efficacy in condom use (p<0.001). Conclusions: The young university students interviewed engage in risky sexual activities. Women exhibit greater sexual self-efficacy as well as better skills at negotiating condom use. Strengthening public policies targeted to the student population for the prevention of risky sexual behavior is needed. Further studies on interventions aimed at building strong sexual negotiation and self-efficacy among adolescents are required.

Estimación psicométrica de la escala de autoeficacia ante conductas de riesgo para adolescentes en México / Psychometric estimation of a self-efficacy scale to avoid risk behaviors in Mexican adolescents

El objetivo de la presente investigación fue determinar las propiedades psicométricas (estructura, validez factorial y consistencia interna) de un instrumento para medir la autoeficacia ante conductas de riesgo en adolescentes mexicanos. Participaron en el estudio 850 jóvenes, entre 13 y 21 años de edad, estudiantes de bachillerato de la Ciudad de México. El análisis psicométrico para determinar la validez de constructo reveló seis dimensiones: autoeficacia ante el consumo de alcohol, tabaco, drogas, conducta sexual, daños a la salud y conducta antisocial. La confiabilidad mostró un nivel óptimo para cada factor. Adicionalmente la validez factorial tuvo un buen ajuste a la muestra. La discusión analiza la utilidad de la escala para la evaluación de la autoeficacia ante conductas de riesgo en diferentes situaciones y contextos

The objective of this research was to analyze the psychometric properties (structure, factorial validity, and reliability) of the scale for measuring self-efficacy to avoid behavior risk in Mexican adolescents. The sample consisted of 850 teenagers aged between 13 and 21 years, students of public high schools in Mexico City. The psychometric analysis showed six factors: self-efficacy to avoid tobacco consumption, alcohol drinking, drug use, sexual behavior, health injury, and antisocial behavior. The reliability analysis showed an optimal level for each factor. Additionally, the results indicated the factorial validity of self-efficacy to avoid behavior risk. The discussion analyzes the utility for self-efficacy assessment, and intervention development implications are suggested

La teoría como promotor para el desarrollo de intervenciones psicoambientales / The role of theory in developing psycho-environmental interventions

Una de las actividades de la psicología es promover el cambio positivo en la conducta de las personas. El artículo muestra el uso de la teoría para cambiar la conducta por medio del diseño de mensajes efectivos de cambio conductual y del desarrollo de programas de intervención psicosocial. El modelo bajo estudio incorpora determinantes de cambio conductual como son la autoeficacia, las habilidades, la disposición y la intención conductual (MAHDI). El artículo describe la teoría a utilizar, muestra cómo se puede aplicar en la selección de conductas ambientales, así como su apropiada aplicación en estrategias de intervención complementaria que incluyan análisis de necesidades, desarrollo de programas, aplicación de estudio piloto, implementación, mercadotecnia social y evaluación. Por último, se muestra cómo la teoría puede ser aplicada en intervenciones para jóvenes (AU)

One of the activities of psychology is to promote positive change in personal behavior. This article show the usefulness of the theory for behavior change through design effective messages to behavioral change and development programs of psychosocial intervention. The theoretical model focuses in factors of behavioral changing: self-efficacy, skills, disposition and intention (MAHDI). The article describes the theory, shows how they can be applied to the selection environmental behavior, as well as their appropriate application in complementary intervention strategies that includes needs analysis, development and piloting program, applicability, social marketing and evaluation. Finally, how the theory can contribute to design youth intervention programs is discussed (AU)

[Smoking-related self-efficacy and smoking intention in young people: Factorial validity and structural association]. / Autoeficacia e intención conductual del consumo de tabaco en adolescentes: validez factorial y relación estructural.

The objective of this research was to obtain, in a structural equation model, the factorial validity of smoking-related self-efficacy, as well as its structural association with behavior and smoking intention. The sample was made up of 1012 young people aged 14 to 22 (mean 16.76) from public high schools in Mexico City. These young people filled out a questionnaire that assessed tobacco use (current smokers' age at first cigarette, smoking frequency and quantity of cigarettes smoked). They were also asked about intention to smoke in the future. Self-efficacy was assessed using items that measured one's capacity to avoid smoking. The results indicated the factorial validity of the smoking-related self-efficacy measure in this sample. Structural equation modeling analyses suggested (X²= 113.319, p<.001; CFI= .99; NFI= .99; GFI= .95; RMSEA= .05) that those young people with lower confidence in their ability to avoid smoking would have higher levels of smoking intention and smoking behavior; moreover, intention to smoke in the future predicts level of smoking. The discussion analyzes the utility of the results for the assessment of self-efficacy, as well as the clinical implications for the people in treatment.

Autoeficacia e intención conductual del consumo de tabaco en adolescentes: validez factorial y relación estructural / Smoking-related self-efficacy and smoking intention in young people: Factorial validity and structural association

El objetivo de la presente investigación fue obtener en un modelo de ecuaciones estructurales, la validez factorial de la autoeficacia ante el consumo de tabaco, así como su relación estructural con la conducta e intención tabáquica. Se seleccionó una muestra de 1012 jóvenes entre 14 y 22 años de la Ciudad de México. La conducta de fumar se midió considerando la edad de inicio del consumo de tabaco, la frecuencia y la cantidad de consumo. Además se preguntó la probabilidad de fumar cigarros en un futuro. La autoeficacia se evaluó con ítems que reflejan la capacidad para evitar consumir cigarros. Los resultados mostraron validez factorial de la medida de autoeficacia en esta muestra. El análisis de modelo de ecuaciones estructurales (X2= 113.319, p<0.001;CFI= 0.99; NFI= .99; GFI= 0.95; RMSEA= 0.05) sugiere que los jóvenes que tienen una menor capacidad para evitar consumir tabaco tendrán una mayor intención y conducta de fumar, además la intención futura de fumar predice su consumo. La discusión analiza la utilidad de los resultados para la evaluación de la autoeficacia en adolescentes, así como las implicaciones clínicas para las personas que se encuentran en tratamiento (AU)

The objective of this research was to obtain, in a structural equation model, the factorial validity of smoking-related self-efficacy, as well as its structural association with behavior and smoking intention. The sample was made up of 1012 young people aged 14 to 22 (mean 16.76) from public high schools in Mexico City. These young people filled out a questionnaire that assessed tobacco use (current smokers’ age at first cigarette, smoking frequency and quantity of cigarettes smoked). They were also asked about intention to smoke in the future. Self-efficacy was assessed using items that measured one’s capacity to avoid smoking. The results indicated the factorial validity of the smoking-related self-efficacy measure in this sample. Structural equation modeling analyses suggested (X2= 113.319, p<0.001; CFI= 0.99; NFI= 0.99; GFI= 0.95; RMSEA= 0.05) that those young people with lower confidence in their ability to avoid smoking would have higher levels of smoking intention and smoking behavior; moreover, intention to smoke in the future predicts level of smoking. The discussion analyzes the utility of the results for the assessment of self efficacy, as well as the clinical implications for the people in treatment (AU)