Perceived social support and treatment adherence in Chileans with Type 2 diabetes.

This study aimed to determine if greater perceived social support was directly associated with better Type 2 diabetes (T2D) treatment adherence and if better T2D treatment adherence was related to lower HbA1c levels in Chilean adults with T2D. For this purpose, 200 adults were recruited from the Chilean Diabetic Association. Participants were asked to complete self-report instruments and provide a capillary blood sample to measure HbA1c. Structural equation model analyses were performed to determine direct associations. The study's results indicate that greater perceived social support was associated with healthier dietary habits, regular foot care, more frequent physical activity, and lower medication intake. Likewise, blood sugar testing and physical activity were related to HbA1c. These findings provide evidence of how perceived social support relates to T2D treatment adherence behaviors in Latino patients from South America and could be used for interventions to enhance social support from patients' families, partners, and friends.

Propiedades psicométricas del ENRICHD Social Support Instrument (ESSI) en una muestra chilena / Psychometric properties of the ENRICHD Social Support Instrument (ESSI) in a Chilean sample

Introducción El apoyo social percibido es una variable relevante en los procesos de salud-enfermedad. Es importante que los instrumentos dirigidos a medir este constructo presenten evidencia de fiabilidad y validez. El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar las propiedades psicométricas del ESSI en población chilena, y su invarianza de medida entre hombres y mujeres, y entre universitarios y adultos. Método Dos muestras no probabilísticas, una de universitarios (n = 538) y una de adultos (n = 446) fueron enroladas en un estudio transversal. Los datos fueron analizados con análisis factorial confirmatorio multigrupo y análisis de consistencia interna con Omega de McDonald (ω). Resultados La estructura unidimensional de la ESSI fue confirmada en la muestra completa. Asimismo, se demostró invarianza escalar entre hombres y mujeres, e invarianza escalar parcial entre universitarios y adultos. La fiabilidad de los puntajes de la ESSI fue adecuada (ω > .80). Conclusión Los puntajes de la ESSI presentan evidencia de validez factorial y fiabilidad en población chilena. La escala puede ser utilizada para medir apoyo social percibido, aunque es recomendable su uso diferenciado entre universitarios y adultos.

Introduction Perceived social support is a relevant variable in health-disease processes. Measurement of this construct must be reliable and valid; thus, we aimed to determine the psychometric properties of the ESSI in the Chilean population and whether this measure is invariant between men and women and between university students and adults. Method Two non-probabilistic samples (students; n = 538, and adults; n = 446) were enrolled in a cross-sectional study. Data were analyzed with a Multigroup Confirmatory Factor Analysis and reliability with McDonald's Omega coefficient (ω). Results A unidimensional structure of the ESSI was confirmed in the entire sample. Likewise, we proved scalar invariance between men and women and partial scalar invariance between university students and adults. The reliability of the ESSI scores was adequate (ω > .80). Conclusion The ESSI scores present evidence of factorial validity and reliability in the Chilean population. The scale can be used to measure perceived social support, although its differentiated use between university students and adults is recommended.

Posición social y obesidad en población chilena: mediadores y moderadores psicológicos / Social position and obesity in Chilean population: Psychological mediators and moderators

Resumen Introducción: la obesidad es un problema de salud mundial que ha sido vinculada con la posición social de las personas. Si bien la evidencia que relaciona estas variables es clara, se ha puesto menos atención a los mecanismos por medio de los cuales estas variables pueden asociarse. El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar si la posición social se relacionaba directamente con obesidad abdominal e indirectamente vía percepción de discriminación, afectividad negativa y calidad de la dieta, y el rol moderador del apoyo social. Método: 420 funcionarios de una universidad chilena. Se midió el perímetro de cintura como proxy de obesidad, se utilizaron instrumentos de autorreporte para variables psicológicas y conductuales. Resultados: análisis de ecuaciones estructurales revelaron que la posición social no se asoció directamente con obesidad abdominal, pero sí a través de una secuencia de mediación que incluyó la percepción de discriminación, afectividad negativa y calidad de la dieta. El apoyo social no moderó estas relaciones. Conclusión: se identifican mecanismos que median el nexo entre posición social y obesidad abdominal. Se destaca la relevancia de considerar variables psicológicas y conductuales subyacentes en esta relación.

Abstract Introduction: Obesity is a health problem worldwide that has been linked to social position. Although the evidence linking these variables is sound, little attention has been paid to the mechanisms by which these variables can be associated. We sought to determine whether social position is directly related to abdominal obesity and indirectly via perceived discrimination, negative affectivity and diet quality, and the moderating role of social support. Method: Four hundred and twenty participants from a Chilean University were selected. Obesity was measured through waist circumference and self-reported measures were used to asses psychological and behavioral variables. Results: Structural equation modeling allowed us to estimate that social position was not directly related to abdominal obesity, but indirectly via a sequenced mechanism that included perceived discrimination, negative affectivity and diet quality. Social support did not moderate these associations. Conclusion: We identified underlying mechanisms that mediate the association between social position and abdominal obesity. We highlight the relevance that psychological and behavioral variables has in obesity.

Apoyo social y obesidad: el papel de los síntomas depresivos y la alimentación emocional en un modelo estratificado por sexo.

INTRODUCCIÓN: la obesidad es un problema de salud pública a nivel mundial, cuya prevalencia ha aumentado sostenidamente en Latinoamerica. En Chile, el 75% de la población tiene sobrepeso u obesidad, siendo esta última más prevalente en mujeres (38%) que en hombres (30%). Si bien la percepción de apoyo social ha sido identificada como un factor protector para el desarrollo de la obesidad, el papel de la sintomatología depresiva y la alimentación emocional como mecanismos mediadores ha sido menos estudiado. OBJETIVO: determinar si el vínculo entre la percepción de apoyo social y el perímetro de cintura está mediado por la sintomatología depresiva y la alimentación emocional en una muestra de adultos chilenos estratificada por sexo. MÉTODOS: trescientos veinticinco (n = 325) adultos chilenos de una región del sur de Chile fueron seleccionados mediante un muestreo no probabilístico intencional (55% mujeres, Medad mujeres = 57.21, Medad hombres = 58.34). Se midió el perímetro de cintura como indicador de obesidad y se utilizaron instrumentos de autorreporte para evaluar variables psicológicas, conductuales y sociodemográficas. RESULTADOS: la alimentación emocional medió totalmente el vínculo entre sintomatología depresiva y perímetro de cintura tanto en hombres (ß = 0.089, p = 0.042), como en mujeres (ß = 0.086, p = 0.013). La percepción de apoyo social se vinculó indirecta y negativamente con el perímetro de cintura a través de una secuencia de mediación que incluyó sintomatología depresiva y alimentación emocional solo en mujeres (ß = -0.043, p = 0.015). CONCLUSIONES: la alimentación emocional es una variable a través de la cual la sintomatología depresiva se vincula con obesidad tanto en hombres como mujeres. Los hallazgos avalan el papel protector de la percepción de apoyo social en obesidad en mujeres, lo que puede orientar el desarrollo de estrategias para disminuir las altas tasas de obesidad en población chilena adulta.

Factores de riesgo cardiometabólico y funcionamiento cognitivo: el rol de la reserva cognitiva / Association between cardiometabolic risk and cognitive impairment

Background: Several risk factors are associated with cognitive impairment in older people, but little attention has been paid to cardiometabolic variables, as well as how cognitive reserve can mediate this association. Aim: To determine the association of cardiometabolic risk factors with cognitive functioning and whether the cognitive reserve mediates this association. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study with 300 participants with a median age of 56 years (53% male) was conducted. Participants had a cognitive functioning assessment. Fasting glucose, HDL-cholesterol, and blood pressure were measured. Results: A Structural Equation Modeling, revealed a direct effect of cardiometabolic latent risk factors on both a cognitive functioning (β = -.204; p = .056), and cognitive reserve factors (β = -.236, p = .04). Cognitive reserve was directly associated with cognitive functioning (β = .327, p = .01), but did not mediate the association between the cardiometabolic risk factors and cognitive functioning (β = .077, p = .07). The overall goodness of fitness was excellent χ2 (50) = 58.357, p = .195, comparative fit index = .980, Tucker-Lewis Index = .974, root mean square error of approximation = .023 and Standardized Root Mean Square Residual = .041. Conclusions: A direct effect of cardiometabolic risk factors on cognitive functioning was observed.

[Association between cardiometabolic risk and cognitive impairment]. / Factores de riesgo cardiometabólico y funcionamiento cognitivo: el rol de la reserva cognitiva.

BACKGROUND: Several risk factors are associated with cognitive impairment in older people, but little attention has been paid to cardiometabolic variables, as well as how cognitive reserve can mediate this association. AIM: To determine the association of cardiometabolic risk factors with cognitive functioning and whether the cognitive reserve mediates this association. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study with 300 participants with a median age of 56 years (53% male) was conducted. Participants had a cognitive functioning assessment. Fasting glucose, HDL-cholesterol, and blood pressure were measured. RESULTS: A Structural Equation Modeling, revealed a direct effect of cardiometabolic latent risk factors on both a cognitive functioning (ß = -.204; p = .056), and cognitive reserve factors (ß = -.236, p = .04). Cognitive reserve was directly associated with cognitive functioning (ß = .327, p = .01), but did not mediate the association between the cardiometabolic risk factors and cognitive functioning (ß = .077, p = .07). The overall goodness of fitness was excellent χ2 (50) = 58.357, p = .195, comparative fit index = .980, Tucker-Lewis Index = .974, root mean square error of approximation = .023 and Standardized Root Mean Square Residual = .041. CONCLUSIONS: A direct effect of cardiometabolic risk factors on cognitive functioning was observed.