Expanding Behavioral and Occupational Health Research in Military Police.

INTRODUCTION: It is important to understand the behavioral and occupational health needs of military police personnel, a high-risk and understudied population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The incidence rates of behavioral and occupational conditions were examined from the years of 2005 to 2021 from the Defense Medical Epidemiology Database. Single-sample chi-square analyses were performed to analyze the differences in the incidence rates across demographic groups relative to population density. RESULTS: There were moderate-to-large increases in sleep-related disorders and mood or stress-related disorders. There were also patterns of overrepresentation or underrepresentation in diagnoses of various conditions by sex, age group, marital status, race, service branch, and pay grade. CONCLUSIONS: It is important to provide tailored resources and programming to employees in high-stress settings to help prevent or manage behavioral and occupational health conditions and reduce the stigma surrounding the utilization of such resources and programs.

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Suicidal ideation, and Stress: The Moderating Role of Dysfunctional and Recovery Cognitions.

OBJECTIVE: Trauma and stressor-related behavioral health conditions are prevalent in military populations and have become a major public health concern in recent years. Individuals who commonly report suicidal ideation often have comorbid mental health diagnoses (i.e., posttraumatic stress disorder; PTSD). However, the mechanisms associated with stress, suicidal ideation, and PTSD are unclear. METHOD: The present study examined the moderating role of dysfunctional and recovery cognitions between (i) PTSD and suicidal ideation, and (ii) stress and suicidal ideation in two distinct samples. Sample 1 was composed of civilians and military personnel (N = 322). Sample 2 was composed of (N = 377) student service members and veterans (SSM/Vs). RESULTS: In Study 1, we found that low recovery cognitions at higher and moderate levels of PTSD symptoms were significantly associated with increased suicidal ideation. High dysfunctional cognitions were significantly associated with suicidal ideation at higher levels of PTSD symptoms. In Study 2, we found no differences in any level of recovery cognitions at low and moderate stress levels with suicidal ideation. Higher levels of stress were associated with high dysfunctional cognitions and suicidal ideation. CONCLUSION: Promoting higher levels of recovery cognitions and reducing dysfunctional cognitions are important in addressing stress, suicidal ideation, and comorbid conditions such as PTSD. Future research should focus on examining the clinical utility of the Dispositional Recovery and Dysfunction Inventory (DRDI) in other populations (i.e., firefighters and paramedics). This could contribute to efforts of suicide prevention and the promotion of the well-being of individuals experiencing suicidal ideation.HIGHLIGHTSPromoting recovery cognitions may serve as a protective factor against stress.Dysfunctional cognitions contribute to worsening behavioral health conditions.Suicide prevention efforts should target dysfunctional and recovery cognitions.

Psychometric Properties of the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item Scale in Adolescents: An Effective Screening Tool for School and Community Settings.

OBJECTIVE: Anxiety disorders are prevalent among children and adolescents. Identifying anxiety symptoms in primary care, school, and community settings has implications for service planning, resource allocation, and prevention and treatment programming. The Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item (GAD-7) scale is a commonly used instrument for evaluating anxiety symptoms. Still, it has yet to be validated in vulnerable groups, such as Spanish-speaking adolescents who are at risk due to socioeconomic disadvantages. METHODS: This study aimed to examine the psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the GAD-7 for adolescents in a sample of middle and high school students in Puerto Rico. Secondary data from 566 students in fifth to twelfth grade in Puerto Rico were collected as part of a school-based services program. RESULTS: A confirmatory factor analysis evidenced the 1-factor structure of the GAD-7, while a test of invariance supported the equality of the factor loadings across gender and school level. The scores of the GAD-7 showed positive and significant correlations with the 8-item Patient Health Questionnaire depression scale-providing evidence of convergent validity-and the reliability estimates of the GAD-7 were adequate. CONCLUSION: Thus, the GAD-7 has optimal psychometric properties in terms of construct and convergent validity and internal consistency. It is a useful instrument for assessing anxiety in Spanish speaking youth in Puerto Rico.

Propiedades psicométricas de la “Escala de apoyo social del Estudio de resultados médicos” (MOS-SSS-A) entre adolescentes en Puerto Rico / Psychometric properties of the "Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Scale" (MOS-SSS-A) among adolescents in Puerto Rico

Este estudio tiene como objetivo examinar las propiedades psicométricas de la “Escala de apoyo social del Estudio de resultados médicos” (MOS-SSS-A) en una muestra de adolescentes en Puerto Rico. La muestra consistió en datos secundarios de 787 estudiantes, de entre 10 y 18 años de edad, que asistían a escuelas públicas ubicadas en el sureste y noreste de Puerto Rico. Realizamos un análisis factorial confirmatorio para probar la estructura factorial de la MOS-SSS-A. Además, se evaluaron las correlaciones entre el apoyo social percibido, la depresión y la ansiedad como evidencia de validez divergente. Los resultados indicaron un mejor ajuste cuando se utilizó el modelo original de cuatro factores. Las puntuaciones de apoyo social percibido se correlacionaron negativamente con las puntuaciones de depresión y ansiedad, que evidencian validez divergente. En conclusión, la MOS-SSS modificado para adolescentes (MOS-SSS-A) podría resultar un instrumento útil para la evaluación de su papel en la reducción o la prevención de psicopatologías, así como en el ofrecimiento de intervenciones tempranas para poblaciones en alto riesgo como los adolescentes de grupos minoritarios. (AU)

This study aims to examine the psychometric properties of the Medical Outcomes Study-Social Support Survey (MOS-SSS-A) in a sample of adolescents in Puerto Rico. The sample consisted of secondary data of 787 students, ranging in age from 10 to 18, who attended public schools located in the southeast and northeast of Puerto Rico. We conducted a confirmatory factor analysis to test the factorial structure of the MOS-SSS-A. Additionally, correlations among perceived social support, depression, and anxiety were evaluated as evidence of discriminant validity. Results indicated a better fit when using the four-factor original model. Perceived social support scores were negatively correlated with depression and anxiety scores, which evidence discriminant validity. In conclusion, the MOS-SSS modified for adolescents (MOS-SSS-A) could be a valuable instrument for evaluating its role in reducing or preventing psychopathologies and offering early interventions for high-risk populations such as adolescents from minority groups. (AU)

Beyond Frontiers: An Examination of Ethical Leadership and Job Resources in Customs Officers' Well-Being.

Analyzing factors that contribute to job burnout and job satisfaction among customs officers are crucial for customs administration effectiveness and the country's safety. Based on the Conservation of Resources Theory (COR), we analyze how ethical leadership, job resources, and burnout play a role in customs officers' job satisfaction. Online questionnaires were administered to 53.6% (n = 193) of the customs officers of one Latin American country. Hypotheses were tested through mediation analysis using PROCESS macro for SPSS. Results show that ethical leadership significantly relates to job resources and job satisfaction, but not to burnout. Ethical leadership relates to job satisfaction indirectly through job resources and burnout. The indirect effect serial mediation model (ethical leadership -> job resources -> burnout -> satisfaction) was significant. Our results provide evidence that ethical leadership is an important component to shape the perception of job resources (i.e. autonomy and task significance) and foremost to reduce stress and improve satisfaction.

Vulnerabilities and academic outcomes among students in Puerto Rico.

Violence and health inequalities impact the academic outcomes of students, especially among minority groups. This study examines the differences in grade retention and dropout intentions with respect to exposure to violence and to mental health (anxiety, depression, and trauma) among youth living in Puerto Rico. Data from 566 students of fifth to twelfth grade in Puerto Rico were collected as part of a school-based service program. A two-way ANOVA showed no significant differences in exposure to violence and mental health among students with and without a history of grade retention. However, students who reported dropout intentions showed higher exposure to violence and mental health issues. These results highlight the value of assessing mental health and contextual indicators in designing interventions to prevent adverse academic outcomes in vulnerable populations.

Translation, cultural adaptation, and psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the Combat Exposure Scale (CES-S) with U.S. military Spanish speaking Latino veterans living in the Caribbean: A cross-sectional preliminary data study.

OBJECTIVE: The Combat Exposure Scale (CES) is one of the most used self-report instruments to assess various combat situations experienced by military personnel. This article presents a comprehensive translation and cultural adaptation of the CES to Spanish and its psychometric properties. METHOD: Fifty-five (n = 55) U.S. military Spanish-speaking Latino veterans diagnosed with combat-related PTSD were recruited from 2018 to 2020 to participate in this cross-sectional preliminary data study at the VA Caribbean Health Care System. The translation and cultural adaptation followed the recommendations by Chavez & Canino (2005). Statistical analysis included principal component factor analysis, internal consistency analysis, and content validity analysis. It included two different expert bilingual committees composed of veterans with combat experience and university professors at a doctoral level. RESULTS: The CES-S consists of seven items. The principal component factor analysis resulted in one factor and the content validity of =1. CES-S has an internal consistency of α=.84. CONCLUSION: The CES-S is suitable for its use with Spanish-speaking Latino veteran samples. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

Risk and protective factors predicting prescription drug misuse in a sample of Puerto Rican students.

The present study was directed at examining a model of risk, and protective factors for prescription drug misuse in a representative sample of 8,079 students enrolled in 130 randomly selected middle and high schools in Puerto Rico. Based on the available empirical literature that was examined, depressed mood, availability of illegal drugs, sensation-seeking behavior, social learning, peer's drug use as risk factors, and positive outlook of the future as protective factors for prescription drug misuse youths. The Puerto Rico Survey of Youth Risk Behaviors Questionnaire (SYRB-PR) was administered to all participants, and all the experimental measures of the risk and protective factors were obtained from this instrument. The results show that the best predictors of drug misuse among Puerto Rican students were those related to the social learning at their homes, followed by sensation seeking, peer use of drugs, accessibility of drugs, and depressed mood. A positive outlook of the future was not a significant predictor of less prescription drug misuse. These results can serve as explorative and provide recommendations for future research on prescription drug misuse among Hispanics and possibly all youths in the U.S.

Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory, approach-affect and avoidance-affect.

This paper brings together Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory and other perspectives on wellbeing to test predictions about dimensions of affect which are linked to approach motivation or avoidance motivation. Valence and activation are jointly conceptualised as either approach-affect or avoidance-affect through the diagonal axes of an affective circumplex. Across four studies in three different countries, predictions about Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory's Behavioural Activation System, Behavioural Inhibition System and Fight-Flight-Freeze System are found to be supported. Correlations with external variables are shown to depend on a wellbeing measure's emphasis on approach or avoidance, such that affect and external features which both emphasise motivation to approach or to avoid yield substantially larger intercorrelations than do non-concordant pairs. In addition, joining valence with activation is shown to yield correlational benefits as predicted. Implications of our perspective and operationalisation are reviewed, and specific research recommendations are made.

Psychometric Properties of the OBCS Body Shame Scale in a Sample of Female Residents in Puerto Rico.

The purpose of this study is to analyze the psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the Body Shame scale within the Objectified Body Consciousness Scale (OBCS) in a sample of women living in Puerto Rico. The sample consisted of 117 heterosexual women. A confirmatory factor analysis was conducted to evaluate the structure of the scale and internal consistency was examined. Findings revealed that the 6-item Spanish version of the Body Shame scale shows better model-data fit than the original 8-item version. The results of the study support the use of the final 6-item version of the Body Shame scale in research and practice, given that it demonstrated appropriate structure and internal consistency. In conclusion, the findings support the use of the 6-item version of the Body Shame scale.

El propósito de este estudio es analizar las propiedades psicométricas de la versión española de la escala de Vergüenza Corporal en la Objectified Body Consciousness Scale (OBCS). La muestra estuvo compuesta de 117 mujeres heterosexuales que viven en Puerto Rico. Se realizó un análisis factorial confirmatorio para evaluar la estructura de la escala y se examinó la consistencia interna. Los resultados indican que la versión española de 6 items de la escala de Vergüenza Corporal mostró un mejor ajuste de los datos del modelo que la versión original de 8 ítems. Los resultados del estudio respaldan el uso de la versión final de 6 ítems de la escala de Vergüenza Corporal en la investigación y la práctica, dado que demostró una estructura apropiada y una consistencia interna adecuada. En conclusión, los resultados apoyan el uso de la escala de 6 ítems de vergüenza corporal.

Sex, Gender Identity, and Perceived Employability Among Spanish Employed and Unemployed Youngsters.

Young people find it difficult to access to the labor market, particularly in countries like Spain with a dramatically high rate of unemployment. A further problem is that this labor market is not gender-neutral. This has been demonstrated repeatedly in the literature, with women typically being at a disadvantage. This highlights the need to study issues related to employability from a gender perspective, beyond including sex as a mere control variable. This analysis is relevant given the gender biases in organizations and in society in general that hinder the advancement of gender equality in organizations. Accordingly, our aim is to study both sex (male vs. female) and four profiles of gender identity based on dimensions of masculinity and femininity (i.e., feminine, masculine, undifferentiated, and androgynous) in relation to perceived employability in an exploratory way in two samples of employed (N = 181) and unemployed (N = 246) Spanish youngsters (i.e., below 30). The results show different patterns for employed and unemployed youngsters regarding sex, gender identity and their interaction in relation to perceptions of being employable. Concerning sex, women seem more confident about their employment chances when unemployed. In contrast, men feel more confident about their employment chances within their organization than women when employed. Concerning gender identity, the androgynous gender profile in the employed sample (in both men and women) scored highest on perceived employability. Results of the sex-gender identity interaction show that being feminine associates with the highest level of perceived employability for an unemployed man and the lowest for an unemployed woman. Moreover, both unemployed men and women androgynous score the highest in perceiving employability (except feminine men). Our findings highlight that sex and gender identity do play a role in shaping employability perceptions of young men and women in different labor contexts (employment and unemployment). This reinforces the need of changes against discrimination at work and in job search from a feminist approach to arrive at a more equal society.

Leadership Intellectual Stimulation and Team Learning: the Mediating Role of Team Positive Affect / Estimulación intelectual del líder y aprendizaje del equipo: El rol mediador del afecto positivo del equipo

Abstract This study investigates how leadership intellectual stimulation relates to team positive affect and team learning. We explore the role of positive affect as mediator between leadership intellectual stimulation and team learning. Using a cross-sectional sample of 562 employees, nested within 130 teams from 44 small- and medium-size organizations, we implemented Structural Equation Model analysis at the team level. Results provide evidence of the strong relationship that intellectual stimulation has on team learning and team positive affect, as well as the potential of positive affect for stimulating team learning. Team positive affect serves as a partial mediator between intellectual stimulation and team learning, contributing to explain significant additional variance. Leadership intellectual stimulation is a relevant team social resource that provides support for team learning. Also, positive affect contributes significantly to improve learning among teams. This suggests the importance of developing leadership behaviors that encourage learning and team positive affect, which contributes to team learning and hence, performance.

Resumen Este estudio examina cómo la estimulación intelectual de los líderes se relaciona con el afecto positivo y el aprendizaje de los equipos. En específico, explorarnos el rol mediador del afecto positivo entre la relación de la estimulación intelectual de los líderes y al aprendizaje a nivel de los equipos. Realizamos análisis de modelos de ecuaciones estructurales a nivel grupal utilizando una muestra transversal de 562 empleados, anidados en 130 equipos de 40 pequeñas y medianas organizaciones. Los resultados proveen evidencia de la fuerte relación entre la estimulación intelectual y el afecto positivo, así como del potencial del afecto positivo para estimular el aprendizaje del equipo. El afecto positivo sirve como un mediador parcial contribuyendo a explicar varianza adicional significativa. La estimulación intelectual de los líderes es un recurso social relevante que provee apoyo al aprendizaje en los equipos. Del mismo modo, el afecto positivo contribuye significativamente a mejorar el aprendizaje. Esto sugiere la importancia de desarrollar comportamientos de los líderes que fomenten el aprendizaje y el afecto positivo, los cuales contribuyen al aprendizaje y al desempeño a nivel grupal.

Análisis de las propiedades psicométricas de la Utrecht Work Engagement Scale en una muestra de trabajadores en Puerto Rico / Analysis of Psychometric Properties of the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale in a Sample of Workers in Puerto Rico

El estudio del engagement en el trabajo es cada vez más común en la literatura científica. La estructura factorial del instrumento más utilizado por los investigadores para evaluar el engagement, la Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES), ha mostrado múltiples inconsistencias en diversos países. El objetivo de este trabajo es examinar las propiedades psicométricas de la UWES en una muestra de 2.796 trabajadores en Puerto Rico. Se examinó la estructura factorial de la escala mediante ecuaciones estructurales, con el método de estimación de máxima verosimilitud. Los resultados muestran que el modelo de tres factores posee un mejor ajuste a los datos de la escala, siendo consistente con la concepción del engagement como constructo compuesto por tres dimensiones: vigor, dedicación y absorción. La validez y la fiabilidad de la UWES son adecuadas, por lo que se concluyó que la escala posee las cualidades para ser utilizada en investigaciones en el contexto laboral puertorriqueño.

The study of work engagement is becoming increasingly common in the scientific literature. There are many inconsistencies regarding the factorial structure of the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES) the most widely used instrument by researchers in different countries. The objective of this study is to examine the psychometric properties of the UWES using a sample of 2,796 employees in Puerto Rico. We examined the psychometric properties of UWES using structural equations with the method of maximum likelihood estimation. The results show that the three-factor model has a better fit, being consistent with the conception of engagement as a construct formed by three dimensions: vigor, dedication, and absorption. The validity and reliability of UWES are appropriate, and we conclude that the scale has the qualities to be used in research in the Puerto Rican labor context.

El cuerpo en forma: masculinidad, imagen corporal y trastornos en la conducta alimentaria de atletas varones universitarios / The Body Fit: Masculinity, Body Image and Eating Disorders in University Male Athletes

El paradigma de la masculinidad hegemónica tiene un impacto en la vida de los hombres y en la forma en que construyen su masculinidad y su cuerpo. El modelo hegemónico remite a una masculinidad dominante sobre las mujeres y sobre otros hombres. La masculinidad hegemónica representa el referente de fortaleza, dominio, fuerza, desconexión de la emotividad y el privilegio social que se les otorga a los hombres. Es a través del deporte que el hombre forma y conforma su cuerpo, frente a otros hombres y frente a las mujeres. El deporte es sin dudas, el espacio público en donde se encuentran los hombres como iguales junto a sus pares. En este ritual deportivo los cuerpos masculinos se reafirman entre sí a la distancia de las mujeres. En la búsqueda del cuerpo que desean, los atletas pueden recurrir a comportamientos de riesgo a partir de su percepción del cuerpo. Aquellos atletas con alteraciones en la percepción de su imagen corporal pueden desarrollar conductas perturbadas en su alimentación lo que puede tener consecuencias en la aparición de trastornos en la conducta alimentaria. En este estudio con 385 atletas varones de nivel universitario, seleccionados por disponibilidad, se exploró la percepción del cuerpo, el nivel de adherencia al modelo hegemónico de la masculinidad y la presencia de indicadores de trastornos en la conducta alimentaria. Los hallazgos indican que el 76% se adhiere de manera moderada o alta al modelo tradicional de la masculinidad, 15% reportan indicadores de disturbios en la conducta alimentaria y 9% informó dificultades con su imagen corporal. Se encontró una relación significativa entre el modelo tradicional de la masculinidad y trastornos en la conducta alimentaria y entre tener dificultades con la imagen corporal y la presencia de indicadores de trastornos en la conducta alimentaria.

Hegemonic masculinity paradigm has an impact in men's life and in the way they construct its masculinity and body. The hegemonic model refers to a dominant masculinity over women and other men. The hegemonic masculinity represents the reference to strength, dominance, force, disconnection form emotions and the assigned social privilege. It is through sports that men form and conforms their body, among other men and women. Sports are without doubt, the public space in which men join together as equals and peers. In these rituals masculine bodies are re-affirmed among themselves and separate from women. In their quest for the body they want, male athletes may recur to risk behaviors. Those athletes with body image distortions could develop distorted eating behaviors. In this study with 385 university male athletes, selected by availability, we explored the body perception, the level of adherence to the hegemonic model of masculinity, and the presence of disorders in their eating behaviors. Findings shows that 76% of the participants reported from moderate to high levels of adherence to the traditional model of masculinity, 15% reported eating behavior disorders, and 9% showed difficulties with body image. There is a significant relation between the traditional model of masculinity and distorted eating behaviors and between difficulties with body image and eating disorders.