Development and validation of the help-seeking intention scale in university students with hazardous and harmful consumption of alcohol.

Introduction: The Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) has been proposed as suitable to study help-seeking intentions. This paper aims to develop the IH-RHAC scale (Help-seeking intention in young adults with hazardous and harmful alcohol consumption) with the TPB. The objectives of the study were: (a) to analyze the structure, reliability, and validity of the instrument, (b) to identify whether attitude, subjective norm, self-efficacy, and past help-seeking would predict help-seeking intention, and (c) to assess concurrent validity. Methods: From a total of 2,011 students who responded to the surveys, the sample was made up of 263 university students aged 18 to 29 with hazardous and harmful alcohol consumption practices, who responded to an online questionnaire including the AUDIT, IH-RHAC, and a scale of barriers and resources for alcohol consumption. Partial least squares structural equations (PLS-SEM) were used to test the hypotheses about reliability, validity of the scales, and prediction of the constructs: attitude, subjective norms, self-efficacy, and help-seeking in the past about intention. Pearson's correlations were used to obtain evidence of concurrent validity. Results: The results displayed favorable psychometric characteristics. The internal measurement model showed that attitude, self-efficacy, and prior help-seeking predicted a 27% help-seeking variance. Subjective norm did not predict intention. Discussion: It has been concluded that this is an instrument with psychometric support that can contribute to designing and/or evaluating interventions that promote the students' search for help.

Systematic review of measurement properties of self-reported instruments for evaluating therapeutic communication.

A systematic review was carried out to examine measurement tools of therapeutic relational communication, using an electronic search of the following databases: PubMed, LILACS, CINAHL, CiberIndex, Scielo and Scopus. The project followed the guidelines of Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis and the protocol recommended by the Consensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement Instruments (COSMIN) panel. Thirteen instruments were included in the review. and their measurement properties were tested. The most common communication elements found in the measuring instruments were: empathy, respect, listening, contact, communicative competence, communication quality, and communication skills. Studies that used a theoretical foundation were based on patient-centered humanistic models. Empathy, respect, controlled contact, and other basic elements of interpersonal communication were most commonly found among the measuring regents. In conclusion, this review analyzed the theoretical foundations of the components of instruments used to measure therapeutic relational communication in the nursing field.

Direct and indirect victimization and post-traumatic stress symptoms in university students in Northeastern Mexico / Victimización directa e indirecta y síntomas de estrés postraumático en estudiantes universitarios del Noreste de México

Abstract In recent years, violence has been exacerbated in several northeastern states of México, with implications for the mental health of young people, as is the development of symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The present study aims to identify the types of victimization (direct or indirect) experienced by university students, determine the symptoms of post-traumatic stress they present and see the relationship between the types of victimization and PTSD symptoms. The Victimization Scale and the Short Scale of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder were applied to 500 young people of Tamaulipas. The university students report on average 7 direct and indirect victimization events, the indirect being more frequent. Although there is a relationship between direct and indirect victimization, with the presence of PTSD symptoms, only indirect victimization is a predictive variable of PTSD symptoms in university students. It is proposed that, together with policies of crime prevention and reduction, policies of the reduction of fear of crimes should be created.

Resumen En México, sobre todo en los estados del noreste del país, en los últimos años la violencia se ha exacerbado y, a su vez, ha incrementado sus implicaciones en la salud mental de los jóvenes, principalmente con el desarrollo de síntomas del trastorno por estrés postraumático (TEPT). Teniendo esto en cuenta, en el presente estudio se tuvo como objetivo identificar los tipos de victimización (directa o indirecta) que viven los jóvenes universitarios ante la violencia comunitaria, así como determinar los síntomas de estrés postraumático que presentaban, e identificar la relación entre los tipos de victimización y los síntomas del TEPT. En total, participaron 500 jóvenes universitarios de un estado del noreste del país, a quienes se les aplicó la Escala de Victimización y la Escala Breve del Desorden del Estrés Postraumático. Como resultados, los participantes reportaron un promedio de siete sucesos de victimización tanto directa como indirecta, siendo más frecuente la indirecta. Aunque se observa una relación directa e indirecta entre la victimización y la presencia de síntomas del TEPT, solo la victimización indirecta resultó ser una variable predictora de síntomas del TEPT. Se propone que, junto a las políticas de prevención y reducción del delito, deben crearse políticas de reducción del miedo al crimen en la población.

Psychological, interpersonal, and clinical factors predicting time spent on physical activity among Mexican patients with hypertension.

BACKGROUND: It is widely known that physical activity is the key to the optimal management and clinical control of hypertension. PURPOSE: This research was conducted to identify factors that can predict the time spent on physical activity among Mexican adults with hypertension. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 182 Mexican patients with hypertension, who completed a set of self-administered questionnaires related to personality, social support, and medical adherence and health care behaviors, body mass index, and time since the disease diagnosis. Several path analyses were performed in order to test the predictors of the study behavior. RESULTS: Lower tolerance to frustration, more tolerance to ambiguity, more effective social support, and less time since the disease diagnosis predicted more time spent on physical activity, accounting for 13.3% of the total variance. The final model shows a good fit to the sample data (pBS =0.235, χ2/gl =1.519, Jöreskog and Sörbom's Goodness of Fit Index =0.987, adjusted modality =0.962, Bollen's Incremental Fit Index =0.981, Bentler-Bonett Normed Fit Index =0.946, standardized root mean square residual =0.053). CONCLUSION: The performance of physical activity in patients with hypertension depends on a complex set of interactions between personal, interpersonal, and clinical variables. Understanding how these factors interact might enhance the design of interdisciplinary intervention programs so that quality of life of patients with hypertension improves and they might be able to manage and control their disease well.

["Consumption of restricted foods" in Mexican hypertensive patients]. / "Consumo de alimentos restringidos" en pacientes mejicanos hipertensos.

BACKGROUND: Strict adherence to personal health recommendations is necessary to improve the clinical control of arterial hypertension. OBJECTIVE: To identify predictors of the behavior to avoid the "consumption of restricted foods" in a sample of hypertensive patients from Tamaulipas, Mexico. METHOD: Participants were 183 patients with arterial hypertension diagnosis, who completed two self-administered questionnaires and different questions regarding adherence and self-care behaviors. A trajectory analysis was used for the interpretation of data. RESULTS: Less tolerance to frustration, a major affective social support and a lower body mass index were behavior predictors to avoid the consumption of restricted foods (pBS= 0.294, χ2/gl= 1.417, GFI = 0.993, AGFI = 0.965, NFI = 0.934, IFI = 0.980 y SRMR = 0.040), explaining approximately 20% of the variance in the study behavior. CONCLUSION: The study of adherence and self-care behaviors demands to identify what and how some personal and interpersonal variables are influencing in their daily practice, which can contribute to improve the interdisciplinary interventions programs in clinical and communitarian settings for attending patients living with arterial hypertension.

«Consumo de alimentos restringidos» en pacientes mejicanos hipertensos / «Consumption of restricted foods» in Mexican hypertensive patients

Introducción: la adhesión estricta a las recomendaciones del personal de salud es requisito indispensable para coadyuvar en el control clínico de la hipertensión arterial. Objetivo: identificar los predictores de la conducta «consumo de alimentos restringidos» en una muestra de pacientes hipertensos de Tamaulipas, México. Método: participaron 183 pacientes diagnosticados con hipertensión arterial, quienes respondieron a un par de instrumentos y a diferentes preguntas sobre conductas de adhesión y cuidado de la salud. Para la interpretación de los datos se utilizó un análisis de trayectoria. Resultados: una menor tolerancia a la frustración, un mayor apoyo social afectivo y un menor índice de masa corporal predijeron la conducta de evitar el «consumo de alimentos restringidos» (pBS = 0,294, χ2/gl = 1,417, GFI = 0,993, AGFI = 0,965, NFI = 0,934, IFI = 0,980 y SRMR = 0,040), explicando aproximadamente un 20% de la varianza en la conducta de estudio. Conclusión: el estudio de las conductas de adhesión y cuidado de la salud pasa necesariamente por identificar qué y cómo ciertas variables personales e interpersonales están influyendo en su práctica diaria, lo cual puede contribuir a mejorar los programas de intervención interdisciplinaria en los ámbitos clínico y comunitario para la atención de pacientes que viven con hipertensión arterial (AU)

Background: Strict adherence to personal health recommendations is necessary to improve the clinical control of arterial hypertension. Objective: To identify predictors of the behavior to avoid the «consumption of restricted foods» in a sample of hypertensive patients from Tamaulipas, Mexico. Method: Participants were 183 patients with arterial hypertension diagnosis, who completed two self-administered questionnaires and different questions regarding adherence and self-care behaviors. A trajectory analysis was used for the interpretation of data. Results: Less tolerance to frustration, a major affective social support and a lower body mass index were behavior predictors to avoid the consumption of restricted foods (pBS = 0.294, χ2/gl = 1.417, GFI = 0.993, AGFI = 0.965, NFI = 0.934, IFI = 0.980 y SRMR = 0.040), explaining approximately 20% of the variance in the study behavior. Conclusion: The study of adherence and self-care behaviors demands to identify what and how some personal and interpersonal variables are influencing in their daily practice, which can contribute to improve the interdisciplinary interventions programs in clinical and communitarian settings for attending patients living with arterial hypertension (AU)

Adherencia al tratamiento en pacientes hipertensos con sobrepeso u obesidad / Adherence to treatment in hipertensive with overweight or obesity

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This cross-sectional study evaluates the association between stress-related situations and social support with treatment adherence, in a sample of 173 hypertensive patients with overweight or obesity. Participants answered questions related to treatment adherence (consumption of prescription drugs, according to the doses and times specified). They were considered three stress-related situations (decision making, tolerance to ambiguity and tolerance to frustration) and two types of social support (emotional and confidence) as predictors of adherence. Multiple linear regression analysis showed the influence of two stress-related situations (decision making and tolerance for ambiguity) in overweight patients, and social support in patients with obesity. The association of stress-related situations and social support with the practice of three adherence behaviors was different depending on the patients was different depending on whether the patient is overweight or obese. We discuss the implications of findings for the purposes of designing, implementing and evaluating programs to improve treatment adherence in hypertensive patients (AU)

Síntomas de ansiedad, depresión y factores psicosociales en hombres que solicitan atención de salud en el primer nivel / Symptoms of anxiety, depression and psychosocial factors in men applying for health care at the first level

Antecedentes: Los trastornos de ansiedad y del estado de ánimo son causa de deterioro psicológico. En el caso específico de los hombres, pueden presentar sintomatología clínica somática de depresión y ansiedad, pero, debido a la socialización masculina, pueden sentirse inclinados a ocultar o minimizar su sufrimiento psicológico o imponerse barreras que les impidan identificar y comunicar emociones internas y mucho menos a valorar estas manifestaciones como indicadores de un problema de salud mental.Objetivo: El presente trabajo tiene como objetivo determinar las relaciones existentes entre síntomas de ansiedad y depresión, factores psicosociales y el motivo de consulta en población adulta masculina que demanda atención de salud en primer nivel.Método: Los participantes fueron 276 sujetos masculinos de 18 a 65 años atendidos en consulta externa de diversas instituciones de salud de Ciudad Victoria, Tamaulipas. Se aplicó a esta muestra la Escala de Ansiedad y Depresión de Goldberg y la Escala de Funcionamiento Psicosocial.Resultados: Se encontró una prevalencia para síntomas de ansiedad de 57% (n=157) y de síntomas de depresión de 49% (n=135). Los resultados mostraron que entre los factores predictores de esta sintomatología se encuentran el estrés de vida, el intercambio negativo en sus interacciones, los hábitos negativos de salud y un ingreso económico menor a 1 000 pesos.Discusión y conclusion: La presente investigación viene a confirmar una relación entre síntomas de ansiedad, depresión, factores psicosociales y el deterioro de la salud.

Background: Anxiety and mood disorders are the cause of psychological deterioration in the world. In the case of men, specific somatic symptomatology can be present that indicate depression or anxiety but, because of their masculine socialization, they tend to suppress or minimize their psychological suffering or impose barriers that keep them from identifying their internal emotions and the symptoms of a serious mental issue.Objective: The purpose of this was to determine whether there are significant relationships between symptoms of anxiety, depression and other psychosocial factors along with the consultation motive of the adult male population who demand first level health care.Method: The sample considered for this study was 276 male subjects aged 18 to 65 who were attended as outpatients in various health institutions in Ciudad Victoria, Tamaulipas. With this sample, the Goldberg Scale of Anxiety and Depression and the Scale of Psychosocial Operation were used.Results: It was found that 57% (n=157) were diagnosed with a prevalence of anxiety symptoms and 49% (n=135) were diagnosed with symptoms of depression. The results obtained confirm that among the factors that cause these symptoms are life stress, negative exchange among interactions, negative health habits and an economic income lower than 1 000 pesos.Discussion and conclusion: These results also confirm the relationship among symptoms of anxiety, depression, psychosocial factors and deteriorating health.

Psicología y salud en México: algunas reflexiones basadas en el sentido común y la experiencia / Psychology and Health In Mexico: Some Reflections Based on Common Sense and the Experience

A mediados de la pasada década se publicó un trabajo en el que se analizaba por qué, a pesar del desarrollo experimentado por la psicología y salud en México, en ese entonces se hadan evidentes dos problemas: la falta de reconocimiento profesional de la psicología y los psicólogos en los marcos normativos sobre la materia, por un lado, así como las dificultades que enfrentaban para su integración en los equipos interdisciplinarios de salud, por el otro. Casi una década después nos encontramos que en general la situación no ha cambiado de manera sustancial, lo que a final de cuentas se traduce en un ejercicio profesional que dista mucho de estar impactando positivamente al diseño, instrumentación y evaluación de programas de investigación e intervención en el seno mismo de las instituciones de salud. Con base en el sentido común y la experiencia de los autores, en este trabajo se discute sobre tres asuntos que consideramos pudieran ayudar a revertir dicha situación, en beneficio de la psicología y los psicólogos que se desempeñan en el ámbito de la salud.

In the middle of the last decade was published a work in which analyzed why, despite the development experienced by the psychology and health in Mexico, then became evident two problems: the lack of professional recognition of psychology and psychologists in the normative frameworks on the subject, on the one hand, as well as the difficulties faced by these for their integration into the interdisciplinary teams of health, on the other. Almost a decade later we find that overall the situation has not changed substantially, which ultimately translates into a professional practice that is far be positively impacting the design, implementation and evaluation of research and intervention programs in the context of health institutions. Based on common sense and the experience of the authors, in this work is discussed on three issues that we believe could help to reverse this situation, for the benefit of psychology and psychologists working in the health field.

Relaciones sociales, variables psicológicas y conductas de adherencia en adultos con VIH / Social Relations, Psychological Variables and Adherence Behaviors in Adults with HIV

A cross-sectional study was conducted with the aim to test if the perceived difficulty to deal with social relationships would affect the role of a set of psychological variables on the practice of the adherence behaviors to antiretroviral therapy in a group of 111 people with HIV. Participants responded at to two self-administered questionnaires: Psychological variables and adherence behaviors, and Stress-related situations. A multiple regression analysis showed that the effect of psychological variables depends on how difficulties to establish social relationships are valuated: If there are difficulties, the weight is shifted to the reasons underlying adherence behavior (F [1, 44]= 49.582, p <.001), if there are none, it moves to an interaction between motives and competences in the past (F [2, 62]= 22.280, p <.001). The results have profound implications for the design of intervention programs, in which the objectives should be targeted to facilitate and/or improve in adults with HIV: Social competence to interact efficiently with significant people in their immediate environment, the individual psychological adjustment, as well as the efficient practice of adherence behaviors (AU)

Se realizó un estudio transversal con el objetivo de probar si la valoración de dificultades para relacionarse competentemente en el ámbito social afecta, y cómo, el rol de un conjunto de variables psicológicas en la práctica de conductas de adherencia al tratamiento antirretroviral. Participaron en el estudio un grupo de 111 personas con VIH que respondieron a dos instrumentos que evaluaron variables psicológicas y conductas de adherencia y situaciones vinculadas con estrés. Un análisis de regresión múltiple reveló que el peso de las variables psicológicas varía en función de si se valoran o no dificultades para relacionarse socialmente: si hay dificultades, el peso se traslada hacia los motivos que subyacen a las conductas de adherencia (F [1, 44]= 49,582, p <.001); si no las hay, el mismo se traslada hacia una interacción entre los motivos y el desempeño competencial en el pasado (F [2, 62]= 22,280, p <.001). Los resultados del estudio tienen profundas implicaciones para el diseño de programas de intervención, cuyos objetivos se deben orientar a facilitar y/o mejorar en los adultos con VIH: la competencia social para relacionarse de manera eficiente con personas significativas de su entorno inmediato, el ajuste psicológico en lo individual, así como la práctica consistente y eficiente de las conductas de adherencia (AU)

Psicología y Salud (II): tendiendo puentes entre la Psicología Básica y la Aplicada. El rol del fenómeno de personalidad / Psychology and Health (II): building bridges between Basic and Applied Psychology. The role of the personality phenomenon

Una parte importante del contenido de lo psicológico en la salud y la enfermedad tiene que ver con la conducta de una persona en lo individual, es decir, con el fenómeno de personalidad. Sin una caracterización apropiada de este fenómeno se dificulta el cumplimiento de dos tareas sustantivas en la Psicología y Salud, a saber: 1) identificar y evaluar lo que una persona ha hecho en el pasado, de manera estable y consistente a lo largo del tiempo y entre situaciones, y 2) traducir los hallazgos en programas de prevención primaria, susceptibles de ser replicados bajo distintas condiciones y en diferentes escenarios. Con la finalidad de dar seguimiento a lo expuesto en un artículo previo (Piña, Ybarra, Alcalá y Samaniego, 2010), el presente trabajo se planteó con el objetivo de discutir por qué en el ámbito de la salud es fundamental que los modelos teóricos incluyan un conjunto debidamente articulado de categorías y conceptos que permitan vincular los niveles básico y aplicado, así como lo psicológico con los fenómenos de la salud y la enfermedad, dentro de los que se destaca el de personalidad.

An important part of the psychological aspect in health and sickness has to do with the conduct of a person as an indidual, that is to say, with the phenomenon of personality. Without an appropriate characterization of this phenomenon, compliance with two fundamental tasks in psychology and health is made difficult. These are 1) to identify and evaluate what a person has done in the past in a stable and consistent way over a period of time and between situations, and 2) to translate the findings into programs of primary prevention, able to be reproduced under different conditions and in different scenarios. With the purpose of following up what was stated in a previous article (Piña, Ybarra, Alcalá y Samaniego, 2010), this study was proposed with the objective of discussing why, in the context of health, it is fundamental that theoretical models include a properly coordinated set of categories and concepts which allow basíc and applied levels to be linked, as well as the psychological aspect with the phenomena of health and sickness, among those which highlight personality.

Uma parte importante do conteúdo do psicológico na saúde e a doença têm a ver com a conduta de uma pessoa no individua, é dizer, com o fenômeno da personalidade. Sem uma caracterização apropriada de este fenômeno e difícil o cumprimento de duas tarefas substantivas na psicología e saúde, que são as seguintes: 1) identificar e avaliar o que uma pessoa tem feito no passado de maneira estável e consiste ao longo do tempo e entre situações, e 2) traduzir os descobrimentos em programas de prevenção primaria susceptíveis de serem replicados baixos diferentes condições e distintos cenários. Com a finalidade de dar seguimento ao exposto num artigo prévio (Piña, Ybarra, Alcalá y Samaniego, 2010), o presente trabalho foi planejado com o escopo de discutir por que no âmbito da saúde é fundamental que os modelos teóricos incluam um conjunto devidamente articulado de categorías e conceitos que permitam vincular os níveis básico e aplicado; assim como o psicológico com os fenômenos da saúde e a doença, dentro dos que é destacado o de personalidade.

Un estudio exploratorio sobre el desarrollo de creencias sobre síntomas como señales de hipertensión arterial / An exploratory study on the development of beliefs about symptoms as signals of arterial hypertension

Aunque la hipertensión arterial es un trastorno asintomático, muchos pacientes hipertensos están convencidos de experimentar síntomas indicadores de los cambios en su tensión arterial (TA), y los consejos y prescripciones médicas pueden verse afectados por estas creencias. Diversos estudios han mostrado que los pacientes hipertensos usan con frecuencia síntomas como indicadores del estado de su tensión arterial y modifican su tratamiento en base a los mismos. El presente estudio tiene como objetivo explorar variables relacionadas con la formación de creencias en forma de síntomas en una muestra de 171 pacientes hipertensos. Los resultados indicaron que el 81,3% de los pacientes informaron reconocer cuándo su TA está elevada en base a los síntomas que perciben. Como variables relacionadas con el desarrollo y mantenimiento de estas creencias los resultados mostraron, principalmente, la experiencia con síntomas durante el proceso del diagnóstico, la ocurrencia de crisis hipertensivas y la información recibida de otros sobre la relación síntomas-TA. Se discute la importancia de controlar la formación de falsas creencias en pacientes hipertensos prestando atención a las variables relacionadas con su formación

In spite of hypertension is known as an asymptomatic health problem, most of the people with such a diagnosis are convinced of experiencing very specific symptoms associated to specific changes in blood pressure (BP). In addition, such beliefs may affect treatment adherence. Previous studies have shown that hypertensive patients use the information they consideried right about BP symptoms to regulate the type of decisions they follow in adhering to treatment. The aim of this study is to explore specific variables related with the formation of beliefs about symptoms in a sample of 171 hipertensive patients. Results show that 81,3% of the patients perceived specific symptoms related to changes in hypertension as well as that variables related with the development of these beliefs were mostly: (1) the presence of symptoms during the diagnosis process, (2) the occurrence of hypertensive crisis, and (3) the information provided by others concerning the relationships between symptoms and BP changes. The importance of paying attention to the beliefs of specific symptoms as well as to the circunstances related with the formation process of such beliefs is discussed

[An exploratory study on the development of beliefs about symptoms as signals of arterial hypertension]. / Un estudio exploratorio sobre el desarrollo de creencias sobre síntomas como señales de hipertensión arterial.

An exploratory study on the development of beliefs about symptoms as signals of arterial hypertension. In spite of hypertension is known as an asymptomatic health problem, most of the people with such a diagnosis are convinced of experiencing very specific symptoms associated to specific changes in blood pressure (BP). In addition, such beliefs may affect treatment adherence. Previous studies have shown that hypertensive patients use the information they considered right about BP symptoms to regulate the type of decisions they follow in adhering to treatment. The aim of this study is to explore specific variables related with the formation of beliefs about symptoms in a sample of 171 hypertensive patients. Results show that 81,3% of the patients perceived specific symptoms related to changes in hypertension as well as that variables related with the development of these beliefs were mostly: (1) the presence of symptoms during the diagnosis process, (2) the occurrence of hypertensive crisis, and (3) the information provided by others concerning the relationships between symptoms and BP changes. The importance of paying attention to the beliefs of specific symptoms as well as to the circumstances related with the formation process of such beliefs is discussed.

Accuracy in discriminating blood glucose levels in a sample of children with type 1 diabetes.

The present study explores accuracy in estimating blood glucose levels (BGL) in children with type 1 diabetes and analyzes the kinds of symptoms and cues which they use to estimate their BGL. Forty two children with type 1 diabetes completed a SI/IC-3 scale consisting of 28 items (22 symptoms and 6 feelings), indicating those which they perceived at the time and their intensity. They estimated their BGL and gave reasons for their estimation, before having a blood glucose level analysis performed. The results indicated great variability in the accuracy of estimating BGL. They showed failures in the correct discrimination of symptoms of hypoglycemia as well as the presence of false beliefs regarding indicative symptoms of hyperglycemia, and the absence of symptoms as an indicator for euglycemia, beliefs which provoke different and frequent errors in the estimation of BGL. Correct use of external signs is shown to be related to correct estimations of normal BGL, as well as hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia. We discuss the implications these results could have on designing psychological intervention procedures for diabetics in the form of training programs to discriminate BGL accurately, taking into account these findings and previous studies completed in the same field.