Manifiesto por la Psicología en Chile: A propósito de la revuelta del 18 de Octubre 2019 / Manifesto for Psychology in Chile: On the subject of the revolt of October 18, 2019

Resumen La psicología en tanto práctica profesional y de investigación científica no puede ni debe permanecer aislada de los contextos en los que se desarrolla. Frente a los profundos sentimientos de malestar expresados por el pueblo chileno en movilizaciones sociales desde el 18 de octubre de 2019, que responden directamente a la implementación de un modelo neoliberal desprovisto de justicia social, como psicólogas y psicólogos nos sentimos llamados a levantar los requerimientos mínimos que consideramos que nuestra disciplina debe asumir. Bajo este marco, se presenta un Manifiesto que contempla 22 puntos, construido de manera colaborativa por 13 psicólogas y psicólogos de diversas instituciones que, en una labor colectiva, lo proponen como agenda de trabajo para los próximos meses. Sabiendo que este listado no es definitivo ni exhaustivo, lo ofrecemos a la comunidad como un punto de partida para la deliberación, discusión y debate dentro de Universidades, centros de investigación, sociedades científicas y profesionales y al aparato estatal, de manera de fortalecer el rol de la psicología en la problematización y reducción las inequidades e injusticias, así como en el fomento del bienestar psicosocial.

Abstract Psychology as a professional and scientific practice should and must not remain isolated from the contexts in which it develops. Considering the deep feelings of discomfort expressed by the Chilean people during social mobilizations since October 18th, 2019, in response to the implementation for decades of a neoliberal model devoid of social justice, as psychologists we feel summoned to raise the minimum requirements we think our discipline must assume about that matter. Under these assumptions, a Manifesto is presented. It includes 22 items, which have been elaborated by 13 psychologists from several institutions that, in a collective effort, propose them as an agenda to work on in the next months. Knowing that this list is not definitive or exhaustive, we offer it to the community as a point of departure for deliberation, discussion and debate within universities, research centers, scientific and professional societies, and the state apparatus, in order to strengthen the role of psychology in the problematization and reduction of inequities and injustices, as well as in promoting psychosocial well-being.

Differences between men and women in self-reported body mass index and its relation to drug use.

BACKGROUND: Obesity is a public health problem of alarming proportions, including among the university population in Latin America. The purpose of this study was to determine the relation between the self-reported body mass index and the associated drug use and health-risk behaviors. METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional, descriptive study of 3,311 Chilean university students (17-24 years). The variables weight, height, frequency of physical activity, diet quality index, and drug use were evaluated by way of a self-report questionnaire. RESULTS: 16.7% of students were overweight and 2.1% were obese. Higher rates of overweight and obesity were observed in the men compared to women. There was a significant but moderate association between self-perceived obesity and being men and higher age, and just low with greater use of analgesics and tranquilizers with or without a prescription. CONCLUSIONS: The punctual prevalence rates of self-reported obesity, in this sample, are consistent with other Latin American studies. The risk behaviors associated with perceived obesity in terms of gender, particularly the different pattern of drug use, highlight the importance of considering gender when designing strategies to promote health in a university setting.

Efectividad según duración de la psicoterapia en un centro de atención psicológica para universitarios / Effectiveness of psychotherapy according to the duration of treatment in an university counseling center

Se presentan los resultados de una investigación que aborda la efectividad de la psicoterapia, de acuerdo a la duración del tratamiento en una muestra de estudiantes que acuden a un centro de atención psicológica universitario. El tipo de estudio es de medidas repetidas o longitudinal y el diseño es cuasi experimental. La muestra es intencionada y estuvo compuesta por 21 personas de ambos sexos. Se ha utilizado el cuestionario Outcome Questionnaire de Lambert (OQ-45.2). Se concluye que el tratamiento psicoterapéutico es efectivo. Los consultantes, en promedio, cambian de presentar puntuaciones clínicas a puntuaciones no clínicas a partir de la octava sesión.

This paper presents the results of a research about effectiveness of psychotherapy according to the duration of treatment in a sample of students attending an university counseling center. The type of study is repeated measures or longitudinal and quasi-experimental design. The sample is intentional and consisted of 21 subjects of both sexes. It was used Outcome Lambert Questionnaire (OQ-45.2). The conclusion is that a psychotherapy is effective. The consultants changed from clinical scores to non-clinical from the 8th session.

Happiness and health behaviours in Chilean college students: a cross-sectional survey.

BACKGROUND: Happiness has been associated with a range of favourable health outcomes through two pathways: its relationship with favourable biological responses to stress and with healthy lifestyles and prudent health behaviours. There are a substantial number of cross-cultural studies about happiness, but none of them has studied the association of happiness with perceived stress and health behaviours in Latin American samples. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the association between general happiness and these variables in a Latin American sample. METHODS: We conducted a survey to examine the status of 3461 students aged between 17 and 24 years old (mean age = 19.89; SD = 1.73) who attended University of Santiago de Chile during 2009. The healthy behaviours indexes assessed were the frequency of daily physical exercise, fruits/vegetables intake, breakfast and lunch intake, smoking, alcohol and other drugs consumption. We also included the assessment of perceived stress and Body Mass Index. All of them were evaluated using a self-report questionnaire. RESULTS: The univariate and multivariate binary logistic regression analyses showed that being female and younger was related to a higher happiness, as well as that people self-reporting daily physical activity, having lunch and fruits and vegetables each day had a higher likelihood (OR between 1.33 and 1.40) of being classified as "very happy". Those who informed felt stressed in normal circumstances and during tests situations showed a lower likelihood (0.73 and 0.82, respectively) of being considered "very happy". Regarding drug consumption, taking tranquilizers under prescription was negative related to "subjective happiness" (OR = 0.62), whereas smoking was positive associated (OR = 1.20). CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study mainly support the relationship between happiness and health outcomes through the two pathways previously mentioned. They also underscore the importance of that some healthy behaviours and person's cognitive appraisal of stress are integrated into their lifestyle for college students. Additionally, highlight the importance of taking into account these variables in the design of strategies to promote health education in university setting.

Importancia de la investigación en psicoterapia para los psicólogos clínicos / Importance of psychotherapy research among clinical psychologists

En el presente se presentan los resultados de una encuesta que busca describir la importancia que dan los psicólogos clínicos a la investigación en psicoterapia. A pesar de que casi todos están de acuerdo en lo importante que es la investigación de esta área, un bajo porcentaje lee o realiza investigaciones. Se realizan comparaciones según orientación teórica, experiencia y género.