Cross-cultural invariance of the Spanish version of the COVID-19 Assessment Scorecard to measure the perception of government actions against COVID-19 in Latin America

Abstract Objectives The present study aimed to evaluate the measurement invariance of a general measure of the perception of governmental responses to COVID--19 (COVID-SCORE-10) in the general population of 13 Latin American countries. Methods A total of 5780 individuals from 13 Latin American and Caribbean countries selected by non-probabilistic snowball sampling participated. A confirmatory factor analysis was performed and the alignment method was used to evaluate invariance. Additionally, a graded response model was used for the assessment of item characteristics. Results The results indicate that there is approximate measurement invariance of the COVID-SCORE-10 among the participating countries. Furthermore, IRT results suggest that the COVID-SCORE-10 measures with good psychometric ability a broad spectrum of the construct assessed, especially around average levels. Comparison of COVID-SCORE-10 scores indicated that participants from Cuba, Uruguay and El Salvador had the most positive perceptions of government actions to address the pandemic. Thus, the underlying construct of perception of government actions was equivalent in all countries. Conclusion The results show the importance of initially establishing the fundamental measurement properties and MI before inferring the cross-cultural universality of the construct to be measured.

Validation of the brief scale for the evaluation of acculturation stress in migrant population (EBEA)

Abstract Background: Acculturation stress is associated with poorer physical and mental health and a lower level of psychological well-being. The causes of acculturation stress are diverse, but most are similar in the migrant population. Despite the importance of evaluating this variable, few studies have reported culturally adapted and validated instruments for specific populations. Based on this, the aim of this study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of a short scale for the evaluation of acculturation stress (EBEA). Methods: Two studies were conducted, involving 1725 first-generation Colombian and Peruvian migrants living in Chile, between the ages of 18 and 60 years. In addition to the EBEA and as evidence of validity, the Beck Anxiety Scale and the WHOQOL-BREF psychological health domain were applied. A confirmatory factor analysis was carried out, and the reliability and nomological validity were evaluated. Results: The results in both studies indicated that the scale presents a factorial structure of three dimensions: (a) the stress derived from the preparation and departure from the country of origin, (b) the stress produced by socioeconomic concerns in the host country, and (c) the tensions typical of adaptation to sociocultural changes or Chilean society. The reliability coefficients and the analysis of their nomological validity were very good. Conclusions: The EBEA is a measure that offers quick, useful screening for researchers who need a short measure for research among migrants. This tool contributes to the work of education, prevention, and intervention in the field of general health and migrants' mental health.

Funciones ejecutivas entre músicos y no músicos: un metaanálisis / Executive functions between musicians and non-musicians: a metanalysis

Resumen Se ha sugerido que la práctica profesional de un instrumento musical esta relacionada con mejores puntajes en tareas de funciones ejecutivas. Con el fin de examinar sistemáticamente esta hipótesis se realizó un metaanálisis para identificar el efecto de la interpretación de un instrumento en las funciones ejecutivas, así como las variables que podrían moderar dicho efecto. El metaanálisis incluyó estudios empíricos que: (1) compararon los puntajes en medidas de funciones ejecutivas entre músicos y no músicos; (2) reportaron las medias y desviaciones estándar; (3) el grupo de comparación no recibió entrenamiento musical; y (4) los participantes no presentaron discapacidad motora o cognitiva. Se identificó que los músicos, en comparación con los no músicos, muestran mejores puntajes en tareas de funciones ejecutivas (d = .712). Los resultados apoyan la hipótesis de que la práctica de un instrumento musical está relacionada con mejores puntuaciones en tareas de funciones ejecutivas.

Abstract Nowadays, it is widely accepted that experience can modify multiple aspects of the functioning and structure of the brain; however, there is still a long way to go to understand the mechanisms behind these modifications. In order to understand the relationship between experience and brain plasticity, models and paradigms have been adapted from cognitive neurosciences; one of them has been music training. In the last decades, this paradigm has strengthened because it allows us to understand the structural and functional modifications produced by training. It has been demonstrated that musicians compared to non-musicians present larger sizes of specific brain regions, in particular, the prefrontal cortex, which is associated with a better performance in executive functions tasks. In addition, long-term neurophysiological changes have been identified in people who play an instrument. A relationship between playing an instrument and better performance in executive functions has been identified. However, the evidence of this effect is contradictory. Executive functions are a series of general control processes that help regulate thinking and behavior. Some research indicates that learning an instrument is associated with better performance in working memory, but not regarding tasks related to inhibitory control and cognitive flexibility. However, other studies have revealed significant differences between musicians and non-musicians, both in working memory and tasks of cognitive flexibility as well as in inhibitory control. It is possible that the contradictory results are due to the methodological diversity through which this topic has been addressed, since some studies have carried out experimental and quasi-experimental designs, and others have developed correlational approaches. In addition, different theoretical models have been used to evaluate executive functions. For this study, we work with the theoretical model of Miyake et al. (2000), which is a solid theoretical-empirical proposal about three clearly differentiable executive functions: inhibitory control, cognitive flexibility, and working memory. A meta-analysis was performed with the purpose of identifying the effect of playing an instrument on executive functions as well as identifying the moderator variables. By doing this, we wanted to clarify the problem in question and the controversial results; therefore, empirical studies comparing musicians against non-musicians were included. The comparison group should not have been exposed to musical training, the participants should not present motor or cognitive disabilities, and finally, studies should report means and standard deviations for the scores on executive functions tasks. We included papers published between January 2000 and July 2017. The moderator variables studied were: age in months at the time of evaluation, age at which training began, and total years of training. The coding strategy allowed us to identify a total of 42 294 articles. The titles and abstracts were analyzed and those that did not meet the inclusion criteria were eliminated. This procedure allowed the detection of 24 articles for future analysis, and 12 out of them were finally selected. These 12 articles contributed to 60 effect sizes and 513 participants. The results showed that musicians have a better performance in executive functions tasks when they are compared to non-musicians, d = .712, n = 60, IC95% = (.57; .85), p < .0001. Additionally, the analysis of moderating variables revealed that the practice of an instrument equally benefits all executive functions, and the most important benefit occurs in older adults and children. Results support the hypothesis that the high level of difficulty involved with learning to play an instrument can influence a better performance in executive functions tasks. Our study points out the need of designing research that allows the scientific community to investigate the effect of prolonged musical training over time.

Acculturation orientations, acculturative stress and psychological well-being on Latin American immigrants settled in Santiago, Chile / Orientaciones de aculturación, estrés de aculturación y bienestar psicológico en inmigrantes latinoamericanos en Santiago de Chile

Abstract In Chile, the significant increase of migratory flows from Latin America has drawn attention to the psychological and socio-cultural adjustment processes of new immigrants. This paper seeks to (i) establish relationships between acculturation orientations, acculturative stress and psychological well-being, (ii) identify profiles according to acculturation preferences, and (iii) determine the existence of significant differences in stress and well-being between these profiles. This correlational study was conducted with a sample of (N=194) Latin American immigrants with ages between 18 and 67 years (M=34.77; DE=10.181), where acculturation orientations, acculturation stress and psychological well-being were evaluated. Results indicate that the predominance of integration is more salutogenic than the tendency to cultural separation as a preeminent orientation, facilitating a better coping with the stressors of the migratory process. Three acculturative profiles were found: moderate individualist, integrationist and separatist. The comparison between profiles shows that when integration is predominant, well-being is greater than in the presence of individualism as the principal orientation. This study provides evidence regarding individualism as an acculturation orientation scarcely considered in the literature, whose possible negative influence can be related to group membership as a way to access resources that collaborate with adaptation to the new context.

Resumen En Chile, el incremento del flujo migratorio desde América Latina ha llamado la atención con respecto a los procesos de ajuste psicológico y sociocultural de los nuevos inmigrantes. Por tanto, con este trabajo se busca (a) establecer relaciones entre las orientaciones de aculturación, el estrés aculturativo y el bienestar psicológico, (b) identificar perfiles según las preferencias de aculturación, y (c) determinar la existencia de diferencias significativas en el estrés y el bienestar, de acuerdo con estas tipologías. Para esto, se realizó un estudio de tipo correlacional con una muestra de (N = 194) inmigrantes latinoamericanos con edades entre los 18 y los 67 años (M = 34.77; DE = 10.181), donde se evaluaron las orientaciones de aculturación, el estrés por aculturación y el bienestar psicológico. Los resultados indican que el predominio de la integración es más salutogénico que la tendencia a la separación cultural como orientación preeminente, lo que facilita un mejor afrontamiento de los estresores del proceso migratorio. Asimismo, se encontraron tres perfiles aculturativos -individualista moderado, integracionista y separatista-, y la comparación entre perfiles arroja que cuando la integración es más saliente, el bienestar es mayor que en presencia del individualismo como orientación predominante. Este trabajo aporta evidencia con respecto al individualismo como orientación de aculturación escasamente considerada en la literatura, cuya posible influencia negativa puede relacionarse con la pertenencia grupal como vía para acceder a recursos que aportan a la adaptación al nuevo contexto.

Efectos del atractivo físico y el sexo en la selección de personal: Un estudio experimental / Effects of Sex and Attractiveness in Hiring Decisions: An Experimental Study

RESUMEN El presente estudio tuvo como objetivo analizar la activación de información estereotípica en contextos de selección de personal. Las hipótesis fueron contrastadas mediante un diseño experimental 2 (sexo del aplicante) x 2 (atractivo del aplicante) x 2 (sexo de la persona reclutadora) en un grupo de reclutadores profesionales. Los resultados indicaron un efecto significativo tanto del sexo como del atractivo de los estímulos. Estos efectos fueron moderados por el sexo de las personas reclutadoras y parcialmente mediados por las atribuciones de calidez y habilidad. Los resultados se discuten considerando el impacto del estereotipo de "lo bello es bueno" y los estereotipos sobre los roles tradicionales asignados a cada sexo.

ABSTRACT This study aimed to analyze the activation of stereotypical information in personnel selection contexts. Hypotheses were tested via a 2 (applicant's sex) x 2 (applicant's appeal) x 2 (sex of the recruiter) experimental design among professional recruiters. Results show a significant effect of both, sex and attractiveness of the stimuli. These effects were moderated by the sex of the recruiter and partially mediated by attributions of warmth and ability. Results are discussed in the light of the impact of the "beautiful is good" effect and the stereotypes of traditional sex roles.

Desarrollo y validación de la Escala de Creencias sobre el Rol Paterno Posdivorcio en padres costarricenses divorciados / Development and validation of the Scale of Beliefs about Post-divorce Parental Role in Costa Rican divorced parents / Desenvolvimento e validação da Escala de Crenças sobre o Papel Paterno Pós-divórcio em pais costarriquenses divorciados

En este trabajo se presenta la "Escala de Creencias sobre el Rol Paterno Posdivorcio" (ECRP-D). Está compuesta por doce ítems y fue elaborada para medir las creencias que el padre tiene acerca de su rol paterno después del divorcio. Participaron en el estudio 200 padres divorciados o separados costarricenses del Gran Área Metropolitana de Costa Rica. Los resultados indicaron que el instrumento presenta una estructura bifactorial, diferenciando dos creencias relativamente independientes sobre el rol paterno después del divorcio: el rol económico y el rol afectivo. Ambas subescalas presentan coeficientes de consistencia interna adecuados superiores al .70. Las evidencias de validez convergente y discriminante apoyan la utilidad de la escala para establecer inferencias sobre los dos distintos roles: las puntuaciones obtenidas en la subescala del rol afectivo correlacionan positivamente con indicadores conductuales y actitudinales de la relación afectiva con los hijos; mientras que la subescala del rol económico se asoció principalmente con indicadores de la situación socioeconómica de los padres. En la discusión se comentan los posibles usos de la escala en la investigación y la intervención psicológica con familias posdivorcio.

This paper presents the "Scale of beliefs about the post-divorce parental role" (CRP-D for its Spanish acronym). It comprises 12 items to assess the father's beliefs about his post-divorce parental role. Two hundred Costa Rican divorced or separated fathers from Great Metropolitan Area of the country (known in Costa Rica as GAM for its Spanish acronym) participated in the study. Data showed that the instrument has a two-factor structure, distinguishing between two relatively independent beliefs of the father's role after the divorce: the economic role and the emotional role. Both subscales showed adequate internal consistency coefficients above .70. Evidence of convergent and discriminant validity support the usefulness of the scale to make inferences about two different roles: the scores on the emotional role subscale correlated positively with behavioral and attitudinal indicators of the affective relationship with children, while the economic role subscale was primarily associated with indicators of the father socioeconomic status. Possible applications of the scale in psychological research and intervention with post-divorce families are commented.

Neste trabalho apresenta-se a "Escala de Crenças sobre o Papel Paterno Pós-divórcio" (ECRP-D). Está composta por doze itens e foi elaborada para medir as crenças que o pai tem sobre seu papel paterno depois do divorcio. Participaram no estudo 200 pais divorciados ou separados costarriquenses da Grande Área Metropolitana da Costa Rica. Os resultados indicaram que o instrumento apresenta uma estrutura bifatorial, diferenciando duas crenças relativamente independentes sobre o papel paterno depois do divórcio: o papel econômico e o papel afetivo. Ambas subescalas apresentam coeficientes de consistência interna adequados superiores a 0,70. As evidências de validade convergente e discriminante apoiam a utilidade da escala para estabelecer inferências sobre os dois papéis: as pontuações obtidas na subescala do papel afetivo correlacionam positivamente com indicadores condutuais e atitudinais da relação afetiva com os filhos; enquanto a subescala do papel econômico foi associada principalmente com indicadores da situação socioeconômica dos pais. Na discussão se comentam os possíveis usos da escala na pesquisa e a intervenção psicológica com famílias pós-divórcio.

Estructura, correlatos y predictores del estrés por aculturación: El caso de personas refugiadas colombianas en Costa Rica / Structure, correlates and predictors of acculturation stress: A case study with colombian refugees in Costa Rica

Cien personas refugiadas colombianas completaron un cuestionario que medía el estrés experimentado durante el proceso de adaptación a la sociedad costarricense, las redes de apoyo construidas en Costa Rica, la frecuencia con que se han visto discriminadas y su nivel de salud mental. Los datos muestran que el estrés por aculturación se estructuran en cuatro dimensiones: el estrés experimentado por los preparativos para la salida, el estrés derivado de su condición de refugiados, el estrés experimentado ante las necesidades económicas y el estrés vivido ante los retos de la adaptación cultural a la sociedad costarricense. Los preparativos para la salida del país son los eventos de mayor estrés reportado. La discriminación percibida y los años de residencia en Costa Rica aparecieron como los principales predictores de los tipos de estrés posinmigración, una vez controlados los efectos de la salud y las redes de apoyo.

One hundred colombian refugees completed a questionnaire measuring the level of stress they have experienced during the process of adaptation to the Costa Rican society; the social networks they have built in Costa Rica; the frequency with which they have been discriminated against; and their mental health. Data show four dimensions for acculturative stress: the stress produced by the arrangements to leave Colombia; the stress derived from their status as refugees; the stress derived from their socioeconomic needs; and the stress resulting from coping with the demands of the social and cultural adaptation to the host society. Participants reported significant higher levels of stress when planning the emigration from Colombia. Perceived discrimination and years of residence in Costa Rica were the principal predictors of acculturative stress in Costa Rica, above and below of the effect of other potential predictors, as social networks and mental health.