Relationship Between Direct Aggression and Prosocial Behavior: The Role of Attention and Intelligence Among Children at Risk for Behavioral Problems.

This study aimed to investigate the influence of attention and intelligence in the prediction of prosocial behavior by direct aggression (proactive or reactive) in school-aged children at risk for behavioral problems. The sample was composed of 64 children aged 6 to 8 years screened for risk of behavioral problems, who were enrolled in a clinical trial. Multiple regression models were tested to investigate the prediction of prosocial behavior by direct aggression (proactive or reactive), attention, and intelligence. Additive multiple moderation models were tested to analyze the conditional effect of attention and intelligence in the prediction of prosocial behavior by proactive and reactive aggression. Aggression (proactive or reactive), attention, and intelligence did not linearly predict prosocial behavior. Conditional effects were found only for the proactive aggression model. Negative impacts on prosocial behavior were observed among children with low attention and high intelligence performance, while medium and high levels of attention showed to be protective factors among low to medium intellectual ability children. Clinical impacts of the results are discussed.

Effects of Two Early Parenting Programmes on Child Aggression and Risk for Violence in Brazil: a Randomised Controlled Trial.

Violence is a major public health problem globally, with the highest rates in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) in the Americas and southern Africa. Parenting programmes in high-income countries can diminish risk for violence, by reducing risk factors such as child aggression and harsh parenting, and increasing protective factors such as child cognitive development and school readiness. However, there is critical need to identify low-cost programmes with replicable benefits that work in real-world LMICs contexts. A three-arm, randomised, single-blind trial evaluated effects of two low-cost, group-based parenting programmes recommended for LMICs (ACT: Raising Safe Kids; DBS: dialogic book-sharing) on child aggression (primary outcome), child development, parenting, maltreatment, and stress. Participants were 369 children with medium-high levels of aggression (mean age 3.1 years at baseline) in poor households. Interventions were implemented in city health and education services in southern Brazil. Maternal reports, filmed observations, child tasks, and hair cortisol were assessed at baseline, 1-month post-intervention, and 8-month follow-up. Intention-to-treat analyses compared each of ACT and DBS with a control group. Three hundred sixty-eight (99.7%) participants completed follow-up assessments 8 months after the interventions. There was no effect of ACT (standardised mean difference, SMD 0.11, 95% CI - 0.05, 0.27) or DBS (SMD 0.05, 95% CI - 0.11, 0.21) on the primary outcome of child aggression. ACT reduced harsh parenting behaviour post-intervention (SMD - 0.23; 95% CI - 0.46, - 0.01), but not at follow-up. DBS improved book-sharing practices at both time points (e.g., maternal sensitivity at follow-up SMD 0.33; 95% CI 0.08, 0.57). There were no benefits of either programme for other parenting, child development, or stress outcomes. Two parenting programmes in Brazil had small effects on parenting practices but did not reduce child aggression or several other important risk/protective factors for violence. Effective early interventions that reduce violence in real-world LMIC settings are highly desirable but may be challenging to achieve.

Low Intraspecific Aggression Level, Cuticular Hydrocarbons, and Polydomy in the Bullet Ant.

Ants use chemical cues known as cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs) for both intraspecific and interspecific recognition. These compounds serve ants in distinguishing between nestmates and non-nestmates, enabling them to coexist in polydomous colonies characterized by socially connected yet spatially separated nests. Hence, the aim of this study was to investigate the intraspecific aggression level between nestmates and non-nestmates of the bullet ant Paraponera clavata (Fabricius, 1775), analyze and compare their CHCs, and evaluate the occurrence of polydomy in this species. We conducted aggression tests between foragers, both in laboratory and field settings. To identify the chemical profiles, we utilized gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS). We marked the foragers found at nest entrances and subsequently recaptured these marked ants to validate workers exchange among nests. Across all nests, a low intraspecific aggression level was observed within the same area. However, a significant difference in aggression correlated to distance between nests. Analysis of the cuticular chemical profile of P. clavata unveiled colony-specific CHCs, both qualitatively and quantitatively. Notably, we observed instances of ants from certain nests entering or exiting different nests. This behavior, in conjunction with the observed low intraspecific aggression despite differences in CHCs suggests polydomy for this species. Polydomy can offer several benefits, including risk spreading, efficient exploitation of resources, potential for colony size increasing and reduced costs associated with foraging and competition.

Ansiedad y estrategias de afrontamiento en personas privadas de la libertad en Barranquilla, Colombia / Anxiety and coping strategies in persons deprived of liberty in Barranquilla, Colombia / Ansiedade e estratégias de enfrentamento em pessoas privadas de liberdade em Barranquilla, Colômbia

El presente estudio tuvo como propósito principal determinar la relación entre la ansiedad y las estrategias de afrontamiento empleadas por personas privadas de la libertad (PPL) en el EPMSC Establecimiento de Reclusión Especial Barranquilla-Cárcel del Bosque. Para ello se siguió una ruta de investigación cuantitativa, de diseño no experimental, transversal y de alcance correlacional. La muestra estuvo conformada por 98 PPL, en edades entre 19 y 73 años, a quienes se aplicaron los instrumentos Escala de Valoración de la Ansiedad de Hamilton y Escala de Estrategias de Afrontamiento de Coping Modificada. Los resultados señalan niveles moderados de ansiedad, siendo los PPL más jóvenes (19-27 años) los que presentan mayor ansiedad psíquica; las personas mayores de 50 años tienden más a buscar solución a los problemas. Se concluye que a mayores niveles de ansiedad mayor relación con la estrategia de afrontamiento reacción agresiva.

The main purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between anxiety and the coping strategies employed by persons deprived of liberty (PPL) in the EPMSC Establecimiento de Reclusión Especial Barranquilla-Cárcel del Bosque. For this purpose, a quantitative, non-experimental, cross-sectional and correlational research route was followed. The sample consisted of 98 PPL, aged between 19 and 73 years, who were administered the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale and the Modified Coping Strategies Scale of Coping Modified. The results indicate moderate levels of anxiety, with younger PPL (19-27 years old) showing higher levels of psychological anxiety; people over 50 years old tend more to seek solutions to problems. It is concluded that the higher the level of anxiety, the greater the relationship with the coping strategy aggressive reaction.

O principal objetivo deste estudo foi determinar a relação entre ansiedade e estratégias de enfrentamento usadas por pessoas privadas de liberdade (PPL) no EPMSC Establecimiento de Reclusión Especial Barranquilla-Cárcel del Bosque. Para isso, foi seguido um roteiro de pesquisa quantitativo, não experimental, transversal e correlacional. A amostra consistiu em 98 PPL, com idades entre 19 e 73 anos, que receberam a Escala de Avaliação de Ansiedade de Hamilton e a Escala de Estratégias de Enfrentamento Modificada de Enfrentamento Modificada. Os resultados indicam níveis moderados de ansiedade, sendo que as PPL mais jovens (19 a 27 anos) apresentam níveis mais altos de ansiedade psicológica; as pessoas com mais de 50 anos tendem a buscar mais soluções para os problemas. Conclui-se que quanto maior o nível de ansiedade, maior a relação com a estratégia de enfrentamento reação agressiva.

Autoestima, agresividad y salud en estudiantes adolescentes / Self-esteem, aggression and health in adolescent students / Autoestima, agressividade e saúde em adolescentes escolares

La adolescencia es un período crítico para el desarrollo de la autoestima, por ello, es importante que las instituciones educativas promuevan su desarrollo con la finalidad de que los estudiantes tengan los suficientes recursos protectores, de ajuste psicológico y social. Objetivo. Determinar la relación entre la autoestima y la agresividad en un grupo de adolescentes peruanos. Materiales y métodos. La población estuvo conformada por estudiantes, el número de la muestra por selección aleatoria fue de 324 adolescentes, varones entre 11 y 17 años de edad. Se utilizó la escala de autoestima de Rosenberg y el cuestionario de agresión-AQ de Buss y Perry; el estudio es de nivel correlacional y el diseño de campo, transversal. Resultados. Mostraron que no existe relación significativa entre las variables, ambas se comportan independientemente, los niveles obtenidos en el estudio fueron medios altos y altos, la agresividad física y verbal fueron predominantes. Conclusiones. Los resultados señalan que no necesariamente por poseer niveles bajos de autoestima, el constructo agresividad se encuentra presente en niveles elevados.

Adolescence is a critical period for the development of self-esteem; therefore, it is important that educational institutions promote its development so that students have sufficient protective, psychological and social adjustment resources. Objective. To determine the relationship between self-esteem and aggressiveness in a group of Peruvian adolescents. Materials and methods. The population consisted of students, the number of the sample by random selection was 324 adolescents, males between 11 and 17 years of age. The Rosenberg self-esteem scale and the Buss and Perry aggression-AQ questionnaire were used; the study was correlational and the field design was cross-sectional. Results. They showed that there is no significant relationship between the variables, both behave independently, the levels obtained in the study were medium high and high, physical and verbal aggression were predominant. Conclusions. The results indicate that the aggressiveness construct is not necessarily present at high levels because of low levels of self-esteem.

A adolescência é um período crítico para o desenvolvimento da autoestima, pelo que é importante que as instituições educativas promovam o seu desenvolvimento para que os alunos disponham de recursos de proteção, psicológicos e de ajustamento social suficientes. Objetivo. Determinar a relação entre a autoestima e a agressividade num grupo de adolescentes peruanos. Materiais e métodos. A população foi constituída por estudantes, o número da amostra por seleção aleatória foi de 324 adolescentes, do sexo masculino, entre os 11 e os 17 anos de idade. Foi utilizada a escala de autoestima de Rosenberg e o questionário de agressividade-AQ de Buss e Perry; o estudo foi correlacional e o desenho de campo foi transversal. Resultados. Mostraram que não há relação significativa entre as variáveis, ambas se comportam de forma independente, os níveis obtidos no estudo foram médio alto e alto, predominando a agressão física e verbal. Conclusões. Os resultados indicam que o constructo agressividade não está necessariamente presente em níveis elevados devido aos baixos níveis de autoestima.

Influence of leptin and its receptors on individuals under chronic social stress behavior.

Stress is the body's physiological reaction to a dangerous or threatening situation, leading to a state of alertness. This reaction is necessary for developing an effective adaptive response to stress and maintaining the body's homeostasis. Chronic stress, caused mainly by social stress, is what primarily affects the world's population. In the last decades, the emergence of psychological disorders in humans has become more frequent, and one of the symptoms that can be observed is aggressiveness. In the brain, stress can cause neuronal circuit alterations related to the action of hormones in the central nervous system. Leptin, for example, is a hormone capable of acting in brain regions and neuronal circuits important for behavioral and emotional regulation. This study investigated the correlation between chronic social stress, neuroendocrine disorders, and individual behavioral changes. Then, leptin and its receptors' anatomical distribution were evaluated in the brains of mice subjected to a protocol of chronic social stress. The model of spontaneous aggression (MSA) is based on grouping young mice and posterior regrouping of the same animals as adults. According to the regrouping social stress, we categorized the mice into i) harmonic, ii) attacked, and iii) aggressive animals. For leptin hormone evaluation, we quantified plasma and brain concentrations by ELISA and evaluated its receptor and isoform expression by western blotting. Moreover, we verified whether stress or changes in leptin levels interfered with the animal's body weight. Only attacked animals showed reduced plasma leptin concentration and weight gain, besides a higher expression of the high-molecular-weight leptin receptor in the amygdala and the low-molecular-weight receptor in the hippocampal region. Aggressive animals showed a reduction in the cerebral concentration of leptin in the hippocampus and a reduced high-and low-molecular-weight leptin receptor expression in the amygdala. The harmonic animals showed a reduction in the cerebral concentration of leptin in the pituitary and a reduced expression of the high-molecular-weight leptin receptor in the amygdala. We then suggest that leptin and its receptors' expression in plasma and specific brain areas are involved in how individuals react in stressful situations, such as regrouping stress in MSA.

Moral Disengagement in Adolescent Offenders: Its Relationship with Antisocial Behavior and Its Presence in Offenders of the Law and School Norms.

This study focuses on understanding the relationship between moral disengagement mechanisms in adolescents who engage in law-breaking activities and those who violate school norms. To do so, we administered the Mechanisms of Moral Disengagement Scale (MMDS), which evaluates moral justification, euphemistic labeling, advantageous comparison, deflection of responsibility, diffusion of responsibility, distortion of consequences, dehumanization, and attribution of blame, to 366 adolescents (60.1% males (n = 220) and 39.9% females (n = 146)). Our results confirmed the hypothesis that law-breaking adolescents presented a higher degree of moral disengagement than those adolescents who violate school norms. Additionally, we found that adolescents who violated school norms displayed significantly higher levels of dehumanization than the controls, and law-breaking adolescents obtained the highest score in this domain. Our findings allow us to suggest that the presence of the dehumanization mechanism in adolescents who violate school norms could be used as an early indicator of the emergence of antisocial behaviors, since this was the only component of moral disengagement that significantly differentiated this group from the controls in the study.

Superhero media, aggression, and prosocialness: Relations in adults and gender's moderating role.

The present study aimed to observe the relationships between superhero media exposure, aggression, and prosocialness in adults. We also investigated gender's moderating role. A total of 700 Brazilians participated in the study (age mean = 25.77, SD = 8.63, SE = 0.32, 57% men). Results showed a positive relation between superhero media exposure, prosocialness (r = .18), and all aggression factors (physical: r = .13; verbal: r = .08; aggressive emotions: r = .16). Aggressive emotions mediated indirect effects of exposure (physical aggression: λ = 0.12, p < .01, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.05-0.21; verbal aggression: λ = 0.10, p < .01, 95% CI = 0.05-0.18). Finally, gender moderated the relationship between exposure and prosocialness (b = 0.13, t = 2.07, p = .03).

Risk Factors Associated With Bullying in Context of a Territory Exposed to Armed Conflict: A Cross-sectional Study.

School violence and bullying are current and problematic events during adolescence. They are likely to have a marked presence in places highly exposed to armed conflict and violent environments, representing a double public health problem. The study aims to estimate the prevalence of different types of school violence perpetrated and experienced by school adolescents in a community with a history of exposure to armed conflict. Two thousand one hundred eighty-five school adolescents from a municipality in Colombia (males = 54.1%, 14-16 years = 38.6%) participated in the study. Nine educational institutions were included. A systematic random sampling was designed, with a proportional allocation of 35% within each school year from sixth to eleventh grade. The School Coexistence and Circumstances Affecting it-ECECA survey was applied. The prevalence and risks of bully and bullying were estimated. RRa were calculated with the 95% confidence interval adjusted for the other confounding variables. Analyses were constructed from generalized linear models, under the Poisson family and a logarithmic link function. We found a 9.3% of bullying victimization and a 3.5% prevalence of bully. A higher risk of bully was found among males, persons between 10 and 14 years of age, residents of rural or urban dispersed areas, residents of violent neighborhoods, alcohol consumers at school, and victims of aggression in childhood (RRa > 1.0, p-values <.05). The risk of victimization of bullying was higher in students younger than 15 years old, as residents of urban areas, having a history of childhood aggression, suffering abuse by a close person, and as alcohol users at school. This study provides evidence of risk factors for aggression and bullying that have implications for possible prevention measures in multiple social domains, including the individual, the family, and the school environment.

Androgen receptors rapidly modulate non-breeding aggression in male and female weakly electric fish (Gymnotus omarorum).

The South American weakly electric fish, Gymnotus omarorum, displays territorial aggression year-round in both sexes. To examine the role of rapid androgen modulation in non-breeding aggression, we administered acetate cyproterone (CPA), a potent inhibitor of androgen receptors, to both male and females, just before staged agonistic interactions. Wild-caught fish were injected with CPA and, 30 min later, paired in intrasexual dyads. We then recorded the agonistic behavior which encompasses both locomotor displays and emission of social electric signals. We found that CPA had no discernible impact on the levels of aggression or the motivation to engage in aggressive behavior for either sex. However, CPA specifically decreased the expression of social electric signals in both males and female dyads. The effect was status-dependent as it only affected subordinate electrocommunication behavior, the emission of brief interruptions in their electric signaling ("offs"). This study is the first demonstration of a direct and rapid androgen effect mediated via androgen receptors on non-breeding aggression. Elucidating the mechanisms involved in non-breeding aggression in this teleost model allows us to better understand potentially conserved or convergent neuroendocrine mechanisms underlying aggression in vertebrates.

Effects of oral isotretinoin treatment for acne vulgaris patients on anger responses and the relationship with temperament

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: Isotretinoin is the only medication against all the factors involved in acne vulgaris pathogenesis. The aim of our study was to verify whether patients with acne vulgaris receiving isotretinoin therapy exhibit elevated anger levels and to observe the correlation between age, temperament traits, and anger. METHODS: The study group comprised a sum of 100 cases, involving 50 individuals with acne vulgaris-required high-dose retinol therapy and 50 controls who did not start any medication. RESULTS: Our study showed that anger levels increased with drug use. A positive correlation between cyclothymic temperament, the anxiety-related behavior subdimension, and the introvert and passive-aggressive subdimension of interpersonal anger reactions has been recognized. In addition, a positive one was observed between hyperthymic temperament and the introvert subdimension, which is one of the anger-related thoughts and interpersonal anger reactions. CONCLUSION: This study elucidates anger dimensions such as anger-related thoughts, behaviors, and reactions in individuals who received retinol treatment for acne vulgaris. In addition to anger and its dimensions, temperament was also investigated. Although several studies have investigated the relationship between acne vulgaris and psychiatric symptoms, to the best of our knowledge, no research has been reported in the English-language literature regarding the relationship between anger dimensions and temperament after retinol treatment that might make our study an original and valuable contribution to the literature.

Trastorno Límite de la Personalidad y Filicidio: Discusión de caso

La violencia contra los niños es una preocupación muy importante en el sistema de salud pública. El filicidio es un acto deliberado de una madre o un padre que mata a su propio hijo. El objetivo de este estudio es describir un caso de filicidio asociado a la presencia del Trastorno Límite de la Personalidad (TLP), analizando la evaluación de la imputabilidad criminal relacionada con este caso, utilizando el criterio biopsicológico. Medidas de protección a los niños deben ser ofrecidas de forma activa cuando los padres tienen estrés y falta de equilibrio emocional, y al mismo tiempo deben cuidar a los niños.

Violence against children is a very important concern in the public health system. Filicide is a deliberate act of a mother or father killing his own child. The aim of this study is to describe a case of filicide associated with the presence of borderline personality disorder, discussing the evaluation of criminal imputability related to this case, using the biopsychological criterion. Child protection measures should be actively offered when parents have stress and lack of emotional balance while needing to care for children.

Psychometric Properties of the Revised Trolling Questionnaire in Argentinean Adults

Trolling with new technologies is a disruptive, deceptive, and destructive behavior, with great psychosocial, legal, and economical relevance. However, there are no studies in the scientific literature that have examined the properties of questionnaires to assess them. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to observe the psychometric properties of the Revised Trolling Questionnaire by Buckels et al.'s in a sample of Argentinean adults. An intentional sample of 837 participants from Argentina (mean age = 28.4 years; 61% female) was formed. They completed the Buckels et al.'s Revised Trolling Questionnaire, measures of dark personality, Internet addiction, cyberstalking, and socio-demographic questions. Exploratory and confirmatory factorial analyses indicated a one-factor structure with correct fit statistics. Internal consistency was adequate: Cronbach's α = .80 and Omega coefficient (ω) = .81. Concurrent validity of the trolling questionnaire was observed with dark personality (Machiavellianism, narcissism and psychopathy), problematic Internet use (symptomatology and disfunctionality), and cyberstalking. Machiavellianism and disfunctionality were the most significant variables associated with trolling. Therefore, the Argentinean Spanish version of this test showed evidence of adequate psychometric properties.

El trolling mediante las nuevas tecnologías es un comportamiento disruptivo, molesto y destructivo, con una gran relevancia psicosocial, legal y jurídica. No existen estudios en la literatura científica que hayan examinado las propiedades de un instrumento para evaluarlo. El propósito del presente estudio fue observar las propiedades del Cuestionario Revisado de Trolling de Buckels et al. en una muestra de adultos argentinos. Se constituyó una muestra intencional de 837 participantes argentinos (edad promedio=28,4 años; 61% mujeres). Completaron el Cuestionario Revisado de Trolling de Buckels et al., un cuestionario de personalidad oscura (maquiavelismo, psicopatía y narcicismo), de adicción a internet, de cyberstalking y preguntas sociodemográficas. Un análisis factorial exploratorio como confirmatorio indicó una correcta estructura unifactorial. La consistencia interna fue adecuada: α de Cronbach = .80 y Omega coefficient (ω) = .81. La validez concurrente del cuestionario se observó con el cyberstalking, la personalidad oscura (maquiavelismo, narcisismo y psicopatía) y el uso problemático de Internet. El maquiavelismo y la disfuncionalidad eran las variables más asociadas al trolling. De este modo, la versión al español argentino de dicho test mostró evidencia de adecuadas propiedades psicométricas.

Empatía, agresividad y perdón en contextos de vulnerabilidad, hostilidad y seguridad en niños y adolescentes

Introducción: El objetivo de este artículo fue identificar las variables que mejor predicen las medidas de agresión, empatía y perdón, como también las principales diferencias en contextos vulnerables, hostiles y seguros, en una muestra de niños, niñas y adolescentes pertenecientes a una población vulnerable. Método: se realizó un estudio cuantitativo transversal con una muestra no probabilística incidental de 85 participantes, se emplearon medidas psicométricas para la empatía, agresión y perdón. Los participantes fueron convocados en una fundación de atención a víctimas para realizar una entrevista y aplicar el test. Resultados: Se encontraron efectos estadísticamente significativos entre las variables del modelo verificado, donde la empatía predice la agresión en el contexto hostil, pero no en el vulnerable y seguro. A su vez, la empatía predice el perdón en los contextos vulnerables y seguros, y la agresión predice el perdón en el modelo hostil, pero no es significativo su efecto en el contexto vulnerable y seguro. Además, la empatía tiene un papel clave en la comprensión del perdón, dado que se asocia a conductas agresivas en los contextos de hostilidad, mientras que un modelo de perdón debería ser diferencial en estos contextos. Conclusiones: Los hallazgos de este estudio brindan evidencia empírica que sustenta la importancia de la implementación de estrategias para mejorar las habilidades relacionadas con la empatía en niños y adolescentes, desde la perspectiva de la educación para la paz y el perdón. Además, se demostró que los aspectos como el clima familiar, las vulnerabilidades de los contextos de riesgo y la misma cultura, pueden determinar el desarrollo de habilidades socioemocionales que favorecen el perdón, empatía y otras capacidades interpersonales.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to identify the variables that best predict measures of aggression, empathy, and forgiveness, as well as the main differences in vulnerable, hostile and safe contexts, in a sample of children and adolescents belonging to a vulnerable population. Method: A cross-sectional quantitative study was conducted with a non-probabilistic incidental sample of 85 participants. Psychometric measures of empathy, aggression, and forgiveness were used. The participants were invited to a victim assistance foundation for an interview and test application. Results: Statistically significant effects were found among the variables in the verified model, where empathy predicts aggression in the hostile context, but not in the vulnerable and safe context. In turn, empathy predicts forgiveness in the vulnerable and safe contexts, and aggression predicts forgiveness in the hostile model, but its effect in the vulnerable and safe context is not significant. Furthermore, empathy plays a key role in understanding forgiveness, given that it is associated with aggressive behaviors in the hostile contexts, whereas a forgiveness model should be differential in these contexts. Conclusions: The findings of this study provide empirical evidence that supports the importance of implementing strategies to improve empathy-related skills in children and adolescents, from the perspective of peace education and forgiveness. In addition, it was shown that aspects such as family climate, vulnerabilities of risk contexts and culture itself, can determine the development of socioemotional skills that favor forgiveness, empathy, and other interpersonal skills.

Propiedades psicométricas de la escala de violencia organizacional y agresión en el clima laboral en Puerto Rico / Psychometric properties of the organizational violence and aggression scale in the workplace climate of Puerto Rico

Resumen La violencia en el lugar de empleo se refiere a la amenaza o la acción violenta en contra del empleado. El propósito de este estudio fue analizar las propiedades psicométricas de la Escala de Violencia Organizacional y Agresión en el Clima Laboral (EVOACL), desarrollada por Kessler et al. (2008), en una muestra de adultos puertorriqueños. Un total de 204 trabajadores participaron en este estudio de carácter exploratorio, tipo instrumental y psicométrico. Los resultados manifestaron una solución de tres factores como la más apropiada para explicar la variancia en las puntuaciones. Estos factores fueron identificados como Políticas y Procedimientos, Procedimientos y Respuesta e Imposición de Prácticas Inseguras. Un total de 18 reactivos cumplieron con los criterios de discriminación y cargas factoriales apropiadas (seis reactivos por factor). El índice de confiabilidad de la escala fue de .96 Alfa de Cronbach para las dimensiones de la Políticas y Procedimientos y Procedimientos y Respuestas y .92 Alfa de Cronbach para la dimensión de la Imposición de Prácticas Inseguras. Estos resultados sugieren que la EVOACL tiene el potencial para medir este constructo en el ambiente laboral puertorriqueño. Además, la EVOACL permitirá el avance de nuevas investigaciones sobre el fenómeno de la de Violencia Organizacional y Agresión en el Clima Laboral en la población laboral de Puerto Rico.

Abstract Violence in the workplace refers to threatening or violent action against an employee. The purpose of this study was to analyze the psychometric properties of the Organizational Violence and Aggression in the Workplace Climate Scale (EVOACL) Kessler et al. (2008) in a sample of Puerto Rican adults. A total of 204 workers participated in this exploratory, instrumental and psychometric study. The results showed a Three-factor solution as the most appropriate to explain the variance in the scores. These factors identified as Policies and Procedures, Procedures and Response, and Imposition of Unsafe Practices. A total of 18 items met the criteria of discrimination and appropriate factor loads (six items per factor.) The reliability index of the scale was .96 (Cronbach's alpha) for the dimensions of the Policies and Procedures and Procedures and Responses and .92 (Cronbach's alpha) for the dimension of the Imposition of Unsafe Practices. These results suggest that the EVOACL has the potential to measure this construct in the Puerto Rican work environment. Also, EVOACL will allow the advance of new research on the phenomenon of Organizational Violence and Aggression in the Workplace Climate in the working population of Puerto Rico.

Gender differences in workplace violence against physicians and nurses in Latin America: a survey from the Interamerican Society of Cardiology.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate gender differences in workplace violence (WPV) against physicians and nurses in Latin America. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. METHODS: A cross-sectional electronic survey was conducted between January 11 and February 28, 2022. A prespecified gender analysis was performed. RESULTS: Among the 3056 responses to the electronic survey, 57% were women, 81.6% were physicians, and 18.4% were nurses. At least one act of violence was experienced by 59.2% of respondents, with verbal violence being the most common (97.5%). Women experienced more WPV than men (65.8% vs 50.4%; P < 0.001; odds ratio [OR]: 1.89; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.63-2.19). Women were more likely to report at least one episode of WPV per week (19.2% vs 11.9%, P < 0.001), to request for psychological help (14.5% vs 9%, P = 0.001) and to experience more psychosomatic symptoms. In addition, women were more likely to report having considered changing their job after an aggression (57.6% vs 51.3%, P = 0.011) and even leaving their job (33% vs 25.7%, P = 0.001). In a multivariate analysis, being a woman (OR: 1.76), working in emergency departments (OR: 1.99), and with COVID-19 patients (OR: 3.3) were independently associated with more aggressive interactions, while older age (OR: 0.95) and working in a private setting (OR: 0.62) implied lower risk. CONCLUSIONS: Women are more likely to experience WPV and to report more psychosomatic symptoms after the event. Preventive measures are urgently needed, with a special focus on high-risk groups such as women.

Aggression against Nursing Personnel during the First Wave of COVID-19 Pandemic: An Internet-Based Survey.

(1) Background: health care workers, particularly nurses, have been regularly assaulted during the COVID-19 pandemic. Purpose: to evaluate the prevalence and location of assaults against nursing personnel in Latin America, and to determine predictor factors for aggression against nurses. (2) Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was answered by 374 nurses working in health care during the COVID-19 pandemic. The aggression against nurses was estimated using the Victimization Scale. (3) Results: A total of 288 nurses were included in this study. The victimization scale showed that 52.1% of nurses have suffered aggression by the general population during the COVID-19 pandemic. Males were more likely to be attacked than females (p < 0.05). Additionally, males were attacked more frequently on public transport (x2 = 6.72, p = 0.01). The home neighborhood and markets were other locations with a higher risk of being assaulted (OR: 3.39, CI: 1.53-7.50). (4) Conclusions: Our results indicate that nurses in Latin America who work during the COVID-19 pandemic and social isolation have been frequently assaulted by the general public. Males are more frequently attacked than females and the main places of aggression are public transportation, their home neighborhood and supermarkets. Implications for nursing practice: it is necessary to create and implement protocols and guidelines to support nursing personnel during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study was retrospectively registered at the Juarez Autonomous University of Tabasco (103/CIPDACS/2020) on the (08/2020).

Main results and public health implications of the National School Health Survey (ENSE), Colombia 2017.

Introduction: The school population represents a fundamental group for health promotion actions, given that the foundations of healthy behaviors in adult life are established in children and adolescents, who can be greatly influenced by the school. Objective: To describe the health-related behavioral factors of schoolchildren between 13 and 17 years of age in secondary and middle school in Colombia. Methods: A national cross-sectional study was conducted (i.e., School Health Survey -ENSE-) that recorded information on dietary practices, physical activity, alcohol and drug consumption, injuries and bullying, and oral, visual and hearing health. Sampling was probabilistic, cluster and multistage. Results: Schoolchildren have low consumption of fruits, vegetables (13.1%) and dairy (76.5 %), high consumption of ultra-processed foods (82.4 %), sugary drinks (74.0 %) and fast foods (14.8 %), frequent addition of salt at the table (43.3 %), low compliance with physical activity recommendations (15.0 %) and high sedentary lifestyle (46.3 %), frequent consumption of alcohol (44.7 %) and psychoactive substances (14.7 %), in addition to prevalent situations of bullying (15.4 %), rejection (8.2 %) and verbal aggression (42.7 %). Conclusions: The ENSE shows critical inequalities by gender, ethnicity and social class, throughout the country. The indicators observed in schoolchildren are precursors of various chronic and degenerative diseases and mental illness, which requires the urgent attention of the different social actors in the country.

Introducción: La población escolar es un grupo fundamental para las intervenciones de promoción de la salud, ya que en los niños y adolescentes se sientan las bases de un comportamiento saludable en la vida adulta, que puede ser muy influenciado por la escuela. Objetivo: Describir los factores comportamentales relacionados con la salud de los escolares de 13 a 17 años de edad que cursan educación básica secundaria y media en Colombia. Métodos: Se realizó una encuesta nacional transversal (Encuesta de Salud en Escolares -ENSE-) con los lineamientos de Global School-based Student Health Survey para recolectar información sobre prácticas alimentarias, actividad física, consumo de alcohol y drogas, lesiones e intimidación, y salud bucal, visual y auditiva. El muestreo fue probabilístico, por conglomerados y polietápico. Resultados: Se incluyeron 79.640 escolares de 298 municipios. Los escolares presentaron bajo consumo de frutas, verduras (13.1%) y productos lácteos (76.5 %), alto consumo de alimentos ultraprocesados (82.4 %), bebidas azucaradas (74.0 %) y comidas rápidas (14.8 %); alto uso de sal añadida en la mesa (43.3 %), actividad física inferior a la recomendada (15.0 %) y sedentarismo (46.3 %). Fue frecuente el consumo de alcohol (44.7 %) y sustancias psicoactivas (14.7 %) y reportaron situaciones de intimidación (15.4 %), rechazo (8.2 %) y agresiones verbales (42.7 %). Conclusiones: La ENSE muestra desigualdades por género, etnia y clase social en todo el país. Los hallazgos observados en los escolares son factores de riesgo de enfermedades crónico-degenerativas y mentales, y requieren la atención urgente de los actores sociales del país.

Epidemiology of dog bites to people in Uruguay (2010-2020).

BACKGROUND: Dog bites to people are a serious public health problem. Limited information exists at the country level in Latin America. The COVID-19 pandemic changed people's lifestyles and their relationship with pets, and this could potentially affect the incidence of dog bites injuries. OBJECTIVE: The main objectives of our study were to determine the prevalence of dog-bite injuries in Uruguay from 2010 to 2020 and to compare the prevalence in 2020 to that of pre-pandemic years. METHODS: Cross-sectional study. Dog-bite notifications for the 2010 and 2020 period were analysed using data from the Uruguayan Ministry of Public Health. RESULTS: The annual dog-bite injury rate for the 2010-2020 period was 87.51 per 100,000 people. The frequency of bites varied with the victims' sex, with males accounting for 51.8% of the bites (p < 0.0001), and with age, with a higher frequency of bites in the ≤14 years old age group (p < 0.01). The frequency of dog bites was also higher in spring and summer than in autumn (p < 0.0001). There was no statistical difference in the frequency of dog-bite injuries when comparing 2020 with the pre-COVID-19 pandemic years. CONCLUSIONS: In Uruguay, the frequency of dog-bite injuries varied with season and with the age and sex of the victim. In the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of people bitten by dogs was no different than that of previous years. This is the first study in Latin America to report national rather than regional data and to include all age groups.

Electroconvulsive therapy for treating patients with agitation and related behavioral disorders due to dementia: a systematic review.

Behavioral disturbances are clinically relevant in patients with dementia, and pharmacological regimens to mitigate these symptoms have provided limited results. Proven to be effective in several psychiatric conditions, electroconvulsive therapy is a potentially beneficial strategy for treating severe agitation due to dementia. Objective: This review aimed to examine the publications on the efficacy, safety and tolerability of electroconvulsive therapy in treating patients with agitation due to dementia. Methods: We performed a systematic analysis on the electroconvulsive therapy to treat patients with dementia and coexisting severe agitation. Articles were classified according to the level of evidence based on methodological design. Patients received an acute course of electroconvulsive therapy, often followed by maintenance intervention. Results: We selected 19 studies (156 patients; 64.1% women; 51-98 years old), which met the inclusion criteria: one case-control study by chart analysis (level of evidence 2); one open-label study (level of evidence 3); three historical/retrospective chart analyses (level of evidence 4); and 14 case series/reports (level of evidence 5). No randomized, sham-controlled clinical trials (level of evidence 1) were identified, which represents the main methodological weakness. Some patients had postictal delirium, cardiovascular decompensation and cognitive changes, lasting for a short time. Conclusions: Overall, patients achieved significant improvement in agitation. However, the main finding of the present review was the absence of methodological design based on randomized and sham-controlled clinical trials. Despite methodological limitations and side effects requiring attention, electroconvulsive therapy was considered a safe and effective treatment of patients with severe agitation and related behavioral disorders due to dementia.

Distúrbios comportamentais são clinicamente relevantes em pacientes com demência, e regimes farmacológicos para mitigar esses sintomas têm proporcionado resultados limitados. Comprovadamente eficaz em diversas condições psiquiátricas, a eletroconvulsoterapia é uma estratégia potencialmente benéfica para o tratamento de pacientes com agitação grave na demência. Objetivos: Esta revisão examina as publicações sobre eficácia, segurança e tolerabilidade da eletroconvulsoterapia no tratamento de pacientes com agitação na demência. Métodos: Realizamos uma análise sistemática da eletroconvulsoterapia no tratamento de pacientes com demência e agitação grave. Os artigos foram classificados quanto ao nível de evidência com base no delineamento metodológico. Os pacientes receberam um curso agudo de eletroconvulsoterapia, frequentemente seguido de manutenção. Resultados: Foram selecionados 19 estudos (156 pacientes; 64,1% mulheres; 51­98 anos): um estudo caso-controle desenvolvido com base na análise de prontuários (nível de evidência 2); um estudo aberto (nível de evidência 3); três estudos de análise retrospectiva de prontuários (nível de evidência 4); e 14 séries/relatos de casos (nível de evidência 5). Não foram identificados ensaios clínicos randomizados e controlados com placebo (nível de evidência 1), fator que representa a principal fragilidade metodológica. No entanto, o principal achado da presente revisão consistiu na ausência de desenho metodológico baseado em ensaios clínicos randomizados e controlados com placebo. Em geral, os efeitos colaterais foram transitórios e bem tolerados. Alguns pacientes apresentaram delirium pós-ictal, descompensação cardiovascular e alterações cognitivas por períodos breves. Conclusões: No geral, os pacientes obtiveram melhora significativa na agitação. No entanto, o principal achado da presente revisão foi a ausência de delineamento metodológico baseado em ensaios clínicos randomizados e controlados com placebo. Apesar das limitações metodológicas e dos efeitos adversos, a eletroconvulsoterapia foi considerada um tratamento seguro e eficaz em pacientes com agitação grave e com outros distúrbios comportamentais clinicamente relevantes na demência.