Substantial parallel mediation contribution by cognitive domains in the relationship between adolescents' physical fitness and academic achievements: the Cogni-Action Project.

Objective: To determine how cognitive domains mediate the link between fitness components, their global score (GFS), and adolescents' academic achievement (ACA) across various school subjects. Methods: In this study, 1,296 adolescents aged 10-14 participated. GFS was computed by three fitness components (strength, muscular, and cardiorespiratory fitness) through the ALPHA-fitness test battery. ACA was determined by five school subjects (Language, English, Mathematics, Science, and History) and two academic scores (a) "Academic Average" (five subjects) and (b) "Academic-PISA" (Language, Mathematics, and Science). A principal component analysis was performed to establish four factors (working memory [WM], cognitive flexibility [CF], inhibitory control [IC], and fluid reasoning [FR]). A parallel mediation approach was implemented with 5,000 bootstrapped samples controlled for sex, maturity, central obesity, having breakfast before cognitive tasks, schools, and school vulnerability. Total, direct, indirect effects, and mediation percentages were estimated. Results: Overall, the finding showed a full parallel mediation effect for Language (92.5%) and English (53.9%), while a partial mediation for Mathematics (43.0%), Science (43.8%), History (45.9%), "Academic Average" (50.6%), and "Academic-PISA" (51.5%). In particular, WM, IC, and FR mediated all school subjects except mathematics, where IC was not significant. CF has not mediated any relationship between GF and academic performance. Conclusion: This study underscores the pivotal role of cognitive domains, specifically WM, IC, and FR, in mediating the link between physical fitness and academic performance in adolescents. These insights have relevant implications for educational and public health policies.

Self-reported neurostimulant use among university students in Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.

University students frequently resort to psychostimulants to enhance their physical and mental performance and manage academic pressures. However, these substances can lead to dependence and other undesired symptoms, and little empirical data are available for relevant stakeholders, raising significant concerns in health care. Therefore, this study aims to characterize neurostimulant use among university students in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. We collected from 880 students' data using anonymous self-administration. The questionnaire included consumption patterns of caffeine, nicotine, ecstasy, methamphetamine, "merla" (coca base), methylphenidate, cocaine, crack, and ketamine. Additionally, participants shared information on demographic and socioeconomic factors. Use of at least one neurostimulant was reported by89.2% of the participants. Among nonusers, the most frequently cited reason was "previous information about harmful effects of these drugs." Caffeine, followed by nicotine, ecstasy, and methylphenidate were the most consumed substances, with main reasons being "improving academic performance" and "recreation." Women more often consumed caffeine (72.7%), while other psychostimulants were more consumed by men (42.2%) and individuals of other genders (0.5%). Students who consumed other substances had higher family incomes than that of families of caffeine users. In addition, 60.4% of caffeine users resided with family members, whereas 63.3% of users of other substances did not. Our findings can offer essential data on the reasons and symptoms associated with the use of neurostimulants among university students. This information could aid in raising awareness among students, universities, and health-care agencies about this often-neglected subject.

Indicadores del éxito académico en la educación universitaria: análisis naturaleza de los cursos / Indicadores do sucesso acadêmico na educação superior: análise segundo natureza dos cursos / Indicators of academic success in higher education: analysis in function of courses nature

O sucesso acadêmico na Educação Superior é um construto multidimensional, influenciado por diferentes variáveis da trajetória estudantil. Assim, analisamos o rendimento acadêmico (CRE) de estudantes ingressantes da ES, tomando variáveis pessoais/sociais, adaptativas e relacionadas à aprendizagem, diferenciando as análises de acordo com a natureza dos cursos. Participaram 715 estudantes (M = 22.10 anos, DP = 6.92), oriundos de 26 cursos superiores do Instituto Federal da Paraíba (Brasil), cujos dados foram coletados de forma documental e usando um questionário aplicado online. Os resultados apontam que o conjunto das variáveis do estudo explicam 89% do CRE de estudantes do bacharelado, 85% da licenciatura e 84% do rendimento de cursos tecnológicos, com destaque para as variáveis renda familiar, opção na escolha do curso, contato extraclasse com professor e atividades extracurriculares, faltas e disciplinas aprovadas versus disciplinas cursadas. Apontam-se implicações desses resultados para futuras intervenções com foco no sucesso acadêmico e conclusão dos cursos.

El éxito académico en la Educación Universitaria es un constructo multidimensional, influenciado por distintas variables de la trayectoria estudiantil. Así, analizamos el rendimiento académico (CRE) de estudiantes ingresantes de la ES, tomando variables personales/sociales, adaptativas y relacionadas al aprendizaje, diferenciando los análisis de acuerdo con la naturaleza de los cursos. Participaron 715 estudiantes (M = 22.10 años, DP = 6.92), provenientes de 26 cursos universitarios del Instituto Federal de Paraíba (Brasil), cuyos datos se recolectaron de forma documental y utilizando un cuestionario aplicado online. Los resultados apuntan que el conjunto de las variables del estudio explica el 89% del CRE de estudiantes de bachillerato, el 85% da licenciatura y el 84% del rendimiento de cursos tecnológicos, con destaque para las variables renta familiar, opción en la escoja del curso, contacto extra-aula con profesor y actividades extracurriculares, faltas y asignaturas aprobadas versus asignaturas cursadas. Se apuntan implicaciones de estos resultados para futuras intervenciones con enfoque en el éxito académico y conclusión de los cursos.

Academic success in Higher Education is a multidimensional construct, influenced by different variables in the student trajectory. Thus, we assessed the academic performance (CRE) of incoming Higher Education students, taking personal/social, adaptive, and learning-related variables, differentiating the analysis according to the nature of the courses. In this way, 715 students participated (age: M = 22.10 years, SD = 6.92), from 26 Higher Education courses at a Federal Institute of Paraíba (Brazil), whose data were collected in a documentary form and using an online questionnaire. The results indicate that the set of variables in the study explain 89% of the CRE of bachelor students, 85% of undergraduate students, and 84% of the performance of technological courses, with the following variables: emphasis on family income, option in choosing the course, extra-class contact with teacher and extracurricular activities, absences and discipline approvals versus completed disciplines. Implications of these results are highlighted for future interventions focusing on academic success and course completion.

Application of artificial neural networks in assigned leadership and academic success in medical graduates.

OBJECTIVE: To apply an artificial neural networks analysis (ANN) model to identify variables that predict assigned leadership and academic success in graduates of six generations of medical school. METHOD: Analytical, retrospective, comparative study. A total of 1434 graduates participated. A questionnaire was sent to them by e-mail including a voluntary participation consent. A multivariate statistical analysis using multi-layer perceptron ANN, decision trees and driver analysis was performed. RESULTS: The ANN identified seven independent variables that predicted professional success and eight for leadership in medical graduates. The decision trees identified significant differences in the variables professional performance (p = 0.000), age (p = 0.005) and continuing education activities (p = 0.034) related to professional success, and for leadership the variables gender (p = 0.000), high school grades (p = 0.042), performing clinical practice during the social service year (p = 0.002) and continuing education activities (p = 0.011). CONCLUSIONS: The ANN identified the main independent predictor variables of professional success and leadership of the graduates. This study opens up two new lines of research little studied with the techniques of in the area of medicine.

OBJETIVO: Aplicar un modelo de análisis de redes neuronales artificiales (RNA) para identificar las variables que predicen el liderazgo asignado y el éxito académico en egresados de seis generaciones de la carrera de Medicina. MÉTODO: Estudio analítico, retrospectivo y comparativo. Participaron 1434 egresados. Se envió un cuestionario por correo electrónico que incluyó el consentimiento de participación voluntaria. Se realizó análisis estadístico multivariado mediante RNA del tipo perceptrón multicapa, árboles de decisión y análisis de impulsores. RESULTADOS: Las RNA identificaron siete variables independientes que predijeron el éxito profesional y ocho para el liderazgo en los médicos egresados. Los árboles de decisión identificaron diferencias significativas en las variables desempeño profesional (p = 0.000), edad (p = 0.005) y actividades de educación continua (p = 0.034) relacionadas con el éxito profesional, y para el liderazgo las variables sexo (p = 0.000), promedio en el bachillerato (p = 0.042), realizar práctica clínica en el servicio social (p = 0.002) y actividades de educación continua (p = 0.011). ­. CONCLUSIONES: Las RNA identificaron las principales variables independientes predictoras del éxito profesional y el liderazgo de los egresados. El estudio abre dos líneas de investigación poco estudiadas con las técnicas de RNA en el área de la medicina.

Surgical research in Colombia part 3: Authorship and publications of Colombian medical students in surgery in Colombian medical journals-cross-sectional study.

Research training, scientific activity and publications are cornerstones of academic surgery. Knowing the activity and trends of medical students aspiring to become surgeons it allows to identify gaps and skills to be strengthened. Currently, there is no data on the authorship and scientific activity of medical students in surgery in Latin America and Colombia. Methods: A bibliometric cross-sectional study was carried out, in which the Colombian medical journals were reviewed from 2010 to 2020. The articles with topics in general surgery and subspecialties where the authorship of medical students could be identified, were selected. Data on the sociodemographic and scientific characteristics of the authors and their publications were extracted and analyzed. Results: A total of 14 383 articles from 34 Colombian medical journals were reviewed. From 2010 to 2020, 807 articles related to surgery were published in Colombia. The most frequent typology of these articles was original articles (n=298; 37%), followed by case reports (n=222; 28.2%) and reviews (n=137; 17.3%). A total of 132 medical students and 141 authorships and were found, specifically in 9.9% (n=80/807) of these publications, with a higher frequency in original articles (n=32; 40%) and case reports (n=29; 36.2%). Collaboration of students with professors or surgeons was evidenced in 97.5% of the publications. Conclusions: The authorship of Colombian medical students in scientific publications in surgery in Colombian medical journals was low. From 2010 to 2020, student authors were found in 1 out of every 10 publications, mainly in original articles and clinical cases.

From Undergraduate Research to Graduation: Measuring the Robustness of the Pathway at a Hispanic-Serving Institution.

Based on several regression specifications that control for a host of covariates, this article demonstrates that the quantity of undergraduate research experience was by far the most important determinant for increased graduation rates at a 100% Hispanic-serving institution. Our finding also shows a causal relationship confirmed by propensity score matching analyses. Results underscore the high impact but sometimes underestimated contribution of undergraduate research to academic success, even for teaching-oriented colleges.

Utilizando varias regresiones que controlan por un grupo de variables controles, este artículo sugiere que la cantidad de experiencia en investigación durante los estudios sub-graduados es el determinante más significativo para el aumento en la tasa de graduación en una institución donde todos sus estudiantes son hispanos. Nuestros hallazgos también indican una relación causal confirmada por el modelo Propensity Score Matching. Los resultados subrayan el alto, pero algunas veces subestimado, impacto de la investigacion de sub-graduada en el éxito académico estudiantil, aún en universidades orientadas a la enseñanza.

Dental students' satisfaction with their course and how it is associated to their satisfaction with life and career outlook / Satisfação com o curso de Odontologia e suas associações com a satisfação com a vida e perspectiva de carreira

ABSTRACT Identifying factors that influence the satisfaction of undergraduate dental students can contribute to establishing strategies for improving the educational process, furthering student development, and enhancing students' academic and professional achievements. Aim: the present study investigated associations between undergraduate students' satisfaction with the dental course and their satisfaction with life, perception of professional career and sociodemographic factors. Materials and method: this was a cross-sectional study on 512 dental students from a Brazilian School of Dentistry. Students were asked to respond to three questionnaires about sociodemographic characteristics, academic, and professional perceptions. Satisfaction with life was measured using the Brazilian version of the Satisfaction with Life Scale, which comprises five statements with responses scored on a seven-point Likert scale ranging from "I strongly disagree" to "I strongly agree". Unadjusted and adjusted multiple logistic regression analyses were performed to test associations between satisfaction with the dental course and key variables. Results: most participants were female (73.2%), single (99.8%) and with mean age 21.77 (±2.71) years. Approximately three quarters had a family income over three times higher than the national monthly minimum wage. Higher satisfaction with the course was associated with more optimistic perception of the job market (OR=2.44; 95% CI: 1.36-4.40), better academic performance (OR=1.65; 95% CI: 1.00-2.74) and greater satisfaction with life (OR=1.10; 95% CI: 1.06-1.15). Students' sex and family income did not have significant impact on satisfaction with the dental course. Conclusions: satisfaction with the dental course is related to an optimistic perception of the job market, academic performance and satisfaction with life.

RESUMO Identificar os fatores que influenciam na satisfação dos estudantes de odontologia pode contribuir para o estabelecimento de estratégias que aprimorem o processo educacional, favorecendo o desenvolvimento dos alunos e potencializando suas conquistas acadêmicas e profissionais. Objetivo: o presente estudo investigou as associações entre a satisfação de estudantes de graduação com o curso de odontologia e sua satisfação com a vida, percepção da carreira profissional e fatores sociodemográficos. Materiais e método: um estudo transversal foi realizado com 512 estudantes de Odontologia de uma Faculdade Brasileira de Odontologia. Três questionários foram aplicados aos alunos, com o objetivo de avaliar as características sociodemográficas, percepções acadêmicas e profissionais. A satisfação com a vida foi mensurada pela versão brasileira da Escala de Satisfação com a Vida, que compreende cinco afirmações com respostas pontuadas em uma escala Likert de sete pontos, variando de "discordo totalmente" a "concordo totalmente". A análise de regressão logística foi realizada para testar associações entre a satisfação com o curso de Odontologia e as demais variáveis. Análises de regressão logística múltipla não-ajustada e ajustada foram realizadas para testar associações entre a satisfação com o curso de odontologia e variáveis-chave. Resultados: A maioria dos participantes era do sexo feminino (73,2%), solteiros (99,8%) e com média de idade de 21,77 (±2,71) anos. Aproximadamente três quartos tinham renda familiar três vezes superior ao salário-mínimo nacional. A maior satisfação dos alunos com o curso foi associada a maior percepção otimista do mercado de trabalho (OR=2,44; IC 95%: 1,36-4,40), desempenho acadêmico (OR=1,65; IC 95%: 1,00-2,74) e satisfação com a vida (OR =1,10; IC 95%: 1,06-1,15). O sexo dos alunos e a renda familiar não apresentaram impacto significativo na satisfação com o curso de odontologia. Conclusão: a satisfação com o curso de odontologia está relacionada com a percepção otimista do mercado de trabalho, desempenho acadêmico e satisfação com a vida.

Sucesso acadêmico e variáveis inerentes: contributos para a validação de instrumentos / Academic success and inherent variables: contributions to instrument validation / Éxito acadêmico y variables inherentes: contribuciones para la validación de instrumentos

O Ensino Superior (ES) possui grande importância socioeconômica na contemporaneidade, sendo indispensável avaliar seus processos e impactos. A qualidade do ES está relacionada a capacidade de reter os estudantes e assegurar a conclusão do curso, o que se associa a variáveis institucionais e pessoais. Dentre as variáveis individuais, a autoeficácia, as estratégias de estudo e a motivação para aprender são constructos centrais. Este trabalho objetivou a reavaliação das caraterísticas psicométricas, por meio da análise fatorial confirmatória, de três instrumentos: Escala de Autoeficácia para a Aprendizagem, Escala de Motivação para Aprender de Universitários e Escala de Estratégias de Aprendizagem para o Estudante Universitário. Participaram 264 estudantes de ambos o sexo, de diferentes anos de formação e de cursos das três áreas de conhecimento: humanas, saúde e exatas. O estudo reafirmou a validade e a precisão dos instrumentos, que avaliam variáveis relevantes do processo de aprendizagem e sucesso acadêmico no ES. (AU)

Higher Education (HE) has great socioeconomic importance, with it being essential to evaluate its processes and impacts. The quality of HE relates to the ability to retain students and ensure course completion, which is associated with institutional and personal variables. Among the individual variables, self-efficacy, learning strategies and motivation to learn are central constructs. This work aimed to reassess the psychometric characteristics, through confirmatory factor analysis, of three instruments: the Self-Efficacy Scale for Learning, the Motivation Scale for Learning by University Students and the Scale of Learning Strategies for University Students. This study included 264 students of both genders, from different years and courses of the three areas of knowledge: humanities, health and exact sciences. The study reaffirmed the validity and reliability of the instruments, which evaluate variables relevant to the learning process and academic success in HE. (AU)

La Educación Superior (ES) actualmente posee una gran importancia socioeconómica, siendo indispensable evaluar sus procesos e impactos. La calidad de la ES se relaciona con la capacidad de retener a los estudiantes y asegurar la finalización de la carrera, lo que se asocia con variables institucionales y personales. Entre las variables individuales, la autoeficacia, las estrategias de estudio y la motivación para aprender son constructos centrales. Este trabajo tiene por objetivo la reevaluación de las características psicométricas, por medio de análisis factorial confirmatorio, de tres instrumentos: Escala de Autoeficacia para el Aprendizaje, Escala de Motivación para el Aprendizaje de Estudiantes Universitarios y Escala de Estrategias de Aprendizaje para Estudiantes Universitarios. Participaron 264 estudiantes de ambos sexos, de diferentes años de formación y de titulaciones de las tres áreas de conocimiento: humanidades, salud y ciencias. El estudio reafirmó la validez y la precisión de los instrumentos que evalúan variables relevantes del proceso de aprendizaje y el éxito acadêmico en la ES. (AU)

Dental students' satisfaction with their course and how it is associated to their satisfaction with life and career outlook.

Identifying factors that influence the satisfaction of undergraduate dental students can contribute to establishing strategies for improving the educational process, furthering student development, and enhancing students' academic and professional achievements. AIM: the present study investigated associations between undergraduate students' satisfaction with the dental course and their satisfaction with life, perception of professional career and sociodemographic factors. MATERIALS AND METHOD: this was a cross-sectional study on 512 dental students from a Brazilian School of Dentistry. Students were asked to respond to three questionnaires about sociodemographic characteristics, academic, and professional perceptions. Satisfaction with life was measured using the Brazilian version of the Satisfaction with Life Scale, which comprises five statements with responses scored on a seven-point Likert scale ranging from "I strongly disagree" to "I strongly agree". Unadjusted and adjusted multiple logistic regression analyses were performed to test associations between satisfaction with the dental course and key variables. RESULTS: most participants were female (73.2%), single (99.8%) and with mean age 21.77 (±2.71) years. Approximately three quarters had a family income over three times higher than the national monthly minimum wage. Higher satisfaction with the course was associated with more optimistic perception of the job market (OR=2.44; 95% CI: 1.36-4.40), better academic performance (OR=1.65; 95% CI: 1.00-2.74) and greater satisfaction with life (OR=1.10; 95% CI: 1.06-1.15). Students' sex and family income did not have significant impact on satisfaction with the dental course. CONCLUSIONS: satisfaction with the dental course is related to an optimistic perception of the job market, academic performance and satisfaction with life.

Identificar os fatores que influenciam na satisfação dos estudantes de odontologia pode contribuir para o estabelecimento de estratégias que aprimorem o processo educacional, favorecendo o desenvolvimento dos alunos e potencializando suas conquistas acadêmicas e profissionais. Objetivo: o presente estudo investigou as associações entre a satisfação de estudantes de graduação com o curso de odontologia e sua satisfação com a vida, percepção da carreira profissional e fatores sociodemográficos. Materiais e método: um estudo transversal foi realizado com 512 estudantes de Odontologia de uma Faculdade Brasileira de Odontologia. Três questionários foram aplicados aos alunos, com o objetivo de avaliar as características sociodemográficas, percepções acadêmicas e profissionais. A satisfação com a vida foi mensurada pela versão brasileira da Escala de Satisfação com a Vida, que compreende cinco afirmações com respostas pontuadas em uma escala Likert de sete pontos, variando de "discordo totalmente" a "concordo totalmente". A análise de regressão logística foi realizada para testar associações entre a satisfação com o curso de Odontologia e as demais variáveis. Análises de regressão logística múltipla não-ajustada e ajustada foram realizadas para testar associações entre a satisfação com o curso de odontologia e variáveis-chave. Resultados: A maioria dos participantes era do sexo feminino (73,2%), solteiros (99,8%) e com média de idade de 21,77 (±2,71) anos. Aproximadamente três quartos tinham renda familiar três vezes superior ao salário-mínimo nacional. A maior satisfação dos alunos com o curso foi associada a maior percepção otimista do mercado de trabalho (OR=2,44; IC 95%: 1,36-4,40), desempenho acadêmico (OR=1,65; IC 95%: 1,00-2,74) e satisfação com a vida (OR =1,10; IC 95%: 1,06-1,15). O sexo dos alunos e a renda familiar não apresentaram impacto significativo na satisfação com o curso de odontologia. Conclusão: a satisfação com o curso de odontologia está relacionada com a percepção otimista do mercado de trabalho, desempenho acadêmico e satisfação com a vida.

Creatividad y enfoques de aprendizaje en estudiantes universitarios / Creativity and learning approaches in college students

Resumen Introducción: Mejorar el aprendizaje de los estudiantes y adaptarlo a las demandas del mercado laboral actual es un tema de gran interés planteado por distintos organismos internacionales. Se busca así que los alumnos alcancen un aprendizaje profundo de los contenidos académicos y que a su vez desarrollen su capacidad creativa para la resolución de problemas. Objetivo: Analizar los enfoques de aprendizaje -Profundo y Superficial- y la creatividad -proceso creativo y personalidad creativa- en estudiantes universitarios según variables sociodemográficas y académicas. Método: Se empleó un diseño no experimental y transversal. Se respondió a un objetivo de diferencias entre grupos y a otro explicativo. Participaron 301 estudiantes universitarios de Psicología (51 %) e Ingeniería (49 %). Resultados: Se registraron diferencias significativas en los enfoques profundo y superficial: el primero a favor de las mujeres, y el segundo favorable a los varones. En relación con la creatividad, se observó una diferencia significativa en la personalidad creativa a favor de los varones, y del proceso creativo a favor de los estudiantes de Psicología. Por otra parte, el rendimiento académico fue explicado negativamente por el enfoque Superficial (β=-0,276) y positivamente, por el proceso creativo (β=0,185). Conclusiones: Para mejorar el rendimiento académico se necesita aplicar estrategias de enseñanza y evaluación que desestimulen el aprendizaje Superficial y promuevan el proceso creativo en los estudiantes. Los cambios en las prácticas educativas deberán, además, enfocarse en mejorar el aprendizaje Profundo y la creatividad para ajustar el perfil profesional de habilidades de los egresados al requerido actualmente por el ámbito laboral.

Abstract Introduction: International organizations have drawn attention to the idea of adapting learning to fit the graduates' skills and competences to the current requirements of labor market. Therefore, reaching a deep learning of academic contents along with developing creative ability for problem solving emerges as a desirable goal to be reached. Objective: The study was aimed at analyzing the Deep and Surface learning approaches as well as creativity -comprising the creative process and the creative personality- by socio-demographic and academic variables in college students. Method: A non-experimental and cross-sectional design was conducted, entailing two studies: a group differences one and another, explanatory. The sample was composed of 301 college students attending two majors -Psychology (51 %) and Engineering (49 %). Results: Significant differences in the use of learning approaches were found; women used the Deep approach more often whereas men chose the Surface approach. As for creativity, men showed statistically significant differences in creative personality over women. The creative process arose more often in Psychology students when compared with Engineering undergraduates, with significant p-values. Academic Perfomance was negatively explained by the Surface approach (β=-0,276) and positively, by the creative process (β=0,185). Conclusions: Boosting Academic Perfomance requires a major adjustment in teaching and evaluation methods. They should be aimed at discouraging the use of the Surface approach whilst promoting the occurrence of creative processes in students. Moreover, such changes in educational practices should be focused on improving Deep learning and creativity in order to make the graduates' skills more suitable for current labor market requirements.

Mitigating medical student stress and anxiety: Should schools mandate participation in wellness intervention programs?

PURPOSE: Medical students are at increased risk of poor mental health and need to regularly engage in preventive programs to maintain well-being. However, many do not and it remains an open question whether these programs should be mandatory. We implemented a RCT to examine the effectiveness of assigning medical students to a wellness intervention on adherence to engagement in the assigned intervention and on psychological and academic outcomes. METHOD: Medical students participated in a 12-week randomized controlled intervention involving one-hour wellness sessions of either (1) yoga; (2) mindfulness; or (3) walking, held twice-weekly. Students completed standardized psychological assessments at baseline and following the intervention. RESULTS: Students randomized to the wellness intervention group engaged in more minutes of assigned activities than students randomized to the control. There was a significant difference in the change from pre- to post- intervention on measures of state anxiety and perceived stress, with better outcomes for the intervention group. CONCLUSIONS: The assignment of twice-weekly wellness intervention sessions protects medical students from state anxiety and perceived stress with no negative impact on academic performance. Students adhered to the sessions and reported enjoying the sessions once trying them. Actual engagement is more important than wellness activity type.

Maternal Education and Academic Achievement in Schoolchildren: The Role of Cardiorespiratory Fitness.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the relationship between maternal education, cardiorespiratory fitness, and academic achievement in schoolchildren, specifically whether the association between maternal education and academic achievement is mediated by cardiorespiratory fitness. STUDY DESIGN: This is a secondary analysis of a cross-sectional study including 478 Spanish schoolchildren aged 8-11 years. ANOVA was used to test differences in cardiorespiratory fitness by maternal education level. ANCOVA was used to test the differences in academic achievement by the educational level of mothers and the cardiorespiratory fitness of children, controlling for each other. A mediation analysis was used to test if the relationship between maternal education and academic achievement was explained by cardiorespiratory fitness. RESULTS: A higher level of maternal education was associated with a higher cardiorespiratory fitness level and academic achievement in children; moreover, the cardiorespiratory fitness level in children was associated with better academic achievement (P < .05). Finally, cardiorespiratory fitness acted as a partial mediator of the relationship between maternal education and academic achievement in boys (z = 1.81; P = .03) but not in girls (z = 0.86; P = .19), explaining 6.54% of this relationship for the total sample and 6.67% for boys. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that the benefits of maternal education on academic achievement are partially explained by the mediating role of cardiorespiratory fitness.

Analysis of the factors related to academic disapproval in the education of nurses: A mixed-method study / Análise dos fatores relacionados à reprovação acadêmica na formação do enfermeiro: estudo de método misto / Análisis de los factores relacionados con la reprobación académica en la educación de Enfermería: un estudio de método mixto

Objective: to evaluate the frequency and factors associated to disapproval among nursing students. Method: a descriptive and cross-sectional study, outlined by the convergent mixed method. A total of 88 nursing students of a Brazilian public university took part. The Reduced Academic Experiences Questionnaire was used for evaluating academic adaptation. The association of the variables in the study with disapproval was verified by bivariate analysis. Results: the frequency of disapprovals in the sample was 68.2%, recurrences in the same discipline in 39.8%, with the associated factors: age over or equal to 22 years old (p=0.015), family income below 2 minimum wages (p=0.019) and lag in the curricular flow (p<0.001). Disciplines with higher frequencies of disapprovals are of the basic area, taught in the first two years of the course and common to the health courses. Students without disapprovals had better perception of physical and psychological well-being (p=0.002), good interpersonal relationships (p=0.017) and more assertive study behaviors (p=0.005). Personal, study-related and institutional issues were motivating. Conclusion: the results reveal a high rate of disapproval, especially in the basic area. An association was found between disapprovals and mental health for nursing students during their education process, and difficulties were pointed out that can culminate with the disapproval rate in the curricular flow.

Objetivo: avaliar a frequência e fatores associados à reprovação entre estudantes de enfermagem. Método: estudo descritivo, transversal, delineado pelo método misto convergente. Participaram 88 estudantes de enfermagem de uma universidade pública brasileira. Para avaliação da adaptação acadêmica utilizou-se o Questionário de Vivências Acadêmicas Reduzido. A associação das variáveis do estudo com a reprovação foi verificada por análise bivariada. Resultados: a frequência de reprovações na amostra foi de 68,2%, reincidentes na mesma disciplina em 39,8%, com os fatores associados: idade maior ou igual a 22 anos (p=0,015), renda familiar inferior a 2 salários mínimos (p=0,019) e defasagem no fluxo curricular (p<0,001). Disciplinas com maiores frequências de reprovações são da área básica, ministradas nos dois primeiros anos do curso e comuns aos cursos da saúde. Estudantes sem reprovações apresentaram melhor percepção de bem-estar físico e psicológico (p=0,002), bom relacionamento interpessoal (p=0,017) e comportamentos de estudo mais assertivos (p=0,005). Questões pessoais, relacionadas ao estudo e institucionais foram motivadores apontados. Conclusão: os resultados revelam alto índice de reprovações, sobretudo na área básica. Foi encontrada associação entre reprovações e saúde mental dos estudantes de enfermagem durante seu processo de formação, e foram apontadas dificuldades que podem culminar com a taxa de insucesso no fluxo curricular.

Objetivo: evaluar la frecuencia y los factores asociados a la reprobación entre estudiantes de Enfermería. Método: estudio descriptivo y transversal, delineado por el método mixto convergente. Participaron 88 estudiantes de Enfermería de una universidad pública brasileña. Para evaluar la adaptación académica se utilizó el Cuestionario de Experiencias Académicas Reducidas. La asociación de las variables de estudio con la reprobación se verificó mediante análisis bivariado. Resultados: la frecuencia de reprobaciones en la muestra fue del 68,2%, siendo el 39,8% recurrente en la misma asignatura, con los siguientes factores asociados: edad mayor o igual a 22 años (p=0,015), ingreso familiar por debajo de 2 salarios mínimos (p=0,019) y desfase en el flujo curricular (p<0,001). Las asignaturas con mayor frecuencia de reprobación se encuentran en el campo básico, se imparten en los dos primeros años del curso y son comunes a los cursos de salud. Los estudiantes sin reprobaciones tuvieron una mejor percepción del bienestar físico y psicológico (p=0,002), buenas relaciones interpersonales (p=0,017) y conductas de estudio más asertivas (p=0,005). Cuestiones personales, relacionadas con el estudio e institucionales fueron motivadores señalados. Conclusión: los resultados muestran un elevado índice de reprobaciones, especialmente en el campo básico. Se encontró una asociación entre reprobaciones y la salud mental de los estudiantes de Enfermería durante su proceso de formación, y se señalaron dificultades que pueden culminar en el índice de reprobaciones en el flujo curricular.

Positive learning environment, academic engagement and self-regulated learning in high school students / Ambiente de aprendizaje positivo, compromiso académico y aprendizaje autorregulado en bachilleres

Abstract From the perspective of positive environment theory, supportive environments, can promote student successful academic adaptation. Accordingly, student academic success is the result of academic adaptation, and can be assessed via means of academic engagement and self-regulated learning. Thus, the aim of the present study was to test the relationship between positive learning environments (POLE), academic engagement and self-regulated learning in high school students. Using a cross-sectional design, participants included 166 freshmen high school students, 76 participants of the sample were male (45.8%) and 90 were female (54.2%). Mean age was 15.2 (S.D. = .43). Before participation informed consent was obtained from parents and assent from participants. Students answered a questionnaire regarding academic support given by parents, pro-academic friends, positive family environment, and academic engagement and self-regulated learning. Using Structural Equation Modeling the results demonstrated (p<.05) that POLE represented a latent factor formed by parental academic support, pro-academic friends and positive family environment. The structural model showed that POLE was positively related to academic engagement (structural coefficient= .80); also, academic engagement was related with self-regulated learning (structural coefficient= .55) and explained 30% of student self-regulated learning. Results suggest that POLE could promote academic engagement and self-regulated learning.

Resumen De acuerdo con la teoría de ambientes positivos, los contextos donde se brinda apoyo académico pueden promover la adaptación exitosa de los estudiantes, y, a su vez, el resultado de dicha adaptación favorece su éxito académico, lo cual puede medirse con los constructos de compromiso académico y aprendizaje autorregulado en el ámbito académico. Teniendo esto en consideración, en la presente investigación se da cuenta de un trabajo de psicología positiva aplicada en el que se tuvo como objetivo evaluar la relación entre el ambiente de aprendizaje positivo (AAP), el compromiso académico y el aprendizaje autorregulado en bachilleres mexicanos. Para esto, se diseñó un estudio de tipo correlacional en el que participaron 166 estudiantes voluntarios de primer grado de bachillerato, seleccionados por conglomerados, con consentimiento informado individual y de sus padres. Del total de participantes, 76 fueron de sexo masculino (45.8 %) y 90 de sexo femenino (54.2 %), con una edad promedio de 15.2 años (DE = .43); quienes respondieron a cuestionarios sobre apoyo académico de padres, amigos pro-académicos, ambiente familiar positivo, compromiso académico y aprendizaje autorregulado. Se realizó un análisis de ecuaciones estructurales, y en los resultados se encontró, con una p < .05, que el AAP fue un factor latente formado por el apoyo académico de los padres, los amigos pro-académicos y el ambiente familiar positivo; además, en el modelo estructural, el AAP correlacionó positivamente con el compromiso académico (coeficiente estructural = .80), y este último se relacionó positivamente con el aprendizaje autorregulado de los estudiantes (coeficiente estructural = .55); finalmente el modelo estructural resultante explicó el 30 % del aprendizaje autorregulado. Para concluir, se discute respecto a la posibilidad de que el AAP promueva el compromiso académico y el aprendizaje autorregulado de los estudiantes.

Adults with dyslexia: how can they achieve academic success despite impairments in basic reading and writing abilities? The role of text structure sensitivity as a compensatory skill.

The aim of this study was to investigate (1) whether a sample of highly educated individuals with dyslexia living under optimal personal, educational, cultural, and socioeconomic conditions continues to display core deficits in reading and writing skills during adulthood (extending prior results in Dutch, English, Hebrew, and Spanish to the Portuguese writing system); (2) whether these individuals can compensate for the effects of persistent core deficits when reading complex academic texts; (3) which cognitive resources, such as reading strategies, are used as compensatory mechanisms; and (4) whether quality of life is affected in these individuals. These questions were examined in a sample of 28 adults with dyslexia (DG) and 28 control participants (CG) paired by sex, age, education, and occupation, with a mean of 15 years of formal education. Participants completed measures of phonological awareness; decoding of syllables, words, and pseudowords; writing; reading comprehension (inferential and literal questions, recall, and sensitivity to the rhetorical structure of the target text); and quality of life. Results showed that (1) core deficits associated with dyslexia persisted into adulthood: participants with dyslexia performed worse than control subjects at all levels of phonological awareness, reading (except word reading accuracy), and spelling; (2) the groups did not differ on any measures of reading comprehension, suggesting a compensation of core deficits; (3) three compensatory mechanisms were identified: slower reading, use of text structure, and verbal ability; (4) participants with dyslexia required more family support and professional help throughout their educational careers, and had more depressive symptoms than control subjects.

Emotional and behavioural symptoms, risk behaviours and academic success in Chilean Mapuche and non-Mapuche adolescents.

Introduction: There is controversy over the real existence of differences in mental health and academic performance between the Mapuche ethnic minority male adolescents and the male adolescents not belonging to this ethnicity in Chile.Objective: In consequence, the aim of this study was to investigate the differences in emotional and behavioural symptoms, risky behaviours and academic success on the Chilean Mapuche and non-Mapuche adolescents.Design: The sample consisted of 233 adolescents of which 119 were Mapuche adolescents and 114 were non-Mapuche adolescents.Results: The results showed that the Mapuche adolescents do not have more anxiety problems and depression than the non-Mapuche adolescents. Furthermore, the Mapuche adolescents present less drug consumption and behavioural problems. Moreover, there were no differences in academic performance.Conclusions: This study provides social interest data of the adolescents' mental health, which can be useful for the country's socio-sanitary and political decisions. Future studies should investigate these and other variables related to the mental health of minorities in greater depth.

A Scoping Review of Peer Support Writing Groups in Academic Medicine as a Valuable Tool for Physician-Scientists in the Publish or Perish Era.

In designing and implementing a peer support writing group for junior researchers at our home institution, we saw an opportunity to advance the understanding of this intervention as a valuable tool for future physician-scientists. We, therefore, performed a scoping literature review of the available literature on peer support writing groups in clinical disciplines to learn what has been described about this topic. We paid specific attention to the characteristics, implementation, and impact of these groups on the academic development of medical/healthcare scientists. We performed a scoping literature review following the conceptual framework proposed by Arksey and O'Malley. We included studies describing the characteristics, implementation, and impact/effects of peer support writing groups in clinical disciplines. All the information extracted was summarized descriptively to chart the available literature on peer support writing groups in clinical disciplines. We identified a total of 369 articles, of which six were finally included. The absolute number of papers published increased considerably after the participation in the peer support writing groups. The subjective comments of the participating individuals highlighted the positive effects of these groups on the academic productivity of attendees. Available information shows a significant increase in the absolute number of publications and a positive perception between individuals participating in peer support writing groups. Stakeholders should implement this strategy in their home academic institutions.

Academic productivism: when job demand exceeds working time / Produtivismo acadêmico: quando a demanda supera o tempo de trabalho

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE: To assess the association between the perception of pressure to publish academic work with job satisfaction and stress. METHODS: Cross-sectional study with 64 graduate advisors from a public university in the city of São Paulo. Data collection conducted via an online questionnaire that included: sociodemographic, work and health data; Occupational Stress Indicator Job Satisfaction Scale and Effort-Reward Imbalance (ERI) model. To assess the perception of pressure to publish academic work the advisors answered a numerical scale, assigning a score from 0 to 10 to how pressured they felt to publish their work (being 0 no pressure and 10 high pressure). Later, the generalized linear model was used to test the factors associated to high perception of pressure to publish academic work, adjusted for working time, academic management role and productivity grant. RESULTS: Advisors who had already worked in a higher education institution, who performed part of the work at home and who reported work stress were more likely to show perception of extreme pressure to publish academic work. This perception was associated with greater effort and over-commitment, as well as a greater imbalance between the effort employed and the reward received at work. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that the professors' work organization and mental health are interrelated: the higher the perception of pressure to publish academic work, the greater the stress. However, this result does not seem to be reflected in the job satisfaction (or dissatisfaction). The apparently deliberate extension of working hours hides the precariousness and increased work to which professors have been subjected in recent years by public policies that commercialize education in Brazil.

RESUMO OBJETIVOS: Avaliar a associação entre a percepção da pressão por publicações com a satisfação e o estresse no trabalho. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal com 64 orientadores de pós-graduação de uma universidade pública da cidade de São Paulo. A coleta de dados ocorreu por meio de um questionário on-line que incluiu: dados sociodemográficos, laborais e de saúde; Escala de Satisfação no Trabalho do Occupational Stress Indicator e modelo Desequilíbrio Esforço-Recompensa (DER). Para avaliar a percepção da pressão por publicação foi criada uma escala numérica na qual o orientador deveria atribuir uma nota de 0 a 10 para o quanto se sentia pressionado a publicar seus trabalhos (sendo 0 nenhuma pressão e 10 muita pressão). Posteriormente, foi utilizado o modelo linear generalizado para testar os fatores associados à alta percepção de pressão para publicação, ajustado pelo tempo de trabalho, função de gestão acadêmica e bolsa produtividade. RESULTADOS: Maiores proporções da percepção de elevada pressão para publicação foram encontradas entre orientadores que já haviam trabalhado em instituição de ensino superior, que realizavam parte do trabalho em casa e que apresentavam estresse laboral. Associou-se essa percepção a um maior esforço e comprometimento excessivo no trabalho, bem como a um maior desequilíbrio entre o esforço empregado e a recompensa recebida no trabalho. CONCLUSÕES: Os achados desta pesquisa sugerem que a organização do trabalho e a saúde mental dos trabalhadores estejam inter-relacionados: quanto maior a percepção de pressão por publicação maior o estresse. No entanto, esse resultado parece não se refletir na satisfação (ou insatisfação) do trabalho. O prolongamento aparentemente deliberado das horas de trabalho oculta a precarização e intensificação do trabalho a que os professores têm sido submetidos nos últimos anos pelas políticas públicas que mercantilizam a educação no Brasil.

High school students academic performance associated with psychological aspects, body practices and physical activity / Desempenho acadêmico de estudantes do ensino médio associado a aspectos psicológicos, práticas corporais e atividade física

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to verify the association of psychological factors and body practices with the academic performance of high school students. A sample of 330 students participated, made up of 167 girls and 163 boys. Likert scale instruments were used for collecting information on self-concept, and on general and academic self-efficacy. Time spent on moderate to vigorous physical activity was recorded, and so was participation in several types of body practices, such as sports, dances, martial arts, performing arts, and systematic physical exercises. Academic achievement was referred to from the students' grades on regular subjects. Linear regression analysis was used for verifying the association of independent variables with academic performance. The adjusted regression model explains between 7% and 36% of academic performance variance, whereas Self-Concept explains academic performance on six of the twelve subjects, and the mean of the grades, with Beta values between 0.13 (p = 0.02) for Sociology and 0.28 (p <0.01) for Mathematics. Academic self-efficacy explained performance on eleven subjects and the mean of the grades, with Beta values between 0.21 (p <0.01) for Physical Education and Philosophy, and 0.44 (p <0.01) for Biology. Participation in extracurricular activities involving body practices explained academic performance on six subjects and the mean of the grades, with Beta values between 0.14 (p = 0.02) for Sociology and 0.31 (p <0.01) for Arts. The studied psychological variables and participation in projects concerning body practices during extracurricular activities correlated with academic achievement as to several school subjects, and with the mean of the grades.

RESUMO O objetivo desse estudo foi verificar a associação de fatores psicológicos e de práticas corporais com o desempenho acadêmico de estudantes do ensino médio. Uma amostra de 330 estudantes participou do estudo, sendo 167 meninas e 163 meninos. Por meio de instrumentos de escala Likert foram coletadas informações sobre o autoconceito, autoeficácia geral e acadêmica, também foi contabilizado o tempo em atividade física moderada a vigorosa, bem como a participação em diversos tipos de práticas corporais, como esportes, danças, lutas, artes cênicas e exercícios físicos sistematizados. Já o desempenho acadêmico foi referido com base no conceito obtido pelo estudante nas disciplinas do núcleo comum de aprendizagem. A análise de regressão linear foi utilizada para verificar a associação das variáveis independentes com o desempenho acadêmico. Foi observado que o modelo de regressão ajustado explicou entre 7% e 36% da variância do desempenho acadêmico, sendo que o Autoconceito pode explicar o desempenho acadêmico de seis das doze disciplinas e ainda a média dos conceitos, com valores de Beta entre 0,13 (p=0,02) para Sociologia e 0,28 (p<0,01) para Matemática. A autoeficácia acadêmica explicou o desempenho de onze disciplinas, além da média dos conceitos, com valores de Beta entre 0,21 (p<0,01) para Educação Física e Filosofia e 0,44 (p<0,01) para Biologia. Já a participação em projetos relacionados a práticas corporais pode explicar o desempenho acadêmico de seis disciplinas e ainda a média dos conceitos, com valores de Beta entre 0,14 (p=0,02) para Sociologia e 0,31 (p<0,01) para Artes. Percebeu-se então, que as variáveis psicológicas estudadas e a participação em projetos de práticas corporais em contraturno foram associadas com o desempenho acadêmico em diversas disciplinas escolares e na média dos conceitos.