Convivencia escolar desde el marco de la psicología evolutiva y de la educación / Positive school climate from the conceptual framework of Developmental and Educational Psychology

Resumen La promoción de la convivencia escolar es una tarea imprescindible en las escuelas del siglo XXI, que, aparte de la enseñanza del contenido académico, están llamadas a preparar para la vida y prevenir la violencia. Aunque se reconozca la importancia de la convivencia escolar y se hayan implementado diversos programas para su promoción, todavía es necesario profundizar en el conocimiento de las bases psicológicas que fundamentan el quehacer de las escuelas en relación con la convivencia. Por ello, en el presente artículo se pretende delimitar el concepto de convivencia escolar y se propone un modelo de convivencia escolar basado en los conocimientos de la Psicología Evolutiva y de la Educación. Se trata de un modelo en el que la convivencia escolar se nutre de factores personales y contextuales para la prevención de la violencia y promoción de la ciudadanía y la paz. Con este propósito, se realiza una revisión de literatura científica sobre diversos componentes de la convivencia escolar y su desarrollo normativo en el alumnado, y una propuesta de su promoción a través de la educación. La convivencia se conceptualiza desde una perspectiva positiva a partir de la promoción de conductas prosociales.

Abstract Fostering a positive school climate is a crucial task of the 21st century schools which, besides teaching academic skills, need to prepare for life and prevent violence. Although the importance of a positive school climate is broadly recognized, and there are numerous programs for its promotion, it is still necessary to increase knowledge on the psychological bases for educational practice in relation to a positive school climate. This article provides a theoretical basis to understand the concept and a model of a positive school climate based on developmental and educational Psychology. In this model, school climate is a combination of personal and contextual factors that make it possible to prevent violence and promote citizenship and peace. A literature review focused on different components of a positive school climate and their normative development in students is presented together with suggestions for its promotion. A school climate is conceptualized from a positive perspective based on the promotion of prosocial behaviour.

Psychometric Properties of the Compulsive Internet Use Scale in Spain, Colombia, and Mexico.

Information and communication technologies provide a new context for interpersonal relationships, learning and professional activities. Nevertheless, there are several risks related to technology use, including compulsive Internet use. Even though compulsive Internet use has been identified as an important problem behavior in young people, there are still gaps in knowledge regarding its measurement in Spanish-speaking countries. Thus, the objective of this study was to validate the Compulsive Internet Use Scale (CIUS) in Spain, Colombia, and Mexico using a sample of 2,090 15-30 year olds. Results showed that the questionnaire has excellent psychometric properties and confirmed its original unidimensional factor structure. Inter-item polychoric correlations showed optimum values that indicated consistency and high quality of the construct. A confirmatory factor analysis showed an excellent model fit for all the subsamples, including Spain, Colombia, and Mexico. A multigroup analysis showed measurement invariance across the studied countries. Given that the CIUS is one of the most popular instruments used to measure excessive Internet use around the world, it can now be used in crossnational comparative studies, including Spain, Colombia, and Mexico, together with other countries. It can also be used to evaluate intervention programs in the studied countries.

Bullying and Cyberbullying in Adolescents from Disadvantaged Areas: Validation of Questionnaires; Prevalence Rates; and Relationship to Self-Esteem, Empathy and Social Skills.

Although bullying and cyberbullying have been widely studied in diverse geographical areas, the number of studies in isolated regions, located in rainforests such as the Peruvian Amazonia, is low. Most research has been conducted in wealthy, Western countries, although disadvantaged areas are usually the most affected by various problems. Thus, the aims of this study were to validate bullying and cyberbullying measurement instruments among adolescents in the Peruvian Amazonia, to determine the prevalence rates of bullying and cyberbullying among this population, and to examine how bullying and cyberbullying relate to self-esteem, empathy, and social skills. The sample included 607 students from the region of Loreto (Peruvian Amazonia) who completed self-report questionnaires. Both questionnaires used in the sample were found to have good psychometric properties. Results showed that bullying and cyberbullying are prevalent among teenagers in the Amazonia. Low self-esteem and high affective empathy predicted bullying victimization. Being a bully was related to high assertiveness. Being a bully-victim was related to low self-esteem and low assertiveness. Cybervictims showed higher cognitive empathy. Cyberbullies showed higher affective empathy in comparison to uninvolved adolescents. Having low self-esteem and higher affective empathy were related to being a cyberbully/victim. This study provides a validated questionnaire that can be used for research and practice in the Amazonia. Based on the current results, tailored anti-bullying and anti-cyberbullying interventions with components focused on self-esteem, empathy, and social skills should be implemented in Peruvian secondary schools.

Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS): Psychometric Properties and Discriminative Capacity in Several Chilean Samples.

We evaluated the factor structure, reliability, and discriminative capacity of the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS) questionnaire in four different samples: two general adult populations (N = 1,548, N = 964), one adolescent population (N = 1,044), and young people with depressive symptomatology (N = 307). Exploratory factor analyses (EFAs) were performed with subsamples from Studies 1 (n = 773) and 2 (n = 527), finding that the two- and three-factor solutions had a good fit. In a confirmatory factor analysis, the two-factor solution resulted in an adequate fit in a second set of subsamples from both studies (n = 775, n = 517). In Study 3, we found good convergent and divergent validity with adequate and significant correlations found for depression (Beck's Depression Inventory), anxiety (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory), and neuroticism and extroversion (Big Five Inventory). In Study 4, the results of an EFA performed in a subsample (n = 154) found that the two- and three-factor solutions were appropriate with the former solution being confirmed in a second subsample (n = 153). Reliability was α = .85 for positive affect and α = .87 for negative affect. The PANAS questionnaire showed adequate indicators of validity and reliability in adult and adolescent populations as well as in a sample with depressive symptoms.

Dimensions and Psychometric Properties of the Social and Emotional Competencies Questionnaire (SEC-Q) in youth and adolescents / Dimensiones y Propiedades Psicométricas del Cuestionario de Competencias Sociales y Emocionales (SEC-Q) en jóvenes y adolescentes

Abstract Many intervention programs are conducted in different countries in order to promote social and emotional learning. Nevertheless, the number of instruments to evaluate these competencies is still low, and core social and emotional competencies are rarely included in a single questionnaire and measured as a single construct. Thus, this study was conducted to design and validate the Social and Emotional Competencies Questionnaire. This instrumental study was conducted with 643 university students and a representative sample of 2,139 adolescents. The results show that the questionnaire has good psychometric properties and includes four components: self-awareness, self-management and motivation, social-awareness and prosocial behavior, and decision-making. These competencies are positively related to perceived emotional intelligence and negatively related to alexithymia. This questionnaire can be useful in evaluating social and emotional competencies in different settings. It can also be used to evaluate the effectiveness of social and emotional learning programs.

Resumen En diferentes países se llevan a cabo numerosos programas de intervención para promover el aprendizaje socio-emocional. Sin embargo, las principales competencias sociales y emocionales raramente se incluyen en un solo cuestionario o se miden como un único constructo. Por ello, el objetivo de este estudio fue diseñar y validar el Cuestionario de Competencias Socio-Emocionales. Este estudio instrumental se realizó con 643 estudiantes universitarios y con una muestra representativa de 2139 adolescentes. Los resultados mostraron que el cuestionario tiene muy buenas propiedades psicométricas e incluye cuatro componentes: autoconciencia, autogestión, conciencia social y conducta prosocial, y toma de decisiones. Estas competencias están relacionadas positivamente con la inteligencia emocional percibida y negativamente con la alexitimia. Este cuestionario puede ser útil para evaluar las competencias socio-emocionales en diferentes contextos. También puede usarse para evaluar la efectividad de los programas de aprendizaje socio-emocional.

Causes and Solutions for the Economic Crisis According to the International Scientific Community / Causas y soluciones a la crisis financiera según la comunidad científica internacional

The current economic crisis started in the USA between 2007 and 2008, and its causes are still being discussed. Although there are many theoretical proposals that analyze the causes and possible solutions to this situation, the number of empirical research is still very scarce. The objective consisted of collecting and analyzing the opinion of the world scientific community on the causes and possible solutions to the crisis. 1770 scientists answered a questionnaire specifically designed for this purpose. Results show that the causes of the economic crisis depended on the management inside and outside the financial institutions. The highest percentage of participants was in agreement with a solution that promotes private initiative but also with governmental help and control.

La actual crisis económica iniciada en los EEUU entre 2007 y 2008, y sus causas todavía se están discutiendo. Aunque hay muchas propuestas teóricas que analizan las causas y posibles soluciones a esta situación, el número de investigaciones empíricas aún es escaso. El objetivo de esta investigación consistió en recoger y analizar la opinión de la comunidad científica mundial sobre las causas y posibles soluciones a la crisis. 1770 científicos respondieron un cuestionario específicamente diseñado para este propósito. Los resultados muestran que las causas de la crisis económica dependieron de la gestión interna y externa de las instituciones financieras. El porcentaje más alto de participantes está de acuerdo con una solución que promueva la iniciativa privada, pero con control y ayuda de los gobiernos.

Is Psychology a Health Profession?: An Opinion of a Sample of Psychologists Worldwide / ¿Es la Psicología una profesión sanitaria?: La opinión de una muestra mundial de psicólogos

The purpose of the current study is to evaluate the opinions of the scientific community of psychologists on the question if psychology is a health profession. Nowadays, the subject is even more important as there are laws, as for example the Ley de Ordenación de Profesiones Sanitarias (LOPS) [Law for the Organization of the Health Professions] in Spain that should be based on the concept that psychology is or is not a health profession. Moreover, the creation of the common curricula for the whole Europe needs the general agreement and no individual opinion can be valid for these purposes. The present study shows the opinion of803 scientists who have published at least one article in a clinical or multidisciplinary psychology journal included in the Web of Science, from 42 different countries, 23 major fields of psychology and 32 orientations. The results show that, in general, the participants answered that psychology is a health profession, which is even more evident in case of clinical psychology.

El objetivo del presente estudio consistió en evaluar la opinión de la comunidad científica de psicólogos sobre si la psicología es una profesión sanitaria. Hoy en día, esta cuestión es incluso más importante dado que existen leyes, como por ejemplo, la Ley de Ordenación de Profesiones Sanitarias (LOPS) en España que deberían basarse en que la psicología sea, o no, considerada sanitaria. Es más, la creación de un curriculum común a nivel europeo requiere de un acuerdo general y ninguna opinión individual puede considerarse válida. El presente estudio muestra la opinión de 803 científicos quienes han publicado al menos un artículo en una revista de psicología clínica o multidisciplinar en una revista incluida en la Web of Science, procedentes de 42 países diferentes, 23 campos de la psicología y 32 orientaciones. Los resultados muestran que, en general, los participantes contestaron que la psicología sí es una profesión sanitaria, lo cual es incluso más evidente en el caso de la psicología clínica.

Chilean validation of the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist-Civilian version (PCL-C) after the earthquake on February 27, 2010.

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder in which an individual re-experiences a traumatic event, avoids situations related to it, and shows excessive arousal. The disorder appears after experiencing a life-threatening event, such as a war or a natural disaster. Thus, the validation of tests which assess the disorder after the earthquake on February 27, 2010, in Chile is crucial for its evaluation and subsequent intervention. The present study includes psychometric data for the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist-Civilian version (PCL-C) on a sample of 509 survivors of the disaster. Values indicate good psychometric properties of the questionnaire.

Chilean experimental version of the State-Trait Depression Questionnaire (ST-DEP): State subscale (S-DEP).

Depression is the most prevalent mental disorder and one of the most important health problems in Chile. The current study shows data for validity and reliability of the State subscale (S-DEP) of the Chilean experimental version of the State-Trait Depression Questionnaire (ST-DEP). The procedure conducted with the original version of the questionnaire was replicated on a sample of 300 university students. The utilized measures were the State Depression Questionnaire, Beck Depression Inventory, the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and neutral depressive, mild depressive, and moderate depressive vignettes. Results indicated that the factor structure was replicable, the internal consistency was good, and the situations were ranked as expected. The scale distinguishes intensities of depression. Clinicians and researchers in Chile are provided with a new measure for state depression.

Internacionalidad de las revistas de psicología multidisciplinar editadas en iberoamérica e incluidas en la Web of Science / Internationality of the multidisciplinary psychology journals published in Ibero-America and included in the Web Of Science

Las revistas internacionales se consideran más prestigiosas y de mayor calidad que las nacionales, aunque su significado no se había establecido hasta hace poco. Es más, el criterio de internacionalidad se utiliza para tomar importantes decisiones como por ejemplo en la evaluación del personal docente, universidades, programas de doctorado etc., aún sin conocer su significado exacto. Por tanto, el presente estudio utiliza los criterios de internacionalidad establecidos en una encuesta a más de 16.000 científicos de todo el mundo, para la elaboración de un Índice de Internacionalidad delas revistas de psicología multidisciplinar incluidas en la Web of Science. Los resultados demuestran que la revista con mayor nivel de internacionalidad es la Revista Latinoamericana de Psicología, seguida por The Spanish Journal of Psychology, Psicothema y Universitas Psychologica. Todas las revistas cumplen con los criterios de internacionalidad y el estudio proporciona resultados de gran relevancia para potenciarla.

International journals are considered more prestigious and with more quality than national ones, although the meaning of this had not been established until recently. Moreover, internationality has been used as a criterion to make important decisions, for example to assess the performance of scientists, universities, doctoral degree programs, and so on, without knowing the exact meaning of internationality. Thus, the current study uses the criteria of internationality established by a survey on more than 16,000 scientists from all over the world to create an Internationality Index of multidisciplinary psychology journals published in Ibero-America and included in the Web of Science. Results show that the most international journal is Revista Latinoamericana de Psicología, followed by The Spanish Journal of Psychology, Psicothema and Universitas Psychologica. All the journals fulfill the criteria for internationality and the study provides very important results which will allow its increase.

The internationality index: application to Revista Latinoamericana de Psicología

El presente trabajo es una propuesta de aplicación de criterio de un Índice de Internacionalidad de publicaciones científicas. Los criterios fueron establecidos por una muestra de 16.056 científicos de 109 países (lenguaje de publicación, acceso libre al texto, estándares internacionales de publicación, inclusión en el JCR, inclusión en bases de datos, comité editorial de diversos países, editada por una asociación internacional, la palabrainternacional en el título) y fueron divididos en subcriterios para calcular la puntuación en cada uno de ellos. Elsumatorio de todos los puntos aplicados a un grupo de revistas permite crear un ranking de internacionalidad con un Índice de Internacionalidad para cada revista. Este trabajo es la primera propuesta de cómo aplicar el Índice de Internacionalidad a una sola publicación. Los resultados demuestran que la Revista Latinoamericana de Psicología es realmente una revista internacional. Es más, es la revista más internacional de todas las que han sido analizadas.

The present work is a proposal of application of the criteria of the Internationality Index to the scientific publications. The criteria were established by a broad sample of 16,056of scientists from 109 countries (publication language, the online access, international standards of publication,inclusion in the JCR, inclusion in databases, the editorial board from different countries, free online access, the Impact Factor, the authors from different countries, affiliation to an “international” association, the word“international” in the journal’s name). These are divided into subcriteria and the way of calculating the scoresin each one of them is presented. The sum of all the points applied to a group of journals would enable their classification from the most international to the leastinternational creating at the same time the Internationality Index. The present work is the first proposal on how toapply the Internationality Index to a single publication. The results of the paper show that, Revista Latinoamericana de Psicología is indeed a very international journal.Moreover, it is the most international journal of all the publications which have ever been analyzed.