Depression, Anxiety, Emotional Eating, and Body Mass Index among Self-Reported Vegetarians and Non-Vegetarians: A Cross-Sectional Study in Peruvian Adults.

Background: Vegetarianism is commonly associated with various health benefits. However, the association between this dietary regimen and aspects of mental health remains ambiguous. This study compared the symptoms of depression and anxiety, emotional eating (EmE), and body mass index (BMI) in Peruvian vegetarian and non-vegetarian adults. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 768 Peruvian adults, of whom 284 (37%) were vegetarians and 484 (63%) were non-vegetarians. The Depression Patient Health Questionnaire-2 (PHQ-2), Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale-2 (GAD-2), and an EmE questionnaire were applied; additionally, the BMI was calculated. Simple and multiple linear regression and Poisson regression models with robust variance were used to evaluate the association between depression, anxiety, EmE, and BMI with dietary patterns. Results: The vegetarians (Adjusted Prevalence Ratio [PR] = 0.24, 95% CI 0.16-0.31; p < 0.001) reported more depressive symptoms than the non-vegetarians. This trend persisted for anxiety, with an adjusted PR of 0.17 (95% CI: 0.01-0.29; p = 0.012). However, the vegetarians (adjusted PR = -0.38, 95% CI: -0.61--0.14; p < 0.001) reported lower EmE scores compared to the non-vegetarians. Likewise, the vegetarians had a lower mean BMI than the non-vegetarians (B = -0.16, 95% CI: -0.21--0.08; p < 0.001). Conclusions: Vegetarian diets are associated with increased symptoms of depression and anxiety, as well as lower EmE and BMI scores. Further longitudinal studies are needed to elucidate these associations and determine causality and the underlying mechanisms involved.

Psychometric properties and invariance of an English self-efficacy scale for university students in Peru.

Background: English is a global language used to communicate with members of the international community. Self-efficacy in learning English is an important factor that is influenced by perceived importance, interest, and beliefs about the ability to successfully perform tasks in English. Objective: The aim is to develop and validate a measurement instrument to assess English self-efficacy. Methods: A total of 453 students from different Peruvian universities participated, with ages ranging from 18 to 60 years (M = 23; SD = 6.18). Statistical techniques for latent variables were used and recommendations for educational and psychological tests were followed in its construction. The sample was divided into two groups to perform exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Results: The English Self-Efficacy Scale (ESS-P) is representative and relevant in terms of its item content (Aiken's V > 0.70). Its internal structure is organized into three first order factors and a second order factor that are consistent with the theoretical proposal and was confirmed through CFA with excellent goodness-of-fit indices (χ2 = 1184.9, gl = 626, CFI = 0.92, TLI = 0.92, RMSEA = 0.06 y SRMR = 0.04). It also has adequate internal consistency in its three factors (Reading α/ω = 0.96), Oral Communication (α/ω = 0.95), and Writing (α/ω = 0.97) and the whole scale (α/ω = 0.98), is invariant with respect to sex, and has a conceptual relationship with variables such as academic self-efficacy and exam anxiety. Conclusion: The ESS-P is a measurement instrument with evidence of validity, factorial invariance, and good reliability of its scores. Therefore, it can be used in future studies in the academic context.

Psychometric Analysis of the Quarantine Coping Strategies Scale (Q-COPE) in the Spanish Language.

The possibility of facing an epidemic or pandemic resulting in mandatory isolation or quarantine has become a relevant construct for comparing and evaluating coping strategies under such conditions. The objective of this research was to develop and analyze the psychometric properties of a scale to assess quarantine coping strategies (Q-COPE). This was an instrumental study and 1110 Peruvian adults (M = 26.9 years; SD = 9.77) participated in the context of social isolation. For the construction of the scale, qualitative and quantitative procedures were followed. The internal structure was evaluated by exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). The content analysis by expert judges supports the representativeness of the items related to the construct. EFA and CFA allowed the establishment of five factors: Emotional regulation, Information, Accommodation, Social support, and Altruism. The first-order model presents adequate goodness-of-fit indices: χ2 = 489.048, df = 220, χ2/df = 2.223, SRMR = 0.025, CFI = 0.969, TLI = 0.965, RMSEA = 0.047. Likewise, the second order model presented similar values: χ2 = 499.674, df = 225, χ2/df = 2.221, SRMR = 0.026, CFI = 0.969, TLI = 0.965, RMSEA = 0.047. The 23-item version was consistent with the proposed theory, obtained adequate fit indices and acceptable factor loadings (>0.70), and presented good internal consistency indexes evaluated by Cronbach's α, ordinal α, omega (ω), and H coefficient. It is concluded that the Q-COPE scale presents good psychometric properties that justify its use in an adult population and allows the assessment of the coping strategies that people use in the face of a quarantine situation.

Escala de Calidad de Relación de Pareja en el contexto COVID-19 / Couple relationship quality scale in the Covid-19 Context

Introducción: La pandemia causada por el COVID-19 ha afectado la forma de vida de las personas, y particularmente, las relaciones de pareja. El objetivo del presente estudio fue evaluar las propiedades psicométricas de la Escala de Calidad de Relación de Pareja (CRP-ASO) dentro del contexto de aislamiento social obligatorio a causa de la COVID-19, en Perú. Métodos: La escala CRP-ASO fue aplicada a 499 adultos (60 % mujeres; Medad = 41.54 años, Sedad = 13.48). La estructura interna del instrumento fue evaluada mediante el análisis factorial exploratorio (EFA) y el análisis factorial confirmatorio (CFA). Asimismo, la confiabilidad fue estimada mediante el cálculo del coeficiente alfa de Cronbach (α) y omega de McDonald (ꞷ). Resultados: Los resultados indicaron una estructura de cuatro factores: consenso, complicidad-intimidad, satisfacción en la relación y estabilidad en la relación, con altos indicadores de consistencia interna. Conclusión: Se concluye que el instrumento cuenta con propiedades psicométricas satisfactorias y puede ser utilizado en muestras similares.

Introduction: The pandemic caused by COVID-19 has affected people's way of life, and particularly, couple relationships. The main of this study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Couple Relationship Quality Scale (CRP-ASO) within the context of the lockdown due to COVID-19, in Peru. Methods: The CRP-ASO scale was applied to 499 adults (60 % women; Mage = 41.54 years, Sage = 13.48). The internal structure of the instrument was evaluated using exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Reliability was also estimated by calculating Cronbach's alpha (α) and McDonald's omega (ꞷ). Results: The results indicated a four factors structure: consensus, complicity-intimacy, satisfaction in the relationship and stability in the relationship, with high indicators of internal consistency. Conclusion: It is concluded that the instrument has satisfactory psychometric properties and can be used in similar samples.