[Psychometric properties and reliability of the general health questionnaire(GHQ-12) for adult patients in primary care centers in Cordoba, Argentina].

INTRODUCTION: The General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) is a commonly used instrument to screen for psychiatric distress. However, the psychometric properties and reliability of the GHQ-12 in Argentina and, more specifically, in the city of Cordoba, have not previously been studied. OBJECTIVE: To assess the psychometric properties and reliability of GHQ-12 in adult consultants of primary care in Cordoba, Argentina. METHODS: Using probabilistic sampling in primary care centers in the city of Cordoba, a cross-sectional study was conducted. The Spanish version of the GHQ-12 was administered. The psychometric properties, including internal consistency and factor structure, for the Spanish version of the GHQ-12 were measured. RESULTS: 854 primary care consultants were included in the study. The questionnaire had high internal consistency, with a Cronbach's alpha of 0.80. An exploratory factor analysis suggested a two-factor model, similar to what has been reported for the original questionnaire. CONCLUSIONS: The GHQ-12 showed good psychometric properties and reliability in the studied population.

Transmisión transgeneracional del trauma psicosocial en comunidades indígenas de Argentina: percepción del daño en el pasado y presente y acciones autoreparatorias / Transmissão transgeracional do trauma psicossocial em comunidades indígenas na Argentina: a percepção de dano no passado, presente e ações autorreparatórias

El presente artículo indagó desde la perspectiva de los sujetos, con respecto a la transmisión transgeneracional del trauma psicosocial sufrido por comunidades Wichí del Norte Argentino. Se propuso identificar las experiencias percibidas como traumáticas por las comunidades Wichí, tanto pasadas como presentes, describiendo los relatos respecto a la vivencia del trauma y a las formas de socialización generadas en dicha comunidad. Esto tuvo presente las situaciones o acciones llevadas adelante en los últimos años, que pudieran ser consideradas como autoreparatorias. Se trata de un trabajo exploratorio de tipo cualitativo, realizado en comunidades Wichí de la Provincia de Salta, durante los años 2009, 2010, y 2011. Fueron realizadas 30 entrevistas a caciques, mujeres, dirigentes y personas de las comunidades Wichí. Entre los resultados se reconoce la permanencia del daño en los grupos originarios y los mecanismos utilizados tanto por el Estado como por la sociedad para mantener esta situación, también se advierte un comportamiento de aislamiento y evasión ante el trauma, además se identifican secuelas y la manera en que éstas reproducen la situación de trauma. Fue también observado en la comunidad Wichí mecanismos de autoreparación en torno a la situación de trauma. La experiencia específica en relación con el pueblo Wichí reafirma los mecanismos de la transmisión transgeneracional del trauma psicosocial, surgiendo nuevas formas de organización de manera espontánea que develan el camino hacia la superación del trauma.

O presente artigo investigou, a partir da perspectiva do sujeito, a transmissão transgeracional do trauma psicossocial sofrido pelas comunidades Wichí no Norte Argentino. Pretendeu-se identificar as experiências percebidas como traumáticas pelas comunidades Wichí, tanto no passado como no presente, descrevendo os relatos sobre a experiência do trauma e os modos de socialização gerados em tal comunidade. Foram levadas em conta as situações ou ações realizadas nos últimos anos, que poderiam ser consideradas como autorreparatórias. Tratou-se de um trabalho qualitativo exploratório, realizado nas comunidades Wichí da Província de Salta, durante 2009, 2010 e 2011. Foram realizadas 30 entrevistas com chefes, mulheres, líderes e pessoas das comunidades Wichí. Entre os resultados, é possível reconhecer a influência dos danos nos grupos originais e os mecanismos utilizados pelo Estado e pela sociedade para manter esta situação. Também destacam-se o comportamento de isolamento e a fuga perante o trauma. Foram identificadas as sequelas e a maneira que tais pessoas reproduzem a situação de trauma. Também mostraram-se, na comunidade Wichí, os mecanismos de autorreparação sobre a situação de trauma. A experiência específica com relação ao povo Wichí reafirma os mecanismos da transmissão transgeracional do trauma psicossocial, surgindo novas formas de organização emergente espontaneamente que revelam o caminho para superar o trauma.

Relationship between academic performance, psychological well-being, and coping strategies in medical students.

INTRODUCTION: Academic performance is a product of the complex environment that surrounds the student, shaped by aspects such as intensity of study, motivation and context of relationships, which affect the academic achievement of individuals. There may be other psychological or emotional factors, such as anxiety, level of psychological well-being, and behavior strategies for effective adaptation to concrete environment demands and their associated emotional stress. OBJECTIVES: This research study aims at determining the level of psychological well-being and coping strategies in students of the Basic Common Cycle of studies leading to an MD degree in the School of Medicine of the National University of Córdoba, Argentina. METHODS AND MATERIALS: This is an observational study based on a "Questionnaire on determiners of academic performance", that was answered by 374 students. Data was processed using statistical bivariate analysis (p< 0.05) and multiple correspondence factorial analysis. RESULTS: Students with "VG/G (Very Good/Good) performance" show high levels of satisfaction and well-being use direct coping strategies which lead them to "cope with problematic situations" by means of "problem solving". Students with "R/I (Regular/Insufficient) academic performance" declare "dissatisfaction with most aspects of their personalities", feel unable to give a satisfactory response to environment demands, and assume "avoidance behaviors" as coping strategies. CONCLUSIONS: Student academic performance is associated with psychological well-being, feeling of satisfaction with achievements, and coping with stressful situations.

Introducción: El rendimiento académico es producto del complejo mundo que envuelve al estudiante, determinado por aspectos cotidianos (intensidad de estudio, motivación y medio relacional) que afectan el desempeño académico de los individuos. Otros factores pueden ser psicológicos o emocionales tales como la ansiedad, el grado de bienestar psicológico y las estrategias conductuales tendientes a lograr una adaptación efectiva a las demandas concretas del ambiente y al estrés emocional asociado. Objetivos: En esta investigación se propuso identificar el nivel de bienestar psicológico y las estrategias de afrontamiento en los estudiantes del Ciclo Básico de la Carrera de Medicina y analizar la relación entre bienestar, afrontamiento y rendimiento académico. Material y método: Es un estudio observacional el cual se trabajó a partir del "Cuestionario Determinantes relacionados con el rendimiento académico" implementado a 374 alumnos. El análisis de los datos se efectuó a través del procesamiento estadístico con análisis bivariado (p<0,05) y análisis factorial de correspondencia múltiple. Resultados: Los alumnos con "Rendimiento MB/B" presentan altos niveles de satisfacción y bienestar utilizando un afrontamiento directo que contribuye a "enfrentar las situaciones que preocupan" mediante la "solución de problemas". En tanto que los alumnos con "Rendimiento R/I" perciben "disgusto con la mayoría de los aspectos de su personalidad" sintiéndose impedidos para responder satisfactoriamente a las demandas del ambiente, asumiendo "comportamientos de evitación" como forma de afrontamiento. Conclusiones: El rendimiento académico de los estudiantes se asocia con la presencia de bienestar psicológico, satisfacción con respecto a los logros alcanzados y el afrontamiento de situaciones estresoras.

Relationship between academic performance, psychological well-being, and coping strategies in medical students / Relationship between academic performance, psychological well-being, and coping strategies in medical students.

INTRODUCTION: Academic performance is a product of the complex environment that surrounds the student, shaped by aspects such as intensity of study, motivation and context of relationships, which affect the academic achievement of individuals. There may be other psychological or emotional factors, such as anxiety, level of psychological well-being, and behavior strategies for effective adaptation to concrete environment demands and their associated emotional stress. OBJECTIVES: This research study aims at determining the level of psychological well-being and coping strategies in students of the Basic Common Cycle of studies leading to an MD degree in the School of Medicine of the National University of Córdoba, Argentina. METHODS AND MATERIALS: This is an observational study based on a "Questionnaire on determiners of academic performance", that was answered by 374 students. Data was processed using statistical bivariate analysis (p< 0.05) and multiple correspondence factorial analysis. RESULTS: Students with "VG/G (Very Good/Good) performance" show high levels of satisfaction and well-being use direct coping strategies which lead them to "cope with problematic situations" by means of "problem solving". Students with "R/I (Regular/Insufficient) academic performance" declare "dissatisfaction with most aspects of their personalities", feel unable to give a satisfactory response to environment demands, and assume "avoidance behaviors" as coping strategies. CONCLUSIONS: Student academic performance is associated with psychological well-being, feeling of satisfaction with achievements, and coping with stressful situations.

Consumo de sustancias y escuela: un estudio en adolescentes escolarizados de Córdoba / Substance use and school: a study in adolescent students in Cordoba

En esta investigación se propuso identificar el consumode sustancias psicoactivas según tipo de colegio y describir elconsumo según jornada de estudio, sexo, exigencia académicay disciplina escolar. Es un estudio es observacional y analítico.Se trabajó a partir de la Segunda Encuesta Nacional aEstudiantes de Enseñanza Media. El análisis descriptivo seefectuó a partir de las medidas de resumen, el exploratorioa través del procesamiento estadístico con análisis bivariado(p<0,05) y análisis factorial de correspondencia múltiple.Se identificó que fuman más cigarrillos los estudiantes queasisten a escuelas públicas que a escuelas privadas, quemayor es el riesgo de consumo de marihuana y cocaína en losalumnos que asisten a escuelas públicas que en privadas, quemenor es el consumo de sustancias en el turno matutino y que el consumo de alguna sustancia ilícita se asocia a problemas de comportamiento y repitencia escolar.

The objective of this study was to identify the use of psychoactive substances according to school type and describe consumption in relation to school shift, sex, school discipline and academic demand. Observational and analytical study based on the Second National Survey of High School Students. Descriptive analysis was based on summary measures, exploratory analysis lay on statistics processing with bivariate analysis (p<0,05) and multiple correspondence factor analysis. It was found out that students attending publicschools smoke cigarettes more than those at private schools, that the risk of marijuana and cocaine consumption is greater at public than at private schools, that there is lesssubstance consumption in the morning shift and, that consumption of illegal substances is associated with behavioral problems and school repetition.

Relationship between academic performance, psychological well-being, and coping strategies in medical students. / Relationship between academic performance, psychological well-being, and coping strategies in medical students.

INTRODUCTION: Academic performance is a product of the complex environment that surrounds the student, shaped by aspects such as intensity of study, motivation and context of relationships, which affect the academic achievement of individuals. There may be other psychological or emotional factors, such as anxiety, level of psychological well-being, and behavior strategies for effective adaptation to concrete environment demands and their associated emotional stress. OBJECTIVES: This research study aims at determining the level of psychological well-being and coping strategies in students of the Basic Common Cycle of studies leading to an MD degree in the School of Medicine of the National University of Córdoba, Argentina. METHODS AND MATERIALS: This is an observational study based on a "Questionnaire on determiners of academic performance", that was answered by 374 students. Data was processed using statistical bivariate analysis (p< 0.05) and multiple correspondence factorial analysis. RESULTS: Students with "VG/G (Very Good/Good) performance" show high levels of satisfaction and well-being use direct coping strategies which lead them to "cope with problematic situations" by means of "problem solving". Students with "R/I (Regular/Insufficient) academic performance" declare "dissatisfaction with most aspects of their personalities", feel unable to give a satisfactory response to environment demands, and assume "avoidance behaviors" as coping strategies. CONCLUSIONS: Student academic performance is associated with psychological well-being, feeling of satisfaction with achievements, and coping with stressful situations.

Consumo de sustancias y escuela: un estudio en adolescentes escolarizados de Córdoba / Substance use and school: a study in adolescent students in Cordoba

En esta investigación se propuso identificar el consumode sustancias psicoactivas según tipo de colegio y describir elconsumo según jornada de estudio, sexo, exigencia académicay disciplina escolar. Es un estudio es observacional y analítico.Se trabajó a partir de la Segunda Encuesta Nacional aEstudiantes de Enseñanza Media. El análisis descriptivo seefectuó a partir de las medidas de resumen, el exploratorioa través del procesamiento estadístico con análisis bivariado(p<0,05) y análisis factorial de correspondencia múltiple.Se identificó que fuman más cigarrillos los estudiantes queasisten a escuelas públicas que a escuelas privadas, quemayor es el riesgo de consumo de marihuana y cocaína en losalumnos que asisten a escuelas públicas que en privadas, quemenor es el consumo de sustancias en el turno matutino y que el consumo de alguna sustancia ilícita se asocia a problemas de comportamiento y repitencia escolar.(AU)

The objective of this study was to identify the use of psychoactive substances according to school type and describe consumption in relation to school shift, sex, school discipline and academic demand. Observational and analytical study based on the Second National Survey of High School Students. Descriptive analysis was based on summary measures, exploratory analysis lay on statistics processing with bivariate analysis (p<0,05) and multiple correspondence factor analysis. It was found out that students attending publicschools smoke cigarettes more than those at private schools, that the risk of marijuana and cocaine consumption is greater at public than at private schools, that there is lesssubstance consumption in the morning shift and, that consumption of illegal substances is associated with behavioral problems and school repetition.(AU)

El consumo de sustancias psicoactivas por adolescentes escolarizados de la provincia de Córdoba: una mirada a los factores de protección escolar / The consumption of psychoactive substances by young students in the province of Cordoba: A look at school protective factors

El consumo indebido de sustancias psicoactivas es un importante fenómeno de naturaleza psicosocial. En la actualidad, se privilegia el consumo de algunas sustancias como una forma de favorecer la socialización y bienestar. Como resultado de diferentes trabajos se reconoce que la edad de inicio en todas las sustancias se ha incrementado y que el consumo de marihuana presenta una tendencia creciente en todos los estudios. En esta investigación se propuso analizar los factores de protección escolar frente al consumo de sustancias psicoactivas por adolescentes escolarizados de la provincia de Córdoba y se llevó a cabo desde dos perspectivas. En una primera etapa se abordó la cuantitativa utilizando la base de los registros de la Segunda Encuesta Nacional a Estudiantes de Enseñanza Media en el año 2005 para la ciudad de Córdoba y en una segunda etapa se avanzó desde la perspectiva cualitativa. Desde la cuantitativa se trabajó con una muestra probabilística estratificada polietápica de alumnos que abarcó 4593 alumnos. De las 97 preguntas de la encuesta se focalizó en 20 en referencia a escuela, situación escolar de los estudiantes y consumo de drogas. El análisis se efectuó de medidas de resumen, análisis multivariado y factorial de correspondencia. En todos los casos se estableció un nivel de significación de p<0,05. En la etapa cualitativa se realizó un estudio etnográfico. La selección de escuelas de gestión pública (oficiales y privadas) se realizó por muestreo intencionado, acumulativo y ecuencial. Se llevaron a cabo 10 entrevistas en profundidad.

SUMMARY: The abuse of psychoactive substances is an important phenomenon of psychosocial nature. Currently, the consumption of certain substances is favored as a way to encourage socialization and wellness. As a result of different studies it is recognized that the starting age in all substances has increased and that marijuana use presents a growing trend in all studies. This research aimed to analyze the factors of school protection against the use of psychoactive substances by adolescents from schools in the province of Cordoba and was performed from two perspectives. The first stage dealt with the quantitative using the basis of the records of the SecondNational Survey of Middle School Students in 2005 for the city of Cordoba and a second stage advanced from the qualitative perspective. From the quantitative the work was done with a multistage stratified probability sample of students that included 4593 students. Of the 97 survey questions 20 focused on reference to school, educationalstatus of students and drug use. The analysis was performed using summary measures, multivariate analysis and correspondence factor. In all cases established a significance level of p <0.05. In the qualitative phase an ethnographic study was conducted. The selection of public management schools (public and private) was done by purposive sampling, cumulative and sequential. There were 10 in depth interviews. The analysis of qualitative information was run through the constant comparative method of Glaser and Strauss. Triangulation was performed by sequential intermethod triangulation.

Análisis de situaciones familiares relacionadas a la salud mental de niños escolarizados en una comunidad del interior de la Provincia de Córdoba, Argentina / Analysis of family environments related to primary schoolchildren mental health in a community located in the Province of Córdoba, Argentina

OBJETIVO: Con la finalidad de establecer un diagnóstico para detectar situaciones de riesgos familiares en niños escolarizados, el objetivo propuesto fue identificar los factores de riesgo vinculados a situaciones familiares que se relacionan con la salud mental, en niños de escuela primaria, de un sector urbano aledaño a la ciudad de Córdoba, en Argentina. METODOLOGÍA: El instrumento utilizado fue el test 'Cómo es tú-su familia'. Se realizó los análisis exploratorio bivariado y lo factorial. Se entrevistaron a 146 niños escolarizados de quinto y sexto grado del nivel primario. RESULTADOS: La estructura familiar más frecuente fue la biparental y el 45% de los encuestados tenían estructuras familiares a cargo de mujeres. Más de la mitad de los niños escolarizados refirieron que sus padres nunca, o algunas veces, dedican tiempo para hablar con ellos; los integrantes de su familia no pueden expresarse fácilmente si lo desean y la posibilidad de afrontar los problemas en familia es baja. El 30% de los niños refirieron haber experimentado alguna situación de estrés. La relación de riesgo con el padre y la madre se asoció a los antecedentes de fumar, peleas, maltratos y emborracharse. CONCLUSIONES: Los resultados de situaciones adversas en el grupo de niños analizados en este trabajo deberían ser tenidos en cuenta para disminuir la vulnerabilidad familiar y favorecer entornos saludables a los niños.

OBJECTIVE: In order to establish a diagnosis to identify family risk situations for children in school, the proposed objective was to identify risk factors associated with family situations that relate to mental health in primary schoolchildren from an urban area, adjacent to the city of Cordoba, in Argentina. METHODOLOGY: The test 'Cómo es tú-su familia' (What is your family like, in English) was used to interview 146 children attending fifth and sixth grades of primary school. Bivariate exploratory and factorial analyses were performed. RESULTS: The most frequent family structure was the biparental type, with 45% of interviewees reporting family structures in which women are in charge. More than 50% reported that their parents have never or seldom have dedicated time to talk to them, that family members do not find opportunities to express themselves, and that the possibilities of settling problems in family are scarce. In addition, 30% of children reported having gone through some type of stressful situation. Risk relations with mother and/or father were associated with smoking, drinking, battering, and quarreling. CONCLUSIONS: The adverse conditions detected for this group of children should be taken into account in order to lessen family vulnerability and foster healthy environments for children.

El consumo de sustancias psicoactivas por adolescentes escolarizados de la provincia de Córdoba: una mirada a los factores de protección escolar / The consumption of psychoactive substances by young students in the province of Cordoba: A look at school protective factors

El consumo indebido de sustancias psicoactivas es un importante fenómeno de naturaleza psicosocial. En la actualidad, se privilegia el consumo de algunas sustancias como una forma de favorecer la socialización y bienestar. Como resultado de diferentes trabajos se reconoce que la edad de inicio en todas las sustancias se ha incrementado y que el consumo de marihuana presenta una tendencia creciente en todos los estudios. En esta investigación se propuso analizar los factores de protección escolar frente al consumo de sustancias psicoactivas por adolescentes escolarizados de la provincia de Córdoba y se llevó a cabo desde dos perspectivas. En una primera etapa se abordó la cuantitativa utilizando la base de los registros de la Segunda Encuesta Nacional a Estudiantes de Enseñanza Media en el año 2005 para la ciudad de Córdoba y en una segunda etapa se avanzó desde la perspectiva cualitativa. Desde la cuantitativa se trabajó con una muestra probabilística estratificada polietápica de alumnos que abarcó 4593 alumnos. De las 97 preguntas de la encuesta se focalizó en 20 en referencia a escuela, situación escolar de los estudiantes y consumo de drogas. El análisis se efectuó de medidas de resumen, análisis multivariado y factorial de correspondencia. En todos los casos se estableció un nivel de significación de p<0,05. En la etapa cualitativa se realizó un estudio etnográfico. La selección de escuelas de gestión pública (oficiales y privadas) se realizó por muestreo intencionado, acumulativo y ecuencial. Se llevaron a cabo 10 entrevistas en profundidad.(AU)

SUMMARY: The abuse of psychoactive substances is an important phenomenon of psychosocial nature. Currently, the consumption of certain substances is favored as a way to encourage socialization and wellness. As a result of different studies it is recognized that the starting age in all substances has increased and that marijuana use presents a growing trend in all studies. This research aimed to analyze the factors of school protection against the use of psychoactive substances by adolescents from schools in the province of Cordoba and was performed from two perspectives. The first stage dealt with the quantitative using the basis of the records of the SecondNational Survey of Middle School Students in 2005 for the city of Cordoba and a second stage advanced from the qualitative perspective. From the quantitative the work was done with a multistage stratified probability sample of students that included 4593 students. Of the 97 survey questions 20 focused on reference to school, educationalstatus of students and drug use. The analysis was performed using summary measures, multivariate analysis and correspondence factor. In all cases established a significance level of p <0.05. In the qualitative phase an ethnographic study was conducted. The selection of public management schools (public and private) was done by purposive sampling, cumulative and sequential. There were 10 in depth interviews. The analysis of qualitative information was run through the constant comparative method of Glaser and Strauss. Triangulation was performed by sequential intermethod triangulation.(AU)

A study of success predictors in the entrance examination to the school medicine (2006-2008).

Institutions involved in training health professionals are permanently concerned with improving the quality of their graduates and their skills for meeting healthcare demands. Research has been conducted in the field of health education and related areas with the purpose of identifying the incidence of high-school GPAs, learning styles and demographic factors on pre-university performance of students. It has been widely assumed that performance at this stage is one of the best predictors of subsequent academic performance. In the year 2000 the School of Medicine of the Universidad Nacional de Córdoba introduced an Entrance Examination as part of a comprehensive curricular reform. Therefore, the study of the predictors of performance in the entrance examination can be a valuable contribution to pedagogical decision making. Our aim is to assess the predictive capacity of a series of indicators associated to the population of candidates attempting entrance to medical studies. The survey comprises the period 2006-2008. The variables under study are: sociodemographic characteristics, high-school specialization, and high-school grade point average (GPA). ANOVA was applied to measurable variables, whereas attribute variables were submitted to categorical data and multiple correspondence analyses. We conclude that predictors are associated to sociocultural factors related to family environment, mainly educational level of the mother, and to a high-school GPA value between 8 and 9 points.

El metodo de estudio de casos: una modalidad que genera practicas docentes diferentes en la enseñanza de la medicina / A method that creates different teaching practices in medical education

En el contexto de reforma curricular que la Facultad deCiencias Médicas lleva adelante y como una forma de mejorare innovar las prácticas docentes, la cátedra de Dermatologíadiseñó, para el año 2005, una propuesta pedagógica basada enel estudio de casos. Esta modalidad se implementó con 70alumnos de cuarto año de la carrera de Medicina.La decisión de este método se debe a la necesidad de plantearun eje diferente en las prácticas docentes, no se trata de exposiciónpor parte del docente y de un papel pasivo por parte del alumno,sino que se procura generar un pensamiento de orden superior,que según Sanjurjo (2003) implica juicio y razonamiento.

El metodo de estudio de casos: una modalidad que genera practicas docentes diferentes en la enseñanza de la medicina / A method that creates different teaching practices in medical education

En el contexto de reforma curricular que la Facultad deCiencias Médicas lleva adelante y como una forma de mejorare innovar las prácticas docentes, la cátedra de Dermatologíadiseñó, para el año 2005, una propuesta pedagógica basada enel estudio de casos. Esta modalidad se implementó con 70alumnos de cuarto año de la carrera de Medicina.La decisión de este método se debe a la necesidad de plantearun eje diferente en las prácticas docentes, no se trata de exposiciónpor parte del docente y de un papel pasivo por parte del alumno,sino que se procura generar un pensamiento de orden superior,que según Sanjurjo (2003) implica juicio y razonamiento.(AU)