Psychometric Properties of the Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scale III in Latin American University Dental Students.

OBJECTIVE: The Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scale III (FACES III) is a self-report instrument that enables the assessment of the dimensions of adaptability and cohesion within a family, establishing whether or not that family is functional and classifying it according to categories within those dimensions. The objective of this research was to determine the psychometric properties of this instrument using a sample of dental students from 5 Latin American countries. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The FACES III was administered to a sample of 2888 university dental students from Colombia (35.3%), Chile (34.6%), the Dominican Republic (19%), Argentina (6%), and El Salvador (5.1%). Confirmatory factor analysis was used to examine the factorial structure of the scale, comparing 3 models proposed in the Latin American literature, establishing a multigroup analysis to examine invariance among countries. RESULTS: The results revealed a structure composed of 2 dimensions: cohesion and adaptability. These dimensions showed adequate structure and internal consistency. The invariance of the measurement model in the participating countries was confirmed. CONCLUSION: In general, this study offers evidence of the adequacy of the psychometric properties of FACES III in Colombian, Chilean, Dominican, Argentine, and Salvadoran dental students.

Family functioning in students of health sciences in four Latin American countries: a study of the structure and factorial invariance of the FACES III scale. A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Psychometric studies of the FACES III scale in Spanish-speaking countries show a lack of agreement on the factorial structure of the scale. In addition, most of the studies have only performed exploratory analyses of its factorial structure. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the present study was to confirm the structure and factorial invariance of the FACES III scale in nursing and obstetric students from Chile, Colombia, Peru, and Mexico. METHODS: A total of 3303 students from the four countries participated in this study (Colombia = 1559, Chile = 1224, Peru = 215, Mexico = 305). RESULTS: The results of the study showed that the Bi-factor model presents the best-fit indexes to the data from Colombia, Chile, and Mexico, but not from Peru. In addition, it was found that this model showed evidence of being strictly invariant among the three countries in the sequence of the invariance models proposed: metric invariance (ΔRMSEA = .000), scalar (ΔRMSEA = .008), and strict (ΔRMSEA = .008). The bi-factor model also showed adequate reliability indexes in the three countries. CONCLUSION: It is concluded that the FACES III scale shows adequate psychometric performance under a bi-factor model in nursing and obstetric students from Colombia, Chile, and Mexico. The lack of fit of the model in Peru could be associated with the small sample size.

Evaluation of the psychometric properties of the family adaptability and cohesion scale (FACES III) through item response theory models in students from Chile and Colombia.

BACKGROUND: A psychometric study of the Family Adaptability and Cohesion Scale (FACES III) has been conducted in Spanish-speaking countries from the perspective of the classical test theory. However, this approach has limitations that affect the psychometric understanding of this scale. OBJECTIVE: Accordingly, this study used the item response theory to investigate the psychometric performance of the items. Furthermore, it evaluated the differential performance of the items for Colombia and Chile. METHOD: For this purpose, 518 health science students from both countries participated. Confirmatory Factor Analysis was used. RESULTS: The study results revealed that the cohesion and adaptability items presented adequate discrimination and difficulty indices. In addition, items 5, 8, 13, 17, and 19 of cohesion indicated differential functioning between students from both countries, with Chilean students exhibiting a greater discriminatory power. Further, the Colombian group exhibited a greater discriminatory power for item 18 of adaptability. CONCLUSIONS: The study concluded that the items of FACES III indicated adequate psychometric performance in terms of their discriminative capacity and difficulty in Chile and Colombia.

The Coronavirus Anxiety Scale: Cross-national measurement invariance and convergent validity evidence.

Coronavirus Anxiety Scale (CAS) is a widely used measure that captures somatic symptoms of coronavirus-related anxiety. In a large-scale collaboration spanning 60 countries (Ntotal = 21,513), we examined the CAS's measurement invariance and assessed the convergent validity of CAS scores in relation to the fear of COVID-19 (FCV-19S) and the satisfaction with life (SWLS-3) scales. We utilized both conventional exact invariance tests and alignment procedures, with results revealing that the single-factor model fit the data well in almost all countries. Partial scalar invariance was supported in a subset of 56 countries. To ensure the robustness of results, given the unbalanced samples, we employed resampling techniques both with and without replacement and found the results were more stable in larger samples. The alignment procedure demonstrated a high degree of measurement invariance with 9% of the parameters exhibiting noninvariance. We also conducted simulations of alignment using the parameters estimated in the current model. Findings demonstrated reliability of the means but indicated challenges in estimating the latent variances. Strong positive correlations between CAS and FCV-19S estimated with all three different approaches were found in most countries. Correlations of CAS and SWLS-3 were weak and negative but significantly differed from zero in several countries. Overall, the study provided support for the measurement invariance of the CAS and offered evidence of its convergent validity while also highlighting issues with variance estimation. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Family functioning in students of health sciences in four Latin American countries: a study of the structure and factorial invariance of the FACES III scale. A cross-sectional study

Abstract Background Psychometric studies of the FACES III scale in Spanish-speaking countries show a lack of agreement on the factorial structure of the scale. In addition, most of the studies have only performed exploratory analyses of its factorial structure. Objective The objective of the present study was to confirm the structure and factorial invariance of the FACES III scale in nursing and obstetric students from Chile, Colombia, Peru, and Mexico. Methods A total of 3303 students from the four countries participated in this study (Colombia = 1559, Chile = 1224, Peru = 215, Mexico = 305). Results The results of the study showed that the Bi-factor model presents the best-fit indexes to the data from Colombia, Chile, and Mexico, but not from Peru. In addition, it was found that this model showed evidence of being strictly invariant among the three countries in the sequence of the invariance models proposed: metric invariance (ΔRMSEA = .000), scalar (ΔRMSEA = .008), and strict (ΔRMSEA = .008). The bi-factor model also showed adequate reliability indexes in the three countries. Conclusion It is concluded that the FACES III scale shows adequate psychometric performance under a bi-factor model in nursing and obstetric students from Colombia, Chile, and Mexico. The lack of fit of the model in Peru could be associated with the small sample size.

Factores socio demográficos y de estilos de vida asociados a un bajo nivel de actividad física durante el confinamiento producto del COVID-19 en adultos latinoamericanos / Factors associated with inactivity during COVID-19 confinement among Latin American adults

BACKGROUND: The confinement caused by the COVID-19 pandemic changed the lifestyles of the population affecting their levels of physical activity. AIM: To determine the factors associated with a low level of physical activity in adults during confinement during the COVID-19 pandemic. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Adults from Chile, Colombia, México and Perú were invited through social networks to answer an online survey. Questions about sociodemographic, health status and lifestyle variables were included. The level of physical activity and sedentary behavior were determined through the short version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Results: The survey was answered by 3,362 adults aged between 18 and 60 years. Respondents more likely to be inactive were women, those with less than eight years of education, those with overweight or obesity, those who smoked at least one cigarette a day, consumed alcohol four or more times a week, slept less than six hours per day and spent more than 6 hours per day in sedentary behaviors. CONCLUSIONS: These findings provide a sociodemographic and lifestyle profile associated with physical inactivity during the period of confinement in Latin American adults. The results confirm the need to promote healthy lifestyles in the population during periods of confinement.

Evaluación del impacto en la formación continua del docente en innovaciones de estilos de vida saludable en Barranquilla, Colombia / Evaluation of the impact on the continuing training of teachers in innovations in healthy lifestyles in Barranquilla, Colombia

Resumen Objetivo: Evaluar el impacto de la formación continua de docentes de primaria, de un programa de adopción de innovaciones en salud, para prevenir y/o controlar obesidad infantil en 17 escuelas de primaria de Barranquilla (Colombia), utilizando el Modelo de 4 Niveles de Kirpatrick. Materiales y métodos: El tipo de estudio es retrospectivo. La población estuvo integrada por 120 docentes de básica primaria de 13 escuelas públicas. Se aplicó un cuestionario para evaluar el impacto en la satisfacción de la formación. Para los impactos en el aprendizaje, en el comportamiento y en los resultados se utilizó la entrevista y el desarrollo de demostraciones de conocimientos y habilidades durante las sesiones de formación. Resultados: Cerca del 90% de los participantes valoró su satisfacción de "Alto" o "Muy alto". El 89.10% pidió que el programa educativo continúe. El aprendizaje, medido en conocimiento y habilidades; y la actitud, medida en compromiso, disponibilidad y confianza, tuvo valoraciones superiores a 4.5 (escala de 1 a 5) en 73.5% de los participantes en ambas categorías. El impacto de resultados en la organización mostró un incremento de la actividad física en el 100% de las instituciones, mientras la incorporación de educación nutricional en un 61.5%. Discusión: La aplicación del modelo Kirpatrick permitió determinar el valor que generó la formación y estimar el retorno de las expectativas (ROE), al tiempo que proporcionó nuevos elementos que ayudan a comprender cómo fueron adoptándose las innovaciones. Conclusiones: El estudio permitió ponderar, no sólo hasta dónde la formación impactó el nivel de aprendizaje, sino cómo este influenció la percepción inicial del docente - según la cual el sobrepeso y la obesidad infantil eran básicamente competencia del sector salud- para luego adquirir para ellos un significado muy ligado a la formación académica de niños de primaria, y de fácil aplicación.

Abstract Objective: To evaluate the impact of the continuous training of primary school teachers of a program for the adoption of innovations in health to prevent and / or control childhood obesity in 17 primary schools in Barranquilla (Colombia), using the Kirpatrick 4-Level Model. Materials and methods: The type of study is retrospective. The population was made up of 120 elementary school teachers from 13 public schools. A questionnaire was applied to evaluate the impact on satisfaction. For the impacts on learning, behavior and results, the interview, and the development of demonstrations of knowledge and skills during the training sessions were used. Results: About 90% of the participants rated their satisfaction as "High" or "Very high". 89.10% asked that the educational program continue. Learning, measured in knowledge and skills; and attitude, measured in commitment, availability, and trust, had scores higher than 4.5 (scale from 1 to 5) in 73.5% of the participants in both categories. The impact of results in the organization showed an increase in physical activity in 100.0% of the institutions, while the incorporation of nutritional education in 61.5%. Discussion: The application of the Kirpatrick model made it possible to determine the value generated by the training and estimate the return on expectations (ROE), while providing new elements that help to understand how the innovations were being adopted. Conclusions: The study allowed us to weigh, not only to what extent the training impacted the level of learning, but also how this influenced the initial perception of the teacher - according to which overweight and childhood obesity were basically the competence of the health sector - and then acquire for them a meaning closely linked to the academic training of elementary school children, and easy to apply.

[Factors associated with inactivity during COVID-19 confinement among Latin American adults]. / Factores socio demográficos y de estilos de vida asociados a un bajo nivel de actividad física durante el confinamiento producto del COVID-19 en adultos latinoamericanos.

BACKGROUND: The confinement caused by the COVID-19 pandemic changed the lifestyles of the population affecting their levels of physical activity. AIM: To determine the factors associated with a low level of physical activity in adults during confinement during the COVID-19 pandemic. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Adults from Chile, Colombia, México and Perú were invited through social networks to answer an online survey. Questions about sociodemographic, health status and lifestyle variables were included. The level of physical activity and sedentary behavior were determined through the short version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). RESULTS: The survey was answered by 3,362 adults aged between 18 and 60 years. Respondents more likely to be inactive were women, those with less than eight years of education, those with overweight or obesity, those who smoked at least one cigarette a day, consumed alcohol four or more times a week, slept less than six hours per day and spent more than 6 hours per day in sedentary behaviors. CONCLUSIONS: These findings provide a sociodemographic and lifestyle profile associated with physical inactivity during the period of confinement in Latin American adults. The results confirm the need to promote healthy lifestyles in the population during periods of confinement.

Empathic decline and training in nursing students.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this article is to examine whether the levels of empathy fit the concept of empathic decline. METHOD: This was a non-experimental and cross-sectional study. Two populations of nursing students in two nursing programs were studied: Universidad San Sebastián (Santiago, Chile) and Universidad Mayor (Temuco, Chile). The original data on empathy, assessed by the Jefferson Scale of Empathy, were combined into a single data base. They were then analyzed by means of normality tests and homoscedasticity, Cronbach's alpha, analysis of variance; the standard deviation of the dependent outcome measure (Sy.x) and the coefficient of determination (R2) were estimated. RESULTS: The sample sizes from the two programs were 479 and 277, respectively. It was found that the distributions of the averages over the course of study for empathy (and its components) were constant, and in some cases increased. CONCLUSION: It was found that the distribution of the means of empathy in the nursing students analyzed did not conform to the classical empathic decline observed in other studies. Therefore, it is inferred that the traditional factors identified as causes of empathic erosion were not operating in the same way in the studied context.

Empatia en estudiantes de medicina de la Universidad del Norte, Colombia. Comparación de dos grupos (2012 y 2015) / Empathy among medical students at Universidad del Norte, Colombia. Comparison of two groups (2012 and 2015)

Resumen Introducción. La empatía es un elemento importante en la relación médico-paciente, por lo que la formación en empatía de los estudiantes de medicina debe ser un objetivo permanente de los programas universitarios. Objetivo. Determinar si las actividades académicas de formación en empatía médica implementadas en la Universidad del Norte en 2013 produjeron cambios significativos en los estudiantes de medicina matriculados en 2015 respecto a los matriculados en 2012. Materiales y métodos. Estudio transversal realizado en 934 estudiantes de Medicina de la Universidad del norte (426 hombres y 508 mujeres) matriculados en 2015 a los que se les aplicó la versión en español de la escala de empatía médica de Jefferson. Por su parte, el grupo de comparación estuvo conformado por 345 estudiantes de medicina (106 hombres y 239 mujeres) matriculados en 2012 en la misma universidad. Se realizó un análisis de varianza (ANOVA) y se evaluaron las diferencias entre los años académicos y entre género, así como las interacciones entre estos dos factores. Resultados. Aunque en general no se encontraron diferencias significativas en las tres dimensiones evaluadas (p>0.05) para los dos grupos, sí se observaron diferencias significativas en las preguntas 4, 17 y 20, correspondientes a la dimensión Toma de perspectiva, y en la pregunta 6, correspondiente a la dimensión Ponerse en el lugar del otro (p<0.05), ya que las medias de puntaje fueron mayores en la cohorte de 2012. Conclusión. Las actividades de formación en empatía establecidas en el plan de estudios del programa de medicina no produjeron cambios significativos, por lo que es necesario evaluar y perfeccionar tanto los contenidos del currículo, como los procesos de enseñanza-aprendizaje relacionados con la formación en empatía del programa de Medicina de la Universidad del Norte (Barranquilla, Colombia).

Abstract Introduction: Empathy is an important component of the doctor-patient relationship, so the provision of empathy training to medical students must be a permanent goal of MD programs. Objective: To determine whether the academic medical empathy training activities implemented at Universidad del Norte in 2013 resulted in significant changes in medical students enrolled in 2015 compared to those enrolled in 2012. Materials and methods: Cross-sectional study conducted on 934 medical students (426 men and 508 women) enrolled at Universidad del Norte in 2015 who were administered the Spanish version of the Jefferson Scale of Empathy. The comparison group consisted of 345 medical students (106 men and 239 women) enrolled in 2012 at the same university. An analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed and differences between academic years and between genders were evaluated, as well as the interactions between these two factors. Results: Although, in general, there were no significant differences between both groups in the three dimensions that were evaluated (p>0.05), statistically significant differences were observed in questions 4, 17 and 20, which are part of the Perspective Taking dimension, and in question 6, included in the Walking in Patient's Shoes dimension (p<0.05), since scores medias were higher in the 2012 cohort. Conclusions: The empathy training activities implemented in the medical program did not produce significant changes. Therefore, it is necessary to assess and improve both the contents and the teaching-learning processes related to empathy training in the medical program offered at Universidad del Norte.

Empathic decline and training in nursing students / Declinación empática y formación de estudiantes de enfermería / Declínio de empatia e formação de estudantes de enfermagem

ABSTRACT Objective The objective of this article is to examine whether the levels of empathy fit the concept of empathic decline. Method This was a non-experimental and cross-sectional study. Two populations of nursing students in two nursing programs were studied: Universidad San Sebastián (Santiago, Chile) and Universidad Mayor (Temuco, Chile). The original data on empathy, assessed by the Jefferson Scale of Empathy, were combined into a single data base. They were then analyzed by means of normality tests and homoscedasticity, Cronbach's alpha, analysis of variance; the standard deviation of the dependent outcome measure (Sy.x) and the coefficient of determination (R2) were estimated. Results The sample sizes from the two programs were 479 and 277, respectively. It was found that the distributions of the averages over the course of study for empathy (and its components) were constant, and in some cases increased. Conclusion It was found that the distribution of the means of empathy in the nursing students analyzed did not conform to the classical empathic decline observed in other studies. Therefore, it is inferred that the traditional factors identified as causes of empathic erosion were not operating in the same way in the studied context.

RESUMEN Objetivo El objetivo del artículo es analizar si los niveles de empatía se ajustan al concepto de declinación empática. Método Estudio no experimental y transversal. Fueron estudiadas dos poblaciones de estudiantes de enfermería de dos facultades de enfermería: Universidad San Sebastián (Santiago, Chile) y Universidad Mayor (Temuco, Chile). Los datos originales de empatía, evaluados por el Jefferson Scale of Empathy, fueron reunidos en un único grupo y analizados con pruebas de normalidad y homocedasticidad, alfa de Cronbach, análisis de varianza; también fueron estimados el desvío estándar de la medida de resultado dependiente (Sy.x) y el coeficiente de determinación (R2). Resultados Las muestras de las dos facultades constaron de 479 y 277 participantes, respectivamente. Se comprobó que las distribuciones de medias del curso de estudio para empatía (y sus componentes) fueron constantes, y en algunos casos aumentaron. Conclusión Se determinó que la distribución de medias de empatía en los estudiantes de enfermería analizados no se ajusta a la disminución empática clásica observada en otros estudios, infiriéndose que los factores tradicionales considerados como causas de la erosión empática no operan de la misma manera en el contexto estudiado.

RESUMO Objetivo O objetivo do presente artigo é investigar se os níveis de empatia são consistentes com o conceito de declínio de empatia. Método Um estudo não-experimental e transversal foi conduzido com duas populações de alunos de enfermagem de dois programas de enfermagem distintos, da Universidad San Sebastián (Santiago, Chile) e da Universidad Mayor (Temuco, Chile). Os dados originais sobre empatia, avaliados pela Jefferson Scale of Empathy, e reunidos em um único banco de dados. Os dados foram então analisados através de testes de normalidade e homocedasticidade, Cronbach's alpha e análise de variância. Foram calculados o desvio padrão da variável dependente (Sy.x) e o coeficiente de determinação (R2). Resultados As amostras dos dois programas tiveram 479 e 277 participantes, respectivamente. As distribuições das médias de empatia (e seus componentes) ao longo do curso foram constantes, com um aumento em alguns casos. Conclusão A distribuição das médias de empatia nos alunos de enfermagem estudados não foi consistente com o declínio clássico de empatia observado em outros estudos. Sendo assim, os dados indicam que os fatores tradicionais identificados como causas de erosão empática não funcionam da mesma forma no contexto avaliado.

Interculturality in the formation of health students: A Colombian experience / Interculturalidad en la formación de estudiantes de salud: Una experiencia en Colombia / Interculturalidade na formação de estudantes de saúde: uma experiência na Colombia / Interculturalité dans la formation des étudiants en santé: Une expérience colombienne

Abstract Objective: The purpose of this study was the evaluation of an inter-cultural competence training program among first and sixth semester medical students at a university in Colombia. Materials and methods: This study utilized a quasi-experimental research design to evaluate an intercultural training program among 100 first and sixth semester medical students. Data were collected using the Intercultural Competency Scale and were analyzed using Wilcoxon Signal Range Test for related samples in SPSS version 21. Results: Significant differences were found in the areas of developing cultural sensitivity as well as developing understanding and respect for differences and diversity among first and six semester students in the experimental group. Conclusions: Findings suggest a strong need to incorporate intercultural training into the educational experience of medical students.

Resumen Objetivo: El objetivo de este estudio es evaluar un programa de capacitación en competencias interculturales entre estudiantes de medicina de primer y sexto semestre en una universidad de Colombia. Materiales y métodos: Este estudio utilizó un método de investigación cuasi-experimental para evaluar un programa de capacitación intercultural entre 100 estudiantes de primer y sexto semestre de medicina. Los datos se recolectaron utilizando la Escala de Competencia Intercultural y se analizaron utilizando la Prueba de Rango de Señales de Wilcoxón para muestras relacionadas en SPSS versión 21. Resultados: Se encontraron diferencias significativas en las áreas de desarrollo de la sensibilidad cultural, así como en el desarrollo de la comprensión y el respeto por las diferencias y la diversidad entre los estudiantes de primer y sexto semestre en el grupo experimental. Conclusiónes: Los hallazgos sugieren una fuerte necesidad de incorporar el entrenamiento intercultural en la experiencia educativa de los estudiantes de medicina.

Resumo Objectivo: O objetivo deste estudo é avaliar um programa de formação sobre competencias interculturais de estudantes de medicina do primeiro e sexto semestre numa universidade na Colõmbia. Materiais e métodos: Este estudo utilizou um método quase-experimental de pesquisa para avaliar um programa de formação intercultural entre os 100 caloiros e do sexto semestre de Medicina. Os dados foram recolhidos utilizando a Escala de Competencia Intercultural e foram analisados utilizando o Teste de Sinal de Wilcoxon para amostras em SPSS 21. Resultados: Foram encontradas diferenças significativas nas áreas de desenvolvimento da sensibilidade cultural, bem como o desenvolvimento da compreensáo e respeito pelas diferenças e diversidade entre estudantes caloiros e de sexto semestre do grupo experimental. Conclusões: Os resultados sugerem a necessidade de incorporar a formação em experiencia educacional intercultural na formação de estudantes de Medicina.

Résumé Objectif: L'objectif de cette étude est d'évaluer un programme de formation en compétences interculturelles parmi les étudiants en médecine de premier et sixieme semestre d'une université colombienne. Matériel et méthodes: Une méthode de recherche quasi-expérimentale a été utilisée pour évaluer un programme de formation interculturelle avec 100 étudiants de premier et sixieme semestre de médecine. Les données ont été recueillies a l'aide de l'Échelle de Compétence Interculturelle et analysées a l'aide du test de rangs signés de Wilcoxon pour échantillons appariés avec la version SPSS 21. Résultats: Des différences significatives dans les domaines du développement de la sensibilité culturelle ont été trouvées, ainsi que dans le développement de la compréhension et le respect des différences et de la diversité entre les étudiants du premier et du sixieme semestre du groupe expérimental. Conclusions: Les résultats suggerent l'importante nécessité d'intégrer l'entrainement interculturel dans l'expérience éducative interculturelle des étudiants en médecine.