Correction: Rooting mediates the effect of stress by acculturation on the psychological well-being of immigrants living in Chile.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0219485.].

La Psicología en la prevención y manejo del COVID-19: aportes desde la evidencia inicial / Psychology in the prevention and management of COVID-19: contributions from the initial evidence

Resumen En diciembre de 2019, se informaron casos de neumonía potencialmente mortal en Wuhan, provincia de Hubei, China (COVID-19). Esta enfermedad se ha extendido rápidamente por todo el mundo con miles de casos confirmados y muertes, transformándose en pandemia y desafiado los sistemas de salud pública. No existe aún vacuna ni tratamiento científicamente probado, sin embargo, se ha identificado los comportamientos exactos que pueden evitar el contagio y propagación. El presente artículo sistematiza información disponible inicial sobre psicología y COVID-19. Se discute que gran parte del problema de la enfermedad se puede evitar cambiando los comportamientos de las personas y que la psicología puede ayudar a explicar, prevenir e intervenir para su solución. La psicología cuenta con evidencia científica disponible que explica todos estos fenómenos, evidencia que debe ser puesta en relieve por los mismos actores de las disciplinas a disposición de otras áreas del conocimiento y sobre todo para los tomadores de decisión.

Abstract In December 2019, highly lethal cases of pneumonia were reported in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China (COVID-19). This disease has spread rapidly around the world with thousands of confirmed cases and deaths, becoming a pandemic and challenging public health systems. There is no vaccine or scientifically proven treatment yet, but the exact behaviours that can prevent transmission and spread have been identified. This article systematizes initial available information on psychology and COVID-19. It is discussed that much of the problem of the disease can be avoided by changing people's behaviors and that psychology can help explain, prevent and intervene to solve it. Psychology has scientific evidence available that explains all these phenomena, evidence that should be highlighted by the same actors in the disciplines available to other areas of knowledge and especially for decision makers.

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.

Rooting mediates the effect of stress by acculturation on the psychological well-being of immigrants living in Chile.

Migration is a social phenomenon that has an impact both on the lives of the people who migrate, and on the societies who receive them; with psychological well-being being one of the most affected variables. The objective of this research is to analyze the possible mediating role of rooting in the host location on the negative effect that acculturation stress has on the level of well-being. Data for this study were collected using 699 Colombian and Peruvian immigrants who have been permanently residing in Chile for more than six months. Participants were assessed by using Riff's Psychological Well-being Scale, rooting of Torrente et al., and Ruiz et al. scales of stress. The results demonstrated the mediating role of settling down within the host country in relation to stress and psychological well-being, except for the sub-dimension of autonomy. It is concluded that the need for rooting in the host country is a protective factor against the negative effects of stress on perceived well-being.

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.

Relación entre optimismo y salud bajo la influencia de las creencias religiosas en dos muestras latinoamericanas / Relationship between optimism and health under the influence of religious beliefs in two Latin American population samples

Resumen El estudio del bienestar ha cobrado creciente relevancia dada su relación con estados psicológicos como la ansiedad, depresión, estrés y también la salud. Sin embargo, se cuenta con pocas propuestas explicativas del bienestar, así como validación empírica transcultural de estos. El presente estudio evaluó el efecto de la inclusión de una variable contextual cultural sobre un modelo explicativo de bienestar, específicamente si las creencias religiosas moderan el efecto mediador de los afectos positivos sobre la relación optimismo y salud. La muestra de este estudio consistió en 529 participantes de dos países latinoamericanos (285 de Chile y 244 de Colombia). Los resultados indican que en ambos países hay un efecto significativo del optimismo sobre la percepción de salud mediado por los afectos positivos. Sin embargo, las creencias religiosas no ejercen un efecto significativo sobre la intensidad de las relaciones entre las variables del modelo de base. La importancia de los factores culturales y de los estudios transculturales sobre el bienestar son presentados y discutidos.

Abstract The study of well-being has gained increasing relevance given its relationship with psychological states such as anxiety, depression, stress, as well as health. Nonetheless, there are few explanatory proposals on well-being, or any empirical cross-cultural validation of these. The present study evaluated the effect of the inclusion of a cultural contextual variable on an explanatory model of well-being, specifically on whether religious beliefs moderate the mediating effect of the positive affects on the relationship between optimism and health. The sample of this study consisted of 529 participants from two Latin American countries (285 from Chile and 244 from Colombia). The results indicate that, in both countries, there is a significant effect of optimism on the perception of health mediated by positive affects. However, religious beliefs do not exert a significant effect on the intensity of the relationships between the variables of the base model. The importance of cultural factors and cross-cultural studies on well-being are presented and discussed.

Propiedades psicométricas del cuestionario de bienestar sexual subjetivo en jóvenes y adultos chilenos / Psychometric properties of the sexual subjetive well-being scale in young and adults Chilean

El presente estudio evalúa las propiedades psicométricas del cuestionario de bienestar sexual subjetivo en jóvenes y adultos chilenos residentes en Santiago de Chile. Se aplicó la versión de la escala traducida al español a una muestra de 661 jóvenes y adultos con edades comprendidas entre 18 y 54 años que no reportaron alguna enfermedad mental o física. El 49% de la muestra estuvo conformada por mujeres y el 51% por hombres. Las propiedades psicométricas y confiabilidad fueron evaluadas mediante análisis factorial exploratorio y alpha de Cronbach. La estructura factorial óptima del cuestionario fue la de un factor con 4 ítems y presenta una confiabilidad adecuada (α= .73), aunque el ítem 4 presenta cargas factoriales bajas. Los resultados indican que la versión chilena del cuestionario de bienestar sexual subjetivo es un instrumento autoadministrado válido y confiable para evaluar el bienestar en el ámbito sexual de mujeres y hombres sin reporte de enfermedad física o mental.

The present study evaluates the psychometric properties of subjective sexual well-being questionnaire in young and adult Chileans who residing in Santiago. The version of the scale translated into Spanish, was applied to a sample of 661 young and adults people between the ages of 18 and 54 who did not report any mental or physical illness. 49% of the sample was women and 51% of men. The psychometric properties and reliability were evaluated by exploratory factorial analysis and Cronbach's alpha. The optimal factorial structure of the questionnaire was one factor with 4 items and had adequate reliability (α = .73), although item 4 had low factor loadings. The results indicate that the version of the subjective sexual well-being questionnaire is a valid and reliable self-administered instrument to evaluate the sexual well-being of women and men without reports of physical or mental illness.

Affectivity as mediator of the relation between optimism and quality of life in men who have sex with men with HIV / Afectividad como mediador de la relación entre optimismo y calidad de vida en hombres que tienen sexo con hombres con VIH

Background/Objective: Increased life expectancy has made quality of life the primary objective in the care of chronic patients and people living with HIV. It found evidence of the link between optimism, quality of life and well-being. This article aimed to determine whether affectivity in its two dimensions (positive and negative) played a mediating role in the association between optimism and quality of life in men living with HIV. Method: 116 men living with HIV (the average age was 36.8 years (SD=9.06), and the average time from the diagnosis was 8.2 years) responded to three instruments: Life Orientation Test revised version (LOT-R), the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS) and the World Health Organization Quality of Life-Bref (WHOQoL-Bref). Results: The results showed that positive affect had no mediating effect, whereas negative affect mediated the relation of optimism with two quality-of-life dimensions (overall quality of life and environment). Conclusion: In conclusion, negative affect was found to participate only partially, acting as a mediating variable (AU)

Antecedente/Objetivos: El aumento de la esperanza de vida ha hecho de la calidad de vida (CV) el objetivo fundamental en el cuidado de pacientes crónicos y en personas que viven con VIH. Se ha encontrado evidencia del vínculo entre optimismo, calidad de vida y bienestar. El propósito del presente estudio fue determinar si la afectividad en sus dos dimensiones (positiva y negativa) desempeña un rol mediador en la asociación entre optimismo y calidad de vida en hombres viviendo con VIH que tienen sexo con hombres. Método: Cientodieciséis hombres con VIH (edad promedio fue de 36,8 años; DT = 9,06; tiempo medio desde el diagnóstico de 8,2 años) contestaron tres instrumentos: Life Orientation Test Revised Version(LOT-R), Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS) y World Health Organization Quality of Life-Bref (WHOQoL-Bref). Resultados: Los resultados mostraron que el afecto positivo no tuvo efecto mediador, mientras el afecto negativo medió la relación entre optimismo y dos dimensiones de la calidad de vida (calidad de vida general y ambiente). Conclusiones: Se encontró que el afecto negativo participa parcialmente como una variable mediadora entre el optimismo y calidad de vida (AU)

Perception of Safety and Liking Associated to the Colour Intervention of Bike Lanes: Contribution from the Behavioural Sciences to Urban Design and Wellbeing.

The perception of colour and its subjective effects are key issues to designing safe and enjoyable bike lanes. This paper addresses the relationship between the colours of bike lane interventions-in particular pavement painting and intersection design-and the subjective evaluation of liking, visual saliency, and perceived safety related to such an intervention. Utilising images of three real bike lane intersections modified by software to change their colour (five in total), this study recruited 538 participants to assess their perception of all fifteen colour-design combinations. A multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) with the Bonferroni post hoc test was performed to assess the effect of the main conditions (colour and design) on the dependent variables (liking towards the intervention, level of visual saliency of the intersection, and perceived safety of the bike lane). The results showed that the colour red was more positively associated to the outcome variables, followed by yellow and blue. Additionally, it was observed that the effect of colour widely outweighs the effect of design, suggesting that the right choice and use of colour would increase the effectiveness on bike-lanes pavement interventions. Limitations and future directions are discussed.

Construcción y validación de una escala para evaluar salud sexual y reproductiva en adolescentes mujeres de la Región Caribe Colombiana / The Development and Validation of a scale to measure Reproductive and Sexual Health of young women in the Colombian Caribbean region

El presente estudio tuvo como objetivo el diseño y validez de una escala para evaluar salud sexual y reproductiva. Participaron 919 estudiantes mujeres entre 11 a 19 años quienes respondieron el cuestionario, que evalúa actitudes y normas subjetivas, basado en planteamientos de la teoría de comportamiento planeado. Con el objetivo de comprobar la fiabilidad y validez del instrumento, se realizó un análisis factorial exploratorio y un análisis de componentes principales con rotación VARIMAX. Esta investigación incluye dos estudios independientes, en el estudio 1 (prueba piloto) la versión del pilotaje inicialmente constaba de 172 ítems y disminuyó a 78 en la muestra final. Para el estudio 2, en la escala de actitud se reporta una media de 3.68 (D.E. = 1.21) y un a= 0.91. Se extrajeron dos factores agrupados en dos dimensiones que explican un 67.10%; en la escala de normas subjetivas se obtuvo media de 3.80 (D.E. = 1.10) y un a= 0.97. Los ítems se adecuan a la matriz factorial. Se extrajeron 11 factores de los cuales son interpretables 9 y se explican en un 75.89%. En conclusión, el instrumento confirma una confiabilidad adecuada y estabilidad estructural de gran utilidad para la comprensión e implementación de estrategias de acción en sexualidad reproductiva en mujeres adolescentes.

This article describes the design and validation of a scale for evaluating reproductive and sexual health. 919 young females from 11 to 19 years in five Caribbean- Colombian cities were administered the questionnaire that assesses attitudes and subjective norms about the reproductive sexuality, based on the planned behavior theory (Ajzen & Fishbein, 2000). The reliability and validity of the instrument was analyzed through exploratory factorial analysis with principal components and VARIMAX rotation. The methodology includes two independent studies; in study 1 (pilot test) the first questionnaire consisted of 172 items and decreased to 78 in the final sample. For study 2, the attitude scale reported (Mean = 3.68, ED = 1.21) and Cronbach's alpha reliability was 0.91. Two factors were extracted and grouped into two dimensions that explain 67.10% of the variance. For the subjective norms scale (Mean = 3.8, ED = 1.1) Cronbach's alpha reliability was 0.97 and eleven factors were extracted and grouped into nine dimensions, which explain 75.89% of the variance. The scale showed good reliability and structural stability for the analysis and design of programs for sexual and reproductive health in adolescent girls.

Affectivity as mediator of the relation between optimism and quality of life in men who have sex with men with HIV.

Background/Objective: Increased life expectancy has made quality of life the primary objective in the care of chronic patients and people living with HIV. It found evidence of the link between optimism, quality of life and well-being. This article aimed to determine whether affectivity in its two dimensions (positive and negative) played a mediating role in the association between optimism and quality of life in men living with HIV. Method: 116 men living with HIV (the average age was 36.8 years (SD=9.06), and the average time from the diagnosis was 8.2 years) responded to three instruments: Life Orientation Test revised version (LOT-R), the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS) and the World Health Organization Quality of Life-Bref (WHOQoL-Bref). Results: The results showed that positive affect had no mediating effect, whereas negative affect mediated the relation of optimism with two quality-of-life dimensions (overall quality of life and environment). Conclusion: In conclusion, negative affect was found to participate only partially, acting as a mediating variable.

Antecedente/Objetivos: El aumento de la esperanza de vida ha hecho de la calidad de vida (CV) el objetivo fundamental en el cuidado de pacientes crónicos y en personas que viven con VIH. Se ha encontrado evidencia del vínculo entre optimismo, calidad de vida y bienestar. El propósito del presente estudio fue determinar si la afectividad en sus dos dimensiones (positiva y negativa) desempeña un rol mediador en la asociación entre optimismo y calidad de vida en hombres viviendo con VIH que tienen sexo con hombres. Método: Cientodieciséis hombres con VIH (edad promedio fue de 36,8 años; DT = 9,06; tiempo medio desde el diagnóstico de 8,2 años) contestaron tres instrumentos: Life Orientation Test Revised Version (LOT-R), Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS) y World Health Organization Quality of Life-Bref (WHOQoL-Bref). Resultados: Los resultados mostraron que el afecto positivo no tuvo efecto mediador, mientras el afecto negativo medió la relación entre optimismo y dos dimensiones de la calidad de vida (calidad de vida general y ambiente). Conclusiones: Se encontró que el afecto negativo participa parcialmente como una variable mediadora entre el optimismo y calidad de vida.

Subjective Sexual Well-Being in Chilean Adults: Evaluation of a Predictive Model.

Research on sexuality has traditionally focused on sexual satisfaction, with studies into subjective sexual well-being being a recent phenomenon. This study sought to evaluate the relationship between sexual behavior, happiness, health, and subjective sexual well-being. The data were collected from 862 people aged between 18 and 50 years in Santiago, Chile, and were analyzed by logistic regression analysis. The results showed that sexual behavioral indicators (sexual frequency, sexual caresses, and touching), happiness, and perception of health taken as a whole predicted 47.4% of subjective sexual well-being (SSWB). Analysis of the four items of subjective sexual well-being separately showed that the dimension of physical satisfaction was associated with three variables of sexual behavior indicators with a prediction percentage of 33.5%, whereas emotional satisfaction was associated with three variables of sexual behavior indicators and happiness, with a percentage of prediction of 43.3%. Satisfaction with sexual function was associated with perception of health and one sexual behavior indicator, with a prediction percentage of 29.2% of this variable. The importance of sex was associated with three sexual behavior variables that predicted 26.2% of this variable. The results confirm that subjective sexual well-being can be predicted and that its four dimensions present a different behavior compared to the study predictors.

Towards a Model of Psychological Well-Being*The Role of Socioeconomic Status and Satisfaction with Income in Chile / Hacia un modelo de Bienestar psicológico: el rol del nivel socioeconómico y satisfacción con el ingreso en Chile

Association between indexes of socioeconomic status, satisfaction with income and status, and psychological well-being (PWB) was examined in a representative sample of Chileans. Results confirm a positive association between socioeconomic status and satisfaction with income and status and PWB. Associations were stronger with PWB facets related to relational, control and self-esteem processes, and weaker with purpose of life, growth and autonomy. Structural equation modeling confirmed a direct significant coefficient of socioeconomic status on PWB, as well as an indirect significant path through satisfaction with income and status. Control for satisfaction with socioeconomic status and purchase power reduced but did not eliminate the effect of socioeconomic status on PWB. Results are consistent with a direct effect model of socio-structural position on well-being, but also with the relevance of satisfaction with social position as an appraisal process to indicate high psychological well-being.

Se estudió la asociación entre nivel socioeconómico, satisfacción con los ingresos, estatus económico, y el bienestar psicológico, en una muestra representativa de chilenos. Los resultados confirman una asociación positiva entre el nivel socioeconómico, la satisfacción con el ingreso, estatus económico y el bienestar psicológico. Las asociaciones fueron más fuertes con las dimensiones de bienestar psicológico, relaciones con el entorno, y autoestima, y más débil con las dimensiones de propósito con vida, crecimiento personal y autonomía. Modelo de ecuaciones estructurales confirmaron con indicadores de ajuste significativo la relación entre la situación socioeconómica y el bienestar psicológico, así como una trayectoria significativa indirecta a través de la satisfacción con los ingresos y el estatus económico. Al controlar el poder adquisitivo en su relación con satisfacción con el ingreso, redujo su efecto, pero no eliminó el efecto del nivel socioeconómico sobre el bienestar psicológico. Los resultados son consistentes con un modelo de efecto directo de la relación entre situación económica y bienestar. Se presenta la importancia de la satisfacción con el ingreso y el estatutos como predictores del bienestar psicológico.

Psicología en Chile: análisis de su historia, presente y futuro / Psychology in Chile: Analysis of its History, Present and Future

El presente artículo realiza una revisión del desarrollo y estado actual de la psicología chilena. En 1946 se instaura formalmente la formación de psicólogos en Chile; en 1959 se oficializa la Asociación de Psicólogos de Chile y en 1968 se funda el Colegio de Psicólogos de Chile. Esto sitúa a Chile dentro de los primeros países de la región en el desarrollo formal de la disciplina. Actualmente, existen 139 programas de formación en psicología, impartidos en 49 universidades; sumado a una creciente oferta de programas de magíster y doctorado en psicología. Con respecto al desarrollo científico de la disciplina, se aprecia un alza sostenida en el número de artículos publicados, destacando que desde el año 2011 se sobrepasan los 100 artículos por año, aunque esta producción está ligada a unas pocas instituciones y autores con alto protagonismo. Adicionalmente, se observa una baja colaboración entre investigadores chilenos y latinoamericanos en estudios y productividad científica, a pesar de compartir temáticas y problemas similares. Respecto a los desafíos futuros, es necesario aumentar los sistemas de aseguramiento de la calidad en pre y posgrados, así como la mayor influencia de los psicólogos y psicólogas en la sociedad.

This paper present a review of the development and current state of Chilean psychology. In 1946 formally establishes the formation of psychologists in Chile; in 1959, it made official the Association of Psychologists of Chile and in 1968 the College of Psychologists of Chile was founded. This puts Chile in the first countries in the region in the formal development of the discipline. Currently, there are 139 training programs in psychology, taught in 49 universities. Added to that, a growing supply of master's and doctoral programs in psychology. With regard to the scientific development of the discipline shown a sustained increase in the number of published articles, noting that since 2011 has exceeded 100 items per year, although this production is linked to a few institutions and authors with high prominence. Additionally, a low collaboration between Chilean and Latin American researchers in studies and scientific productivity, despite sharing similar issues and problems observed. Regarding future challenges, it is necessary to increase systems quality assurance in pre and postgraduate courses, as well as the most influential psychologists of society.

Psychometric Properties of the Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory-Child Version (OCI-CV) in Chilean Children and Adolescents.

In recent years, there has been a considerable increase in the development of assessment tools for obsessive-compulsive symptomatology in children and adolescents. The Obsessive Compulsive Inventory-Child Version (OCI-CV) is a well-established assessment self-report, with special interest for the assessment of dimensions of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). This instrument has shown to be useful for clinical and non-clinical populations in two languages (English and European Spanish). Thus, the aim of this study was to analyze the psychometric properties of the OCI-CV in a Chilean community sample. The sample consisted of 816 children and adolescents with a mean age of 14.54 years (SD = 2.21; range = 10-18 years). Factor structure, internal consistency, test-retest reliability, convergent/divergent validity, and gender/age differences were examined. Confirmatory factor analysis showed a 6-factor structure (Doubting/Checking, Obsessing, Hoarding, Washing, Ordering, and Neutralizing) with one second-order factor. Good estimates of reliability (including internal consistency and test-retest), evidence supporting the validity, and small age and gender differences (higher levels of OCD symptomatology among older participants and women, respectively) are found. The OCI-CV is also an adequate scale for the assessment of obsessions and compulsions in a general population of Chilean children and adolescents.

Evaluación del cuestionario SF-12: verificación de la utilidad de la escala salud mental / Evaluation of the SF-12: Usefulness of the mental health scale

Background: The SF-12 is one of the most used questionnaires to evaluate the multidimensional health related quality of life, worldwide. However, the factor structure does not match the structure of the original instrument. Besides, most studies centered in the physical dimension paying less attention to mental health related quality of life. Aim: To evaluate the psychometric properties of the SF-12 and to validate the mental health dimension of this questionnaire. Material and Methods: Two studies were conducted, the first consisting of 840 people aged between 18 and 60 years, who answered the SF-12. In the second study, 970 people aged between 18 and 60 years answered the SF-12 questionnaire, the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). Reliability (internal consistency and temporal stability) was analyzed, along with construct and criterion validity for the mental health dimension. Results: The reliability estimate using Cronbach’s alpha in both studies was higher than 0.74 in both dimensions (physical and psychological). Construct validity analysis yielded a three factor complex solution. Finally the criterion validity analysis showed appropriate and significant correlations with depression and anxiety. Conclusions: The SF-12 and its mental health scale are suitable for epidemiological characterization studies.

Afecto positivo y negativo como mediador de la relación optimismo-salud: evaluación de un modelo estructural / Positive and Negative Affect as Mediator of the Relatioship Optimism-Health: Evaluation of a Structural Model

Las variables psicológicas y especialmente la variables positivas han mostrado múltiples beneficios para los seres humanos. Importante evidencia indica que los sujetos con mejor bienestar, altos niveles de felicidad y emociones positivas muestran mejores indicadores de salud. El optimismo es una variable positiva ampliamente estudiada y con gran evidencia sobre sus beneficios en la salud. Sin embargo, modelos explicativos acerca de cómo se producen estos beneficios han sido menos estudiados. Se ha propuesto evaluar un modelo que establece cómo el optimismo puede ser una variable causal de la salud, mediada por los afectos positivos y negativos. Se realizó un análisis de modelo de ecuaciones estructurales para probar un modelo explicativo. Participaron 995 personas con edades entre los 18 y 60 años. Se evaluó el optimismo disposicional, afecto positivo y negativo, así como salud mental y física. Los resultados muestran que el ajuste al modelo es adecuado, permitiendo considerar al optimismo como una variable explicativa de la salud tanto física y como mental, mediado por afecto positivo y negativo.

Psychological variables and especially the positive variables have shown multiple benefits for humans. Important evidence indicates that subjects with better well-being higher levels of happiness and positive emotions show better health indicators. Optimism is a positive variable widely studied and strong evidence of its benefits on the health of individuals. However, an explanatory model about how these benefits occur has been less studied. It has been proposed to evaluate a model that establishes optimism can be a causal variable health mediated the positive and negative affects. An analysis of structural equation modeling was conducted to test an explanatory model. Participants 995 people aged between 18 and 60 years old. Dispositional optimism, positive and negative affect as well as mental and physical health was assessed. Structural model analysis was conducted to test an explanatory model. The results show that the model is suitable adjustment to consider allowing optimism as an explanatory variable of both physical and mental health mediated by positive and negative affect.

Presentación de una escala para evaluar actitudes y creencias sobre la sexualidad reproductiva en adolescentes varones de la región Caribe colombiana / Presentation of an Attitudes and Beliefs Scale to Assess Adolescent Sexuality and Reproductive Health of Young Males in the Caribbean Region

Este artículo presenta la construcción y comprobación de la confiabilidad de un instrumento para evaluar las actitudes y normas subjetivas en el comportamiento sexual y reproductivo en varones en dos estudios. La escala fue administrada a 965 estudiantes varones escolarizados, entre 11 a 19 años de edad, en la región Caribe colombiana. En el Estudio 1 (pilotaje) el cuestionario constituido por 150 ítems se redujo a 78 en la prueba final. En la escala de actitud protección (Media = 4.1 y DE = 1.07) se obtuvo un alfa de Cronbach de 0.93 y en la de actitud abstinencia/retardo (Media = 3.6 y DE = 1.26), un alfa de 0.88 y homogeneidad elevada con correlación ítem-total superiores a 0.6. Para la escala de creencias categorizada como normas subjetivas (Media = 3.79 y DE = 1.08) la estimación del alfa de Cronbach fue de 0.98 y homogeneidad adecuada con correlaciones superiores a 0.66. La evaluación de la validez de constructo mediante el análisis factorial exploratorio y análisis de componentes principales con rotación VARIMAX, denota adecuación satisfactoria de los datos a la matriz factorial en el Estudio 2 (escala definitiva). En conclusión el instrumento es confiable, de estructura estable para la medición de actitudes y normas subjetivas en sexualidad reproductiva y contribuirá a establecer acciones específicas en programas, acorde a las expectativas en salud sexual y reproductiva de los adolescentes varones.

This paper presents the construction and testing of the reliability of an instrument to assess attitudes and subjective norms sexual and reproductive behavior of young males. The scale was administered to 965 male students (From of 11 to 19 years) enrolled at school in the Colombian Caribbean region. This work includes two independent studies, in the Study 1 (pilot) the questionnaire consisted of 150 items and it was reduced to 78. In the protective attitude scale (Mean = 4.1 and SD = 1.07) was obtained Cronbach's alpha of 0.93 and for the abstinence / delay attitude (Mean = 3.6 and SD = 1.26) an alpha of 0.88 with high homogeneity. The total correlation item was greater than 0.6 for all the attitude scales. On the scale of beliefs represented by the subjective norms (Mean = 3.79 and SD = 1.08) the estimation of Cronbach's alpha was 0.98 with correlations above 0.66. In Study 2 (final stop), the construct validity assessment using factorial analysis and principal components analysis with VARIMAX rotation reported a satisfactory fit of the data to the array factor. In conclusion, the instrument has a reliable and stable structure for the measurement of attitudes and subjective norms for sexuality and reproductive health, and it is useful to help in the setting of programs.