Validación de la Escala de Prácticas Espirituales con víctimas de violencia política en Chile / Validation of the Spiritual Practices Scale with victims of political violence in Chile

Resumen En este artículo se presenta la validación de una versión abreviada de la Escala de Prácticas Espirituales de Parsian y Dunning (2009). Para ello, se utilizó una muestra de personas adultas (n = 251, M = 60.85, DT = 13.40) víctimas de violencia política en Chile durante la dictadura cívico militar (1973-1990). Para valorar la estructura de la escala se realizó un Análisis Factorial Confirmatorio (AFC), se calculó el índice de fiabilidad (α = .85) y se valoró la validez convergente con una serie de correlaciones bivariadas entre variables. De acuerdo a lo esperado, el AFC informa un adecuado ajuste a la estructura unifactorial y los resultados dan cuenta de la relación significativa entre las prácticas espirituales y el crecimiento postraumático y entre las prácticas espirituales y la religiosidad. La relación entre estas dos últimas es media-baja (r = .29), lo cual permite concluir que, aunque relacionadas, son constructos diferentes. A partir del análisis de los datos, no se puede concluir que exista relación entre las prácticas espirituales con la edad y el nivel de ingresos. En conclusión, la versión abreviada de la Escala de Prácticas Espirituales presenta adecuados niveles de fiabilidad y validez, por lo que resulta recomendable para ser utilizada en la medición de prácticas espirituales, especialmente en aquellas poblaciones que no se adscriben a una fe teísta.

Abstract Spirituality, or what motivates the search for the sacred from particular and free positions, allows us to provide a framework from which to interpret the experience of loss and suffering, contributing in different ways to the resignification and re-authorship of people after the trauma. It is related to resilience, with that ability to overcome adverse events. It favors the mitigation of the negative effects of the traumatic event and fosters healthy and successful psychological development -despite the suffering caused by an external situation- by promoting the construction and redefinition of people's life purpose -one of the central components of human well-being-, being especially relevant in those who have been victims of trauma. Thus, spirituality can contribute to the reconfiguration of the narrative about the survived experience from practices that promote spiritual emotion such as the actions of meditating or praying, the latter considered as one of the mechanisms of self-revelation that is fundamental within the post traumatic growth process. Spirituality and religion maintain a complex interrelation that at times makes difficult the distinction between them. However, this distinction is especially sensitive and necessary when it comes to accounting for spirituality in people who do not profess a theistic faith. This is the case of a significant part of people with left-wing ideologies -who suffered some type of violence during the military dictatorships implanted from the second half of the 20th century in Latin America. Particularly in Chile, the civic-military dictatorship (1973-1990) was especially cruel with people of left-wing ideologies, many of them not ascribed to a belief of a theistic order. In this context, it is relevant to account for spiritual practices -differentiating them from religious beliefs- in relation to post-traumatic growth in people victims of political violence. For this objective we have proposed in this article the validation of the short version of the Parsian and Dunning (2009) Spiritual Practice Scale. For this purpose, we utilized a sample of adult people victims of political violence in Chile during the military dictatorship between 1973 and 1990 (n = 251, M = 60.85, DT = 13.40). To assess the structure of the scale, we estimated a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). The reliability index was calculated (α = .85) and the convergent validity was assessed with a series of bivariate correlations between variables. As expected, the CFA reports an adequate adjustment to the unifactorial structure and the results show the significant relationship between spiritual practices and post-traumatic growth (r = .45), and between spiritual practices with religiosity (r = .29). Being the relationship between spiritual practices and religiosity medium-low, it allows us to conclude that although they are related, they are different constructs. From the analysis of the data, it cannot be concluded that there is a relationship between spiritual practices with age and income level. In conclusion, the short version of the Spiritual Practices Scale presents adequate levels of reliability and validity, so it is recommended to be used in the measurement of spiritual practices, especially in those populations that do not adhere to a theistic faith.

Real clinical impact of drug-drug interactions of immunosuppressants in transplant patients.

The main objective was to determine the prevalence of real drug-drug interactions (DDIs) of immunosuppressants in transplant patients. We conducted a prospective, observational 1-year study at a tertiary hospital, including all transplanted patients. We evaluated data from monitoring blood concentrations of immunosuppressive drugs and adverse drug events (ADEs) caused by DDIs. The DDIs were classified as C, D, or X according to their Lexi-Interact rating (C = monitor therapy, D = consider therapy modification, X = avoid combination). The clinical importance of real DDIs was expressed in terms of patient outcomes. The causality of DDIs was determined using Drug Interaction Probability Scale. The data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences v. 25.0. A total of 309 transplant patients were included. Their mean age was 52.0 ± 14.7 years (18-79) and 69.9% were male. The prevalence of real DDIs was 21.7%. Immunosuppressive drugs administered with antifungal azoles and tacrolimus (TAC) with nifedipine have a great clinical impact. Real DDIs caused ADEs in 22 patients. The most common clinical outcome was nephrotoxicity (1.6%; n = 5), followed by hypertension (1.3%; n = 4). Suggestions for avoiding category D and X DDIs included: changing the immunosuppressant dosage, using paracetamol instead of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and interrupting atorvastatin. The number of drugs prescribed and having been prescribed TAC was associated with an increased risk of real DDIs. There are many potential DDIs described in the literature but only a small percentage proved to be real DDIs, based on the patients´ outcomes.

Indicadores de salud y bienestar social en población inmigrante y chilena: un estudio comparativo / Health and social well-being in immigrants and Chileans: a comparative study

Resumen En el presente estudio se comparan los niveles medios de salud y bienestar social de adultos nacidos en Chile (n = 155) e inmigrantes de nacionalidad colombiana (n = 166), peruana (n = 154) y venezolana (n = 180). Los resultados están en línea con la "hipótesis selectiva de la inmigración", pues se encontraron mayores niveles de salud (M inmigrantes = 40.35; Mchilenos = 38.93; t[203.579] = 2.745,p < .01) y bienestar social en inmigrantes (M = 88.62) que en chilenos (M = 85.42; t(190.778) = -3.197, p < .01). En general, en este trabajo se muestra el efecto negativo que tiene la percepción de discriminación sobre la salud, y el efecto positivo de las variables socioculturales de identidad endogrupal, enriquecimiento cultural y cercanía intergrupal sobre el bienestar social en personas inmigrantes.

Abstract This study compares the average health and social welfare levels of adults born in Chile (n = 155) and immigrants of Colombian (n = 166), Peruvian (n = 154), and Venezuelan (n = 180) nationality. The results are in line with the "selective hypothesis of immigration," since higher levels of health (Minmigrants = 40.35; Mchilenos = 38.93; t [203,579] = 2,745, p < .01) and social welfare were found in immigrants (M = 88.62) than in Chileans (M = 85.42; t (190,778) = -3,197, p < .01). In general, this work shows the negative effect that the perception of discrimination has on health, and the positive effect of the socio-cultural variables of endo-group identity, cultural enrichment, and inter-group closeness on the social welfare of immigrants.

Salud mental en población transgénero y género no conforme en Chile

Background: Transgender population is at a higher risk of suffering mental health problems than cisgender population (people whose sex and gender identity are in agreement) and other sexual minorities (gays, lesbians, and bisexuals), partly due to the greater stress that they suffer or for being victims of sexual prejudice. Aim: To describe positive and negative mental health indicators in a sample of transgender people living in Chile. Material and Methods: An intentional sample of 377 transgender individuals older than 18 years, living in the country's northern, center and southern zones were studied. Sociodemographic and well-being features, negative emotional symptoms, suicidal behavior, and substance consumption were assessed. Results: A precarious mental health was confirmed among participants. A high frequency of depression, ideation and suicide attempts, and high levels of depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms were identified. Also, a high frequency of substance abuse was found. These mental health indicators varied according to the sex assigned at birth and gender self-identification. Conclusions: Transgender people experience precariousness and vulnerability in their mental health.

Development of a dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction coupled with magnetic dispersive microsolid phase extraction for determination of triazines in wastewater samples.

The combination of two microextraction techniques (dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction [DLLME] and magnetic dispersive microsolid phase extraction [MDMSPE]) was developed and reported for atrazine and simazine preconcentration from wastewater samples. The proposal methodology involved the use of magnetite supports functionalized with different alkyl or phenyl groups. The magnetic adsorbents were synthesized by the solvothermal method assisted by microwave, characterized, and used in the sample preconcentration of atrazine and simazine. The method validation included parameters such as the wastewater matrix effect, repeatability, and recovery. The analyte separation and quantification were performed by high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection (HPLC-DAD). Parameters, such as the polarity and mass of magnetic solids and pH, were evaluated to provide better extraction performance. The highest recoveries (> 95%) were obtained with 50 mg of the phenyl group support (CS2) at pH 5, using 5 mL of the sample and carbon tetrachloride and methanol, as extraction and dispersive solvents, respectively. The lowest limits of detection (LOD) achieved were 13.16 and 13.86 ng L-1, and the limits of quantification (LOQ) were 43.89 and 46.19 ng L-1 for simazine and atrazine, respectively, with repeatability (expressed as %RSD) below 5% in all cases. The developed method is simple, easy, and low cost for the analysis of two herbicides potentially dangerous for environmental and human health. Graphical abstract.

Memories of Boys, Girls, and Adolescent Victims of Political Prison and Torture by the Chilean Military-Civilian Dictatorship.

This article reconstructs and analyzes the memories of victims of political prison and torture during the Chilean Military-Civilian Dictatorship who were minors when they experienced this violence. Participants in the study were 11 adults, six women and five men from the region of Valparaíso, who were victims of State terrorism during childhood and adolescence. The information production technique used was the focus group. A textual analysis was performed, based on interdisciplinary contributions from interpretation theory and discourse theories. The analysis of the information identified distinctive elements in the traumatic memories according to the sex-gender system associated with the private/public and passivity/agency dimensions. The results of this study reveal the urgent need to recognize boys, girls, and adolescents as people with rights who should be protected by both adults and States. Moreover, these results emphasize the need to implement early intervention programs in people affected by psychosocial traumas and disasters of different types, and improve their quality of life.

Romantic Attachment and Relationship Satisfaction in Gay Men and Lesbians in Chile.

Attachment theory has proven to be a solid framework for understanding couple bonds, but research focused on same-sex relationships among gay men and lesbian women from Latin America remains limited. The purpose of this study was to examine the association between romantic attachment and relationship satisfaction in a sample of Chilean gay men and lesbian women. A snowball sampling was used. The final sample consisted of 259 individuals involved in a same-sex couple relationship, ranging from 18 to 66 years of age (M = 27.2, SD = 6.8) for gay men and 18 to 57 years of age (M = 28.6, SD = 8.1) for lesbian women. Our hypotheses were partially supported, as there was a negative association between attachment avoidance and relationship satisfaction, but not between attachment anxiety and relationship satisfaction. We did not find a gender moderating effect. These findings may contribute to the understanding of lesbian and gay people in a same-sex couples relationship from an attachment theory perspective.

[Mental health in a sample of transgender people]. / Salud mental en población transgénero y género no conforme en Chile.

BACKGROUND: Transgender population is at a higher risk of suffering mental health problems than cisgender population (people whose sex and gender identity are in agreement) and other sexual minorities (gays, lesbians, and bisexuals), partly due to the greater stress that they suffer or for being victims of sexual prejudice. AIM: To describe positive and negative mental health indicators in a sample of transgender people living in Chile. MATERIAL AND METHODS: An intentional sample of 377 transgender individuals older than 18 years, living in the country's northern, center and southern zones were studied. Sociodemographic and well-being features, negative emotional symptoms, suicidal behavior, and substance consumption were assessed. RESULTS: A precarious mental health was confirmed among participants. A high frequency of depression, ideation and suicide attempts, and high levels of depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms were identified. Also, a high frequency of substance abuse was found. These mental health indicators varied according to the sex assigned at birth and gender self-identification. CONCLUSIONS: Transgender people experience precariousness and vulnerability in their mental health.

Efectos de un programa recreativo-pedagógico en las capacidades coordinativas en escolares / Effects of a recreational-pedagogical program on coordinating capacities in school children

RESUMEN Los bajos niveles de coordinación diagnosticados en los niños pueden afectar su desarrollo motriz posterior y su rendimiento académico, por lo tanto, se justifica formular y evaluar programas de intervención, que mejoren sus capacidades coordinativas. El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar el efecto de un programa recreativo pedagógico sobre las capacidades coordinativas, de 64 estudiantes, tanto de género masculino como femenino, con edades entre los 6 y 7 años, en una Institución educativa colombiana. En la investigación efectuada, se utilizó una metodología de corte cuantitativo, con un diseño cuasi experimental-descriptivo; la información, se recolectó mediante el test de Capón, usado antes y después de aplicar el programa recreativo-pedagógico diseñado. El procesamiento de los datos, se efectuó con el software libre R. Los resultados permitieron establecer que, en promedio, las diferencias entre las puntuaciones acumuladas entre el pre-test y el pos-test en el grupo experimental, sí son significativas y atribuibles al mencionado programa. En conclusión, tal programa sí produce efectos positivos en las capacidades coordinativas de los participantes en el estudio.

ABSTRACT The low levels of coordination diagnosed in children can affect their subsequent motor development and their academic performance; therefore, it is justified to formulate and evaluate intervention programs that improve their coordinative capacities. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of a pedagogical recreational program on the coordinative abilities of 64 male and female students aged between 6 and 7 years in a Colombian educational institution. In the research carried out, a quantitative cut-off methodology with a quasi-experimental-descriptive design was used; the information was collected by means of the Capón test, used before and after applying the designed recreational-pedagogical program. The processing of the data was done with free software R. The results allowed to establish that, on average, the differences between the scores accumulated between the pre-test and the post-test in the experimental group are significant and attributable to the aforementioned program. In conclusion, such a program does have positive effects on the coordinative abilities of the study participants.

Perceived Interpersonal Conflicts Scale (PICS). Escala para la evaluación de conflictos interpersonales en las situaciones de trabajo / Perceived Interpersonal Conflicts Scale (PICS)

Los conflictos interpersonales en las situaciones laborales suponen un riesgo notable tanto para la salud de los trabajadores como para la organización. Detectar de forma temprana las características de estos conflictos para poder intervenir sobre ellos de manera adecuada es una necesidad de las organizaciones actuales sumidas en entornos continuos de cambio donde la norma es la reducción de personas, recursos o ambos. En este artículo se presenta la validación de un instrumento para la evaluación de la percepción de conflictos interpersonales en las situaciones de trabajo: Perceived Interpersonal Conflicts Scale (PICS). Este instrumento permite analizar cinco dimensiones relacionadas con los tipos de conflictos presentes en entornos laborales (conflicto de tareas, conflicto de relación, conflicto de estatus, conflicto de proceso, conflicto de contexto) y una última relacionada con el escalamiento del conflicto. Los resultados ponen de manifiesto una satisfactoria fiabilidad del instrumento, así como una satisfactoria validez convergente y discriminativa utilizando el instrumento SOFI-SM. PICS ofrece un análisis rápido (12 ítems) con un nivel de fiabilidad y validez adecuado, de la percepción del conflicto en situaciones de trabajo validado para la población laboral española

Interpersonal conflicts in work situations pose a significant risk both to workers' health and to the organization. Early detection of the characteristics of these conflicts in order to be able to intervene in them in an appropriate manner is a necessity of the current organizations immersed in continuous environments of change where the norm is the reduction of people, resources or both. This article presents the validation of an instrument for the evaluation of the perception of interpersonal conflicts in work situations: the Perceived Interpersonal Conflicts Scale (PICS). This instrument allows analyzing five dimensions related to the types of conflicts present in work environments (task conflict, relationship conflict, status conflict, process conflict, context conflict) and a last one related to the escalation of the conflict. The results show a satisfactory reliability of the instrument, as well as a satisfactory convergent and discriminative validity using the SOFI-SM instrument. PICS offers a quick analysis (12 items) with an adequate level of reliability and validity, of the perception of conflict in work situations validated for the Spanish working population

Direct and Indirect Effects of Perceived Stigma on Posttraumatic Growth in Gay Men and Lesbian Women in Chile.

This study examined the direct and indirect effects of perceived stigma on posttraumatic growth (PTG) in a sample of gay men and lesbian women in Chile, with coping strategies (positive reappraisal, social support seeking, and active coping strategies) as intermediate variables. Data from 467 gay men (57.4%) and lesbian women (42.6%) were analyzed. A respondent-driven sampling (RDS) method was used. The hierarchical regression analysis indicated the important predictive role of active coping, ß = .23, and positive reappraisal, ß = .45, in PTG, R2 = .31, p < .001, f2 = 0.16. Results revealed that, in the presence of positive reappraisal coping as an intermediate variable, partial indirect effects are detected between perceived stigma and PTG. Seeking instrumental social support did not produce indirect effects between perceived stigma and PTG, whereas active coping produced partial indirect effects. These findings suggest that the positive reappraisal of a traumatic experience is essential for reporting personal growth. Implications of these more complex relations for counseling interventions and further research are discussed.

Medidas de salud mental y bienestar subjetivo en una muestra de hombres gays y mujeres lesbianas en Chile / Health and wellbeing of sexual minorities

Background: Most of the information in Chile about health and wellbeing of sexual minorities refers to risk behaviors. Aim: To assess health and wellbeing in a sample of Chilean homosexual men and women. Material and Methods: Spanish versions of the Satisfaction With Life Scale and Outcome Questionnaire-45 (OQ-45) were answered by 191 homosexual women and 256 homosexual men aged 18 to 67 years, from four Chilean cities. Results: Lesbian women have better levels of satisfaction with life and adjustment in personal relationships than homosexual men. Eight percent of respondents had suicidal thoughts in some moment of their life. Conclusions: The information gathered in this work could help in the development of mental health policies for sexual minorities.

Optimization of biological therapy in rheumatoid arthritis patients: outcomes from the CREATE registry after 2 years of follow-up.

The current strategy for managing rheumatoid arthritis (RA) focuses on achieving clinical remission. Once remission is achieved and sustained over time, the most efficient strategy is dose optimization. This work describes the results of dose optimization after 2 years of follow-up in patients with RA treated with biological therapy and identifies predictive variables of response. Cohort: patients from the CREATE registry who, as of 1 November 2013, had been in clinical remission (DAS28 ≤2.6) for at least 6 months. INTERVENTION: Dose optimization was 20-50% of the standard dose. Outcome measurement were effectiveness (percentage of patients who continued to meet criteria for clinical remission) and efficiency (dose reduction and mean savings). Sixty-eight patients with RA were optimized, with initial mean DAS28 of 2.2 ± 0.7. After 2 years of follow-up, the mean DAS28 was 2.4 ± 0.7, a non-statistically significant difference. Twenty-eight patients (41.2%) continued in clinical remission with dose optimization after 2 years. Mean survival time was 14.2 months (95% CI 12.0-16.5). Of the 40 patients who needed to return to a standard dose, 57.5% managed to achieve remission again at 2 years. Mean dose reduction at 2 years was 21.17%, reaching a mean saving of €5576 ± 5099 per patient. In actual clinical practice, over 40% of patients with established RA who had been in sustained clinical remission managed to continue in remission 2 years after receiving optimized doses. The savings achieved was about 21% of the actual direct health costs for patients in the CREATE registry.

Institutional apologies and socio-emotional climate in the South American context.

This study examined perceptions of institutional apologies related to past political violence and socio-emotional climate among victims and non-victims in Argentina (n = 518), Chile (n = 1,278), and Paraguay (n = 1,172) based on quasi-representative samples. The perceptions of apology as sincere and efficient in improving intergroup relations were associated with a positive socio-emotional climate across the three nations. Victims evaluated apologies more positively and perceived a more positive socio-emotional climate compared to non-victims in Paraguay and Argentina, whereas the opposite was true in Chile where the government opposed the victims' leftist political orientation. The evaluations of apologies also mediated the effects of exposure to violence on the perception of socio-emotional climate, but these effects were moderated by the context. Together, these findings suggest that apologies reinforce positive sociopolitical climate, and that, personal experience of victimization is an important factor determining these effects.

Relation between HIV status, risky sexual behavior, and mental health in an MSM sample from three Chilean cities.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the association among HIV status; negative psychological symptoms (anxiety, depression, and hostility); and risky sexual behaviors (multiple sexual partners and unprotected sexual intercourse) in a Chilean sample of men who have sex with men (MSM). METHODS: This study had a cross-sectional design and a sample of 325 MSM whose ages ranged from 18 to 64 years (mean: 30.8; standard deviation: 9.8). Association tests (chi-squared) and group mean comparisons (Student's t-tests and F-tests) were performed. RESULTS: No statistically significant differences were found for condom use or for the number of sexual partners between HIV-positive men and those who are not infected. In both groups, about 50% reported sexual encounters without condom use in the past six months. There were statistically significant differences in symptoms associated with depression between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: These results reveal the need to strengthen messages about the importance of condom use, as the only way to prevent HIV, and as a means of preventing HIV infection and reinfection, in national prevention and self-care programs for sexually active subjects. More studies are needed in Latin America to advance HIV prevention efforts for the MSM population. The data generated by this study can be used to inform the development of HIV prevention programming strategies and interventions targeting the MSM population in Latin America.

Relation between HIV status, risky sexual behavior, and mental health in an MSM sample from three Chilean cities / Relación entre el estado de seropositividad al VIH, el comportamiento sexual arriesgado y la salud men¬tal en una muestra de HSH de tres ciudades chilenas

Objective. To explore the association among HIV status; negative psychological symptoms (anxiety, depression, and hostility); and risky sexual behaviors (multiple sexual partners and unprotected sexual intercourse) in a Chilean sample of men who have sex with men (MSM). Methods. This study had a cross-sectional design and a sample of 325 MSM whose ages ranged from 18 to 64 years (mean: 30.8; standard deviation: 9.8). Association tests (chisquared) and group mean comparisons (Student’s t-tests and F-tests) were performed. Results. No statistically significant differences were found for condom use or for the number of sexual partners between HIV-positive men and those who are not infected. In both groups, about 50% reported sexual encounters without condom use in the past six months. There were statistically significant differences in symptoms associated with depression between the two groups. Conclusions. These results reveal the need to strengthen messages about the importance of condom use, as the only way to prevent HIV, and as a means of preventing HIV infection and reinfection, in national prevention and self-care programs for sexually active subjects. More studies are needed in Latin America to advance HIV prevention efforts for the MSM population. The data generated by this study can be used to inform the development of HIV prevention programming strategies and interventions targeting the MSM population in Latin America.

Objetivo. Explorar la relación entre el estado con respecto a la infección por el VIH, los síntomas psicológicos negativos (ansiedad, depresión y hostilidad) y el comportamiento sexual arriesgado (varios compañeros sexuales y relaciones sexuales sin protección) en una muestra de hombres que tienen relaciones sexuales con otros hombres (HSH) de Chile. Métodos. Este estudio tuvo un diseño transversal y una muestra de 325 HSH de 18 a 64 años (media: 30,8; desviación estándar: 9,8). Se efectuaron pruebas de asociación (ji al cuadrado) y comparaciones entre las medias grupales (prueba de la t de Student y prueba F). Resultados. No se observaron diferencias estadísticamente significativas respecto del uso de preservativos o del número de compañeros sexuales entre los hombres seropositivos al VIH y los no infectados. En los dos grupos, más del 50 % refirió que había tenido algún encuentro sexual sin protección en los seis meses anteriores. Se observaron diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre los dos grupos en cuanto a los síntomas asociados a la depresión. Conclusiones. Estos resultados muestran la necesidad de fortalecer los mensajes acerca de la importancia del uso de preservativos como la única manera de prevenir el VIH y como un medio de prevenir la infección y la reinfección por este virus, en los programas nacionales de prevención y autocuidado destinados a las personas sexualmente activas. Es necesario efectuar más estudios en América Latina para impulsar las medidas de prevención de la infección por el VIH orientadas a la población de HSH. Los datos generados por este estudio pueden servir para formular estrategias programáticas de prevención e intervenciones dirigidas a esta población en América Latina.

[Health and wellbeing of sexual minorities]. / Medidas de salud mental y bienestar subjetivo en una muestra de hombres gays y mujeres lesbianas en Chile.

BACKGROUND: Most of the information in Chile about health and wellbeing of sexual minorities refers to risk behaviors. AIM: To assess health and wellbeing in a sample of Chilean homosexual men and women. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Spanish versions of the Satisfaction With Life Scale and Outcome Questionnaire-45 (OQ-45) were answered by 191 homosexual women and 256 homosexual men aged 18 to 67 years, from four Chilean cities. RESULTS: Lesbian women have better levels of satisfaction with life and adjustment in personal relationships than homosexual men. Eight percent of respondents had suicidal thoughts in some moment of their life. CONCLUSIONS: The information gathered in this work could help in the development of mental health policies for sexual minorities.

Relation between HIV status, risky sexual behavior, and mental health in an MSM sample from three Chilean cities / Relación entre el estado de seropositividad al VIH, el comportamiento sexual arriesgado y la salud mental en una muestra de HSH de tres ciudades chilenas

ABSTRACT Objective To explore the association among HIV status; negative psychological symptoms (anxiety, depression, and hostility); and risky sexual behaviors (multiple sexual partners and unprotected sexual intercourse) in a Chilean sample of men who have sex with men (MSM). Methods This study had a cross-sectional design and a sample of 325 MSM whose ages ranged from 18 to 64 years (mean: 30.8; standard deviation: 9.8). Association tests (chi-squared) and group mean comparisons (Student’s t-tests and F-tests) were performed. Results No statistically significant differences were found for condom use or for the number of sexual partners between HIV-positive men and those who are not infected. In both groups, about 50% reported sexual encounters without condom use in the past six months. There were statistically significant differences in symptoms associated with depression between the two groups. Conclusions These results reveal the need to strengthen messages about the importance of condom use, as the only way to prevent HIV, and as a means of preventing HIV infection and reinfection, in national prevention and self-care programs for sexually active subjects. More studies are needed in Latin America to advance HIV prevention efforts for the MSM population. The data generated by this study can be used to inform the development of HIV prevention programming strategies and interventions targeting the MSM population in Latin America.

RESUMEN Objetivo Explorar la relación entre el estado con respecto a la infección por el VIH, los síntomas psicológicos negativos (ansiedad, depresión y hostilidad) y el comportamiento sexual arriesgado (varios compañeros sexuales y relaciones sexuales sin protección) en una muestra de hombres que tienen relaciones sexuales con otros hombres (HSH) de Chile. Métodos Este estudio tuvo un diseño transversal y una muestra de 325 HSH de 18 a 64 años (media: 30,8; desviación estándar: 9,8). Se efectuaron pruebas de asociación (ji al cuadrado) y comparaciones entre las medias grupales (prueba de la t de Student y prueba F). Resultados No se observaron diferencias estadísticamente significativas respecto del uso de preservativos o del número de compañeros sexuales entre los hombres seropositivos al VIH y los no infectados. En los dos grupos, más del 50 % refirió que había tenido algún encuentro sexual sin protección en los seis meses anteriores. Se observaron diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre los dos grupos en cuanto a los síntomas asociados a la depresión. Conclusiones Estos resultados muestran la necesidad de fortalecer los mensajes acerca de la importancia del uso de preservativos como la única manera de prevenir el VIH y como un medio de prevenir la infección y la reinfección por este virus, en los programas nacionales de prevención y autocuidado destinados a las personas sexualmente activas. Es necesario efectuar más estudios en América Latina para impulsar las medidas de prevención de la infección por el VIH orientadas a la población de HSH. Los datos generados por este estudio pueden servir para formular estrategias programáticas de prevención e intervenciones dirigidas a esta población en América Latina.

Subjective Wellbeing and Levels of Clinical Symptomatology in a Transwomen Sample and Men Who Have Sex With Men in Chile.

This article examines the levels of subjective wellbeing (psychological and social wellbeing, subjective happiness, and satisfaction with life) and clinical symptomatology (anxiety, depression, somatization, hostility, and phobic anxiety) in a transwomen sample (n = 112). The sample was recruited through a snowball procedure in Chile (Santiago, Valparaíso, and Arica). Data obtained are compared to those from a group of men who have sex with men (MSM; n = 323). Results reveal statistically significant differences in the levels of happiness (t(157) = 2.16; p = .03; d = .25), satisfaction with life (t(154) = 3.90; p < .001; d = .47), and purpose in life (scale of psychological wellbeing; t(151) = 1.99; p .04; d = .24) reported by the two groups. The transwomen group shows the lowest scores in all dimensions. However, trans women report higher levels of social coherence (t(432) = -4.96; p < .001; d = .53) on the social wellbeing scale, compared to the MSM group. Regarding their levels of clinical symptomatology, trans women report higher levels of anxiety (t(163) = -6.67; p < .001; d = .78), depression (t(167) = -5.61; p < .001; d = .65), somatization (t(161) = -5.10; p < .001; d = .60), hostility (t(153) = -5.38; p < .001; d = .62), and phobic anxiety (t(164) = -6.70; p < .001; d = .80). Results are discussed on the basis of the context of each group.

New Evidence of Construct Validity Problems for Pettigrew and Meertens' (1995) Blatant and Subtle Prejudice Scale.

Given the current debate over the distinction between subtle and blatant prejudice, this study provides new evidence regarding problems with the construct validity of the Pettigrew and Meertens' Blatant and Subtle Prejudice Scale. To assess these issues, an existing data sample of 896 Chilean participants collected in 2010 was reanalyzed. The main analysis method used was a confirmatory factor analysis. The model that best represented the original theory (a model of two correlated second-order factors) had an improper solution due to the unidentified model. The scale has substantial psychometric problems, and it was not possible to distinguish between subtle and blatant prejudice.