COVID-19. Effect of Moral Messages to Persuade the Population to Stay at Home in Spain, Chile, and Colombia.

Analyze whether the content of three moral messages (deontological, ethical utilitarianism, ethical virtue) and a control message differentially affect the probability of engaging in four behaviors: Washing their hands, participating in public gatherings, staying at home/avoiding social contact, and forwarding the message to inform more people. In our study, the sender of the message is a university professor. These variables are measured in terms of their behavioral intentions and others' behavioral intentions (beliefs about others' behavior). Randomized Controlled Trial. Our study includes the analysis of the possible moderating effect of the country of residence (Spain n = 1,122, Chile n = 1,107, and Colombia n = 1,433). The message with content referring to ethical virtue and staying at home obtains statistically significant lower scores on the probability of carrying out public health behaviors and sharing the message received. Regarding beliefs about the behavior of others, the message of ethical virtue has the same negative effect, but only on the likelihood of other people washing their hands, staying at home, and sharing the public health message. Institutional messages aimed at promoting public health behaviors are necessary in a pandemic situation. Our recommendation is to use deontological and utilitarian, or non-moral, content.

Psychometric properties and factorial invariance of the satisfaction with life scale in Latino immigrants in Chile, Spain, and United States / Propiedades psicométricas e invarianza factorial de la escala de satisfacción con la vida en inmigrantes latinos en Chile, España y EEUU

Abstract: Background: Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) is the most widely used instrument to assess subjective well-being in different populations. Aim: The purpose of the present investigation was to evaluate the psychometric properties and the factorial invariance of the SWLS in Latino immigrants living in Chile, Spain, and the United States. Method: A total of 663 participants over the age of 18 and who have lived in the host country for more than a year participated. Results: The results provide evidence of good internal consistency through Cronbach's alpha and McDonald's omega. Also, there is evidence for the unifactorial structure of the instrument through confirmatory factor analysis and its invariance at the configural, metric, and scalar. Conclusions: It is concluded that SWLS is an invariant and reliable measure to study life satisfaction in Latino immigrants in western countries.

Resumen: Antecedentes: La escala de Satisfacción con la Vida (SWLS) es el instrumento más utilizado para evaluar el bienestar subjetivo en distintas poblaciones. Objetivo: El propósito de la presente investigación fue evaluar las propiedades psicométricas y la invarianza factorial de la SWLS en inmigrantes latinos que viven en Chile, España y EEUU. Método: Participaron un total de 663 inmigrantes latinos mayores de 18 años y que llevan más de un año viviendo en el país de acogida. Resultados: Los resultados entregan evidencia de una buena consistencia interna a través del alfa de Cronbach y el omega de McDonald, también se provee soporte a la estructura unifactorial del instrumento mediante un análisis factorial confirmatorio y finalmente se prueba que la escala es invariante a nivel configural, métrico y escalar. Conclusión: Se concluye que la SWLS es una medida invariante y fiable para estudiar la satisfacción con la vida en inmigrantes latinos en países occidentales.

Spanish Scientists' Opinion about Science and Researcher Behavior.

We surveyed 348 Psychology and Education researchers within Spain, on issues such as their perception of a crisis in Science, their confidence in the quality of published results, and the use of questionable research practices (QRP). Their perceptions regarding pressure to publish and academic competition were also collected. The results indicate that a large proportion of the sample of Spanish academics think there is a crisis in Science, mainly due to a lack of economic investment, and doubts the quality of published findings. They also feel strong pressure to publish in high impact factor journals and a highly competitive work climate.

Validation of the Beliefs about Children's Adjustment in Same-Sex Families Scale in Italian University Students.

Assessing attitudes toward same-sex parenting has important implications for both intervention and prevention programs designed to foster the tolerance and normality of sexual and family diversity. Few empirically validated measures of rejection of same-sex parenting have been developed. The current study examined the psychometric properties of an Italian translation of the Beliefs about Children's Adjustment in Same-Sex Families Scale, a 14-item scale distributed in two subscales that measure direct and subtle rejection toward same-sex parenting, for its use in assessing heterosexual people's attitudes toward same-sex parents in Italy. The sample consisted of 344 Italian heterosexual university students (113 men) with a mean age of 20.48 years (SD = 1.60). The results showed that the scale has a good factor structure (via confirmatory factor analysis) and satisfactory reliability and acceptable criterion-related validity. Therefore, the BCASSFS can be used to measure opposition toward gay and lesbian parenting in the Italian context.

The Role of Neuroticism in Predicting Psychological Harassment in Nursing: A Longitudinal Study.

Psychological harassment is a serious occupational risk for nurses, but little is known about its related factors and possible predictors. The objective of the present study was to investigate whether nursing students' neuroticism trait and coping styles can predict psychological harassment at work when they later become nurses. A non-experimental, longitudinal, three-wave prospective study with a time lag of 6 years was carried out, following nursing students from three Spanish universities until they joined the health labor market. The age range of the sample was 20⁻48 years, and the mean age was 26.99 ± 5.72; the majority of the sample were women (88.5%). Predictor variables were neuroticism and coping styles (emotional and behavioral coping). The criterion variable was psychological harassment. To examine the model fit between the predictor and criterion variables, we conducted structural equation modelling. Results confirmed a high correlation between neuroticism and psychological harassment. In addition, a direct effect of neuroticism on psychological harassment was found; however, emotional and behavioral coping styles did not show a good fit. Proactive interventions to improve emotional self-control are needed in order to prevent negative effects of psychological harassment at work on nurses.

Perceived Statistical Knowledge Level and Self-Reported Statistical Practice Among Academic Psychologists.

Introduction: Publications arguing against the null hypothesis significance testing (NHST) procedure and in favor of good statistical practices have increased. The most frequently mentioned alternatives to NHST are effect size statistics (ES), confidence intervals (CIs), and meta-analyses. A recent survey conducted in Spain found that academic psychologists have poor knowledge about effect size statistics, confidence intervals, and graphic displays for meta-analyses, which might lead to a misinterpretation of the results. In addition, it also found that, although the use of ES is becoming generalized, the same thing is not true for CIs. Finally, academics with greater knowledge about ES statistics presented a profile closer to good statistical practice and research design. Our main purpose was to analyze the extension of these results to a different geographical area through a replication study. Methods: For this purpose, we elaborated an on-line survey that included the same items as the original research, and we asked academic psychologists to indicate their level of knowledge about ES, their CIs, and meta-analyses, and how they use them. The sample consisted of 159 Italian academic psychologists (54.09% women, mean age of 47.65 years). The mean number of years in the position of professor was 12.90 (SD = 10.21). Results: As in the original research, the results showed that, although the use of effect size estimates is becoming generalized, an under-reporting of CIs for ES persists. The most frequent ES statistics mentioned were Cohen's d and R2/η2, which can have outliers or show non-normality or violate statistical assumptions. In addition, academics showed poor knowledge about meta-analytic displays (e.g., forest plot and funnel plot) and quality checklists for studies. Finally, academics with higher-level knowledge about ES statistics seem to have a profile closer to good statistical practices. Conclusions: Changing statistical practice is not easy.This change requires statistical training programs for academics, both graduate and undergraduate.

Knowledge level of effect size statistics confidence intervals and meta-analysis in spanish academic psychologists / Grado de conocimiento sobre los tamaños del efecto, intervalos de confianza y meta-análisis en psicólogos académicos españoles

BACKGROUND: The statistical reform movement and the American Psychological Association (APA) defend the use of estimators of the effect size and its confidence intervals, as well as the interpretation of the clinical significance of the findings. METHOD: A survey was conducted in which academic psychologists were asked about their behavior in designing and carrying out their studies. The sample was composed of 472 participants (45.8% men). The mean number of years as a university professor was 13.56 years (SD= 9.27). RESULTS: The use of effect-size estimators is becoming generalized, as well as the consideration of meta-analytic studies. However, several inadequate practices still persist. A traditional model of methodological behavior based on statistical significance tests is maintained, based on the predominance of Cohen's d and the unadjusted R2/η2, which are not immune to outliers or departure from normality and the violations of statistical assumptions, and the under-reporting of confidence intervals of effect-size statistics. CONCLUSION: The paper concludes with recommendations for improving statistical practice

ANTECEDENTES: el movimiento de la reforma estadística y la Asociación Americana de Psicología (APA) defienden el uso de estimadores del tamaño del efecto y sus intervalos de confianza, así como la interpretación de la significación clínica de los hallazgos. MÉTODO: se realizó una encuesta a psicólogos académicos sobre su conducta en el diseño y realización de estudios. La muestra estuvo compuesta de 472 participantes (45,8% hombres). La media en años como académico fue 13,56 (DT= 9,27). RESULTADOS: el uso de estadísticos del tamaño del efecto se está generalizando, también la consideración de los estudios meta-analíticos. Sin embargo, persisten prácticas estadísticas inadecuadas. Se mantiene un modelo tradicional de comportamiento metodológico basado en las pruebas de significación estadística, predominio de la d de Cohen, y del R2/η2 no ajustado que no son inmunes a la existencia de outliers y violaciones de las asunciones y un escaso uso de los intervalos de confianza de los estadísticos del tamaño del efecto. CONCLUSIONES: se concluye con recomendaciones para la mejora de la práctica estadística

Spanish Validation of the Polymorphous Prejudice Scale in a Sample of University Students.

The shortened version of the Polymorphous Prejudice Scale (PPS) analyzes new manifestations of prejudice toward gay men and lesbian women. Specifically, this instrument consists of 16 items distributed in four subscales: values gay progress, positive beliefs about gay men, positive beliefs about lesbian women, and resistance to heteronormative expectations. The aim of the current study is to add new evidence about the reliability and validity of the scale. The scale is administrated to 348 heterosexual university students from Spain with a mean age of 22.62 years (SD = 7.63). Reliability and factorial validity estimates are presented. A four-factor structure is supported using confirmatory factor analysis (short version). Our results can be useful in planning variables for intervention programs designed to foster the tolerance and normality of sexual diversity.

Knowledge level of effect size statistics, confidence intervals and meta-analysis in Spanish academic psychologists.

BACKGROUND: The statistical reform movement and the American Psychological Association (APA) defend the use of estimators of the effect size and its confidence intervals, as well as the interpretation of the clinical significance of the findings. METHOD: A survey was conducted in which academic psychologists were asked about their behavior in designing and carrying out their studies. The sample was composed of 472 participants (45.8% men). The mean number of years as a university professor was 13.56 years (SD= 9.27). RESULTS: The use of effect-size estimators is becoming generalized, as well as the consideration of meta-analytic studies. However, several inadequate practices still persist. A traditional model of methodological behavior based on statistical significance tests is maintained, based on the predominance of Cohen’s d and the unadjusted R2/η2, which are not immune to outliers or departure from normality and the violations of statistical assumptions, and the under-reporting of confidence intervals of effect-size statistics. CONCLUSION: The paper concludes with recommendations for improving statistical practice.

Misconceptions of the p-value among Chilean and Italian Academic Psychologists.

Common misconceptions of p-values are based on certain beliefs and attributions about the significance of the results. Thus, they affect the professionals' decisions and jeopardize the quality of interventions and the accumulation of valid scientific knowledge. We conducted a survey on 164 academic psychologists (134 Italian, 30 Chilean) questioned on this topic. Our findings are consistent with previous research and suggest that some participants do not know how to correctly interpret p-values. The inverse probability fallacy presents the greatest comprehension problems, followed by the replication fallacy. These results highlight the importance of the statistical re-education of researchers. Recommendations for improving statistical cognition are proposed.

Intimate Partner Violence in Self-Identified Lesbians: A Systematic Review of Its Prevalence and Correlates.

This article presents the first systematic review on intimate partner violence (IPV) in self-identified lesbians in same-sex couples. Studies published from January 1990 to December 2013 were analyzed. Of the 687 studies reviewed, 59 were preselected, of which 14 studies were selected that met the inclusion and methodological quality criteria. A summary is presented of the characteristics of the studies, the participants, the prevalence of IPV victimization and perpetration, and its correlates. All the studies were carried out in the United States and used a nonprobabilistic sampling method. The majority of participants were White with a high educational level. The results indicate that all the forms of violence occur, but the most prevalent is emotional/psychological violence. The correlates positively associated with IPV are certain personality characteristics, fusion, previous IPV experience, a family history of violence, and alcohol consumption. This review finds significant limitations in the analyzed literature. Methodological recommendations are made for future studies.

Coping, stress, and personality in Spanish nursing students: A longitudinal study.

The purpose of this study was to examine the dominant stress coping style in nursing students, its relationships with stressful life events and personality traits, and the students' changes during their academic training. A non-experimental two-wave longitudinal design was carried out in 199 nursing students recruited from three Spanish nursing schools. The Stressful Life Events Scale, NEO-FFI, and COPE questionnaire were administered at the beginning (T1) and end (T2) of their nursing studies. Descriptive statistics, Anova(s), NPar tests, and Pearson correlations were carried out. Results show that nursing students' dominant coping style was emotion-focused coping, both at T1 and T2. Highly significant correlations between emotional coping and the neuroticism trait were found. Coping, stress, and personality changed positively during the training program. At T2, the use of problem-focused strategies increased, and participants became more extroverted, agreeable, and conscientious. Coping and personality changes experienced by nursing students throughout their degree program seem to mirror the professional competences needed by future licensed nurses.

Interpretation of the p value: A national survey study in academic psychologists from Spain.

BACKGROUND: Incorrect interpretations of p values affect professionals’ decisions and jeopardize the quality of psychological interventions and the accumulation of valid scientific knowledge. This study analyzes the errors made by Spanish academic psychologists in interpreting p values. METHOD: We surveyed academic psychologists about their interpretations of p values. The sample is composed of 418 academic psychologists from Spanish public universities. The mean number of years working as a university professor is 14.16 (SD = 9.39). RESULTS: Our findings suggest that many academic psychologists do not know how to correctly interpret p values. The inverse probability fallacy presents the greatest comprehension problems. Methodology instructors also interpret the significance of the p value erroneously. CONCLUSIONS: These results highlight the importance of the statistical re-education of professors.

Interpretation of the p value: A national survey study in academic psychologists from Spain / Interpretación del valor p: una encuesta nacional entre profesores españoles de Psicología

BACKGROUND: Incorrect interpretations of p values affect professionals' decisions and jeopardize the quality of psychological interventions and the accumulation of valid scientific knowledge. This study analyzes the errors made by Spanish academic psychologists in interpreting p values. METHOD: We surveyed academic psychologists about their interpretations of p values. The sample is composed of 418 academic psychologists from Spanish public universities. The mean number of years working as a university professor is 14.16 (SD = 9.39). RESULTS: Our findings suggest that many academic psychologists do not know how to correctly interpret p values. The inverse probability fallacy presents the greatest comprehension problems. Methodology instructors also interpret the significance of the p value erroneously. CONCLUSIONS: These results highlight the importance of the statistical re-education of professors

ANTECEDENTES: las interpretaciones incorrectas de los valores p afectan a las decisiones de los profesionales y ponen en peligro la calidad de las intervenciones psicológicas y la acumulación de conocimiento científico válido. Este estudio analiza los errores de interpretación del valor p y su interpretación correcta entre el profesorado de las universidades de Psicología de España. MÉTODO: se encuestó a profesores universitarios sobre sus interpretaciones de los valores p. La muestra está compuesta por 418 profesores de Psicología de las universidades públicas españolas. La media de años como profesor universitario es 14,16 (DT = 9,39). RESULTADOS: nuestros hallazgos sugieren que muchos profesores universitarios no saben interpretar correctamente los valores de p. La falacia de la probabilidad inversa presenta los mayores problemas de comprensión. Los profesores de Metodología también cometen errores de interpretación del valor p. CONCLUSIONES: estos resultados resaltan la importancia de la re-educación estadística de los profesores

Etiology of homosexuality and attitudes toward same-sex parenting: a randomized study.

Attribution theory suggests the hypothesis that heterosexuals' attitudes toward homosexual sexual orientation will be more negative when homosexuality is attributed to controllable causes. Our randomized study analyzed (a) whether beliefs about the genetic or environmental etiology of the homosexual sexual orientation can be immediately modified by reading a text and (b) the causal effect of attributions about the controllability (environmental etiology) or noncontrollability (genetic etiology) of homosexual sexual orientation on the rejection of same-sex parenting and their social rights. The sample was composed of 190 Spanish university students with a mean age of 22.07 years (SD = 8.46). The results show that beliefs about the etiology of the sexual orientation could be modified by means of a written text. Furthermore, participants who believed that sexual orientation had a genetic etiology showed greater support for social rights and less rejection of same-sex parenting. However, the effects were detected only when there was a traditional opposition to the family with same-sex parenting. When the opposition was normative, the effect was not statistically significant. Our results can be useful in planning variables for intervention programs designed to foster tolerance toward and normality of sexual diversity.

Beliefs about children's adjustment in same-sex families: Spanish and Chilean university students

The main purpose of our study is to compare the beliefs of Spanish and Chilean university students about the effects that same-sex parents might have on their children. A total of 491 participants completed the study (208 Spaniards and 283 Chileans). The results indicate a kind of modern and subtle rejection based on hetero-normativity. Furthermore, the results indicated the effects of sex (men have a greater degree of rejection), traditional and sexist opinions linked to a greater rejection of same-sex parents, and the contact variable which inversely correlates with this rejection. The results show that the etiology of homosexual orientation also correlates with rejection of same-sex parents when it is believed that homosexuality is learned or can be changed (AU)

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Beliefs about children's adjustment in same-sex families: Spanish and Chilean university students.

The main purpose of our study is to compare the beliefs of Spanish and Chilean university students about the effects that same-sex parents might have on their children. A total of 491 participants completed the study (208 Spaniards and 283 Chileans). The results indicate a kind of modern and subtle rejection based on hetero-normativity. Furthermore, the results indicated the effects of sex (men have a greater degree of rejection), traditional and sexist opinions linked to a greater rejection of same-sex parents, and the contact variable which inversely correlates with this rejection. The results show that the etiology of homosexual orientation also correlates with rejection of same-sex parents when it is believed that homosexuality is learned or can be changed.

A scale on beliefs about children's adjustment in same-sex families: reliability and validity.

In this study, we developed a new instrument named Scale Beliefs about Children's Adjustment on Same-Sex Families (SBCASSF). The scale was developed to assess of the adults' beliefs about negative impacts on children who are raised by same-sex parents. An initial pool of 95 items was generated by the authors based on a review of the literature on homophobia and feedback from several focus groups. Research findings, based on a sample of 212 university students (mean age 22 years, SD = 8.28), supported the reliability and validity of the scale. The final versions of the SBCASSF included items reflecting the following two factors: individual opposition (α = .87) and normative opposition (α = .88). Convergent validity of the scale is demonstrated by predictable correlations with beliefs about the cause of same-sex sexual orientation and the support for gay and lesbian rights. Our study reveals a strong positive association between high scores on SBCASSF and beliefs that the origin of same-sex sexual orientation is learned and opposition to gay and lesbian rights.

Stress and neuroticism in Spanish nursing students: a two-wave longitudinal study.

The aim of this study was to clarify the direction of the stress-neuroticism relationship in a sample of 200 nursing students from three Spanish universities before their entry into the work force using a two-wave longitudinal design. The Stressful Life Events Scale and NEO-FFI Neuroticism subscale were administered at the beginning (T1) and end (T2) of nursing studies. Female students reported higher scores in both perceived stress due to life events and neuroticism than males. Older students scored higher in life events stress than younger ones. High neuroticism was associated with a high level of stress. Finally, neuroticism scores rose in the group in which stress increased from T1 to T2. Our findings partially support the stress causation interactionist model of stress in which life events can modify personality traits.