Mediational Model of Multiple Sclerosis Impairments, Family Needs, and Caregiver Mental Health in Guadalajara, Mexico

Individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS), especially those living in Latin America, often require assistance from family caregivers throughout the duration of the disease. Previous research suggests that family caregivers may experience positive and negative outcomes from providing care to individuals with MS, but few studies have examined the unmet needs of individuals providing care to family members with MS and how these unmet needs may mediate the relationship between MS symptoms and caregiver mental health. The current study examined the relationships among MS impairments (functional, neurological, cognitive, behavioral, and emotional), unmet family needs (household, informational, financial, social support, and health), and caregiver mental health (satisfaction with life, anxiety, burden, and depression) in a sample of 81 MS caregivers from Guadalajara, Mexico. A structural equation model demonstrated the mediational effect of unmet family needs on the relationship between MS impairments and caregiver mental health. These findings suggest that intervention research on MS caregivers in Latin America may consider focusing on caregiver mental health problems by addressing unmet family needs and teaching caregivers ways to manage the impairments of the individual with MS

A Disproportionate Burden of Care: Gender Differences in Mental Health, Health-Related Quality of Life, and Social Support in Mexican Multiple Sclerosis Caregivers

Background. Multiple sclerosis (MS) rates in Latin America are increasing, and caregivers there experience reduced mental and physical health. Based on rigid gender roles in Latin America, women more often assume caregiving duties, yet the differential impact on women of these duties is unknown. Methods. This study examined gender differences in mental health (Patient Health Questionnaire-9, Satisfaction with Life Scale, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and Zarit Burden Inventory), health-related quality of life (HRQOL; Short Form-36), and social support (Interpersonal Support Evaluation List-12) in 81 (66.7% women) Mexican MS caregivers. Results. As compared to men caregivers, women had lower mental health (p=0.006), HRQOL (p<0.001), and social support (p<0.001). This was partially explained by women caregivers providing care for nearly twice as many hours/week as men (79.28 versus 48.48, p=0.018) and for nearly three times as many months (66.31 versus 24.30, p=0.002). Conclusions. Because gender roles in Latin America influence women to assume more substantial caregiving duties, MS caregiver interventions in Latin America—particularly for women caregivers—should address the influence of gender-role conformity on care and psychosocial functioning

Symbol digit modalities test-oral version: an analysis of culture influence on a processing speed test in Argentina, Mexico, and the USA

The Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT) is an information processing speed test. The aim of this study was to compare the SDMT across three samples: the USA, Mexico, and Argentina. The hypothesis is that performance will vary based on native language and cultural differences between these countries. The SDMT was administered to 129 healthy volunteers. Participants from the USA performed better than participants from Argentina and Mexico (p < .01), and no differences were observed between the latter groups (p = .15). Processing speed differs between the studied populations of Latin America and Anglo-America. Possible interpretations of this result are presented.Fil: Eizaguirre, María Bárbara. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Psicología. Instituto de Investigaciones; ArgentinaFil: Vanotti, Sandra. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Psicología. Instituto de Investigaciones; Argentina. Instituto de Neurociencias Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Aguayo Arelis, Adriana. Universidad de Guadalajara; MéxicoFil: Rabago Barajas, Brenda. Universidad de Guadalajara; MéxicoFil: Cores, Evangelina Valeria. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Ministerio de Salud. Hospital Interzonal de Agudos "Eva Perón"; ArgentinaFil: Macías, Miguel Angel. Universidad de Guadalajara; MéxicoFil: Benedict, Ralph H. B.. University at Buffalo; Estados UnidosFil: Cáceres, Fernando. Instituto de Neurociencias Buenos Aires; Argentin

Percived ethical misconduct: a survey of Neuropsychology professionals in Mexico

Objective: To evaluate the frequency of perceived ethical misconduct in the practice of neuropsychology in Mexico. Method: One hundred fourteen psychologists answered a survey which assessed perceptions of ethical misconduct in four areas of professional practice in the field of neuropsychology. Results: The area of professional training contained the highest percentage of perception of ethical misconduct, followed by research and publications, clinical care, and professional relationships. Conclusion: The high frequency of ethical misconduct perceived by neuropsychology professionals in Mexico is a cause for concern. The results suggest the need to create and implement a system to make sure that professionals follow the ethics standards required by the profession, and to provide consequences for those who fail to do so. The profession of neuropsychology and training of professionals in the field must be regularized in the country, to reduce the frequency of future ethical misconducts

Percepciones sobre conductas éticamente inadecuadas en el ámbito de la Neuropsicología en México

Objectivo: Evaluar la frecuencia de percepción de conductas éticamente inapropiadas en la práctica de la neuropsicología en México.Método: Ciento catorce psicólogos respondieron a una encuesta que evaluaba la percepcion de conductas éticamente inapropiadas en cuatro áreas de la práctica profesional de la neuropsicología.Resultados: El área de entrenamiento profesional fue la que mayor porcentaje de percepciones de conductas éticamente inapropiadas obtuvo seguido por investigación y publicaciones, prestación de servicios y relaciones profesionales.Conclusiones: La alta frecuencia de conductas éticamente inapropiadas percibidas por los neuropsicólgos en México es preocupante. Los resultados sugieren la necesidad de crear un sistema que asegure que los profesionales ser rigen por los estándares éticos y tomar medidas antes aquellos que los incumplen. Igualmente, se debería trabajar en la regularización de la profesión en el país y en la capacitación y entrenamiento de los profesionales en esta área con el fin de evitar estas conducta

Situación actual de la práctica profesional de la Neuropsicología en México

The objective of this study was to analyze the characteristics of the profession of neuropsychology in Mexico, including the background, professional training, current work situation, evaluation and diagnosis procedures, rehabilitation, teaching, and research. 171 professionals from Mexico completed an online survey between July 1 2013 and January 1 of 2014. 76% indicated having obtained their training in neuropsychology in a postgraduate program, also to be very satisfied with their jobs but less satisfied with their salary. The majority works with individuals with learning difficulties (78%) and attention and hyperactivity disorder (74%). 91% works in evaluation and diagnosis, 61% in rehabilitation, 67% in teaching, and 60% in research. Some of the most common problems with the instruments were the lack of normative data (63%) and their high cost (58%). The most common barriers for the development of neuropsychology in Mexico were the lack of collaboration between professionals and, the lack of clinical training programs. Even though there have been important progresses in the field of professional neuropsychological practice during the last past decades in Mexico, there are still some aspects to improve, like the establishment of standards for the regulation in the country.El objetivo de este estudio fue conocer las características de la práctica neuropsicológica en México, incluyendo la formación profesional, la situación laboral actual, el proceso de evaluación y diagnóstico, rehabilitación, docencia e investigación. Participaron 171 profesionales en México, quienes respondieron una encuesta electrónica entre el 1 de julio de 2013 y el 1 de enero del 2014. El 76% indicó haber obtenido su entrenamiento en neuropsicología durante el postgrado y, aunque indicaron estar muy satisfechos con su labor, su satisfacción con el salario fue menor. La mayoría trabajan con personas con problemas de aprendizaje (78%) y trastornos de atención e hiperactividad (74%).  EL 91% se dedica a evaluación y diagnóstico, 61% a rehabilitación,   67% a docencia y 60% a investigación. Los problemas más comunes fueron la falta de datos normativos (63%) y el alto coste de los test (58%). Las barreras más observadas en el desarrollo de la neuropsicología fueron la falta de colaboración entre los profesionales y la falta de programas de formación clínica. Durante las últimas décadas se han logrado importantes avances a nivel profesional en el campo de la neuropsicología en México. Sin embargo, aún quedan aspectos por mejorar como el establecimiento de criterios para la regulación de la práctica neuropsicológica en el país

PERCEIVED ETHICAL MISCONDUCT: A SURVEY OF NEUROPSYCHOLOGY PROFESSIONALS IN MEXICO INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PSYCHOLOGICAL RESEARCH Perceived Ethical Misconduct in Neuropsychology

Objective: To evaluate the frequency of perceived ethical misconduct in the practice of neuropsychology in Mexico. Method: One hundred fourteen psychologists answered a survey which assessed perceptions of ethical misconduct in four areas of professional practice in the field of neuropsychology. Results: The area of professional training contained the highest percentage of perception of ethical misconduct, followed by research and publications, clinical care, and professional relationships. Conclusion: The high frequency of ethical misconduct perceived by neuropsychology professionals in Mexico is a cause for concern. The results suggest the need to create and implement a system to make sure that professionals follow the ethics standards required by the profession, and to provide consequences for those who fail to do so. The profession of neuropsychology and training of professionals in the field must be regularized in the country, to reduce the frequency of future ethical misconducts. RESUMEN Palabras clave: Ética, neuropsicología, práctica clínica, México. Objectivo: Evaluar la frecuencia de percepción de conductas éticamente inapropiadas en la práctica de la neuropsicología en México. Método: Ciento catorce psicólogos respondieron a una encuesta que evaluaba la percepcion de conductas éticamente inapropiadas en cuatro áreas de la práctica profesional de la neuropsicología. PERCEIVED ETHICAL MISCONDUCT R E S E A R C H INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PSYCHOLOGICAL RESEARCH Perceived Ethical Misconduct in Neuropsychology Resultados: El área de entrenamiento profesional fue la que mayor porcentaje de percepciones de conductas éticamente inapropiadas obtuvo seguido por investigación y publicaciones, prestación de servicios y relaciones profesionales. Conclusiones: La alta frecuencia de conductas éticamente inapropiadas percibidas por los neuropsicólgos en México es preocupante. Los resultados sugieren la necesidad de crear un sistema que asegure que los profesionales ser rigen por los estándares éticos y tomar medidas antes aquellos que los incumplen. Igualmente, se debería trabajar en la regularización de la profesión en el país y en la capacitación y entrenamiento de los profesionales en esta área con el fin de evitar estas conductas