Estrategias de estudio y trabajo en estudiantes universitarios de la UIB

El estudio se centra en el conocimiento de los procesos de aprendizaje que se desarrollan en la enseñanza superior, siendo su objetivo principal la evaluación de las estrategias de aprendizaje utilizadas por estudiantes universitarios a lo largo de su formación inicial. Responde a un diseño descriptivo-exploratorio, dirigido a las estrategias de estudio y trabajo de la población universitaria de la Universidad de las Islas Baleares (UIB). Para ello, se procedió a la elaboración de un cuestionario como instrumento de recogida de datos1 sobre estrategias de estudio y trabajo, categorizado en cuatro grupos de estrategias (disposicionales y de apoyo; de búsqueda, recogida y selección de información; de procesamiento y uso de información; metacognitivas, de regulación y control) y sus correspondientes subcategorías. Se trabajó con una muestra de 949 estudiantes de la UIB, clasificados por ámbitos disciplinares y estudios, agrupados en grandes dimensiones (sexo; estudios de ciclo corto y de ciclo largo; rama de estudios; dedicación al estudio y actividad laboral), aportando, para cada una de ellas los datos estadísticos en los que se constata una diferencia significativa.L’estudi està centrat en el coneixement dels processos d’aprenentatge que es desenvolupen a l’ensenyament superior, i el l’objectiu principal és l’avaluació de les estratègies d’aprenentatge utilitzades per estudiants universitaris al llarg de la seva formació inicial. Respon a un disseny descriptiu-exploratori, dirigit a les estratègies d’estudi i treball de la població universitària de la Universitat de les Illes Balears (UIB). En aquest sentit, es va confeccionar un qüestionari com a instrument de recollida de dades sobre estratègies d’estudi i treball, categoritzat en quatre grups d’estratègies (disposicionals i de suport; de cerca, recollida i selecció d’informació; de processament i ús d’informació; metacognitives, de regulació i control) i les subcategories corresponents. Es va treballar amb una mostra de 949 estudiants de la UIB, classificats per àmbits disciplinaris i estudis, agrupats en grans dimensions (sexe; estudis de cicle curt i de cicle llarg; branca d’estudis; dedicació a l’estudi i activitat laboral), que varen aportar, per a cadascuna, dades estadístiques en els quals es constata una diferència significativa.The study is focused on the knowledge of learning processes developed in Higher Education and the main objective is to assess the learning strategies of university students along their initial training. This is a response to a descriptive-exploratory design addressed to the learning and working strategies among the students of the University of the Balearic Islands (UIB). Regarding to this, a question paper was designed as a tool for the collection of data on the studying and working strategies sorted by four strategy groups (dispositional and backup groups; research, collection and selection of information; processing and use of information; metacognitive, regulation and control groups) with their respective subcategories. We took a sample of 949 students from the UIB, sorted by study and disciplinary areas, and we gathered them in larger-dimension groups (gender, shorter and longer degrees, field of study and commitment to studies and work). These groups provided, for each of the samples, statistical information in which an important difference is stated

Possible relation between consumption of different food groups and depression

Abstract Background Diverse studies have investigated the relationship between diet and depression. In fact some cross-sectional studies suggested that a healthy diet reduced the risk for depression. The main objective of this study was to assess the relationship of consumption of different food groups with depression. The food groups were selected based on their content of substances that were precursors to neurotransmitters (tryptophan or inositol) or their effect on oxidative stress. Methods This observational retrospective study compared the diets of individuals who were with depressive symptoms (Beck Depression Inventory Questionnaire [BDI] ≥ 10; 53 women, 23 men, age 38+/− 11) and with no depressive levels (BDI < 10; 33 women, 23 men, age 41+/− 13). Dietary data were collected from a questionnaire that asked about consumption of legumes, nuts, whole-grain foods, fruits and vegetables, chocolate, and sweet foods and refined sugars. Results Depressed individuals consumed significantly lower amounts of legumes, fruits, and vegetables, but higher amounts of sweets and refined sugars (p < 0.05 for all comparisons). After statistical adjustment for age and sex, the consumption of no legumes (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 2.60, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.19–5.67), low consumption of fruits and vegetables (aOR = 2.69, 95% CI = 1.18–6.13), and high consumption of sweet foods and refined sugars (aOR = 1.91, 95% CI = 1.23–2.99) were significantly associated with depression. The two groups had no significant differences in the consumption of chocolate. Discussion The results indicate significant relationships of the consumption of certain foods with depression, although the study design precludes any conclusions regarding causality. Further studies are necessary to determine the causal relationships of the consumption of specific foods with depression, and of depression with the consumption of specific foods. Conclusion In spite of the limitations, we find that individuals without depression consumed more legumes, fruits, and vegetables, but fewer sweets and pastries than those with depression

Evidence of Higher Oxidative Status in Depression and Anxiety

We use a simple method for evaluating antioxidative status, by measuring the redox potential of urine, and correlate the findings with measures of anxiety and depression. We include 63 individuals (28 males and 35 females aged between 20 and 65 years). The validated anxiety State-Trait Anxiety Inventory questionnaire and the validated BDI (Beck Depression Inventory) questionnaire were used to evaluate anxiety and depression. Antioxidative status was determined by measuring the redox potential of urine collected in standard conditions. Correlation of the antioxidant capacity of urines evaluated using the ferric ion/specific dye method or through redox potential using the platinum electrode demonstrated the suitability of this last procedure. We found that normal anxiety state values corresponded to low urine redox potentials, whereas higher anxiety states were associated with high urinary redox potential. We also found that individuals with normal BDI values had significantly lower urine redox potentials than individuals with higher BDI values