Validation of the Curiosity and Exploration Inventory-II in Spanish University Students

Background: This study aimed to analyse the psychometric properties of the Curiosity and Exploration Inventory-II (CEI-II) to provide evidence of validity for its use in research on health promotion and the quality of life of young Spanish university students. Method: A sample of 807 participants (75.09% female) aged 18–26 years (M = 20.68; SD = 2.13) completed the CEI-II and health and quality of life measures questionnaire. Results: A unidimensional structure was confirmed, but the original two-dimensional structure also showed an adequate fit. The measures obtained from the CEI-II were gender- and age-invariant, which exhibited adequate internal consistency for both the full scale and subscales, and showed a statistically significant relationship with life satisfaction, sense of coherence, and psychological distress. Conclusions: The CEI-II can be used as unidimensional, which is recommended, but also as a two-dimensional measure. Both structures provide reliable, valid, and invariant measures across gender and age of exploratory behaviours in Spanish university students. Furthermore, the results confirm the association between exploratory behaviours and greater health management.This research was supported by the EPIT 2020 project (University of Huelva, Spain) under Grant UHU-6272020

Treatment with tocilizumab or corticosteroids for COVID-19 patients with hyperinflammatory state: a multicentre cohort study (SAM-COVID-19)

Objectives: The objective of this study was to estimate the association between tocilizumab or corticosteroids and the risk of intubation or death in patients with coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) with a hyperinflammatory state according to clinical and laboratory parameters. Methods: A cohort study was performed in 60 Spanish hospitals including 778 patients with COVID-19 and clinical and laboratory data indicative of a hyperinflammatory state. Treatment was mainly with tocilizumab, an intermediate-high dose of corticosteroids (IHDC), a pulse dose of corticosteroids (PDC), combination therapy, or no treatment. Primary outcome was intubation or death; follow-up was 21 days. Propensity score-adjusted estimations using Cox regression (logistic regression if needed) were calculated. Propensity scores were used as confounders, matching variables and for the inverse probability of treatment weights (IPTWs). Results: In all, 88, 117, 78 and 151 patients treated with tocilizumab, IHDC, PDC, and combination therapy, respectively, were compared with 344 untreated patients. The primary endpoint occurred in 10 (11.4%), 27 (23.1%), 12 (15.4%), 40 (25.6%) and 69 (21.1%), respectively. The IPTW-based hazard ratios (odds ratio for combination therapy) for the primary endpoint were 0.32 (95%CI 0.22-0.47; p < 0.001) for tocilizumab, 0.82 (0.71-1.30; p 0.82) for IHDC, 0.61 (0.43-0.86; p 0.006) for PDC, and 1.17 (0.86-1.58; p 0.30) for combination therapy. Other applications of the propensity score provided similar results, but were not significant for PDC. Tocilizumab was also associated with lower hazard of death alone in IPTW analysis (0.07; 0.02-0.17; p < 0.001). Conclusions: Tocilizumab might be useful in COVID-19 patients with a hyperinflammatory state and should be prioritized for randomized trials in this situatio

Evaluación de los sesgos atencionales en fumadores a través de las etapas del modelo transteórico del cambio

El modelo transteórico del cambio de Prochaska y DiClemente es un modelo ampliamente utilizado en la explicación del cambio conductal intencional, sobre todo en el adictivo. Por otro lado, está demostrado que los sesgos cognitivos influyen en las conducta adictiva. En este encuadre, nos planteamos si dicho modelo, entre cuyas variables principales se encuentran constructos de tipo psicológico, podría ser valorado experimentalmente desde el punto de vista del procesamiento de la información. Especificamente, si los sesgos atencionales y de memoria ejercen una acción diferencial en función de la etapa del Modelo Transteórico. Para ello hemos utilizado las tareas: Stroop emocional, detección del punto, recuerdo libre y reconocimiento. Otro objetivo fue medir los constructos del MTT en el propio modelo y comparar los resultados con los hallados en un modelo de clasificación basado en variables de consumo (OMS). La conducta adictiva elegida para la valoración fue el consumo de tabaco, debido a las implicaciones negativas que tiene como conducta no saludable. Hemos obtenido apoyo empírico para el MTT y un apoyo parcial de los sesgos cognitivos según las etapas del MTT________________________________________________________________________________________"The Transtheoretical Model of Change" of Prochaska and DiClemente is one of the most widely used models to explain the intentional behavioral change, especially in the addictive behaviour.On the other hand, there is evidence that cognitive biases exert any influence on the addictive behavior. In this frame, we ask whether a model of change, whose main variables are kind of psychological constructs, could be assessed experimentally from the information processing.Specifically, we wonder if biases attentionals and memory exert a differential action depending on the stage of Transtheoretical Mode. We have used the tasks: emotional Stroop, dot probe task, recognition and self-remembrance. Another objetive, we have considered the constructs of MTT in the model itself and compare the results with those found in a standard classification based on consumption variables (WHO). The addictive behavior chosen for the evaluation has been the consumption of snuff, because of the negative implications for the healthy behavior. We have obtained empirical support for the MTT and partial support of cognitive biases according to stages of MTT

Cognitive - Behavioral Intervention in a case of Trichotillomania

En este trabajo se presenta el caso clínico de una mujer de 21 años de edad que presenta trastorno del control de los impulsos de tipo Tricotilomanía. El objetivo planteado es doble: disminuir la ansiedad y reducir la frecuencia del arrancamiento del vello. Para ello se emplea una intervención de tipo cognitivo-conductual. Los resultados obtenidos, en un principio positivos debido a que se produce un descenso de la conducta no deseada, no permiten llegar a la conclusión de que la intervención haya sido satisfactoria ya que el abandono por parte de la cliente antes de su finalización hace que no se pueda confirmar tal hecho a lo largo del tiempo. A pesar del incremento en el número de investigaciones sobre este trastorno siguen existiendo muchas incógnitas por resolver. Cuestiones relacionadas con factores etiológicos, prevalencia, adhesión al tratamiento, aportación de cada técnica, etc., necesitan de más estudios que le den respuesta.This study presents the clinical case of a 21-year-old woman who is presenting impulse control disorders type Trichotillomania. Two aims appear, to diminish the anxiety and the frequency of hair pulling. The intervention used is of cognitive - behavioral type. The results are, in a beginning positives because there is a decrease of the unwated bahavior, do not allow to conclude that the intervention has been successful since the abandon by the client before it conclusion does that it could not confirm such a fact throughout the time. In spite of the increase in the number of investigations on this disorder many unknows are not resolved. Questions related to etiological factors, prevalence, treatment adherence, contribution of each technique, etc., they need from studies that respond its

Evaluation of the communicative competence "Public speaking" in a group of university students after a course on interpersonal strategies

Preparar a los universitarios para el mundo laboral significa, en el sistema universitario en el que nos encontramos inmersos en la actualidad, dotarlos de una serie de competencias que no se aprenden en las clases magistrales. En este estudio se valoran las competencias de hablar en público y de inteligencia emocional antes y después de un programa de entrenamiento, basado en técnicas cognitivo-conductuales, de ocho sesiones de duración destinado para la mejora de estas habilidades. La muestra estuvo formada por alumnado de la universidad de Huelva que voluntariamente asistió al programa y que dio su consentimiento por escrito. Los resultados mostraron diferencias significativas después de la realización del curso en la competencia de hablar en público y en la dimensión de reparación de la escala de inteligencia emocional (TMMS).To prepare the university students for the work world means, in the university system in which we are immersed at the present, to provide their with a series of competences that they are not learned in the magisterial classes. For this study the competences speaking publicly and of emotional intelligence are evaluated before and after a training program, with cognitive-behavioral strategiess, of eight meetings destined for the improvement in these skills. The sample was shaped by students of Huelva University that they voluntarily were present at the course after they gave his assent in writing. The results showed significant differences after the accomplishment of the program in the competence of speaking publicly and in the repair dimension of thr Trait Meta-Mood Scale (TMMS)

Evaluation of visual attentional biases in a sample of university smokers

El consumo de tabaco sigue siendo un problema preocupante debido a las consecuencias negativas que provoca en la salud. Actualmente, están empleándose estrategias de prevención basadas en la persuasión a través de imágenes, las cuales necesitan atraer la atención del fumador para que sean efectivas. Sin embargo, el número de estudios experimentales en España sobre sesgos atencionales en fumadores es muy reducido. Por ello, el objetivo planteado en este estudio fue comprobar la presencia de sesgos atencionales visuales a través de la tarea de detección del punto en fumadores universitarios, etapa donde se consolida el hábito tabáquico. La muestra estuvo formada por 337 estudiantes de la Universidad de Huelva, con edades comprendidas entre los 17 y 30 años. La participación fue voluntaria y efectuada tras firmar un consentimiento informado. Hubo 135 sujetos con historia de consumo, los cuales se distribuyeron, según clasificación de la OMS, en fumadores diarios, fumadores ocasionales y exfumadores. Se utilizó un diseño de tipo Ex post facto prospectivo. Los resultados mostraron que el grupo de fumadores tardaba significativamente más tiempo en responder a las claves estimulares cuando aparecían situadas en el mismo lugar que la imagen relacionada con el tabaco que el grupo de no fumadores. Esto refleja una mayor dificultad a la hora de dejar de prestar atención hacia los estímulos relacionados con el tabaco por parte del grupo fumador con respecto al grupo no fumador.The tobacco consumption continues being a worrying problem due to the negative consequences in the health. At presents, strategies of prevention based on the persuasion across clue pictures are used, which need to attract the attention of the smoker in order that they are effective. Nevertheless, the number of experimental studies in Spain on attentional biases in smokers is very limited. For it, in this study the aim was to verify the presence of visual attentional biases using the dot probe task in university smokers, stage where the smoking habit is consolidated. The sample was constituted by 337 students of the University of Huelva, with ages between 17 and 30 years. The participation was voluntary and the participants signed an informed assent. 135 subjects presented consumption history, which were distributed, according to classification of the WHO, in daily smokers, occasional smokers and former smokers. A experimental Ex post facto prospective design was used. The results showed that the smokers group was significantly later time to respond to the clue located in the same place that the tobacco picture than the group of not smokers. This shows that the smokers presented more difficulty to disconnect the attention towards smoking cues than not smokers

La validez del modelo transteórico a través de diferentes variables psicológicas

El Modelo Transteórico es un modelo ampliamente utilizado para la explicación del cambio intencional, sobre todo cuando el cambio se refiere a conductas adictivas. A pesar de ello, también ha sido un modelo muy criticado, entre otros motivos por falta de validez. En este trabajo nos propusimos valorar la validez del propio modelo evaluando diferentes variables psicológicas distintas a los propios constructos del modelo: amplificación somatosensorial, hábitos de salud, actitudes y opiniones. La muestra estuvo compuesta por 347 estudiantes de la Universidad de Huelva. La participación fue voluntaria. Los sujetos fumadores se distribuyeron según las etapas del Modelo Transteórico de la siguiente manera: 40.0% precontempladores, 18.3% contempladores, 9,7% preparadores, 9.0% acción y 23.0% mantenedores. Los resultados obtenidos apoyan la validez del modelo.The Transtheoretical Model is widely used for explaining intentional behavior change, especially in addictive behaviors. Nevertheless, it is a much criticized model, due to its lack of validity. The aim of this study is to evaluate the model’s legitimacy assessing several psychological variables which differ from the its constructs: somatosensorial amplification, health habits, concern for health, attitudes and opinions. For it we use a students’ sample within the Huelva University. Participation was voluntary. The smokers were distributed according to the stages of the model Transtheoretical Change Model of the following way: 40.0% precontemplators, 18.3% contemplators, 9.7% preparers, 9.0% active, and 23.0% in maintenance. The results support the validity of the Transtheoretical Model

Mediterranean Diet, Psychological Adjustment and Health Perception in University Students: The Mediating Effect of Healthy and Unhealthy Food Groups

This study aims to identify the relationships between eating habits and psychological adjustment and health perception, and to analyze potential mediating role of healthy and unhealthy foods in the relationship between adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) and the psychological constructs and health perception. The sample was selected through stratified random cluster sampling and was composed of 788 university students. The participants responded to a MedDiet adherence screener and food consumption inventory to assess the eating habits, instruments measuring self-esteem, life satisfaction, curiosity and sense of coherence to assess the psychological adjustment, and single item measuring perceived health. The results revealed 41.9% of the participants had a high consumption of vegetables and 85.1% a low consumption of energy drinks, while 29.9% showed a high adherence to the MedDiet which was positively associated to each psychological variable and healthy foods and negatively with unhealthy foods. In conclusion, a higher adherence to the MedDiet, and the consumption of fruits and vegetables is related to higher psychological adjustment and health perception. However, the relationships between MedDiet and the psychological variables and health perception were fully or partially explained because of the consumption of healthy and unhealthy foodsThis research was funded by EPIT 2020 (University of Huelva, Spain), code UHU- 6272020. : The authors thank all the students participating in this study. The authors thank the HBSC Spanish Team and the SEJ053 research group (Métodos y Técnicas de Investigación en Ciencias Sociales y de la Salud: Aplicaciones y Aprendizaje) for their suppor

Autoeficacia y consumo de tabaco en estudiantes universitarios

El consumo de tabaco sigue siendo hoy día uno de los mayores problemas para la salud y, sin embargo, es una de las drogas más consumidas en España. Teniendo en cuenta que la mayoría de fumadores comienzan el consumo de tabaco en la adolescencia y que la universidad es un contexto donde los estudiantes se inician o se consolidan en este hábito, las intervenciones específicas en este ámbito resultan necesarias. En este estudio examinamos la relación existente entre la autoeficacia y las tentaciones y el consumo de tabaco en estudiantes universitarios, en una muestra de 145 estudiantes con una media de edad de 22,80 años. La muestra se distribuyó de la siguiente manera: el 15,39% eran exfumadores, el 26,57%% fumadores ocasionales y el 58,04% fumadores diarios. Los resultados confirman que las variables cognitivas tentaciones y autoeficacia varían en función del grupo de pertenencia.The tobacco consumption continues being today one of the major problems for the health and, nevertheless, it is one of the drugs most consumed in Spain. Bearing in mind that the majority of smokers begin the tobacco consumption in the adolescence and that the university is a context where the students begin or are consolidated in this habit, the specific interventions in this area turn out to be necessary. In this study we examine the existing relation between the self-efficacy and the temptations and the consumption of tobacco in university students, in a sample of 145 students with an average age of 22,80 years. The sample was distributed of the following way: 15,39 % was ex-smokers, 26,57 % occasional smokers and 58,04% smoking daily. The results confirm that the consumption of tobacco continues being today one of the major ones the variable cognitive temptations and self-efficacy they change depending on the ownership group