The moderating role of sex in the relationship between executive functions and academic procrastination in undergraduate students

The objective of the study was to determine if sex plays a moderating role in the relationship between executive functions and academic procrastination in 106 university students of both genders (28.3% male and 71.7% female) between the ages of 18 and 30 years (M = 19.7; SD = 2.7). The Academic Procrastination Scale and the Neuropsychological Battery of Executive Functions and Frontal Lobes (BANFE-2) were used to measure the variables. The results of the study showed that the degree of prediction of the tasks linked to the orbitomedial cortex (involves the orbitofrontal cortex [OFC] and the medial prefrontal cortex [mPFC]) on academic procrastination is significantly moderated by the sex of the university students (β3 = 0.53; p 0.05). It was also determined that sex does not play a moderating role in the relationship between the tasks linked to the anterior prefrontal cortex (aPFC) and academic procrastination (β3 = 0.05; p > 0.05). It is concluded that only the executive functions associated with the orbitomedial cortex are moderated by the sex of the university students, where the impact of the tasks linked to the orbitomedial cortex on academic procrastination in men is significantly greater than in women

"Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES): Analysis of the factorial structure and proposal of a new version of only positive items"

"Introduction. The objective was to evaluate the factor structure and propose a new version of the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale with only positive items to overcome the method effect associated with negative items. Method. A version A (positive and negative items) and a version B (only positive items) were considered. A sample of 350 university students was collected for each version. Results. The CFA shows that version A's one-dimensional model (A1) does not present adequate fit indices. It was also found that adding a specific factor for negative items (model A2) and another factor for positive items (model A3) does not improve the fit indices. A twodimensional model (A4 model) does not improve the fit indices either. Regarding the onedimensional model of version B, it presents a superior fit compared to the original model (model A1) Discussion and Conclusions. It is concluded that version B, a proposal of only positive items, adequately measures self-esteem since it does not have negative items and agrees with Rosenberg's original approach.

"Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES): Analysis of the factorial structure and proposal of a new version of only positive items"

"Introduction. The objective was to evaluate the factor structure and propose a new version of the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale with only positive items to overcome the method effect associated with negative items. Method. A version A (positive and negative items) and a version B (only positive items) were considered. A sample of 350 university students was collected for each version. Results. The CFA shows that version A's one-dimensional model (A1) does not present adequate fit indices. It was also found that adding a specific factor for negative items (model A2) and another factor for positive items (model A3) does not improve the fit indices. A twodimensional model (A4 model) does not improve the fit indices either. Regarding the onedimensional model of version B, it presents a superior fit compared to the original model (model A1) Discussion and Conclusions. It is concluded that version B, a proposal of only positive items, adequately measures self-esteem since it does not have negative items and agrees with Rosenberg's original approach.

"Development and psychometric study of the scale of the positive relationship PRIM+19 in peruvian university students"

"Background Positive relationships are one of the most important components within the PERMA model since they facilitate the development of the other components. However, in the scientific literature, few instruments have been identified with solid psychometric properties that measure positive relationships in university students and adequately represent the construct. Therefore, the study aims to develop and study the psychometric properties of the PRI+19 positive relationships scale through Confirmatory Factor Analysis, factorial invariance, and relationshipbased validity with other variables. Method A pilot sample of 201 university students (43.8% men and 56.2 women) between the ages of 18 and 34 (M=20.9; SD=2.74) was collected. The confirmatory sample consisted of 450 university students of both sexes (30.2% men and 69.8 women) between the ages of 18 and 35 years (M=21.9; SD=3.15). Along with the PRI+scale, other instruments were applied to measure satisfaction with life and psychological well-being. Results In the pilot study, the Exploratory Factor Analysis showed the presence of three factors that could explain 54.5% of the items. In the confirmatory study, the Confirmatory Factor Analysis showed that the model of three dimensions related to 19 items presents the best adjustment indexes compared to other models (χ2=541.61; df=149; CFI=0.97; TLI=0.97; RMSEA=0.077 [IC90% 0.070 ‒ 0.084]). The scale also showed evidence of being strictly invariant for the groups of men and women. Finally, it was shown that the development of the positive bonds dimension positively predicts psychological well-being (0.35) and life satisfaction (0.20). The positive relationship management dimension positively predicts psychological well-being (0.28) and life satisfaction (0.29). Similarly, the integration dimension positively predicts psychological well-being (0.48) and life satisfaction (0.52). Conclusion This study suggests that the PRIM+19 scale is a useful tool from which valid and reliable interpretations of positive relationships in Peruvian university students can be obtained.

Impact of the fear of catching COVID-19 on mental health in undergraduate students: a predictive model for anxiety, depression, and insomnia

Most studies only describe mental health indicators (anxiety, depression, insomnia, and stress) and the risk factors associated with these indicators during the pandemic (sex, student status, and specific physical symptoms). However, no explanatory studies have been found that assess the impact of variables associated with COVID-19. Against this background, the objective of the study was to evaluate the impact of the fear of catching COVID-19 on the level of anxiety, depression, and insomnia in 947 university students of both sexes (41.6% males and 58.4% females) between the ages of 18 and 35 (M = 21.6; SD = 3.4). The Fear of catching COVID-19 Scale, the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7), the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), and the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) were used to measure the variables. The results of the study show that the fear of catching COVID-19 significantly influences the level of anxiety (β =.52; p <.01), insomnia (β =.44; p<.01), and depression (β =.50; p <.01) experienced by university students (χ2 = 2075.93; df = 371; p =.000; RMSEA =.070 [CI 90%.067–.073]; SRMR =.055; CFI =.95; TLI =.94). The descriptive results show that a notable percentage of university students present significant symptoms of anxiety (23%), depression (24%), and insomnia (32.9%). It is concluded that the fear of catching COVID-19 is a serious health problem since it influences the appearance of anxiety, depression and insomnia symptoms. © 2021, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature

Development and Validation of the Social Anomie Brief Scale (SAS10) Against the New Standards Implemented During the COVID-19 Pandemic

"Currently, social anomie is a public health problem worldwide since people show behavior that does not conform to the newly established norms. Faced with this, the aim of the study was to develop and validate the psychometric properties of a short scale to assess social anomie in a sample of 406 adults (48% male and 52% female) between the ages of 18 and 62. Validity was evaluated based on internal structure through confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and reliability through the internal consistency method with the hierarchical omega coefficient. The results indicate that a bi-factor model presents better indexes of adjustment to the data (χ2=62.86; df=25; p=.000; RMSEA=.061 [IC90% .042-.080]; SRMR=.024; CFI=.99; TLI=.99). Furthermore, the bi-factor model presents adequate levels of reliability for the general factor (ωH=.70) and for the affective (ωhs=.32) and behavior (ωhs=.41) dimensions. In conclusion, the study results provide a conceptual and statistical basis for the psychometric development of the SAS-10 scale in subsequent studies.

Escala de autoestima de Rosenberg (EAR): Análisis de la estructura factorial y propuesta de una nueva versión de solo ítems positivos

"Introducción. El objetivo fue evaluar la estructura factorial y proponer una nueva versión de la Escala de autoestima de Rosenberg de solo ítems positivos para superar el efecto de método asociado a los ítems negativos. Método. Se planteó una versión A (ítems positivos y negativos) y una versión B (solo ítems positivos). Se recolectó una muestra de 350 universitarios para cada versión. Resultados. El AFC evidencia que el modelo unidimensional (A1) de la versión A, no presentan adecuados índices de ajuste. También se encontró que añadir un factor específico para ítems negativos (modelo A2) y otro factor para ítems positivos (modelo A3) no mejora los índices de ajuste. Un modelo bidimensional (modelo A4), tampoco mejorar los índices de ajuste. Respecto al modelo unidimensional de la versión B, este presenta un ajuste superior frente al modelo original (modelo A1) Discusión y conclusiones. Se concluye que la versión B, una propuesta de solo ítems postivos, mide adecuadamente la autoestima, ya que no tiene ítems negativos y además concuerda con el planteamiento original de Rosenberg.

Meaning of life questionnaire (MLQ) in peruvian undergraduate students: study of its psychometric properties from the perspective of classical test theory (CTT)

"Background: The study of the meaning of life is essential since it plays a protective role in the mental health of university students. However, no studies have shown the adequate psychometric functioning of the MLQ in Latin American university students. For this reason, this research aims to evaluate the internal structure using CTT models, obtain evidence of validity based on the relationship with other variables, perform factorial invariance according to gender, and estimate the reliability of the MLQ. Methods: A sample of 581 Peruvian undergraduate students of both sexes (29.5% men and 70.5% women) between the ages of 18 and 35 (M=22.6; SD=3.3) was collected. Along with the MLQ, other instruments were applied to measure satisfaction with life (SWLS), subjective well-being (WBI), and depression (PHQ-9). Results: In the present study was evidenced that the model of two related factors of nine items presents better adjustment indices (RMSEA=.075; SRMR=.059; CFI=.97; TLI=.96) compared to other models. Also, it was shown that the factorial structure of the MLQ is strictly invariant for the group of men and women. It was also shown that the presence of meaning was positively related to satisfaction with life (.63) and well-being (.60) and negatively to depres‑ sion (− .56). In contrast, the search for meaning was not signifcantly related to life satisfaction (− .05) and well-being (− .07); but yes, to depression (.19). Conclusion: It is concluded that the MLQ from the perspective of CTT has shown adequate evidence of reliability and validity. Therefore, it could be used in future studies and evaluation and intervention processes. In addition, the study provides the frst evidence of the psychometric functioning of the scale in university students from Latin America.

Assessment of Fear of COVID-19 in Older Adults: Validation of the Fear of COVID-19 Scale

There is no information in Peru on the prevalence of mental health problems associated with COVID-19 in older adults. In this sense, the aim of the study was to gather evidence on the factor structure, criterion-related validity, and reliability of the Spanish version of the Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S) in this population. The participants were 400 older adults (mean age = 68.04, SD = 6.41), who were administered the Fear of COVID-19 Scale, Revised Mental Health Inventory-5, Patient Health Questionnaire-2 items, and Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale 2 items. Structural equation models were estimated, specifically confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), bifactor CFA, and structural models with latent variables (SEM). Internal consistency was estimated with composite reliability indexes (CRI) and omega coefficients. A bifactor model with both a general factor underlying all items plus a specific factor underlying items 1, 2, 4, and 5 representing the emotional response to COVID better represents the factor structure of the scale. This structure had adequate fit and good reliability, and additionally fear of COVID had a large effect on mental health. In general, women had more fear than men, having more information on COVID was associated to more fear, while having family or friends affected by COVID did not related to fear of the virus. The Spanish version of the Fear of COVID-19 Scale presents evidence of validity and reliability to assess fear of COVID-19 in the Peruvian older adult population

The effects of COVID-19 on the mental health of the Peruvian police and armed forces

Accepted: 23 Feb. 2021 The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on the mental health of the general population. However, little attention has been given to the mental health of a group considered an essential category, police officers and the members of the armed forces. This study examined the mental health of 204 members of the armed forces and the police department assigned to monitor the public roads to enforce the measures adopted by the Peruvian government. The instruments used in the study included the Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S), and the Revised Mental Health Inventory-5. The results indicate that (during the last month), the majority of the participants felt nervous and edgy (81.8%), and hopeless or sad (68.2%). According to the participants, the feelings of hopelessness and discouragement were significantly affecting their ability to rebound (84.3%). Participants had mixed feelings in regards of the fear generated by COVID-19, 42.6% reported extreme anxiety or panic, 40.6% were uncomfortable to think about COVID-19, and 42.6% were afraid of losing their lives due to the illness. The fear of COVID-19 predicted 19.7% (Adjusted R2 = 0.197; F = 21.32; p = .000) of the participants’ mental health well-being. In summary, the results suggest the presence of important psychological stressors related to COVID-19 that could potentially led to the development of mental health disorders among the Peruvian police and armed forces