Measuring Boredom during the COVID-19 Pandemic

The aim of this study was to translate into Spanish and validate the Boredom Proneness Scale-Short (SBPS) in a sample of young people and adults in Peru during the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 588 people between 17 and 53 years of age (M = 21.70; SD = 5.22) was selected as a sample. The methodology used combined Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) and Item Response Theory (IRT) to determine the internal structure, factor weights and reliability, which was estimated by means of the omega coefficient test information functioning and empirical or marginal reliability. Evidence of convergent validity of the SBPS was explored based on its relationship with the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-2) and Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-2). Results reveal that the SBPS is a measure that should be interpreted uni-dimensionally. Reliability was excellent and convergence with the GAD-2 and PHQ-2 presented the expected relationship in both magnitude and direction

Empatía, inteligencia emocional y tolerancia a la diversidad en estudiantes de educación de una universidad pública peruana

The objectives of the research were, firstly, to determine the levels of emotional intelligence, empathy and tolerance to diversity in a sample of 181 students in education; secondly, to establish the relationship between the three study variables and, finally, to determine if there are differences in these variables due to sex, study cycle and religious denominations. The instruments used were the Meta-Mood Scale 24 Trait, the Cognitive and Affective Empathy Test, and a diversity tolerance instrument. The results arrived at indicate that most students have a high level of tolerance for diversity and empathy, and an average level of emotional intelligence. The relationship between scores of emotional intelligence and empathy was confirmed, as well as the scores between empathy and tolerance of diversity, but not between emotional intelligence and tolerance of diversity. Likewise, it was found that there is a difference in tolerance to diversity and in empathy between males and females, in favor of the latter; that there is no difference according to the cycle of studies in any of the variables studied; and that students who profess the Catholic religion present a higher level of empathy than non-believers.Los objetivos de la investigación fueron, en primer lugar, determinar los niveles de la empatía, inteligencia emocional y la tolerancia a la diversidad en una muestra conformada por 181 estudiantes de educación; en segundo lugar, establecer la relación existente entre las tres variables de estudio y, finalmente, determinar si hay diferencias en dichas variables debidas al sexo, el ciclo de estudios y las confesiones religiosas. Los instrumentos utilizados fueron el Trait Meta-Mood Scale-24, el Test de Empatía Cognitiva y Afectiva, y un instrumento de tolerancia a la diversidad. Los resultados a los que se arribaron indican la mayor parte de los estudiantes tiene un nivel alto de tolerancia a la diversidad y de empatía, y un nivel promedio de inteligencia emocional. Se confirmó la relación existente entre las puntuaciones de inteligencia emocional y empatía, así como las puntuaciones entre empatía y tolerancia a la diversidad, pero no entre inteligencia emocional y tolerancia a la diversidad. Asimismo, se encontró que hay diferencia en tolerancia a la diversidad y en empatía entre varones y mujeres, a favor de estas últimas; que no hay diferencia en función al ciclo de estudios en ninguna de las variables estudiadas; y que los estudiantes que profesan la religión católica presentan un mayor nivel de empatía que los alumnos no creyentes

Análisis psicométrico preliminar de la escala perfil de Impacto emocional COVID-19 en universitarios peruanos

The instrumental psychometric qualities of the Emotional Impact Profile COVID-19 (García Pérez & Magaz, 2020) are analyzed and established in this instrumental study (Ato, López-García, & Benavente, 2013), in order to use it posteriori in the university student population in relation to the emotional impact generated by the effects of this virus in the Lima population. In a sample of 161 university students (117M; 44V) of an average age of 23 years (RIQ = 3), a virtual Profile form was administered, estimating the validity by analyzing its internal structure using a confirmatory factor analysis (AFC), intercorrelating the items of the five scales of the Profile: anger / resentment, fear, anxiety, stress and depression, with the polychoric coefficient and using the Weighted Least Square Mean and Variance Adjusted (WLSMV) estimator. The resulting indices show an excellent empirical typified fit between the theoretical structure of the Profile and the data collected (χ² = 426.83, gl = 265, CFI = .970, TLI = .966, RMSEA = .062, SRMR = .079). On the other hand, the reliability of the five scales calculated by the alpha and omega coefficients, yielded high results (> .85). These excellent psychometric qualities endorse the use of the Profile in research processes on emotional effects of COVID-19.Se analiza y establece en este estudio de tipo instrumental (Ato, López-García, & Benavente, 2013), las cualidades psicométricas fundamentales del Perfil de Impacto Emocional COVID-19 (García Pérez & Magaz, 2020), con la finalidad de utilizarlo a posteriori en la población de estudiantes universitarios con relación al impacto emocional generado por los efectos de este virus en la población de Lima. En una muestra de 161 estudiantes universitarios (117M; 44 V) de una edad promedio de 23 años (RIQ = 3), se administró un formulario virtual del Perfil, estimándose la validez analizando su estructura interna empleando un análisis factorial confirmatorio (AFC), intercorrelacionando los ítems de las cinco escalas del Perfil: ira/resentimiento, miedo, ansiedad, estrés y depresión, con el coeficiente policórico y empleando   el estimador Weighted Least Square Mean and Variance Adjusted (WLSMV). Los índices resultantes muestran un ajuste empírico tipificado de excelente entre la estructura teórica del Perfil y los datos colectados (χ² = 426.83, gl = 265, CFI = .970, TLI = .966, RMSEA = .062, SRMR = .079). Por otro lado, la fiabilidad de las cinco escalas calculadas por los coeficientes alfa y omega, arrojaron resultados elevados (>.85). Estas excelentes cualidades psicométricas avalan el uso del Perfil en procesos de investigación sobre efectos emocionales del COVID-19

Coronavirus Anxiety Scale: New psychometric evidence for the Spanish version based on CFA and IRT models in a Peruvian sample

The aim of the study was to analyze the psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the Coronavirus Anxiety Scale (CAS), using Item Response Theory (IRT) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA). The participants were 790 Peruvians, selected through a convenience sampling, where the majority were women. The CFA models indicated that the one-dimensional structure better represents the data, is reliable and invariant between men and women. Likewise, IRT findings indicate that CAS is more informative for high levels of COVID-19 anxiety. The CAS in Spanish has adequate psychometric properties to be used as a short measure of COVID-19 anxiety

Satisfaction with sex life scale: new psychometric evidence in a Portuguese population

Accepted: 19 Oct. 2021 Introduction: In recent years, greater attention has been paid to research on sexual satisfaction because of its association with general well-being and increased interest in sexual and public health issues. Objectives: The objective of this study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Satisfaction with Sex Life Scale (SWSLS). Methods: 2,154 Portuguese individuals (M = 34.67 years, SD = 17.18) participated. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and item response theory (IRT) were used. Specifically, the internal structure, reliability and factor invariance of the SWSLS were evaluated by sex and age, as well as the characteristics and performance of the items based on the IRT analysis. Results: The SWSLS Confirmatory Factor Analysis confirmed that a one-dimensional model fit the data well, both for the total sample and for each sex and age group. Furthermore, the SWSLS has adequate reliability for internal consistency. Factor invariance across sex and age was supported by confirmatory multigroup factor analysis. The graduated response model showed a good fit for the one-dimensional model, while the item and test information curves indicated that the SWSLS is more informative to identify high levels of sexual satisfaction. Conclusion: The SWSLS has adequate psychometric properties to measure general sexual satisfaction in the Portuguese population regardless of age and sex

Satisfaction with Sex Life Scale: new psychometric evidence in a portuguese population

Accepted: 19 Oct. 2021 Introduction: In recent years, greater attention has been paid to research on sexual satisfaction because of its association with general well-being and increased interest in sexual and public health issues. Objectives: The objective of this study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Satisfaction with Sex Life Scale (SWSLS). Methods: 2,154 Portuguese individuals (M = 34.67 years, SD = 17.18) participated. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and item response theory (IRT) were used. Specifically, the internal structure, reliability and factor invariance of the SWSLS were evaluated by sex and age, as well as the characteristics and performance of the items based on the IRT analysis. Results: The SWSLS Confirmatory Factor Analysis confirmed that a one-dimensional model fit the data well, both for the total sample and for each sex and age group. Furthermore, the SWSLS has adequate reliability for internal consistency. Factor invariance across sex and age was supported by confirmatory multigroup factor analysis. The graduated response model showed a good fit for the one-dimensional model, while the item and test information curves indicated that the SWSLS is more informative to identify high levels of sexual satisfaction. Conclusion: The SWSLS has adequate psychometric properties to measure general sexual satisfaction in the Portuguese population regardless of age and sex

Preferencia por la matemática e inteligencias múltiples en escolares peruanos

Los objetivos del estudio fueron representar la preferencia por la matemática y las inteligencias múltiples en escolares peruanos que están culminando el nivel educativo primario y secundario; determinar el impacto del sexo y del nivel socioeconómico sobre la preferencia por la matemática y las inteligencias múltiples; y, establecer las diferencias en las inteligencias múltiples entre los estudiantes que prefieren más y prefieren menos la matemática. Participaron 2309 estudiantes de 43 instituciones educativas peruanas, 1174 estudiantes del sexto de primaria y 1035 estudiantes del quinto de secundaria. Los resultados indicaron que, en el tránsito de la primaria a la secundaria, decrece el interés por la matemática. Además, la inteligencia altamente representada en sexto de primaria fue la cenestésica y en quinto de secundaria, la intrapersonal. Por otro lado, el sexo y nivel socioeconómico generan diferencias entre los estudiantes que prefieren más y prefieren menos la matemática, así como en las inteligencias múltiples. Por último, la inteligencia lógico-matemática es el principal factor diferenciador entre los estudiantes que prefieren más y prefieren menos la matemática. Los hallazgos son discutidos empleando un conjunto de factores psicosociales

Preferencia por la matemática e inteligencias múltiples en escolares peruanos

Los objetivos del estudio fueron representar la preferencia por la matemática y las inteligencias múltiples en escolares peruanos que están culminando el nivel educativo primario y secundario; determinar el impacto del sexo y del nivel socioeconómico sobre la preferencia por la matemática y las inteligencias múltiples; y, establecer las diferencias en las inteligencias múltiples entre los estudiantes que prefieren más y prefieren menos la matemática. Participaron 2309 estudiantes de 43 instituciones educativas peruanas, 1174 estudiantes del sexto de primaria y 1035 estudiantes del quinto de secundaria. Los resultados indicaron que, en el tránsito de la primaria a la secundaria, decrece el interés por la matemática. Además, la inteligencia altamente representada en sexto de primaria fue la cenestésica y en quinto de secundaria, la intrapersonal. Por otro lado, el sexo y el nivel socioeconómico generan diferencias entre los estudiantes que prefieren más y prefieren menos la matemática, así como en las inteligencias múltiples. Por último, la inteligencia lógico-matemática es el principal factor diferenciador entre los estudiantes que prefieren más y prefieren menos la matemática. Los hallazgos son discutidos empleando un conjunto de factores psicosociales.Campus Lima Centr

Malaria seroepidemiology in very low transmission settings in the Peruvian Amazon

Despite progress towards malaria reduction in Peru, measuring exposure in low transmission areas is crucial for achieving elimination. This study focuses on two very low transmission areas in Loreto (Peruvian Amazon) and aims to determine the relationship between malaria exposure and proximity to health facilities. Individual data was collected from 38 villages in Indiana and Belen, including geo-referenced households and blood samples for microscopy, PCR and serological analysis. A segmented linear regression model identified significant changes in seropositivity trends among different age groups. Local Getis-Ord Gi* statistic revealed clusters of households with high (hotspots) or low (coldspots) seropositivity rates. Findings from 4000 individuals showed a seropositivity level of 2.5% (95%CI: 2.0%-3.0%) for P. falciparum and 7.8% (95%CI: 7.0%-8.7%) for P. vivax, indicating recent or historical exposure. The segmented regression showed exposure reductions in the 40–50 age group (β1 = 0.043, p = 0.003) for P. vivax and the 50–60 age group (β1 = 0.005, p = 0.010) for P. falciparum. Long and extreme distance villages from Regional Hospital of Loreto exhibited higher malaria exposure compared to proximate and medium distance villages (p < 0.001). This study showed the seropositivity of malaria in two very low transmission areas and confirmed the spatial pattern of hotspots as villages become more distant