MOTEMO-OUTDOOR: ensuring learning and health security during the COVID-19 pandemic through outdoor and online environments in higher education

The restriction measures put in place during the COVID-19 pandemic posed notable challenges for formal teaching-learning processes because they had to be adapted to ensure health security. An active learning programme applied to three environments (indoors, outdoors, and online) was tested with 273 undergraduate university students in a within-subjects experimental study. Each student was assigned to two indoor and two outdoor seminars, with a subsample (n = 30) also participating in online seminars implemented in response to the university's lockdown protocols. The learning experience and learning conditions were evaluated through six dimensions: learning, evaluative impact, hedonic experience, technical conditions, environmental conditions, and health security. Outdoor seminars were more effective than indoor seminars in terms of the learning experience, with greater differences in hedonic experience, while the indoor seminars were rated more highly than the outdoor seminars in terms of learning conditions, with a larger difference in the environmental conditions. No differences were found between online and face-to-face environments in terms of the learning experience, even though the online environment yielded better scores in the learning conditions. Apparently, this adaptation to both outdoor and online contexts through active methodologies allows overcoming of technical, environmental, and teaching limitations and improves health security, while ensuring a good learning experience and added flexibility to teaching-learning processes

Influence of cognitive strategies of emotional regulation in the subjective and psychological well-being of university students

Antecedentes: en los últimos años se ha propuesto que lasestrategias cognitivas de regulación emocional (ECRE) tendríancapacidad predictiva sobre distintos indicadores de bienestar, dadoque algunas de ellas serían eficientes para elevar directamente laexperiencia de emociones positivas y disminuir la experiencia deemociones negativas. Objetivo: el objetivo de esta investigaciónfue analizar la contribución explicativa del uso de las ECRE paralos niveles de bienestar subjetivo (BS) y de bienestar psicológico(BP) en estudiantes universitarios, debido a que esta población secaracteriza por una vulnerabilidad particular producto de lasexigencias de la vida académica. Método: se evaluaron 84estudiantes universitarios de la Licenciatura en Psicología de laUniversidad Nacional de Mar del Plata, con una edad promediode 23 años. Se realizaron análisis de correlación y de regresiónlineal múltiple para analizar los datos. Resultados: se observó quelas ECRE adaptativas (ECRE-AD) se asociaron positivamente conambos tipos de bienestar, en tanto las ECRE no adaptativas(ECRE-NA) lo hicieron en sentido opuesto. Conclusiones: esteestudio muestra la contribución explicativa del uso diferencial delas ECRE con los niveles de bienestar de estudiantesuniversitarios. Los resultados podrían ser un aporte al diseño deprogramas de promoción y prevención de la salud en estapoblación, dado que los sentimientos de bienestar influyen en lasformas de afrontar las demandas académicas.Background: in recent years it has been proposed that cognitive strategies of emotional regulation (CSER) would have predictive capacity on different indicators of well-being, since some of them would be effective to directly increase the experience of positive emotions and lessen the negative ones. Objective: this investigation aimed to analyze the explanatory contribution of using CSER to influence the levels of subjective well-being (SWB) and psychological well-being (PWB) in university students, because this population is characterized by its particular vulnerability due to the demands of academic life. Method: eighty-four (84) university students of the psychology program from the National University of Mar del Plata were evaluated, whose average age was 23 years old. Correlation and multiple linear regression analyses were conducted to assess the data. Results: adaptive CSER (CSERAD) were found to be positively associated with both types of well-being, while non-adaptive CSER (CSER-NA) did so in the opposite direction. Conclusions: this study shows the explanatory contribution of the differential use of CSER in university students’ well-being levels. The results could contribute to designing health promotion and prevention programs in this population, given that feelings of well-being influence the coping skills for facing the academic demands.Fil: Mateo Canedo, Corel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Psicología Básica, Aplicada y Tecnología. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Psicología. Instituto de Psicología Básica, Aplicada y Tecnología.; ArgentinaFil: Andrés, María Laura. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Psicología Básica, Aplicada y Tecnología. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Psicología. Instituto de Psicología Básica, Aplicada y Tecnología.; ArgentinaFil: Canet Juric, Lorena. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Psicología Básica, Aplicada y Tecnología. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Psicología. Instituto de Psicología Básica, Aplicada y Tecnología.; ArgentinaFil: Rubiales, Josefina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Psicología Básica, Aplicada y Tecnología. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Psicología. Instituto de Psicología Básica, Aplicada y Tecnología.; Argentin

Immunitat de grup : els adults joves, fora del ramat?

Un estudi troba que la confiança en actors clau en la gestió de crisis sanitàries, les actituds, la informació i les creences conspiratives eren claus per predir si els joves adults rebutjaven vacunar-se contra el virus SARS-CoV-2. Per tant, en cas d'una possible nova crisi sanitària, serà cabdal una adequada gestió de la comunicació per part dels actors implicats.Un estudio halla que la confianza en actores clave en la gestión de crisis sanitarias, las actitudes, la información y las creencias conspirativas eran claves para predecir si los jóvenes adultos rechazaban vacunarse contra el virus SARS-CoV-2. Por tanto, ante una posible nueva crisis sanitaria, será primordial una adecuada gestión de la comunicación por parte de los actores implicados.Study finds trust in key actors in health crisis management, attitudes, information, and conspiratorial beliefs were key to predicting whether young adults refused to be vaccinated against the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Therefore, in the face of a possible new health crisis, proper communication management by the actors involved will be absolutely essential

MOTEMO-OUTDOOR : una experiència docent als espais exteriors del campus de la UAB a prova de pandèmies

Arran de la pandèmia de COVID-19, professors del Grau en Psicologia de la UAB van implementar una nova experiència docent en una assignatura de primer. MOTEMO-OUTDOOR és un programa d'aprenentatge actiu aplicat a tres entorns, l'aula, l'aire lliure i en línia. Paral·lelament, van avaluar la viabilitat i efectivitat d'aquesta estratègia docent. L'èxit d'aquesta iniciativa ha fet que es continuï realitzant.A raíz de la pandemia de COVID-19, profesores del Grado en Psicología de la UAB implementaron una nueva experiencia docente en una asignatura de primero. MOTEMO-OUTDOOR es un programa de aprendizaje activo aplicado a tres entornos: en el aula, al aire libre y en línea. Paralelamente, evaluaron la viabilidad y efectividad de esta estrategia docente. El éxito de esta iniciativa ha hecho que se continúe realizando.As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, professors of the Psychology Degree at UAB implemented a new teaching experience in a first year subject. MOTEMO-OUTDOOR is an active learning program applied to three environments: indoors, outdoors and online. At the same time, they evaluated the feasibility and effectiveness of this teaching strategy. The success of this program led to the continuation of the initiative

Proof of concept of a treatment for fibromyalgia based on physical activity, psychological support, and exposure to nature (NAT-FM)

Aim: To provide a preliminary assessment of the efficacy of the NAT-FM protocol as a complimentary treatment in patients with fibromyalgia (FM). Methods: A trial was conducted, with two arms: TAU (n = 6) and TAU+NAT-FM (n = 6). Results: There was a reduction in physical limitations and anxious/depressive symptoms and an improvement in positive affect in the intervention group. Also, this group showed a decrease in pain, catastrophizing, negative affect, and positively refocusing, and an increase in positive affect. Intrasession assessments showed an increase in positive affect, self-efficacy, and energy, along with a decrease in stress. Intersession assessments revealed an increase in pain, valence, and dominance. Conclusion: The results suggest the appropriateness of the NAT-FM protocol

Forest bathing and hiking benefits for mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic in Mediterranean regions

Altres ajuts: acords transformatius de la UABForest bathing (FB) has evidenced positive effects on individuals' mental health and well-being, but its benefits have mainly been studied in Asian biomes. The present study aimed to evaluate whether its benefits are also generalisable to other forests and biomes of the world, such as the Mediterranean. Eighty-six healthy adults of the general population were assessed before and after a FB near Barcelona (Spain) during the COVID-19 pandemic. A control-hiking group of participants was also analysed to contrast the FB effects on anxiety, affect, mood states and mindfulness. Results show that the guided practice of FB in Mediterranean-Catalan forests increases mindfulness states and positive affect and reduces anxiety and negative affect, with effect sizes being large to very large. Hiking also induced significant changes in all variables tested, but FB showed higher effect sizes. An exploratory analysis also revealed a different profile of the FB participants compared to the hiking practitioners, being highly educated women living in urban areas and with lower basal levels of psychological well-being. Accordingly, it is concluded that both Mediterranean FB and hiking (to a lesser degree) might be cost-effective strategies to promote and restore psychological well-being after the COVID-19 pandemic and to promote sustainable tourism in Mediterranean biomes of the European forested and protected areas

Efficacy of a Multicomponent Intervention for Fibromyalgia Based on Pain Neuroscience Education, Exercise Therapy, Psychological Support, and Nature Exposure (NAT-FM) : Study Protocol of a Randomized Controlled Trial

The study protocol of a prospective and randomized controlled trial for the assessment of the efficacy of nature activity therapy for people with Fibromyalgia (NAT-FM) is described. The primary outcome is the mean change from baseline in the Revised Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQR) score at post-treatment (12 weeks) and at 9 months of follow-up, and secondary outcomes are changes in the positive affect, negative affect, pain, fatigue, self-efficacy, catastrophising, and emotional regulation. A total of 160 patients with fibromyalgia will be divided into two arms: treatment-as-usual (TAU) and NAT-FM+TAU. Pre, during, post, +6, and +9 months assessments will be carried out, as well as an ecological momentary assessment (EMA) of intrasession and intersessions. Results will be subjected to a mixed group (NAT-FM+TAU vs. TAU) × phase (pre, post, +6 months, +9 months) general linear model. EMA intrasession measurements will be subjected to a 2 (pre vs. post) × 5 (type of activity) mixed-effects ANOVA. EMA between-session measurements obtained from both arms of the study will be analysed on both a time-domain and frequency-domain basis. Effect sizes and number needed to treat (NNT) will be computed. A mediation/moderation analysis will be conducted

Social inequities in the impact of COVID-19 lockdown measures on the mental health of a large sample of the Colombian population (PSY-COVID study)

The identification of general population groups particularly vulnerable to the impact of COVID-19 lockdown measures on mental health and the development of healthcare policies are priority challenges in the current and future pandemics. This study aimed to identify the personal and social determinants of the impact of COVID-19 lockdown measures on mental health in a large sample of the Colombian population. In this cross-sectional study, an anonymous online survey was answered by 18,061 participants from the general population residing in Colombia during the first wave of the COVID-19 outbreak (from 20 May to 20 June 2020). The risk of depression, anxiety, and somatization disorders were measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-2), Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-2), and Somatic Symptom Questionnaire (SSQ-5), respectively. Overall, 35% of participants showed risk of depression, 29% of anxiety, and 31% of somatization. According to the analysis of social determinants of health, the most affected groups were people with low incomes, students, and young adults (18-29 years). Specifically, low-income young females were the most at-risk population group. These findings show how the lockdown measures affected the general population's mental health in Colombia and highlight some social risk factors in health

Relaciones entre las estrategias cognitivas de regulación emocional y el bienestar subjetivo y psicológico en estudiantes universitarios

Actualmente, bajo la influencia de la psicología positiva, se considera la salud como un estado de bienestar integral, no solo la simple ausencia de enfermedad. Recientemente se ha propuesto que las estrategias cognitivas de regulación emocional (ECRE) entendidas como respuestas cognitivas que buscan influir en los cambios producidos por información emocionalmente activante, tendrían capacidad predictiva sobre los distintos indicadores de bienestar, dado que algunas de ellas serían eficientes para elevar directamente la experiencia de emociones positivas y disminuir la experiencia de emociones negativas. El objetivo de la presente investigación fue analizar las relaciones de las ECRE con el bienestar subjetivo (BS) y el bienestar psicológico 8BP), enfocándose en estudiantes universitarios. Esta población es caracterizada por una vulnerabilidad particular debido a las exigencias que plantea la vida académica. Los resultados mostraron que las ECRE adaptativas se asociaron positivamente con ambos tipos de bienestar, en tanto las ECRE no adaptativas lo hicieron en sentido opuesto. Los resultados podrían ser un aporte al diseño de programas de promoción y prevención de la salud en estudiantes universitarios, dado que los sentimientos de bienestar influyen en las estrategias de afrontamiento frente a las demandas académicas.Fil: Mateo Canedo, Corel. Facultad de Psicología. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata; Argentin

Relaciones entre las estrategias cognitivas de regulación emocional y el bienestar subjetivo en estudiantes universitarios. Resultados preliminares

La población estudiantil universitaria se caracteriza por una vulnerabilidad producto de las exigencias de la vida académica. La autopercepción de bienestar se re relaciona con sentimientos de tranquilidad y optimismo que resultan clave para el afrontamiento del agotamiento y las dificultades académicas. Conocer predictores asociados al bienestar resulta de valor para el desarrollo de intervenciones destinadas a la promoción de su salud mental en esta población. Se ha propuesto que las estrategias cognitivas de regulación emocional (ECRE) tendrían capacidad predictiva sobre los indicadores de bienestar, debido a su rol en la elevación de la experiencia de emociones positivas y la disminución de la experiencia de emociones negativas al atravesar eventos o situaciones de carácter negativo. Sin embargo, existen pocos estudios que analicen las relaciones empíricas entre estas variables y las investigaciones con estudiantes universitarias son también escasas. Por lo tanto, el objetivo de este trabajo fue analizar la capacidad predictiva de las ECRE sobre el BS y BP de estudiantes universitarios. Para esto se evaluaron en las variables mencionadas a 85 estudiantes universitarios de diferentes carreras de grado. Los resultados mostraron que las ECRE consideradas adaptativas se relacionan positivamente con elevados niveles de BS, mientras que las ECRE consideradas desadaptativas se relacionan negativamente con dicha variable. Se espera que este trabajo contribuya al diseño de programas de prevención de la salud mental en este grupo poblacional.Fil: Mateo Canedo, Corel. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Psicología. Centro de Investigación en Procesos Básicos, Metodologías y Educación; ArgentinaFil: Andrés, María Laura. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Psicología. Centro de Investigación en Procesos Básicos, Metodologías y Educación; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata; Argentin