Resultados de investigación

Background: Protective behavioral strategies (PBS) have been shown to be useful for reducing excessive alcohol use and alcohol-related problems. However, research on the explanatory factors of PBS is limited. This paper prospectively examines the contribution of perceived effi cacy of PBS in reducing alcohol-related consequences and perceived descriptive norms of close peers´ PBS use in young adults. The mediating role of perceived effi cacy of PBS between descriptive norms of PBS use and personal PBS use is also examined. Method: Targeted sampling was used to recruit a community-based sample of 339 young Spanish adults aged 18-25 years, who completed baseline and two-month follow-up questionnaires. Three types of PBS (serious harm reduction-SHR, manner of drinking-MOD, and stopping/limiting drinking-SLD) were measured. Results: Both perceived effi cacy and descriptive norms at baseline were positively associated with personal PBS use (SHR, MOD and SLD) at follow-up. A partial mediation effect of perceived effi cacy between descriptive norms and personal PBS use was found for the three PBS subscales. Conclusions: Our fi ndings support the usefulness of correcting misperceptions of PBS use by peers in interventions aimed at reducing excessive drinking and alcohol-related consequences in young adults in the community. Moreover, PBS perceived effi cacy should be included as a component of these interventions

It is generally recognized that a challenging learning environment with the necessary supports will be stimulating for the student. However, there is a lack of studies that contribute to validate comprehensive models that help teachers to know how to stimulate their students. The objective of this study was to understand the mechanisms that explain the engagement and the positive results of challenging and supportive learning environments. During two academic years, the Sustainable Urban Race (SUR) project was analyzed. In this project, students from secondary schools should design and build an electric vehicle using solar energy. In the present study, an adaptation of the self-system model of motivational development (SSMMD) and a multigroup analysis of structural equations was applied. The data showed a positive association of the challenging and support-enriched context with the students' engagement, being partially mediated by the satisfaction of the competence needs, peer relationships and group autonomy. This study provides a comprehensive approach to develop and assess learning experiences providing inputs that will help teachers and educational managers organize and optimize educational experiences

Background: The conceptualization of substance use disorders (SUDs) was modified in successive editions of the DSM. Dimensionality and inclusion/exclusion of several criteria was studied using various analytic approaches. Objective: The study aimed to deepen our knowledge of the interrelationships between the diagnostic criteria for cocaine use disorder (CUD), applying three different analytical techniques: factor analysis, Item Response Theory (IRT) models, and network analysis. Methods: 425 (85.4% male) outpatients were evaluated for CUD using the Substance Dependence Severity Scale. Confirmatory Factor Analysis, 2-parameter logistic model (IRT) and network analysis were applied to analyze the relationships between the diagnostic criteria. Results: The results show that “legal problems” criterion is not congruent with the CUD measure on three analyses. Also, network analysis suggests the usefulness of the “craving” criterion. The criterion “quit/control” is the one that presents the best centrality indices and expected influence, showing strong relationships with the criteria of “craving,” “tolerance,” “neglect roles” and “activities given up.” Conclusions: Network analysis appears to be a useful and complementary technique to factor analysis and IRT for understanding CUD. The “quit/control” criterion emerges as a central criterion to understand CUD.