Introduction: The Big Five model is the most widely accepted theoretical framework for assessing personality traits, with applications in medical education, such as to predict academic performance, burnout, and student well-being. The BFI-10 is an ultra-short 10-item version designed for time-constrained contexts, although it lacks validation in Latin American medical students. Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the evidence of validity of the BFI-10 in Peruvian medical students. Method: A cross-sectional psychometric validation study was conducted during the 2024 academic year. The sample consisted of first- to seventh-year medical students at the Private University of Tacna (Peru). The factor structure was evaluated using confirmatory factor analysis, measurement invariance by sex and academic phase, internal consistency, and criterion validity against academic performance (continuous GPA) and history of mental-health care. Results: A total of 248 medical students participated (54.4% women; mean age 22.9 years). The five-factor model showed adequate fit (CFI = 0.968; RMSEA = 0.064) with standardized loadings between 0.71 and 0.89. Measurement invariance held by academic phase and, with caution, by sex (configural RMSEA = 0.098). Internal consistency was acceptable (ω = 0.68–0.86), with Openness the lowest (ω = 0.68). No Big Five dimension correlated significantly with continuous GPA; however, Neuroticism was significantly higher among students with a history of mental-health care (p = 0.004, d = 0.55). Conclusion: The BFI-10 shows adequate evidence of structural validity and measurement invariance (with caution for sex) in Peruvian medical students. Criterion-validity evidence remains preliminary; the instrument is suitable for group-level research rather than individual, selection, or screening decisions.
Background: Moral injury has been linked to guilt, shame, self-condemnation, and moral disorientation; however, existing measures have been developed primarily in military, veteran, or healthcare contexts and may not adequately capture identity-related moral suffering in LGBTQ+ populations. Objective: To develop the LGBT Moral Injury Scale (LGBT-MIS) and provide initial psychometric evidence for its use with LGBTQ+ adults in Puerto Rico. Method: A total of 242 LGBTQ+ adults were recruited through social media and snowball sampling. Because multivariate normality was violated, we conducted confirmatory factor analyses using robust estimation to compare a unidimensional model, a theory-driven five-factor model, and refined alternative models. We evaluated global model fit, factor loadings, item discrimination, internal consistency (α, ω, and composite reliability), convergent validity (AVE), discriminant validity (ASV, MSV), interfactor correlations, and external convergent associations with PTSD symptoms and Negative Religious Coping. Results: The unidimensional model showed poor fit, whereas the theory-driven model demonstrated mixed fit and several loadings below .65. After item refinement, a 15-item, five-factor solution—Guilt, Shame, Moral Conflicts, Religious Struggle, and Self-Condemnation—showed adequate fit, satisfactory reliability, and acceptable item discrimination. AVE supported convergent validity, and ASV supported discriminant validity; however, MSV exceeded AVE for Guilt, Shame, and Moral Conflicts, indicating partial overlap among these factors. Interfactor correlations were positive and moderate. Associations with PTSD symptoms and Negative Religious Coping provided initial evidence of external convergent validity. Conclusions: The LGBT-MIS provides promising initial support as a multidimensional measure of moral injury in Puerto Rican LGBTQ+ adults. With further validation, the scale may support research and clinically informed assessment of guilt, shame, moral conflict, religious struggle, and self-condemnation in LGBTQ+ populations.
Introduction: Gratitude is associated with psychological well-being and reduced psychopathology; however, the widely used Gratitude Questionnaire-6 (GQ-6) has shown inconsistent psychometric performance across cultures, particularly due to Item 6. In Latin America, evidence suggests that the abbreviated GQ-5 performs better, but no validation study has been conducted in the Peruvian context. Objective: This study examined the psychometric properties of the Gratitude Questionnaire-6 (GQ-6) and its revised version, the Gratitude Questionnaire-5 (GQ-5), in a sample of 444 Peruvian college students. Method: Participants completed the Spanish version of the Gratitude Questionnaire adapted by Quezada Berumen et al. (2023), along with additional measures to assess convergent validity. We conducted Exploratory Graph Analysis (EGA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) to evaluate the dimensional structure and model fit. We also assessed measurement invariance by sex and internal consistency. Results: The GQ-6 demonstrated poor fit indices; therefore, we removed Item 6, and the remaining items constituted the GQ-5. The initial GQ-5 model still required modifications; correlating the error terms between Items 4 and 5 yielded a good fit (χ²(4) = 8.762, CFI = 0.998, RMSEA = 0.052, TLI = 0.995, SRMR = 0.018). The final GQ-5 model demonstrated acceptable internal consistency (ω = 0.73) and measurement invariance across sex. It also showed good convergent validity, correlating positively with self-efficacy (r = 0.31), mindfulness (r = 0.34), and well-being (r = 0.20), and negatively with depression (r = –0.26). Conclusion: This adaptation underscores the importance of cultural adjustments and supports the GQ-5 as a reliable tool for assessing gratitude among Peruvian students in research and clinical contexts.
Background: Video games have emerged as a significant field of study in psychology, particularly in understanding human motivation. Self-Determination Theory (SDT) posits that human motivation is driven by three basic psychological needs: autonomy, competence, and relatedness. Objective: To examine how the basic psychological needs outlined by Self-Determination Theory—autonomy, competence, and relatedness—are fulfilled through the design of Dark Souls and the interactions within its online communities. Method: This study employed an exploratory qualitative approach, utilizing content analysis of comments from Dark Souls-related subreddits. A total of 82 comments were analyzed, focusing on themes related to autonomy, competence, and relatedness. Ethical considerations were addressed by ensuring the anonymity of users and focusing on publicly available data. Result: The findings confirm and extend previous research on Self-Determination Theory, showing that Dark Souls uniquely fulfills the psychological needs of competence, autonomy, and relatedness. Its design, normalizing failure and rewarding perseverance, promotes intrinsic motivation and resilience, while online community interactions strengthen belonging and emotional support. These results suggest that challenging games combining meaningful choices with social engagement can foster both intrinsic motivation and emotional well-being, offering valuable insights for academic research and game design. Conclusion: This study reaffirms the relevance of Self-Determination Theory in explaining how challenging games like Dark Souls satisfy players’ basic psychological needs. Future research should examine how these dynamics operate in other gaming genres and cultural contexts and explore their application in educational and therapeutic settings.
Introduction: Caregivers of psychiatric patients in the Peruvian Andes face unique challenges where most people do not receive the necessary health care. Objective: To analyze the association of life satisfaction and perceived competence with mental health, determining their incremental explanatory contribution after controlling for sociodemographic variables and perceived overload. Method: Cross-sectional study with 102 informal caregivers (85.3% women) recruited in four Community Mental Health Centers in Puno, Peru. Mental health (MHI-5), overload (Zarit), life satisfaction (SWLS), and sociodemographic variables were measured. A hierarchical linear regression analysis with bootstrapping (5000 samples, BCa) was performed to handle data non-normality, in addition to non-parametric comparisons (Kruskal-Wallis). Results: The final model explained 48.5% of the variance (R² adjusted = .48). Through bootstrapping, life satisfaction (β =0.41, p <.001) and perceived competence (β=−0.27, p=.004) showed robust significant associations with mental health. A displacement effect was observed where overload, significant in the first model, lost statistical significance (p =.103) upon introducing psychological resources. Likewise, a low level of instruction (primary and secondary) remained a significant risk factor compared to higher education. Conclusion: Self-perception of competence and life satisfaction act as protective factors that displace the direct impact of perceived overload.
Background: A 15-item version of the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS-15) has previously been tested in Latin America. However, its factor structure remains unclear. Previous evidence suggests that, after removing the Awareness item, the scale is essentially unidimensional. Objective: This study aimed to shorten the DERS-15 and develop a clearly unidimensional version that includes items from all the original dimensions of the scale. Methods: Two Mexican samples seeking psychological care were analyzed (n₁ = 1,383; n₂ = 2,464). A series of exploratory factor analyses was conducted to develop a shorter version of the scale. The resulting 7-item version, referred to as the DERS-7, was then evaluated through confirmatory factor analysis, reliability estimation, measurement invariance testing by sex, and associations with related variables. Results: The DERS-7 showed excellent model fit in the confirmatory phase (CFI = .99, RMSEA = .06) and adequate internal consistency reliability (ω = .88). The scale was invariant between sexes, and its associations with other variables were very similar to those observed for the longer version. Conclusions: The DERS-7 appears to be a promising alternative for measuring emotional dysregulation when a global score is desired and administering longer versions of the scale is not feasible.
Background: Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) seek to foster in students the development of professional competencies, that is, behaviors that conform to the fulfillment of the criteria of their respective disciplinary fields. From an interbehavioral perspective, the evaluation of these competencies involves defining behavioral indicators that allow their learning to be verified. The present study focuses on three fundamental competencies that comprise a large part of the clinical psychologist’s skills (identification of relevant cases, diagnostic assessment, intervention planning). Objective: To evaluate professional competencies in the clinical domain in students from UNAM. Method: Forty psychology students participated (16 from the fifth semester and 24 from the seventh semester). A modified version of the Virtual Environment for the Development and Evaluation of Professional Competencies in Psychologists (EVACOMPS; Cruz, 2022) was used, composed of twenty-one exercises organized into different types of performance. Results: On average, seventh-semester students obtained 60% correct answers, and fifth-semester students 50%, differences that were statistically significant. In the identification of relevant cases, the highest percentage of incorrect answers was found in both groups. Conclusions: While it is necessary to expand the sample, the modified EVACOMPS is a relevant tool for evaluating professional performance in the clinical domain of psychology. The low percentages of correct answers show the need to develop strategies to address the academic deficiencies that students carry since the beginning of their studies.
Introduction: Assertive behavior in adolescence is important for well-being and socio-emotional functioning, therefore having valid instruments that are comparable across subgroups is essential. The Assertive Behavior Self-Report (ADCA-1) is frequently used, but its structure and equivalence across gender and age in adolescent populations require further evidence. Objective: To determine the psychometric properties and factorial invariance of the Assertive Behavior Self-Report (ADCA-1) in adolescents. Method: An instrumental design was used, with a non-probabilistic intentional sample consisting of 229 students aged 14 to 17 years (M = 15.44; SD = .82), 50.7% were male and 49.3% female. The instrument used was the Assertive Behavior Self-Report (ADCA-1). Results: Data were analyzed through a CFA for polychoric matrices and a WLSMV estimator, finding a two-factor model with 20 items, well-fitted, self-assertiveness and hetero-assertiveness. Internal consistency was adequate for both factors (self-assertiveness α = .749, ω = .747; hetero assertiveness α = .782, ω = .783). In addition, factorial invariance was confirmed by gender and age, which allowed comparisons between groups. In the comparisons, significant gender differences were found, with higher scores in female adolescents. No differences were observed as a function of age. Conclusion: The findings support the validity and reliability of the ADCA-1 for use in adolescents and in comparative studies; it is suggested to extend the evidence with convergent validity and temporal stability in more diverse samples.
Introduction: The present review is based on the need to know the current recommendations on the sample, sample size and sampling that are considered in various empirical studies, aspects that certainly can generate confusion especially in novice researchers. In this sense, a theoretical and methodological framework is established that attempts to answer different questions raised on this subject, based on publications in high impact journals, guaranteeing their credibility and suitability. Objective: Provide a guide that offers different views on sample sizes and their practical application for researchers, teachers and students. Method: Theoretical study in the form of a narrative review. Results: Current recommendations revolve around performing power analysis to calculate the sample size, regardless of the type of sampling to be used, in addition to the fact that it is a good practice to be guided by the sample sizes of other studies with similar characteristics, preferably from journals indexed in high-level databases. However, it is necessary to clarify that this work should not be taken as a definitive guide, but that it is the duty of the researcher to be informed of new updates in methodologies that may arise on this subject. Conclusions: The choice of sample size depends on multiple factors that should be carefully analyzed.
Background: Technology has revolutionized mental health, enabling access to diverse and more accessible therapies. Telepsychology interventions, such as self-guided ones, offer personalized treatments through digital platforms. Although long-term studies are limited, these approaches have shown effectiveness in various disorders. Modality and the specific disorder influence the effectiveness of these therapies. Understanding and identifying factors that influence the abandonment of self-guided treatments is crucial to improving their design and increasing the likelihood of their completion. Objective: This study seeks to identify factors that influence the abandonment of self-guided treatments for emotional problems related to stress and trauma. With this, it is possible to include tools that improve the effectiveness of these treatments. Methods: The sample included 89 adults evaluated through diagnostic interviews, who met criteria for emotional or stress-related disorders and were assigned to a self-guided transdiagnostic treatment with eight modules that could be accessed at any time. Results: A dropout rate of 81% of participants was identified, mainly during the first sessions. Through logistic regression analysis, some significant factors for abandonment were identified, such as place of residence and anxiety levels. Conclusion: Strategies such as personalized reminders, continuous clarification of treatment objectives, and tools that drive patient motivation towards treatment could prevent abandonment. The results offer valuable information for optimizing telepsychology and ensuring success in self-guided psychological treatments in diverse technological and cultural contexts.
Introduction: Religious and spiritual struggles (RSS) are psychological conflicts related to an individuals relationship with the divine, supernatural entities, or religious beliefs and communities. These struggles can cause emotional distress and negatively impact mental health. Objective: This study aimed to examine the relationship between different dimensions of RSS and mental health indicators among adults residing in Puerto Rico. Method: A correlational design was used with a convenience sample of 250 adult participants. Validated instruments were administered to assess religious and spiritual struggles, depression, anxiety, and flourishing. Results: Regression analyses showed that divine and demonic struggles significantly predicted levels of depression and anxiety, while RSS did not significantly relate to flourishing. Divine struggles emerged as the strongest predictor in both models. Conclusions: RSS, particularly those involving supernatural dimensions, are significantly associated with affective symptoms. These findings highlight the importance of addressing the spiritual dimension in clinical assessment and intervention, especially in culturally religious contexts such as Puerto Rico.
Background: Intimate partner violence (IPV) in LGBT populations represents a major public health problem, and although research on the topic is increasing, knowledge remains limited, as current reviews have focused on specific populations. The prevalence of IPV in some studies reaches up to 48% in lesbian populations and 33% in MSM, while among transgender individuals, 37.5% have experienced physical violence and 25% sexual violence. Various factors aggravate the impact and make data collection more difficult. Objective: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to synthesize the available evidence on the prevalence of intimate partner violence among lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender adults, considering the different forms of IPV and providing more precise estimates to inform future interventions and policies. Methods: Our study is a systematic review. We searched four specialized databases of scientific articles: Scopus, Web of Science, PsycINFO, and PubMed. We included studies where the population was adults 18 to 65 years of age, who are in a casual or formal same-sex or same-gender partner relationship. We included cross-sectional studies and baseline cohort study measurements. We used the JBI Systematic Reviews "Checklist for Prevalence Studies" tool to assess the risk of bias for each study. Our study was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42024529982). Results: Twenty-six studies met inclusion criteria; 17 were included in the meta-analysis, comprising 17,144 participants from various LGBT subgroups. The pooled prevalence was 29.5% (95% CI: 20.8%–39.0%), with high heterogeneity across studies (I² = 99.2%). Prevalence rates varied widely, especially among men who have sex with men (MSM) (8.1% to 54.5%) and transgender individuals (15.2% to 57.0%), highlighting significant variability depending on the subpopulation analyzed. Conclusions: Our study concluded that IPV represents a significant global concern for both MSM and transgender individuals. Notably, psychological and emotional violence emerged as the most prevalent form of IPV in both groups. On the other hand, the need for more inclusive research that reflects diverse cultural and social contexts is highlighted.
Background: Among medical specialties, oncologists have been consistently identified as a group with heightened risk for Burnout Syndrome. Objective: The present study aimed to identify the frequency and predictive power of emotional labor and physician empathy for Burnout Syndrome in medical oncologists. Method: In a cross-sectional design, 128 physicians with 10 years of experience on average answered an online survey, including the Spanish Burnout Inventory (assessing enthusiasm towards the job, psychological exhaustion, indolence, and guilt), the Emotional Demand scale from the Questionnaire on the Experience and Assessment of Work, the Emotional Dissonance taken from the Frankfurt Emotion Work Scales, and the Jefferson Empathy Scale - Physician Version (assessing perspective-taking, compassionate care, and the ability to put oneself in the patient's place). Result: Higher Burnout Syndrome scores were observed for enthusiasm towards the job subscale of the Spanish Burnout Inventory, which can also represent a lack of enthusiasm towards the job, followed by psychological exhaustion. About half of the participants showed critical levels of illness, which can lead to serious problems in the quality of work and a high risk of absence due to related health issues. Overall, Burnout Syndrome was best predicted by higher levels of emotional demand, while some dimensions were also predicted by emotional dissonance and empathy. Conclusion: Empathy was best associated with preventive levels of Burnout Syndrome and benefits the physician-patient relationship, which is related to increasing patients' satisfaction and appreciation of physicians who are sensitive to their emotional demands.
Introduction: Maternal resilience is a crucial variable for mothers of children with disabilities; therefore, having instruments grounded in theoretical models that reflect the unique characteristics of this condition is highly relevant. Objective: To analyze the validity and reliability of the Maternal Resilience Scale (ERESMA) in Peruvian mothers of children with disabilities. Method: The study followed an instrumental design, evaluating a sample of 243 mothers of children with disabilities, aged between 23 and 76 (M = 43.16) and living in the provinces of Arequipa and Puno. The diagnoses of their children were mainly intellectual disability (42.7%), autism spectrum disorder (15.3%), and multiple disabilities (15.3%). Results: It was confirmed that the original six-factor structure has adequate goodness-of-fit indices: ꭓ2(804) = 916.222, p = .004, CFI = .985, TLI = .984, RMSEA = .024, and SRMR = .072. Likewise, the internal consistency results using the omega coefficient are adequate for self-determination (ω = .727), hopelessness (ω = .826), spiritual faith (ω = .763), lack of partner support (ω = .836), and limited resources to meet needs (ω = .785); while borderline values were obtained for the factor of rejection personal responsibility (ω = .651). Conclusion: The ERESMA Scale, when applied to mothers of children with disabilities in Peru, demonstrates sufficient evidence of validity and reliability to support its appropriate use.
Background: The increasing use of smartphones has raised concerns about problematic use and its impact on mental health. Assessing smartphone addiction requires valid and reliable instruments, such as the Test of Mobile Phone Dependence Brief (TMDbrief), which has been widely used in various cultural contexts. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the TMDbrief, including its factorial structure, internal consistency, measurement invariance across gender, and convergent validity with depression and phubbing behaviors in Peruvian university students. Method: In this cross-sectional study, a sample of 954 students completed the TMDbrief, the PHQ-9 to assess depression, and the Phubbing Scale to measure phone-related social disruptions. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) tested the four-factor structure, and McDonald's omega assessed internal consistency. Measurement invariance across gender was examined to ensure the instrument's applicability in both male and female students. Result: CFA confirmed the four-factor structure (χ²(48) = 320.31, CFI = .983, TLI = .977, RMSEA = .077, SRMR = .029). Internal consistency was strong, with McDonald’s ω between .80 and .85; CR ranged from .80 to .86 and AVE from .57 to .67, indicating adequate convergence. Measurement invariance across gender was confirmed, and convergent validity was supported by moderate correlations with depression and phubbing behaviors. Conclusion: The TMDbrief is a valid and reliable instrument for assessing smartphone addiction among Peruvian university students, supporting its use in research, early detection, and intervention development.
Background: Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) seek to foster in students the development of professional competencies, that is, behaviors that conform to the fulfillment of the criteria of their respective disciplinary fields. From an interbehavioral perspective, the evaluation of these competencies involves defining behavioral indicators that allow their learning to be verified. The present study focuses on three fundamental competencies that comprise a large part of the clinical psychologist’s skills (identification of relevant cases, diagnostic assessment, intervention planning). Objective: To evaluate professional competencies in the clinical domain in students from UNAM. Method: Forty psychology students participated (16 from the fifth semester and 24 from the seventh semester). A modified version of the Virtual Environment for the Development and Evaluation of Professional Competencies in Psychologists (EVACOMPS; Cruz, 2022) was used, composed of twenty-one exercises organized into different types of performance. Results: On average, seventh-semester students obtained 60% correct answers, and fifth-semester students 50%, differences that were statistically significant. In the identification of relevant cases, the highest percentage of incorrect answers was found in both groups. Conclusions: While it is necessary to expand the sample, the modified EVACOMPS is a relevant tool for evaluating professional performance in the clinical domain of psychology. The low percentages of correct answers show the need to develop strategies to address the academic deficiencies that students carry since the beginning of their studies.
Introduction: To establish better approaches to alcoholism, this scale was developed with a focus on cognitive-behavioral aspects. Objective: Considering alcoholism as an issue that requires self-efficacy attention, the scale is designed to guide the psychotherapist in the behavioral change process of the alcoholic patient. Method: This psychometric research, with a non-experimental mixed-method descriptive design, is delineated by a non-probabilistic sampling method that employs structural equation modeling for an infinite sample. Using statistical software, the Aiken's V was obtained from seven expert judges, and 20 items were considered in the exploratory factor analysis for factor loadings (two factors) and factorial weights (λ = 0.62 - λ = 0.94), with Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin and Bartlett's test of sphericity results (KMO = 0.96, p < 0.01). Results: A two-factor model was found with adequate goodness-of-fit values (CFI = 0.987; TLI = 0.985; SRMR = 0.073; RMSEA = 0.077), with the removal of item C11 due to its low factorial loading (λ = 0.24). The scale, which contains 19 items and 2 factors, shows a good reliability coefficient (Cronbach's Alpha and McDonald's Omega ranging from 0.801 to 0.963). In terms of convergent validity, a strong inverse correlation (Rho = -0.670; p = 0.000) was found between the SRCAA and GAD-7. Conclusion: Based on these statistical findings, the scale demonstrates that it meets the objective of identifying the degree of awareness regarding alcohol consumption and the behavioral changes a person makes to overcome the detrimental habit.
Introduction: Experiences of cyberbullying can have lasting effects on victims' self-esteem, social relationships, and overall well-being. Objective: This study aims to determine the association between cyberbullying behaviors, both as victims and aggressors, in high school and university students, identifying differences and similarities between the two educational contexts. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study with 402 participants (203 women and 199 men), including 200 high school students and 202 university students. Both institutions were public and located in urban areas of the State of Mexico's capital. Cyberbullying was assessed using the Cyberbullying Questionnaire, which evaluates multiple forms of cyberbullying. Results: University students were more likely than high school students to engage in cyberbullying as aggressors, with a large effect size. Among high school students, a strong association was observed between being victims of cyberbullying through the spread of secrets and the repeated receipt of disturbing messages (r = .659). In university students, significant co-occurrence of behaviors was identified within the aggressor subscale, revealing associations between grooming, sexting, denigration, exclusion, and happy slapping. Conclusions: These findings underscore the importance of implementing intervention programs in upper secondary and higher education settings, where action protocols are typically less established compared to basic education levels.
