Introduction. Distress tolerance is a transdiagnostic factor for a broad range of psychological disorders. The evaluation of the psychometric properties of the Distress Tolerance Scale (DTS) and its brief version for Spanish-speaking South American individuals is limited. Method. We examined the psychometric properties of the full and brief forms of the Spanish version of the DTS in a sample of 514 (70.6% female) Argentinian college students who completed an online survey. We examined evidence of structure validity and measurement invariance by sex. We estimated Cronbach Alpha and McDonald Omega indexes to analyse internal consistency and bivariate correlations to examine evidence of concurrent validity. Results. The hierarchical four-factor model showed the best fit to the data for the full version. The brief form (four items with the highest factor loading within each dimension of the full version) also showed an acceptable fit to the data. Measurement invariance across sex was established and both versions exhibited adequate values of internal consistency and evidence of concurrent validity. Conclusions. The full and brief form of the DTS is valid and reliable for Argentinian populations and it may be helpful in identifying those at risk (i.e., low DTS scores) for developing mental health problems.
Introduction: Energy drink consumption among medical students is high and has been associated with cardiovascular disturbances, sleep problems, and risk behaviors. Valid psychometric instruments adapted to the university context are therefore needed. This study aimed to assess the dimensionality and psychometric properties of the General Addiction Questionnaire (EAG), adapted to energy drink consumption. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 257 medical students. The main variable was energy drink addiction, assessed using 11 dichotomous items (true/false). Multiple Correspondence Analysis was performed to explore the internal structure, and Confirmatory Factor Analysis within a structural equation modelling framework was used to corroborate the validity of the model. Results: The questionnaire showed a two-dimensional structure that explained 47.8% of the total variance. The first dimension, associated with loss of control and compulsive use, showed adequate internal consistency (? = .799), whereas the second dimension, related to self-control and withdrawal, showed lower reliability (? = .614). The fit indices confirmed good model performance (RMSEA = .039; CFI = .989; TLI = .986). Conclusions: The adapted questionnaire showed acceptable validity and internal consistency, supporting its use as a brief and useful tool for detecting problematic energy drink consumption among medical students.
Objective: We examined whether rearranging the order of items and response options in the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) could improve its psychometric properties. Method: We conducted a 2x2 factorial experiment with an Argentinian general population sample (n=1128; M=37.29 years, SD=11.93; 75.9% cis-women). We randomly assigned participants to one of four AUDIT versions, varying the order of item presentation (alcohol consumption first vs. alcohol-related problems first) and response options ("never" to "daily/almost daily" vs. reverse order). Results: Versions presenting alcohol-related problems first showed higher reliability. The version with alcohol-related problems first and response options in reverse order had the highest internal consistency (?=.88). Endorsement for alcohol-related problems was also higher in these versions, regardless of response option order. The versions presenting items about alcohol-related problems first also showed better item performance, regardless of the response options' order. Conclusions: the order of response options seems irrelevant, but presenting items about alcohol-related problems first appears to enhance the AUDIT's performance. This change could facilitate the adequate identification of people needing assistance from health services, which future studies should further explore.
Tusi or tusibí is a psychoactive substance with a highly variable composition, frequently misidentified as 2C-B and referred to as "pink cocaine" in media and law enforcement narratives. Originating in Colombia, its use has spread throughout Latin America and Europe, including Spain, particularly in recreational settings. Although its general prevalence remains low, studies conducted between 2020 and 2024 report annual use rates of 15–20?% among recreational drug users. Analysis of 470 samples reveals that tusi primarily contains ketamine (93.2?%) and MDMA (92.1?%), with minimal presence of 2C-B (3.6?%) and cocaine (0.2?%). It is mostly consumed intranasally, often in combination with alcohol or other substances such as MDMA, increasing associated risks. Major harms are linked to the unpredictability of its composition, the misinformation surrounding its identity, and polydrug use. The findings underscore the need for harm reduction strategies, improved public information, and enhanced drug monitoring systems. .
Introduction. The growing evidence of cannabis (CN) use in patients with schizophrenia (SCZ) has increased interest in the study of the cognitive effects of CN in this population. Although some studies report superior cognitive functioning, other studies are contradictory. The objective was to compare cognitive functioning in CN users with SCZ (n=25), patients with SCZ without substance use (n=26) and healthy controls (n=25) between 18 and 35 years old. Method. Comparisons in sociodemographic and clinical variables and use characteristics were carried out using general linear models, Student's t and Chi squared test. Variables with significant differences were used to predict inclusion in the groups using multinomial and binary logistic regression. Neuropsychological tests and characteristics of CN consumption were correlated. Results. Although no differences in cognitive functioning were observed between groups with SCZ, the affected domains differed when compared to healthy controls. Age and results on different neuropsychological tests predicted inclusion in the SCZ+CN group. Significant correlations were found between the number of cannabis cigarettes (CN) consumed per week and the composite score of the perceptual reasoning index. Additionally, a significant relationship was observed between the CN abstinence period and performance on the Card Sorting subtest of the CCB within the BANFE. Conclusions. CN consumers with SCZ constitute a different subgroup of patients. Cannabis use characteristics correlate with scores from cognitive domains. Therefore, the approach must be differential.
