Alcohol consumption prevalence in Bolivia is one of the highest in the region and the most degrading practices faced by the society. To apply the changes, social policy makers require objective, accurate, and complete information about the factors that could be considered both guards and risky. Hence, links between socio-demographics, family, personal/behavioral and social variables and youth alcohol use were analyzed in order to know their particular contributions to the explanation of drinking behavior. The study was carried out with a sample of 1,023 young students (13–23 years old), of both sexes (515 male and 508 female) recruited from local high schools and university initial undergraduate courses. The results showed strong ties between such variables and adolescent alcohol drinking behavior. The predictive model (linear regression model) fitted relatively well including variables such as age, parental monitoring, father–adolescent relationship, peer pressure, antisocial behavior and risk perception. Nevertheless, only social and parental variables proved a good fit with the empirical data when a theoretical model was proposed through a structured equation modeling. Although this model seems to be in good shape, it should be adjusted to a more comprehensive approach to a risk/protection conceptual framework

Antecedentes: La violencia en el noviazgo es un tema cada vez más estudiado ya que se relaciona con las etapas iniciales de lo que más tarde podría convertirse en violencia de pareja e incluso violencia intrafamiliar. Se cree que el amor puede causar patrones de comportamiento que eventualmente se convertirán en hábitos. El objetivo es contar con instrumentos válidos y fiables, adaptados a diferentes contextos, para evaluar con precisión y prontitud a las víctimas y agresores y orientar una intervención adecuada. Método: Trabajamos con 2.216 estudiantes universitarios voluntarios de Bolivia que tuvieron al menos una relación de pareja en los últimos doce meses. Se realizó análisis factorial exploratorio y confirmatorio para adaptar el DVQ-VP al contexto boliviano. Resultados: Se confirmaron las características psicométricas adecuadas para evaluar la violencia en las relaciones de noviazgo utilizando una versión reducida de 18 ítems en un modelo de cinco factores para las víctimas y una escala de un solo factor para la evaluación de los agresores, que se encontraron invariantes para el sexo. Conclusiones: Se señalan las implicaciones y limitaciones del estudio.

Advances in cancer care require ongoing monitoring of patient satisfaction using rigorous questionnaires. The EORTC Quality of Life Group has cross-cultura

El presente estudio exploró las potencialidades de la escala Feel & Think (F&T) modificada por Garton & Gringart (2005) para medir la empatía en niños bolivianos entre 8 y 12 años. El instrumento adaptado incluyó dos factores y 12 ítems (6 para empatía afectiva y 6 para cognitiva). Los datos pasaron por valoraciones de fiabilidad, validez divergente, concurrente y constructo a través del Análisis de componentes Principales y del Análisis Factorial Confirmatorio. Los resultados mostraron una fiabilidad algo disminuida, aunque con relaciones significativas entre ítems; validez divergente adecuada comparando niños y niñas, validez concurrente significativa y validez de constructo que confirmó dos componentes (‘Sentir Preocupación’ y ‘Pensar en Ayudar’). Asimismo, el Análisis Factorial Confirmatorio arrojó valores aceptables en casi todos sus indicadores de ajuste del modelo. Finalmente, se discutió sobre la relevancia de sistemas convencionales y la conveniencia de innovar en la medición de la empatía infantil.

Aim To identify psychosocial predictors of the intention to get a booster COVID-19 vaccine in a low-income country, given that increasing booster vaccination rates against COVID-19 remains a global challenge, especially among low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). Subject and methods We used an online survey to collect responses from a non-probabilistic sample of 720 Bolivians regarding vaccine uptake, motives, perceived confidence, information sources, attitudes favouring COVID-19 vaccines, biosafety behaviour, and sociodemographic characteristics. Descriptive, bivariate, and multivariate analyses were performed to identify significant associations and predictors. Results We found that having already received the third dose, obtaining recommendations from family or friends, recommendation from the government, perceived confidence in the previously received dose, and higher attitudes in favour of COVID-19 vaccines significantly predicted the intention to get a booster dose. The associations were significant even when adjusting the model for sociodemographic variables. Conclusion Including certain psychosocial factors could enhance the promotion of voluntary booster doses among residents of low- and middle-income countries such as Bolivia, where cultural, social, political, and contextual variables may influence health behaviour and increase health–associated risk factors.