Population aging represents a global challenge. In this context, loneliness has positioned itself as a critical problem with adverse effects on the physical and mental health of the elderly. This study aimed to explore the role of negative self-perception of aging (SPA) and social isolation as mediators in the relationship between ageism and loneliness. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used in a sample of 307 people over 50 in Chile. The results show that both age discrimination and ageist stereotypes are directly associated with higher levels of loneliness. Negative SPA significantly mediated the relationships between discrimination and loneliness, as well as between stereotypes and loneliness. These findings highlight the importance of psychological and cultural variables in objective and subjective outcomes of interpersonal relationships, suggesting the need for interventions to mitigate the effects of ageism and improve SPA to favor healthy aging.

Background: Classroom social climate is a significant phenomenon within educational contexts; however, it has predominantly been studied among high school students, with limited evidence available at the university level and, consequently, in the psychometric properties of measurement instruments. This study aimed to analyze the psychometric properties of the University Classroom Social Climate Scale (ECSA-U) among Chilean students from the La Araucanía region. Method: 422 students participated, responding to the adapted version of the ECSA-U and the Motivation subscale of the Motivation and Learning Strategies Questionnaire. Exploratory structural equation modeling (ESEM), reliability analyses, and correlation analyses were conducted to provide valid evidence for the Chilean University Classroom Social Climate Scale (ECSA-UCL). Results: The scale demonstrated a three-factor structure with good fit indicators, excellent reliability indices, and significant positive associations between the ECSA-UCL and the Motivation Subscale. Conclusions: The ECSA-UCL has proven valid and reliable for measuring the perception of Classroom Social Climate among Chilean university students, making it suitable for use as a measurement tool in studies or interventions that include this variable.

Background: The mental health of health personnel was affected by the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and its associated consequences, including the change in working conditions. Aims: To analyze the relationship between mental health indicators and socio-occupational factors. Materials and methods: The PHQ-9, GAD-7, and ISI-3 were applied to 90 health workers. Results: Nursing staff reported greater depressive, anxiety, and insomnia symptomatology. In turn, they manifested greater indicators of depression in interaction with the change in workday (F (1,86) = 3.83, p= 0.05, partial η² = 0.04) and work shift (F (1,86) = 6.80, p= 0. 01, partial η² = 0.07); greater anxious symptomatology in interaction with change in workday (F (1,86) = 5.83, p= 0.02, partial η² = 0.06) and work shift (F (1,86) = 9.26, p= 0.003, partial η² = 0.10). Additionally, more indicators of insomnia in interaction with being on the front line (F (1,86) = 4.96, p = 0.04, partial η²= 0.05) and changes in working hours (F (1,86) = 3.88, p = 0.05, partial η²= 0.04). Conclusion: The nursing staff was more affected by changes in working conditions, having more symptoms of anxiety, depression, and insomnia. Antecedentes: La salud mental del personal sanitario fue afectada por la pandemia de SARS-CoV-2 y sus consecuencias asociadas, entre ellas, el cambio en las condiciones laborales. Objetivos: Analizar la relación entre indicadores de salud mental y factores socio-laborales. Materiales y métodos: Los instrumentos PHQ-9, GAD-7 e ISI-3 fueron aplicados a 90 trabajadores sanitarios. Resultados: El personal de enfermería reportó mayor sintomatología depresiva, ansiosa y de insomnio. A su vez, manifestaron mayores indicadores de depresión en interacción con el cambio en la jornada laboral (F (1,86) = 3.83, p= 0.05, η² parcial= 0.04) y turno de trabajo (F (1,86) = 6.80, p= 0.01, η² parcial = 0.07); mayor sintomatología ansiosa en interacción con cambio de jornada (F (1,86) = 5.83, p= 0.02, η² parcial= 0.06) y turno de trabajo (F (1,86) = 9.26, p= 0.003, η² parcial = 0.10). Asimismo, más indicadores de insomnio en interacción con pertenecer a la primera línea (F (1,86) = 4.96, p = 0.04, η² parcial= 0.05) y cambios en la jornada laboral (F (1,86) = 3.88, p = 0.05, η² parcial= 0.04). Conclusión: El personal de enfermería resultó más afectado por los cambios en las condiciones laborales, teniendo mayor sintomatología ansiosa, depresiva e insomnio.

Background: Ageism and self-perceptions of aging (SPA) are psychosocial factors associated with cognitive and mental health outcomes. Objectives: (1) to identify latent profiles based on indicators of ageism and SPA and (2) to examine their differences in anxiety, depression, and cognitive functioning. Method: Latent profile analysis was conducted with a non-probabilistic sample of 305 adults aged 50 years and older from Chile. Participants completed measures of aging-related stereotypes, perceived age-based discrimination, self-perceptions of aging, anxiety symptoms, depressive symptoms, and cognitive performance. Results: Five profiles were identified: Hopeless, Positive Aging, Neutral, Internalization, and Ambivalent. Significant differences emerged across profiles in anxiety, depression, and cognitive functioning, with the Internalization profile showing the highest psychological vulnerability and the Positive Aging profile the most favorable outcomes. Discussion: The findings reveal heterogeneity of aging and may inform the design of interventions that promote mental health and cognitive functioning in later life.

Objectives: This study examined the influence of hearing status and loneliness on verbal fluency trajectories in adults aged 60 years and older, assessing their contributions to baseline performance and longitudinal change over time. Methods: Data were drawn from 4,929 participants in the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) with objective hearing assessment in 2018 and three waves of semantic verbal fluency and loneliness measured in 2018, 2020, and 2022. Latent growth curve models were estimated to examine longitudinal change. Results: Verbal fluency showed a small but statistically significant increase over time, whereas loneliness showed a slight decrease over time. Worse hearing status predicted lower baseline verbal fluency and higher baseline loneliness. The association between hearing status and longitudinal change in verbal fluency was observed in partially adjusted models but was attenuated and did not reach statistical significance after full covariate adjustment. Discussion: These findings support an association between hearing status and baseline levels of verbal fluency and loneliness, while evidence for longitudinal change in verbal fluency was limited to partially adjusted models.

Background: How people experience aging is linked to health, well-being, and engagement in later life, but Spanish-language measures for capture self-perceptions of aging in Latin America remain limited. Objective: To adapt the Personal Experience of Aging Scale (PEAS) into Spanish and evaluate its psychometric properties in Chilean adults aged 50 and older. Methods: The instrument was translated into Spanish, and content validity was examined by expert judges. Two independent community samples from Chile (exploratory sample: N = 207; confirmatory sample: N = 361) completed the PEAS. Dimensionality was examined using factor-analytic and network-based approaches, followed by confirmatory testing. Reliability, convergent/discriminant validity, measurement invariance across age groups (<60 vs. ≥ 60), and construct validity were assessed using measures of ageist stereotypes and perceived age discrimination. Results: Expert ratings supported content validity. Exploratory and confirmatory evidence supported a three-factor structure. A 12-item model demonstrated good fit (CFI = .993, TLI = .992, SRMR = .068, RMSEA = .079) with strong standardized loadings ranging from .721 to .989. Although the adapted version retains the original 12-item length, it differs from the original structure in the distribution of items across dimensions due to the addition of one item and the removal of another during the adaptation process. This distinction should be considered when comparing findings across studies. Measurement invariance up to thresholds was supported across age groups (< 60 vs. ≥ 60; ΔCFI ≤ .01). Reliability was adequate to excellent across factors (α = .771 to .883; ω = .776 to .888). Physical Decline and Social Loss correlated positively with ageist stereotypes and perceived age discrimination (ρ = .286 to .427), whereas Continuous Growth showed small negative correlations (ρ = -.129 to -.167). Conclusions: The Spanish PEAS shows robust evidence for a three-dimensional structure, good reliability, and measurement invariance up to thresholds across age groups in Chilean adults. The adapted 12-item version provides a parsimonious option with strong item functioning.