Nadia Amira Ramos Alvarado

Dr. Nadia Amira Ramos Alvarado


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

20Years (2007-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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10 October 2023 in European Journal of Psychotraumatology
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
AFAndrés Fresno
Andrés Fresno
NANadia Amira Ramos Alvarado
Nadia Amira Ramos Alvarado
DNDaniel Núñez
Daniel Núñez
JUJosé Luis Ulloa
José Luis Ulloa
JAJessica Arriagada
Jessica Arriagada
TKThanos Karatzias
Thanos Karatzias
ICD-11 Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Complex PTSD (CPTSD) are stress-related disorders. The International Trauma Questionnaire (ITQ) is a widely used instrument to assess PTSD and CPTSD. To date, there is no evidence of the psychometric characteristics of the ITQ in Latin American countries. The aim of this study was to assess the construct and concurrent validity of the Latin American Spanish adaptation of the ITQ in a sample of Chilean adults. A sample of 275 Chilean young adults completed the ITQ, a traumatic life events checklist, the Adverse Childhood Experiences Questionnaire, the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales-21, and the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale short version. Four alternative confirmatory factor analysis models were tested. Correlation analyses were performed to determine concurrent validity with associated measures (number of reported traumatic events, number of adverse childhood experiences, anxiety, depression, and suicidal risk). The second-order two-factor (PTSD and DSO) and the correlated first-order six-factor model provided acceptable fit; however, the first model showed a better fit based on the BIC difference. The PTSD and DSO dimensions, as well as the six ITQ clusters showed positive correlations with reported number of traumatic life-events, reported number of adverse childhood experiences, levels of anxiety, depression, and suicidal risk. The ITQ Latin American Spanish adaptation provides acceptable psychometric evidence to assess PTSD and CPTSD in accordance with the ICD-11.

12 November 2020 in The Spanish Journal of Psychology
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
PDF file
AFAndrés Fresno
Andrés Fresno
VAVictor Arias
Victor Arias
DNDaniel Núñez
Daniel Núñez
SRSpencer Rosario
Spencer Rosario
NANadia Amira Ramos Alvarado
Nadia Amira Ramos Alvarado
ABAlain Brunet
Alain Brunet
Several studies have reported the factor structure of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). The results show models with different number of factors, high correlations between factors, and symptoms that belong to different factors in different models without affecting the fit index. These elements could suppose the existence of considerable item cross-loading, the overlap of different factors or even the presence of a general factor that explains the items common source of variance. The aim is to provide new evidence regarding the factor structure of PTSD using CFA and exploratory structural equation modeling (ESEM). In a sample of 1,372 undergraduate students, we tested six different models using CFA and two models using ESEM and ESEM bifactor analysis. Trauma event and past-month PTSD symptoms were assessed with Life Events Checklist for DSM-5 (LEC–5) and PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL–5). All six tested CFA models showed good fit indexes (RMSEA = .051–.056, CFI = .969–.977, TLI = .965–.970), with high correlations between factors (M = .77, SD = .09 to M = .80, SD = .09). The ESEM models showed good fit indexes (RMSEA = .027–.036, CFI = .991–.996, TLI = .985–.992). These models confirmed the presence of cross-loadings on several items as well as loads on a general factor that explained 76.3% of the common variance. The results showed that most of the items do not meet the assumption of dimensional exclusivity, showing the need to expand the analysis strategies to study the symptomatic organization of PTSD.

2 February 2025 in Sexual Medicine
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
Gonzalo R. QuintanaGonzalo R. Quintana
Gonzalo R. Quintana
FPFernando P Ponce
Fernando P Ponce
JSJ. Francisco Santibáñez-Palma
J. Francisco Santibáñez-Palma
JEJavier Escudero-Pastén
Javier Escudero-Pastén
CACarolina P Aguayo-Zuñiga
Carolina P Aguayo-Zuñiga
JBJaime Barrientos
Jaime Barrientos
Background: Inconsistencies in the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) factor structure and current research and clinical guidelines highlight the need for continued exploration of its psychometric evidence. Furthermore, only one study has assessed its measurement invariance (MI), while the only FSFI psychometric study conducted in Chile lacks quality and representativity. Aim: Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the FSFI (ie, structural and convergent validity, and reliability) in a Chilean sample of women, while also examining MI across relationship status and age groups. Method: A sample of 2595 sexually active adult women (Mage = 32.10, SDage = 10) was derived from a broader Chilean study (Chilean National Sex and Sexuality Study). We used a confirmatory factor analysis to determine its structural validity, sexual satisfaction (SS) dimensions to establish its convergent validity, and Cronbach’s alpha and McDonald’s omega to assess the reliability of its scores. Outcomes: Measures of goodness-of-fit. Results: Confirmatory factor analysis supported a six-factor structure. Internal consistency indices for all FSFI dimensions ranged from good to excellent. MI was achieved across socio-demographic variables at the factor covariance level. Convergent validity indicated modest-to-moderate effects in satisfaction differences based on relationship status. Among other findings, Chilean women in a relationship had significantly higher satisfaction with their sexual communication and compatibility than those who were single, which is consistent with previous findings. Meanwhile, women at risk of experiencing sexual problems scored significantly lower across all SS dimensions than those not at risk. Clinical Implications: This study provides evidence that the FSFI is a valid, reliable, and invariant tool for the clinical practice in the sexual health of Spanish-speaking Latino Americans, especially that of Chilean women’s sexual function (SF) and problems. Strengths & Limitations: This study provided a comprehensive analysis of the FSFI’s psychometric validity evidence, demonstrating its reliability and validity across diverse Chilean women while also offering its first assessment of MI and confirming its suitability for clinical and research use in Spanish-speaking Latino women. Conversely, this study’s main caveat lies in having a predominantly younger, cisgender, and heterosexual sample. Conclusion: Nevertheless, this study’s findings support the FSFI as a valuable research tool for female SF and well-being, particularly within the Chilean population. This study significantly expands the applicability of the FSFI and underscores its MI across sociodemographic factors, as well as its applicability in the Spanish-speaking Latino-American sociodemographic context, particularly the Chilean one.

3 December 2024 in Sexual Medicine
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
Gonzalo R. QuintanaGonzalo R. Quintana
Gonzalo R. Quintana
FPFernando P Ponce
Fernando P Ponce
JEJavier Escudero-Pastén
Javier Escudero-Pastén
JSJ. Francisco Santibáñez-Palma
J. Francisco Santibáñez-Palma
CACarolina P Aguayo-Zuñiga
Carolina P Aguayo-Zuñiga
JBJaime Barrientos
Jaime Barrientos
Background: The International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) stands out for its utility and widespread use to measure sexual function in men. However, it lacks consistency in its internal latent structure across studies, has not been evaluated for measurement invariance, and has not undergone psychometric validation for its 15-item form in Spanish among South American countries. Aim: To examine the IIEF’s psychometric evidence (ie, structural/criterion validity and reliability) in a sample of adult men and determine its measurement invariance across relationship status (single vs in a relationship) and age generations (generations Z, Y/millennials, and X). Methods: A sample of 650 sexually active males was derived from a broader Chilean study (Chilean Sex and Sexuality Study). We used a confirmatory factor analysis to determine the IIEF’s structural validity, sexual satisfaction dimensions to establish its criterion-related validity, and Cronbach alpha and McDonald omega to assess the reliability of its scores. Outcomes: Measures of goodness of fit. Results: The evidence supported the 5-factor latent solution. Meanwhile, criterion-related validity revealed subtle yet significant differences in sexual satisfaction, with younger men displaying higher satisfaction in various sexual domains. In contrast, middle-aged men and those in a relationship showed better sexual function. Finally, the IIEF was invariant across age groups and relationship status at the factor covariance level. Clinical Translation: This study provides evidence that the IIEF is a valid, reliable, and invariant tool for the clinical practice in men’s sexual health, particularly that associated with their sexual function and dysfunction. Strengths and Limitations: The study included a comprehensive validity analysis of the IIEF’s psychometric properties, demonstrating its reliability and validity across diverse Chilean male subpopulations. The study also offered the IIEF’s first assessment of measurement invariance and confirmed its suitability for clinical and research use in the Chilean population. Meanwhile, the study’s limitations include a lack of clinical population and a sample predominantly younger, cisgender, and heterosexual. Conclusion: Our study provides evidence of the IIEF’s 5-factor structure and measurement invariance across age generations and relationship status in Chilean men, supporting its validity for clinical use and research and broadening its applicability in global sexual health studies, particularly in the Spanish-speaking South American male population.

28 January 2026 in Iberoamerican Journal of Psychology and Public Policy
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
CPCecilia de la Cerda Paolinelli
Cecilia de la Cerda Paolinelli
NANadia Amira Ramos Alvarado
Nadia Amira Ramos Alvarado
Mental health in Chile is a complex system influenced by social, economic, cultural, and political factors. Although addressing it requires the coordination of promotion, prevention, and treatment with a community and territorial focus, public policies have historically tended to emphasize an individual model, without fully integrating the social dynamics that condition well-being. The epidemiological landscape underscores the magnitude of the challenge: one in eight people worldwide has a mental disorder, with significant increases after the global pandemic. Chile is among the countries with the highest burden of psychiatric morbidity, with a growing prevalence of depression and anxiety and a steady increase in leave taken for mental health reasons. However, a significant gap in care persists: only 18.7% of people with emotional problems receive treatment. Structural inequalities are reflected in the segmentation of the healthcare system, the low availability of psychiatric beds, the shortage of specialists, and the limited coverage of the GES (Garantías Explícitas en Salud), which excludes multiple high-prevalence disorders, among other difficulties. Chronic underinvestment, at 1.7% of the health budget, much below the 12% recommended by the OECD, exacerbates these disparities. Overcoming this scenario requires strengthening research, improving information systems, incorporating a territorial and community perspective, and promoting integrated care models. Likewise, university education in psychology must combine research, teaching, and community outreach, training professionals capable of influencing public policy and responding to the needs of the mental health system. Closing the gaps requires political commitment, sustained funding, and coordinated intersectoral action.