The Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (ERQ) is widely used to assess the use of cognitive reappraisal and expressive suppression strategies to regulate negative emotions. The present study evaluates the psychometric properties, reliability and validity of a Chilean adaptation of the ERQ in a large sample of 1543 participants aged between 18 and 87 (38% male, 62% female). The results of the confirmatory factor analysis showed the expected two-factor structure and factorial invariance in relation to gender. Results also indicated adequate internal consistency, test–retest reliability, convergent and predictive validity in predicting posttraumatic stress symptoms and posttraumatic growth six months after the first measurement in a subsample of students exposed to the COVID-19 pandemic. The use of reappraisal was positively associated with general well-being, whereas the use of suppression was positively associated with depressive symptomatology. In terms of posttraumatic consequences, the use of reappraisal was negatively associated with posttraumatic symptomatology and positively associated with posttraumatic growth six months later; in turn, suppression was positively associated with posttraumatic symptomatology and negatively associated with posttraumatic growth six months later. This study demonstrates that the ERQ is a valid and reliable instrument to measure emotional regulation strategies in Chilean adults.

Objective. To evaluate a predictive model of posttraumatic symptomatology (PTS) and posttraumatic growth (PTC), which included psychological, pandemic-related, and online classroom-related variables, in higher education students during the pandemic. Method. A total of 552 students participated, 68.5% of whom were women. Instruments were applied to measure different psychological variables. Results. It was established that a model that included intrusive and deliberate rumination, subjective severity, emotional suppression, cognitive reappraisal, social support, adequate space to connect to online classes, and educational attainment significantly predicted PTS. Deliberate rumination, social support, cognitive reappraisal, and age predicted CPT. The relevance of these findings to the academic support that could be provided to students is discussed.

El trastorno por estrés postraumático (TEPT) es una de las consecuencias más frecuentes de la exposición a desastres naturales. El objetivo del estudio es describir la sintomatología postraumática en niños, niñas y adolescentes expuestos a un terremoto el año 2015 en la ciudad de los Vilos, Chile (Región de Coquimbo). Se aplicó la Escala Infantil de Síntomas de Trastorno de Estrés Postraumático (CPSS), un cuestionario de severidad a exposición a un evento traumático y un cuestionario sociodemográfico a 105 participantes de 12 a 16 años, 12 meses después de ocurrido el evento. La tasa total probable de TEPT fue de 29,5% con mayor incidencia en mujeres y niños (as) de menor edad. La exposición al desastre y la percepción de amenazas importantes a su integridad aumenta los niveles de TEPT. Los resultados dan cuenta de la importancia de implementar programas preventivos y diseñar estrategias de intervención que contribuyan a enfrentar las consecuencias de un desastre natural en niños, niñas y adolescentes.

El propósito de este estudio fue evaluar las relaciones entre el uso problemático de Facebook, las habilidades sociales y el bienestar psicológico en adultos jóvenes. Participaron 494 personas, entre 20 y 40 años, 42,3% hombres y 57,7% mujeres, todos estudiantes de distintas instituciones de educación superior y que mantenían una cuenta activa en Facebook. Para medir las variables, se utilizaron el Test de Adicción a Facebook, el Inventario de Habilidades Sociales de Morán y el Índice de Felicidad de Pemberton, además de un cuestionario de datos sociodemográficos. Se observó que las personas que utilizaban sus redes sociales en forma problemática presentan menor nivel de bienestar psicológico y menor nivel de habilidades sociales; la adicción a Facebook y las habilidades sociales predicen el bienestar psicológico; las habilidades empáticas y de expresión de sentimientos positivos median la relación entre adicción a Facebook y bienestar. Además, los hombres mostraron mejores habilidades sociales que las mujeres. Este estudio permite ampliar el escaso conocimiento de estas variables en Chile y otorga información para posibles usos en la detección y prevención de uso problemático de redes sociales, además de la promoción de habilidades que permitirían proteger de las consecuencias negativas de su uso.

Background and Objectives: Public health emergencies, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, significantly impact individuals and families, particularly in educational settings. School closures and changes in daily routines reduced students’ opportunities for learning and social interaction, affecting their mental health. Caregivers also faced increased responsibilities and stressors. This study aimed to evaluate a predictive model of mental health outcomes—specifically posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSSs) and posttraumatic growth (PTG)—in Chilean schoolchildren and their caregivers. Materials and Methods: A total of 489 students (48% female sex; aged 10–17) from educational communities in various Chilean cities participated in the study, along with their caregivers (aged 21–69; 86.5% female), including mothers, fathers, and guardians. Mental health variables were assessed through self-report instruments. Hierarchical linear regression and path analyses were used to evaluate predictive models for PTSSs and PTG in students. Results: The model predicting PTSSs in students was significant. Key predictors included female sex, aggressive behavior, coping strategies such as keeping problems to oneself, cognitive avoidance, and intrusive rumination, and caregiver PTSSs. The model for PTG was also significant, with predictors including active problem-solving, communication, a positive attitude, and deliberate rumination. These results indicate distinct psychological processes underlying negative and positive outcomes following trauma. Conclusions: The findings underscore the complexity of mental health outcomes among school-aged children and the influence of caregiver well-being. The study highlights the importance of supporting both students and caregivers through targeted interventions. Multi-level strategies addressing emotional regulation, communication, and coping mechanisms may foster resilience and psychological growth in educational communities facing the aftermath of public health emergencies.