El objetivo del presente estudio fue evaluar si existen diferentes niveles de cortisol en trabajadores universitarios en función de su posición en la jerarquía institucional. Con base en estudios previos, que encontraron tanto en primates como en humanos que los individuos subordinados tienen más cortisol que los individuos dominantes en sociedades estables y en situación de reposo, se buscó replicar dichos estudios en el contexto de una universidad. Se trabajó con 144 empleados, 89 hombres y 55 mujeres, que pertenecían a personal dirigente, mandos medios y personal operativo. Se tomaron 2 muestras salivales por la tarde con un intervalo de 30 min y se promediaron. Los resultados mostraron que los mandos medios tienen mayores niveles de cortisol que los dirigentes, pero estos a su vez tienen más cortisol que el personal operativo. Se discute respecto a cómo las interacciones sociales institucionales y la dimensión de poder de las mismas regulan los niveles de estrés de los individuos que trabajan en este contexto. Se mencionan algunas de las implicaciones metodológicas de este tipo de evaluaciones, así como sus implicaciones prácticas

The European Journal of Psychology Applied to Legal Context Vol. 10. Num. 2. 2018:Effects of Fear of Crime on Subjective Well-being: A Meta-analytic Review

Mexico is one of the countries with the highest rates of overweight and obesity around the world, with 68.8% of men and 73% of women reporting both. This is a public health problem since there are several health related consequences of not exercising, like having cardiovascular diseases or some types of cancers. All of these problems can be prevented by promoting exercise, so it is important to evaluate models of health behaviors to achieve this goal. Among several models the Health Belief Model is one of the most studied models to promote health related behaviors. This study validates the first exercise scale based on the Health Belief Model (HBM) in Mexicans with the objective of studying and analyzing this model in Mexico. Items for the scale called the Exercise Health Belief Model Scale (EHBMS) were developed by a health research team, then the items were applied to a sample of 746 participants, male and female, from five cities in Mexico. The factor structure of the items was analyzed with an exploratory factor analysis and the internal reliability with Cronbach’s alpha. The exploratory factor analysis reported the expected factor structure based in the HBM. The KMO index (0.92) and the Barlett’s sphericity test (p < 0.01) indicated an adequate and normally distributed sample. Items had adequate factor loadings, ranging from 0.31 to 0.92, and the internal consistencies of the factors were also acceptable, with alpha values ranging from 0.67 to 0.91. The EHBMS is a validated scale that can be used to measure exercise based on the HBM in Mexican populations.

A growing number of school-aged children experience or are at risk for a myriad of psychological and behavioral problems such as anxiety and depression that interfere with their interpersonal relationships, school performance, and potential to become productive citizens –hence the importance of school prevention. This study assessed the effectiveness of the Spanish version of the FRIENDS for Life program [AMISTAD para siempre], a social and emotional program that uses cognitive-behavioral techniques to prevent anxiety and depression. Eight schools from a northern city in Mexico were randomly selected and assigned to either an intervention or standard curriculum instruction. Fifteen teachers implemented the intervention, and 16 served as control. Participants were 1,030 fourth and fifth grade students (ages 8-13). The impact of the program was evaluated immediately after the intervention and after 6 months. The program showed a positive effect by reducing symptoms and risk for depression and increasing the proactive coping skills of the overall sample. Suggestions for further research and implications for practice are offered

ResumenLa presente investigación tuvo como objetivo estudiar la relación entre el funcionamiento familiar y la exposición a la violencia en adolescentes mexicanos. Se propuso un diseño transversal, descriptivo y correlacional. La muestra estuvo conformada por 133 estudiantes de bachillerato con edades entre los 15 a 19 años de edad. Como instrumentos se utilizaron dos cuestionarios: La Escala de Evaluación de la Cohesión y Adaptabilidad Familiar (FACES IV-Esp) de Rivero, Martínez-Pampliega y Olson (2010) y el Cuestionario de Exposición a la Violencia (CEV) de Orue y Calvete (2010). Los resultados muestran diferencias de género en cuanto a la observación de la violencia en la calle y la victimización en la escuela y en la calle. Se muestran también diferencias de género en variables del funcionamiento familiar tales como: flexibilidad, cohesión, satisfacción y comunicación familiar. Los resultados del análisis de correlación sugieren que a mayor flexibilidad, cohesión, satisfacción y comunicación familiar menor observación de violencia en la escuela y en la casa, y menor victimización en casa. Se observó también una predicción significativa de la cohesión familiar sobre la victimización en casa. Finalmente, se concluye la importancia de fortalecer los vínculos familiares y de fomentar un funcionamiento familiar positivo y balanceado. Esto con el objetivo de que la familia ejerza un efecto protector ante la exposición a la violencia. AbstractThe aim of this study was to investigate the relation­ship between family functioning and exposure to vi­olence among Mexican adolescents. The design of this study was transversal, descriptive, and correla­tional. Participants were 133 high school students, ages 15 to 18. Two instruments were administered: La Escala de Evaluación de la Cohesión y Adapta­bilidad Familiar, in English The Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scale, (FACES IV-Esp) by Rivero, Martínez-Pampliega and Olson (2010), and Cuestionario de Exposición a la Violencia, in English Exposure to Violence Questionnaire, by Orue and Calvete (2010). Results showed statistically signifi­cant gender differences related to observing violence in the streets, and victimization in the school and in the street. Gender differences were also significant in family functioning variables such as: flexibility, co­hesion, satisfaction, and family communication. Re­sults from the correlational analysis suggested that the higher the flexibility, cohesion, satisfaction and family communication, the lower the violence obser­vation at school and at home, and the lower victimi­zation at home. Predictive validity was also observed for family cohesion over victimization at home. As a conclusion, it is important to strengthen family ties and to promote a positive and balanced family func­tioning, with the purpose of families being a protec­tive factor against violence exposure.