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Studies regarding the cat-owner bond are quite rare, and several aspects merit more research, including personality trait differences in cats related to coat color and the cat-owner relationship. The objectives of the study were to describe, from the perspective of their owners, the personality traits of cats based on their coat colors and to evaluate the relationships among the Cat Owner Relationship Scale (CORS), its subscales and the traits of cats. Therefore, the CORS was translated into Spanish, and its psychometric properties were assessed. For the personality traits of cats, participants answered a 7-point Likert scale indicating the extent to which they agreed with the following characteristics in describing their cats: active, aloof, bold, calm, friendly, intolerant, shy, stubborn, tolerant and trainable. 211 cat owners living in Mexico participated. Owners perceived their cats as being bold and friendly. Gray cats had the highest score for being as shy, aloof and intolerant, while orange cats had the highest scores for being trainable, friendly and calm. Tabbies the highest for bold and active, tricolor cats for stubborn, and bicolor cats for tolerant. The 3 CORS subscales had adequate psychometric properties when evaluated separately. Cat-owner interaction was positively correlated with an active and friendly personality and negatively correlated with aloofness. Emotional closeness was positively correlated with an active, bold and friendly personality, and perceived cost was negatively correlated with boldness.

RESUMO

The study of human-animal interactions has increased, focusing on the dog-owner relationship, leaving a lag in research on the cat-owner relationship and practically a total absence of studies that compare the dog-owner relationship with the cat-owner relationship. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to make this comparison based on the perception of people living with both dogs and cats, considering interaction, emotional closeness, and perceived cost of the relationship. A total of 132 residents in Mexico participated. To evaluate the pet-human relationship, the dog and cat versions of the Monash dog owner relationship scale were used, thus obtaining comparable scores for the relationship with dogs and cats. Based on what the owners reported, significant differences were found. Relationships with cats were better than relationships with dogs, a finding that was confirmed when comparing male dogs and cats and when comparing female dogs and cats. It was concluded that relationships with cats are better because the perceived cost of such a relationship is lower. However, emotional closeness is greater with dogs than with cats.

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Resumen La actitud positiva hacia la estadística promueve el estudio y uso de esta disciplina fundamental para analizar datos; de ahí la relevancia de evaluar el nivel actitudinal y desarrollar estrategias que lo potencien. La Escala de Actitud hacia la Estadística (EAE-25) de Auzmendi es uno de los instrumentos más usados en español para medir esta actitud, pero no se ha validado en México, lo que es importante para su uso en este país y para aportar evidencias de validez. Los objetivos del estudio fueron contrastar el modelo propuesto originariamente, comprobar su consistencia interna, describir su distribución, comparar los promedios entre sexos y verificar su validez concurrente. Este estudio instrumental usó un muestreo no probabilístico. Se analizó una muestra de 383 estudiantes de psicología mexicanos (73.6 % mujeres y 26.4 % hombres) que respondieron a dos escalas de actitud. El modelo de cinco factores (confianza, ansiedad, agrado, utilidad y motivación) mostró buen ajuste a los datos. Sus factores presentaron confiabilidad y validez discriminante. La distribución de las puntuaciones en EAE-25 fue normal. La actitud se polarizó, aproximadamente, en cuatro de cada diez estudiantes hacia la aceptación y en uno de cada diez hacia el rechazo. No hubo diferencias de medias entre sexos. La EAE-25 tuvo correlación alta con actitud hacia la investigación y baja con la calificación en la materia de investigación del semestre anterior. Se concluye que la EAE-25 presenta consistencia interna y validez de constructo.

Abstract The positive attitude towards statistics promotes the study and use of this fundamental discipline to analyze data, hence the relevance of evaluating the attitudinal level and developing strategies that promote a positive attitude. The Auzmendi's Scale of Attitude towards Statistics (EAE-25) is one of the most used instruments in Spanish language to assess this attitude; however, it has not been validated in Mexico, which is important for its use in this country and to provide evidence of validity. The objectives of the study were to test the originally proposed model, to verify its reliability, to describe its distribution, to compare the averages between both sexes, and to verify its concurrent validity. A non-probabilistic sampling was used in this instrumental study. A sample of 383 Mexican psychology students was analyzed (73.6 % women and 26.4 % men). The EAE-25 and a scale assessing attitude towards research were applied. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to test the Auzmendi's five-factor model. The parameter estimation was performed by unweighted least squares, using polychoric correlation matrix. The internal consistency was estimated by the McDonald's omega coefficient (ω), the convergent validity by the average variance extracted (AVE), and the discriminant validity by the heterotrait-monotrait ratio of correlations (HTMT). The mean differences between both sexes were tested through the t-test and concurrent validity through Pearson's correlation coefficients. The model of five correlated factors (confidence, anxiety, pleasure, usefulness, and motivation) showed good fit (χ./df =1.79, GFI = .98, AGFI = .97, NFI = .97, CFI =.99, RMSEA = .04, and SRMR = .07). The five factors showed reliability (ω > .80 in confidence, anxiety, pleasure, and usefulness, and ω = .72 in motivation) and discriminant validity (HTMT < .85 in nine out of ten factor pairs, and < .90 in the pair of the anxiety and confidence factors). The values of AVE were higher than .50 in the factors of confidence, anxiety and pleasure, which shows convergent validity in these three factors. A value of AVE very close to .50 in utility (AVE = .49) was compensated by an omega coefficient of .82, which suggests an acceptable convergent validity. However, the value of AVE was lower than .50 in motivation (AVE = .34). The EAE-25 and its factors presented normal distribution, with the exception of the motivation factor. The scores in the scale and its factors were obtained through the quotient between the sum of the items scored in the sense of acceptance attitude and the number of items added. These scores were interpreted in an absolute sense, by dividing the continuum from 1 to 5 into five intervals in correspondence with the five ordered categories of response to the items: [1, 1.8) y [1.8, 2.6) rejection, [2.6, 3.4) neutral, and [3.4, 4.2) y [4.2, 5] acceptance. The average attitude was positive in confidence (. = 3.53) and utility (. = 3.52), and neutral in the EAE-25 total score and its other three factors. The EAE-25 total scores were polarized towards acceptance in approximately four out of ten students and towards the rejected in approximately one out of ten; in the rest, they were neutral. There were no differences of means between both sexes. The EAE-25 total score had a high correlation with the total score in the scale of attitude towards research (. = .52, . < .001) and low with the qualification in the research subject of the previous semester (. = .13, . < .001). It is concluded that EAE-25 presents internal consistency and construct validity. It is suggested to use this scale in applied research in the field of university education and upper secondary education.

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RESUMEN Introducción : El propósito del estudio fue evaluar la relación entre la satisfacción marital, medida por la Escala de Valoración de la Relación y el impacto percibido por el confinamiento debido al COVID-19 en diferentes ámbitos de la vida de las personas en una muestra mexicana. Método : Se evaluó a 101 personas que viven en pareja, con edad promedio de 41.2 años (DE = 10.7), 54.5% mujeres y 45.5% hombres. Resultados : El principal resultado fue la correlación negativa y significativa que indica que, a mayor satisfacción en la relación, menor impacto del confinamiento en los ámbitos de tranquilidad, felicidad, salud, condición física y bienestar emocional. Conclusión : Las personas que evalúan su relación de pareja como satisfactoria perciben menor impacto durante la contingencia por COVID-19 en los diferentes ámbitos de su vida.

ABSTRACT Background : The aim of the study was to evaluate the relationship between marital satisfaction, measured by the Relationship Assessment Scale and the perceived impact of confinement due to COVID-19 in different areas of people's lives, in a Mexican sample. Method : 101 people living as a couple, with an average age of 41.2 years (SD = 10.7), 54.5% women and 45.5% men were evaluated. Results : The main result was a negative and significant correlation that indicates that the greater the satisfaction in the relationship, the less impact of confinement in the areas of tranquility, happiness, health, physical condition and emotional well-being. Conclusion : The people with higher marital satisfaction will perceive less impact during the contingency by COVID-19 in the different areas of the person's life.

ABSTRACT Background : The aim of the study was to evaluate the relationship between marital satisfaction, measured by the Relationship Assessment Scale and the perceived impact of confinement due to COVID-19 in different areas of people's lives, in a Mexican sample. Method : 101 people living as a couple, with an average age of 41.2 years (SD = 10.7), 54.5% women and 45.5% men were evaluated. Results : The main result was a negative and significant correlation that indicates that the greater the satisfaction in the relationship, the less impact of confinement in the areas of tranquility, happiness, health, physical condition and emotional well-being. Conclusion : The people with higher marital satisfaction will perceive less impact during the contingency by COVID-19 in the different areas of the person's life.

RESUMEN Introducción : El propósito del estudio fue evaluar la relación entre la satisfacción marital, medida por la Escala de Valoración de la Relación y el impacto percibido por el confinamiento debido al COVID-19 en diferentes ámbitos de la vida de las personas en una muestra mexicana. Método : Se evaluó a 101 personas que viven en pareja, con edad promedio de 41.2 años (DE = 10.7), 54.5% mujeres y 45.5% hombres. Resultados : El principal resultado fue la correlación negativa y significativa que indica que, a mayor satis- facción en la relación, menor impacto del confinamiento en los ámbitos de tranquilidad, felicidad, salud, condición física y bienestar emocional. Conclusión : Las personas que evalúan su relación de pareja como satisfactoria perciben menor impacto durante la contingencia por COVID-19 en los diferentes ámbitos de su vida.

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Abstract The aim of this study was to analyze the explanatory level of the variables advertising influence, verbal messages, social models and social situations as regards body dissatisfaction, weight worry, and bodily discomfort. The study was conducted in a convenience sample of 206 Mexican women with an average age of 22.12 years (SD = 4.21). Structural equation modeling was used to analyze the direct and indirect effects of the independent variables on the dependent ones in three hypothetical models proposed. In the case of the model proposed for body dissatisfaction, it was found that the set of vari ables had 79% of variance explained and showed adequate goodness-of-fit indices (χ2/gl = .877; GFI = .982; CFI = .978; AGFI = .980; SRMR = .068; RMSEA = .079). The model for weight worry had 62% of variance explained and an acceptable goodness of fit (χ2/gl = 1.556; GFI = .981; CFI = .975; AGFI = .978; SRMR = .068; RMSEA = .080). Finally, the model for bodily discomfort had 72% of variance explained and showed adequate goodness of fit (χ2/gl = .173; GFI = .976; CFI = .969; AGFI = .972; SRMR = .062; RMSEA = .072). It is concluded that social influences have a significant impact on body image. Verbal messages had the strongest impact on the variables studied.

Resumen El objetivo del presente estudio fue analizar el grado explicativo de las variables "influencia de la publicidad", "mensajes verbales", "modelos sociales" y "situaciones sociales" frente a la insatisfacción corporal, la preocupación por el peso y el malestar corporal en una muestra seleccionada por conveniencia de 206 mujeres mexicanas con promedio de edad de 22.12 años (DT = 4.21). Específicamente, se utilizó un modelamiento de ecuaciones estructurales para identificar los efectos directos e indirectos de las variables independientes sobre las dependientes en tres modelos hipotéticos propuestos, y como resultados se encontró que el conjunto de variables tuvo un valor explicativo de 79 % para el modelo planteado para la insatisfacción corporal, con buenos indicadores de bondad de ajuste (χ2/gl = .877; GFI = .982; CFI = .978; AGFI = .980; SRMR = .068; RMSEA = .079); de 62 % para el modelo de preocupación por el peso, con una adecuada bondad de ajuste (χ2/gl = 1.556; GFI = .981; CFI = .975; AGFI = .978; SRMR = .068; RMSEA = .080); y de 72 % para el modelo de malestar corporal, con buenos valores de bondad de ajuste (χ2/gl = .173; GFI = .976; CFI = .969; AGFI = .972; SRMR = .062; RMSEA = .072). Se concluye que las influencias sociales tienen un impacto significativo en la imagen corporal y que los mensajes verbales presentan un mayor impacto en las variables estudiadas.

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Compatibility in activity preferences refers to the shared enjoyment of daily activities, such as walking and interacting with others, and it is an indicator of the behavioral dimension of compatibility, which mainly refers to exercise and play. It has been found that individuals who are more compatible with their dogs have a better relationship with them, which can explain some of the benefits of human-dog interaction. However, research to explain how and why human-animal relationships are potentially therapeutic is still needed. The objective of this quantitative study was to compare the benefits of human-dog interaction for both humans and dogs between people who were and were not compatible with their dogs. Ninety people with scores of 50% or less on the compatibility index and 110 people with 100% compatibility participated in the study. The groups were compared using the Mann-Whitney U test. The people in the group with greater compatibility reported more subjective happiness and less perceived stress, a stable dog-feeding routine, and more frequent daily walks and playing sessions; additionally, for their dogs, they reported a lower frequency of aggressive and fearful behaviors and higher trainability scores. In conclusion, compatibility in activity preferences helps explain the benefits of human-animal interaction.

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Animal-assisted therapy aimed at improving individuals' mental or physical health has been widely reported. However, the data on how a therapy dog could help control anxiety during dental procedures is scarce. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of dog-assisted therapy on people with a history of dental anxiety while receiving preventive dental treatment. Twelve adults participated (women: n = 11 (91.7%) and men: n = 1 (8.3%), mean age = 31.25 years, D.E. = 5.78). The Corah Dental Anxiety Scale was applied, the patient's mood was assessed with a Likert scale before and after receiving the dental treatment, and their blood pressure was recorded for each of the three stages of treatment. A therapy dog accompanied the participants during the dental procedure. The main results indicated that a decrease in discomfort was perceived during the intervention, and there was also an improvement in the patient's evaluation of the experience. The results are based on the decrease in patients' blood pressure when taken in the middle of the dental treatment.

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The following is a theoretical integration of two important topics: positive psychology and body image, in which tools of positive psychology and the importance of prevention based on it are detailed. Also, the concepts of body image in the population that is currently most vulnerable to this issue, adolescent women and young adult women, are highlighted. This review is complemented with a detailed proposal of psychological intervention designed from the approach of positive psychology and cognitive behavioral therapy. This proposal is composed of 11 sessions focused on improving the body image of women in two age ranges: adolescents and young adults who are normal weight, underweight or overweight; without falling into obesity or eating disorders. This proposal was created under two theoretical perspectives that are oriented towards the change of perceptions and behaviors that help self-acceptance of the body, with the purpose of avoiding body image distortion. Likewise, the necessary details are provided for the intervention to be applied in further investigations that offer evidence of its effectiveness and/or suggestions for improvements.

A continuación se presenta una integración teórica de dos tópicos de importancia actual: la psicología positiva y la imagen corporal, en donde se detallan herramientas de psicología positiva y la importancia de la prevención basada en ella. También se puntualizan los conceptos de imagen corporal en la población que actualmente es más vulnerable ante este tema, las mujeres adolescentes y las mujeres adultas jóvenes. Esta revisión se complementa con una detallada propuesta de intervención psicológica diseñada desde el enfoque de la psicología positiva y la terapia cognitivo conductual. La propuesta consta de 11 sesiones enfocadas en mejorar la imagen corporal de mujeres en dos rangos de edad, adolescentes y adultas jóvenes con normo peso, bajo peso o sobre peso, sin caer en obesidad o trastornos de conducta alimentaria. Esta propuesta se creó bajo dos perspectivas teóricas que están orientadas hacia el cambio de percepciones y conductas que favorezcan a la autoaceptación del cuerpo, con el fin de evitar la distorsión de la imagen corporal. Asimismo, se proporcionan los detalles necesarios para que la intervención se aplique en futuras investigaciones que ofrezcan evidencia de su efectividad o sugerencias de mejoras.

A seguinte é uma integração teórica de dois temas importantes: a psicologia positiva e a imagem corporal. No estudo são detalhadas as ferramentas da psicologia positiva e a importância da prevenção baseada em elas. Também, são ressaltados os conceitos da imagem corporal na população que é atualmente mais vulnerável em este aspeto, mulheres adolescentes e mulheres jovens adultas. Esta revisão é complementada com uma proposta detalhada da intervenção psicológica desenhada desde a perspectiva da psicologia positiva e a terapia cognitiva comportamental. Esta proposta esta composta de 11 sessões enfocadas em melhorar a imagem corporal de mulheres em dois rangos de idade: adolescentes e jovens adultas com peso normal ou com baixo ou sobrepeso, mais sem cair na obesidade ou desordens de alimentação. Esta proposta foi criada baixo duas perspectivas teóricas que estão orientada através da mudança das percepções e comportamentos que ajudam à auto aceitação do corpo, com o propósito de evitar a distorção da imagem corporal. Do mesmo jeito, são oferecidos os detalhes necessários de intervenção para ser aplicados em futuras pesquisas que proviam evidencia de sua efetividade e/ou sugestões para melhorar.

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El ritmo diurno del cortisol se ha visto alterado en los pacientes con cáncer. Factores como el avance de la enfermedad y los niveles de estrés se han considerado para explicar esta condición; sin embargo, los resultados no son claros. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar y determinar si existen diferencias en los niveles de cortisol en mujeres con cáncer de mama en diferentes estadios, y analizar la relación entre los niveles de cortisol y el estrés, el optimismo y las estrategias de afrontamiento. Se recolectaron muestras de cortisol salival durante dos días, y se aplicaron cuestionarios psicológicos de estrés percibido (PSS), optimismo disposicional (LOT-R) y estrategias de afrontamiento (MAC) a 17 mujeres con cáncer de mama en estadio I, II y III. Los resultados muestran que las pacientes con cáncer de mama en los tres estadios presentan un ritmo diurno de cortisol normal y no difieren significativamente en los niveles de cortisol. Respecto a las variables psicológicas, solo difieren en la variable de optimismo. Las estrategias de afrontamiento espíritu de lucha y evitación cognitiva son las variables que tienen más influencia en los niveles de cortisol, y explican un 55% de la varianza. Se discuten las implicaciones de estos resultados.

Diurnal cortisol rhythm has been altered in patients with cancer. Factors such as disease progression and stress levels are regarded as possible causes to explain this condition, however results are not clear. The aim of this study was to assess and determine whether there are differences in cortisol levels in women with breast cancer in different stages and analyze the relationship between cortisol levels and stress, optimism and coping strategies. Salivary cortisol samples were collected for two days and psychological questionnaires of perceived stress (PSS), dispositional optimism (LOT-R) and coping strategies (MAC) were administered to 17 breast cancer women in stage I, II and III of the disease. The results show that patients with breast cancer in the three stages have a normal diurnal cortisol rhythm and do not differ significantly in cortisol levels. Regarding the psychological variables, they differ only in optimism. Coping strategies such as fighting spirit and cognitive avoidance are the variables that have more influence on cortisol levels, explaining 55% of variance. The implications of these results are discussed.

O ritmo diurno do cortisol vem sendo visto alterado nos pacientes com câncer. Fatores como o avanço da doença e os níveis de estresse estão sendo considerados para explicar essa condição; contudo, os resultados não são claros. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar e determinar se existem diferenças nos níveis de cortisol em mulheres com câncer de mama de diferentes estágios, bem como analisar estratégias de enfrentamento. Foram coletadas amostras de cortisol salival durante dois dias e aplicados questionários psicológicos de estresse percebido, otimismo disposicional e estratégias de enfrentamento a 17 mulheres com câncer de mama em estágio I, II e III. Os resultados mostram que as pacientes com esse câncer nos três estágios apresentam um ritmo diurno de cortisol normal e não se diferenciam significativamente na variável de otimismo. A respeito das variáveis psicológicas, só diferem na variável de otimismo. As estratégias de enfrentamento -espírito de luta e evitação cognitiva- são as variáveis que têm mais influência nos níveis de cortisol e explicam 55% da variação. Discutem-se as implicações desses resultados.

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En este trabajo, se analizan las propiedades psicométricas de la versión española (Sanz, Navarro, & Vázquez, 2003) del Inventario para la Depresión de Beck ([BDI-II]; Beck, Steer, & Brown, 1996) en muestras mexicanas no clínicas: 474 estudiantes universitarios y 478 personas de población general. La consistencia interna resultó satisfactoria en ambas muestras siendo alfa de Cronbach 0.901 para la muestra total. Los resultados coinciden con los reportados en estudios previos españoles (Sanz, Navarro & Vázquez, 2003; Sanz, Perdigón & Vazquez, 2003) acerca de las propiedades psicométricas del instrumento, así como otros estudios internacionales revisados. El análisis factorial confirmatorio muestra buenos índices de ajuste al modelo bifactorial de la escala. Se encontraron diferencias significativas en las puntuaciones en función del sexo, pero no se observan efectos significativos de la edad. Se concluye que la versión española del BDI-II puede ser un instrumento válido y fiable para evaluar la sintomatología depresiva en la población general adulta mexicana y en estudiantes universitarios.

The purpose of this study was to test the Spanish version (Sanz, Navarro, & Vazquez, 2003) of the Beck Depression Inventory-II ([BDI-II]; Beck, Steer, & Brown, 1996) in the Mexican general population and undergraduate university students on non clinical samples. The reliability and construct validity obtained in a sample of 474 university students and 478 people from the general population, confirmed good psychometric properties: Cronbach alpha of 0.901 and Confirmatory factor analysis, showed good adjustment indices to two-factor model scale. These results agree with those reported in previous studies both international and Spanish studies on the psychometric properties of the instrument (Sanz, Navarro, & Vázquez, 2003; Sanz, Perdigón & Vázquez, 2003). Confirmatory factor analysis showed a good fit of the Mexican population data, the two-factor model reported in the Spanish population. Finally, the distributions of scores were similar to those found in Spanish studies. There were significant differences in scores by gender, but there are no significant effects of age. It is concluded that the Spanish version of the BDI-II may be a valid and reliable instrument to assess depressive symptoms in college students and the general population of Mexican adults.

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