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BACKGROUND: Sexual behavior usually begins in adolescence, and is mediated by biological, personality and socio-cultural variables which can affect the expression of preventive and risky sexual performance, as well as sex and age differences. AIM: To determine sex differences in the age of sexual initiation, the use of protective methods and mate selectivity in young men and women, as well as preventive practices according to age, and the prevalence of partner aggression. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Participants were 484 university students from public and private institutions, aged 22 ± 3 years (59% women) assessed using a diversity of self-report measures of personality traits, romantic relationship quality, sexual role, attachment type, socio-sexual openness, and self-esteem; they also answered questions regarding sexual behavior, and violence. RESULTS: Differences in age of sexual initiation, risky sexual behavior, and socio-sexual openness were observed between men and women. Aggression prevalence in romantic relationships also varied according to sex and age. Similarities and differences in patterns of behavior and personality variables were observed in relationship quality, sexual role, kindness, and responsibility in males and females. CONCLUSIONS: The findings present consistencies with the international evidence and differences that may be due to context specificities, providing also an empirical referent to consider in health planning.

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Background: Sexual behavior usually begins in adolescence, and is mediated by biological, personality and socio-cultural variables which can affect the expression of preventive and risky sexual performance, as well as sex and age differences. Aim: To determine sex differences in the age of sexual initiation, the use ofprotective methods and mate selectivity in young men and women, as well as preventive practices according to age, and the prevalence of partner aggression. Subjects and Methods: Participants were 484 university students from public and private institutions, aged 22 ± 3 years (59% women) assessed using a diversity of self-report measures of personality traits, romantic relationship quality, sexual role, attachment type, socio-sexual openness, and self-esteem; they also answered questions regarding sexual behavior, and violence. Results: Differences in age of sexual initiation, risky sexual behavior, and socio-sexual openness were observed between men and women. Aggression prevalence in romantic relationships also varied according to sex and age. Similarities and differences in patterns of behavior and personality variables were observed in relationship quality, sexual role, kindness, and responsibility in males and females. Conclusions: The findings present consistencies with the international evidence and differences that may be due to context specificities, providing also an empirical referent to consider in health planning.

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Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder in which an individual re-experiences a traumatic event, avoids situations related to it, and shows excessive arousal. The disorder appears after experiencing a life-threatening event, such as a war or a natural disaster. Thus, the validation of tests which assess the disorder after the earthquake on February 27, 2010, in Chile is crucial for its evaluation and subsequent intervention. The present study includes psychometric data for the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist-Civilian version (PCL-C) on a sample of 509 survivors of the disaster. Values indicate good psychometric properties of the questionnaire.

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El objetivo de esta investigación fue evaluar las propiedades psicométricas de la escala de Felicidad Subjetiva (Lyubomirsky & Lepper, 1999). El objetivo del primer estudio, en que participaron 300 personas de población general, fue estimar confiabilidad (consistencia interna y estabilidad temporal) y validez de constructo de la escala. El segundo estudio, donde participaron 779 personas, tuvo por objetivo obtener indicadores definitivos de confiabilidad y validez en muestras con rangos etarios diversos. Además, evaluó validez convergente y divergente con los instrumentos: Inventario de Depresión de Beck (BDI), Cuestionario de los Cinco Grandes (BFI), y Cuestionario de Optimismo Disposicional (LOT-R). Los principales resultados del primer estudio muestran un alfa de .78 y estabilidad temporal de .61 (8 semanas de diferencias) y una estructura factorialmente pura. Para el segundo estudio la estimación de la confiabilidad estuvo entre .73 y .87 en las diversas muestra estudiadas; se encontró una estructura factorialmente pura; las correlaciones entre la escala de felicidad subjetiva y los instrumentos utilizados para evaluar validez convergente y divergente fueron adecuadas y altamente significativas en la línea de lo esperado teóricamente. La evidencia indica adecuación de la escala para su utilización en la evaluación de este constructo en población chilena.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the subjective happiness scale (Ly-ubomirsky & Lepper, 1999). The objective of the first study involving 300 people from the general population was the estimated reliability (internal consistency and temporal stability) and construct validity of the scale. The second study involved 779 people, its purpose was to obtain definitive indicators of reliability and validity in samples with diverse age range. In addition, convergent and divergent validity was evaluated with instruments: Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Big Five Questionnaire (BFI), and Dispositional Optimism Questionnaire (LOT-R). The main results of study showed an alpha of .78 and temporal stability of 61 (8 weeks apart) and a pure factorial structure. For the second study, the reliability estimation was between .73 and .87 according to the many samples studied, was found a pure factorial structure, the correlations between subjective happiness scale and instruments used to assess convergent and divergent validity were adequate, highly significant and in line with theoretical expectations. The evidence indicates adequacy of the scale for use in the assessment of this construct in the Chilean population.

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Depression is the most prevalent mental disorder and one of the most important health problems in Chile. The current study shows data for validity and reliability of the State subscale (S-DEP) of the Chilean experimental version of the State-Trait Depression Questionnaire (ST-DEP). The procedure conducted with the original version of the questionnaire was replicated on a sample of 300 university students. The utilized measures were the State Depression Questionnaire, Beck Depression Inventory, the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and neutral depressive, mild depressive, and moderate depressive vignettes. Results indicated that the factor structure was replicable, the internal consistency was good, and the situations were ranked as expected. The scale distinguishes intensities of depression. Clinicians and researchers in Chile are provided with a new measure for state depression.

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El optimismo disposicional ha sido investigado ampliamente en diferentes culturas, mostrando su utilidad como variable relacionada y predictora de importantes variables psicológicas y estados de salud. El presente estudio reporta las propiedades psicométricas preliminares del Life Orientation Test (LOT- R), en una muestra de 309 jóvenes universitarios con edades entre los 18 y 25 años, pertenecientes a la ciudad de Santiago de Chile. La estimación de la consistencia interna fue de 0.65. Del análisis factorial exploratorio surge una estructura bifactorial, alusiva a optimismo y pesimismo, que explica un 55.55% de la varianza. No se encuentra diferencia de medias entre hombres y mujeres. En términos generales la evidencia muestra la adecuación del LOT-R para su utilización en Chile.

The dispositional optimism has been researched widely in different cultures,proving its utility as a related variable and as a predictor of importantpsychological variables and states of health. The following study reports thepreliminary psychometric properties of the Life Orientation Test (LOT- R), in a sample of 309 young university students with ages between 18 and 25years, from Santiago of Chile. The estimation of the internal consistencywas of 0,65. From the exploratory factorial analysis a two factors structureemerges, of optimism and pessimism, which explain a 55.55% of the variance.There are not significant sex differences between men and women. In general terms, evidence support the adequacy of the test for its use in Chile.

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El estudio reporta los análisis preliminares y datos normativos, para una muestra de población general del Cuestionario de Ansiedad Estado Rasgo (Spielberger, Gorsuch & Lushene, 1970). Los datos fueron obtenidos de una muestra total de 1488 personas entre 13 y 60 años de edad. La consistencia interna obtenida fue .92, para STAI-S y .87 para STAI-R. Del análisis factorial confirmatorio se obtienen dos factores para cada escala. Finalmente, se realizan análisis de comparación de medias para la obtención de datos normativos, para la muestra total diferenciada por sexo y para la muestra de adolescentes y adultos.

The present study reports the preliminary analyses and normative data of the State-Trate anxiety inventory (Spielberger, Gorusch & Lushene, 1970), for a Chilean, general population sample. Data were obtained from a total sample of 1488 people, between 13 and 60 years old. A high internal consistency for STAI-S .92 and for STAI-T .87 is reported. Two factors were obtained from the confirmatory factorial analysis. Finally, analyses of the means were carried out, obtaining normative data for the total sample, differentiated by sex, and for the adolescents and adults sample.

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