RESUMO
The validity, and thus utility, of psychological instruments requires continued evaluation of their underlying psychometric properties across contexts. Measurement tools have been developed over the past few decades to assess personality constructs developed through various theoretical frameworks. The Big Five has been a particular focus of such inquiry; however, few studies have validated a Spanish version for use in Mexico. Using two separate Mexican college student samples (Sample 1: n = 289, Sample 2: n = 309) we tested factorial structure, reliability, and validity of a Spanish translation of the Faceted Inventory of the Five-Factor Model (FI-FFM; Watson, Nus, & Wu). An exploratory factor analysis showed a similar structure to the original FI-FFM, albeit with some exceptions primarily within the Extraversion and Agreeableness domains. Furthermore, the FI-FFM scales were internally consistent and highly stable over time (average interval = 5 months). Finally, the scales showed strong convergent and discriminant validity and the facet scales displayed validity in predicting outcomes.
Assuntos
Estudantes , Humanos , Reprodutibilidade dos Testes , México , Universidades , Inventário de Personalidade , PsicometriaRESUMO
Resumen Cumplir con las medidas de prevención de la salud es fundamental para controlar brotes de enfermedades infecciosas como aquellos causados por la COVID-19. Se han realizados numerosas investigaciones para comprender algunas variables psicosociales (desde personalidad hasta diferencias culturales) asociadas con las conductas de precaución en contextos de pandemia. Sin embargo, se sabe poco sobre el papel que el capital y la responsabilidad social pueden jugar en estos comportamientos de precaución en el contexto de la pandemia del COVID-19. El presente trabajo aborda variables psicológicas asociadas con el capital social y conductas socialmente responsables (e.g. amabilidad, empatía, apoyo social, justicia, impulsividad, conducta cívica), que ayudan a un grupo a desarrollar actividades socialmente valiosas propiciando el cumplimiento de las medidas de prevención. El presente estudio evaluó el efecto del capital social y variables asociadas (e.g., personalidad, apoyo social) en comportamientos precautorios relacionados con el COVID-19. Se utilizaron regresiones jerárquicas y modelos mediacionales en 3 diferentes muestras mexicanas (muestra 1: n=709, muestra 2: n=718, muestra 3: n= 309). Los resultados muestran que las variables asociadas con la responsabilidad social evaluadas aquí, con excepción de la legitimidad y la justicia distributiva, se relacionan con un mayor reporte de conductas de precaución. Estos resultados sugieren un enfoque encaminado a aumentar el capital y la responsabilidad social para reducir el efecto de enfermedades infecciosas como el COVID-19.
Abstract Compliance with health protection measures is essential to control outbreaks of infectious diseases such as COVID-19. Extensive research has been done in the pursuit of understanding psychosocial variables (e.g., personality to cultural differences) associated with precautionary behaviors. However, little is known about the role social capital and responsibility may play on these behaviors in the context of COVID-19. The present work assessed psychological variables associated with social capital and responsibility (e.g. agreeableness, empathy, social support, justice, impulsivity, civic behaviors), which help the development of socially valuable activities leading individuals to comply with preventative measures. The present study, using 3 different Mexican samples (sample 1, n=709; sample 2, n=718; sample 3, n= 309) explored the effect of social capital, civic culture, and associated variables (e.g., personality, social support) on COVID-19 related precautionary behaviors using hierarchical linear regressions and mediational models. In the first sample, we explored the relationship between empathy, impulsivity, and precautionary behaviors. In the second sample, we explored whether trust in authorities, social support, and social pressure predicted these behaviors. In the third sample, we used a longitudinal design to assess the mediating role of prosocial and socially responsible behaviors between personality and precautionary behaviors. Results from the first sample showed that empathy predicted precautionary behaviors. In the second sample, we observed that although legitimacy and distributive justice did not predict precautionary behaviors, social pressure had a negative and social support had a positive effect on these behaviors. Finally, our longitudinal data suggested that those who report higher conscientiousness and agreeableness also report more socially responsible and prosocial behaviors and in turn report higher precautionary behaviors. In general, results from all samples, showed that the variables associated with social capital and responsibility are significantly related with increased report of precautionary behaviors. These results suggest that efforts should be focused on increasing social capital and responsibility while seeking to reduce the spread and deleterious effects of infectious diseases like COVID-19.
RESUMO
Violence in schools is a global issue. Approximately 32% of Mexican students have experienced some form of violence in the school setting in their lives. Previous research has tended to focus on the causes of violence and antisocial behaviors in offenders or adolescent samples and has found evidence to suggest the underlying role of environmental and personal factors. The present study investigates the effect of positive school environment and agreeableness as protective factors against antisocial behaviors in a sample of undergraduate and graduate students (n = 304) from northwestern Mexico. Our results demonstrate that a positive school environment has a negative effect on antisocial behaviors via mood and anxiety disorders as well as in interaction with agreeableness, suggesting an interplay between personality and environment. These findings can provide some basis for the development of university programs aimed at fostering positive environments that promote student mental health and protect against antisocial behaviors.
RESUMO
Theoretically, a positive environment (PE) includes (a) tangible and intangible resources that satisfy human needs, (b) enablers of healthy, pro-social, and pro-environmental behaviors that guarantee socio-environmental quality and wellbeing, and (c) environmental challenges that must be faced and solved. One of the most salient challenges is the global COVID-19 pandemic. This study sought to investigate whether PEs can stimulate responsible actions (i.e., self-care and precautionary behaviors against COVID-19), while maintaining personal wellbeing. Nine hundred and forty-nine Mexicans participated in an online survey encompassing five primary factors: resources, enablers, challenges, responsible health behaviors, and wellbeing. The first three factors examine "resources" such as physical infrastructure as well as family and social support, "enablers" which include information about protective health practices and perceived legitimacy of authorities in handling the pandemic, and "challenges" encompassing threat perception and social pressure to not engage in precautionary measures. Participants also self-reported hedonic wellbeing as well as self-care and precautionary behaviors, which formed the "responsible (health) behavior" factor. Structural equations model (n = 714 after list-wise deletion) showed that "resources," "challenges," and "enablers" form a second-order factor, "positive environments," and this factor strongly covaries with "responsible behavior" and "wellbeing." These results suggest that PEs are not only buffers against the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic but can also stimulate effective responses against a threat while maintaining individual wellbeing. These results can be used to inform the development and maintenance of PE frameworks aimed at minimizing the spread of COVID-19 and encouraging mental and physical health.