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Background: Research suggests that positivity and self-efficacy beliefs may impact adaptive behavior and developmental outcomes, such as social adjustment and subjective wellbeing. The present study explored the effect of positive dimensions (positivity and self-efficacy beliefs) and individual characteristics (gender, type of country, age, and sexual orientation) on family cohesion and flexibility in a group of Colombian and Italian young adults. Method: An online survey was administered to 949 Colombian and 2,073 Italian people aged between 18 and 40 years (M age = 24.3; SDage = 4.5; 67% women). A mediational model was performed to test the influence of positivity on family functioning via the mediational role of self-efficacy beliefs, analyzing the moderated effects of gender, type of country, sexual orientation, and age. Results: Filial self-efficacy mediated the effect of positivity on family functioning, showing stronger paths in men and Colombian participants than in women and Italian counterparts. Regulatory self-efficacy mediated the associations between positivity and family functioning for both genders and types of countries. Conclusion: The results suggest that positivity and self-efficacy beliefs may allow families to engage in more adaptive family functioning across countries and genders. Further research should focus on implications from a cross-national perspective to examine other culture-specific factors that may impact family adjustment.

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Type II diabetes is increasingly becoming a problem in Latin American countries such as Peru. People living with diabetes must incorporate several behavioral changes in their everyday lives, which are done outside the purview of medical professionals. Support from friends and family members is essential to the successful management of any chronic condition. Our study discusses the role of family involvement in supporting the management of diabetes among Peruvian men and examines how masculine norms play a role in the way such support is received and perceived, and their influence in motivation to adhere to treatment recommendations. In-depth interviews with 20 men from a low socioeconomic status, aged 27 to 68 with a diagnosis of Type II diabetes were conducted. Our analysis suggests the importance of the close, complex, and integrated experience that connects family members and patients with a chronic condition. Participant accounts demonstrate they receive multiple forms of support from a diverse range of social relationships. The overwhelming majority of the people giving the support were female and were especially significant in supporting management practices. The participants' accounts were able to demonstrate how living with a chronic condition, such as diabetes, affects the whole family-physically, mentally, and emotionally-and they experience the disease as one unit. Our study demonstrates the need for a family health experience approach that considers masculine gender norms around health and provides relevant insights to inform family-based treatments and therapies to allow for more and better targeted health care for men.

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BACKGROUND: Psychometric studies of the FACES III scale in Spanish-speaking countries show a lack of agreement on the factorial structure of the scale. In addition, most of the studies have only performed exploratory analyses of its factorial structure. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the present study was to confirm the structure and factorial invariance of the FACES III scale in nursing and obstetric students from Chile, Colombia, Peru, and Mexico. METHODS: A total of 3303 students from the four countries participated in this study (Colombia = 1559, Chile = 1224, Peru = 215, Mexico = 305). RESULTS: The results of the study showed that the Bi-factor model presents the best-fit indexes to the data from Colombia, Chile, and Mexico, but not from Peru. In addition, it was found that this model showed evidence of being strictly invariant among the three countries in the sequence of the invariance models proposed: metric invariance (ΔRMSEA = .000), scalar (ΔRMSEA = .008), and strict (ΔRMSEA = .008). The bi-factor model also showed adequate reliability indexes in the three countries. CONCLUSION: It is concluded that the FACES III scale shows adequate psychometric performance under a bi-factor model in nursing and obstetric students from Colombia, Chile, and Mexico. The lack of fit of the model in Peru could be associated with the small sample size.

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Introduction: Mucopolysaccharidoses (MPS) constitute a group of progressive and multisystemic inherited metabolic diseases that profoundly affect both the mental health of patients and the wellbeing of their families. This study aims to evaluate the impact of MPS on family functioning and related factors. Methods and results: Twenty-five patients with MPS, including types I (n = 4), II (n = 11), IIIB (n = 2), IVA (n = 3), and VI (n = 5), and their families participated in this study. The mean patient age was 13 years [standard deviation (SD): 7.7 years]. Behavioral and emotional problems were noted in 9.1% of all patients. While the type of MPS did not directly influence mental problems, the presence of neuronal involvement did (p = 0.006). Patients with MPS III exhibited difficulties primarily in emotional areas, conduct, hyperactivity, and peer problems. Importantly, both patients with MPS II and those with MPS III experienced a significant impact on communication [mean scores for communication domain: MPS II, 35.6 (SD: 24.3); MPS III, 35.0 (SD: 22.6)]; poorer communication was directly linked to worse adaptive behavior (p = 0.012), and worse adaptive behavior was associated with lower quality of life (p = 0.001). Quality of life and caregiver burden among family members did not significantly differ across MPS types; however, higher caregiver burden was negatively associated with quality of life (p = 0.002). Concerning family functioning, the most impacted domains included independence, intellectual/cultural orientation, activity/recreation, and expressiveness. Domain scores did not vary based on MPS type, treatment, or neurological involvement. Quality-of-life scores were positively associated with the cultural/intellectual domain score. Conclusion: The impacts of quality of life and family extend beyond clinical characteristics and MPS type, strongly influenced by patient cognition and communication, as well as type of family functioning, especially those with greater cultural/intellectual skills of their family members. A multidisciplinary approach addressing the broader needs of individuals with MPS becomes essential. Techniques aimed at improving communication, including prompt interventions such as speech therapy and augmentative and alternative communication strategies, can contribute to overall family functioning improvement.

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BACKGROUND: A psychometric study of the Family Adaptability and Cohesion Scale (FACES III) has been conducted in Spanish-speaking countries from the perspective of the classical test theory. However, this approach has limitations that affect the psychometric understanding of this scale. OBJECTIVE: Accordingly, this study used the item response theory to investigate the psychometric performance of the items. Furthermore, it evaluated the differential performance of the items for Colombia and Chile. METHOD: For this purpose, 518 health science students from both countries participated. Confirmatory Factor Analysis was used. RESULTS: The study results revealed that the cohesion and adaptability items presented adequate discrimination and difficulty indices. In addition, items 5, 8, 13, 17, and 19 of cohesion indicated differential functioning between students from both countries, with Chilean students exhibiting a greater discriminatory power. Further, the Colombian group exhibited a greater discriminatory power for item 18 of adaptability. CONCLUSIONS: The study concluded that the items of FACES III indicated adequate psychometric performance in terms of their discriminative capacity and difficulty in Chile and Colombia.

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Abstract Background Psychometric studies of the FACES III scale in Spanish-speaking countries show a lack of agreement on the factorial structure of the scale. In addition, most of the studies have only performed exploratory analyses of its factorial structure. Objective The objective of the present study was to confirm the structure and factorial invariance of the FACES III scale in nursing and obstetric students from Chile, Colombia, Peru, and Mexico. Methods A total of 3303 students from the four countries participated in this study (Colombia = 1559, Chile = 1224, Peru = 215, Mexico = 305). Results The results of the study showed that the Bi-factor model presents the best-fit indexes to the data from Colombia, Chile, and Mexico, but not from Peru. In addition, it was found that this model showed evidence of being strictly invariant among the three countries in the sequence of the invariance models proposed: metric invariance (ΔRMSEA = .000), scalar (ΔRMSEA = .008), and strict (ΔRMSEA = .008). The bi-factor model also showed adequate reliability indexes in the three countries. Conclusion It is concluded that the FACES III scale shows adequate psychometric performance under a bi-factor model in nursing and obstetric students from Colombia, Chile, and Mexico. The lack of fit of the model in Peru could be associated with the small sample size.

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Abstract It is intended to study the quality of the Family Functioning Scale (Portuguese version) and to understand/characterize the relationship between Family Functioning and Parenting Styles. The samples include 1757 Portuguese parents, 77.3% being female (N=1359), aged between 20 and 80 years old (M=41.61; SD=5.71). The results confirm a relationship between the dimensions of family functioning and parenting styles, especially with the emotional support dimension. Parents between 36 and 45 years old have a more positive family functioning and a parenting style associated with higher levels of emotional support, lower levels of rejection, and moderate levels of control/supervision. It is concluded that it is a valid, sensitive, and robust instrument, and the results are a contribution to psychosocial research and intervention.

Resumo Pretende-se estudar a qualidade da Escala do Funcionamento Familiar (versão portuguesa) e compreender/caracterizar a relação entre o Funcionamento Familiar e os Estilos Parentais. A amostra inclui 1757 pais portugueses, sendo 77,3% do sexo feminino (N=1359), com idades entre os 20 e os 80 anos (M=41,61; DP=5,71). Os resultados confirmam uma relação entre as dimensões do funcionamento familiar e dos estilos parentais, especialmente com o suporte emocional. Os pais entre 36 e 45 anos apresentam um funcionamento familiar mais positivo e um estilo parental associado a níveis mais elevados de suporte emocional, níveis mais baixos de rejeição e níveis moderados de controlo/supervisão. Conclui-se que é um instrumento válido, sensível e robusto, e os resultados são um contributo para a investigação e intervenção psicossocial.

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The COVID-19 pandemic has had a major impact on family relationships, as several families have lost family members due to COVID-19 pandemic and become physically and emotionally estranged due to lockdown measures and critically economic periods. Our study contrasted two hypotheses: (1) family functioning changed notably before and after the COVID-19 pandemic initiation in terms of cohesion, flexibility, communication and satisfaction; (2) balanced families have a greater capacity to strictly comply with quarantine (i.e., social confinement), compared to unbalanced families. We performed an observational study comparing family functioning between two independent groups, evaluated before and during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Peru. A total of 7,980 participants were included in the study. For the first hypothesis, we found that, during the pandemic, families became more balanced in terms of cohesion (adjusted before-during mean difference or ß1 = 1.4; 95% CI [1.0-1.7]) and flexibility (ß2 = 2.0; 95% CI [1.6-2.4]), and families were less disengaged (ß3 = -1.9; 95% CI [-2.3 to -1.5]) and chaotic (ß4 = -2.9; 95% CI [-3.3 to -2.4]). Regarding the second hypothesis, we confirmed that families with balanced cohesion (adjusted prevalence ratio or aPR = 1.16; 95% CI [1.12-1.19) and flexibility (aPR = 1.23; 95% CI [1.18-1.27]) allowed greater compliance with quarantine restrictions; while disengaged (aPR = 0.91; 95% CI [0.88-0.93]) and chaotic families (aPR = 0.89; 95% CI [0.87-0.92]) were more likely to partially comply or not comply with the quarantine. Finally, family communication (aPR = 1.17; 95% CI [1.11-1.24]) and satisfaction (aPR = 1.18; 95% CI [1.11-1.25]) also played a role in favouring quarantine compliance. This new evidence enlightens the family systems theory while informing future interventions for improving compliance with quarantine measures in the context of social confinement.

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The COVID-19 pandemic and government measures have challenged family functioning (FF) and eating behaviors. In non-pandemic scenarios, FF has shown a protective role in diet quality. This study aimed to explore the role of FF in family members' food consumption during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Chile. We conducted a cross-sectional, non-probabilistic study. Chilean adults (n= 821) answered an online survey based on the Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scales (FACES) IV and a scale of food intake perceptions (non-processed and processed food). The survey also included an open space for comments (n= 147). Most participants had a medium or high FF category. Participants with higher FF had a lower risk of decreasing the consumption of non-processed foods (RR= 0.58 for fruits and RR= 0.45 for legumes) and lower risk of increasing processed foods (RR= 0.37 for sugar-sweetened beverages, RR= 0.46 for snacks, and RR= 0.64 for chocolates) when compared to lower FF participants and controlling for per-capita income. Participants commented on changes in FF: some had more conflicts and others were happy to be together during the pandemic. Most participants indicated that they maintained or increased non-processed and processed food consumption compared to the pre-pandemic period. They perceived having the opportunity of eating healthier during the pandemic. However, the stress they suffered produced them to eat unhealthily. Therefore, FF had a protective role in diet quality during the pandemic. Policymakers should consider FF when promoting healthy diets, especially in health crises.

La pandemia por COVID-19 y las medidas gubernamentales han desafiado el funcionamiento familiar (FF) y los hábitos alimentarios. En escenarios no pandémicos, el FF ha demostrado un papel protector en la calidad de la dieta. Este estudio tuvo como objetivo explorar el papel del FF en el consumo de alimentos de los miembros de la familia durante la primera ola de la pandemia de COVID-19 en Chile. Realizamos un estudio transversal, no probabilístico. Adultos chilenos (n= 821) respondieron una encuesta online basada en la Escala de Evaluación de Cohesión y Adaptabilidad Familiar (FACES) IV y una escala de percepción de consumo de alimentos (alimentos no procesados y procesados). La encuesta también incluyó un espacio abierto para comentarios (n= 147). La mayoría de los participantes tenían una categoría de FF medio o FF alto. Los participantes con mayor FF tenían un menor riesgo de disminuir el consumo de alimentos no procesados (RR= 0,58 para frutas y RR= 0,45 para legumbres) y menor riesgo de aumentar los alimentos procesados (RR= 0,37 para bebidas azucaradas, RR= 0,46 para snacks, y RR= 0,64 para chocolates) en comparación con los participantes de FF más bajos y controlando por ingreso per cápita. Los participantes comentaron cambios en sus FF y teniendo más conflictos, aunque algunos estaban felices de estar juntos durante la pandemia. La mayoría de los participantes indicaron que mantuvieron o aumentaron los alimentos procesados y no procesados en comparación con el período pre-pandemia. Ellos percibieron tener la oportunidad de comer más sano. Sin embargo, el estrés que sufrían les producía comer menos saludable. La FF tuvo un papel protector en la calidad de la dieta durante la pandemia. Quienes formulen políticas públicas deben considerar la AF cuando promuevan dietas saludables, especialmente en crisis de salud.

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Se presenta un estudio analítico y transversal, con el objetivo de explorar los niveles de funcionamiento familiar, salud mental, ansiedad, autoestima y calidad de vida en familias en situación de vulnerabilidad de una ciudad del caribe colombiano. La muestra final fue compuesta por 50 familias, para un total de 100 sujetos (50 Padres/cuidador, 50 adolescentes). Se utilizaron como instrumentos el APGAR Familiar, el Self reporting questionnaire (SRQ), el Whoqol-Bref, el Inventario de Ansiedad Rasgo-Estado (IDARE) y la escala de autoestima de Rosenberg. Se encontraron altos niveles de disfunción familiar, ansiedad y 67 correlaciones significativas entre las diferentes variables, a su vez, se encontró diferencias significativas en la variable de autoestima entre el grupo de padres/cuidador y adolescentes. Se concluyó la existencia de una asociación entre funcionamiento familiar, ansiedad, autoestima y calidad de vida en familias en situación de vulnerabilidad, asimismo, que existe diferencia significativa entre la autoestima de padres/cuidador y adolescentes. Se hace énfasis en la importancia del funcionamiento familiar en la calidad de la salud mental.

An analytical and cross-sectional study is presented, with the objective of exploring the levels of family functioning, mental health, anxiety, self-esteem and quality of life in families in vulnerable situations in a Colombian Caribbean city. The final sample was made up of 50 families, for a total of 100 subjects (50 parents/caregiver, 50 adolescents). The Family APGAR, the Self reporting questionnaire (SRQ), the Whoqol-Bref, the Trait-State Anxiety Inventory (IDARE) and the Rosenberg self-esteem scale were used as instruments. High levels of family dysfunction, anxiety and 67 significant correlations were found between the different variables, in turn, significant differences were found in the self-esteem variable between the group of parents/caregiver and adolescents. The existence of an association between family functioning, anxiety, self-esteem and quality of life in families in vulnerable situations was concluded, likewise, that there is a significant difference between the self-esteem of parents/caregivers and adolescents. Emphasis is placed on the importance of family functioning in the quality of mental health.

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Empathy is a relevant competence in the study and practice of medicine whose development could depend on the functioning style of each family. This study aims to compare the distribution of empathy levels, about functionality or dysfunction, and the three styles, which can be derived from family functioning in the families of Argentine medical students. Previously providing evidence of the validity of the family functioning measure. As well as provide evidence of the validity of the measure of family functioning. METHODS: Ex post facto design: 306 Argentine medical students who had already taken the Jefferson Scale of Empathy-Spanish Edition (JSE-S) and the abbreviated Spanish Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scale (FACES-20). A gender-weighted linear regression analysis was made, establishing an ANOVA and multiple comparisons via DMS to determine the effect of functional and dysfunctional families' balanced, intermediate and extreme functioning styles concerning empathy. RESULTS: Students who presented dysfunction in familial cohesion and adaptability showed measures of empathy greater than those classified as functional. Differences of cohesion were statistically significant in compassionate care, perspective taking and general empathy. These components were significantly higher in students from families classified as extreme than balanced ones. Students classified within families with either extreme or dysfunctional styles showed greater levels of empathy than more adaptive and functional ones, except in the 'walking in patient's shoes' component where differences were not observed. CONCLUSIONS: Individual resilience as an intervening variable in the presence of empathy is discussed. IMPLICATIONS: The study of empathy, its associated variables, and the conditions of its development remains a central theme in relation to students and professionals of the health sciences. To achieve an effective professional practice, it is necessary to develop human capacities such as empathy and personal resilience.

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Epidemiological evidence has linked an array of sociodemographic and psychosocial factors with an increased risk of developing psychosis. However, research in samples from low- and middle-income countries is still scarce. This study used a Mexican sample to explore (i) sociodemographic and psychosocial differences between individuals with and without a positive screen for Clinical High-Risk for psychosis (CHR), and (ii) sociodemographic and psychosocial factors associated with screening positive for CHR. The sample consisted of 822 individuals from the general population who completed an online survey. Of the participants, 17.3% (n = 142) met the CHR screening criteria. Comparisons between those who screened positive (CHR-positive group) and those who did not (Non-CHR group) showed that participants in the CHR-positive group were younger, had a lower educational level, and reported more mental health problems than the Non-CHR group. Furthermore, relative to the Non-CHR group, the CHR-positive group had a greater prevalence of medium/high risk associated with cannabis use, a higher prevalence of adverse experiences (bullying, intimate partner violence, and experiencing a violent or unexpected death of a relative or friend), as well as higher levels of childhood maltreatment, poorer family functioning, and more distress associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. Groups did not differ in sex, marital/relationship status, occupation, and socio-economic status. Finally, when examined in multivariate analyses, the variables associated with screening positive for CHR were: having an unhealthy family functioning (OR = 2.75, 95%CI 1.69-4.46), a higher risk associated with cannabis use (OR = 2.75, 95%CI 1.63-4.64), a lower level of education (OR = 1.55, 95%CI 1.003-2.54), having experienced a major natural disaster (OR = 1.94, 95%CI 1.18-3.16), having experienced a violent or unexpected death of a relative or friend (OR = 1.85, 95%CI 1.22-2.81), higher levels of childhood emotional abuse (OR = 1.88, 95%CI 1.09-3.25), physical neglect (OR = 1.68, 95%CI 1.08-2.61), and physical abuse (OR = 1.66, 95%CI 1.05-2.61), and higher COVID-related distress (OR = 1.10, 95%CI 1.01-1.20). An older age was a protective factor for screening positive for CHR (OR = 0.96, 95%CI 0.92-0.99). Overall, the findings highlight the importance of examining potential psychosocial contributors to psychosis vulnerability across different sociocultural contexts to delineate risk and protective processes relevant to specific populations and better target preventive intervention efforts.

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(1) Background: loneliness is a problem that becomes increasingly acute in old age, with greater repercussions among socially disadvantaged groups such as indigenous and Afro-descendant older adults. The aim of this research is to analyze the psychosocial variables related to loneliness in old age. (2) Methods: a multi-ethnic sample was involved, with the participation of eight indigenous peoples and Afro-descendant tribal people (n = 1.348). Various gerontological scales previously validated among the Chilean population (De Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale, Brief Resilient Coping Scale, Health Problems Questionnaire, and Family APGAR questionnaire) and a model are contrasted, establishing the relationship between psychosocial variables and loneliness. (3) Results: Structural equation modeling (SEM) showed the existence of indirect relationships between health problems, via family functioning and resilience, and loneliness. Resilience and family functioning were directly related to loneliness (WLSMV-χ2 (df = 345) = 875.106, p < 0.001; CFI = 0.992; TLI = 0.991; RMSEA = 0.034 [C.I. 90% = 0.031-0.037]). (4) Conclusions: loneliness has cross-culturally affected older Chilean people living in rural areas and it appears that the COVID-19 pandemic has had a negative effect on well-being. This study proves that loneliness is related to several psychosocial variables that can be intervened.

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OBJECTIVE: We examined the relationships between eating disorders symptoms (EDs), suicidal ideation, depressive and anxiety symptoms, and perceived family functioning in a sample of university students aged 18-25 years (N = 397). METHOD: Assessment of symptoms was carried out with the Eating Disorder Diagnostic Scale, Beck Anxiety Inventory and Beck Depression Inventory, among others. We explored the associations between the domains using network analysis. RESULTS: We found that physical anxiety symptoms, followed by cognitive and physical depressive symptoms showed the greatest centrality in the current network. Perceived family functioning was negatively related to eating disorder symptoms. DISCUSSION: We provide evidence regarding the relevant role of anxiety and depression symptoms in the presentation of ED symptoms in university students. These findings provide new insights to improve preventive interventions to timely reduce symptoms and risk factors associated with EDs. PUBLIC SIGNIFICANCE: Using a network approach, we found specific associations between physical anxiety symptoms, cognitive and physical depressive symptoms, eating disorders symptoms, suicidal ideation and perceived family functioning in university students. These variables can be potential targets to develop evidence-based preventive strategies in this population. A better understanding of these complex associations and the role of family variables could enhance the effectiveness of interventions in both clinical and educational settings.

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PURPOSE: The diagnosis of children and adolescents with a chronic disease may affect the entire family system. When families have diverse structures, additional tensions can be present and affect the balance of family functioning. This metasynthesis aims to analyze and synthesize qualitative evidence on the functioning of structurally diverse families who live with adolescents and children with chronic disease. DESIGN: Qualitative metasynthesis. METHODS: Systematic searches up to 2021 were performed in PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, SCOPUS, LILACS, and Web of Science and supplemented by manual search strategies. It followed guidelines from the statement in the Enhancing Transparency in Reporting the Synthesis of Qualitative Research (ENTREQ). A quality appraisal of each study was undertaken using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme. Data synthesis was conducted according to the thematic synthesis approach. FINDINGS: Of a total of 6538 references identified, 9 studies were included in the metasynthesis. The thematic synthesis enabled the construction of three analytical themes: "Family structural changes and weakened co-parenting"; "Family rearrangements and the challenges faced by families"; and "Committed to healthy family functioning for the child's well-being: Searching for family homeostasis". CONCLUSIONS: The themes showed that the causes of the rupture in the family unit interfere in family functioning, making it ineffective. In most families, family functioning is centered on the mothers. Faced with the need to care for children and adolescents and to control chronic disease, structurally diverse families need to adjust their family functioning and search for family homeostasis. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The results of this review can support nurses to target their care toward these families and formulate effective interventions that promote, strengthen, or maintain the healthy functioning of these families.

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Introducción: En Cuba es insuficiente la socialización de estudios relacionados con la discapacidad intelectual y su impacto en la salud familiar, a pesar de que se registra una tasa de 3,26 discapacitados intelectualmente x 100 habitantes, con la mayor incidencia en Guantánamo. Objetivo: Evaluar la repercusión de la discapacidad intelectual en el funcionamiento de la familia en el Hospital Psiquiátrico Provincial "Luis Ramírez López" de Guantánamo durante el período enero 2020 - enero 2022. Método: Se realizó un estudio cualitativo descriptivo. El universo estuvo conformado por 25 familias (N꓿25) donde uno de sus miembros estuvo diagnosticado con discapacidad intelectual. Se trabajaron variables, tales como: factores socioeconómicos, factores psicológicos, funcionamiento familiar, adaptación social, nivel de repercusión. Se realizaron distribuciones de frecuencia absoluta y relativa en tablas de contingencia. Resultados: Predominaron entre los factores socioeconómicos aquellas familias con problemas en las condiciones materiales del hogar (64 %) y hacinamiento (56 %). En lo psicológico se encontró afectado severamente la planificación de tareas y proyectos de vidas familiares en conjunto (64 %). La funcionalidad familiar se vio afectada por la insuficiente calma ante los problemas (76 %) y la pérdida de comunicación intrafamiliar (72 %). La necesidad de ayuda especializada (100 %) fue la adaptación social más afectada. Conclusiones: La discapacidad intelectual en uno de los miembros de la familia denota falta de aceptación de la comunidad, alejamiento de sus amistades y familiares; la falta de apoyo social impide que el enfermo sea incluido en la comunidad y, en muchas ocasiones, alguno de los padres se ve en la necesidad de dejar su trabajo para poder cuidarlo, lo que repercute en su ingreso familiar.

Introduction: In Cuba, there is an insufficient disclosure of studies in intellectual disability and its impact on family health, despite the fact that the current rate of people with intellectual desability registered is 3.26 per 100 inhabitants, with the highest incidence in Guantánamo province. Objective: To assess the impact of intellectual disability on family functioning, studied period January 2020 to January 2022, at the Hospital Psiquiátrico Provincial "Luis Ramírez López" de Guantánamo. Method: A descriptive qualitative study was carried out. A total of 25 families (N꓿25) were involved in the study, families with one of their members diagnosed with intellectual disability. Variables used: socioeconomic factors, psychological factors, family functioning, social adaptation, level of repercussion. Absolute and relative frequency distributions were performed in contingency tables. Results: Among the socioeconomic factors, families with structural problems in their houses (64%) and overcrowding (56 %) predominated. Psychologically, planning of tasks and family life projects as a whole was severely affected (64%). Family functioning was affected by two aspects, the lack of practical actions to face problems head on (76%) and loss of intra-family communication (72%). The needs of an specialized support (100% of families) was the most affected social adaptation. Conclusions: Intellectual disability in one of the family members denotes a lack of acceptance by the community, alienation from friends and relatives ; the lack of social support prevents the patients from being included in the community and, on many occasions, one of the parents has to quit his or her job to assume the patient´s care, decisions which has deep impact on family incomes.

Introdução: em Cuba, a socialização dos estudos relacionados com a deficiência intelectual e seu impacto na saúde familiar é insuficiente, apesar de se registrar uma taxa de 3,26 deficientes intelectuais por 100 habitantes, com a maior incidência em Guantánamo. Objetivo: avaliar o impacto da deficiência intelectual no funcionamento da família no Hospital Psiquiátrico Provincial "Luis Ramírez López" de Guantánamo durante o período de janeiro de 2020 a janeiro de 2022. Método: estudo qualitativo descritivo. O universo foi constituído por 25 famílias (N꓿25) onde um dos seus membros foi diagnosticado com deficiência intelectual. Variáveis foram trabalhadas, tais como: fatores socioeconômicos, fatores psicológicos, funcionamento familiar, adaptação social, nível de repercussão. As distribuições de frequência absoluta e relativa foram feitas em tabelas de contingência. Resultados: os fatores socioeconômicos predominaram aquelas famílias com problemas nas condições materiais do lar (64%) e superlotação (56%). Psicologicamente, o planejamento de tarefas e projetos de vida familiar como um todo foi bastante afetado (64%). A funcionalidade familiar foi afetada pela calma insuficiente diante dos problemas (76%) e pela perda da comunicação intrafamiliar (72%). A necessidade de ajuda especializada (100%) foi a adaptação social mais prejudicada. Conclusões: a deficiência intelectual em um dos membros da família denota falta de aceitação da comunidade, distanciamento de seus amigos e familiares; a falta de apoio social impede que o paciente se insira na comunidade e, muitas vezes, um dos pais precisa deixar o emprego para poder cuidar dele, o que afeta a renda familiar.

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Aim: The objective of this paper is to explore whether there are differences in the levels of empathy and its dimensions between family typologies in dental students. Methodology: A quantitative and not experimental study, with a cross-sectional descriptive design, a population of dental students from the Evangelical University of El Salvador, and a convenience sample were applied. The levels of empathy and family functioning were evaluated using the Jefferson Scale of Empathy for Health Professions students and the Brief Scale of Family Functioning. The construct validity of both instruments was estimated using Confirmatory Factor Analysis. The reliability was estimated using McDonald's omega and Cronbach's alpha. Comparisons of empathy and its dimensions between family typologies were made using a two-factor analysis of variance. Results: No statistical differences were observed in empathy and its dimensions based on family typologies. It was found that women are more empathic than men. This result is not in accordance with other studies carried out in Latin America on dental and medical students evaluating empathy and family functioning with the same instruments. Conclusions: The distribution of empathy levels and their dimensions are similar among the family typologies studied. Therefore, it was not found that family functioning can influence empathy in the population studied. It is necessary to continue these studies to obtain more empirical evidence regarding the influence of family functioning on empathy.

Objetivo: El objetivo del presente trabajo es determinar la existencia de diferencias de los niveles de empatía y de sus dimensiones entre las tipologías familiares en estudiantes de odontología. Metodología: Estudio cuantitativo y no experimental, con un diseño descriptivo transversal, una población de estudiantes de odontología de la Universidad Evangélica de El Salvador y una muestra por conveniencia. Fueron evaluados los niveles de empatía y el funcionamiento familiar mediante la Escala de Empatía de Jefferson para estudiantes de profesiones de la salud y la Escala Breve de Funcionamiento Familiar. Se estimó la validez de constructo de ambos instrumentos mediante Análisis Factorial Confirmatorio y la confiabilidad mediante omega de McDonald y alfa de Cronbach. Las comparaciones de la empatía y sus dimensiones entre las tipologías familiares fueron realizadas mediante análisis de varianza bifactorial. Resultados: No se observaron diferencias estadísticas en la empatía y en sus dimensiones en función de las tipologías familiares. Se encontró que las mujeres son más empáticas que los hombres. Este resultado no está en concordancia con otros estudios realizados en América Latina en estudiantes de odontología y medicina, evaluando la empatía y el funcionamiento familiar con los mismos instrumentos. Conclusiones: La distribución de los niveles de empatía y de sus dimensiones son semejantes entre las tipologías familiares estudiadas. Por lo tanto, no se constató que el funcionamiento familiar tenga un efecto sobre la empatía en la población estudiada. Es necesario continuar estos estudios para obtener mayor evidencia empírica respecto de la influencia del funcionamiento familiar en la empatía.

RESUMO

Family functioning, understood as cohesion and adaptability, is critical in families with adolescent children, given the changes that this stage implies at the family level. Time perspective is one variable that can facilitate better family functioning through the way people give meaning to the process they live. In this study, we examined the relationship between family functioning and the time perspective of adolescent children's parents. The FACES IV and ZTPI were administered to 276 parents of adolescents. Regression analyses indicated that the past positive, past negative, and future scores predicted family cohesion and adaptability, explaining at least 20% of the variance. Balanced families, with greater cohesion and adaptability, presented a higher level of past positive and future-oriented temporal perspectives, compared to unbalanced families, which presented a greater orientation to the past negative and deviated from the balanced temporal profile. The importance of considering the inter-relationship between family functioning and time perspective was discussed, considering its impact on the health and well-being of families with adolescents.

RESUMO

The human brain is the most cognitively capable of mammalian brains, endowed as it is with an overdeveloped cerebral cortex that, in parallel, renders it vulnerable to mental disorders. Schizophrenia is the expression of the dysregulation of the neuronal activity of cortical and subcortical regions due to modifications in the levels of the various neurotransmitters, especially of dopamine, with a reciprocal, intimate relationship among genes with environmental and psychosocial factors. If the dopaminergic system increases the function prefrontal cortex will be reduced: this is the main reason of social, occupational and familiar disruption. The present article describes the function of the brain in schizophrenia and its relation with anatomical, physiological, and genetic changes, in addition to identifying, psychosocial and family factors that can be determinant in the functionality of the patient. A review of national and international bibliography was conducted bearing in mind the following variables: functioning at the cerebral level; psychosocial functioning, familial functioning, disability, and functionality in persons with schizophrenia. Due to the variety of the issues included in this review, it can be concluded that schizophrenia is the product of a complex array of symptoms, deficits and disabilities. It was identified that there is a reciprocal confluence of diverse genetic, psychosocial, familial, environmental, educative, and social factors which affect the functionality of persons with this disorder. The latter makes it necessary to study the patient taking into consideration all of these components in an integral manner.

RESUMO

Family relationships play a central role in wellbeing among older adults in Chile. Based on the theory of social production functions, this study examined the relationship between perceived social support from children, partners and relatives, family functioning, self-perceived health and quality of life (QoL) among Chilean older adults. The study used a multi-ethnic sample of Chilean older adults living in rural areas in the regions of Arica and Parinacota (north) and Araucanía (south). A model was analyzed that emphasizes relationships differentiated by the source of support, family functioning and self-perceived health in the explanation of QoL. The results obtained from the structural equation modelling (SEM) analysis showed the existence of indirect relationships of social support from children, partners and other family members via family functioning, while self-perceived health was directly associated with QoL. The findings indicate that family functioning is a main variable in the contrasted model, in addition to confirming the importance of distinguishing the role of the various sources of support. Research is needed to examine in detail intergenerational relationships and other relationships with family members who are significant in the wellbeing of older adults. This research corroborates that family relationships have a specificity that needs to be addressed in gerontological social intervention, as well as continuing along the lines of strengthening or improving existing family ties (more quality) over the quantity of social relationships.

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