Cecilia Reyna

The Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire: Construct validity and gender invariance among Argentinean adolescents

The Aggression Questionnaire (Buss & Perry, 1992) is one of the most used instruments to assess aggression; it includes 29 items grouped into 4 factors. Furthermore, a reduced version of 12-item has been proposed (Bryant & Smith, 2001), and it has also been examined by several researchers. Nevertheless, Latin-American samples have rarely been included. In this study, exploratory and confirmatory models were evaluated among a sample of adolescents from Cordoba, Argentina (N = 371). Moreover, internal consistency and gender invariance were examined. A 2-factor structure resulted in the exploratory analysis, while 2- and 4-factor (short and long versions) structures showed acceptable fits in confirmatory analysis. In general, internal consistency was acceptable, and gender invariance was supported. Implications and limitations are discussed.

Propiedades Psicométricas de la Escala de Comportamiento Preescolar y Jardín Infantil en una Muestra de Niños Argentinos de 3 a 7 Años

The goal of this study was to analyze the psychometric properties of the Preschool and Kindergarten Behavior Scales in a sample of Argentinean children from 3 to 7 years old, and to obtain a reduced version of the scale with adequate psychometric properties for use as a screening tool. An exploratory factor analysis was performed in a sample of 208 children of both sexes whereas the confirmatory analysis was conducted on a sample of 184 children, also of both sexes. Factor structures that emerged from this study were similar to those obtained with the original version in other studies, with fewer items. In general, the scales of Social Skills and Behavior Problems showed good reliability.

Valoración psícométríca de la Psychological Entitlement Scale desde la Teoría Clásica de los Tests y la Teoría de Respuesta al Ítem

Objective. The aim of this research was to examine the psychometric properties of the Psychological Entitlement Scale (PES) in the local context using Classical Test Theory (CTT) and Item Response Theory (IRT). Method. Participants were 402 university students with a mean age of 22.77 years ( SD = 4.85), both genders (61.9% female), and from different university careers, and 324 residents of the city of Cordoba, aged 18 to 65 years ( M = 32.77, SD = 10.71), both genders (56.2% women), with different socio-economic backgrounds. All participants were selected at random, and evaluated with PES and Triple Dominance Scale measures. Results. From the TCT, exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses indicated that eight of the nine items comprising the original scale showed an unifactorial structure with adequate factor loadings and/or regression weights. Also, acceptable values of internal consistency were observed. Individuals classified as pro-social presented significantly lower values in the PES than individualistic and competitive people (small effect size). From the IRT, the rating scale model showed a good global fit to the scale model, although the item analysis indicated unacceptable indices for one item, and some categories which were not very informative. Conclusion. Although TCT results demonstrated good psychometric properties, analysis from the IRT suggested adjustments to the instrument, in particular, the regrouping of response categories which were not very informative alone.

Avaliação de habilidades sociais de crianças na América Latina

The aim of this study was to review the assessment tools of children’s social skills used in Latin American countries. The search was done using SciELO, Redalyc, and LILACS databases, 62 studies were obtained. In the empirical studies (n = 55) was observed a predominance of scales and refers to only one informant, with numerous Brazilian works. The instrumental studies on rating scales (n = 7) share the dimension of social interaction within their structure, although some scales include some constructs that exceed the conceptual boundaries of social skills. We review the psychometric properties of the instruments and discuss their theoretical and practical implications.El objetivo de este trabajo fue revisar los instrumentos de evaluacion de las habilidades sociales de ninos que se emplean en paises de Latinoamerica. Para ello se consultaron las bases de datos SciELO, Redalyc y LILACS, obteniendose un total de 62 estudios. En los trabajos empiricos (n = 55) se observa el empleo predominante de las escalas de evaluacion y la consulta a solo un informante, con numerosos trabajos de Brasil. Los trabajos instrumentales sobre escalas de evaluacion (n = 7) comparten la dimension de interaccion social en su estructura, sin embargo algunas escalas abarcan ciertos constructos que exceden a los limites conceptuales de las habilidades sociales. Se revisan las caracteristicas psicometricas de los instrumentos y se discuten sus implicancias en terminos teoricos y aplicadosThe aim of this study was to review the assessment tools of childrens social skills used in Latin American countries. The search was done using SciELO , Redalyc , and LILACS databases, 62 studies were obtained. In the empirical studies ( n = 55) was observed a predominance of scales and refers to only one informant, with numerous Brazilian works. The instrumental studies on rating scales ( n = 7) share the dimension of social interaction within their structure, although some scales include some constructs that exceed the conceptual boundaries of social skills. We review the psychometric properties of the instruments and discuss their theoretical and practical implications.

Explaining energy efficiency behaviours among Argentinean citizens through the VBN model / Explicación de los comportamientos de eficiencia energética entre ciudadanos argentinos a través del modelo VCN

Abstract In Argentina, energy consumption is characterized by a high dependence on fossil fuels and a low cost for final consumers. Therefore, to encourage energy efficiency it is important to know which non-financial factors influence energy use. Numerous evidences suggest that the Value-Belief-Norm model (VBN) is an adequate framework to understand this behaviour. However, few studies tested VBN to predict energy efficiency behaviour and even fewer did so in Latin America. Our aim was to test whether a VBN model was successful for predicting household energy efficiency behaviours among Argentinian citizens (n = 275). Results showed that the VBN model indeed explained self-reported energy efficiency. Importantly, a VBN model version assessed by means of a path analysis showed a good fit to the data. Biospheric values and personal norms were particularly strong predictors of household energy efficiency. These results indicate that personal norms, activated by values, are able to predict energy efficiency actions in an Argentinean sample. These evidences suggest that moral considerations should be promoted in order to increase energy efficiency actions in Argentina.

Evidences of Reliability and Validity of the Dispositional Envy Scale in Argentinian Samples

The emotional experience of envy goes through different cultures. However, few instruments have been developed for its measurement. Smith et al. (1999) proposed the Dispositional Envy Scale (DES), which has shown good validity properties, stability and internal consistency in psychometric studies conducted with U.S. and Brazilian samples. This research aimed at evaluating the psychometric properties of validity and reliability of the DES with samples of participants from Cordoba, Argentina, university students (n = 399) and adults from general population (n = 316). Furthermore, the Psychological Entitlement Scale and the Subjective Happiness Scale were applied. Analysis of exploratory and confirmatory factor structure provided evidence about the unidimensionality of the scale. Evidence of adequate internal consistency was obtained. Besides, envy was positively related to entitlement and it was negatively related to subjective happiness.

Evaluación de las habilidades sociales infantiles en Latinoamérica

The aim of this study was to review the assessment tools of children’s social skills used in Latin American countries. The search was done using SciELO, Redalyc, and LILACS databases, 62 studies were obtained. In the empirical studies (n = 55) was observed a predominance of scales and refers to only one informant, with numerous Brazilian works. The instrumental studies on rating scales (n = 7) share the dimension of social interaction within their structure, although some scales include some constructs that exceed the conceptual boundaries of social skills. We review the psychometric properties of the instruments and discuss their theoretical and practical implications.El objetivo de este trabajo fue revisar los instrumentos de evaluacion de las habilidades sociales de ninos que se emplean en paises de Latinoamerica. Para ello se consultaron las bases de datos SciELO, Redalyc y LILACS, obteniendose un total de 62 estudios. En los trabajos empiricos (n = 55) se observa el empleo predominante de las escalas de evaluacion y la consulta a solo un informante, con numerosos trabajos de Brasil. Los trabajos instrumentales sobre escalas de evaluacion (n = 7) comparten la dimension de interaccion social en su estructura, sin embargo algunas escalas abarcan ciertos constructos que exceden a los limites conceptuales de las habilidades sociales. Se revisan las caracteristicas psicometricas de los instrumentos y se discuten sus implicancias en terminos teoricos y aplicadosThe aim of this study was to review the assessment tools of childrens social skills used in Latin American countries. The search was done using SciELO , Redalyc , and LILACS databases, 62 studies were obtained. In the empirical studies ( n = 55) was observed a predominance of scales and refers to only one informant, with numerous Brazilian works. The instrumental studies on rating scales ( n = 7) share the dimension of social interaction within their structure, although some scales include some constructs that exceed the conceptual boundaries of social skills. We review the psychometric properties of the instruments and discuss their theoretical and practical implications.

Validez estructural de la escala del Nuevo Paradigma Ecológico en ciudadanos argentinos utilizando diferentes abordajes

Escopo. Em este estudo, foram avaliadas as propriedades psicometricas da escalaa do Novo Paradigma Ecologico - R, em uma amostra de pessoas adultas da cidade de Cordoba, Argentina. Esta escala avalia atitudes, crencas, valores e visoes de mundo sobre o medio ambiente. Estudos previos tem achado diferentes estruturas fatoriais subjacentes, em tanto que a evidencia de consistencia interna e aceitavel. Metodologia. A estrutura do instrumento foi explorada por medio de uma analise fatorial exploratoria e tambem com um modelo de equacoes estruturais exploratorio. Resultados. Ambas tecnicas mostraram que o modelo bi-fatorial composto por 11 itens produziu o melhor ajuste aos dados em relacao a outros modelos. A consistencia interna foi adequada. Nao foram observadas diferencias de genero, enquanto um nivel educativo maior foi associado com uma visao mais ecologica e a idade foi relacionada de jeito inverso. Conclusao. Embora nao foram observadas boas propriedades psicometricas, remarcamos a necessidade de futuros estudos para obter evidencia de valor preditiva da NEP-R em nosso contexto.

DIFERENCIAS DE EDAD Y GÉNERO EN COMPORTAMIENTO SOCIAL, TEMPERAMENTO Y REGULACIÓN EMOCIONAL EN NIÑOS ARGENTINOS

The purpose of this study was to assess the differences in terms of age, gender and socioeconomic background in social behavior (social skills and behavior problems), focused attention, inhibitory control, positive and negative emotionality and regulation of positive and negative emotions in Argentinean children aged 3, 5 and 7 years. A developmental cross-sectional study was carried out where the parents and teachers of 623 children participated. Parents reported on socio-demographic issues, children’s temperament and emotional processes, while teachers provided information on children’s social behavior. Comparisons between groups were conducted by analysis of variance. The most marked differences were attributed, firstly, to children’s age, and secondly, to gender. Overall, the children aged three showed a lower performance than the other groups, but development was not linear on all the processes, as the children aged five showed a similar or better performance than the children aged seven when considering several variables.The purpose of this study was to assess the differences in terms of age, gender and socioeconomic background in social behavior (social skills and behavior problems), focused attention, inhibitory control, positive and negative emotionality and regulation of positive and negative emotions in Argentinean children aged 3, 5 and 7 years. A developmental cross-sectional study was carried out where the parents and teachers of 623 children participated. Parents reported on socio-demographic issues, children’s temperament and emotional processes, while teachers provided information on children’s social behavior. Comparisons between groups were conducted by analysis of variance. The most marked differences were attributed, firstly, to children’s age, and secondly, to gender. Overall, the children aged three showed a lower performance than the other groups, but development was not linear on all the processes, as the children aged five showed a similar or better performance than the children aged seven when considering several variables.

AGE AND GENDER DIFFERENCES IN SOCIAL BEHAVIOR, TEMPERAMENT AND EMOTIONAL REGULATION AMONG ARGENTINEAN CHILDREN

The purpose of this study was to assess the differences in terms of age, gender and socioeconomic background in social behavior (social skills and behavior problems), focused attention, inhibitory control, positive and negative emotionality and regulation of positive and negative emotions in Argentinean children aged 3, 5 and 7 years. A developmental cross-sectional study was carried out where the parents and teachers of 623 children participated. Parents reported on socio-demographic issues, children’s temperament and emotional processes, while teachers provided information on children’s social behavior. Comparisons between groups were conducted by analysis of variance. The most marked differences were attributed, firstly, to children’s age, and secondly, to gender. Overall, the children aged three showed a lower performance than the other groups, but development was not linear on all the processes, as the children aged five showed a similar or better performance than the children aged seven when considering several variables.The purpose of this study was to assess the differences in terms of age, gender and socioeconomic background in social behavior (social skills and behavior problems), focused attention, inhibitory control, positive and negative emotionality and regulation of positive and negative emotions in Argentinean children aged 3, 5 and 7 years. A developmental cross-sectional study was carried out where the parents and teachers of 623 children participated. Parents reported on socio-demographic issues, children’s temperament and emotional processes, while teachers provided information on children’s social behavior. Comparisons between groups were conducted by analysis of variance. The most marked differences were attributed, firstly, to children’s age, and secondly, to gender. Overall, the children aged three showed a lower performance than the other groups, but development was not linear on all the processes, as the children aged five showed a similar or better performance than the children aged seven when considering several variables.