Ignacio Ibáñez

Structural gender differences in perceived social support

Abstract Gender is an important influence on support-relevant social interactions, however findings of studies on gender differences in social support are not definitive. Although differences between men and women in the various social support measures have been found in numerous studies, neither the cause nor the explanatory process is known. This study examines gender differences in the dimensionality of social support. A large sample ( N =3210) from the general population of women (60%) and men aged between 18 and 65 years old (Mean age=34.1) responded to a brief scale with items assessing the distinct functions of the perceived availability of social support. Confirmatory factor analyses yielded one factor in the womens sample that measures global social support perceived, and two in the mens. The first factor in the mens sample measures emotional support (providing empathy, caring, validation of self-worth), and the second measures instrumental support (e.g. practical assistance or financial aid). We concluded that there are gender differences in the structure of perceived social support and that these differences can be explained by socialization experiences and social roles associated with gender.

Gender differences in psychological distress in Spain

Background and aims: Epidemiological and community-based surveys consistently report gender differences in mental health. This study examines gender differences in psychological distress by analyzing the relevance of stress, coping styles, social support and the time use. Methods: Psychological tests were administered to a convenience sample of 1,337 men and 1,251 women from the Spanish general population, aged between 18 and 65 and with different socio-demographic characteristics, although both the women and men groups had similar age and educational levels. Results: Women had more psychological distress than men. Although psychological distress in the women and men groups have some common correlates such as more stress, more emotional and less rational coping and less social support, we find some gender differences. Work role dissatisfaction was more associated with distress in the men than in the women group. In addition, women’s distress was associated with more daily time devoted to childcare and less to activities they enjoy, and men’s distress was associated with more time devoted to housework and less to physical exercise. Conclusions: Social roles traditionally attributed to women and men – and the differences in the use of time that such roles entail – are relevant in gender differences in psychological distress.

Rumination, worry and negative problem orientation: transdiagnostic processes of anxiety, eating behavior and mood disorders

espanolResumen Este estudio presenta las relaciones existentes entre los procesos cognitivos de orientacion negativa al problema, preocupacion y rumiacion, con la sintomatologia ansiosa, depresiva y la presente en dificultades en la conducta alimentaria. Se utilizo una muestra no clinica e intencionada de 176 personas adultas de la isla de Tenerife. Los datos se analizan mediante el coeficiente de Chi-cuadrado de Pearson (x2), la t de Student, el coeficiente de correlacion r de Pearson y regresiones jerarquicas. Se constata que la orientacion negativa al problema y la preocupacion son transdiagnosticos para los sintomas de agorafobia y panico, ansiedad generalizada, fobia social y control de la comida; mientras que los reproches son comunes a la sintomatologia depresiva, el estres postraumatico y la dieta, y que la fobia social tambien se relaciona con el proceso reflexivo. Los resultados se discuten a partir el modelo teorico de la fobia social y el estres postraumatico, y se propone la investigacion futura de los reproches y la reflexion, atendiendo a la teoria de la evitacion cognitiva. EnglishAbstract This research presents the relationship between the cognitive processes of negative problem orientation, trait worry and rumination, with anxious and depressive symptomatology and difficulties in eating behavior. The study was conducted with a non-clinical and intentional sample of 176 adults from the island of Tenerife. Data were analyzed using the Pearson Chi-square coefficient, Students t, Pearsons correlation coefficient, and hierarchical regressions. Results confirm that negative problem orientation and trait worry are transdiagnostic factors for panic symptoms and agoraphobia, generalized anxiety disorder, social phobia and behavioral eating, whereas brooding is a transdiagnostic factor for depression, posttraumatic stress disorder and behavioral eating. Reflection has a relationship with social phobia. Results are discussed on the basis of the theoretical model of social phobia and posttraumatic stress. Future investigation on brooding and reflection according to the theory of cognitive avoidance is proposed. portuguesResumo Este estudo apresenta as relacoes existentes entre os processos cognitivos de orientacao negativa ao problema, preocupacao e ruminacao, com a sintomatologia ansiosa, depressiva e a presente em dificuldades no comportamento alimentar. Utilizou-se uma amostra nao clinica e intencionada de 176 pessoas adultas da ilha de Tenerife (Espanha[RD2] ). Os dados foram analisados mediante o coeficiente de Qui-quadrado de Pearson (c2), o t de Student, o coeficiente de correlacao r de Pearson e regressoes hierarquicas. Constata-se que a orientacao negativa ao problema e a preocupacao sao transdiagnosticos para os sintomas de agorafobia e pânico, ansiedade generalizada, fobia social e controle da comida; enquanto a rejeicao e comum a sintomatologia depressiva, ao estresse pos-traumatico e ao regime. A fobia social tambem se relaciona com o processo reflexivo. Os resultados sao discutidos a partir do [RD3] modelo teorico da fobia social e do estresse pos-traumatico, e propoe-se a pesquisa futura das rejeicoes e da reflexao, atendendo a teoria da evitacao cognitiva.This research presents the relationship between the cognitive processes of negative problem orientation, trait worry and rumination, with anxious and depressive symptomatology and difficulties in eating behavior. The study was conducted with a non-clinical and intentional sample of 176 adults from the island of Tenerife. Data were analyzed using the Pearson Chi-square coefficient, Students t, Pearsons correlation coefficient, and hierarchical regressions. Results confirm that negative problem orientation and trait worry are transdiagnostic factors for panic symptoms and agoraphobia, generalized anxiety disorder, social phobia and behavioral eating, whereas brooding is a transdiagnostic factor for depression, posttraumatic stress disorder and behavioral eating. Reflection has a relationship with social phobia. Results are discussed on the basis of the theoretical model of social phobia and posttraumatic stress. Future investigation on brooding and reflection according to the theory of cognitive avoidance is proposed.