María Ayelén Biscarra

Epidemiology of alcohol consumption and related problems in Latin American countries: Contributions of psychology

Alcohol consumption is the leading risk factor for morbi-mortality in many Latin American Countries. However, epidemiologic studies are relatively scarce. Among factors such as limited research capacity, disciplinary traditions and an emphasis on psychopathology within the field of psychology, have been postulated to account for this. The aim of this article is to review epidemiologic research on alcohol in Spanish Speaking Latin American Countries, and to measure the contribution of psychology to the field. A systematic search was performed in English and Spanish using regional and international data bases. We identified 269 articles. Most focused on consumption patterns in youth, with samples from a single school and using a variety of measures. With the exception of multinational efforts like Emergency Room Collaborative Alcohol Analysis Project or those supported by World Health Organization/Pan American Health Organization, studies reviewed reflected little cross country collaboration. Mexico accounted for most of the productivity, while many countries had very few or no articles. Most research was performed by health science researchers with a small contribution from psychology, but which increased significantly over time. The results of this review provide a broad identification of patterns regarding epidemiologic research on alcohol, and demonstrate the need for national scientific policies to promote research on public health topics.

Métodos indirectos para evaluar cogniciones implícitas hacia el alcohol: Una revisión conceptual

Resumen Since its emergence in the 70s, the Dual Process Model (DPM) has gained wide popularity in different fields of psychology, including the study of addictions. According to this model, there are two cognitive systems: one explicit, conscious and controllable; and another implicit, automatic and linked to intuition and affection. The DPM has been used to understand mechanisms underlying alcohol related behaviors, and quickly an exponential growth of research using implicit measures to evaluate alcohol related cognitions occurred. While these methods share some basic features, they differ in important aspects such as validity evidence available, administration procedures, etc. Therefore, in this paper we provide a comprehensive overview of the different ways to evaluate implicit alcohol related cognitions. We hope this review will be useful not only for researchers but also for professionals working in the clinical area with alcoholrelated problems.

Binge drinking intention predictors in adolescents

In recent decades, governments and research institutes have shown growing interest in the development of creative industries. These are industries that produce goods, products and services of a symbolic nature endowed with both economic and cultural value. In Brazil, they already answer for approximately 10 percent of the Gross Domestic Product GDP and are important employers. Professionals active in these industries play an strategic role as they innovate, transform creativity into valuable works and services, and lead the industries’ development. This paper aims to provide the fundamentals of a theoretical model of the entrepreneurial performance of creative professionals. The model is based on hypotheticaldeductive logic and uses the following constructs as antecedent, mediating or moderating variables: individualism and collectivism, centrality of work, self-regulation, entrepreneurial skills, activity sector, and demographic variables. In addition to theoretically and operationally discussing these constructs, the paper offers recommendations for researchers interested in empirically testing the proposed model.Binge drinking (BD) is a public health problem that affects younger people. The study of cognitive motivational determinants of this consumption pattern is a growing and recently developed area. One theory

Predictores de la Intención de Consumo Intensivo Episódico de Alcohol en Adolescentes

In recent decades, governments and research institutes have shown growing interest in the development of creative industries. These are industries that produce goods, products and services of a symbolic nature endowed with both economic and cultural value. In Brazil, they already answer for approximately 10 percent of the Gross Domestic Product GDP and are important employers. Professionals active in these industries play an strategic role as they innovate, transform creativity into valuable works and services, and lead the industries’ development. This paper aims to provide the fundamentals of a theoretical model of the entrepreneurial performance of creative professionals. The model is based on hypotheticaldeductive logic and uses the following constructs as antecedent, mediating or moderating variables: individualism and collectivism, centrality of work, self-regulation, entrepreneurial skills, activity sector, and demographic variables. In addition to theoretically and operationally discussing these constructs, the paper offers recommendations for researchers interested in empirically testing the proposed model.Binge drinking (BD) is a public health problem that affects younger people. The study of cognitive motivational determinants of this consumption pattern is a growing and recently developed area. One theory

Preditores da intenção de consumo intensivo episódicode álcool em adolescentes

In recent decades, governments and research institutes have shown growing interest in the development of creative industries. These are industries that produce goods, products and services of a symbolic nature endowed with both economic and cultural value. In Brazil, they already answer for approximately 10 percent of the Gross Domestic Product GDP and are important employers. Professionals active in these industries play an strategic role as they innovate, transform creativity into valuable works and services, and lead the industries’ development. This paper aims to provide the fundamentals of a theoretical model of the entrepreneurial performance of creative professionals. The model is based on hypotheticaldeductive logic and uses the following constructs as antecedent, mediating or moderating variables: individualism and collectivism, centrality of work, self-regulation, entrepreneurial skills, activity sector, and demographic variables. In addition to theoretically and operationally discussing these constructs, the paper offers recommendations for researchers interested in empirically testing the proposed model.Binge drinking (BD) is a public health problem that affects younger people. The study of cognitive motivational determinants of this consumption pattern is a growing and recently developed area. One theory

Construcción de una Escala de Codependencia

La codependencia seria un patron disfuncional de relacionarse con los demas, que se ha descripto en familiares de dependientes de sustancias psicoactivas y de enfermos cronicos, que se caracterizaria por la dependencia emocional, la focalizacion extrema en el otro y el descuido hacia si mismo. Objetivo: presentar resultados del proceso de construccion y validacion de un instrumento para evaluar codependencia. Metodo: Se administro la Escala Argentina de Codependencia a una muestra por conveniencia de 347 sujetos entre 15 y 80 anos, de Mar del Plata. Analisis: se utilizo AFE (metodo de extraccion ejes principales) y se determino el numero de factores con Analisis Paralelo. Se evaluo la consistencia interna mediante Alfa de Cronbach. Se estimaron estadisticos a nivel del item. Resultados: se conservaron tres factores. La consistencia interna de la escala total y de las tres subescalas fue satisfactoria. Los familiares de personas dependientes al alcohol o drogas y de personas con otras enfermedades cronicas presentaron medias significativamente mas altas en sus puntajes de codependencia que las del grupo de poblacion general. The development of a Codependency Scale: Codependency is defined as a dysfunctional pattern of relating to others, present in relatives of those with a substance use disorder or other chronic disease. It is characterized by emotional dependence, extreme focus in the other person, and self-neglect. Aim: to present results of the process of development and validation of a new measure to evaluate codependency. Method: The Argentinean codependency scale was administered to a convenience sample of 347 subjects between 15 and 80 years, in Mar del Plata. AFE was used (main axes extraction method). The number of factors was determined by parallel analysis. Internal consistency was assessed using Cronbachs Alpha. Item level statistics were also estimated. Results: Three factors were obtained. The internal consistency of the total scale and the three subscales was satisfactory. Relatives of alcohol or drugs dependents and of people with other chronic diseases had scores significantly higher in the codependency measure than those in the general population group.