Soledad Susana López

Motorcycle helmet use in Mar del Plata, Argentina: prevalence and associated factors

Injuries resulting from motorcycle crashes constitute a growing problem in Argentina and other Latin American countries. The problem is aggravated because helmet use is not widespread. This observational study analysed the prevalence of helmet use and related factors in a city in Argentina. The sample consisted of 2542 observations of motorcyclists. The results show an incidence of helmet use of 69.8% for drives and 43.4% for passengers. Helmet use was greater among women. Environmental and temporal conditions were related with the rate of helmet use. The findings indicate a considerable increase in helmet use with respect to prior years, providing evidence in favour of government policies. However, the number of motorcycles in circulation has tripled in the past five years, and therefore, the public health impact of injuries due to motorcycle crashes persists.

Implicit attitudes and road safety behaviors. The helmet-use case

We studied the role of implicit attitudes on road safety behaviors. We also explored the methodological benefits of using implicit measures to complement conventional self-reporting instruments. The results suggest that: (a) implicit attitudes are capable of predicting observed differences in the use of protective devices (helmet use); (b) implicit attitudes correlate with the emotional component of the explicit attitudes (e.g., perception of comfort-discomfort), but appear to be independent of the more cognitive components (e.g., perceived benefits); (c) the emotional component of the explicit attitudes appears to be the major predictor of behavior; and (d) implicit measures seem to be more robust against social desirability biases, while explicit measure are more sensitive to such bias. We conclude that indirect and automatic measures serve as an important complement to conventional direct measures (self-reports) because they provide information on psychological processes that are qualitatively different (implicit) and can also be more robust when it comes to response bias.

Procesos Inhibitorios y flexibilidad cognitiva: evidencia a favor de la Teoría de la Inercia Atencional

The aim of this study was to discriminate the differential contribution of different inhibitory processes -perceptual, cognitive and behavioral inhibition- to switching cost effect associated with alternation cognitive tasks. A correlational design was used. Several experimental paradigms (e.g., Stop signal, visual search, Stemberg´s experimental and Simon paradigm) were adapted and included in a computerized program called TAC (Introzzi & Canet Juric, 2014) to the assessment of the different cognitive processes. The final sample consisted of 45 adults (18-50 years). Perceptual and behavioral inhibition shows moderate and low correlations with attentional cost, cognitive inhibition shows no relation with flexibility and only perceptual inhibition predicts switching costs effects, suggesting that different inhibitory processes contribute differentially to switch cost. This could be interpreted as evidence to Attentional Inertia Theory main argument which postulates that inhibition plays an essential role in the ability to flexibly switch between tasks and/or representations.The aim of this study was to discriminate the differential contribution of different inhibitory processes -perceptual, cognitive and behavioral inhibition- to switching cost effect associated with alternation cognitive tasks. A correlational design was used. Several experimental paradigms (e.g., Stop signal, visual search, Stemberg´s experimental and Simon paradigm) were adapted and included in a computerized program called TAC (Introzzi & Canet Juric, 2014) to the assessment of the different cognitive processes. The final sample consisted of 45 adults (18-50 years). Perceptual and behavioral inhibition shows moderate and low correlations with attentional cost, cognitive inhibition shows no relation with flexibility and only perceptual inhibition predicts switching costs effects, suggesting that different inhibitory processes contribute differentially to switch cost. This could be interpreted as evidence to Attentional Inertia Theory main argument which postulates that inhibition plays an essential role in the ability to flexibly switch between tasks and/or representations.

The taxi industry: working conditions and health of drivers, a literature review

ABSTRACT The taxi industry plays an important role in urban transportation systems, both in economic and mobility terms. In the case of the former, it provides employment for a large number of people and circulates significant amounts of money. In the case of the latter, it is a flexible means of transportation capable of arriving at any destination. Although the way the taxi industry is organised varies across countries and even within countries, some factors are shared at varying latitudes of the globe. Working conditions, habits, health, and exposure to road crashes have been a subject of interest for researchers from various disciplines, including medicine, psychology, and economics. However, much of this research focuses on a part of the problem and is not mutually referential. A review of the literature may be useful not only to researchers of diverse disciplines but also to industry representatives and those public officials responsible for transportation, road safety and health policy. This article provides a comprehensive review of the working conditions of taxi drivers, their relationship to road risk exposure and their consequences on the health of workers. It also includes information on coping strategies and protective behaviors. The review is based on a Scopus database search. The search covered the period from 1990 to 2015. This initial search was complemented with other database searches, which yielded some additional studies. Our goal was to summarise existing knowledge, identify possible lines of research and suggest some practical recommendations. It would be important (a) to reduce the workload, establish adequate time for breaks, and provide access to healthcare, (b) to implement actions to promote and maintain healthy habits, (c) to diagnose, detect and treat indicators of occupational fatigue and stress, and (d) to develop programs that make it possible to evaluate work concerns and broaden coping strategies to foster positive changes.

El Test de Asociaciones Implícitas (Implicit Association Test): Una Revisión Metodológica

espanolLos modelos de cognicion social implicita han hecho importantes aportes metodologicos a la investigacion psicologica. Sobre la base de estos enfoques se han desarrollado las llamadas medidas “indirectas”, cuyo ejemplo mas representativo es el Test de Asociaciones Implicitas (IAT). Este trabajo se propone realizar una revision del IAT atendiendo especialmente a las criticas recibidas en relacion con su validez. Se analizan distintos problemas sobre su estructura interna, la naturaleza de los procesos subyacentes a las respuestas, y los posibles efectos contaminantes de otras variables. En cada caso, se realizan recomendaciones para su construccion y aplicacion. Se espera que este trabajo incentive el uso adecuado del IAT en los paises de habla hispana, donde el procedimiento se encuentra aun escasamente difundido. EnglishImplicit social cognition models gave relevant methodological inputs to psychological research. On the basis of these models the so called indirect measures have been developed, being the most representative of them the Implicit Association Test (IAT). The present paper is a revision of the research about the IAT, specially about the critics made of its validity. The paper analyzes different problems regarding its internal structure, the nature of the underlying processes, and the possible effects of confounding variables. Recommendations for the IAT construction and application are given. It is expected that this revision stimulate the correct use of the IAT in Spanish speaking countries where this procedure is scarcely spread.

Trabajo y Salud en Conductores de Taxis

Fil: Ledesma, Ruben Daniel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata; Argentina

Prevalencia y evolución del uso de casco en ocupantes de motocicletas en una ciudad argentina (Mar del Plata, 2006-2014)

Traffic collisions involving motorcyclists are a growing problem in low and middle income countries. Helmet use is the foremost protective measure for this group of road users, however many riders do not wear them. The objective of the present study is to report the changes in helmet use during the period 2006-2014 in an Argentine city and discover associated factors for the year 2014. The sample includes more than 6,900 observations of motorcyclists carried out during the years 2006 (n=962), 2008 (n=977), 2012 (n=2,542), and 2014 (n=2,466). The data indicates a progressive increase in helmet use over time, but differences due to gender and type of rider remain. Factors associated to helmet use in motorcycle drivers during 2014 were: passenger helmet use, motorcycle type, license plate use and gender. Although the results are positive, it is necessary to be attentive to the negative consequences of the growing fleet of motorcycles.

Educación vial y movilidad en la Infancia

The increasing motorization of mobility has turned urban environment in a complex and dangerous place for children. As a consequence they are one of the most vulnerable groups of traffic users. In this stage of development, education could be a key tool for preventing risky behaviour and promoting more healthy mobility habits. The present study discusses some aspects related to children traffic education. The necessity of taking into account the patterns of mobility in different developmental stages is highlighted. Also the relevance of promote the use of health, sustainable and equitable means of transport. The complexity of the problem requires that educational interventions are complemented with multisectoral actions at different levels.