vol. 12 núm. 19 (2016)

Introduction: Anxiety is a normal human response, but becomes pathological when it persists and endures over time. According to national and global studies, this is one of the disorders that has increased, apparently and more frequently affecting young people. Objectives: To determine the relationship between school types and levels of anxiety, and find differences or similarities in gender and grade, according to school type in a sample of Colombian children. Methodology: Quantitative, cross-sectional research, with a descriptive scope by comparing groups. The sample consisted of 658 schoolchildren from public and private schools between third grade of primary education and seventh grade of high school; the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children (STAIC) in the version validated for Colombia was used. Results: Statistically significant differences were found in the ratings for the concern component, with higher scores on the sample of students from private schools, higher serenity scores for males and higher concern scores for females. Moreover, there are no differences in levels and types of anxiety according to school grade. Conclusions: There are higher levels of anxiety in children enrolled in private schools and higher levels of concern in school girls.

This review elaborates on an argument that describes the relevance of studying executive functions in the context of assessment and intervention. The main topics discussed in the article, such as conceptualization of executive function, general principles of intervention and effectiveness of some training programs, are described. It concludes by emphasizing the need to explore different intervention methods to choose the one that best suits the individuality of each subject. Similarly, the interest of the vast majority of researchers in studying training methods aimed at schoolchildren, putting aside those who are not linked to a formal education process, is criticized.

Network analysis or social network analysis is the solution to many problems of research. Network analysis is a theoretical and methodological approach stating that the most important thing is to study relationships, ties or contacts among actors1. Any type of relationship can be subject to network analysis: relations among individuals or organizations, communications, knowledge transfer, economic transfers and, even, neural connections.

Introduction: Coexistence constitutes a major factor in establishing social relations. In Colombia, unfortunately, it has been fractured by high rates of violence that have required the implementation of public policies, many of them imposed and away from the needs of communities. Objective: For this reason, it is essential that communities define and give meaning to coexistence in order to make proposals closer to reality. In this regard, the article seeks to identify the meanings that, in relation to the practices of community coexistence, are built by a group of leaders. Methodology: A qualitative descriptive study with an ethnographic design was conducted in a group of five (5) leaders. Results: Coexistence was defined as those processes that make it possible to construct and establish agreements that guarantee the consolidation of good relations in the community and avoid conflict. This concept can only operate to the extent that solidarity becomes the value guiding relationships and that community participation is effective. However, this solidarity behavior finishes in the act of helping itself and does not extend to other community experiences that promote social cohesion. Conclusions: An idealized vision of coexistence around a desired solidarity was evident. In everyday life, dynamics focused on individualism and apathy take precedence, because of mutual distrust, politicization of relations and a bandaid vision that prevents transformation from a collective project.

Introduction: This study addresses the issue of individual differences in deductive reasoning. It covers some of the variables related to the field: cognitive skills, development, gender and culture of people. Objective: To provide a narrative review of the main proposals in the area, emphasizing social factors. Methodology: A qualitative analysis of existing literature is performed, assessing mainly classic and some recent contributions. Results: Variables of individual differences that can contribute to a better understanding of the phenomenon under study have been detected. Conclusion: The main findings and limitations of the work, related to the combination of evidence in future meta-analytic studies, were summarized.

Introduction: Academic social participation addresses student engagement behaviors that involve social interactions with peers and teachers. Objective: Perceived teacher behavior, task value, academic self-efficacy, class enjoyment and shame’s role in predicting academic social participation was analyzed. Method: Psychology students from a large national university completed self-report questionnaires assessing the model variables. A proposed model was evaluated by path analysis. Results: Model showed good fit to the data, explaining 31% of variance. Positive influences were detected of perceived teacher behavior on task value (β = 0.42), academic self-efficacy (β = 0.19), and class enjoyment (β = 0.24); of task value on class enjoyment (β = 0.52); and of class enjoyment on academic social participation (β = 0.44). Academic self-efficacy negatively affected class shame (β = -0.38), while class shame (β = -0.44) and task value (β = -0.24) showed a negative influence on academic social participation. Conclusion: Utility of modifying teacher behavior and motivation as a means to affect emotion was demonstrated. Class enjoyment and shame were the stronger predictors of academic social participation. Individual variables’ importance in moderating contextual influence on engagement was suggested.

Introduction: Although binge eating disorder (bed) is a major health problem, less than half of sufferers receive treatment. Objective: To review recent literature on interventions carried out in bed cases. Method: In order to conduct this narrative review, the databases PubMed, Medline and Scielo have been consulted. Only articles in indexed journals in the Web of Science were chosen. The literature reviewed corresponds to the most cited articles published in the period between 2010-2015. Results and conclusions: The results show that the most commonly used interventions are those of psychological nature, including cognitive behavioral therapy and interpersonal therapy, the latter recommended in patients with a more severe pathology. The behavioral therapy for weight loss is less effective by not reducing binge eating; therefore, it is not the treatment of choice. Although some antidepressant and antiepileptic drugs have shown some utility in reducing binge eating, weight and comorbidities, there is no evidence that pharmacological intervention alone is more effective than psychological intervention, or that it improves the results of the latter when both are applied together.