Mexican Students Research Articles

CONDITIONS OF BILINGUAL PERSONALITY FORMATION AND ENGLISH SPEECH INTONING SKILLS (SURVEY RESULTS)

The article deals with the results of research of sociolinguistic factors’ effect on English phrasal accentuation in the reading authentic English material by Mexican subjects. It features a survey data analysis of the characteristics of the Mexican testees with different levels of English language proficiency. The survey has supplied information about their age at the beginning period of English learning process and its conditions, intensity of its usage at present and subjects’ attitude to the necessity of English phonetics acquisition. The current paper introduces some results of phonetic experiment aimed at revealing Mexican subjects’ ability to intone English speech, namely to choose nucleus in the English utterance. Mexican students’ linguistic competence is proved to be the crucial factor responsible for the correctness in identifying nucleus location. The results presented can be used to contribute to the effectiveness of the English and Spanish as a foreign language teaching as well as for improvement of survey construction in sociolinguistic studies.

Are Mexican Students Ready for Graduate Schools in English Language Contexts? An Overview of a Mexican Public University

Are Mexican Students Ready for Graduate Schools in English Language Contexts? An Overview of a Mexican Public University

Emotions, Motivation, Cognitive–Metacognitive Strategies, and Behavior as Predictors of Learning Performance in Blended Learning

Several studies have focused on identifying the significant behavioral predictors of learning performances in web-based courses by examining the log data variables of learning management systems, including time spent on lectures, the number of assignments submitted, and so forth. However, such studies fail to quantify the impact of emotional, motivational, behavioral, and cognitive–metacognitive factors simultaneously. This research was an attempt to understand the relations between students’ motivation, cognitive–metacognitive strategies, behavior, and learning performance in the context of blended courses in higher education. Then, relevant predictors are used to obtain a model to classify the students’ performance and to identify those who are at risk of failing the course. The authors conducted an empirical study in a higher educational course with 137 Mexican students. Nineteen variables related to emotions, motivation, cognitive–metacognitive strategies, and behavior. Only six were found to be significant. These variables explain approximately 67% of the variance between each student’s overall grade. The model, based on those variables, correctly classifies 96% of the students.

Border Brokers: Teachers and Undocumented Mexican Students in Search of Acompañamiento

ABSTRACTThis article examines the deployment of border conocimiento and the subsequent cultural production of third spaces for transnational Mexican youth by Chicano educators who I call “border brokers” at a northern California high school. It examines the micro-level insurgent actions on the part of a small group of educators at Bosque High to engage Mexican migrant youth through a different educational vision and narrative—a vision based on communal notions of learning and belonging and border epistemology, what I call Acompañamiento, where the meaning and scope of membership in the community in which one lives are addressed. Demonstrating a border epistemology, border teachers understood intimately the need to go beyond narrow constructions of academic success to join in the struggle for full realization of their students’ humanity and need to be in community. Using ethnographic data from a year-long study at a northern California high school and town, this paper examines the different ways that educators came together to claim space and create place for displaced transmigrants in what I call acts of acompañamiento—a fluid cultural practice of solidarity, advocacy, and relationship/community building based on cultural knowledge situated in border zones.

Depressive symptoms and serum levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids omega-3 and omega-6 among college students from Northern Mexico

Previous studies suggest that low consumption as well as low serum levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) omega-3 and a high omega-6/omega-3 ratio may be implicated in the etiology of depressive disorders, however, epidemiologic evidence is inconclusive. To assess the relationship of serum levels of omega-3 fatty acids (docosahexaenoic [DHA], eicosapentaenoic [EPA], alpha-linolenic fatty acid [ALA]) and the omega-6 (arachidonic acid [AA])/EPA ratio with depressive symptoms among Mexican college students. A cross-sectional study that included 60 male and female participants (ages 18 to 24 years) with serum levels of EPA, DHA, ALA and AA. Depressive symptoms were ascertained with the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CES-D) scale validated for Mexican students. Linear regression was used to assess the relationship between depressive symptoms and serum PUFA omega-3 and omega-6. Serum levels of EPA, DHA and EPA/DHA ratio were not related to depressive symptoms, high serum ALA was related with lower depressive symptoms before and after covariate adjustment; however, these results were not statistically significant. Among women, 1% increase in EPA resulted in 5.5. (p = 0.57) increase in the depressive scale scores while 1% increase in ALA resulted in 6.7 decrease (p = 0.39) in the scores. Our results did not confirm the relationship of serum levels of PUFA omega-3 and omega-6/omega-3 ratio with depressive symptoms; the negative correlation of serum ALA with depressive symptoms remains to be confirmed in prospective studies.

Contrasting Academic Behavioural Confidence in Mexican and European Psychology Students

Introduction. Research with the Academic Behavioural Confidence scale using European students has shown that students have high levels of confidence in their academic abilities. It is generally accepted that people in more collectivist cultures have more realistic confidence levels in contrast to the overconfidence seen in individualistic European and North American countries. This research was designed to see if the more realistic confidence level in collectivist countries would be mirrored in Mexican students’ academic confidence scores.Method. The Academic Behavioural Confidence scale was validated in the Mexican university system with a sample of 97 undergraduates at a large autonomous university and the findings contrasted with pre-existing data from 2685 European students.Results. The results suggest that a reduced 14 item scale comprising the same 4 subscales, Grades, Studying, Verbalising and Attendance is the statistically preferable model for both the Mexican and European data. Using the mean confidence levels for the modified sub-scales, it was found that the Mexican psychology students had significantly higher Grades and Verbalising confidences than their European counterparts.Discussion and Conclusion. This contra-prediction finding is considered against the literature from cultural and cross cultural psychology which suggests that people in Collectivist cultures like México have more connected attitudes to their lives and thus would show lower but more realistic self-confidence. Further research to establish the cross cultural validity of the ABC scale is discussed.

High and low use of electronic media during nighttime before going to sleep: A comparative study between adolescents attending a morning or afternoon school shift

This study compared the effects of time spent on electronic media devices during nighttime before going to sleep on the sleep-wake cycle, daytime sleepiness, and chronotype in 568 Mexican students (288 girls, mean age = 14.08) attending a double school shift system (287 from morning shift and 281 from afternoon shift). Students completed anonymous self-report questionnaires. Results suggest that high exposure to an electronic media device may have an impact on their sleep-wake cycle, regardless of their school shift. Adolescents from the afternoon shift reported more time spent on devices. Those from the morning shift reported daytime sleepiness with the use of MP3 player, and from the afternoon shift with the use of computer, MP3 player, and television. Both school shifts reported an intermediate chronotype with all electronic media devices, but the afternoon shift with a tendency towards eveningness with the use of the computer, smartphone, and MP3 player.

Reducing the cultural divide among U.S. and Mexican students through application of the contact hypothesis

Mexico and the U.S. are closely associated by commerce, culture and family ties. Despite the geographical proximity and the long-standing socio-political history between the two countries, there is limited understanding of cultural differences and similarities. A unique study abroad programme for U.S. and Mexican students was developed based on the contact hypothesis for reducing prejudice and creating stronger intergroup relationships. Students were recruited from a Mexican and a U.S. university for this project. Based on key principles inherent in intercultural education, students were provided with lectures, group projects and opportunities for shared living. They were merged for cultural experiences both in the U.S. and Mexico, including a three-week service learning project in two impoverished Mexican communities. Participants gained practical language skills and a more comprehensive understanding of Mexican migration. The programme also helped reduce cultural stereotypes and demonstrated the benefits of working toward collective goals. Shared experiences for students from diverse cultures hold promise for creating meaningful social integration and fostering international partnerships opportunities for higher education institutions.

APEGO Y CIBER-VIOLENCIA EN LA PAREJA DE ADOLESCENTES

Abstract.ATTACHMENT AND CYBER-VIOLENCE IN DATING OF TEENAGECyber dating violence is a growing phenomenon affecting young people and adolescents (Borrajo, Gámez-Guadix, Pereda and Calvete, 2015) which may be modulated or precipitated by the predominant attachment style in a relationship (Rubio-Garay, Carrasco, Amor and López-González, 2015). Therefore, the objective of this research is to explore if there is a relationship between the type of adult attachment and the experience of cyber-violence in Mexican teenage dating relationships. Methodology. Quantitative and cross-sectional study with non-experimental and ex post facto design. Participants were 726 Mexican students (397 women and 329 men) aged 14-19 years (M =16.17, SD = 0.99). Results: Men suffered more control and direct aggression committed and suffered. No strong associations were found between cyber dating violence and adult attachment. Conclusions: Results pointed out the convenience of studying other forms of cyber-violence of the couple and their co-occurrence with other forms of violence, in order to promote or improve prevention programs based on new trends in behavior and affective relationships of adolescents and young people.Keywords: Cyber violence; Couple; Attachment; Adolescents; Mexicans.Resumen.La ciber-violencia de pareja es un creciente fenómeno que afecta a jóvenes y adolescentes (Borrajo, Gámez-Guadix, Pereda y Calvete, 2015) que puede estar precipitado o modulado por el estilo de apego predominante en una relación de pareja (Rubio-Garay, Carrasco, Amor y López-González, 2015). Por ello, el objetivo de esta investigación es explorar si existe una relación entre el tipo de apego adulto y la vivencia de ciber-violencia en relaciones de pareja de adolescentes mexicanos. Metodología: Estudio cuantitativo, transversal, con diseño no experimental y ex post facto. Participaron 726 estudiantes mexicanos (397 mujeres y 329 hombres), con edades entre los 14 y 19 años de edad (M= 16.17; DT= 0.99). Resultados: Los hombres señalaron mayores niveles de control sufrido y agresión directa, tanto cometida como sufrida. No se encontraron fuertes asociaciones entre la ciber-violencia de pareja con el apego adulto. Conclusiones: Se discuten los resultados y se señala la conveniencia del estudio de otras modalidades de ciber-violencia de pareja y su co-ocurrencia con otras formas de violencia, para favorecer la propuesta o mejora de programas de prevención basados en las nuevas tendencias de comportamiento y relaciones afectivas de adolescentes y jóvenes.Palabras clave: Ciber violencia; Pareja; Apego; Adolescentes; Mexicanos.

Assessment of Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor in hair to study stress responses: A pilot investigation

To study pathogenic stress-effects in health and disease, it is paramount to define easy access parameters for non-invasive analysis of biological change in response to stress. Hair samples successfully provide this access for the study of hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA) changes. In this study, we assess the hair expression and corresponding epigenetic changes of a neurotrophin essential for autonomic nervous system function and mental health: brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). In three independent studies in healthy academic volunteers (study I: German students, N=36; study II, German academic population sample, N=28; study III: Mexican students, N=115), BDNF protein expression or BDNF gene (BDNF) histone acetylation was determined. Simultaneously, mental distress and distress-associated somatic complaints were assessed by self-report. In study I, we found a negative correlation between hair-BDNF protein level and hair-cortisol as well as between hair-BDNF and somatic complaints, while hair-cortisol correlated positively with mental distress. In study II, we found a negative correlation between H4 histone acetylation at the BDNF gene P4-promoter and somatic complaints. Regression analysis confirmed confounder stability of associations in both studies. In study III, we confirmed study I and found lower hair-BDNF protein level in volunteers with high somatic complaints, who also reported higher mental distress during the end of term exams. The results indicate that BDNF protein levels can be detected in clipped hair and are associated with somatic complaints and stress in life. In addition, we concluded that plucked hair can provide material for the study of epigenetic changes in stress-affected tissues. These tools can prove valuable for future studies on distress, both under experimental and field conditions.

Eating disorder symptomatology: Comparative study between Mexican and Canadian university women

The objectives of this study were: (1) to compare Mexican and Canadian university students regarding disordered eating behaviors (DEB), body thin-ideal internalization (BTHIN), and body image dissatisfaction (BID); and (2) to examine the relationship of these three variables to body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC). This cross-cultural study was carried out in a sample of 129 university women students aged from 18 to 25 years (M=20.18, SD=1.59): 52% were Canadian (Moncton University [MU]) and 48% were Mexican (Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Hidalgo [UAEH]). The Brief Questionnaire for Disordered Eating Behaviors and Attitudes Towards Body Figure Questionnaire were applied while the BID was evaluated using a continuum of nine silhouettes. In addition, the weight, height and WC of each participant were recorded. Mexican students had greater values of overweight, obesity, abdominal obesity and DEB, with 4.6 times greater risk than UM students. In contrast, the presence of BTHIN and BID was similar between samples. Considering these findings, women from at least two different ethnic groups are vulnerable to the development of eating disorder symptomatology.

Adolescent Students and Their Experiences of Dealing with Pregnancy: A Mixed-Method Study in Public Schools from Central Mexico

In impoverished communities in Mexico, most adolescent mothers do not attend school; but typically, they become pregnant once they dropped out. Understanding the experiences of adolescents who have had a pregnancy and continue in school is complicated since few manage to do it. The goal of this study is to describe experiences within the family and school context and plans for the future of a sample of Mexican students who have had a pregnancy. We analyze information from the questionnaires of 68 women and 44 men and interviews to 6 women and 5 men. First intercourse was at age 15 and first pregnancy at 16; 39% of men and 57% of women already have a child; 54% of men and 19% of women work and study simultaneously. Dropping out because of a pregnancy/marriage was reported by 41% of women and 14% of men. The support of family and teachers is crucial to stay in school; but the institution remains indifferent to their plight. The immediate needs easily defeat their aspirations. It is fundamental to acknowledge and notice the experiences of these vulnerable young people in order to design focused strategies promoting their success in adult life.

Assessing university student perceptions and comprehension of climate change (Portugal, Mexico and Mozambique)

PurposeHigher education system has a critical role to play in educating environmentally aware and participant citizens about global climate change (CC). And, as shown by the 21st Conference of the Parties of the UN Convention on Climate Change – COP 21, held in Paris in December 2015, there is still a path to be followed regarding the role played by universities in the negotiations and in influencing decision-making on a matter of such global importance. The purpose of this first study conducted within Portuguese (Europe), Mexican (Spanish-speaking North America University) and Mozambican (Africa) universities is to investigate higher education system students’ perceptions on CC.Design/methodology/approachThe data were collected through a questionnaire aiming at characterising students from the socio-demography, and from their perceptions, motivations, attitudes and knowledge relating to the topic of CC. Statistical analysis was used to compare and characterise the three national groups under study.FindingsThis study did not show significant perception differences among the analysed subsamples, although there was a tendency for Mexican students to express lesser belief that CC was happening, and for Mozambicans to show a greater belief in CC issues and motivation to mitigate its effects which may be related to the specifics contexts. The results show that relevant differences among nationalities mostly concerned the magnitude of choices (e.g. most respondents of each nationality expressed interest in CC issues, but the magnitude of this expression differed according to nationality). The principal component analysis (second and third components) clearly embodied nationality profiles (discussed in the context of different cultures, educational structures and CC impacts).Research limitations/implicationsFurther research is warranted to understand the integration of CC into higher education curriculum to improve and target educational efforts to suit students’ needs.Practical implicationsHow CC perceptions vary cross-nationally and how research studies that examine the integration of CC into higher education curriculum are areas for which more research is needed.Originality/valueThe results highlight the importance of socio-cultural dimensions of each country in relation to the understanding or perception of CC issues, namely, in what concerns aspects related with gender roles, age, active learning and citizenship. This study’s data evidenced that despite the surveyed students being familiarized with CC phenomena, this knowledge does not translate necessarily into concrete mitigation practices and behaviours.

Age of Onset, Current Use of Alcohol, Tobacco or Marijuana and Current Polysubstance Use Among Male and Female Mexican Students.

This study aimed to examine alcohol, tobacco or marijuana use onset and associations between age of onset and current use, and between age of onset and current polysubstance use among a sample of Mexican young people aged 17-20 years. Alcohol, tobacco, marijuana and other substance use were identified in a 2012 cross-sectional survey of male and female students entering first year university in Mexico City. Chi-square tests and logistic regression models examined associations between gender, age of onset, order of onset, family substance use and current polysubstance use among 22,224 students. The largest proportions of males and females initiated alcohol at age 15, tobacco at ages 15-16 and marijuana at ages 16-17. Earlier alcohol and tobacco initiation was associated with past 30-day use of the same substance. Gender differences in alcohol and tobacco use were small but males were significantly more likely than females to use marijuana and be polysubstance users. Family substance use was associated with earlier onset. There was a significant association between the earliest age of any of the three substances and current polysubstance use. A number of contextual and cultural factors in Mexico may be contributing to early onset, continued use and polysubstance use and deserve attention in research and by prevention programs.

Sympathy for the Kaiser: Students Facing the Great War in Revolutionary Mexico

This article explores how Mexican students faced the Great War and decided to adopt a collective attitude towards the international conflict. It analyzes their visions of the war in times of Revolution and to what extent the conflict contributed to shape their national movement, its organization and its goals. In 1917, when the European war stopped being an object of fascination and suddenly appeared a national question, Mexican student leaders decided to organize a great mobilization against the international conflict and in favor of neutrality. Because they considered themselves genuine revolutionaries and patriots, as true anti-imperialists, students believed they had to intervene in the public sphere to maintain Mexico’s neutrality. However, the struggle for strict neutrality eventually created divisions among the student movement. If the mobilizations in favor of neutrality stopped at the end of 1917, the Great War generally triggered a wave of student politicization and radicalism.

Education, Science and Technology in Mexico: Challenges for Innovation

The innovation process is founded on a high-quality education system at all levels, which trains scientists and technologists capable of generating innovations. Education is the most decisive factor in human development, yet in Mexico current statistics reveal a critical situation at every educational level, as only 1 out of every 10 children entering elementary school obtains a university degree, and less than 0.01% of the population holds a doctoral degree. In addition, international tests such as the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) reflect the low educational performance of Mexican students in several subject areas. The deficiencies found in the national education system negatively impact innovation indicators. Although there have been major initiatives to reverse underperformance in education, science, technology and innovation (STI), the country has actually seen its global competitiveness ranking fall from 55th in 2013 to 57th in 2015, and structural reforms in education, science and technology proposed since 2012 have still not been successfully implemented. This paper analyses the current status of the education and STI systems in Mexico and sets out some strategies to improve public policies to profit from the great competitive advantages that Mexico has as an emerging economy, with about 52 million economically active people and great untapped potential if innovations policies are implemented successfully.

Where Are You From and Why Are You Here? Microaggressions, Racialization, and Mexican College Students in a New Destination

Previous sociological research on U.S. Mexicans has concentrated on their assimilation, especially educational patterns. While recent research has shifted focus to Mexicans settling in “new destinations” away from the Southwest, there have been few examinations of the microlevel dynamics through which this group's young people have been received in new destinations. Moreover, an emphasis remains on how well this group is assimilating. Using in‐depth interviews, sociology of race perspectives, and racial microaggressions, this article analyzes Mexican students’ treatment in a predominantly white university, town, and high schools in a northeastern state. While assimilation perspectives would view these students’ presence in college as an early indicator of structural assimilation into the dominant white middle class, interviews paint a more nuanced picture. Notably there is a pattern of racial microaggressions, or everyday slights, typically coming from white students and school officials. Through these microaggressions, respondents are racialized as nonwhite, juxtaposed as inferior to whites, and come to learn of their group's lower status. Nonetheless, respondents are advancing toward college graduation given the support and resources they use.

Alfabetismo Financiero y Matemáticas: Un Estudio entre Estudiantes Mexicanos de Preparatoria

This work analyzes the influence of mathematical skills on financial literacy among Mexican high school students between 15 and 18 years of age. We use data from a survey constructed explicitly for this purpose, based on measures suggested by Lusardi and Mitchell and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). This is the first study of its kind for Mexican youths. Our results confirm that financial literacy levels among Mexican students are low. We offer evidence on the significant and positive impact of mathematical skills on financial literacy levels. Using an Ordered Probit model, we find that for every one unit increase in correct mathematical answers, the financial literacy level rises by 0.12 deviations. Intuitively, two additional correct mathematical answers translate into one-half of a point in the general OECD score. Our results are robust to different specifications for the explanatory variables and different estimation methods. Nevertheless, the study might have an endogeneity due to omitted variables or measurement error, for which we propose a method to correct it. The influence of mathematical skills remained significant and positive despite it.

Breakfast Skipping, Anxiety, Exercise, and Soda Consumption are Associated with Diet Quality in Mexican College Students

ABSTEACTDespite the reported poor dietary habits and risk of weight gain in college students, they remain understudied in Mexico. Mexican college students are in a rapidly changing economic environment; a shift from a traditional, homemade cuisine to a diet more heavily influenced by an industrialized culture seems to be occurring, potentially affecting the quality of their dietary intake. A health and nutrition survey was conducted among 450 Mexican college students to study the relationship between sociodemographic factors and diet quality. Dietary data were used to build macro- and micronutrient scores, dichotomized as low and normal quality. Adjusted odds (OR [95% CI]) were computed to determine the probability of low dietary quality. Breakfast skipping (5.3 [1.2, 22.7]) and risk of anxiety (2.3 [1.3, 4.4]) were associated with a greater risk of low macronutrient quality, and caloric intake < 1,800 kcal (5.8 [3.5, 9.7]), breakfast skipping (3.7 [1.4, 10.3]), vigorous exercise ≤ 1 h/wk (2.6 [1.3, 5.2]), and soda consumption > 250 mL/d (2.0 [1.2, 3.3]) with low micronutrient quality.

Significados de jóvenes estudiantes de Ocotlán, México y Antofagasta, Chile sobre el inicio sexual: Una aproximación desde el feminismo decolonial

OBJECTIVE: To understand the meanings and experiences 15 to19 year-old Mexican and Chilean students have regarding sexual initiation. METHOD: The study was approached from the socio-critical and the interpretivist paradigms as well as from the decolonial feminism perspective (Denzin & Lincon, 2000). The sample was composed of 54 students from public and private schools in Ocotlan and Antofagasta. The analysis was conducted following Montanez’s 2013 Analysis of Discursive Positions. FINDINGS: Chilean and Mexican students share some discursive positions such as the romantic, the normative, the mercantilist, the erotic, and the day-to-day one. CONCLUSIONS: There appears to be a global imaginary of gender in all of Latin America, which might not be fully identical but does share some similarities. This leads us to believe that nowadays there is indeed a common notion of the system or world.