Sample Of Brazilian University Students Research Articles

Prevalence and associated factors of adverse childhood experiences (ACE) in a sample of Brazilian university students

BackgroundAdverse childhood experiences (ACEs) have long been associated with health risk behaviors, but they are poorly studied in Brazilian university students. ObjectiveTo estimate the prevalence of ACEs and investigate their association with sociodemographic data, health risk factors and self-related health in a sample of university students. Participants and settingA cross-sectional study conducted with 546 students from a Brazilian public university. MethodThe self-reported 10-ACE Study questionnaire (ACE-Q) and sociodemographic information (age, sex, family income), health risk factors (body mass index, physical exercise, alcohol and tobacco use) and self-related health were assessed. Chi-square Test and multivariate logistic regression were used to evaluate the association between the cumulative occurrence of ACE (ACE ≥4) and the studied factors. ResultsOf the 546 participants, 464 responded to all ACE-Q questions; 74.4% reported at least one ACE, and 13.1 % reported four or more. Lower family income (OR = 2.02; 95%CI = 1.13–3.61; p = 0.01) and self-related poor health (OR = 2.29; 95%CI = 1.28–4.08; p = 0.00) were associated with the occurrence of ACE ≥4. ConclusionMost students reported at least one ACE, while a minority reported ≥4 ACEs associated with lower family income and poor self-health. The data suggest that preventive actions should be considered to mitigate the problem, with lower-income students being treated as a priority.

Body Appearance (Dis)satisfaction Scale applied to Brazilian university students

ABSTRACT Objective This study aimed to estimate the psychometric properties of the Body Area Scale (BAS) applied to a sample of Brazilian university students to support the validity and reliability of the obtained data. Methods We performed confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) using the Comparative Fit index (CFI), Tucker-Lewis index (TLI), and Root Mean Square Error of Approximation (RMSEA). We calculated the average variance extracted (AVE), composite reliability (CR), and ordinal alpha coefficient (α). All estimates were calculated separately for women and men. A thousand students participated (women = 64.0%, mean [M] age = 20.92, standard deviation [SD] = 2.40 years; body mass index (BMI) M = 23.24, SD = 3.97 kg/m2). Results Considering the CFA results, the original unifactorial model (24 items) did not fit data for women and men. Instead, the two-factorial model with 19 items had adequate fit for male and female samples (CFI = 0.922-0.958; TLI = 0.912-0.952; RMSEA = 0.090-0.096), as well as good convergent validity (AVE = 0.536-0.668) and reliability (CR = 0.920-0.952; α = 0.916-0.948). Once BAS was proposed to evaluate satisfaction/dissatisfaction with one’s own body, and considering the reformulation of the factorial model, we proposed a new name for the instrument: Body Appearance (Dis)Satisfaction Scale (BAS-R). Conclusion Professionals can now include the BAS-R in future protocols to evaluate satisfaction/dissatisfaction with the body in Brazilian students.

Cross-cultural adaptation of the Sociocultural Attitudes Towards Appearance Scale-4 (SATAQ-4) applied to university students

The aim of this study was to translate and culturally adapt the Sociocultural Attitudes Towards Appearance Scale-4 (SATAQ-4) to the Portuguese language and assess its validity and reliability when applied to Brazilian students. Face, content, and pretest validity were assessed. In order to assess the levels of misunderstanding, a pretest was performed with 91 students from three Portuguese-speaking countries (25 Brazilians, 37 Portuguese, and 29 Mozambicans). Construct validity was estimated using a confirmatory strategy with chi-square by degrees of freedom ratio (χ²/df), comparative fit index (CFI), Tucker-Lewis index (TLI), and root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA). The reliability was estimated. Invariance was estimated for independent samples, for sex and presence/absence of overweight/obesity. Students participating in the pretest understood all the items in SATAQ-4. Participation in the main study included 1,051 Brazilian university students (age = 20.9 years (SD = 2.4), 66.4% women). SATAQ-4 presented adequate validity (χ²/df = 8.39; CFI = 0.98, TLI = 0.98, RMSEA = 0.08) and reliability (Cronbach's alpha = 0.84-0.95) in the sample. The model showed invariance between independent samples and was not invariant according to sex or presence/absence of overweight/obesity. In conclusion, SATAQ-4 is a valid and reliable instrument for a sample of Brazilian university students, as an alternative for assessing sociocultural attitudes towards appearance in this population.

Psychometric properties of the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory in a sample of Brazilian university students.

To examine psychometric properties of the Brazilian version of the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI). A total of 300 university students were evaluated though instruments that investigated trauma history, depression and posttraumatic symptoms, and personality traits through the Big Five model. Pearson's correlation was used to assess internal consistency, inter-item reliability and construct validity. Principal component analysis and confirmatory factor analysis were performed to investigate the factor structure of the PTGI. Results confirmed the original five-factor structure. The results showed good internal consistency for the total scale (α = 0.91) and its subscales, ranging from α = 0.85 to α = 0.70. Also, evidence of construct and convergent validity was observed through correlations with posttraumatic and depression symptoms and personality measures. These preliminary results suggest that the Brazilian PTGI is reliable and showed adequate evidence of validity.

Exercise and fruit/vegetable intake in a sample of Brazilian university students: association with nutritional status

The objective of this study was to identify the frequency of practice of exercise and fruit/vegetable intake in a representative sample of Brazilian university students and their possible association with nutritional status. The sample consisted of 1177 individuals of both sexes, aged 18-35 years, selected randomly. Information about the frequency of exercise and fruit/vegetable intake was obtained with the National College Health Assessment-II self-administered questionnaire. Nutritional status was defined based on body mass index according to the cut-off values recommended by the World Health Organization. The results showed that the practice of cardio-respiratory and resistance exercises were reported by 51.5% and 32.5% of the sample, respectively. Less than 4% of the university students had an adequate fruit/vegetable intake. Proportion of occurrence of excess body weight was equivalent to 32.4%, being significantly higher in men (45.6% vs 22.33%; p < 0.005). The risk to identify excess body weight in university students who reported not consuming fruits/vegetables daily was two to three times higher than their peers who reported an adequate intake (women: OR = 2.89 [95%CI 2.28 – 3.62]; men: OR = 1.96 [95%CI 1.44 – 2.60]). Exposure risk for excess body weight was progressively lower according to reported higher frequency of practice of cardio-respiratory exercise. In conclusion, the findings suggest immediate interventions aimed at emphasizing the healthy practice of exercise and food intake could help to minimize the risk of appearance and development of excess body weight.

Moderators of the association between discrimination and alcohol consumption: findings from a representative sample of Brazilian university students.

Few studies about discrimination and patterns of alcohol consumption among youth populations have been conducted outside the United States addressing different types of discriminatory experiences, in addition to racially motivated events. This study investigated moderators of the association between discrimination attributed to single and multiple reasons and patterns of alcohol consumption. This cross-sectional study enrolled a representative sample (n = 1,264) of undergraduate students from Florianópolis, southern Brazil, in 2013. Analyses included adjustment of associations for covariates in ordinal logistic regression models and the examination of effect modification by common mental disorders, year of study and age. Discrimination was reported by 65.8% of the students, and alcohol consumption, by 80.0%. Over half of the students reported being discriminated against for two or more reasons. The odds of alcohol-related problems were higher among lastyear students that reported discrimination (odds ratio [OR] = 1.9, 95% confidence interval [95%CI] 1.0-3.4) or multiple reasons for being discriminated against (OR = 2.3, 95%CI 1.3- 4.3), when compared to first-year students that did not report discrimination. For the whole sample, there were no associations between discrimination, discrimination attributed to multiple reasons and patterns of alcohol consumption (OR = 1.0, 95%CI 0.8-1.4; and OR = 0.9, 95%CI 0.5-1.6). The effects of discrimination on the patterns of alcohol consumption are seen at a critical period in university life, specifically during the completion of undergraduate studies.

Association between joint hypermobility and anxiety in Brazilian university students: Gender-related differences

IntroductionAnxiety disorders may be associated with several non-psychiatric disorders. Current literature has been investigating the association between anxiety and joint hypermobility (JHM), with special interest in non-articular symptoms that may be related to autonomic dysfunction. This study investigated the association between anxiety and JHM in a sample of Brazilian university students. MethodsData were cross-sectionally collected in two Brazilian universities (N=2600). Participants completed three validated self-rating anxiety scales: Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Social Phobia Inventory (SPIN) and the brief-version of SPIN (Mini-SPIN). They also answered the self-rating screening questionnaire for JHM: the Five-part Questionnaire for Identifying Hypermobility. ResultsHypermobile women showed significantly higher scores in all the anxiety scales, when compared with men: BAI total score (t=3.77; p<0.001), its four subscales, SPIN score (t=2.71; p<0.007) and Mini-SPIN (t=2.58; p<0.01). Among BAI subscales, the autonomic subscale was shown to be more significantly (t=3.89; p<0.001) associated with joint hypermobility in women. ConclusionsThe results of the present study support earlier evidence on the relationship between anxiety and JHM in women, showing specific gender-related features in this field. It also directs attention to non-articular symptoms that may be enrolled in this association.

Social Anxiety Disorder and Joint Hypermobility: Lack of Association in a Sample of Brazilian University Students

Anxiety is associated with a number of other medical conditions, among which is joint hypermobility. This association is more consistent in panic disorder, and further evidence is necessary in regard to other anxiety disorders. This study investigated the association between Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) and joint hypermobility in a sample of Brazilian university students. Data were collected from a convenience sample of 87 participants, divided into SAD cases (n=39) and non-cases (n=48). Participants were selected according to their social anxiety score in the brief version of the Social Phobia Inventory (Mini-SPIN) and SAD diagnosis was confirmed with Module F of the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV (SCID-IV). The volunteers completed a screening questionnaire for joint hypermobility (the five-part questionnaire for identifying hypermobility) and underwent an individual physical examination based on the Beighton score. The prevalence of joint hypermobility as assessed using a Beighton score > 4 was of 41% in SAD cases and 37.5% in non-cases. No significant differences were observed between the two groups (χ2=0.112 p=0.73). The group of SAD cases had slightly higher Beighton scores, although the difference from non-cases did not reach statistical significance. Our findings do not point to the existence of an association between SAD and joint hypermobility in this sample of Brazilian university students. This result adds to the discussion on the specificities of different anxiety disorders and ethnic features that might mediate the association between anxiety and joint hypermobility.

Validação e Adaptação Transcultural da Escala Multidimensional de Atitudes Face a Lésbicas e a Gays

Apresentaram-se neste trabalho dois estudos relativos à validação e adaptação transcultural Escala Multidimensional de Atitudes Face a Lésbicas e a Gays (EMAFLG; Gato, Fontaine, & Carneiro, 2012). Este instrumento é constituído por 27 itens distribuídos por quatro dimensões: Rejeição da proximidade; Homopatologização; Heterossexismo moderno; Suporte. No primeiro estudo, testou-se esta estrutura numa amostra de estudantes universitários portugueses (N = 425), através de Análise Fatorial Confirmatória. A maioria dos itens apresentou pesos fatoriais elevados e significativos e o modelo apresentou um ajustamento global aceitável (χ2/gl = 2,35; CFI = 0,93; RMSEA = 0,056; SRMR = 0,04); os indicadores de validade convergente e discriminante também se mostraram satisfatórios, ficando demonstrada a validade de constructo do instrumento. No segundo estudo, com o propósito de verificar em que medida a EMAFLG tinha um significado equivalente noutro país de língua oficial portuguesa, realizou-se o teste da invariância do instrumento, junto de uma amostra de estudantes universitários brasileiros (N = 420), recorrendo à Análise Fatorial Confirmatória Multigrupos. Os resultados sugeriram a aplicabilidade da EMAFLG em amostras de estudantes universitários nos dois países.

Exercise motives in a sample of Brazilian university students

The present study aimed to identify the exercise motives according to selected socio-demographic indicators in university students. The sample was comprised of 2,380 individuals (1,213 men and 1,167 women) aged between 18 and 35 years. The exercise motives were identified with the Portuguese-translated version of the Exercise Motivations Inventory (EMI-2). University students gave significantly greater importance to exercise for reasons identified as Disease Prevention. Factors that are less relevant in statistical language were identified in a context of motivation associated with Social Recognition and Competition. Sex, age, family economic class, experience with exercise and body weight had a significant effect on the level of importance of exercise among university students. In conclusion, the results found can contribute to the development of physical activity promotion programs and a possible reduction in the number of dropouts among university students.

Further psychometric study of the Beck Anxiety Inventory including factorial analysis and social anxiety disorder screening

Objective. to analyze the psychometric properties of the Brazilian Portuguese version of the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) in terms of its internal consistency, scores distribution, concurrent and discriminant validity, and factorial analysis in a sample of university students and social anxiety disorder (SAD) cases and non-cases. Methods. A sample of Brazilian university students from the general population (N = 2314) and a sample of university students identified as cases (N = 88) and non-cases (N = 90) of SAD were assessed, using as a parameter the Structured Clinical Interview for the DSM-IV. The different instruments were completed individually in the presence of an experienced rater. Results. the BAI showed adequate internal consistency (0.88–0.92) and discriminant validity, with 0.74 sensitivity and 0.71 specificity for a cut-off score of 10. The factorial analysis suggested a three-factor solution to be the most adequate. Conclusions. the version of the BAI studied is quite adequate to be used in the context of Brazilian university students, identifying the presence of anxiety indicators. However, its usefulness to screen for SAD seems limited.

Evaluation of the psychometric properties of the Social Phobia Inventory in university students

Objective The aim of the study was to study the psychometric properties of the Social Phobia Inventory (SPIN) in its version for the context of Brazilian adults. Methods A sample of Brazilian university students from the general population (n = 2314) and a sample of university students identified as cases (n = 88) and noncases (n = 90) of social phobia were assessed, using as a parameter the Structured Clinical Interview for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition. The different instruments were applied individually in the presence of a rater. Results The SPIN showed adequate internal consistency (.63-.90) and concurrent validity with different instruments of auto- and hetero-evaluation of social phobia. Discriminative validity showed 0.84 to 0.86 sensitivity and 0.84 to 0.87 specificity for cutoff notes between 19 and 21. Factorial analysis showed the presence of a variable number of factors as a function of the different samples. Conclusions The version of the SPIN studied is quite adequate for use in the context of Brazilian university students, favoring the screening of social phobia. However, further studies using more diverse samples are needed.

Reliability of the Social Phobia and Anxiety Inventory (SPAI) Portuguese version in a heterogeneous sample of Brazilian university students

To evaluate internal consistency and temporal stability trough test re-test reliability of the Portuguese version of the Social Phobia and Anxiety Inventory (SPAI) in a heterogeneous Brazilian sample. After informed consent, the translated and adapted version of the SPAI Portuguese was tested and re-tested at a 14-day interval in a sample of 225 university students, both genders, from 4 different undergraduate courses. After double data entry, statistical analysis included Cronbach's alphas, Pearson and intra-class correlation coefficients. The studied sample consisted of 213 students from 4 sub-samples: 95 law students, 31 social communication students, 54 civil engineering students and 33 dental medicine students. The mean age was 23 (+/-6) years and 110 (51.6%) were female. The Cronbach' alpha was 0.96, no difference for both genders. The differential (total) score of the SPAI Portuguese showed Pearson coefficient 0.83 (95% CI 0.78-0.87) and Intra-class coefficient 0.83 (95% CI 0.78-0.86). There was no statistical difference in Pearson coefficients between genders (p = 0.121) and the 4 sub-samples (p = 0.258). The results do not ensure validity, however, the SPAI Portuguese version presented a good content homogeneity with satisfactory level of internal consistency. The temporal stability evaluated was substantial. The results showed that the Portuguese SPAI presents perfectly acceptable reliability for both genders and suggest that it can be used in Brazilian populations.

Scores of Brazilian University students on the Beck Depression and the State Trait Anxiety Inventories.

The profiles of the Beck Depression Inventory and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory scores were obtained for a sample of Brazilian university students and compared with those of other studies. Subjects were 270 students from various universities in São Paulo, age 23.8 yr. (SD=6.7 yr.). The mean Beck score for the total sample was 8.5 (SD=7.0); according to the cut-off score of 16, 86.9% were considered normal, 7.5% had scores compatible with dysphoria, and 5.6% had scores indicative of depression. The mean State-Trait Anxiety score for the total sample was 40.7 (SD=8.6). Considering one standard deviation as the threshold point, 17.8% published data indicated that the Portugese versions of the questionnaires are equivalent to original versions.