Open Access
Editorial: Psychophysiology of stress
(Frontiers Media, 2022) Clemente Suárez, Vicente Javier; Nikolaidis, Pantelis T.; Knechtle, Beat; Ruisoto Palomera, Pablo; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak
Stress is a multifactorial complex phenomenon where organic resources are mobilized to deal with a real or perceived threat (Cohen et al., 1983). The stress response is one of the most important phylogenetic coping mechanisms that have allowed humans to successfully adapt to highly demanding and potentially dangerous contexts (Hadany et al., 2006; Korzan and Summers, 2021). The intrinsic neurobiological mechanisms involved in the stress response have not changed much in the last stages of the evolution of the human being, prominently including the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical axis and the autonomic nervous system (Ulrich-Lai and Herman, 2009;McEwen et al., 2015; Cohen et al., 2016). In contrast, our social context has changed dramatically recently in evolutionary terms.
Open Access
Anatomy of educational innovations based on learning by discovery in higher education
(Consejo General de la Psicología de España, 2024) Ruisoto Palomera, Pablo; Contador Castillo, Israel; Quintero, Esperanza; López-García, Juan Carlos; Álvarez-Díaz, Beatriz; Cacho Fernández, Raúl; Fernández-Calvo, Bernardino; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak; Institute for Advanced Social Research - ICOMMUNITAS
El objetivo de este trabajo es examinar las innovaciones docentes derivadas del Plan Bolonia, centrando la atención en el aprendizaje basado en problemas y la gamificación, que resaltan la importancia del aprendizaje por descubrimiento o autónomo. Se analizan metaanálisis y artículos prominentes en ¿Education¿ and ¿Educational Research¿ de los últimos 5 años. Utilizando un símil biomédico, se identifican los principios activos de las innovaciones basadas en aprendizaje por descubrimiento, destacando la subordinación de contenidos teóricos a competencias prácticas y la ruptura del binomio docente-estudiante. Se señalan efectos adversos como la devaluación de clases magistrales, desacreditación de la autoridad docente y la infantilización de estudiantes. Diferentes estudios indican que la eficacia del aprendizaje por descubrimiento en la educación superior es débil e inconsistente. Por tanto, se aboga por la prudencia en su implementación y la preservación de la función social universitaria para transmitir conocimiento a niveles superiores.
Open Access
Gender differences in problematic alcohol consumption in university professors
(MDPI, 2017) Ruisoto Palomera, Pablo; Vaca Gallegos, Silvia; López-Goñi, José Javier; Cacho Fernández, Raúl; Fernández Suárez, Iván; Psicología y Pedagogía; Psikologia eta Pedagogia
The role of job satisfaction and other psychosocial variables in problematic alcohol consumption within professional settings remains understudied. The aim of this study is to assess the level of problematic alcohol consumption among male and female university professors and associated psychosocial variables. A total of 360 professors (183 men and 177 women) of a large private university in Ecuador were surveyed using standardized instruments for the following psychosocial measures: alcohol consumption, job satisfaction, psychological stress, psychological flexibility, social support and resilience. Problematic alcohol consumption was found in 13.1% of participants, although this was significantly higher (χ2 = 15.6; d.f. = 2, p < 0.001) in men (19.1%) than women (6.8%). Problematic alcohol consumption was reported in men with higher perceived stress and job satisfaction. However, 83.3% of women with problematic alcohol use reported lower job satisfaction and higher psychological inflexibility. Results suggest that job satisfaction itself did not prevent problematic alcohol consumption in men; stress was associated with problematic consumption in men and psychological inflexibility in women. Findings from this study support the need to assess aspects of alcohol consumption and problematic behavior differently among men and women. Intervention strategies aimed at preventing or reducing problematic alcohol consumption in university professors must be different for men and women.
Open Access
The impact of the covid-19 pandemic on mental disorders. A critical review
(MDPI, 2021) Clemente Suárez, Vicente Javier; Martínez-González, Marina Begoña; Benítez Agudelo, Juan Camilo; Navarro Jiménez, Eduardo; Beltrán Velasco, Ana Isabel; Ruisoto Palomera, Pablo; Díaz Arroyo, Esperanza; Laborde Cárdenas, Carmen Cecilia; Tornero Aguilera, José Francisco; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak
The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the lives of the worldwide population. Citizens suffer the social, economic, physiological, and psychological effects of this pandemic. Primary sources, scientific articles, and secondary bibliographic indexes, databases, and web pages were used for a consensus critical review. The method was a narrative review of the available literature to summarize the existing literature addressing mental health concerns and stressors related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The main search engines used in the present research were PubMed, SciELO, and Google Scholar. We found the pandemic has had a direct impact on psychopathologies such as anxiety, increasing its ratios, and depression. Other syndromes such as burnout and post-traumatic stress disorder have increased with the pandemic, showing a larger incidence among medical personnel. Moreover, eating disorders and violence have also increased. Public authorities must prepare healthcare systems for increasing incidences of mental pathologies. Mental health apps are one of the tools that can be used to reach the general population.
Open Access
Accelerated forgetting in temporal lobe epilepsy: When does it occur?
(Elsevier, 2021) Contador Castillo, Israel; Sánchez, Abraham; Kopelman, Michael D.; González de la Aleja, Jesús; Ruisoto Palomera, Pablo; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak
Objective: the main goal of the study was to analyse differences in the forgetting rates of Temporal Lobe Epilepsy (TLE) patients at different intervals (30 sec, 10 min, 1 day and 1 week) compared with those of healthy controls. A secondary aim of this research was to provide an assessment of the relationship between clinical epilepsy-related variables and forgetting rates in TLE patients. Method: the sample was composed of 14 TLE patients and 14 healthy matched controls. All participants underwent a full standardised neuropsychological assessment including general intelligence, executive functioning, memory, language and other variables, such as depression, anxiety or everyday memory failures. Two specific memory tasks, consisting of cued recall of 4 short stories and 4 routes, were carried out at four different intervals. Results: there was a significant difference between groups at 10-min interval on the stories task, with the TLE group displaying greater forgetting than healthy controls. None of the other intervals on either task showed significant group differences. No differences were found when controlling for clinical epilepsy-related variables. Conclusion: forgetting of verbal information at 10 min was greater in patients with TLE compared with controls, but accelerated longer term forgetting was not found. This study suggests that a late consolidation process is not necessarily impaired in TLE patients.
Open Access
The role of education in executive functions, behavioral problems and functional performance in people with schizophrenia
(American Psychological Association, 2021) Cámara, Silvia; Contador Castillo, Israel; Herrero, Paula; Ruisoto Palomera, Pablo; Sánchez, Abraham; Cuellar, Luis; López, Rebeca; Fournier, María Concepción; Ramos, Francisco; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak
Objective: this cross-sectional study examined the influence of education on executive functions, behavioral problems and functional performance in people with chronic schizophrenia. Method: our sample was composed of 116 subjects with a schizophrenia diagnosis (evolution time = 17.5 ± 9.5 years) from consecutive referrals to the Rehabilitation Unit of Benito Menni Hospital (Valladolid, Spain). All participants completed an extensive standardized protocol including a neuropsychological testing of executive functions (processing speed, working memory, inhibition, interference control, mental flexibility), the assessment of behavioral symptoms, and functional performance. Hierarchical regression models (HRMs) were carried out to determine whether education (in years) relates to executive functions after controlling for the effect of demographics, IQ, and clinical factors. Results: both IQ and years of education were associated with a later onset of the illness. Specifically, high education (in years) significantly correlated with fewer behavioral problems and better functional performance in daily life. Further, HRMs showed that education was associated with digit span and sematic verbal fluency tasks after controlling for the effect of age, sex, and IQ as covariates. Conclusions: higher education may ameliorate executive deficits in patients with chronic schizophrenia and, in turn, diminish the behavioral and functional problems of the illness.
Open Access
Inflammation in COVID-19 and the effects of non-pharmacological interventions during the pandemic: a review
(MDPI, 2022) Clemente Suárez, Vicente Javier; Bustamante Sanchez, Álvaro; Tornero Aguilera, José Francisco; Ruisoto Palomera, Pablo; Mielgo Ayuso, Juan; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) caused the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic that hit the health systems worldwide hard, causing a collapse of healthcare systems. One of the main problems of this new virus is the high inflammatory response it provokes, which is the cause of much of the symptoms. Different pharmacological approaches tried to stop the advance of the pandemic, but it seems that only vaccines are the solution. In this line, different nonpharmacological approaches have been made in order to improve symptomatology, contagion, and spread of COVID-19, the principal factors being the physical activity, nutrition, physiotherapy, psychology, and life patterns. The SARS-CoV-2 virus produces a disproportionate inflammatory response in the organism of the guest and causes complications in this that can end the life of the patient. It has been possible to see how different nonpharmacological interventions based on physical activity, nutritional, psychological, and physical therapy, and lifestyle changes can be functional tools to treat this inflammation. Thus, in the present review, we aim to provide an overview of the role of inflammation in COVID-19 and the nonpharmacological interventions related to it.
Open Access
Metabolic health, mitochondrial fitness, physical activity, and cancer
(MDPI, 2023) Clemente Suárez, Vicente Javier; Martín Rodríguez, Alexandra; Redondo Flórez, Laura; Ruisoto Palomera, Pablo; Navarro Jiménez, Eduardo; Ramos Campo, Domingo Jesús; Tornero Aguilera, José Francisco; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak
Cancer continues to be a significant global health issue. Traditional genetic-based approaches to understanding and treating cancer have had limited success. Researchers are increasingly exploring the impact of the environment, specifically inflammation and metabolism, on cancer development. Examining the role of mitochondria in this context is crucial for understanding the connections between metabolic health, physical activity, and cancer. This study aimed to review the literature on this topic through a comprehensive narrative review of various databases including MedLine (PubMed), Cochrane (Wiley), Embase, PsychINFO, and CinAhl. The review highlighted the importance of mitochondrial function in overall health and in regulating key events in cancer development, such as apoptosis. The concept of “mitochondrial fitness” emphasizes the crucial role of mitochondria in cell metabolism, particularly their oxidative functions, and how proper function can prevent replication errors and regulate apoptosis. Engaging in high-energy-demanding movement, such as exercise, is a powerful intervention for improving mitochondrial function and increasing resistance to environmental stressors. These findings support the significance of considering the role of the environment, specifically inflammation and metabolism, in cancer development and treatment. Further research is required to fully understand the mechanisms by which physical activity improves mitochondrial function and potentially reduces the risk of cancer.
Open Access
Alcohol consumption in university professors: the role of stress and gender
(2018) Ruisoto Palomera, Pablo; Vaca Gallegos, Silvia; López-Goñi, José Javier; Cacho Fernández, Raúl; Fernández Suárez, Iván; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak
The role of job satisfaction and other psychosocial variables in problematic alcohol consumption within professional settings remains understudied. The aim of this study is to assess the level of problematic alcohol consumption among male and female university professors and associated psychosocial variables. A total of 360 professors (183 men and 177 women) of a large private university in Ecuador were surveyed using standardized instruments for the following psychosocial measures: alcohol consumption, job satisfaction, psychological stress, psychological flexibility, social support and resilience. Problematic alcohol consumption was found in 13.1% of participants, although this was significantly higher (χ2 = 15.6; d.f. = 2, p < 0.001) in men (19.1%) than women (6.8%). Problematic alcohol consumption was reported in men with higher perceived stress and job satisfaction. However, 83.3% of women with problematic alcohol use reported lower job satisfaction and higher psychological inflexibility. Results suggest that job satisfaction itself did not prevent problematic alcohol consumption in men; stress was associated with problematic consumption in men and psychological inflexibility in women. Findings from this study support the need to assess aspects of alcohol consumption and problematic behavior differently among men and women. Intervention strategies aimed at preventing or reducing problematic alcohol consumption in university professors must be different for men and women.
Open Access
Gender differences in transdiagnostic predictors of problematic alcohol consumption in a large sample of college students in Ecuador
(Health Psychology, 2022) Sánchez Puertas, Rafael; Ruisoto Palomera, Pablo; López Núñez, Carla; Vaca Gallegos, Silvia; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak; Universidad Pública de Navarra / Nafarroako Unibertsitate Publikoa
Background: alcohol use is one of the main risk factors that leads to detrimental health effects and support for a transdiagnostic approach to alcohol use disorders is growing. However, the role of transdiagnostic predictors of problematic alcohol consumption in Ecuador are understudied. Objective: the aim of this study was to examine gender differences in psychological stress and inflexibility as transdiagnostic predictors of problematic alcohol consumption in a large sample of college students in Ecuador. Methods: a total of 7,905 college students (21.49years, SD=3.68; 53.75% females) were surveyed using the following standardized scales: alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test, Perceived Stress Scale-14, and Acceptance and Action Questionnaire (AAQ-7). Macro Process for SPSS (models 4 and 7) was used to analyze mediation and moderation effects. Results: reported alcohol consumption was significantly higher in men than women students. On the other hand, women reported significantly higher levels of perceived stress and psychological inflexibility than men students. Gender, age, psychological stress, and inflexibility were significant predictors of alcohol consumption. Moreover, psychological inflexibility mediated the impact of stress on alcohol consumption, particularly in women (for men b=0.065, 95% CI [0.048 to 0.083], for women b=0.070, 95% CI [0.051 to 0.089]). Discussion: results of this study support psychological stress and psychological inflexibility as critical transdiagnostic variables related to increased rates of alcohol consumption among Ecuadorian college students. These conclusions contribute to the development of transdiagnostic comprehensive programs, which encompasses promotive, preventive, and treatment services that allow to alleviate the burden of alcohol, as well as to enrich the growing research on alcohol consumption in this population from a gender perspective.