Fabio Alexis Rincón Uribe

Introduction: During the COVID-19 pandemic, rates of loneliness increased significantly due to the challenging and adverse context arising from this global health emergency. Objective: To classify adults living alone according to perceived loneliness and affectivity and to examine their association with symptoms of psychological distress during the COVID-19 pandemic. Method: The design of this study was cross-sectional, descriptive and correlational. The sample consisted of 418 adults living alone, recruited through a non-probabilistic snowball sampling procedure using an online survey distributed via social media and email. To analyze the data, a cluster analysis was applied using the k-means method, the chi-squared test and the Odds Ratio statistic. Results: Two homogeneous groups were identified: Group 1 (n = 233) characterized by high levels of perceived loneliness, low levels of positive affect and high levels of negative affect; Group 2 (n = 185) showed low levels of perceived loneliness, high levels of positive affect and low levels of negative affect. Cluster 1 was more likely to have symptoms of psychological distress than cluster 2. Conclusions: To summarize, loneliness among individuals who reside alone can have an impact on the likelihood of experiencing psychological distress and adverse effects.

The objective of this meta-analysis is to analyze the association between positive expectations (hope and optimism) and health behaviors. Systematic searches were conducted in five electronic databases from March to August 2023. A meta-analytic approach was used, applying Fisher’s z-transformation to Pearson’s weighted r coefficient. From 17,470 records identified, 22 studies were included. The overall pooled effect size showed a significant relationship between health behaviors, optimism ( r = 0.32, 95% CI = 0.22–0.40), and hope ( r = 0.25, 95% CI = 0.17–0.33). Subgroup analyses suggested that associations varied according to age group and cultural group. Furthermore, meta-regression analysis also indicated that the type of healthy behavior significantly moderates the associations, while the average age showed a small and insignificant effect, especially in relation to optimism. These findings suggest that positive expectations are consistently associated with health-related behaviors.

Objective: This study analyzes experiences of suffering and resistance at work in Amazonian territories. It seeks to understand how these experiences are narrated and elaborated in research developed within a Graduate Program in Psychology in Northern Brazil. Theoretical Framework: Psychodynamics of Work is used as the basis to understand ethical suffering and resistance mechanisms, articulated with critical and territorial epistemologies. Method: This is a qualitative and documentary research. Fifteen dissertations and theses defended between 2011 and 2024 were analyzed. The interpretative analysis organized the findings into four thematic axes: (1) workers on the margins; (2) centrality of Psychodynamics of Work; (3) methodological listening and suffering; (4) the Amazon as an analytical place. Results and Discussion: The results highlight a situated Psychodynamics of Work, sensitive to symbolic, institutional, and territorial inequalities. Symbolic forms of resistance such as humor, spirituality, collective bonds, and writing as self-care stand out. Ethical suffering emerges as a fracture between the gesture and the value attributed to work. Research Implications: The analyses provide insights for building clinical practices and care policies that are more sensitive to regional diversity and the subjectivity of Amazonian workers. Originality/Value: The study expands the field of Work Psychology by integrating it with Southern epistemologies, proposing a critical and situated listening to labor suffering and resistance in the Amazon.

This systematic review investigates the effects of the ayahuasca beverage (Aya) in various animal models. Using the PRISMA protocol and adhering to the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews, a comprehensive selection of 2,359 documents was identified from the Web of Science, Medline, and Scopus databases between 2012 and 2022. Following the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 14 articles were included in the final analysis. The analysis revealed a diversity in the selection of animal models that included different developmental stages and various forms of Aya intoxication, including acute and chronic doses, and varying concentrations of the active principles. The studies revealed that Aya causes significant alterations in the motor and cognitive behavior of animals, especially associated with the serotonergic system, which seems to contribute to the negative symptoms also observed in schizophrenia and depression. Despite the evidence found, this review highlights the scarcity of more robust pre-clinical studies with methodological standardization to make more conclusive comparisons, especially given the need to identify potential toxic and neurochemical effects of Aya on organisms for a safer assessment of its therapeutic use.

O Modelo Transteórico de Mudança (MTT) tem ampla aplicabilidade em resultados de saúde, como abuso de substâncias e adesão à medicação. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a eficácia de intervenções baseadas no MTT na promoção de comportamentos de saúde em adultos com ansiedade. Trata-se de uma revisão sistemática, cujos critérios de inclusão abrangeram estudos empíricos originais publicados entre 1977 e 2023. Foram encontradas 8.798 publicações, sendo 9 artigos incluídos na síntese final. Os resultados indicaram que as intervenções baseadas no MTT resultaram em mudanças comportamentais significativas, como aumento da atividade física, cessação do uso de substâncias e melhor gerenciamento da dor crônica, além de uma redução nos níveis de ansiedade. Contudo, foram observadas limitações, como a não utilização do MTT como intervenção principal e a falta de resultados relacionados à ansiedade como desfecho primário. As conclusões sugerem que o MTT é uma abordagem eficaz para a promoção de comportamentos de saúde, recomendando sua incorporação em intervenções clínicas e a realização de pesquisas futuras que integrem seus construtos.

Durante a pandemia da COVID-19, as pessoas experimentaram uma carga emocional negativa que incluiu sensações de tristeza, medo, raiva e estresse. No entanto, neste contexto, a vivência das emoções positivas favoreceu a redução do sofrimento emocional e o aumento do bem-estar, da resiliência e da boa saúde. O objetivo deste trabalho foi explorar o papel que as emoções positivas desempenharam durante a pandemia da COVID-19 e as contribuições que as intervenções digitais em saúde ofereceram neste contexto. As emoções positivas são respostas que envolvem fatores cognitivos, emocionais e fisiológicos que se manifestam ante situações, objetos ou pessoas significativas e positivas. Embora estas emoções se manifestem em momentos favoráveis ou satisfatórias, durante momentos de adversidade podem desenvolver um papel importante na proteção da saúde e o bem-estar. Destacam-se os aportes da saúde para o cultivo das emoções positivas durante a emergência da COVID-19. Estas ferramentas facilitaram o acesso rápido e eficaz aos serviços de saúde, favoreceram a indução de emoções positivas e contribuíram para o melhoramento do bem-estar e da saúde em geral.

The hypothalamus–pituitary–adrenal axis (HPA axis) and the sympathetic–adrenal–medullary system (SAM system), two neuroendocrine systems associated with the stress response, have often been implicated to modulate decision-making in various domains. This systematic review summarizes the scientific evidence on the effects of pharmacological HPA axis and SAM system modulation on decision-making. We found 6375 references, of which 17 studies fulfilled our inclusion criteria. We quantified the risk of bias in our results with respect to missing outcome data, measurements, and selection of the reported results. The included studies administered hydrocortisone, fludrocortisone (HPA axis stimulants), yohimbine, reboxetine (SAM system stimulants), and/or propranolol (SAM system inhibitor). Integrating the evidence, we found that SAM system stimulation had no impact on risk aversion, loss aversion or intertemporal choice, while SAM system inhibition showed a tentative reduction in sensitivity to losses. HPA axis stimulation had no effect on loss aversion or reward anticipation but likely a time-dependent effect on decision under risk. Lastly, combined stimulation of both systems exhibited inconsistent results that could be explained by dose differences (loss aversion) and sex differences (risk aversion). Future research should address time-, dose-, and sex-dependencies of pharmacological effects on decision-making.

The objective of this study was to carry out a systematic review of publications that reported the assessment of the mental health of university students in Latin America specifically during the period of social isolation in the Covid-19 pandemic. The databases used for research were: Lilacs, PubMed, APA PsycInfo and Scielo to collect studies in english, spanish or portuguese. The database consultation took place in May 2022 and the descriptors adopted were: mental health, students and pandemic. The Boolean AND was used to combine the descriptors. Studies with undergraduates in institutions in Latin America were included, involving mental health and having been carried out during the period of social isolation. All publications that were not empirical studies, with other members of the academic community or in languages other than those used in the database consultation were excluded. The selection of eligible articles was carried out by two reviewers who assessed the quality of each study for subsequent data extraction. To synthesize the results, the thematic synthesis narrative approach was used. Were identified 6,150 publications initially, which resulted in 11 studies included after applying the eligibility criteria. The results reveal, with the exception of one study, that the quality of mental health of Latin American university students during the period of social isolation in the Covid-19 pandemic reduced. The main impacts reported involve an increase in levels of anxiety, stress and depression, as well as worsening sleep quality. It was observed that physical activity and pre-stress coping during this period served as protective factors for mental health. On the other hand, factors such as: sedentary lifestyle, economic instability, being female and having had Covid-19 were shown to aggravate the declining of individuals' mental health.

Introduction: During the COVID-19 pandemic, people have experienced sudden changes in their lives, especially in their work dynamics. In this context, the balance of positive and negative affective experiences can influence workers’ job satisfaction. Objectives: Explore the levels of job satisfaction, related to positive and negative affect, in a group of Latin American workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Method: The sample included 594 Latin American workers (M = 38, aged between 18 and 60; SD = 10.47), of both sexes, who answered a sociodemographic questionnaire online and two psychological measures of affect and job satisfaction. Ward’s hierarchical cluster analysis and K-means were used as methods. Results: Four worker groups were identified: Group 1, high levels of positive and negative affect with high job satisfaction; Group 2, low levels of positive and negative affect with low job satisfaction; Group 3, high levels of positive affect and low levels of negative affect with high job satisfaction; Group 4, low levels of positive affect and high levels of negative affect with low job satisfaction. Conclusions: Groups with high levels of positive affect experienced high job satisfaction, while groups with high or low levels of negative affect and low levels of positive affect experienced low job satisfaction.

Introduction: Interventions to promote health and well-being based on the construction of psychological resources can positively impact the daily life of users and foster human flourishing. Nowadays, mobile health represents a safe way to support health research and implement evidence-based psychological interventions. The present study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a mobile app-based intervention program (OneUS) designed to cultivate positive emotions and positive thinking to improve overall well-being.Methods: The study is designed as a randomized controlled trial. Two hundred participants will be randomly assigned to either a mobile health intervention condition (OneUS App) or an active control condition. The intervention consists of a program to cultivate positive emotions and positive thoughts. The active control intervention will comprise a set of mental imagery exercises and daily routine recording. The primary outcome comprises optimal well-being assessed using the multidimensional PERMA-Profiler scale. The sample will include adult people from the general population, who will be assessed at 8 time points: baseline (t1), intervention (t2, t3, t4, t5, t6) post-intervention (t7) and 3-month follow-up (t8).Discussion: Mobile apps seem to be promising tools to promote health and well-being. This study will evaluate the effectiveness of a mobile app (OneUS) aiming to cultivate positive emotions and positive thinking to improve well-being. The main strength of this study is the development of an evidence-based mobile health app, based on intentional mental training, to promote well-being. The limitations of this study relate to potential participant drop-out and the non-generalizability of the results to clinical populations.Clinical trial registration: https://ensaiosclinicos.gov.br/rg/RBR-43hpwqk, Identifier RBR-43hpwqk.