Marcelo Nvo-Fernández

Introduction: The Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory-Short Form (PTGI-SF) has shown substantial cross-cultural variability in its factorial structure, yet contemporary latent-variable validation evidence remains limited for Chilean disaster-exposed populations. Methods: This study evaluated the psychometric properties of the PTGI-SF in 578 community-dwelling adults from three affected localities (Cauquenes, Pelluhue, and Tongoy) exposed to the February 27, 2010, Chile earthquake. Internal structure was examined using Exploratory Structural Equation Modeling (ESEM), reliability was estimated with McDonald's ordinal omega, and validity evidence was examined via ROC analysis and correlations with posttraumatic stress symptoms assessed using the SPRINT-E. Factorial similarity in loading patterns across localities was described using Tucker's congruence coefficients, whereas measurement equivalence was tested through multigroup CFA measurement invariance (MI) analyses. Results: ESEM supported a culturally specific three-factor solution (Appreciation of Life, Spiritual Change, and Self-Perception), diverging from the original five-factor model. Reliability was high across localities (Omega = 0.91–0.95). Model fit varied by context, with acceptable fit in Tongoy (RMSEA = 0.08; CFI/TLI = 0.99), mixed-to-poor fit in Pelluhue (RMSEA = 0.14; CFI = 0.98; TLI = 0.95), and clearly unacceptable fit in Cauquenes (RMSEA = 0.22; CFI = 0.92; TLI = 0.80). Discriminative validity relative to severe PTSD symptomatology (SPRINT-E ≥7 intense symptoms) was moderate (AUC = 0.703; sensitivity = 90.91%; specificity = 48.69%), and concurrent validity showed a significant positive association with PTSD symptoms ( r = 0.288, p < 0.001). Discussion: Measurement invariance analyses supported configural and metric invariance across localities, whereas scalar invariance could not be established due to inadmissible solutions, indicating that latent mean comparisons across communities are not supported.

The aim of this study was to conduct a reliability generalisation meta-analysis (RGMA) for the Burnout Assessment Tool (BAT) on its original and shortened versions based on Cronbach’s alpha and McDonald’s omega. A systematic search was carried out on six databases, where 56 articles were included in the analyses. Results based on random-effects models show good pooled internal consistency indices for the BAT and its subscales on both its original (α = .798–.948; ω = .754–.940) and shortened versions (α = .763–.907; ω = .750–.909), while showing high heterogeneity overall (pQ ≤ .004; I 2 ≥ 77.59%). Sources of variability were examined through influence diagnostics and meta-regression analysis. Our findings confirm that the BAT is a highly reliable tool for the assessment of burnout across different populations and settings. These results demonstrate that this measure shows better reliability indices when compared to the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI). Methodological and practical implications for the assessment and diagnosis of burnout in the organisational context are discussed.

Research on violence within LGBTIQA+ communities is scarce despite sizable prevalence. Map concepts and methods used to study intracommunity violence. PRISMA-guided search (Scopus/Web of Science/SciELO) plus snowballing identified 50 studies (2003-2024). We conducted a social-constructionist, semantic, deductive-inductive Reflexive Thematic Analysis and assessed methodological quality with the NIH tool. Evidence from 19 countries shows good-to-fair methodological quality overall, but heavy reliance on cross-sectional self-report. Three themes emerged: 1) heterocisnormative intimate partner violence; 2) social media reproducing intraminority stigmas; 3) symbolic violence against feminized bodies. LGBTIQA+ intracommunity violence is structural, with internalized heterocisnormativity. Critical methodological gaps require new instruments capturing gender performativity, corporeality, and power dynamics.

Marcelo Nvo-Fernández, César Villacura-Herrera, Valentina Miño-Reyes, Carlos Serrano, Fabiola Salas, Francisco Ahumada, and Marcelo Leiva-Bianchi. J Korean Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2025;36:196-214. https://doi.org/10.5765/jkacap.250017

Background: Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) is recommended by major health organizations for trauma treatment, but its efficacy for borderline personality disorder (BPD) remains unestablished. This study aims to evaluate EMDR’s effectiveness in treating BPD through a randomized controlled trial (RCT) and compare its outcomes with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Methods: A total of 76 individuals participated in the RCT, with 18 patients (78% female) completing the study. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either EMDR (n = 8) or CBT (n = 10) via teletherapy sessions. Trauma symptoms were assessed using the international trauma questionnaire (ITQ), BPD symptoms were assessed using the Personality Assessment Inventory-Borderline Features Scale (PAI-BOR), and post-traumatic growth (PTG) was assessed using the post-traumatic growth inventory (PTGI). Additionally, attentional evaluations were conducted at behavioral and electroencephalographic levels through an oddball paradigm. A final comparison was made between a participant who did not complete the therapeutic process and a participant who did. Results: Both EMDR and CBT treatments significantly improved trauma and BPD symptoms, as well as post-traumatic growth. The effect size was moderate for ITQ (η2 = 0.615) and PTGI (η2 = 0.610), and low for PAI-BOR (η2 = 0.147). Symptomatic participants showed a decrease in ITQ (p = 0.006) and PAI-BOR (p = 0.047) scores, and an increase in PTGI scores (p = 0.028). Conclusions: Both EMDR and CBT significantly improved trauma and BPD symptoms, as well as post-traumatic growth. Additionally, EMDR showed benefits in response accuracy and speed, with a correct response rate of 97% when comparing two participants (with and without therapy). However, completely clean electroencephalography (EEG) data were not obtained from both participants for a deeper comparison. Clinical Trial Registration: The study was registered at https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN91146045, registration number: ISRCTN91146045, registration date: 21 May 2021.

This meta-analysis examined how unemployment, a psychosocial stressor, influences post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and complex PTSD (CPTSD). It specifically explores unemployment as a risk factor for trauma, with emphasis on CPTSD, and investigates economic variables, including the GINI coefficient, as potential moderators. A systematic search in Web of Science, Scopus, and PubMed yielded 33 studies comprising more than 57,000 participants. Odds ratios (OR) were computed, and a random-effects model was used to synthesize the findings. Meta-regression analyses were conducted to evaluate the effects of economic inequality (GINI) and nominal gross domestic product (NGDP), but neither moderator reached statistical significance; this is addressed in detail in the Discussion. The results revealed that unemployment significantly elevated the risk for PTSD (OR = 1.500; logOR = 0.3826; PI: 0.457–4.702) and CPTSD (OR = 2.180; logOR = 0.7430; PI: 0.501–8.808), with a stronger impact on CPTSD. These findings emphasize unemployment as a pivotal predictor of trauma, especially CPTSD, broadening the traditional focus on interpersonal factors. They also highlight the importance of integrating psychosocial and economic variables into clinical assessments and public health policies. Addressing both unemployment and economic inequality could be critical for effective interventions and prevention efforts, underscoring the need for further multidisciplinary research.

This meta-analysis examines how unemployment, a psychosocial stressor, influences Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Complex PTSD (CPTSD). It specifically explores unemployment as a risk factor for trauma, with emphasis on CPTSD, and investigates economic variables, including the GINI coefficient, as potential moderators. A systematic search in Web of Science, Scopus, and PubMed yielded 33 studies comprising more than 65,000 participants. Odds Ratios (OR) were computed, and a random-effects model synthesized finding. Meta-regression examined the effects of economic inequality and nominal gross domestic product (NGDP). Results revealed that unemployment significantly elevated risk for PTSD (OR = 1.49, 95% CI: 1.18–1.88) and CPTSD (OR = 2.17, 95% CI: 1.35–3.47), with a stronger impact on CPTSD. Additionally, economic inequality, measured via the GINI coefficient, moderated unemployment’s effect on CPTSD, reducing this association in nations with higher inequality. No similar moderation was detected for PTSD. These findings emphasize unemployment as a pivotal predictor of trauma, especially CPTSD, broadening the traditional focus on interpersonal factors. They also highlight the importance of integrating psychosocial and economic variables into clinical assessments and public health policies. Addressing both unemployment and economic inequality could be critical for effective interventions and prevention efforts, underscoring the need for further multidisciplinary research.

Background: Quarantine is one of the most effective strategies to control outbreaks of communicable diseases. Individuals under isolation or quarantine experience both physical and mental effects. Therefore, given its widespread implementation around the world, it is pertinent to analyze this effect on physical and mental health. The psychosocial impact model, which divides four dimensions into two main points, exposure or protection and positive or negative responses, was used to analyze the psychosocial impact of quarantine. Objectives: The present study aimed to investigate the psychosocial impact of people exposed to or protected from quarantine. Methods: We conducted a search for primary articles in the Web of Science and Scopus databases, and after applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, we meta-analyzed five of them. Results: Quarantined individuals were more likely to experience anxiety (K = 4; OR = 2.62) and depressive symptoms (K = 6; OR = 1.61) compared to those who did not undergo quarantine. Researchers discuss a twofold increase in the probability of anxiety or depression among those in quarantine. As a result, advancing interventions that reduce this impact is critical for both health and the global economy. Conclusions: In terms of economic variables, the non-moderation of GDP per capita and the moderation of the GINI index stand out, demonstrating that countries must move toward policies that promote the reconstruction of more resilient and inclusive societies.