Publications by authors named "Cristobal Hernandez"

A consistent association has been observed between internet addiction and symptoms of social anxiety. However, there is a lack of empirical research that delves into potential explanations for this relationship and its directionality, making it difficult to translate findings into development of interventions for social anxiety that account for technology-related behaviors. The present study aimed to evaluate the longitudinal dynamics between internet addiction, symptoms of social anxiety, avoidance of social interactions, and using the internet to cope with loneliness.

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Evidence-based assessment (EBA) in mental health is a critical aspect of improving patient outcomes and addressing the gaps in mental health care. EBA involves the use of psychometric instruments to gather data that can inform clinical decision-making, inform policymakers, and serve as a basis for research and quality management. Despite its potential, EBA is often hindered by barriers such as workload and cost, leading to its underutilization.

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Article Synopsis
  • Depression is closely linked to interpersonal relationships, and involving an intimate partner in treatment can lead to positive outcomes, particularly with a focus on compassion.
  • In a study with 53 different-sex couples, those who underwent a compassion-based treatment (CBCT-fC) showed decreases in depressive symptoms and increases in self-compassion and mindfulness compared to a standard treatment.
  • While the compassion training was effective in improving individual well-being, it did not enhance interpersonal functioning, suggesting that more focus on partners' motivations and longer treatments may be needed for better relationship outcomes.
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Genetic and early environmental factors are interwoven in the etiology of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). Epigenetic mechanisms offer the molecular machinery to adapt to environmental conditions. There are gaps in the knowledge about how epigenetic mechanisms are involved in the effects of early affective environment, development of BPD, and psychotherapy response.

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Background: Intimate social relationships improve individual health and longevity, an effect which is supposed to be mediated through stress-sensitive endocrine and immune mechanisms in response to positive interaction behavior. On a neuroendocrine level, oxytocin (OT) buffers stress responses, modulates social attachment behavior and has been associated with cytokine expression. Consequently, the aim of the present study was to investigate instructed positive couple interaction, observed behavior, and OT in their effect on immune function.

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In Chile, during the COVID-19 pandemic, reports of cyberbullying victimization increased for adolescents and younger adults. Research has shown that cyber-victims-adolescents and young adults alike-are at greater risk for mental health problems such as depression as a result of this negative type of aggression. Yet, a paucity of research has examined the individual mechanisms germane to cyber-victim depression.

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A large body of literature has shown the effectiveness of mindfulness-based interventions (MBI) on stress-reduction. However, little is known about their effects on psychobiological stress-markers in daily life through an ecological momentary assessment approach. Our study examines the effects of MBI on state mindfulness, perceived stress, and indicators of sympathetic-nervous-system (saliva alpha-amylase, sAA) and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal-axis (saliva cortisol, sCort) activation in daily life.

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Article Synopsis
  • The COVID-19 pandemic has introduced unique stressors, particularly fear, which may impact individuals' behaviors related to health and recovery efforts.
  • A study was conducted with a sample of 163 Chilean adults to evaluate a new measure of fear related to illness and viruses, using Confirmatory Factor Analyses (CFA) to validate its structure.
  • The findings revealed that the revised scale demonstrated strong reliability and predictive validity, showing that higher fear levels were associated with increased depressive and posttraumatic stress symptoms over time.
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Previous research suggests that neuroendocrine mechanisms underlie inter-individual stress coping in couples. The neuropeptide oxytocin (OT), while regulating stress-sensitive HPA-axis activity might be crucial in this process. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of dyadic coping abilities and OT on HPA-axis outcomes and constructive behavior during couple conflict.

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Background: Iodine deficiency in pregnant women may result in substantial and irreversible impairment in fetal brain development, even from the first few weeks of pregnancy.

Objective: To assess the nutritional iodine status of pregnant women in our health area and its relationship with dietary factors and thyroid function and to suggest treatment guidelines.

Patients And Method: A study in 164 pregnant women in early pregnancy was carried out.

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