Journal of Behavior, Health & Social Issues

A Comparative Analysis of Anxiety Levels and Mental Health Service Utilization Among Students Belonging to and Outside the LGBTIQ+ Community

Gonzalo de la Isla Arias — Tue, 30 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0600

Anxiety is a natural reaction to dangerous situations, but when it is excessive or persistent, it becomes a disorder, considered one of the most common in psychiatry, characterized by disproportionate fear and worry. Anxiety is associated with the LGBTIQ+ population, as they face persecution, violence, and discrimination. The objective was to analyze anxiety levels and the use of mental health services in students with/without belonging to the LGBTIQ+ community. A total of 414 students aged 18-41 from a teacher training college in Zapopan, Jalisco, were included. Students belonging to the LGBTIQ+ community reported higher levels of anxiety and a greater unmet demand for mental health care, both psychological and psychiatric. A significant proportion of students who have not accessed psychological or psychiatric care, even though they recognize they need it, were identified, and this group has the highest levels of anxiety, suggesting significant barriers to accessing these services. The findings show significant differences in anxiety levels based on sexual and gender identity, as well as access, or lack thereof, to mental health services.

Propiedades Psicométricas del Inventario AAQ-II de Evitación Experiencial en Universitarios Mexicanos

Bertha Lidia Nuño Gutiérrez, Iliana Ofelia Poblano-Sánchez — Tue, 30 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0600

The aim was to analyze the psychometric properties of the AAQ-II Inventory of Experiential Avoidance (EA) and its relationship with anxiety (AN). An instrumental study was carried out with the participation of 327 university students from 18 to 41 years old, enrolled at the Escuela Normal Oficial de León. EA was evaluated by means of the AAQ-II, and anxiety by means of Beck's inventory. Both instruments were applied through a Google Forms questionnaire. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were performed, internal consistency was estimated and benchmarks were established for EA. Subsequently, the association of EA with AN was evaluated by linear correlation and Spearman's correlation. Three factor solutions of EA were estimated and the structure demonstrated that the fit indices corresponded to a single factor composed of eight items. The confirmatory analysis also showed appropriate fit indices and its internal consistency was adequate (ω= .85). A positive linear correlation was observed between AN and EA, as well as a positive and significant Spearman's correlation with a large effect size. In conclusion, the AAQ-II-8 inventory showed adequate psychometric properties, with a unifactorial structure of eight items and good fit indices. Its use is encouraged as a self-report instrument for the assessment of EA and further evaluation of psychometric properties in clinical populations is recommended.

Effect of Gender Notions on the Psychological Adjustment of Erotic Behavior in Women

Lic. Joyce Martínez-Gálvez, Dr. Carlos Martínez-Munguía, Dra. Fátima Y. Mérida — Tue, 30 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0600

The present study examines how gender notions influence the psychological adjustment of erotic behavior in young Mexican women. Using a mixed and multidisciplinary approach, 22 university students (11 women and 11 men) aged 18 to 29 participated in the study. Participants completed an ad hoc semi-structured interview, the Subjective Sexual Satisfaction Scale (ESSS), and an Approach–Avoidance Task (AAT). Qualitative results revealed that traditional gender representations persist; however, emerging discourses promote equality and sexual autonomy. Women reported greater experiences of social restriction and repression, as well as difficulties achieving orgasm and expressing pleasure. Quantitative data indicated that men showed a higher behavioral tendency toward approach in response to erotic stimuli, whereas women exhibited greater interference in erotic expression. The implications of these findings regarding power, eroticism, and psychological well-being in contemporary female sexuality are discussed.

Comparison of the Psychometric Properties of CRIES-8 and PCL-5 in the Assessment of Post-Traumatic Stress in Adolescents Victims of Sexual Abuse

Bertha Lidia Nuño Gutiérrez — Tue, 30 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0600

The aim of this study was to compare the psychometric properties of CRIES-8 and PCL-5-A in adolescents victims of sexual abuse, evaluating their reliability, validity, and concordance in identifying PTSD symptoms. A total of 1,943 adolescents aged 14 to 19 years from eleven Mexican cities were included. PTSD was assessed using CRIES-8 and an adolescent-adapted version of PCL-5-A, along with three items evaluating sexual abuse. Results showed that both instruments demonstrated good internal consistency, although PCL-5-A exhibited a higher correlation with the severity of reported symptoms. CRIES-8 proved to be shorter and more practical for initial screening, whereas PCL-5-A allowed for a more detailed assessment of symptoms according to DSM-5 criteria. Significant sex differences in PTSD were found, with higher prevalence among females. Findings suggest that CRIES-8 is effective for screening and early detection, while PCL-5-A is more suitable for detailed clinical assessment and multidimensional follow-up.

Prevalence and Associated Factors of Suicidal Ideation and Suicide Attempts in Undergraduate Psychology Students in Colima

Jesús Jonathan Caro Valle — Tue, 30 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0600

The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence and associated factors of suicidal ideation and attempt in a sample of undergraduate students from the Faculty of Psychology at the University of Colima. A cross-sectional study was conducted with a sample of 203 students aged 17 to 29 (M=19.58, SD=±1.57), of whom 82.26% were women and 17.73% were men. Sociodemographic variables, suicidal ideation and attempt, as well as levels of depression, anxiety, and stress were assessed using validated and standardized instruments. The results revealed a high lifetime prevalence of suicide attempt (28.1%) and suicidal ideation (6.9%), with no significant differences between sex.
Furthermore, a significant association was identified between suicidal behavior and depression, which explained 41.3% of the variance and was identified as a robust predictor of this behavior. A key finding was that students with high levels of depression were 17 times more likely to exhibit suicidal ideation and attempt. Unexpectedly, high anxiety behaved as a potential protective factor against suicidal behavior, reducing the odds of a suicide attempt by 64%. Overall, the findings point to a concerning prevalence of suicidal behavior in the university population analyzed, with depression as the main risk factor. The potentially protective role of anxiety requires further exploration.
These results underscore the urgent need to implement early detection and psychological intervention programs focused on mental health promotion within the university environment.

Editorial

Bertha Lidia Nuño Gutiérrez — Tue, 30 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0600

A special issue of the Journal of Behavior, Health & Social Issues (JBHSI) that seeks to recognize both the risks and the agency capacities of adolescents and young people, addressing them from different empirical-conceptual perspectives.