Antonio Cortés-Ramos

Bio: Antonio Cortés-Ramos is an academic researcher from University of Málaga. The author has contributed to research in topics: Psychology & Population. The author has an hindex of 1, co-authored 3 publications receiving 2 citations.

Activism and Social Media: Youth Participation and Communication

Abstract: Background: Digitalization and hyperconnectivity generate spaces for youth participation in social activism through social media platforms. The purpose of this research was to analyze young people’s online experience in social activism movements, including their preferences, themes, usage of language, and perceived impact. Methods: The research is framed within a qualitative interpretative–descriptive paradigm. Five focus groups were conducted, including 58 high school students from Malaga, Spain. Results: Several themes were identified through the coding process, including technological devices and social media preferences, participation in social movements or activism, perception of the degree of participation, the focus of interest, motivation for involvement, language use on social media, and beliefs. Conclusions: In a hyperconnected world, youth participation in social movements becomes more relevant. Their interest is reflected in the enormous potential that this social participation of young people has through networks and virtual platforms, becoming an informal communication model with characteristics to be an effective vehicle for social transformation.

Psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the Flourishing Scale in the Honduran population

Abstract: Studying Flourishing is important to understand wellbeing. The current study aimed to determine the psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the Flourishing Scale (FS) in the Honduran population. The primary sample consisted of 422 residents of the Central District of Honduras; this included 275 (65.17%) women and 147 men (34.83%). Their average age was 28.18 years (SD = 10.58). Findings from the Exploratory Factor Analysis and Confirmatory Factor Analysis support a unidimensional factor structure. The FS achieved a high internal consistency with McDonald’s ω = 0.89, 95% CI [0.86, 0.91]. The average inter-item correlation was 0.48, 95% CI [0.43, 0.53]. Using Student’s t-test for paired samples, results indicate that none of the FS items varied significantly between baseline and post-test. Additionally, Spearman’s rho was used to correlate test–retest scores; this yielded a statistically significant correlation coefficient of 0.66. The Flourishing Scale had adequate convergent validity with the Subjective Happiness Scale (r = 0.70) and the PANAS-Positive Affect Subscale (r = 0.70) (p < 0.001). In contrast, it correlates inversely with the PANAS-Negative Affect Subscale (r = −0.34) and the PHQ-9 (r = −0.51). Strict measurement invariance for sex was supported. The results indicate that the Flourishing Scale has robust psychometric properties for the Honduran population. Practical implications for public policy are discussed.

Satisfaction, Assessment and Adaptation to a Virtual Environment of the University Mentoring Programme GuíaMe-AC-UMA for Gifted High School Students

Abstract: The purpose of this study is to analyse the satisfaction levels of participants (mentees, mentors, and technical-research team) of a university mentoring programme. The GuíaMe-AC-UMA is aimed at gifted high school students. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the IX edition was carried out in an online format. The results were compared to those of the in-person edition (VII edition) to assess whether there were differences between the editions. For this purpose, three versions (one for each participant type) of a Likert-type questionnaire were distributed among the participants of the 22 workshops offered by the GuíaMe-AC-UMA Programme. A total of 224 responses were received: 21 from the mentors, 181 from the mentees and 22 from the technical-research team. The results indicate a high level of satisfaction with the development of the workshops by all participants. While the mentees preferred the in-person edition, the rest of the participants showed no difference in satisfaction levels between editions. A similar result was observed when correcting for the subject area of the workshop. The in-person edition was valued higher than the online version by all. The overall level of satisfaction shown by all participants and the support for continuation of the programme suggest that this type of educational offer is beneficial and satisfactory for all involved, in accordance with previous research on mentoring programmes. These results indicate that programmes focused on young pre-university students with high abilities are valued; these results encourage us to continue the programme.

Emotional and behavioral alterations and their relationship with executive functioning in the pediatric population with autism spectrum disorder and epilepsy: a comparative study

Abstract: Introduction The pediatric population with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and epilepsy presents behavioral and emotional alterations that hinder their correct developmental maturation as well as their integration in different contexts such as school, family or social. This population shows atypical behavioral and emotional patterns, with difficulties in emotional regulation, understanding of emotions, aggressiveness, or low frustration tolerance. They also present alterations in executive functions, which significantly influence the emotional and behavioral characteristics of this population. Research suggests that epilepsy worsens the emotional, behavioral, and executive functioning status. Objective To explore differences in behavioral, emotional, and executive functioning profile in individuals with a diagnosis of ASD, epilepsy, and ASD with epilepsy. Method In this quasi-experimental and cross-sectional study, a total of 170 participants were selected and distributed into three groups: a group of participants with ASD, a group with epilepsy, and a group of participants with ASD and epilepsy. The SENA, BASC-3, and ENFEN tests were administered to verify the behavioral, emotional, and executive functioning profile in the three groups. Results The results indicate that individuals diagnosed with ASD and epilepsy present greater emotional, behavioral, and executive functioning alterations compared to those who only present ASD or epilepsy. Conclusion Individuals with ASD and epilepsy present significant alterations in emotional, behavioral, and executive functioning processes, which hinder their adaptation to different contexts, as well as decreasing their quality of life and that of their family.

Juventud y redes sociales: Motivaciones y usos preferentes

Abstract: Este articulo presenta los resultados de un estudio sobre la utilizacion que hacen los jovenes andaluces de las redes sociales. Los objetivos fundamentales son: conocer los usos preferentes de las redes sociales, su frecuencia y los motivos que les impulsan a su utilizacion. Ademas se estudia si existen diferencias de sexo tanto en la frecuencia como en las motivaciones de uso. Se aplica un cuestionario para la recogida de datos. La muestra es de 1.487 adolescentes de Andalucia. Los resultados muestran que los jovenes en su mayoria usan de manera habitual las redes sociales y se identifican dos vertientes motivacionales en su uso: una social y otra psicologica. No se hallan diferencias significativas entre sexos en cuanto a frecuencia de uso, pero si en las motivaciones para su acceso. Las de los chicos son de tipo emocional, mientras que en las chicas predomina la motivacion de caracter relacional. Los resultados obtenidos muestran coincidencias con investigaciones internacionales realizadas en contextos muy diferentes al presente estudio. En la discusion de resultados se plantean futuras lineas de trabajo, a la vez que se identifican implicaciones que los usos de las redes sociales tienen para la formacion e integracion social de una ciudadania activa y participativa, asi como para el enriquecimiento de dimensiones como el desarrollo del capital social y la educacion.

Actitudes hacia la investigación en estudiantes de un programa de segunda especialidad en enfermería en cuidados intensivos

Abstract: Objetivos: Determinar las actitudes hacia la investigación en estudiantes de un programa de segunda especialidad en enfermería en cuidados intensivos. Materiales y métodos: El estudio fue de un enfoque cuantitativo y su diseño metodológico fue el descriptivo y transversal. La población estuvo conformada por 85 estudiantes de un programa de segunda especialidad en enfermería en cuidados intensivos. La técnica aplicada fue la encuesta y el instrumento de recolección de datos fue la escala de actitudes hacia la investigación, que consta de 32 ítems y 5 dimensiones. Resultados: En cuanto a las actitudes a la investigación, predomino una actitud poco favorable con 74,1% (n=63), seguida de una actitud favorable con 23,5% (n=20) y una actitud desfavorable con 2,4% (n=2). Según dimensiones, en utilidad de la investigación, predomino un nivel alto con 55,3% (n=47), en ansiedad de investigación, predomino un nivel bajo con 43,5% (n=37), en actitudes positivas, predomino un nivel intermedio con 41,2% (n=35), en relevancia para la vida, predomino un nivel intermedio con 65,9% (n=56) y finalmente en dificultad de investigación, predomino un nivel intermedio con 43,5% (n=37). Conclusiones: En cuanto a las actitudes a la investigación, predomino una actitud poco favorable, seguido de una actitud favorable y una actitud desfavorable. De acuerdo a sus dimensiones, en utilidad de la investigación, predomino un nivel alto, en ansiedad de investigación, predomino un nivel bajo, en actitudes positivas, predomino un nivel intermedio, en relevancia para la vida, predomino un nivel intermedio y en dificultad de investigación, predomino un nivel intermedio.

The Role of Social Media in the Creation of Young People’s Consumer Identities

Abstract: This article explores how young people construct and express their consumer identities via their consumption styles on social media. The importance of commercial content on social media, such as the postings of social media influencers and advertisers, has been increasing during the past years. Framed by theories on social identity, social comparison and consumer socialization, we analysed focus group discussions with 15 to 19-year-old teenagers in Finland ( N = 35). The results reveal that the participants had a clear understanding of their consumer identities: what kind of consumers they were and what they did not want to be. The consumption styles: luxury brand-oriented, trendy second-hand and sustainable, were heavily affected by social media, particularly by commercial social media influencers. Although our sample of young people was rather small, the results were consistent with other studies, and provided deeper understanding of the important role of commercial social media in young people’s consumption styles. Thereby, the research brings social media more tightly into the process of young consumers’ identity formation. For today’s young people, consumer identity is a major part of social identity which is greatly affected by social media. This is should be acknowledged by commercial actors, educators and consumer policy makers.

Social Media Network Analysis on Twitter Users Network to the Pension Plan Policy

Abstract: This article scrutinizes the network of Twitter users on the dissemination of tweets on the Old-Age Guarantee policy in Indonesia. A qualitative method with social media network analysis approach was used. Then, data sources were obtained from Twitter social media through #JHT_JokowiHarusTurun, #jaminanharitua, and #JHT. Furthermore, to manage data source, NVivo 12 plus software was used to analyze qualitative data from Twitter social media – including dissemination rate of tweets, followed by geographical map tweet stream, Twitter user’ network pattern, sentiment proportion, as well as words frequencies. Our results indicate that there are networks found from Twitter users with some account backgrounds in politicians, political parties, governments, online news media, actors and also cultural practitioners who participate in disseminating tweets. Even this network generated the significant distribution patterns and sentiments to a moderately negative value, coupled with pleasantries that are echoed between protests and support by words cloud to this movement. Overall, our research contributes to better understanding of how social media-promoted collective protest movements have the power to impact public opinion and policy and that their evolution is unexpected.