Benjamin Reyes Fernández

University of Costa Rica | UCR · Instituto de Investigaciones Psicológicas (IIP)

Objectives: The Self-Report Habit Index (SRHI) was originally reported as one-dimensional; however, habit has been described as characterised by several features. Moreover, one-dimensional models for the SRHI have demonstrated poor fit. Therefore, we aimed to compare multidimensional models with a one-dimensional model in both snacking and physical...

Objective. The study aimed to develop and test the validity and reliability of a gender-based food intake stereotype scale (GBFISS) to further the understanding of gender stereotype influences on food intake. Design. Two cross-sectional studies were conducted among adolescents. In the first one (n = 611), exploratory and confirmatory factor analyse...

Background. The directionality of associations between self-regulatory variables, behavior, and automaticity is seldomly tested. In this study, we aimed to examine a volitional, self-regulatory sequence of variables proposed in the Health Action Process Approach framework (intention → action plans → action control → behavior) and its relationship w...

Objective To examine the association between family environment variables (parenting styles, family meal atmosphere), gender-based stereotypes, and food intake in Latin American adolescents. Design Structural equation modeling applied to cross-sectional data, 2017. Setting Urban and rural sites of San José, Costa Rica. Participants n = 813; 13-1...

Parenting styles are a risk factor for adolescents overweight/obesity worldwide, but this association is not well understood in the context of Latin America. This study examines the association between the parenting styles of mothers and fathers and the risk of overweight/obesity among Costa Rican adolescents. Data are cross-sectional from a sample...

Marijuana use during adolescence may result in altered neurocognitive functioning; therefore, preventing or delaying the onset of marijuana use is a public health concern. Parenting styles have been consistently identified as influential risk factors for adolescent drug use. However, most relevant studies have focused on non-Latin American populati...

Little is known about how parenting styles can influence the adolescent’s consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB), fruits and vegetables (FV) and beans in Latin America. This study uses hierarchical moderated regression models to examine such association by area of residence, sex of the parent and of the adolescent in Costa Rica. Results sho...

Objectives: To examine motivational and volitional factors for hand washing in young adults, using the Health Action Process Approach (HAPA) as a theoretical framework. Design: In a longitudinal design with two measurement points, six weeks apart, university students (N = 440) completed paper-based questionnaires. Main outcome measures: Prior...

Background: We examined a brief educational intervention addressing hand hygiene self-regulatory mechanisms, and evaluated which psychological mechanisms may lead to hand hygiene behaviours. Methods: Two hundred forty two students (mean age = 21 years, SD = 3.9) received either an experimental (n = 149) or a control condition on action control a...

The study examined the relationship of self-rated health and self-rated economic situation with depressed mood, and life satisfaction as mediator of this relationship among older adults in Costa Rica. A longitudinal study was conducted with a subsample (N = 1,618) from the Costa Rican Longevity and Healthy Aging Study (CRELES). Self-rated health, s...

Objectives: Maintaining physical exercise levels may not only require motivation and planning but also action control which is supposed to mediate between planning and exercise. Design: Behavioural intention, action planning, coping planning and past behaviour were assessed at baseline, and action control and concurrent exercise were measured on...

Background: Self-efficacy and social support are considered relevant predictors of fruit and vegetable intake. This study examines whether the effect of self-efficacy on fruit and vegetable intake is mediated by intention and whether this motivational process is moderated by received dietary social support. Methods: A longitudinal study with two...

Self-efficacy, action control, and social support are considered to influence changes in physical activity levels in older adults. This study examines the relationship among these variables and explores the putative mediating and moderating mechanisms that might account for activity changes. A longitudinal study with 54 older adults (≥ 50 years of...

Se plantea como problema de investigación: ¿cómo se relacionan cogniciones como la atribución causal y el sentido de los demás con la experiencia de culpa? Además, se reflexiona sobre qué es la Teoría Fundamentada y cómo contribuye a abordar el problema de investigación. Se entrevistaron 10 sujetos privados de libertad en Costa Rica por delito de e...

La Psicología de la Salud está apenas empezando en el contexto costarricense. El presente artículo expone conceptos y teorías de la Psicología que pueden contribuir a la atención de la salud en Costa Rica de forma profesional y científica. Para ello, se revisan nociones como la de Psicología de la Salud, salud, niveles de prevención y de atención,...