María Teresa Ramiro’s research while affiliated with University of Granada and other places

Los objetivos de este estudio fueron analizar las diferencias entre mujeres participantes/no-participantes en un programa de ejercicio físico, en la capacidad funcional (fuerza muscular del tren superior e inferior y capacidad cardiorrespiratoria) y calidad de vida relacionada con la salud (función física y salud mental), así como analizar la asociación entre las variables mencionadas y determinar si la capacidad funcional e índice de masa corporal (IMC) son mediadores en la relación entre función física y salud mental. La muestra estuvo compuesta por 340 mujeres, 183 pertenecieron al grupo “participantes” en un programa de intervención de ejercicio físico Pilates-Aerobic (Medad=68.8; DT=5.3), mientras que 157 pertenecieron al grupo “no-participantes” (Medad=69.9; DT=7.1), ya que no recibieron ningún tipo de intervención. Los resultados ponen de manifiesto que las mujeres participantes presentan mejor capacidad física funcional y perciben una mejor función física que las mujeres no-participantes. La función física y la salud mental, en ambos grupos de mujeres, presentan una correlación negativa. Las variables evaluadas objetivamente en relación a la capacidad funcional física y el IMC no resultaron mediadores en la relación entre función física y salud mental, excepto en el grupo de participantes, en las cuales, la fuerza muscular del tren superior es un mediador que potencia la relación negativa entre la percepción de la calidad de vida con respecto a la función física y la salud mental. Se destaca la necesidad de futuras líneas de investigación que permitan discernir cómo el ejercicio físico favorece el estado psicológico en mujeres mayores teniendo en cuenta las recomendaciones sobre el tipo, la frecuencia y la intensidad de ejercicio físico.

The aim of this theoretical study is to learn which cognitive, emotional, attitudinal, and behavioural variables involved in relationships are related to sexist attitudes by adolescents and how they relate to one another. After searching scientific articles published between 2005 and 2018 on PsycINFO, Psicodoc, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases, 1,170 studies were obtained. After conducting the selection process, 20 were included in the review. The results of these studies show that adolescents who display attitudes that are more sexist have a more positive attitude towards intimate partner violence, greater sexual risk behaviours, greater attraction to sexist partners, greater support for the myth of idealized love and myth of love-abuse link, greater emotional dependence on the partner, and poorer quality in relationships, revealing gender-based differences in some of the mentioned variables. It is concluded that sexist attitudes are related to harmful forms of intimate interaction among teenagers.

Background/Objective: This study examines whether there are differences in the maintenance of ambivalent sexist beliefs on the basis of gender and sexual experience in adolescents. The study also investigates whether the sexist beliefs themselves are linked to sexual risk behaviors. Method: A representative sample of 2,703 Spanish adolescents was carried out in public and private secondary schools, with an age range of 14 to 20 years old (M = 15.89; SD = 1.29). Results: Males maintain more hostile, benevolent and ambivalent sexist beliefs compared to females. Sexual experience (both coital and non-coital) is linked to a greater degree of hostile and benevolent sexist beliefs, but only within the male group. In males, greater benevolent sexism is linked to vaginal sex initiation at an earlier age, while greater hostile sexism is linked to a lower proportion of condom use. In females, greater hostile sexism is linked to a greater number of sex partners. Conclusions: It is necessary to include specific actions on sexist beliefs in programs for the prevention of sexually transmitted infections and HIV.

Objective: To analyse sexual behaviour, HIV testing, HIV testing intentions and reasons for not testing for HIV in university students from Cuzco (Peru). Methods: The sample comprised 1,377 university students from several institutions from Cuzco (Peru). The size of the sample was set according to a maximum 3% error estimation and a 97% confidence interval. Ages ranged from 16 to 30 years old. The data were collected through a self-administered, anonymous and voluntary questionnaire regarding sexual behaviour and HIV testing. The data were collected in classrooms during teaching hours. Results: A higher percentage of males than females reported having had vaginal, anal and oral sex, a higher number of sexual partners and an earlier age at first vaginal and oral sex. A higher percentage of females than males did not use condoms when they first had anal sex and had a higher anal sex-risk index. Most of the participants had never been HIV tested. The main reason was that they were sure that they were not HIV infected. Conclusions: It seems that there was a low HIV risk perception in these participants despite the fact that they had been involved in sexual risk behaviours. Prevention campaigns focused on the general population as well as the at-risk populations and young people are needed.

Sexual satisfaction and positive attitudes toward condom use promote its use. The main aim of this paper is to assess and analyze the relationship between sexual satisfaction, attitudes toward condom use, and condom use amongst adolescents. The participants were 1504 Spanish school adolescents of both sexes (48.40% male, 51.60% female). A descriptive study was conducted using cross-sectional surveys with probabilistic samples. An increased positive attitude towards condom use in males predicts higher likelihood of condom use in the first vaginal and anal intercourse. Partner sexual satisfaction predicts an increased likelihood of condom use in the first oral sexual intercourse. In addition, sexual satisfaction related to harmony with the partner is associated with a lower likelihood of condom use in the first oral sexual relationship. In females, greater personal sexual satisfaction predicts higher likelihood of not having used a condom in the first vaginal intercourse. Furthermore, higher sexual satisfaction in females - related to harmony with the partner - increased the likelihood of having used a condom during the first vaginal intercourse. The percentages of explained variance are low. It is recommended that future studies analyze sociocultural factors related to gender roles that may be influencing the associations between sexual satisfaction, attitudes toward condom use, and sexual risk amongst adolescents. Copyright (C) 2014, Konrad Lorenz University Foundation. Published by Elsevier Espana, S.L.U.

Sexual satisfaction and positive attitudes toward condom use promote its use. The main aim of this paper is to assess and analyze the relationship between sexual satisfaction, attitudes toward condom use, and condom use amongst adolescents. The participants were 1504 Spanish school adolescents of both sexes (48.40% male, 51.60% female). A descriptive study was conducted using cross-sectional surveys with probabilistic samples. An increased positive attitude towards condom use in males predicts higher likelihood of condom use in the first vaginal and anal intercourse. Partner sexual satisfaction predicts an increased likelihood of condom use in the first oral sexual intercourse. In addition, sexual satisfaction related to harmony with the partner is associated with a lower likelihood of condom use in the first oral sexual relationship. In females, greater personal sexual satisfaction predicts higher likelihood of not having used a condom in the first vaginal intercourse. Furthermore, higher sexual satisfaction in females – related to harmony with the partner – increased the likelihood of having used a condom during the first vaginal intercourse. The percentages of explained variance are low. It is recommended that future studies analyze sociocultural factors related to gender roles that may be influencing the associations between sexual satisfaction, attitudes toward condom use, and sexual risk amongst adolescents.

The aim of this study was to describe some characteristics of vaginal, anal and oral sexual behavior in Spanish adolescents. It was a cross-sectional descriptive population study conducted using a probabilistic sample survey. The sample was composed of 4,612 male and female adolescents, of whom1,686 reported having penetrative sexual experience. Sample size was established with a 97% confidence level and a 3% estimation error. Data collection took place in secondary education schools. Mean age of vaginal sex initiation was 15 years. Compared to females, males reported an earlier age of anal and oral sex initiation and a larger number of vaginal and anal sexual partners. Males also reported a higher frequency of penetrative sexual relations under the influence of alcohol or other drugs. A higher percentage of females than males reported not using a condom in their first anal sexual experience. This study provides a current overview of the sexual behavior of adolescents that can be useful for the design of future programs aimed at preventing HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

The current study aimed to analyze the link between power over couple relationship and double morale, and its influence on the prevention of HIV infection risk in Colombian adolescents. The sample was composed of 599 adolescents, males and females aged between 12 and 18 studying in public or private schools. In order to construct the risk index the following variables were used: Consistent condom use, Number of sexual partners, having sexual intercourse under the effects of some drug, Having used the morning-after pill and Self-initiative in condom use. Predictors were power over couple relationship and double morale. Results indicated that women had more power in their couple relationships and lower adherence to double morale. Low adherence to double morale was related to more power in the relationship, which predicted less risk of HIV infection. Double morale was not directly associated with risk of HIV infection. In men, adherence to double morale predicted an enhanced risk of infection.