Revista Iberoamericana de Psicología

Inequalities and cumulative violence experienced by “invisible” homeless women: a call for an intersectional, participative, embodied and trauma-informed perspective

Dr. Marie-Michèle Demignot — Wed, 08 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Across the world, in low-income as in developed countries, the homeless populations represent some of the most disadvantaged and vulnerable groups, but it is certainly women who carry the heavy load of cumulative socioeconomic disadvantage throughout their lives, often exacerbated by gender-based patriarchal violence and sociocultural gender role assumptions. In this article, we firstly review the recent academic literature concerning the damaging gendered stereotypes, misconceptions and judgemental societal attitudes that endure through the eras and tend to continually (re)stigmatise the marginalised residentially excluded women. To overcome these frequent biases, we recommend the systematic application of gendered and intersectional perspectives, with a particular emphasis on in-depth analysis of women’s individual life trajectories via qualitative narratives, biographical or ethnological approaches. Secondly, we examine the structural and individual factors, such as Adverse childhood events (ACEs), Stressful life events (SLEs), Domestic violence (DV), Intimate partner violence (IPV), Serious mental illnesses (SME) and Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which contribute to locking at risk women in a “cycle of perpetual vulnerability” with few possibilities of reparation or socioeconomic reinsertion. To avoid the multiple types of gender-based violence, including institutional, patriarchal and capitalist recuperation of women’s bodies in strategies of street survival, these women attempt to dissimulate their urban presence in order to protect themselves from constant sexual, verbal, physical and emotional aggression. We highlight the need for empowering participative research and policy design, that takes into account the perspective of trauma as lived and felt through the female (cis and trans) body.

Efecto del uso de las redes sociales en la imagen corporal de las mujeres: una revisión sistemática.

María Alejandra Vilca Pérez, Dra. María Rabito-Alcón — Sun, 08 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

There is currently a close relationship between body image and the use of social media, particularly during preadolescence and youth. A systematic review was conducted using the keywords: gender, social media, and body image. After applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 21 studies were selected. This work aims to examine how the constant use of social media affects men and women differently, highlighting the pressure that falls on both genders. The conclusions reveal that gender is a key factor in the way social media affects body image and body dissatisfaction, with women being the most affected in general terms. However, men are more impacted in specific aspects such as muscle mass. Finally, it is suggested that these factors may contribute to the development of eating disorders and other related health problems.

Psychometric validation of the Mexican Adaptation of the Technology-facilitated Abuse in Relationships Scale (AMTAR) to measure cyber-violence in dating.

Wed, 08 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Dating relationships have been influenced by the advancement of new technologies and digital spaces. This development has given rise to a new issue within couple dynamics: cyber dating violence. Various scales have been used to measure cyber dating violence, such as the TAR Scale, which assesses the frequency of cyber dating violence experiences in the past year. Objective: To perform a cultural adaptation and psychometric validation of the TAR Scale in a population of Mexican university students. Method: An instrumental study was conducted with a sample of 255 Mexican university students. The psychometric validation included item discrimination analysis using Student’s t-test, internal consistency analysis through McDonald’s Omega and Cronbach's alpha. Construct validity evidence was obtained using exploratory factor analysis with generalized least squares and promax rotation. Results: Values of KMO=.903, Bartlett’s chi²<.001, and a three-factor structure with eigenvalues greater than 1 were obtained, explaining 66.3% of the total variance and showing internal consistency (ω=.89-.91, α=.86-.90) across 14 items. Discussion: This version demonstrates adequate cultural adaptation, good internal consistency indices, and construct validity evidence for measuring cyber dating violence in samples of Mexican university students.

Myths of Romantic Love and Relationship Satisfaction in Argentine Women

Luciana Argañaraz, Natalie Salerno — Wed, 08 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The objective of this study is to describe the relationship between romantic love myths and relationship satisfaction in women over 18 years of age from the Partido de la Costa, Argentina. Romantic love myths can be problematic in relationships, as they foster unrealistic expectations about relationships and hinder the development of healthy relationships. These beliefs are based on gender inequalities and stereotypes, thus configuring romantic love as one of the main ways in which patriarchal structures in gender relations are perpetuated, constituting a form of subjugation of women. The sample consisted of 183 women who reported being in a relationship and responded to the Romantic Love Myths Scale (RMLS) and the Relationship Satisfaction Scale (ESP-10). The results indicate a tendency toward rejection of most of the love beliefs. However, a correlation is observed between the Myth of Omnipotence and relationship satisfaction, as well as a greater presence of myths according to age. It is concluded that while the aforementioned trend could reflect a period of transition and a progressive abandonment of the idealization of romantic love, these beliefs are still present and contribute to the establishment of relationships built on inequalities and gender stereotypes, perpetuating traditional affective models.

Influence of the generic stereotype of Marianism on the perception of burden of primary caregivers of children with special needs

Maria Boada — Wed, 08 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This investigation sought to deepen the understanding of the influence of Marianism on the perception of burden of primary caregivers of children with special needs. It was proposed that Marianism, by emphasizing the idea of feminine spiritual strength and qualities such as self-sacrifice and benevolence, has caused women to conceive their care work as a moral obligation towards their families, which leads them to minimize the effects of these activities in the personal, family, and social spheres. To assess the perceived level of burden and adherence to the principles of Marianism of the 72 participants in this study, the Marianism Beliefs Scale ([MBS] Castillo et al., 2010) and the Zarit Burden Interview were used ([ZBI] Zarit et al., 1980). The results obtained through a Pearson calculation indicated that women who adhere to the Marianist principle of remaining silent to maintain family harmony report higher levels of caregiver burden. In contrast, caregivers who prioritize values that emphasize family unity and support, perceive lower levels of burnout, lack of time, and health deterioration.

Thus, it is proposed that because Marianism is a multidimensional construct, the different values that constitute it influence both positively and negatively on caregivers' perceptions of burden.

Social Representations of Gender-Based Violence in Intimate Relationships of Women Who Have Experienced Abuse and Those Who Have Not

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This study analyzes the social representations of romantic relationships and their link to sexist beliefs, risk factors for gender violence, and attitudes toward violence in two groups of Neapolitan women: university students and women victims of partner violence. Based on Moscovici’s Social Representations Theory (1961), a structural and qualitative-quantitative approach was adopted to examine the representational structure and its relationship with sociocultural sexist beliefs. The methodology included a mixed design with an exploratory scope. A semi-structured questionnaire was used, integrating qualitative techniques such as hierarchical evocation, and psychometric instruments were employed to assess sexism, beliefs in inequality, and violence. A total of 47 women from Campania, Italy, participated, divided into violence victims attending a support center and university students. Data were processed using IRaMuTeQ software, employing similarity analysis and categorical-frequency analysis, along with a correlation analysis of the measured variables made by using SPSS software. The results highlight that respect is the central core of the social representation for victims, related to self-love, unity, and affection. In contrast, students associated romantic relationships with equality and trust. Psychometric scales revealed significant differences between the groups in sexist beliefs and attitudes toward violence. This work contributes to the understanding of the underlying sociocultural dynamics in romantic relationships and their connection to gender violence.

Harassment Among Youth: Who Engages in More Bullying in Secondary Schools, Boys or Girls?

María Teresa Rivera Morales, José María Guajardo Espinoza — Wed, 08 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This study examines the roles of Victim, Perpetrator, and Bystander in school bullying scenarios using a mixed-methods approach that combines frequentist and Bayesian methods. A probabilistic sample of secondary school students was utilized to identify gender differences in each category. Through parametric and non-parametric techniques, the frequentist analysis revealed significant differences in the Victim and Bystander roles, supported by p-values and modest effect sizes, while no significant differences were found in the Perpetrator role. Levene’s test confirmed heterogeneity in variances for the Victim and Bystander categories. From a Bayesian perspective, the Mann-Whitney U test, combined with the Bayes Factor (BF₁₀), provided a more robust evaluation. Bayesian results evidenced strong significant differences in the Victim and Bystander roles, while confirming the null hypothesis in the Perpetrator role, suggesting homogeneity in direct aggression across genders. This approach proved more effective in handling non-normal data and variability, offering consistent conclusions under heterogeneous conditions. The findings highlight a higher frequency of bullying acts targeting females in the Victim role and a more active Bystander role among males, underlining the impact of gender on school bullying dynamics.

Analysis of Gender Stereotypes Through the Gentypa Digital Test: Validation and Findings

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The Gender Stereotype Test (Gentypa) was designed to assess the internalization of beliefs and stereotypes related to gender, employing an indirect approach capable of reducing social desirability bias, associated to the use of questionnaires, especially when addressing sensible topics such as gender stereotypes. The test was implemented via web browsers and could be accessed on various appliances, including computers and mobile devices with internet connectivity. Participants were asked to manipulate human figures (android and gynoid) across 47 trials, guided by characteristics traditionally associated with gender roles. This unique design allowed measuring perceptions of gender by providing either a balanced perspective or one biased toward specific roles. A factor analysis conducted on the results led to the identification of three distinct subscales. Data collected from a diverse sample of 596 participants, aged between 15 and 70 years, revealed that, overall, individuals tend to attribute greater value to traditional feminine and neutral characteristics. Nonetheless, gender and age differences emerged: men scored higher in traits linked to traditional masculinity and neutrality, while women displayed a preference for feminine traits. Additionally, generational differences were identified, with participants under 35 years old exhibiting a more inclusive perception of both masculine and feminine roles. These preliminary findings highlight the potential of the Gentypa test as a valuable tool for implementing educational interventions aimed at challenging stereotypes and promoting gender equity.

Suicidal ideation or self-injurious behaviors in Mexican school-aged adolescents

Jesus Simon-Alvarado — Wed, 08 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The aim of the study was to analyze predictive psychosocial indicators for suicidal ideation and self-injurious behavior in school-aged adolescents. Mexican families with adolescent children have changed their roles according to the economic and labor context, impacting the communicative processes among their members with variability of family psycho-affective independence. Adolescents have difficulties in emotional regulation with uncertainty, generating thoughts of ineffectiveness in the face of environmental adversities and school demands. The increase in the prevalence of depression and anxiety among young people has been relevant according to global and local organizations with records in health care systems with the increase in completed suicides in Mexico. The literature includes different predictive factors for suicidal ideation or self-injurious behavior without simultaneous analysis, therefore, this work sought to establish a comprehensive predictive model to analyze the predictive strength for suicidal ideation and for self-injurious behavior considering family functioning, emotional regulation, hopelessness, anxiety, and depressive mood. in schooled adolescents in Ciudad Juárez Chihuahua Mexico. With a quantitative, cross-sectional, non-experimental perspective with an empirical analytical approach, predictive strength values identified through an unweighted least squares trajectory analysis of structural equations. A sociodemographic questionnaire and seven instruments validated in 835 adolescents in school used through intentional non-probabilistic sampling with informed consent and assent between 2021 and 2022. Optimal adjustments of the predictive model and acceptable reliability observed in the seven instruments and a model proposed with distal factors such as family functioning and emotional regulation, intermediate factors such as hopelessness and proximal factors such as anxiety and depression. It found that the distal and intermediate variables contributed to the prediction of both phenomena, but that the proximal ones differentiated the contribution of depression with suicidal ideation and anxiety with self-injurious behavior. It concluded that family functioning promotes the development of emotional regulation, which, in turn, is associated with the appearance of hopelessness when there are emotional crises in adolescents. When hopelessness is associated with depression, the probability of presenting suicidal ideation increases, while if hopelessness is associated with anxiety, the probability of presenting self-injurious behavior without suicidal ideation increases.