Revista Liminales. Escritos sobre Psicología y Sociedad

The epistemological suitability of those who explore experiences of human rights violations

Camila Urrea Arias — 2025-06-11

La experiencia de sufrir una violación a los derechos humanos es una cuestión irrepresentable en los esquemas cognitivos de un otro que no lo ha experimentado. Es tan desorganizado e irrazonable que pretender investigarlo es tan altruista como desafiante. Una pregunta que, al menos a mí, me ha surgido en este camino de la investigación es sobre qué es lo que busco cuando exploro este tipo de experiencias con un afán investigativo: ¿busco construir relatos alternativos a los que han construido las propias personas?, ¿elaborar teorías para ponerlas a disposición de las disciplinas y así aprender más y mejor de los sujetos de estudio? Y la más difícil de todas: ¿cómo evito la instrumentalización del sufrimiento?

The Woman's Body as a Space of Resistances: Influence on Mental Health, through Corporal (Self)Perception

Cecilia Paulina Concha González — 2025-06-04

This study was presented as a research paper at the XI Meeting of the Chilean Network of Science, Technology and Society (CTS-Chile), held in the city of La Serena, IV Region, Chile. The research explores how women's bodies become a space of resistance to sociocultural standards of beauty, and how this resistance impacts their mental health. Based on a qualitative research with a critical feminist approach, testimonies of eighty Chilean women about their body perceptions and the challenges imposed by the media and social culture are collected through a qualitative survey with open questions. The study makes visible and understands the resistance strategies developed by the participants to accept and value their self-perceived bodies, challenging normative standards and promoting body diversity as a source of personal empowerment and emotional well-being.

Psychological Functioning and Psychosocial Aspects in the Process of Assisted Dying in the Context of an Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Diagnosis

Carlos Reyes Valenzuela — 2025-06-04

The historic 2023 ruling by the Constitutional Court of Ecuador, which granted Paola Roldán Espinosa—diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)—the right to access euthanasia, has sparked national debate over the need to establish ethical, medical, and psychological criteria for future assisted dying requests. The aim of this study is to analyze the psychological functioning and psychosocial aspects relevant to individuals diagnosed with ALS, in order to propose criteria that may guide comprehensive assessments of assisted dying requests in Ecuador. A literature review methodology was employed, encompassing 40 national and international sources on ALS, including clinical studies, legal documents, bioethical frameworks, and systematic reviews. The selection was based on thematic relevance, covering the period between 2000 and 2024, with emphasis on contributions from clinical psychology, palliative care, and human rights. The results identify key dimensions for evaluating patients with ALS: preservation of judgment and reasoning, emotional state, quality of life, coping strategies, and the psychosocial implications of the dying process. This study seeks to contribute to the development of an integrated reference framework to guide assessment processes in assisted dying cases, prioritizing respect for human dignity, personal autonomy, and a nuanced understanding of the psychosocial impact of ALS on both patients and their support networks.

Perception of psychotherapeutic change in therapists with a gender perspective

Farianny Reimer Sánchez — 2025-06-04

The purpose of this research was to analyze the perception of psychotherapeutic change in therapists with a gender perspective. A study with an interpretative naturalistic paradigm and a qualitative methodology that integrated a phenomenological design was carried out. Two female therapists, trained in systemic therapy, who applied a gender perspective and were of Colombian and Venezuelan nationality, aged between 50 and 60 years, participated.

The data were collected through a semi-structured interview and interpreted using the hermeneutic-dialectical method, with categorization and expert triangulation. Six categories were obtained, indicating that the psychotherapeutic change perceived by the therapists with a gender perspective is attributed to their own expectations and those observed in patients about psychotherapy and the clinician with this approach; the need for change; the search for help and acceptance of responsibility observed in the patients; the changes perceived by the therapists in the patients in aspects of themselves, their environment, and their relationships regarding gender, occurring both inside and outside the therapeutic context and at different stages. The therapeutic bond is also seen as a horizontal, stimulating, and facilitating element of change from this perspective.

The Search Unit for People to build memory of victims in Colombia

Martha Lucia Gallego Betancourt — 2025-06-04

The Colombian armed conflict has generated significant challenges in the pursuit of truth and reparation for victims of forced disappearances. The Search Unit for Persons Reported as Missing (UBPD) emerged as an institutional response, but its role and effectiveness are constantly questioned. Among other aspects, it is found that when anthropological and sociological dimensions are analyzed, essential psychosocial aspects such as grief and memory are often overlooked. Method: A qualitative approach was used to understand the phenomenon through documentary review instruments and interviews, developed in four phases. Results: The research identified elements that contribute to the construction of truth and reparation through integrated institutional actions, which are not limited exclusively to financial compensation but also involve ongoing support.

Forest incendiary profile in Chile. Longitudinal monitoring 2004-2022, specialists or versatile offenders

Mauricio Valdivia Devia — 2025-06-04

Forest fires not only generate destruction and devastation, but also irreparable loss of human life. A total of 984 people were identified, corresponding to all those detained and reported for forest fires by the Carabineros of Chile, at the national level, between 2004 and 2022. The majority of forest arsonists are male, 30 years old or older, single, work in precarious jobs, and have a low level of education. 55.5% reoffended, accumulating 3,392 crimes, in addition to forest fire offenses. 28.7% of individuals fall within the chronicity criterion. The predominant types of arsonists were Vandalism, Antisocial Instrumental, and Attention Seeking. Recidivism for forest fire crimes turned out to be very low, as was the proportion of arsonists of the Expressive/Anomalous Behavior type and Pyromaniacs, which were almost non-existent. There is no criminal specialization; therefore, preventive and treatment interventions should be similar to those used in common crime. As in other violent crimes, high recidivism increases with early onset of offending, lower formal education, poor employment status, greater versatility, longer criminal careers, and a history of violent offenses. Prevention should be oriented especially towards controlling fires due to agricultural imprudence and industrial negligence. Research should aim to refine the analysis of criminal profiles and typologies.

Political Roles of Latin American Psychology in the Cold War

David Pavón-Cuéllar — 2025-06-04

A historical materialist approach is adopted to unfold the political roles of Latin American psychology in the context of the Cold War. A brief analysis of this context allows us to conjecture why the dominant psychology in Latin America followed certain theoretical paths and played certain roles as an ideological, disciplinary, and repressive device at the service of capitalism and imperialism. After considering the political roles of the dominant psychology, the dissident psychological options are addressed with their critical and alternative proposals. Then, several cases of psychologists who participated in guerrilla struggles and who were victims of the governmental violence of the time are reviewed. Finally, the political roles of Latin American psychology are associated with two opposing attitudes in relation to the dominant Atlanticist power in Latin America during the Cold War: submission and insubordination, connivance and dissidence, opportunism and resistance.

I must be strong: Social support and psychological wellbeing among low-income mothers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Chile

Rodrigo Quiroz — 2025-06-04

This research examines the perceived social support and well-being among low-income Chilean mothers during the COVID-19 pandemic. An exploratory study was adopted to analyze two postpartum mothers’ experiences while served by a Community Health Center. Qualitative data were collected using direct observation of service activities, exchange of text and voice messages through a mobile messaging app, and telephone interviews. The results reveal that mothers obtain negative support from their intimate partners, unstable economic and emotional social support from their extended families, lack of support within the community, and basic material goods from social and health services. Our findings also show that participants report negative mental and physical health outcomes when lacking support to deal with structural barriers. Policy implications include improving mothers’ access to community social support and public services from the perinatal period. Future research should investigate the influence of social support on mothers’ well-being and their children’s outcomes.

Food security and social work: Analysis of the Food Security Support Program in the Ñuble region (2022)

Lesly Andrea Martinez Medina — 2025-06-04

The article evaluates the Food Security Support Program in the Ñuble Region, highlighting its impact on food access and availability among vulnerable families. The main objective was to determine the program's effects on improving food conditions for families in the Security and Opportunities Subsystem, assessing dimensions such as availability, access, and food utilization. Methodologically, a descriptive and longitudinal quantitative design was employed, using the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS) to evaluate food insecurity. The sample consisted of 287 participants, predominantly women (90.2%). Results indicate that the program significantly reduces severe food insecurity (from 32% to 27%), especially in families with previous experience in food production. Notable disparities were identified between urban and rural areas, with a higher incidence of food insecurity in rural zones. This study underscores the importance of interdisciplinary social work and the relevance of sustainable public policies aligned with the 2030 Agenda, which integrate social and environmental factors to improve the food resilience of vulnerable communities.

Construcción de saberes en adolescencia, salud mental y políticas públicas: Entrevista a Dina Krauskopf

Georg Unger Vergara — 2025-06-24

Entrevista a Dina Krauskopf. Psicóloga por la Universidad de Chile
Profesora emérita de la Universidad de Costa Rica.