Burnout, Resilience and Self-Esteem in School Teaching University Students.

Burnout syndrome seems to involve fatigue that is characterised by loss of motivation, lack of energy, and some apathy as a consequence of continued exposure to stress in demanding performance circumstances. BACKGROUND: The goal of the present study is to analyse the relationship between burnout in university students with a degree in Teaching and some variables that may be associated with it such as self-esteem, resilience or age. METHODS: A total of 1547 graduate students enrolled in the career of Teaching in the Faculty of Educational Sciences of the University of Granada, Spain, participated in the study. Of them, 337 (21.8%) were men, 1195 (77.3%) were women, 14 (0.9%) indicated other gender options, and 1 (0%) did not respond to this item. The mean age of the participants was 20.52. RESULTS: The results show that low levels of self-esteem and resilience, are the variables that best predict the increase in burnout in students of Teaching. CONCLUSIONS: Findings are discussed regarding applied implications and the need for future research. Intervention initiatives focused on enhancing personal strengths such as resilience or self-esteem can help students to cope with the stress associated with demanding educational situations and thus reduce the presence of burnout.

State-Anxiety and Academic Burnout Regarding University Access Selective Examinations in Spain During and After the COVID-19 Lockdown.

Coping with assessment tests are known to generate anxiety frequently in the students who face them. In academic circumstances with the continued presence of emotional disturbance, high demand, and stress, emotional and physical fatigue, typical of burnout syndrome, and can be detected. Anxiety and burnout are related to each other and even more closely in high-stakes tests. One of these tests is the examination imposed in Spain for access to the university. The objective of this work is to analyze the presence of anxiety and burnout and the relationship between them in students who face these tests, both during the confinement situation due to the COVID-19 pandemic and during the pandemic after the lockdown. For this purpose, we used a sample of 1,021 students with a mean age of 17.89 (SD = 1.22, range 17-27). Of these, 866 (84.8%) were students who were taking the test, while the rest were university students who had passed it recently. Our results show high levels of anxiety and burnout in students who face the evaluation test during the COVID-19 pandemic, sustained over time and especially in comparison with students who had already taken the exam. The association between higher levels of anxiety and higher levels of burnout in the students who take these exams was also verified. These results link the relationship between these two variables more solidly and suggest the need to include address anxiety to reduce burnout levels in these students. The results are discussed with regard to prior evidence and their applications.

[Satisfaction with care received in pediatric emergency services: impact of family interaction and emotional disturbance]. / Satisfacción con la atención en urgencias pediátricas: influencia del funcionamiento familiar y la alteración emocional.

This study addresses the relationship between two key elements in satisfaction with pediatric emergency services, namely emotional disturbance and family interaction. The main goal is to determine whether family cohesion and adaptability and anger may be associated with differential levels of satisfaction among parents whose children were attended in pediatric emergency units. It is a descriptive study for which a sample of 711 parents whose children were attended in 6 pediatric emergency services was studied. The Spanish version of the State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory-2 (Staxi-2), the Satisfaction with Healthcare Services Scale and the Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scale (Faces) were used respectively. Data analysis included a Spearman bivariate correlations analysis, Kruskal Wallis, Mann-Whitney test and path-analysis using a structural equations model. The results support the hypothesis that higher levels of family cohesion and adaptability as well as lower levels of anger are associated with higher levels of satisfaction among parents.

Satisfacción con la atención en urgencias pediátricas: influencia del funcionamiento familiar y la alteración emocional / Satisfaction with care received in pediatric emergency services: impact of family interaction and emotional disturbance

Resumen Este estudio aborda la relación entre dos elementos clave en la satisfacción con los servicios sanitarios de urgencias pediátricas: la afectación emocional y el funcionamiento familiar. El objetivo general es determinar si la cohesión, la adaptabilidad familiar y la ira pueden asociarse a niveles diferenciales de satisfacción en progenitores cuyos hijos eran atendidos en urgencias pediátricas. Se trata de un estudio descriptivo transversal para el que se trabajó con una muestra de 711 progenitores que habían sido atendidos en 6 servicios de urgencias pediátricas. Se utilizaron respectivamente las versiones españolas del Inventado de Expresión de Ira Estado-Rasgo-2 (STAXI-2), la Escala de Satisfacción con los Servicios Sanitarios y la Escala de Evaluación de la Cohesión y Adaptabilidad Familiar (Faces). El análisis de datos incluyó un análisis de correlaciones bivariadas de Spearman, pruebas de Kruskal Wallis, pruebas de Mann-Whitney y un path-analysis mediante un modelo de ecuaciones estructurales. Los resultados soportan la idea de que mayores niveles de cohesión y adaptabilidad familiar así como menores niveles de ira, se asocian a mayores niveles de satisfacción en los padres. Nuestros datos no reflejan diferencias significativas en ira entre padres y madres.

Abstract This study addresses the relationship between two key elements in satisfaction with pediatric emergency services, namely emotional disturbance and family interaction. The main goal is to determine whether family cohesion and adaptability and anger may be associated with differential levels of satisfaction among parents whose children were attended in pediatric emergency units. It is a descriptive study for which a sample of 711 parents whose children were attended in 6 pediatric emergency services was studied. The Spanish version of the State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory-2 (Staxi-2), the Satisfaction with Healthcare Services Scale and the Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scale (Faces) were used respectively. Data analysis included a Spearman bivariate correlations analysis, Kruskal Wallis, Mann-Whitney test and path-analysis using a structural equations model. The results support the hypothesis that higher levels of family cohesion and adaptability as well as lower levels of anger are associated with higher levels of satisfaction among parents.

La ansiedad y su asociación con elementos de funcionamiento familiar en los padres de niños atendidos en servicios de urgencias pediátricos andaluces / Anxiety in the parents of children treated in pediatric emergency services in Andalusia and its association with aspects of family functioning

Objetivo: Determinar el grado de ansiedad y su asociación con diversos elementos del funcionamiento familiar en progenitores cuyos hijos fueron atendidos en servicios de urgencias pediátricos andaluces. Metodología: Estudio observacional descriptivo tipo encuesta de análisis transversal. Se seleccionó, mediante un muestreo por oportunidad, a los progenitores de los niños que fueron atendidos en 6 servicios urgencias pediátricos de la Comunidad Autónoma de Andalucía en 2012. Se recogieron datos demográficos, lugar de origen, nivel educativo, el grado de ansiedad mediante el Inventario de Ansiedad Estado-Rasgo de Spielberger (STAI) y el funcionamiento familiar según la Escala de Cohesión y Adaptabilidad Familiar, versión 2 (FACES II). Resultados: Se incluyeron 637 progenitores, con una edad media de 35,4 (DE = 8,4) años, de los cuales 399 (62,6%) fueron mujeres. La puntuación media en ansiedad fue de 44,26 (DE = 10,15), sin diferencias significativas respecto al sexo de los padres. Los grados menores de ansiedad se asociaron a mayor cohesión (r = -0,37; p < 0,001) y adaptabilidad familiar (r = -0,36; p < 0,001). Conclusiones: El grado de ansiedad de los padres de niños atendidos en los servicios de urgencias pediátricos andaluces es algo elevado y se asocia de forma inversa con la cohesión y la adaptabilidad familiar (AU)

Objective: To assess the level of anxiety in the parents of children treated in hospital emergency departments in Andalusia and its association with dimensions of family functioning. Methods: Descriptive observational study based on a cross-sectional survey. We recruited a convenience sample of parents bringing children to 6 pediatric emergency services in the Spanish autonomous community of Andalusia in 2012. The variables recorded were place of origin, educational level, anxiety level on the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and family functioning according to the Family Adaptability and Cohesion Scale, version 2. Results: A total of 637 parents were included. Their mean (SD) age was 35.4 (8.4) years; 399 (62.6%) were women. The mean anxiety score was 44.26 (10.15), and we found no differences between mothers and fathers. Lower anxiety levels were associated with higher levels of family cohesion (r = -0.37; P < .001) and adaptability (r = -0.36; P < .001). Conclusion: The parents of children attended in pediatric emergency departments in Andalusia have high levels of anxiety. Anxiety is inversely associated with family adaptability and cohesion (AU)

[Anxiety in the parents of children treated in pediatric emergency services in Andalusia and its association with aspects of family functioning]. / Anxiety in the parents of children treated in pediatric emergency services in Andalusia and its association with aspects of family functioning.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the level of anxiety in the parents of children treated in hospital emergency departments in Andalusia and its association with dimensions of family functioning. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Descriptive observational study based on a cross-sectional survey. We recruited a convenience sample of parents bringing children to 6 pediatric emergency services in the Spanish autonomous community of Andalusia in 2012. The variables recorded were place of origin, educational level, anxiety level on the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and family functioning according to the Family Adaptability and Cohesion Scale, version 2. RESULTS: A total of 637 parents were included. Their mean (SD) age was 35.4 (8.4) years; 399 (62.6%) were women. The mean anxiety score was 44.26 (10.15), and we found no differences between mothers and fathers. Lower anxiety levels were associated with higher levels of family cohesion (r = -0.37; P < .001) and adaptability (r = -0.36; P < .001). CONCLUSION: The parents of children attended in pediatric emergency departments in Andalusia have high levels of anxiety. Anxiety is inversely associated with family adaptability and cohesion.

OBJETIVO: Determinar el grado de ansiedad y su asociación con diversos elementos del funcionamiento familiar en progenitores cuyos hijos fueron atendidos en servicios de urgencias pediátricos andaluces. METODO: Estudio observacional descriptivo tipo encuesta de análisis transversal. Se seleccionó, mediante un muestreo por oportunidad, a los progenitores de los niños que fueron atendidos en 6 servicios urgencias pediátricos de la Comunidad Autónoma de Andalucía en 2012. Se recogieron datos demográficos, lugar de origen, nivel educativo, el grado de ansiedad mediante el Inventario de Ansiedad Estado-Rasgo de Spielberger (STAI) y el funcionamiento familiar según la Escala de Cohesión y Adaptabilidad Familiar, versión 2 (FACES II). RESULTADOS: Se incluyeron 637 progenitores, con una edad media de 35,4 (DE = 8,4) años, de los cuales 399 (62,6%) fueron mujeres. La puntuación media en ansiedad fue de 44,26 (DE = 10,15), sin diferencias significativas respecto al sexo de los padres. Los grados menores de ansiedad se asociaron a mayor cohesión (r = ­0,37; p < 0,001) y adaptabilidad familiar (r = ­0,36; p < 0,001). CONCLUSIONES: El grado de ansiedad de los padres de niños atendidos en los servicios de urgencias pediátricos andaluces es algo elevado y se asocia de forma inversa con la cohesión y la adaptabilidad familiar.

Alteración emocional en atención primaria y urgencias pediátricas. ¿Se enfadan los padres durante la atención pediátrica? / Emotional alteration in Primary Health Care and paediatric emergencies. Do parents get angry during paediatric care?

En el presente trabajo nos proponemos estudiar la presencia de ansiedad e ira en atención pediátrica, explorando posibles diferencias entre atención primaria y urgencias pediátricas. Es objetivo adicional determinar cuáles de las variables estudiadas predicen en mayor grado ansiedad en la muestra de progenitores estudiados. En este estudio participaron un total de 1517 progenitores cuyos hijos habían sido atendidos en servicios de pediatría. El método se basa en un estudio descriptivo transversal mediante encuesta, donde los participantes contestaron el Inventario de Expresión de Ira Estado-Rasgo (STAXI-2) y el Inventario de Ansiedad Estado-Rasgo de Spielberger (STAI). Nuestros resultados indican una asociación significativa entre ansiedad y las diferentes dimensiones de ira consideradas, y también con el nivel de gravedad percibido por los padres en el estado de salud del menor. De las dimensiones de ira consideradas, la expresión como sentimiento es la que más predice la presencia de ansiedad en los padres. Las alteraciones emocionales en contextos de atención sanitaria pediátrica deben ser prevenidas, detectadas cuando ocurren y atendidas de manera eficaz para evitar consecuencias negativas de diverso tipo.

A study was conducted in order to determine the presence of anxiety and anger in paediatric health care, exploring possible differences between primary health care and paediatric emergencies. The study also sought to determine which of the variables studied better predict anxiety in the sample of parents studied. A total of 1.517 parents whose children had been attended in paediatric department participated in this study. The method was based on a cross-sectional descriptive study using a questionnaire, where all the participants answered the State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory and the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. The results indicate a significant association between anxiety and both the considered dimensions of anger and the level of severity perceived by parents in the child's health status. From the anger dimensions considered, anger as a feeling is the most predictive expression of parental anxiety. Emotional alterations in paediatric health care settings should be prevented, detected when they occur, and effectively treated to avoid different negative consequences.

[Parental beliefs on medication and satisfaction with child healthcare]. / Creencias paternas sobre la medicación y satisfacción con la atención sanitaria infantil.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to explore a possible significant relationship between parental beliefs about medication and satisfaction with the medical care their children receive in two different healthcare settings. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included a total of 1,517 parents whose children were being treated either in pediatric primary care or pediatric emergency centers in eastern Andalusia. Of these, 489 were men and 1,028 women. The research instruments used were the Beliefs about Medicines Questionnaire (BMQ) and the Scale of Satisfaction with Health Care Services. RESULTS: Our results indicate that high levels of negative beliefs about medication were significantly associated with lower levels of parent satisfaction with healthcare received. CONCLUSIONS: Satisfaction with pediatric healthcare depends on aspects relating to the healthcare system, but certainly personal psychological and social variables like beliefs and parent's previous expectations may play an important role too.

State test-anxiety, selective attention and concentration in university students.

The principal aim of this study was to assess the level of selective attention and mental concentration before exams in a sample of university students and to determine a possible relationship between anxiety and reduction of levels of attention in this circumstance. A total of 403 university students, 176 men and 227 women, aged from 18 to 46 years, participated in the study. Of them, 169 were first-year undergraduates, 118 were second to fourth-year undergraduates and 116 were postgraduate Master's degree students. All of them completed the Spanish version of the Spielberger State-Anxiety Inventory and the D2 Attention Test just before taking an exam. Our results showed that participants with lower levels of anxiety had higher levels of selective attention and mental concentration before the exam. These results specifically indicate that when anxiety levels are very high, this could over-activate the orientating and alerting functions and to reduce the capacity of attentional control. These processes could have a negative impact on specific attentional processes and become a negative influence on performance in exams.

Anxiety and parent's beliefs about medication in primary pediatric health care / La ansiedad y los problemas paternos con la medicación en asistencia pediátrica primaria

The goal of the present study is to explore the relation between parents' anxiety and cognitive representations of medication in pediatric treatment of their children, seeking possible differences as a function of gender and age. A total of 1,772 parents of children attended in primary pediatric health care centers of the public health care system of Andalusia, Spain participated in this study. Of the sample, 25.1% were men and 74.9% were women. Negative beliefs about medicines were found to be associated with higher levels of anxiety in parents during primary pediatric health care. Among the variables studied, the beliefs in medication abuse predicted higher levels of anxiety. Intervention initiatives could substantially improve patients and their relatives' well-being during pediatric consultation, adherence to treatment, and lastly general satisfaction. Findings are discussed with reference to other authors, clinical implications, and the need of future research

El objetivo del presente estudio es explorar la relación entre la ansiedad paterna y las representaciones cognitivas sobre la medicación en el tratamiento pediátrico de sus hijos. Para ello, 1.772 padres de niños atendidos en centros de atención pediátrica del sistema público de salud de Andalucía participaron en este estudio. El 25.1% de la muestra eran hombres y el 74.9% mujeres. Se encontró que las creencias negativas acerca de los medicamentos se asociaron con mayores niveles de ansiedad en los padres durante la atención pediátrica. Entre las variables estudiadas, la creencia de abuso de la medicación fue la variable que predijo mayores niveles de ansiedad. Iniciativas adecuadas de intervención podrían mejorar sustancialmente el bienestar de los pacientes y sus familiares durante la consulta pediátrica, la adherencia al tratamiento e incluso la satisfacción general. Se discuten los resultados en relación con otros autores, las implicaciones clínicas y la necesidad de futuras investigaciones

Horas de sueño, ansiedad a los exámenes y agresividad en estudiantes universitarios / Sleep time, test anxiety and aggressiveness in University students

Los objetivos de este trabajo fueron, en primer lugar, determinar si la ansiedad en situación previa a un examen puede variar en función de las horas de sueño durante la noche anterior. En segundo lugar, examinar si dicha ansiedad se relaciona con la presencia de agresividad y, en tercer lugar, determinar si esta agresividad podría ser considerada como una variable relevante en la re-lación entre privación parcial de sueño y la ansie-dad en los exámenes. Adicionalmente se estudió el papel del género en las variables objeto de estudio. La muestra de estudio estaba compuesta por 137 estudiantes universitarios que participaron cuando iban a comenzar un examen. Nuestros resultados confirman la asociación entre ansiedad previa a un examen y privación de sueño durante la noche an-terior, así como entre agresividad y ansiedad a los exámenes. No se observaron efectos de interacción, pero la reducción de horas de sueño y la agresivi-dad se mostraron como buenos predictores de an-siedad a los exámenes. No se encontraron diferen-cias significativas en horas de sueño, agresividad ni en ansiedad entre hombres y mujeres, pero si aparecieron diferencias en ansiedad en función de las horas de sueño (AU)

The goals of this study were, firstly, to determine whether pre-test anxiety is associated with differences in hours of sleep during the previous night; secondly, to examine whether such anxiety is related to the presence of aggressiveness; and, thirdly, to determine whether aggressiveness may be considered a relevant variable in the possible rela-tionship between partial sleep reduction and test anxiety. In addition, differences as a function of gender were analyzed in the target variables. The study sample was made up of 137 undergraduate students before taking an exam. Our results confirm the association between sleep reduction the previous night and test anxiety as well as that between aggres-siveness and test anxiety. No interaction effects were observed, but sleep reduction and aggressiveness were good predictors of test anxiety. No significant gender differences were observed in hours of sleep the previous night, aggressiveness and test-anxiety, but there were differences in anxiety as a function of the hours of sleep (AU)

Parental stress and satisfaction during children's hospitalization: differences between immigrant and autochthonous population.

This study explored the relation between parents' stress and satisfaction during children's hospitalization, seeking possible differences between immigrant and autochthonous population and also as a function of gender in a sample of parents of hospitalized children in Andalusia, Spain. A total of 1347 parents participated in this study. Of the sample, 50% were immigrants and the other 50% were autochthonous. The assessment instruments were the Hospitalization Stress Scale and the Satisfaction with Hospitalization Scale. The results show that stress was associated with the manifestations of the child's illness, the alteration of family life or of parental roles during the process and some aspects of the clinical staff's work. General satisfaction in immigrant parents was higher than in the autochthonous population and the levels of satisfaction were higher in men than in women. Small changes and initiatives in relation to care could substantially improve the satisfaction of patients and their relatives during the process of hospitalization.

Edad, nivel educativo y género en autoconcepto de personas con retinitis pigmentaria / Age, Educational Level and Gender in Self-concept of People with Retinitis Pigmentosa

Puesto que el autoconcepto juega un papel importante en la personalidad y puesto que este concepto puede estar alterado por la presencia de una enfermedad como la retinosis pigmentaria, la principal cuestión que se planteaba el presente estudio era conocer la relación entre variables como la edad, nivel de estudios y el género en el autoconcepto de 35 adultos afectados por esta problemática. Se utilizó la Escala de Auto-concepto Tennessee (Fitts, 1965) y un cuestionario de información socio-demográfica. Los resultados mostraban que la edad estaba asociada al autoconcepto moral, siendo más alto en personas mayores, aunque más reducido su autoconcepto familiar. Las personas con menor nivel de estudios obtuvieron una media más baja en autoconcepto físico. En relación al género, los resultados mostraban que las mujeres tenían mayor autoconcepto físico que los hombres. Se concluye recomendando intervenir en los primeros años tras el diagnóstico de la enfermedad, para paliar sus efectos en el bienestar psicológico de los afectados y asesorar a ellos y a sus familias para evitar distorsiones en las vidas de ambos (AU)

Since the construct of self-concept plays a key role in personality and because this concept can be weakened by the appearance of a serious disease such as RP, the research question of the present study was to examine the relationship between age, educational level and gender in the self-concept of 35 adults with this diagnosis. The instrument used was the Tennessee Self-Concept Scale and one questionnaire for demographic, socioeconomic and educational information. The results showed that age was associated with moral self-concept, which was higher in older persons. Family self-concept, however, was lower in older persons. Less educated persons had a lower mean physical self-concept. In relation to gender the results showed that women had a higher physical self-concept than men. We conclude that intervention during the initial years after diagnosis should be designed to palliate the effects of retinitis pigmentosa on psychological well-being and to provide counseling for individuals and their families to reduce disruptions in family life (AU)

[Professional opinion about hospitalising Latin-American immigrant children in Andalucía, Spain]. / Opinión Profesional sobre la Hospitalización Infantil de Inmigrantes de Origen Latinoamericano en Andalucía, España.

OBJECTIVE: There has been an increase in paediatric hospital attention being provided for Latin-American immigrant patients in Spain during the recent years. This work was aimed at ascertaining professionals' opinion regarding this population's specific and differential needs concerning Latin-American immigrant children being hospitalised. METHODS: The study consisted of a qualitative, phenomenological type of investigation, based on semi-structured interviews of key informers in Andalusia (Spain). The subjects of the study were professionals from paediatric services in hospital centres in Andalusia. RESULTS: One of the most prominent (positive) results revealed that the Latin-American immigrant population presented less difficulties regarding hospital functioning when compared to other immigrant groups. CONCLUSIONS: The psychological aspects which had most impact on paediatric hospitalisation would be emotional alterations, such as the presence of anxiety and stress, or other aspects, like a lack of trust when being hospitalised.

Ansiedad durante pruebas de evaluación académica: influencia de la cantidad de sueño y la agresividad / Influence of sleep quantity and aggressiveness on anxiety during academics evaluation tests

The situation of academic evaluation has often been studied in relation to emotional alterations such as anxiety, stress or even fear. Possibly, aggressiveness may be another variable present in these situations. Aggressiveness seems to be present in different teaching activities as well as in all levels of the educational context, showing even more clearly in students with academic difficulties and especially when exposed to stressful situations. Various classical investigations have indicated for some time now that physical and verbal aggressiveness is more frequent in men than in women, and also more intense. The execution of academic tests is perceived as an aversive situation and often even as a threat, which may explain why they would be the cause of anxiety or stress. In fact, an intense emotional alteration could be present in nearly 25% of the students during the examination procedure; furthermore, exams are the most frequent evaluation method used in all educational levels. According to some studies, women seem to show higher levels of resources for coping with stressful situations, which would also be applied to circumstances of academic evaluation. Nevertheless, again in relation to gender differences, higher levels of anxiety have been found in women in comparison to men among university students before exams are carried out. In this situation the presence of aggressiveness does not seem to be clear. Although in the psychological environment there is no doubt of the negative effect which sleep deprivation has on different types of performance, we have observed with some frequency that university students tend to reduce sleep time days before an exam. The studies centred in the population of university students' quality of sleep have found that it quite often drops during this period. Thus, for example, in normal circumstances (not during exam periods), poor sleep quality can be found in approximately 30% of the university students. With this, we may suppose that the quality and the quantity could be even worse in exam periods. The quality of sleep has been studied frequently and also in relation to difficulties and psychological alterations. In the case of test anxiety, the correlation with the reduction of the quantity of sleep the previous night seems to be positive. Although multiple investigations have centred on the disrupting role that anxiety plays on the performance of exams, not many have focused on the relation between test-anxiety and aggressiveness in that situation, and even less so in circumstances of reduction of sleep hours. In the present work, we intend to determine first the possible presence of aggressiveness during the execution of exams in a sample of university students. At the same time, it was of our interest to establish a possible relation between sleep hours and the level of aggressiveness in that situation, keeping in mind that many students reduce sleep hours during this time, and specially the night before an exam. A second objective is to determine if different levels of aggressiveness may be related to different levels of test-anxiety. Thirdly, we try to seek differences between men and women's levels of aggressiveness while test circumstances, differences in aggressiveness in function of different age levels, as well as in function of different amount of time dedicated to sleep. In this study, 143 students aged 19-48 participated. The average age was 21.67, with a 3.79 standard deviation. Forty-two of the participants were men, 98 women and three of them did not consign their gender. All of them participated in the study just before beginning the execution of a final test in diverse subjects when they were already seated in the classroom. Aggressiveness was assessed with the reduced Spanish version of the Aggression Questionnaire (AQ). For the anxiety assessment, the Spanish version of the Spiel berger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) was used, applying only the state scale. Additionally, participants were asked to note the hours of sleep they had had the previous night. The collection of data was carried out during a final exam, which assigned the final qualification in that subject. Several studies have shown the poor sleep quality in university students, being this significant characteristic a variable with possible and important implications in their quality of life, health, or even in their performance. Our data show that the average number of hours of sleep on the previous night to an exam was 6.43 (S.D. = 1.55), which indicates that the tendency to reduce the hours of sleep in this situation is a frequent habit among the university students being analyzed. Our descriptive results indicated that the levels of aggressiveness are not too high, although a certain degree does exist before the evaluation tests. The correlation analysis carried out indicates that having less hours of sleep the previous night is not associated with a higher level of aggressiveness [r = -.066 (p = .437)]. Nevertheless, when the sample was divided into two groups in function of the aggressiveness level, we found significative differences in the hours of sleep the previous night. The amount of sleep was higher in subjects with less aggressiveness. This result agreed with other studies that have found a relation between sleep deprivation and emotional alterations, specifically anxiety, or other psychological alterations. According to our data, the quantity of sleep had the previous night is related to the latter aggressiveness, and possibly with other aspects of this situation, like sensation of threat or anger. On the other hand, our data has shown significant differences in test-anxiety when we compared subjects with low and high levels of aggressiveness. The result indicates that subjects with high levels of aggressiveness showed higher levels of test-anxiety. This result agrees with those studies that have found an association between some varieties of emotional alterations, for example, social anxiety and aggressiveness and even one acceptable mediator role of social anxiety on social aggression. It has surprised us not to find significant differences between men and women's levels of aggressiveness, keeping in mind that this result goes against most studies that have verified these types of differences. Perhaps this result shows that in a specific threatening and aversive situation, such as an exam, women are able to show levels of latent aggressiveness as high those of as men. Furthermore, in the same way, this situation could create higher levels of aggressiveness in women students than many other daily situations could. Nevertheless, this conclusion is no more than a preliminary one and needs to be further investigated in the future. No significant differences were found between younger and older students' levels of aggressiveness. Although this result matches those obtained by other authors, in our case the reason for this might be the reduced number of age groups within the subjects. We interpret our results in the sense that sleeping less hours before an exam would perhaps be able to imply a worse performance in the test, even the possible presence of emotional alterations such as stress or anxiety, but would not imply significant differences in aggressiveness. The situation of examination in a university context, in function of our results, seems to be a quite specific context. Our study shows different results in contrast with the data on the effects sleep deprivation has on the psychological operation, as well as the patterns of latent aggressiveness found in other populations. The results of this line of investigation have practical implications on the teaching-learning processes, specifically in relation to evaluation as a fundamental element of them, as well as of the role that some psychological variables would perform in these procedures.

La agresividad parece estar presente en diversas actividades docentes así como en todos los grados y niveles del contexto educativo. Igualmente, diversas investigaciones clásicas han señalado desde hace tiempo la agresividad física y verbal como más intensa y frecuente en hombres que en mujeres. Por otra parte, con cierta frecuencia observamos que los estudiantes universitarios suelen reducir el tiempo que dedican al sueño en fechas previas a un examen. Los estudios centrados en el sueño de la población de estudiantes universitarios han encontrado con cierta frecuencia una relativa baja calidad del mismo. La realización de pruebas académicas suele ser percibida como una situación aversiva y frecuentemente incluso como amenazante, por lo que podría ser generadora de alteraciones emocionales como por ejemplo ansiedad o estrés. En el caso de la ansiedad a los exámenes, la correlación con la reducción en la cantidad de sueño la noche anterior parece ser positiva. En el presente trabajo se pretende determinar, en primer lugar, la posible presencia de agresividad durante la realización de exámenes en una muestra de estudiantes universitarios. Paralelamente es de interés establecer una posible relación entre horas de sueño la noche anterior y agresividad. Un segundo objetivo se centra en determinar si diferentes niveles de agresividad pueden relacionarse con ansiedad a los exámenes. En tercer lugar intentamos determinar si variables como el género, la edad, la ansiedad y la duración del sueño, pueden predecir diferencias en agresividad en nuestra muestra. Participaron 143 estudiantes con edades comprendidas entre 19-48 años. La media de edad fue de 21.67 años con una desviación estandar de 3.79. Cuarenta y dos de los participantes eran hombres, 98 mujeres, y tres de ellos no indicaron su género. La agresividad se evaluó con la versión española reducida del Aggression Questionnaire (AQ). Para la valoración de la ansiedad se utilizó la versión española del cuestionario de Ansiedad Estado-Rasgo de Spielberger (STAI), aplicándose únicamente la escala de evaluación de la ansiedad-estado. Adicionalmente se les pidió a los participantes que anotaran las horas de sueño que habían dormido la noche anterior al examen. Los datos se obtuvieron durante un examen final, donde estaba en juego la calificación definitiva de esa asignatura. Los datos muestran la tendencia a reducir las horas de sueño en los estudiantes universitarios estudiados, encontrándose un cierto grado de agresividad latente ante la realización de pruebas de evaluación. El análisis de correlación llevado a cabo indica que a mayores niveles de agresividad parece asociarse menor cantidad de sueño la noche anterior al examen, aunque esta relación no resultó significativa. Sin embargo, cuando dividimos a la muestra en grupos según el nivel de agresividad, sí se observan diferencias significativas en la cantidad de sueño la noche anterior al examen, siendo ésta menor en los sujetos más agresivos. Este resultado concuerda con aquellos otros estudios que sí han encontrado una relación entre pocas horas de sueño y alteraciones emocionales, específicamente ansiedad u otras alteraciones psicológicas. Se han encontrado diferencias significativas en ansiedad a los exámenes cuando comparábamos a sujetos con niveles bajos y altos de agresividad. La prueba de diferencia de medias confirma que los estudiantes más agresivos manifiestan mayores niveles de ansiedad a los exámenes en comparación con los estudiantes menos agresivos. Ha resultado sorprendente no encontrar diferencias significativas entre hombres y mujeres en los niveles de agresividad, teniendo en cuenta que este resultado va en contra de la mayor parte de estudios revisados. Quizá este resultado pueda deberse a que en una situación de amenaza tan específica como es un examen, las mujeres podrían mostrar niveles de agresividad latente tan elevados como los hombres. Este punto merece mayor investigación y atención futura. La asociación entre agresividad y baja duración del sueño se corresponde con un escenario bastante específico que se acerca en cierto sentido a los datos encontrados en otras poblaciones en cuanto a las repercusiones de la duración del sueño sobre el funcionamiento psicológico, así como en cuanto a los patrones de agresividad latente.

Absentismo escolar, ansiedad y adaptación en adolecentes: studio preliminary / School absenteeism, axiety and adjustment in adolescents: Preliminary study

Resumen: En el presente trabajo se estudia la presencia de ansiedad en una muestra de adolescentes absentistas escolares y la relación de esta variable con diversas dimensiones de adaptación. Se trabajó con una muestra de 85 alumnos que habían presentado más de un 25% de horas de ausencia injustificada al mes a sus centros escolares. Sus edades estaban comprendidas entre 12 y 16 años. Sesenta y dos de ellos eran hombres y 23 mujeres y todos ellos estaban escolarizados entre 1º y 4º de E.S.O. Se utilizó el STAI-C (Spielberger, 2001) y el Inventario de Adaptación de Conducta para adolescentes (IAC; Cruz & Cordero, 2004) para medir ansiedad-estado y grado de adaptación, respectivamente. Los resultados no reflejaron diferencias significativas en los niveles de ansiedad ni en los de adaptación entre niños y niñas absentistas en situaciones normales de clase. Las dimensiones de adaptación que más predicen ansiedad en alumnos absentistas son la adaptación personal y la adaptación familiar (AU)

Abstract: In the present investigation, the presence of anxiety is studied in a simple of adolescents with school absenteeism. The relation of this variable with diverse dimensions of adjustment is also analyzed. We worked with a sample of 85 students that presented more than 25% of hours of unjustified school absence in a month. Their ages ranged between 12 and 16 years old. Sixty two of them were men and 23 women; all of them were studying secondary education. Instruments used included the STAI-C (Spielberger, 2001) and the Behavior Adaptation Inventory for adolescents (IAC; Cruz & Cordero, 2004). Results do not reflect significant differences in either anxiety or adjustment levels between absentee boys and girls in ordinary class situations. Personal and family adjustment were the dimensions that predicted anxiety in school absenteeism to a greater extent (AU)

Necesidades percibidas en la atención hospitalaria pediátrica a inmigrantes según la opinión profesional: estudio cualitativo / Perceived needs and attitudes in pediatric hospital attention to immigrants according to the professional opinion: qualitative study

En los últimos años la población inmigrante atendida en Unidades y Servicios Hospitalarios pediátricos ha ido en aumento, conforme al incremento en los contingentes de población inmigrante residente en nuestro país. Por el momento no son muchos las investigaciones centradas en las problemáticas y dificultades concretas que la atención a esta población podría plantear. El objetivo de nuestra investigación se centra en conocer, a través de la opinión de los profesionales, variables que pueden incidir en la calidad y satisfacción con dicha atención hospitalaria. Para la consecución de nuestros objetivos de investigación, se ha optado por una metodología cualitativa de tipo fenomenológico. Concretamente se utilizó el procedimiento de entrevistas a informantes clave. Los participantes fueron trabajadores en activo, en Servicios de Pediatría de centros hospitalarios de la Comunidad Autónoma de Andalucía. Las circunstancias que más se relacionan con dificultades en la atención hospitalaria pediátrica incluyen aspectos relacionados con las barreras idiomáticas, seguidos de aspectos socio-económicos, o aspectos psicológicos y de personalidad, durante el proceso de hospitalización. Los resultados obtenidos nos ayudan a comprender dificultades observadas durante la atención a esta población y en estas circunstancias, al tiempo que nos son de utilidad de cara a mejorar la práctica asistencial (AU)

In recent years the increasing of immigrant population attended in hospital pediatric units has been evident, according to the growing number of resident immigrant population in our country. At the moment there is no many investigations centred in problems and concrete difficulties that the attention to this population could present. The objective of our investigation is focused on knowing variables that can impact the quality and satisfaction with this kind of hospital attention, based on the opinion of professionals. For the accomplishment of our investigation objectives, the option has been a qualitative methodology of phenomenology type. To be concrete, interviews to key-informers procedure have been used. The participants were workers of pediatrics services in hospitals in the autonomous region of Andalusia, Spain. The circumstances more related to difficulties in the pediatric hospital attention, in opinion of the professionals, include aspects of idiomatic barriers. This aspect is followed by social and cultural or personality and psychological aspects, during the hospitalization process. The results obtained help us to understand difficulties observed during the attention to this population in pediatric hospitalization circumstances. This is also of great interest trying to improve hospital practice and satisfaction (AU)

Opinión Profesional sobre la Hospitalización Infantil de Inmigrantes de Origen Latinoamericano en Andalucía, España / Professional opinion about hospitalising Latin-American immigrant children in Andalucía, Spain

Objetivo En los últimos años se ha evidenciado un incremento de la atención hospitalaria pediátrica a pacientes inmigrantes de origen latinoamericano en España. El objetivo de este trabajo es conocer la opinión de diversos profesionales sobre las necesidades específicas y diferenciales de esta población durante dicho proceso. Métodos La investigación se desarrolló a través de un estudio cualitativo de tipo fenomenológico, basado en entrevistas semiestructuradas a informantes clave en Andalucía (España). Los sujetos del estudio son profesionales de servicios de pediatría de centros hospitalarios andaluces. Resultados Entre los más relevantes destacan, como aspectos positivos, que la población inmigrante latinoamericana es la que menores dificultades de funcionamiento hospitalario presenta, en comparación con otros grupos de inmigrantes. Conclusiones Entre los aspectos psicológicos que más inciden durante la hospitalización, estarían las alteraciones emocionales, tales como la presencia de ansiedad y estrés o aspectos como la desconfianza durante el mismo.

Objective There has been an increase in paediatric hospital attention being provided for Latin-American immigrant patients in Spain during the recent years. This work was aimed at ascertaining professionals' opinion regarding this population's specific and differential needs concerning Latin-American immigrant children being hospitalised. Methods The study consisted of a qualitative, phenomenological type of investigation, based on semi-structured interviews of key informers in Andalusia (Spain). The subjects of the study were professionals from paediatric services in hospital centres in Andalusia. Results One of the most prominent (positive) results revealed that the Latin-American immigrant population presented less difficulties regarding hospital functioning when compared to other immigrant groups. Conclusions The psychological aspects which had most impact on paediatric hospitalisation would be emotional alterations, such as the presence of anxiety and stress, or other aspects, like a lack of trust when being hospitalised.

Percepción de estrés y afectación vital en dolor crónico / Stress and labor market transition. The case of training programs in companies

El objetivo principal de este estudio es analizar si la alteración emocional y en concreto, el estrés en personas con dolor crónico se asocia diferencialmente con una mayor pérdida de actividad y un mayor impacto en la vida del sujeto. Para ello se trabajó con una muestra de 92 pacientes con dolor crónico, atendidos en la Unidad del Dolor del Hospital Universitario de Granada, España. Nuestros resultados confirman diferencias significativas entre sujetos con altos y bajos niveles de estrés en los niveles de interferencia del dolor en la actividad y el funcionamiento diario. No se encontraron diferencias en función de la edad en ninguna variables estudiadas, aunque los hombres con dolor crónico mostraron mayores niveles de estrés que las mujeres. De las variables estudiadas, dos de ellas: la reducción de la actividad derivada de la interferencia que el dolor crónico causa en la vida y la afectación emocional, predicen la aparición de estrés en estos sujetos. Se discute un posible modelo de relación entre las variables estudiadas, así como posibles implicaciones prácticas

The main object of this study is to investigate whether emotional alteration, and specifically stress, is associated with activity reduction and the impact on the lives of people with chronic pain. We worked with a sample of 92 subjects with chronic pain. All of them were patients at the Pain Unity of the University Hospital “San Cecilio” of Granada, Spain. Our results confirm the significant differences among subjects with high and low levels of stress in the degree of pain interference with activity and daily functioning. No differences were found in function of age in the studied variables, although men with chronic pain showed greater levels of stress than women. From the studied dimensions, the activity reduction in function of the interference that chronic pain causes in life, and emotional affectation, among others, predicted more stress. A possible relationship model among the studied variables is discussed, as well a practical implications