The validation of the Barcelona Orthorexia Scale-Spanish version: evidence from the general population.

PURPOSE: To validate the Spanish version of Barcelona Orthorexia Scale (BOS) in general population, analyzing its items and both its internal structure and psychometric properties (internal consistency and temporal stability). In addition, the relationship between ON and external measures of attitudes towards food was assessed. METHOD: The general population sample consisted of 446 women and 104 men, aged between 18.31 and 69.44 years (M = 36.03; SD = 12.46). Of these, 39 participants answered again the questionnaires after one month from the first application. The assessment instruments were a sociodemographic questionnaire, the BOS, the Eating Attitudes Test-26 (EAT-26) and the Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire (DEBQ). RESULTS: The final version of the BOS is composed of 35 items. Exploratory factor analysis extracted an internal structure of 5 factors (Behavioral, Concern for healthy food, Attitudes and beliefs about food, Vital achievement and Emotional discomfort). The BOS-35 and the factors presented good internal consistency (α = .80-.90), and an adequate temporal stability (r = .62-.88). The highest association was observed between the Emotional Distress (BOS) and the Diet subscale (EAT-26; r = .51). CONCLUSIONS: This first validation of the BOS has shown adequate psychometric properties, being a valid and reliable instrument to assess ON in the general population. Level of evidence Level II: Evidence obtained from well-designed controlled trials without randomization.

The Barcelona Orthorexia Scale (BOS): development process using the Delphi method.

PURPOSE: Orthorexia nervosa is a currently investigated eating disorder proposed by US physician Steve Bratman, defined as pathological fixation on eating healthy food. This study aimed to develop, by consensus of experts, the basic items for a new questionnaire to evaluate some defining psychological features of orthorexia nervosa in English and Spanish language, the so-called Barcelona Orthorexia Scale (BOS). METHODS: The initial item pool was composed of 105 items divided into six different content areas. To analyse the content of the items, a three-round Delphi study was developed, in which participants had to evaluate the representativeness and clarity of each item. Participants were chosen because of their knowledge on orthorexia and/or eating disorders. RESULTS: 58 experts, from 17 different countries, participated in the initial round and 30 in the last round. Items were added, rephrased, changed into another content area, modified or eliminated according to the participants' suggestions, partly due to the group's response, analysed statistically, and partly due to participants' recommendations. CONCLUSIONS: 64 items were obtained, with two versions in Spanish and English. The future BOS aims to provide a possible solution to the shortage of valid instruments to evaluate psychological features of orthorexia and to promote research on this field. Further analysis regarding validity and reliability is necessary to prove the BOS' value on this matter.

The hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis and personality in a sample of healthy subjects.

Thyroid hormones influence various brain pathologies, including psychiatric disorders. However, the relationship between these hormones and the psychological state in the normal, non-clinical population is poorly understood. We aimed to test whether serum levels of thyroid hormones are associated with personality in the healthy population. Thyrotropin (TSH), free T3 (FT4), total and free T4 (TT4 and FT4) concentrations were measured in the blood of 104 healthy participants (44% men) aged 18-59 (M=35±9). Personality traits were assessed using the revised short versions of the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI-140) and the NEO Five-Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI). The data were analysed by correlational, regression, extreme groups and graphical techniques, which showed significant correlations between inter-individual variations in serum thyroid hormone levels and specific aspects of personality. In particular, high serum TSH was strongly associated with higher Persistence and Self-Directedness, and negatively correlated with Harm Avoidance on the TCI-140 and Neuroticism on the NEO-FFI, thus representing a more adaptive personality profile. Furthermore, increased FT4 was associated with lower Reward-Dependence, and increased TT4 was associated with lower Cooperativeness, representing a deficit in social attachment. Our data indicate that the relationship between thyroid hormones and personality in the healthy population might be rather more complex than the results obtained in clinical samples suggest.

Aprendizaje experiencial de habilidades terapéuticas y análisis de su utilidad en función de la personalidad / Experiential learning of therapeutic skills and analysis of their usefulness depending on the personality

Se comparó la utilidad percibida de dos métodos de entrenamiento de habilidades terapéuticas en la formación del Psicólogo General Sanitario: el asesoramiento entre iguales (el alumno que hace de cliente expone una experiencia personal, es decir, se trabaja con experiencias reales) y la representación de papeles (el alumno que hace de cliente representa un papel). Además, se evaluó el grado de incomodidad que puede suponer al alumno compartir experiencias personales íntimas, así como la relación entre la personalidad de los alumnos y la utilidad percibida de ambos métodos docentes. Los participantes, 149 alumnos del Máster en Psicología General Sanitaria de la Universidad de Barcelona, cumplimentaron el NEO-FFI y un cuestionario ad hoc sobre la metodología docente. El asesoramiento entre iguales fue considerado más útil que la representación de papeles tanto para el trabajo del autoconocimiento como para la formación como psicólogo clínico y la utilidad de ambos fue predicha principalmente por la dimensión "Responsabilidad". La incomodidad experimentada fue significativamente menor que la anticipada. Tales resultados tienen importantes implicaciones docentes para la formación de habilidades terapéuticas

The perceived utility of two training methods of therapeutic skills was compared in the training of General Health Psychologist: the peer counseling (the student who plays the client role relates a personal experience and therefore the therapist works with real experiences), and the role-playing (the student who plays the role of patient always plays a role). The degree of discomfort that sharing intimate personal experiences may involve for students was also examined, as well as the relationship between personality and utility perceived The participants, 149 students of the Master in General Health Psychology at University of Barcelona, completed the NEO-FFI and an ad hoc questionnaire to assess the teaching methodology. The peer counseling was considered more useful than role-playing to learn therapeutic skills and the utility of both was predicted mainly by the dimension of Responsibility. The discomfort experienced was significantly lower than anticipated. These results have important implications for training in therapeutic skills

Coping styles and vulnerability to eating disorders in adolescent girls, by age / Estrategias de afrontamiento y vulnerabilidad a los trastornos de la conducta alimentaria, en chicas adolecentes, en función de la edad

The main goal of the study is to explore the relationship between coping styles and vulnerability to eating disorders in a sample of adolescent girls, according to their age. The sample comprises 1396 girls, aged 13 to 18, who completed the eating Disorders Inventory-3 (EDI-3) and the Adolescent Coping Scale (ACS). The regression analysis shows that the coping strategy most closely linked to the likelihood of developing an Ed in all age groups is Intropunitive Avoidance. The scales of the Intropunitive Avoidance dimension that have the most explanatory power are Tension Reduction and Self-Blame. Girls aged 13 and 17 are identified as the highest risk groups. Physical and social changes are proposed as the hypothetical explanation for the difference between age groups. Emphasis is placed on the need for specific prevention programs for adolescents, particularly those at high risk.

El objetivo principal del estudio es explorar la relación entre estilos de afrontamiento y vulnerabilidad a trastornos de alimentación en una muestra de chicas adolescentes, según su edad. La muestra está compuesta por 1396 chicas de entre 13 y 18 años, que respondieron a los cuestionarios Eating Disorders Inventory-3 (EDI-3) y el Adolescent Coping Scale (ACS). Los análisis de regresión muestran que la estrategia de afrontamiento más relacionada con el riesgo de sufrir TCA es la Huída Intropunitiva, en todas las edades. Las escalas de la dimensión Huida Intropunitiva con mayor poder explicativo son Reducción de la Tensión y Autoinculparse. Las chicas de 13 y 17 años son los grupos identificados de mayor riesgo. Los cambios físicos y sociales se presentan como una explicación hipotética para la diferencia entre grupos de edad. Se enfatiza en la necesidad de programas de prevención específicos para adolescentes, especialmente aquellos con mayor riesgo.

Predictors of tonic immobility during traumatic events / Predictores de la inmovilidad tónica ante eventos traumáticos

Tonic immobility (TI) is a possible reaction to danger that is facilitated by intense fear, physical restraint and perceived inability to escape. Other variables that could affect TI, such as the type and characteristics of traumatic events and personal characteristics have been little or no studied. The present study evaluated the power of these variables to predict TI in a sample of 273 college students who had experienced at least one traumatic event. Of the sample, 7.7% and 13.2% responded with TI according to the two stricter definitions adopted. Most of the variables were significantly associated with TI in univariate analyses. However, in a multiple regression analysis, only certain features of the events (occurrence of physical/sexual abuse, number of different types of events experienced) and certain reactions to them (perception of how traumatic were the events, severe fear response) were significant predictors of TI. Since these predictors explained only 25% of the variance, the influence of other variables -such as neuroticism, negative affectivity and perceived lack of personal control or resources to cope with traumatic events- should be investigated

La inmovilidad tónica (IT) es una posible reacción ante el peligro que es facilitada por el miedo intenso, la restricción física y la incapacidad percibida de escapar. Otras variables que podrían influir, tales como el tipo de eventos traumáticos, características de los mismos y características personales han sido poco o nada estudiadas. El presente estudio evaluó la capacidad de estas variables para predecir la IT en una muestra de 273 universitarios que habían experimentado al menos un suceso traumático. El 7.7% y el 13.2% de participantes reaccionaron con IT según las dos definiciones más estrictas adoptadas. La mayoría de las variables estuvieron significativamente asociadas con la IT en análisis univariantes. Sin embargo, en un análisis de regresión múltiple, sólo ciertas características de los eventos (ocurrencia de maltrato físico/ abuso sexual, número de tipos diferentes de eventos experimentados) y determinadas reacciones ante los mismos (percepción de lo traumáticos que fueron, respuesta de miedo intenso) fueron predictores significativos de la IT. Puesto que estos predictores sólo explicaron el 25% de la varianza, debería investigarse la influencia de otras variables, tales como el neuroticismo, la afectividad negativa y la sensación de falta de control personal o de recursos para afrontar los eventos traumáticos

Dimensionality of three versions of the Eating Disorder Inventory in adolescent girls.

OBJECTIVES: To analyze the dimensionality of three versions of the Eating Disorder Inventory (EDI) in adolescent girls. METHOD: The sample comprised 738 participants. The Spanish adaptation of the EDI-2 was used. The EDI-2 contains the 64 items of EDI and has the same items as EDI-3. The dimensional structures hypothesized by Garner for the three EDI versions were assessed via a series of Confirmatory Factor Analyses (CFAs). RESULTS: The CFA did not confirm Garner's proposed structure in any of the three versions. Consequently it was decided to perform Exploratory Factor Analyses (EFA) of the EDI-2 and the EDI-3 to try to identify the underlying structure. The best theoretical and empirical fit was provided by a 7-factor structure. DISCUSSION: This article presents a shortened version of the EDI-2 which may prove more suitable for use with adolescent girls in the general population than the original questionnaire. Certain practical suggestions for optimizing the use of the different versions of the EDI are also presented.

Significación clínica de los resultados del tratamiento conductual y cognitivo-conductual de la fobia social / Clinical significance of behavioral and cognitive behavioral treatment outcome in social phobia

La significación clínica es un tema fundamental para valorar la eficacia de una intervención, pero sólo el 48 por ciento de los estudios sobre tratamiento de la fobia social presentan datos al respecto. Además, los criterios dé mejora y recuperación empleados son muy heterogéneos y en muchos artículos se omite información importante, lo que hace difícil extraer conclusiones. De todos modos, la revisión que hemos realizado permite presentar algunos resultados de modo tentativo. Con terapia conductual y cognitivo-conductual, el 64 por ciento y 55 por ciento respectivamente de los pacientes que acaban el tratamiento mejoran bastante o mucho y ambas terapias son significativamente superiores al placebo. Por otra parte, tras recibir terapia conductual y cognitivo-conductual, el 59 por ciento y el 35 por ciento respectivamente de los pacientes tratados pueden considerarse moderadamente o muy recuperados y la terapia conductual resulta significativamente superior a la cognitivo-conductual. En ambos casos los resultados son menos positivos si se considera a todos los pacientes que iniciaron el tratamiento. Es necesario consensuar criterios de mejora y recuperación, validarlos y exigir que los estudios presenten sistemáticamente datos de significación clínica. (AU)

Coping style and disturbed eating attitudes in adolescent girls.

OBJECTIVE: The main goal of this work was to explore the relationship between coping styles and predisposition to eating disorders in a sample of adolescent girls. METHOD: The sample comprised 186 females (mean age 15.91 years) and the questionnaires used were the Eating Disorders Inventory-2 (EDI-2) and the Adolescent Coping Scale (ACS). RESULTS: The regression analyses indicated that the coping strategy most closely linked to the predisposition to develop an eating disorder was intropunitive avoidance, which explained the following percentage of variance: 29% of the total EDI-2 score, 23% of the personal factor, 28% of the social factor, and 4% of the bodily factor. On the other hand, the scale of intropunitive avoidance dimension with the most explanatory power was the tension reduction, which reflects emotional reactions to problems such as crying, shouting, or taking drugs. DISCUSSION: A cultural hypothesis is presented in an attempt to account for the low percentage of variance of bodily factor explained by intropunitive avoidance and emphasis is placed on the need for prevention programs for adolescents, particularly those at risk.