'Sleep and emotions: How much are they affected by confinement due to COVID-19? A longitudinal study'.

OBJECTIVE: Our aim is to study changes in sleep and emotions in Spanish population during the confinement period due to first wave of COVID-19. METHODS: A total of 363 adults (69.4% women) aged between 18 and 65 (Mage = 32.59; SD = 12.57) participated in the study. Socio-demographics, sleep quality and emotional experience were evaluated. The study was longitudinal: a first data collection was developed after 15 d of confinement (asking for a subjective comparison with the pre-confined period), and a second collection after 30 d. RESULTS: Results suggest differences in sleep quality depending on the time confined. Difficulty falling asleep increases and daytime activity decreases with longer confined periods. Morning fatigue, sleepiness and nightmares are reduced significantly after 15 d of confinement when compared with the subjective data from pre-confinement. After 15 d of confinement participants felt higher levels of apathy, sadness, irritability and lower levels of euphoria and joy than they remember feeling before confinement. Anxiety, concern and fear seem to increase at 15 d of confinement and decrease at 30 d. Sleep quality and emotional experiences in confinement are closely correlated. CONCLUSIONS: The confinement in Spain worsened the emotional state and changed sleep habits, although it did not necessarily worsen the quality of sleep. Key pointsThere are differences in sleep quality depending on the time spent in confinement.Confinement situation is related with higher levels of apathy, sadness, and irritability and lower levels of euphoria and joy.Anxiety, concern and fear seem to increase at 15 d of confinement and then decrease at 30 d.Sleep quality and emotional experiences in confinement are closely correlated.After COVID-19, there is a remarkable need of attend the disturbances emerged in sleep habits and daily moods of general popunlation.

Analyzing protective factors for adolescents' mental health during COVID-19 pandemic in Spain: A longitudinal study.

OBJECTIVE: This study examined the protective role of self-esteem and perceived emotional intelligence on mental health problems in Spanish adolescents during COVID-19 pandemic. DESIGN: Participants (N = 139; Mage = 13.83 years, SD = 0.96; 63.8% female) completed measures before the outbreak of COVID-19 (T1) and during the first wave of the pandemic in Spain (T2). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Participants self-reported emotional intelligence, self-esteem, mental health problems and suicidal behavior. RESULTS: Adolescent mental health problems were equally affected by COVID-19 pandemic according to gender, age and lockdown conditions. Adolescents with low levels of emotional intelligence and self-esteem at T1 showed a significant decrease in self-reported anxiety, depression, stress and suicidal behavior at T2. However, adolescents with average or high levels of emotional intelligence and self-esteem at T1 showed no significant changes in mental health problems at T2. Self-esteem at T1 meditated the relationships between emotional intelligence at T1 (clarity and repair) and emotional symptoms at T2 (depression, anxiety and stress). Furthermore, the relationship between self-esteem and anxiety symptoms was moderated by the number of people living together during COVID-19 lockdown. CONCLUSION: Our findings highlight the protective role of pre-pandemic development of self-esteem and emotional intelligence in mitigating the impact of COVID-19 outbreak on adolescent mental health during the pandemic.

OBJECTIF: Cette étude a examiné le rôle protecteur de l'estime de soi et de l'intelligence émotionnelle perçue sur les problèmes de santé mentale chez les adolescents espagnols pendant la pandémie de COVID-19.Conception: Les participants (N= 139; AM= 13,83 ans, ET= 0,96; 63,8% de femmes) ont rempli des formulaires avant l'apparition du COVID-19 (T1) et pendant la première vague de la pandémie en Espagne (T2).Principales mesures des résultats: Les participants ont auto-évalué l'intelligence émotionnelle, l'estime de soi, les problèmes de santé mentale et le comportement suicidaire.Résultats: Les problèmes de santé mentale des adolescents ont été affectés de manière égale par la pandémie de COVID-19 selon le sexe, l'âge et les conditions de confinement. Les adolescents ayant des niveaux faibles d'intelligence émotionnelle et d'estime de soi à T1 ont montré une diminution significative de l'anxiété, de la dépression, du stress et du comportement suicidaire autodéclarés à T2. Cependant, les adolescents ayant des niveaux moyens ou élevés d'intelligence émotionnelle et d'estime de soi à T1 n'ont montré aucun changement significatif des symptômes de santé mentale à T2. L'estime de soi à T1 a médité les relations entre l'intelligence émotionnelle à T1 (clarté et réparation) et les symptômes émotionnels à T2 (dépression, anxiété et stress). De plus, la relation entre l'estime de soi et les symptômes d'anxiété a été modérée par le nombre de personnes vivant ensemble lors du confinement de COVID-19. CONCLUSION: Nos résultats soulignent le rôle protecteur du développement pré-pandémique de l'estime de soi et de l'intelligence émotionnelle atténuant l'impact de l'épidémie de COVID-19 sur la santé mentale des adolescents pendant la pandémie.

Cross-cultural validation of the Worries about COVID-19 and its consequences Scale (W-COV) in adolescents and young people.

The pandemic context presents remarkable psychological challenges for adolescents and young adults. The aim of the present work was to construct and study the psychometric properties of a scale in Spanish language (W-COV) to measure their worries related to the pandemic. Participants were 5559 people aged between 14 and 25 years old (M = 19.05; SD = 3.28). Self-report data were collected using a cross-sectional and cross-cultural design. Participants were from 5 Spanish-speaking countries. Instruments were W-COV to assess worries about COVID-19 and its consequences; DASS-21 for anxiety, depression and stress; and SWLS for life satisfaction. Exploratory, confirmatory and multi-group factor analyses were conducted to determine the factorial structure of the W-COV and its measurement invariance (configural, metric, scalar and error variance). Correlational and regression analyses were also performed to study convergent and predictive validity. The results suggest that W-COV presents a bifactorial structure: (1) a general factor of worries about COVID-19; and (2) three different factors: worries about health, economic and psychosocial consequences from COVID-19. The internal reliability indices Cronbach's α and Omega were adequate. With respect to the invariance results, the instrument can be used interchangeably in the five countries considered, in both genders and in two different age groups (12-17 and 18-25). Regarding validity, W-COV factors were positively associated with anxiety, depression and stress, and negatively predicted life satisfaction. In conclusion, W-COV is a reliable and valid instrument for researchers and health care professionals to assess the psychological impact of the pandemic on mental health of young Ibero-Americans.

¿Son las competencias emocionales mediadoras entre el apego y la satisfacción con la relación de pareja en la juventud? / Are emotional competencies mediating between attachment and relationship satisfaction in youth?

El objetivo de este trabajo es estudiar la relación entre el apego y lasatisfacción con la relación de pareja, considerando el papel mediador de lascompetencias emocionales, y controlando la influencia del género, la edad y laduración de la relación. En el estudio participaron 265 jóvenes españoles (59,2%mujeres) de entre 18 y 36 años con pareja. Los resultados más relevantes indicanque el estilo evitativo alejado presenta una menor satisfacción en la relación. Juntocon el estilo temeroso son los que tienen las habilidades emocionales más pobres.La ansiedad y la evitación del apego se relacionan negativamente con la satisfacciónen la relación, siendo mediadas por la regulación emocional. Se discute laimportancia de desarrollar programas de educación emocional en los jóvenes comoforma de mitigar el efecto de un estilo de apego inseguro. (AU)

The aim of this paper is to study the relationship between attachment andsatisfaction with the partner relationship, considering the mediating role ofemotional competences, and taking into account the influence of gender, age, andduration of the relationship. 265 Spanish youths (59.2% women) between 18 and36 years of age with a current partner participated in the study. The most relevantresults indicate that subjects with a dismissive avoidant style show less relationshipsatisfaction. Along with the fearful style, they are the ones with the poorestemotional skills. Attachment anxiety and avoidance are negatively related torelationship satisfaction, being mediated by emotional regulation. The importanceof developing emotional education programs in youths as a way of mitigating theeffect an insecure attachment style is discussed. (AU)

The influence of self-esteem and (cyber) bullying on adolescents’ well-being: a question of gender? / La influencia de la autoestima y el (ciber)acoso en la dimensión afectiva del bienestar subjetivo en la adolescencia: ¿”una” cuestión de género?

Subjective well-being consists of a subjective component (life satisfaction) and an affective component (positive and negative affect). Levels ofwell-being tend to decline during adolescence, which could have physical and mental health consequences. Multiple factors influence adolescent well-being, such as self-esteem, bullying and cyberbullying, as well as gender. In this paper, we study the relationship between self-esteem,bullying (face-to-face and virtual) and the affective dimension of subjective well-being in adolescence, considering the moderating effect ofgender. 797 Spanish adolescents between 14 and 18 years old (54.2% girls; Mage=15.5; SD=.68) participated in the study. The RosenbergSelf-Esteem Scale (RSE), the Positive and Negative Experience Scale (SPANE), and Cyberbullying and Peer Bullying Screening were used.Statistical analyses were performed using the SPSS 24.0, and EQS 6.4 packages. T-test, bivariate correlations and structural equations (SEM)were performed. The results suggest that girls have lower levels of self-esteem (t = 4.10; p < .001) and well-being (t = 2.46; p < .05) than boys,while boys more often report being bullies (t = 2.67; p < .01) and cyberbullies (t = 2.55; p = .01), as well as victims of bullying (t = 2.16; p <.05). The variables that influence adolescents’ affective well-being are self-esteem and bullying victimization. Gender moderates the influenceof self-esteem on well-being. For boys, a negative assessment of themselves impacts their negative affection more strongly than girls [χ²(df)=15.69(3); p < .001]. These results highlight the need to develop effective prevention and intervention programs to promote the well-being ofadolescents, taking gender differences into account. (AU)

El bienestar subjetivo está formado por un componente subjetivo (satisfacción con la vida) y un componente afectivo (afectos positivos y negativos). Elbienestar tiende a disminuir durante la adolescencia, lo que podría tener consecuencias para la salud física y mental. Múltiples factores influyen enel bienestar de los adolescentes, como la autoestima, el acoso escolar y el género. El objetivo fue estudiar la relación entre la autoestima, el acoso(presencial y virtual) y la dimensión afectiva del bienestar subjetivo en la adolescencia, considerando el efecto moderador del género. Participaron797 adolescentes españoles entre 14 y 18 años (54.2% chicas; M = 15.5; DT = .68). Se utilizó la Escala de Autoestima de Rosenberg (RSE), laEscala de Experiencias Positivas y Negativas (SPANE) y el Ciberbullying y el Screening de Acoso entre iguales. Los análisis estadísticos se realizaron con SPSS 24.0 y EQS 6.4. Se realizaron pruebas t, correlaciones bivariadas y ecuaciones estructurales (SEM). Los resultados sugieren quelas chicas tienen niveles más bajos de autoestima y bienestar que los chicos, mientras que los chicos declaran con más frecuencia ser acosadoresy víctimas de acoso y ciberacoso. La variable que más influye en el bienestar de los adolescentes es la autoestima positiva. La victimización reducelos sentimientos positivos y las experiencias placenteras entre los adolescentes. El género modera la influencia de la autoestima en el bienestar. Enel caso de los chicos, una valoración negativa de sí mismos influye más negativamente en su bienestar que en el de las chicas. Estos resultadosponen de manifiesto la necesidad de desarrollar programas eficaces de prevención e intervención para promover el bienestar de los adolescentes,teniendo en cuenta las diferencias de género. (AU)

Parents and peer attachment and their relationship with emotional problems in adolescence: is stress mediating? / Apego a padres e iguales y problemas emocionales en adolescentes: ¿es el estrés un mediador?

Adolescence is a vital stage susceptible to the development of stress and emotional problems that reduce well-being. The aim of this work was to study the relationship between attachment to mother, father, and peers, considering the mediating role of stress, and controlling the influence of gender and age. We also studied the relationship between stress and emotional problems with scholar and familiar variables. 700 Spanish students (54.1% girls) between 12 and 15 years participated (M = 13.59; SD = 1.07). Academic performance, family structure, parents and peer attachment (IPPA), emotional problems (SDQ) and stress (PSS-4) were assessed. Data were collected cross-sectional and analysed using SPSS 24.0 and PROCESS (model 4). Descriptive analyses, t-tests, bivariate correlations, and three mediation models were performed. Results suggest that girls suffer more stress (t = 4.51; p = .000) and more emotional problems (t = 7.31; p = .000) than boys. Age correlates positively with stress (r = .12; p = .000). Lastly, stress is a mediating variable between attachment (to both parents and peers) and emotional problems. The importance of addressing stress and emotional symptoms management in adolescence is discussed, particularly in adolescents with poorer quality relationships with their parents and peers. (AU)

La adolescencia es una etapa vital susceptiblede desarrollar estrés y problemas emocionales que reducen el bienestar. El objetivo de este trabajo fue estudiar la relación entre el apego a la madre, al padre y a los iguales, considerando el papel mediador del estrés, y controlando la influencia del género y la edad. También se estudió la relación entre el estrés y los problemas emocionales con variables escolares y familiares. Participaron 700 estudiantes españoles (54,1% chicas) entre 12 y 15 años (M = 13,59; DT = 1.07). Se evaluaron el rendimiento académico, la estructura familiar, el apego a los padres y a los compañeros (IPPA), los problemas emocionales (SDQ) y el estrés (PSS-4). Los datos se recogieron de forma transversal y se analizaron con SPSS 24.0 y PROCESS (modelo 4). Se realizaron análisis descriptivos, pruebas t, correlaciones bivariadas y tres modelos de mediación. Los resultados sugieren que las chicas sufren más estrés (t = 4.51; p = .000) y más problemas emocionales (t = 7.31; p = .000) que los chicos. La edad de los adolescentes correlaciona positivamente con el estrés (r = .12; p = .000). Por último, el estrés es una variable mediadora entre el apego (tanto a los padres como a los compañeros) y los problemas emocionales. Se discute la importancia de abordar el manejo del estrés y de los síntomas emocionales en laadolescencia, particularmente en los adolescentes con relaciones de peor calidad con sus padres y compañeros. (AU)

Emotional competences and subjective well-being: The mediating role of relationship satisfaction in young Spanish adults.

Establishing and maintaining relationships is one of the challenges facing young adults at the beginning of this stage in their lives. Emotional competences are related to relationship satisfaction and subjective well-being. This paper aims to study the relationship between emotional competences and subjective well-being in young adults, considering the mediating role of satisfaction with the partner. Two hundred and thirty-three young Spanish people (60.1% women) between 18 and 35 years old (Mean = 22.93; SD = 3.72) participated in the study. All of them had a romantic partner. The Questionnaire of Emotional Skills and Competences (ESCQ-21), the Scale of Evaluation of the Relationships (RAS), the Scale of Satisfaction with Life (SWLS) and the Scale of Positive and Negative Experiences (SPANE) were used to measure the variables. For analysis, the SPSS version 26 and Mplus version 7.0 were used. The results indicate a significant relationship between emotional competences, relationship satisfaction and subjective well-being. The mediation model showed that satisfaction with the relationship plays a mediating role between the ability to regulate emotions and subjective well-being. The importance of emotional education both inside and outside relationships is considered, in order to promote healthy and non-violent relationships among young people.

EmoTIC: Impact of a game-based social-emotional programme on adolescents.

INTRODUCTION: Technologies provide a brilliant opportunity to promote social-emotional competences, well-being and adjustment in adolescence. Game-based programmes and serious games are digital tools that pursue an educational goal in an attractive environment for adolescents. The purpose of this study was therefore to determine the effectiveness of emoTIC, a game-based social-emotional programme designed according to Mayer, Caruso, and Salovey's model of emotional intelligence. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The participants were 119 adolescents between 11 and 15 years, randomly assigned to the experimental group and the control group. The adolescents completed questionnaires to assess their emotional intelligence, self-esteem, affect balance, difficulties, prosocial behaviour, depression, anxiety and stress. RESULTS: The MANCOVA results showed that adolescents who completed the game-based programme had improved self-esteem, affect balance, emotional symptoms, behavioural problems, and hyperactivity (Wilks' λ = .77; F = 2.10; p = .035). Hierarchical multiple regression indicated that adolescents in the experimental group had a greater change in self-esteem and affect balance (positive ß), while their emotional problems and hyperactivity decreased (negative ß). Anxiety moderated the influence of the intervention on self-esteem (b = .04; t = -2.55; p ≤ .05; LLCI = -0.43, ULCI = -0.05). Adolescents with low or medium anxiety improved their self-esteem with the intervention, while those with high anxiety did not develop it. CONCLUSIONS: The use of technology in social-emotional programmes could be the first step in increasing adolescents' interest in emotions and emoTIC could be considered a useful programme which influences their personal, emotional and social factors. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinical Trial identifier: NCT04414449.

The Effectiveness of EMOVERE: An Emotional Education Program for Young Couples.

Our aim was to assess the effectiveness of EMOVERE, a psychoeducational and experiential program to increase emotion regulation in couples. Forty-four young couples (n = 88) aged between 18 and 36 years old participated in the study (53.4% women; M = 24.18; SD = 4.34). Twenty-two couples belonged to the experimental group (received the intervention) and 22 to the control group (received no intervention). The intervention program consisted of seven two-hour sessions over a month, in groups of four to five couples. The variables studied were sociodemographic characteristics, emotional intelligence (TMMS-24), emotional inter-regulation with the partner (SIERC), attachment (ECR-S) and satisfaction with the relationship (RAS). The proposed design was quasi-experimental, with two randomized groups (experimental and control group) and longitudinal data from two occasions. SPSS version 24.0 was used to perform analysis of variance (MANOVA and MANCOVA), multiple hierarchical regression and reliable change index. PROCESS was also used for moderation analyses. The results indicate that the program is effective in increasing emotional self-regulation and emotion regulation with the partner, as well as reducing couples' avoidance of intimacy. Age, relationship duration and previous relationship satisfaction moderate the effectiveness of the program. The importance of continuing this research line to address well-being of young populations is discussed.

La influencia del apego sobre el bienestarel rol mediador de la regulación emocional en jóvenes españoles. Español / The influence of attachment on well-being: the mediating role of emotion regulation in Spanish youth

Las personas construyen y mantienen vínculos emocionales a lo largo de todo su desarrollo vital. El modo de vincularse, es decir, el estilo de apego, es consecuencia de los modelos mentales de relación construidos durante las experiencias afectivas. Los individuos con apego inseguro informan de elevada ansiedad y/o elevada evitación al establecer relaciones interpersonales. Estas personas podrían beneficiarse especialmente del aprendizaje de estrategias adecuadas para regular sus emociones, y así, aumentar su grado de bienestar. El objetivo del presente trabajo es estudiar la relación entre el apego y el bienestar subjetivo en jóvenes españoles, contemplando la regulación emocional como variable mediadora. Participaron 126 jóvenes (61.9% mujeres) entre 19 y 26 años (Medad = 24.16; DTedad = 3.54). Se utilizó el cuestionario Experiencias en Relaciones Íntimas (ECR-S), la Escala Española de Meta-Estado de Ánimo (TMMS-24), la Escala de Satisfacción con la Vida (SWLS) y la Escala de Experiencias Positivas y Negativas (SPANE). Se realizaron análisis de correlación y de mediación mediante SPSS versión 24.0 y PROCESS. Los resultados indican que la regulación emocional media la relación entre la ansiedad de vinculación y el bienestar. La evitación de la intimidad no se relaciona con la regulación emocional ni con el bienestar. Se pone de manifiesto la importancia de potenciar el bienestar en la juventud a través de la educación emocional, especialmente en aquellos jóvenes con rasgos ansiosos en su estilo de apego

People build and maintain emotional bonds throughout their entire life cycle. Their way of bonding, i.e. their style of attachment, is a consequence of the mental relationship models constructed during their affective experiences. Individuals with insecure attachment report high anxiety and/or high avoidance when establishing interpersonal relationships. These people could benefit above all from learning appropriate strategies for regulating their emotions, and thus increase their level of well-being. This paper studies the relationship between attachment and subjective well-being in Spanish young people, considering emotion regulation as a mediating variable. Participants were 126 young people (61.9% female) aged between 19 and 26 (Mage = 24.16; SDAge = 3.54). The Experiences in Close Relationships questionnaire (ECR-S), the Spanish Trait Meta-Mood Scale (TMMS-24), the Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS) and the Scale of Positive and Negative Experience (SPANE) were used. Correlation and mediation analyses were performed using SPSS version 24.0 and PROCESS. The results indicate that emotion regulation mediates the relation-ship between attachment anxiety and well-being. Avoidance of intimacy is not related to emotion regulation or well-being. The importance of enhancing well-being in youth through emotional education is remarkable, especially among young peoplewith anxious attachment traits

Serious game to promote socioemotional learning and mental health (emoTIC): a study protocol for randomised controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: The development of emotional competences may be a protective factor for mental health problems, promoting well-being at such a complex age as adolescence. Technologies may be used to carry out this empowerment because adolescents are attracted to them. The purpose of the study is to design a serious game based on the Mayer et al's emotional intelligence ability model and analyse the effectiveness of the emoTIC programme to develop emotional competences, well-being, mental health, and personal strengths immediately after completion and at 12 months. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: The new version of emoTIC will be designed following the suggestions of the adolescents who participated in the pilot study and the results obtained from the statistical analysis. The participants will be 385 adolescents aged 11-16 years who will be randomly assigned to the control group and the experimental group. The experimental group will complete the emoTIC programme. The primary outcomes include emotional competences and subjective well-being. The secondary outcomes are self-esteem; general self-efficacy; personality; social and personal responsibility; school social climate; somatic complaints; depression, anxiety and stress symptoms; emotional and behavioural difficulties; suicidal behaviour; and subjective happiness. Data will be collected at three moments: baseline (T1), immediately post-intervention (T2) and 12-month follow-up (T3). The effectiveness of the programme will be analysed using different statistical packages. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The study has been approved by the Ethics Commission of the University of Valencia (H152865096049), and the standards of the Declaration of Helsinki to collect the data will be followed. Results will be disseminated across the scientific community. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ClinicalTrials.gov Registry (NCT04414449). TRIAL SPONSOR: University of Valencia. Principal investigator: Inmaculada Montoya-Castilla.

Psychological impact of COVID-19 pandemic in Spanish adolescents: risk and protective factors of emotional symptoms / El impacto psicológico de la pandemia de COVID-19 en niños y adolescentes: factores de riesgo y protección de los síntomas emocionales

The psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on children and adolescents is one of the most prevalent concerns all over the world. Adolescence is a developmental stage of high vulnerability due to the challenges this period entails. Additionally, the health emergency crisis has put adolescents even more at risk of developing mental health problems. The present study aims to examine the influence of socio-demographic and COVID-19 related variables on symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress in adolescents during pandemic-related confinement in Spain. Participants were 523 adolescents (63.1% female), aged between 13 and 17 years (M=14.89 years; SD=1.13 years), who completed an ad hoc questionnaire, the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21) and The Oviedo Infrequency Scale (INFO-OV). A descriptive and cross-sectional study design was used, and descriptive statistics and multiple logistic regression analyses were conducted. Results indicate that socio-demographic and COV-ID-19 related variables play a significant role in the development of emotional symptomatology in adolescents during the current pandemic. Girls more than boys, adolescents who did volunteer work and those who stayed home more often were more likely to experience depression, anxiety or stress symptoms. Experiencing a stressing life event and searching for COVID-19 related information more often was related to psychological distress. On the other hand, adolescents who were in a romantic relationship and had been infected with the coronavirus, were more likely to be mentally healthy. Further research is necessary in order to detect risk and protective variables that impact adolescent's mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic

El impacto psicológico de la pandemia de COVID-19 en niños y adolescentes es una de las preocupaciones más frecuentes en todo el mundo. La adolescencia es una etapa de desarrollo de alta vulnerabilidad debido a los desafíos que conlleva este período. Además, la crisis de emergencia sanitaria ha puesto a los adolescentes en un riesgo aún mayor de desarrollar problemas de salud mental. El objetivo del presente estudio es examinar la influencia de las variables sociodemográficas y las relacionadas con COVID-19 en los síntomas de depresión, ansiedad y estrés en los adolescentes durante el confinamiento a causa de la pandemia en España. Los participantes fueron 523 adolescentes (63,1% mujeres), con edades comprendidas entre los 13 y los 17 años (M=14.89 años; SD=1.13 años), que cumplimentaron un cuestionario ad hoc, la Escala de Depresión, Ansiedad y Estrés (DASS-21) y la Escala de Infrecuencia de Oviedo (INFO-OV). Se utilizó un diseño descriptivo y transversal, y se realizaron estadísticos descriptivos y análisis de regresión logística múltiple. Los resultados indican que las variables sociodemográficas y las relacionadas con la COVID-19 desempeñan un papel importante en el desarrollo de la sintomatología emocional en los adolescentes durante la pandemia. Las chicas, los adolescentes que hicieron trabajo voluntario y los que se quedaron en casa con más frecuencia tuvieron más probabilidades de experimentar síntomas de depresión, ansiedad o estrés. Se necesitan más investigaciones para detectar las variables de riesgo y de protección que afectan a la salud mental de los adolescentes durante la pandemia de COVID-19

The impact of peer attachment on prosocial behavior, emotional difficulties and conduct problems in adolescence: The mediating role of empathy.

Attachment theories postulate that during adolescence, peer relationships become more important as a predictor of positive social, emotional and behavioral outcomes. Adolescents develop the ability to empathize with others, which is related to healthy functioning and positive peer relationships. Empathy has been studied as a potential mechanism that may help to explain how strong and healthy emotional bonds are associated with less emotional disorders and conduct problems in youth. The main purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between peer attachment and strengths and difficulties during adolescence, considering empathy as a potential mediator of this association. A total of 800 Spanish adolescents (56.65% girls), aged between 12 and 15 years (M = 14.02, SD = 1.21), completed measures of peer attachment, empathy, conduct problems, emotional difficulties and prosocial behavior. Structural equation models indicated that peer attachment was negatively associated with conduct problems and emotional difficulties but positively related to prosocial behavior. In general, empathy mediated the link between peer attachment and both emotional and behavioral outcomes, without significant group differences between boys and girls. The discussion focuses on the importance of healthy peer relationships as a powerful predictor of emotional well-being and psychological problems in adolescence.

Attachment Styles and Well-Being in Adolescents: How Does Emotional Development Affect This Relationship?

Attachment relationships with parents, as well as emotional competencies, are protective factors against stress and other physical, mental, and relational health symptoms in adolescence. In this paper, we will examine the mediating role of emotional competencies in the relationship between attachment to parents and the well-being of adolescents, taking into account the influence of gender. There were 1276 Spanish adolescents between 12 and 15 years old (M = 13.48; SD = 1.09). We measured mother and father attachment relationships (trust, communication and alienation), emotional competencies (perceive and understand emotions, label and express emotions, manage and regulate emotions), and adolescent well-being using the indicators: somatic complaints, stress, satisfaction with life and affectivity. Descriptive analyses, Pearson correlations, and a multi-group path analysis were performed. The results indicated that emotional competencies partially mediate the relationship between attachment to parents and well-being variables. Attachment to one's mother and father, along with emotional competencies, are relevant variables in adolescent well-being. This highlights the importance of understanding the protective factors of well-being in adolescence, a time when levels of well-being are reduced compared to childhood.