Adaptation and validation of a patient-reported compassion measure in the Spanish population: The Spanish version of the Sinclair Compassion Questionnaire (SCQesp).

International practice guidelines and policies recognize compassion as a fundamental dimension of quality care. A key element in enhancing compassion in healthcare settings is having reliable patient-reported experience measures. In the Spanish context, there is a need for a valid Spanish patient-reported compassion measure for use in both research and clinical practice. The Sinclair Compassion Questionnaire (SCQ) represents the gold standard for patient-reported compassion measures in English-speaking settings. The primary aim of this study is to culturally adapt and validate the SCQ in a Spanish population. A Spanish version of the SCQ (SCQesp) was used to collect data from 303 Spanish patients (in two contexts: hospitalized and medical visit). Confirmatory factor analysis confirmed a one-factor solution in the 15-item (SCQesp) and five-item (SCQesp-SF) short form version. The SCQesp showed excellent values of reliability: Cronbach's α = 0.98; composite variance = 0.98 (0.905-0.854); and stratified variance = 0.78. The SCQesp-SF showed similar values of reliability. The SCQesp has excellent psychometric properties, making it a valid and reliable measure for assessing compassion in healthcare research and clinical care. This scientifically rigorous and psychometrically robust compassion measure in Spanish could allow healthcare providers, researchers, and leaders to routinely assess compassion.

Does optimism mediate the relationship between Big Five and perceived stress? A study with Spanish adolescents / ¿El optimismo media la relación entre los Cinco Grandes factores de personalidad y el Estrés Percibido? Un estudio con adolescentes españoles

Research results have shown the existence of relationships be-tween the Big Five personality factors, optimism, and perceived stress. The aim of this study is to explore the possible mediating role that it has been suggested might play optimism in this relationship. Structural equation models were conducted to examine the mediating role of optimism. A multi-group analysis was performed to verify whether the results varied by sex. 611 Spanish adolescents completed anonymously the measures of BFQ, LOT-R, and PSS. The findings showed that optimism was positively associated with the personality traits and negatively with perceived stress. Perceived stress was in turn negatively related to Emotional Stability, Extraversion, and Conscientiousness, while it was not correlated with Agree-ableness and Openness. Mediation analysis revealed the mediating role of optimism on the relationship between Emotional Stability (partial mediation), Extraversion, and Conscientiousness and the perception of stress. These findings did not vary by sex. In conclusion, a basic personality pro-file characterized by Extraversion, Emotional Stability, and Conscientious-ness would favor the development of positive future expectations that rep-resent a proximal predictor for perceived stress. Optimism mediation may be relevant for the development of interventions focused on reducing stress levels and, consequently, to improve the adolescent's adjustment

Los resultados de investigación han mostrado la existencia de relaciones entre los Cinco Grandes factores de personalidad, Optimismo y Estrés Percibido. El objetivo del estudio es explorar, mediante modelos de ecuaciones estructurales, el posible papel mediador que se ha sugerido podría desempeñar Optimismo en esta relación. También, se explora a través de un análisis multi-grupo la invarianza por sexo de los resultados. Un total de 611 adolescentes españoles completaron de forma anónima los cuestionarios BFQ, LOT-R y PSS. Optimismo se asoció positivamente asociado con los rasgos de personalidad y negativamente con Estrés Percibido. El Estrés se relacionó negativamente con Estabilidad Emocional, Extraversion y Responsabilidad y no mostró asociación alguna con Afabilidad ni con Apertura. Los análisis de mediación revelaron el papel mediador de Optimismo en la relación entre Estabilidad Emocional (mediación parcial), Extraversion y Responsabilidad y Estrés. Estos resultados no variaron por sexo. En conclusión, un perfil básico de personalidad caracterizado por Extraversión, Estabilidad Emocional y Responsabilidad favorecería el desarrollo de expectativas positivas de futuro que representan un predictor proximal de Estrés Percibido. El papel mediador del optimismo puede resultar relevante para el desarrollo de intervenciones focalizadas en reducir los niveles de estrés y, consecuentemente, mejorar el ajuste del adolescent

Improving the comparability of the results obtained with the COPE-breve through the analysis of second-order structures: a study with Spanish adolescents / Mejorando la comparabilidad de los resultados obtenidos con el COPE-breve a través del análisis de estructuras de segundo orden: un estudio con adolescentes españoles

The Brief-Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced (Brief-COPE) is a widely used instrument, although with limitations regarding reliability and factorial structure. This study with 611 adolescents examines the Brief-COPE’s internal structure, reliability, and convergent validity. Structures tested through confirmatory factor analysis were the original 14 subscales, as well as three second order structures derived from previous COPE research and from Connor-Smith and Flachsbart’s proposal. All the structures examined obtained a good fit. However, internal consistency and convergent validity findings only supported the use of a model in which religion and self-blame constitute independent subscales while the remaining subscales shaped three second-order factors: self-sufficient, socially supported, and disengagement coping. This hierarchical structure reflects a model emphasized by research with adolescents, makes the use of this instrument valuable, and does not prevent the exploration of original subscales with appropriate reliability levels. Consequently, our results constitute a significant step forward in the improvement of the usefulness and comparability of the coping results obtained with the Brief-COPE (AU)

El “Inventario breve de afrontamiento de los problemas experimentados” (COPE-breve) es un instrumento ampliamente utilizado, aunque con limitaciones respecto a su fiabilidad y estructura factorial. Este estudio con 611 adolescentes examina la estructura interna, fiabilidad y validez convergente del COPE-Breve. Las estructuras evaluadas mediante análisis factorial confirmatorio fueron las 14 subescalas originales y tres estructuras de segundo orden derivadas de los resultados previos del COPE y de la propuesta de Connor-Smith y Flachsbart. Todas las estructuras obtuvieron un buen ajuste. Sin embargo, los resultados de consistencia interna y validez convergente respaldaron un único modelo en el que religión y culpa se mantuvieron como subescalas independientes y el resto formaron tres factores de segundo orden: afrontamiento pasivo, autosuficiente y socialmente apoyado. Esta estructura jerárquica refleja el modelo enfatizado por la investigación con adolescentes, rentabiliza el uso del instrumento y permite explorar las subescalas originales que presenten niveles apropiados de fiabilidad. Así, nuestros resultados constituyen un paso significativo para mejorar la utilidad y comparabilidad de los resultados obtenidos con el COPE-breve (AU)

The big five and subjective wellbeing: the mediating role of optimism / Los Cinco Grandes factores de personalidad y el bienestar subjetivo: el papel mediador del optimismo

BACKGROUND: Previous literature has shown that personality is one of the most important predictors of Subjective Wellbeing. However, the mechanisms through which basic personality dispositions contribute to wellbeing have scarcely been explored. Therefore, in this study we examined the mediating role of Optimism in the relationship between the Big Five personality model (both factors and facets) and Subjective Wellbeing. Additionally, we assessed whether the results varied by sex. METHOD: A sample of 611 Spanish adolescents completed self-report measures of BFQ, LOT-R, and SHS. We conducted structural equation modeling to test the proposed mediating models. RESULTS: Optimism completely mediated the relationship between Extraversion and Emotional Stability factors and Subjective Wellbeing. Likewise, Optimism mediated the relationship between the personality facets Politeness, Perseverance, Emotion control, Impulse control, and Dynamism and Subjective Wellbeing. The findings were invariant by sex. CONCLUSIONS: These results provide help in identifying the possible mechanisms through which basic dispositions of personality contribute to wellbeing. These findings can be used to develop interventions that target the promotion of greater Subjective Wellbeing through Optimism, and thereby improve adolescents' adjustment

ANTECEDENTES: los resultados de la investigación previa han mostrado que uno de los principales predictores del bienestar subjetivo es la personalidad. Sin embargo, los mecanismos a través de los cuales ésta contribuye al bienestar subjetivo permanecen prácticamente inexplorados. Por ello, el presente estudio examinó el papel mediador de optimismo en la relación entre el modelo de los Cinco Grandes (factores y facetas) y el bienestar subjetivo. Además, exploró la invarianza por sexo de los resultados. MÉTODO: seiscientos once adolescentes españoles completaron los auto-informes BFQ, LOT-R y SHS. Se realizaron modelos de ecuaciones estructurales para explorar los modelos de mediación propuestos. RESULTADOS: optimismo medió totalmente la relación entre estabilidad emocional y extraversión y bienestar subjetivo. Además, también medió la relación entre las facetas de cordialidad, perseverancia, control de emociones, control de impulsos y dinamismo y bienestar subjetivo. Estos resultados fueron invariantes a través del sexo. CONCLUSIONES: estos resultados permiten identificar mecanismos a través de los cuales la personalidad contribuye al bienestar y pueden ser utilizados para el diseño y desarrollo de intervenciones dirigidas a promover un mayor bienestar a través del optimismo, mejorando así el ajuste del adolescente

The Big Five and subjective wellbeing: The mediating role of optimism.

BACKGROUND: Previous literature has shown that personality is one of the most important predictors of Subjective Wellbeing. However, the mechanisms through which basic personality dispositions contribute to wellbeing have scarcely been explored. Therefore, in this study we examined the mediating role of Optimism in the relationship between the Big Five personality model (both factors and facets) and Subjective Wellbeing. Additionally, we assessed whether the results varied by sex. METHOD: A sample of 611 Spanish adolescents completed self-report measures of BFQ, LOT-R, and SHS. We conducted structural equation modeling to test the proposed mediating models. RESULTS: Optimism completely mediated the relationship between Extraversion and Emotional Stability factors and Subjective Wellbeing. Likewise, Optimism mediated the relationship between the personality facets Politeness, Perseverance, Emotion control, Impulse control, and Dynamism and Subjective Wellbeing. The findings were invariant by sex. CONCLUSIONS: These results provide help in identifying the possible mechanisms through which basic dispositions of personality contribute to wellbeing. These findings can be used to develop interventions that target the promotion of greater Subjective Wellbeing through Optimism, and thereby improve adolescents' adjustment.

Psychometric Properties of Spanish Version Student Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES-S-9) in High-school Students.

The Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES) is a self-report instrument widely used, both in the original and its abbreviated version of nine items, to assess the work -UWES, UWES-9- and academic engagement -UWES-S, UWES-S-9-. The present study examines factor structure of the UWES-S-9 using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), its convergent validity and invariance across sex and age groups in a sample of 626 Spanish high school students. The results support an unidimensional conceptualization of engagement (S-Bχ2/df = 5.29; CFI = .96; NNFI = .94; RMSEA = .083; IFI = .96; AIC = 82.21; BIC = 267.38), revealed an essentially invariant structure of the UWES-S-9 across the sex, ΔS-Bχ2(Δ6) = 10.67; p ≤ .05, and age, ΔS-Bχ2(Δ7) = 9.67; p ≤ .05, and confirmed the positive association between academic engagement and achievement (r = .30; p ≤ .001), dispositional optimism (r = .21; p ≤ .001), and subjective well-being (r = .16; p ≤ .001), and the negative association with perceived stress (r =. -13; p ≤ .001). In short, the Spanish version of UWES-S-9 is presented as a brief, reliable and valid tool to measure academic engagement in high school students (α = .91, AVE = .52, Ω = .911).

Psychometric properties of Spanish version student Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES-S-9) in high-school students

The Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES) is a self-report instrument widely used, both in the original and its abbreviated version of nine items, to assess the work -UWES, UWES-9- and academic engagement -UWES-S, UWES-S-9-. The present study examines factor structure of the UWES-S-9 using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), its convergent validity and invariance across sex and age groups in a sample of 626 Spanish high school students. The results support an unidimensional conceptualization of engagement (S-Bχ2/df = 5.29; CFI = .96; NNFI = .94; RMSEA = .083; IFI = .96; AIC = 82.21; BIC = 267.38), revealed an essentially invariant structure of the UWES-S-9 across the sex, δS-Bχ2(δ6) = 10.67; p ≤ .05, and age, δS-Bχ2(δ7) = 9.67; p ≤ .05, and confirmed the positive association between academic engagement and achievement (r = .30; p ≤ .001), dispositional optimism (r = .21; p ≤ .001), and subjective well-being (r = .16; p ≤ .001), and the negative association with perceived stress (r =. -13; p ≤ .001). In short, the Spanish version of UWES-S-9 is presented as a brief, reliable and valid tool to measure academic engagement in high school students (α = .91, AVE = .52, ω = .911)

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Parenting Style and Reactive and Proactive Adolescent Violence: Evidence from Spain.

The aim of the present study was to analyze the relationship between the parenting styles-authoritative, indulgent, authoritarian, and neglectful-and reactive and proactive school violence among peers. These analyses were also performed by sex and age groups. The sample consisted of 2399 Spanish adolescents (50.2% male), aged between 12 and 18 years, mean (M) = 14.69, standard deviation (SD) = 1.82. A multivariate analisys of variance (MANOVA, 4 × 2 × 2) was applied, considering parenting style, sex, and age group (12⁻14 and 15⁻18 years) as independent variables to analyze the possible effects of interaction. Reactive, proactive, and pure violence were the dependent variables. The results showed the main effects of parenting styles, sex, and age, as well as an interaction between sex, age, and parenting styles. The interpretation of the findings suggested that the authoritarian parenting style was related to greater engagement in proactive and reactive violent behaviors. In relation to the effect of the interaction between sex, age, and parenting styles, it was observed that adolescents from indulgent families, of both sexes and in any of the studied age groups, obtained lower scores in proactive violence. The discussion highlights the importance of affection and warmth for well-adjusted children's behavior.

English Validation of the Parental Socialization Scale-ESPA29.

Parenting styles have traditionally been studied following the classical two-dimensional orthogonal model of parental socialization. The Parental Socialization Scale ESPA29 is used to measure the four styles of parental socialization through the acceptance/involvement and strictness/imposition dimensions. The ESPA29 scale is a developmentally appropriate measure of parenting styles, which has been validated in several languages including Spanish, Italian, and Brazilian Portuguese. In this study, the English translation of the ESPA29 was evaluated. The objective of the work is to test the ESPA29's structure of parenting practices with a United States sample measuring parenting practices using exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). The scores of fathers' and mothers' behavioral practices toward their children were obtained for a sample of 911 United States adolescents between 14 and 18 years of age. First, the total sample was split and a principal components analysis with varimax rotation was carried out with one of the two halves. EFA showed a two-factor structure fully congruent with the theoretical model for mothers' and fathers' scores. Next, a CFA was calculated on the second half by using the factor structure obtained in the previous EFA. The CFA replicated the two-factor structure with appropriate fit index. The seven parenting practices that were measured loaded appropriately on the acceptance/involvement and strictness/imposition dimensions. Then, the multigroup analysis between girls and boys showed equal loading in the factors and equal covariation between the acceptance/involvement and the strictness/imposition dimensions. Additionally, the two dimensions of the ESPA29 scale were related to self-esteem in order to obtain an external validity index. The findings confirm the invariant structure of the ESPA29 was in the United States and their equivalence in both fathers' and mothers' scores. These findings validate the instrument and confirm its applicability in cross-cultural research on parenting practices and child adjustment.

Ambiente comunitario y actitud hacia la autoridad: relaciones con la calidad de las relaciones familiares y con la agresión hacia los iguales en adolescentes / Community environment and attitude toward authority: relations with quality of family relationships and aggression toward peers in adolescents

El presente estudio pretende explorar las relaciones entre la percepción del ambiente comunitario y la actitud de los adolescentes hacia figuras de autoridad (policía y profesores) y normas sociales, el bienestar subjetivo y un problema conductual de actualidad como es la agresión hacia los iguales en el contexto escolar. Se considera además la calidad de las relaciones familiares como un antecedente de los factores comunitarios y actitudinales. Para poner a prueba estas relaciones múltiples se ha utilizado una muestra de 554 adolescentes de ambos sexos con edades comprendidas entre los 12 y los 16 años. Los datos se recogieron en dos tiempos con un intervalo temporal de 6 meses y se analizaron mediante el cálculo de modelos de ecuaciones estructurales, incluyendo un análisis multigrupo por sexo. Los resultados obtenidos indican que unas relaciones familiares positivas se relacionan con una percepción positiva del ambiente comunitario y actitudes también positivas hacia la autoridad y las normas sociales. Estos factores actúan como una protección frente a la implicación en conductas agresivas hacia los iguales en el contexto escolar y favorecen el bienestar subjetivo. El modelo resultante es equivalente para chicos y chicas

The present study explores the relations between the perception of the community environment and adolescents' attitude towards figures of authority (police and teachers) and social rules, subjective well-being, and a current behavior problem like peer aggression in the school setting. The quality of family relationships as an antecedent of community and attitudinal factors is also considered. In order to test these multiple relations, we used a sample of 554 adolescents of both sexes, aged between 12 and 16 years. Data were collected in two waves with a 6-month interval and were analyzed by means of structural equation models, including a multigroup analysis by sex. The results obtained indicate that positive family relations are related to a positive perception of the community environment and also to positive attitudes towards authority and towards social rules. These factors act as protectors from the involvement in aggressive behaviors towards peers in the school setting and they also promote subjective well-being. The resulting model is equivalent for boys and girls

Psychological adjustment and victim-blaming among intimate partner violence offenders: The role of social support and stressful life events / Ajuste psicológico y culpabilización de la víctima en maltratadores: el papel del apoyo social y los eventos vitales estresantes

Intimate partner violence offenders often use victim-blaming attributions to explain their own violent behavior. These attributions represent an important challenge for intervention programs for intimate partner violence offenders. The main objectives of this study were to analyze both the influence of social support and stressful life events on the psychological adjustment (self-esteem and depressive symptomatology) of intimate partner violence offenders and the relationship between offenders’ psychological adjustment and their victim-blaming attributions. The sample consists of 314 men convicted of intimate partner violence who were referred to a community-based intervention program. Results from a structural equation model showed that social support and stressful life events were related to psychological adjustment. Psychological adjustment also was related to victim-blaming attributions among intimate partner violence offenders. A better understanding of the relationships between psychological adjustment of intimate partner violence offenders and its determinants, as well as its impact on victim-blaming attributions, may provide support to new intervention strategies. Implications of these results for improving the effectiveness of intervention programs are discussed (AU)

Los hombres condenados por violencia contra la mujer en las relaciones de pareja frecuentemente utilizan la atribución de culpa a la víctima para explicar su propia conducta violenta. Tal atribución representa un importante reto en los programas de intervención con maltratadores. Los principales objetivos de este estudio fueron por un lado analizar la influencia del apoyo social y los eventos vitales estresantes en el ajuste psicológico (autoestima y sintomatología depresiva) de los maltratadores y por otro las relaciones entre el ajuste psicológico de los agresores y su atribución de culpa a la víctima. La muestra estuvo compuesta de 314 hombres condenados por violencia contra la mujer en las relaciones de pareja que fueron derivados a un programa de intervención en un medio comunitario. Los resultados del modelo de ecuaciones estructurales mostraron que el apoyo social y los eventos vitales estresantes se encuentran relacionados con el ajuste psicológico. Igualmente, el ajuste psicológico se encuentra relacionado con la atribución de culpa a la víctima por parte de los maltratadores. Una mejor comprensión de las relaciones entre el ajuste psicológico de los maltratadores y sus determinantes, así como su impacto sobre la atribución de culpa a la víctima, puede proporcionar apoyo a nuevas estrategias de intervención. Se discuten las implicaciones de estos resultados para la mejora de la efectividad de los programas de intervención (AU)

Efecto de supresión y mediación en el contexto de la intervención psicosocial: Diferencias, similitudes y ejemplos / Suppression and mediation effect in psychosocial intervention: Differences, similarities and examples

El presente trabajo compara el efecto mediador y el supresor de una tercera variable. Ambos efectos parcelan la varianza de la variable dependiente (Y). La mediación es la reducción, tras introducir una tercera variable (Z) en el modelo, de la proporción de varianza explicada directamente por la variable independiente (X) en la variable criterio (Y) y la supresión es el incremento de la proporción de varianza explicada directamente por la independiente en la variable criterio, al incluir la tercera variable en el modelo. Se analizan las características y diferencias de cada efecto y se examina en qué situaciones se produce uno u otro. Cada situación, compuesta de tres variables correlacionadas entre sí, se explica con un ejemplo en el contexto de la intervención psicosocial. Finalmente, se proporcionan recomendaciones sobre la interpretación y utilización de ambos efectos (AU)

This paper compares the mediator and suppressor effect of a third variable. Both effects split the variance of the dependent variable (Y). Mediation is the reduction, after introducing the third variable (Z) in the model, of the proportion of variance explained on variable Y directly by the independent variable (X), and suppression is the increase of the of the proportion of variance explained on variable Y directly by the independent variable after introducing the third variable in the model. Then, the characteristics and differences of each effect are analyzed and the situations in which either effect occurs are examined. Each situation, consisting of three intercorrelated variables, is explained with examples from the psychosocial intervention context. Finally, recommendations for the use and interpretation of both effects are provided (AU)

Autoconcepto en jóvenes practicantes de danza y no practicantes: análisis factorial confirmatorio de la escala AF5 / Self-concept in young dancers and non-practitioners: confirmatory factor analysis of the AF5 scales

Este trabajo analizó la estructura pentafactorial del Cuestionario de Autoconcepto AF5 en practicantes de danza y no practicantes. Se analizaron las respuestas de 1630 participantes (490, de la modalidad de danza clásica y contemporánea y 1240 no practicantes) mediante modelos de ecuaciones estructurales. Los resultados indicaron que el modelo pentadimensional oblicuo, propuesto por los autores, se ajustaba mejor que los alternativos unifactorial y ortogonal, y que esta estructura penta-factorial fue invariante entre ambos grupos, si bien el grupo de practicantes relacionaba en mayor grado el ámbito físico-deportivo con el profesional y familiar, y presentó medias superiores en todas las dimensiones del autoconcepto. En ambos grupos, se obtuvieron valores aceptables de fiabilidad (AU)

This paper analyses the five-factor structure of the AF5 Self-Concept Questionnaire in dance practitioners and non-practitioners. The responses of 1630 adults (490 dancers and 1.240 non dance practitioners) were analysed using structural equation modelling. The oblique factorial structure, proposed by the author’s scale, resulted in a better fit than two alternative structures (one-factor and orthogonal configurations), and was invariant across the two groups. Nevertheless, the factorial means and correlations of the physical with the professional and family dimensions were higher in the dancer group. Reliability was good for both the dancer and non-practitioners group (AU)

A longitudinal study of psychosocial distress in breast cancer: prevalence and risk factors.

This longitudinal study was conducted among 102 women with non-metastasic breast cancer to identify the time evolution and prevalence of distress at specific times through diagnosis and treatment of disease: preliminary diagnosis, surgery, definitive diagnosis and chemotherapy. Additionally, the study aimed to examine the role of demographic, medical and psychosocial factors on distress. The results indicated that prevalence of distress was higher at initial diagnosis (25%) than the following time points (approximately 17%). The differences inter-individuals in the levels of distress were observed over the four assessments. No relation between distress and demographic and medical factors was found. However, psychosocial aspects were significant risk factors. Patterns of emotional suppression and specific coping responses like helplessness/hopelessness, anxious preoccupation, cognitive avoidance and fatalism were positively related to distress, whereas fighting spirit and perceived social support showed a protective role. Moreover, helplessness/hopelessness and anxious preoccupation jointly predicted 75% of cases and 98% non-cases of distress. Finally, a mediational model between emotional suppression and distress through helplessness/hopelessness was tested. Results support the necessity of routine distress screening all through the illness. Implications of data for psychosocial interventions with breast cancer patients are highlighted.

The relationships of family and classroom environments with peer relational victimization: an analysis of their gender differences.

This study analyzes the relationships of adolescents' perceptions of their family and classroom environments with peer relational victimization, taking into account that these relationships could be mediated by adolescents' self-esteem, feelings of loneliness, and sociometric status. These relationships, and their possible gender differences, were analyzed in a sample of 1319 Spanish adolescents (48% boys and 52% girls), ages 11 to 16 years (M = 13.7, SD = 1.5). A structural equation modeling was calculated for boys and girls separately. The findings suggested that the adolescents' self-esteem, loneliness, and sociometric status had a significant direct effect on peer relational victimization for boys, and adolescents' loneliness and sociometric status for girls. Their perceptions of family and classroom environments had a significant indirect effect on peer relational victimization for boys and girls, but the paths were different. Overall, findings suggested that a negative classroom environment had a more relevant effect in relational victimization for boys.

Emotional suppression and breast cancer: validation research on the Spanish Adaptation of the Courtauld Emotional Control Scale (CECS).

Emotional suppression has played an important role in the research on psychosocial factors related to cancer. It has been argued to be an important psychological factor predicting worse psychosocial adjustment in people with cancer and it may mediate health outcomes. The reference instrument in the research on emotional suppression is the Courtauld Emotional Control Scale (CECS). The present study analysed construct validity of a new Spanish adaptation of the CECS in a sample of 175 breast cancer patients. The results confirmed the proposal by Watson and Greer claiming that the CECS is composed of three subscales that measure different dimensions, but not independent, from emotional control. The present Spanish version of the CECS showed high internal consistency in each subseale as well as the total score. According to Derogatis (BSI-18) criteria, emotional suppression predicts clinically significant distress. In short, our results support the reliability, validity and utility of this Spanish adaptation of the CECS in clinical and research settings.

The relationships of family and classroom environments with peer relational victimization: an analysis of their gender differences

This study analyzes the relationships of adolescents’ perceptions of their family and classroom environments with peer relational victimization, taking into account that these relationships could be mediated by adolescents’ self-esteem, feelings of loneliness, and sociometric status. These relationships, and their possible gender differences, were analyzed in a sample of 1319 Spanish adolescents (48% boys and 52% girls), ages 11 to 16 years (M = 13.7, SD = 1.5). A structural equation modeling was calculated for boys and girls separately. The findings suggested that the adolescents’ self-esteem, loneliness, and sociometric status had a significant direct effect on peer relational victimization for boys, and adolescents’ loneliness and sociometric status for girls. Their perceptions of family and classroom environments had a significant indirect effect on peer relational victimization for boys and girls, but the paths were different. Overall, findings suggested that a negative classroom environment had a more relevant effect in relational victimization for boys (AU)

Este estudio analiza las relaciones entre las percepciones que los adolescentes tienen de su clima familiar y escolar y la victimización relacional entre iguales, teniendo en cuenta que estas relaciones pueden estar mediadas por la autoestima, los sentimientos de soledad y el estatus sociométrico de los adolescentes. Estas relaciones, y sus posibles diferencias de género, fueron analizadas en una muestra de 1319 adolescentes españoles (48% chicos y 52% chicas) con edades comprendidas entre los 11 y los 16 años (M = 13.7, DT = 1.5). Un mismo modelo de ecuaciones estructurales fue calculado de forma separada para chicos y chicas. Los resultados sugirieron efectos directos significativos de la autoestima, la soledad y el estatus sociométrico de los adolescentes en la victimización relacional para los chicos, y de la soledad y el estatus sociométrico para las chicas. Las percepciones de los adolescentes del clima familiar y del clima escolar mostraron efectos indirectos significativos en la victimización relacional para chicos y chicas, pero las trayectorias eran diferentes. En general, los resultados sugirieron que para los chicos un clima escolar negativo tenía un efecto más relevante en la victimización relacional (AU)

Emotional suppression and breast cancer: validation research on the spanish adaptation of the Courtauld Emotional Control Scale (CECS)

Emotional suppression has played an important role in the research on psychosocial factors related to cancer. It has been argued to be an important psychological factor predicting worse psychosocial adjustment in people with cancer and it may mediate health outcomes. The reference instrument in the research on emotional suppression is the Courtauld Emotional Control Scale (CECS). The present study analysed construct validity of a new Spanish adaptation of the CECS in a sample of 175 breast cancer patients. The results confirmed the proposal by Watson and Greer claiming that the CECS is composed of three subscales that measure different dimensions, but not independent, from emotional control. The present Spanish version of the CECS showed high internal consistency in each subscale as well as the total score. According to Derogatis (BSI-18) criteria, emotional suppression predicts clinically significant distress. In short, our results support the reliability, validity and utility of this Spanish adaptation of the CECS in clinical and research settings (AU)

La supresión emocional ha jugado un papel importante en la investigación de los factores psicosociales relacionados con el cáncer. Se ha discutido que es un importante factor psicológico que predice un peor ajuste psicosocial en las personas que sufren cáncer y que puede mediar los resultados médicos. El instrumento de referencia en la investigación acerca de la supresión emocional es el Courtauld Emotional Control Scale (CECS). El presente estudio analiza la validez de constructo de una nueva adaptación española del CECS en una muestra de 175 pacientes con cáncer de mama. Los resultados confirman la estructura propuesta por Watson y Greer para el instrumento, compuesta de tres subescalas que evalúan distintas dimensiones no independientes, del control emocional. La presente versión española del CECS mostró una elevada consistencia interna de cada una de las subescalas y de la puntuación total. Además la supresión emocional predice el distrés clínico significativo, según criterios de Derogatis (BSI-18). En resumen, nuestros resultados respaldan la fiabilidad, validez y utilidad de la adaptación española del CECS en contextos clínicos y de investigación (AU)

Diseño y análisis de la potencia: n y los intervalos de confianza de las medias / Design and power analysis: n and confidence intervals of means

En este estudio se analiza la validez del criterio del 80% de potencia estadística para que no se solapen las medias de los intervalos de confianza (IC). Varias simulaciones indican que la potencia mínima para que los límites de dos medias no se solapen, cuando el IC está en el 95%, es de 0,80; pero cuando el IC está en el 99%, es 0,86; y cuando el IC está en el 90%, es 0,75. Si hay más de dos medias, la potencia mínima aumenta considerablemente. Siendo todavía mayor este aumento cuando las medias poblacionales no aumentan monotónicamente. Por lo tanto, para garantizar que los límites no se solapen, en la mayoría de las situaciones analizadas es necesario calcular directamente el mínimo número de observaciones, siendo de poca utilidad los criterios convencionales de la potencia mínima de 0,80

In this study, we analyzed the validity of the conventional 80% power. The minimal sample size and power needed to guarantee non-overlapping (1 - a)% confidence intervals for population means were calculated. Several simulations indicate that the minimal power for two means (m= 2) to have non-overlapping CIs is .80, for (1 - a) set to 95%. The minimal power becomes .86 for 99% CIs and .75 for 90% CIs. When multiple means are considered, the required minimal power increases considerably. This increase is even higher when the population means do not increase monotonically. Therefore, the often adopted criterion of a minimal power equal to .80 is not always adequate. Hence, to guarantee that the limits of the CIs do not overlap, most situations require a direct calculation of the minimum number of observations that should enter in a study

Psychometric properties of the Brief Symptom Inventory-18 in a Spanish breast cancer sample.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this work was to study the psychometric and structural properties of the Brief Symptom Inventory-18 (BSI-18) in a sample of breast cancer patients (N=175). METHODS: Confirmatory factor analyses were conducted. Two models were tested: the theoretical model with the original structure (three-dimensional), and the empirical model (a four-factor structure) obtained through exploratory factor analysis initially performed by the authors of the BSI-18. RESULTS: The eligible structure was the original proposal consisting of three dimensions: somatization, depression, and anxiety scores. These measures also showed good internal consistency. CONCLUSION: The results of this study support the reliability and structural validity of the BSI-18 as a standardized instrument for screening purposes in breast cancer patients, with the added benefits of simplicity and ease of application.