Análisis psicométrico del Cuestionario de Empatía de Toronto, aplicado a una muestra española / Psychometric analysis of the Tornto Empathy Questionnaire applied to a spanish sample

La medición de la empatía presenta problemas asociados tanto a la propia definición, como a la naturaleza del constructo, así como a la escasez de investigación sobre el mismo. Como consecuencia, los profesionales disponen de un número limitado de pruebas psicométricas dedicadas a su medición. Por ello, el presente trabajo tiene como finalidad analizar las propiedades psicométricas de una versión en español del Toronto Empathy Questionnaire, un instrumento diseñado para medir de forma unidimensional la empatía, así como su adecuación para su uso en población española en actividades de investigación. Ha sido aplicado a una muestra heterogénea compuesta por 573 sujetos, 65% mujeres (N=373) y 35% hombres (N=201). Los resultados indicaron que para obtener una prueba parsimoniosa se debería crear una escala reducida de 11 ítems, en lugar de los 16 ítems de la escala original. La nueva escala no sería estrictamente unidimiensional, debido a que en el Análisis Factorial Exploratorio fueron aislados cuatro componentes, agrupados en torno a tres dimensiones diferentes.

The measurement of empathy presents problems associated with both the definition itself and the nature of the construct, as well as the scarcity of research on it. As a consequence, professionals have a limited number of psychometric tests dedicated to its measurement. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the psychometric properties of the Toronto Empathy Questionnaire, a tool for measuring empathy in a unidimensional way, as well as its suitability for use in the Spanish population in research activities. It has been applied to a heterogeneous sample made up of 573 subjects, 65% women (N=373) and 35% men (N=201). The results indicated that to obtain a parsimonious test, a reduced scale of 11 items should be created, instead of the 16 items of the original scale. The new scale would not be strictly unidimensional, because in the Exploratory Factor Analysis four components were isolated, grouped around three different dimensions.

Coral-bleaching responses to climate change across biological scales.

The global impacts of climate change are evident in every marine ecosystem. On coral reefs, mass coral bleaching and mortality have emerged as ubiquitous responses to ocean warming, yet one of the greatest challenges of this epiphenomenon is linking information across scientific disciplines and spatial and temporal scales. Here we review some of the seminal and recent coral-bleaching discoveries from an ecological, physiological, and molecular perspective. We also evaluate which data and processes can improve predictive models and provide a conceptual framework that integrates measurements across biological scales. Taking an integrative approach across biological and spatial scales, using for example hierarchical models to estimate major coral-reef processes, will not only rapidly advance coral-reef science but will also provide necessary information to guide decision-making and conservation efforts. To conserve reefs, we encourage implementing mesoscale sanctuaries (thousands of km2 ) that transcend national boundaries. Such networks of protected reefs will provide reef connectivity, through larval dispersal that transverse thermal environments, and genotypic repositories that may become essential units of selection for environmentally diverse locations. Together, multinational networks may be the best chance corals have to persist through climate change, while humanity struggles to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases to net zero.

Satellite Remote Sensing for Coastal Management: A Review of Successful Applications.

Management of coastal and marine natural resources presents a number of challenges as a growing global population and a changing climate require us to find better strategies to conserve the resources on which our health, economy, and overall well-being depend. To evaluate the status and trends in changing coastal resources over larger areas, managers in government agencies and private stakeholders around the world have increasingly turned to remote sensing technologies. A surge in collaborative and innovative efforts between resource managers, academic researchers, and industry partners is becoming increasingly vital to keep pace with evolving changes of our natural resources. Synoptic capabilities of remote sensing techniques allow assessments that are impossible to do with traditional methods. Sixty years of remote sensing research have paved the way for resource management applications, but uncertainties regarding the use of this technology have hampered its use in management fields. Here we review examples of remote sensing applications in the sectors of coral reefs, wetlands, water quality, public health, and fisheries and aquaculture that have successfully contributed to management and decision-making goals.

La representación social de los malos tratos infantiles en la familia: Factores psicosociales que influyen en la percepción de las conductas de maltrato / Social representation of child maltreatment in the family: Psychosocial factors that influence perceived maltreatment behaviors

En este estudio se analiza la representación social de los malos tratos infantiles desde una perspectiva psicosocial y entendiendo el maltrato desde el modelo del bienestar del menor. Los objetivos son: analizar las representaciones sociales en función del género, la edad, la paternidad/maternidad y la experiencia personal en relación con el maltrato y determinar las falsas creencias y mitos que predicen la percepción de la gravedad y la frecuencia del maltrato. La muestra está formada por 261 sujetos, mujeres y hombres con edades comprendidas entre los 18 y 89 años. Los participantes fueron elegidos al azar y entrevistados individualmente. Los resultados obtenidos muestran que el género condiciona el concepto de maltrato infantil haciendo que hombres y mujeres piensen de forma diferente respecto a su gravedad y frecuencia. La edad determina la representación de la gravedad del maltrato de forma que los jóvenes atribuyen mayor severidad a las conductas. La experiencia de maltrato afecta a la gravedad del maltrato percibido, declarando menor severidad los que piensan que han sido maltratados. La gravedad y la frecuencia de las conductas analizadas no son agrupadas por los participantes atendiendo a la naturaleza del maltrato sino a la cualidad de la conducta y a su severidad (AU)

In this study the social representation of child abuse is analyzed from a psychosocial perspective. Abuse is considered from the child welfare model. The main objectives are (1) to analyze social representation of abuse according to gender, age, parenthood and personal experience and (2) to identify false beliefs and myths that predict the perception of severity and frequency of abuse. The sample consisted of 261 subjects, both men and women aged between 18 and 89. Participants were randomly selected and individually interviewed. The results show that gender affects the concept of child abuse -men and women think differently about severity and frequency of abuse. Age determines the representation of the severity of abuse, so that young people take the abuse behavior more severely. The experience of abuse affects the severity of perceived mistreatment -those who think they have been mistreated take it less severely. Severity and frequency of abuse behaviors are grouped by the participants based not on the nature of abuse but on the quality and severity of the behaviour (AU)