Emotional Uses of Facebook and Twitter: Its Relation With Empathy, Narcissism, and Self-Esteem in Adolescence.

Facebook and Twitter have change interpersonal relationships. Adolescents are the sector of the population who use most these networks. They use them in an emotional way, to express their emotions and to comment on those of others. Empathy, narcissism, and self-esteem may play an important role in the use of these networks. Using a sample of 503 Spanish adolescents (272 males, 231 females), this work studies the relationship between the Basic Empathy Scale, the Narcissistic Personality Inventory, the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, and emotional and empathic use of Facebook and Twitter. The results showed that those who use Facebook and Twitter have higher scores in empathy. It has been observed that certain ways of using these two social networks are associated with narcissism. Greater use of Facebook and Twitter is associated with lower self-esteem.

Characteristics of Empathy in young people measured by the Spanish validation of the Basic Empathy Scale / Características de la empatía en jóvenes medidas con la adaptación española de la Escala de Empatía Básica

BACKGROUND: Empathy is a personality feature that can play a major role in predicting the emotional and social functioning of adolescents (Jolliffe & Farrington, 2006). Recent research confirms the existence of two fundamental dimensions embedded within this construct, Affective Empathy (experiencing a congruent emotional response with another person) and Cognitive Empathy (understanding rationally the emotions of another person). The Basic Empathy Scale (Jolliffe & Farrington, 2006) is an up-to-date instrument which has been reported to satisfactorily measure these two dimensions. METHOD: We used a sample of 752 adolescents (339 males, 413 females) aged 14-25 who completed the Spanish adaptation of BES. RESULTS: Confirmatory factor analysis showed that the Spanish adaptation of the scale had the same bi-factorial structure as the original (CFI = .93). This adaptation also showed both satisfactory reliability (Cronbach's alpha coefficient > .92) and discriminant and convergent validity with regard to measurements of Narcissism, Psychoticism and Agreeableness. Females were found to have higher scores than males both in Affective and Cognitive Empathy. Both subscales show a direct significant correlation with age. CONCLUSIONS: The evidence suggested that this revised scale possessed good psychometric properties for evaluating empathy in Spanish young people

ANTECEDENTES: la empatía es una variable de personalidad que predice buena parte del funcionamiento emocional y social de los jóvenes (Jolliffe y Farrington, 2006). La investigación reciente confirma la existencia de dos dimensiones fundamentales en este constructo: la empatía afectiva -capacidad para experimentar una respuesta emocional semejante a la de otra persona- y la empatía cognitiva -capacidad para comprender racionalmente las emociones de otra persona-. La Escala de Empatía Básica (Jolliffe y Farrington, 2006) es un instrumento que evalúa satisfactoriamente estas dos dimensiones. MÉTODO: una muestra de 752 jóvenes (339 varones, 413 mujeres; 14-25 años) completó una adaptación española de la EEB. RESULTADOS: el análisis factorial confirmatorio mostró que la adaptación española de esta escala tenía la misma estructura bifactorial que la original (CFI= .93). Esta adaptación mostró una fiabilidad satisfactoria (alfa de Cronbach>.92), así como validez discriminante y convergente respecto a medidas del Narcisismo, Psicoticismo y Amabilidad. También se encontró una mayor puntuación en Empatía, tanto Afectiva como Cognitiva, en las mujeres frente a los hombres. Ambas subescalas presentan una correlación directa significativa con la edad. CONCLUSIONES: esta escala se confirma como un instrumento en español con buenas propiedades psicométricas para la evaluación de la empatía

Characteristics of Empathy in young people measured by the Spanish validation of the Basic Empathy Scale.

BACKGROUND: Empathy is a personality feature that can play a major role in predicting the emotional and social functioning of adolescents (Jolliffe & Farrington, 2006). Recent research confirms the existence of two fundamental dimensions embedded within this construct, Affective Empathy (experiencing a congruent emotional response with another person) and Cognitive Empathy (understanding rationally the emotions of another person). The Basic Empathy Scale (Jolliffe & Farrington, 2006) is an up-to-date instrument which has been reported to satisfactorily measure these two dimensions. METHOD: We used a sample of 752 adolescents (339 males, 413 females) aged 14-25 who completed the Spanish adaptation of BES. RESULTS: Confirmatory factor analysis showed that the Spanish adaptation of the scale had the same bi-factorial structure as the original (CFI = .93). This adaptation also showed both satisfactory reliability (Cronbach’s alpha coefficient > .92) and discriminant and convergent validity with regard to measurements of Narcissism, Psychoticism and Agreeableness. Females were found to have higher scores than males both in Affective and Cognitive Empathy. Both subscales show a direct significant correlation with age. CONCLUSIONS: The evidence suggested that this revised scale possessed good psychometric properties for evaluating empathy in Spanish young people.

Sedentary versus active leisure activities and their relationship with sleeping habits and body mass index in children of 9 and 10 years of age.

A random sample of 291 9- and 10-year-old schoolchildren from Asturias (Spain) was taken. Using path analysis, a model was tested in which bedtime, the number of hours spent sleeping and leisure activities were the independent variables and the body mass index was the dependent variable. The results show that sedentary and active leisure time and hours spent sleeping are predictors of the body mass index in children. Those children who go to bed late and who use that extra time to watch the television or play with the computer tend to have a greater body mass index, while those children who go to bed earlier and have spent more time reading or playing in the park or at home have a lower body mass index. Encouraging active leisure activities can have an extremely positive effect on their body mass index.

Working in direct contact wit the public as a predictor of Burnout in the Banking sector / La atención al cliente como predictor del síndrome de quemarse en el trabajo en el sector bancario

BACKGROUND: This study investigated the presence of the burnout syndrome amongst employees of the banking sector. This topic is of particular interest owing to recent changes in working conditions and the controversial commercial strategies employed in this sector in recent years. METHOD: A total of 1,341 professionals, 883 men and 458 women took part in the study. A Spanish version of the Maslach Burnout Inventory-General Survey was used, via electronic mail. RESULTS: The results revealed that at least 55.78% of the sample showed a high risk of burnout in at least two of the dimensions. The workers in commercial branch offices dealing with the general public showed a greater risk of burnout than those working in central services. CONCLUSIONS: The risk of burnout was higher than in other professions considered to be at risk and appears to be more closely associated with work-related stress and the controversial commercial strategies employed in the sector in recent years than with the possibility of cuts in salary. Psychological intervention programs aimed at stress management would be a recommendable way of helping employees address problems of this kind

ANTECEDENTES: este estudio ha evaluado la presencia del síndrome de estar quemado en el trabajo entre los empleados del sector bancario. Este interés surge por el cambio en las condiciones laborales que está viviendo y las prácticas comerciales conflictivas que ha llevado a cabo en los últimos años. MÉTODO: participaron un total de 1.341 profesionales, 833 hombres y 456 mujeres. Se utilizó la versión española del Maslach Burnout Inventory-General Survey (MBI-GS) vía electrónica. RESULTADOS: los resultados mostraron que el 55,78% de la muestra presentaba alto riesgo de SQT en al menos dos dimensiones del mismo. Los trabajadores de las oficinas comerciales que trabajan con el público mostraron un riesgo mayor que los de servicios centrales de burnout. CONCLUSIONES: el riesgo de burnout fue más alto que el de otras profesiones consideradas de riesgo y parece estar más relacionado con el estrés laboral y las controvertidas prácticas comerciales usadas en los últimos años en el sector que con la probabilidad de un recorte salarial. Se sugiere la utilización de programas de manejo del estrés para afrontar los conflictos en el puesto de trabajo

Working in direct contact with the public as a predictor of burnout in the banking sector.

BACKGROUND: This study investigated the presence of the burnout syndrome amongst employees of the banking sector. This topic is of particular interest owing to recent changes in working conditions and the controversial commercial strategies employed in this sector in recent years. METHOD: A total of 1,341 professionals, 883 men and 458 women took part in the study. A Spanish version of the Maslach Burnout Inventory-General Survey was used, via electronic mail. RESULTS: The results revealed that at least 55.78% of the sample showed a high risk of burnout in at least two of the dimensions. The workers in commercial branch offices dealing with the general public showed a greater risk of burnout than those working in central services. CONCLUSIONS: The risk of burnout was higher than in other professions considered to be at risk and appears to be more closely associated with work-related stress and the controversial commercial strategies employed in the sector in recent years than with the possibility of cuts in salary. Psychological intervention programs aimed at stress management would be a recommendable way of helping employees address problems of this kind.

Terapia de activación conductual en pacientes con cáncer / Behavioral activation treatment for cancer patients

Objetivo: Valorar la eficacia de la Terapia de Activación Conductual con pacientes con cáncer de pulmón y cáncer de mama durante el tratamiento oncológico. Procedimiento: Se establecen como criterio de resultado: frecuencia e intensidad de síntomas de enfermedad y/o trata-miento; afectación de la autonomía personal, actividad doméstica, laboral, ocio, relaciones familiares y sociales y alteraciones emocionales. Los datos se recogen mediante escalas estandarizadas (IK, HAD, QLQ-C30), autoinforme y entrevista clínica en cada sesión de tratamiento y en un seguimiento de tres meses. Se empleó un grupo control que ocupó el mismo número de sesiones en la evaluación de la calidad de vida. El total de participantes con cáncer de mama fueron 54 (G.C.: N = 29 / G.E.: N = 25) y con cáncer de pulmón 84 (G.C.: N = 37 / G.E.: N = 47). Resultados: Los análisis de comparación inter e intra grupos indican que entre los pacientes con cáncer de pulmón, el G.E. presenta significativamente menos pérdida de apetito, dificultades para dormir, ansiedad, depresión y mayor recuperación de actividades cotidianas y de ocio. Entre los pacientes con cáncer de mama no hay diferencias entre grupos pero el efecto tiempo resultó significativo en la evolución negativa del cansancio y la fatiga. Conclusiones: los pacientes que, durante el tratamiento con quimioterapia, mantienen sus actividades cotidianas y de ocio no presentan alteraciones emocionales. La activación conductual puede contribuir a mejorar la calidad de vida y prevenir alteraciones emocionales (AU)

Aim: In this research was evaluated the efficacy of the behavioural activation therapy in patients suffering lung cancer and breast cancer along the oncologic treatment. Measures: The variables used as outcome criterion were: frequency and intensity of the illness symptoms and/o medical treatment; affectation of personal autonomy, daily life activity, leisure, work activity, family and social relationships and emotional disturbances. Data were collected through standardized scales (IK, HAD, QLQ-C30), self-report and clinical interview in each of the treatment sessions and three months follow-up. The control group underwent the same number of sessions of assessment. The total number of participants with breast cancer was 54 (control group 29 and experimental group 25) and lung cancer 84 (control group 37 and experimental group 47. Results: The subjects of the experimental group of lung cancer showed a higher recovery of daily life activities and leisure and less difficulty sleeping, anxiety, depression and less loss of appetite. In the breast cancer no differences were found between groups but the effect of time was significant in the variables tiredness and fatigue. Conclusions: The patients that, during chemotherapy treatment, maintain their daily activities and leisure activities do not show emotional disturbances. The behavioural activation can contribute to improving the quality of life and prevent emotional disturbances in cancer (AU)

Calidad de Vida en Pacientes oncológicos un año después de finalizado el tratamiento / Quality of life in cancer patients a year one year after tan the treatment was finished

Objective: To describe the Quality of Life (QL) parameters one year after than the oncology treatment was finished. Methods: 53 patients were assessed using semi-structured interviews, standardized questionnaires and records covered by the patient and doctor. Results: The total scores of QL were high. However, a high prevalence of chronic symptoms as pain (39.6%), fatigue (37.75), sleep disturbances (32.1%), lost of appetite (18,9%) and depressing mood (41,1%) was described by the patients. Moreover, the emotional state, daily life and leisure activities were the aspects of the patients life more affected through that year. Conclusions: The total score of QL is an unspecific figure but no the others variables that have a great effect on the oncology patient through the treatment. On these specific variables intervention are required (AU)

Objetivo: Describir los parámetros y los predictores de la CV un año después de finalizado el tratamiento oncológico. Método: Se evaluaron un total de 53 pacientes mediante entrevistas semiestructuradas, cuestionarios estandarizados y autoregistros cumplimentados por los pacientes y el médico. Resultados: Las valoraciones generales de calidad de fueron altas. Se encontró una alta prevalencia de síntomas experimentados de forma continua como el dolor (39,6%), cansancio (37,7%), alteraciones de sueño (32,1%) y pérdida de apetito (18,9%). El estado de ánimo deprimido fue referido por un 41,1% de los pacientes. Los cambios emocionales, en las actividades domésticas y en el ocio fueron los aspectos más alterados de la rutina del paciente. En las valoraciones de CV realizadas por el paciente y el médico influyeron diversas y distintas variables. Conclusiones: Las valoraciones globales de CV son puntuaciones inespecíficas mientras que son aspectos concretos y distintos en cada momento del proceso oncológico los que afectan a la CV de los pacientes y sobre los que se requerirían intervenciones específicas (AU)

Effects of diets and their role in weight control.

This study examines the secondary effects of hypocaloric diets. The results show that the positive short-term effects with regards health are not maintained in the long term, as most people eventually return to their original weight. A description is given of how psychological reasons are more important than biological mechanisms when explaining this failure and stress is put on how carrying out successive hypocaloric diets can result in a subgroup of people becoming overweight or obese. Furthermore, an analysis is made of the relationship between diets, eating disorders and the "yo-yo effect", which is in turn associated with a rise in morbimortality due to a wide range of causes. As an alternative to the indiscriminate use of hypocaloric diets, a strategy based on the modification of lifestyle is suggested in order to control weight and improve health.

Efecto de la valoración negativa del personal de enfermería sobre la medida de la presión arterial. Implicaciones en la etiología de la hipertensión de bata blanca / The consequences of a nurse´s negative evaluation of a blood pressure reading. Implications for the etiology of white-coat hypertension

El objetivo de este trabajo fue mostrar cómo una valoración negativa hecha por la enfermera sobre los resultados de la medida de la presión arterial (PA) puede inducir una elevación de la PA en la siguiente medida. Participaron en este estudio 25 sujetos normotensos a los que se les había dicho que iban a participar en un estudio epidemiológico de la PA y que fueron asignados a dos grupos. A los sujetos del grupo experimental, tras tomarles por primera vez la tensión arterial, se les sugería que su tensión era normal pero alta para su edad. En el grupo control se sugería que su tensión era normal para su edad. Los resultados mostraron que este comentario provocó un incremento significativo de la PA diastólica en grupo experimental. Se discuten las implicaciones de este efecto sobre la denominada hipertensión de bata blanca desde el punto de vista de la teoría de la incubación

The aim of this study was to show how a nurses negative evaluation of a blood pressure (BP) reading can cause an increase in BP in the following reading. Twenty-five subjects with normal pressure who had been informed that they were to participate in an epidemiological BP study took part and they were divided into two groups. After taking the first BP reading, participants from the experimental group were informed that their pressure was normal but high for their age, whereas those in the control group were told that their pressure was normal for their age. The results showed that this comment caused a significant increase in the diastolic BP of the experimental group. The theoretical and clinical implications of this reaction are discussed in relation to the phenomenon known as White-Coat Hypertension from the perspective of the theory of incubation

[The consequences of a nurse's negative evaluation of a blood pressure reading. Implications for the etiology of white-coat hypertension]. / Efecto de la valoración negativa del personal de enfermería sobre la medida de la presión arterial. Implicaciones en la etiología de la hipertensión de bata blanca.

The aim of this study was to show how a nurses negative evaluation of a blood pressure (BP) reading can cause an increase in BP in the following reading. Twenty-five subjects with normal pressure who had been informed that they were to participate in an epidemiological BP study took part and they were divided into two groups. After taking the first BP reading, participants from the experimental group were informed that their pressure was normal but high for their age, whereas those in the control group were told that their pressure was normal for their age. The results showed that this comment caused a significant increase in the diastolic BP of the experimental group. The theoretical and clinical implications of this reaction are discussed in relation to the phenomenon known as White-Coat Hypertension from the perspective of the theory of incubation.

[Depression secondary prevention in primary care]. / Prevención secundaria de la depresión en atención primaria.

UNLABELLED: In order to analyse efficacy, effectiveness and efficiency of several depression secondary prevention programs, three group interventions were developed in Primary Care Centres: cognitive-behavioral therapy, promotion of one's coping resources therapy (just paying attention to abilities, without training) and social support. The sample was composed by 60 people with from-mild-to-moderate depressive symptoms, who were randomly assigned either to any of the treatments or to a control group (waiting list). Psychopathology, quality of life and attendance to mental health services variables were assessed at pretest, posttest and two follow-up evaluations, 6 and 12 months afterwards. OUTCOMES: both therapies had more efficacy, effectiveness and efficiency compared to the social support group, and this one was better than the waiting list.

Calidad de vida informada por pacientes oncológicos paliativos. Relaciones con el informe médico y estado emocional / Quality of life as reported by palliative cancer patients. Relationship with medical report and emotional state

Objetivo: analizar la utilidad clínica de los datos acerca de la calidad de vida (QL) informada por pacientes oncológicos en situación paliativa. Sujetos y Método: 107 pacientes del Servicio de Oncología del Hospital de Cabueñes de Gijón (España) cumplimentaron los cuestionarios QL-CA-AFex, HAD y Duke-UNC y un protocolo clínico. Los sujetos se asignaron aleatoriamente a distintos grupos de seguimiento (uno, dos, tres o seis meses). Se utilizaron coeficientes de correlación para analizar la relación entre la QL y la situación clínica, estado emocional y apoyo social. Se empleó el ANOVA para estudiar las diferencias en la QL en función de las variables analizadas. Resultados: la QL no se deterioró con la progresión de la enfermedad. Los aspectos más relacionados con la QL fueron los síntomas y, en segundo lugar, los aspectos psicológicos. Se comprobó la capacidad del QL-CA-AFex para discriminar entre grupos de pacientes realizados en función de diversas variables clínicas

Aim: to analyse the clinical usefulness of data regarding quality of life (QL) as reported by oncology patients in a palliative situation. Subjects and Method: 107 patients from the cancer department of Cabueñes Hospital in Gijón (Spain) completed the questionnaires QL-CA-Afex, HAD and Duke-UNC and a clinical protocol. In a second evaluation, the subjects were assigned at random to different assessment groups (one, two, three or six months). Correlation coefficients were used to analyse the relationship between the QL and the clinical situation, emotional state and social support. The ANOVA was used to study the differences in the QL with regard to the variables analysed. Results: The quality of life did not diminish as the disease progressed. The aspects most closely related to the QL were the symptoms of illness and, secondly, psychological aspects. The validity of the QL-CA-Afex when distinguishing between groups of patients formed according to various clinical variables was tested

Seis actuaciones del profesional de enfermería para prevenir los falsos diagnósticos de hipertensión La hipertensión de bata blanca y el efecto de bata blanca / Six performances of the nurse in order to prevent an erroneous diagnosis of essential hypertension: white coat hypertension and white coat effect

La hipertensión de bata blanca (HBB) puede considerarse como un falso diagnóstico de hipertensión que puede provocar tratamientos farmacológicos innecesarios, afectar a la calidad de vida de las personas e incrementar de un modo notable el gasto sanitario. Se calcula que la prevalencia de la HBB se situaría en torno a un 20% de los pacientes diagnosticados como hipertensos. Las investigaciones experimentales subrayan que la enfermera obtiene, en general, medidas más fiables de la presión arterial (PA) que los médicos y que por ello puede desempeñar un papel fundamental para prevenir estos falsos diagnósticos. En esta línea se subrayan seis actuaciones profesionales que contribuirían de manera decisiva para prevenir estos errores

White coat hypertension (WCH) can be considerated an erroneous diagnosis of essential hypertension and can represents a serious problem when we consider the clinical and pharmacological and economic consequences of an incorrect blood pressure measurement. The prevalence of WCH is situated around 20% of the patients diagnosed as having high blood pressure. The results from different studies point out that the nurses usually obtain more reliable blood pressure readings than the doctors, because of that they can play an important role in the control of WCH. In relation to this a total of six specific recommendations are put forward with the aim of preventing an erroneous diagnosis of essential hypertension