The Hierarchical Factor Structure of the Spanish Version of Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale -21

The Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) is one of the most widely used self-reports for the measurement of emotional symptoms. However, some controversy remains concerning its factor structure. Additionally, more data of the psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the DASS-21 are needed. The aim of this study was to explore the hierarchical factor structure of the DASS-21 and to further analyze its psychometric properties in Spain and Colombia. Four samples with a total of 2980 participants completed the Spanish version of the DASS-21. Two of the samples were composed of undergraduates of each country and the other two samples were recruited online. The results strongly supported a hierarchical factor structure of the DASS-21 consisting of three first-order factors (depression, anxiety, and stress) and one second-order factor (emotional symptoms). Initial evidence of measurement invariance was found for country (Spain vs. Colombia) and sample (undergraduates vs. online). The DASS-21 showed good psychometric properties in all samples. The DASS-21 seems to be a good option to measure emotional symptoms in Spain and Colombia, and its hierarchical factor structure indicates that it provides general and specific measures of emotional symptoms that are theoretically meaningful (AU)

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Usefulness of WISC-IV in Determining Intellectual Giftedness.

Several studies question the usefulness of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC-IV) in determining giftedness due to the importance of speed in some of its subtests, which may penalize children of high intellectual level. This study analyzes the factor structure of the WISC-IV of gifted children based on confirmatory factor analysis. Participants were eighty-seven gifted children from Spain (6-13 years old). Score discrepancies were also examined for the main indexes: Verbal Comprehension, Processing Speed, Working Memory and Perceptual Organization. Results pointed out four models with a good fit from the five models analyzed: a two-factor model according to GAI subscales (RMSEA = .001, p = .84), a four-factor first-order model including main indexes (RMSEA = .05, p = .19), a four-factor model with g as a direct factor (RMSEA = .001, p = .84) and a four-factor model with g as an indirect higher-order factor (RMSEA = .05, p = .13). Discrepancies were found between Verbal Comprehension and Processing Speed, and between Perceptual Organization and Processing Speed. Verbal Comprehension yielded the highest score, whereas the lowest scores were obtained in Processing Speed and Working Memory. These results support the use of this scale in the assessment and diagnosis of Spanish children with a high intellectual level.

Usefulness of WISC-IV in determining intellectual Giftedness

Several studies question the usefulness of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC-IV) in determining giftedness due to the importance of speed in some of its subtests, which may penalize children of high intellectual level. This study analyzes the factor structure of the WISC-IV of gifted children based on confirmatory factor analysis. Participants were eighty-seven gifted children from Spain (6-13 years old). Score discrepancies were also examined for the main indexes: Verbal Comprehension, Processing Speed, Working Memory and Perceptual Organization. Results pointed out four models with a good fit from the five models analyzed: a two-factor model according to GAI subscales (RMSEA = .001, p = .84), a four-factor first-order model including main indexes (RMSEA = .05, p = .19), a four factor model with g as a direct factor (RMSEA = .001, p = .84) and a four-factor model with g as an indirect higher-order factor (RMSEA = .05, p = .13). Discrepancies were found between Verbal Comprehension and Processing Speed, and between Perceptual Organization and Processing Speed. Verbal Comprehension yielded the highest score, whereas the lowest scores were obtained in Processing Speed and Working Memory. These results support the use of this scale in the assessment and diagnosis of Spanish children with a high intellectual level (AU)

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Estabilidad temporal del CI y potencial de aprendizaje en niños superdotados: implicaciones diagnósticas / Temporal stability of IQ and learning potential in gifted children: di-agnostic implications

Tradicionalmente la determinación de la sobredotación se ha realizado con tests tradicionales de inteligencia. El principal argumento para hacerlo ha sido la estabilidad temporal de esta medida. En los últimos años algunos autores defienden una determinación temprana de la sobredotación en niños, aunque otros señalan que la determinación del C.I. en niños pequeños arroja un número importante de falsos positivos debido a la variabilidad de la medida de la inteligencia por influencia de diferentes factores tales como la plasticidad cerebral, la estimulación, etc…, por lo que proponen el uso de índices complementarios para el diagnóstico de sobredotación. En este trabajo se realiza un estudio longitudinal de dos años a 49 niños de entre 5 y 9 años, -inicialmente identificados como superdotados-, para comprobar la estabilidad de su C.I. y de otras medidas tales como el potencial de aprendizaje y la memoria de trabajo. Los resultados muestran como las medidas de potencial de aprendizaje y memoria de trabajo permanecen estables en el tiempo mientras que el C.I. de un grupo de niños de menor edad no se mantiene en dicho periodo. Estos resultados señalan la utilidad de las medidas de P.A. como un índice complementario en la determinación de la sobredotación en niños pequeños

Traditionally the determination of the giftedness has performed with traditional intelligence tests. The main argument to do so has been the temporal stability of this measure. In recent years some authors defend a determination early giftedness in children, although others point out that toddlers evaluation produces a significant number of false positives due to the variability in the measurement of intelligence by different factors such as plasticity, stimulation, etc.., therefore proposed the use of complementary indices for giftedness diagnosis. This paper presents a longitudinal study of two years to 49 children aged between 5 and 9 years, initially identified as gifted, to check the stability of your IQ and other measures such as the learning potential and working memory. The results show how learning potential and working memory measures remain stable in time while the IQ of a group of younger children is not maintained during this period. These results indicate the usefulness of P.A. measures as a supplementary index in the determination of the giftedness on young children

Valoración de un programa de habilidades interpersonales en niños superdotados / Evaluation of an interpersonal skills program in gifted children

Algunos trabajos de investigación informan que cierto número de niños superdotados muestran problemas de adaptación social y habilidades sociales e interpersonales, mientras que otros consideran que esto no ocurre. Partiendo de lo anterior, Neihart, Reis, Robinson y Moon (2002) hablan de enfoque de resiliencia versus enfoque de riesgo. En este trabajo se considera el beneficio de aplicar programas de entrenamiento en habilidades interpersonales en niños superdotados para prevenir posibles problemas. Por ello, se pretende valorar la eficacia de un programa de entrenamiento en resolución de problemas interpersonales en esta población. En esta investigación participaron 40 niños superdotados de edades comprendidas entre 7 y 13 años, divididos en un grupo tratamiento y un grupo control de lista de espera. Los resultados mostraron diferencias significativas en las medidas de valoración directa en el grupo tratamiento tras la aplicación del programa. También se detectaron diferencias significativas entre el grupo tratamiento y el grupo control en las medidas postratamiento a favor del primero, y se confirmó la relación del potencial de aprendizaje de los niños con los beneficios obtenidos. En definitiva, el programa de entrenamiento se muestra eficaz en la mejora de las habilidades de solución de problemas interpersonales evaluadas en niños superdotados.

Certain research studies report that a number of gifted children show social adaptation issues, as well as problems with social and interpersonal skills, while others consider that this does not occur. In this regard, Neihart, Reis, Robinson and Moon (2002) speaks of a resilience approach versus a risk approach. From the risk viewpoint, this paper presents the benefits of applying training programs in interpersonal skills as to prevent potential problems in gifted children. For this reason, we aim to evaluate the effectiveness of a training program for solving interpersonal problems in this population. Participants include 40 gifted children aged 7 to 13, divided into a treatment group and a control - waitlisted - group. Program application results show significant differences in direct assessment measurements in the treatment group. An increase in effect sizes between the treatment group and the control group is also detected, in favor of the former, and a relationship between the children's learning potential and the benefits obtained is also confirmed. In short, the training program proves effective in interpersonal problem-solving skill improvement in children with high intellectual capacity.

Impacto de una campaña escolar de prevención de riesgos / Assessment of a school campaign on risk prevention

La prevención de accidentes infantiles, como estrategia dirigida a la posterior prevención de riesgos laborales se ha convertido en un tópico de gran interés por sus ventajas en incidencia, transversalidad y economía, por ello parece interesante la valoración del impacto de este tipo de acciones. En este estudio se presenta la valoración de una campaña de prevención de accidentes infantiles aplicada en la comunidad andaluza, denominada: “Aprende a Crecer con Seguridad”. La campaña pretende mejorar la “cultura de la prevención” en la población infantil con la finalidad de que estos conocimientos se generalicen y repercutan en el futuro sobre la prevención de accidentes laborales. Para valorar la campaña se ha empleado un diseño quasiexperimental pre/post con Grupo Control no equivalente con la aplicación de diversos instrumentos de evaluación elaborados a tal efecto. Los resultados muestran diferencias significativas del Grupo Experimental en conocimientos sobre prevención y en la generalización de estos conocimientos al ámbito laboral. Así mismo, se concluye que en los pueblos grandes y en las capitales los conocimientos sobre riesgos y prevención son superiores a los pueblos pequeños y que los participantes con mayores conocimientos sobre prevención tienen menor tasa de accidentalidad(AU)

The prevention of child accidents as a strategy for the subsequent prevention of risks at work has become a very interesting topic due to its advantages in terms of incidence, transversality and economy. Therefore, the assessment of the impact of this kind of actions seems to be worthwhile. This paper describes the assessment of a campaign for the prevention of child accidents carried out in Andalusia under the headline “Learn how to grow up safely.” This campaign aims at improving “prevention culture” among the population of children so that this knowledge eventually lead to the prevention of work accidents in the future. Program assessment was performed through a quasi-experimental pre/post design with a non-equivalent control group. Results show that the experimental group had a significant higher knowledge on prevention that was in turn extended to the workplace. As a conclusion, it appears that knowledge on risks and prevention is higher in big towns and capitals than in small towns. Finally, it is noteworthy that participants with higher knowledge on prevention have a lower accident rate(AU)