The Behavioral, Emotional, and Social Skills Inventory: A Spanish Adaptation and Further Validation in Adult Population.

Social, emotional, and behavioral (SEB) skills encompass a broad range of interpersonal and intrapersonal abilities that are crucial for establishing and maintaining relationships, managing emotions, setting and pursuing goals, and exploring new learning opportunities. To address the lack of consensus regarding terminology, definition, and assessment of SEB skills, Soto et al. developed the Behavioral, Emotional, and Social Skills Inventory (BESSI), which consists of 192 items, 32 facets, and 5 domains. The objective of the current study was to adapt the BESSI to Spanish (referred to as BESSI-Sp) and enhance the overall understanding of the BESSI framework. A sample of 303 people was employed with a mean age of 30.35 years (SD = 14.73), ranging from 18 to 85 years. The results indicate that the BESSI-Sp demonstrates strong psychometric properties. Its facet- and domain-level structure aligns with the theoretical expectations and closely resembles the English-language source version. The facets exhibit high reliability (mean ω = .89), and the scores demonstrate adequate stability after 3 to 4 weeks (mean rICC = .77). The BESSI-Sp also displays evidence of convergent validity and integrates well with the Big Five framework, providing incremental validity for various outcomes. We discuss the implications of these findings for the assessment of SEB skills and future research in this field.

Professional quality of life and fear of COVID-19 among Spanish nurses: A longitudinal repeated cross-sectional study.

AIM AND OBJECTIVES: To evaluate changes in compassion fatigue (CF), burnout (BO), compassion satisfaction (CS) and fear of COVID-19 among Spanish nurses by comparing two assessment points: before and after the COVID-19 vaccination campaign. BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has produced a great impact in healthcare worker's professional quality of life, especially among nurses. CF, BO and fear of COVID-19 decisively affect the care provided by nurses and put them at risk for mental health problems, so longitudinal studies are essential. DESIGN: A repeated cross-sectional design was carried out with a time-lapse of 12 months. METHODS: A total of 439 registered nurses in December 2020 and 410 in December 2021 participated in this study through an online survey. Data were collected using the Professional Quality of Life Questionnaire and the Fear of COVID-19 Scale. Occupational and sociodemographic variables were also analysed. This article adheres to the STROBE guidelines for the reporting of observational studies. RESULTS: The fear of COVID-19 has not been reduced among nurses. The levels of BO remain stable and continue to be high in half of the professionals. CF has been reduced with a small effect size (d = 0.30), while CS has also decreased (d = 0.30). Positive correlations were found in both assessment points between fear of COVID-19 and BO (r = .44, p ≤ .001; r = .41, p ≤ .001) and also between fear of COVID and CF (r = .57, p ≤ .001; r = .50, p ≤ .001). Negative correlations between fear and CS were also found (r = - .16, p = .001; r = - .22, p ≤ .001). RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Programmes to reduce fear of COVID-19, BO and CF are needed to improve mental health and to prevent psychological distress among nurses, as well as to increase CS and preserve the productivity and quality of nursing care. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: The nurses collaborated by participating in the present study anonymously and disinterestedly.

Development and preliminary validation of the Postpartum Psychotic Experiences Scale (PPES).

Despite the emerging research interest in postpartum psychotic experiences, there is still a lack of measures for specifically measuring this construct. The contribution of this paper is to design and validate a novel self-report measure, the Postpartum Psychotic Experiences Scale (PPES), to screen for attenuated psychotic symptoms during postpartum. This cross-sectional study was conducted from September 2022 until June 2023, enrolling 438 women 4-6 weeks after delivery. Starting from an initial pool of 22 items, both Exploratory Factor Analysis and Confirmatory Factor Analysis suggested that remaining 15 items loaded on one factor (α = 0.95). The PPES showed good convergent validity with the Prodromal Questionnaire-Brief scale (correlations >0.8) and good concurrent validity with postpartum depression and anxiety scales. A PPSE score of 8.5 (sensitivity=85.2%, specificity=78.6%) was defined as the optimal cutoff point. At this cutoff, 47% of participating women were considered at possible risk for postpartum psychosis. This study provides, for the first time, a specific self-report measure to assess postpartum PEs reliably and validly. We hope that the PPES will facilitate routine screening for PEs after childbirth among women who are predisposed to developing postpartum psychosis.

Psychometric properties of the Problematic Use of Social Networks (PUS) scale in Arabic among adolescents.

BACKGROUND: The Problematic Use of Social Networks (PUSN) scale assesses for the first time the comparative use of social networks along with addictive tendencies. However, it has only been validated in a Spanish sample. This study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Arabic version of the PUSN (PUSN-Ar) among Lebanese adolescents. METHODS: A total of 379 adolescents aged between 15 to 18 years (M = 16.07 years; 64.9% females) participated in this cross-sectional study conducted between January and May 2022. The problematic use of social networks-SNS (PUSN) scale yields of two subscales: addiction-related consequences of SNS use (SNS-ARC) and negative social comparison (SNS-NSC). The Beirut Distress Scale, the Smartphone Addiction Scale and the Jong-Gierveld Loneliness Scale were used to assess psychological distress, smartphone addiction and loneliness respectively. RESULTS: The PUS-Ar scale exhibited a two-dimensional structure (Comparative Fit Index [CFI] = .97; Root Mean Square Error of Approximation [RMSEA] = .08), consistent with the original scale. Both subscales, Negative Social Comparison (α = .96) and Addictive Consequences (α = .92), demonstrated excellent reliability. Additionally, measurement invariance was verified between males and females at the configural, metric and scalar levels. No significant difference was found between males and females in terms of SNS-NSC (20.75 ± 10.15 vs 21.09 ± 9.51; t(377) = -.32; p = .751) and SNS-ARC (19.08 ± 8.61 vs 19.76 ± 6.77; t(377) = -.79; p = .430). The SNS-ARC subscale was more correlated to smartphone addiction than the SNS-NSC (r = .73; p < .001 vs r = .54; p < .001) whereas both subscales were significantly associated with more stress and more loneliness. CONCLUSION: The data collected in this study provided support for all the hypotheses formulated. Consequently, the PUS-Ar was deemed a suitable scale to measure problematic SNS among Lebanese adolescents. The PUS-Ar is currently available to researchers for use in evaluating PSNSU in Lebanon. However, it is important to note that further research is needed to explore its applicability and generalizability across different populations and contexts.

Psychometric properties of the Arabic version of the Oviedo Grit Scale (A-EGO) in non-clinical adults from the general population.

BACKGROUND: Given the high clinical utility of grit, and the lack of measures that assess this construct among the Arabic-speaking populations, we propose to examine the psychometric properties of an Arabic translation of the Oviedo Grit Scale (A-EGO) in terms of internal consistency, factor structure, convergent validity, and measurement invariance in a sample of Lebanese adults from the general population. METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional, online study among 575 participants from the Lebanese general population (mean age = 26.28 years [SD: 8.83], 72.7% females). The unidimensional factorial structure of the A-EGO was analyzed by confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) using the MPlus8 program. The mean and variance adjusted weighted least squares (WLSMV) was used as the estimation method. The reliability of the scores, the evidence of validity in terms of measurement invariance and correlation with other variables were analyzed. RESULTS: The present results show that the 10 items of the A-EGO loaded on one factor. The internal consistency was excellent in our sample, as evidenced by a Cronbach's alpha value of .93. Multi-group confirmatory factor analyses demonstrated invariance across gender, governorate, and marital status at the configural, metric and scalar levels. Additionally, A-EGO scores showed moderate and positive correlations with self-control (r = .442), conscientiousness (r = .478), and productiveness facet (r = .506), supporting the convergent validity of the A-EGO. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that the A-EGO has good psychometric properties and can be recommended for the assessment of grit among the broader Arabic-speaking people worldwide. Making this scale available in the Arabic language will hopefully foster research in this area in Arab countries.

Problematic Use of Social Networks during the First Lockdown: User Profiles and the Protective Effect of Resilience and Optimism.

During the first lockdown, there was an increase in time spent using Social Networking Sites (SNS), which should be studied, as well as problematic SNS use. The present study has three objectives: to evaluate (i) the differences across gender and age and SNS type in increased SNS use, (ii) problematic SNS use during lockdowns, and (iii) the protective role of resilience and optimism on problematic SNS use. A total of 1003 participants (75.5% women) over 18 years old participated (M = 42.33; SD = 14.32 years). The use of SNS before and during lockdown, anxiety, depression, life satisfaction and problematic SNS use were evaluated. A repeated measures ANOVA and four regression analyses were calculated for the first objective regarding increased SNS use. Another linear regression analysis was calculated for the second objective regarding problematic SNS use. A correlational analysis has been performed to assess the protective roles of resilience and optimism. Differences in the increased use of SNS were found between the two time points and between the different types of SNS. Higher use of Instagram and YouTube was related to younger age. Being female was associated with higher Instagram use. Significant problematic use was found to be associated with younger age but was not dependent on gender. Higher levels of resilience and optimism were related to a lower level of problematic SNS use. SNS use during lockdown needs to be studied in order to understand factors that may protect against undesirable psychological consequences and support prevention programs.

To be Direct or not: Reversing Likert Response Format Items.

Likert items are often used in social and health sciences. However, the format is strongly affected by acquiescence and reversed items have traditionally been used to control this response bias, a controversial practice. This paper aims to examine how reversed items affect the psychometric properties of a scale. Different versions of the Grit-s scale were applied to an adult sample (N = 1,419). The versions of the scale had either all items in positive or negative forms, or a mix of positive and negative items. The psychometric properties of the different versions (item analysis, dimensionality and reliability) were analyzed. Both negative and positive versions demonstrated better functioning than mixed versions. However, the mean total scores did not vary, which is an example of how similar means could mask other significant differences. Therefore, we advise against using mixed scales, and consider the use of positive or negative versions preferable.

Using Social Networking Sites During Lockdown: Risks and Benefits.

BACKGROUND: Previous research about use of Social Networking Sites (SNS) use during the COVID-19 lockdown has examined benefits and risks of SNS use (i.e., support through SNS, problematic SNS use and interaction about COVID-19) without comparing them. This study has two objectives: (i) to evaluate which SNS uses (problematic SNS use and interaction about COVID-19 on SNS) predict increased emotional distress, and (ii) to analyse if social support and interaction about COVID-19 mediated the relationship between time spent on SNS and increased emotional distress. METHOD: A total of 1,003 participants (75.5% women) over 18 years old took part (M = 42.33; SD = 14.32 years). Three hierarchical linear regressions were performed for the first objective and a path analysis was performed for the second. RESULTS: Results showed that negative social comparison on SNS had the highest positive regression weight, followed by interaction about COVID-19 and addictive consequences. Also, an indirect effect of time spent on SNS on anxiety, depression, and life satisfaction through interaction about COVID-19 and support through SNS was found. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that comparative SNS use is the best predictor of emotional distress. The mediation model proposed was confirmed, highlighting the importance of assessing specific SNS uses.

Masculinidad y Feminidad: Una visión multidimensional / Masculinity and Femininity: A multidimensional approach

La investigación de la Masculinidad y la Feminidad posee una larga trayectoria. A pesar de ello, aún se continúa discutiendo sobre la naturaleza de estos conceptos. En el presente estudio, se presenta el desarrollo de la Escala de Roles de Género de Oviedo (ERGO). Se empleó una muestra de 612 participantes procedentes de la población general española (Maños = 34.2; DTaños = 15.9). Se estudió la dimensionalidad, los índices de discriminación, la fiabilidad y las evidencias de validez divergente y convergente del instrumento. Además, se estudiaron diferencias en rasgos generales (modelo Big Five) y específicos de personalidad en función del sexo, y se realizó un ANCOVA controlando las variables de Masculinidad y Feminidad. Se observó un buen ajuste a una estructura multidimensional de tres factores, con alfas de Cronbach indicando una fiabilidad buena (Socioemocional = .75; Comparación = .81; Agresividad = .77) y adecuadas evidencias de validez. Se observaron diferencias en función del sexo en varios rasgos de personalidad, pero, al controlar la Masculinidad y Feminidad, las diferencias desaparecieron. El ERGO es una prueba válida y fiable para el estudio de los roles de género. Se discute la implicación de una aproximación multidimensional de la Masculinidad y Feminidad.(AU)

The research on Masculinity and Femininity has a long history. Despite this, there is still discussion about the nature of these concepts. In the present study, the development of the Oviedo Gender Roles Scale (GRSO) is presented. A sample of 612 participants belonging to general Spanish population is used (Myears= 34.2; SDyears= 15.9). The dimensionali-ty, discrimination indices, reliability and evidence of convergent and diver-gent validity of the instrument were studied. In addition, differences in general (Big Five model) and specific personality traits based on sex were measured and an ANCOVA was performed controlling the variables of Masculinity and Femininity. A good fit to a three-factor multidimensional structure, with Cronbach’s alphas indicating good reliability (Socioemo-tional = .75; Comparison = .81; Aggressiveness = .77) and adequate evi-dence of validity were observed. Differences based on sex were observed in various personality traits, but when controlling for Masculinity and Fem-ininity, such differences disappeared. ERGO is a reliable and valid test for the study of gender roles. The implication of a multidimensional approach on Masculinity and Femininity is discussed.(AU)

Academic Self-Concept Dramatically Declines in Secondary School: Personal and Contextual Determinants.

Academic self-concept is one of the most important non-cognitive variables in determining students' attitudes towards school and their performance. The objective of this study was to use a longitudinal approach to analyze how academic self-concept changed between primary and secondary schools and to analyze the factors that affected that progression. The sample consisted of 7379 students (47.4% girls) evaluated at two time-points: fourth grade and eighth grade. Six schooling pathways were analyzed: repeating a year before fourth grade, repeating between fourth and eighth grade, and repeating eighth grade. Five two-level hierarchical linear models of intrasubject means were assessed. The results indicate that academic self-concept falls dramatically between primary school and secondary school, varying according to background variables. Nevertheless, the most influential factor was the students' schooling pathway. This study reinforces the evidence that, at least in the Spanish context, educational policies need to address alternatives to repetition.

The role of nurses' professional values during the COVID-19 crisis.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has produced high stress in nurses, affecting their professional quality of life. Different variables affect psychological stress response and professional quality of life. In this context, the role of professional values represents an interesting object of research. OBJECTIVES: To analyze the relationship between professional values, perceived stress, and professional quality of life among nurses during the COVID-19 crisis. RESEARCH DESIGN, PARTICIPANTS, AND RESEARCH CONTEXT: Descriptive cross-sectional study. Participants were 439 registered nurses from the public health system. Perceived stress, professional quality of life, and professional values were evaluated by using measuring instruments adapted and validated in the geographic context of research. Data were collected online in December 2020 during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Spain. ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS: This study was approved by the Ethics Committee on Clinical Research of the Principality of Asturias. FINDINGS: Within professional values, ethics obtained higher scores showing the primacy of ethical values among nurses. Moderate correlations between ethics, mastery, expertise, and compassion satisfaction were found. Frontline nurses informed high perceived stress. The correlations between professional values and compassion satisfaction were higher in non-frontline nurses. A moderate negative correlation between perceived stress and compassion satisfaction was found in both groups, which implies that the higher the stress, the lower the satisfaction in the helping relationship. CONCLUSION: Professional values positively influence compassion satisfaction during the COVID-19 pandemic. Compassion satisfaction presents a negative correlation with fatigue compassion and burnout in frontline and non-frontline nurses. Given the functionality of values both to guide clinical practice professionally and ethically, and prevent dissatisfaction with one's professional quality of life by reinforcing compassion satisfaction, it is necessary to reinforce them with an intensive and cross-sectional learning during the university training.

To be Direct or not: Reversing Likert Response Format Items

Likert items are often used in social and health sciences. However, the format is strongly affected by acquiescence and reversed items have traditionally been used to control this response bias, a controversial practice. This paper aims to examine how reversed items affect the psychometric properties of a scale. Different versions of the Grit-s scale were applied to an adult sample (N = 1,419). The versions of the scale had either all items in positive or negative forms, or a mix of positive and negative items. The psychometric properties of the different versions (item analysis, dimensionality and reliability) were analyzed. Both negative and positive versions demonstrated better functioning than mixed versions. However, the mean total scores did not vary, which is an example of how similar means could mask other significant differences. Therefore, we advise against using mixed scales, and consider the use of positive or negative versions preferable. (AU)

Using Social Networking Sites During Lockdown: Risks and Benefits / Uso de Redes Sociales Durante el Confinamiento: Riesgos y Beneficios

Background: Previous research about use of Social Networking Sites (SNS) use during the COVID-19 lockdown has examined benefits and risks of SNS use (i.e., support through SNS, problematic SNS use and interaction about COVID-19) without comparing them. This study has two objectives: (i) to evaluate which SNS uses (problematic SNS use and interaction about COVID-19 on SNS) predict increased emotional distress, and (ii) to analyse if social support and interaction about COVID-19 mediated the relationship between time spent on SNS and increased emotional distress. Method: A total of 1,003 participants (75.5% women) over 18 years old took part (M = 42.33; SD = 14.32 years). Three hierarchical linear regressions were performed for the first objective and a path analysis was performed for the second. Results: Results showed that negative social comparison on SNS had the highest positive regression weight, followed by interaction about COVID-19 and addictive consequences. Also, an indirect effect of time spent on SNS on anxiety, depression, and life satisfaction through interaction about COVID-19 and support through SNS was found. Conclusions: The results indicate that comparative SNS use is the best predictor of emotional distress. The mediation model proposed was confirmed, highlighting the importance of assessing specific SNS uses.(AU)

Introducción: Estudios previos durante el confinamiento por COVID-19 sobre el uso de Redes Sociales (RRSS) han examinado los beneficios y riesgos de diferentes usos (uso problemático, interacción sobre el COVID-19 y apoyo mediante RRSS), sin compararlos. Este estudio tiene dos objetivos: a) evaluar qué uso de RRSS predice mejor el incremento de distrés emocional, y b) analizar si el apoyo y la interacción sobre COVID-19 en RRSS media la relación entre el tiempo de uso y el distrés emocional. Método: La muestra constó de 1,003 participantes (75.5% mujeres) mayores de 18 años (M = 42.33; DT = 14.32). Se llevaron a cabo tres regresiones lineales jerárquicas para el primer objetivo y un path análisis para el segundo. Resultados: La comparación social negativa en RRSS tiene el mayor peso de regresión, seguido de interacción sobre el COVID-19 y consecuencias adictivas. Se ha obtenido un efecto indirecto del tiempo de uso sobre el distrés emocional a través de la interacción sobre COVID-19 y el apoyo mediante RRSS. Conclusiones: Los resultados indican que el uso comparativo de RRSS es el mejor predictor de distrés emocional. Se ha confirmado el modelo de mediación, enfatizando la importancia de la evaluación de usos específicos de RRSS.(AU)

Problematic Social Network Use: Structure and Assessment.

Using social networks (SNs) inappropriately can lead to psychological problems. The objective of this study was to develop a new measuring instrument of problematic use of SNs. The sample comprised 1003 participants over 18 years old (M = 42.33; SD = 14.32). Exploratory factor analysis was performed with a randomly selected 30% of the sample, and confirmatory factor analysis with the remaining 70%. The reliability of the instrument was estimated, and evidence of validity in relation to the variables-anxiety, depression and satisfaction with life-was obtained. The new scale demonstrated a two-dimensional structure (GFI =0.99; RMSEA= 0.06), with one factor of negative social comparison (α = 0.94) and another of addictive consequences (α = 0.91). Clear evidence of validity related to other variables was found. The new scale demonstrated good psychometric properties. The advantage of this questionnaire is that it assesses not only excessive use but also social comparison through SNs.

Resiliencia académica: la influencia del esfuerzo, las expectativas y el autoconcepto académico / Academic resilience: The influence of academic effort, expectations, and self-concept

Resumen Introducción: La resiliencia académica consiste en obtener altas calificaciones a pesar de hallarse en una desventaja socioeconómica. En el presente estudio se observó si el esfuerzo, las expectativas y el autoconcepto académicos forman parte de la resiliencia académica o estarían explicando un buen rendimiento académico en general. Método: Los participantes, una población de 7479 adolescentes españoles (M = 13.87; DT = 0.82), fueron divididos en cuatro grupos según el rendimiento académico (Bueno-Malo) y el nivel socioeconómico (Clase alta-Clase baja). Se realizaron análisis de diferencias y regresiones logísticas binarias para detectar cuál de las variables empleadas explicaba el rendimiento académico en los grupos de igual nivel socioeconómico. También se estudió si el sexo influía en la pertenencia a los grupos de buen rendimiento. Resultados: Se observaron diferencias en el esfuerzo, las expectativas y el autoconcepto académicos en función de los cuatro grupos creados; los grupos de buen rendimiento académico obtuvieron puntuaciones más altas independientemente del nivel socioeconómico. Se observó que las expectativas y el autoconcepto académicos explicaban gran parte del rendimiento académico. Se detectó una tasa de mujeres significativamente más alta con relación a la de hombres en los grupos de mayor rendimiento. Conclusiones: Muchas variables, que se han considerado propias de los alumnos académicamente resilientes, explican un buen rendimiento académico, en general, independientemente del nivel socioeconómico.

Abstract Introduction: Academic resilience is defined as getting high marks despite being at a socioeconomic disadvantage. In the present study, it was observed whether Academic Effort, Expectations and Self-Concept are part of academic resilience or would be explaining a good academic performance in general. Method: The participants, a population of 7479 Spanish adolescents (M = 13.87; SD = 0.82), were divided into four groups according to academic performance (Good-Bad) and socioeconomic level (Upper class-Lower class). Analysis of differences and binary logistic regressions were performed to detect which of the variables used explained the academic performance in the groups of the same socioeconomic level. It was also studied whether sex influenced membership in the good performance groups. Results: Differences in Academic Effort, Expectations and Self-concept were found according to the four groups created; the groups with good academic performance obtained higher scores regardless of socioeconomic level. Expectations and academic self-concept were found to explain much of academic performance. A significantly higher rate of women than men was found in higher performance groups. Conclusions: Many variables that have been considered typical of academically resilient students explain good academic performance in general, regardless of socioeconomic status.

Grit Assessment: Is One Dimension Enough?

Grit is one of the non-cognitive variables that has received the most attention in recent years given its relationship to and influence in various aspects of life. There are very few reliable, valid instruments to evaluate it in Spanish-speaking countries. Because of that, the aim of this study is the development and validation of a new scale to evaluate grit in Spanish-speaking contexts. We used a sample of 531 Spanish participants (60% women) from the general population (Myears = 38.60, SDyears = 14.90). We examined the structure and measurement invariance of the instrument. We calculated the instrument's reliability and obtained evidence of validity in relation to other variables. We examined the differences in grit as a function of gender and age. The factorial analyses confirmed the unidimensionality of the instrument, along with the measurement invariance of the scores with respect to sex and age. The new grit scale demonstrated excellent reliability (α = .94; ω = .94). We found clear evidence of validity in relation to other variables; the Grit short scale (r = .691), self-control (r = .595), self-efficacy (r = .703), and conscientiousness (r = .661). The new scale for evaluating grit (Oviedo Grit Scale) is essentially unidimensional, and scores produced by it exhibit excellent indicators of reliability and validity.