Eating Problems in Adolescents and Youths: Explanatory Variables.

This study had the following goals: (1) to analyze the differences between participants with and without risk of eating disorders (ED) in self-esteem, happiness, depression, anxiety, anger, and psychological variables related to ED; (2) to determine possible differences in the group at risk of ED on these variables as a function of sex; and (3) to determine which variables explain the risk of ED. Eight assessment instruments were administered to 1.075 participants (74.6% without risk of ED and 25.4% at risk). The results confirmed: (1) Significant differences such that the without-risk group scored higher on self-esteem and happiness, and lower on depression, anxiety, anger, ED-related variables, and perceived weight (large effect size: η2 = .49; r = .70); (2) Within the at-risk group, males scored higher on body self-esteem, general self-esteem, and anger-state, while females scored higher on perceived weight, state-trait depression, state-trait anxiety, inefficiency, interoceptive awareness, and asceticism (large effect size: η2 = .31; r = .56); and (3) The explanatory variables in both sexes were: for drive for thinness - perceived weight, inefficiency, and impulsivity; for bulimia - body self-esteem; and for body dissatisfaction - inefficiency, perceived weight, anxiety-trait, and happiness. The study provides relevant variables for designing ED prevention and/or treatment programs.

Efectos de Cyberprogram 2. 0 en factores del desarrollo socioemocional / Effects of Cyberprogram 2. 0 on Factors of Socio-Emotional Development. / Efeitos de Cyberprogram 2. 0 em fatores do desenvolvimento sócio-emocional.

Objetivo. Desde los años ochenta, la violencia entre iguales ha suscitado una gran preocupación dentro de la comunidad científica y ha generado un intenso debate social. El principal objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar los efectos de un programa antibullying (Cyberprogram2.0) en factores del desarrollo socioemocional y en la violencia. Método. La muestra estuvo compuesta por 176 adolescentes españoles, de 13 a 15 años (77 hombres, 99 mujeres), de los cuales 93 fueron asignados aleatoriamente a la condición experimental y 83 a la de control. Se empleó un diseño cuasi-experimental postest con grupo de control equivalente. El programa contiene actividades para prevenir/reducir el bullying/cyberbullying. La intervención consistió en realizar 19 sesiones de una hora de duración durante un curso escolar. Al finalizar la intervención, se administró el Cuestionario de Evaluación del Programa CEP-Cyberprogram-2.0. Resultados. Los ANOVA postest confirmaron que el programa estimuló una mejora significativa de los experimentales en diversas cogniciones, emociones y conductas asociadas al desarrollo socioemocional y a la disminución de la violencia (F [41,134] = 58.82, p < 0.001; n² = 0.95; r = 0.97). La intervención afectó similarmente a ambos sexos. Conclusión. La discusión se centra en la importancia de implementar programas para prevenir la violencia y fomentar el desarrollo socioemocional.

Objective. Peer violence has raised much concern within the scientific community since the 1980s, generating an intense social debate. The main goal of the study was to assess the effects of an antibullying program (Cyberprogram 2,0) on factors of socio-emotional development and on violence. Method. A sample of 176 Spanish adolescents was used, aged between 13 and 15 years (77 males, 99 females), of whom 93 were randomly assigned to the experimental condition and 83 to the control condition. We used a quasi-experimental posttest design with an equivalent control group. The program contains activities to prevent and reduce bullying/ cyberbullying. The intervention consisted of 19 one-hour sessions carried out during the school term. After completing the intervention, the CEP-Cyberprogram-2.0 Assessment Questionnaire was administered. Results. The posttest ANOVAs confirmed that the program stimulated a significant improvement in the experimental adolescents in diverse cognitions, emotions, and behaviors associated with socio-emotional development and a decrease of violence, (F[41,134] = 58.82, p < 0.001; n² = 0.95; r = 0.97). The intervention affected both sexes similarly. Conclusion. The discussion focuses on the importance of implementing programs to prevent violence and promote socio-emotional development.

Escopo. Desde a década dos 80's, a violência entre iguais tem suscitado uma grande preocupação dentro da comunidade científica e tem gerado um intenso debate social. O principal objetivo de este estudo foi avaliar os efeitos de um programa antibullying (Cyberprogram 2.0) em fatores do desenvolvimento sócio-emocional e na violência. Metodologia. A amostra esteve composta por 176 adolescentes espanhóis, de 13 a 15 anos (77 homens, 99 mulheres), dos quais 93 foram assignados aleatoriamente à condição experimental e 83 à de controle. Foi empregado um desenho quase-experimental post-teste com um grupo de controle equivalente. O controle contem atividades para prevenir/reduzir o bullying/cyberbullying. A intervenção consistiu em fazer 19 sessões de uma hora de duração durante um curso escolar. Ao finalizar a intervenção, foi administrado o Questionário de Avaliação do Programa CEP-Cyberprogram-2.0. Resultados. Os ANOVA post-teste confirmaram que o programa estimulou uma melhora significativa dos experimentais em diversas cognições, emociones e condutas associadas ao desenvolvimento sócio-emocional e à diminuição da violência (F[41,134] = 58.82, p < 0.001; n² = 0.95; r = 0.97). A intervenção afetou similarmente em ambos sexos. Conclusão. A discussão está centrada na importância de implementar programas para prevenir a violência e fomentar o desenvolvimento sócio-emocional.

Eating problems in adolescents and youths: explanatory variables

This study had the following goals: (1) to analyze the differences between participants with and without risk of eating disorders (ED) in self-esteem, happiness, depression, anxiety, anger, and psychological variables related to ED; (2) to determine possible differences in the group at risk of ED on these variables as a function of sex; and (3) to determine which variables explain the risk of ED. Eight assessment instruments were administered to 1.075 participants (74.6% without risk of ED and 25.4% at risk). The results confirmed: (1) Significant differences such that the without-risk group scored higher on self-esteem and happiness, and lower on depression, anxiety, anger, ED-related variables, and perceived weight (large effect size: η2 = .49; r = .70); (2) Within the at-risk group, males scored higher on body self-esteem, general self-esteem, and anger-state, while females scored higher on perceived weight, state-trait depression, state-trait anxiety, inefficiency, interoceptive awareness, and asceticism (large effect size: η2 = .31; r = .56); and (3) The explanatory variables in both sexes were: for drive for thinness - perceived weight, inefficiency, and impulsivity; for bulimia - body self-esteem; and for body dissatisfaction - inefficiency, perceived weight, anxiety-trait, and happiness. The study provides relevant variables for designing ED prevention and/or treatment programs (AU)

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Empatía y resolución de conflictos durante la infancia y la adolescencia: Empathy and conflict resolution during infancy and adolescence

La investigación ha puesto de relieve la conexión entre la empatía y la capacidad para resolver conflictos. El estudio tuvo tres objetivos: (a) analizar si existen diferencias entre sexos y cambios evolutivos en empatía y resolución de conflictos, (b) explorar las relaciones entre empatía y resolución de conflictos, y (c) identificar variables predictoras de empatía. El estudio utilizó una metodología descriptiva y correlacional de corte transversal. La muestra fue de 941 participantes de 8 a 15 años, 509 chicos y 432 chicas, del País Vasco (España). Los resultados confirmaron lo siguiente: (a) Las chicas tienen puntuaciones superiores en empatía en todas las edades; durante la infancia la empatía no aumenta, y durante la adolescencia se confirma un incremento con la edad pero únicamente en las chicas, (b) Las chicas utilizan más estrategias de resolución de conflictos positivas-cooperativas y los chicos más agresivas; el uso de estrategias positivas-cooperativas no aumenta con la edad, y (c) Se confirman correlaciones positivas entre empatía y resolución de conflictos cooperativa, y negativas con resolución agresiva; las variables predictivas de la empatía son: ser mujer, utilizar muchas estrategias de resolución positivas-cooperativas de conflictos y poco agresivas. El trabajo permite concluir que, en estas edades, las chicas tienen nivel superior en la capacidad de empatía y de resolución de conflictos, pero no se observan importantes cambios evolutivos. Además, los resultados sugieren la importancia de implementar programas que incluyan actividades para fomentar la empatía ya que incidirán positivamente en la capacidad de resolución cooperativa de conflictos.

Research has revealed the connection between empathy and the capacity to resolve conflicts. The purpose of this study is three-fold: (a) to analyze sex differences and developmental changes in empathy and conflict resolution; (b) to explore the relations between empathy and conflict resolution; (c) to identify predictors of empathy. The study used a descriptive, correlational, and cross-sectional methodology. The sample comprised 941 participants aged 8 to 15 years, 509 boys and 432 girls, from the Basque Country (Spain). The results confirm that: (a) The girls score higher in empathy at all ages; empathy does not increase during childhood, and, an increase with age is confirmed during adolescence, but only in girls; (b) The girls use more positive-cooperative conflict-resolution strategies and the boys use more aggressive strategies; the use of positive-cooperative strategies does not increase with age; (c) Positive correlations between empathy and cooperative conflict resolution and negative correlations with aggressive resolution are confirmed; the predictors of empathy are: being female, using many positive-cooperative conflict-resolution strategies and few aggressive strategies. The work allows us to conclude that, at these ages, girls have a higher capacity of empathy and of conflict resolution, but no important developmental changes are observed. Moreover, the results suggest the importance of implementing programs that include activities to promote empathy because they will have a positive impact on the capacity to solve conflicts cooperatively.

Evaluación del perdón: Diferencias generacionales y diferencias de sexo / Assessment of forgiving: Generational and sex differences

Este estudio tiene dos objetivos: 1) analizar la capacidad de perdón en función de la edad y sexo, y 2) investigar dos aspectos relacionados con el perdón, su definición y las circunstancias o razones que lo facilitan. La metodología del estudio es descriptiva y comparativa. La muestra se configura con 140 participantes, 70 hijos y 70 padres, de ambos sexos y con edades entre 17-25 años y 45-60 años, respectivamente. Los participantes más jóvenes fueron reclutados en instituciones educativas en el país Vasco (España). Para medir las variables dependientes, se utilizan dos instrumentos: la escala de evaluación de la capacidad de perdonar, CAPER, y la escala del perdón y factores facilitadores, ESPER. Los resultados indican que los padres tienen más capacidad de perdón que sus hijos y las mujeres más que los varones. En la definición del perdón, padres e hijos tienen similares concepciones: "falta de rencor, reconciliación y comprensiónempatía"; sin embargo, varones y mujeres tienen más diferencias, aunque para ambos "la falta de rencor" es la primera característica que define el perdón. Sobre las razones que facilitan el perdón, se observan diferencias en función de la edad y del sexo; pese a las diferencias, "que haya arrepentimiento de la otra parte y se pida perdón" así como "que se haga justicia por medio de la ley", son los argumentos que mayor peso tienen. Se discuten las implicaciones de estos resultados.

This study had two goals: 1) to analyze the ability to forgive as a function of age and sex, and 2) to investigate two aspects related to forgiveness, its definition and the circumstances or reasons that facilitate it. The methodology of the study is descriptive and comparative. The sample is made up of 140 participants, 70 sons and daughters and 70 parents, of both sexes and aged between 17-25 and 45-60 years, respectively. The younger participants were recruited from educational institutions from the pais Vasco (Spain). Two instruments were used to measure the dependent variables: CAPER, a scale to assess the ability to forgive, and ESPER, a scale of forgiveness and facilitating factors. The results indicate that parents are more capable of forgiving than their children and women capable more than men. With respect to the definition of forgiveness, parents and children appear to hold similar conception of forgiveness: "lack of resentment, reconciliation and comprehension-empathy"; however, there are differences between men and women, although for both of them, the "lack of resentment" is the first feature that defines forgiveness. Regarding the reasons that facilitate forgiveness, differences as a function of age and sex were observed; despite the differences, the weightiest arguments were "the other person should feel sorry about what he or she did and should apologize" and "justice should be carried out through the law". Implications are discussed.

[Psychometric study of the Children's Behavior Problem Screening Test SPCI]. / Estudio psicométrico del Screening de Problemas de Conducta Infantil SPCI.

The main purpose of the study was to create a screening test for children's behavior problems (SPCI) and to carry out psychometric analyses of its reliability and validity. The sample comprised 1,272 participants, 671 boys and 601 girls, ages between 5 and 12 years, of whom 937 randomly selected individuals had no clinical diagnosis, and 335 intentionally selected individuals had a clinical diagnosis (criterial groups). The results obtained reveal that the SPCI: 1) has high internal consistency; 2) it allows discrimination of children with and without behavior problems; children with and without emotional problems; and children with and without intellectual problems, which confirms its criterial validity; 3) more differences were found between boys and girls in the non-clinical sample (somatization, anxiety, dependent children, attention-hyperactivity, disruptive behavior, academic performance, violent behaviour) than in the clinical sample (attention-hyperactivity, disruptive behavior, academic performance, violent behaviour). However, in the total screening, the results was significantly higher in boys in both groups. Factor analysis revealed two factors, internalizing and externalizing behavior problems.

Estudio psicométrico del Screening de Problemas de Conducta Infantil SPCI / Psychometric study of the Children’s Behavior Problem Screening Test SPCI

El estudio realizado tuvo como objetivo principal crear un screening de problemas de conducta infantil (SPCI) y llevar a cabo análisis psicométricos de fiabilidad y validez del mismo. La muestra se configuró con 1.272 participantes, 671 niños y 601 niñas entre 5 y 12 años, 937 sin diagnóstico clínico, seleccionados aleatoriamente y 335 con diagnóstico, seleccionados intencionalmente (grupos criteriales). Los resultados obtenidos evidenciaron que el SPCI: 1) tiene alta consistencia interna; 2) permite discriminar niños con y sin problemas de conducta; niños con y sin problemas emocionales; y niños con y sin problemas intelectuales, lo que ratifica su validez criterial; 3) se encontraron más diferencias de género en la muestra no clínica (somatización, ansiedad, infantil-dependiente, atención hiperactividad, conducta perturbadora, rendimiento académico, conducta violenta) que en la clínica (atención-hiperactividad, conducta perturbadora, rendimiento académico, conducta violenta). No obstante, en el total del screening en ambos grupos, las diferencias de género fueron significativas con puntuaciones superiores en los niños. El análisis factorial evidenció 2 factores, problemas de conducta de expresión internalizante y externalizante (AU)

The main purpose of the study was to create a screening test for children’s behavior problems (SPCI) and to carry out psychometric analyses of its reliability and validity. The sample comprised 1,272 participants, 671 boys and 601 girls, ages between 5 and 12 years, of whom 937 randomly selected individuals had no clinical diagnosis, and 335 intentionally selected individuals had a clinical diagnosis (criterial groups). The results obtained reveal that the SPCI: 1) has high internal consistency; 2) it allows discrimination of children with and without behavior problems; children with and without emotional problems; and children with and without intellectual problems, which confirms its criterial validity; 3) more differences were found between boys and girls in the non-clinical sample (somatization, anxiety, dependent children, attention- hyperactivity, disruptive behavior, academic performance, violent behaviour) than in the clinical sample (attention-hyperactivity, disruptive behavior, academic performance, violent behaviour). However, in the total screening, the results was significantly higher in boys in both groups. Factor analysis revealed two factors, internalizing and externalizing behavior problems(AU)

Gender differences in socioemotional factors during adolescence and effects of a violence prevention program.

PURPOSE: The study had two aims: 1) to analyze the existence of gender differences in socioemotional developmental factors, and 2) to apply a program of education for peace and prevention of violence to determine whether the pretest-posttest change in socioemotional developmental factors differs as a function of gender. METHODS: The sample comprised 285 adolescents, aged 15-16 years, including 162 experimental subjects and 123 control subjects. An experimental design of repeated pre-posttest measures with a control group was used, and four assessment instruments were administered. RESULTS: Analyses of variance confirmed significantly higher scores in the female adolescents in cognitions of rejection of violence, prosocial cognitions, cooperative conflict solving, positive strategies for coping with violence, and positive social behaviors. Male adolescents obtained significantly higher scores in cognitions of acceptance of violence, aggressive conflict solving, aggressive strategies for coping with violence, and negative social behaviors. The pre-post change in most of the factors of socioemotional development assessed was similar in both sexes. CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest the need to reflect on and modify the type of childrearing and socialization patterns that are promoted in males so that they will favor the development of skills oriented toward warm interpersonal relations, nonaggressive communication, positive social behaviors, internal control of anger, empathy, etc. Results also suggest including supplementary modules for males when designing interventions to prevent violence.

El test de siluetas: un estudio exploratorio de la distorsión e insatisfacción con la imagen corporal en adolescentes / The silhouette test: an exploratory study of body-image distortion and dissatisfaction in adolescents

Dada la prevalencia de las alteraciones de la imagen corporal en poblaciones cada vez más jóvenes y su asociación con los Trastornos de la Conducta Alimentaria, se realizó un estudio sobre el Test de Siluetas a fin de conocer los índices de Distorsión e Insatisfacción en población no clínica, su posible relación con el Índice de Masa Corporal y explorar las variables explicativas de estas alteraciones. La muestra fue de 126 chicas y 119 chicos de 14 a 17 años de nivel socioeconómico medio-alto. Los instrumentos de evaluación fueron el Test de Siluetas, el Índice de Masa Corporal y el Inventario de la Conducta Alimenticia (EDI-2). Los resultados indican que ambas variables, Distorsión e Insatisfacción son más frecuentes en chicas que en chicos, que el Índice de Masa Corporal mediatiza los resultados y que la Insatisfacción está más relacionada con las alteraciones de la conducta alimentaria que la Distorsión. El Índice de Masa Corporal, la Insatisfacción y la variable Ascetismo del EDI-2 explican el 49% de la varianza de Distorsión, mientras que la Obsesión por la Delgadez, el Índice de Masa Corporal y la Distorsión explican el 61,8% de la Insatisfacción.