Dimensional structure of the Spanish version of the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS) in adolescents and young adults.

The main purpose of this study was to examine the dimensional structure of the Spanish version of the PANAS, using a large sample of adolescents and young adults (N = 1103, age range 14 to 23). Furthermore, measurement invariance across gender and educational level was tested. Confirmatory factor analyses revealed that a bifactor model and a 3-factor model Positive Affect (PA), Negative Affect (NA) Upset, and NA Afraid (PA and NA uncorrelated) provided the best fit to the data. Multigroup confirmatory factor analyses showed that the 3-factor model of the PANAS had strong measurement invariance across gender and educational level. Results showed statistically significant differences in the latent mean scores. University students scored higher than adolescents in PA, NA Upset, and NA Afraid. Men scored higher than women in PA. The PANAS scores also showed acceptable internal consistency scores (range from .80 to .86). The results found support for the PANAS as a brief and useful tool for the screening PA and NA in adolescents and young adult's populations. These findings hold implications for the study and use of the PANAS in nonclinical populations. Future studies should test measurement invariance of the PANAS scores across cultures. (PsycINFO Database Record

Evaluation of satisfaction in an extracurricular enrichment program for high-intellectual ability participants.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to evaluate the satisfaction of an extracurricular enrichment program of the cognitive and personal management of participants with high intellectual ability. METHOD: At the first time point, the sample consisted of n= 38 participants, and n= 20 parents; n= 48 participants at the second time point; and n= 60 participants at the third time point. The Satisfaction Questionnaire (CSA in Spanish), both for students (CSA-S) and for parents (CSA-P), was constructed. RESULTS: The CSA-S scores showed adequate psychometric properties. Exploratory factor analysis yielded a unidimensional structure. Cronbach’s alpha ranged between 85 and .86. Test-retest reliability was 0.45 (p<.05). The generalizability coefficient was .98. A high percentage of the sample was satisfied with the program, perceived improvements in cognitive and emotional management, motivation and interest in learning, and in the frequency and quality of their interpersonal relationships. CONCLUSIONS: The evaluation of educational programs is necessary in order to determine the efficacy and the effects of their implementation on the participants’ personal and intellectual management.

Evaluation of satisfaction in an extracurricular enrichment program for high-intellectual ability participants / Evaluación de la satisfacción de un programa de enriquecimiento extracurricular en participantes de alta capacidad intelectual

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to evaluate the satisfaction of an extracurricular enrichment program of the cognitive and personal management of participants with high intellectual ability. METHOD: At the first time point, the sample consisted of n= 38 participants, and n= 20 parents; n= 48 participants at the second time point; and n= 60 participants at the third time point. The Satisfaction Questionnaire (CSA in Spanish), both for students (CSA-S) and for parents (CSA-P), was constructed. RESULTS: The CSA-S scores showed adequate psychometric properties. Exploratory factor analysis yielded a unidimensional structure. Cronbach's alpha ranged between 85 and .86. Test-retest reliability was 0.45 (p<.05). The generalizability coefficient was .98. A high percentage of the sample was satisfied with the program, perceived improvements in cognitive and emotional management, motivation and interest in learning, and in the frequency and quality of their interpersonal relationships. CONCLUSIONS: The evaluation of educational programs is necessary in order to determine the efficacy and the effects of their implementation on the participants' personal and intellectual management

ANTECEDENTES: el objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar la satisfacción de un programa de enriquecimiento extracurricular para el desarrollo cognitivo y la gestión de recursos de los participantes de alta capacidad intelectual. MÉTODO: en el primer punto del tiempo la muestra fue de n= 38 participantes y n= 20 padres; n= 48 participantes en el segundo punto de tiempo; y n= 60 participantes en el tercer momento temporal. Se construyó el Cuestionario de Satisfacción (CSA), con una versión para el alumno (CSA-A) y otra para los padres (CSA-P). RESULTADOS: las puntuaciones CSA-A mostraron propiedades psicométricas adecuadas. Una estructura esencialmente dimensional fue encontrada cuando se llevó a cabo el análisis factorial exploratorio. El alfa de Cronbach osciló entre 0,85 y 0,86. La fiabilidad test-retest fue 0,45 (p < 0,05). El coeficiente de generalizabilidad fue de 0,98. Un alto porcentaje de la muestra se mostró satisfecho con el programa y percibió mejoras en gestión cognitiva y emocional, en la motivación y el interés hacia el aprendizaje, y en la frecuencia y calidad de sus relaciones interpersonales. CONCLUSIONES: la evaluación de los programas extracurriculares es necesaria con el fin de determinar la eficacia y los efectos de su aplicación en la gestión personal e intelectual de los participantes

Cluster A maladaptive personality patterns in a non-clinical adolescent population / Patrones desadaptativos de la personalidad del Cluster A en población adolescente no clínica / Patrones desadaptativos de la personalidad del Cluster A en población adolescente no clínica

Background: The prevalence and expression of Cluster A personality disorders in adolescence is poorly analyzed and understood. The main goal was to analyze the rate of Cluster A traits and maladaptive personality patterns in adolescents. In addition, the underlying dimensional structure and the possible influence of sex and age in its phenotypic expression were examined. Method: The final sample was comprised of a total of 1,443 participants (M= 15.9 years, SD= 1.2). The instrument used was the Personality Diagnostic Questionnaire-4+ (PDQ-4+). Results: Cluster A maladaptive personality traits are common among adolescents. According to the PDQ-4+, 13.1% (n= 189) of the sample reported a Cluster A maladaptive personality pattern. Analysis of the internal structure yielded two interrelated factors, namely Paranoid and Schizotypal-Schizoid. Males, compared with females, obtained higher scores on the schizotypal subscale when the score was dimensional and on the schizotypal and schizoid subscales when items were dichotomized. Conclusions: These data yield new clues that improve the understanding of Cluster A traits in this sector of the population, and advance in early detection of adolescents at risk of personality disorders (AU)

Antecedentes: la prevalencia y la expresión de los trastornos de la personalidad del Cluster A en la adolescencia se encuentra escasamente analizada y comprendida. El objetivo de esta investigación fue analizar la tasa de los rasgos y patrones desadaptativos de la personalidad del Cluster A en adolescentes. También se examinó la estructura dimensional subyacente y la influencia del sexo y la edad en su expresión fenotípica. Método: la muestra la formaron 1.443 participantes (M= 15,9 años; DT= 1,2). El instrumento de medida utilizado fue el Personality Diagnostic Questionnaire-4+ (PDQ-4+). Resultados: los rasgos de las personalidades del Cluster A son comunes entre la población adolescente. El 13,1% (n= 189) de la muestra presentaría, según el PDQ-4+, un patrón desadaptativo de la personalidad del Cluster A. La estructura dimensional subyacente arrojó dos factores interrelacionados, Paranoide y Esquizotípico-Esquizoide. Los varones presentaron, en comparación con las mujeres, mayores puntuaciones en la subescala esquizotípica cuando la puntuación era dimensional, y en las subescalas esquizotípica y esquizoide cuando la puntuación de los ítems era dicotomizada. Conclusiones: estos datos permiten avanzar en la comprensión de los rasgos del Cluster A y en la detección temprana de adolescentes con riesgo de desarrollar un trastorno de la personalidad (AU)

Cluster A maladaptive personality patterns in a non-clinical adolescent population.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence and expression of Cluster A personality disorders in adolescence is poorly analyzed and understood. The main goal was to analyze the rate of Cluster A traits and maladaptive personality patterns in adolescents. In addition, the underlying dimensional structure and the possible influence of sex and age in its phenotypic expression were examined. METHOD: The final sample was comprised of a total of 1,443 participants (M = 15.9 years, SD = 1.2). The instrument used was the Personality Diagnostic Questionnaire-4+ (PDQ-4+). RESULTS: Cluster A maladaptive personality traits are common among adolescents. According to the PDQ-4+, 13.1% (n = 189) of the sample reported a Cluster A maladaptive personality pattern. Analysis of the internal structure yielded two interrelated factors, namely Paranoid and Schizotypal-Schizoid. Males, compared with females, obtained higher scores on the schizotypal subscale when the score was dimensional and on the schizotypal and schizoid subscales when items were dichotomized. CONCLUSIONS: These data yield new clues that improve the understanding of Cluster A traits in this sector of the population, and advance in early detection of adolescents at risk of personality disorders.

Reliability and sources of validity evidence of the Oviedo Schizotypy Assessment Questionnaire-Abbreviated (ESQUIZO-Q-A).

The main goal of this research was to examine the reliability and different sources of validity evidence of the Oviedo Schizotypy Assessment Questionnaire-Abbreviated (ESQUIZO-Q-A) in nonclinical adolescents. The final sample was made up of 1,455 participants, 705 males (48.5%), with a mean age of 15.92 years (SD = 1.18). The internal consistency of the subscales ranged from .62 to .75. The analysis of its internal structure yielded a three-dimensional solution based on the dimensions: Reality Distortion, Anhedonia, and Interpersonal Disorganization. Likewise, the goodness-of-fit indices derived from the Confirmatory Factor Analysis for the hypothesized three-factor model were adequate. The three dimensions of the ESQUIZO-Q-A were significantly correlated with the subscales of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. The ESQUIZO-Q is a brief and simple self-report with adequate psychometric properties for the assessment of schizotypal traits in nonclinical adolescent populations. Future research should continue to explore the metric quality of the ESQUIZO-Q-A (e.g., sensitivity and specificity) and incorporate the new advances in psychological and educational assessment such as Computerized Adaptive Testing.

Reliability and sources of validity evidence of the Oviedo Schizotypy Assessment Questionnaire-Abbreviated (ESQUIZO-Q-A)

The main goal of this research was to examine the reliability and different sources of validity evidence of the Oviedo Schizotypy Assessment Questionnaire-Abbreviated (ESQUIZO-Q-A) in nonclinical adolescents. The final sample was made up of 1,455 participants, 705 males (48.5%), with a mean age of 15.92 years (SD = 1.18). The internal consistency of the subscales ranged from .62 to .75. The analysis of its internal structure yielded a three-dimensional solution based on the dimensions: Reality Distortion, Anhedonia, and Interpersonal Disorganization. Likewise, the goodness-of-fit indices derived from the Confirmatory Factor Analysis for the hypothesized three-factor model were adequate. The three dimensions of the ESQUIZO-Q-A were significantly correlated with the subscales of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. The ESQUIZO-Q is a brief and simple self-report with adequate psychometric properties for the assessment of schizotypal traits in nonclinical adolescent populations. Future research should continue to explore the metric quality of the ESQUIZO-Q-A (e.g., sensitivity and specificity) and incorporate the new advances in psychological and educational assessment such as Computerized Adaptive Testing (AU)

El principal objetivo de esta investigación fue examinar la fiabilidad y la obtención de diferentes evidencias de validez del Cuestionario Oviedo para la Evaluación de la Esquizotipia-Abreviado (ESQUIZO-Q-A) en adolescentes no clínicos. La muestra final la formaron un total de 1455 participantes, 705 varones, con una edad media de 15,92 años (DT = 1,18). Los niveles de consistencia interna para las subescalas del ESQUIZO-Q-A oscilaron entre 0,62 y 0,75. El análisis de la estructura interna arrojó una solución tridimensional concretada en las dimensiones: Distorsión de la Realidad, Anhedonia y Desorganización Interpersonal. Asimismo, los índices de bondad de ajuste derivados del análisis factorial confirmatorio para el modelo tridimensional hipotetizado fueron adecuados. Las tres dimensiones del ESQUIZO-Q-A correlacionaron significativamente con las subesalas del Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. El ESQUIZO-Q-A es un autoinforme breve y sencillo con adecuadas propiedades psicométricas para la valoración de los rasgos esquizotípicos en población no clínica. Futuras investigaciones deberían continuar examinando la calidad métrica del ESQUIZO-Q-A (p. ej., sensibilidad y especificidad) e incorporar los nuevos avances en la evaluación psicológica y educativa como los tests adaptativos computerizados (AU)

Psychometric properties of the Peters et al Delusions Inventory 21 in college students.

Delusions show high prevalence in the general population and can be considered a risk marker for psychotic disorders. Although the assessment of these experiences has made considerable progress in recent years, there is still room for improvement in the measurement quality of the self-reports available for such assessment. The goal of the present work was to analyze the measurement quality of the Peters et al Delusions Inventory 21 (PDI-21) in Spanish college students. The final sample was made up of 660 participants (29.5% men) with a mean age of 20.3 years (SD, 2.6 years). The results revealed that a high percentage of the sample reported some symptom of paranoia. Analysis of the internal structure of the PDI-21 by means of exploratory factor analysis based on the tetrachoric correlation matrix yielded an essentially unidimensional solution. Cronbach α for the total score was .91. Scores on the PDI-21 correlated in a statistically significant fashion with trait and state anxiety and negative affect. These results provide new evidence of the validity of the PDI-21 and endorse its use as a measurement instrument for assessing the extended psychosis phenotype in nonclinical population.

Expresión fenotípica de la esquizotipia en función del género y la edad en población general adolescente / Phenotypic expression of schizotypy as a function of gender and age in the general adolescent population

El principal objetivo de este trabajo fue examinar la influencia del género y la edad en la expresión fenotípica de la esquizotipia en dos muestras representativas de adolescentes españoles. La primera muestra la formaron un total de 1618 participantes (M = 15.9 años; DT = 1.2) y la segunda la formaron 1455 adolescentes (M =15.9 años, DT = 1.2). Para la evaluación de los rasgos esquizotípicos se utilizó el ESQUIZO-Q-A: Cuestionario Oviedo para la Evaluación de la Esquizotipia-Abreviado (Fonseca-Pedrero et al., 2010). El género y la edad son dos variables sociodemográficas que influyeron en la expresión de los rasgos esquizotípicos en población adolescente. En relación con el género, en la primera muestra, los varones obtuvieron mayores puntuaciones medias que las mujeres en la dimensión Negativa; en cambio, las mujeres obtuvieron mayores puntuaciones en Desorganización Interpersonal. En la segunda muestra, los varones obtuvieron mayores puntuaciones medias que las mujeres en las dimensiones Negativa y Distorsión de la Realidad. En relación con la edad, en la primera muestra, los adolescentes de más edad puntuaron más alto en Desorganización Interpersonal, en comparación con los de menor edad. En la segunda muestra, los adolescentes más jóvenes puntuarón más alto en comparación con los de mayor edad en la dimensión Negativa. En todos los casos los tamaños del efecto entroncados fueron insignificantes (excepto para la dimensión Negativa). En convergencia con la literatura previa, este patrón diferencial es similar al hallado en pacientes con esquizofrenia y en adultos no clínicos, y su hallazgo mejora nuestra comprensión acerca de la expresión fenotípica de la esquizotipia durante este periodo evolutivo (AU)

The main objective of the present study was to examine the influence of gender and age in the phenotypic expression of schizotypy in two representative samples of Spanish adolescents. The first sample was composed of a total of 1,618 participants (M = 15.9 years; SD = 1.2) and the second sample was composed of 1,455 adolescents (M =15.9 years, SD = 1.2). The ESQUIZO-Q: Cuestionario Oviedo para la Evaluación de la Esquizotipia-Abreviado (The Oviedo Schizotypy Assessment Questionnaire-Brief) (Fonseca-Pedrero et al., 2010) was used for the assessment of schizotypal traits. Gender and age were found to be two sociodemographical variables that influenced the expression of schizotypal traits in adolescents. In regard to gender, the males in the first sample obtained higher mean scores than the females in the Negative dimension; however, the females obtained higher mean scores in Social Disorganization. In the second sample, the males obtained higher mean scores than the females in the Negative and the Reality Distortion dimensions. In regard to age, in the first sample, the younger adolescents scored higher in Social Disorganization compared to the older adolescents. In the second sample, the younger adolescents obtained higher scores than the older adolescents in the Negative dimension. In all cases the effect sizes were small (except Negative). In convergence with the previous literature, this differential pattern is similar to that found in patients with schizophrenia and in nonclinical adults, and contributes to our comprehension of the phenotypic expression of schizotypy during this developmental period (AU)

Instrumentos de medida para la evaluacióndel fenotipo psicótico / No disponible

El propósito fundamental de este trabajo fue llevar a cabo una revisión de los principales instrumentos de medida disponibles para la evaluación del fenotipo psicótico en población general. Esta revisión viene a cubrir una limitación en el campo de la evaluación de los síntomas psicóticos atenuados en nuestro país y ofrece al profesional de la psicología un conjunto de herramientas interesantes para su utilización en el quehacer diario. Los resultados mostraron que los autoinformes analizados presentan un correcto comportamiento psicométrico, siendo de utilidad para examinar los síntomas psicóticos atenuados en muestras de la población española, así como para la detección precoz de personas con vulnerabilidad latente a la psicosis. Futuros estudios deberían seguir examinando las propiedades métricas de este conjunto de autoinformes en estudios longitudinales, así como llevar a cabo estudios multicéntricos de carácter nacional, con la finalidad última de mejorar la detección y la prevención de individuos de riesgo de síndrome psicótico (AU)

The main purpose of this paper is to offer a review of the principle measurement instruments for the assessment of the psychotic phenotypein the Spanish general population. This review covers a limitation present in the field of the assessment of psychotic-like symptoms in our territory and offers the psychology professional a group of interesting tools for their use in daily practice. The results showed that the analyzed self-reports presented adequate psychometric behavior being useful for the examination of psychotic-like symptoms in Spanish samples as well as the early detection of participants who present latent vulnerability for psychosis. Future studies should continue examining the psychometric properties of this group of self-reports, mainly in longitudinal studies, as well as conducting national multicentric studies with the aim of improving the detection and prevention of individuals at risk of psychotic disorder (AU)

Síntomas psicóticos subclínicos en población general adolescente / Psychotic-like experiences in the adolescent general population

Objetivo. El principal propósito de este trabajo fue analizarla distribución de los síntomas psicóticos atenuados en población adolescente no clínica. Así mismo, se profundizó en el papel que desempeñan el sexo y la edad en la expresión fenotípica de dichas experiencias. Método. En el estudio participaron un total de 1.438 adolescentes, 691 (48,1 %) varones, con una edad media de 15,9 años (DT = 1,2). Resultados. Los resultados mostraron que los síntomas psicóticos subclínicos son un fenómeno bastante común dentro de este grupo de edad. El 43% de la muestra informó de algún síntoma relacionado con el pensamiento mágico, la ideación referencial y/o las experiencias delirantes o alucinatorias. El 8,9% refirió 4 o más experiencias psicóticas subclínicas. Se encontraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas en función del sexo en ideación referencial e ideación paranoide, en cambio no se hallaron diferencias estadísticamente significativas en función de la edad. Conclusión. Estos resultados son convergentes con los datos encontrados en la literatura previa y tienen claras implicaciones de cara a la comprensión de este fenómeno psicológico dentro de los modelos de psicopatología del desarrollo, así como en lo relativo al establecimiento de programas de prevención y detección temprana en este sector de la población (AU)

Objective. The main purpose of this study was to analyze the distribution of psychotic-like experiences in nonclinical adolescents. Likewise, we studied in depth the role of gender and age in phenotypal expression of these symptoms. Method. A total of 1438 adolescents entered the study, 691 (48.1%) were men, with a mean age of 15.9years (SD = 1.2). Results. The results indicated that attenuated psychotic symptoms are a very common phenomenon in this age group, since 43% of the sample reported symptoms belonging to magical thinking, ideas of reference, and/or delusion or hallucination experiences, and 8.9% reported 4 or more psychotic-like experiences. Statistical significant differences were found in ideas of reference and paranoid ideation between genders, but not among age groups. Conclusion. Our results coincide with those found in previous studies and have clear implications for a better understanding of these psychological phenomena in the framework of developmental psychopathology, and for the implementation of early detection and prevention programs in the population sector (AU)

Psychotic-like experiences in the adolescent general population.

OBJECTIVE: The main purpose of this study was to analyze the distribution of psychotic-like experiences in nonclinical adolescents. Likewise, we studied in depth the role of gender and age in phenotypal expression of these symptoms. METHOD: A total of 1438 adolescents entered the study, 691 (48.1%) were men, with a mean age of 15.9 years (SD = 1.2). RESULTS: The results indicated that attenuated psychotic symptoms are a very common phenomenon in this age group, since 43% of the sample reported symptoms belonging to magical thinking, ideas of reference, and/or delusion or hallucination experiences, and 8.9% reported 4 or more psychotic-like experiences. Statistical significant differences were found in ideas of reference and paranoid ideation between genders, but not among age groups. CONCLUSION: Our results coincide with those found in previous studies and have clear implications for a better understanding of these psychological phenomena in the framework of developmental psychopathology, and for the implementation of early detection and prevention programs in the population sector.