Systematic Review of the Evaluation of Foster Care Programs.

OBJETIVE: The aim of this study was to conduct an exhaustive synthesis to determine which instruments and variables are most appropriate to evaluate foster care programs (foster, kinship, and professional families). This evaluation includes the children, their foster families, their families of origin, professionals, and foster care technicians. METHOD: The systematic review included randomized, quasi-randomized, longitudinal, and control group studies aimed at evaluating foster care interventions. RESULTS: A total of 86 studies, 138 assessment instruments, 18 constructs, and 73 independent research teams were identified. CONCLUSIONS: (1) although the object of the evaluations was the children, the informants were usually the people in charge of their care; therefore, effort should be made to involve the children in a more participatory way; (2) psychosocial functioning, behavior, and parenting are transversal elements in most evaluations, while quality of life and coping are not sufficiently well incorporated; (3) practical instruments (brief and easy to apply and correct) that are widely used and carry scientific guarantees should be prioritized to ensure the comparability and reliability of the conclusions; and (4) progress should be made in the study of evaluation models for all forms of foster care, including foster, extended, and specialized families.

OBJETIVO: El objetivo es realizar una síntesis exhaustiva que contribuya a determinar qué instrumentos y variables son las más adecuadas para evaluar programas de acogimiento familiar (familias extensas, ajenas y profesionalizadas), incluyendo en esta evaluación a los niños, sus familias acogedoras, sus familias de origen y a los profesionales y técnicos del acogimiento familiar. Método: La revisión sistemática incluyó estudios aleatorizados, cuasialeatorizados, longitudinales y con grupo control dirigidos a evaluar intervenciones de acogimiento familiar. RESULTADOS: Se identificaron 86 estudios, 138 instrumentos de evaluación, 18 constructos y 73 equipos de investigación independientes. CONCLUSIONES: (1) aunque el objeto de las evaluaciones sean los niños, habitualmente los informantes son las personas a cargo de sus cuidados, con lo que se debe hacer un esfuerzo por involucrarlos de forma más participativa; (2) el funcionamiento psicosocial, el comportamiento o la parentalidad son elementos transversales en la mayor parte de evaluaciones, sin embargo la calidad de vida y el afrontamiento no están suficientemente bien incorporados; (3) deben priorizarse instrumentos prácticos (breves y fáciles de aplicar y corregir), de amplio uso y con garantías científicas para asegurar la comparabilidad y fiabilidad de las conclusiones; (4) debe avanzarse en la investigación de modelos de evaluación en todas las modalidades de acogimiento familiar, ya sea en familias ajenas, extensas o especializadas.

Systematic Review of the Evaluation of Foster Care Programs / [Revisión sistemática sobre evaluación de programas de acogimiento familiar]

Objetive: The aim of this study was to conduct an exhaustive synthesis to determine which instruments and variables are most appropriate to evaluate foster care programs (foster, kinship, and professional families). This evaluation includes the children, their foster families, their families of origin, professionals, and foster care technicians. Method: The systematic review included randomized, quasi-randomized, longitudinal, and control group studies aimed at evaluating foster care interventions. Results: A total of 86 studies, 138 assessment instruments, 18 constructs, and 73 independent research teams were identified. Conclusions: (1) although the object of the evaluations was the children, the informants were usually the people in charge of their care; therefore, effort should be made to involve the children in a more participatory way; (2) psychosocial functioning, behavior, and parenting are transversal elements in most evaluations, while quality of life and coping are not sufficiently well incorporated; (3) practical instruments (brief and easy to apply and correct) that are widely used and carry scientific guarantees should be prioritized to ensure the comparability and reliability of the conclusions; and (4) progress should be made in the study of evaluation models for all forms of foster care, including foster, extended, and specialized families.(AU)

Objetivo: El objetivo es realizar una síntesis exhaustiva que contribuya a determinar qué instrumentos y variables son las más adecuadas para evaluar programas de acogimiento familiar (familias extensas, ajenas y profesionalizadas), incluyendo en esta evaluación a los niños, sus familias acogedoras, sus familias de origen y a los profesionales y técnicos del acogimiento familiar. Método: La revisión sistemática incluyó estudios aleatorizados, cuasialeatorizados, longitudinales y con grupo control dirigidos a evaluar intervenciones de acogimiento familiar. Resultados: Se identificaron 86 estudios, 138 instrumentos de evaluación, 18 constructos y 73 equipos de investigación independientes. Conclusiones: (1) aunque el objeto de las evaluaciones sean los niños, habitualmente los informantes son las personas a cargo de sus cuidados, con lo que se debe hacer un esfuerzo por involucrarlos de forma más participativa; (2) el funcionamiento psicosocial, el comportamiento o la parentalidad son elementos transversales en la mayor parte de evaluaciones, sin embargo la calidad de vida y el afrontamiento no están suficientemente bien incorporados; (3) deben priorizarse instrumentos prácticos (breves y fáciles de aplicar y corregir), de amplio uso y con garantías científicas para asegurar la comparabilidad y fiabilidad de las conclusiones; (4) debe avanzarse en la investigación de modelos de evaluación en todas las modalidades de acogimiento familiar, ya sea en familias ajenas, extensas o especializadas.(AU)

Prevalence of post-COVID-19 in patients with fibromyalgia: a comparative study with other inflammatory and autoimmune rheumatic diseases.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence and characteristics of post-COVID-19 (PC) in fibromyalgia (FM) patients. METHODS: Retrospective, multi-centric, observational study, comparing a group of FM patients (FM group) with another group of patients with other rheumatic diseases (RD group). COVID-19 diagnosis was established by positive polymerase chain reaction or antigen during acute infection or by positive antibodies thereafter. We considered PC diagnosis when symptoms remain after COVID-19. We collected the principal characteristics of COVID-19, the severity of fatigue, waking unrefreshed and cognitive impairment, and persistent symptoms. The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria and the Combined Index of Severity in Fibromyalgia (ICAF) were collected in the FM group. RESULTS: RD group (n = 56) had more pneumonia (p = 0.001) and hospital admissions (p = 0.002), but the FM group (n = 78) had a higher number of symptoms (p = 0.002). The percentage of patients with PC was similar between groups (FM group 79.5%; RD group 66.1%, p = 0.081). FM group had more PC symptoms (p = 0.001), more impairment after COVID-19 (p = 0.002) and higher severity of fatigue, waking unrefreshed and cognitive impairment (p <  0.0001). Only loss of smell was more frequent in the FM group (p = 0.005). The FM group with PC (n = 29) showed more severity of the Combined Index of Severity in Fibromyalgia (ICAF) total score and physical factor after COVID-19, while emotional, coping factors and the ACR criteria did not change. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of PC in FM patients is similar to RD patients. In FM patients, the presence of PC does not appear to impact the severity of FM.

Mental Health, Quality of Life and Coping Strategies in Vulnerable Children During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

BACKGROUND: The coronavirus pandemic has led to a situation without precedent in modern history. The aim of this study is to analyse the consequences after one year of the pandemic on a group of children and adolescents assessed at the beginning of the pandemic in 2020 and to determine the most effective ways of psychologically coping with this pandemic. METHOD: Two different, but equivalent, groups with a total of 604 (study I, 2020) and 743 (study II, 2021) children and adolescents in residential care, foster families, kinship families or family strengthening programs in Spain were evaluated using the SDQ (mental health measure), KIDSCREEN-10 index (quality of life measure) and Kidcope (coping behaviour measure). An independent sample t-test and a decision tree analysis were used. RESULTS: The mental health of children and adolescents decreased by 9.7%, and Self-Perceived quality of life did not change after one year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Nonactive coping strategies predicted worse mental health and worse quality of life. Problem solving served as a protective factor. CONCLUSION: One year after, the COVID-19 pandemic has an effect on the psychological wellbeing of children and adolescents, and the consequences can be reduced if proper coping strategies are used.

Mental Health, Quality of Life and Coping Strategies in Vulnerable Children During the COVID-19 Pandemic / Salud Mental, Calidad de Vida y Estrategias de Afrontamiento de Niños Vulnerables Durante la Pandemia de la COVID-19

Background: The coronavirus pandemic has led to a situation withoutprecedent in modern history. The aim of this study is to analyse theconsequences after one year of the pandemic on a group of children andadolescents assessed at the beginning of the pandemic in 2020 and todetermine the most effective ways of psychologically coping with thispandemic. Method: Two different, but equivalent, groups with a total of604 (study I, 2020) and 743 (study II, 2021) children and adolescents inresidential care, foster families, kinship families or family strengtheningprograms in Spain were evaluated using the SDQ (mental health measure),KIDSCREEN-10 index (quality of life measure) and Kidcope (copingbehaviour measure). An independent sample t-test and a decision treeanalysis were used.Results: The mental health of children and adolescentsdecreased by 9.7%, and Self-Perceived quality of life did not change afterone year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Nonactive coping strategies predictedworse mental health and worse quality of life. Problem solving served asa protective factor. Conclusion: One year after, the COVID-19 pandemichas an effect on the psychological wellbeing of children and adolescents,and the consequences can be reduced if proper coping strategies are used.

Antecedentes: la pandemia del coronavirus no tiene precedentes en la historia moderna. El objetivo del estudio es analizar sus consecuencias tras un año de pandemiaen niños y adolescentes evaluados al inicio de la misma en 2020 y determinarlas estrategias de afrontamiento más eficaces para lidiar con la pandemia.Método: 2 grupos distintos pero equivalentes formados por 604 (estudioI, 2020) y 743 (estudio II, 2021) niños y adolescentes en acogimientoresidencial, acogimiento familiar (extensa y ajena) y en programas de fortalecimiento familiar en España fueron evaluados usando el SDQ (saludmental), KIDSCREEN-10 (calidad de vida) y Kidcope (afrontamiento). Se utilizó comparaciones de medias para muestras independientes y unanálisis de árbol de decisión. Resultados: la salud mental de niños yadolescentes ha disminuido un 9,7% mientras que la calidad de vida no hacambiado tras un año de pandemia. Las estrategias de afrontamiento pasivaspredijeron una peor salud mental y una peor calidad de vida. Estrategias desolución de problemas actuaron como un factor protector. Conclusiones: la pandemia de la COVID-19 tiene efectos tras el paso de un año en elbienestar psicológico de niños y adolescentes y sus consecuencias puedenreducirse con estrategias de afrontamiento apropiadas.

Psychological Flexibility Is Key for Reducing the Severity and Impact of Fibromyalgia.

Fibromyalgia has a significant impact on the lives of patients; symptoms are influenced by psychological factors, such as psychological flexibility and catastrophizing. The objective of this study was to determine the importance of these variables in moderating the association between the severity and impact of fibromyalgia symptoms. A total of 187 patients from a general hospital population were evaluated using the Combined Index of Severity of Fibromyalgia (ICAF), the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ), the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-II (AAQ-II), and the Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS). A series of multiple regression analyses were carried out using the PROCESS macro and decision tree analysis. The results show that psychological flexibility modulates the relation between severity and the impact of fibromyalgia symptoms. Catastrophism has residual importance and depends on the interaction with psychological flexibility. Interaction occurs if the severity of the disease is in transition from a mild to a moderate level and accounts for 40.1% of the variance in the sample. These aspects should be considered for evaluation and early intervention in fibromyalgia patients.

[Evidence-Based Psychological Treatments for Adults: A Selective Review]

Evidence-Based Psychological Treatments for Adults: A Selective Review. BACKGROUND: Psychological treatments have shown their efficacy, effectiveness, and efficiency in dealing with mental disorders. However, considering the scientific knowledge generated in recent years, in the Spanish context, there are no updating studies about empirically supported psychological treatments. The main goal was to carry out a selective review of the main empirically supported psychological treatments for mental disorders in adults. METHOD: Levels of evidence and degrees of recommendation were collected based on the criteria proposed by the Spanish National Health System (Clinical Practice Guidelines) for different psychological disorders. RESULTS: The results indicate that psychological treatments have empirical support for the approach to a wide range of psychological disorders. These levels of empirical evidence gathered range from low to high depending on the psychological disorder analysed. The review indicates the existence of certain fields of intervention that need further investigation. CONCLUSIONS: Based on this selective review, psychology professionals will be able to have rigorous, up-to-date information that allows them to make informed decisions when implementing empirically based psychotherapeutic procedures based on the characteristics of the people who require help.

Clinical impact of confinement due to the COVID-19 pandemic on patients with fibromyalgia: a cohort study.

OBJECTIVES: To our knowledge, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on fibromyalgia (FM) patients has not been studied before. FM patients often experience clinical impairment with stress. The aim of this study was to determine whether severity of FM increases because of confinement by the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: This prospective study includes patients from the Combined Index of Severity of Fibromyalgia (ICAF) cohort who met the 2010 ACR FM criteria. In this cohort, all patients have a periodical evaluation of their quality of life through two questionnaires, the ICAF, which assesses the ability to perform daily living activities, anxiety and depression, and through the Patient Global Impression of Change (PGIC), which assesses overall change after a therapeutical intervention. Pre- and post-confinement measurements were analysed. Inferential statistical analysis and ANOVA for repeated measurements were used. RESULTS: A total of 93 patients received a phone consultation, (95.5% females), mean (SD) age of 48.23 (8.38) years. Four patients were excluded as presenting COVID-19 and 51 (57%) completed the post-confinement ICAF. Following confinement, 25 (49%) patients got worse (group-worse) and 26 (51%) patients experienced no change or improved (group-stable). Comparisons between pre- and post-confinement ICAF did not show significant differences in both groups. Passive coping was significantly different in group-worse in pre-confinement evaluation. In the 80% of patients with passive coping predominance there were no changes in coping strategy. CONCLUSIONS: No clinical impairment due to COVID-19 confinement occurred. The perceived worsening among FM patients relies primarily on how patients cope with their disease, without a real impact on clinical manifestations.

Escuchando al placebo, o cómo averiguar por qué funcionan los tratamientos / Listening to the placebo, or how to find out why treatments work

El efecto placebo es poderoso y ha demostrado su eficacia en múltiples estudios, compitiendo incluso con tratamientos bien establecidos. Esto pone de manifiesto un efecto en absoluto inerte o inespecífico. Tiene una naturaleza ubicua y da razón de todo tipo de tratamientos, si bien es la psicología el ámbito que le hace comprensible. Desgranar y conocer qué le hace tan eficaz es una tarea útil e ilustrativa de cómo operan los tratamientos al uso. En este sentido hay que destacar que para que opere debe ser construido en términos contextuales, no requiere de engaños y sí de una persona con problemas, en desequilibrio homeostático. El estudio de las condiciones en que el efecto placebo ocurre ha sido útil para delinear qué aspectos son importantes en los tratamientos, a saber: la facilitación de información y el sentido de ésta, las experiencias previas y las creencias del paciente, la aplicación del tratamiento en condiciones favorables y el uso de tratamientos bien reconocidos y aceptados en sus fundamentos y procedimiento

The placebo effect is powerful and has been proved effective in multiple studies, competing even with well-established treatments. It is not an unspecific or inert effect. It has a ubiquitous nature and accounts for all types of treatments, although psychology is the area that makes it comprehensible. Discussing and discovering what makes it so effective is a useful and illustrative task regarding how treatments work. In this sense, it must be emphasized that in order for the placebo effect to operate, it must be considered from contextual view, it does not require deception, and it does require a person with problems, in homeostatic imbalance. The study of the conditions in which the placebo effect occurs has been useful in delineating which aspects are important in treatments. These are as follows: the provision of information and its meaning, the patient's previous experiences and beliefs, the application of the treatment under favorable conditions, and the use of well-recognized and accepted treatments in their foundations and procedure

Psychological Wellbeing of Vulnerable Children During the COVID-19 Pandemic / Bienestar Psicológico de Niños Vulnerables Durante la Pandemia del COVID-19

BACKGROUND: A pandemic disaster has specific effects on mental health, however, little is known about those specific effects in children and adolescents. Thus, the aim of this study is to describe the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on a sample of children and adolescents and to compare the results with previous national data and other studies to determine variations. METHOD: A total of 459 children and adolescents in residential care, foster families, kinship families, or family strengthening programs under SOS Children's Villages Spain were evaluated using the SDQ to measure internalizing and externalizing problems and using KIDSCREEN-10 index to measure heath related quality of life. An independent sample t-test, one-way ANOVA and the chi-square test were used. RESULTS: The children and adolescents in this study had worse psychological wellbeing than those in the 2017 Spanish reference, that is, before the COVID-19 outbreak. Quality of life remained the same. No differences between care modalities were found. CONCLUSION: It is necessary to monitor the mental health status of children and adolescents to prevent possible problems. Additionally, it is necessary to use well-known assessment instruments because it is essential to have a reference to other situations and populations

ANTECEDENTES: una pandemia tiene efectos concretos sobre la salud mental; sin embargo, dichos efectos son poco conocidos en niños y adolescentes. El objetivo de este estudio es describir el impacto psicológico de la COVID-19 en una muestra de niños y adolescentes y comparar los resultados con datos de referencia nacionales y otros estudios. MÉTODO: un total de 459 niños y adolescentes en acogimiento residencial, familias de acogida extensa y ajena y en programas de fortalecimiento familiar, atendidos por Aldeas Infantiles SOS España, fueron evaluados mediante el SDQ para determinar la presencia de problemas internalizantes y externalizantes y mediante el KIDSCREEN-10 para determinar su nivel de calidad de vida. Se utilizó comparaciones de medias para muestras independientes, ANOVA y Chi-cuadrado. RESULTADOS: los niños y adolescentes estudiados obtuvieron peores resultados en bienestar psicológico que los publicados como referencia nacional en España en 2017, antes del brote de la COVID-19. La calidad de vida no se ha visto afectada. No se han encontrado diferencias entre las modalidades de cuidado. CONCLUSIONES: es necesario evaluar la salud mental de los niños y adolescentes para prevenir posibles problemas. Adicionalmente, es necesario usar instrumentos bien conocidos que permitan comparar los resultados con otras situaciones y poblaciones

Psychological Wellbeing of Vulnerable Children During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

BACKGROUND: A pandemic disaster has specific effects on mental health, however, little is known about those specific effects in children and adolescents. Thus, the aim of this study is to describe the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on a sample of children and adolescents and to compare the results with previous national data and other studies to determine variations. METHOD: A total of 459 children and adolescents in residential care, foster families, kinship families, or family strengthening programs under SOS Children's Villages Spain were evaluated using the SDQ to measure internalizing and externalizing problems and using KIDSCREEN-10 index to measure heath related quality of life. An independent sample t-test, one-way ANOVA and the chi-square test were used. RESULTS: The children and adolescents in this study had worse psychological wellbeing than those in the 2017 Spanish reference, that is, before the COVID-19 outbreak. Quality of life remained the same. No differences between care modalities were found. CONCLUSION: It is necessary to monitor the mental health status of children and adolescents to prevent possible problems. Additionally, it is necessary to use well-known assessment instruments because it is essential to have a reference to other situations and populations.

Self-forgiveness in fibromyalgia patients and its relationship with acceptance, catastrophising and coping.

OBJECTIVES: Forgiveness influences health through numerous mechanisms, but commonly it is thought to reduce stress, increase healthy behaviour, and promote social support, thereby positively impacting health and wellbeing. Self-forgiveness has been given considerable attention in relation to health and wellbeing. Fibromyalgia (FM) patients had lower forgiveness of others and self-forgiveness as compared to controls. The aim of this study is to explore the relationship of self-forgiveness (FS) with the impact and severity of FM, acceptance, catastrophising, and coping. METHODS: We evaluated 228 FM female patients who completed the Mauger Forgiveness Scale, the Combined Index of Severity in Fibromyalgia (ICAF) survey, the Chronic Pain Acceptance Questionnaire (CPAQ), and the Pain Catastrophising Scale (PCS). RESULTS: High self-forgiveness is related to high levels of active coping (r=.41) and acceptation (r=.38), and low self-forgiveness is related to emotional negative factors and catastrophising (r=-.56). Two factors (physical and emotional) were obtained. Lower FS is an emotional factor with negative emotion, catastrophising and a deficit in active coping. A decision-tree analysis showed a first node with ICAF Emotional scores and a second level with CPAQ and PCS scores as predictors. CONCLUSIONS: A notable lack of FS indicates a problem (distress and catastrophising) with the health aspects related to this syndrome. Acceptance could require a low negative emotional status. People with high FS were likely to increase acceptation as the positive component of acceptance in FS. This finding does not indicate an interest in maintaining problematic behaviours.

Empirical Grouping of Pain Zones in Fibromyalgia: A Preliminary Study.

OBJECTIVES: Widespread pain is important for the diagnosis of fibromyalgia (FM). For this purpose, the sum of pain regions obtained from a topographical distribution has been used to compute a Widespread Pain Index (WPI), but there is no empirical basis for choosing the regions. The aim of this study was to find an empirical distribution of the pain regions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated 228 female patients with FM. They completed the Fibromyalgia Survey Questionnaire, Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ), Combined Index of Severity in Fibromyalgia (ICAF), and Short Form-36 Health Survey. The pain regions of the WPI were grouped by the topographical distribution (WPIR) and compared with a new empirical distribution (WPIE) obtained through exploratory factor analysis. A decision- tree analysis was conducted to identify the optimal algorithm for selecting pain regions related to the severity of FM. RESULTS: The WPIE has a normal distribution compared with the WPIR. It also shows higher correlations with FM severity. From the factor analysis, 4 factors explain 48.5% of the variance. Two factors (emotional and physical) can conform to the decision-tree analysis using the dependent variables FIQ and ICAF. These factors are very congruent with the cutoff points previously proposed for FIQ and ICAF. The emotional factor is the first in the decision-tree. DISCUSSION: WPIE has a normal distribution and shows better predictive qualities than WPIR. The emotional factor is conceptualized as emotional because of the relative importance of the right hemisphere in negative emotions and pain. The physical factor could be responsible for the decreased ability to coordinate left-right stepping.

Determining Factors for Stress Perception Assessed with the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-4) in Spanish and Other European Samples.

Objective: Stress perception depends on cultural and social aspects that vary from one country to another. One of the most widely disseminated methods of assessing psychological stress is the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-4). Therefore, in order to identify these factors and their impact on mental health, the present study compares the PSS-4 results among three European countries (Great Britain, France and Spain). This study focuses on PSS-4 results within a Spanish sample to determine: (1) normative data, reliability and validity of PSS-4 in a Spanish sample and (2) how stress perception changes depending on cultural and social factors. Methods: The data were obtained from a website representing a service of a smoking cessation program, the study represented a service that was open to all individuals. The number of participants were 37,451. They reported their age, gender, nationality, marital status, education and employment status, and completed two psychological questionnaires (PPS-4 and the anxiety and depression scales of the Symptom Checklist-90-Revised, SCL 90-R). Results: The PSS-4 scores could differentiate between relevant sociodemographic variables (such as sex, age, nationality, marital status, education, parental status, employment status, and income class). The PSS-4 scores showed a positive correlation with the SCL 90-R anxiety and depression scales. The normed values for interpreting the PSS-4 scores are presented. The PSS-4 showed adequate internal consistency and reliability. Conclusions: The PSS-4 is a useful instrument for assessing stress perception levels in the general population in different countries. Its internal consistency is sufficient for a 4-item scale.

[Psychometric properties of postpartum depression predictors inventory- revised- prenatal version in a sample of spanish pregnant women.] / Propiedades psicométricas del Postpartum Depression PredictorsIinventory- revised- versión prenatal en una muestra española de mujeres embarazadas.

OBJECTIVE: Prenatal depression is a major public health problem, therefore predicting and preventing it is a relevant objective for public health agendas. Consequently, it is important to have adequate screening tools to detect risk factors associated with prenatal depression. The aim of this study was to evaluate the psychometric properties reliability and factor structure of the Spanish version of the Postpartum Depression Predictors Inventory- Revised- Prenatal Version (PDI-R) in pregnant women who attend prenatal care in an urban hospital in Spain. METHODS: The sample was formed of 445 women receiving prenatal care in an obstetrics clinic in an urban public hospital in Madrid, Spain. The internal consistency of PDPI-R was assessed by measuring Cronbach's Alfa index, calculating the COR curve and percentiles for this sample. RESULTS: The PDPI-R showed good internal consistency in this sample (Cronbach's Alfa = 0,855). The area under the COR curve is 0,84 p≤0,001. Sensibility and specificity values were 62,3% and 69,5% respectively, and the cut-off point with greatest sensibility and specificity was 4. CONCLUSIONS: The PDPI-R is reliable and can be used to screen for risk factor for depression during pregnancy.

OBJETIVO: La depresión postparto es un importante problema de salud pública por lo que su predicción y prevención es un objetivo relevante de las agendas de salud pública. Para ello es importante disponer de herramientas de cribado de los factores de riesgo asociados a la depresión post-parto. El objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar las propiedades psicométricas del Inventario Predictor de la Depresión Postparto-Versión Revisada-Prenatal (PDI-R) en su versión en lengua española en relación con la fiabilidad de sus puntuaciones en mujeres embarazadas que acuden a la atención prenatal en un hospital urbano de España y en cuanto a su estructura factorial. METODOS: Se dispuso de una muestra de 445 mujeres que reciben atención prenatal en una clínica de obstetricia en un hospital público urbano de Madrid, España. En esta muestra se analizó la consistencia interna del PDI-R mediante el coeficiente alfa de Cronbach además de realizar un análisis de curva ROC y percentiles de la muestra. RESULTADOS: Los resultados del PDPI-R en esta muestra indicaron satisfactorios valores de consistencia interna (alfa de Cronbach = 0,855). El área bajo la curva del PDPI-R fue de 0,84 p≤0,001. Con el punto de corte de 4 la sensibilidad y especificidad fueron de 62,3% y 69,5% respectivamente. CONCLUSIONES: El PDPI-R es adecuado y puede utilizarse para detectar el factor de riesgo de depresión durante el embarazo.

Propiedades psicométricas del Postpartum Depression Predictors Inventory-Revised- versión prenatal en una muestra española de mujeres embarazadas / Psychometric properties of postpartum depression predictors inventory- revised- prenatal version in a sample of spanish pregnant women

Fundamentos: La depresión postparto es un importante problema de salud pública por lo que su predicción y prevención es un objetivo relevante de las agendas de salud pública. Para ello es importante disponer de herramientas de cribado de los factores de riesgo asociados a la depresión post-parto. El objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar las propiedades psicométricas del Inventario Predictor de la Depresión Postparto-Versión Revisada-Prenatal (PDI-R) en su versión en lengua española en relación con la fiabilidad de sus puntuaciones en mujeres embarazadas que acuden a la atención prenatal en un hospital urbano de España y en cuanto a su estructura factorial. Métodos: Se dispuso de una muestra de 445 mujeres que reciben atención prenatal en una clínica de obstetricia en un hospital público urbano de Madrid, España. En esta muestra se analizó la consistencia interna del PDI-R mediante el coeficiente alfa de Cronbach además de realizar un análisis de curva ROC y percentiles de la muestra. Resultados: Los resultados del PDPI-R en esta muestra indicaron satisfactorios valores de consistencia interna (alfa de Cronbach = 0,855). El área bajo la curva del PDPI-R fue de 0,84 p<0,001. Con el punto de corte de 4 la sensibilidad y especificidad fueron de 62,3% y 69,5% respectivamente. Conclusión: El PDPI-R es adecuado y puede utilizarse para detectar el factor de riesgo de depresión durante el embarazo (AU)

Background: Prenatal depression is a major public health problem, therefore predicting and preventing it is a relevant objective for public health agendas. Consequently, it is important to have adequate screening tools to detect risk factors associated with prenatal depression. The aim of this study was to evaluate the psychometric properties reliability and factor structure of the Spanish version of the Postpartum Depression Predictors Inventory- Revised- Prenatal Version (PDI-R) in pregnant women who attend prenatal care in an urban hospital in Spain. Methods: The sample was formed of 445 women receiving prenatal care in an obstetrics clinic in an urban public hospital in Madrid, Spain. The internal consistency of PDPI-R was assessed by measuring Cronbach’s Alfa index, calculating the COR curve and percentiles for this sample. Results: The PDPI-R showed good internal consistency in this sample (Cronbach’s Alfa = 0,855). The area under the COR curve is 0,84 p<0,001. Sensibility and specificity values were 62,3% and 69,5% respectively, and the cut-off point with greatest sensibility and specificity was 4. Conclusion: The PDPI-R is reliable and can be used to screen for risk factor for depression during pregnancy (AU)

Demographic, psychological and smoking characteristics of users of an on-line smoking cessation programme in the Spanish language / Características demográficas, psicológicas y de consumo de tabaco de los usuarios de un programa on-line para dejar de fumar en idioma español

Objective: To determine the characteristics of users of a smoking cessation programme run by the Open University of Spain (Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia [UNED]). Methods: We examined the demographic, psychological and smoking characteristics of 23,763 smokers who participated in the on-line smoking cessation program of the UNED. The programme was open to any smoker, free of charge, and was fully automated and with direct access. Results: A total of 93.5% of the users were Spaniards, with an equal percentage of participation among men and women. The mean age was 39 years. Somewhat less than half were married and had a university education. The participants smoked a mean of 19.3 cigarettes per day, showing a mid-range level of nicotine dependence according to the Heaviness of Smoking Index. The results of the Anxiety and Depression subscales of the Symptom Checklist-90-Revised (SCL-90-R) and Perceived Stress Scale were not clinically significant. In a secondary analysis of the data, we found gender differences in all the variables measured. Conclusions: The results of this study confirm the digital divide, with lower participation among people with a lower educational level. No association was observed between stress, anxiety or depression and cigarette consumption (AU)

Objetivo: Conocer las características de los participantes en el programa online para dejar de fumar de la Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia (UNED). Método: Se analizaron las características demográficas, psicológicas y de consumo de tabaco de 23.763 fumadores, participantes en un programa on-line para dejar de fumar de la UNED. El programa de libre acceso estaba abierto a cualquier fumador, sin coste alguno y totalmente automatizado. Resultados: El 93,5% de los usuarios eran españoles, con igual porcentaje de participación entre hombres y mujeres. La media de edad fue de 39 años, casados y con estudios universitarios. Fumaban una media de 19,3 cigarrillos al día, con un nivel de dependencia medio de acuerdo con elHeaviness of Smoking Index. Las puntuaciones en las subescalas de ansiedad y depresión delSymptom Checklist-90-Revised (SCL-90-R) y en la Perceived Stress Scale no tienen significado clínico. En un análisis secundario de los datos se encontraron diferencias entre hombres y mujeres en todas las variables medidas. Conclusión: Se constata la denominada brecha digital, con un menor número de participantes con bajo nivel cultural. No se observa relación entre estrés, ansiedad o depresión con consumo de cigarrillos (AU)

Demographic, psychological and smoking characteristics of users of an on-line smoking cessation programme in the Spanish language.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the characteristics of users of a smoking cessation programme run by the Open University of Spain (Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia [UNED]). METHODS: We examined the demographic, psychological and smoking characteristics of 23,763 smokers who participated in the on-line smoking cessation program of the UNED. The programme was open to any smoker, free of charge, and was fully automated and with direct access. RESULTS: A total of 93.5% of the users were Spaniards, with an equal percentage of participation among men and women. The mean age was 39 years. Somewhat less than half were married and had a university education. The participants smoked a mean of 19.3 cigarettes per day, showing a mid-range level of nicotine dependence according to the Heaviness of Smoking Index. The results of the Anxiety and Depression subscales of the Symptom Checklist-90-Revised (SCL-90-R) and Perceived Stress Scale were not clinically significant. In a secondary analysis of the data, we found gender differences in all the variables measured. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study confirm the digital divide, with lower participation among people with a lower educational level. No association was observed between stress, anxiety or depression and cigarette consumption.

Internet versus face-to-face group cognitive-behavioral therapy for fibromyalgia: A randomized control trial.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to explore the effectiveness of Internet-delivered cognitive-behavioral therapy (iCBT) in treating fibromyalgia (FM) compared with an identical protocol using conventional group face-to-face CBT. METHODS: Sixty participants were assigned to either (a) the waiting list group, (b) the CBT group, or (c) the iCBT group. The groups were assessed at baseline, after 10 weeks of treatment, and at 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow-ups. The primary outcome measured was the impact of FM on daily functioning, as measured by the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ). The secondary outcomes were psychological distress, depression, and cognitive variables, including self-efficacy, catastrophizing, and coping strategies. RESULTS: In post-treatment, only the CBT group showed improvement in the primary outcome. The CBT and iCBT groups both demonstrated improvement in psychological distress, depression, catastrophizing, and utilizing relaxation as a coping strategy. The iCBT group showed an improvement in self-efficacy that was not obtained in the CBT group. CBT and iCBT were dissimilar in efficacy at follow-up. The iCBT group members improved their post-treatment scores at their 6- and 12-month follow-ups. At the 12-month follow-up, the iCBT group showed improvement over their primary outcome and catastrophizing post-treatment scores. A similar effect of CBT was expected, but the positive results observed at the post-treatment assessment were not maintained at follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that some factors, such as self-efficacy or catastrophizing, could be enhanced by iCBT. Specific characteristics of iCBT may potentiate the social support needed to improve treatment adherence.