Propiedades psicométricas de las versiones larga y corta del cuestionario de agresión AQ en una muestra de presos españoles / Psychometric properties of the long and short forms of the AQ aggression questionnaire in a sample of Spanish inmates

Objetivos: El cuestionario de agresión (AQ) de Buss-Perry (Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire; Buss y Perry, 1992) es una medida utilizada en la población en general. Existe un debate sobre la interpretación de las puntuaciones y la utilidad de una versión más breve (AQ-SV [short version]). El objetivo de este estudio es analizar y comparar las propiedades psicométricas de la versión larga (AQ-LV [long version]) y la breve y comprobar la fiabilidad de la versión breve en una muestra de varones encarcelados. Material y método: La muestra estaba formada por 236 varones encarcelados (edad media de 40,4 años) del Centro Penitenciario Ocaña I (Toledo), que se ofrecieron a participar en el estudio. La muestra se seleccionó mediante la técnica de muestreo aleatorio por niveles, basada en el número de reclusos internos. También se incluyó una lista aleatoria de posibles sustitutos en caso de negativa a ser entrevistados, interrumpiéndose la sustitución en caso de dos negaciones consecutivas. Este estudio es un diseño descriptivo transversal. Resultados: La versión breve de la escala demostró un mejor ajuste que la versión larga, como indican los valores mayores del índice de ajuste comparativo (CFI, comparative fit index) y los menores del cuadrado medio residual ponderado (WRMR, weighted root mean square residual). El número de penas de prisión se asoció positivamente con la agresión física, la agresión verbal, la ira y la hostilidad. Los coeficientes fueron ligeramente superiores para la versión breve que para la versión larga. Discusión: La versión breve del cuestionario AQ es un instrumento válido y de utilidad para medir la agresividad en contextos penitenciarios en relación con la versión larga, y se correlaciona con subescalas de agresión con más fuerza que la versión larga.(AU)

Objectives: The Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire (AQ; Buss & Perry, 1992) is a broad measurement tool used with the general public in Spain. There is some debate regarding the interpretation of AQ scores and the usefulness of a shorter version. The aim is to study and compare the psychometric properties of the long and short version of the AQ and check the reliability of the short version in a sample of male prisoners. Material and method: The sample was composed of 236 incarcerated males (mean age of 40.4 years of age) from Ocaña 1 prison center who volunteered to participate in the study. The sample was selected by using the tiered random sampling technique based on the internal inmate number. A random list of possible substitutes was also included in the event of refusal to be interviewed, with replacement being discontinued in the event of two consecutive refusals. This study is a descriptive cross-sectional design. Results: The short version of the scale demonstrated better adjustment than the long version, as indicated by the larger CFI and smaller WRMR values. The number of prison sentences was positively associated with physical aggression, verbal aggression, anger, and hostility. The coefficients were slightly higher for the short version of the scale than the long one. Discussion: The short version of the AQ is a valid instrument for measuring aggressiveness in prison contexts in relation to the long version, and correlates with subscales of aggression more strongly than the long one.(AU)

The Effect of Visualization Techniques on Students of Occupational Therapy during the First Visit to the Dissection Room.

Background: Part of the basic teaching of human anatomy are prosection sessions with a human corpse, which may generate stress or anxiety among students. The objective of this work was to study how, through the visualization technique (a coping technique), these levels could be reduced before starting prosection classes. Methods: A cross-sectional pilot study was conducted involving first-year students who had never participated in screening sessions. Prior to the visit, occupational therapy students underwent a viewing session (visualization technique). On the day of the visit, before and after the screening session, an anonymous questionnaire was distributed to find out about aspects of the students' experiences, such as their feelings and perceptions. The State−Trait Anxiety Inventory was used to assess anxiety. Results: The baseline levels of anxiety measured remained stable (from 18.5 to 18.2 points), with no differences being found (p > 0.05). The levels of emotional anxiety measured fell from 15.2 to 12.6 points (p < 0.05). Before starting the class, there were six students (17.1%) with anxiety criteria, and this figure was doubled at the end of the session (33.3%) (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Sessions in a dissection room can cause stressful experiences and change the emotional balances of some students. The results obtained and published here showed no significant differences after the visualization technique. We found that the students believed that the prosection sessions were very useful for teaching anatomy.

Tactile Discrimination, Praxis and Cognitive Impulsivity in ADHD Children: A Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: The study of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has traditionally focused on deficit of inhibitory control and cognitive impulsivity. However, the pathophysiology of ADHD has also been associated with the somatosensory cortex. The aim of this study was to explore if there were differences in tactile discrimination and praxis between neurotypical and ADHD children and whether these differences could be explained by cognitive impulsivity. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted. The sample comprised 74 children aged 7 to 11 years divided in two groups: 43 with neurotypical development, 31 with ADHD. To assess tactile discrimination, the finger localization and the graphestesia tests were used. Praxis was assessed with the Kaufman Assesment Battery for Children (K-ABC) hand movement subtest, the action program and the Zoo Map subtests of the Behavioral Assessment of Dysexecutive Syndrome, and the complex figure of Rey-Osterrieth test (ROCF). Cognitive impulsivity was assessed using the Magallanes Computerized Impulsivity Scale test (EMIC). RESULTS: Children with ADHD showed greater cognitive impulsivity (p = 0.038) and scored lower in Zoo Map (p = 0.023) and hand-movement subtests (p = 0.002), and in ROCF test (p = 0.004). Differences in praxis skills still remained after controlling by gender and cognitive impulsivity. CONCLUSION: Praxis deficit might have repercussions not only on the characterization of ADHD but also on its treatment.

Examining self-defining memories and aggression in a sample of criminal offenders.

Self-defining memories (SDMs) are a type of autobiographical memory that people use as a narrative way to explain their self-identity. We sought to examine the relationships between SDMs, aggression, and criminality in a sample of men, 18-64 years of age, recruited in Spain. The sample included three groups: incarcerated criminal offenders with mental illness, incarcerated criminal offenders without mental illness, and healthy community controls. Analyses of the relationship between SDMs and criminal status demonstrated that incarcerated offenders, regardless of mental health status, endorsed phenomenological characteristics of SDMs of their transgressive self at a higher level than community controls. Aggression differed across all three groups, such that inmates demonstrated higher levels of trait aggression than community controls. The associations between aggression and age at event of SDMs did not differ between groups. Further investigation of the relationship between SDMs, aggression, and criminal status may augment understanding of factors of criminality.