Facial infrared thermography as an index of social anxiety.

Previous research on physiological indices of social anxiety has offered unclear results. In this study, participants with low and high social anxiety performed five social interaction tasks while being recorded with a thermal camera. Each task was associated with a dimension assessed by the Social Anxiety Questionnaire for Adults (1 = Interactions with strangers. 2 = Speaking in public/Talking with people in authority, 3 = Criticism and embarrassment, 4 = Assertive expression of annoyance, disgust or displeasure, 5 = Interactions with the opposite sex). Mixed-effects models revealed that the temperature of the tip of the nose decreased significantly in participants with low (vs. high) social anxiety (p < 0.001), while no significant differences were found in other facial regions of interest: forehead (p = 0.999) and cheeks (p = 0.999). Furthermore, task 1 was the most effective at discriminating between the thermal change of the nose tip and social anxiety, with a trend for a higher nose temperature in participants with high social anxiety and a lower nose temperature for the low social anxiety group. We emphasize the importance of corroborating thermography with specific tasks as an ecological method, and tip of the nose thermal change as a psychophysiological index associated with social anxiety.

Predictive Model of Suicide Risk in Young People: The Mediating Role of Alcohol Consumption.

Suicidal behavior is one of the public health problems that cause most deaths in young people and has been associated with emotional and affective problems, so predictive models are required to account for the relationship between depression, anxiety, hopelessness, and alcohol consumption to propose actions for its prevention. The Plutchik Suicide Risk Scale, the CAGE Questionnaire, the Hopelessness Scale, the Depression Inventory and the Beck Anxiety Scale were applied. A total of 1.379 young people (M = 20.45; SD = 3.23) from the cities of Manizales (n = 739; 53.6%) and Medellín (n = 640; 46.5%) in Colombia were evaluated. The variables of anxiety, hopelessness and depression explained 51% (R2 = 0.509; 95% CI = 0.467-0.552; p = 0.001) of the variation in suicidal risk. Likewise, alcohol consumption is a mediating variable between depression and anxiety in the prediction of suicidal risk, whose total, direct and indirect effects are statistically significant. The findings support the role of alcohol consumption as a mediating variable between anxiety, depression, hopelessness and suicidal risk in young people, given the difficulties it causes in information processing, regulation of emotions and therefore in having an adequate coping with the demands of the environment. This justifies the importance of directing suicide prevention actions through strategies for the reduction of alcohol consumption and the management of emotions in young people. HIGHLIGHTSAlcohol modulates the effect of depression and anxiety on suicide riskThis is a study on the risk of suicide in young people in ColombiaThe findings have implications for timely clinical interventions.

Efficacy of cognitive-behavioural therapy for lifestyle modification in metabolic syndrome: a randomised controlled trial with a 18-months follow-up.

OBJECTIVE: To test the efficacy of cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) for lifestyle modification in patients with metabolic syndrome (MetS). DESIGN: 76 MetS patients completed this clinical trial, with 18 months follow-up. 45 participants from the experimental group (EG - CBT) and 31 to the control group (CG - usual care). The CBT programme was performed by a psychologist in a face-to-face group format, during 12 weekly sessions lasting 90 minutes. The intervention for the CG consisted of workshops with basic information about MetS and it's associated cardiovascular risk. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Efficacy of (CBT) in (MetS) patients. RESULTS: Results showed reduction in weight (mean difference - MD -2.633, 95%CI [-4.322, -0.943]; p<.003), waist circumference (MD -2.944, 95%CI [-5.090, -0.798]; p<.008), body mass index (MD -0.915, 95%CI [-1.494, -0.335]; p<.003), systolic (MD -0.046, 95%CI [-0.685, -0.023]; p<.0002) diastolic blood pressure (MD -4.777, 95%CI [-7.750, -1.804]; p<.002), and cardiovascular risk score after 18 months. An increase in adherence to the Mediterranean diet and assertiveness and a reduction in anger were observed in EG. The CG did not show any significant differences. CONCLUSION: The CBT focused on changes in lifestyle seems to be effective in the reduction of MetS and cardiovascular risk factors. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Registered at clinicaltrials.gov (NCT02949622) - PROMETS (Multimodal Intervention Program for Patients with Metabolic Syndrome).

Calidad de vida y estrategias de afrontamiento en pacientes con cáncer ginecológico / Quality of life and coping strategies in patients with gynecological cancer

Resumen Introducción: El cáncer ginecológico impacta psicológicamente a la mujer. En este proceso las Estrategias de Afrontamiento-EA, al parecer, se asocian con la Calidad de Vida relacionada con la Salud-CvRS; sin embargo, se desconoce el valor predictivo de las EA sobre la CvRS. Este artículo tiene como finalidad identificar las diferencias y la naturaleza de la relación entre la CvRS y las EA respecto al apoyo psicológico, así como identificar si las EA predicen la CvRS. Método: Se efectuó un diseño no-experimental con 55 mujeres entre 27 y 69 años, M = 42.3, DE = 10.1, diagnosticadas con cáncer ginecológico. La CvRS se evaluó con el FACT-Cx y el SF-36; las EA, con el CAEPO. Resultados: las mujeres con asistencia psicológica tienen mejor CvRS y EA, igualmente, la CvRS se correlacionó con las EA positivas. La dimensión de salud general también es explicada por las EA positivas e inversamente por las EA negativas. Las EA que mejor predicen las CvRS son: Enfrentamiento y Lucha Activa, y Autocontrol y Control Emocional, mientras que las EA negativas afectan la CvRS. Conclusión: Los resultados resaltan la necesidad de acompañamiento psicológico que promueva EA positivas y beneficien la CvRS en mujeres con cáncer ginecológico.

Abstract Introduction: Gynecological cancer impacts women psychologically. In this process, the Coping Strategies-CS are apparently associated with Health-Related Quality of Life HRQL; however, the predictive value of CS on HRQL is unknown. This article aims to identify the differences and the nature of the relationship of HRQL and CS regarding psychological support, as well as to identify whether CS predict HRQL. Method: A non-experimental design was performed with 55 women between 27 and 69 years old, M = 42.3, DE = 10.1, diagnosed with gynecological cancer. The HRQL was evaluated with the FACT-Cx and the SF-36; and the CS, with CAEPO (Spanish acronym). Results: Women with psychological support have better HRQL and CS, likewise, HRQL was correlated with positive CS. The general health dimension is also explained by positive CS, and inversely by negative CS. The CS that best predict HRQL are: active confrontation and fighting, and self-control and emotional control, while negative CS affect HRQL. Conclusion: The results highlight the need for psychological support that promotes positive CS and benefits HRQL in women with gynecological cancer.

Riesgo suicida y su relación con la inteligencia emocional y la autoestima en estudiantes universitarios / Suicidal risk and its relation with emotional intelligence and self-esteem in university students

Resumen: El objetivo fue establecer la relación del riesgo suicida con la inteligencia emocional y autoestima en una muestra de 1414 estudiantes universitarios de dos ciudades colombianas a partir de un estudio cuantitativo, con diseño no experimental de tipo transversal. Se usaron como instrumentos la Escala de Riesgo Suicida de Plutchik (RS), las versiones adaptadas de Trait Meta-Mood Scale (TMMS-24) y la Escala de Autoestima de Rosenberg (RAE), y una Ficha sociodemográfica ad hoc. Los resultados evidencian correlaciones estadísticamente significativas (p<.001) positivas entre riesgo suicida, atención emocional y autodesprecio; y negativas (p<.001) entre riesgo suicida, inteligencia emocional, claridad emocional, regulación emocional, autoestima y autoconfianza. Se indica que la inteligencia emocional respecto de la claridad, regulación, autoestima y autoconfianza son factores protectores del riesgo suicida, y, al contrario, la atención emocional y el autodesprecio son factores de riesgo para el suicidio.

Abstract: The objective was to establish of suicidal risk with emotional intelligence and self-esteem in a sample of 1414 university students of two Colombian cities from a quantitative study, with a non-experimental cross-sectional design. The Plutchik-RS Suicide Risk Scale, the adapted versions of the Trait Meta-Mood Scale (TMMS-24) and the Rosenberg-RAE Scale of Self-Esteem and an ad hoc Sociodemographic Record was used as instruments. The results show positive statistically significant correlations (p> 0.001) among suicidal risk, emotional attention and self-deprecation; and negative correlations (p> 0.001) among suicidal risk, emotional intelligence, emotional clarity, emotional regulation, self-esteem and self-confidence. We would like to highlight that emotional intelligence regarding clarity, regulation, self-esteem and self-confidence are protective factors of suicidal risk, and conversely, emotional attention and self-deprecation are risk factors for suicide.

Propiedades psicométricas del Cuestionario de ansiedad social para adultos (CASO) en Perú / Psychometric properties of the Social Anxiety Questionnaire for Adults (SAQ) in Peru

Resumen La investigación sobre la evaluación de la ansiedad social en Iberoamérica es escasa. En los últimos años se ha informado sobre las características psicométricas del "Cuestionario de ansiedad social para adultos" (CASO) en distintos países iberoamericanos, excepto Perú. El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar las pruebas de validez basadas en el constructo, las pruebas de validez basadas en la relación con otras variables de tipo convergente y la fiabilidad del CASO, utilizando una muestra no clínica de 3064 peruanos. El análisis factorial confirmatorio comprobó que el modelo de cinco factores relacionados se ajustaba mejor a los datos que el modelo jerárquico y se halló que el modelo unifactorial no tenía un buen ajuste. Las correlaciones entre los factores del CASO (de .608 a .709) indicaron que cada uno de ellos evalúa aspectos específicos del constructo y aportan, a su vez, a la medición global del mismo. Los coeficientes de fiabilidad fueron de aceptables a muy buenos (.78( (( .85, .75( (( .83). La alta correlación (r= .69) con la subescala de Ansiedad de la "Escala de ansiedad social de Liebowitz, versión de autoinforme" (LSAS-SR), apoya su relación con la variable convergente. Estas adecuadas características psicométricas del CASO respaldan su utilización con población peruana.

Abstract Research on the assessment of social anxiety in Ibero-America is scarce. In recent years, the psychometric characteristics of the Social Anxiety Questionnaire for adults (SAQ) have been reported in different Ibero-American countries except Peru. The aim of this study was to analyze the construct and the convergent validity, and the reliability of the SAQ, using a non-clinical sample of 3064 Peruvians. The confirmatory factorial analysis showed that the model of five-related factors was better adjusted to the data than the hierarchical model, and that the unifactorial model did not have a good fit. The correlations between their factors (from .608 to .709) indicate that each of them evaluates specific aspects of the construct and also contribute to the overall measurement of it. The reliability coefficients were from acceptable to very good (.78( (( .85, .75( (( .83). The high correlation (r= .69) with the Anxiety subscale of the "Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale-Self-Report version" (LSAS-SR) supports its convergent validity. These appropriate psychometric characteristics of the questionnaire support its use with the Peruvian population.

[Scales for social support for eating habits and exercise: psychometric properties]. / Escalas de apoyo social para los hábitos alimentarios y para el ejercicio: propiedades psicométricas.

OBJECTIVE: Social support can introduce favorable changes in lifestyle to reduce the cardiovascular risk. The aim of this study was to verify these changes in the clinical population participating in this study and present the psychometric properties of the scales of social support for 'Eating Habits' and 'Exercise' in patients diagnosed with metabolic syndrome. METHODS: 135 participants attending a programme for changing lifestyle habits. Sociodemographic, psychological, and lifestyle variables were assessed at the Hospital Universitario Virgen de las Nieves (HUVN) in Granada (Spain) between 2013 and 2014. The following procedures were used: Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), internal consistency, sensibility to change and temporal stability. RESULTS: The AFC confirmed the original structure of both scales, except for the exclusion of factor 2 (family) from the social support scale for the year. For the social support scale, the local adjustment, all items presented high values of factor loads and individual reliability (λ≥0.64 and R2≥0.41, respectively). For the exercise scale, the local adjustment, the items presented high values of factor loads and individual reliability (λ≥0.62 and R2≥0.38, respectively). Internal consistency values were between adequate and excellent, with Cronbach's alpha figures between 0.714 and 0.864. Regarding sensitivity to change, the experimental group increased the perception of social support for food and exercise. The control group did not show significant differences. CONCLUSIONS: Our results show adequate indices for validity and reliability of the measures. Both measures appeared to be useful to assess social support in patients diagnosed with metabolic syndrome.

OBJETIVO: El apoyo social puede introducir cambios favorables en el estilo de vida de cara a reducir el riesgo cardiovascular. El objetivo de este estudio fue verificar dichos cambios en la población clínica que participó en el mismo y presentar las propiedades psicométricas de dos escalas de apoyo social: los hábitos alimentarios y el ejercicio. Ambas fueron aplicadas en pacientes con síndrome metabólico (SM). METODOS: Participaron 135 sujetos en un programa de modificación de estilo de vida. Las medidas sociodemográficas, psicológicas y de estilo de vida fueron tomadas en el Hospital Universitario Virgen de las Nieves (HUVN) de Granada (España) durante 2013 y 2014. Se realizaron los siguientes análisis: análisis factorial confirmatorio(AFC), de la consistencia interna, de la sensibilidad al cambio y de la estabilidad temporal. RESULTADOS: El AFC confirmó la estructura original de ambas escalas, excepto por la exclusión del factor 2 (familia) de la escala de apoyo social para el ejercicio. Para la escala de apoyo social, el ajuste local, todos los ítems presentaron altos valores de cargas factoriales y fiabilidades individuales (λ≥0,64 y R2≥0,41, respectivamente). Para la escala de ejercicio, el ajuste local, los ítems presentaron altos valores de cargas factoriales y fiabilidades individuales (λ≥0,62 y R2≥0,38, respectivamente). Los valores de consistencia interna resultaron entre adecuados y excelentes, con cifras de alfa de Cronbach entre 0,714 y 0,864. En cuanto a la sensibilidad al cambio, el grupo experimental aumentó la percepción del apoyo social para la alimentación y para el ejercicio. El grupo de control no presentó diferencias significativas. CONCLUSIONES: Los resultados muestran niveles adecuados de validez y fiabilidad, demostrando que las escalas son adecuadas para evaluar el apoyo social en pacientes con SM.

Evaluation of the Reliability and Validity of the Social Anxiety Questionnaire for Children in Adolescents with Social Anxiety Disorder.

Little research has focused on the measurement of specific facets of social anxiety disorder (SAD) in adolescents. In this study, we report on the Social Anxiety Questionnaire for Children (SAQ-C; Caballo et al., 2016), a 24-item questionnaire which assesses six facets of social anxiety in youth: 1) Speaking in public/Interactions with teachers, 2) Interactions with the opposite sex, 3) Criticism and embarrassment, 4) Assertive expression of annoyance, disgust, or displeasure, 5) Interactions with strangers, and 6) Performing in public. The SAQ-C has been shown to have sound psychometric properties in large samples of non-clinical Latin-American and Spanish youth. The present study aimed to provide the first evaluation of the psychometric properties of the SAQ-C in a clinical sample of 58 English-speaking adolescents diagnosed with SAD in the United States. Findings support the reliability and validity of this new measure and reveal specific facets of social anxiety not adequately captured in other frequently used self- report measures. Implications of the findings for assessment and treatment are addressed.

Psychometric properties of the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale in a large cross-cultural Spanish and Portuguese speaking sample

Objective: To examine the psychometric properties of the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale-Self Report (LSAS-SR) based on a large sample recruited from 16 Latin American countries, Spain, and Portugal. Methods: Two groups of participants were included: a non-clinical sample involving 31,243 community subjects and a clinical sample comprising 529 patients with a diagnosis of social anxiety disorder (SAD). Exploratory factor analysis (EFA), confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and exploratory structural equation modeling (ESEM) were used in order to determine the psychometric properties of the LSAS-SR. Results: EFA identified five factors with eigenvalues greater than 1.00 explaining 50.78% of the cumulative variance. CFA and ESEM supported this 5-factor structure of the LSAS-SR. The factors included: 1) speaking in public; 2) eating/drinking in front of other people; 3) assertive behaviors; 4) working/writing while being observed; and 5) interactions with strangers. Other psychometric properties such as inter-factor correlations, invariance, reliability, and validity of the scale were also found. Conclusion: Psychometric data support the internal consistency and convergent validity of the LSAS-SR. It seems to be a valid and reliable measure of global social anxiety for Spanish and Portuguese-speaking countries, although when considering a multidimensional approach (factor-based assessment) it seems to be lacking some relevant social situations that are feared in those countries.

Psychometric properties of the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale in a large cross-cultural Spanish and Portuguese speaking sample.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the psychometric properties of the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale-Self Report (LSAS-SR) based on a large sample recruited from 16 Latin American countries, Spain, and Portugal. METHODS: Two groups of participants were included: a non-clinical sample involving 31,243 community subjects and a clinical sample comprising 529 patients with a diagnosis of social anxiety disorder (SAD). Exploratory factor analysis (EFA), confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and exploratory structural equation modeling (ESEM) were used in order to determine the psychometric properties of the LSAS-SR. RESULTS: EFA identified five factors with eigenvalues greater than 1.00 explaining 50.78% of the cumulative variance. CFA and ESEM supported this 5-factor structure of the LSAS-SR. The factors included: 1) speaking in public; 2) eating/drinking in front of other people; 3) assertive behaviors; 4) working/writing while being observed; and 5) interactions with strangers. Other psychometric properties such as inter-factor correlations, invariance, reliability, and validity of the scale were also found. CONCLUSION: Psychometric data support the internal consistency and convergent validity of the LSAS-SR. It seems to be a valid and reliable measure of global social anxiety for Spanish and Portuguese-speaking countries, although when considering a multidimensional approach (factor-based assessment) it seems to be lacking some relevant social situations that are feared in those countries.

Efficacy of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet in Metabolic Syndrome Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE: Verify the efficacy of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) in adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) in metabolic syndrome (MetS) patients. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, AND INTERVENTION: In the Multimodal Intervention Program for Patients with Metabolic Syndrome clinical trial, 79 MetS patients completed the intervention. Of those, 48 belonged to the experimental group and 31 to the control group. The intervention received by the experimental group was CBT; the control group followed usual care and attended a workshop on healthy lifestyle. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) AND ANALYSIS: Anthropometric, biochemical, psychological, and lifestyle measures were taken before and after the intervention at 3 and 6 months. Analyses included paired t tests, ANOVA, and ANCOVA. RESULTS: The ANOVA results showed a statistically significant interaction between the 2 groups in waist circumference (P = .009), triglycerides (P = .015), and adherence to the MedDiet (P = .026). The ANCOVA results indicated between-group difference in waist circumference (P = .026 and .062 at 3 and 6months, respectively), in triglycerides (P = .009 and .860 at 3 and 6 months, respectively), and in MedDiet (P = .024 and .273 at 3 and 6 months, respectively). CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: In interventions in which CBT was applied, significant improvements were observed in MetS patients, especially in adherence to the MedDiet.

[Validity and reliability of the self-efficacy to regulate exercise scale in patients with metabolic syndrome]. / Validez y fiabilidad de la escala de autoeficacia para el ejercicio físico en pacientes con síndrome metabólico.

OBJECTIVE: Self-efficacy refers to beliefs in individuals' own capacities to do something. With the intent of evaluate the validity and reliability, we investigated the psychometric properties of the Self-Efficacy to Regulate Exercise Scale (SERES) in patients with metabolic syndrome (MetS). METHODS: 135 participants with medical diagnosis of MetS took part in the study (Mage=55.5, SD=7.6). We investigated sociodemographic, psychological, and life-style variables. Participants were recruited at the Hospital Universitario Virgen de las Nieves (HUVN) in Granada (Spain) between 2013 and 2014. In order to characterise the sample, descriptive statistics were used. Factorial analysis, internal consistency and convergent reliability of the SERES were also calculated. Group differences were investigated using Student's t test. RESULTS: A solution with two factors was extracted, which explained 72.7% of the variance of the SERES. The internal consistency values for the total score of the SERES were (0.925 and 0.864) according to the values of Cronbach's alpha and Guttman's two halves, respectively. Significant correlations of the SERES were detected for with physical exercise, assertiveness, stress, anger, and active life-style (e.g., renouncing to sedentary behaviours). CONCLUSIONS: This was the first study to report on psychometric properties of the SERES. Results supported the adequacy of the measure for use with patients with MetS. SERES seemed to be useful in evaluating self-efficacy in relation to physical exercise, psychosocial, and lifestyle variables.

OBJETIVO: La autoeficacia percibida se refiere a la creencia en la propia capacidad para hacer algo. El objetivo de este trabajo fue obtener la validez y la fiabilidad de la escala de autoeficacia para el ejercicio físico (AEEF) en pacientes con síndrome metabólico (SM) y para ello fueron verificadas las propiedades psicométricas de la misma. METODOS: Participaron en el estudio 135 sujetos con una edad media de 55,5 años (DT=7,6) que cumplían los criterios diagnósticos para el SM. Se tomaron medidas sociodemográficas, psicológicas y de estilo de vida de los mismos. Los sujetos fueron reclutados en el Hospital Universitario Virgen de las Nieves (HUVN) de Granada (España) durante los años de 2013 a 2014. La caracterización de la muestra fue realizada a través de análisis descriptivos. Se realizó el análisis factorial, de la consistencia interna y de validez convergente del AEEF; las diferencias intra e intergrupales fueron evaluadas a través de la prueba t de Student. RESULTADOS: Extrajimos una solución de 2 factores que explicaron el 72,7% de la varianza común. Los valores de consistencia interna para la puntuación total de la AEEF fueron de (0,925 y 0,864) según los valores del alfa de Cronbach y del método de las dos mitades de Guttman, respectivamente. Las correlaciones de la AEEF con la frecuencia de la práctica de ejercicios, la renuncia al sedentarismo, la asertividad, el estrés y la ira fueron estadísticamente significativas. CONCLUSIONES: Este es el primer estudio sobre las propiedades psicométricas de la versión española de la AEEF. Los resultados mostraron niveles aceptables de validez y fiabilidad en pacientes con SM. La escala demostró ser útil para evaluar la asociación de la autoeficacia relativa al ejercicio físico con distintas variables psicosociales y de estilo de vida.

Stress, anger and Mediterranean diet as predictors of metabolic syndrome. / Estrés, ira y dieta mediterránea como factores predictores del síndrome metabólico.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a cluster of metabolic conditions that include abdominal obesity, reduction in cholesterol concentrations linked to high density lipoproteins (HLDc), elevated triglycerides, increased blood pressure and hyperglycaemia. Given that this is a multicausal disease, the aim of this study is to identify the psychological, emotional and lifestyle variables that can have an influence on the different MetS components. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study with 103 patients with diagnostic criteria for MetS (47 male and 56 female). Anthropometric, clinical and analytical measurements were collected to assess the variables associated with MetS. The main psychological and emotional variables were also assessed. RESULTS: Different multiple linear regression tests were performed to identify which variables were predictive of MetS. The dependent variables were body mass index (BMI), abdominal circumference, HDLc, and quality of life, and the predictive variables were psychological stress, anger and adherence to a Mediterranean diet. The results showed that psychological stress was a predictor of quality of life (ß=-0.55, P≤0). Similarly, anger was a predictor of BMI (ß=0.23, P=.047) and abdominal circumference (ß=0.27, P=.021). As expected, adherence to a Mediterranean diet was a predictor of HDLc (ß=0.2, P=.045) and of quality of life (ß=-0.18, P=.031). CONCLUSIONS: The results confirm a link between adherence to certain dietary habits and lifestyle, however they go one step further and show the importance of psychological and emotional factors like psychological stress and anger in some MetS components.

Validação brasileira do questionário de ansiedade social para adultos (CASO) / Brazilian validation of the social anxiety questionnaire for adults (SAQ) / Validación brasileña del cuestionario de ansiedad social para adultos (CASO)

Uma prática comum no campo da avaliação da ansiedade social em países de língua espanhola e portuguesa é o uso de instrumentos de origem anglo-saxã sem adaptação prévia para o país de nova aplicação. Recentemente, desenvolveu-se empiricamente o novo Questionário de Ansiedade Social para Adultos (CASO) com situações sociais provenientes da América Latina, da Espanha e de Portugal. Este artigo apresenta as propriedades psicométricas do CASO aplicado a uma amostra de 2.422 brasileiros. Os resultados mostram que o questionário mantém a sua estrutura original de cinco dimensões, com os seus 30 itens apresentando carga fatorial superior a 0,40 em cada um dos cinco fatores. A confiabilidade e a consistência interna são elevadas. Foram encontradas diferenças associadas ao sexo, com mulheres pontuaram de maneira mais elevada em três das cinco dimensões e na ansiedade social geral. Esses dados indicam que o CASO (SAQ) é uma medida válida e confiável para uso no Brasil.

A common practice in the field of social anxiety assessment in Portuguese and Spanish-speaking countries is the use of instruments, developed in English-speaking countries, without prior adaptation to the country of application. Recently, it has been empirically developed the new Social Anxiety Questionnaire for Adults (SAQ) with social situations from Ibero America, Spain, and Portugal. This article presents the psychometric properties of the SAQ, applied to a sample of 2,422 Brazilians. The results show that the questionnaire maintains its five-factor original structure, with its 30 items loading above 0.40 in each of the five factors. The reliability and internal consistency are high. Differences associated with gender were found, showing that women scored higher than men in three out of the five factors and in global social anxiety. These data indicate that the SAQ is a reliable and valid measure for use in Brazil.

Una práctica frecuente en el campo de la evaluación de la ansiedad social en países de lengua española y portuguesa es el empleo de instrumentos de origen anglosajón. Recientemente se ha desarrollado de forma empírica el nuevo Cuestionario de ansiedad social para adultos (CASO) con situaciones sociales generadas en Latinoamérica, España y Portugal. Este artículo presenta las propiedades psicométricas del CASO aplicado a una muestra de 2.422 brasileños. Los resultados muestran que el cuestionario mantiene su estructura original de cinco dimensiones, con sus 30 ítems presentando una saturación factorial superior a 0,40 en cada uno de los cinco factores. La fiabilidad y la consistencia interna son elevadas. Se encontraron diferencias asociadas al sexo, con las mujeres puntuando más alto que los hombres en tres de las cinco dimensiones y en la ansiedad social global. Estos datos indican que el CASO (SAQ) es una medida válida y fiable para su utilización en Brasil.

Validez de constructo y fiabilidad del «Cuestionario de ansiedad social para adultos¼ (CASO) en Colombia / Construct validity and reliability of the "Social Anxiety Questionnaire for adults" (SAQ) in Colombia

El «Cuestionario de ansiedad social para adultos¼ (CASO) es una medida de autoinforme desarrollada para los países de habla española y portuguesa. El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar la validez de constructo y la fiabilidad del CASO en Colombia. Participaron 5477 personas de la población general contestando el CASO y la «Escala de ansiedad social de Liebowitz-versión de autoinforme¼ (LSAS-SR). El análisis paralelo y el análisis factorial exploratorio del CASO arrojaron una solución de cinco factores (hablar en público/interacción con personas de autoridad; quedar en evidencia o en ridículo; expresión asertiva de molestia, desagrado o enfado; interacción con el sexo opuesto e interacción con desconocidos), que explicaban el 53.44% de la varianza. El análisis factorial confirmatorio mostró que el modelo de cinco factores correlacionados era el modelo con mejor ajuste. Las correlaciones entre la puntuación total del CASO y las subescalas y la puntuación total de la LSAS-SR fueron de moderadas a altas (0.53< r <0.64). La fiabilidad y la consistencia interna de la puntuación total del CASO fueron de 0.91 y 0.93, respectivamente, y para las dimensiones estuvieron entre 0.74 y 0.84. Estos resultados permiten concluir que el CASO es una medida válida y fiable para medir la ansiedad social en la población colombiana.

The Social Anxiety Questionnaire for adults (SAQ) is a self-report measurement tool developed for Portuguese and Spanish-speaking countries. The aim of this study was to examine the construct validity and reliability of the SAQ in Colombia. A total of 5477 people from the general population answered the SAQ and the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale, Self-Report version (LSAS-SR). The parallel and exploratory factor analysis of the SAQ yielded a five-factor solution with, speaking in public/talking with people in authority; criticism and embarrassment; assertive expression of annoyance, disgust, or displeasure; interaction with the opposite sex, and interactions with strangers, explaining 53.44% of variance. Confirmatory factor analysis showed that the five correlated factors model was the best fitted model. Correlations between the total score of the SAQ and total score of the LSAS-SR and its subscales were from moderate to high (0.53 < r< 0.64). The reliability and internal consistency for the total score and dimensions of the SAQ were 0.91 and 0.93, respectively, and for the dimensions were between 0.74 and 0.84. These results suggest that the SAQ is a valid and reliable measurement tool for the Colombian population.

Psychometric properties of an innovative self-report measure: The Social Anxiety Questionnaire for adults.

This article presents the psychometric properties of a new measure of social anxiety, the Social Anxiety Questionnaire for adults (SAQ), composed of 30 items that were developed based on participants from 16 Latin American countries, Spain, and Portugal. Two groups of participants were included in the study: a nonclinical group involving 18,133 persons and a clinical group comprising 334 patients with a diagnosis of social anxiety disorder (social phobia). Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses supported a 5-factor structure of the questionnaire. The factors were labeled as follows: (1) Interactions with strangers, (2) Speaking in public/talking with people in authority, (3) Interactions with the opposite sex, (4) Criticism and embarrassment, and (5) Assertive expression of annoyance, disgust, or displeasure. Psychometric evidence supported the internal consistency, convergent validity, and measurement invariance of the SAQ. To facilitate clinical applications, a receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis identified cut scores for men and women for each factor and for the global score.

Differences in social anxiety between men and women across 18 countries.

Sex differences between men and women in social anxiety are largely unexplored. This study sought to shed some light on this topic. We administered self-report measures of social anxiety to community samples of 17,672 women and 13,440 men from 16 Latin American countries, Spain and Portugal, as well as to a clinical sample of 601 patients diagnosed with social anxiety disorder. Small but significant differences were found between men and women in the general degree of social anxiety and self-reported fears of interactions with the opposite sex, criticism and embarrassment, and speaking in public-talking to people in authority. These results point to small, but meaningful differences between men and women in social anxiety. Implications of these results for the self-report measurement of social anxiety in men and women are discussed.

The multidimensional nature and multicultural validity of a new measure of social anxiety: the Social Anxiety Questionnaire for Adults.

Much has been written about the situations most often feared by persons with social phobia, and several self-report measures are frequently used to assess such feared situations. However, it is not clear whether the situations feared by persons with social phobia form unidimensional or multidimensional factors. If these situations are multidimensional, reliance on a total score of feared situations would not reflect important differences between those dimensions. This research examined the multidimensional nature and multicultural validity of a newly developed instrument (the Social Anxiety Questionnaire for Adults [SAQ-A]) in two studies with a total of 539 patients diagnosed with social phobia and 15,753 nonpatients from 20 different countries. The structure (five clear and solid factors) and psychometric properties of the final instrument (the SAQ-A30) support the multidimensional nature of social anxiety and provide a new perspective in the assessment of social phobia.

Estilos, rasgos y trastornos de la personalidad: interrelaciones y diferencias asociadas al sexo / Estilos, traços e transtornos da personalidade: inter-relações e diferenças associadas ao sexo / Styles, traits and disorders of personality: inter-relationships and differences associated to sex

La búsqueda de la estructura básica de la personalidad es un tema relevante y en los últimos años las investigaciones se han centrado en el modelo de los cinco grandes rasgos o factores. Este trabajo averigua las relaciones que existen entre la personalidad normal y la patológica y las relaciones entre los cinco grandes factores y los trastornos de la personalidad del DSM-IV. La muestra fue de 545 universitarios. Los instrumentos fueron el Cuestionario Big Fiv, el Cuestionario exploratorio de la personalidad y el Inventario Clínico Multiaxial de Millon-II. Los resultados muestran que tres factores, Extraversión, Estabilidad emocional y Amabilidad, se relacionan significativamente con algunos trastornos. Los hombres puntuaban significativamente más alto que las mujeres en factores como extraversión, estabilidad emocional y en los trastornos antisocial, narcisista y sádico. Las mujeres tenían puntuaciones superiores en el factor de la amabilidad y en los trastornos límite, dependiente y depresivo. Se discuten las implicaciones de estos resultados para la práctica clínica.

A pesquisa da estrutura básica da personalidade é um tema relevante e nos últimos anos as investigações tem se centrado no modelo dos cincos grandes fatores. Este trabalho investiga as relações que existem entre a personalidade normal e a patológica, e entre as relações dos cinco grandes fatores e os transtornos da personalidade do DSM-IV. A amostra foi de 545 universitários. Os instrumentos utilizados foram o Questionário Big Five, o Questionário exploratório da Personalidade e o Inventário Clínico Multiaxial de Millon-II. Os resultados mostram que três fatores, extroversão, estabilidade Emocional e amabilidade, se relacionam significativamente com alguns transtornos. Os homens pontuaram significativamente mais alto que as mulheres nos fatores como extroversão, estabilidade emocional e em os transtornos anti-social, narcisista e sádico. As mulheres tinham pontuações superiores no fator de Amabilidade e nos transtornos limítrofe, dependente e depressivo. São discutidas as implicações desses resultados para a prática clínica.

The search for the basic structure of personality is a current topic of interest and in the last years the research has focused in the big five traits or factors model. The possibility to establish a reliable classification of the personality disorders is a permanent concern for the researchers in the field; an example of its current state can be found in the section on personality disorders of the DSM-IV. The present work has tried to found the existing relationships between those two fields, the normal and the pathological personalities and more specifically, the relationships between the big five traits and the styles/disorders of personality in base to the DSM-IV. The sample in this work was composed by 545 university students of diverse careers. The self-report instruments used to assess personality areas were the “Big Five Questionnaire” (BFQ; Caprara, Barbaranelli, & Borgogni, 1995) (for traits), the “Exploratory Questionnaire of Personality” (Cuestionario exploratorio de la personalidad, CEPER; Caballo, 1997) (for styles) and the “Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory-II” (MCMI-II; Millon, 1987) (for disorders). The results show that three of the big traits, extroversion, emotional stability and agreeableness were significantly related to some styles/disorders of personality, particularly the last two traits. On the other hand, men scored significantly higher that women in traits like extroversion and emotional stability and in styles/disorders such as antisocial, narcissistic and sadistic, while women scored higher on the Agreeableness trait and in styles/disorders of personality such as borderline, dependent and depressive. The implications of these results for clinical practice are discussed.

Analysis of a clinical case from a Spanish perspective.

In Spain, psychological treatment is offered in both public and private settings. The public Mental Health Units are part of Community Health Centers, where psychiatric and psychological treatments are offered free of charge. However, most professionals offering psychotherapy work in the private sector. In any Spanish city, a great number of private clinical psychologists offer psychotherapy for a variety of clinical disorders and different ages. The case of Mrs. A illustrates many of the key features of psychotherapy in Spain. She would probably be treated in a Health Center. A family physician would evaluate her mental status and establish a pharmacological treatment. If the patient's condition did not improve, the physician would refer her to a specialist in mental health, either a psychiatrist (using pharmacological treatments), in most cases, or in a few cases, a clinical psychologist (using mainly cognitive-behavioral treatment).