El papel de la mentalidad de crecimiento en el desempeño de estudiantes de escuela primaria / The Role Of Growth Mindset In Elementary School Children's Performance

Objetivo. Estudiar la relación entre el tipo de mentalidad y el desempeño en comprensión lectora y aritmética de 247 estudiantes de 9 a 12 años de edad de dos escuelas de Argentina. Método. Los participantes completaron un cuestionario basado en una Escala de Mentalidad de Crecimiento y pruebas estandarizadas de comprensión lectora y cálculo aritmético. Además, se utilizaron las calificaciones escolares proporcionadas por docentes y datos sobre el estatus social (ES) aportados por padres/cuidadores. El diseño fue no experimental y transversal. Resultados. Los análisis de regresión jerárquica mostraron que a mayor mentalidad de crecimiento, mejor desempeño escolar, aún al controlar el efecto del ES. La relación del desempeño con las calificaciones fue más fuerte que con las pruebas estandarizadas.

Objective. The aim of the paper was to study the relation between mindset and reading comprehension and arithmetic performance of 247 students aged 9 to 12 years from two schools in Argentina. Method. Participants were asked to complete a questionnaire based on a Growth Mindset Scale, and standardized tests of reading comprehension and arithmetic calculation. In addition, school grades provided by teachers and social status data provided by parents/caregivers were used. The design was non-experimental and cross-sectional. Results. Hierarchical regression analyzes showed that the higher the growth mindset, the better the school performance, even when controlling for the effect of social status on these variables. The relation of performance with grades was stronger than with standardized tests.

Mediación parental en el uso de tecnologías móviles en niños y niñas costarricenses: Una aproximación metodológica mixta / The meaning of concepts dealing with basic emotions in children and adults

Resumen Aunque las emociones básicas son consideradas universales, su significado varía según las culturas y los grupos sociales. En el marco de la construcción social de los significados, aquí se analizan y comparan las representaciones semánticas de seis emociones básicas (alegría, tristeza, enojo, miedo, sorpresa, asco) activadas por 78 niños (9 a 11 años) y 78 adultos (20 a 40 años). En base a una tarea de producción de atributos semánticos, se construyó la representación semántica asociada a cada emoción para cada rango etario. Luego, utilizando la metodología provista por el análisis de redes sociales (ARS), se analizó la calidad intrínseca y las diferencias en cantidad y tipos de atributos, estructura de las redes, densidad y nivel de entropía, y el uso de la definición por negación. Los resultados indicaron que los mapas semánticos de niños y mayores demuestran que los adultos producen mayor cantidad y diversidad de atributos que los niños, pero que ambas poblaciones comparten el núcleo del significado de los conceptos evaluados. Asimismo, muestra que la escolarización conduce a la generación de más atributos taxonómicos, que en los niños prevalecen los atributos introspectivos, que la densidad y la entropía revelan cómo los conceptos se vinculan entre sí diferencialmente en ambas poblaciones y finalmente que, frente a la dificultad para encontrar definidoras de pertenencia a una clase, los niños recurren a operaciones de contraste categorial. Entre las redes semánticas de adultos y de niños se encuentran continuidades y divergencias. En ambos grupos se encuentran separadas las emociones positivas de las negativas, lo cual es consistente con las teorías que sostienen la importancia de la valencia hedónica en la comprensión de las emociones.

Abstract Although basic emotions are considered universal, their representation, associations and meaning vary among cultures and social groups. Within the framework of the socio-constructivist theory, where the meanings develop in the social context, this paper analyzes and compares the semantic representations of six basic emotions (Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear, Surprise and Disgust), evoked by 78 children between 9 and 11 years old and 78 adults between 20 and 40 years old. Participants had to list a series of properties/features for each concept in a Property Listing Task (PLT). With the lists produced by the participants, their frequencies and other statistical properties were calculated, and the matrix of distances between concepts was obtained from the vectors defined by each of them. Thus, using the six aforementioned emotions as stimuli, the semantic representation associated with each emotion was elaborated for each age range. Once these were obtained, an analysis was carried out to evaluate the intrinsic quality and the differences in: (1) quantity and types of features produced; (2) structure of each of the semantic networks obtained, both by means of quadratic assignment procedure (QAP) and hierarchical clustering algorithms; (3) network density (that describes the portion of the potential connections in a network that are actual connections) and entropy level (that describe the level of randomness and the amount of information encoded in a network); (4) comparative use of definition by negation; (5) qualitative analysis of the features associated with each emotional concept. To carry out the bulk of these activities and analysis, we used the tools and procedures provided by Social Network Analysis (SNA). As a result: (1) regarding the number of features, adults produced significantly more associations. A chi-square analysis found significant differences between groups in the type of features evoked, with a primacy of taxonomic for adults and introspective for children; (2) the quadratic assignment procedure found a significant level of association of .59 between the two age groups. The groupings performed at the lowest level of demand for linkage between cluster members distinguish positive emotions from negative ones; higher levels of demand begin to disaggregate the groupings: first fear and sadness are separated, then anger, then the dyad constituted by both versions of disgust. The emotion of greater commonality between children and adults is joy; (3) the density of the total network is higher in children than in adults, and the concepts of joy, disgust and sadness present a lower entropy in children than in adults; (4) Children produce considerably more definitions by the negative than adults; (5) the most similar emotion between both groups is joy and the most dissimilar is disgust. In children, disgust responds to gustatory stimuli, in adults it is used with social metaphorical value. The results obtained show the semantic representation of basic emotions in children and adults, finding both continuities (e. g. joy) and divergences (e. g. disgust) associated with the context and life experience. In both age groups, positive and negative emotions are found to be separated, which is consistent with theories on the importance of hedonic valence in the understanding of emotions. There are also differences in categorization, either more thematically or taxonomically oriented.

Desarrollo y validación del Cuestionario de Funciones Ejecutivas en niños de 9 a 12 años (CUFE) / Development and Validation of the Executive Function Questionnaire (CUFE) for Children aged 9-12 Years / Desenvolvimento e validação do Questionário de Funções Executivas em crianças de 9 a 12 anos (CUFE)

El presente estudio tuvo como objetivo desarrollar y validar el Cuestionario de Funciones Ejecutivas (CUFE), un cuestionario accesible para evaluar las tres principales funciones ejecutivas (memoria de trabajo, inhibición y flexibilidad cognitiva) en niños de 9 a 12 años y, así, proporcionar valores descriptivos de referencia y evidencias acerca de su confiabilidad y validez. Para ello se analizó su funcionamiento en una muestra de 269 niños argentinos de 9 a 12 años de edad, alumnos del segundo ciclo de la escuela primaria. El análisis factorial exploratorio reveló una estructura de tres factores que explicaban 49.08 % de la varianza, con cargas factoriales unidimensionales y satisfactorias. Los factores retenidos presentaron buenos índices de confiabilidad y fueron llamados: memoria de trabajo, inhibición y flexibilidad y con-trol emocional. La memoria de trabajo se asoció con la comprensión lectora, el cálculo matemático y las calificaciones escolares de Prácticas del lenguaje y Matemática. Las restantes dos subescalas se asociaron con las calificaciones escolares de ambas asignaturas. Las dimensiones del cuestionario coinciden con los actuales modelos teóricos de funcionamiento ejecutivo. En función de las evidencias de validez y confiabilidad, el CUFE se presenta como un instrumento ecológico y valioso para la medición de las funciones ejecutivas en el contexto de la evaluación infantil

The present study aimed to develop and validate an accessible questionnaire to assess the three core execu-tive functions (working memory, inhibition, cognitive flexibility) in children aged 9-12 years: the Executive Function Questionnaire (CUFE), and to provide descrip-tive baseline values and evidence about its reliability and validity. The questionnaire was tested on a sample of 269 Argentinean children from 9 to 12 years old. Children attended elementary schools in Mar del Plata's city. The exploratory factorial analysis revealed a three-factor structure that explained 49.08% of the variance. The items were unidimensional and showed satisfactory factor loadings. The retained factors presented good reliability and were called working memory, inhibition and flexibility, and emotional control. Working memory was associated with reading comprehension, mathemat-ical skills, and school grades (language practices and mathematics). Inhibition and flexibility, and emotional control were associated with school grades. The factors were consistent with current theoretical models on executive functioning. Based on the evidence obtained, the cufe represents an ecological and valuable instru-ment for measuring executive functions on children

O presente estudo teve como objetivo desenvolver e validar um questionário acessível para avaliar as três principais funções executivas (memória de trabalho, inibição, flexibilidade cognitiva) em crianças de 9 a 12 anos: o Questionário de Funções Executivas (cufe); e fornecer valores de referência descritivos e evidên-cias sobre sua confiabilidade e validade. Para tanto, foi analisado seu funcionamento em uma amostra de 269 crianças argentinas entre 9 e 12 anos, estudantes do se-gundo ciclo do ensino fundamental. A análise fatorial exploratória revelou uma estrutura de três fatores que explicou 49.08% da variância, com cargas fatoriais unidi-mensionais satisfatórias. Os fatores retidos apresentaram bons índices de confiabilidade e foram denominados Memória de trabalho, Inibição e Flexibilidade e con-trole emocional. A memória de trabalho foi associada à compreensão de leitura, ao cálculo matemático e às notas escolares de Prática de Linguagem e Matemática. As duas subescalas restantes foram associadas às notas escolares de ambas as disciplinas. As dimensões do ques-tionário coincidem com os modelos teóricos atuais de funcionamento executivo. Com base nas evidências de validade e confiabilidade, o cufe apresenta-se como um instrumento ecológico e valioso para a mensuração das funções executivas no contexto da avaliação infantil

El rol de las funciones ejecutivas en las estrategias cognitivas de regulación emocional no adaptativas en niños / O papel das funções executivas nas estratégias cognitivas de regulação emocional não adaptivas em crianças / The role of executive functions in maladaptive cognitive emotion regulation strategies in children

El objetivo de este trabajo fue analizar la relación de las funciones ejecutivas con las estrategias cognitivas de regulación emocional no adaptativas (ECRE-NA) en niños, controlando el género y los síntomas de ansiedad y depresión; así como analizar el posible efecto moderador de estos factores en dicha relación. Fueron evaluados 95 niños de 9 a 12 años de edad. Los resultados mostraron que menores niveles de memoria de trabajo y de flexibilidad cognitiva predijeron mayor rumiación; y que una menor capacidad de flexibilidad cognitiva predijo mayor autoculpabilización. El género moderó - marginalmente - las relaciones de la memoria de trabajo y la flexibilidad cognitiva con la rumiación, en el sentido de que un menor desempeño en ambas funciones ejecutivas predijo la rumiación en mayor proporción entre las mujeres que entre los varones. Se espera que estos resultados contribuyan a la mejora del diseño de programas de intervención de promoción de la salud mental infantil.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi analisar a relação das funções executivas com as estratégias cognitivas de regulação emocional não adaptivas em crianças, controlando o gênero e os sintomas de ansiedade e depressão; bem como analisar o possível efeito moderador desses fatores. Um total de 95 crianças entre 9 e 12 anos foram avaliadas. Os resultados mostraram que níveis mais baixos de memória de trabalho e flexibilidade cognitiva predisseram maior ruminação; e que uma menor capacidade de flexibilidade cognitiva predisse maior autoculpabilização. O gênero influiu - marginalmente - nas relações de memória de trabalho e flexibilidade cognitiva com a ruminação, no sentido de que um desempenho inferior em ambas as funções executivas predisse ruminação em uma proporção maior entre as meninas que entre os meninos. Espera-se que estes resultados contribuam para a melhoria do desenho de programas de intervenção na promoção da saúde mental infantil.

The aim of this work was to analyze the relationship of executive functions with maladaptive cognitive emotion regulation strategies in children, controlling for gender and for symptoms of anxiety and depression; as well as analyzing the possible moderating effect of these factors. A total of 95 children between 9 and 12 years old were evaluated. The results showed that lower levels of working memory and cognitive flexibility predicted greater rumination; and that a lower capacity for cognitive flexibility predicted greater self-blaming. Gender moderated - marginally - the relationships of working memory and cognitive flexibility with rumination, in the sense that a lower performance in both executive functions predicted rumination in a higher proportion among girls than among boys. It is expected that these results will contribute to the improvement in the design of intervention programs for promotion of mental health in children.

Efecto del uso de estrategias cognitivas de regulación emocional sobre las habilidades de cálculo y comprensión lectora en adolescentes / Effect of the use of cognitive emotion regulation strategies on reading comprehension and calculation skills in adolescents

El objetivo del presente estudio fue indagar acerca del efecto del uso de estrategias cognitivas de regulación emocional sobre las habilidades académicas de cálculo y comprensión lectora en población adolescente. Para ello, se administró el Cuestionario de Regulación Emocional Cognitiva, la Prueba de Competencia Lectora para Educación Secundaria y el sub-test de aritmética de la Prueba de Logro de Amplio Rango, a 65 participantes (género: F: 40, M: 25; ME = 15.52, DE = .69) de una escuela concertada de la ciudad de Valladolid, España. Los resultados indican que el uso de estrategias desadaptativas ­y no así el uso de estrategias adaptativas­ explica el rendimiento en las pruebas de habilidades académicas. Los resultados se discuten en relación a la literatura, señalando los efectos negativos sobre el aprendizaje del uso de estrategias desadaptativas como Rumiación, Catastrofización y Autoculparse

The aim of the present study was to analyze the effect of the use of cognitive emotion regulation strategies on the academic skills (calculation and reading comprehension) of adolescent population. To this end, the Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire, the Reading Competency Test for Secondary Education and the arithmetic subtest of the Wide Range Achievement Test, were administered to 65 participants (gender: F: 40, M: 22; age: ME = 15.52, DE = .69). Students belonged to a concerted school from the city of Valladolid, Spain. The results indicate that the use of maladaptive strategies -and not the use of adaptive strategies- explains the performance on academic skills tests. The results are discussed in relation to the literature, highlighting the negative effects of the use of maladaptive strategies such as Rumination, Catastrophizing and Self-blaming, on learning

El conocimiento de las fracciones. Una revisión de su relación con factores cognitivos / Fraction Knowledge. A Review Of Their Relationship With Cognitive Factors

Resumen El objetivo de este trabajo es realizar una revisión de la literatura que permita comprender la relación del conocimiento de las fracciones con los factores cognitivos en estudiantes de escolaridad primaria y secundaria. Se realizó una búsqueda de artículos empíricos en las bases de datos Education Research Complete, ERIC, MEDLINE, Primary Search, PsycARTICLES y PsycINFO. Los criterios de inclusión fueron: (a) trabajos empíricos, (b) efectuados con niños de escolaridad primaria o secundaria (de 6 a 18 años de edad), (c) publicados en revistas científicas con referato y (d) redactados en español o inglés. Las investigaciones seleccionadas coinciden respecto de que: (a) la atención predice el conocimiento conceptual y procedimental de las fracciones, (b) el lenguaje y la inteligencia fluida explican el conocimiento conceptual de las fracciones en la etapa inicial de su enseñanza sistemática y (c) el ejecutivo central contribuye a la predicción del conocimiento conceptual de las fracciones en años avanzados de la escolaridad. Se discuten las implicaciones teóricas y prácticas de estos resultados y se señalan posibles líneas de investigaciones futuras.

Abstract Learning fractions presents large difficulties for many children and adults. This is a serious problem, because different studies have shown that fraction knowledge predicts advanced mathematics, like algebra. Adult mathematic knowledge is related to employment opportunities, participation in high-skills occupations and economic and social well-being. Therefore, since fractions represent a backbone in mathematics achievement, understanding the factors that explain fractions learning is very important. Some theories of numerical cognition propose that general cognitive factors, like attention or working memory, contribute to learning mathematics. However, recent research has shown different and contradictory results about which cognitive factors are involved in fraction learning. Identifing the cognitive factors that explain fraction knowledge could lead to early identification of children with potential math learning difficulties and the development of interventions to improve their achievement. Therefore, the aim of this article is to perform a systematic literature review to analyze the relationship among some cognitive factors and fraction knowledge. A systematic literature search could define the state of the art on this topic, identify possible sources of controversy among studies, analyze those reasons to recognize points of agreement and discrepancy among studies and direct all this information towards future research lines. A systematic search of empirical articles was done on Education Research Complete, ERIC, MEDLINE Primary Search, PsycARTICLES, and PsycINFO databases. Search was carried out on September of 2017, with keywords in Spanish and their translation into English. Search terms were "fractions" ("fracciones") and "cognitive ability" ("habilidad cognitiva"), "cognitive processes" ("procesos cognitivos"), "working memory" ("memoria de trabajo"), "attention" ("atención"), "intelligence" ("inteligencia"), "speed of processing" ("velocidad de procesamiento"), "inhibition" ("inhibición") and "language" ("lenguaje"). Articles inclusion criteria were: (a) empirical studies, (b) with scholar age samples (6-18 years old), (c) published on peer review journals, (d) written in spanish or english. Thirteen publications were selected. They agree about attention predicting conceptual and procedural knowledge of fractions between fourth and sixth grade, (b) language and fluid intelligence explains conceptual knowledge of fractions in the initial stage of its systematic teaching, (c) central executive predicts fractions concepts in advanced levels of fraction instruction but not in the initial stages of learning, (d) central executive and fluid reasoning does not predict procedural fraction knowledge when other cognitive factors and mathematical abilities, like attention or whole number calculation skills, are included in the explanation models. In broad terms, these results are in line with some theoretical models of numerical cognition and suggested that cognitive processes and abilities are important to learn fractions. There are some practical implications to these results. Fraction learning could be improved by using pedagogical strategies and didactic materials which maximize cognitive performance. For example, employing novelty and ludic materials for teaching fractions could enable students to focus, maintain attention and improve their learning. Also, short instructions with low linguistic complexity would help students with attention, working memory or language difficulties to afford fractions activities and achieve a meaningful learning. On the other hand, working memory load to perform complex fraction activities would be reduced if basic fraction concept and procedures are consolidated in long term memory. Therefore, before advancing to more complex fractions activities in higher grades, the teacher should verify that the basic notions of fractions have been learnt and memorized by students. To develop theoretical cognitive models of mathematics learning, future research might analyze if cognitive factors contribute to fractions knowledge mainly through direct or indirect effects (that is, via their effects on others areas of math knowledge which affect fraction learning). On the other hand, the tasks used to measure cognitive factors are not always pure, that is, different cognitive operations are involved in their execution. Future studies might work with latent variables that allow the identification of the share variance between cognitive task, and consequently, the main cognitive factors involved in fractions learning.

Influencia de las estrategias cognitivas de regulación emocional en el bienestar subjetivo y psicológico en estudiantes universitarios / Influence of cognitive strategies of emotional regulation in the subjective and psychological well-being of university students

Antecedentes: en los últimos años se ha propuesto que las estrategias cognitivas de regulación emocional (ECRE) tendrían capacidad predictiva sobre distintos indicadores de bienestar, dado que algunas de ellas serían eficientes para elevar directamente la experiencia de emociones positivas y disminuir la experiencia de emociones negativas. Objetivo: el objetivo de esta investigación fue analizar la contribución explicativa del uso de las ECRE para los niveles de bienestar subjetivo (BS) y de bienestar psicológico (BP) en estudiantes universitarios, debido a que esta población se caracteriza por una vulnerabilidad particular producto de las exigencias de la vida académica. Método: se evaluaron 84 estudiantes universitarios de la Licenciatura en Psicología de la Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata, con una edad promedio de 23 años. Se realizaron análisis de correlación y de regresión lineal múltiple para analizar los datos. Resultados: se observó que las ECRE adaptativas (ECRE-AD) se asociaron positivamente con ambos tipos de bienestar, en tanto las ECRE no adaptativas (ECRE-NA) lo hicieron en sentido opuesto. Conclusiones: este estudio muestra la contribución explicativa del uso diferencial de las ECRE con los niveles de bienestar de estudiantes universitarios. Los resultados podrían ser un aporte al diseño de programas de promoción y prevención de la salud en esta población, dado que los sentimientos de bienestar influyen en las formas de afrontar las demandas académicas.

Background: in recent years it has been proposed that cognitive strategies of emotional regulation (CSER) would have predictive capacity on different indicators of well-being, since some of them would be effective to directly increase the experience of positive emotions and lessen the negative ones. Objective: this investigation aimed to analyze the explanatory contribution of using CSER to influence the levels of subjective well-being (SWB) and psychological well-being (PWB) in university students, because this population is characterized by its particular vulnerability due to the demands of academic life. Method: eighty-four (84) university students of the psychology program from the National University of Mar del Plata were evaluated, whose average age was 23 years old. Correlation and multiple linear regression analyses were conducted to assess the data. Results: adaptive CSER (CSER- AD) were found to be positively associated with both types of well-being, while non-adaptive CSER (CSER-NA) did so in the opposite direction. Conclusions: this study shows the explanatory contribution of the differential use of CSER in university students' well-being levels. The results could contribute to designing health promotion and prevention programs in this population, given that feelings of well-being influence the coping skills for facing the academic demands.

Regulación emocional y habilidades académicas: relación en niños de 9 a 11 años de edad / Emotion regulation and academic skills: Relationship in children aged 9 to 11

Resumen Las habilidades académicas constituyen un componente específico del éxito escolar y numerosos factores influyen en su adquisición y consolidación. Uno de estos es la habilidad de regulación emocional de tolerancia al distrés, que se define por la capacidad de resistir esta dos emocionales negativos en pos de un objetivo. El propósito de este trabajo fue analizar la relación entre la tolerancia al distrés y las habilidades académicas de comprensión lectora y cálculo matemático en 107 niños de escolaridad primaria de 9 a 11 años de edad. Los resultados mostraron que la tolerancia al distrés resultó un predictor significativo de la comprensión lectora de textos expositivos y del cálculo matemático, no así de la comprensión lectora de textos narrativos. Es posible que la tolerancia al distrés resulte un factor relevante para el éxito académico en varios dominios.

Abstract Academic skills are a specific component of academic success, and many factors influence their acquisition and consolidation. One of these factors is the ability to emotionally regu late distress tolerance, as defined by the ability to withstand negative emotional states in pursuit of a goal. This paper undertook to analyse the relationship between distress tole rance and reading comprehension and mathematical computations in 107 primary school children aged 9 to 11. The results showed that distress tolerance was a significant predictor of reading comprehension of expository texts and mathematical computations, albeit not so for reading comprehension of narrative texts. Distress tolerance is likely to be a relevant factor for academic success in several domains.

Desempeño en memoria de trabajo e indicadores comportamentales: Relaciones entre medidas directas e indirectas / Relationship between performance in working memory and behavioral indicators observed in class

La memoria de trabajo (MT) es un fuerte predictor del desempeño académico por su impacto en la comprensión lectora, la competencia aritmética y los comportamientos necesarios para el aprendizaje escolar. De modo que saber cómo opera la MT en niños de edad escolar y conocer la percepción que los docentes tienen sobre la MT de sus estudiantes es de gran interés. Por eso, los objetivos del trabajo que se informa fueron evaluar si las observaciones de los docentes sobre las dificultades en la MT de sus alumnos (medidas indirectas) se relacionan con el rendimiento de estos alumnos en pruebas de ejecución de MT (medidas directas) y analizar si estas dificultades percibidas por los docentes se corresponden con la presencia de problemas comportamentales de diversos tipos. Para esto se les administraron a niños de edad escolar pruebas de MT verbal y MT viso-espacial informatizadas, y a sus docentes dos cuestionarios, la Escala Observacional de Memoria de Trabajo -WMRS- y la Guía de Observación Comportamental -GOC-. Los resultados obtenidos muestran asociaciones significativas entre indicadores de fallos en MT y la performance de los niños en la tarea de MT verbal, debidas probablemente a que en los comportamientos explorados en la WMRS el componente verbal está más claramente reflejado (e.g., requiere repeticiones de instrucciones). También se encontró que estos fallos se relacionan con problemas comportamentales reportados por los docentes, como ser dificultades atencionales, hiperactividad y autoagresión. Se considera al estudio realizado como una contribución porque no hay escalas observacionales de MT para uso docente, disponibles en nuestro medio.

Working memory (WM) is a strong predictor of academic performance, due to its impact in reading comprehension, arithmetic's competence and the regulated behaviors required for school learning. Thus, knowing about WM operation in school-aged children and teachers' perception on their students WM is of great value and interest. This is why in the present work we assess whether teachers' reports about their students' WM (indirect measure) is associated with their performance in WM tasks (direct measure), and also to assess whether the difficulties perceived by the teachers correspond to the presence of students' general behavioral issues. For that, we administered computerized verbal WM tasks to school-aged children, in which they had to recall a number of digits (control condition) while saying out loud the color of the items (interference condition), and computerized visual-spatial WM tasks, in which they had to recall the locations of a series of stimuli (control condition) while indicating the color of the stimuli in a color palette (interference condition). We also administered two scales to their teachers: one of them asks about WM specifically (Working Memory Rating Scale) and is composed of 20 short descriptions of behavior problems that allow discriminating between children with poor and average WM skills. The teacher rates how typical a behavior is in each child, in a scale that goes from Not typical at all (0) to Very typical (3). The other asks about diverse behavioral problems (Guide of Behavioral Observation) and is composed of the following subscales: Physical and Verbal Aggression, Negativism, Transgression, Impulsivity, Hyperactivity, Attention Deficit and Acceptance. The teacher must choose the option that best describes the behavior in the child in terms of frequency (Never, Sometimesor Often). Our results show significant associations between children performance in the verbal WM task (direct measure) and WM failures' indicators (indirect measures), which can be explained by the fact that the verbal component is more clearly reflected in the behaviors explored in the Working Memory Rating Scale (e.g., loses his place in complicated activities, requires regular repetition of instructions, depends on neighbor to remind them of the current task). We also wanted to look out if there were associations between the WM skills reported by the teachers and the general behavior problems also reported by them, and we found associations between the reported WM difficulties and attention disorders, hyperactivity and self-aggression. This is consistent with the claim that WM and attention deficit in non clinical population are closely related. With respect to hyperactivity, its relation with WM is not as clear and has not been so frequently reported. With respect to self-aggression, its relation with WM difficulties can be attributed to these children's in ability to exercise control over the environment, which leads to frustration and low levels of motivation and self-esteem. Lastly, we found associations between children's performance in the computerized WM tasks and the presence of behavioral problems informed by the teachers. Specifically, proper performance in verbal WM tasks associates with less attention difficulties, where as proper performance in visual-spatial WM tasks associates with being accepted by the group. This last association could be attributed to the fact that many group games require several abilities that involve visual-spatial WM, such as the ability to orientate in space and recall different locations. To conclude, we consider that this work constitutes a contribution because, in the first place, there are no WM observation scales for teachers' use available in our environment, and, in the second place, it addresses the need for teachers to acknowledge WM difficulties and consequently be trained for the implementation of effective strategies to im prove WM skills in the classroom.

Regulación emocional y desempeño académico: revisión sistemática de sus relaciones empíricas / Regulação emocional e desempenho acadêmico: uma revisão sistemática de relações empíricas / Emotion regulation and academic performance: a systematic review of empirical relationships

Se ha propuesto que laregulación de la emoción (RE) constituye un factor con capacidad predictiva sobre el desempeño académico. Sin embargo, los estudios empíricos son escasos y aún se conoce relativamente poco sobre la relación específica de las estrategias y habilidades de RE con diferentes indicadores del desempeño académico. El objetivo de este trabajo fue identificar el estado del arte de la relación de la regulación emocional (RE) con el desempeño académico. Se realizó una búsqueda sistemática de artículos en las bases Google Scholar, ERIC y PsyArticles combinando los términos regulación de la emoción y autorregulación de la emoción con: habilidades, competencia, logro, éxito, desempeño, aprendizaje (académico), escolar/escuela, alfabetización, aula/aúlico, educación, lectura, matemáticas. Se seleccionaron 17 artículos. El análisis permitió conformar dos grupos. En el primer grupo, fueron consideraron los artículos que evaluaron estrategias de RE. Entre estos estudios predominaron los diseños experimentales y los indicadores comportamentales como medidas de RE. En el segundo grupo, fueron considerados los estudios que evaluaron habilidades de RE. En este grupo, predominaron los estudios con diseños transversales y medidas de autoinforme o de informes de terceros para evaluarRE. Se concluye señalando recomendaciones para futuros trabajos.

Foi proposto que a regulação da emoção (ER) é um fator com uma capacidade preditiva de desempenho acadêmico. No entanto, estudos empíricos são escassos e ainda relativamente pouco se sabe sobre a relação específica das estratégias e habilidades RE com diferentes indicadores de desempenho acadêmico. O objetivo deste estudo foi identificar o estado da arte sobre a relação entre regulação emocional e desempenho acadêmico. Uma pesquisa sistemática de artigos empíricos foi realizada nas bases de dados Google Scholar, ERIC e PsycArticles combinando os termos regulação de emoção ou auto-regulação emocional com: (acadêmico) habilidades, competência, realização, sucesso, desempenho, aprendizagem, escola, alfabetização, sala de aula, educação, leitura, matemática. Foram selecionados 17itens. Análise possível formar dois grupos. No primeiro grupo, foram considerados os artigos que avaliaram estratégias de RE. Nestes estudos predominaram projetos experimentais e indicadores comportamentais como medidas de RE. No segundo grupo, foram considerados estudos que avaliam habilidades RE. Neste grupo predominaram estudos com projetos transversais e medidas de auto-relato ou de relatórios de terceiros para avaliar RE. Concluiu-se apontando algumas recomendações para trabalhos futuros.

It has been proposed that emotion regulation (ER) is a factor with a predictive capacity for academic performance. However, empirical studies are scarce and relatively little is still known about the specific relationship of RE strategies and abilities with different indicators of academic performance. The aim of this study was to identify the state of the art regarding the relationship of emotional regulation with academic performance. A systematic search of empirical articles was conducted in the databases Google Scholar, ERIC and PsyArticles combining the terms emotion regulation or emotion self-regulation with: (academic) abilities, competency, achievement, success, performance, learning, school, literacy, classroom, education, reading, math. There were selected 17 items. The analysis allowed two groups to be formed. In the first group, articles evaluating ER strategies were considered. Among these studies, experimental designs and behavioral indicators predominated as ER measures. In the second group, studies evaluating ER skills were considered. In this group, studies with cross-sectional designs and measures of self-report or other reports to evaluate ER were predominant. It concludes with recommendations for future work

Executive functions and Cognitive Reappraisal ability: the relationship in children / Funciones ejecutivas y regulación de la emoción: evidencia de su relación en niños

Resumen La habilidad de reevaluación cognitiva (HRC) es una estrategia de regulación emocional que implica resignificar un evento para cambiar su efecto emocional. En los niños, esta habilidad permite disminuir experiencias emocionales negativas y se ha mostrado como un factor de protección frente a la ansiedad y depresión. Sin embargo, aún resta conocer los factores que contribuyen a explicar las diferencias individuales en esta habilidad. Uno de estos factores son las funciones ejecutivas, ya que contribuyen al control cognitivo de la emoción. El objetivo de este trabajo fue analizar el rol de las funciones ejecutivas en la HRC. Se evaluaron 100 niños de 9 a 12 años (M = 10.49; DS = 1.10) en memoria de trabajo, flexibilidad cognitiva espontánea, inhibición y HRC mediante la tarea de amplitud oral (Batería AWMA), prueba de fluidez verbal semántica (Batería ENI) y la tarea de identificación de reevaluaciones cognitivas (TIRC) elaborada para este estudio. Los datos se analizaron mediante regresión lineal múltiple. Los resultados mostraron que las funciones ejecutivas predecían la HRC, es decir, los niños que tuvieron mejor desempeño en funcionamiento ejecutivo mostraron mayor HRC. Se espera que estos resultados permitan profundizar el conocimiento de los procesos implicados en el control cognitivo de la emoción.

Abstract The Cognitive Reappraisal Ability (CRA) is an emotional regulation strategy that involves giving a new meaning to an event in order to change the emotional response. In children, this skill helps reduce negative emotional experiences and has proven to be a protective factor against anxiety and depression. However, there's still the need to understand the factors that may influence on the individual differences in the CRA. One of these factors is executive functions, since they contribute to the cognitive control of emotion. The aim of this study was to analyze the role of executive functions in the CRA. We evaluated 100 children whose ages ranged from 9 to 12 years (M=10,49; DS=1,10) on their working memory capacity, spontaneous cognitive flexibility, inhibition and CRA using a Verbal Span Task (AWMA) , Verbal Fluency Task (ENI Battery) and a Cognitive Reappraisal Task CRT, which was designed for this research. Data set was analyzed by linear regression analysis. The results showed executive functions preceded CRA, i.e. children who performed better in executive functioning showed higher CRA. It is expected that these results permit a deeper understanding of the processes involved in cognitive control of emotion.

Predictores cognitivos de la capacidad de planificación en niños de 6 y 7 años de edad / Cognitive predictors of planning ability in 6 and 7 years old children / Preditores cognitivos da capacidade de planejamento em crianças de 6 e 7 anos de idade

La planificación implica la habilidad para identificar y organizar secuencias de acciones con el fin de alcanzar metas específicas. En la literatura se observan resultados dispares respecto de cuáles son los mejores predictores de esta capacidad en niños. Nuestro objetivo en este trabajo fue identificar en qué medida la voluntad de control, el control inhibitorio perceptual, la memoria de trabajo y la inteligencia fluida explican tal capacidad en niños que inician la educación primaria básica. La muestra estuvo conformada por 289 participantes de entre 6 y 7 años de edad. Los resultados indicaron que únicamente la inteligencia fluida y la memoria de trabajo se asociaban y explicaban la capacidad de planificar. Discutimos las implicaciones de estos resultados para el diseño de futuras investigaciones.

Planning involves the ability to identify and organize sequences of actions to achieve specific goals. In scientific literature different results are observed about which are the best predictors of this capacity in children. The aim of this study is to identify to what extent effortful control, perceptual inhibitory control, working memory and fluid intelligence explain this ability in children who start basic primary education. The sample consisted of 289 participants aged between 6 and 7 years old. The results indicated that only fluid intelligence and working memory were associated with and explained planning ability. The implications of these results for the design of future research are discussed.

O planejamento envolve a habilidade de identificar e organizar sequências de ações para alcançar objetivos específicos. Na literatura, são observados resultados diferentes em relação a quais são os melhores preditores dessa capacidade em crianças. O objetivo deste trabalho é identificar em que medida o desejo de controle, o controle inibitório perceptual, a memória de trabalho e a inteligência fluida explicam essa capacidade em crianças que começam a Educação Básica Primária. A amostra foi composta de 289 participantes com idade entre 6 e 7 anos de idade. Os resultados indicaram que apenas a inteligência fluida e a memória de trabalho se associavam e explicavam a capacidade de planejar. Assim, é proposta a discussão das implicações desses resultados para o projeto de pesquisas futuras.

Efecto moderador del sexo en la relación a la personalidad y el bienestar psicológico en estudiantes universitarios / Moderating effect of sex in relation to personality and psychological wellbeing in college students

El bienestar psicológico (BP) es un indicador de calidad de vida a nivel individual y colectivo. La población universitaria es vulnerable a bajos niveles de BP. El sexo y los rasgos de personalidad afectan el BP. Profundizar en el conocimiento de estos factores sería de valor para el desarrollo de intervenciones acordes con las necesidades específicas de los universitarios. El objetivo de este trabajo es comparar la capacidad predictiva del sexo y de los rasgos de personalidad sobre las dimensiones del BP y analizar si el sexo posee un efecto moderador en relación a la personalidad y el BP. Se evaluaron 407 estudiantes universitarios mediante cuestionarios de autoinforme. El sexo resultó un predictor significativo para autonomía y crecimiento personal. Los rasgos de personalidad mostraron capacidad predictiva sobre las dimensiones de BP: extraversión, neuroticismo y conciencia sobre autoaceptación y dominio del entorno; extraversión y agradabilidad sobre relaciones positivas; extraversión, neuroticismo y apertura a la experiencia sobre autonomía; conciencia, agradabilidad y apertura a la experiencia sobre crecimiento personal y los cinco rasgos sobre propósito en la vida. El sexo presentó un efecto moderador para la relación del rasgo conciencia con la dimensión crecimiento personal. Los rasgos de personalidad se asociaron con las dimensiones de BP siguiendo en su mayoría los perfiles de relaciones hipotetizados por la literatura. Este trabajo profundiza en el conocimiento de los factores que influyen sobre el BP. Se espera que contribuya a desarrollar intervenciones destinadas a mejorar la calidad de vida de este grupo poblacional.

The psychological well-being (PW) is a quality of life indicator at individual and collective levels. The university population is vulnerable to low levels of PW. Sex and personality features affect the PW. To deepen oneÆs knowledge of these factors would be of value to the development of interventions û according to the specific requirements for college students. The objective of this paper is to compare the predictive capacity of sex and personality features on the dimensions of the PW, and analyze if sex has a moderating effect in relation to personality and PW. We evaluated to 407 college students through self-report questionnaires. Sex resulted a significant predictor for autonomy and personal growth. The personality features showed predictive capacity over the dimensions of PW: extraversion, neuroticism, self-acceptance awareness, and control of the environment; extraversion and pleasantness over positive relationships; extraversion, neuroticism, and openness to the experience over autonomy; awareness, pleasantness and openness to the experience over personal growth and the five features on the purpose in life. Sex presented a moderating effect on the relationship of the conscience features with the personal growth dimension. The personality features were associated with the dimensions of PW following most of the relations profiles hypothesized by the literature. This work delves into the knowledge of the factors that influence on PW. It is hoped that this will contribute to develop interventions destined to improve the quality of life of this population group.

As relações entre temperamento e as funções executivas em crianças de 6 e 7 anos de idade / Relationships between temperament and executive functions in 6 and 7 years old children / Relaciones entre el temperamento y las funciones ejecutivas en niños de 6 y 7 años de edad

As funções executivas são um conjunto de processos cognitivos envolvidos no controle do pensamento, comportamento e afeto. Estudos em crianças pré-escolares indicam que esses processos estão associados às características temperamentais delas, no entanto, em crianças mais velhas, as relações entre essas construções têm sido pouco exploradas. O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar a relação entre temperamento e as funções executivas de controle inibitório, memória de trabalho, planejamento e tomada de decisão em crianças do primeiro ano do Ensino Básico. Um grupo de 289 crianças com idade média de 80,94 meses, com desvio padrão de 3,75 meses, foi avaliada. Os resultados indicaram que aquelas crianças com maior capacidade de autorregular a sua reatividade temperamental apresentam melhor desempenho no planejamento, em comparação a crianças com maiores dificuldades para se autorregular. No entanto, não foram observadas relações entre temperamento e memória de trabalho, inibição perceptual e tomada de decisão. Conclui-se apontando alguns critérios metodológicos para a elaboração de futuras pesquisas que explorem a relação entre as funções executivas e o temperamento.

Executive functions are a set of cognitive processes involved in the control of thought, behavior and affect. Studies in preschool children indicate that these processes are associated with their temperamental characteristics; however, in older children the relationships between these constructs have been little explored. The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between temperament and executive functions of inhibitory control, working memory, planning and decision making in children in the first year of the Basic Primary Education. A group of 289 children whose average age was 80.94 months with a standard deviation of 3.75 months was evaluated. The results indicated that children with greater capacity to regulate their temperamental reactivity present better performance in planning compared to children with higher difficulty to regulate temperamental reactivity. However, no relationships were observed between temperament and working memory, perceptual inhibition and decision making. We conclude by pointing out some methodological criteria for future research design that explores the relationship between temperament and executive functions.

Las funciones ejecutivas conforman un conjunto de procesos cognitivos implicados en el control del pensamiento, comportamiento y afectividad. Estudios en niños de preescolar indican que dichos procesos se asocian con las características temperamentales de éstos, sin embargo, en niños de mayor edad las relaciones entre estos constructos han sido poco exploradas. El objetivo de este trabajo fue analizar las relaciones entre el temperamento y las funciones ejecutivas de control inhibitorio, memoria de trabajo, planificación y toma de decisiones, en niños de primer año de la Educación Primaria Básica. Se evaluó un grupo de 289 niños cuya edad media fue de 80.94 meses, con una desviación estándar de 3.75 meses. Los resultados indicaron que aquellos niños con mayor capacidad de autorregular la reactividad temperamental presentan mejor desempeño en planificación, respecto de los niños con mayores dificultades para autorregular la misma. No obstante, no se observaron relaciones del temperamento con la memoria de trabajo, la inhibición perceptual y la toma de decisiones. Se concluye señalando algunos criterios metodológicos para el diseño de futuras investigaciones que exploren las relaciones entre el temperamento y las funciones ejecutivas.

Disponibilidad de recursos materiales en el hogar y adquisición de habilidades pre-lectoras / Availability of resources and the acquisiton of pre-reading skills in the family context / Disponibilidade de recursos materiais e aquisição de habilidades pré-leitoras em contexto familiar

El aprendizaje de la lectura implica un conjunto de factores que hacen posible su adquisición. Entre estos, se destacan el contexto alfabetizador familiar, entendido como el conjunto de los recursos del hogar que abarcan experiencias en las cuales el niño se encuentra en contacto con eventos que involucran la lectoescritura y la disponibilidad de materiales impresos; además de las habilidades y conocimientos prelectores definidos como precursores de la lectura formal, que tienen sus orígenes en las experiencias tempranas de la vida de un niño. El objetivo de este trabajo es explorar y describir las relaciones entre el contexto alfabetizador familiar y el rendimiento en habilidades prelectoras. Para ello se seleccionó una muestra de 88 niños de 5 años de edad, de ambos sexos, y a los cuidadores de los mismos niños a quienes se les administró una entrevista semiestructurada y precodificada denominada Evaluación del Contexto Alfabetizador y la versión en español del Get Ready to Read! Screening Tool de Whitehurst & Lonigan. Los resultados permitieron establecer una asociación estadísticamente significativa entre los índices disponibilidad de recursos materiales vinculados a la lectura en el hogar -especialmente el acceso a medios tecnológicos- y el rendimiento en habilidades prelectoras, demostrando la importancia que tienen para la alfabetización las características del medio ambiente en el que se desenvuelve el niño.

Learning to read involves a number of factors. Among these, we focus on the family context related to literacy. We understand this context as a set of resources, including experiences in which the child is in contact with the events surrounding the literacy and the availability of printed materials, as well as skills and knowledge of pre- reading, identified as precursors of formal reading. In this study we aim to explore and describe the relationships between family background and performance in pre-reading skills. We take, as sample, 88 children 5 years old, both sexes, and their parents. We interviewed the family to evaluate the family context and used the the Spanish version of “Get Ready to Read! Screening Tool” by Whitehurst & Lonigan. The results indicate a statistically significant association between rates of resource availability of reading materials at home - particularly access to technological means - and performance in pre-reading skills. This reveals the importance of the characteristics of environment in which the child grows to the development of literacy.

Aprender a ler envolve um conjunto de fatores. Entre estes, destaca-se a leiturabilidade no contexto da família, entendida como um conjunto de recursos domésticos que incluem experiências em que a criança está em contato com os acontecimentos envolvendo a alfabetização e disponibilidade de materiais; habilidades de pré-leitura e habilidades identificadas como precursoras da leitura formal. O objetivo deste trabalho foi explorar as relações entre os antecedentes familiares e o desempenho de alfabetização em habilidades pré-leitura. Participaram 88 crianças de 5 anos de idade e os seus cuidadores. A eles foram administradas uma entrevista de avaliação de contexto da família e a versão espanhola de Get Ready to Read! Screening Tool. Os resultados indicam uma associação com significância estatística entre as taxas de disponibilidade de recursos materiais de leitura em casa e realização de habilidades pré-leitoras, sugerindo a importância das características do lar para alfabetização.

Análisis de procesos de codificación y recuperación en pacientes conesclerosis múltiple (EM) / Analysis of codification and recovery processes in patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

El objetivo principal de este trabajo fue el estudio exhaustivo de los procesos mnésicos en un grupo de pacientes con diagnóstico de esclerosis múltiple (EM). La teoría clásica sobre el tema considera que en esta patología se producen defectos en los procesos de recuperación de la memoria episódica. Estudios recientes aportan evidencia a favor de una hipótesis alternativa que atribuye el origen del trastorno mnésico a una alteración en los procesos de codificación y organización de la información. El tema es aún hoy objeto de discusión y debate. Por eso en este trabajo se estudió el funcionamiento de estos procesos de codificación y recuperación, para ello se utilizó un conjunto de diversos índices incluidos en el Test de Aprendizaje Verbal España Complutense (TAVEC). Se trabajó con un grupo de 36 pacientes con diagnóstico de EM y un grupo control de población normativa (n=36) emparejados por edad y nivel educacional. Los resultados obtenidos sugieren la existencia de alteraciones en los procesos de codificación y de recuperación mnésicos. Esto nos permite interpretar los defectos en los procesos de recuperación como una disfunción secundaria de la alteración en la codificación y organización de la información.

The primary target of this work was the exhaustive study of memory processes in a group of patients with diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis (MS). The classic theory considers that in this pathology defects in the processes of recovery of the episodic memory take place. Recent studies contribute evidence in favor of an alternative hypothesis that it attributes the origin of the memory disorder to an alteration in the codification processes and organization of the information. The subject is still today in discussion. For that reason in this work we studied the operation of codification and recovery processes, for it was used the Test of Verbal Learning Spanish Complutense (TAVEC). One worked with a group of 36 patients with I diagnose of command post and a group control of healthy subjects matched up by age and educational level. The obtained results suggest the existence of alterations in the memory processes of codification and recovery. This allows us to interpret the defects in the processes of recovery like a secondary impairment of the alteration in the codification and organization of the information.

Asociaciones entre rendimiento en comprensión de textos y estrategias pedagógicas utilizadas por docentes / Associations between achievement in reading understanding and pedagogical strategies used by teachers

El objetivo de este trabajo ha sido explorar las asociaciones entre el rendimiento en comprensión lectora y distintas estrategias docentes utilizadas con alumnos de segundo y tercer grado de Educación Primaria Básica (EPB) de la Ciudad de Mar del Plata (Argentina). El supuesto de este estudio afirma que existe una asociación entre el rendimiento en comprensión lectora y las estrategias pedagógicas docentes. Se aplicó una adaptación del PROLEC para evaluar el rendimiento en lectura y un cuestionario construido para explorar las estrategias docentes. Los instrumentos fueron administrados a una muestra aleatoria de alumnos de 2º y 3º año de 10 escuelas municipales (n=258) y a sus respectivos docentes (n=64). Los resultados permitieron aportar evidencia empírica sobre la ausencia de asociaciones estadísticamente significativas entre ambas variables, lo que permite suponer que la lectoescritura es un fenómeno complejo que depende de numerosos factores como las diferencias cognitivas individuales, el contexto alfabetizador, etc.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi explorar as associações entre o rendimento em compreensão de leitura e diferentes estratégias docentes utilizadas em alunos da segunda e terceira série do ensino fundamental da cidade de Mar del Plata (Argentina). O pressuposto deste estudo afirma que existe uma associação entre o rendimento em compreensão de leitura e as estratégias pedagógicas docentes. Foi aplicado uma adaptação do PROLEC para avaliar o rendimento em leitura e um questionário elaborado para explorar as estratégias docentes. Os instrumentos foram aplicados em uma amostra aleatória de alunos da 2ª e 3ª série de 10 escolas municipais (n=258) e nos seus respectivos docentes (n=64). Os resultados permitiram contribuir com evidência empírica a respeito da ausência de associações estadisticamente significativas entre ambas as variáveis, o que permite supor que a leitura-escrita é um fenômeno complexo que depende de vários fatores, como ser as diferenças cognitivas individuais, o contexto de alfabetização, etc.

The aim of this work has been to explore the relationships between reading comprehension achievement and strategies used by teachers in second and third class of public schools of Mar del Plata City. The assumption of this study affirms that exist an association between reading comprehension achievement and strategies used by teachers. It was applied an adaptation of PROLEC to evaluate reading comprehension achievement and a questionnaire to explore the educational strategies. The instruments were administered to a random sample of students of 2º and 3º year of 10 public schools (n=258) and their respective teachers (n=64). The outcomes allows contribute empirical evidence of the absence of statistically significant associations between both variables which allows to suppose that reading comprehension is a complex phenomenon that depends on numerous factors like individual cognitives differences and familiar support.