Impact of lockdown on the addictive behavior of university students in La Rioja. / Impacto del confinamiento en la conducta adictiva de los universitarios riojanos.

One of the consequences of the COVID-19 health crisis was the general lockdown. Research shows that lockdown situations may cause changes in addictive behaviors. The objective of the present study was to analyze the impact of lockdown on the addiction pattern of university students in order to design interventions adjusted to the students' needs. The study was conducted through a non-probabilistic sample of 540 students, with a mean age of 22.3 years and a proportion of women of 69.3%. The results indicated a significant decrease in the consumption of tobacco, alcohol, and psychotropic drugs during the participants' lockdown, both in the number of users and in the amounts consumed. Regarding behaviors related to behavioral addictions, participants showed a significant increase in problematic Internet use and use of video games and eSports, although the level of gambling decreased. Despite the fact that consumption patterns were reduced due to changes in the leisure and free time patterns of this population subgroup, it was possible to identify some indicators that deserve attention due to their increase, such as relapses in smoking, an increase in the number of participants who drank alcohol on a daily basis and an increase in the level of discomfort related to the use of technology. The implications of the results are analyzed and possible actions demanded by the students are examined.

Una de las implicaciones de la crisis sanitaria de la COVID-19 ha sido el confinamiento de la población. La investigación previa muestra que las situaciones de confinamiento provocan cambios en las conductas adictivas. El objetivo del presente estudio fue conocer el impacto del confinamiento en el patrón de las adicciones de los y las estudiantes universitarios con la intención de diseñar intervenciones ajustadas a las necesidades de esta población. La muestra no probabilística estuvo compuesta por 540 estudiantes de la Universidad de La Rioja, con una media de edad de 22,3 años y una proporción de mujeres del 69,3%. Los resultados indicaron un descenso significativo en el consumo de tabaco, alcohol y psicofármacos durante el confinamiento de los y las participantes tanto en el número de consumidores como en las cantidades consumidas. Respecto a las conductas relacionadas con las adicciones comportamentales, los y las participantes indicaron un aumento significativo del uso problemático de Internet y de videojuegos y eSports, aunque descendió el nivel de juego de apuestas. A pesar de que los patrones de consumo se vieron reducidos por el impacto que el confinamiento tuvo en los patrones de ocio y tiempo libre de este subgrupo poblacional, se identificaron algunos indicadores merecedores de atención por su aumento, como recaídas en el consumo de tabaco, aumento del número de participantes que consumen alcohol a diario y aumento en el nivel de malestar relacionado con el uso de Internet. Se analizan las implicaciones de los resultados y se examinan posibles acciones demandadas por el estudiantado.

Comparing psychotic experiences in low-and-middle-income-countries and high-income-countries with a focus on measurement invariance.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of psychotic experiences (PEs) is higher in low-and-middle-income-countries (LAMIC) than in high-income countries (HIC). Here, we examine whether this effect is explicable by measurement bias. METHODS: A community sample from 13 countries (N = 7141) was used to examine the measurement invariance (MI) of a frequently used self-report measure of PEs, the Community Assessment of Psychic Experiences (CAPE), in LAMIC (n = 2472) and HIC (n = 4669). The CAPE measures positive (e.g. hallucinations), negative (e.g. avolition) and depressive symptoms. MI analyses were conducted with multiple-group confirmatory factor analyses. RESULTS: MI analyses showed similarities in the structure and understanding of the CAPE factors between LAMIC and HIC. Partial scalar invariance was found, allowing for latent score comparisons. Residual invariance was not found, indicating that sum score comparisons are biased. A comparison of latent scores before and after MI adjustment showed both overestimation (e.g. avolition, d = 0.03 into d = -0.42) and underestimation (e.g. magical thinking, d = -0.03 into d = 0.33) of PE in LAMIC relative to HIC. After adjusting the CAPE for MI, participants from LAMIC reported significantly higher levels on most CAPE factors but a significantly lower level of avolition. CONCLUSION: Previous studies using sum scores to compare differences across countries are likely to be biased. The direction of the bias involves both over- and underestimation of PEs in LAMIC compared to HIC. Nevertheless, the study confirms the basic finding that PEs are more frequent in LAMIC than in HIC.

A Developmental Study of Mirror-Gazing-Induced Anomalous Self-Experiences and Self-Reported Schizotypy from 7 to 28 Years of Age.

INTRODUCTION: The mirror-gazing task (MGT) is an experimental paradigm inducing anomalous perceptions and anomalous experiences of self-face (ASEs) in the general population, ranging from changes in light and color, to face deformation, to experiencing one's specular image as another identity. Subclinical ASEs have been related to the emergence of the risk for developing psychotic disorders, and inducing such states in the general population could shed light on the factors underlying interindividual differences in proneness to these phenomena. We aimed to examine the influence of schizotypal personality traits on proneness to experiencing induced ASEs from a developmental perspective, from childhood to adulthood. METHODS: Two hundred and sixteen children, adolescents, and young adults participated in the MGT, and their schizotypal personality traits were assessed with the Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire. Statistical analyses assessed the relationship between schizotypy dimensions and induced ASEs, and we further tested their dynamic relationship as function of age (from childhood to adulthood). RESULTS: Results confirmed the developmental trajectory of the different schizotypy dimensions, with scores peaking during adolescence, and proneness to induced ASEs seemed to follow a similar developmental trajectory. Moreover, positive (p = 0.001) and disorganized (p = 0.004) dimensions were found to contribute to the proneness to experiencing induced ASEs. Finally, the developmental model showed that positive schizotypy (p = 0.035) uniquely distinguished between experiencing other-identity phenomena between childhood and adulthood. CONCLUSION: This study has the potential to inform research on early detection of psychosis through a developmental approach and links the concept of schizotypy with processes of perceptual self-distortions.

Metacognitive interpersonal group therapy for adolescents with avoidant personality disorder: The case of Sofia.

INTRODUCTION: Early intervention studies for adolescents and early adults are required to explore the acceptability and effectiveness of psychological therapies across the full range of personality disorders (PDs) beyond just borderline PD. The main aim of the current paper was to describe a Metacognitive Interpersonal Therapy group adaptation for adolescents (MIT-GA) presenting with PDs featuring overcontrol and social inhibition, and in particular Avoidant PD characteristics. METHODS: We report findings from a single case of a female adolescent diagnosed with Avoidant PD providing preliminary data on feasibility and the possible effectiveness of MIT-GA. RESULTS: Evidence of acceptability and meaningful clinical gains are described. CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest that MIT-GA could be a powerful treatment option in patients with generalized social avoidance who do not currently receive gold-standard psychotherapeutic treatments. This intervention also appears to be effective and cost-effective in initiating significant clinical changes in profiles of young patients with non-borderline PD symptoms.

Problematic Internet Use among adolescents: Spanish validation of the Compulsive Internet Use Scale (CIUS). / Uso Problemático de Internet en adolescentes: Validación en español de la Escala de Uso Compulsivo de Internet (CIUS).

Problematic use of the Internet among adolescents has risen in the last decade. The Compulsive Internet Use Scale (CIUS) is one of the most frequently internationally-used tools developed to assess Problematic Internet Use (PIU). However, evidence concerning its validity and reliability in its Spanish version for the adolescent population is currently lacking. Thus, the main goal of the present study was to analyse the psychometric properties of CIUS scores in a large sample of Spanish adolescents. The sample consisted of 1,790 participants (53.7% female, mean age = 15.70 years old, SD = 1.26). The one-dimensional model displayed appropriate goodness of fit indices after error covariance of five items were allowed to correlate. Strong measurement invariance was found for the one-dimensional model across age and gender. The McDonald's Omega coefficient for the total score was 0.91. Furthermore, PIU was positively associated with different indicators of poor wellbeing and psychological difficulties and negatively associated with prosocial behaviour, self-esteem and sense of belonging to the educational centre. The study provided evidence of validity for the CIUS, confirming its utility for screening PIU in non-clinical adolescents.

La Escala de Uso Compulsivo de Internet (Compulsive Internet Use Scale, CIUS) es uno de los instrumentos más empleados a nivel internacional para evaluar el Uso Problemático de Internet (UPI). Sin embargo, no existen evidencias de validez y fiabilidad de las puntuaciones de la versión española en población adolescente. Por ello, el principal objetivo de este estudio fue analizar las propiedades psicométricas de las puntuaciones de la CIUS en una muestra representativa de adolescentes españoles. La muestra contó con 1.790 participantes (53,7% mujeres, edad media = 15,70 años, DT = 1,26). El análisis de la estructura interna del instrumento mostró unos índices de bondad de ajuste apropiados para el modelo unidimensional después de que se permitiera correlacionar la covarianza de errores de cinco ítems. Se encontró invarianza de medición fuerte para el modelo unidimensional en las variables de edad y género. El coeficiente Omega de McDonald para la puntuación total fue 0,91. Además, el UPI se asoció positivamente con diferentes indicadores de malestar y dificultades psicológicas y negativamente con el comportamiento prosocial, la autoestima y el sentido de pertenencia al centro educativo. Este estudio arroja evidencias de validez de la CIUS, y sugiere que puede ser una herramienta apropiada para medir el UPI en adolescentes de la población general.

Suicidal behavior assessment in adolescents: Validation of the SENTIA-Brief scale.

Suicide is a social-health problem in the youth population worldwide; however, there are no measuring instruments specifically designed for use in Spanish adolescents. The main goal of this work was to analyze the psychometric properties of a new measuring instrument, called SENTIA-Brief, for suicidal behavior assessment in Spanish adolescents.

Relationship between substance use and schizotypal traits in school-aged adolescents. / Relación entre consumo de sustancias y rasgos esquizotípicos en adolescentes escolarizados.

GOAL: The main goal of the present study was to analyze the relationship between substance use (tobacco, alcohol, cannabis) and schizotypal traits in a representative sample of school-aged adolescents from the general population. METHOD: cross-sectional, descriptive survey 1,588 students (M = 16.13 years, SD = 1.36), 739 male (46.5%), selected by random stratified cluster sampling, participated in the study. The instruments administered were the Oviedo Questionnaire for Schizotypy Assessment, the Modified Substance Use Questionnaire, the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, the Penn Matrix Reasoning Test, the Family Affluence Scale-II, and the Oviedo Infrequency Scale. RESULTS: Controlling for the effects of multiple covariates (gender, age, IQ, socio-economic level, psychopathology and consumption), the results showed that compared with non-users, alcohol drinkers reported higher average scores in the Social Disorganization dimension. Cigarette smokers, differentiated by frequency, reported higher average scores in the Anhedonia and Social Disorganization dimensions than non-smokers. No statistically significant differences between users and non-users of cannabis were found in terms of schizotypal traits. CONCLUSION: controlling for the effects of multiple covariates, adolescents who use tobacco and alcohol reported higher scores - depending on frequency of use - in schizotypal traits. Future studies should continue to analyze the role of substance use in individuals at risk of psychosis and determine its role in the transition to serious mental disorders using new methodologies such as ambulatory assessment.

Objetivo: analizar la posible relación entre el consumo de sustancias psicoactivas (en concreto, tabaco, alcohol y cannabis) y los rasgos esquizotípicos en una muestra representativa de adolescentes escolarizados de la población general.  Método: diseño transversal descriptivo tipo encuesta. La muestra se compuso por 1.588 estudiantes (M = 16,13 años; DT = 1,36; 739 varones, 46,5%), seleccionados mediante muestreo aleatorio estratificado por conglomerados. Los instrumentos administrados fueron el Cuestionario Oviedo para la Evaluación de la Esquizotipia, el Cuestionario de Consumo de Sustancias Modificado, el Cuestionario de Capacidades y Dificultades, el Penn Matrix Reasoning Test, la Family Affluence Scale-II y la Escala Oviedo de Infrecuencia de Respuesta. Resultados: una vez controlado el efecto de múltiples covariables (género, edad, cociente intelectual, nivel socio-económico, psicopatología previa y consumo de sustancias), los consumidores de alcohol comparados con los no consumidores, informaron de mayores puntuaciones medias en la dimensión Desorganización Social. Los consumidores de tabaco comparados con los no consumidores, informaron de mayores puntuaciones medias en las dimensiones de esquizotipia de Anhedonia y Desorganización Social. Con respecto al consumo de cannabis, no se hallaron diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre consumidores y no consumidores en las dimensiones esquizotípicas. Conclusiones: controlando el efecto de múltiples variables de confundido, los adolescentes consumidores de tabaco y alcohol ­según su frecuencia­ informaron de mayores puntuaciones en rasgos esquizotípicos. Futuros estudios podrían continuar analizando el papel del consumo de sustancias en la aparición de trastornos mentales, como la psicosis, mediante nuevas metodologías como la evaluación ambulatoria.

Universal Patterns in Color-Emotion Associations Are Further Shaped by Linguistic and Geographic Proximity.

Many of us "see red," "feel blue," or "turn green with envy." Are such color-emotion associations fundamental to our shared cognitive architecture, or are they cultural creations learned through our languages and traditions? To answer these questions, we tested emotional associations of colors in 4,598 participants from 30 nations speaking 22 native languages. Participants associated 20 emotion concepts with 12 color terms. Pattern-similarity analyses revealed universal color-emotion associations (average similarity coefficient r = .88). However, local differences were also apparent. A machine-learning algorithm revealed that nation predicted color-emotion associations above and beyond those observed universally. Similarity was greater when nations were linguistically or geographically close. This study highlights robust universal color-emotion associations, further modulated by linguistic and geographic factors. These results pose further theoretical and empirical questions about the affective properties of color and may inform practice in applied domains, such as well-being and design.

[Prevalence and psychological factors associated withsuicidal behavior in adolescents. Ensanut 2018-19]. / Prevalencia y factores psicológicos asociados con conducta suicida en adolescentes. Ensanut 2018-19.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of suicidal behavior and its association with psychological factors in Mexican adolescents. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cross-sectional study based on the National Survey of Health and Nutrition (Ensanut 2018-19), with a sample of 17 995 adolescents (10-19 years). Adjusted logistic regression models were estimated, obtaining Odds Ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI). RESULTS: Prevalence of suicidal ideation and suicide attempt in Mexico were 5.1 and 3.9%, respectively; the high-est prevalence was in Guanajuato (ideation: 9.0%, attempt: 7.8%). Associated factors. Suicidal ideation: tobacco (OR= 2.26; 95%CI: 1.62-3.16), alcohol (OR= 2.12; 95%CI: 1.65-2.73), depressive symptoms (OR= 6.04; 95%CI: 4.71-7.73), sexual abuse (OR= 6.57; 95%CI: 4.57-9.45). Suicidal attempt: tobacco (OR= 2.17; 95%CI: 1.49-3.15), alcohol (OR= 2.32; 95%CI:1.77-3.03), depressive symptoms (OR= 6.47; 95% CI: 4.91-8.51), sexual abuse (OR= 6.76; 95%CI: 4.60-9.96). CONCLUSIONS: By increasing suicidal behavior in Mexican adolescents, it is necessary to implement preventive public policies that articulate mental health, addiction and violence programs.

OBJETIVO: Estimar la prevalencia de conducta suicida y su asociación con factores psicológicos en adolescentes mexi-canos. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Estudio transversal prove-niente de la Encuesta Nacional de Salud y Nutrición (Ensanut 2018-19). Se estimaron modelos de regresión logística, con lo que se obtuvieron razones de momios (RM) con intervalos de confianza al 95% (IC95%). RESULTADOS: nacional de ideación e intento de suicidio fue de 5.1 y 3.9%, respectivamente; fue más alta en Guanajuato (ideación: 9.0%, intento: 7.8%). Factores asociados. Ideación suicida: tabaco (RM= 2.26; IC95%: 1.62-3.16), alcohol (RM= 2.12; IC95%: 1.65-2.73), sintomatología depresiva (RM= 6.04; IC95%: 4.71-7.73), abuso sexual (RM= 6.57; IC95%: 4.57-9.45). Intento de suicidio: tabaco (RM= 2.17; IC95%: 1.49-3.15), alcohol (RM= 2.32; IC95%: 1.77-3.03), sintomatología depresiva (RM= 6.47; IC95%: 4.91-8.51), abuso sexual (RM= 6.76; IC95%: 4.60-9.96). CONCLUSIONES: Debido al incremento de la conducta suicida en adolescentes mexicanos, es necesario implementar políticas públicas pre-ventivas que articulen programas de salud mental, adicciones y violencia.

Psychotic-like experiences and cannabis use in adolescents from the general population. / Experiencias psicóticas atenuadas y consumo de cannabis en adolescentes de la población general.

The purpose of this study was to analyze the relationship between psychotic-like experiences and cannabis use in a representative sample of adolescents from the general population. A total of 1,588 students (M=16.13 years, SD = 1.36), 739 men (46.5%), selected by stratified random sampling by conglomerates from 98 classes in 34 schools participated in the survey. The instruments used were the Prodromal Questionnaire-Brief, the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, the Modified Substance Use Questionnaire, the Penn Matrix Reasoning Test, the Family Affluence Scale-II, and the Oviedo Infrequency Scale. Results showed that a percentage of adolescents reported psychotic-like experiences and/or cannabis use. Prior to controlling for multiple confounders (gender, age, socio-economic level, alcohol use, smoking, emotional and behavioral problems, and IQ), cannabis use was associated with psychotic-like experiences. After adjustment for confounders, psychotic-like experiences were not seen to be associated with cannabis use. Mediational analyses showed that emotional and behavioral problems mediate the relationship between cannabis use and risk of psychosis. It seems that once the effect of multiple confounding variables is controlled for, the use of cannabis increases the risk of comorbid psychopathology and this in turn increases the risk of psychosis. These results suggest that the relationships established between psychotic experiences and cannabis are complex and mediated by relevant variables. Further studies should examine this relationship in follow-up studies and gene-environmental designs.

El propósito de este estudio fue analizar la relación entre las experiencias psicóticas atenuadas y el consumo de cannabis en una muestra representativa de adolescentes de la población general. Un total de 1,588 estudiantes (M=16,13 años; DT = 1,36), 739 eran hombres (46,5%), pertenecientes a 34 escuelas y 98 aulas, seleccionados mediante muestreo aleatorio estratificado por conglomerados, fueron encuestados. Los instrumentos administrados fueron el Cuestionario de Pródromos de Psicosis-Breve, el Cuestionario de Capacidades y Dificultades, el Cuestionario de Consumo de Sustancias Modificado, el Penn Matrix Reasoning Test (PMRT), la Family Affluence Scale-II y la Escala Oviedo de Infrecuencia de Respuesta. Los resultados mostraron que un porcentaje de adolescentes informaron de experiencias psicóticas atenuadas y/o consumo de cannabis. Antes de controlar el efecto de múltiples covariables (género, edad, nivel socio-económico, consumo de tabaco, problemas emocionales y CI), los jóvenes consumidores de cannabis informaron de un mayor riesgo teórico de psicosis. Cuando se controló el efecto de las covariables, las experiencias psicóticas no se asociaron con el consumo de cannabis. El análisis mediacional indicó que los problemas en el ajuste emocional y comportamental mediaban en la relación entre consumo de cannabis y experiencias psicotiformes. Parece ser que, una vez controlado el efecto de las múltiples variables de confundido, el uso de cannabis aumenta el riesgo de psicopatología comórbida y esta a su vez el riesgo de psicosis (mayor frecuencia de experiencias psicóticas). Estos resultados sugieren que la relación que se establece entre las experiencias psicóticas y el cannabis es compleja y se encuentra mediada por variables relevantes. Futuros estudios deberán examinar las interacciones Gen x Ambiente en estudios longitudinales.

[Perfectionism and high intellectual capacity]. / Perfeccionismo y alta capacidad intelectual.

Perfectionism is a psychological construct related o excellence and an optimal manifestation of high intellectual ability (HIA). The main goal of the present work was to compare types and dimensions of perfectionism in students with HIA and an age-gender matched comparison group. We selected 137 participants with diagnosis of HIA and a comparison group of 137 matched by gender and age. The mean age was 11.77 years (SD = 1.99). The Almost Perfect Scale-Revised (APS-R) and the Positive and Negative Perfectionism Scale-12 (PNPS-12) were used. The cluster analysis for the total sample identified 3 groups of participants (non-perfectionist, unhealthy perfectionist/negative, and healthy perfectionist/ positive). The HIA group presented a higher prevalence of healthy perfectionists and a lower prevalence of unhealthy perfectionists, in comparison with the group of students without a diagnosis of HIA. When comparing the average scores of APS-R and PNPS-12 between the ACI and the comparison group, statistically significant differences were found in high standards, order, discrepancy, positive and negative perfectionism. In all cases, the comparison group yielded higher mean scores than the HIA group. These results have clear implications in the understanding of the phenotypic expression of perfectionism related to excellence and optimal manifestation of the high intellectual potential.

El perfeccionismo es un constructo psicológico relacionado con la excelencia y una manifestación óptima de alta capacidad intelectual (ACI). El objetivo principal de este trabajo fue comparar las tipologías y dimensiones de perfeccionismo entre jóvenes de ACI y un grupo de comparación apareado por género y edad. Se seleccionaron 137 participantes con diagnóstico de ACI y un grupo de 137 de comparación apareado por género y edad. La media de edad fue de 11.77 años (DT = 1.99). Como herramientas se utilizaron la Almost Perfect Scale-Revised (APS-R) y la Escala de Perfeccionismo Positivo y Negativo 12 (PNPS-12). El análisis de conglomerados para la muestra total, identificó la presencia de tres agrupaciones de participantes (No perfeccionista, Perfeccionista no saludable/negativo, y Perfeccionista saludable/positivo). El grupo de ACI presentó una mayor prevalencia de perfeccionistas de tipo saludables y una menor prevalencia de perfeccionistas de tipo no saludable, en comparación con el grupo de alumnos sin diagnóstico de ACI. Cuando se compararon las puntuaciones medias de APS-R y PNPS-12 entre los grupos de ACI y grupo de comparación, se encontraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas en altos estándares, orden, discrepancia, perfeccionismo positivo y perfeccionismo negativo. En todos los casos el grupo de comparación presentó puntaciones medias mayores que el grupo de ACI. Estos resultados tienen implicaciones claras en la comprensión de la expresión fenotípica del perfeccionismo relacionado con la excelencia y la manifestación óptima del alto potencial intelectual.

Bullying, defending, and outsider behaviors: The moderating role of social status and gender in their relationship with empathy.

The aim of the present study was to examine whether the effect of empathy on the role children play in bullying situations, as either bullies, defenders or outsiders, was moderated by children's social status within their classroom, and whether this moderation was gender dependent. For this purpose, we used a representative sample of 2,050 Spanish primary school children (50.80% girls) from grades 3-6 (Mage = 9.80 years; SD = 1.24), recruited from 27 primary schools. Results showed that the effect of empathy on bullying behavior was moderated by the sociometric rating only in girls. Both empathy and social rating had an effect on defending behavior. However, neither the children's sociometric rating nor their gender moderated the relationship between empathy and defending and outsider behaviors. These findings are discussed in terms of their implications for interventions designed to prevent bullying in school settings.

Emotional and Behavioral Adjustment in a Spanish Sample of Adolescents.

Introducction. The purpose of this study was to analyze the relationship between emotional and behavioral difficulties and suicidal ideation, bullying and cyberbullying, and substance use in adolescents. METHOD: The sample consisted of a total of 1,664 participants (M=16.12 years, SD=1.36, range 14-19 years, 697 males), selected by stratified random sampling. The instruments used were the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, the Paykel Suicide Scale, the Cyberbullying- Brief Questionnaire, the Modified Substance Consumption Questionnaire, and the Oviedo Infrequency Response Scale. RESULTS: The results showed that 7.7% of adolescents obtained risk scores of poor mental health, and 13.4% would be in the limit score range. In addition, the results indicated that adolescents who showed a possible risk of emotional and behavioral mental health problems also present greater suicidal ideation, behaviors related to bullying and cyberbullying (perception, victimization), and substance use, specifically tobacco and cannabis. CONCLUSIONS: These results increase awareness of the importance of adolescents’ mental health, improve the training of health professionals and guide the implementation of measures to promote health and reduce the risk factors for suicide, school bullying and of substance use and abuse.

[Validation of Q-PAD: Questionnaire for the assessment of psychopathology in adolescent colombian sample]. / Validación del Q-PAD: cuestionario para la evaluación de psicopatología en adolescentes.

The main objective of this study was to contribute to the validation of the Questionnaire for the Evaluation of Psychopathology in Adolescents (Q-PAD) in a nonclinical sample of Colombian adolescents. The sample consisted of 559 students of a center of public secondary education. Correlations between 9 Q-PAD subscales were significant and positive, except for the self-esteem subscale. The internal structure of each scale showed an essentially unidimensional structure, except for the Psychosocial Risk subscale. The internal consistency for the subscales ranged between 0.78 and 0.91 (McDonald's omega). The exploratory factor analysis yielded a solution of 6 factors. A good external validity between the Q-PAD Family Problems subscale and the three subscales of Interpersonal Relations Scale (ERI) was observed. The results indicate that scores of Q-PAD have an appropriate psychometric support and this instrument would allow screening for psychosocial and mental health problems in Colombian adolescents in an efficient, easy, fast and non-invasive way.

A pilot study on feasibility, acceptance and effectiveness of metacognitive-oriented social skills training in schizophrenia.

BACKGROUND: In preparation for a randomized controlled trial, a pilot study was conducted to investigate the feasibility, acceptability and effectiveness of a psychotherapy group based on metacognitive-oriented social skills training (MOSST). METHODS: Twelve outpatients with schizophrenia were offered 16 group-sessions of MOSST. Effect sizes were calculated for changes from baseline to treatment end for both psychosocial functioning and metacognitive abilities measured by the Personal and Social Performance Scale (PSP) and the Metacognition Assessment Scale-Abbreviated (MAS-A) respectively. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Ten patients finished the full treatment protocol and nonsignificant moderate effect sizes were obtained on PSP and MAS-A scores. To date, this is the first study in Spain to suggest that outpatients with schizophrenia will accept metacognitive therapy for social skills training and evidence improvements in psychosocial functioning and metacognition. CONCLUSION: Despite limitations inherent in a pilot study, including a small sample size and the absence of a control group, sufficient evidence of effectiveness was found to warrant further investigation. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ISRCTN10917911 . Retrospectively registered 30 November 2016.

Methodological rigour in the study of addictions. / Rigor metodológico en el estudio de las adicciones.

Editorial of vol 29-3.

Editorial del Vol 29-3.

Assessing self-reported clinical high risk symptoms in community-derived adolescents: A psychometric evaluation of the Prodromal Questionnaire-Brief.

BACKGROUND: The reliable early identification of individuals at risk for psychosis requires well-validated screening measures. To date, there is little information about the psychometric properties of the screening measures for psychosis risk in nonclinical adolescents. The main purpose of the present study was to validate the Prodromal Questionnaire-Brief (PQ-B) in a community sample of non-clinical Spanish adolescents. We also analyzed the prevalence, factorial validity, and reliability of the PQ-B scores as well as the relationship between self-reported clinical high risk symptoms and schizotypal traits. METHOD: Four hundred and forty-nine high-school students participated in a cross-sectional survey. The PQ-B and the Oviedo Schizotypy Assessment Questionnaire (ESQUIZO-Q) were used. RESULTS: Although 85.1% of the total sample reported at least one clinical high risk symptom, only 16% of the adolescents scored above the standardized cut-off. The PQ-B revealed an essentially unidimensional structure. The internal consistency of the PQ-B total score was 0.93. Pearson correlation coefficients indicated a high degree of overlap between self-reported clinical high risk symptoms and Positive and Disorganized schizotypal traits. A Canonical correlation between the PQ-B total score and ESQUIZO-Q dimensions showed that the associated variance between both sets of variables was 45.4% (adjusted R(2)=0.45). CONCLUSIONS: The PQ-B is a brief, easy, and reliable tool for screening self-reported clinical high risk symptoms in adolescents from the general population. These results also indicated that self-reported clinical high risk symptoms and schizotypal traits are closely associated at the subclinical level. The assessment of psychosis risk symptoms and their relationship with other distal risk factors, in a close-in strategy, may enhance the early identification of individuals at heightened risk for psychosis spectrum disorders.

New approaches on the study of the psychometric properties of the STAI.

INTRODUCTION: The main purpose of this study was to analyze the psychometric properties of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI1). Previous studies have indicated different factor solutions. Nevertheless, there is still a lack of consensus about the best dimensional model of STAI scores. METHOD: The sample consisted of 417 participants, composed of 387 (29.71% male) healthy participants (comparison group: M=35.5 years; SD=8.40), and 30 (36.66% male) patient (clinical group M=35.8 years; SD=12.94). RESULTS: The internal consistency evaluated through Ordinal Alpha was good, 0.98 and 0.94 in the non-clinical and the clinical samples, respectively. Test-retest reliability (two weeks) for Total Score was 0.81 for the non-clinical subsample, and 0.93 for the clinical subsample. Confirmatory factor analyses supported both a four factor model and bifactor model. Also, STAI scores showed statistically significant correlations with Burns Anxiety Inventory (Burns-A) scores. Furthermore, results showed statistically significant differences in the mean scores of the STAI between the clinical and the non-clinical subsamples. CONCLUSIONS: The psychometric properties of the STAI were adequate. The present study contributes to better understand the STAI structure through the comparison of new approaches in the study of the STAI internal structure. The results found may contribute in the efforts to improve the evaluation and identification of anxiety symptoms and disorders.

Psychotic-like Experiences and Substance Use in College Students. / Experiencias psicóticas atenuadas y consumo de sustancias en universitarios.

Psychotic disorders, as well as psychotic-like experiences and substance use, have been found to be associated. The main goal of the present study was to analyse the relationship between psychoticlike experiences and substance use in college students. The simple comprised a total of 660 participants (M = 20.3 years, SD = 2.6). The results showed that 96% of the sample reported some delusional experience, while 20.3% reported at least one positive psychotic-like experience. Some substance use was reported by 41.1% of the sample, differing in terms of gender. Substance users reported more psychoticlike experiences than non-users, especially in the positive dimension. Also, alcohol consumption predicted in most cases extreme scores on measures of delusional ideation and psychotic experiences. The association between these two variables showed a differentiated pattern, with a stronger relationship between substance use and cognitive-perceptual psychotic-like experiences. To some extent, these findings support the dimensional models of the psychosis phenotype and contribute a better understanding of the links between psychoticlike experiences and substance use in young adults. Future studies should further explore the role of different risk factors for psychotic disorders and include models of the gene-environment interaction.

Los trastornos del espectro esquizofrénico, así como las experiencias psicóticas, se han asociado con un mayor consumo de sustancias. El objetivo de este trabajo fue analizar la relación entre las experiencias psicóticas atenuadas y el consumo de sustancias en adultos jóvenes. La muestra la formaron un total de 660 participantes universitarios (M = 20,3 años; DT = 2,6). Los resultados mostraron que un 96% de la muestra informó de alguna experiencia de ideación delirante, mientras que el 20,3% informó de, al menos, una experiencia atenuada de tipo cognitivo-perceptual. El 41,1% de la muestra refirió algún consumo de sustancias, encontrándose diferencias en función del género. Los participantes consumidores informaron de un mayor número de experiencias psicóticas, sobre todo de tipo positivo. Asimismo, el consumo de alcohol predijo, en la mayoría de los casos, las puntuaciones extremas en las medidas de ideación delirante y experiencias pseudopsicóticas. La asociación entre estas dos variables parece mostrar un patrón diferenciado, encontrándose el consumo de sustancias más relacionado con las experiencias pseudo-psicóticas de tipo cognitivoperceptual. Estos hallazgos parecen apoyar los modelos dimensionales del fenotipo psicótico y permiten mejorar la comprensión de la relación entre las experiencias psicóticas atenuadas y el consumo de sustancias en adultos jóvenes. Futuros estudios deberían seguir analizando el papel de los factores de riesgo a los trastornos psicóticos, así como incorporar modelos de interacción gen x ambiente.