Well-Being at Work: Burnout and Engagement Profiles of University Workers.

The main objective of this study is to analyze well-being at work, considering burnout and engagement distributed in profiles, and to observe how they relate to well-being outside work. The data came from a representative sample of workers (n = 565) at the University of Extremadura (Spain), both teaching and research academic staff (TRAS) and service and administrative staff (SAS). We performed the data analysis by using latent profile analysis, and the results show evidence that workers from both groups were distributed across four profiles. As expected, we verified that workers in the profile with high burnout and low engagement had lower well-being outside work than workers in the profile with high engagement and low burnout. We also observed that engagement mitigated the negative effects of burnout on workers in profiles with moderate levels of burnout, who showed better well-being outside work when they had higher engagement. These differences are discussed, and their practical implications and suggestions for future research are provided.

Moral Disengagement Mechanisms and Personality Dimensions Implicit to Homophobia.

Recent advances in sexual equality and diversity have not been able to mitigate the serious problem of discrimination suffered by sexual minorities. The most serious cases involve violence and physical or psychological aggression towards sexual orientations that differ from the heterosexual norm. This research analyses the dimensions of the personality and the moral disengagement mechanisms related to homophobia and the predictive value they have for hostile attitudes towards sexual diversity. The sample was made up of 849 university students between 18 and 24 years of age. The instruments used were the Modern Homophobia Scale (MHS), the Mechanisms of Moral Disengagement Scale (MMDS), and the reduced version of the Neo Personality Inventory-Reduced Version (NEO-FFI). The results show the involvement of moral disengagement in homophobia. It highlights evidence of subtle intimidatory behaviour patterns of rejection towards homosexuality. Furthermore, the low levels in the dimensions of a friendly personality and openness to experiences can be seen to predict homophobic behaviour. Thus, young people fall back on diverse mechanisms of moral disengagement to justify harmful attitudes towards the LGTBI collective. The results of the research are particularly relevant and useful for setting up programmes aimed at preventing and mitigating this serious problem of sexual discrimination.

Efficacy of a Psycho-Educational and Socio-Emotional Intervention Programme for Adolescents.

The aim of this article is to evaluate the effectiveness of the implementation of a psycho-educational intervention programme. The objective of this programme was to achieve optimisation of self-concept and basic socio-emotional skills for comprehensive development in the adolescent stage. The sample consisted of 402 students from 19 groups from public secondary schools in the province of Badajoz. A quasi-experimental pretest-posttest design was applied with a control group using the Trait Meta-Mood Scale, Self-Concept Form 5, and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. The analysis showed that the programme was effective in the family and social dimensions of self-concept, while in the other dimensions, the changes were not statistically significant. The results for emotion perception, understanding and regulation show that there were no statistically significant differences in the experimental group, although there were significant differences in the control group.

Youth Serial Killers: Psychological and Criminological Profiles.

Serial murder is a specific type of violent crime that falls into the crime category of multicide. According to the nomenclature of the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Violent Crime Classification Manual and Academic Researchers for the Classification of Violent Crimes, most serial killers are adults. However, serial murder is also committed by young people, although to a lesser extent. Young serial killers are a topic of relevance in areas such as psychology, criminology, and the justice system. Given that the study of the variables that could be the basis of such multicide criminality is not conclusive, the need for further research is evident. The homicides perpetrated by children and young people point to a social panorama that is alarming due to their young age. This issue is prevalent enough to conduct a review. The performed review concludes the importance of psychosocial factors to better understand the process by which children and young people commit crimes as serious as serial murders. The scope of the problem of serial murders perpetrated by minors is controversial because it often depends on how the number of real cases is counted. Although official statistics indicate the low prevalence of juvenile serial killers, childhood is a period in which antisocial behaviour can have its beginning. Some authors consider that it is not uncommon for the first murder of this type to occur in adolescence. It is important to consider psychopathy as an influential factor in the various forms of serial criminal conduct committed by children and young people. The research works consulted provide evidence of the special relevance of psychopathy in the generation of serious juvenile delinquency.

Physical Activity and Sleep Improvements in a Group of Equestrian Therapy Volunteers: A Pilot Study.

This study aims to assess whether participation as a supportive volunteer in equestrian therapy (ET) sessions influences participants' physiological health-related parameters, including physical activity and sleep. Physical activity, measured in steps, and hours of sleep were measured in 10 subjects who participated regularly as volunteers in ET sessions using a triaxial accelerometer which continuously recorded their activity for 30 days. On the one hand, the subjects showed higher physical activity levels on days when they volunteered in ET sessions versus the days they did not. A significant difference and large effect magnitude were found. On the other hand, on the days they attended ET, they slept an average of 30 minutes more, with significant differences and a moderate effect. Thus, participation as a volunteer in ET sessions seems to have a positive influence on physical activity and sleep time, so it should be recommended as an activity to promote healthy habits.

Differences in Executive Functions in Minors Suffering Physical Abuse and Neglect.

This research analyzes the executive functions in minors between 7 and 16 years of age who have suffered physical abuse and neglect, as well as minors in residential care centers with other measures of protection. Most studies focus on the neurobiological consequences of the abuse, and mainly at an early age. However, there are very few studies that analyze the executive functions of victims of child abuse, while also taking into account the type of abuse suffered. This study aims to identify whether the consequences of child abuse for the executive functions are different for those minors who have been victims of physical abuse and neglect, in comparison with minors with other protective measures. The participants were 44 minors who had suffered child abuse and 24 minors with other protective measures, distinct from abuse. Three neuropsychological tests were used: (a) the Five Digits Test (FDT), (b) the Behavioral Assessment of the Dysexecutive Syndrome in Children (BADS-C), and (c) the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-V (WISC-V). The results showed difficulties in those minors who had been victim of physical abuse and neglect, in their cognitive flexibility capabilities, inhibitory control, the ability to take decisions, the ability to organize and plan their behavior, control of emotions, and attention control. It was the minors who were victims of physical neglect that showed the greatest difficulties in their executive functions. The results of the study will permit us to design an educational intervention in the residential care centers that can encourage advances in the affected areas through the setting up of different strategies to favor the stimulation, reinforcement, and rehabilitation of the executive functions.

Executive Processes and Emotional and Behavioural Problems in Youths Under Protective Measures.

This research studies the executive processes of youths under protective measures between 13 and 18years of age, as well as the emotional problems they have and the presence of behavioural problems, such as difficulties to control and direct attention, to control one's own behaviour and inhibit inadequate or ineffective responses (hyperactivity-impulsiveness) and problems related to emotional regulation. In addition, we study the presence of significant differences according to the sex of the youths. We also analyse to what extent the difficulties in the executive processes are related to and can predict the emotional and behavioural problems. The instruments used were Stroop's Colour and Word Test (Stroop), the Paths Test (TESen), and the System of Evaluation for Children and Adolescents (SENA). The results indicated that the youths had difficulties in such executive processes as execution, speed, and accuracy in carrying out tasks. Furthermore, they had emotion problems, amongst which the symptoms of anxiety are worthy of note; whilst attention deficit, hyperactivity-impulsiveness, and problems related to emotional regulation could also be observed. The data indicated greater difficulties in the executive processes for males than for females. There was a greater emotional symptomatology in the females, whilst there were greater deficits in attention and hyperactivity/impulsiveness in the males. Similarly, the deficits in the executive processes were related to and predicted emotional and behavioural problems. This research suggests the design of a structured programme focused on systematic training in real, daily situations, recommending the use of restorative techniques to work on the affected cognitive skills and techniques aimed at improving the youths' emotion regulation.

Suicidal Ideation and Mental Health: The Moderating Effect of Coping Strategies in the Police Force.

The suicide rate in the police force (Fuerzas y Cuerpos de Seguridad-FFCCSS) is estimated to be greater than that of the general population. The objectives of this paper are to detect mental health problems, in particular depression and anxiety, and to analyze the moderating effect of coping strategies on the relation between mental health and suicide ideation in police officers. The Suicidal Behavior Questionnaire (SBQ-R), Beck's Depression Inventory (BDI), the Anxiety Inventory (STAI), and the Brief Cope have all been used in the study. The sample consists of 98 Spanish police officers, of whom 91.8% were male. The results indicate that depression and anxiety can predict suicidal ideation. Nevertheless, it must be said that coping strategies do not have a moderating effect in the relation between mental health and suicidal ideation in this professional group.

Emotional, Behavioural and Executive Functioning Problems in Children in Residential Care.

This research analyses the emotional and behavioural problems, as well as the problems in the executive functions, of children in residential care under protective measures, between 8 and 12 years of age. We analyse the relationship between the problems with their executive functions and their emotional and behavioural problems, as well as the predictive value of the executive functions for the said emotional and behavioural problems. The instruments used were as follows: five digits test (FDT), behavioural assessment of the dysexecutive syndrome in children (BADS-C) and the system of evaluation for children and adolescents (SENA). The results indicate that the children have difficulties in their executive functions, with such problems as in attention control and regulation, impulsiveness, mental rigidity, behavioural organisation and planning and resolving problems. They also have internalising and externalising problems, as well as difficulties in controlling their emotional reactions and understanding the emotions of others. It becomes evident that the difficulties in their executive functions are related to and predict their emotional and behavioural problems. The research demonstrates the need to intervene in the problems detected through the design of therapeutic programmes and interventions in the residential context.

Equine-assisted therapeutic activities and their influence on the heart rate variability: A systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effect of equine-assisted therapeutic interventions on users' heart rate variability, using this said variability as an objective biological variable related to stress levels. METHOD: A systematic review has been carried out using the methodology suggested in the PRISMA declaration following systematic searches in academic databases. RESULTS: 432 registers were initially identified; however, in the screening and suitability process, nine papers were included in the review. With one exception, all of them reported that equine-assisted therapeutic activities had a favourable effect on users' heart rate variability as such activities favour a state of relaxation by activating the Parasympathetic Nervous System. The analysis of the quality of the evidence and the confirmation of the bias in the works indicate that these results must be considered with caution. DISCUSSION: Although these preliminary results are promising, more rigorous clinical trials are necessary to overcome the methodological limitations of the works.

Quality of Working Life, Psychosocial Factors, Burnout Syndrome and Emotional Intelligence.

The objective of this work is to study the quality of working life associated to psychosocial factors and risks, burnout syndrome and emotional intelligence, as well as being able to detect predictors of the said syndrome. The sample consisted of 311 professionals working in direct contact with an intellectual disability from 15 associations of Extremadura (Spain). The Spanish version of the CESQT questionnaire was administered to evaluate burnout syndrome, the Wong & Law Emotional Intelligence Scale (WLEIS) was used to evaluate emotional intelligence, while the UNIPSICO Battery was used to evaluate the psychosocial factors of demands (work-family conflict and psychosomatic problems) and resources, such as social support and work satisfaction. The results indicate average values of burnout, revealing that work satisfaction, emotional intelligence, and social support are related to burnout syndrome. In addition, there are also positive correlations between psychosomatic symptoms and work-family conflict. Satisfaction at work, social support, and emotional intelligence (intrapersonal and interpersonal perception, use and regulation of emotions) predict burnout syndrome. What is more, the psychosomatic symptoms and work-family conflict explain, respectively, 17% and 17.9% of their variance. Thus, there is a need to develop intervention programs that encourage social support and the conciliation of family life, as well as training skills related to emotional intelligence, such as communication and conflict resolution.

Engagement in carers of persons with intellectual disabilities: the role of self-efficacy and emotional intelligence.

Purpose: Different research papers into various occupational groups demonstrate the importance of engagement for the wellbeing of both employees and organizational results. However, the study of this phenomenon and that of other positive factors in professional staff caring for persons with intellectual disabilities is scarce. For this reason, the objective of this work was to test a theoretical model concerning the relationship between engagement, a positive factor, and self-efficacy in carers of persons with an intellectual disability, using emotional intelligence as a mediating variable.Materials and methods: Three hundred and eleven carers participated in the study. Self-report measures with adequate psychometric properties were provided to evaluate engagement, self-efficacy, and emotional intelligence.Results and conclusions: The structural equation models (SEM) showed a significant relation between self-efficacy and engagement. In addition, one of the dimensions of emotional intelligence, namely the use of emotions (UOE), was a full mediator in this relationship. The other dimensions showed no relation to engagement. Thus, the UOE was a fundamental factor for self-efficacy to imply engagement. For this reason, intervention programs in wellbeing and health in the workplace should include specific training in this skill among their objectives.Implications for rehabilitationCarers are very important persons in the lives of individuals with intellectual disabilities.There was a significant relationship between self-efficacy and engagement and use of emotions was a full mediator in this relationship.The intervention programs should include training the emotional intelligence among their objectives in order to optimize engagement.

Attributing Responsibility, Sexist Attitudes, Perceived Social Support, and Self-Esteem in Aggressors Convicted for Gender-Based Violence.

This work analyzes how the assumption of responsibility by aggressors convicted for gender-based violence is related to sexist attitudes, self-esteem and perceived functional social support. Similarly, the predictive capacity of these variables is studied with respect to the aggressors' minimization of the harm done and a lack of attributing responsibility to themselves. The participants in the research were males condemned to prison sentences for crimes related with gender-based violence in Spain. The instruments applied were the Attribution of Responsibility and Minimization of Harm Scale, the Ambivalent Sexism Inventory (ASI), the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSE), the Functional Social Support Questionnaire (FSSQ), and the Social Desirability Scale (SDS). The study concludes that sexist attitudes are related with a greater lack of attribution of responsibility, as well as with a greater tendency to minimize the harm done by the aggression. In addition, the aggressors with low self-esteem use self-defense as a strategy to justify the violence. Similarly, the presence of an adequate social support network for the aggressor increases the attribution of responsibility on the part of those convicted for gender-based violence.

Psicópatas versus trastornos de la personalidad: matices clínico-conceptuales y aspectos diferenciales / Psychopaths versus personality disorders: clinical-conceptual nuances and differential aspects

La psicopatía ha sido frecuentemente relacionada con los trastornos de la personalidad, sobre todo con el subtipo antisocial, debido a las características delictivas que, en ocasiones, este implica. A pesar de esta asociación, y sin obviar los matices diferenciales, es importante recordar que los trastornos de la personalidad son diagnósticos clínicos, que vienen amparados por las nosologías psiquiátricas y recogidos en los manuales de trastornos mentales. En este sentido, no se debe entender la psicopatía como un trastorno mental, ni de la personalidad ni de cualquier otra índole psicopatológica. Si bien la psicopatía incorpora algunos rasgos aislados, también característicos de varios trastornos de la personalidad, es necesario establecer con exactitud los perfiles diferenciales entre estos y la psicopatía, ya que hay múltiples matices que podrán ayudar a establecer el diagnóstico diferencial pertinente y a evitar equiparar psicopatía con psicopatologías de la personalidad

Psychopathy has been frequently associated with personality disorders, particularly with the antisocial subtype due to the criminal features that it sometimes entails. Despite this link, and without ignoring the differential nuances, it is important to remember that personality disorders are clinical diagnoses, which are supported by psychiatric nosology and included in manuals of mental disorders. Therefore, psychopathy should not be understood as a mental disorder, neither of personality nor of any other psychopathological nature. Even though psychopathy incorporates some isolated features, also characteristic of several personality disorders, it is necessary to accurately establish the differential profiles between them and psychopathy, since there are multiple nuances that may help to establish the necessary differential diagnosis and to avoid equating psychopathy with personality psychopathologie

Actitudes sexistas y asunción de responsabilidad en agresores condenados a prisión por violencia de género en España durante los años 2012 y 2013 / Sexist Attitudes and Attribution of Responsibility among Aggressors Convicted of Gender Violence in Spain during the Years 2012 and 2013

Resumen La presente investigación analiza la relación entre las actitudes sexistas y el uso de estrategias de justificación y negación del daño, así como la capacidad predictiva de esta variable en la atribución de responsabilidad de 129 agresores condenados a prisión en España por delitos relacionados con la violencia de género. Se aplicó la Escala de Atribución de Responsabilidad y Minimización y el Inventario de Sexismo Ambivalente (ASI). Los resultados señalan que un porcentaje elevado de agresores tiende a asumir la responsabilidad por la violencia ejercida y no justifica la agresión. Asimismo, se ha constatado que los condenados no presentan un número elevado de actitudes sexistas. No obstante, las actitudes sexistas permiten predecir la minimización del daño por parte de los agresores. Las conclusiones redundan en la importancia de intervención con esta población, dada la eficacia de los programas en la asunción de responsabilidad y en la disminución de actitudes sexistas.

Abstract This paper analyzes how the sexist attitudes are related to the assumption of responsibility, as well as the predictive capacity of this variable with respect to the aggressors' minimization of the harm and a lack of attributing responsibility of 129 aggressors convicted in Spain for gender violence. There was applied the Scale of Attribution of Responsibility and Minimization and the Inventory of Ambivalent Sexism (ASI). The results indicate that a high percentage of aggressors tends to assume the responsibility for the violence exercised and do not justify the aggression. Likewise, there has been stated that the aggressors do not present a high number of sexist attitudes. Nevertheless, sexist attitudes allow to predict the minimization of hurt of the aggressors. The conclusions redound to the importance of intervention with this population, given the efficiency of the programs in the assumption of responsibility and in the decrease of sexist attitudes.

Benefits of an experimental program of equestrian therapy for children with ADHD.

BACKGROUND: Equestrian therapy has been shown to be a useful instrument in the sphere of the emotional wellbeing and mental health of different population groups. AIMS: To empirically determine the effects of a program of equestrian therapy on quality of life and various psychosocial variables of a group of 14 pupils diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), aged from 7 to 14 years. METHODS AND PROCEDURES: A quasi-experimental design, with a pre-test and a post-test, was implemented with an experimental group and a control group. The program consisted of 24 biweekly sessions, therefore lasting some 3 months. The data acquisition instruments used were: the "Behavior Assessment System for Children" (BASC) and an ad-hoc quality of life questionnaire. OUTCOMES AND RESULTS: The results deriving from the teachers' responses and the different scales of the BASC showed no significant group differences, but for the experimental group there was an improvement in the indicator corresponding to interpersonal relationships in the quality-of-life questionnaire. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: It would seem that it is currently possible to recommend this activity, for this target population, as a sporting activity that provides similar benefits to other physical activities, but which is still far from being able to be recognized as a therapeutic activity.

La competencia emocional como recurso inhibidor para la perpetración del maltrato psicológico en la pareja / Emotional competence as a resource to inhibit psychological abuse in couples

Nowadays, violence within couples is the most alarming form of interpersonal violence. It could even be considered a public health problem. Nevertheless, although the magnitude is as serious as the repercussions of the aggression suffered by the victims, there is a general tendency to restrict the focus of attention to the physical aspect of the problem. Thus, the study of psychological abuse is relegated to a secondary plane, ignoring those works that demonstrate the presence of psychological aggression with serious consequences, comparable to or even greater than those of a physical nature, even though the former are more difficult to predict. For this reason, there is little consensus concerning the specific behaviour patterns that make up psychological abuse. Nevertheless, among its most evident characteristics, we can point to such manifestations as insults, criticism, humiliations, disparagement or ridicule, both in public and in private, social and economic isolation, repeated threats to either abandon the relationship or to seek a divorce, threats of abuse towards the victims or their loved ones and those related with harming or destroying the victim's cherished belongings, whether they be objects or animals, which may be psychologically traumatic for the victim. On the other hand, such conduct as manipulating information, affective neglect, denial of violence and putting the blame entirely on the victim can be listed as hidden expressions of psychological abuse in couples. Similarly, several works have established a link between a wide range of psychological and behavioural symptoms connected to psychological violence in couples with numerous aspects of emotional intelligence. On an interpersonal level, conflictive couples seem to respond to communicative registers far removed from emotional intelligence or such partner skills as empathy, self-control and co-operation, thus leading to violent relational dynamics. The current research analyses psychological abuse in couples (disparagement, hostility, indifference, intimidation, imposition of behaviour patterns, blaming and apparent kindness) and its connection with the level of emotional competence (emotiveness, efficacy, rigidity and illusion) shown by the individuals that make up the couple. The research was carried out in the context of the University of Extremadura (Spain). The sample was selected randomly and was made up of 1 080 university students, of whom 332 were male and 748 female, aged in four categories covering the range from 17 to 23 years or more. Following the sample selection, the deans and department directors were informed of the aims of the research, their approval was sought to implement the research instruments and to guarantee the collaboration of the lecturers in the various degree subjects chosen. Then, a joint calendar was established to apply the tests. The surveys were carried out during the academic years 2007/2008 and 2008/2009. The tests were collectively administered in single sessions. Copies of the survey were handed out along with instructions. Volunteers were then told to fill in personal data and the instructions were read out aloud, stressing the importance of answering all the questions without exception. Finally, doubts were answered, taking care not to influence the subjects' replies. The confidentiality of the students' answers was guaranteed by coding each questionnaire with a numerical identification. After the questionnaires were handed in, the students' replies were checked for compliance with the protocols, and on the basis of atypical replies and questions left unanswered. Only two questionnaires were eliminated due to protocol and no atypical answers or unanswered questions were found. The order was exactly the same for all the applications: First of all the Inventory of Constructive Thought (15 to 30 minutes), and secondly the Questionnaire on Psychological Abuse (15 to 20 minutes). The main results of the study, with respect to the indicators of psychological abuse in couples, are as follows: the existence of patterns of psychological violence in the relationships of couples of university students is confirmed. Of the most significant sub-factors of psychological abuse, the most frequently used by these young people were those included in (3) Indifference, while the least commonly used were those included in (7) Apparent Kindness. As for the relationship between psychologically abusive behaviour patterns and emotional competence during pre-marital relationships, there are significant differences. Finally, the presence of significant correlations between most factors and sub-factors of psychological abuse in couples and the different emotional skills is confirmed. To conclude, it can be said that the research provides evidence that the indicators of psychological abuse in couples start to appear during pre-marital relationships. An analysis of the results demonstrates that these subjects put into practice such indicators and/or manifestations as: trivializations, reproaches, lack of empathy or support, judging, criticising, correcting, abusive insistence and accusations. The students from the sample show no marked tendency towards the exercise of any form of psychological violence in particular. Rather, they exhibit a heterogeneous behavioural repertory made up of disparagement, confrontation, lack of interest or affection, coercion, attempts to restrict the victim psychologically or socially, and blaming the victim for the aggressor's own violent response. Also worthy of note are such specific manifestations as: the aggressor's interest in disparaging any behaviour or attitude adopted by the partner, showing serious resistance to listening and sharing the partner's reality, unless to chide them. Similarly, the existence of behaviour patterns can be appreciated through which aggressors implacably and strictly censure their partner for not living up to their own expectations, forcing the situation until they can release their anger and personal tension and thus get their way with the victim. In addition, the presence of indifference can also be appreciated as the commonest expression of psychological violence among young people aged between 17 and 23. This demonstrates a lack of affective involvement that makes empathy, support and respect towards the individuality of the victim impossible. In turn, it promotes behaviour patterns of monopolising by the aggressor, at the same time as it generates problems for establishing effective communicative links within the couple and destroys the principles of mutuality and equality that are at the heart of any relationship. On the other hand, in this pre-marital interaction, there are significant differences and relationships between the considered manifestations of psychological violence. There are certainly such behaviour patterns as disparagement, hostility, lack of affection, coercion, unreasonable demands, blaming and manipulative attitudes present in the relationships of the students studied. There is also the development of such skills as the subject's capacity to face potentially stressful situations ("emotiveness"), to adopt objective, optimistic and functional thought patterns ("efficacy"), to show tolerance when faced with frustration ("rigidity") and to avoid making judgements about reality based on optimism without objective reasons ("illusion"). However, such data are indicative of such revealing results as the existence of a greater tendency towards psychological violence in its different manifestations by those students with more precarious emotional resources, become even more consistent when the many related studies that act as empirical support are reviewed. With this work, we aim to contribute to the scientific analysis of psychological violence in the relationships of couples, as well as in the design of primary prevention programmes focused on the development of emotional education as a key tool for establishing full and healthy relationships between couples.

La violencia contra la pareja constituye, actualmente, la forma más alarmante de violencia interpersonal. Sin embargo, a pesar de la magnitud del fenómeno, existe una tendencia general a restringir el foco de interés a la dimensión física del mismo. De esta forma el estudio del maltrato psicológico es relegado a un segundo plano, ignorando aquellos trabajos que evidencian la presencia de agresiones psicológicas con secuelas de gravedad equiparada o superior a las de naturaleza física, aunque las primeras presenten una mayor dificultad en su detección. Diferentes investigaciones establecen una vinculación entre una amplia gama de síntomas psicológicos y comportamentales consecuentes a la violencia psicológica en la pareja, con varias de las dimensiones de la inteligencia emocional. De esta forma, las parejas con elevadas tasas de conflictividad responsables de la instauración de la dinámica relacional violenta, parecen responder en el plano interpersonal con registros comunicativos alejados de la inteligencia emocional o de competencias como la empatía, el autocontrol y la cooperación hacia sus parejas. En la presente investigación se analiza el maltrato psicológico en las relaciones de pareja (desvalorización, hostilidad, indiferencia, intimidación, imposición de conductas, culpabilización y bondad aparente) y su relación con el nivel de competencias emocionales (emotividad, eficacia, rigidez e ilusión) que presentan los miembros que conforman la misma. Se desarrolló en el contexto de la Universidad de Extremadura (España). La selección de la muestra fue aleatoria y se compuso de 1 080 estudiantes universitarios/as. De ellos, 332 varones y 748 mujeres de edades comprendidas en cuatro categorías que abarcan el intervalo de 17 a 23 años o más. Una vez seleccionada la muestra establecimos un calendario para la aplicación de los instrumentos, conjuntamente con los decanos, directores de centros universitarios y secretarías académicas. La aplicación de los instrumentos se realizó de forma colectiva en una sesión en horario de mañana y tarde, durante los cursos académicos 2007/2008 y 2008/2009. Los resultados del estudio confirman la presencia de patrones de violencia psicológica en las relaciones de pareja de los estudiantes universitarios/as. Destacan como subfactores de maltrato psicológico ejercidos con mayor frecuencia en estos jóvenes los situados en el factor Indiferencia, en oposición a aquellos menos habituales comprendidos en el factor Bondad aparente. En cuanto a la relación entre las conductas psicológicamente abusivas y las competencias emocionales durante el noviazgo, se evidencian diferencias significativas. Finalmente se confirma la presencia de correlaciones significativas en la mayor parte de los factores y subfactores del maltrato psicológico en la pareja y las diferentes competencias emocionales. Los hallazgos del estudio sugieren en términos generales que los indicadores del maltrato psicológico en la pareja comienzan a manifestarse durante las relaciones de noviazgo, concretamente: trivializaciones, reproches, no empatía ni apoyo, juzgar, criticar, corregir, insistencia abusiva, acusaciones, etc. Se aprecia como la manifestación más habitual la falta de implicación afectiva que imposibilita la empatía, el apoyo y el respeto hacia la individualidad de la víctima, promoviendo conductas de monopolio por parte del agresor en la pareja. Asimismo se confirma la existencia de una mayor tendencia al empleo de las diferentes manifestaciones de violencia psicológica por parte de aquellos estudiantes universitarios/as con recursos emocionales más precarios. Datos que adquieren una mayor consistencia conforme revisamos los múltiples estudios que actúan como soporte empírico. En este sentido, el mayor reto es la promoción del análisis científico de la violencia psicológica en las relaciones de noviazgo, así como su orientación al diseño de programas de prevención primaria centrados en el desarrollo de la educación emocional como elemento central para el establecimiento de relaciones de parejas plenas y saludables.