Association between type 2 diabetes and depressive symptoms after a 1-year follow-up in an older adult Mediterranean population.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the cross-sectional association between baseline depressive symptoms and the presence of type 2 diabetes (T2D), and its association with glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and other metabolic variables, and the prospective association of depressive symptoms and HbA1c after 1 year of follow-up. METHODS: n = 6224 Mediterranean older adults with overweight/obesity and metabolic syndrome (48% females, mean age 64.9 ± 4.9 years) were evaluated in the framework of the PREDIMED-Plus study cohort. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Beck Depression Inventory-II and HbA1c was used to measure metabolic control. RESULTS: The presence of T2D increased the likelihood of higher levels of depressive symptoms (χ2 = 15.84, p = 0.001). Polynomial contrast revealed a positive linear relationship (χ2 = 13.49, p = 0.001), the higher the depressive symptoms levels, the higher the prevalence of T2D. Longitudinal analyses showed that the higher baseline depressive symptoms levels, the higher the likelihood of being within the HbA1c ≥ 7% at 1-year level (Wald-χ2 = 24.06, df = 3, p < .001, for the full adjusted model). Additionally, depressive levels at baseline and duration of T2D predicted higher HbA1c and body mass index, and lower physical activity and adherence to Mediterranean Diet at 1 year of follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: This study supports an association between T2D and the severity of depressive symptoms, suggesting a worse metabolic control from mild severity levels in the short-medium term, influenced by lifestyle habits related to diabetes care. Screening for depressive symptoms and a multidisciplinary integrative therapeutic approach should be ensured in patients with T2D.

Effectiveness of family connections intervention for family members of persons with personality disorders in two different formats: Online vs face-to-face.

Introduction: Personality disorders (PD) have a serious impact on the lives of individuals who suffer from them and those around them. It is common for family members to experience high levels of burden, anxiety, and depression, and deterioration in their quality of life. It is curious that few interventions have been developed for family members of people with PD. However, Family Connections (FC) (Hoffman and Fruzzetti, 2005) is the most empirically supported intervention for family members of people with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). Aim: The aim of this study is to explore the effectiveness of online vs face-to-face FC. Given the current social constraints resulting from SARS-CoV-2, interventions have been delivered online and modified. Method: This was a non-randomized pilot study with a pre-post evaluation and two conditions: The sample consisted of 45 family members distributed in two conditions: FC face-to-face (20) performed by groups before the pandemic, and FC online (25), performed by groups during the pandemic. All participants completed the evaluation protocol before and after the intervention. Results: There is a statistically significant improvement in levels of burden (η 2 = 0.471), depression, anxiety, and stress (η 2 = 0.279), family empowerment (η 2 = 0.243), family functioning (η 2 = 0.345), and quality of life (µ2 η 2 = 0.237). There were no differences based on the application format burden (η 2 = 0.134); depression, anxiety, and stress (η 2 = 0.087); family empowerment (η 2 = 0,27), family functioning (η 2 = 0.219); and quality of life (η 2 = 0.006), respectively). Conclusions: This study provides relevant data about the possibility of implementing an intervention in a sample of family members of people with PD in an online format without losing its effectiveness. During the pandemic, and despite the initial reluctance of family members and the therapists to carry out the interventions online, this work shows the effectiveness of the results and the satisfaction of the family members. These results are particularly relevant in a pandemic context, where there was no possibility of providing help in other ways. All of this represents a great step forward in terms of providing psychological treatment.

Psychometric properties of the Weight Locus of Control Scale (MWLCS): study with Spanish individuals of different anthropometric nutritional status.

INTRODUCTION: The Multidimensional Weight Locus of Control Scale (MWLCS) measures a person's beliefs regarding the locus of control or lack of locus of control over his/her body weight. PURPOSE: We aim to evaluate the factorial structure and psychometric properties of the MWLCS with Spanish normal weight, overweight and obese samples. METHODS: The research was carried out in two different studies. The first included a sample of 140 normal weight participants, selected out of a 274 sample recruited with an online survey. Study 2 was carried out in a sample of 633 participants recruited from the PREDIMED-Plus study. Out of them, 558 participants fulfilled the weight criteria and were categorized into: overweight (BMI 25 - < 29.99; N = 170), obese class I (BMI 30 - < 34.99; N = 266), and obese class II (BMI 35 - < 39.99; N = 122). Exploratory (EFA) and confirmatory (CFA) factor analyses were used to evaluate the factor structure of the MWLCS, and reliabilities and Spearman's correlations were estimated. Invariance measurement was tested across the three subgroups of weight in Study 2. RESULTS: A three-factor structure indicating weight locus of control factors (internal, chance, and powerful others) was supported, both via EFA in the normal weight sample and CFA in the overweight and obese samples. In the normal weight sample, the powerful others dimension was positively related to BMI and the dimensions of the Dutch Eating Behaviors Questionnaire. Additionally, the scale showed evidence of scalar invariance across the groups with different weight conditions. CONCLUSIONS: This scale seems to be a psychometrically appropriate instrument and its use is highly recommended when designing interventions for overweight or obese individuals. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level V, descriptive study.

Análisis transcultural del clima motivacional en alumnado de Costa Rica, México y España / Transcultural analysis of motivational climate in students in Costa Rica, Mexico and Spain

El objetivo de este trabajo es conocer como la satisfacción, la motivación y las creencias de éxito en las actividades físico-deportivas de tiempo libre del alumnado de educación secundaria, pueden predecir el clima motivacional percibido en Educación Física en tres contextos culturales diferentes. La muestra estuvo compuesta por 2168 estudiantes de tres países diferentes, perteneciendo 423 a Costa Rica, 408 a México y un total de 1337 alumnos a España, todos ellos con edades comprendidas entre 11 y 16 años. Para ello se utilizaron las escalas de Clima Motivacional, Satisfacción Intrínseca en el Deporte, Motivación Deportiva e Inventario de Percepción de las Creencias sobre las Causas del Éxito en el Deporte. Los resultados encontrados en esta investigación muestran similares tendencias en los tres países tanto en la predicción de la maestría, como en el rendimiento-aproximación, rendimiento-evitación y en la aprobación social

The aim of this paper is to find out how satisfaction, motivation and belief in success in physical and sports leisure time activities of students in secondary education predict the perceived motivational climate in physical education in three different cultural contexts. The sample consisted of 2168 students from three different countries, belonging to Costa Rica 423, 408 to Mexico and a total of 1337 students to Spain, all aged between 11 and 16 years. The Scales Motivational Climate, Satisfaction Intrinsic in Sport, Sport and Inventory Motivation Perceptions of Beliefs on the Causes of Success in Sport were used. The results found in this research show similar trends in all three countries in terms of mastery prediction as well as performance-approach, performance-avoidance, and social approval

Development and validation of the openness to the future scale: a prospective protective factor.

BACKGROUND: Most of the research on psychopathology has provided an incomplete picture of mental health by focusing on vulnerability factors and omitting the transversal processes that may explain human adapted functioning. Moreover, research has not sufficiently addressed prospective protective factors for mental health. New theoretical and empirical endeavors aim to incorporate this perspective, particularly in the realm of emotional disorders. A positive view of the future is an indispensable process in attaining desired goals and wellbeing. Openness to the Future is a construct characterized by positive affectivity towards the future, which can be a protective factor for mental health. Although some scales assess future orientations, the complexity of this concept has not yet been captured; therefore, there is a need for new instruments. This study presents the development and validation of a scale for measuring Openness to the Future in clinical (n = 412) and community (n = 890) samples. METHODS: Psychometric properties of the OFS were analyzed using Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) and Item Response Theory (IRT) analyses, establishing cut-off points to better classify these two groups. Moreover, convergent and discriminant validity were examined by correlating the OFS with theoretically related constructs. RESULTS: Results support a unidimensional structure and indicate that the items function similarly across clinical and community samples. Moreover, the Openness to the Future scale shows good convergent and discriminant validity. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that the Openness to the Future scale is a valid and brief measure of openness to the future for use with clinical and community samples, and it could help to fill a gap in the literature regarding attitudes towards the future and their implications. Openness to the Future is presented as an empirically feasible and theoretically consistent construct that includes both prospective and protective factors in the psychopathological chart.

Predicción transcultural del clima motivacional en educación física / Transcultural prediction of motivational climate in physical education

El objetivo fue conocer como las metas sociales, el locus percibido de causalidad y la atribución causal, predicen el clima motivacional percibido en los alumnos de EF en diferentes países y culturas. La muestra fue de 2168 estudiantes de tres países diferentes (423 de Costa Rica, 408 de México y 1052 de España), todos ellos con edades comprendidas entre 11 y 16 años. Se utilizó un cuestionario compuesto por la escala de Clima motivacional, la de Metas Sociales en Educación Física, el Locus Percibido de Causalidad y la Atribución Causal. Se realizaron análisis descriptivos, correlacionales y una regresión lineal multivariante. La meta de maestría fue mayor en todos los países, siendo predicha por la responsabilidad y la motivación intrínseca. El rendimiento-evitación fue la más baja, siendo predicha por la regulación introyectada y la amotivación. Los españoles destacan como los más autodeterminados, siendo los mexicanos los que mayores atribuciones internas presentan (AU)

The aim of this research was to understand how social goals, perceived locus of causality and causal attribution predict perceived motivational climate in Physical Education students in different countries and cultures. The sample consisted of 2168 students from three different countries, belonging to Costa Rica 423, 408 to Mexico with a total of 1052 students in Spain, all aged between 11 and 16 years. A questionnaire with motivational scale Climate, Social Goals in Physical Education, Perceived Locus of Causality and Causal Attribution were used. Descriptive analyzes, correlational and multivariate linear regression were performed. The goal of mastery was higher in all countries, being predicted by the responsibility and intrinsic motivation. Avoidance-performance was the lowest, predicted by introjected regulation and amotivation. The Spanish students stand out as the most self-determined, with Mexicans who have more internal attributions (AU)

Nivel de actividad deportiva en el tiempo libre desde las etapas de cambio y motivación en estudiantes de Costa Rica, México y España / Nível de atividade deportiva no tempo livre a partir das etapas de mudança e motivação em estudantes de Costa Rica, México e Espanha / Level of sport activity in free time from the stages of change and motivation in students from Costa Rica, Mexico and Spain

El objetivo del presente trabajo fue analizar como las etapas de cambio y la motivación pueden predecir el nivel de actividad deportiva en el tiempo libre de alumnado de educación secundaria en educación física. La muestra fue de 2168 estudiantes, seleccionados aleatoriamente, de Costa Rica (423), México (408) y España (1337), siendo 1052 chicos, 1037 chicas y 79 no reflejaron el sexo, con edades de entre 11 y 16 años (M=12.49; DT=.81). Se utilizó un cuestionario con escalas validadas para preguntar al alumnado sobre su actividad físico-deportiva en el tiempo libre, etapas de cambio y para medir la motivación de éstos. Se realizaron análisis de consistencia interna, de correlaciones y factoriales confirmatorios con SPSS 17.0. Los resultados muestran que los alumnos más activos son los de Costa Rica, situándose la mayoría de ellos en la etapa de cambio activa pero con índices de práctica y de motivación intrínseca bajos, seguidos de los españoles, pero con niveles altos de autodeterminación. México es el país más inactivo, con mayores niveles de amotivación, y los escolares que practican lo hacen con índice de práctica bajo y se encuentran en etapas inactivas. Se concluyó que en los tres países las diferencias significativas encontradas en la motivación de los estudiantes indican la necesidad de seguir estrategias motivacionales adecuadas para aumentar la actividad física en el tiempo libre, consiguiendo así mayor número de adolescentes en etapas activas (AU)

O objetivo do presente trabalho foi analisar como as etapas de mudança e a motivação podem preestabelecer o nível de atividade esportiva no tempo livre de alunos de educação secundária em educação física. A mostra foi de 2168 estudantes, selecionados aleatoriamente, de Costa Rica (423), México (408) y Espanha (1337), sendo 1052 meninos, 1037 meninas e 79 não responderam sobre seu gênero, com idade entre 11 e 16 anos (M=12.49; DT=.81). Foi utilizado um questionário com escalas validadas para perguntar aos alunos sobre sua atividade físico-esportiva em momentos de lazer, etapas de mudanças e para medir a motivação dos mesmos. Foram realizadas análises de consistência interna, de correlações e fatoriais confirmatórios com o SPSS 17.0. Os resultados mostram que os alunos mais ativos são os da Costa Rica, onde a grande maioria se encontram na etapa de mudança ativa, mas apresentando índices de prática e de motivação intrínseca baixos, seguidos pelos espanhois, entretanto com altos níveis de autodeterminação. México é o país mais inativo, com maiores índices de não-motivação, e os alunos que são ativos, possuem baixo índice de prática e se encontram em etapas de inatividade. Conclui-se que nos três países as diferenças significativas encontradas na motivação dos estudantes, indicam a necessidade de seguir estratégias motivacionais adequadas para aumentar a atividade física em tempos livres, conseguindo assim, maior número de adolescentes em etapas ativas (AU)

The aim of the present study was to analyze the predictive power of stages of change and motivation on leisure time physical activity levels of students from secondary education engaged in physical education. The sample consisted of 2,168 students randomly selected from Costa Rica (423), Mexico (408) and Spain (1337). Participants were 1,052 boys, 1,037 girls, plus 79 who did not disclose their gender, all of them aged between 11 and 16 years (M=12.49, SD=.81). A questionnaire consisting of previously validated scales was employed to ask students about their leisure time sports and physical activity, stages of change, and motivation. Internal consistency analysis of correlations and confirmatory factorial analyses were performed using SPSS 17.0. Results showed that Costa Rica students are the most active, most of them being located in the active stage of change yet displaying low exercise rates and intrinsic motivation, followed by Spaniards, who presented high levels of self-determination. Mexico was the least active, showing higher levels of amotivation at the same time as schoolchildren have low exercise rates and are placed in inactive stages. The significant differences found in students’ motivation among the three countries indicate the need for choosing appropriate motivational strategies in order to increase leisure time physical activity, which would imply a larger number of adolescents located in active stages (AU)

Dropping out of a transdiagnostic online intervention: A qualitative analysis of client's experiences.

INTRODUCTION: An important concern in Internet-based treatments (IBTs) for emotional disorders is the high dropout rate from these protocols. Although dropout rates are usually reported in research studies, very few studies qualitatively explore the experiences of patients who drop out of IBTs. Examining the experiences of these clients may help to find ways to tackle this problem. METHOD: A Consensual Qualitative Research study was applied in 10 intentionally-selected patients who dropped out of a transdiagnostic IBT. RESULTS: 22 categories were identified within 6 domains. Among the clients an undeniable pattern arose regarding the insufficient support due to the absence of a therapist and the lack of specificity of the contents to their own problems. CONCLUSIONS: The analyzed content has direct impact on the clinical application of IBTs. A more tailored manage of expectations as well as strategies to enhance the therapeutic relationship in certain clients are identified as the two key elements in order to improve the dropout in IBTs. Going further, in the mid and long run, ideographic interventions would be vital. The present study permits to better grasp the phenomenon of dropout in IBTs and delineate specific implications both in terms of research, training and practice.

Modulation of Irisin and Physical Activity on Executive Functions in Obesity and Morbid obesity.

Whether the executive profile is different between obesity (OB) and morbid obesity (MO) remains unclear. Recent evidence suggests that physical activity (PA) can act as a cognitive enhancer. Irisin is a recently discovered hormone associated with some of the positive effects of PA. The objective of the study was to investigate the executive profile in OB and MO, and to explore the role of PA and irisin. 114 participants were included (21 OB, 44 MO and 49 healthy controls-HC) in the study and assessed with the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test, Stroop Color and Word Test, and Iowa Gambling Task. All participants were female, aged between 18 and 60 years. Results showed a similar dysfunctional profile on decision making in OB and MO compared with HC. Thus, no specific neuropsychological profiles between OB and MO can be clearly observed in our sample. However, a negative correlation was found between irisin and executive functioning. These results demonstrate a specific executive profile in OB and a relevant and negative modulation of irisin on executive functioning. Although irisin might be a promising target for the treatment of obesity, its effects on cognition might be considered when thinking about its therapeutic use.

Physical activity in anorexia nervosa: How relevant is it to therapy response?

OBJECTIVE: Elevated physical activity has been observed in some patients with anorexia nervosa (AN) despite their emaciated condition. However, its effects on treatment outcome remain unclear. This study aimed to examine objectively measured physical activity in this clinical population and how it might be related to a partial hospitalization therapy response, after considering potential confounders. METHOD: The sample comprised 88 AN patients consecutively enrolled in a day hospital treatment program, and 116 healthy-weight controls. All participants were female and a baseline assessment took place using an accelerometer (Actiwatch AW7) to measure physical activity, the Eating Disorders Inventory-2 and the Depression subscale of the Symptom Checklist-Revised. Outcome was evaluated upon the termination of the treatment program by expert clinicians. RESULTS: Although AN patients and controls did not differ in the average time spent in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) (P=.21), nor daytime physical activity (P=.34), fewer AN patients presented a high physical activity profile compared to the controls (37% vs. 61%, respectively; P=.014). Both lower levels of MVPA and greater eating disorder severity had a direct effect on a poor treatment outcome. Depression symptoms in the patients were associated with lower MVPA, as well as with an older age, a shorter duration of the disorder and greater eating disorder psychopathology. CONCLUSIONS: There is a notable variation in the physical activity profile of AN patients, characterized by either low or very high patterns. Physical activity is a highly relevant issue in AN that must be taken into account during the treatment process.

Ecological momentary assessment for chronic pain in fibromyalgia using a smartphone: a randomized crossover study.

BACKGROUND: Daily diaries are a useful way of measuring fluctuations in pain-related symptoms. However, traditional diaries do not assure the gathering of data in real time, not solving the problem of retrospective assessment. Ecological momentary assessment (EMA) by means of electronic diaries helps to improve repeated assessment. However, it is important to test its feasibility in specific populations in order to reach a wider number of people who could benefit from these procedures. METHODS: The present study compares the compliance and acceptability of an electronic diary running on a smartphone using a crossover design for a sample with a specific pain condition, fibromyalgia and low familiarity with technology. Forty-seven participants were randomly assigned to one of two conditions: (1) paper diary - smartphone diary and (2) smartphone diary - paper diary, using each assessment method for 1 week. RESULTS: The findings of this study showed that the smartphone diary made it possible to gather more accurate and complete ratings. Besides, this method was well accepted by a sample of patients with fibromyalgia referred by a public hospital, with an important proportion of participants with low level of education and low familiarity with technology. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study support the use of smartphones for EMA even in specific populations with a specific pain condition, fibromyalgia and with low familiarity with technology. These methods could help clinicians and researchers to gather more accurate ratings of relevant pain-related variables even in populations with low familiarity with technology.

Psychometric properties of the General Self Efficacy-12 Scale in Spanish: general and clinical population samples.

The General Self Efficacy Scale (GSES-12) is a short version of the Sherer's Self-Efficacy Scale, and evaluates a general dimension and three aspects of self-efficacy: initiative, persistence and effort. The aim of this study is to explore the factorial structure, reliability, and criterion validity of the Spanish adaptation of the GSES-12 in general and clinical populations. The sample was composed of 714 volunteers (332 from the clinical population). Results of the principal components analysis yielded a 3-factor structure that was later confirmed through Confirmatory Factor Analysis. Moreover, this study shows good internal consistency and test-retest values, and differences in self-efficacy scores between the clinical and non-clinical groups. The present study demonstrates that the Spanish version of the GSES-12 is a valid and reliable measure, and it adds relevant information to the debate about the dimensional structure of general self-efficacy.

Dynamical transition in the D=3 Edwards-Anderson spin glass in an external magnetic field.

We study the off-equilibrium dynamics of the three-dimensional Ising spin glass in the presence of an external magnetic field. We have performed simulations both at fixed temperature and with an annealing protocol. Thanks to the Janus special-purpose computer, based on field-programmable gate array (FPGAs), we have been able to reach times equivalent to 0.01 s in experiments. We have studied the system relaxation both for high and for low temperatures, clearly identifying a dynamical transition point. This dynamical temperature is strictly positive and depends on the external applied magnetic field. We discuss different possibilities for the underlying physics, which include a thermodynamical spin-glass transition, a mode-coupling crossover, or an interpretation reminiscent of the random first-order picture of structural glasses.

Validation of the Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire (DEBQ) in a sample of Spanish women.

The Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire (DEBQ) was developed to measure eating styles that may contribute to or attenuate the development of overweight. It comprises three scales that measure emotional, external and restrained eating. The main goal of this study is to evaluate the internal structure of the Spanish version of the DEBQ using updated psychometric techniques in a sample of women. A sample of 647 Spanish females answered the questionnaire. Both exploratory structural equation modeling and confirmatory factor analysis were used to evaluate the factor structure of the DEBQ. Reliabilities were estimated with Cronbach's alpha. The relations between the subscales of the DEBQ and age, BMI, and scores on the Eating Attitude Test-26 (EAT) and the Restrained Scale-Revised (RS) were computed with Pearson correlations. Results showed that the internal structure was similar to the theoretical proposal, although items associated with boredom and idleness presented cross-loading problems. The reliability estimates were satisfactory. The Emotional and External Eating factors correlated with the BMI, and External Eating was negatively correlated with age. The Restraint factor of the DEBQ showed significant relationships with scales of the EAT-26 and RS. The dimensional validity of the DEBQ is reproduced in a Spanish sample, and the DEBQ seems to be an effective instrument for research in Spanish females. Minor modifications to the DEBQ are recommended.

Emotional eating and food intake after sadness and joy.

Do people with a high score on a scale for eating in response to negative emotions also show high food intake in response to positive emotions? We studied these effects in 60 female students that were preselected on the basis of extreme high or low scores on an emotional eating questionnaire. Using a between subject design we experimentally tested the difference in food intake following a mood induction designed to induce joy or sadness (the joy vs. sad mood condition). The high and low emotional eaters did not differ in their food intake, but emotional eating significantly moderated the relationship between mood condition and food intake. Whereas low emotional eaters ate similar amounts after the sad and after the joy mood condition, high emotional eaters ate significantly more after the sad mood condition than after the joy mood condition. A further finding was that a similar moderator effect for emotional eating was found for intake of sweet food but not for intake of salty food. These findings would suggest that eating in response to negative and to positive emotions refer to two different constructs.

Efficacy and acceptability of an Internet platform to improve the learning of nutritional knowledge in children: the ETIOBE Mates.

Possessing sufficient nutritional knowledge is a necessary component in the prevention and treatment of obesity. A solid understanding of nutrition can help people make appropriate food selections and can also help correct irrational ideas or myths people may believe about food. It is a challenge to provide this information to children in ways that are exciting. Thus, we propose an online video game platform to deliver the information. The objective of this study was to study the efficacy and acceptability of an online game called 'ETIOBE Mates' that was designed to improve children's nutritional knowledge; furthermore, we compare it with the traditional paper-pencil mode of information delivery. A sample of 228 children participated in the study. Participants were divided into two groups: an experimental group (who used ETIOBE Mates) and a control group (who were given a pamphlet). Both groups increased their scores for nutritional knowledge. The interaction between group × time was also statistically significant; it indicated that acquisition of nutritional knowledge was superior in the experimental group. The children considered the serious games platform to be a useful medium for improving their nutritional knowledge. Online games can be an effective method of delivery for preventive and treatment tasks that are otherwise tedious for children.

Psychometric properties of the Spanish validation of the Five Facets of Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ)

Background and Objectives: Mindfulness-based therapies have demonstrated effectiveness in many clinical contexts. Various therapies that train mindfulness skills have proliferated in recent years. There is increasing interest in mindfulness-based therapies and in incorporating instruments that measure mindfulness in order to understand its role in clinical and basic research. The Five Facets of Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ) is a questionnaire for measuring mindfulness; it was derived from a factor analysis of five different questionnaires that measure a trait-like general tendency to be mindful in daily life. The objective of this study is to validate the FFMQ in a Spanish sample. Methods: The FFMQ was administered to a sample of 462 subjects ranging from 18 to63 years (X = 27.9; SD = 9.75). The sample was composed by clinical (n = 146) and nonclinical (n = 226) subsamples. Results: The internal reliability of the scales ranged from acceptable to very good. Convergent analysis was conducted by computing Pearson’s correlations, showing high correlations. The factorial structure is the same as that proposed by Baer et al. Conclusions: The FFMQ proved to be an effective instrument for measuring mindfulness in clinical and non-clinical Spanish samples (AU)

Engaging Media for Mental Health Applications: the EMMA project.

EMMA project has been focused on how the sense of presence in virtual environments mediates or generates emotional responses, and how to use presence and emotional responses in virtual environments effectively in clinical and non clinical settings. EMMA project has developed two different virtual environments. The first one acts as a 'mood device' and is aimed to induce and enhance several moods on clinical and non clinical subjects. The second one is a virtual environment that acts as an adaptive display to treat emotional disorders (Post-traumatic Stress Disorder, Adjustment Disorder and Pathological Grief). This virtual world varies the contents that are presented depending on the emotions of the patient at each moment. The goal of this paper is to outline the main goals achieved by this project.

Online predictive tools for intervention in mental illness: the OPTIMI project.

Mental health care represents over a third of the cost of health care to all EU nations and in US is estimated to be around the 2'5% of the gross national product. It additionally results in further costs to the economy in lost productivity. Depression and Stress related disorders are the most common mental illnesses and the prevention of depression and suicide is one of the 5 central focus points in the European Pact for Mental Health and Well Being. While other mental illnesses may benefit in the long term, Depression and Stress will be the focal point mental illnesses mentioned in OPTIMI. Currently the main treatments for mental illness are pharmacological and evidence based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). CBT comprises a set of therapist and patient processes whose format allows for the whole treatment process to be computerized and personalized, Computerised CBT (CCBT). OPTIMI will try to improve the state of the art by monitoring stress and poor coping behavior in high risk population, and by developing tools to perform prediction through early identification of the onset of depression. The main goal of OPTIMI is to improve CCBT programs in order to enhance both efficacy and therapeutic effectiveness. The presentation will outline the main goals the project is aiming and its clinical rationale.

Validation of the Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire for Children (DEBQ-C) for use with Spanish children.

INTRODUCTION: The Dutch Eating Behaviour Questionnaire for children was developed by Van Strien and Oosterveld (2008) to measure three different eating behaviors (emotional eating, restrained eating and external eating); it is an adaptation of the DEBQ for adults. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to analyze the psychometric properties of the Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire for Children (DEBQ-C) with a Spanish sample. METHOD: The DEBQ-C was administered to 473 children (240 boys and 233 girls), from 10 to 14 years old. The sample included a Clinical Overweight Group (COG; n = 81) comprising children who were receiving weight loss treatments, a Non Clinical Overweight Group (NCOG, n = 31) comprising children who were overweight but not in treatment, and a Normal Weight Group (NWG, n = 280). RESULTS: Results showed that the DEBQ-C had acceptable internal consistency (a = 0.70). Temporal stability was good for "External Eating" and "Restrained Eating" scales. Confirmatory factor analysis showed that the three-factor solution had good fit indices. Furthermore, the clinical overweight participants scored significantly higher on "External Eating" and "Restrained Eating" compared to the normal weight children. CONCLUSION: The DEBQ-C proved to be an effective instrument for researching children's eating behaviors.