Factors predicting mental health in youth during the first COVID-19 lockdown in Spain.

BACKGROUND: The first COVID-19 lockdown decreed in Spain by the government resulted in a significant disruption in the daily lives of youth that may have affected their mental health. The aim of this study was to identify factors that influenced youth mental health during this period. METHODS: Between March and May 2020, a sample of 1205 youths (age range 18-24 years) from across Spain completed a questionnaire that assessed sociodemographic, mental health, loneliness, coping with humour and healthy habits. Data were analysed using Structural Equation Modelling. RESULTS: The proposed model showed good fit values, and significant variables explained 37% of mental health. loneliness, coping humour, healthy and unhealthy habits, and gender significantly predicted youth mental health. CONCLUSIONS: The consequences of the pandemic and confinement derived from COVID-19 seemed to be especially severe for youth, increasing their mental health vulnerability. It is recommended that evaluating the long-term effects of confinement on this population, the mental health needs they may have and the support resources that would help meet them in situations of isolation, paying special attention to females.

Loneliness and associated factors among older adults during COVID-19 lockdown in Spain.

Considering the health outcomes of loneliness, it is important to understand the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic for older adults to facilitate detection and intervention. The aim of this study was to examine loneliness among Spanish older adults during the first wave lockdown and associated factors, in comparison to younger adults. An online survey was completed by 3508 adults (401 aged 60 or above). Older adults felt higher social loneliness than younger adults, but lower emotional loneliness. Living alone, poor mental health, and poor healthy habits were related to higher loneliness for both age groups. The results suggest that loneliness should be an important factor in primary care, and prevention efforts should be taken, e.g., by generating open and safe community spaces and contexts for social interaction and promoting the access and ability to use technologies that maintain social connections.

What Factors Explain Family Quality of Life in Neurodegenerative Diseases?

Neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) are a major cause of dependency among elderly and affect the entire family unit. However, the literature has paid little attention to Family Quality of Life (FQOL) and focused on the patient and the main caregiver. The aim was to analyze the FQOL of people with NDs from a systemic perspective and to identify associated factors. A sample of 300 family caregivers from the cross-border region of Spain-Portugal completed the FQOLS - ND, which collected FQOL global and domain-level scores in terms of attainment and satisfaction. The highest rates of FQOL were obtained for the domain Family relations and the lowest for Support from services. The level of perceived barriers to social-health services emerged as the strongest predictor of global FQOL in all models. It is essential to reduce the obstacles to access social-health services and provide the family with resources according to their needs, especially in rural areas.

Listening to families with a person with neurodegenerative disease talk about their quality of life: integrating quantitative and qualitative approaches.

BACKGROUND: The diagnosis of a neurodegenerative disease (ND) produces profound changes in the quality of life of the affected families. Despite the vital importance of these processes, the scientific literature has addressed this topic almost exclusively relating to the main caregiver or using limited approaches. Thus, the main objective of this research is to achieve a deeper understanding of the quality of family life of people with a neurodegenerative disease, following a mixed-method approach that combines quantitative and qualitative methodology. METHODS: The quantitative instrument was the Spanish version of the Family Quality of Life Survey-Neurodegenerative Disease (FQOLS-ND), which was completed by 300 participating families. The qualitative methodology was used in two focus groups with family caregivers, with a total of 21 participants. RESULTS: On the one hand, confirmation of the dimensional structure of the scale in the focus groups was obtained and, on the other hand, the results of family quality of life in attainment and satisfaction were shown to be high for Family Relations and Careers and Planning for Careers and low for Support from Services and Leisure and Recreation. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study, through the combination of quantitative and qualitative information, helps to identify key issues to optimize services that respond to the priority needs of families.

Factors Related to Mental Health During the COVID-19 Lockdown in Spain.

The COVID-19 disease has forced governments to adopt exceptional measures. The lockdown decreed in Spain in 2020 required citizens to stay confined at home, which might have affected their mental health. The objective is to identify factors that influenced adults' mental health during this period. A sample of 3,508 adults from the Spanish general population completed an online survey that collected sociodemographic data and information about daily planning and activities, healthy habits, loneliness, coping humor and mental health. Data were analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling. According to the results, the proposed model showed good fit values, and latent variables explained 30% of the variance in mental health. Loneliness, coping humor, healthy habits, age and gender had a significant weight in the prediction of mental health during lockdown. Area of residence, number of days of confinement and number of people in the household were not related to mental health. This study addresses the effect of COVID-19 and social distancing measures by identifying risk and protective factors for the development of mental health difficulties. There is a need to target specific and early interventions aimed at mitigating the psychological impact of the pandemic while increasing well-being, especially in more vulnerable groups.

Transcultural adaptation and psychometric properties of Family Quality of Life Survey for caregivers of people with neurodegenerative disease: a study of Spanish families who live in the rural Spain-Portugal cross-border.

BACKGROUND: Neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) are one of the main causes of disability and dependence that have a great impact both on the quality of life of people with disabilities and their families. A majority of people with NDs receive care and support from the family, but there is no tool in Spain with which to measure whole-family QOL. The aim of this study was the translation, cultural adaptation, and validation of the FQOLS-Dementia into Spanish to assess FQOL among family members of individuals with NDs who live in the Spain-Portugal cross-border area. METHOD: The Spanish version was translated and adapted following the international guidelines for cross-cultural adaptation tests. A sample of 300 family caregivers was interviewed, applying an adapted version of the Family Quality Survey (FQOLS-Dementia). Confirmatory factor analysis was performed to validate the factor structure, and convergent validity was examined with Pearson's correlation coefficients of the global FQOL with the domains. Internal consistency reliability was determined using Cronbach's alpha. RESULTS: The domain structure of the FQOLS-ND showed a good fit. In the convergent validity, it was found that the total score and the subscale domain scores were associated with the global FQOL score, except for the Values domain. Internal consistency of nine domain subscales was strong (α = 0.80 to 0.91), and excellent for the total FQOL (α = 0.85) and the global FQOL (α = 0.87). CONCLUSION: The FQOLS-ND presented good validity and reliability in caregiver families with individuals with ND, so its application shows its usefulness in detecting areas of improvement and intervention strategies for FQOL in the Spain-Portugal cross-border area.

Adult Attachment, Conflict Resolution Style and Relationship Quality among Spanish Young-adult Couples.

The evidence of the interrelationships between adult attachment, conflict resolution style and relationship quality in couple relationships shows some inconsistencies and it is mostly based on English-speaking adult samples, as well as on individuals' rather than on both couple members' reports. Therefore, the aim was to examine the associations between adult attachment, conflict resolution style and relationship quality from a dyadic approach. A sample of 405 heterosexual young couples completed online the brief version of the Experiences in Close Relationships-Revised Questionnaire, the respondent version of the Conflict Resolution Styles Inventory, and a 4-item measure of relationship quality. Avoidance attachment showed a stronger negative correlation than anxiety with relationship quality. Withdrawal and conflict engagement styles were more highly correlated with avoidance and anxiety, respectively. At a dyadic level, relationship quality was negatively predicted by actor avoidance attachment and positively predicted by partner relationship quality. No actor or partner effects of conflict resolution style on relationship quality were observed. Overall, partners with higher attachment anxiety and avoidance reported more dysfunctional conflict resolution styles and less satisfaction with the relationship.

Adult attachment style combination, conflict resolution and relationship quality among young-adult couples / Combinación de estilo de apego adulto, resolución de conflictos y calidad de la relación en parejas de adultos jóvenes

Abstract: The objective was to analyze whether romantic partners' conflict resolution style and perceived relationship quality are influenced by the dyadic configuration of adult attachment, specifically, by: a) attachment style matching; b) the number of couple members with a secure (vs. insecure) style. A sample of 405 Spanish heterosexual couples of young adults completed an online survey. Results showed no differences between couples with matched versus unmatched attachment styles. However, the presence of one or two members in the couple with a secure style was significantly associated with higher relationship quality and lower use of dysfunctional conflict resolution styles. In conclusion, for insecurely attached young adults, it is more beneficial to be in a relationship with a securely-attached partner than with a similarly-attached partner.

Resumen: El objetivo es analizar si el estilo de resolución de conflictos de los miembros de una pareja y la calidad de la relación percibida se ven influidos por la configuración diádica del apego adulto, específicamente, por: a) la coincidencia del estilo de apego; b) el número de miembros de la pareja con un estilo seguro (vs. inseguro). Una muestra de 405 parejas heterosexuales de adultos jóvenes españoles completó una encuesta en línea. No se encuentran diferencias entre parejas con estilos de apego coincidentes frente a no coincidentes. Sin embargo, la presencia de uno o dos miembros en la pareja con estilo de apego seguro se asoció significativamente con mayor calidad de la relación y menor uso de estilos de resolución de conflictos disfuncionales. En conclusión, para los adultos jóvenes con apego adulto inseguro, es más beneficioso tener una pareja con un estilo seguro que una pareja con un estilo de apego similar.

Dating Violence among Youth Couples: Dyadic Analysis of the Prevalence and Agreement.

Although dating violence takes place within the context of a couple, there are few studies exploring how the prevalence data change when violence is reported by one partner or both, and to what extent partners agree about the existence of violence. The aim of this study is therefore to analyze and compare the reports about the prevalence of violence obtained from participants and their partners, together with interpartner agreement concerning victimization and perpetration of threats, physical, verbal-emotional and sexual violence. A total of 105 young heterosexual couples answered a questionnaire about victimization and the perpetration of violence in their relationship during the previous year. The results indicated that prevalence rates varied, depending on who reported the violence -the man, the woman or the couple- perhaps because interpartner agreement was low, except for the occurrence of verbal-emotional violence and the absence of physical violence. These findings suggest the need to develop more systematic research, especially through the use of reports from both members of the couple.

Prevalence and correlates of young people's sexual aggression perpetration and victimisation in 10 European countries: a multi-level analysis.

Data are presented on young people's sexual victimisation and perpetration from 10 European countries (Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Greece, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia and Spain) using a shared measurement tool (N = 3480 participants, aged between 18 and 27 years). Between 19.7 and 52.2% of female and between 10.1 and 55.8% of male respondents reported having experienced at least one incident of sexual victimisation since the age of consent. In two countries, victimisation rates were significantly higher for men than for women. Between 5.5 and 48.7% of male and 2.6 and 14.8% of female participants reported having engaged in a least one act of sexual aggression perpetration, with higher rates for men than for women in all countries. Victimisation rates correlated negatively with sexual assertiveness and positively with alcohol use in sexual encounters. Perpetration rates correlated positively with attitudes condoning physical dating violence and with alcohol use in men, and negatively with sexual assertiveness in women. At the country level, lower gender equality in economic power and in the work domain was related to higher male perpetration rates. Lower gender equality in political power and higher sexual assertiveness in women relative to men were linked to higher male victimisation rates.

Dating violence among youth couples: dyadic analysis of the prevalence and agreement

Although dating violence takes place within the context of a couple, there are few studies exploring how the prevalence data change when violence is reported by one partner or both, and to what extent partners agree about the existence of violence. The aim of this study is therefore to analyze and compare the reports about the prevalence of violence obtained from participants and their partners, together with interpartner agreement concerning victimization and perpetration of threats, physical, verbal-emotional and sexual violence. A total of 105 young heterosexual couples answered a questionnaire about victimization and the perpetration of violence in their relationship during the previous year. The results indicated that prevalence rates varied, depending on who reported the violence -the man, the woman or the couple- perhaps because interpartner agreement was low, except for the occurrence of verbal-emotional violence and the absence of physical violence. These findings suggest the need to develop more systematic research, especially through the use of reports from both members of the couple (AU)

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Vínculos afectivos en la infancia y calidad en las relaciones de pareja de jóvenes adultos: el efecto mediador del apego actual / Parental attachment in childhood and quality of the romantic relationships of young adults: the mediating effect of adult attachment

En este trabajo se persiguen dos grandes objetivos: a) conocer la asociación entre la vinculación afectiva con los padres en la infancia y la calidad percibida de las relaciones de pareja en la juventud; b) analizar el posible efecto mediador, en esa asociación, de la experiencia de apego adulto experimentado en la relación de pareja. En el estudio participaron de manera voluntaria 133 parejas heterosexuales (17-25 años). A través de un cuestionario on line, se evaluaron, en los dos miembros de la relación, la calidad de las relaciones con el padre y la madre en la infancia, el apego con la pareja actual (Ansiedad-Evitación), y la calidad percibida de la propia relación. Los resultados mostraron asociaciones significativamente positivas entre la vinculación afectiva en la infancia y la calidad de la relación, comprobándose además el efecto mediador del apego actual. Por último, se encontraron asociaciones negativas entre la ansiedad y evitación de cada miembro de la pareja y su propia experiencia relacional, y en algún caso, con la experiencia relacional del otro. Estos resultados se discuten en términos de la teoría del apego y su importancia de cara a la calidad de la relación de pareja

This paper has two main aims: firstly, to explore the relationship between parental attachment in childhood and perceived quality of romantic relationships in youth; secondly, to assess the possible mediating effect of adult attachment in the romantic relationship. A total of 133 heterosexual couples (ages 17-25) voluntarily participated in the study. An online questionnaire was applied to both partners to evaluate the quality of the relationships with the father and the mother in childhood, the attachment to partner (Anxiety-Avoidance), and the perceived quality of the romantic relationship. The results showed significant positive associations between parental attachment in childhood and the quality of the romantic relationship, which were mediated by the adult attachment to partner. Furthermore, negative associations were detected between anxiety and avoidance of each partner and their own relational experience (and the other’s relational experience, in some cases). These results are discussed in terms of attachment theory and their significance to the quality of the romantic relationship

Assessment of a sexual coercion prevention program for adolescents.

This study's focus is to evaluate a sexual coercion prevention program in adolescents. Using a before-and-after design with both a treatment group (n = 93) and a control group (n = 76), an intervention of seven sessions was completed. Said sessions included such content as conceptualizing sexual freedom, sexual coercion and voluntary consent, analyzing different sexual coercion tactics and the contexts in which they occur, empathy toward the victim, and developing abilities to avoid risky situations. Other risk factors for coercive behavior and sexual victimization are explored as well, such as alcohol use, sexist attitudes and inadequate communication, among others. The intervention's results include a decrease in stereotypical beliefs about the opposite sex and increased empathy toward victims of sexual coercion. These changes were maintained with the passage of time. Also, in the treatment group, a more acute decline was observed in the proportion of young people engaging in sexually coercive behaviors, This article emphasizes the importance, necessity and efficacy of such interventions, and discusses and analyzes possible improvements to the program for its future implementation.

Assessment of a sexual coercion prevention program for adolescents

This study’s focus is to evaluate a sexual coercion prevention program in adolescents. Using a beforeand- after design with both a treatment group (n = 93) and a control group (n = 76), an intervention of seven sessions was completed. Said sessions included such content as conceptualizing sexual freedom, sexual coercion and voluntary consent, analyzing different sexual coercion tactics and the contexts in which they occur, empathy toward the victim, and developing abilities to avoid risky situations. Other risk factors for coercive behavior and sexual victimization are explored as well, such as alcohol use, sexist attitudes and inadequate communication, among others. The intervention’s results include a decrease in stereotypical beliefs about the opposite sex and increased empathy toward victims of sexual coercion. These changes were maintained with the passage of time. Also, in the treatment group, a more acute decline was observed in the proportion of young people engaging in sexually coercive behaviors. This article emphasizes the importance, necessity and efficacy of such interventions, and discusses and analyzes possible improvements to the program for its future implementation (AU)

Este estudio se centra en la evaluación de un programa de prevención de la coerción sexual en adolescentes. Basándonos en un diseño antes-después con grupo de tratamiento (n = 93) y un grupo control (n = 76), se llevaron a cabo siete sesiones de intervención que incluían contenidos como la conceptualización de libertad sexual, coerción sexual y consentimiento voluntario, el análisis de las diferentes estrategias de coerción sexual y sus contextos, la empatía hacia la víctima, el desarrollo de habilidades para evitar situaciones de riesgos. Se abordaron también otros factores de riesgo de los comportamientos coercitivos y la victimización sexual como el uso del alcohol, las actitudes sexistas y la comunicación inadecuada, entre otros. Los resultados de la intervención mostraron un descenso en las creencias estereotipadas hacia el otro sexo y un aumento de la empatía hacia las víctimas. Estos cambios se mantuvieron con el paso del tiempo. Asimismo, se observó un descenso más acusado en la proporción de jóvenes que habían llevado a cabo comportamientos sexualmente coercitivos en el grupo de tratamiento. Este trabajo resalta la importancia, necesidad y eficacia de estas intervenciones, y discute y analiza posibles mejoras de este programa para su futura implementación (AU)

Acoso sexual entre iguales: incidencia y reacción emocional en una muestra de estudiantes de 4º de educación secundaria obligatori / Peer sexual harassment: incidence and emotional reaction in a sample of 4th year students in obligatory secondary education

El propósito de esta investigación es aproximarnos al estudio del acoso sexual entre iguales en la adolescencia. Para ello, 283 estudiantes (53% chicos, 47% chicas) entre 15 y 17 años respondieron de manera anónima a un cuestionario que intentaba obtener información acerca de la incidencia de la victimización y perpetración de las conductas relacionadas con el acoso sexual a lo largo del último año, y la reacción emocional ante episodios recientes. Los resultados indican que las conductas de acoso sexual forman parte de las interacciones entre adolescentes ya que la mayor parte de los participantes se ha visto envuelto en algún episodio de acoso sexual (89,4%), y que aunque varones y mujeres son víctimas en la misma medida, los varones cometen más conductas de acoso sexual. Por otro lado, las mujeres señalan sentirse peor que los varones ante episodios concretos. Los resultados subrayan la necesidad de seguir indagando en los patrones de victimización sexual de los adolescentes, que nos permitan diseñar futuras intervenciones dirigidas a promocionar el bienestar en las relaciones interpersonales (AU)

The purpose of this paper was to explore peer sexual harassment in adolescence. 283 students (53% boys, 47% girls) between 15 and 17 years of age completed an anonymous questionnaire designed to obtain information about the incidence of victimization and perpetration during the previous year, and the emotional response to recent episodes. Results indicate that sexual harassment related behaviors are part of the interactions among adolescents, since most of participants have been involved in some situation of peer sexual harassment (89.4%). Although boys and girls are victims to the same extent, boys are more likely to commit sexual harassment than girls. Moreover, girls reported feeling worse in specific episodes. Finally, data also underscore the need for additional research in patterns of sexual victimization among adolescents that allows us to design future interventions that promote the wellbeing in interpersonal relationships