Effectiveness of cognitive reappraisal and distraction for induced acute pain: A laboratory study.

OBJECTIVE: Cognitive reappraisal and distraction modulate pain; however, little is known about their effectiveness at different levels of pain intensity. Thus, the aim of this study has been to analyze the differential efficacy of both strategies to reduce perceived pain intensity and pain unpleasantness in low and moderate pain levels. METHOD: 3 (emotion regulation strategy: cognitive reappraisal, distraction, and control) × 2 (intensity of the painful stimuli: low and moderate intensity) × 2 (time: pretest and posttest) mixed factorial design. Ninety healthy adults were randomly assigned to one of six experimental conditions. Pain-heat stimuli were administered with an advanced thermal stimulator. All participants completed the experimental pretest and posttest phases; in each phase, 12 pain stimuli were administered. Participants received brief training on how to apply cognitive reappraisal, distraction, and the control condition for the posttest phase. Data were collected from May 2022 to November 2022. RESULTS: Analyses of repeated-measure analysis of variance showed that at posttest cognitive reappraisal and distraction were equally effective in reducing perceived pain intensity in low pain levels, while distraction was more effective than cognitive reappraisal in decreasing perceived pain intensity in moderate pain levels. Both distraction and cognitive reappraisal were effective in decreasing pain unpleasantness regardless of the intensity of the painful stimuli. CONCLUSION: These findings highlighted the beneficial use of both strategies in the short term for pain relief, distraction being more effective in moderate pain levels. Applying both strategies to everyday situations that may cause short-term acute pain could be of great clinical relevance. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Stressors and uplifts of confinement due to covid-19: A longitudinal study on mental health in a sample of academic and administrative university staff in Spain.

The rapid spread of COVID-19 caused many countries to decide to enter full lockdown, a circumstance that impacted all aspects of life, including mental health. The present longitudinal study aimed to analyse how stressors and uplifts of confinement were linked to psychological symptoms at three different time points: during the full lockdown (wave 1), after the gradual lifting of restrictions (wave 2) and after confinement (wave 3). The sample was made up by one hundred and twenty academic and administrative staff from a big University in Spain, they all completed an online survey. Results showed that psychological status did not change over time, but a significant interindividual variability was found throughout. Some stressors were only linked to symptoms at wave 1, but others maintained their associations during waves 2 and 3. Uplifts were, for the most part, inversely (and exclusively) linked to symptoms at wave 1. However, some of them, although enjoyable, were paradoxically linked to worse mental health at wave 1, and even at waves 2 and 3. These findings highlight the importance of providing preventive psychological strategies for mental distress before, during and after confinement.

Electrophysiological indices of pain expectation abnormalities in fibromyalgia patients.

Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain syndrome characterized by dysfunctional processing of nociceptive stimulation. Neuroimaging studies have pointed out that pain-related network functioning seems to be altered in these patients. It is thought that this clinical symptomatology may be maintained or even strengthened because of an enhanced expectancy for painful stimuli or its forthcoming appearance. However, neural electrophysiological correlates associated with such attentional mechanisms have been scarcely explored. In the current study, expectancy processes of upcoming laser stimulation (painful and non-painful) and its further processing were explored by event-related potentials (ERPs). Nineteen fibromyalgia patients and twenty healthy control volunteers took part in the experiment. Behavioral measures (reaction times and subjective pain perception) were also collected. We manipulated the pain/no pain expectancy through an S1-S2 paradigm (cue-target). S1 (image: triangle or square) predicted the S2 appearance (laser stimulation: warmth or pinprick sensation). Laser stimuli were delivered using a CO2 laser device. Temporal and spatial principal component analyses were employed to define and quantify the ERP component reliability. Statistical analyses revealed the existence of an abnormal pattern of pain expectancy in patients with fibromyalgia. Specifically, our results showed attenuated amplitudes at posterior lCNV component in anticipation of painful stimulation that was not found in healthy participants. In contrast, although larger P2 amplitudes to painful compared to innocuous events were shown, patients did not show any amplitude change in this laser-evoked response as a function of pain predictive cues (as occurred in the healthy control group). Additionally, analyses of the subjective perception of pain and reaction time indicated that laser stimuli preceded by pain cues were rated as more painful than those signaling non-pain expectancy and were associated with faster responses. Differences between groups were not found. The present findings suggest the presence of dysfunction in pain expectation mechanisms in fibromyalgia that eventually may make it difficult for patients to correctly interpret signs that prevent pain symptoms. Furthermore, the abnormal pattern in pain expectancy displayed by fibromyalgia patients could result in ineffective pain coping strategies. Understanding the neural correlates of pain processing and its modulatory factors is crucial to identify treatments for chronic pain syndromes.

Stress-Recovery State in Fibromyalgia Patients and Healthy People. Relationship with the Cardiovascular Response to Stress in Laboratory Conditions.

The current study´s objective was to determine the relationship between stress-recovery state and cardiovascular response to an acute stressor in a sample of female fibromyalgia patients in comparison with a control group of healthy participants. The laboratory procedure was completed by 36 participants with fibromyalgia and by 38 healthy women who were exposed to an arithmetic task with harassment while blood pressure and heart rate were measured during task exposure.

The Development and Exploratory Psychometric Properties of the Traumatic and Routine Stressors Scale on Emergency Nurses (TRSS-EN).

Emergency nurses are exposed to traumatic events and routine stressors, both of which can lead to the development of PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) symptomatology. However, there are currently no instruments designed to assess the impact and frequency of such sources of stress in nurses. The Traumatic and Routine Stressors Scale on Emergency Nurses (TRSS-EN) was built for this purpose. A sample of 147 emergency nurses from three hospitals in Madrid (Spain) completed this 13-item scale. The analyses showed a factorial structure composed of two factors. The first is characterized by items regarding traumatic and stressful events and procedures of severe magnitude (traumatic stressors), and the second by items related to stressful events and procedures of moderate magnitude (routine stressors) but hypothesized to possess a substantial traumatic potential. Analyses provided evidence of both adequate internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.92; first factor α = 0.91 and second factor α = 0.86) and test-retest reliability. In addition, concurrent validity also proved to be satisfactory. In short, TRSS-EN seems to be a reliable and valid tool in a healthcare emergency nursing setting for screening the frequency and impact of exposure to everyday work-related traumatic stressors, either event-related or routine.

The Role of Psychological Factors in the Perception of Postneedling Soreness and the Influence of Postneedling Intervention.

BACKGROUND: Myofascial trigger point dry needling is frequently associated with postneedling soreness, which can generate patient dissatisfaction and reduced treatment adherence. Psychological factors may influence the perception of postneedling soreness and the effectiveness of postneedling soreness treatments. OBJECTIVES: The objectives of the present study were to determine whether catastrophizing, kinesiophobia, pain anxiety, and fear of pain are significant predictors of postneedling soreness over time; and to analyze whether the relationships between psychological variables and postneedling soreness vary as a function of the postneedling soreness intervention, which included ischemic compression, placebo or control (without treatment). DESIGN: Repeated-measures observational study nested within a randomized controlled trial. SETTING: University community. PARTICIPANTS: Healthy volunteers (N = 90; 40 men and 50 women) 18 to 39 years of age (mean ± standard deviation 22 ± 3 years). METHODS: Catastrophizing, kinesiophobia, pain anxiety, and fear of pain were evaluated as possible predictors of postneedling pain before dry needling in a latent myofascial trigger point in the upper trapezius muscle. Participants were then divided into a treatment group that received ischemic compression as a postneedling intervention, a placebo group that received sham ischemic compression, and a control group that did not receive any treatment. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Pain during needling and postneedling soreness were quantified using a visual analogue scale during needling, after treatment, and at 6, 12, 24, and 48 hours. RESULTS: A multilevel analysis revealed that individuals who exhibited more catastrophic thinking showed less postneedling soreness intensity immediately after needling in all participants (ß = -0.049). Pain-related anxiety was linked to greater immediate postneedling soreness in the compression condition (ß = 0.057). Finally, participants who exhibited more catastrophic thinking showed a slower rate of decline in postneedling soreness levels over time in the compression condition (ß = 0.038). CONCLUSIONS: Catastrophizing was associated with lower levels of postneedling soreness immediately after needling in all subjects. Although ischemic compression seems to be a useful procedure to reduce postneedling soreness, its efficacy could be slightly reduced in patients presenting higher scores of pain-related anxiety. Psychological procedures may help to correct the distorted pain expectancies associated with needling interventions and might also improve the effectiveness of ischemic compression. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II.

La verdadera eficiencia de las Unidades de Memoria. ¿Qué falla? / Alzheimer disease and the delay of its diagnosis

Introducción: El deterioro cognitivo es un problema de salud pública extraordinariamente prevalente en la población general. Las Unidades de Memoria son necesarias dada la necesidad de llevar a cabo una aproximación holística tanto a pacientes como a cuidadores. Sin embargo, los datos disponibles son controvertidos tanto respecto a la demora en el diagnóstico como al tratamiento de nuestros pacientes. Pacientes y métodos: Llevamos a cabo un estudio epidemiológico retrospectivo en la Unidad de Estudio de la Cognición y la Conducta, en el Servicio de Neurología del Hospital Clínico San Carlos de Madrid. Se revisaron 620 historias clínicas y se seleccionaron aquellos pacientes con enfermedad de Alzheimer (EA) según criterios NINCSADRDA, desde 2008 a 2011. Se analizaron variables como la edad, el sexo, la dominancia manual, el nivel educativo, la presencia de un cuidador, GDS (Global Deterioration Scale) y meses transcurridos desde los primeros síntomas hasta el diagnóstico. El análisis estadístico se llevó a cabo mediante SPSS versión 19. Describimos la correlación entre variables como la edad, el sexo, el nivel educativo y la presencia de un cuidador con el GDS y los meses de demora diagnóstica. Resultados: Evaluamos 229 personas con EA (67,7 % mujeres, 32,3 % hombres). La distribución de GDS fue: GDS 4: 45,4 %; GDS 5: 28,4 %; GDS 6: 21,0 %; GDS 7: 5,2 %. La mediana de edad fue de 81 años (hombres, 80; mujeres, 81). La mediana de nivel educativo fue de 5 años (hombres, 7; mujeres, 5).El 87,8 % tenían un cuidador (GDS 4: 35,7 %, GDS 5: 67,9 %, GDS 6: 96,4 %, GDS7: 100 %). La mediana de meses de demora diagnóstica fue de 36 en hombres y de 30 en mujeres (GDS 4: 24, GDS 5: 36, GDS 6: 48 y GDS 7: 51 meses). Teniendo en cuenta la situación social, la mediana de meses de demora diagnóstica fue de 24 en aquellos pacientes que vivían solos y de 36 en pacientes con cuidador. No hubo diferencias entre personas con más de 6 años de nivel educativo o con menos de 6 (mediana de meses: 36, en ambos casos). Con clu - siones: Las Unidades de Memoria son necesarias para la realización de un diagnóstico precoz y el inicio de un tratamiento óptimo. Sin embargo, hoy en día existe un gran retraso en el área a la hora de poder llevar a cabo estos objetivos. El diagnóstico de EA se realiza tarde en los hombres y en pacientes con mejor soporte social en nuestro medio(AU)

Background: Cognitive impairment is a prevalent public health problem in general population. Memory Clinics are necessary in order to implement a holistic approach to patients and caregivers. However, data report many controversial aspects about the delay of diagnosis and treatment of our patients. Methods: retrospective epidemiological study was carried out. We reviewed 620 medical histories selecting those patients diagnosed of Alzheimer disease (AD) (NINCS-ADRDA criteria) in BCU-HCSC from 2008 to 2011. We analyzed age, sex, handness, educational level, caregiver, GDS and time (months) from first symptoms till diagnosis. We made a statistical analysis using SPSS 19 version. We describe the correlation between factors like age, sex, educational level and caregiver presence with GDS and months from first symptoms at the time of diagnosis. Results:We evaluated 229 AD (67.7% women, 32.3 % men). The distribution of GDS score was: GDS 4: 45.4 %, GDS 5: 28.4 %, GDS 6: 21.0 %, GDS 7: 5.2 %. The median age was 81(men 80, women 81) The median of educational level was 5 years (men 7, women 5). 87.8 % had a caregiver (GDS 4: 35.7 %, GDS 5: 67.9 %, GDS 6: 96.4%, GDS7: 100 %). The median of months from first symptoms to diagnosis was 36 in men and 30 in women (GDS4: 24, GDS 5: 36, GDS 6: 48 and GDS 7: 51 months). Regarding the social situation, the median of months from first symptoms till diagnosis was 24 for patients who live alone and 36 for patients with caregiver. There was no diference between people with more than 6 years of educational level and less of six years (median of 36 months in both cases). Conclusions: Memory clinics are necessary in order to make an early diagnosis and implement an optimal treatment for AD patients. However, nowadays there is a great delay in our area in order to make an optimal medical approach of these patients. Alzheimer diagnosis is made later in men and patients with better social support(AU)

Comportamiento del cáncer colorrectal esporádico en un hospital provincial / Behavior of sporadic colorectal cancer in a provincial hospital

Introducción: el cáncer colorrectal ocupa la segunda causa entre las neoplasias malignas en todo el mundo y su incidencia se ha ido incrementando. En 2011, el Anuario Estadístico Cubano reportó 2 039 casos nuevos. El pronóstico de la enfermedad está en relación con el diagnóstico temprano. Objetivo: describir el comportamiento del cáncer colorrectal esporádico. Métodos: se realizó un estudio transversal en el Hospital Universitario Manuel Ascunce Domenech, Camagüey, Cuba, desde enero-2009 a diciembre-2010. La muestra estuvo constituida por 106 pacientes con este diagnóstico, por colonoscopia y biopsia, que fueron sometidos a cirugía, con el análisis anatomopatológico posterior de la pieza quirúrgica. Los datos fueron obtenidos del registro primario y procesados mediante el sistema SPSS para Windows. Resultados: aumentaron los casos con el incremento de la edad, predominó el sexo masculino (53,8 porciento) y los pacientes sin antecedentes patológicos familiares (91,5 por ciento), ni personales (76,4 por ciento). El estreñimiento (42,4 por ciento) y la enterorragia (33 por ciento) fueron las manifestaciones más frecuentes para los tumores de colon izquierdo, mientras la anemia (27,4 por ciento) y el tumor palpable (22,6 por ciento) lo fueron para los del colon derecho. Hubo mayor porcentaje de la localización anatómica en el colon izquierdo (66,1 por ciento), la variedad polipoidea (59,4 por ciento) y el adenocarcinoma (97,2 por ciento). El estadio B (62,3 por ciento), según la clasificación de Dukes fue el más representado. Conclusiones: nuestros resultados son similares a las tendencias mundiales. El cáncer colorrectal continúa siendo identificado en estadios avanzados, por eso debe ser considerada la implementación de estrategias de escrutinio para reducir la incidencia y la mortalidad

Introduction: the colorectal cancer holds the second place among the malignant neoplasias worldwide and its incidence is growing. The Cuban Statistical Annals of 2011 reported 2 039 new cases. The prognosis depends on early diagnosis. Objective: to describe the behavior of the colorectal cancer. Methods: a cross-sectional study was made in Manuel Ascunce Domenech university hospital in Camagüey, Cuba, from January 2009 to December 2010. The sample was made up of 106 patients diagnosed by colonoscopy and biopsy. The surgical sample was subjected to the anatomical and pathological analysis. The data were taken from the primary register and processed in Windows-based SPSS system. Results: the number of cases raised as the age increased, males (53.8 percent) and the patients without family history (91.5 percent) or personal history (76.4 percent) of this pathology predominated. Constipation (42.4 percent) and rectal bleeding (33 percent) were the most frequent manifestations of left colon tumors, whereas anemia (27.4 percent) and palpable tumor (22.6 percent) were those of the right colon tumor. The highest percentage of tumors was located in the left colon (66.1 percent); the polypoid variety (59.4 percent) and adenocarcinoma (97.2 percent) prevailed. The staging B accounted for 62.3 percent of cases according to Dukes' classification. Conclusions: these results agree with the international trends. The colorectal cancer continues to be identified at advanced stages, so the implementation of screening strategies to reduce the incidence and the mortality rates must be considered

Comportamiento del cáncer colorrectal esporádico en un hospital provincial / Behavior of sporadic colorectal cancer in a provincial hospital

Introducción: el cáncer colorrectal ocupa la segunda causa entre las neoplasias malignas en todo el mundo y su incidencia se ha ido incrementando. En 2011, el Anuario Estadístico Cubano reportó 2 039 casos nuevos. El pronóstico de la enfermedad está en relación con el diagnóstico temprano. Objetivo: describir el comportamiento del cáncer colorrectal esporádico. Métodos: se realizó un estudio transversal en el Hospital Universitario Manuel Ascunce Domenech, Camagüey, Cuba, desde enero-2009 a diciembre-2010. La muestra estuvo constituida por 106 pacientes con este diagnóstico, por colonoscopia y biopsia, que fueron sometidos a cirugía, con el análisis anatomopatológico posterior de la pieza quirúrgica. Los datos fueron obtenidos del registro primario y procesados mediante el sistema SPSS para Windows. Resultados: aumentaron los casos con el incremento de la edad, predominó el sexo masculino (53,8 porciento) y los pacientes sin antecedentes patológicos familiares (91,5 por ciento), ni personales (76,4 por ciento). El estreñimiento (42,4 por ciento) y la enterorragia (33 por ciento) fueron las manifestaciones más frecuentes para los tumores de colon izquierdo, mientras la anemia (27,4 por ciento) y el tumor palpable (22,6 por ciento) lo fueron para los del colon derecho. Hubo mayor porcentaje de la localización anatómica en el colon izquierdo (66,1 por ciento), la variedad polipoidea (59,4 por ciento) y el adenocarcinoma (97,2 por ciento). El estadio B (62,3 por ciento), según la clasificación de Dukes fue el más representado. Conclusiones: nuestros resultados son similares a las tendencias mundiales. El cáncer colorrectal continúa siendo identificado en estadios avanzados, por eso debe ser considerada la implementación de estrategias de escrutinio para reducir la incidencia y la mortalidad(AU)

Introduction: the colorectal cancer holds the second place among the malignant neoplasias worldwide and its incidence is growing. The Cuban Statistical Annals of 2011 reported 2 039 new cases. The prognosis depends on early diagnosis. Objective: to describe the behavior of the colorectal cancer. Methods: a cross-sectional study was made in Manuel Ascunce Domenech university hospital in Camagüey, Cuba, from January 2009 to December 2010. The sample was made up of 106 patients diagnosed by colonoscopy and biopsy. The surgical sample was subjected to the anatomical and pathological analysis. The data were taken from the primary register and processed in Windows-based SPSS system. Results: the number of cases raised as the age increased, males (53.8 percent) and the patients without family history (91.5 percent) or personal history (76.4 percent) of this pathology predominated. Constipation (42.4 percent) and rectal bleeding (33 percent) were the most frequent manifestations of left colon tumors, whereas anemia (27.4 percent) and palpable tumor (22.6 percent) were those of the right colon tumor. The highest percentage of tumors was located in the left colon (66.1 percent); the polypoid variety (59.4 percent) and adenocarcinoma (97.2 percent) prevailed. The staging B accounted for 62.3 percent of cases according to Dukes' classification. Conclusions: these results agree with the international trends. The colorectal cancer continues to be identified at advanced stages, so the implementation of screening strategies to reduce the incidence and the mortality rates must be considered(AU)

Recursos cognitivos de percepción de control, procesos de estrés/recuperación y malestar afectivo en fibromialgia / Cognitive resources of perceived control, stress-recovery processes and affective discomfort in fibromyalgia

El presente estudio evalúa un modelo estructural de relaciones entre los recursos cognitivos de control percibido sobre la enfermedad (expectativas de autoeficacia y lugar de control interno de dolor), el estado de estrés-recuperación y el malestar afectivo en mujeres con fibromialgia (n= 130). Los resultados fueron consistentes con la propuesta de que el balance de estrés-recuperación media la relación entre los recursos cognitivos y el malestar afectivo. Asimismo, se observó la presencia de un efecto directo por parte de los recursos cognitivos sobre la limitación funcional, mientras que la intensidad de dolor y los otros síntomas de enfermedad fueron directamente predictores del malestar afectivo. Teniendo en cuenta estos resultados, se señala la posible interpretación de una buena parte de las técnicas cognitivo-conductuales utilizadas habitualmente para el tratamiento de la fibromialgia, como herramientas orientadas a la búsqueda del correcto equilibrio entre estrés y recuperación, resultando fundamental para ello la modificación de las creencias de autoeficacia y las expectativas de control (AU)

This study evaluates a structural equation model (SEM) of linkages among cognitive control resources (illness-specific efficacy beliefs and internal pain control expectancies),stress/recovery state, and affective discomfort in women with fibromyalgia (n= 130). Results were consistent with the proposal that stress/recovery balance mediates the relationship between cognitive resources and affective discomfort. In addition, direct effects of cognitive resources on function limitation were observed, and pain intensity and symptoms were direct predictors of the affective discomfort. Based on the results, the possible interpretation of several cognitive-behavioural techniques commonly employed in the treatment of fibromyalgia are indicated as strategies aimed at finding the correct equilibrium between stress and recovery, and the modification of self-efficacy beliefs and pain control expectancies are fundamental (AU)

Sensation seeking, attitudes toward drug use, and actual use among adolescents: testing a model for alcohol and ecstacy use.

The use of ecstasy (MDMA), one of the most popular substances among young people in the context of many leisure and fun activities, is moving from party and recreation circuits to high schools and college dorms, in many cases in combination with alcohol consumption. Bearing in mind the concurrent use of the two drugs and the "gateway" thesis of a progression from legal drugs to illegal ones, a causal(1) model of linkages among sensation seeking, attitudes toward alcohol and ecstasy consumption, and frequency of use was tested using structural equation modeling (SEM). The data were obtained from a sample of 450 high school students ranging in age from 14 to 18 (47% male, 53% female). An additional moderator analysis was performed in order to examine a possible moderating role of sensation seeking in the relationship between attitudes toward consumption and frequency of use of both alcohol and ecstasy. Results were consistent with the hypothesis that positive attitudes toward consumption mediate the effects of sensation seeking on drug use. In addition, whereas our results were coherent with the existence of direct effects of sensation seeking on drug use, these were only found in the case of alcohol consumption. However, a moderating effect of this same variable was observed in the relationship between positive attitudes toward ecstasy consumption and its frequency of use. General and specific clinical implications and limitations of these findings are discussed and future lines of research suggested. .

Nursing Motives for Helping Scale (N-MHS): reliability and validity.

This paper presents the Nursing Motives for Helping Scale (N-MHS), an instrument designed for the evaluation of three of the four motives for helping derived from Batson's helping pathway theory. Dimensionality was analyzed by means of principal component analysis (n = 113), followed by confirmatory factor analysis. A 3-factor structure (corresponding to Batson's differentiation among altruistic motivation, reward-seeking motivation, and punishment-avoidance motivation, respectively), with 9 items distributed in three latent variables, revealed an acceptable fit to the data. Alpha values (.60 - .74) showed that internal consistency was acceptable for a newly developed subscale with a small number of items. Convergence validity was evaluated with correlations between N-MHS subscales scores and scores on the Professional Expectations Scale (Garrosa, Moreno-Jiménez, Rodríguez-Carvajal, and Morante, 2005). The three resulting subscales are a promising instrument for the evaluation of three nursing motives for helping that can contribute to reduce the potential risks and to improve the potential benefits both for the nurse and the patient.

Nursing motives for helping scale (N-MHS): reliability and validity

This paper presents the Nursing Motives for Helping Scale (N-MHS), an instrument designed for the evaluation of three of the four motives for helping derived from Batson's helping pathway theory. Dimensionality was analyzed by means of principal component analysis (n = 113), followed by confirmatory factor analysis. A 3-factor structure(corresponding to Batson's differentiation among altruistic motivation, reward-seeking motivation, and punishment-avoidance motivation, respectively), with 9 items distributed in three latent variables, revealed an acceptable fit to the data. Alpha values (.60 - .74) showed that internal consistency was acceptable for a newly developed subscale with a small number of items. Convergence validity was evaluated with correlations between N-MHS subscales scores and scores on the Professional Expectations Scale (Garrosa, Moreno-Jiménez, Rodríguez-Carvajal, & Morante, 2005). The three resulting subscales are a promising instrument for the evaluation of three nursing motives for helping that can contribute to reduce the potential risks and to improve the potential benefits both for the nurse and the patient (AU)

En este articulo se presenta la Escala de Motivaciones de Ayuda en Enfermería [The Nursing Motives for Helping Scale (N-MHS)], un instrumento elaborado para evaluar tres de las cuatro motivaciones de ayuda derivadas del modelo de motivación prosocial de Batson. Se analizó la dimensionalidad mediante análisis de componentes principales (n = 113), seguido de análisis factorial confirmatorio. La estructura de 3 factores (correspondiendo a la diferenciación de Batson entre las motivaciones altruista, la de búsqueda de recompensa y la de evitación del castigo, respectivamente), con 9 ítems distribuidos en 3 variables latentes, mostró un ajuste aceptable a los datos. Los valores de alfa (.60 - .74) indicaron que la consistencia interna era aceptable para una subescala nueva con un número pequeño de ítems. La validez convergente se evaluó mediante las correlaciones entre las puntuaciones de las subescalas de la N-MHS y las puntuaciones en la Escala de Expectativas Profesionales (Garrosa, Moreno-Jiménez, Rodríguez-Carvajal y Morante, 2005). Las tres subescalas resultantes constituyen un instrumento prometedor para la evaluación de tres motivaciones de ayuda de enfermería que pueden contribuir a reducir los riesgos y a incrementar los beneficios potenciales tanto de los profesionales de enfermería como de los pacientes (AU)

Carga mental y fadiga en servicios especiales de enfermería / Mental workload and fatigue in special nursing services

This work examines the association between some of the most relevant demographic and work factors (sex, age, professional level, general experience, kind of special attention unit belonging, shift, hours of work per shift, volume of patients per day, and work contract) and mental workload and fatigue in a sample of 228 nurses developing their activity in eight units of special attention. Two multivariate analyses of variance (MANOVA) were executed. Results show et the unit of special attention, the professional level and the shift length as factors linked to the mental workload. Equally, the unit of special attention and age were linked to the perceived fatigue. Necessity of taking into account the work conditions of nursing special attention in relation to mental workload and fatigue is discussed.

El trabajo explora la asociación entre algunos de los factores laborales y demográficos más relevantes (sexo, edad, nivel profesional, años de experiencia en la profesión, servicio de atención, turno, duración de la jornada laboral, número de pacientes que atiende al día y situación laboral) y el nivel de carga mental y de fatiga laboral en una muestra de 228 profesionales de enfermería que desarrollaban su actividad en ocho servicios especiales de atención. Para cada una de las variables (carga mental y fatiga laboral) se efectuó un análisis multivariado de varianza (MANOVA). El tipo de servicio especial de atención, el nivel profesional y la duración de la jornada laboral aparecieron asociados significativamente al nivel de carga mental, mientras que tanto el tipo de servicio especial de atención como la edad se mostraron asociadas significativamente con el nivel de fatiga percibida. Los resultados ponen de manifiesto la necesidad de tomar en consideración las condiciones de trabajo como factores relacionados con la carga mental y con la fatiga percibida en los profesionales de atención especial de enfermería.

Consumo de alcohol y éxtasis (MDMA) en adolescentes y variables psicosociales implicadas. Un análisis descriptivo / Alcohol and "ectasy" (MDMA) consumption in adolescents and related psychosocial variables: a descriptive analysis

El presente estudio analiza la incidencia de consumo de alcohol y de éxtasis en adolescentes del sur de la Comunidad de Madrid. Asimismo, se estudian variables posiblemente asociadas como son las tendencias y actitudes hacia su consumo, el apoyo social, el rasgo de personalidad de búsqueda de sensaciones, y las conductas antisociales y delictivas. Los resultados ponen de manifiesto la problemática existente respecto al consumo de estas sustancias, observándose además diferencias en las variables estudiadas entre hombres y mujeres y un incremento en las actitudes positivas hacia estas drogas y su consumo con la edad

The present study assessed the prevalence of alcohol and «ecstasy» (MDMA) consumption in adolescents in a south area of the Community of Madrid. Attitudes toward these drugs, the adolescents' perceived social support, the personality trait of sensation seeking (linked to drug consumption), and antisocial and/or delinquent behaviours were also studied. The results revealed a problem in the youth population regarding the consumption of these substances. Differences in trends of consumption and the related variables assessed were observed among men and women. An increase in the positive attitude toward drugs with age was also observed

Estrategias de afrontamiento y personalidad resistente en pacientes de cuidados paliativos. Un estudio preliminar / Coping strategies and hardy personality in palliative care patients. A preliminary study

La medicina paliativa se dedica al cuidado de los pacientes con enfermedades en fase terminal. En España, existen varias unidades de cuidados paliativos, sin embargo, no en todas se lleva a cabo una intervención multidisciplinaria lo cual es esencial para conseguir que una persona muera en una situación dé bienestar y con la mejor calidad posible. El objetivo de este estudio es analizar las estrategias de afrontamiento existentes en los enfermos ingresados en unidades de cuidados paliativos en fase de aceptación y su relación con la personalidad resistente. Para ello, se administró un instrumento corto en forma de entrevista. Los resultados encontrados muestran que este tipo de pacientes utilizan estrategias de afrontamiento positivas como acción para resolver problemas, búsqueda de recompensas alternativas y reevaluación positiva. Por otro lado, un aspecto de la personalidad resistente encontrada en estos pacientes es el reto lo cual indica que estos pacientes viven esta experiencia como una oportunidad de desarrollo personal

The objective of pallíative medicine is to take care of patients who are suffering from terminal diseases. In Spain, there are many pallíative care units although not all of them carry out multídisciplinary interventions, which are very relevant for the successful relief of suffering and for improving patient qualíty of Me. The aim of this study is to analyze coping strategies used by patients in pallíative care units who had accepted their terminal disease and their relation with hardy personalíty type. For this purpose, a short interview form was applied. Results show that patients use posítíve coping strategies including planned problem-solving, seeking alternative reward and posítíve reappraisal. One interesting finding was that challenge was a component of hardy personalíty. This could mean that these patients take this experience as an opportunity for personal growth

Desgaste profesional en hospitales. Influencia de las variables sociodemográficas / Sociodemographic variables in the nursing burnout process

Se analiza la influencia de las variables de corte sociodemográfico dentro del proceso de desgaste profesional (burnout) en el colectivo de enfermería, contemplando tanto las dimensiones específicas del síndrome (agotamiento emocional, despersonalización y falta de realización personal) como las fuentes de estrés y las consecuencias derivadas para la salud, para la vida extralaboral del individuo y para la organización en la que trabaja, sin olvidar algunas de las variables de personalidad más relevantes dentro de este proceso, como son las estrategias de afrontamiento y el constructo de personalidad resistente o hardiness. Mediante la ejecución de un análisis multivariado de varianza (MANOVA) sobre una muestra de 247 profesionales de enfermería procedentes de cinco grandes hospitales de Madrid, se observaron efectos principales significativos a un nivel multivariado en función del porcentaje de interacción con los pacientes, la situación laboral y el desempeño de funciones de supervisión. En conjunto, el trabajo pone de relieve la escasa asociación entre los factores sociodemográficos clásicos (edad, sexo, estado civil, etc.) y el proceso de desgaste profesional, apareciendo como los elementos más relevantes aquellos relacionados con la situación laboral particular de cada individuo y con el grado de contacto directo con los pacientes (AU)

La evaluación específica del síndrome de Burnout en psicológos: el "inventario de Burnout de psicológos" / Evaluating the Burnout syndrome in psychologists: "The psychologists Buernout inventory"

La investigación de "Burnout" se ha extendido a una amplia variedad de profesiones, asistenciales y no asistenciales, sin embargo el estudio del burnout en psicológos es relativamente escaso a pesar de ser una profesión con alto riesto de Burnout. El "Inventario de Burnout Psicológos" (IBP) es un instrumento elaborado específicamente para evaluar los procesos de burnout en los psicológos que consta de tres partes: características profesionales, dimensiones del burnout y sintomatología de estrés asociada. La aplicación del IBP a una muestra de 203 profesionales de la psicología, de lengua española y brasileña, ha mostrado claramente una estructura factorial de tres factores según el modelo asistencial clásico de burnout: cansancio emocional, despersonalización y falta de realización personal. La sintomatología asociada se factorializa en tres dimensiones: consecuencias psicológicas, físicas y sociales. Las tres partes del IBP están altamente asociadas de forma que las características profesionales se asocian al nivel de burnout y los niveles del burnout a la sintomatología percibida (AU)

Functional recovery and instrumental activities of daily living: follow-up 1-year after treatment in a stroke unit.

The objective of the study was to assess the utility of the Frenchay Activities Index (FAI) to measure instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) and functional recovery in stroke patients compared to other measures such as Barthel Index (BI) and Scandinavian Stroke Scale (SSS). A cross-sectional descriptive analysis design was done. Ninety stroke survivors (41 women, 49 men; mean age 68 years) discharged from the Stroke Unit at San Carlos Hospital, Madrid, were assessed by BI at discharge and by BI and FAI 1-year after stroke. At discharge, 40% had total or severe disability (BI < or =60) and at 1-year 11.1%. FAI (mean value 36 +/ 11) correlated with Barthel index, capacity for walking, strength in upper limb and total SSS 1-year after stroke (p < 0.0001). Fifty-two per cent of stroke patients became independent in their ADL during the first year. BI was the strongest predictor of independence in FAI Social activities-category.

[Professional burnout in hospitals. Influence of sociodemographic variables]. / Desgaste profesional en hospitales. Influencia de las variables sociodemográficas.

The propose of this study was to determine the role of sociodemographic variables in the nursing burnout process by taking into account the specific syndrome dimensions (emotional exhaustion, despersonalization and reduced personal accomplishment), the principal sources of stress in this profession, in addition to health, extraworking and organizational derived outcomes. Most relevant personality variables inside this process was also contemplated, especifically several of the principal coping mechanisms, as well as the construct of hardy personality (hardiness). A multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) among 247 nurses from five hospitals in Madrid was executed, showed a multivariate main effect for amount (percent) of diary interaction with patients, contract of employment, and managerial practice. The study raises on the limited associations between the classical sociodemographic factors (age, sex, marital status, etc.) and the burnout process, point out as the most relevant factors that ones associated to the special working situation of each individual, and with the amount of personal contact with the patients.