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.

Research on childhood sexuality: limitations and recommendations / La investigación sobre sexualidad infantil: limitaciones y recomendaciones

Children may display behaviours and have feelings of a sexual nature. However, due to the paucity of research, society often fails to acknowledge developmentally appropriate sexual experiences in childhood, and there is no consensus on which behaviours are normative. The purpose of this article is to review empirical evidence on the sexuality of children up to 12 years old. Specifically, the article aims to describe the main conclusions of studies, as well as to analyse the knowledge gaps, the methodological shortcomings, and the resulting recommendations for future research. According to the findings, studies should pay more attention to thoughts and feelings related to sexuality, the children's perspective; normative, healthy sexual expressions; and the relevant sexual socialization factors. Both direct and indirect methods, quantitative and qualitative techniques, should be combined to enhance the richness and validity of findings. The article also presents ethical tips. In conclusion, there is a need to further examine childhood sexuality from a comprehensive and ecological approach that provides an empirical basis for the development of interventions in children's sexual health

Los niños pueden tener comportamientos y sentimientos de naturaleza sexual. Sin embargo, dada la escasa investigación científica, la sociedad a menudo no reconoce las experiencias propias del desarrollo sexual infantil, y no hay consenso sobre qué conductas son normativas. Por ello, el objetivo de este artículo es aportar una revisión de las evidencias empíricas disponibles sobre la sexualidad de los niños de hasta 12 años. Concretamente, se pretende describir las principales conclusiones alcanzadas en este campo, y analizar las lagunas de conocimiento y limitaciones metodológicas existentes, con las consiguientes sugerencias para futuras investigaciones. Los resultados indican que debe prestarse más atención a las cogniciones y sentimientos relacionados con la sexualidad, la perspectiva de los niños, las manifestaciones sexuales saludables y normativas, y los factores de socialización sexual relevantes. Se aconseja combinar métodos directos e indirectos, así como técnicas cuantitativas y cualitativas para una mayor riqueza y validez de los hallazgos. También se aportan consideraciones éticas. En conclusión, es necesario profundizar en la investigación de la sexualidad infantil desde una perspectiva integradora y ecológica que aporte una base empírica para el desarrollo de intervenciones en salud sexual infantil

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.

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

Minors’ exposure to online pornography: Prevalence, motivations, contents and effects / La exposición de los menores a la pornografía en Internet: prevalencia, motivaciones, contenidos y efectos

En virtud del aumento de la disponibilidad de material pornográfico en Internet, ha surgido la necesidad de investigar las características y consecuencias de la exposición de los niños y adolescentes a este tipo de material. Partiendo de informes retrospectivos de una muestra de 494 estudiantes de la Universidad de Salamanca recogidos con una encuesta online, este estudio analiza la prevalencia y el grado de exposición de los menores a la pornografía en Internet, las razones de la exposición, los tipos de imágenes que ven, y las reacciones a dichas imágenes. Según los resultados, el 63% de los chicos y el 30% de las chicas presenciaron pornografía online durante su adolescencia. Un porcentaje mayor de varones lo hicieron alguna vez durante más de 30 minutos. Ambos sexos recuerdan haber presenciado imágenes variadas, incluidos contenidos de dominación, pornografía infantil y violación. Con mayor probabilidad, los chicos informan de un consumo deliberado de pornografía y de búsqueda de excitación sexual, mientras que las chicas recuerdan haberse visto expuestas involuntariamente. En uno de cada seis casos, la pornografía observada produjo un fuerte impacto. Los chicos recuerdan en mayor medida reacciones de excitación sexual y masturbación, y las chicas, de evitación, asco y preocupación (AU)

Since Internet has made pornographic materials more available, there is a need for more research on the characteristics and implications of children’s and adolescents’ exposure to such materials. This study examined the prevalence and extent of minors’ exposure to online pornography, the reasons for exposure, the types of images seen and the strong effects of exposure, as reported by college students. We used an online survey to collect retrospective reports of a sample of 494 students of the University of Salamanca. Results show that 63% of boys and 30% of girls were exposed to online pornography during adolescence. Boys are more likely to have ever been exposed for more than 30 minutes. Boys are more likely to report deliberate consumption and sexual excitement seeking, whereas girls are more likely to report involuntary exposure. Both genders remember viewing a variety of images, including contents of bondage, child pornography and rape. One in six of exposed participants remember strong reactions. While more boys report sexual excitement and masturbation, more girls report avoidance, disgust or concern (AU)

Professionals' criteria for detecting and reporting child sexual abuse.

Professionals who are likely to come into contact with children play an essential role in the protection of children, thus we aimed to study the criteria they use to identify and report child sexual abuse cases. Based on the Factorial Survey design, we presented 974 Spanish (90%) and Latin American professionals from six fields (Psychology, Social Services, Education, Health, Law and Security) with hypothetical situations of sexual interaction with minors (systematically varying the type of sexual act, the child's and the other person's sex and age, the use of coercion and the type of strategy employed to involve the child), in order to examine their perception of abuse and willingness to report. According to results, the factors or criteria that most impact assessments are age asymmetry and use of coercion. Specifically, professionals are significantly more likely to perceive abuse and intend to report it if the other person involved in the interaction is much older than the minor and/or uses a coercive strategy, especially force, drugs or blackmail. Another relevant criterion is the type of sexual act, since acts involving intercourse, digital penetration or oral sex are significantly more likely to be deemed as abuse and reported.

Professionals’ criteria for detecting and reporting child sexual abuse

Professionals who are likely to come into contact with children play an essential role in the protection of children, thus we aimed to study the criteria they use to identify and report child sexual abuse cases. Based on the Factorial Survey design, we presented 974 Spanish (90%) and Latin American professionals from six fields (Psychology, Social Services, Education, Health, Law and Security) with hypothetical situations of sexual interaction with minors (systematically varying the type of sexual act, the child’s and the other person’s sex and age, the use of coercion and the type of strategy employed to involve the child), in order to examine their perception of abuse and willingness to report. According to results, the factors or criteria that most impact assessments are age asymmetry and use of coercion. Specifically, professionals are significantly more likely to perceive abuse and intend to report it if the other person involved in the interaction is much older than the minor and/or uses a coercive strategy, especially force, drugs or blackmail. Another relevant criterion is the type of sexual act, since acts involving intercourse, digital penetration or oral sex are significantly more likely to be deemed as abuse and reported (AU)

Los profesionales de disciplinas que favorecen el contacto con niños/as juegan un papel esencial en la protección de la infancia y por ello, estudiamos cuáles son los criterios que aplican para detectar y denunciar casos de abuso sexual. Basándonos en la Encuesta Factorial, preguntamos a 974 profesionales españoles (90%) y latinoamericanos de seis ramas distintas (Psicología, Servicios Sociales, Educación, Salud, Justicia y Seguridad) si consideran abusivas y si denunciarían diversas situaciones hipotéticas de interacción sexual (variando sistemáticamente el tipo de conducta sexual, el sexo y la edad del menor y la otra persona, el uso de coerción y la estrategia usada para implicar al menor). Los resultados indican que la asimetría de edad y el uso de coerción son los criterios que más tienen en cuenta los profesionales; en concreto, la probabilidad de percibir un abuso y denunciar es significativamente mayor si la otra persona en la interacción tiene mucha más edad que el menor y/o usa una estrategia coercitiva, especialmente, las drogas, la fuerza o el chantaje. Otro criterio importante es el tipo de conducta sexual, dado que los actos de coito, penetración digital, y sexo oral tienen una probabilidad significativamente mayor de percibirse como abusivos y ser denunciados (AU)

La conducta sexual infantil como indicador de abusos sexuales: los criterios y sesgos de los profesionales / Childhood sexual behavior as an indicator of sexual abuse: professionals’ criteria and biases

Algunas conductas sexuales infantiles se asocian a experiencias de abuso sexual, pero ninguna de forma inequívoca. Es posible, por ello, que los profesionales apliquen criterios no fundamentados y muestren sesgos personales al detectar y notificar posibles abusos. Para comprobarlo, aplicamos un método experimental de viñetas basado en la Encuesta Factorial con el que presentamos a 974 profesionales españoles e hispanoamericanos de seis ramas (Psicología, Educación, Salud, Servicios Sociales, Justicia y Fuerzas del Orden) situaciones hipotéticas de conducta sexual prepuberal (variando el sexo, la edad del prepúber y el tipo de conducta) y pedimos valorar: a) si creen que indican abusos, y b) si denunciarían en las instituciones. También medimos factores sociodemográficos, académicoprofesionales y actitudinales. Según los análisis, las sospechas de abuso dependen más de factores personales, y la intención de notificar, de factores situacionales. El principal criterio adoptado es el tipo de conducta realizada, de forma que las muestras de agresividad sexual y conocimiento sexual precoz tienen más probabilidad de sugerir abusos y ser notificadas. La actitud hacia la sexualidad parece generar sesgos, dado que los profesionales más erotofóbicos tienen más probabilidad de tener sospechas. En todo caso, ninguna conducta sexual infantil se interpreta como evidencia de abusos sexuales (AU)

Some sexual behaviors are related to child sexual abuse experiences, but none unequivocally. Therefore, professionals might use non-empirical-based criteria and be biased when detecting and reporting victims. To check this hypothesis, we presented 974 Spanish and Latin American professionals from different fields (Psychology, Education, Health, Social Services, Justice, and Police Force) with hypothetical situations of child sexual behavior (varying the sex, age and behavior) by using an experimental vignette method based on Factorial Survey. Participants were asked to indicate whether such behaviors are a sign of abuse and whether they would report them. We also measured demographic, academic, professional and attitude factors. According to the analysis, professionals’ suspicion of abuse is more affected by personal factors, whereas their reporting intention depends more on situational factors. The main criterion adopted is the type of sexual behavior, with professionals being more likely to suspect and report in response to aggressive sexual behavior and precocious sexual knowledge. Professionals’ attitudes to sexuality seem to generate biases, as those who are erotophobic are more likely to suspect abuse. None of the sexual behaviors was seen as evidence of abuse (AU)

[Childhood sexual behavior as an indicator of sexual abuse: professionals' criteria and biases]. / La conducta sexual infantil como indicador de abusos sexuales: los criterios y sesgos de los profesionales.

Some sexual behaviors are related to child sexual abuse experiences, but none unequivocally. Therefore, professionals might use non-empirical-based criteria and be biased when detecting and reporting victims. To check this hypothesis, we presented 974 Spanish and Latin American professionals from different fields (Psychology, Education, Health, Social Services, Justice, and Police Force) with hypothetical situations of child sexual behavior (varying the sex, age and behavior) by using an experimental vignette method based on Factorial Survey. Participants were asked to indicate whether such behaviors are a sign of abuse and whether they would report them. We also measured demographic, academic, professional and attitude factors. According to the analysis, professionals' suspicion of abuse is more affected by personal factors, whereas their reporting intention depends more on situational factors. The main criterion adopted is the type of sexual behavior, with professionals being more likely to suspect and report in response to aggressive sexual behavior and precocious sexual knowledge. Professionals' attitudes to sexuality seem to generate biases, as those who are erotophobic are more likely to suspect abuse. None of the sexual behaviors was seen as evidence of abuse.