School Satisfaction and Happiness in 10-Year-Old Children from Seven European Countries.

School satisfaction is conceptualized as a crucial factor influencing children´s happiness and consequent healthy functioning in multiple developmental areas. Research to date has mainly evaluated how contextual factors related to the interactions between the student, teachers and classmates influence children's happiness, not considering other important factors more related to their own student experiences. The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of school satisfaction on happiness in 10-year-old children from Europe. Children's global school satisfaction levels, as well as different separate indicators of school satisfaction (i.e., satisfaction with other children in class; school marks; school life experience as a student; things they have learned; and relationships with teachers) were considered. The study comprised a sample of 7.445 10-year-old children from seven European countries. First, correlation analysis showed that the overall school satisfaction measure, as well as its different indicators, had positive associations with happiness levels. Second, regression analyses confirmed the effect by indicators of global school satisfaction on happiness. The indicators with the strongest effects were the satisfaction with their life as a student and the satisfaction with other children in the class, while the smallest effects were found regarding the satisfaction with the relationships with teachers and the things learned. These results point out the need to consider personal and contextual indicators of school satisfaction in a program design to foster happiness in 10-year-old children.

Psychosocial Adjustment and Sociometric Status in Primary Education: Gender Differences.

The acceptance or rejection of classmates is one of the most widely recognized determinants of wellbeing in childhood. This study analyses psychosocial adjustment and sociometric status in primary education pupils, and possible differences by gender. A cross-sectional survey was undertaken in Huelva (Spain). The surveyed schools were selected using a stratified random sampling technique with both public and private elementary schools. Sample was composed of 247 4th grade students. Data revealed gender differences in psychosocial adjustment, particularly in terms of prosocial behavior in girls and behavioral problems in boys. Popular and rejected statuses presented opposing adjustment profiles, particularly in hyperactive symptoms and behavioral problems. When the sample was separated by gender, the differences between the types of status in emotional symptomatology and prosocial behavior disappeared. In addition, the differences between statuses were greater in boys, and were defined mainly by hyperactivity, whilst for girls these differences were more apparent in behavioral problems.

Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale: Comprehensive Psychometric Study in a Spanish SUD Sample.

Objective: The purpose of this study is to provide reliability and validity evidence of the Adult Self-Report Scale (ASRS) scores on different versions and scoring procedures in a Spanish substance use disorder (SUD) sample. Method: The sample was made up of 170 outpatients diagnosed with SUD. The ASRS, the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI), and the Substance Dependence Severity Scale were administered. Results: The results of the confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) showed adequate fit to the structure proposed by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th ed.; DSM-IV) in the 18-item version. On the screening scale, best fit was found for a model with two correlated factors (inattention and hyperactivity). The exploratory factor analysis (EFA) showed that the ADHD items converge and are differentiated from symptoms of withdrawal. The regression analyses showed that severity of dependence is explained by the ASRS scores. Conclusion: Both versions of the ASRS showed adequate psychometric properties. The polytomous or dichotomous score is relevant in patient classification.

Child/Adolescent's ADHD and Parenting Stress: The Mediating Role of Family Impact and Conduct Problems.

Objective: The demands of parenting are usually associated with some stress, and elevated levels of stress may affect the parent-child relationships and parenting practices. This is especially the case of families where children have special needs conditions or disorders, like Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Method: This study examined parenting stress among mothers of children and adolescents with ADHD. The sample comprised 126 mothers of girls (36; 29%) and boys (90; 71%) aged 6-17 years old. Results: Mothers reported their own stress levels as well as the children and adolescents' variables (severity of their ADHD symptoms, conduct, and emotional problems) and family-contextual variables (negative impact on family's social life, impact on couple relationship, and perceived social support). Hierarchical multiple regression showed that (a) negative impact on social life and conduct problems were the strongest predictors of mother's stress. Bootstrap mediation analyses revealed that (b) the association between child and adolescent's ADHD and parenting stress was mediated by children's conduct problems and by negative impact on family's social life, and not by children's emotional problems nor by mother's perceived social support. The mediation analysis also suggested (c) a pathway from child/adolescent's ADHD through children's conduct problems and then through their negative impact on family's social life to mother's parenting stress. Conclusion: These results suggest that both child/adolescent's and family factors should be considered in the designing of interventions for reducing parenting stress in families of children and adolescents with ADHD.

Gender differences in HIV-related sexual behavior among college students from Spain and Portugal.

Under the perspective of the Theory of Planned Behavior, the objective of this study was to know the gender differences in the variables involved in the use of effective preventive measures in sexual relations against HIV in a sample of university students from Spain and Portugal. Furthermore, it is examined whether these factors produce different predictions concerning the adoption of safe sexual behaviour for young man and women in each country. The sample consisted of 683 university students, 319 Portuguese (64% female and 36% male) from the University of Algarve and 364 Spanish students (51% female and 49% male) from the University of Huelva. Data were obtained by means of a questionnaire. The data revealed that there are gender differences which apply in both countries, highlighting that the young women have more positive attitudes, greater perceived behavioural control and intention of condom use than young men. However, they protect themselves less that their male counterparts: the percentage of females who say using condoms as a contraceptive method is less than the percentage of males, and especially with their steady partners. The results are discussed in relation to gender role norms, to have a steady partner or not, gender relations, the associated meaning to sexual relations for men and women and their implications for the design of sexual educational programmes for them.

Gender Differences in HIV-Related Sexual Behavior among College Students from Spain and Portugal

Under the perspective of the Theory of Planned Behavior, the objective of this study was to know the gender differences in the variables involved in the use of effective preventive measures in sexual relations against HIV in a sample of university students from Spain and Portugal. Furthermore, it is examined whether these factors produce different predictions concerning the adoption of safe sexual behaviour for young man and women in each country. The sample consisted of 683 university students, 319 Portuguese (64% female and 36% male)from the University of Algarve and 364 Spanish students (51% female and 49% male) from the University ofHuelva. Data were obtained by means of a questionnaire. The data revealed that there are gender differences which apply in both countries, highlighting that the young women have more positive attitudes, greater perceived behavioural control and intention of condom use than young men. However, they protect themselves less that their male counterparts: the percentage of females who say using condoms as a contraceptive method is less than the percentage of males, and especially with their steady partners. The results are discussed in relation to gender role norms, to have a steady partner or not, gender relations, the associated meaning to sexual relations for men and women and their implications for the design of sexual educational programmes for them (AU)

Bajo el enfoque de la Teoría de la Conducta Planeada, el objetivo de este estudio fue analizar las diferencias de género en cuanto a las variables que están implicadas en el uso efectivo de medidas preventivas en las relaciones sexuales frente al VIH, en una muestra de estudiantes universitarios de España y Portugal. Además, se analizó si estas variables provocan diferencias en las predicciones relacionadas con la adopción de conductas sexuales seguras por chicos y chicas en cada país. La muestra estaba formada por 683 estudiantes universitarios, 319 portugueses (64% mujeres y 36% hombres) de la Universidade do Algarve y 364 estudiantes españoles (51% mujeres y 49% hombres) de la Universidad de Huelva. Los datos fueron recogidos a través de un cuestionario. Los datos revelaron que hay diferencias de género que se mantienen en ambos países, destacando que las chicas tienen actitudes más positivas, una mayor percepción de control del comportamiento y una mayor intención de uso del preservativo que los chicos. Sin embargo, las chicas se protegen menos que sus homólogos masculinos: el porcentaje de mujeres que dicen usar el preservativo como un método anticonceptivo es menor que el porcentaje de hombres, y especialmente con sus parejas estables. Los resultados se discuten en relación con el papel de las normas de género, con el hecho de tener pareja estable o no, las relaciones de género, el significado asociado a las relaciones sexuales entre hombres y mujeres y sus implicaciones para el diseño de programas de educación sexual (AU)

Fontes de informação, conhecimentos e uso do preservativo em estudantes universitários do Algarve e de Huelva / Information sources, knowledge and condom use among college students of the Algarve and Huelva

Embora os estudantes universitários tenham fácil acesso à informação sobre a transmissão do VIH e oscomportamentos de risco associados à actividade sexual, esta informação nem sempre é correcta nem sebaseia em fontes fiáveis ou conhecimentos científicos. Por outro lado, o nível de conhecimentos nem sempre se traduz numa utilização mais frequente do preservativo. Neste estudo analisaram-se as fontes de informaçãosobre os métodos contraceptivos e as doenças de transmissão sexual, os conhecimentos sobre a AIDS eo modo de transmissão do VIH e o uso do preservativo em 678 estudantes universitários portugueses eespanhóis. O nível de conhecimento é elevado em ambas as amostras, contudo os estudantes portuguesesapresentam um melhor nível. Encontraram-se algumas diferenças no uso do preservativo e na utilização dasfontes de informação entre países e sexo. Discutem-se as implicações para as actividades de promoção dasaúde assim como o papel dos diferentes agentes educativos.

In literature, there are several studies showing that college students have easy access to information aboutHIV transmission and sexual activity risk behaviour. However, this information is not always correct neitherbased on reliable sources nor scientific studies. On the other hand, the knowledge level does not alwaysreflect larger frequency on the condom use. In the present study, we analyse information sources concerningcontraception methods, sexual transmitted infections, and HIV/AIDS knowledge and condom use from 678Portuguese and Spanish college students. Results show high knowledge level in both samples, althoughPortuguese students present higher knowledge level. There were found some differences on the informationsources consulted and on the condom use, according to country and gender. We discuss main results andtheir implications for health promotion as well as for the various educative agents’ role.

Fontes de informação, conhecimentos e uso do preservativo em estudantes universitários do Algarve e de Huelva / Information sources, knowledge and condom use among college students of the Algarve and Huelva

Embora os estudantes universitários tenham fácil acesso à informação sobre a transmissão do VIH e oscomportamentos de risco associados à actividade sexual, esta informação nem sempre é correcta nem sebaseia em fontes fiáveis ou conhecimentos científicos. Por outro lado, o nível de conhecimentos nem sempre se traduz numa utilização mais frequente do preservativo. Neste estudo analisaram-se as fontes de informaçãosobre os métodos contraceptivos e as doenças de transmissão sexual, os conhecimentos sobre a AIDS eo modo de transmissão do VIH e o uso do preservativo em 678 estudantes universitários portugueses eespanhóis. O nível de conhecimento é elevado em ambas as amostras, contudo os estudantes portuguesesapresentam um melhor nível. Encontraram-se algumas diferenças no uso do preservativo e na utilização dasfontes de informação entre países e sexo. Discutem-se as implicações para as actividades de promoção dasaúde assim como o papel dos diferentes agentes educativos(AU)

In literature, there are several studies showing that college students have easy access to information aboutHIV transmission and sexual activity risk behaviour. However, this information is not always correct neitherbased on reliable sources nor scientific studies. On the other hand, the knowledge level does not alwaysreflect larger frequency on the condom use. In the present study, we analyse information sources concerningcontraception methods, sexual transmitted infections, and HIV/AIDS knowledge and condom use from 678Portuguese and Spanish college students. Results show high knowledge level in both samples, althoughPortuguese students present higher knowledge level. There were found some differences on the informationsources consulted and on the condom use, according to country and gender. We discuss main results andtheir implications for health promotion as well as for the various educative agents’ role(AU)

Maternal distancing strategies toward twin sons, one with mild hearing loss: a case study.

The authors apply descriptive and sequential analyses to a mother's distancing strategies toward her 3-year-old twin sons in puzzle assembly and book reading tasks. One boy had normal hearing and the other a mild hearing loss (threshold: 30 dB). The results show that the mother used more distancing behaviors with the son with a hearing loss, and thus gave greater encouragement to this son's cognitive development. These results differ from those of previous studies of deaf or hard of hearing children, whose participants generally had severe or profound hearing loss. In those studies, parents of deaf children used more low-level distancing than parents of normally hearing children. The results of the present study are discussed in terms of their implications for the parenting of twins and of children with mild hearing loss.

Las interacciones educativas de padres con hijos con deficiencias auditivas. Una revisión desde la perspectiva del estatus auditivo de los padres / No disponible

En el presente artículo se realiza una revisión de las características de las interacciones educativas de padres con hijos con deficiencias auditivas. Para ello, se distingue entre las familias en las que los padres son oyentes de aquéllas en las que los padres también padecen pérdidas de audición. El análisis de las peculiaridades de las interacciones educativas en ambos tipos de familias arroja diferencias notables, principalmente relacionadas con la calidad de la estimulación del desarrollo que se proporciona a los hijos, en líneas generales más positiva en las familias en las que padres e hijos son sordos. El factor que explica las diferencias entre ambas familias es la diferencia o similitud de estatus auditivo entre padres e hijos. Las dificultades derivadas de la diferencia de estatus auditivo se superan cuando padres e hijos disponen de un código de comunicación común que sirve como vehículo para sus interacciones (AU)

The aim of this article is to revise the characteristics of the educational interactions of parents with children with hearing loss. For it, we distinguish among the families in those that the parents are listeners of those in those that the parents also suffer audition losses. The analysis of the peculiarities of the educational interactions in both types of families throws remarkable differences, mainly related with the quality of the stimulation of the development that is provided to the children, more positive in general lines in the families in those that parents and children are deaf. The factor that explains the differences among both families is the difference or similarity of auditory status between parents and children. The difficulties derived of the difference of auditory status are overcome when parents and children have a common code of communication that is good as vehicle for their interactions (AU)