Prevalence of Dangerousness to the Public, Criminogenic Risk Factors and Psychopathic Traits in Child-to-Parent Offenders and Contrast with Non-Child-to-Parent Offenders.

AIM: Child-to-parent offenders (CPOs) are commonly specialist offenders and with high rates of recidivism. Thus, a field study was designed to estimate the prevalence of recidivism in the reference measures of recidivism i.e., dangerousness, risk factors and psychopathy, and compare CPOs with non-child-to-parent juvenile offenders (non-CPOs). METHOD: A total of 136 juvenile offenders (76.5% boys), 76 CPOs and 60 non-CPOs, aged from 14 to 18 years old, were measured in terms of dangerousness, risk factors and psychopathic traits. RESULTS: For CPOs, the results show a more than common prevalence (>0.50), 75.0%, 95% CI [0.653, 0.847]) of dangerousness (caseness); a significant prevalence (>0.05) of diagnostic psychopathy (25.0%, 95% CI [0.150, 0.350]); and a common prevalence (=0.50), 55.3%, 95% CI [0.441, 0.665]) of classifications of high- and very high-risk factors. Comparatively, no significant differences were observed between CPOs and non-CPOs in terms of mental health problems (dangerousness); meanwhile CPOs exhibited significantly more interpersonal and affective psychopathic traits and significantly higher risks in family circumstances/parenting, and personality and behavior risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: The implications for prevention and intervention programs with CPOs are discussed.

Implanting rich autobiographical false memories: Meta–analysis for forensic practice and judicial judgment making

Objective: The implanting of rich autobiographical false memories is crucial for judicial decision–making, and the forensic evaluation of a testimony. In order to assess this issue, a meta–analytical review of the probability of implanting rich autobiographical false memories was performed. Method: A total of 30 primary studies analysing the probability of implanting rich autobiographical false memories were retrieved. Random–effects meta–analyses correcting the effect size for sampling error were performed. Results: The results revealed a significant, positive, generalizable (the lower limit for the 80% credibility value was d = 1.13), and more than large mean effect size (d = 1.43[1.33, 1.53]) for the implanting of false memory. The moderating effects of stimulus type showed that the effect of the probability of implanted false memory was significantly higher in experienced events (d = 2.03[1.63, 2.43]) than in false narratives (d = 1.35[1.23, 1.47]), and in doctored photographs (d = 1.29[1.06, 1.52]). A similar effect for memory implantation was observed in both the underage (d = 1.44[1.29, 1.59]), and in adults (d = 1.36[1.22, 1.50]). The moderator techniques for implanting false memories revealed a significantly lower probability of implanting false rich memory with non–directive instructions (d = 0.90[0.53, 1.27]) than with guided imagery (d = 1.45[1.32, 1.58]), or with pressure to answer (d = 1.56[1.17, 1.95]) instructions. The event emotional valence moderator exhibited the same effect for positive (d = 1.27[1.09, 1.45]) and negative valence events (d = 1.30[1.17, 1.43]). Conclusions: The implications of the results for forensic testimony evaluation, police interrogations, and judicial cross–examination are discussed. (AU)

Implanting rich autobiographical false memories: Meta-analysis for forensic practice and judicial judgment making.

Objective: The implanting of rich autobiographical false memories is crucial for judicial decision-making, and the forensic evaluation of a testimony. In order to assess this issue, a meta-analytical review of the probability of implanting rich autobiographical false memories was performed. Method: A total of 30 primary studies analysing the probability of implanting rich autobiographical false memories were retrieved. Random-effects meta-analyses correcting the effect size for sampling error were performed. Results: The results revealed a significant, positive, generalizable (the lower limit for the 80% credibility value was d = 1.13), and more than large mean effect size (d = 1.43[1.33, 1.53]) for the implanting of false memory. The moderating effects of stimulus type showed that the effect of the probability of implanted false memory was significantly higher in experienced events (d = 2.03[1.63, 2.43]) than in false narratives (d = 1.35[1.23, 1.47]), and in doctored photographs (d = 1.29[1.06, 1.52]). A similar effect for memory implantation was observed in both the underage (d = 1.44[1.29, 1.59]), and in adults (d = 1.36[1.22, 1.50]). The moderator techniques for implanting false memories revealed a significantly lower probability of implanting false rich memory with non-directive instructions (d = 0.90[0.53, 1.27]) than with guided imagery (d = 1.45[1.32, 1.58]), or with pressure to answer (d = 1.56[1.17, 1.95]) instructions. The event emotional valence moderator exhibited the same effect for positive (d = 1.27[1.09, 1.45]) and negative valence events (d = 1.30[1.17, 1.43]). Conclusions: The implications of the results for forensic testimony evaluation, police interrogations, and judicial cross-examination are discussed.

The Inventory of Problems-29 (IOP-29): A systematic review and bivariate diagnostic test accuracy meta-analysis.

The Inventory of Problems-29 (IOP-29) is a 29-item self-administered symptom validity test (SVT) that assesses the credibility of clinical presentations related to posttraumatic stress disorder, depression/anxiety, psychosis, cognitive impairment and combination thereof. To date, no publications have summarized the classification accuracy of the IOP-29 using a bivariate meta-analytical approach that preserves the two-dimensional nature of the estimators. Our objective was to conduct a systematic review and bivariate diagnostic test accuracy meta-analysis of the IOP-29 according to the relevant guidelines. Twenty-one independent samples were included, with a total sample size of 4,163 participants. The results indicated that the IOP-29 is able to discriminate adequately between instructed simulators and healthy controls/clinical patients. Using the recommended cutoff (False Disorder Probability Score [FDS], ≥ .50), a sensitivity of 82% was achieved, maintaining specificity at 93% (false positive rate of 7%). The language of the test and the type of comparison group have been identified as possible sources of heterogeneity. Specificity decreases for the non-English version of the IOP-29, for the FDS ≥ .30, and also decreases for studies using clinical controls, for all three cutoff scores. In general, our findings support the usefulness of the IOP-29 as an SVT; however, most of the included studies use a simulation design and have been coauthored by the test authors. Likewise, about half of the studies did not include bona fide patient controls but only nonclinical controls. The results obtained are highly promising, but further research, especially that using the criterion group paradigm, is recommended. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Novel Harzia ixtarensis Fungus on Annona cherimola Fruit in Mexico and Its Synergistic Relationship with Colletotrichum fragariae.

Since 2005 in Íxtaro, Michoacán, symptoms of Harzia infection have been observed on immature Annona cherimola fruit with Colletotrichum fragariae-induced anthracnose lesions and mummified fruit. This study aimed to identify the Harzia sp. and evaluate its pathogenicity. Four isolates were obtained from fruit exhibiting symptoms, cultured in four types of agar under various conditions, and characterized based on concatenated internal transcribes spacer (ITS) + large subunit and ITS + small subunit sequences. Additionally, the isolates were compared with two CBS species (two-type strains and two isolates) of Harzia patula and H. tenella under the same conditions as the Harzia isolates, and all known Harzia spp. in culture were included in two phylogenetic analyses. H. ixtarensis sp. nov. was proposed. Compared with H. patula CBS isolate 121524 which was the most closely phylogenetically related species, H. ixtarensis was characterized by slower colony growth (white to salmonish-beige), different percentages of two forms of conidia (elongated and globose; unicellular and hyaline to subhyaline), and smaller conidia. The conidia mainly germinated with two hyaline tubes without an appressorium. In situ inoculations (1 × 106 ml-1 conidia suspension) of fruit showed that fruit with wounds developed larger lesions than those without wounds. Harzia inoculation on anthracnose lesions (induced by prior inoculation with C. fragariae) produced larger anthracnose lesions than C. fragariae alone. When C. fragariae or H. ixtarensis was inoculated alone, the lesion size was 51 and 99% smaller, respectively, indicating synergy between C. fragariae and H. ixtarensis. Thus, H. ixtarensis may have a parasitic-synergistic and necrotrophic lifestyle, and exhibited symptoms on anthracnose lesions.

Prevalence and Quantification of the Effects of Sexual Harassment Victimization of School-Aged Adolescents.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Sexual harassment has become a serious social and public health problem in adolescents, causing adverse effects on mental health. Nevertheless, some behaviours arise that, due to their characteristics, might be misinterpreted as sexual harassment. A field study using a survey with non-probabilistic accidental sampling was designed in order to estimate the prevalence of sexual harassment victimization in the Spanish adolescent population as well as to quantify the harms. METHOD: A total of 1028 Spanish adolescents, 54.3% females and 45.7% males aged 13-17 years (M = 15.21, SD = 1.03), responded to a diagnostic measure of sexual harassment victimization and an inventory measure of internalizing and externalizing mental health problems (MHPs). RESULTS: The results showed a significant prevalence of diagnosed sexual harassment victimization of school-aged adolescents, 24.1%, 95% CI [0.215, 0.267], with adverse effects on internalizing and externalizing MHPs. As for the internalizing MHPs, the results exhibited moderate adverse effects on depression, anxiety, somatic burns, posttraumatic symptoms, and obsessive-compulsive symptoms, as well as mild adverse effects on social anxiety. Regarding externalizing MHPs, the results revealed moderate adverse effects on hyperactivity-impulsivity, anger control, and antisocial behaviour, as well as mild adverse effects on attention problems, aggression, and defiant behaviour. In addition, it was confirmed that sexual harassment victimization affects adolescent females to a greater extent, with the effect being significantly greater in internalizing than in externalizing MHPs. CONCLUSIONS: The results obtained are discussed and future lines of research and intervention are proposed to promote the implementation of prevention and intervention programs that address this phenomenon and, in turn, improve the physical, psychological, and social well-being of adolescents.

Estimating the Psychological Harm Consequence of Bullying Victimization: A Meta-Analytic Review for Forensic Evaluation.

The prevalence of traditional bullying victimization has been estimated at around 36%, while that of cyberbullying has been estimated at 15%. The victimization of bullying brings with it harm to mental health that must be compensated for, after a forensic evaluation, by the aggressor or legal guardian. Thus, a meta-analytic review was undertaken with the aim of knowing the effect of bullying victimization on psychological harm, as well as quantifying the magnitude of the harm and estimating the probability that no harm associated with bullying victimization is generated. METHOD: A random-effects correlational meta-analysis correcting effect size by sampling error and criterion and predictor unreliability was performed. RESULTS: The results exhibited a positive (i.e., more victimization and more psychological harm) and significant mean true effect size, implying an average psychological harm associated to bullying victimization of 29.7%. Nevertheless, 26.7% of students victimized by bullying did not develop psychological harm. CONCLUSIONS: Bullying victimization causes psychological harm, with an average increase in psychological harm associated with bullying victimization of 29.7%.

Reality monitoring: a meta-analytical review for forensic practice / Reality monitoring: una revisión meta-analítica para la práctica forense

Reality Monitoring (RM) criteria has been proposed as a forensic tool in order to discern between perceived and imagined memories. However, no systematic evidence has been provided on its validity for use in testimony evaluation. Thus, a meta-analytic review was designed to study its validity in forensic setting. A total of 40 primary studies were found, yielding 251 effect sizes. Random-effects meta-analyses correcting the effect size for sampling error and criterion unreliability were performed. The results showed that the total RM score discriminated, d = 0.542 (δ = 0.562), between imagined and perceived memories of events. In relation to individual criteria, the results showed support for the model's predictions (more external attributes in perceived memories) for clarity, d = 0.361 (δ = 0.399), sensory information, d = 0.359 (δ = 0.397), spatial information, d = 0.250 (δ = 0.277), time information, d = 0.509 (δ = 0.563), reconstructability of the story, d = 0.441 (δ = 0.488), and realism, d = 0.420 (δ = 0.464), but not for affective information, d = 0.024 [-0.081, 0.129]. Nevertheless, except for temporal information, the results are not generalized (negative effects may be found). For cognitive operations, the results corroborated, although the magnitude of the effect was lower than small, the hypothesis (more cognitive operations in imagined memories), d = -0.107 [-0.178, -0.036] (δ = -0.119). The moderating effects of age (more cognitive operations on imagined memories in adults, and on perceived memories in underage), evocation type (external attributes discern between imagined and perceived memories, in both self-experienced and non-experimented accounts), and criteria score (the results varied by score) moderators were studied. As conclusions, forensic implications for the validity of the RM technique in court proceedings are discussed. (AU)

Los criterios del Reality Monitoring (RM) han sido propuestos como una herramienta forense para discriminar entre memorias percibidas e imaginadas. Sin embargo, no se han facilitado pruebas sistemáticas de su validez para su uso en la evaluación del testimonio, motivo por el cual se planificó una revisión metaanalítica para estudiar su validez en el contexto forense. Se encontró un total de 40 estudios primarios, de los que se extrajeron 251 tamaños del efecto. Se llevaron a cabo meta-análisis de efectos aleatorios que corregían el tamaño del efecto por el error de muestreo y la falta de fiabilidad del criterio. Los resultados mostraron que la puntación total en el RM discriminaba, d = 0.542 (δ = 0.562), entre memorias de eventos imaginados y percibidos. En relación con los criterios, los resultados avalaron las predicciones del modelo (más atributos externos en memorias percibidas) en los criterios claridad, d = 0.361 (δ = 0.399), información sensorial, d = 0.359 (δ = 0.397), información espacial, d = 0.250 (δ = 0.277), información temporal, d = 0.509 (δ = 0.563), reconstrucción de la historia, d = 0.441 (δ = 0.488), y realismo, d = 0.420 (δ = 0.464), pero no para el criterio información afectiva, d = 0.024 [-0.081, 0.129]. Sin embargo, excepto para el criterio información temporal, los resultados no son generalizables (se pueden hallar efectos negativos). Para el criterio operaciones cognitivas, los resultados corroboraron, aunque la magnitud del efecto era menor que pequeña, la hipótesis (más operaciones cognitivas en memorias imaginadas), d = -0.107 [-0.178, -0.036] (δ = -0.119). (AU)

Effective In Vitro Control of Two Phytopathogens of Agricultural Interest Using Cell-Free Extracts of Pseudomonas fluorescens and Chitosan.

A biofungicide is a natural product that can be derived from various sources such as, among others, microorganisms, higher plants, animal products, phytochemicals, semiochemicals, and antagonist microorganisms. One of the most important approaches for the production of biofungicides is the combination of biocontrol agents. This study showed the inhibition growth of Alternaria alternata and Fusarium solani treated with cell-free extracts of P. fluorescens. Using thin-layer chromatography and plate assays it was also demonstrated that the cell-free extracts of P. fluorescens contained siderophores and derivates of 4-diacetylphloroglucinol and phenazine. Moreover, the combination of cell-free extracts of P. fluorescens and chitosan [50-1.5% (v/v)] had a synergistic effect since they notably inhibited the mycelial growth of A. altenata and F. solani. Various morphological alterations to the mycelia and conidia of the treated fungi as a result of this combination were also observed. The present study could be a starting point to control other fungal phytopathogens using different cell-free extracts and chitosan as biocontrol agents.

Evaluation of the Executive Functioning and Psychological Adjustment of Child-to-Parent Offenders: Epidemiology and Quantification of Harm.

With the aim of ascertaining if child-to-parent offenders have impairments in the executive functions and psychological maladjustment, and to quantify the potential harm and epidemiology, a field study was designed. As for this, 76 juvenile offenders sentenced for child-to-parent violence were assessed in executive functions (Stroop tasks) and psychological adjustment (Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-Adolescent, MMPI-A). The results showed valid responses for 75 juveniles and that data were not generally biased in line with defensiveness or malingering (differential diagnosis in justice juvenile evaluations). In psychological adjustment, the results revealed a significantly higher maladjustment among offenders on all the basic clinical scales with 23% more symptoms of hysteria than the normative population, 37% more of depressive symptoms, 44% more of hypochondriac symptoms, 68% more of psychopathic deviation symptoms, 46% more of paranoid symptoms, 26% more of psychasthenic symptoms, 24% more symptoms of schizophrenia, 17% more symptoms of hypomania, and 13% more symptoms of social introversion. Epidemiologically, the prevalence rates of clinical deterioration were significantly greater than expected (0.05 in normative sample) in hypochondria (28.0%), depression (29.3%), hysteria (29.3%), psychopathic deviation (60%), paranoia (30.7%), psychasthenia (22.7%), and schizophrenia (25.3%). As for the cognitive functions, the offenders exhibited impairments estimated at 62.0% in word reading, 47.9% in color naming, 45.8% in color-word, and 11.9% in interference and a significantly higher prevalence of caseness than expected in word reading (65%), color naming (71%), and color-word (70.2%). The implications of the results for intervention are discussed.

Eficacia del tratamiento en la competencia cognitiva en sentenciados por violencia de género / Treatment efficacy on the cognitive competence of convicted intimate partner violence offenders

La evaluación de la eficacia del tratamiento de maltratadores en los Registros Oficiales o los Informes de las parejas no es válida, al tiempo que las intervenciones eficaces se dirigen a dotarlos de competencia cognitiva y conductual. Por ello diseñamos un estudio de campo para medir los efectos de la intervención en la competencia cognitiva. Un total de 100 condenados por violencia de género que completaron un programa penitenciario de tratamiento en la comunidad fueron evaluados pre- y post-tratamiento en la competencia cognitiva, esto es, auto-concepto, inteligencia emocional, atribución de responsabilidad, destrezas cognitivas para el afrontamiento de eventos estresantes en pareja, expresión y control de la ira, y creencias irracionales y pensamientos distorsionados. Los resultados mostraron un efecto significativo del tratamiento en la adquisición de las destrezas cognitivas. Sucintamente, el tratamiento potenció el auto-concepto general el 18.2% y las dimensiones internas del auto-concepto auto-satisfacción el 33.5% y comportamiento el 25.6%; y la claridad para discriminar las emociones el 31.8%. Además, el tratamiento incrementó la asunción interna de responsabilidad el 31.8%; el control de la ira el 19.1%; y el uso de estrategias adaptativas para el afrontamiento de eventos estresantes en pareja entre el 48.9% y el 61.3%. Finalmente, el tratamiento redujo el uso de estrategias desadaptativas entre el 25.6% y el 35.1%; y las creencias irracionales y pensamientos distorsionados relacionados con el uso de la violencia, rol de género y dependencia emocional, en el 78.2%, 48.2% y 63.6%, respectivamente. No obstante, no todos los maltratadores se beneficiaron del tratamiento

The evaluation of the efficacy of treatment of batterers in Official or Couple Records is not valid, whilst the efficient interventions are focused on the empowerment of cognitive and behavioural competence. A field study for measuring the effects of the treatment on the cognitive competence was designed. A total of 100 batterers who had completed a community penitentiary intervention programme, were assessed pre- and post-treatment in cognitive competence i.e., self-concept, emotional intelligence, attribution of responsivity, cognitive skills to cope intimate-partner-related stressful events, expression and control of anger, and irrational beliefs and distorted thoughts. The results showed a significant effect of the treatment in the acquisition of cognitive competence skills. Succinctly, treatment empowered the general self-concept in 18.2%, and the internal dimensions of self-concept self-satisfaction in 33.5% and behaviour in 25.6%; and clarity to discriminate among moods in 31.8%. Moreover, treatment increased the assumption of internal responsivity in 31.8%; anger control in 19.1%; and the use of adaptive strategies to cope intimate-partner-related stressful events between 48.9% and 61.3%. Finally, treatment involved a fall in the use of maladaptive strategies to cope intimate-partner-related stressful events between 25.6% and 35.1%; and in the irrational beliefs and distorted thoughts related with the use of violence, in 78.2%, 48.2% y 63.6%, for use of violence, gender roles and emotional dependence, respectively. Nonetheless, not all the batterers benefited from treatment

Are interventions with batterers effective?. A meta-analytical review / ¿Son efectivas las intervenciones con los maltratadores?. Una revisión metaanalítica

The inconsistency in the results both internally and between of previous meta-analyses on batterer intervention program efficacy, and the publication of new batterer interventions underscored the need for an up-to-date meta-analyticalreview. A total of 25 primary studies were found from literature search, obtaining 62 effect sizes, and a total sample of 20,860 intervened batterers. The results of a global meta-analysis showed a positive, significant, and of a mediummagnitude effect size for batterer interventions, but not generalizable. Nevertheless, the results exhibited a significantly higher rate of recidivism measured in couple reports (CRs) than in official records (ORs). As a consequence, intervention efficacy measuring in CRs was null, whilst in ORs was positive and significant. As for the intervention model, positive andsignificant effects were observed under the Duluth Model and cognitive-behavioural treatment programs (CBTPs), but a higher effect size was obtained with CBTPs in comparison to the Duluth Model (under this model, interventions may have negative effects, i.e., an increase in recidivism rate). In relation to intervention length, short interventions failed to reduce recidivism in ORs and may have negative effects, while long interventions were effective in reducing recidivism rate in ORs without negative effects. Efficacy evaluations in short follow-ups were invalid as artificially boosted recidivismreduction rate. Limitations of ORs and short follow-ups as measures of the intervention efficacy and implications of results for batterer intervention are discussed

La inconsistencia interna y entre las revisiones metaanalíticas en los resultados sobre la eficacia de los programas de intervención con maltratadores, así como la publicación de nuevos estudios, pone de manifiesto la necesidad de llevar a cabo una revisión metaanalítica actualizada. Se encontró un total de 25 estudios primarios, de los que se obtuvieron 62 tamaños del efecto para una muestra total de 20,860 maltratadores intervenidos. Los resultados del metaanálisis global mostraron un tamaño del efecto promedio positivo, significativo y de una magnitud moderada para la intervención con maltratadores, pero no generalizable. Sin embargo, los resultados revelaron una tasa de reincidencia mayor medida en los informes de las parejas (IPs) que en los registros oficiales (ROs). Como consecuencia, la eficacia de la intervención medida en los IPs resultó nula, mientras que en los ROs fue positiva y significativa. En relación al modelo de intervención, se encontraron tamaños del efecto positivos y significativos con el Modelo Duluth y los programas de tratamiento cognitivo-conductuales (PTC-Cs), pero el tamaño del efecto obtenido con los PTC-Cs era significativamente mayor que con el Modelo Duluth (con este modelo las intervenciones pueden tener efectos negativos, es decir, unincremento en la tasa de reincidencia). En relación a la longitud de la intervención, las intervenciones breves fallaron en la reducción de la reincidencia en los ROs y pueden tener efectos negativos, en tanto que las intervenciones largas fueron eficaces en la reducción de la tasa de reincidencia en los ROs y no dan lugar a efectos negativos. Las evaluacionesde la eficacia de la intervención en períodos cortos de seguimiento resultaron no válidas al incrementar artificialmente la tasa de reducción de la reincidencia. Se discuten las limitaciones de la medida de la eficacia de la intervención en los ROs y en períodos cortos de seguimiento, así como las implicaciones para la intervención con maltratadores

Destrezas cognitivas en menores infractores, de protección y normalizados: un estudio de contraste / Cognitive skills in juvenile offenders, protection normalized youngsters: A contrastive study

Resumen Con el objetivo de conocer si los déficits en las destrezas cognitivas son una característica común de los menores infractores y de protección (en riesgo de desviación) y diferencial de la población de menores normalizada, se diseñó un estudio de campo. Para ello, se evaluaron la inteligencia emocional, el afrontamiento, la atribución de responsabilidad y el autoconcepto, a 450 menores colombianos entre 14 y 19 años: 150 menores infractores, 150 menores de protección y 150 de población normalizada. Los resultados mostraron que los menores infractores y los de protección tenían un déficit en atención a las emociones (inteligencia emocional), recurren más a estrategias desadaptativas para la resolución de problemas y comparten una definición negativa de sí mismos, y están menos satisfechos consigo mismos y de su comportamiento. No obstante, no se observa un sesgo hacia la atribución externa de la responsabilidad. Finalmente, se cuantifica porcentualmente la magnitud de los daños en las destrezas cognitivas. Se discuten las implicaciones de los resultados para la intervención con menores infractores y el diseño de programas de prevención con menores de protección.

Abstract A field study was designed with the aim of knowing if deficits in cognitive skills a common characteristic of the juvenile offenders and protection youngsters are i.e., children under social services protection (in risk of deviation), and a differential from normalized population. As for these 450 Colombian youngsters (150 juvenile offenders, 150 protection youngsters, and 150 from the normal population), aged from 14 to 19 years, were assessed in emotional intelligence, coping, responsivity attribution, and self-concept. The results showed that juvenile offenders and youngsters under protection had deficit in attention to the emotions (emotional intelligence), used more maladaptive strategies for problems solving, and shared a negative definition of their selves, were less satisfied with their sleeves and with their behaviour. Nonetheless, the expected bias to external responsivity attribution was not observed. Finally, the magnitude of the damages in cognitive skills was quantified. The implications of the results for the intervention with juvenile offenders and the design and implementation of prevention programs with protection youngsters are discussed.

Child-to-parent violence and parent-to-child violence: a meta-analytic review / La violencia de los hijos hacia los padres y de los padres hacia los hijos: una revisión metaanalítica

In order to examine the literature on the relationship between child-to-parent violence and parent-to-child violence, a meta-analytic review was designed with 26 effect sizes assessing the relationship between child-to-parent and parent-to-child violence in 19 primary studies. Correlational effect sizes were computed and corrected for sampling error, and predictor and criterion unreliability. The results showed a significantly positive, medium magnitude (ρ = .36) mean true effect size for the relationship between child-to-parent violence and parent-to-child violence. Similar results were found for direct and vicarious victimization. The probability of developing child-to-parent violence for children victimized by parents increased 71% as compared to non-victimized children. The child-to parent violence type (physical or psychological), and the population (judicial or community) were analysed as moderators. The results revealed similar effects in both types of child-to-parent violence and in both populations: a significantly positive, medium in magnitude mean true effect size. The theoretical and practical implications for measuring child-to parent violence are discussed

Con el propósito de examinar la literatura sobre la relación entre la violencia de hijos a padres y la violencia de padres a hijos, se diseñó una revisión metaanalítica con 26 tamaños del efecto que evalúan la relación de la violencia entre hijos y padres y padres e hijos en 19 estudios principales. Se calcularon y corrigieron los tamaños del efecto correlacional para el error de muestreo y la predicción y la fiabilidad del criterio. Los resultados mostraron una magnitud media significativamente positiva (ρ = .36), que significa el tamaño verdadero del efecto para la relación entre la violencia de hijos a padres y la violencia de padres a hijos. Se encontraron resultados similares para la victimización directa e indirecta. La probabilidad de desarrollar violencia de hijos a padres para los niños victimizados por los padres aumentó 71% en comparación con los niños no victimizados. El tipo de violencia del niño hacia el padre (física o psicológica) y la población (judicial o comunitaria) se analizaron como moderadores. Los resultados revelaron efectos similares en ambos tipos de violencia entre padres e hijos en ambas poblaciones: un nivel de efecto medio significativamente positivo, de magnitud media. Se discuten las implicaciones teóricas y prácticas para medir la violencia de los hijos hacia sus padres

Assessing the effects of an education program on mental health problems in separated parents / Evaluación de los efectos de un programa educativo en los problemas de salud mental en padres separados

Background: Parental separation is a stressful experience that can lead to parents suffering mental health problems (MHPs). Parental separation education programs for coping with post-separation adjustment have proven to be effective in reducing conflict and improving co-parenting. However, the effects of these programs on MHPs have not been assessed. A field study was carried out to assess the impact of a parental separation education program on parental MHPs. Method: A total of 116 separated parents who completed the program "Parental separation, not family breakdown" completed the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI) pre- and post-intervention. Results: Separated parents had significantly higher pre-intervention scores on the nine symptom dimensions and the global indexes of distress in comparison to the normative population. The intervention yielded a significant improvement (i.e., reduction of clinical symptoms) in all MHPs, ranging from 19% in phobic anxiety to 36% in depression and general anxiety; and in the global indexes of distress (36% in the global severity index; 28% in the positive symptom distress index; and 33% in the positive symptom total). Approximately 45% of parents significantly improved through the intervention. Conclusions: The implications of the outcomes of the separation and intervention in parents’ MHPs and children wellbeing are discussed

Antecedentes: la ruptura de pareja, como evento estresante, puede derivar en Problemas en la Salud Mental (PSM) de los progenitores. Para afrontar esta contingencia se han desarrollado programas educativos que han mostrado su eficacia en la reducción del conflicto y la mejora de la coparentalidad. Pero los efectos en los PSMs no han sido estudiados. Así, nos planteamos un estudio campo para conocer los efectos de un programa educativo para la ruptura de pareja en los PSMs. Método: 116 progenitores separados que cumplimentaron el programa "Ruptura de Pareja, no de Familia" respondieron, pre- y post-intervención, al Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI). Resultados: los resultados mostraron, en contraste con la población normativa, que los progenitores separados puntuaban significativamente más alto en los PSMs. La intervención implicó una mejora significativa en todos PSMs, oscilando desde el 19% en ansiedad fóbica al 36% en depresión y ansiedad generalizada, así como en los índices generales de malestar (36% en el Índice de Severidad Global; 28% en el Índice de Malestar referido a Síntomas Positivos; y el 33% en el Total de Síntomas Positivos). Conclusiones: se discuten las implicaciones de los resultados de la ruptura e intervención en los PSMs de los padres separados y el bienestar de los hijos

Assessing the effects of an education program on mental health problems in separated parents.

BACKGROUND: Parental separation is a stressful experience that can lead to parents suffering mental health problems (MHPs). Parental separation education programs for coping with post-separation adjustment have proven to be effective in reducing conflict and improving co-parenting. However, the effects of these programs on MHPs have not been assessed. A field study was carried out to assess the impact of a parental separation education program on parental MHPs. METHOD: A total of 116 separated parents who completed the program "Parental separation, not family breakdown" completed the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI) pre- and post-intervention. RESULTS: Separated parents had significantly higher pre-intervention scores on the nine symptom dimensions and the global indexes of distress in comparison to the normative population. The intervention yielded a significant improvement (i.e., reduction of clinical symptoms) in all MHPs, ranging from 19% in phobic anxiety to 36% in depression and general anxiety; and in the global indexes of distress (36% in the global severity index; 28% in the positive symptom distress index; and 33% in the positive symptom total). Approximately 45% of parents significantly improved through the intervention. CONCLUSIONS: The implications of the outcomes of the separation and intervention in parents' MHPs and children wellbeing are discussed.

Cellular alterations in Pectobacterium carotovorum treated with nanostructured formulations during the incubation time.

Pectobacterium carotovorum was incubated in formulations of chitosan nanoparticles or thyme essential oil-loaded chitosan nanoparticles for a maximum period of 48 h time. The cellular changes and viability were evaluated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and two colorimetric assays 3-(4,5 dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) and alamar blue (AMB), respectively. The incubation time and the addition of the secondary metabolite to the formulation were key factors to the cell damage and cell inhibitory effects on P. carotovorum, TEM observations overall demonstrated on the treated bacterium, cell surface alterations such as deforming and disappearance of the cell wall and the plasmatic membrane, with agglomeration of nanoparticles outside and inside of the cells, loss of cell content and lysis. Cell viability was reduced about 80% (MTT) and 100% (AMB) in the applied treatment of chitosan-loaded thyme essential oil nanoparticles after 48 h incubation, in addition, the total cell inhibition was shown from 6 h incubation onwards with the AMB assay. The TEM micrographs and the cell viability assays provided enough evidence of the antimicrobial activity of the nanostructured formulations compared with the control where no damage was observed.

Characterization of Pleurotus djamor neohaplonts recovered by production of protoplasts and chemical dedikaryotization.

Production of hybrid strains is accomplished by mating monosporic isolates or neohaplonts, obtained either by chemical dedikaryotization or by production of protoplast. However, differences in growth rate among recovered neohaplonts have been reported. The presence of phenotypic and genetic changes among the neohaplonts recovered either by chemical dedikaryotization or by production of protoplast, was evaluated by measuring growth and morphology, and by molecular characterization using six ISSR markers to identify polymorphisms. Neohaplonts recovered by both methods presented variation in growth rate depending on their compatibility type and recovery method. Using ISSR markers, 59.2% polymorphism was established. Neohaplonts recovered by both monokaryotization procedures presented differences in growth rate and polymorphism.

Una revisión meta-analítica de las respuestas en escalas clínicas y reestructuradas del MMPI-2/MMPI-2-RF de padres en disputa por la custodia / A meta-analytical review of the responses in the MMPI-2/MMPI-2-RF clinical and restructured scales of parents in child custody dispute

La evaluación de las capacidades parentales para el ejercicio de la guarda y custodia de los hijos incluye el ajuste psicológico y la psicopatología. En esta evaluación, además, se ha de sospechar disimulación. El instrumento psicométrico de referencia para dicha evaluación es el MMPI. Para conocer de lo informado por los progenitores en disputa por la custodia nos planteamos una revisión meta-analítica de las escalas clínica y las escalas clínicas reestructuradas. Encontramos 21 estudios primarios con progenitores (se descartaron los diseños de simulación de progenitores en disputa) de los que obtuvieron 291 tamaños del efecto para las escalas clínicas y 1 para las reestructuradas. Los resultados mostraron un tamaño del efecto promedio positivo, significativo, y generalizable en las escalas Hy, Pd y Pa; negativo, significativo y generalizable en las escalas Ma y Si y no generalizable en las escalas Pt y Sc; y un tamaño del efecto promedio insignificante en las escalas Hs y D. Se estudió el género como moderador, no hallándose diferencias entre padres y madres. Se discuten las implicaciones de los resultados para la práctica forense

Parental attribute evaluation in relation to child custody comprises psychological and psychopathology. Additionally, defensiveness must be suspected on this setting. The worldwide reference psychometric measurement instrument for this purpose is the MMPI. With the aim of knowing the responses of parents litigating by child custody, a meta-analytic review of the responses to clinical and restructured scales was performed. A total of 21 primary studies (studies with a simulation design i.e., participants were instructed to answer as parents litigating by child custody were found were disregarded) were found, obtaining 291 effect sizes for clinical scales and 1 for restructured scales. The results showed positive, significant and generalizable mean true effect size in the Hy, Pd and Pa scales; a negative, significant and generalizable in the Ma and Si scales, and non-generalizable in the Pt y Sc scales; and a trivial mean true effect size in the Hs and D scales. Parent gender was studied as a moderator having no found differences between the responses of mothers and fathers. The implications of the results for forensic evaluation practices are discussed

Psychological Harm in Women Victims of Intimate Partner Violence: Epidemiology and Quantification of Injury in Mental Health Markers / El daño psicológico en las mujeres víctimas de violencia de género: epidemiología y cuantificación del daño en los marcadores de salud mental

Victimization of a crime is defined in terms of the physical and psychological injury sustained by the victim. A field study was designed with women victims of intimate partner violence (WVs-IPV) to assess the epidemiology of injury in mental health markers and to quantify injury by combining the analysis of the population of WVs-IPV (difference in means) with clinical cases (clinical significance). A total of 50 WVs-IPV, of both physical and psychological violence as confirmed by unappealable legal judgements, voluntarily responded to the SCL-90-R. The results showed WVs-IPV informed of more clinical symptoms in all of the clinical dimensions measured (i.e., somatization, obsession-compulsion, interpersonal sensitivity, depression, anxiety, hostility, phobic anxiety, paranoid ideation, and psychoticism), and of higher scores in the distress indexes (i.e., GSI, PST, PSDI). These results were generalizable to other samples of the WVs-IPV population, but not all. The mean injury was 53% in depression and obsession-compulsion, 48% in anxiety, 45% in interpersonal sensitivity, 44% in phobic anxiety, 43% in paranoid ideation, 38% in psychoticism, 36% in somatization, and 20% in hostility; and 48%, 45%, and 43% in the GSI, PST, and PSDI distress indexes, respectively. Moreover, the study of cases in victims found a significant rate of clinical cases (clinical significance) in all of the dimensions and distress indexes. The results were also generalizable to other studies in the same population. The results are discussed in terms of their implications for both clinical and forensic evaluation

La victimización de un delito se define por el daño infringido, incluido el psicológico. Se diseñó un estudio de campo con mujeres víctimas de violencia de género (M-VVG) para conocer la epidemiología del daño en los marcadores de salud mental y cuantificar el daño, combinando el estudio de la población (diferencia de medias) con el de casos (significatividad clínica). Una muestra de 50 M-VVG física y psicológica (confirmada por sentencia judicial) respondió voluntariamente al SCL-90-R. Los resultados mostraron que las M-VVG informaban de más síntomas clínicos en todas las dimensiones clínicas medidas (i.e., somatización, obsesión-compulsión, sensibilidad interpersonal, depresión, ansiedad, hostilidad, ansiedad fóbica, ideación paranoide, psicoticismo), así como de mayor severidad en los índices de malestar (i.e., GSI, PST, PSDI). Estos resultados son generalizables a otras muestras de la población de M-VVG, pero no a todas ellas. El promedio de daño fue del 53% en depresión y obsesión-compulsión, 48% en ansiedad, 45% en sensibilidad interpersonal, 44% en ansiedad fóbica, 43% en ideación paranoide, 38% en psicoticismo, 36% en somatización y 20% en hostilidad, así como del 48%, 45% y 43% en los índices de malestar GSI, PST y PSDI, respectivamente. Asimismo, el estudio de casos constató entre las víctimas una tasa significativa de casos clínicos (significatividad clínica) en todas las dimensiones y en los índices de malestar, resultados también generalizables a otros estudios de la misma población. Se discuten las implicaciones de los resultados para la evaluación clínica y forense