Systematic Review of the Evaluation of Foster Care Programs.

OBJETIVE: The aim of this study was to conduct an exhaustive synthesis to determine which instruments and variables are most appropriate to evaluate foster care programs (foster, kinship, and professional families). This evaluation includes the children, their foster families, their families of origin, professionals, and foster care technicians. METHOD: The systematic review included randomized, quasi-randomized, longitudinal, and control group studies aimed at evaluating foster care interventions. RESULTS: A total of 86 studies, 138 assessment instruments, 18 constructs, and 73 independent research teams were identified. CONCLUSIONS: (1) although the object of the evaluations was the children, the informants were usually the people in charge of their care; therefore, effort should be made to involve the children in a more participatory way; (2) psychosocial functioning, behavior, and parenting are transversal elements in most evaluations, while quality of life and coping are not sufficiently well incorporated; (3) practical instruments (brief and easy to apply and correct) that are widely used and carry scientific guarantees should be prioritized to ensure the comparability and reliability of the conclusions; and (4) progress should be made in the study of evaluation models for all forms of foster care, including foster, extended, and specialized families.

OBJETIVO: El objetivo es realizar una síntesis exhaustiva que contribuya a determinar qué instrumentos y variables son las más adecuadas para evaluar programas de acogimiento familiar (familias extensas, ajenas y profesionalizadas), incluyendo en esta evaluación a los niños, sus familias acogedoras, sus familias de origen y a los profesionales y técnicos del acogimiento familiar. Método: La revisión sistemática incluyó estudios aleatorizados, cuasialeatorizados, longitudinales y con grupo control dirigidos a evaluar intervenciones de acogimiento familiar. RESULTADOS: Se identificaron 86 estudios, 138 instrumentos de evaluación, 18 constructos y 73 equipos de investigación independientes. CONCLUSIONES: (1) aunque el objeto de las evaluaciones sean los niños, habitualmente los informantes son las personas a cargo de sus cuidados, con lo que se debe hacer un esfuerzo por involucrarlos de forma más participativa; (2) el funcionamiento psicosocial, el comportamiento o la parentalidad son elementos transversales en la mayor parte de evaluaciones, sin embargo la calidad de vida y el afrontamiento no están suficientemente bien incorporados; (3) deben priorizarse instrumentos prácticos (breves y fáciles de aplicar y corregir), de amplio uso y con garantías científicas para asegurar la comparabilidad y fiabilidad de las conclusiones; (4) debe avanzarse en la investigación de modelos de evaluación en todas las modalidades de acogimiento familiar, ya sea en familias ajenas, extensas o especializadas.

Systematic Review of the Evaluation of Foster Care Programs / [Revisión sistemática sobre evaluación de programas de acogimiento familiar]

Objetive: The aim of this study was to conduct an exhaustive synthesis to determine which instruments and variables are most appropriate to evaluate foster care programs (foster, kinship, and professional families). This evaluation includes the children, their foster families, their families of origin, professionals, and foster care technicians. Method: The systematic review included randomized, quasi-randomized, longitudinal, and control group studies aimed at evaluating foster care interventions. Results: A total of 86 studies, 138 assessment instruments, 18 constructs, and 73 independent research teams were identified. Conclusions: (1) although the object of the evaluations was the children, the informants were usually the people in charge of their care; therefore, effort should be made to involve the children in a more participatory way; (2) psychosocial functioning, behavior, and parenting are transversal elements in most evaluations, while quality of life and coping are not sufficiently well incorporated; (3) practical instruments (brief and easy to apply and correct) that are widely used and carry scientific guarantees should be prioritized to ensure the comparability and reliability of the conclusions; and (4) progress should be made in the study of evaluation models for all forms of foster care, including foster, extended, and specialized families.(AU)

Objetivo: El objetivo es realizar una síntesis exhaustiva que contribuya a determinar qué instrumentos y variables son las más adecuadas para evaluar programas de acogimiento familiar (familias extensas, ajenas y profesionalizadas), incluyendo en esta evaluación a los niños, sus familias acogedoras, sus familias de origen y a los profesionales y técnicos del acogimiento familiar. Método: La revisión sistemática incluyó estudios aleatorizados, cuasialeatorizados, longitudinales y con grupo control dirigidos a evaluar intervenciones de acogimiento familiar. Resultados: Se identificaron 86 estudios, 138 instrumentos de evaluación, 18 constructos y 73 equipos de investigación independientes. Conclusiones: (1) aunque el objeto de las evaluaciones sean los niños, habitualmente los informantes son las personas a cargo de sus cuidados, con lo que se debe hacer un esfuerzo por involucrarlos de forma más participativa; (2) el funcionamiento psicosocial, el comportamiento o la parentalidad son elementos transversales en la mayor parte de evaluaciones, sin embargo la calidad de vida y el afrontamiento no están suficientemente bien incorporados; (3) deben priorizarse instrumentos prácticos (breves y fáciles de aplicar y corregir), de amplio uso y con garantías científicas para asegurar la comparabilidad y fiabilidad de las conclusiones; (4) debe avanzarse en la investigación de modelos de evaluación en todas las modalidades de acogimiento familiar, ya sea en familias ajenas, extensas o especializadas.(AU)

La percepción de la socialización paterna y materna sobre la resiliencia de adolescentes / Paternal and maternal socialization perception on adolescent resilience

La relación con los progenitores es un aspecto clave en el desa-rrollo adolescente, pues el sentimiento de aceptación o rechazo por parte de estos se ha visto relacionado con el ajuste psicológico de la descenden-cia. A su vez, la resiliencia, habitualmente conceptualizada como capacidad para gestionar o adaptarse a los retos y la adversidad, resultaría fundamental para el ajuste en dicho periodo, caracterizado por numerosos cambios y re-tos simultáneos en distintos aspectos vitales. Por ello, el objetivo de este trabajo es analizar la capacidad predictiva de las dimensiones de socializa-ción parental afecto-comunicacióny crítica-rechazosobre la resiliencia adolescen-te. Método:Participan 899 adolescentes (50.4% mujeres) de entre 12 y 19 años (M= 14.68; DT= 1.73). Mediante regresiones lineales se analiza la capacidad predictiva de las dimensiones de socialización parental sobre la resiliencia filial. Resultados:Se comprueba que las dimensiones paternas, es-pecialmente la crítica-rechazo, resultan más significativas a la hora de predecir las puntuaciones en resiliencia. Discusión: Los resultados apuntan a la rele-vancia de la crítica-rechazo sentida por los y las adolescentes, especialmente en el caso de proceder del padre. Se discute la posible interpretación dife-rencial de los y las adolescentes de las dimensiones en función del sexo de los progenitores.(AU)

Parent-child relations are a key aspect in adolescent develop-ment, since feelings of parental acceptance or rejection have been found to be associated with teenagers’ psychological adjustment. Resilience, usually conceptualised as the ability to manage or adapt to challenges and adversi-ty, is a fundamental factor in adjustment during adolescence, a period characterised by numerous simultaneous changes and challenges in differ-ent aspects of life. The aim of the present study is therefore to analyse the predictive capacity of different dimensions of parental socialisation (affec-tion-communication and criticism-rejection) on adolescent resilience. Meth-od:Participants were 899 adolescents (50.4% female), aged 12 to19 years (M= 14.68; SD= 1.73). Linear regressions were performed to analyse the predictive capacity of the different dimensions of parental socialisation on adolescent resilience. Results:Paternal dimensions, especially paternal criti-cism-rejection, were revealed as relevant factors for predicting resilience scores. Discussion:The results point to the important impact of the criti-cism-rejection felt by adolescents, especially if perceived from the father. Different possible interpretations of these dimensions are discussed, in ac-cordance with whether they are perceived from the mother or the fathe.(AU)

Parental Socialization Styles: The Contribution of Paternal and Maternal Affect/Communication and Strictness to Family Socialization Style.

The aim of this study is two-fold: (a) to determine the general degree of family affect/communication and strictness by examining the combination of the two classical dimensions of mother parenting style: affect/communication and strictness, and (b) to analyze the impact of both parents' affect and strictness on the family style, thereby exploring the specific contribution made by each parent's style and dimension. Participants were 1190 Spanish students, 47.1% boys and 52.3% girls (M = 14.68; SD = 1.76). The Affect Scale (EA-H) and the Rules and Demandingness Scale (ENE-H) (both by Fuentes, Motrico, and Bersabé, 1999) were used. Structural equation models (SEMs) were extracted using the EQS program. The results reveal that it is not the father's and the mother's parenting style combined, but rather the combination of maternal and paternal affect/communication, and maternal and paternal strictness which generates one perception of family affect and another of family strictness. The results also indicated that the weight of both dimensions varies in accordance with the parent's gender, with maternal dimensions playing a more important role in family socialization style.

Longitudinal measurement invariance of the Satisfaction With Life Scale in adolescence.

PURPOSE: The main purpose of this research was to examine the longitudinal measurement invariance of the Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS) in adolescence. METHOD: The sample was composed by 484 adolescents from Spain, 46.7% were males. All participants belonged to six academic levels from Grade 7 to Grade 12, and answered the questionnaires at two different times: at the beginning (Mage1 = 14.95, SD1 = 1.81) and at the end of the school year (Mage2 = 15.61, SD2 = 1.81). The reliability of the scale was obtained through Cronbach's alpha, Guttman lambda, and MacDonald's Omega total. The multiple group confirmatory factor analysis (MGCFA) was used to examine the fit of the unifactorial model to data and to test the measurement of longitudinal invariance of the scale across two time points (at the beginning T1, and the end T2, of the academic year), and the time points and groups (gender and age). RESULTS: The values of the single-factor SWLS structure were T1 (CFI1 = 1.000, TLI1 = .997, RMSEA1 = .080, and SRMR1 = .028), and T2 (CFI2 = .997, TLI2 = .995, RMSEA2 = .032, and SRMR2 = .034). On the other hand, values of the reliability and composite reliability when analyzing both time points together as well as separately were as follows: Cronbach's alpha = .86, Guttman's lambda = .84, McDonald's Omega total = .89. Results confirmed the longitudinal invariance of SWLS. The differences in gender and age were not significant and the small differences across time points showed that the means of the latent factor remained the same over time in both variables. CONCLUSION: The present study confirmed the single-factor structure of the SWLS in Spanish adolescents, as well as a good reliability and composite reliability. The full longitudinal measurement invariance was also found and there were negligible differences across time points considering gender and age. If these findings are further replicated, the scale could be used to compare the life satisfaction across two time points considering different age and gender groups.

Validity Evidence based on Internal Structure of Scores of the Emotional Quotient-Inventory: Youth Version Short (EQ-i: YV-S) in a Spanish Sample.

The purpose of this study was to analyze the reliability and validity evidence of scores on the Spanish version of EQ-i: YV-S in Spanish adolescents. The total sample was comprised of 508 participants from Grades 7 to 12, 241 males (47.4%) and 267 females (52.6%), each of whom completed the questionnaires on two separate occasions. Three [intrapersonal (α = .83, CR = .86, and McDonald Omega = .86), stress management (α = .83, CR = .86, and McDonald Omega = .85) and adaptability (α = .82, CR = .85, and McDonald Omega = .85)] of the four scales had acceptable internal consistency. Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) were used with FACTOR and EQS version 6.1 software to examine validity evidence based on internal structure drawn from the scores on the EQ-i: YV-S, supporting the multidimensionality of the questionnaire. Three models were tested; the best fit to the data was the hierarchical model (S-Bχ2 / df = 2.11, CFI = .93 and RMSEA = .047), which hypothesized that the four specific factors (interpersonal, intrapersonal, stress management, and adaptability) were explained with a second-order factor, Emotional-Social-Intelligence (ESI). Finally, significant positive correlations were found between general self-concept and EQ-i: YV-S [interpersonal (r = .153, p < .001), intrapersonal (r = .235, p < .001), stress management (r = .145, p < .001), adaptability (r = .311, p < .001) and ESI (r = .360, p < .001)]; ESI showed significant direct power prediction of the general self-concept (.52) as demonstrated through structural equation modeling.

Validity evidence based on internal structure of scores of the emotional quotient-inventory: youth version short (EQ-i: YV-S) in a Spanish sample

The purpose of this study was to analyze the reliability and validity evidence of scores on the Spanish version of EQ-i: YV-S in Spanish adolescents. The total sample was comprised of 508 participants from Grades 7 to 12, 241 males (47.4%) and 267 females (52.6%), each of whom completed the questionnaires on two separate occasions. Three [intrapersonal (α = .83, CR = .86, and McDonald Omega = .86), stress management (α = .83, CR = .86, and McDonald Omega = .85) and adaptability (α = .82, CR = .85, and McDonald Omega = .85)] of the four scales had acceptable internal consistency. Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) were used with FACTOR and EQS version 6.1 software to examine validity evidence based on internal structure drawn from the scores on the EQ-i: YV-S, supporting the multidimensionality of the questionnaire. Three models were tested; the best fit to the data was the hierarchical model (S-Bχ2/ df = 2.11, CFI = .93 and RMSEA = .047), which hypothesized that the four specific factors (interpersonal, intrapersonal, stress management, and adaptability) were explained with a second-order factor, Emotional-Social-Intelligence (ESI). Finally, significant positive correlations were found between general self-concept and EQ-i: YV-S [interpersonal (r = .153, p < .001), intrapersonal (r = .235, p < .001), stress management (r = .145, p < .001), adaptability (r = .311, p < .001) and ESI (r = .360, p < .001)]; ESI showed significant direct power prediction of the general self-concept (.52) as demonstrated through structural equation modeling (AU)

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Propiedades psicométricas de una versión abreviada del Cuestionario de Autoconcepto Físico (CAF) / Psychometric properties of a shortened version of the Physical Self-Concept Questionnaire (PSQ-S)

Introducción. Está ampliamente aceptado el modelo tetradimensional del autoconcepto físico que diferencia las autopercepciones físicas de habilidad, condición, atractivo y fuerza. En las dos últimas décadas es mucho lo investigado sobre el autoconcepto físico y sobre sus relaciones con el bienestar/malestar psicológico, la ansiedad o los trastornos de la conducta alimentaria. Objetivo. Validar una versión abreviada del Cuestionario de Autoconcepto Físico (CAF) y verificar su capacidad de discriminación entre personas con distintos grados de TCA. Método. Se analizan las respuestas al CAF-Abreviado (CAF-A) de 1478 sujetos entre 13 y 21 años de edad para comprobar índices de fiabilidad y validez. Por otra parte, se relacionan las respuestas a este cuestionario con las dadas al EDI-2 por 96 mujeres entre 14 y 23 años con diagnóstico TCA versus otras 96 sin TCA. Resultados. Los resultados indican una fiabilidad del cuestionario de 0.93 y confirman la estructura tetrafactorial del autoconcepto físico. Es más alto el autoconcepto físico de quienes no tienen diagnóstico clínico de TCA. Conclusiones. El CAF-A se muestra como una herramienta sencilla, adecuada y fiable para usarla como cribado en la detección tanto en entorno educativo como clínico. Proporciona además una medida suficiente del autoconcepto físico con fines de investigación

Introduction. The four-dimensional model of physical self-concept which differentiates the physical selfperceptions of ability, condition, attractiveness and strength is widely accepted. In the last two decades much research has been done on the physical self-concept and its relations with the psychological well-being/distress, anxiety disorders or Eating Behavior Disorders (EBD). Objective. To validate a shortened version of the Physical Self-Concept Questionnaire (PSQ-S) and verify its ability to discriminate between people with different levels of EBD. Method. Responses of 1478 subjects between 13 and 21 years old to the shortened version of the PSQ were analyzed in order to check indexes of reliability and validity. Furthermore, the scores of 96 women aged 14 to 23 years old diagnosed of EBD were compared to 96 others without clinical diagnosis. Results. The results indicate a reliability of 0.93 and confirm the tetrafactorial structure of the physical self concept. The highest physical self-concept is that of those without a clinical diagnosis of EBD. Conclusions. The Shortened-PSQ is a simple, reliable and suitable screening tool both for educational and clinical settings. It also provides a sufficient measure of physical self-concept for research purposes

Psychometric properties of a shortened version of the Physical Self-Concept Questionnaire (PSQ-S).

INTRODUCTION: The four-dimensional model of physical self-concept which differentiates the physical self-perceptions of ability, condition, attractiveness and strength is widely accepted. In the last two decades much research has been done on the physical self-concept and its relations with the psychological well-being/distress, anxiety disorders or Eating Behavior Disorders (EBD). OBJECTIVE: To validate a shortened version of the Physical Self-Concept Questionnaire (PSQ-S) and verify its ability to discriminate between people with different levels of EBD. METHOD: Responses of 1478 subjects between 13 and 21 years old to the shortened version of the PSQ were analyzed in order to check indexes of reliability and validity. Furthermore, the scores of 96 women aged 14 to 23 years old diagnosed of EBD were compared to 96 others without clinical diagnosis. RESULTS: The results indicate a reliability of 0.93 and confirm the tetrafactorial structure of the physical selfconcept. The highest physical self-concept is that of those without a clinical diagnosis of EBD. CONCLUSIONS: The Shortened-PSQ is a simple, reliable and suitable screening tool both for educational and clinical settings. It also provides a sufficient measure of physical self-concept for research purposes.

Efficacy of a cognitive program for improving the physical self-concept of university students.

The aim of this study was to test the efficacy of a 6-wk. educational program designed to improve physical self-concept, which was carried out in the classrooms of a university physical activity and sports faculty. The experimental group comprised 45 students (M age = 18.8 yr., SD = 1.5) and a control group (N = 41; M age = 21.7 yr., SD = 1.2). The Autokontzeptu Fisikoaren Itaunketa/Physical Self-concept Questionnaire (AFI) was administered pre- and post-intervention, with a statistically significant increase being observed in the post-test scores of the experimental group on the General physical self-concept scale, as well as on the Condition, Attractiveness, and Strength scales. No statistically significant changes were observed in the control group.