Psychometric Properties and Cross-Cultural Invariance of the Beck Depression Inventory-II and Beck Anxiety Inventory among a Representative Sample of Spanish, Portuguese, and Brazilian Undergraduate Students.

Clinical psychologists often use the Beck Depression Inventory, 2nd edition (BDI-II), and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) to aid in the diagnosis of mental health issues and verify the effectiveness of treatments. Despite this common practice, studies that implement a cross-cultural design to check psychometric properties and the invariance of these scales are still scarce in the literature, which can lead to biased results that prevent comparisons among different groups. The present study investigated the internal structure of both tools and their level of invariance. From a representative sample of undergraduate students from Spain (n = 1216), Portugal (n = 426), and Brazil (n = 315), Confirmatory Factor Analysis and Multigroup Confirmatory Factor Analysis were performed. The results revealed suitable fit indices for the two-factor structure of the BDI-II and BAI, assessed by Confirmatory Factor Analysis procedures. Additionally, the two-factor model of the BDI-II reached invariant properties at three levels, whereas the structural model of the BAI did not. Altogether, these results suggest using the BDI-II in this group in these three countries and imply that BAI scores should be interpreted cautiously.

A Protective Factor for Emotional and Behavioral Problems in Children: The Parental Humor.

In order to prevent the development of emotional and behavioral problems, risk and protective factors must be identified. This study aims to establish a link between perceived parental humor and children mental health. The sample comprises 762 pupils aged 10 to 15 (M = 12.23; SD = 1.12), who completed self-reports evaluating perceived parental humor (EEE-H) and their own emotional and behavioral strengths and difficulties (SDQ). The results indicate that parental humor is negatively associated with internalizing problems in children; no association with externalizing problems is observed. According to the study, girls who perceive low parental humor are the most likely to display internalizing problems, while girls perceiving high parental humor are the least likely to do so. Parental humor, characterized by calmness, cheerfulness, and optimism, is a protective factor against internalizing problems in children, especially girls. We recommend training for parents and training and intervention programs for families to encourage activities that boost parental humor.

Problematic Video Game Use and Mental Health among Spanish Adolescents.

Current scientific evidence points to the importance of studying the link between mental health and problematic video game use in adolescents. The aim of this study was to analyse the correlation between gender and stage of adolescence and problematic video game use, as well as to study the correlation between internalizing and externalizing symptomatology, prosocial behaviour and video game use, and the correlation between video gaming and mental health issues in Spanish 12- to 18-year-olds (M = 14.51; SD = 1.57). For this purpose, the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) and the Video Game-Related Experiences Questionnaire (VGEQ) were administered to 1448 secondary school students in Extremadura (Spain), of which 50.8% were women and 49.8% men. The results show that (a) males present more problematic video game use, (b) prosocial behaviour negatively correlates with problematic video game use, and (c) mental health issues and problematic video game use correlate in a negative way. However, the stage of adolescence was not seen to have any effect on the problematic video game use. In conclusion, this study points the effects that problematic video game use can have on the mental health of adolescents and the possible protective role that prosocial behaviours can have on the prevention of problematic video game use.

Analysis of mental health in cyberbullying victims and perpetrators in Spanish and Colombian adolescents / Análisis de la salud mental en víctimas y agresores de cyberbullying en adolescentes españoles y colombianos

Abstract Introduction: Due to the advance of information and communication technologies, children may be exposed to the phenomenon known as cyberbullying. The abundant literature and existing research confirm the interest that the consequences of cyberbullying can provoke in the mental health of adolescents. The aims of this work were: (1) To compare the figures of the difficulties in mental health and cyberbullying in adolescents from Spain and Colombia, (2) To analyse the relationship between mental health and being a high degree cyber-perpetrator or cyber-victim owing to mobile phones and Internet, in both countries. Method: A cross-sectional study was employed, in which 1,080 students from Colombia (11 to 17 years old) and 430 students from Spain (12 to 17 years old) participated through the SDQ, CYBVYC and CYBAGRESS questionnaires. T student, correlations, and the Kruskal Wallis test were used. Results: Difficulties in Emotional symptoms, Conduct problems, Hyperactivity, Peer problems, and the Total difficulties scores were higher in Colombia than in Spain. Colombian adolescents scored higher in cyber-victimization (CYBVYC-Internet) and cyber-perpetration (CYBAGRESS) than Spanish adolescents. However, cyber-victimisation (CYBVYC-Mobile) by way of mobile phone was higher in Spain. Moreover, those who had serious victim and serious perpetrator profiles (scores equal to or higher than the 95th percentile in the CYBAGRESS and CYBVYC scales) presented higher difficulties in Emotional symptoms, Conduct problems, Hyperactivity, and Peer problems than those who were not classified as pertaining to those profiles, in both countries. A positive and direct correlation between difficulties in mental health, cyber-victimisation, and cyber-perpetration exist, regardless of Internet or mobile phone use. Conclusions: Results show how cyberbullying has similar effects on the mental health of Spanish and Colombian teenagers. Finally, there exists a relationship between being a cyberbullying victim or perpetrator and obtaining a higher total score in mental health difficulties among adolescents in both countries.

Resumen Introducción: Debido al avance de las nuevas tecnologías los menores pueden estar expuestos al fenómeno conocido como cyberbullying. La abundante literatura e investigaciones existentes constatan el interés que pueden provocar las consecuencias del cyberbullying en la salud mental de los adolescentes. Los objetivos del trabajo fueron: (1) Comparar la puntuación en dificultades en salud mental y cyberbullying en adolescentes de España y Colombia, (2) Analizar en ambos países la relación entre salud mental y aquellos perfiles clasificados como nivel severo de ciberacosador y cibervíctima, a través del móvil o internet. Método: Estudio transversal, en el que participaron 1080 estudiantes de Colombia (11 a 17 años) y 430 estudiantes de España (12 a 17 años) a través de los cuestionarios SDQ, CYBVYC y CYBAGRESS. Se utilizaron una T de student, correlaciones y la prueba de Kruskal Wallis. Resultados: Las puntuaciones en dificultades en Síntomas emocionales, Problemas de conducta, Hiperactividad, Problemas con compañeros y la Puntuación total de dificultades fueron mayores en Colombia que en España. Los adolescentes colombianos obtuvieron mayores puntaciones en cibervictimización (CYBVYC-internet) y ciberagresión (CYBAGRESS) que los adolescentes españoles. Sin embargo, las puntuaciones en cibervictimización a través del móvil (CYBVYC-móvil) fueron superiores en España. Por otro lado, en términos generales, aquellos adolescentes categorizados como ciberagresores o cibervíctimas severos (puntuaciones iguales o superiores al percentil 95) obtuvieron mayores puntuaciones en ambos países, en Síntomas emocionales, Problemas de conducta, Hiperactividad y Problemas con compañeros que aquellos que no fueron clasificados bajo esta consideración. Existe correlación positiva y directa entre la salud mental, cibervictimización y ciberagresión, independientemente de su realización por medio de internet o el teléfono móvil. Conclusiones: Existen resultados similares entre el ciberacoso y la salud mental en los adolescentes españoles y colombianos. Finalmente, existe una relación en ambos países entre ser víctima o acosador en ciberacoso y tener mayores dificultades en salud mental para ambos perfiles.

The Association of Interpersonal Relationships and Social Services with the Self-Rated Health of Spanish Homelessness.

Understanding the specific factors associated with poor health is critical to improve the health of homeless people. This study aimed to analyze the influence of personal variables, interpersonal relationships, and the influence of social services on the health of homeless people. A secondary analysis was applied to cross-sectional data from a sample of 1382 homeless people living in the Basque Country (Spain) (75.69% male). Multinomial logistic regression modelling was used to analyze the relationship between health and personal variables, interpersonal variables, perceived help and use of the social services. Relationships with the family, using a day center, and a sufficient and high perceived help of the social services were significant factors associated with good health. On the other hand, spending the day alone or using mental and health care services are associated with poor health. In the same way, the longer a person has been homeless, the worse their expected state of health is. Addressing housing exclusion, promoting interpersonal relationships, using a day center, and developing the use and perceived helpfulness of social services stand out as key factors in improving health status. Social policies are usually focused on housing. However, this paper also highlights the relevance of developing interpersonal relationships and using day centers to improve homeless people's health.

Influence of Psychosocial Variables on the Health of People Living in Housing Exclusion.

The aim of this study was to analyze the influence of some personal characteristics, health variables, and social support on the self-rated health of people in housing exclusion in Spain. For that purpose, we used the FOESSA Survey of Social Integration and Needs database, with a final sample of 1574 households. Being more educated and reporting a good life satisfaction stood out as the main factors preventing worse health status. Furthermore, results showed that being female, experiencing poverty-related food insecurity, not having health insurance, experiencing widowhood or partner bereavement, and having caring responsibilities for others or having a disabled person in the household are associated with increased reporting of regular or poor health. On the other hand, being young, having a diagnosed/long-term illness, and a big household size are preventive factors for good health. These results allowed identifying risk and prevention factors to inform interventions to improve the health of those living in housing exclusion. Promoting better education levels, social support, and overall life satisfaction could be important to improve health in this population. Developing social support policies for caring responsibilities and food insecurity must be a priority to improve the health of people living in housing exclusion.

Homelessness and self-rated health: evidence from a national survey of homeless people in Spain.

BACKGROUND: Internationally, acute homelessness is commonly associated with complex health and social care needs. While homelessness can be understood as an outcome of structural housing exclusion requiring housing led solutions, the health care issues faced by homeless people equally require attention. A substantive evidence base on the health needs of homeless people exists, but relatively little is known about what influences the self-rated health of homeless people. This article presents new evidence on whether drug use (alcohol consumption, ever having used drugs), health variables (visiting a hospital once in the last year, visiting the doctor in the last month, having a health card, sleeping difficulties, and having a disabling impairment) and sociodemographic characteristics are significantly associated with Self-Rated Health (SRH) among Spanish homeless people. METHOD: The approach applies secondary analysis to cross-sectional data from a sample of 2437 homeless adults in Spain (83.8% were male). Multinomial logistic regression modelling was used to analyse the relationships between drug use, other health variables and SRH. RESULTS: Being male, an abstainer, having a health card and being in the youngest age groups were significant factors associated with perceived good health. On the other hand, ever having used drugs, having been a night in hospital, having gone to the doctor in the last month, having sleeping difficulties, having a disabling impairment and being in the older age group were all significant risk factors associated with perceived poor health. CONCLUSIONS: These results help to improve understanding of the key factors that influence the SRH among homeless people. The findings can contribute to development and delivery of preventive policies, suggesting that interventions to reduce drug consumption and ensure access to a health card/health services, as well as enhancing services for older, female and disabled homeless people are all measures which could improve health and well-being for those who face homelessness. Effective housing interventions (e.g. Housing First or Permanent Supported Housing programmes) are equally important to underpin the effectiveness of measures to improve the self-rated health of homeless people.

Differential Analysis of Psychopathological Impact of Cyberbullying in University Students.

The new technologies (NT) and Internet are now a part of our lives and they are even changing the way in which we relate to each other, in both a positive and a negative sense, especially among young people. One of the negative aspects is their use to harass others, a phenomenon known as Cyberbullying. The aim of this study was to describe the frequency of cyberbullying, the characteristics of victims and aggressors in a sample of university students, and to analyze the relationships between the use of Internet and the presence of psychopathological symptomatology, as well as the differences in the psychopathological dimensions in relation to the intensity of the cyberbullying, cyberaggression and gender. The participants were 1108 university students selected using a randomized cluster sample. The results demonstrate the presence of cyberbullying in our participants. No differences were found with respect to gender in the frequency of being a victim; but differences were found in this respect in the case of the aggressors, as well as there being different symptomatology profiles in males and females and according to the intensity of the aggression. The results are discussed in relation to the differences according to gender, as well as the need to carry out longitudinal studies and to design prevention and intervention programs for university campuses that are sensitive to the differences between males and females.

International and Spanish Findings in Scientific Literature about Minors' Mental Health: Predictive Factors Using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire.

Minors' mental health is a subject of high global concern. Understanding the factors that influence their mental health is essential to improving the health of future generations. In this study, an analysis of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire's usefulness is carried out, as a validated tool, recognized in Spain and internationally, for the measurement of minors' mental health. In turn, the influence of the variables of gender, age, and physical health, along with the occupational social class of parents on Spanish minors' mental health, has been analyzed. Spanish minors with good physical health and of parents with middle and higher education, as well as in an occupational social class, are less likely to suffer mental health problems. On the other hand, it seems that internalizing symptoms are more likely in girls, and externalizing symptoms are more likely in boys. However, when a global measure of mental health is made without specific subscales, the effects of gender and age diverge greatly, according to the studies. Although there are examples of current research using the same measurement tool, there is still a need for many more international studies that are coordinated using the same methodology. This study identifies the factors which the international and Spanish scientific literature has revealed as being determinants in minors' mental health. Finally, it is essential that the influence of these factors be assessed in the areas of primary care and mental health to facilitate better detection, intervention, or prevention of mental health problems in today's children, as well as the children of future generations.

Impact of the Familiar Environment in 11⁻14-Year-Old Minors' Mental Health.

The analysis of the mental health in children under 14 years has become a research topic of global interest where the family can be a key factor for protection or risk against mental health problems. With this work, we intend to determine, employing binary logistic regression analysis, whether parental acceptance-rejection perceived by boys and girls can predict their mental health. Seven hundred sixty-two students participated, the average age was 12.23 years; 53.8% (n = 410) girls and 46.2% (n = 352) boys. We have used the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), self-reported version and the Affection Scale children version (EA-H) for parental acceptance-rejection to assess mental health. The odds ratio (OR) of the logistic models reports that there is a greater probability of having mental health problems in boys and girls when they perceive that they are highly criticized and rejected by their parents. With our work, we highlight the importance of the environment and family affection on mental health. The perception of the children about the rejection, aversion, and criticism of their parents constitutes a risk factor in the manifestation of mental health problems.

Measuring Responsibility and Cooperation in Learning Teams in the University Setting: Validation of a Questionnaire.

Cooperative learning are being used increasingly in the university classroom, in order to promote teamwork among students, improve performance and develop interpersonal competences. Responsibility and cooperation are two fundamental pillars of cooperative learning. Team members' responsibility is a necessary condition for the team's success in the assigned tasks. Students must be aware that they depend on each other and should make their maximum effort. On the other hand, in efficient groups, the members cooperate and pool their efforts to achieve the proposed goals. In this research, we propose to create a Questionnaire of Group Responsibility and Cooperation in Learning Teams (CRCG). Participants in this work were 375 students from the Faculty of Teacher Training of the University of Extremadura (Spain). The CRCG has very acceptable psychometric characteristics, good internal consistency, and temporal reliability. Moreover, structural equation analysis allowed us to verify that the latent variables in the two factors found are well defined and, therefore, their assessment is adequate. Besides, we found high significant correlations between the Learning Team Potency Questionnaire (CPEA) and the total score and the factors of the CRCG. This tool will evaluate cooperative skills and offer faculty information in order to prepare students for teamwork and conflict resolution.

Analysis of Predictive Factors on Minors' Mental Health According to the Spanish National Health Survey.

Research on minors' mental health is an increasingly developing area. Given the increased prevalence of disorders, it seems necessary to analyze the factors that can affect poor mental health. This study analyzes the influence of occupational class, educational level, age, sex and perceived mental health of Spanish children, which is measured through the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. The sample consists of 3599 minors between 4 and 14 years old, who were interviewed through the Spanish National Health Survey 2011. Our results indicating the significant (p < 0.05) relationship between mental health, occupational class (OR 0.533) and minors' health in the last year (OR 0.313) are shown. However, gender (OR 1.187) and educational level of Pre-School Education in relation to Secondary Education (OR 1.174) and Primary Education (OR 0.996) do not generate significant differences. In conclusion, we consider it necessary to design and implement public policies aimed at improving the care system for children who have had poor or regular health in the last year, and whose parents are positioned in the lowest part of the occupational scale.

Una intervención en aprendizaje cooperativo sobre el perfil del observador en la dinámica bullying / Intervention effectiveness in cooperative learning on the profile of the dynamics bullying observer

RESUMEN El bullying (acoso escolar) contempla como protagonistas a un grupo de alumnos con papeles bien diferenciados: Agresor, víctima y observadores, estos últimos, testigos del acoso que pueden condicionar el curso del mismo. Con este estudio se pretende determinar si la aplicación de técnicas de aprendizaje cooperativo en el aula, reduce la frecuencia de conductas de acoso escolar, en estudiantes de Educación Primaria. Con el fin de evaluar dichas conductas, se aplicó la Escala de frecuencias de acoso escolar entre iguales. Perspectiva Observador. Nuestros resultados apoyan la hipótesis, de que tras la aplicación de técnicas de aprendizaje cooperativo en el aula, los observadores constatan una reducción de las agresiones verbales y físicas directas, físicas indirectas y de exclusión social propias de la dinámica bullying.

ABSTRACT Bullying includes starring a group of students with distinct roles: aggressor, victim and observers, the latter witnessed the harassment, which may affect the course of the same. This study aims to determine whether the application in the classroom cooperative learning techniques, reduces the frequency of bullying behaviors in students of Primary Education. In order to evaluate these behaviors, the Frequency Scale Peer Bullying. Observer Perspective applies. Our results support the hypothesis that following the implementation of cooperative learning techniques in the classroom, observers establish that reduction in direct verbal and physical aggression, indirect and dynamic characteristics of social exclusion physical bullying.

Salud mental en menores españoles. Variables socioeducativas / Mental health in Spanish minors. Socioeducational variables

ANTECEDENTES: La investigación de la salud mental en los menores de edad supone una necesidad actual como medida de detección, análisis y prevención de posibles trastornos mentales. OBJETIVO: Analizar la influencia de la clase social ocupacional de los padres y de la etapa educativa en la que se encuentran los menores, como factores de riesgo en la salud mental de los menores españoles. MÉTODO: Se utilizaron los resultados obtenidos en la Encuesta Nacional de Salud Española 2006, con una muestra de 5812 menores de cuatro a 15 años. Se estimaron las medidas de asociación con respecto a las variables independientes midiendo la salud mental mediante el Cuestionario de Capacidades y Dificultades (SDQ-versión padres). RESULTADOS: La relación entre la salud mental y la variable clase social ocupacional 1 (más privilegiadas) (OR 0.256) y la clase social 2 (clase media) (OR 0.523) aportaron valores significativos (p < 0.05) con respecto a la clase social 3, más desfavorecida. Sin embargo, la pertenencia de los menores a la E. Infantil (OR 1.138) o a la E. Primaria (OR 1.162) no aportó valores significativos (p > 0.05) con respecto a la E. Secundaria. DISCUSIÓN Y CONCLUSIÓN: Se puede concluir que las clases sociales ocupacionales elevadas y medias son factores protectores con respecto a la salud mental de los menores en comparación con la pertenencia a una clase social ocupacional baja. Sin embargo, la pertenencia a la E. Infantil o a la E. Primaria no supone un factor de riesgo de salud mental en comparación con la pertenencia a la E. Secundaria.

BACKGROUND: Research on minors' mental health is a current necessity as a way to detect, analyze and prevent possible mental disorders. OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study was to analyze the influence of minors' educational stage and their parents' occupational social class as risk factors for minors' mental health. METHOD: We used the results obtained in the National Spanish Health Survey 2006, with a sample of 5812 minors between 4 and 15 years of age. Measures associated with the independent variables were estimated through the measurement of mental health on the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ-parents' version). RESULTS: The relation between mental health and the variables occupational social class 1 (more privileged) (O.R. 0.256) and social class 2 (middle class) (O.R. 0.523) was significant (p < 0.05) in comparison with social class 3 (more disadvantaged). However, whether the minors were in pre-school (O.R. 1.138) or primary school (O.R. 1.162) was nonsignificant (p > 0.05) in comparison with secondary school. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: It is concluded that high and middle occupational social classes are protector factors for minors' mental health in comparison to belonging to a low occupational social class. However, being a student in pre-school or in primary school is not a risk factor for mental health in comparison to being a secondary school student.

Análisis de la Socialización sobre Perfiles de la dinámica bullying / Analysis of Socialization on Bullying Dynamics Profiles

Con esta investigación, mediante un análisis discriminante se pretende analizar cuáles variables de socialización presentan un mayor poder de discriminación o cuantifican mejor las diferencias entre los distintos niveles de agresión y victimización en el fenómeno bullying. La muestra está formada por 700 adolescentes estudiantes. Se utilizó el Cuestionario de Convivencia Escolar (Defensor del Pueblo, 2006) y el BAS-3 (Batería de Socialización, en formato de autoevaluación) de Silva y Martorell (1989). Nuestros resultados confirman que niveles altos de agresión en el acoso escolar estarían caracterizados por puntuaciones bajas en consideración hacia los demás y autocontrol en las relaciones sociales, mientras que niveles altos de victi-mización estarían caracterizados por puntuaciones altas en ansiedad social/ timidez y retraimiento social.

With this research, by discriminant analysis to analyze variables of socialization that have a higher discriminatory or better quantify the differences between the different levels of aggression and victimization in the bullying phenomenon. The sample consisted of 700 adolescent students. Questionnaire was used School Coexistence (Ombudsman, 2006) and the BAS-3 (Drums of socialization, self-assessment format) de Silva and Martorell (1989). Our results confirm that high levels of aggression in bullying would be characterized by low scores on consideration for others and self in social relations, while high levels of victimization, would be characterized by high scores on social anxiety / shyness and social withdrawal.

Aceptación-rechazo parental y perfiles de victimización y agresión en situaciones de bullying / Parental acceptance-rejection and profiles of victimization and aggression in bullying situations

Un área de estudio importante en el acoso escolar continúa siendo el análisis de las causas del fenómeno y de los factores que actuarían como protección/riesgo en los ámbitos culturales, sociales, personales, escolares y familiares. La familia puede ser clave como factor de protección o de riesgo en la aparición de situaciones de violencia escolar. Con este estudio mediante un análisis discriminante pretendemos determinar las relaciones entre los diferentes perfiles de victimización y agresión implicados en la dinámica bullying y la aceptación-rechazo que perciben los participantes de sus padres. La muestra total estaba formada por 700 adolescentes estudiantes, 43% mujeres y 57% varones con una media de edad de 13.98. Hemos utilizado el Cuestionario de Convivencia Escolar (Defensor del Pueblo, 2006) y la Escala de Afecto versión hijos, EA-H (Bersabé, Fuentes y Motrico, 2001). Nuestros resultados confirman que las víctimas se caracterizarían por percibir un mayor afecto y comunicación de sus madres. Los agresores y los agresores/víctimas por percibir rechazo y crítica, especialmente del padre y poco afecto y comunicación de sus madres

An important area of study in bullying remains the analysis of the causes of the phenomenon and the factors that act as protective / risk in the cultural, social, personal, school and family. The family may be key protective factor or risk in the occurrence of school violence situations. With this study by discriminant analysis aims to determine the relationships between the different profiles of victimization and aggression dynamics involved in bullying and acceptance-rejection participants perceived their parents. The total sample consisted of 700 adolescent students, 43% female and 57% men with a mean age of 13.98. We have used the Cuestionario de Convivencia Escolar (Defensor del Pueblo, 2006) and Escala de Afecto versión hijos, EA-H (Bersabé, Fuentes y Motrico, 2001). Our results confirm that the victims would be characterized by greater affection and receive communication from their mothers. The attackers and attackers / victims to perceive rejection and criticism, especially from the father and little affection and communication of their mothers

[Mental health in the age group 4-15 years based on the results of the national survey of health 2006, Spain]. / Salud mental en el grupo de edad 4-15 años a partir de los resultados de la Encuesta Nacional de Salud 2006.

BACKGROUND: The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) is one of the most internationally widely used questionnaire to measure mental health. The aim of this study is to analyze the discrimination cutoff of the questionnaire in Spanish population and the association between the Spanish children mental health and the variables gender, municipality size and health status in the last twelve months. METHOD: The results of the Spanish National Health Survey-2006 were used with a selected sample of 6390 children between 4 and 15 years. Through discriminant analysis and ROC curves, we analyzed the cutoff score provide in the SDQ-parent with Spanish population and the measures of association are forecasted with respect to the independent variables. RESULTS: the cutoff equal to 20, used in the SDQ-parent with Spanish population, provided a sensitivity of 0,964 and a specificity of 0,945. The relationship between mental health and sex (OR 1,17) and municipality size (OR 0,85) gave not significant p-value (p>0,05). However, this relation get a significant p-value for the variable health situation in the last twelve months (OR 0,30; p<0,05). CONCLUSIONS: The cutoff score equal to 20 is adequate to discriminate the Spanish children mental health through the SDQ-parent version. The influence between health situation in the last year and mental health is accepted, compared to a lack of influence of gender and municipality size variables.

Salud mental en el grupo de edad 4-15 años a partir de los resultados de la Encuesta Nacional de Salud 2006 / Mental health in the age group 4-15 years based on the results of the national survey of health 2006, Spain

Fundamentos: el Cuestionario de Capacidades y Dificultades (SDQ, según sus siglas en inglés) es uno de los más utilizados internacionalmente para la medición de la salud mental. El objetivo de este estudio es analizar la discriminación del punto de corte del cuestionario en población española y la asociación entre la salud mental de los menores españoles y las variables sexo, tamaño del municipio y estado de salud en los últimos doce meses. Método: se utilizaron los resultados obtenidos en la Encuesta Nacional de Salud Española 2006, con una muestra de 6.390 menores de 4 a 15 años. Mediante un análisis discriminante y las curvas COR, se analizó la puntuación de corte utilizada en el cuestionario SDQ-padres para la población española y se estimaron las medidas de asociación con respecto a las variables independientes. Resultados: el punto de corte igual a 20, utilizado en el SDQ-pa-dres con población española, aporta una sensibilidad de 0,964 y una especificidad de 0,945. La relación entre la salud mental y las variables sexo (OR 1,17) y tamaño del municipio (OR 0,85) aportaron valores no significativos (p>0,05). En la variable estado de salud del menor en los últimos doce meses sí se obtuvieron diferencias estadísticamente (OR 0,30; p<0,05). Conclusiones: la puntuación de corte igual a 20 es adecuada para la discriminación de la salud mental de los menores españoles mediante el cuestionario SDQ-padres. Se acepta la influencia del estado de salud en los últimos doce meses en la salud mental, frente a una falta de influencia del sexo y el tamaño del municipio(AU)

Background: The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) is one of the most internationally widely used questionnaire to measure mental health. The aim of this study is to analyze the discrimination cutoff of the questionnaire in Spanish population and the association between the Spanish children mental health and the variables gender, municipality size and health status in the last twelve months. Method: The results of the Spanish National Health Survey-2006 were used with a selected sample of 6390 children between 4 and 15 years. Through discriminant analysis and ROC curves, we analyzed the cutoff score provide in the SDQ-parent with Spanish population and the measures of association are forecasted with respect to the independent variables. Results: the cutoff equal to 20, used in the SDQ-parent with Spanish population, provided a sensitivity of 0,964 and a specificity of 0,945. The relationship between mental health and sex (OR 1,17) and municipality size (OR 0,85) gave not significant p-value (p>0,05). However, this relation get a significant p-value for the variable health situation in the last twelve months (OR 0,30; p<0,05). Conclusions: The cutoff score equal to 20 is adequate to discriminate the Spanish children mental health through the SDQ-parent version. The influence between health situation in the last year and mental health is accepted, compared to a lack of influence of gender and municipality size variables(AU)