Prevalence of Problematic Internet Use among Spanish Adolescents / Prevalencia del uso problemático de Internet en adolescentes españoles

Background: The present study aims to analyze the prevalence of the problematic Internet use (PIU) among Spanish adolescents using the Compulsive Internet Use Scale (CIUS) and provide normative data. Method: The final sample consisted of a total of 1,977 (M age = 15.70, SD = 1.26, 53.7% female). Results: PIU were relatively common with many items seeing endorsement for between 6.5% and 33.1%. There were statistically significant differences both by gender. Females scored significantly more highly on four CIUS dimensions as well as total scores. With regards to age, we found statistically significant differences in preoccupation. No differences were found for the total score by age. Conclusions: Early detection strategies should be implemented in order to prevent PIU during adolescence, a critical developmental stage. (AU)

Antecedentes: El presente estudio tiene por objeto analizar la prevalencia del uso problemático de Internet (UPI) entre adolescentes españoles mediante la Escala de Uso Compulsivo de Internet (CIUS) y estudiar las puntuaciones típicas de la escala. Método: La muestra final estuvo compuesta por un total de 1,977 adolescentes (edad, M = 15.7, DT = 1.26, 53.7% chicas). Resultados: El UPI fue relativamente frecuente, con muchos ítems en los cuales la prevalencia se situó entre el 6.5% y el 22.1%. Se encontraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas para el género y la edad. Atendiendo al género, se obtuvieron diferencias estadísticamente significativas en 4 dimensiones de la CIUS y en la puntuación total. Con respecto a la edad, se observaron diferencias estadísticamente en la dimensión preocupación. No se encontraron diferencias para la puntuación total con respecto a la edad. Conclusiones: Se deberían utilizar estrategias de detección temprana con el objetivo de prevenir el UPI durante la adolescencia, una etapa crítica del desarrollo. (AU)

The role of mentalizing in the relationship between schizotypal personality traits and state signs of psychosis risk captured by cognitive and perceptive basic symptoms.

Objective: Schizotypal traits and disturbances in mentalizing (the capacity to understand the mental states driving one's own and others' behaviors) have been implicated in increased vulnerability for psychosis. Therefore, we explored the associations linking schizotypal traits, mentalizing difficulties and their interactions to clinical high-risk for psychosis (CHR-P), as captured by the Basic Symptoms (BS) approach, during adolescence and young adulthood. Methods: Eighty-seven adolescents and young adults from the general population (46% male, 44% female; age: 14-23 years) were assessed with the Schizophrenia Proneness Interview (SPI-CY/A) for 11 perceptive and cognitive BS, with the Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire (SPQ) for schizotypal traits, and with the Reflective Functioning Questionnaire (RFQ) for self-reported mentalizing abilities. The RFQ evaluates the level of certainty (RFQc scale) and uncertainty (RFQu scale) with which individuals use mental state information to explain their own and others' behaviors. Results: Logistic regression models showed significant positive effects of the SPQ disorganization scale on perceptive BS and of the SPQ interpersonal scale on cognitive BS. Post-hoc analyses revealed that schizotypal features pertaining to odd speech and social anxiety, respectively, were associated with perceptive and cognitive BS. Furthermore, higher scores on the RFQu scale and lower scores on the RFQc scale independently explained the presence of cognitive BS. Finally, significant interaction effects between RFQc and SPQ odd speech on perceptive BS, and between RFQc and SPQ social anxiety on cognitive BS were found. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that schizotypal traits and mentalizing significantly relate both independently and through their interactions to the presence of cognitive and perceptive BS included in CHR-P criteria. Furthermore, mentalizing dysfunction may contribute in the relation between schizotypal traits and early state signs of CHR-P. Mentalizing may support both detection and early treatment of CHR-P among adolescents and young adults who present with trait risk for psychosis.

Youth screening depression: Validation of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) in a representative sample of adolescents.

BACKGROUND: Depression symptoms and mood disorders constitute one of the major public health challenges among youths. Thus, early prevention and intervention for depression should be a priority. The main goal of the present study was to validate the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) scores in a school-based sample of non-clinical adolescents. METHOD: Stratified random sampling was conducted. Participants were 2235 students (M = 14.49, SD =1.76, range= 12-18 years), 52.9 % were female, from 34 secondary schools in Spain. Several previously validated self-reported questionnaires of mental health and psychopathology were administrated. RESULTS: The unidimensional factorial model of the PHQ-9 items showed adequate goodness of fit indices. Strong measurement invariance across gender was found. Omega for the PHQ-9 total score was 0.87. The PHQ-9 total score was positively associated with anxiety symptoms and emotional and behavioral problems, and negatively associated with prosocial behavior and quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: The PHQ-9 is a brief, easy, and reliable tool for assessing self-reported depressive symptoms in both clinical and school settings. PHQ-9 may be used as a screening tool for universal early detection and monitorization of depression symptoms during adolescence.

Profesionales de la Psicología en Contextos Educativos: Una Necesidad Ineludible / Psychology Professionals in Educational Contexts: An Unavoidable Necessity

Los problemas de salud mental y las dificultades de ajuste psicológico entre los adolescentes se erigen como un desafío personal, familiar, educativo y socio-sanitario. Se hace necesario abordar este reto social emergente mediante el estudio y la implementación de estrategias de promoción del bienestar psicológico y prevención de los problemas de salud mental en contextos educativos. El objetivo del presente trabajo es poner de manifiesto, a la luz de los datos epidemiológicos derivados del proyecto PSICE (Psicología Basada en la Evidencia en Contextos Educativos), la importancia de abordar la salud mental en entornos educativos. En primer lugar, se realiza una introducción al estudio del comportamiento humano y los problemas de ajuste psicológico. En segundo lugar, se aborda la importancia de los centros educativos como el lugar natural donde promocionar el bienestar psicológico y la salud mental infanto-juvenil. En tercer lugar, se mencionan los resultados de prevalencia derivados del estudio PSICE. Se finaliza con un apartado de recapitulación señalando la ineludible necesidad de promover, proteger y cuidar la salud mental durante la infancia y la adolescencia en los entornos educativos. La promoción del bienestar psicológico y la prevención de los problemas de salud mental en contextos educativos supone la mejor inversión por parte de la sociedad, los gobiernos y las instituciones.(AU)

Mental health problems and psychological adjustment difficulties among young people are emerging as a personal, family, educational, social, and health challenge. It is necessary to address this rising social challenge by studying and implementing strategies to promote emotional well-being and prevent psychological problems in natural contexts. The aim of this work is to highlight, based on the epidemiological data derived from the PSICE (Evidence-based Psychology in Educational Contexts) project, the importance of addressing mental health in school settings. Firstly, an introduction to the study of human behavior and psychological adjustment problems is presented. Secondly, the importance of schools as the natural place to promote the psychological well-being and mental health of children and adolescents is discussed. Thirdly, the prevalence results derived from the PSICE study are mentioned. To conclude, a summary section underscores the imperative need to promote, protect, and care for mental health during childhood and adolescence in educational settings. The promotion of psychological well-being and the prevention of mental health problems in educational contexts is the best investment on the part of societies, governments, and institutions.(AU)

Problematic Internet Use in adolescents: New psychometric evidence for the Spanish short form of the Compulsive Internet Use Scale.

OBJECTIVES: Problematic Internet Use (PIU) has become a worldwide problem in recent years. Among screening instruments for PIU, the Compulsive Internet Use Scale (CIUS) is perhaps the most widely used. Psychometric properties of the full CIUS are not convincing, however, and the short form (CIUS-S) has shown promising results, albeit limited to the English version, with little evidence in Spanish. Therefore, the aim of the present work was to study the psychometric properties of the CIUS-S scores in a large sample of Spanish adolescents. METHOD: The sample consisted of 1790 participants, 816 male (45.6%), 961 female (53.7%), and 13 other (0.7%) . Mean age was 15.70 years (SD = 1.26). RESULTS: The five-items one-dimensional model displayed appropriate goodness-of-fit indices. Strong measurement invariance model across age and partial across gender was found. Furthermore, the CIUS-S was positively associated with several indicators of poor well-being and mental health, and negatively associated with prosocial behavior, self-esteem, and feeling of belonging. CONCLUSION: Overall, the CIUS-S scores appear reliable and valid in its Spanish version for adolescent populations, supporting its aim to detect and prevent a problem that has become a major worldwide issue in the last years.

Parental Support and Gender Moderate the Relationship Between Sexual Orientation and Suicidal Behavior in Adolescents.

BACKGROUND: The scientific literature indicates that people from sexual minorities may be at increased risk for mental health difficulties. Moreover, parental support could play a protective role against poor mental health. The objective of this study was to examine whether a person's sexual orientation was related to a greater risk of mental health problems in a representative sample of adolescents. In addition, the study analyzed the possible moderating effect of parental support in the relationship between sexual orientation and mental health, as also moderated by participant gender. METHOD: The sample consisted of 1790 secondary-school students. Indicators of emotional and behavioral difficulties, symptoms of depression, psychotic-like experiences, suicidal behavior, well-being, and self-esteem were assessed. RESULTS: The results indicated significant main effects of gender and sexual orientation. Having a diverse sexual orientation (i.e., lesbian/gay, bisexual and questioning) was related to increased risk of mental health difficulties. Moreover, the results showed a significant interaction effect of gender and sexual orientation on suicidal behavior. Finally, the results showed the moderating effect of parental support and gender in the relationship between sexual orientation and suicidal behavior. CONCLUSIONS: These findings highlight the importance of promoting sexual minority youths' mental health and well-being.

PSICE Project Protocol: Evaluation of the Unified Protocol for Transdiagnostic Treatment for Adolescents with Emotional Symptoms in School Settings / El protocolo del Proyecto PSICE: evaluación del protocolo unificado transdiagnóstico para adolescentes con síntomas emocionales en contextos educativos

Background: The aim of the PSICE (Evidence-based Psychology in Educational Contexts) Project is to examine the effectiveness of the Unified Protocol for Transdiagnostic Treatment of Adolescents (UP-A) with symptoms of anxiety and depression in school settings. The goal is to prevent emotional problems and to improve adolescents’ socioemotional adjustment, learning processes, and academic performance. Method: A randomized controlled trial with two groups will be performed: active control (progressive relaxation training) and experimental (UP-A). After screening, participants with subclinical emotional symptomatology will be selected for pre- and post-test evaluation and follow-up at 6, 12, and 18 months. Results: The impact of different indicators at behavioral, cognitive, affective, social and academic functioning levels will be analyzed, as well as their effects in the short, medium and long term. Conclusions: Examining the effectiveness of the UP-A in the Spanish educational context will, among other things, provide data for informed decision-making in the field of educational psychology. In addition, it will ensure that such interventions, using standardized protocols, are accessible to a large population at such an important stage of human development as adolescence. The PSICE project will provide leadership and guidance on the importance of psychology in schools. (AU)

Antecedentes: El objetivo del Proyecto PSICE (Psicología basada en la evidencia en contextos educativos) es examinar la efectividad del protocolo unificado para el tratamiento transdiagnóstico de síntomas de ansiedad y depresión en adolescentes (UP-A) en contextos educativos. El objetivo es prevenir los problemas emocionales, así como mejorar el ajuste socioemocional, los procesos de aprendizaje y el rendimiento académico de los adolescentes. Método: Se implementa mediante un ensayo controlado aleatorizado con dos grupos: control activo (entrenamiento en relajación progresiva) y experimental (UP-A). Tras un cribado, se seleccionarán participantes con síntomas emocionales subclínicos a los que se realizará evaluación pretest, postest y seguimiento a los 6, 12 y 18 meses. Resultados: Se analizará el impacto de diferentes indicadores a nivel comportamental, cognitivo, afectivo y de funcionamiento social y académico, así como sus efectos a corto, medio y largo plazo. Conclusiones: Examinar la efectividad del UP-A en el contexto educativo español permitirá, entre otras cuestiones, disponer de datos en el campo de la psicología educativa de cara a la toma de decisiones informadas, además de garantizar que dichas intervenciones sean accesibles, empleando protocolos estandarizados, para un gran conjunto de la población y en una etapa del desarrollo humano tan relevante como es la adolescencia. El proyecto PSICE proporcionará liderazgo y orientación sobre la importancia de la Psicología en el contexto educativo. (AU)

New Trends in Digital Technology-Based Psychological and Educational Assessment.

BACKGROUND: The emergence of digital technology in the field of psychological and educational measurement and assessment broadens the traditional concept of pencil and paper tests. New assessment models built on the proliferation of smartphones, social networks and software developments are opening up new horizons in the field. METHOD: This study is divided into four sections, each discussing the benefits and limitations of a specific type of technology-based assessment: ambulatory assessment, social networks, gamification and forced-choice testing. RESULTS: The latest developments are clearly relevant in the field of psychological and educational measurement and assessment. Among other benefits, they bring greater ecological validity to the assessment process and eliminate the bias associated with retrospective assessment. CONCLUSIONS: Some of these new approaches point to a multidisciplinary scenario with a tradition which has yet to be created. Psychometrics must secure a place in this new world by contributing sound expertise in the measurement of psychological variables. The challenges and debates facing the field of psychology as it incorporates these new approaches are also discussed.

Impact of lockdown on the addictive behavior of university students in La Rioja. / Impacto del confinamiento en la conducta adictiva de los universitarios riojanos.

One of the consequences of the COVID-19 health crisis was the general lockdown. Research shows that lockdown situations may cause changes in addictive behaviors. The objective of the present study was to analyze the impact of lockdown on the addiction pattern of university students in order to design interventions adjusted to the students' needs. The study was conducted through a non-probabilistic sample of 540 students, with a mean age of 22.3 years and a proportion of women of 69.3%. The results indicated a significant decrease in the consumption of tobacco, alcohol, and psychotropic drugs during the participants' lockdown, both in the number of users and in the amounts consumed. Regarding behaviors related to behavioral addictions, participants showed a significant increase in problematic Internet use and use of video games and eSports, although the level of gambling decreased. Despite the fact that consumption patterns were reduced due to changes in the leisure and free time patterns of this population subgroup, it was possible to identify some indicators that deserve attention due to their increase, such as relapses in smoking, an increase in the number of participants who drank alcohol on a daily basis and an increase in the level of discomfort related to the use of technology. The implications of the results are analyzed and possible actions demanded by the students are examined.

Una de las implicaciones de la crisis sanitaria de la COVID-19 ha sido el confinamiento de la población. La investigación previa muestra que las situaciones de confinamiento provocan cambios en las conductas adictivas. El objetivo del presente estudio fue conocer el impacto del confinamiento en el patrón de las adicciones de los y las estudiantes universitarios con la intención de diseñar intervenciones ajustadas a las necesidades de esta población. La muestra no probabilística estuvo compuesta por 540 estudiantes de la Universidad de La Rioja, con una media de edad de 22,3 años y una proporción de mujeres del 69,3%. Los resultados indicaron un descenso significativo en el consumo de tabaco, alcohol y psicofármacos durante el confinamiento de los y las participantes tanto en el número de consumidores como en las cantidades consumidas. Respecto a las conductas relacionadas con las adicciones comportamentales, los y las participantes indicaron un aumento significativo del uso problemático de Internet y de videojuegos y eSports, aunque descendió el nivel de juego de apuestas. A pesar de que los patrones de consumo se vieron reducidos por el impacto que el confinamiento tuvo en los patrones de ocio y tiempo libre de este subgrupo poblacional, se identificaron algunos indicadores merecedores de atención por su aumento, como recaídas en el consumo de tabaco, aumento del número de participantes que consumen alcohol a diario y aumento en el nivel de malestar relacionado con el uso de Internet. Se analizan las implicaciones de los resultados y se examinan posibles acciones demandadas por el estudiantado.

Parental Support and Gender Moderate the Relationship Between Sexual Orientation and Suicidal Behavior in Adolescents / El Apoyo Parental y el Género Moderan la Relación Entre la Orientación Sexual y la Conducta Suicida en Adolescentes

Background: The scientific literature indicates that people from sexual minorities may be at increased risk for mental health difficulties. Moreover, parental support could play a protective role against poor mental health. The objective of this study was to examine whether a person’s sexual orientation was related to a greater risk of mental health problems in a representative sample of adolescents. In addition, the study analyzed the possible moderating effect of parental support in the relationship between sexual orientation and mental health, as also moderated by participant gender. Method: The sample consisted of 1790 secondary-school students. Indicators of emotional and behavioral difficulties, symptoms of depression, psychotic-like experiences, suicidal behavior, well-being, and self-esteem were assessed. Results: The results indicated significant main effects of gender and sexual orientation. Having a diverse sexual orientation (i.e., lesbian/gay, bisexual and questioning) was related to increased risk of mental health difficulties. Moreover, the results showed a significant interaction effect of gender and sexual orientation on suicidal behavior. Finally, the results showed the moderating effect of parental support and gender in the relationship between sexual orientation and suicidal behavior. Conclusions: These findings highlight the importance of promoting sexual minority youths’ mental health and well-being.(AU)

Antecedentes: la investigación indica que las personas pertenecientes a minorías sexuales tienen un mayor riesgo de sufrir problemas de salud mental. Además, el apoyo parental podría desempeñar un papel protector. El objetivo de este estudio fue examinar, en una muestra representativa de adolescentes, si la orientación sexual estaba relacionada con un mayor riesgo de sufrir problemas de salud mental. Se analizó el posible efecto moderador del apoyo parental en la relación entre la orientación sexual y la salud mental, moderado también por el género de los participantes. Método: participaron 1790 estudiantes de secundaria. Se evaluaron indicadores de dificultades emocionales y conductuales, depresión, experiencias psicóticas, conducta suicida, bienestar y autoestima. Resultados: se encontraron efectos principales significativos de género y orientación sexual. Tener una orientación sexual diversa (es decir, lesbiana/gay, bisexual y questioning) estaba relacionado con mayores dificultades de salud mental. Además, se encontró una interacción significativa del género y la orientación sexual en la conducta suicida. Por último, el apoyo parental y el género moderaron la relación entre la orientación sexual y la conducta suicida. Conclusiones: estos resultados ponen de manifiesto la importancia de promover la salud mental y el bienestar de los jóvenes pertenecientes a minorías sexuales.(AU)

Impacto del confinamiento en la conducta adictiva de los universitarios riojanos / Impact of lockdown on the addictive behavior of university students in La Rioja

Una de las implicaciones de la crisis sanitaria de la COVID-19 ha sido el confinamiento de la población. La investigación previa muestra que las situaciones de confinamiento provocan cambios en las conductas adictivas. El objetivo del presente estudio fue conocer el impacto del confinamiento en el patrón de las adicciones de los y las estudiantes universitarios con la intención de diseñar intervenciones ajustadas a las necesidades de esta población. La muestra no probabilística estuvo compuesta por 540 estudiantes de la Universidad de La Rioja, con una media de edad de 22,3 años y una proporción de mujeres del 69,3%. Los resultados indicaron un descenso significativo en el consumo de tabaco, alcohol y psicofármacos durante el confinamiento de los y las participantes tanto en el número de consumidores como en las cantidades consumidas. Respecto a las conductas relacionadas con las adicciones comportamentales, los y las participantes indicaron un aumento significativo del uso problemático de Internet y de videojuegos y eSports, aunque descendió el nivel de juego de apuestas. A pesar de que los patrones de consumo se vieron reducidos por el impacto que el confinamiento tuvo en los patrones de ocio y tiempo libre de este subgrupo poblacional, se identificaron algunos indicadores merecedores de atención por su aumento, como recaídas en el consumo de tabaco, aumento del número de participantes que consumen alcohol a diario y aumento en el nivel de malestar relacionado con el uso de Internet. Se analizan las implicaciones de los resultados y se examinan posibles acciones demandadas por el estudiantado. (AU)

One of the consequences of the COVID-19 health crisis was the general lockdown. Research shows that lockdown situations may cause changes in addictive behaviors. The objective of the present study was to analyze the impact of lockdown on the addiction pattern of university students in order to design interventions adjusted to the students’ needs. The study was conducted through a non-probabilistic sample of 540 students, with a mean age of 22.3 years and a proportion of women of 69.3%. The results indicated a significant decrease in the consumption of tobacco, alcohol, and psychotropic drugs during the participants’ lockdown, both in the number of users and in the amounts consumed. Regarding behaviors related to behavioral addictions, participants showed a significant increase in problematic Internet use and use of video games and eSports, although the level of gambling decreased. Despite the fact that consumption patterns were reduced due to changes in the leisure and free time patterns of this population subgroup, it was possible to identify some indicators that deserve attention due to their increase, such as relapses in smoking, an increase in the number of participants who drank alcohol on a daily basis and an increase in the level of discomfort related to the use of technology. The implications of the results are analyzed and possible actions demanded by the students are examined. (AU)

New Trends in Digital Technology-Based Psychological and EducationalAssessment / Nuevas Tendencias en Evaluación Psicológica y Educativa Apoyada en Tecnologías Digitales

Background: The emergence of digital technology in the field of psychological and educational measurement and assessment broadens the traditional concept of pencil and paper tests. New assessment models built on the proliferation of smartphones, social networks and software developments are opening up new horizons in the field. Method: This study is divided into four sections, each discussing the benefits and limitations of a specific type of technology-based assessment: ambulatory assessment, social networks, gamification and forced-choice testing. Results: The latest developments are clearly relevant in the field of psychological and educational measurement and assessment. Among other benefits, they bring greater ecological validity to the assessment process and eliminate the bias associated with retrospective assessment. Conclusions: Some of these new approaches point to a multidisciplinary scenario with a tradition which has yet to be created. Psychometrics must secure a place in this new world by contributing sound expertise in the measurement of psychological variables. The challenges and debates facing the field of psychology as it incorporates these new approaches are also discussed.(AU)

Antecedentes: La irrupción de la tecnología digital en las áreas de medición y evaluación psicológica y educativa expande el concepto clásico de test de lápiz y papel. Los modelos de evaluación construidos sobre la ubicuidad de los smartphones, las redes sociales o el desarrollo del software abren nuevas posibilidades para la evaluación. Método: El estudio se organiza en cuatro partes en cada una de las cuales se discuten las ventajas y limitaciones de una aplicación de la tecnología a la evaluación: la evaluación ambulatoria, las redes sociales, la gamificación y las pruebas de elección forzosa. Resultados: Los nuevos desarrollos resultan claramente relevantes en el ámbito de la medición y la evaluación psicológica y educativa. Entre otras ventajas, aportan una mayor validez ecológica al proceso evaluativo y eliminan el sesgo relacionado con la evaluación retrospectiva. Conclusiones: Algunas de estas nuevas aproximaciones llevan a un escenario multidisciplinar con una tradición aún por construir. La psicometría está obligada a integrarse en este nuevo espacio aportando una sólida experiencia en la medición de variables psicológicas. Se muestran los temas de debate y retos que ha de abordar el buen quehacer de la psicología en la incorporación de estas nuevas aproximaciones.(AU)

Assessing Cyberbullying in Adolescence: New Evidence for the Spanish Version of the European Cyberbullying Intervention Project Questionnaire (ECIP-Q).

The prevention of cyberbullying at school requires assessing its prevalence by means of brief measurement instruments with adequate psychometric properties. The present study aims to study the psychometric properties of the European Cyberbullying Intervention Project Questionnaire (ECIP-Q) in a sample of 1777 Spanish adolescents (54.1% women, M = 15.71 years; SD = 1.26), selected by stratified random cluster sampling. The two-factor model (victimization and aggression) displayed appropriate goodness of-fit indices. Configural measurement invariance model across gender was found. The omega reliability coefficient for the victimization subscale was 0.82, and for the aggression subscale was 0.68. The ECIP-Q scores were negatively associated with self-esteem and prosocial behavior, and positively associated with depression symptoms and emotional and behavioral difficulties. Significant differences were found between victim and non-victim groups, and between aggressor and non-aggressor groups on the same variables. Victims and aggressors scored lower on self-esteem, and higher on depression symptoms and emotional and behavioral difficulties than those not involved in cyberbullying situations. These findings contribute to demonstrate the satisfactory psychometric quality of the ECIP-Q scores as an assessment tool for cyberbullying in Spanish adolescents.

The Healthy Context Paradox: When Reducing Bullying comes at a Cost to Certain Victims.

Bullying remains one of the most serious problems affecting school systems around the world. The negative consequences of bullying in the short and long term have been widely documented, showing that victimized students are at greater risk of suffering psychosocial distress. In this paper, we first summarize the current situation of bullying prevention, adopting a contextual perspective, and briefly highlighting the characteristics of the most effective prevention programs. Secondly, we address a disturbing phenomenon detected in classrooms where bullying has been reduced through interventions and which has been termed "the healthy context paradox". In these healthier contexts, students who remain in a situation of victimization have been found to present poorer psychological adjustment after the intervention. Understanding the causes of this phenomenon may offer clues for the prevention of bullying. In this regard, we present three hypotheses recently proposed to explain the phenomenon. Finally, we offer some implications for the study and prevention of bullying derived from "the healthy context paradox".

Development and Validation of a Brief Version of the European Bullying and Cyberbullying Intervention Project Questionnaires (EBIP-Q and ECIP-Q).

BACKGROUND: In order to prevent school bullying and cyberbullying, brief measurement instruments with adequate psychometric properties are required. The objective of this study was to develop a combined reduced version of the European Bullying Intervention Project Questionnaire (EBIP-Q) and the European Cyberbullying Intervention Project Questionnaire (ECIP-Q) for its use in the screening of bullying-related behaviors at school. METHOD: The sample consisted of 1777 students, between 14 and 18 years of age (M = 15.71; SD = 1.26), of which 54.1% were female. RESULTS: The resulting reduced version presents adequate psychometric properties with reliability coefficients between ω = .72 and ω = .82. Factor analyses indicate that both bullying and cyberbullying are structured around two factors: victimization and aggression. The correlations between the scores of the original version and the reduced version were adequate. Bullying and cyberbullying was associated with different indicators of socioemotional adjustment. CONCLUSIONS: The European Bullying and Cyberbullying Intervention Project Questionnaire Brief version (EBCIP-QB) seems to be brief, useful, and have adequate psychometric properties for the assessment of bullying and cyberbullying in Spanish adolescents.

Problematic Internet Use among adolescents: Spanish validation of the Compulsive Internet Use Scale (CIUS). / Uso Problemático de Internet en adolescentes: Validación en español de la Escala de Uso Compulsivo de Internet (CIUS).

Problematic use of the Internet among adolescents has risen in the last decade. The Compulsive Internet Use Scale (CIUS) is one of the most frequently internationally-used tools developed to assess Problematic Internet Use (PIU). However, evidence concerning its validity and reliability in its Spanish version for the adolescent population is currently lacking. Thus, the main goal of the present study was to analyse the psychometric properties of CIUS scores in a large sample of Spanish adolescents. The sample consisted of 1,790 participants (53.7% female, mean age = 15.70 years old, SD = 1.26). The one-dimensional model displayed appropriate goodness of fit indices after error covariance of five items were allowed to correlate. Strong measurement invariance was found for the one-dimensional model across age and gender. The McDonald's Omega coefficient for the total score was 0.91. Furthermore, PIU was positively associated with different indicators of poor wellbeing and psychological difficulties and negatively associated with prosocial behaviour, self-esteem and sense of belonging to the educational centre. The study provided evidence of validity for the CIUS, confirming its utility for screening PIU in non-clinical adolescents.

La Escala de Uso Compulsivo de Internet (Compulsive Internet Use Scale, CIUS) es uno de los instrumentos más empleados a nivel internacional para evaluar el Uso Problemático de Internet (UPI). Sin embargo, no existen evidencias de validez y fiabilidad de las puntuaciones de la versión española en población adolescente. Por ello, el principal objetivo de este estudio fue analizar las propiedades psicométricas de las puntuaciones de la CIUS en una muestra representativa de adolescentes españoles. La muestra contó con 1.790 participantes (53,7% mujeres, edad media = 15,70 años, DT = 1,26). El análisis de la estructura interna del instrumento mostró unos índices de bondad de ajuste apropiados para el modelo unidimensional después de que se permitiera correlacionar la covarianza de errores de cinco ítems. Se encontró invarianza de medición fuerte para el modelo unidimensional en las variables de edad y género. El coeficiente Omega de McDonald para la puntuación total fue 0,91. Además, el UPI se asoció positivamente con diferentes indicadores de malestar y dificultades psicológicas y negativamente con el comportamiento prosocial, la autoestima y el sentido de pertenencia al centro educativo. Este estudio arroja evidencias de validez de la CIUS, y sugiere que puede ser una herramienta apropiada para medir el UPI en adolescentes de la población general.

Spanish normative data of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire in a community-based sample of adolescents: Datos normativos españoles del Cuestionario de capacidades y dificultades (SDQ) en una muestra comunitaria de adolescentes.

Background/Objective: The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire self-report (SDQ-S) has been extensively used to assess mental health problems among children and adolescents. However, previous research has identified substantial age and country variation on its psychometric properties. The aim of this study was three-fold: i) to evaluate internal structure and measurement invariance of the Spanish version of the SDQ; ii) to analyze age and gender-specific effects on the SDQ subscales; and iii) to provide Spanish normative data for the entire age range of adolescence. Method: Data were derived from two representative samples of adolescents aged 14 to 19 years old, selected by stratified random cluster sampling years (N = 3378). Results: The reliability of the Total difficulties score was satisfactory, but some subscales showed lower levels of internal consistency. Confirmatory factor analysis supported the original five-factor model. Finally, results revealed that SDQ scores were influenced by the gender and the age of participants; thus, the normative banding scores and cut-off values were provided accordingly. Conclusions: This study validates the Spanish SDQ-S for the entire age range of adolescence. However, more cross-country and cross-age research is needed to better understand the inconsistent findings on SDQ reliability.

Conducta suicida en adolescentes a revisión: creando esperanza a travésde la acción / Suicidal behavior in adolescents under review: Fostering hope through action

La conducta suicida es un problema socio-sanitario de primer orden. El objetivo general de este trabajo es realizaruna revisión narrativa de la conducta suicida en adolescentes. Básicamente, se trata de introducir este tópico a losprofesionales de la Psicología y a la sociedad en su conjunto de cara a su formación, información, sensibilizacióny concienciación. Con este fin, en primer lugar, se realiza una delimitación conceptual de la conducta suicida. Acontinuación, se abordan cuestiones epidemiológicas. En tercer lugar, se introducen los modelos psicológicos másrelevantes. En cuarto lugar, se abordan los factores de riesgo y protección de la conducta suicida en adolescentes.Seguidamente, se explican algunas de las herramientas de evaluación disponibles en español para este sectorde la población. Posteriormente, se comentan los principales modelos de prevención focalizando el discurso enla importancia de los entornos educativos. También se introducen los tratamientos psicológicos empíricamenteapoyados para el abordaje de la conducta suicida en adolescentes. Finalmente, se comentan líneas de investigaciónfuturas y se realiza una breve recapitulación a modo de conclusión.(AU)

Suicide is a serious public health problem. The main goal of this paper is to carry out a narrative review of suicidalbehavior in adolescents. Basically, the aim is twofold: to provide updated information and to introduce mental healthprofessionals and society to this topic for their training and knowledge. To this end, first, a conceptual delimitationof suicidal behavior is produced. Second, epidemiological issues are addressed. Third, psychological models ofsuicidal behavior are presented, along with the possible explanations underlying this phenomenon. Fourth, the riskand protective factors for suicidal behavior are mentioned. Next, assessment tools for this sector of the populationare introduced. Subsequently, prevention strategies are discussed, focusing on the importance of educationalenvironments. Empirically supported psychological treatments for dealing with suicidal behavior are also proposed.Finally, future lines of research are discussed, and a brief summary is made.(AU)