Family meals and food insecurity in Spanish adolescents.

The world is not on track to achieve the goal of food security for the global population by 2030. New approaches to understand individuals' food insecurity are needed, especially insecurity related to children and adolescents, since it is associated with health and psychosocial problems. The study aimed to characterise the family dinners among a representative cohort of schooled adolescents (n = 1017) and their parents (n = 261) in Terrassa (Catalonia, Spain) and how family dinners could be related to household food insecurity. The survey findings revealed that in 2022, 19.2% of the adolescents were experiencing household food insecurity. Adolescents with a lower socioeconomic status and of foreign origin showed the highest likelihood of experiencing household food insecurity. Household food security was also associated with some characteristics of family dinners, such as better quality and a higher frequency (seven or more dinners eaten together per week). Based on this finding, possible ways in which family dinners could offer a beneficial effect, alleviating the consequences of food insecurity in adolescents, are discussed. In line with the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goal of guaranteeing food security, the promotion of family dinners and their quality, frequency, and duration to leverage the beneficial effect in states of household food insecurity in Spanish adolescents should be taken into account to design actions and public campaigns in Spain.

Spanish validation of the Modified Weight Bias Internalization Scale (WBIS-M) for adolescents.

PURPOSE: Weight Bias Internalization (WBI) is pervasive and potentially damaging for health. Little is known about WBI in youth. As negative effects of WBI have been observed when controlling for BMI, measures that allow WBI to be assessed across different weight categories are needed. The Modified Weight Bias Internalization Scale (WBIS-M) is one of the most frequently used scales in this field. Our purpose was to obtain a Spanish validated version of the WBIS-M for adolescents across different weight statuses. METHODS: The data were collected from 298 secondary students (mean age 14.31; 48.32% girls; 18.8% were overweight and 6.4% had obesity). Internal structure was examined by a cross-validation analysis, using both exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses in different subsamples. RESULTS: Item 1 showed a psychometric anomalous functioning and was deleted. The one-factor structure of the 10-item version was confirmed with adequate fit ([EFA (KMO = 0.915, χ2(55) = 1075.633, p < 0.0001)]; [CFA (χ2(35) = 200.515; GFI = 0.995; PGFI = 0.992; NFI = 0.991; SRMR = 0.060)]). Internal consistency was high [Formula: see text] ω = 0.93). Significant correlations with the same set of external variables assessed in the original version (anti-fat bias, self-esteem, mood, body dissatisfaction, drive for thinness, binge eating), all of them correlates of WBI in adolescents, were found. Girls and participants with obesity obtained higher scores. CONCLUSION: The results provide support for the validity and reliability of our WBIS-M version for use with adolescents across weight categories in Spain. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, evidence obtained from well-designed cohort studies.

Behavior Problems and Social Competence in Fragile X Syndrome: A Systematic Review.

Fragile X syndrome (FXS) causes intellectual disability and is the known leading cause of autism. Common problems in FXS include behavior and social problems. Along with syndromic characteristics and autism comorbidity, environmental factors might influence these difficulties. This systematic review focuses on the last 20 years of studies concerning behavior and social problems in FXS, considering environmental and personal variables that might influence both problems. Three databases were reviewed, leading to fifty-one studies meeting the inclusion criteria. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) problems remain the greatest behavior problems, with behavioral problems and social competence being stable during the 20 years. Some developmental trajectories might have changed due to higher methodological control, such as aggressive behavior and attention problems. The socialization trajectory from childhood to adolescence remains unclear. Comorbidity with autism in individuals with FXS increased behavior problems and worsened social competence profiles. At the same time, comparisons between individuals with comorbid FXS and autism and individuals with autism might help define the comorbid phenotype. Environmental factors and parental characteristics influenced behavior problems and social competence. Higher methodological control is needed in studies including autism symptomatology and parental characteristics. More studies comparing autism in FXS with idiopathic autism are needed to discern differences between conditions.

Family Meals, Conviviality, and the Mediterranean Diet among Families with Adolescents.

Two aspects that characterize the Mediterranean diet (MD) are "what" and "how" we eat. Conviviality relates to "how" we eat and to the pleasure of sharing meals with significant people. The most studied concept is "family meals", which includes conviviality, which involves "enjoying" family meals. Given the lack of research on convivial family meals in Mediterranean countries, the purpose of this qualitative study was to analyze the family meal representations and practices of families with 12- to 16-year-old adolescents to assess whether they responded to a pattern of conviviality, and to examine their association with MD adherence. Twelve semi-structured interviews were conducted and food frequency and family meal questionnaires were administered. A food pattern analysis was carried out and digital photos of meals were analyzed to examine eating habits and meal composition, respectively. The findings showed that parents believed family meals are a space for socialization and communication. Items relating to the conviviality of family meals identified in the study were meal frequency, meals at the table, lack of digital distractions, pleasant conversations, and time spent on family meals. Attention should be paid to conviviality in Mediterranean families when designing multi-approach strategies to promote healthy eating among adolescents.

Lenguaje de niños y jóvenes con síndrome de deleción 22q11 / The language of children and young people with 22q11 deletion syndrome

INTRODUCCIÓN: El síndrome de deleción 22q11 (S22q11) es uno de los trastornos genéticos más prevalentes, y presenta múltiples alteraciones sistémicas y neuropsicológicas. OBJETIVO: Describir el perfil de lenguaje y pragmática asociado a este síndrome. PACIENTES Y MÉTODOS: Se evaluó una muestra de 30 participantes españoles con S22q11 de edades comprendidas entre 5 años, y 21 años y 11 meses (media: 12,14 ± 4,2 años) mediante pruebas estandarizadas y un cuestionario administrado a los padres. RESULTADOS: Casi la mitad de la muestra obtuvo mejores resultados en el lenguaje expresivo que en el comprensivo, y la mayoría logró una mayor puntuación en el contenido del lenguaje que en la memoria del lenguaje. Los resultados sugieren que las personas con S22q11 presentan dificultades de lenguaje que mejoran con la edad hasta cierto nivel y, posteriormente, se estabilizan. Se observa un perfil específico que sugiere que las dificultades pragmáticas son consecuencia de este perfil de lenguaje y no sólo de dificultades sociales ya descritas en esta patología. CONCLUSIONES: En la muestra del presente estudio, los niños y jóvenes con S22q11 presentan alteraciones específicas del lenguaje y la pragmática. Más de la mitad de los participantes del estudio no obtuvieron diferencias significativas entre el nivel de lenguaje expresivo y el receptivo. La mayoría presentó dificultades de fluencia semántica. El tipo y el grado de las alteraciones que presentan en las habilidades pragmáticas sugieren que el problema básico podría estar relacionado con sus dificultades lingüísticas

INTRODUCTION: The 22q11 deletion syndrome (S22q11) is one of the most prevalent genetic disorders, resulting in multiple systemic and neuropsychological features. AIM: To describe the language profile in a sample of Spanish subjects with S22q11. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A sample of 30 Spanish participants with S22q11 aged between 5 years and 21 years and 11 months (mean: 12.14 ± 4.20 years) was evaluated using standardized tests and a questionnaire administered to parents. RESULTS: Almost half of the subjects obtained better results in expressive language than in comprehensive language and the majority obtained a higher score in language content than in language memory. The results suggest that people with S22q11 present language difficulties that improve with age to a certain level and subsequently stabilize. A specific profile is observed that suggests that pragmatic difficulties are a consequence of this language profile and not only of social difficulties already described in this pathology. CONCLUSIONS: In the sample of the present study, children and young people with S22q11 present specific language and pragmatic disorders. More than half of the study participants did not obtain significant differences between the level of expressive and receptive language. Most presented semantic fluency difficulties. The type and degree of impairment in pragmatic skills suggest that the basic problem may be related to their language difficulties

Longitudinal study of physical activity in Spanish young adolescents: weight status and gender differences / Estudio longitudinal de la actividad física en adolescentes españoles: Diferencias por estatus de peso y género / Estudo longitudinal da atividade física em adolescentes espanhóis: diferenças por status de peso e de gênero

Past research indicates there are marked declines in physical activity (PA) during adolescence. Recent studies are offering new insights. This longitudinal study investigates changes in intensities of PA (moderate-to-vigorous vs. light), by gender and weight-status, in a sample of Spanish adolescents. Students, on average 13.9 years-old (N=833 at baseline), were followed- up a year and two years later (N=474 provided data at the three time points). Self-reported PA was recorded. Analyses revealed that PA prevalence is low, although, overtime, slight increments were observed. Girls showed higher increments in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA); boys showed higher increments in light physical activity (LPA). Investigating by weight-status, normal-weight boys showed increments over time in LPA; no changes observed for normal-weight girls. Overweight/obese girls increased their total PA (TPA) and MVPA; overweight/obese boys increased their LPA. Underweight boys and girls decreased their TPA. Interventions targeting specific intensities of PA may be beneficial for different groups based on their gender and weight status

Investigaciones anteriores indican que hay marcadas disminuciones en la actividad física (AF) durante la adolescencia. Estudios más recientes ofrecen nuevos conocimientos. Este estudio longitudinal investiga los cambios en las intensidades de la AF (moderada a vigorosa versus ligera), por género y estatus de peso, en una muestra de adolescentes españoles. Los estudiantes, que en la línea base tenían un promedio de 13.9 años de edad (N = 833 al inicio), fueron seguidos uno y dos años más tarde (N = 474 proporcionaron datos en las tres mediciones de tiempo). La AF fue auto-informada. Los análisis revelaron que la prevalencia de AF es baja, aunque, a lo largo del tiempo, se observaron incrementos leves. Las niñas mostraron incrementos más altos en la actividad física moderada a vigorosa (AFMV); los niños mostraron mayores incrementos en la actividad física leve (AFL). Investigando por estatus de peso, los niños de peso normal mostraron incrementos a lo largo del tiempo en AFL; No se observaron cambios en las niñas de peso normal. Las niñas con sobrepeso/obesidad aumentaron su AF total (AFT) y AFMV; Los niños con sobrepeso / obesidad aumentaron su AFL. Los niños y niñas con bajo peso disminuyeron su AFL. Las intervenciones dirigidas a intensidades específicas de AF pueden ser beneficiosas para diferentes grupos según su género y estatus de peso

Pesquisas anteriores indicam que há declínios acentuados na atividade física (AF) durante a adolescência. Estudos recentes estão oferecendo novos conhecimentos. Este estudo longitudinal investiga mudanças nas intensidades de AF (moderada a vigorosa vs. leve), por sexo e status de peso, em uma amostra de adolescentes espanhóis. Os alunos, em média, 13,9 anos de idade (N = 833 no início do estudo), foram acompanhados por um ano e dois anos mais tarde (N = 474 dados fornecidos nos três pontos de tempo). A AF autorreferida foi registrada. Análises revelaram que a prevalência de AF é baixa, embora, horas extras, pequenos incrementos tenham sido observados. Meninas apresentaram maiores incrementos na atividade física moderada a vigorosa (AFMV); os meninos apresentaram maiores incrementos na atividade física leve (AFL). Investigando por peso-status, meninos com peso normal mostraram incrementos ao longo do tempo em AFL; nenhuma alteração observada para meninas com peso normal. Meninas com sobrepeso / obesidade aumentaram seu AF total (AFT) e AFMV; meninos com sobrepeso / obesos aumentaram seu AFL. Meninos e meninas com baixo peso diminuíram o AFT. Intervenções direcionadas a intensidades específicas de AF podem ser benéficas para diferentes grupos com base em seu gênero e status de peso

Expressed emotion and impulsiveness in mothers of children with Fragile X Syndrome and Down Syndrome: The relation to behavioral problems in their offspring.

BACKGROUND: Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) and Down Syndrome (DS) are common causes of Intellectual Disability (ID). Mothers of individuals with FXS sometimes have the premutation condition which makes them display neurocognitive signs, such as impulsiveness impairments, while mothers of DS individuals, as a group, do not have impairments. Although behavior problems in individuals with ID may be related to high Expressed Emotion (EE) in parents, parenting in families with ID members has been little explored. AIM: To explore the relationship between a mother's EE and impulsiveness, in mothers of individuals with FXS and DS, with behavior problems in their offspring. METHOD: A questionnaire was developed to collect data about impulsiveness and EE in mothers, along with information about behavior problems in ID individuals. RESULTS: EE scores were associated with behavior problems in their offspring for both samples. Mothers with the premutation showed higher scores in EE than mothers of DS individuals. However, impulsiveness scores were not different between both parental groups, and were related to EE scores. CONCLUSIONS: EE is a parental feature that is possible to modulate and seems to be related to behavior problems in ID individuals. More research should be carried on to create interventions to reduce this attitude in parents of ID individuals.

Spanish adaptation and validation of the Child Food Security Survey Module (CFSSM-S).

OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to assess the: (i) internal structure of the Spanish Child Food Security Survey Module (CFSSM-S) with exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis (EFA and CFA); (ii) measurement invariance by gender, grade, weight status, socio-economic status (SES) and family affluence; and (iii) relationships with these external variables. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study was conducted. The CFSSM-S and other tools were employed to assess food insecurity, weight status, SES and family affluence, respectively. SETTING: A secondary school (grades 7-10) in the city of Terrassa in Catalonia, Spain. SUBJECTS: Participants included adolescent boys and girls (n 426) aged 12-17 years. RESULTS: The cross-validation design with EFA and CFA captured a single factor, 'food insecurity'. The goodness-of-fit for the one-factor model with CFA (root-mean-square error of approximation=0·038, comparative fit index=0·984, Tucker-Lewis index=0·979) and internal consistency (ω=0·95) were excellent. The measurement invariance indicated that CFSSM-S could be used across genders, grades, weight status, SES and family affluence. Only mean differences for SES and family affluence were found which showed a linear trend, indicating higher CFSSM-S scores for participants with lower SES and family affluence. Of participants, 1·9 % experienced very low food security, 16·4 % low food security and 81·7 % were food secure. CONCLUSIONS: The CFSSM-S is the first validated instrument to assess food insecurity with psychometric guarantees in Spanish adolescents. Researchers and health practitioners in Spain could use this self-reported questionnaire to gain more information about adolescent health in relation to food insecurity.

Versión española del COPE-48: evaluación del afrontamiento en pacientes psiquiátricos ambulatorios / The epanish version of the COPE-48: assessing coping strategies in psychiatric outpatients

Introducción: La utilización el COPE en contextos clínicos permite conocer las estrategias que utilizan las personas para afrontar situaciones estresantes y por ende incidir sobre ellas mediante tratamiento psicológico. Objetivo: presentar a la comunidad científica de habla hispana la versión española del COPE-48 junto con las propiedades psicométricas obtenidas en una muestra de personas adultas con psicopatología. Métodos: la muestra estuvo formada por 301 participantes (62.5% mujeres). Resultados: la consistencia interna media de las escalas es de 0.81. Nuestros resultados muestran un patrón diferencial en la utilización de las estrategias según el género. Conclusiones: la administración del COPE-48 en contextos clínicos es de gran utilidad práctica, puesto que permite conocer de modo rápido, fácil y preciso las estrategias más frecuentemente utilizadas por los pacientes para afrontar situaciones altamente demandantes. Dicho conocimiento permite intervenir mediante tratamiento psicológico para instaurar, potenciar o minimizar las estrategias necesarias para afrontar una determinada situación comprometida.

Introduction: In clinical settings, the COPE questionnaire allows to assess the strategies people use to cope with stressful situations and therefore, if needed, to modify them through psychological treatment. Objective: The aim of this study is to offer to the Spanish-speaking scientific community the Spanish version of the COPE-48 along with the psychometric properties obtained in a sample of adults with psychopathology. Material and Methods: The sample consisted of 301 participants (62.5% women). Results: The average internal consistency of the scales was 0.81. Our results showed a gender pattern in the use of the coping strategies. Conclusions: In clinical settings, the administration of the COPE-48 allows a quick, easy and accurate assessment of the most frequently used strategies to cope with highly demanding situations. This knowledge makes possible to intervene with psychological treatment and whenever appropriate to establish, enhance or minimize the strategies needed to face difficult situations.

Body image dissatisfaction, physical activity and screen-time in Spanish adolescents.

This cross-sectional study contributes to the literature on whether body dissatisfaction is a barrier/facilitator to engaging in physical activity and to investigate the impact of mass-media messages via computer-time on body dissatisfaction. High-school students ( N = 1501) reported their physical activity, computer-time (homework/leisure) and body dissatisfaction. Researchers measured students' weight and height. Analyses revealed that body dissatisfaction was negatively associated with physical activity on both genders, whereas computer-time was associated only with girls' body dissatisfaction. Specifically, as computer-homework increased, body dissatisfaction decreased; as computer-leisure increased, body dissatisfaction increased. Weight-related interventions should improve body image and physical activity simultaneously, while critical consumption of mass-media interventions should include a computer component.

The COPE-48: An adapted version of the COPE inventory for use in clinical settings.

The Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced inventory (COPE) is one of the most frequently used tools for assessing coping styles. However, there is a lack of information about its psychometric properties in applied settings. The aim of this study is to analyze the psychometric properties and internal structure of the COPE in an adult clinical sample attending a primary care mental health unit and to develop an adapted version to increase its reliability and clinical utility. We administered the questionnaire to 301 participants (37.5% men) aged 18-69 years. The most prevalent principal diagnoses were adjustment (39.9%) and mood disorders (35.9%). The principal component analysis yielded a nine factor solution accounting for 61.23% of the total variance. This shortened version of the COPE provides a theoretically and empirical consistent inventory, improves the factor structure and increases the reliability of the scales with a mean alpha value of .81. This version, the COPE-48, offers good psychometric properties, it takes about 20min to administer, allowing a reliable and parsimonious evaluation. Its administration in applied settings could help with identifying which coping strategies are used and which can be modified and promoted by psychological treatment.

Neurobehavioral conditions and effects of gender, weight and severity in preterm infants according to the Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale / Efecto del sexo, peso y gravedad de la prematuridad en el neurocomportamiento de recién nacidos prematuros a través de la Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale

El aumento de los recién nacidos prematuros en los últimos años hace que se incremente el interés por estudiar las consecuencias de este factor de riesgo. En este trabajo se evalúan 30 prematuros (a las 40 semanas de edad gestacional) con la Escala para la Evaluación del Comportamiento Neonatal de Brazelton y se comparan sus resultados con los de un grupo control formado por 28 neonatos a término. Así mismo se comparan dentro del grupo de prematuros el efecto del peso, el sexo y la gravedad de la prematuridad. Los controles muestran superioridad en 9 de los 28 ítems comportamentales de la Escala y en dos de las 5 categorías. Los prematuros muestran superioridad en Habituación. Las niñas muestran mejor ejecución en la categoría Social-Interactiva. Los prematuros se ven afectados por la abrupta interrupción de su maduración intrauterina. Aunque podría haber un efecto de aprendizaje debido a la exposición extrauterina

The increasing number of preterm babies in recent years has raised interest in studying the consequences of prematurity as a risk factor. In the present paper, 30 preterm babies (at 40 weeks of gestational age) were assessed using the Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale and the results were compared with those of a control group of 28 full term babies. Moreover, the influence of weight, sex and gestational age was analyzed considering the Brazelton results in the preterm group. The preterm group showed significantly lower scores than the control group for 9 of the 28 behavioral items in the Scale and for 2 of the 5 clusters. However, preterm babies performed better in habituation to disturbing stimuli (light and noise) during sleep. In relation to the influence of sex, premature girls performed better in the Social-Interactive cluster. The preterm group has lower neurobehavioral conditions than the full term group, probably due to the abrupt interruption of their intrauterine maturation. In contrast, they showed a better ability of habituation, maybe as a consequence of a learning effect due to earlier additional extrauterine exposition

Usefulness of the bayley scales of infant and toddler development, third edition, in the early diagnosis of language disorder / Utilidad de las escalas de desarrollo para niños y bebés de Bayley, tercera edición, en el diagnóstico precoz de los trastornos del lenguaje

BACKGROUND: Language disorder (LD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder, and early diagnosis has an impact on speech therapy practice. The aim of this work is to test the usefulness of the Cognitive and Language scales of the Bayley-III in the early diagnosis of LD. METHOD: In a longitudinal study, a clinical sample of 187 children with diagnostic hypothesis of communication disorders at 4.5 years was assessed with the Bayley-III before age 3.5 years and subsequently with other scales of different psychological and psycholinguistic functions. RESULTS: The results indicate that children with LD scored significantly lower than their control groups in all subtests and compounds of the Bayley-III. Additionally, low scores on the Language composite in the Bayley-III predicted lower scores in the Auditory-vocal Channel of the ITPA. A significant correlation was obtained between the Cognitive Scale of the Bayley-III and the General Cognitive Scale of the MSCA and the Mental Processing Composite of the K-ABC. CONCLUSIONS: We can draw the conclusion that the Cognitive and Language scales of the Bayley-III are a useful instrument for early diagnosis of LD, and can also discriminate more severe forms of LD

ANTECEDENTES: el trastorno del lenguaje (TL) es un trastorno del desarrollo neurológico. El objetivo de este trabajo es comprobar la utilidad de las escalas Cognitiva y de Lenguaje de Bayley-III en el diagnóstico precoz de los TL. MÉTODO: una muestra clínica de 187 niños con hipótesis diagnóstica de trastorno de la comunicación a los 4,5 años fue evaluada con Bayley-III antes de los 3,5 años y posteriormente con otras escalas de evaluación de diferentes funciones psicológicas y psicolingüísticas en un estudio longitudinal. RESULTADOS: los resultados indican que los niños con TL obtuvieron puntuaciones significativamente inferiores a sus grupos control en todos los subtests y compuestos de Bayley-III. Además, puntuaciones bajas en el compuesto de Lenguaje de Bayley-III predecían puntuaciones inferiores en el Canal Auditivo-vocal del ITPA. Se halló una correlación significativa entre la Escala Cognitiva del Bayley-III y la Escala General Cognitiva de MSCA y con la de Procesamiento Mental Compuesto del K.ABC. CONCLUSIONES: concluimos que las escalas Cognitiva y de Lenguaje de Bayley-III son un instrumento útil en el diagnóstico precoz de los TL, capaces además de discriminar sus formas más graves

Usefulness of the Bayley scales of infant and toddler development,third edition, in the early diagnosis of language disorder.

BACKGROUND: Language disorder (LD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder, and early diagnosis has an impact on speech therapy practice. The aim of this work is to test the usefulness of the Cognitive and Language scales of the Bayley-III in the early diagnosis of LD. METHOD: In a longitudinal study, a clinical sample of 187 children with diagnostic hypothesis of communication disorders at 4.5 years was assessed with the Bayley-III before age 3.5 years and subsequently with other scales of different psychological and psycholinguistic functions. RESULTS: The results indicate that children with LD scored significantly lower than their control groups in all subtests and compounds of the Bayley-III. Additionally, low scores on the Language composite in the Bayley-III predicted lower scores in the Auditory-vocal Channel of the ITPA. A significant correlation was obtained between the Cognitive Scale of the Bayley-III and the General Cognitive Scale of the MSCA and the Mental Processing Composite of the K-ABC. CONCLUSIONS: We can draw the conclusion that the Cognitive and Language scales of the Bayley-III are a useful instrument for early diagnosis of LD, and can also discriminate more severe forms of LD.

International adoption: assessment of adaptive and maladaptive behavior of adopted minors in Spain.

Research on adjustment of internationally adopted children indicates that, although they have adequate development, more emotional and behavioral problems are detected compared with nonadopted children. In this research, emotional and behavioral characteristics of a sample of 52 internationally adopted minors were examined with the BASC (Parent Rating Scales and Self-Report of Personality), comparing the outcomes with 44 nonadopted minors, all of them of ages between 6 and 11 years (mean age = 8.01 years). Results indicate differences between adopted and nonadopted children related to somatization, adopted minors are those that obtain lower scores in the scale, and in the adaptability scale, where nonadopted minors obtain higher scores. Significant differences were found in the adaptive abilities scales, suggesting that nonadopted boys show better abilities than adopted ones, and no differences were found among girls. In general, boys present higher scores in externalizing symptomatology and depression than girls. Among adopted children, time spent in an institution is a variable that has negative impact on the onset of externalizing and internalizing problems. Minors coming from Eastern Europe display more attentional problems, poorer adaptive abilities and poorer interpersonal relations than the rest of the minors. According to the age at placement, attentional problems appear in minors adopted after the age of 3 years.

International adoption: assessment of adaptative and maladaptative behavior of adopted minors in Spain

Research on adjustment of internationally adopted children indicates that, although they have adequate development, more emotional and behavioral problems are detected compared with non adopted children. In this research, emotional and behavioral characteristics of a sample of 52 internationally adopted minors were examined with the BASC (Parent Rating Scales and Self-Report of Personality), comparing the outcomes with 44 non adopted minors, all of them of ages between 6 and 11 years (mean age = 8.01 years). Results indicate differences between adopted and non adopted children related to somatization, adopted minors are those that obtain lower scores in the scale, and in the adaptability scale, where non adopted minors obtain higher scores. Significant differences were found in the adaptive abilities scales, suggesting that non adopted boys show better abilities than adopted ones, and no differences were found among girls. In general, boys present higher scores in externalizing symptomatology and depression than girls. Among adopted children, time spent in an institution is a variable that has negative impact on the onset of externalizing and internalizing problems. Minors coming from Eastern Europe display more attentional problems, poorer adaptive abilities and poorer interpersonal relations than the rest of the minors. According to the age at placement, attentional problems appear in minors adopted after the age of 3 years (AU)

Las investigaciones sobre la adaptación de menores procedentes de adopción internacional señalan que, aunque estos niños tienen un desarrollo correcto, se detectan más problemas emocionales y conductuales que en niños no adoptados. Esta investigación ha examinado con el BASC (cuestionario para padres y autoinforme) tanto los trastornos de adaptación como los rasgos adaptativos de una muestra de 52 menores procedentes de adopción internacional, comparando los resultados con 44 menores no adoptados de edades comprendidas entre los 6 y los 11 años (media = 8.01 años). Los resultados indican diferencias entre los menores adoptados y los no adoptados relativas a somatización, siendo los menores adoptados quienes obtienen mejores puntuaciones en la escala, y en la escala de adaptabilidad, siendo los menores no adoptados los que obtienen mejores puntuaciones. Se han encontrado diferencias significativas en la escala de habilidades adaptativas, sugiriendo que los varones no adoptados muestran mejores habilidades que los adoptados, no encontrándose diferencias en las niñas. En cuanto al sexo de los menores, en los varones se detecta una mayor sintomatología externalizada y depresión que en las mujeres. Entre el grupo de menores adoptados, el tiempo de institucionalización influye negativamente en la aparición de trastornos, tanto externalizados como internalizados. Según el país de procedencia, los menores procedentes de Europa del Este presentan más problemas de atención, y peores habilidades adaptativas y relaciones interpersonales que el resto de menores. Destaca la aparición de más problemas de atención en los menores adoptados a partir de los tres años (AU)

[Psychometric evaluation of the Brazelton Scale in a sample of Spanish newborns]. / Evaluación psicométrica de la Escala de Brazelton en una muestra de recién nacidos españoles.

This study analyses the data obtained from a sample of 220 healthy full-term neonates evaluated with the Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale, NBAS, 3rd edition. Standard scores were obtained for each of the 35 behavioral items and analysis of the main components of all the clusters was performed. Similarly to the original scale, the five following factors were obtained: Autonomic and Motor Systems, Habituation, State Organization, State Regulation, and Social Interactive. The analysis of the reliability of these groupings reveals that it is between moderate and high (the average Cronbach's alpha coefficient was .78).

Evaluación psicométrica de la Escala de Brazelton en una muestra de recién nacidos españoles / Psychometric evaluation of the Brazelton Scale in a sample of Spanish newborns

En este trabajo se analizan las puntuaciones obtenidas por una muestra de 220 neonatos sanos, nacidos a término, evaluados con la Escala para la evaluación del comportamiento neonatal, 3ª edición. Se han obtenido puntuaciones típicas para cada uno de los 35 ítems conductuales y se ha realizado un análisis de componentes principales de las agrupaciones de ítems. Los factores obtenidos (muy similares a los de la escala original) son los cinco siguientes: Sistema nervioso autónomo-motor; Habituación; Organización del estado; Regulación del estado y Social interactivo. El análisis de la fiabilidad de estos factores (la media de los coeficientes alfa de Cronbach con ítems tipificados es 0,78) indica que la consistencia interna de las puntuaciones es entre moderada y alta

This study analyses the data obtained from a sample of 220 healthy full-term neonates evaluated with the Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale, NBAS, 3rd edition. Standard scores were obtained for each of the 35 behavioral items and analysis of the main components of all the clusters was performed. Similarly to the original scale, the five following factors were obtained: Autonomic and Motor Systems, Habituation, State Organization, State Regulation, and Social Interactive. The analysis of the reliability of these groupings reveals that it is between moderate and high (the average Cronbachs alpha coefficient was .78)

Efectos de una intervención temprana basada en la escala de Brazelton sobre las percepciones maternas / Effects of an early intervention based on Brazelton's scale on the maternal perceptions

OBJETIVO: evaluar el efecto de una breve intervención temprana, basada en la administración de la NBAS en presencia de la madre, sobre las percepciones que ésta posee de su bebé y de sí misma como madre. METODOLOGÍA: 23 madres primíparas de bebés sanos (a 37 semanas) completaron la Escala sobre percepciones maternas Mother and Baby Scales (MABS) dos días después del parto. Antes del alta, las madres del grupo experimental (12) participaron activamente en una sesión con la NBAS, que consistió en evaluar la conducta de su hijo recién nacido. Al cabo de un mes, se realizó una segunda administración de la MBAS en toda la muestra. RESULTADOS: no se encontraron diferencias significativas entre los grupos en las percepciones maternas, aunque sí las hubo intra grupo experimental en las subescalas Alerta-interés e Inestable-irregular de la MABS. CONCLUSIONES: la intervención no tuvo el suficiente impacto, aunque posiblemente influyó en que las madres del grupo experimental percibiesen a su bebé como significativamente más alerta después de transcurrido un mes.

Efectos de una intervención temprana basada en la escala de Brazelton sobre las percepciones maternas / Effects of an early intervention based on Brazeltons scale on the maternal perceptions

OBJETIVO: evaluar el efecto de una breve intervención temprana, basada en la administración de la NBAS en presencia de la madre, sobre las percepciones que ésta posee de su bebé y de sí misma como madre. METODOLOGIA: 23 madres primíparas de bebés sanos (a 37 semanas) completaron la Escala sobre percepciones maternas Mother and Baby Scales (MABS) dos días después del parto. Antes del alta, las madres del grupo experimental (12) participaron activamente en una sesión con la NBAS, que consistió en evaluar la conducta de su hijo recién nacido. Al cabo de un mes, se realizó una segunda administración de la MBAS en toda la muestra. RESULTADOS: no se encontraron diferencias significativas entre los grupos en las percepciones maternas, aunque sí las hubo intra grupo experimental en las subescalas Alerta-interés e Inestable-irregular de la MABS. CONCLUSIONES: la intervención no tuvo el suficiente impacto, aunque posiblemente influyó en que las madres del grupo experimental percibiesen a su bebé como significativamente más alerta después de transcurrido un mes. (AU)