Datos normativos, fiabilidad y validez de las escalas de trastornos de la personalidad del NEO PI-R / Normative data, reliability and validity of the NEO PI-R personality disorders scales

Hay un creciente interés por entender los trastornos de la personalidad (TTPP) desde el modelo de los cinco factores. Miller et al. (2005) y Costa y McCrae (2005) propusieron dos conjuntos de escalas basadas en las facetas del “Inventario de personalidad NEO-revisado” (NEO PI-R) para evaluar los TTPP del DSM-5. Existen baremos españoles para las escalas de Miller et al. (2005) a partir de muestras de selección de personal, pero no son apropiados en contextos con deseabilidad social baja. Se presentan datos normativos, de fiabilidad y validez convergente/ discriminante para ambos conjuntos de escalas con voluntarios de la población general española (N= 682). Los índices de consistencia interna y validez convergente/ discriminante fueron excelentes o buenos para todas las escalas, especialmente para las de Miller et al. (2005). Las diferencias entre la muestra de voluntarios y de selección de personal (d= 0,61) y entre varones y mujeres (d= 0,34-0,38) justifican el desarrollo de baremos para los dos conjuntos de escalas de TTPP para situaciones de deseabilidad social baja y separados por sexo. Se discute su utilidad en diferentes contextos.(AU)

There is increasing interest in understanding personality disorders (PDs) fromthe five-factor model. Miller et al. (2005) and Costa and McCrae (2005) proposedtwo sets of scales based on the NEO Personality Inventory-Revised (NEO PI-R) facetsto assess DSM-5 PDs. There are Spanish norms for the scales of Miller et al. (2005)based on personnel selection samples, but they are not appropriate for contextswith low social desirability. Normative, reliability, and convergent/discriminantvalidity data are presented for both sets of scales with volunteers from the generalSpanish population (N= 682). The internal consistency and convergent/discriminantvalidity indices were excellent or good for all scales, especially for those of Miller etal. (2005). The differences between the sample of volunteers and that of personnelselection (d= 0.61) and between males and females (d= 0.34-0.38) justify the development of norms for the two sets of PD scales for situations of low socialdesirability and separate for males and females. Their usefulness in differentcontexts is discussed.(AU)

Validity Evidence for the Self-Absorption Scale (SAS) in Spanish Population / Evidencias de Validez de la Escala de Autoabsorción (SAS) en Población Española

Background: The Self-Absorption Scale (SAS) is one of the few instruments that measure dysfunctional self-focused attention or self-absorption, a transdiagnostic factor of vulnerability to various emotional disorders. The internal structure of the Spanish version of the SAS and its relationship with other variables have not been examined, nor has whether its subscales provide relevant information. These were the two goals of the present study. Method: The factor structure of the SAS, its internal consistency, and its relationship with depression and post-traumatic stress were analyzed in a Spanish community sample of 519 adults. Results: The SAS presented a symmetrical bifactor structure with a general factor of self-absorption that explained most of the variance in the items and two specific factors of private and public self-absorption. The total scale and the two subscales of the SAS exhibited excellent, good or adequate reliability coefficients (alphas/omegas = .70 – .88) and correlated with depression and post-traumatic stress (r = .34 – .46). Conclusions: The SAS provides reliable, valid measures of dysfunctional self-focused attention in Spanish adults, but its Private and Public Self-absorption subscales are not much more useful than the information provided by its total scale.(AU)

Antecedentes: la Escala de Autoabsorción (SAS) es uno de los pocos instrumentos que mide la atención autofocalizada disfuncional o autoabsorción, un factor transdiagnóstico de vulnerabilidad a diversos trastornos emocionales. La estructura interna de la versión española de la SAS y su relación con otras variables no han sido examinadas, ni tampoco si sus subescalas aportan información relevante. Estos fueron los objetivos del presente estudio. Método: se analizó la estructura factorial de la SAS, su consistencia interna y la relación con la sintomatología depresiva y de estrés postraumático en una muestra comunitaria española de 519 adultos. Resultados: la SAS presentó una estructura bifactor simétrica con un factor general de autoabsorción que explicaba la mayoría de la varianza de los ítems y dos factores específicos de autoabsorción privada y pública. La escala total y las dos subescalas mostraron coeficientes de fiabilidad excelentes, buenos o adecuados (alfas/omegas = .70 – .88) y correlacionaban con la depresión y el estrés postraumático (r = .34 – .46). Conclusiones: la SAS proporciona medidas fiables y válidas de la atención autofocalizada disfuncional en adultos españoles, pero sus subescalas de autoabsorción privada y pública pueden no ser muy útiles más allá de la información proporcionada por su escala total.(AU)

Prevalence of increased alcohol use and alcohol use disorders in adult victims of terrorist attacks: a systematic and meta-analytic review.

Background: Previous studies have reviewed the evidence on the increase in alcohol consumption after a terrorist attack. However, an increase does not necessarily imply the presence of an alcohol use disorder.Objectives: To conduct a systematic and meta-analytic review of the literature on the prevalence of increased alcohol consumption and alcohol use disorders in adult exposed to terrorism.Methods: A search of PsycINFO, MEDLINE and PTSDpubs identified 29 studies published up to March 2023 in which 38 adult samples totaling 282,753 persons exposed to terrorism were assessed. Using inverse variance heterogeneity models, pooled prevalence rates of increased alcohol use and alcohol use disorders were calculated.Results: 6% (95% CI [2.9, 9.5]) of the adults exposed to a terrorist attack increased their alcohol consumption. The prevalence of increased alcohol use varied depending on the degree of exposure (p = .006, R2 = .18) and the procedure for measuring increases (p = .043, R2 = .37). The prevalence of alcohol use disorders in adults exposed to a terrorist attack was 5.5% (95% CI [3.7, 7.5]), a rate that was not higher than that obtained in the general population and varied depending on the type of alcohol disorder (p = .015, R2 = .30).Conclusions: A relevant number of adults exposed to terrorist attacks will subsequently increase their alcohol consumption, but this increase is not associated with an increase in the prevalence of alcohol use disorders. Effects of terrorism on people's health are potentially widespread, but concerns of excessive alcohol use after terrorist attacks may be unwarranted.

¿Existe el duelo complicado traumático? Diferencias sintomatológicas entre el duelo complicado tras una muerte traumática y una no traumática / Is there a traumatic complicated grief? Symptomatological differences between complicated grief after a traumatic and a non-traumatic death

Objetivo: Examinar la existencia del duelo complicado traumático como un constructo diferente al de duelo complicado analizando si la sintomatología de duelo complicado y de estrés postraumático es diferente en las personas que sufren duelo complicado tras una muerte traumática y no traumática. Método: Un grupo de 89 dolientes con duelo complicado tras una muerte por atentado terrorista y un grupo de 54 dolientes con duelo complicado tras una muerte por edad o enfermedad completaron el Inventario de Duelo Complicado (IDC) y versiones de la Escala de Verificación del Trastorno de Estrés Postraumático (PCL-S o PCL-5). Resultados: ANCOVA realizados sobre las puntuaciones en los ítems del IDC y en los 16 ítems comunes a las dos versiones de la PCL revelaron que los dos grupos de dolientes no diferían en ninguno de los síntomas de duelo complicado ni de estrés postraumático, salvo en dos síntomas de duelo complicado en los cuales las diferencias iban en direcciones opuestas. Conclusiones: Aunque una muerte traumática como, por ejemplo, por atentado terrorista, incrementa la gravedad de las reacciones de duelo y la probabilidad de sufrir duelo complicado, este duelo complicado es similar al que pueden sufrir las personas tras una muerte no traumática, al menos respecto a sus síntomas y a los síntomas simultáneos de estrés postraumático. Por tanto, no se puede hablar de un duelo complicado traumático como diferente al duelo complicado (AU)

Objective: To examine the existence of complicated traumatic grief as a different construct from complicated grief, analyzing whether the symptoms of complicated grief and post-traumatic stress are different in people who suffer complicated grief after a traumatic and non-traumatic death. Method: A group of 89 mourners with complicated grief after a death from a terrorist attack and a group of 54 mourners with complicated grief after a death due to age or illness completed the Inventory of Complicated Grief (ICG) and versions of the PTSD Checklist Scale (PCL-S or PCL-5). Results: ANCOVA performed on the scores on the IDC items and on the 16 items common to the two versions of the PCL revealed that the two groups of mourners did not differ in any of the symptoms of complicated grief or post-traumatic stress, except in two complicated grief symptoms in which the differences went in opposite directions. Conclusions: Although a traumatic death, such as a terrorist attack, increases the severity of grief reactions and the probability of suffering complicated grief, this complicated grief is similar to what people can suffer after a non-traumatic death, at least concerning its symptoms and the simultaneous symptoms of post-traumatic stress. Therefore, one cannot speak of complicated traumatic grief as different from complicated grief (AU)

Is it time to replace the Big Five personality model? Factorial structure of the NEO PI-R in a community sample of Spanish adults.

Recent studies have revived the issue of whether the five-factor personality model or Big Five is the most valid to summarize the most relevant personality traits or whether, on the contrary, the basic structure of personality traits would better fit a six-factor model such as the HEXACO model: Honesty-Humility (H), Emotionality (E), Extraversion (X), Agreeableness (A), Conscientiousness (C), and Openness to Experience (O). In a Spanish community sample of 682 adults, the factorial structure of the 30 facets of the NEO-Revised Personality Inventory (NEO PI-R) and its 16 facets common to the HEXACO model was analyzed. In two subsamples of participants, the internal structure of the NEO PI-R, of 30 and 16 facets, fit the five-factor Big Five model better than the six-factor HEXACO model. In addition, the internal 30-facet structure of the NEO-PI-R replicated that obtained in the original US validation and those previously obtained in Spain, although the latter used different participant samples (people evaluated in personnel selection processes, university students). These results suggest that, at least in Spain, the five-factor personality model or Big Five is still the most valid taxonomy of personality traits.

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Anxiety, and Depression Symptoms After Potentially Traumatic Events: Latent Classes and Cognitive Correlates.

ABSTRACT: People exposed to potentially traumatic events (PTEs) may develop distinct symptom patterns, which may require different therapeutic approaches. We aimed to identify classes of people exposed to PTEs based on the presence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) clusters, anxiety, and depression and to explore which cognitive factors (rumination, worry, and negative cognitions) are associated with class membership. Latent class analyses were conducted to identify subgroups of 258 PTE-exposed Spanish adults. A three-class solution emerged: a resilient class with low odds of all symptoms ( n = 188); a partial PTSD class, characterized by partial PTSD clusters, moderate anxiety, and low depression ( n = 36); and a high symptom class, characterized by high PTSD, moderate anxiety, and low depression ( n = 34). These classes related meaningfully to rumination, worry, and negative cognitions. Distinct symptom patterns of PTSD clusters, anxiety, and depression can be distinguished in people exposed to PTEs and relate to cognitive risk factors of psychopathology.

Psychometric Properties of the Anxiety Sensitivity Index-3 (ASI-3) in Spanish Population / Propiedades Psicométricas del Índice de Sensibilidad a la Ansiedad-3 (ASI-3) en Población Española

Background: The Anxiety Sensitivity Index-3 (ASI-3) is the reference instrument for measuring anxiety sensitivity. The psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the ASI-3 have been examined in university students but not in adults from the general population. Whether the ASI-3 subscales provide relevant information has not yet been examined either. Method: The ASI-3’s factor structure, internal consistency, temporal stability, and relationship with neuroticism were examined in a Spanish community sample of 919 adults. Results: In two subsamples of participants, the ASI-3 presented a structure of three correlated factors (physical, cognitive, and social concerns) that loaded on a higher-order factor, but the three factors did not explain much item variance. The total scale and subscales of the ASI-3 showed excellent or good indices of internal consistency (alphas and omegas = .81 – .91), and adequate indices of test-retest reliability at two months (r = .57 – .73) and the relationship with neuroticism and its facets (r = .19 – .52). Conclusions: The ASI-3 provides reliable, valid measures of anxiety sensitivity in Spanish adults, but its subscales are not very useful beyond the information provided by the total scale.(AU)

Antecedentes: el Índice de Sensibilidad a la Ansiedad-3 (ASI-3) es el instrumento de referencia para medir la sensibilidad a la ansiedad. Las propiedades psicométricas de la versión española del ASI-3 se han examinado en estudiantes universitarios, pero no en adultos de la población general. Tampoco se ha examinado si las subescalas del ASI-3 aportan información relevante. Método: se examinó la estructura factorial del ASI-3, su consistencia interna, estabilidad temporal y relación con neuroticismo en una muestra comunitaria española de 919 adultos. Resultados: en dos submuestras de participantes, el ASI-3 presentó una estructura de tres factores correlacionados (preocupaciones físicas, cognitivas y sociales) que saturaban en un factor de orden superior, pero los tres factores no explicaban mucha varianza de los ítems. La escala total y las subescalas del ASI-3 mostraron índices excelentes o buenos de consistencia interna (alfas y omegas = .81 – .91) y adecuados de fiabilidad test-retest a los dos meses (r = .57 – .73) y de relación con el neuroticismo y sus facetas (r = .19 – .52). Conclusiones: el ASI-3 proporciona medidas fiables y válidas de la sensibilidad a la ansiedad en adultos españoles, pero sus subescalas no son muy útiles más allá de la información proporcionada por su escala total.(AU)

Prevalence of psychopathy in a community sample of Spanish adults: Definitions and measurements matter.

The main objective of this work is to examine the prevalence of psychopathy in the general adult population from the main currently existing theoretical perspectives of psychopathy, using for this purpose the five-factor or Big Five model as a common language that allows the comparison and integration of the personality traits considered as defining psychopathy by these different perspectives. The NEO Personality Inventory-Revised (NEO PI-R) was applied to a sample of 682 adults of the general Spanish population. The prevalence of clinical and subclinical psychopathy was calculated according to six different definitions of these two constructs based on Hare's, Lilienfeld's, triarchic, and DSM-5-hybrid models, and the simultaneous presence of a minimum number of personality traits that differed from the sample mean by one standard deviation. Prevalence rates for the different definitions were consistently low, indicating that the prevalence of clinical psychopathy in the general Spanish population is around 0.55%, and that of subclinical psychopathy is around 1.65%. There were no significant sex differences in the prevalence of psychopathy. These results question the alarmist claims that warn about the existence in society of a very high number of people with psychopathy who can cause many social, economic, physical, and psychological damage to others.

Dysfunctional Attitudes and Long-Term Posttraumatic Growth in Victims of Terrorist Attacks / Actitudes Disfuncionales y Crecimiento Postraumático a Largo Plazo en Víctimas de Atentados Terroristas

Background: The theoretical models of posttraumatic growth (PTG) assume that a change in core beliefs or attitudes about the world and oneself is at the root of PTG. However, there are few studies on the relationship between these attitudes and PTG and their results are contradictory. The contradictions could be clarified using an instrument that assesses attitudes more specifically related to the traumatic event (traumatic dysfunctional attitudes) and analyzing whether said relationship is linear or an inverted U. Methods: A sample of 210 adults directly exposed to terrorist attacks in Spain completed diagnostic measures of emotional disorders and measures of PTSD and depression symptomatology, optimism, traumatic and depressive dysfunctional attitudes, and PTG a mean of 29.6 years after the attacks (range: 2-47 years). Results: Multiple regression analyses revealed that some long-term PTG dimensions were significantly associated in a linear or inverted-U fashion with traumatic dysfunctional attitudes, such that the most extreme levels of spiritual change were associated with the highest total levels of traumatic dysfunctional attitudes while the highest levels of appreciation of life were associated with moderate levels of total traumatic dysfunctional attitudes and, especially, attitudes of perpetual suffering. However, long-term PTG was not associated with depressive dysfunctional attitudes. Conclusion: The findings underscore the importance of core attitudes for PTG and offer support for the hypothesis that, over time, the positive basic attitudes of many people who have experienced a traumatic event are reconstructed, but incorporating negative or dysfunctional attitudes, which means that a certain amount of traumatic dysfunctional attitudes may be a necessary condition for long-term PTG.(AU)

Antecedentes: Los modelos teóricos del crecimiento postraumático (CPT) suponen que un cambio en las creencias o actitudes básicas sobre el mundo y uno mismo es la raíz del CPT. Sin embargo, existen pocos estudios sobre la relación entre esas actitudes y el CPT y sus resultados son contradictorios. Las contradicciones podrían aclararse utilizando un instrumento que evalúe las actitudes más específicamente relacionadas con el acontecimiento traumático (actitudes disfuncionales traumáticas) y analizando si dicha relación es lineal o en forma de U invertida. Método: Una muestra de 210 adultos expuestos directamente a atentados terroristas en España completaron medidas de trastorno emocional y medidas de sintomatología de TEPT y depresión, optimismo, actitudes disfuncionales traumáticas y depresivas y CPT una media de 29.6 años después de los atentados (rango: 2-47 años). Resultados: Análisis de regresión múltiple revelaron que algunas dimensiones del CPT a largo plazo se asociaron significativamente de forma lineal o de U invertida con las actitudes disfuncionales traumáticas, de manera que un mayor nivel de crecimiento espiritual se asociaba con un mayor nivel total de actitudes disfuncionales traumáticas y un mayor nivel de nueva valoración de la vida se asociaba con un nivel moderado total de actitudes disfuncionales traumáticas y, especialmente, de actitudes de cronificación del malestar. Sin embargo, el CPT a largo plazo no se asoció con las actitudes disfuncionales depresivas. Conclusión: Los resultados subrayan la importancia de las actitudes básicas en el CPT y ofrecen apoyo a la hipótesis de que, con el paso del tiempo, las actitudes básicas positivas de muchas de las personas que han experimentado un acontecimiento traumático se reconstruyen, pero incorporando actitudes negativas o disfuncionales, lo que supone que un cierto nivel de actitudes disfuncionales traumáticas podría ser una condición necesaria para el CPT a largo plazo.(AU)

Relationships of the Big Five facets and dysfunctional attitudes with depression.

There are two parallel lines of research on the relationship between personality and depression, one based on the Big Five personality model and one on Beck's cognitive theory of depression. However, no study has jointly examined the dimensions and facets of the Big Five and the dysfunctional attitudes of Beck's theory. This was the objective of the present study. The Revised NEO Personality Inventory (NEO PI-R), the Dysfunctional Attitude Scale (DAS-A), and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-IA) were applied to 221 adults from the Spanish general population (53.7% females; mean age: 38.3 years). Various multiple linear regression analyses revealed that only the facet of depression was significantly related to depressive symptomatology. The different associations of the broad and specific personality traits and the need to control as many third variables as possible to prevent the finding of spurious relationships are discussed.

Complicated Grief in a Spanish Sample of Victims of Terrorism: Evidence of Validity of the Inventory of Complicated Grief.

The Inventory of Complicated Grief (ICG) is the most widely used instrument to measure complicated grief (CG), but its psychometric properties have hardly been examined in relatives of those who died by violent means. The objective of this study was to obtain evidence of validity of the ICG in a relatives of those who died due to terrorist attacks in Spain. The factorial structure, internal consistency, and relationship with depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress were analyzed in a Spanish sample of 211 relatives of people who died in terrorist attacks. The ICG presented a one-factor structure that supports the validity of its total score. This score showed excellent internal consistency indices (alpha = .927; omega = .932) and adequate correlation indices with depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress (r = .71, .63 and .76, respectively). The ICG provides reliable and valid measures of CG in adults who have lost a family member due to violent death.

Dysfunctional Attitudes in Victims of Terrorism: Validity Evidence for the DAS-A / Actitudes Disfuncionales en Víctimas del Terrorismo: Evidencias deValidez de la DAS-A

Background: The Dysfunctional Attitudes Scale, Form A (DAS-A), isthe reference instrument for measuring dysfunctional attitudes which,according to Beck’s cognitive theory, constitute the key vulnerabilityfactor for depression. The psychometric properties of the Spanish versionof the DAS-A have been examined in university students, but not inpeople with psychological disorders, despite being one of the most widely-used instruments in research and clinical practice of cognitive therapyfor depression. The objective of the present study was to obtain validity evidence for the DAS-A in victims of terrorism with and without emotional disorders. Method: The DAS-A’s factor structure, internal consistency,and relationship with depression were analyzed in 196 victims of terrorism with emotional disorders and 280 victims without disorders. Results: In both samples, the DAS-A exhibited a structure with three correlatedfactors: Achievement-Perfectionism, Dependency-Need for Approval, and Autonomous Attitude. In general, the total scale and the subscales showedgood or adequate indices of internal consistency (alphas and omegas = .60- .89) and a relationship with depression (r =.22 - .44). Conclusions: TheDAS-A provides reliable, valid measures of depressogenic dysfunctionalattitudes in Spanish adults with emotional disorders and victims ofterrorism.

Antecedentes: la Escala de Actitudes Disfuncionales,Forma A (DAS-A), es el instrumento de referencia para medir las actitudes disfuncionales que, según la teoría cognitiva de Beck, constituyen el factorde vulnerabilidad clave para la depresión. Las propiedades psicométricasde la versión española de la DAS-A han sido examinadas en estudiantesuniversitarios, pero no en personas con trastornos psicológicos, a pesar deser uno de los instrumentos más utilizados en la investigación y prácticaclínica de la terapia cognitiva de la depresión. El objetivo del presente estudio fue obtener evidencias de validez de la DAS-A en víctimas delterrorismo con y sin trastornos emocionales. Método: se analizó laestructura factorial, consistencia interna y relación con la depresión en196 víctimas con trastornos emocionales y 280 sin trastornos.Resultados: la DAS-A presenta, en las dos muestras, una estructura de tres factores correlacionados: logro-perfeccionismo, dependencia-necesidad deaprobación y actitud autónoma. La escala total y las subescalas mostraron,en general, índices buenos o adecuados de consistencia interna (alfasy omegas= .60 - .89) y de relación con la depresión (r = .22 - .44).Conclusiones: la DAS-A proporciona medidas fiables y válidas de las actitudes disfuncionales depresógenas en adultos españoles con trastornos emocionales y en víctimas del terrorismo.

Mental Health, Quality of Life and Coping Strategies in Vulnerable Children During the COVID-19 Pandemic / Salud Mental, Calidad de Vida y Estrategias de Afrontamiento de Niños Vulnerables Durante la Pandemia de la COVID-19

Background: The coronavirus pandemic has led to a situation withoutprecedent in modern history. The aim of this study is to analyse theconsequences after one year of the pandemic on a group of children andadolescents assessed at the beginning of the pandemic in 2020 and todetermine the most effective ways of psychologically coping with thispandemic. Method: Two different, but equivalent, groups with a total of604 (study I, 2020) and 743 (study II, 2021) children and adolescents inresidential care, foster families, kinship families or family strengtheningprograms in Spain were evaluated using the SDQ (mental health measure),KIDSCREEN-10 index (quality of life measure) and Kidcope (copingbehaviour measure). An independent sample t-test and a decision treeanalysis were used.Results: The mental health of children and adolescentsdecreased by 9.7%, and Self-Perceived quality of life did not change afterone year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Nonactive coping strategies predictedworse mental health and worse quality of life. Problem solving served asa protective factor. Conclusion: One year after, the COVID-19 pandemichas an effect on the psychological wellbeing of children and adolescents,and the consequences can be reduced if proper coping strategies are used.

Antecedentes: la pandemia del coronavirus no tiene precedentes en la historia moderna. El objetivo del estudio es analizar sus consecuencias tras un año de pandemiaen niños y adolescentes evaluados al inicio de la misma en 2020 y determinarlas estrategias de afrontamiento más eficaces para lidiar con la pandemia.Método: 2 grupos distintos pero equivalentes formados por 604 (estudioI, 2020) y 743 (estudio II, 2021) niños y adolescentes en acogimientoresidencial, acogimiento familiar (extensa y ajena) y en programas de fortalecimiento familiar en España fueron evaluados usando el SDQ (saludmental), KIDSCREEN-10 (calidad de vida) y Kidcope (afrontamiento). Se utilizó comparaciones de medias para muestras independientes y unanálisis de árbol de decisión. Resultados: la salud mental de niños yadolescentes ha disminuido un 9,7% mientras que la calidad de vida no hacambiado tras un año de pandemia. Las estrategias de afrontamiento pasivaspredijeron una peor salud mental y una peor calidad de vida. Estrategias desolución de problemas actuaron como un factor protector. Conclusiones: la pandemia de la COVID-19 tiene efectos tras el paso de un año en elbienestar psicológico de niños y adolescentes y sus consecuencias puedenreducirse con estrategias de afrontamiento apropiadas.

La Lista de Verificación del Trastorno de Estrés Postraumático (PCL) en víctimas del terrorismo: análisis comparativo de las propiedades psicométricas de su aplicación telefónica frente a presencial / The PTSD Checklist (PCL) in victims of terrorism: Comparative analysis of the psychometric properties of its administration by telephone vs. in person

Introducción y objetivos: En muchas situaciones tales como las de confinamiento provocadas por la pandemia de la COVID-19, es imposible aplicar los instrumentos psicológicos presencialmente, como originalmente se concibieron. Sin embargo, el modo de aplicación puede afectar a las propiedades psicométricas de las medidas de un instrumento. La Lista de Verificación del Trastorno de Estrés Postraumático (del inglés PTSD Checklist; en adelante PCL) es uno de los instrumentos más utilizados para evaluar presencialmente la sintomatología del trastorno de estrés postraumático (TEPT). Este es el primer estudio que analiza y compara la estructura factorial, consistencia interna y validez diagnóstica, nomológica y de grupos contrastados de las medidas de la PCL aplicada presencial y telefónicamente. Material y métodos: Se administró la PCL en ambos formatos a una muestra de 634 personas víctimas del terrorismo junto con una entrevista diagnóstica estructurada y medidas de depresión y ansiedad. Resultados: Las puntuaciones de ambas formas de aplicación de la PCL presentan una misma estructura unifactorial, índices excelentes de consistencia interna (alfa > .90) e índices muy buenos de validez diagnóstica para identificar el TEPT (AUC > .90); ambas discriminan significativamente y con tamaños del efecto grandes (d = 0.88–2.84) entre víctimas con TEPT, con trastornos depresivos o de ansiedad y sin trastornos, y ambas presentan correlaciones significativas y grandes con medidas de otros constructos con los que el TEPT guarda una estrecha relación: depresión y ansiedad. Conclusiones: Los resultados sugieren que la PCL se puede aplicar telefónicamente con las mismas garantías psicométricas que presencialmente.(AU)

Introduction and objectives: In many situations, such as confinement situations caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, it is not possible to administer psychological instruments in person, as originally contemplated in their development. However, the mode of administration can affect the psychometric properties of instrument scores. The PTSD Checklist (PCL) is one of the most widely used instruments for assessing the symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in person. This study is the first research that has analyzed and compared the factorial structure, the internal consistency, the validity of contrasted groups, the diagnostic validity, and the nomological validity of scores on the PCL administered in person and by telephone. Material and methods: The PCL was administered in both application modes to a sample of 634 victims of terrorism along with a structured diagnostic interview and measures of depression and anxiety. Results: Scores on both administration modes of the PCL have the same unifactorial structure, excellent indexes of internal consistency (alpha > .90) and very good indexes of diagnostic validity to identify the PTSD (AUC > .90), discriminate significantly and with large effect sizes (d = 0.88–2.84) between victims with PTSD, with depressive or anxiety disorders and without disorders, and present significant and large correlations with measures of other constructs with which PTSD is closely related, namely depression and anxiety. Conclusions: The results suggest that the PCL can be administered over the telephone with the same psychometric guarantees as in person.(AU)

Duelo complicado: Una revisión sistemática de la prevalencia, diagnóstico, factores de riesgo y de protección en población adulta de España / Complicated grief: A systematic review of the prevalence, diagnosis, risk and protective factors in the adult population of Spain

El objetivo principal de este trabajo fue revisar el estado de la investigación psicopatológica del duelo complicado en población adulta de España. Una búsqueda sistemática en PsycINFO, PsycArticles, PTSDpubs y PSICODOC identificó 13 estudios en los que, en conjunto, se había evaluado a 1,655 adultos. Los resultados de esta revisión ponen de manifiesto que no existe consenso en el diagnóstico de duelo complicado, en el uso de instrumentos de detección ni en los factores de riesgo y protección del duelo complicado. La prevalencia media ponderada basada en 6 de los estudios revisados fue de 21,53%. Tomando en consideración el tipo de instrumento de medida del duelo utilizado, se obtuvo una prevalencia de 7,67-10,68% en aquellos estudios que utilizaban instrumentos diagnósticos y de 28,77% en los instrumentos sintomáticos. Los resultados indican que el duelo complicado se relaciona con: un menor nivel socioeconómico y situación laboral desfavorable, la pérdida de un hijo o cónyuge, menor edad del fallecido, vulnerabilidad psicológica previa, consumo de psicofármacos y comorbilidad con otros trastornos. El apoyo social, los cuidados paliativos, las estrategias de afrontamiento centradas en el problema, el empleo de actividades agradables y la trascendencia o espiritualidad se presentan como factores protectores

The main objective of this research was to review the status of the psychopathological research of complicated grief in adult population of Spain, specifically the prevalence and risk factors. A systematic review of PsycINFO, PsycArticles, PTSDpubs, and PSICODOC databases identified 12 studies in which, overall, 1.627 adults had been evaluated. The results of this review show that there is no consensus about the diagnosis of complicated grief, the use of detection instruments, or the risk and protective factors for complicated grief. The weighted mean prevalence based on 6 of the reviewed studies was 21.53%. Taking into account the type of grief measurement used, a prevalence of 7.67 - 10.68% was obtained in those studies that used diagnostic instruments, and 28.77% in those using symptomatic instruments. The results indicate that complicated grief is related to: a lower socioeconomic level and unfavorable work situation, the loss of a child or spouse, younger age of the deceased, previous psychological vulnerability, the use of psychotropic medication, and comorbidity with other disorders. Social support, palliative care, problem-centered coping strategies, the use of pleasant activities, and transcendence or spirituality are shown as protective factors

Prevalence of Psychopathy in the General Adult Population: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

The main objective of this study was to systematically and meta-analytically review the scientific literature on the prevalence of psychopathy in the general adult population. A search in PsycInfo, MEDLINE, and PSICODOC identified 15 studies published as of June 2021. Altogether, 16 samples of adults totaling 11,497 people were evaluated. Joint prevalence rates were calculated using reverse variance heterogeneity models. Meta-regression analyses were conducted to examine whether the type of instrument, sex, type of sample, and country influenced prevalence. The meta-analytical results obtained allow us to estimate the prevalence rate of psychopathy in the general adult population at 4.5%. That being said, this rate varies depending on the participants' sex (higher in males), the type of sample from the general population (higher in samples from organizations than in community samples or university students), and the type of instrument used to define psychopathy. In fact, using the PCL-R, which is currently considered the "gold standard" for the assessment and definition of psychopathy, the prevalence is only 1.2%. These results are discussed in the context of the different theoretical perspectives and the existing problems when it comes to defining the construct of psychopathy.

Growing Up With Terrorism: The Age at Which a Terrorist Attack Was Suffered and Emotional Disorders in Adulthood.

Abundant scientific literature shows that exposure to traumatic situations during childhood or adolescence has long-term psychopathological consequences, for example, in the form of a higher prevalence of emotional disorders in adulthood. However, an evolutionary perspective suggests that there may be differential vulnerabilities depending on the age at which the trauma was suffered. As there are no studies on the psychopathological impact in adulthood of attacks suffered during childhood or adolescence, the objective of this study was to analyze the influence of the age at which a terrorist attack was suffered in the presence of emotional disorders many years after the attack. A sample of 566 direct and indirect victims of terrorist attacks in Spain was recruited, of whom 50 people were between the age of 3 and 9 when they suffered the attack, 46 were between 10 and 17 years old, and 470 were adults. All of them underwent a structured diagnostic interview (SCID-I-VC) an average of 21 years after the attacks. No significant differences were found between the three age groups at which the attack occurred in terms of the current prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder, major depressive disorder, or anxiety disorders. The results of several multiple binary logistic regression analyses also indicated that, after controlling for the effect of sex, current age, the type of victims, and the time since the attack, the age at which the attack was suffered was not related to the current prevalence of those emotional disorders. The results are discussed concerning the differences between various types of trauma and in the context of the theories that propose that traumatic experiences are processed differently at different ages and can lead to differences in the likelihood of developing different emotional disorders.

Desarrollo de una versión breve de la PTSD Checklist (PCL) basada en la definición de trastorno de estrés postraumático de la CIE-11 / Development of a short version of the PTSD (PCL) based on the ICD-11 definitions of posttraumatic stress disorder

Introducción y objetivos. El objetivo principal del presente estudio fue desarrollar, a partir de la Lista de Verificación del Trastorno de Estrés Postraumático (PCL), una medida de autoinforme de la sintomatología de estrés postraumático basada en los criterios sintomáticos de la CIE-11 para el trastorno de estrés postraumático (TEPT). Material y métodos. Se seleccionaron siete ítems de la PCL para formar la PCL-CIE-11 y se analizaron sus propiedades psicométricas en una muestra de 634 víctimas del terrorismo a las que se aplicó la versión específica de la PCL (PCL-S) junto con una entrevista diagnóstica estructurada y medidas de depresión y ansiedad. Resultados. La PCL-CIE-11 muestra una estructura unifactorial con buenos índices de ajuste que se replica en dos submuestras de víctimas creadas aleatoriamente a partir de la muestra global, y presenta índices excelentes o muy buenos de consistencia interna (α > .85) y de validez diagnóstica para identificar el TEPT (AUC > .90 y kappa ≥ .75). La escala también discrimina significativamente y con tamaños del efecto grandes (d = 0.88 – 2.32) entre víctimas con TEPT, víctimas con trastornos depresivos o de ansiedad y víctimas sin trastornos, presenta correlaciones significativas y grandes con medidas de depresión y ansiedad, dos constructos con los que el TEPT guarda una estrecha relación, y muestra una correlación muy elevada, de .95, con la PCL-S completa. Conclusiones. La PCL-CIE-11 es una versión breve de la PCL-S que presenta buenas propiedades psicométricas y puede ser útil para evaluar la presencia y gravedad de la sintomatología del TEPT tanto desde la perspectiva del DSM como de la CIE-11.(AU)

Introduction and objectives. The main objective of the present study was to develop, from the PTSD Checklist (PCL), a self-report measure of posttraumatic stress symptoms based on the ICD-11 symptomatic criteria for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Material and methods. Seven PCL items were selected to develop the PCL-ICD-11, and its psychometric properties were analyzed in a sample of 634 victims of terrorism who completed the specific version of the PCL (PCL-S) along with a structured diagnostic interview and measures of depression and anxiety. Results. The results indicate that the PCL-ICD-11 shows a unifactorial structure with good fit indices that is replicated in two subsamples of victims created randomly from the global sample. The PCL-ICD-11 shows excellent indices of internal consistency (α > .85) and very good indices of diagnostic validity to identify PTSD (AUC > .90 and kappa ≥ .75), discriminates significantly and with large effect sizes (d = 0.88 – 2.32) between victims with PTSD, victims with depressive or anxiety disorders and victims without disorders, presents significant and large correlations with measures of depression and anxiety, two constructs with which PTSD it is closely related, and shows a very high correlation of .95 with the complete PCL-S. Conclusions. The PCL-ICD-11 is a short version of the PCL-S that has good psychometric properties and can be useful to assess the presence and severity of PTSD symptoms from both the DSM and ICD-11 perspectives.(AU)

Ten Things Every Psychologist Should Know About Treating Psychological Disorders in Victims of Terrorism / Diez Cosas que Todo Psicólogo Debe Saber Sobre el Tratamiento de los Trastornos Psicológicos en las Víctimas del Terrorismo

Background: Terrorism remains one of the most serious global problems, affecting a very large number of people, a signifi cant percentage of whom can suffer psychological disorders arising from a terrorist attack. The purpose of this article is to describe the current state of scientific knowledge about these psychological disorders and their treatment. Method: Systematic narrative or meta-analytical reviews of the scientific literature on the subject published between 2010 and 2020 were searched for in PsycINFO, MEDLINE, and PTSDpubs. Results: The search located 16 systematic reviews whose fi ndings were analyzed, leading to ten conclusions about the most common psychological disorders and their progression, the type and percentage of victims who will be most affected by them, and the most effective and useful treatments for those disorders during the various phases following an attack. Conclusions: After a terrorist attack, both direct and indirect victims will need shortand mid-term psychological care and follow up. Direct victims, the direct relatives of any deceased, and other victims signifi cantly exposed to the attack or its consequences, will also need long- and very long-term care and follow up. Currently, trauma-focused cognitive-behavioral therapies are the treatment of choice for victims in the rescue, recovery, and returnto-life phases. (AU)

Antecedentes: el terrorismo es uno de los problemas mundiales más graves, afectando a un número importante de personas, de las cuales un porcentaje significativo puede padecer trastornos psicológicos derivados de un atentado terrorista. El objetivo de este artículo es describir los conocimientos científicos actuales sobre esos trastornos y su tratamiento. Método: se buscaron en PsycINFO, MEDLINE y PTSDpubs las revisiones sistemáticas narrativas o metaanalíticas de la literatura científica sobre el tema publicadas en 2010-2020. Resultados: se encontraron 16 revisiones cuyos hallazgospermitieron extraer diez conclusiones sobre los trastornos psicológicos más frecuentes y su curso, el tipo y porcentaje de víctimas más afectadas por ellos y los tratamientos más eficaces y útiles para dichos trastornosdurante las distintas fases tras un atentado. Conclusiones: después de un atentado, tanto las víctimas directas como indirectas necesitaránseguimiento y atención psicológicas a corto y medio plazo y, en el caso de las víctimas directas, los familiares directos de los fallecidos y otrasvíctimas muy expuestas al atentado o sus consecuencias, también a largo y muy largo plazo. Actualmente, las terapias cognitivo-conductuales centradas en el trauma son el tratamiento de elección para las víctimas enlas fases de rescate, recuperación y regreso a la vida. (AU)

[The COVID-19 psychological helpline of the Spanish Ministry of Health and Spanish Psychological Association: characteristics and demand.] / El teléfono de asistencia psicológica por la COVID-19 del Ministerio de Sanidad y del Consejo General de la Psicología de España: Características y demanda.

Between March and May 2020, the Spanish Ministry of Health and the Spanish Psychological Association created the Psychological First Care Service (Servicio de Primera Ayuda Psicológica-SPAP), a national helpline designed to provide early psychological intervention to those people affected by COVID-19. This service attended more than 15,000 calls and carried out more than 11,000 interventions and 9,500 follow-ups with the general population, healthcare and other essential professionals and the patients and relatives of the sick or deceased. Results show that the majority of calls (45.7%) came from the Autonomous Community of Madrid, that women significantly used this service in a higher proportion than men (73.5%) and that the commonest age range among users was 40-59. 75.9% of consultations were related to psychological problems linked to anxiety and depressive symptoms. However, grief symptoms also stood out among the patients or relatives of the sick and deceased and, to a lesser extent, stress symptoms were prevalent in the group of professionals. These data show the usefulness of this early psychological care service and the need for similar resources to be implemented in coordination with or within the National Health System.

Entre marzo y mayo de 2020, el Ministerio de Sanidad y el Consejo General de la Psicología de España, pusieron en marcha el Servicio de Primera Ayuda Psicológica (SPAP), un servicio telefónico para toda España, diseñado para proveer atención psicológica temprana a las personas afectadas por la COVID-19. En el tiempo en que el servicio estuvo disponible, se gestionaron 15.170 llamadas, que condujeron a realizar 11.417 intervenciones psicológicas con personal sanitario y otros intervinientes, con enfermos y familiares de enfermos o fallecidos, y población general. Los resultados muestran que la mayoría de llamadas (45,7%) provenían de la Comunidad Autónoma de Madrid, que hubo significativamente más mujeres que utilizaron el servicio (73,5%) y que el rango de edad más común entre los usuarios era el de 40-59 años. El 75,9% de las consultas tuvo que ver con problemas psicológicos relacionados con sintomatología ansiosa y depresiva, aunque también destacaba la sintomatología de duelo entre los enfermos o familiares de enfermos y fallecidos y, en menor medida, la sintomatología de estrés en el grupo de intervinientes. Estos datos muestran la necesidad de este servicio de atención psicológica temprana y sugieren que recursos como este deberían implementarse de manera integrada en el Sistema Nacional de Salud.