Validation and psychometric properties of a brief measure of parental attributions in a sample from Spain.

The parental attribution measure (PAM) is an instrument that assesses the attributions made by parents regarding their children's behavior, for both clinical and community samples. This research has aimed at evaluating the psychometric properties of the PAM in a community sample in Spain. Data were analyzed from several samples of fathers and mothers (N1 = 253; N2 = 458, N3 = 711) who reported on their attributions and level of parental stress on the one hand and on their children's emotional insensitivity traits and behavioral problems on the other. The results did not support the original structure proposed but a unidimensional structure consisting of nine items with good psychometric properties and factorial invariance. The 9-item PAM exhibited a positive relationship with callous unemotional traits and behavioral problems in children and with parental stress. This study provides important new insights into the psychometric properties of the PAM in a Spanish sample. It represents a significant advance, since so far there have been no other instruments to use in assessing parental attributions about their children's behavioral problems in Spanish. In short, this research is intended to evaluate the psychometric properties of the PAM in a sample of a community in Spain. The results supported a unidimensional structure composed of a 9-item instrument with good psychometric properties and factorial invariance.

Anxiety as a differentiating variable in emotional recognition in juvenile offenders with high callous-unemotional traits.

BACKGROUND: The presence of so-called callous-unemotional (CU) traits-lack of remorse/empathy, callous use of others and shallow/deficient affect-defines an important subgroup of children and adolescents with more severe and stable antisocial behaviours over time and may be a precursor to so-called psychopathy in adults. There are two main hypotheses to account for such traits, one emphasising deficits in recognition of specific emotions-the distress specific-and the other in aspects of facial recognition-the attention to the eyes hypothesis, but it may be that the manifestation of deficits is affected by the person's own emotional state. AIMS: To test the effect of anxiety scores on emotion recognition among young people high scoring for CU traits. METHODS: 14- to 21-year-olds serving sentences in youth justice institutions across Spain were invited to participate. Only those scoring above the cut-off on the Kimonis Inventory of Callous and Unemotional Traits were included. Anxiety was measured using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Emotion recognition was assessed using the Emotional Face and Emotional Gaze Tasks. RESULTS: Of 91 (90% male) eligible participants, 53 had above threshold anxiety scores. The latter group recognised the emotional expressions of sadness, anger and fear earlier than their non-anxious peers, both when only the eye region was presented and when full faces were presented. There was less difference between groups in the case of the emotions of disgust and happiness, with both groups recognising these emotions earlier and more accurately when a full face was presented. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that 14- to 21-year old who struggle with callous emotional traits should not be treated as a homogenous group but that testing for other relevant problems, including anxiety, may inform optimal routes to the emotion recognition training that is likely to help them relate to others more prosocially.

iENCUIST: Desarrollo y aplicación de una herramienta de apoyo psicológico online durante la Covid-19 en España / [iENCUIST: Development and application of an online psychological support tool during Covid-19 in Spain]

La herramienta online iENCUIST fue diseñada para reducir el impacto psicológico, tanto en la población confinada como en los profesionales que estaban a la vanguardia de la lucha contra la pandemia por Covid-19. En el primer estudio (N= 2.362) se muestran los resultados del test breve para realizar perfiles de personalidad, compuesto por 34 ítems que presentan buenas propiedades psicométricas. En el segundo estudio se presentan los perfiles psicológicos de los confinados y los profesionales que habían solicitado ayuda psicológica (N= 815). Los resultados indican que las mujeres confinadas presentan puntuaciones más altas en las variables de ansiedad, enfado o disgusto, colocando a este grupo en mayor riesgo de presentar problemas psicológicos. En cuanto a los profesionales, aquellos con más años de experiencia o que enfrentaron crisis pasadas tienen mayor estabilidad emocional, siendo un factor clave en la gestión de crisis. A las 6 semanas se evaluó la utilidad de la ayuda ofrecida por iENCUIST y casi el 80% de los usuarios indicó que aplicaron las recomendaciones que ofrece la herramienta y que les ayudaron a superar la crisis.

The iENCUIST online tool was designed to reduce the psychological impact on both the confined population and on professionals who were at the forefront of the fight against the pandemic. In the first study (N= 2,362), the results are shown of the short test to perform personality profiles, made up of 34 items that show good psychometric properties. In the second study, the psychological profiles of confined individuals and professionals who had requested psychological help are presented (N= 815). The results indicate that confined women present higher scores in the variables of anxiety, anger, or disgust, placing this group at a greater risk for presenting psychological problems. As for professionals, those with more years of experience or who faced past crises have greater emotional stability, being a key factor in crisis management. After 6 weeks, the usefulness of the help offered by iENCUIST was evaluated and almost 80% of users indicated that they applied the recommendations offered by the tool, and that they helped them overcome the crisis.

Support for Families During COVID-19 in Spain: The iCygnus Online Tool for Parents.

On March 14, 2020 one of the strictest confinements in Europe was imposed on the citizens of Spain. The online tool for parents, iCygnus, was designed to reduce the psychological impact generated by the pandemic on the child population (2-12 years of age) through automatic recommendations to parents based on individual responses about their parenting styles and their child's characteristics. The profiles of the 710 families indicate a higher prevalence of internalizing and externalizing behavior problems in children, as well as a relationship between punitive parenting in families where the parents lost their jobs due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). The usefulness of the help offered by iCygnus was evaluated after 6 weeks, and almost 80% of the families indicated that they used the recommendations and that they helped them in their relationship with their children.

Emotional Impact of COVID-19 Lockdown Among the Spanish Population.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in some populations being confined to their homes as part of infection control measures. This situation can be hard to cope with due to separation from loved ones, prohibition of regular activities, fear of infection, loss of freedom, and so on. These negative impacts cause considerable psychological stress, and all the more so when the situation continues for an extended period, as was the case in Spain. The present study was aimed at investigating the effects of COVID-19 quarantine on the emotional functioning of confined Spanish individuals after 8 weeks of lockdown by means of a cross-sectional study. The possible associations between changes in emotional functioning and demographic variables (age and sex), health habits (physical exercise, following a routine, and smoking), social support, and resilience were also analyzed. METHODS: A total of 906 Spanish adults completed an online survey to gather information about their prevailing mood and affects (before and after 8 weeks of lockdown), using the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS) (Watson et al., 1988), and other variables related to their habits and protective factors. FINDINGS: As expected, the data indicated an increase in negative affects (e.g., "upset," "afraid," "distressed") and a decrease in positive affects after 8 weeks under lockdown, as well as a general decline in overall mood. The largest increases in negative affects were observed in young adults (18-35 years) and women. We did not find any differences between people who were or were not diagnosed with COVID-19. Adhering to a routine, maintaining the same weight, and moderate physical exercise were associated with fewer negative affects, which indicates they are important protective factors, as are perceived social support and resilience. CONCLUSION: In order to mitigate the psychological impact of confinement, it is important to develop psychoeducational measures that encourage subjects to adhere to health habits and promote social support and resilience as protective factors. A special preventive focus should be placed on the most vulnerable population groups, namely women and young adults. For a public health lockdown to succeed, its negative consequences must be minimized insofar as possible through adequate knowledge of the risk factors and protective factors, and by means of prevention-oriented organization.

Validation of a Questionnaire for Personality Profiling using Cognitive Diagnostic Modeling.

This article describes the development of the ENCUIST (Extroversion, Neuroticism, Callous-Unemotional, Instability, Short-Test) questionnaire, which has been created to provide a personality profiling method based on a cognitive diagnostic modeling framework. The ENCUIST measures the attributes of extroversion, neuroticism, callous unemotionality and overt expressions of anger that are relevant in a forensic context. The scores provided by the ENCUIST are binary classifications of the individuals (high/low) in these attributes. The ENCUIST was developed using a sample of 516 subjects to study its validation through psychometric procedures, including factor analysis, cognitive diagnostic modeling and structural equation modeling. The results supported a four-factor structure. Linear regressions were used to evaluate the predictive validity of the scores provided by ENCUIST with respect to two external criteria that are relevant in the forensic context, namely behavioral activation and behavioral inhibition. The results showed that the extroversion dimension is positively related to behavioral activation, although the effect size is modest and the proportion of explained variance is only 11%. Moreover, the dimensions of neuroticism and anger expression are positively related to behavioral inhibition, with 7% of the variance explained. Together, these results suggest that cognitive diagnostic models are useful tools for the elaboration of personality profiles based on classifying subjects along binary attributes.

La intención es lo que cuenta. Una revisión sobre la detección del engaño en intenciones / It's the intention that counts. A review on deception detection focused on intentions

Durante años la investigación sobre detección del engaño ha estado guiada por las teorías clásicas que sustentaban la idea de que el mentiroso emitía indicadores conductuales que lo delataban. Dentro de las nuevas líneas de investigación, ha surgido la detección del engaño focalizado en intenciones. Haremos un repaso de los estudios sobre la detección del engaño focalizados en intenciones futuras. Explicaremos brevemente el pensamiento episódico futuro (EFT), a continuación las primeras aproximaciones en este campo a través de la comparativa entre el engaño sobre hechos pasados vs futuros. Veremos además aquellos estudios que utilizan las preguntas inesperadas en un dominio no anticipado (fase de planificación de un viaje, calidad de esa planificación y sobre el pensamiento episódico futuro), y finalizaremos por los que manejan la evidencia de manera estratégica

For years the research on deception detection has been guided by classical theories that support the idea that the liar gives out behavioral indicators which betray him/her. Within the new lines of research, deception detection focused on intentions has emerged. In this paper we review the studies on deception detection focused on intentions. We briefly explain episodic future thought (EFT) and the first approaches in this field through the comparison of deception detection in past and future events. Additionally, we take a look at the studies that use unexpected questions in a non-anticipated domain (trip planning phase, quality of the planning, and EFT), and we finish by discussing the ones that use evidence strategically

Validation of a questionnaire for personality profiling using cognitive diagnostic modeling

This article describes the development of the ENCUIST (Extroversion, Neuroticism, Callous-Unemotional, Instability, Short-Test) questionnaire, which has been created to provide a personality profiling method based on a cognitive diagnostic modeling framework. The ENCUIST measures the attributes of extroversion, neuroticism, callous unemotionality and overt expressions of anger that are relevant in a forensic context. The scores provided by the ENCUIST are binary classifications of the individuals (high/low) in these attributes. The ENCUIST was developed using a sample of 516 subjects to study its validation through psychometric procedures, including factor analysis, cognitive diagnostic modeling and structural equation modeling. The results supported a four-factor structure. Linear regressions were used to evaluate the predictive validity of the scores provided by ENCUIST with respect to two external criteria that are relevant in the forensic context, namely behavioral activation and behavioral inhibition. The results showed that the extroversion dimension is positively related to behavioral activation, although the effect size is modest and the proportion of explained variance is only 11%. Moreover, the dimensions of neuroticism and anger expression are positively related to behavioral inhibition, with 7% of the variance explained. Together, these results suggest that cognitive diagnostic models are useful tools for the elaboration of personality profiles based on classifying subjects along binary attributes

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Psicopatía infanto-juvenil: Evaluación y tratamiento / Child and adolescent psychopathy: assessment and treatment

A lo largo de este artículo se pretende defender la presencia de rasgos psicopáticos en población infanto-juvenil. Desde la psicología hay dos aportaciones teóricas fundamentales para la comprensión de este trastorno en la infancia. Una de ellas se centra más en los aspectos del comportamiento antisocial (Lynam, 1997); y, la otra destaca la presencia de un rasgo fundamental en la identificación del trastorno que es la insensibilidad emocional (CU, callous unemotional, Frick, O’Brien, Wootton y McBurnett, 1994). También se presentan algunos de los instrumentos más utilizados para la evaluación de la psicopatía infanto-juvenil, así como algunos resultados encontrados en el tratamiento de esta patología

Throughout this article we aim to defend the presence of psychopathic traits in child and adolescent population. In psychology there are two fundamental theoretical contributions to the understanding of this disorder in childhood. One focuses on the aspects of antisocial behaviour (Lynam, 1997); and the other highlights the presence of a fundamental feature in identifying the disorder, known as the callous unemotional trait (CU, Frick, O'Brien, Wootton & McBurnett, 1994). We also present some of the instruments that are most used in the assessment of child and adolescent psychopathy, as well as some results found in the treatment of this disease

[Cortical organization of different languages with different proficiency levels]. / Organizacion cortical de diferentes lenguas con distintos grados de dominio.

INTRODUCTION: Several studies have enhanced differences and similarities in the processing of early and late acquired languages. Anatomic and functional differences have demonstrated how bilingualism exerts executive functions, dependent of the prefrontal cortex in the frontal lobe. AIM: To study the cortical differences, neurophysiologically measured in school-aged children, in the processing of known and unknown languages. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We have measured the recognition processes of words in several languages, specifically Spanish, English, Portuguese and Mandarin Chinese, as well as their event-related potentials (ERP) correlates in 10 year-old children. RESULTS: The greater knowledge of a language (in our study, Spanish) associates shorter latencies in ERP and a greater activity in both early (N200) and late (N400) components of temporal regions, demonstrating both a direct relation between practice and speed of processing of the language and the consolidation of the linguistic information in the temporal lobe, while less familiar or unknown languages show longer latencies and a greater involvement of posterior brain areas, as well as a different lateralization probably due to a higher effort put on its integration, mostly in late processing stages of linguistic information, which ultimately reflects a clear effect of the neuroplasticity generated by practice, as more efficient and stable neural networks are created after being trained for a long time, in contrast with what occurs with those which have not been sufficiently stimulated. CONCLUSION: Mandarin Chinese's organization in the brain cortex shows bilateral with right dominant lateralization as well as longer ERP latencies.

Organización cortical de diferentes lenguas con distintos grados de dominio / Cortical organization of different languages with different proficiency levels

Introducción. Diversos estudios han resaltado las diferencias y similitudes en el procesamiento de las lenguas maternas y las aprendidas con posterioridad. Se han encontrado diferencias anatómicas y funcionales que indican cómo el bilingüismo permite ejercitar unas habilidades ejecutivas fundamentales en nuestra vida diaria y dependientes del lóbulo frontal. Objetivo. Estudiar las diferencias cerebrales, medidas neurofisiológicamente en niños en edad escolar, en el procesamiento de lenguas conocidas y no conocidas. Sujetos y métodos. Se realizaron mediciones de reconocimiento de palabras en varios idiomas, conocidos y no conocidos (específicamente español, inglés, portugués y chino mandarín), así como de sus correlatos en potenciales evocados, a niños de 10 años. Resultados. La lengua materna (en este caso el español) se asocia con latencias más cortas en los potenciales evocados y una mayor actividad tanto en componentes tempranos (N200) como en tardíos (N400) de áreas temporales, señalando una relación entre el grado de práctica y la velocidad de procesamiento del idioma, así como una consolidación de la información lingüística. En las lenguas menos conocidas existe una mayor latencia y una mayor implicación de estructuras cerebrales posteriores extratemporales y una diferente lateralización, probablemente debido a un mayor esfuerzo en su integración, sobre todo en el procesamiento tardío de la información lingüística, lo que, en su conjunto, refleja un claro efecto de la neuroplasticidad generada asociada a la práctica, ya que se crean unas redes neuronales más estables y eficientes tras ser entrenadas durante mucho tiempo, a diferencia de aquéllas que han sido poco estimuladas. Conclusión. Asimismo, se detecta, en la organización cerebral del mandarín, una mayor implicación bilateral de áreas posteriores temporoparietales con predomino derecho (AU)

Introduction. Several studies have enhanced differences and similarities in the processing of early and late acquired languages. Anatomic and functional differences have demonstrated how bilingualism exerts executive functions, dependent of the prefrontal cortex in the frontal lobe. Aim. To study the cortical differences, neurophysiologically measured in school-aged children, in the processing of known and unknown languages. Subjects and methods. We have measured the recognition processes of words in several languages, specifically Spanish, English, Portuguese and Mandarin Chinese, as well as their event-related potentials (ERP) correlates in 10 year-old children. Results. The greater knowledge of a language (in our study, Spanish) associates shorter latencies in ERP and a greater activity in both early (N200) and late (N400) components of temporal regions, demonstrating both a direct relation between practice and speed of processing of the language and the consolidation of the linguistic information in the temporal lobe, while less familiar or unknown languages show longer latencies and a greater involvement of posterior brain areas, as well as a different lateralization probably due to a higher effort put on its integration, mostly in late processing stages of linguistic information, which ultimately reflects a clear effect of the neuroplasticity generated by practice, as more efficient and stable neural networks are created after being trained for a long time, in contrast with what occurs with those which have not been sufficiently stimulated. Conclusion. Mandarin Chinese’s organization in the brain cortex shows bilateral with right dominant lateralization as well as longer ERP latencies (AU)

[Psychopathy in children and teenagers: models, theories and the latest research]. / Psicopatia en ninos y adolescentes: modelos, teorias y ultimas investigaciones.

Most research about psychopathy have been conducted on adults. It is important to focus on the study of psychopathy in children to better understand the evolution of this disorder. This article focuses on a brief review of the contributions from psychology, where trait callous unemotional is closely related to the presence of antisocial behavior and conduct disorders, therefore, is an important factor in development of psychopathy. Also, we reviewed from the perspective of neuroscience where we found a reduced response of the amygdala in young people with presence of characteristic high scores on callous unemotional and psychopathy. We have also found an abnormal response in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex. It is important to note these results because children with these characteristics are very difficult to socialize.

Psicopatía en niños y adolescentes: modelos, teorías y últimas investigaciones / Psychopathy in children and teenagers: models, theories and the latest research

La mayoría de las investigaciones realizadas en torno a la psicopatía se ha llevado a cabo sobre población adulta. Es importante centrarnos en el estudio de la psicopatía en niños para entender mejor la evolución de este trastorno. En este artículo se hace una breve revisión de las aportaciones desde la psicología, en las que se ve que el rasgo de insensibilidad emocional está muy relacionado con la presencia de un comportamiento antisocial y trastornos de conducta; por lo tanto, es un factor relevante en el desarrollo de la psicopatía. Asimismo, se hace una revisión de las aportaciones desde la neurociencia, en las que nos encontramos una respuesta reducida de la amígdala en los jóvenes con presencia del rasgo de insensibilidad emocional y puntuaciones elevadas en psicopatía. También se ha hallado una respuesta anormal en la zona del córtex prefrontal ventromedial. Es importante tener en cuenta estos resultados, ya que las disfunciones que presentan los niños con características psicopáticas hacen muy complicada su socialización (AU)

Most research about psychopathy have been conducted on adults. It is important to focus on the study of psychopathy in children to better understand the evolution of this disorder. This article focuses on a brief review of the contributions from psychology, where trait callous unemotional is closely related to the presence of antisocial behavior and conduct disorders, therefore, is an important factor in development of psychopathy. Also, we reviewed from the perspective of neuroscience where we found a reduced response of the amygdala in young people with presence of haracteristic high scores on callous unemotional and psychopathy. We have also found an abnormal response in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex. It is important to note these results because children with these characteristics are very difficult to socialize (AU)