Using ecological momentary assessment and machine learning techniques to predict depressive symptoms in emerging adults.

The objective of this study was to predict the level of depressive symptoms in emerging adults by analyzing sociodemographic variables, affect, and emotion regulation strategies. Participants were 33 emerging adults (M = 24.43; SD = 2.80; 56.3 % women). They were asked to assess their current emotional state (positive or negative affect), recent events that may relate to that state, and emotion regulation strategies through ecological momentary assessment. Participants were prompted randomly by an app 6 times per day between 10 am and 10 pm for a seven-day period. They answered 1233 of the 2058 surveys (beeps), collectively. The analysis of observations, using Machine Learning (ML) techniques, showed that the Random Forest algorithm yields significantly better predictions than other models. The algorithm used 13 out of the 36 variables adopted in the study. Furthermore, the study revealed that age, emotion of worried and a specific emotion regulation strategy related to social exchange were the most accurate predictors of severe depressive symptoms. By carefully selecting predictors and utilizing appropriate sorting techniques, these findings may provide valuable supplementary information to traditional diagnostic methods and psychological assessments.

Study of the emotional adjustment of the caregiver-patient dyad to bronchial asthma in adolescence.

AIM: This study aimed to investigate the impact of bronchial asthma-related factors on the emotional well-being of adolescents with bronchial asthma and their primary caregivers. BACKGROUND: Bronchial asthma is a common chronic disease in childhood and adolescence that can have a psychological impact on both patients and their primary caregivers. METHODS: The study used a cross-sectional design and included 150 patient-caregiver dyads diagnosed with bronchial asthma, aged between 12 and 16 years and collected between 2018 and 2020. It assessed the emotional adjustment of both patients and caregivers and recorded variables related to the disease. Qualitative and quantitative analyses were conducted to perform statistical analyses. RESULTS: Caregivers had higher anxiety and depression scores than patients. Good adherence to treatment was necessary for the emotional adjustment of the dyad. Controlled asthma, good adherence to treatment and a reduction in medical treatment were the primary predictors of emotional adjustment. CONCLUSIONS: The study highlights the importance of assessing anxiety and depression levels in both patients and caregivers because the presence of these symptoms can lead to the misuse of medication, inadequate inhalation techniques, the omission of medication and reduced confidence in controlling asthma symptoms.

Mental health, suicide risk and the important role of self-esteem in Adolescents before and during coexistence with COVID-19 in Ecuador

Introduction/Objectives: COVID-19 has had a significant emotional impact on people's lives, especially adolescents. Therefore, the aim was to assess the predictors of suicide risk during the COVID-19 pandemic in adolescents in Ecuador by means of a longitudinal study. Method: The application of a longitudinal design with two measures: before the start of the pandemic and one year afterwards. The sample consisted of 137 adolescents between 12-18 years of age. The variables analysed were mental health, the risk of suicide and self-esteem. Statistical analyses were performed using mean comparison, correlations, QCA models and mediation models. Results: The results indicated higher levels of anxiety and stress after one year of the pandemic. In addition, a higher risk of suicide following the pandemic was observed in those adolescents with higher scores in emotional symptomatology and low self-esteem. QCA models and mediation models highlighted the importance of self-esteem as a protective variable between pre-COVID-19 suicide risk and emotional symptomatology and post-COVID-19 suicide risk. Conclusions: This study highlights adolescents' level of vulnerability to the pandemic and its significant psychological impact. It is important to detect which factors function as risks and which as protection against COVID-19 in order to implement intervention programmes that target these aspects and ensure better adolescent well-being.

Introducción/Objetivos: La COVID-19 tuvo un impacto emocional en la vida de las personas, especialmente en la adolescencia. El objetivo fue evaluar los predictores de riesgo de suicidio en adolescentes en Ecuador por medio de un estudio longitudinal. Método: Se trata de un diseño longitudinal con dos medidas: antes del inicio de la pandemia y un año después. La muestra fue de 137 adolescentes entre 12 y 18 años. Las variables analizadas fueron la salud mental, el riesgo de suicidio y la autoestima. Los análisis estadísticos se realizaron mediante comparación de medias, correlaciones, modelos QCA y modelos de mediación. Resultados: Los resultados indicaron mayores niveles de ansiedad y estrés después de un año de la pandemia. Se observó un mayor riesgo de suicidio tras la pandemia en aquellos adolescentes con puntuaciones más altas en sintomatología emocional y baja autoestima. Los modelos QCA y los modelos de mediación destacaron la importancia de la autoestima como variable protectora en el riesgo postsuicidio. Conclusiones: Este estudio pone de manifiesto el nivel de vulnerabilidad de los adolescentes ante la pandemia y su importante impacto psicológico. Es importante detectar qué factores funcionan como riesgos y cuáles como protección frente al COVID-19 para implementar programas de intervención.

Association between gut microbiota and psychiatric disorders: a systematic review.

Introduction: In recent years, it has been described that the dysbiosis of the intestinal microbiota plays a transcendental role in several pathologies. In this sense, the importance of the gut microbiota in the gut-brain axis, with a bidirectional communication, has been demonstrated. Furthermore, the gut microbiota has been linked with mood disorders and neuropsychiatric disorders. Methods: A systematic review of two databases - PubMed and Scopus - was carried out following PRISMA guidelines. We included original studies in humans with a control group published in the last 11 years, which were assessed by the Critical Appraisal Skills Program (CASP) to confirm their quality. Eighteen articles met all the selection criteria. Results: A review of the articles revealed an association between psychiatric disorders and different bacterial phyla. The studies we have reviewed have demonstrated differences between subjects with psychiatric disorders and controls and highlight a clear relationship between depression, stress, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), psychotic episodes, eating disorders, anxiety and brain function and the gut microbiota composition. Conclusion: A reduction of fermentative taxa has been observed in different psychiatric disorders, resulting in a decrease in the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and an increase in pro-inflammatory taxa, both of which may be consequences of the exacerbation of these pathologies.

The Impact of Resilience and Subjective Well-being on Teacher Burnout during COVID-19 in Chile / [El impacto de la resiliencia y el bienestar subjetivo en el burnout de los profesores durante el COVID-19 en Chile]

Since the COVID-19 outbreak in Chile teachers have been struggling with increased levels of stress, aggravating burnout symptoms. The present study aims to explore burnout syndrome in Chilean teachers during confinement and how worries about COVID-19, emotional balance, life satisfaction, and resilience may mediate the emotional impact. A total of 614 teachers from different education levels participated in this study (94.60% female) using a cross-sectional design and incidental sampling method. Self-report data were analysed conducting descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlations, hierarchical regressions, and mediation models. The results indicated that burnout was associated with pre-pandemic mental health problems, more worries about COVID-19, lower levels of emotional balance and resilience. The relationships between worries about COVID-19 and burnout was mediated by resilience and emotional balance. Our findings stress the need to address potential risk and protective factors for teachers’ mental health and subjective well-being during the current pandemic.(AU)

Desde el brote de COVID-19 en Chile los profesores han estado lidiando con mayores niveles de estrés, agravando los síntomas de burnout. El presente estudio tiene como objetivo explorar el síndrome de burnout en profesores chilenos durante el confinamiento y cómo las preocupaciones de COVID-19, el balance emocional, la satisfacción con la vida y la resiliencia pueden mediar el impacto emocional. Un total de 614 profesores de diferentes niveles educativos participaron en este estudio (94.60% mujeres) utilizando un diseño transversal y un método de muestreo incidental. Los datos de autoinforme se analizaron mediante estadísticas descriptivas, correlaciones de Pearson, regresiones jerárquicas y modelos de mediación. Los resultados indican que el burnout se asocia con problemas de salud mental previos, más preocupaciones por la COVID-19, nivel de balance emocional y resiliencia reducido. La relación entre la preocupación por la COVID-19 y el burnout estaba mediada por la resiliencia y el balance emocional. Los resultados subrayan la necesidad de abordar los posibles factores de riesgo y de protección para la salud mental y el bienestar subjetivo de los profesores durante la actual pandemia.(AU)

Quality of life in patients with asthma: Medical indicators and psychological variables.

BACKGROUND: Quality of life (QoL) is a widely studied term concerning asthma because it allows the impact of the disease on the patient's life to be assessed through the patient's perception. The study aims to analyze which asthma-related, psychological, and family variables affect the QoL of adolescents with asthma. DESIGN AND METHODS: This cross-sectional design involves 150 patients diagnosed with asthma aged between 12 and 16 years. The patients' emotional symptomatology, the threat of illness, self-esteem, bonds, quality of life, family, and disease variables were assessed. Statistical analyses were performed using QCA models. RESULTS: The results indicate that girls have a poorer QoL, and age is negatively associated. QCA models found that the variables that best explained the quality of life of these patients, in the case of the medical indicators, were control, good compliance, shorter diagnosis times, and improvement. Regarding psychological variables: a lower threat of illness, less emotional distress, and better parental mood explained the high QoL. CONCLUSIONS AND PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Adolescent QoL is affected by variables related to their asthma that are beyond their control and other psychological and family variables that may increase the perception of their QoL.

'Sleep and emotions: How much are they affected by confinement due to COVID-19? A longitudinal study'.

OBJECTIVE: Our aim is to study changes in sleep and emotions in Spanish population during the confinement period due to first wave of COVID-19. METHODS: A total of 363 adults (69.4% women) aged between 18 and 65 (Mage = 32.59; SD = 12.57) participated in the study. Socio-demographics, sleep quality and emotional experience were evaluated. The study was longitudinal: a first data collection was developed after 15 d of confinement (asking for a subjective comparison with the pre-confined period), and a second collection after 30 d. RESULTS: Results suggest differences in sleep quality depending on the time confined. Difficulty falling asleep increases and daytime activity decreases with longer confined periods. Morning fatigue, sleepiness and nightmares are reduced significantly after 15 d of confinement when compared with the subjective data from pre-confinement. After 15 d of confinement participants felt higher levels of apathy, sadness, irritability and lower levels of euphoria and joy than they remember feeling before confinement. Anxiety, concern and fear seem to increase at 15 d of confinement and decrease at 30 d. Sleep quality and emotional experiences in confinement are closely correlated. CONCLUSIONS: The confinement in Spain worsened the emotional state and changed sleep habits, although it did not necessarily worsen the quality of sleep. Key pointsThere are differences in sleep quality depending on the time spent in confinement.Confinement situation is related with higher levels of apathy, sadness, and irritability and lower levels of euphoria and joy.Anxiety, concern and fear seem to increase at 15 d of confinement and then decrease at 30 d.Sleep quality and emotional experiences in confinement are closely correlated.After COVID-19, there is a remarkable need of attend the disturbances emerged in sleep habits and daily moods of general popunlation.

Effect of perceived stress, concern about hypoglycaemia and level of knowledge of management of the disease on glycaemic control in type 1 diabetes mellitus.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To evaluate perceived stress, concern about hypoglycaemia and the level of knowledge of management of the disease in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus and their relationship with glycaemic control, gender and age. BACKGROUND: Perceived stress and concern about hypoglycaemia are significant obstacles to achieving adequate glycaemic control in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus, and notably influence management of the disease itself. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out in 193 adult patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus. Study quality was scored using the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) checklist for cohort studies. Glycaemic control was evaluated by number and type of hypoglycaemic event and glycosylated haemoglobin. Questionnaires about hypoglycaemia concern (HFS II), perceived stress (PSS), unrecognised hypoglycaemia (Clarke Test) and level of knowledge of the disease were completed. RESULTS: Perceived stress was significantly associated with glycosylated haemoglobin (p < 0.001) and concern about hypoglycaemia (p < 0.037). With respect to level of knowledge, we observed that an advanced level was associated with lower glycosylated haemoglobin (p < 0.001), number (p < 0.001) and type (p < 0.001) of hypoglycaemic episode, and less perceived stress (p = 0.006). In addition, age was negatively correlated with perceived stress (p < 0.030) and positively correlated with the number of unrecognised hypoglycaemic episodes (p < 0.002), which was associated, in turn, with a higher number of daily glycaemia tests (p < 0.037) and concern about hypoglycaemia (p < 0.006). CONCLUSION: In type 1 diabetes mellitus, perceived stress can negatively influence glycaemic control and concern about hypoglycaemia, and level of knowledge about the condition has a bearing on glycosylated haemoglobin levels, perceived stress and number and type of hypoglycaemic events. In addition, higher age is associated with more frequent unrecognised hypoglycaemic events. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: It is essential to identify and address the psychological needs of patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus with the aim of achieving an adequate management of the disease itself and generating a change in future intervention strategies.

Social and Psychological Effects of COVID-19 Pandemic on Adolescents' and Young Adults' Mental Health: A Cross-Cultural Mediation Study.

The ongoing pandemic has dramatically disrupted daily life, increasing the risk of developing psychiatric disorders and poor mental wellbeing. The compound effects of social, political and psychological stressors have increased psychological symptoms among adolescents and young people, with worries about COVID-19 playing a central role in the clinical course of their mental health problems caused by the pandemic. The aim of this cross-cultural study was to examine the social psychological effects of COVID-19 on adolescents' and young people's mental health and wellbeing in Ibero-American population. Participants involved 6,283 adolescents and young adults from five different Spanish-Speaking countries (83.7% female) aged between 12 and 30 years (M = 18.79; SD = 3.48). Participants completed the Worries about COVID-19 and its Consequences Scale (W-COV), the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS), and the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21). Descriptive analyses, multivariate ANOVAs and Pearson correlations were performed, as well as Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) testing a mediational model. The results indicate cross-cultural difference in COVID-19 related worries, emotional symptoms and life satisfaction. Results from SEM confirmed the overall indirect effects of COVID-19 cases, political response and participants' conditions during lockdown on depression, anxiety, stress and life satisfaction mediated by COVID-19 related worries. These findings suggest that the social psychological factors underlying psychological symptoms could be partly explained by increased worries about COVID-19 and its personal, social, economic and political consequences, which may offer guidance to policy makers and health services for safeguarding youth mental well-being.

Analyzing the role of resilience and life satisfaction as mediators of the impact of COVID-19 worries on mental health.

The aim of this study was to test whether resilience and life satisfaction (two traditional protective factors) mediate between COVID-19 related worries and the development of symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress in adolescents and young adults. Participants involved 392 adolescents and young adults (70.20% female) aged between 12 and 25 years (M = 17.05 years, SD = 3.08). Participants completed the COVID-19 related worries scale, the CD-RISC to analyse resilience, the Satisfaction with Life Scale, and the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scales-21 to study emotional symptoms. Descriptive analyses and Pearson correlations were conducted, together with a structural equation modeling testing a mediational model and multigroup invariance. Results show that resilience and life satisfaction play a mediating role in the relation between the COVID-19 related worries and emotional symptoms (depression, anxiety, and stress). This study highlights the role of protective factors on adolescents' and young adults' emotional symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Family styles and quality of life in adolescents with bronchial asthma: The important role of self-esteem and perceived threat of the disease.

OBJECTIVES: Analyze the relationship between family styles and quality of life (QoL) in adolescents with bronchial asthma and study the influence of self-esteem as a protective factor and threat perception as a risk factor. METHODS: Family styles, QoL, perceived threat of the disease, and self-esteem were assessed in a total of 150 adolescents diagnosed with bronchial asthma with ages ranging from 12 to 16 years (M = 13.28; SD = 1.29), 60.7% being male. Descriptive statistics and mean comparisons were conducted according to the level of self-esteem. Relationships between variables were also studied using Pearson's correlations, and finally, the mediating role of self-esteem and the perceived threat of the disease was assessed using PROCESS. RESULTS: Adolescents shown healthy family characteristics (high scores on affect and parental mood and low scores on psychological control) and high scores on QoL. Thirty-five percent of adolescents showed low self-esteem and a tendency to underestimate the disease. There are existing relationships between family styles and QoL; thus, healthy family characteristics (affection, parental mood, autonomy promotion) were positively associated with QoL, while psychological control was negatively associated with QoL. Disease threat and self-esteem mediated the relationship between family styles and adolescent QoL. Disease threat was negatively, and self-esteem was positively associated with QoL. CONCLUSIONS: Self-esteem and family support are protective factors for the well-being of adolescents with bronchial asthma; however, the high perceived threat of the disease can have negative consequences for the adolescent's health and negatively impact their QoL.

Protective factors for the mental health of adolescents and young adults in coping with pandemic-related worries: A mediation study / Factores de protección para la salud mental de los adolescentes y adultos jóvenes ante las preocupaciones relacionadas con la pandemia: Un estudio de mediación

Abstract Introduction/objective: Worries regarding COVID-19 and its economic, social, and psychological consequences, together with the strict measures implemented to control this health crisis, have threatened the mental health of adolescents. The aim of this study was to test the mediating role of resilience and life satisfaction in the association between COVID-19 related worries and mental health among adolescents and young adults. Method: A total of 3485 participants between 14-29 years of age (Medad = 19.68, DT = 3.36) completed an online survey regarding pandemic-related worries, resilience, life satisfaction, and emotional symptoms (depression, anxiety, and stress). Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was performed to test multi-group invariance. Results: Resilience and life satisfaction partly mediated the relationship between pandemic-related worries and emotional symptoms. Pandemic-related worries were positively associated with emotional symptoms. Resilience and life satisfaction mediated the impact of pandemic-related worries on emotional symptoms. The tested model was invariant according to gender and age. Conclusions: Our findings go beyond the context of the current pandemic, highlighting how young people's worries regarding extraordinary circumstances may negatively impact on their mental health. This study highlights the mediating role of life satisfaction and resilience, thus emphasising the need for promoting these aspects to improve the mental health of young people during this global health crisis.

Resumen Introducción/objetivo: La preocupación por la COVID-19 y sus consecuencias económicas, sociales y psicológicas, junto con las estrictas medidas aplicadas para combatir esta crisis sanitaria, han supuesto una amenaza para la salud mental de los jóvenes. El objetivo de este artículo fue analizar el papel mediador de la resiliencia y la satisfacción con la vida en la asociación entre las preocupaciones relacionadas con la COVID-19 y la salud mental de los adolescentes y adultos jóvenes. Método: Un total de 3485 participantes con edades comprendidas entre los 14 a 29 años (Medad = 19.68, DT = 3.36) completaron una encuesta online sobre las preocupaciones relacionadas con la pandemia, la resiliencia, la satisfacción vital y los síntomas emocionales (depresión, ansiedad y estrés). Se realizó un modelo de ecuaciones estructurales (SEM) para examinar la invarianza multigrupo. Resultados: La resiliencia y la satisfacción con la vida mediaron parcialmente la relación entre las preocupaciones relacionadas con la pandemia y los síntomas emocionales. En concreto, las preocupaciones relacionadas con la pandemia se relacionaron positivamente con los síntomas emocionales. La resiliencia y la satisfacción con la vida mediaban el impacto de las preocupaciones relacionadas con la pandemia y los síntomas emocionales. El modelo demostró invarianza en cuanto a género y edad. Conclusiones: Nuestros resultados van más allá del contexto de la pandemia, revelando que las preocupaciones de los jóvenes por circunstancias extraordinarias afectan de manera negativa su salud mental. Este estudio pone de relieve el papel mediador de la satisfacción vital y la resiliencia, enfatizando así la necesidad de promover estos aspectos para mejorar la salud mental de los jóvenes durante esta crisis sanitaria mundial.

Analyzing protective factors for adolescents' mental health during COVID-19 pandemic in Spain: A longitudinal study.

OBJECTIVE: This study examined the protective role of self-esteem and perceived emotional intelligence on mental health problems in Spanish adolescents during COVID-19 pandemic. DESIGN: Participants (N = 139; Mage = 13.83 years, SD = 0.96; 63.8% female) completed measures before the outbreak of COVID-19 (T1) and during the first wave of the pandemic in Spain (T2). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Participants self-reported emotional intelligence, self-esteem, mental health problems and suicidal behavior. RESULTS: Adolescent mental health problems were equally affected by COVID-19 pandemic according to gender, age and lockdown conditions. Adolescents with low levels of emotional intelligence and self-esteem at T1 showed a significant decrease in self-reported anxiety, depression, stress and suicidal behavior at T2. However, adolescents with average or high levels of emotional intelligence and self-esteem at T1 showed no significant changes in mental health problems at T2. Self-esteem at T1 meditated the relationships between emotional intelligence at T1 (clarity and repair) and emotional symptoms at T2 (depression, anxiety and stress). Furthermore, the relationship between self-esteem and anxiety symptoms was moderated by the number of people living together during COVID-19 lockdown. CONCLUSION: Our findings highlight the protective role of pre-pandemic development of self-esteem and emotional intelligence in mitigating the impact of COVID-19 outbreak on adolescent mental health during the pandemic.

OBJECTIF: Cette étude a examiné le rôle protecteur de l'estime de soi et de l'intelligence émotionnelle perçue sur les problèmes de santé mentale chez les adolescents espagnols pendant la pandémie de COVID-19.Conception: Les participants (N= 139; AM= 13,83 ans, ET= 0,96; 63,8% de femmes) ont rempli des formulaires avant l'apparition du COVID-19 (T1) et pendant la première vague de la pandémie en Espagne (T2).Principales mesures des résultats: Les participants ont auto-évalué l'intelligence émotionnelle, l'estime de soi, les problèmes de santé mentale et le comportement suicidaire.Résultats: Les problèmes de santé mentale des adolescents ont été affectés de manière égale par la pandémie de COVID-19 selon le sexe, l'âge et les conditions de confinement. Les adolescents ayant des niveaux faibles d'intelligence émotionnelle et d'estime de soi à T1 ont montré une diminution significative de l'anxiété, de la dépression, du stress et du comportement suicidaire autodéclarés à T2. Cependant, les adolescents ayant des niveaux moyens ou élevés d'intelligence émotionnelle et d'estime de soi à T1 n'ont montré aucun changement significatif des symptômes de santé mentale à T2. L'estime de soi à T1 a médité les relations entre l'intelligence émotionnelle à T1 (clarté et réparation) et les symptômes émotionnels à T2 (dépression, anxiété et stress). De plus, la relation entre l'estime de soi et les symptômes d'anxiété a été modérée par le nombre de personnes vivant ensemble lors du confinement de COVID-19. CONCLUSION: Nos résultats soulignent le rôle protecteur du développement pré-pandémique de l'estime de soi et de l'intelligence émotionnelle atténuant l'impact de l'épidémie de COVID-19 sur la santé mentale des adolescents pendant la pandémie.

Perceived Stress in the Primary Caregivers of Adolescents with Asthma: A Cross-Sectional Study.

This study aims to determine the impact of the disease on the perceived stress levels of caregivers of adolescents with asthma. A total of 140 primary caregivers, whose mean age was 45.43 years (SD = 5.03), of whom 85% were mothers, were assessed using the perceived stress questionnaire (PIP), and medical indicators related to asthma were recorded. Mean comparisons, correlations, and qualitative comparative analysis (QCA) models were used. The results indicated moderate levels of perceived stress in caregivers, no kinship differences were found, and age was negatively associated with perceived stress. QCA models suggested that perceived stress could be explained by a higher frequency of visits, poorer adherence, more frequent daily medication doses, and higher severity of asthma. In conclusion, the development of psychological interventions addressing the subjective overload of the family caregiver may benefit them, increasing their well-being, and in turn help to manage the emotional difficulties of adolescents.

Longitudinal Analysis of Adolescent Adjustment: The Role of Attachment and Emotional Competence.

Emotional competencies as well as secure attachment relationships with peers are protective factors that facilitate psychological adjustment among adolescents. In this study, we will analyse how these socio-emotional factors influence adolescents' emotional symptoms, conduct problems and peer problems. The participants were 815 Spanish adolescents aged 12-17 years (M = 13.69; SD = 1.21) who completed the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), the Parent and Peer Attachment Inventory (IPPA) and the Emotional Skills and Competence Questionnaire (ESCQ). Besides descriptive analyses, such as Pearson's bivariate correlations, two different methodologies were combined to predict adolescent adjustment: structural equation modelling (SEM) and fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA). The results show that secure attachment with peers and high emotional competence predict better psychological adjustment (low levels of emotional symptoms, conduct problems and peer problems), while insecure peer attachment and low emotional competence predict maladjustment. These results emphasise the role of socio-emotional variables in the promotion of psychological adjustment in adolescence through the implementation of emotional education programs.

Cross-cultural validation of the Worries about COVID-19 and its consequences Scale (W-COV) in adolescents and young people.

The pandemic context presents remarkable psychological challenges for adolescents and young adults. The aim of the present work was to construct and study the psychometric properties of a scale in Spanish language (W-COV) to measure their worries related to the pandemic. Participants were 5559 people aged between 14 and 25 years old (M = 19.05; SD = 3.28). Self-report data were collected using a cross-sectional and cross-cultural design. Participants were from 5 Spanish-speaking countries. Instruments were W-COV to assess worries about COVID-19 and its consequences; DASS-21 for anxiety, depression and stress; and SWLS for life satisfaction. Exploratory, confirmatory and multi-group factor analyses were conducted to determine the factorial structure of the W-COV and its measurement invariance (configural, metric, scalar and error variance). Correlational and regression analyses were also performed to study convergent and predictive validity. The results suggest that W-COV presents a bifactorial structure: (1) a general factor of worries about COVID-19; and (2) three different factors: worries about health, economic and psychosocial consequences from COVID-19. The internal reliability indices Cronbach's α and Omega were adequate. With respect to the invariance results, the instrument can be used interchangeably in the five countries considered, in both genders and in two different age groups (12-17 and 18-25). Regarding validity, W-COV factors were positively associated with anxiety, depression and stress, and negatively predicted life satisfaction. In conclusion, W-COV is a reliable and valid instrument for researchers and health care professionals to assess the psychological impact of the pandemic on mental health of young Ibero-Americans.

¿Son las competencias emocionales mediadoras entre el apego y la satisfacción con la relación de pareja en la juventud? / Are emotional competencies mediating between attachment and relationship satisfaction in youth?

El objetivo de este trabajo es estudiar la relación entre el apego y lasatisfacción con la relación de pareja, considerando el papel mediador de lascompetencias emocionales, y controlando la influencia del género, la edad y laduración de la relación. En el estudio participaron 265 jóvenes españoles (59,2%mujeres) de entre 18 y 36 años con pareja. Los resultados más relevantes indicanque el estilo evitativo alejado presenta una menor satisfacción en la relación. Juntocon el estilo temeroso son los que tienen las habilidades emocionales más pobres.La ansiedad y la evitación del apego se relacionan negativamente con la satisfacciónen la relación, siendo mediadas por la regulación emocional. Se discute laimportancia de desarrollar programas de educación emocional en los jóvenes comoforma de mitigar el efecto de un estilo de apego inseguro. (AU)

The aim of this paper is to study the relationship between attachment andsatisfaction with the partner relationship, considering the mediating role ofemotional competences, and taking into account the influence of gender, age, andduration of the relationship. 265 Spanish youths (59.2% women) between 18 and36 years of age with a current partner participated in the study. The most relevantresults indicate that subjects with a dismissive avoidant style show less relationshipsatisfaction. Along with the fearful style, they are the ones with the poorestemotional skills. Attachment anxiety and avoidance are negatively related torelationship satisfaction, being mediated by emotional regulation. The importanceof developing emotional education programs in youths as a way of mitigating theeffect an insecure attachment style is discussed. (AU)

Teachers' Response to Stress, Anxiety and Depression During COVID-19 Lockdown: What Have We Learned From the Pandemic?

BACKGROUND: As a result of national lockdown due to the COVID-19 outbreak, teachers were forced to suspend their classes and replace them with online teaching and home schooling. Additional stressors such as competing family responsibility have increased their worries and mental health problems. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of COVID-19-related worries on teachers' emotional symptoms, considering the mediating role of several protective factors. METHODS: A total of 614 Chilean teachers (94.60% women) participated in this study using a cross-sectional design and incidental sampling method. Self-report data was collected assessing emotional symptoms, COVID-19-related worries, life satisfaction, affect balance, and resilience. Descriptive analyses, Pearson's correlations, hierarchical regressions, and mediation models were conducted. RESULTS: The results indicated that emotional symptoms were associated with prepandemic physical and mental health problems, higher levels of worries and negative affect, as well as lower levels of life satisfaction and resilience. Results from the mediation models showed that the negative impact of COVID-19-related worries on emotional symptoms was alleviated by affect balance and resilience. CONCLUSIONS: These findings highlight the importance of addressing the risk and protective factors for teachers' mental health during exceptional situations such as the ongoing pandemic.

Psychometric properties of a questionnaire to measure adherence to treatment in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus.

AIM: To validate the psychometric properties of a questionnaire to measure adherence to treatment among people with type 1 diabetes mellitus and to evaluate its relationship with metabolic control. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study of 167 adult people with type 1 diabetes mellitus recruited from the Endocrinology Service of University Hospital Doctor Peset (Spain). METHODS: The validity of the content, construct and reliability of the instrument were evaluated and the results correlated with levels of glycosylated haemoglobin. RESULTS: The questionnaire was composed of 25 items and 5 dimensions, with a score of 25-150 points and an internal consistency of 0.92, according to Cronbach's coefficient α. The content of validity ratio and the construct (exploratory functional analysis, Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin index and Barlett's spherical test) were adequate. We observed a significant correlation between glycosylated haemoglobin levels and treatment adherence. CONCLUSION: The questionnaire to measure adherence to treatment in type 1 diabetes mellitus is consistent, reliable and valid, showing an excellent association with degree of metabolic control.

Factores emocionales que median la relación entre inteligencia emocional y problemas psicológicos en adultos emergentes / [Emotional factors that mediate the relationship between emotional intelligence and psychological problems in emerging adults]

En las últimas décadas han aumentado las tasas de depresión y ansiedad en adultos emergentes en comparación con otros grupos de edad. El objetivo del estudio fue examinar la relación entre inteligencia emocional y problemas psicológicos, teniendo en cuenta el rol mediador de los factores emocionales como empatía, autoestima y felicidad. Participaron 399 jóvenes adultos (M= 20,38; DT= 2,46; 76,9% mujeres) que completaron un dosier de evaluación que incluía medidas de inteligencia emocional, empatía, autoestima, felicidad, síntomas emocionales y quejas somáticas. Se estimó un modelo de ecuaciones estructurales (SEM) con análisis de mediación. La inteligencia emocional se asoció positivamente con felicidad, empatía y autoestima y negativamente con ansiedad, depresión, estrés y quejas somáticas. La felicidad fue la variable mediadora más relevante en la relación entre inteligencia emocional y síntomas emocionales. Estos resultados ponen de manifiesto la necesidad de promover el desarrollo de las habilidades emocionales en los adultos emergentes, lo que fomenta un estado de ánimo feliz y una buena salud mental.

In the last decades, the rates of depression and anxiety in emerging adults have increased compared to other age groups. The aim of the study was to examine the relationship between emotional intelligence and psychological problems, considering the mediating role of emotional factors such as empathy, self-esteem and happiness. The participants were 399 young adults (M= 20.38, SD= 2.46, 76.9% women) who completed an assessment dossier that included measures of emotional intelligence, empathy, self-esteem, happiness, emotional symptoms and somatic complaints. A cross-sectional design with self-report data was used and structural equation modeling (SEM) with mediation analysis was performed. Emotional intelligence was positively associated with happiness, empathy and self-esteem, and negatively with anxiety, depression, stress and somatic complaints. Happiness was the most relevant mediator in the relationship between emotional intelligence and emotional symptoms. These results stress the need to promote the development of emotional abilities in emerging adults, which fosters happiness and good mental health.