Reduced salivary oxytocin after an empathic induction task in Intimate Partner Violence perpetrators: Importance of socio-affective functions and its impact on prosocial behavior.

Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) has been linked to difficulties in socio-affective functions. Nevertheless, the underlying psychobiological mechanisms that might be responsible for them remain unclear. Oxytocin (OXT) stands out as an important hormone that may favor the salience of social information, due to its relevance in empathy and prosocial behavior. Thus, the study of salivary OXT (sOXT) may provide further information about potential impairments in social cognition in IPV perpetrators. This study analyzed the effects of an empathic induction task, performed through negative emotion-eliciting videos, on endogenous sOXT levels, mood state, and emotional perception in 30 IPV perpetrators compared to 32 controls. Additionally, we explored their performance on prosocial behavior after the empathic induction task, using Hare's donation procedure. Lower sOXT levels were found in IPV perpetrators after the task compared to controls, along with a general decreasing tendency in their sOXT levels. Additionally, IPV perpetrators exhibited no change in their mood state and perceived others' emotions as more positive and less intense. Moreover, the mood state response and alexithymia traits, respectively, positively and negatively predicted the sOXT levels after the empathic induction task in the entire sample. Finally, we did not observe a lower appearance of prosocial behaviors in IPV perpetrators; however, higher sOXT levels after the empathic induction task were found in subjects who donated when considering the whole sample. In sum, IPV perpetrators exhibited differences in their sOXT levels when empathizing, compared to controls, with alexithymia and the emotional response potentially explaining the sOXT levels after the task. Furthermore, prosocial behavior was more related to these sOXT levels than to IPV. As our knowledge about the emotional processing of IPV perpetrators increases, we will be better able to develop and include coadjutant treatments in current psychotherapeutic programs, in order to focus on their emotional needs, which, in turn, would reduce the future risk of recidivism.

Sympathetic Nervous System Predominance in Intimate Partner Violence Perpetrators After Coping With Acute Stress.

It has been suggested that intimate partner violence (IPV) against women perpetrators present emotional dysregulations when dealing with acute stress, which in turn could help to explain their proneness to violence. Emotional regulation can be objectively measured by means of psychophysiological parameters/variables/indicators of autonomic nervous system (ANS) activity, such as cardiorespiratory (heart rate [HR], pre-ejection period [PEP] and respiratory sinus arrythmia [RSA]) and electrodermal (skin conductance levels [SCL]) signals. Therefore, this study aims to assess whether IPV perpetrators (n = 107) present differential psychophysiological and psychological state changes when coping with an acute cognitive laboratory stressor (a set of cognitive tests performed in front of an expert committee) in comparison with nonviolent men (n = 87). Moreover, the study assesses whether psychological state variables foster the psychophysiological response to acute stress. Our results demonstrate that, compared to nonviolent controls, IPV perpetrators showed higher HR and SCL values, shorter PEP, and lower RSA values during recovery from stress. They also presented higher negative affect (i.e., more anger and worse mood) after stress. Thus, high baseline anger explained the increases in emotional arousal when measured as SCL increases. The present study contributes evidence showing that IPV perpetrators and nonviolent men cope differently with stress. These findings might help forensic science to identify characteristics of violent individuals to establish their therapeutic needs. Furthermore, it would be appropriate to combine psychophysiological measurements with self-reports, thus increasing the reliability of the assessment of violent individuals.

Cognitive Flexibility and Reaction Time Improvements After Cognitive Training Designed for Men Perpetrators of Intimate Partner Violence: Results of a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.

Purpose Current interventions for intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetrators are designed to reduce IPV recidivism by treating risk factors and increasing protective factors. However, these interventions pay less attention to cognitive functioning in IPV perpetrators and how these variables interfere with the future risk of recidivism. Therefore, the main objective of this research was to compare the effectiveness of Standard Intervention Programs for men who perpetrate IPV [SIP] + cognitive training vs SIP + placebo training in promoting cognitive improvements and reducing recidivism. Furthermore, we also aimed to assess whether changes in the risk of recidivism would be related to cognitive changes after the intervention. Method IPV perpetrators who agreed to participate were randomly allocated to receive SIP + cognitive training or SIP + placebo training. Several cognitive variables were assessed before and after the interventions with a complete battery of neuropsychological tests assessing processing speed, memory, attention, executive functions, and emotion decoding abilities. Moreover, we also assessed the risk of recidivism. Results Our data pointed out that only the IPV perpetrators who received the SIP + cognitive training improved their processing speed and cognitive flexibility after this intervention. Furthermore, these participants presented the lowest risk of recidivism after the intervention. Nonetheless, cognitive improvements and reductions in the risk of recidivism after the intervention were unrelated. Conclusions Our study reinforces the importance of implementing cognitive training to reduce risk of recidivism after SIP. Hence, these results might encourage professionals to incorporate neuropsychological variables in IPV intervention programs.

Alexithymic traits are closely related to impulsivity and cognitive and empathic dysfunctions in intimate partner violence perpetrators: New targets for intervention.

Clinical psychologists are interested in studying factors that interfere with the behavioral regulation of perpetrators of intimate partner violence against women (IPVAW), as well as the way these factors affect the risk of future recidivism after interventions that are designed for them are completed. Although several variables have been proposed as risk factors for IPVAW, the role of alexithymia and its relationships with other cognitive and empathic variables in IPVAW perpetrators has been neglected. Thus, the main aim of this study was to compare the alexithymic and cognitive and empathic traits in a carefully selected sample of IPVAW perpetrators (n = 47; mean age = 39) with a control group matched on sociodemographic characteristics (n = 41; mean age = 42). Moreover, we also aimed to study whether alexithymic traits are related to cognitive and empathic alterations in IPVAW perpetrators. Compared to controls, IPVAW perpetrators had higher alexithymic and self-reported impulsivity traits and worse attention and executive functioning (e.g., verbal fluency and cognitive flexibility) performance than controls. Moreover, they also presented greater personal distress, compared to controls. Notably, we observed that higher alexithymia was associated with high self-reported impulsivity, worse cognitive and empathic performance in both groups. Our study identifies different cognitive targets for specific neuropsychological rehabilitation interventions designed to prevent violence recidivism in the long term through their effects on emotional information processing and behavioral regulation.

Can Attention and Working Memory Impairments of Intimate Partner Perpetrators Explain Their Risky Decision Making?

Intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetrators commonly exhibit deficits in a wide range of cognitive domains, such as attention, memory, and executive functions. Executive dysfunctions tend to be related to a preference for disadvantageous decisions, which could be explained by a pattern of focusing on positive outcomes (gains) while disregarding negative ones. Nonetheless, it is less clear whether risk-taking and decision-making problems should be attributed to motivational and/or emotional causes or to cognitive deficits in attention and/or working memory. The main goal of the present study was to examine whether IPV perpetrators can be distinguished from non-violent controls based on their performance on attention, working memory, and decision-making tests from a computerized battery of tests. In addition, this study investigated the potential relationship between attention and working memory impairments in the decision-making abilities of IPV perpetrators. Our data indicated that IPV perpetrators perform worse than controls on measures of attention and sustained attention, processing speed, working memory, spatial span, and decision making. Moreover, IPV perpetrators' preference for disadvantageous and risky decisions could be partially explained by attention and working memory impairments. Our study has enabled us to explore the cognitive deficits underlying IPV perpetration as key factors in reducing IPV risky decisions. Moreover, it reinforces the need to develop specific neuropsychological training in the attention-switching ability in general and working memory, which could lead to improvements in decision-making processes or other executive functions.

Neuropsychological consequences of chronic stress: the case of informal caregivers.

Introduction: Caring for a family member with a long-term illness is a significant source of chronic stress that might significantly accelerate the cognitive ageing of informal caregivers. Nevertheless, the absence of a defined theoretical body of literature on the neuropsychology of this population makes it difficult to understand what the characteristic neuropsychological deficits of these caregivers are.Aims: The main aim of this study is to carry out a systematic review of studies of cognitive deficits present in informal caregivers of people with several chronic pathologies, and analyse the effects of cognitive-behavioural interventions on caregivers' cognition.Methods: The scientific literature was reviewed following the PRISMA quality criteria for reviews using the following digital databases: PubMEd, PsycINFO, and Dialnet.Results: Identification of 2046 abstracts and retrieval of 211 full texts led to the inclusion of 38 papers. The studies showed heterogeneous results, but most of the cross-sectional studies reviewed that employed neuropsychological assessments concluded that informal caregivers reported a generalized cognitive deterioration, especially memory dysfunctions (i.e. learning verbal, visuospatial, and digit information). Moreover, they also presented low selective attention and capacity for inhibition, along with slow processing speed. Longitudinal studies confirmed that caregivers whose care situation was more prolonged showed a marked deterioration in their overall cognitive state, memory, processing speed, and vocabulary richness. However, although the patient's death does not seem to reverse the neuropsychological alterations in caregivers, cognitive-behavioural interventions that employ techniques to reduce stress levels, cognitive biases, and inadequate adaptation schemas seem to improve some of the aforementioned cognitive abilities.Conclusions: Results from this synthesis and critical analysis of neuropsychological deficits in informal caregivers offer guidelines for diagnosing caregivers' cognitive status by including a test battery covering all the domains considered relevant. Finally, given the ability of cognitive behavioural interventions to improve cognition in caregivers, further studies on their long-term effects on caregivers are warranted.Chronic stress entails an acceleration of the cognitive ageingCross-sectional studies concluded that informal caregivers reported a generalized cognitive deteriorationCognitive-behavioural interventions seem to improve cognitive abilities of caregivers.

Perfil neuropsicológico de las pacientes con trastornos de la conducta alimentaria / Neuropsychological profile of patients with eating disorders

Los trastornos de la conducta alimentaria (TCA), entre los que se encuentran la anorexia nerviosa (AN) y la bulimia nerviosa (BN), presentan una gran relevancia social, económica y sanitaria. Recientemente se ha observado que las alteraciones conductuales típicas de estas pacientes podrían ser explicadas, al menos en parte, por determinados déficits cognitivos. Es por ello que la evaluación neuropsicológica parece ser necesaria para obtener una mayor comprensión de esta clase de trastornos. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar si existían diferencias en el funcionamiento neuropsicológico de un grupo de mujeres jóvenes con AN y BN en comparación con otro grupo de mujeres sanas sin TCA (grupo control). Los resultados obtenidos pusieron de manifiesto que las pacientes con TCA presentaron una peor ejecución en la memoria audio-verbal y episódica, una menor flexibilidad cognitiva y una peor capacidad de planificación, en comparación con un grupo de mujeres normativas. No obstante, las pacientes de este estudio se encontraban dentro de los parámetros de normalidad en la memoria visoespacial, en la atención, en la velocidad de procesamiento, en la memoria de trabajo, en la capacidad de inhibición de respuestas automáticas, en la fluidez verbal y en la cognición social. En conclusión, la identificación y caracterización de estas alteraciones cognitivas podría ayudar a identificar nuevos objetivos terapéuticos y desarrollar estrategias de tratamiento más específicas para los pacientes con TCA. De hecho, sería importante desarrollar e implementar programas de rehabilitación cognitiva coadyuvantes a la psicoterapia para este tipo de pacientes.

Eating disorders (ED) such as anorexia nervosa (AN) and bulimia nervosa (BN) have great social, economic, and healthcare relevance. It was recently observed that the typical behavioral alterations of these patients could be explained, at least partly, by certain cognitive deficits. For this reason, neuropsychological evaluations might contribute to better understanding these types of disorders. This study aims to evaluate whether there were differences in the neuropsychological functioning of a group of young women with AN and BN, compared to another group of healthy women without eating disorders (control group). The results obtained showed that patients with eating disorders had worse performance on audio-verbal and episodic memory, less cognitive flexibility, and worse planning capacity than the control group. However, cognitive functioning was unimpaired for visuospatial memory, attention, processing speed, working memory, ability to inhibit automatic responses, verbal fluency, and social cognition. In conclusion, the identification and characterization of these cognitive alterations could help to identify new therapeutic objectives and develop more specific treatment strategies for patients with ED. In fact, it would be important to develop and implement adjuvant cognitive rehabilitation programs alongside the current psychotherapy for these patients.

Papel de los tractos de fibras largas de asociación en la empatía / Role of major long fiber tracts association in empathy

Introducción. La capacidad empática es un campo de investigación que se ha estudiado desde varias disciplinas, como la psicología, la filosofía o la etología y, recientemente, la neurociencia. Últimamente ha habido un incremento del interés en el estudio de la empatía, y el incremento de las investigaciones que hacen uso de la neuroimagen ha permitido establecer las estructuras cerebrales que subyacen a su funcionamiento. En suma, la aparición de instrumentos de medida in vivo, como la imagen con tensores de difusión, ha permitido comenzar a comprender el papel de la sustancia blanca y la conectividad neuronal en la empatía. Objetivo. Revisar los resultados obtenidos de la relación de los tractos de fibras largas de asociación con las funciones asociadas a la capacidad empática. Se enfatiza la división de la empatía en su componente cognitivo y afectivo. Desarrollo. Se ha revisado la bibliografía científica usando los buscadores Google Scholar, Science Research, Chemedia, PubMed, Dialnet y Teseo. Conclusiones. Tanto la capacidad empática como sus funciones asociadas parecen estar relacionadas con los fascículos de sustancia blanca. En los trastornos caracterizados por un déficit socioafectivo también parece existir una relación entre los tractos de sustancia blanca y las alteraciones en funciones importantes para que se dé la empatía. Los tractos más vinculados con la función empática son el fascículo frontooccipital, los fascículos longitudinales inferior y superior, y el fascículo uncinado. A la luz de estos resultados se podría argumentar que la conectividad neuronal, independientemente de aspectos estructurales y funcionales, podría desempeñar un papel importante en la función empática

Introduction. The empathic capacity is a field of research that has been studied from various disciplines such as psychology, philosophy, or ethology and recently the field of neuroscience has been added. Thus, there has been an increase in studies using structural and functional neuroimaging, which has allowed to establish the brain structures that underlie its functioning. On the other hand, the appearance of measurement instruments such as diffusion tensor, have allowed us to begin to understand the role of white matter and neural connectivity in empathy. Aim. To review the results obtained from the relation of the long fiber tracts of association with the functions associated with the empathic capacity. Emphasis is placed on the division of empathy into its cognitive and affective components. Development. The scientific literature has been revised using the Google Scholar, Science Research, Chemedia, PubMed, Dialnet and Teseo search engines. Conclusions. Both the functions associated with empathic capacity and empathy itself appear to be related to white matter fascicles. Likewise, in disorders characterized by a deficit in empathy, a relationship is suggested between the white matter tracts and alterations in important functions so that the empathic capacity dies. In this sense, the white matter tracts most related to empathy are the fronto-occipital fasciculus, the inferior longitudinal fasciculus, the superior longitudinal fasciculus and the uncinate fasciculus. Considering these results, it could be argued that neuronal connectivity, independently of structural and functional aspects, could play an important role in empathic function

Role of major long fiber tracts association in empathy. / Papel de los tractos de fibras largas de asociacion en la empatia.

INTRODUCTION: The empathic capacity is a field of research that has been studied from various disciplines such as psychology, philosophy, or ethology and recently the field of neuroscience has been added. Thus, there has been an increase in studies using structural and functional neuroimaging, which has allowed to establish the brain structures that underlie its functioning. On the other hand, the appearance of measurement instruments such as diffusion tensor, have allowed us to begin to understand the role of white matter and neural connectivity in empathy. AIM: To review the results obtained from the relation of the long fiber tracts of association with the functions associated with the empathic capacity. Emphasis is placed on the division of empathy into its cognitive and affective components. DEVELOPMENT: The scientific literature has been revised using the Google Scholar, Science Research, Chemedia, PubMed, Dialnet and Teseo search engines. CONCLUSIONS: Both the functions associated with empathic capacity and empathy itself appear to be related to white matter fascicles. Likewise, in disorders characterized by a deficit in empathy, a relationship is suggested between the white matter tracts and alterations in important functions so that the empathic capacity dies. In this sense, the white matter tracts most related to empathy are the fronto-occipital fasciculus, the inferior longitudinal fasciculus, the superior longitudinal fasciculus and the uncinate fasciculus. Considering these results, it could be argued that neuronal connectivity, independently of structural and functional aspects, could play an important role in empathic function.

TITLE: Papel de los tractos de fibras largas de asociacion en la empatia.Introduccion. La capacidad empatica es un campo de investigacion que se ha estudiado desde varias disciplinas, como la psicologia, la filosofia o la etologia y, recientemente, la neurociencia. Ultimamente ha habido un incremento del interes en el estudio de la empatia, y el incremento de las investigaciones que hacen uso de la neuroimagen ha permitido establecer las estructuras cerebrales que subyacen a su funcionamiento. En suma, la aparicion de instrumentos de medida in vivo, como la imagen con tensores de difusion, ha permitido comenzar a comprender el papel de la sustancia blanca y la conectividad neuronal en la empatia. Objetivo. Revisar los resultados obtenidos de la relacion de los tractos de fibras largas de asociacion con las funciones asociadas a la capacidad empatica. Se enfatiza la division de la empatia en su componente cognitivo y afectivo. Desarrollo. Se ha revisado la bibliografia cientifica usando los buscadores Google Scholar, Science Research, Chemedia, PubMed, Dialnet y Teseo. Conclusiones. Tanto la capacidad empatica como sus funciones asociadas parecen estar relacionadas con los fasciculos de sustancia blanca. En los trastornos caracterizados por un deficit socioafectivo tambien parece existir una relacion entre los tractos de sustancia blanca y las alteraciones en funciones importantes para que se de la empatia. Los tractos mas vinculados con la funcion empatica son el fasciculo frontooccipital, los fasciculos longitudinales inferior y superior, y el fasciculo uncinado. A la luz de estos resultados se podria argumentar que la conectividad neuronal, independientemente de aspectos estructurales y funcionales, podria desempeñar un papel importante en la funcion empatica.

Perfil neuropsicológico y efectos de la rehabilitación cognitiva en la leucemia linfoblástica aguda: a propósito de un caso / Neuropsychological profile and cognitive rehabilitation training effects on acute lymphoblastic leukaemia: a case study

La Leucemia Linfoblástica Aguda (LLA) infantil es el cáncer pediátrico más frecuente. Actualmente cuenta con un alto porcentaje de supervivencia, pero dichos pacientes presentan secuelas cognitivas secundarias a la enfermedad debidas, principalmente, al tratamiento médico recibido para evitar la recidiva del cáncer. Por lo tanto, resulta necesaria la implementación de programas de rehabilitación cognitiva específicos para este tipo de población. Es por ello que el objetivo del presente estudio fue describir los déficits cognitivos en un varón de 17 años que fue diagnosticado con LLA a los 9 años. Tras la valoración neuropsicológica inicial se desarrolló un programa de rehabilitación cognitiva intensivo durante dos años consecutivos. Realizamos un estudio pre-post en el que administramos el Conners Continuous Performance Test (CPT-II) y la Escala de Inteligencia de Wechsler para niños (WISC-IV). Los resultados, antes de la intervención, mostraron que el paciente manifestaba una menor velocidad de procesamiento y dificultades de atención sostenida y alternante, comprensión verbal y razonamiento perceptivo. Además, también presentó un número considerable de errores perseverativos, signo de dificultades de flexibilidad cognitiva y control inhibitorio. Dichos déficits mejoraron notablemente tras el programa de rehabilitación cognitiva. En conclusión, nuestro estudio pone de manifiesto la necesidad de aplicar programas de rehabilitación cognitiva tempranos para paliar las secuelas cognitivas derivadas de la LLA y de su tratamiento médico, así como mejorar la calidad de vida del paciente, ya que las mejoras cognitivas redundarán en su rendimiento académico y en su funcionamiento cotidiano.

Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) is the most common pediatric cancer. It currently has a high survival rate, but these patients have cognitive sequelae secondary to the disease, mainly due to the medical treatment received to prevent cancer recurrence. Therefore, it is necessary to implement specific cognitive rehabilitation programs for this type of population. Hence, the main objective of this study was to describe cognitive deficits in a 17-year-old male who was diagnosed with ALL when he was 9 years old. After the initial neuropsychological evaluation, an intensive cognitive rehabilitation program was developed during two consecutive years. We conducted a pre-post study in which we administered the Conners Continuous Performance Test (CPT-II) and the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC-IV). Results, before the intervention, showed that the patient presented a lower processing speed and difficulties of sustained and alternating attention, verbal comprehension and perceptive reasoning; in addition to a large number of perseverative errors, sign of self-monitoring difficulties and inhibitory control. These deficits improved markedly after a program of cognitive rehabilitation. In conclusion, our study highlights the need to apply early cognitive rehabilitation programs to alleviate the cognitive sequelae derived from ALL and its medical treatment. In addition, any improvement in their cognitive capabilities will have a positive impact in their academic performance and quality of life.

Does being a Stranger make it Difficult to Cooperate?

Competition and cooperation are two somewhat opposed strategies for interpersonal social interaction that help us to achieve both individual and shared goals. The main aim of this study was to explore which type of social interaction (cooperative or competitive) is more stressful in a face-to-face same-sex dyad in healthy young participants (n = 178), considering outcome obtained in these tasks (positive or negative) and sex as moderating variables, and performance of the task alone as a control condition. Salivary cortisol (Csal) was measured in one sample obtained before task and four obtained after the task (+0, +15, +30 and +45 minutes after). Anxiety-state was assessed before and immediately after the task. Participants who cooperated and obtained negative outcomes had higher Csal levels than those who worked alone with negative outcomes in all periods after the task (p = .008, η p 2 = .058 and p = .033, η p 2 = .031, respectively). Moreover, those who cooperated showed higher mean self-reported state anxiety levels than the rest of the participants (p = .013, η p 2 = .051 and p < .001, η p 2 = .530, respectively). Our study indicates that cooperation between strangers in face-to-face dyads is highly stressful, more so than competing or working alone. These results should be taken into account for understanding situations of social stress and can be generalized to situations in which subjects cooperate or must decide between cooperating and competing to attain a goal.

Lower cortisol response in high-resilient caregivers of people with autism: the role of anger.

Caring for an offspring with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has been related to high stress levels and health disturbances. However, a protective effect against these negative health outcomes has been described in high-resilient caregivers. In this context, the main aim of the present study was to assess the association between resilient coping and cortisol response to acute stress in caregivers of people with ASD. Furthermore, the study aimed to explore the mediating role of anger in this association. We exposed 40 caregivers of people with ASD to an acute psychosocial stressor in the laboratory. Salivary cortisol samples were obtained before, during, and after the stressor. Resilient coping, anger, and socio-demographic variables were also assessed. Resilient coping was negatively correlated with cortisol response. Specifically, cortisol release was lower in high-resilient than low-resilient caregivers. Anger was positively correlated with cortisol response, mediating the association with resilient coping. The observed associations of resilient coping and anger with cortisol response indicate that these variables may affect health outcomes, resilience being protective and anger harmful. Psychotherapeutic interventions focused on strengthening resilience and anger management could benefit caregivers, improving their health status and quality of life.

Does being a stranger make it difficult to cooperate?

Competition and cooperation are two somewhat opposed strategies for interpersonal social interaction that help us to achieve both individual and shared goals. The main aim of this study was to explore which type of social interaction (cooperative or competitive) is more stressful in a face-to-face same-sex dyad in healthy young participants (n = 178), considering outcome obtained in these tasks (positive or negative) and sex as moderating variables, and per-formance of the task alone as a control condition. Salivary cortisol (Csal) was measured in one sample obtained before task and four obtained after the task (+0, +15, +30 and +45 minutes after). Anxiety-state was assessed before and imme-diately after the task. Participants who cooperated and obtained negative outcomes had higher Csal levels than those who worked alone with negative outcomes in all periods after the task (p = .008, ηp2 = .058 and p = .033, ηp2 = .031, respectively). Moreover, those who cooperated showed higher mean self-reported state anxiety levels than the rest of the participants (p = .013, ηp2 = .051 and p < .001, ηp2 = .530, respectively). Our study indicates that cooperation between strangers in face-to-face dyads is highly stressful, more so than competing or working alone. These results should be taken into account for understanding situations of social stress and can be generalized to situations in which subjects cooperate or must decide between cooperating and competing to attain a goal (AU)

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Declarative verbal memory impairments in middle-aged women who are caregivers of offspring with autism spectrum disorders: The role of negative affect and testosterone.

Caring for offspring diagnosed with a chronic psychological disorder such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is used in research as a model of chronic stress. This chronic stress has been reported to have deleterious effects on caregivers' cognition, particularly in verbal declarative memory. Moreover, such cognitive decline may be mediated by testosterone (T) levels and negative affect, understood as depressive mood together with high anxiety and anger. This study aimed to compare declarative memory function in middle-aged women who were caregivers for individuals with ASD (n = 24; mean age = 45) and female controls (n = 22; mean age = 45), using a standardised memory test (Rey's Auditory Verbal Learning Test). It also sought to examine the role of care recipient characteristics, negative mood and T levels in memory impairments. ASD caregivers were highly sensitive to proactive interference and verbal forgetting. In addition, they had higher negative affect and T levels, both of which have been associated with poorer verbal memory performance. Moreover, the number of years of caregiving affected memory performance and negative affect, especially, in terms of anger feelings. On the other hand, T levels in caregivers had a curvilinear relationship with verbal memory performance; that is, increases in T were associated with improvements in verbal memory performance up to a certain point, but subsequently, memory performance decreased with increasing T. Chronic stress may produce disturbances in mood and hormonal levels, which in turn might increase the likelihood of developing declarative memory impairments although caregivers do not show a generalised decline in memory. These findings should be taken into account for understanding the impact of cognitive impairments on the ability to provide optimal caregiving.

High Immunoglobulin A Levels Mediate the Association Between High Anger Expression and Low Somatic Symptoms in Intimate Partner Violence Perpetrators.

It has been hypothesized that anger expression may be associated with increased salivary immunoglobulin A (sIgA) levels, which is associated with decreased somatic symptoms, and therefore anger expression may be associated with reduced somatic symptoms in intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetrators. This study tested the potential mediating effect of sIgA levels on the relationship between anger expression and respiratory and gastrointestinal symptoms in IPV perpetrators and non-violent controls. The sample consisted of IPV perpetrators (n = 19) and controls (n = 21). Saliva samples were collected for assessing sIgA levels. The State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory-2 was used to assess anger expression and the Revised version of the Somatic Symptoms Scale developed by Sandín and Chorot to measure somatic symptoms. High anger expression was associated with low levels of respiratory and gastrointestinal symptoms in IPV perpetrators mediated through high sIgA levels but the same was not true for non-violent controls. This finding supports the hypothesis that for IPV perpetrators, anger expression may be physiologically and psychologically rewarding. Future research examining other immunological parameters is needed to further test this hypothesis. Such effort may illuminate why some IPV perpetrators continue to use violence against their partners.

Lower cardiovascular reactivity to acute stress in informal caregivers of people with autism spectrum disorder than in non-caregivers: Implications for health outcomes.

Caring for offspring with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is associated with chronic stress. Such a situation could alter body homeostasis, and in turn, physiological systems associated with the stress response and health, such as the autonomic nervous system. The primary aim of the present study was to compare the cardiovascular response with a set of mental tasks in parents of people with (n=34) and without (n=36) ASD. The secondary aim was to explore a potential relationship between cardiovascular response and self-reported health. Caregivers had lower sympathetic activity than non-caregivers, especially during the acute stress period. Higher sympathetic activity was related to more self-reported somatic symptoms in caregivers. Further, caregivers were found to have lower sympathetic reactivity to the stressor, probably due to an adaptation mechanism. Such adaptation could be extremely important for protecting the health of caregivers.

Neuropsychological impairments associated with the relation between cocaine abuse and violence: neurological facilitation mechanisms.

INTRODUCTION: Cocaine abuse, as well as prenatal exposure to cocaine, could be key factors in the expression of violent behaviour. Neuropsychological impairments, sex differences and the concurrent abuse of cocaine and alcohol have been suggested as facilitation mechanisms. AIMS: To review and recapitulate the results obtained on the relationship between neuropsychological deficits due to cocaine abuse and/or prenatal exposure and the expression of violence. Furthermore, we analyze the roles of sex, concurrent alcohol abuse and possible brain damage as risk markers in this relationship. DEVELOPMENT: The scientific literature was reviewed using Google Scholar, PsycINFO, PubMed, Medline and ISI Web of Knowledge. CONCLUSIONS: Cocaine facilitates the expression of violence due to neuropsychological deficits in emotional decoding, abstract reasoning and inhibitory control, as well as in mnemonic and verbal skills, and such impairments might also explain problems in decision-making. Both the deficits and the expression of violence appear to be more pronounced in men than in women. However, despite the fact that the combination of cocaine and alcohol use may increase the risk of violent reactions, the deficits would not be greater than those resulting from the separate use of each substance. The impairments might be caused by functional abnormalities of certain regions of the frontal (especially the prefrontal) and parietal lobes and some subcortical structures, such as the amygdala. All of this would provide a basis for the development of intervention strategies focusing on these cognitive domains.

Sleep during the third trimester of pregnancy: the role of depression and anxiety.

Depression has been associated with sleep disturbances in pregnancy; however, no previous research has controlled the possible confounding effect of anxiety on this association. This study aims to analyze the effect of depression on sleep during the third trimester of pregnancy controlling for anxiety. The sample was composed by 143 depressed (n = 77) and non-depressed (n = 66) pregnant women who completed measures of depression, anxiety, and sleep. Differences between groups in sleep controlling for anxiety were found. Depressed pregnant women present higher number of nocturnal awakenings and spent more hours trying falling asleep during the night and the entire 24 h period. Present findings point out the effect of depression on sleep in late pregnancy, after controlling for anxiety.

Déficits neuropsicológicos asociados a la relación entre abuso de cocaína y violencia: mecanismos neuronales facilitadores / Neuropsychological impairments associated with the relation between cocaine abuse and violence: neurological facilitation mechanisms

Introducción. El abuso de la cocaína, así como la exposición prenatal a la misma parece ser un factor relevante en el desencadenamiento de comportamientos violentos. Los déficits neuropsicológicos, así como el género y la combinación con el alcohol, serían los posibles mecanismos facilitadores. Objetivo. Revisar y recapitular los resultados obtenidos sobre los déficits neuropsicológicos debidos al abuso o a la exposición prenatal a la cocaína y relacionarlos con la expresión de la violencia. Además, se enfatiza el papel del género y el abuso del alcohol junto a la cocaína, así como la posible existencia de daño orgánico cerebral como mecanismos facilitadores. Desarrollo. Se ha revisado la bibliografía científica usando los buscadores Google Scholar, PsycINFO, PubMed, Medline e ISI Web of Knowledge. Conclusiones. La cocaína facilitaría la expresión de la violencia debido a los déficits en la decodificación emocional, la capacidad de abstracción e inhibición, así como en las habilidades verbales y mnémicas. Esto explicaría, además, los problemas en la toma de decisiones. Los déficits y la expresión de la violencia parecen ser más evidentes en los hombres. Sin embargo, a pesar de que la combinación de la cocaína con el alcohol incrementaría el riesgo de reaccionar de forma violenta, los déficits no serían mayores que el consumo de cada una de ellas por separado. Estos déficits podrían ser producto de un funcionamiento anormal de algunas áreas del lóbulo frontal (especialmente el prefrontal) y el parietal, así como estructuras subcorticales como la amígdala. Todo ello permitiría planificar estrategias de intervención cuyos objetivos serían estos dominios cognitivos

Introduction. Cocaine abuse, as well as prenatal exposure to cocaine, could be key factors in the expression of violent behaviour. Neuropsychological impairments, sex differences and the concurrent abuse of cocaine and alcohol have been suggested as facilitation mechanisms. Aims. To review and recapitulate the results obtained on the relationship between neuropsychological deficits due to cocaine abuse and/or prenatal exposure and the expression of violence. Furthermore, we analyze the roles of sex, concurrent alcohol abuse and possible brain damage as risk markers in this relationship. Development. The scientific literature was reviewed using Google Scholar, PsycINFO, PubMed, Medline and ISI Web of Knowledge. Conclusions. Cocaine facilitates the expression of violence due to neuropsychological deficits in emotional decoding, abstract reasoning and inhibitory control, as well as in mnemonic and verbal skills, and such impairments might also explain problems in decisionmaking. Both the deficits and the expression of violence appear to be more pronounced in men than in women. However, despite the fact that the combination of cocaine and alcohol use may increase the risk of violent reactions, the deficits would not be greater than those resulting from the separate use of each substance. The impairments might be caused by functional abnormalities of certain regions of the frontal (especially the prefrontal) and parietal lobes and some subcortical structures, such as the amygdala. All of this would provide a basis for the development of intervention strategies focusing on these cognitive domains

Highly resilient coping entails better perceived health, high social support and low morning cortisol levels in parents of children with autism spectrum disorder.

The negative consequences of caring for people with developmental disabilities have been widely described. However, the ability to bounce back from the stress derived from care situations has been less studied. Those caregivers who have shown this ability are considered as resilient. This study aims to evaluate the relationship between resilience and self-reported health and cortisol awakening response (CAR) in a sample of caregivers of people with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). It also aims to evaluate the role of social support as a mediator in the association between resilience and health. Caregivers with higher resilience show better perceived health, lower morning cortisol levels, and less area under the curve with respect to ground (AUCg). Social support was positively related to resilience and mediated the relationship between resilience and perceived health. This mediating effect was not found in the association between resilience and CAR. Resilience could be a protective factor that modulates the negative consequences of chronic stress in the care context. Social support could be an important variable mediating the effects of resilience on health outcomes in caregivers. All these results must be considered when implementing effective psychological programs for helping caregivers.