Eficacia de los tratamientos psicológicos para los comportamientos autolesivos suicidas y no suicidas en adolescentes / Efficacy of psychological treatments for suicidal and non-suicidal self-injurious behaviors in adolescents

Los comportamientos autolesivos y suicidas en adolescentes, por su creciente prevalencia como por sus fatales consecuencias, son en nuestrosdías un problema de salud pública que requiere de intervenciones eficaces. Con el objetivo de dilucidar los tratamientos psicológicos que, hasta lafecha, mejor funcionan para reducir o eliminar estos comportamientos, se realizó una revisión de estudios de metaanálisis y revisiones sistemáticasen las bases de datos PsycArticles, PsycInfo y MEDLINE. Los criterios de elegibilidad establecidos permitieron la selección final de 10 registros.Los resultados mostraron una elevada heterogeneidad y un alcance limitado de los tratamientos psicológicos con tamaños del efecto de pequeñosa moderados tanto para las conductas autolesivas, como para la ideación suicida, la suicidabilidad y especialmente para la intención suicida. Estosefectos tendían a debilitarse o desaparecer en el medio y largo plazo. La Terapia Dialéctica Conductual (TDC) resultó ser comparativamente la quemejores resultados obtuvo de las intervenciones analizadas. El alcance restringido de los resultados y las importantes limitaciones metodológicashalladas alertan de la necesidad de más investigación, así como del futuro diseño de intervenciones específicas para este tipo de problemas. (AU)

Self-injurious and suicidal behaviors in adolescents are nowadays a public health problem that requires effective interventions. In order to elucidate the psychological treatments that, to date,work best to reduce or eliminate these behaviors, a review of meta-analysis and systematic reviews was carried out in the PsycArticles, PsycInfo andMEDLINE databases. The established eligibility criteria allowed the final selection of 10 records. The results showed high heterogeneity and poorresults for the psychological treatments with small to moderate effect sizes for self-injurious behaviors, suicidal ideation, suicidality and especiallyfor suicidal attempts. These effects tended to weaken or disappear in the medium to long term. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) proved to becomparatively the best performing of the interventions analyzed. The limited scope of the results and the important methodological limitations alertus to the need for further research and the future design of specific interventions for this type of problems. (AU)

Functional Impairment in Borderline Personality Disorder: The Mediating Role of Perceived Social Support.

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is characterized by instability in relationships, mood fluctuations, and erratic behavior. This study investigates the relationship between pathological personality traits and functional disability, the status of perceived social support in BPD, as well as its mediating role in this relationship. In this cross-sectional study, 192 Spanish women (BPD group, N = 97; healthy control group, N = 95) completed, through two online platforms, a battery of tests including: the Personality Inventory for DSM-5 Brief Form (PID-5-BF), the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 (WHODAS 2.0) and the Perceived Social Support subscale of the Quality of Life Questionnaire (QLQ). The results show that perceived social support was significantly lower in the BPD group, which also presented a significantly higher disability score than the control group. Pathological personality traits affected functionality both directly and indirectly through perceived social support, as this variable was a significant mediator in both groups. We conclude that perceived social support is impaired in BPD patients, and enhancing it as a complementary therapy to evidence-based treatments could help preserve the functionality of patients while pathological traits are regulated. This study also encourages future research to delve into the relevance of other psychosocial variables on the functionality of subjects with BPD, and the need of enhancing them in therapy.

Contribución del Neuroticismo, Rasgos Patológicos de Personalidad y Afrontamiento en la Predicción de la Evolución Clínica: Estudio de Seguimiento a los 5 Años de una Muestra de Pacientes con Trastorno Adaptativo / Contribution of neuroticism, pathological personality traits comorbidity, and coping to the prediction of clinical evolution: A five-year follow-up study of a sample of patients with adjustment disorder

Numerosos estudios han demostrado que tanto la personalidad como las estrategias de afrontamiento utilizadas para manejar el estrés tienen un papel importante en el desarrollo de problemas de salud mental, entre los que se encuentra el trastorno adaptativo (TA). El objetivo de este estudio fue, en primer lugar, analizar las diferencias entre neuroticismo, comorbilidad y afrontamiento en un grupo de pacientes diagnosticados de TA con evolución clínica favorable (n = 58) y otro grupo con evolución desfavorable (n = 20); en segundo lugar, se comprobó si estas variables permitían predecir la evolución clínica a los 5 años. El grupo con evolución clínica desfavorable presentó un mayor neuroticismo, más presencia de rasgos comórbidos de personalidad patológica y un afrontamiento más desadaptativo. Además, los principales factores del riesgo de pertenecer al grupo con peor evolución fueron mayor neuroticismo, presencia de comorbilidad y uso del afrontamiento de negación, mientras que las estrategias de planificación y de apoyo instrumental redujeron dicho riesgo

Numerous studies have found that both personality and the coping strategies used to manage stress have an important role in the development of mental health problems, particularly adjustment disorder (AD). The aim of this study was, firstly, to differences in neuroticism, comorbidity and coping between a group of patients with AD with a favorable clinical course (n = 58) and another with unfavorable evolution (n = 20); and secondly, to whether these variables could predict clinical evolution 5 years later. The group with unfavorable clinical evolution showed a greater neuroticism, more presence of comorbid personality pathological traits, and a greater use of maladaptive coping strategies. Furthermore, the main risk factors to belong to the group with unfavorable evolution were greater euroticism, presence of comorbidity and the use of denial coping, as the use of planning and instrumental support strategies lowered this risk

A Randomised Trial of a Positive Intervention to Promote Well-Being in Cardiac Patients.

BACKGROUND: Negative emotions are linked to the onset and development of coronary heart diseases (CHD), whereas positive emotions are associated with better health and lower mortality rates among patients with these diseases. The objective of this randomised trial was to improve cardiac patients' emotional states using a Programme to Improve Well-being (PIW) based exclusively on positive interventions (those that promote intentional behaviours and thoughts to improve well-being). METHODS: Cardiac patients (n = 108) were randomly assigned to two parallel groups. In the control group, they participated in only a Cardiac Rehabilitation Programme (CRP group), whereas the intervention group also participated in the PIW (CRP+PIW group). Physical functional capacity, depressive symptoms, hostility, and negative and positive affect were assessed at T1 (baseline) and T2 (8 weeks later). RESULTS: At T2, after controlling for functional capacity, the CRP+PIW group reported a significantly less negative affect than the CRP group. Moreover, the CRP group did not change from T1 to T2, whereas the CRP+PIW group reported more positive emotions and fewer negative emotions and hostility at T2 than at T1. CONCLUSIONS: Positive interventions effectively improve the emotional state of cardiac patients. We suggest that specific modules should be included in the CRP to improve well-being.

Positividad y afrontamiento en pacientes con trastorno adaptativo / Positivity and coping in patients with adjustment disorder

La positividad se refiere a la propensión a pensar positivamente sobre uno mismo, la vida y el futuro, estando muy relacionada con el bienestar y la salud. Por otro lado, las estrategias de afrontamiento utilizadas frente al estrés tienen un importante papel en el desarrollo de problemas de salud mental, entre los que se encuentra el trastorno adaptativo (TA). El objetivo de este estudio fue, primero, analizar las diferencias entre el grupo clínico o de pacientes con TA (N=57) y el grupo control (N=66) en positividad, afrontamiento y algunas variables sociodemográficas significativas; y segundo, comprobar si estas variables permitían predecir, utilizando regresión logística binaria, la pertenencia de los participantes al grupo clínico o al control. El grupo clínico presentó menos positividad y mayor uso de estrategias de falta de compromiso que el grupo control. Además, la pertenencia a los grupos se podía predecir correctamente en el 91% de los casos a partir de las variables medidas, siendo los principales factores de riesgo para pertenecer al grupo clínico las estrategias de afrontamiento de búsqueda de apoyo y de falta de compromiso, mientras que la situación laboral activa, el uso del humor, la positividad y una menor edad disminuían dicho riesgo

Positivity construct refers to the propensity to think positively about oneself, life and the future, being closely related to wellbeing and health. Moreover, coping strategies used to manage stress have an important role in the development of mental health problems, one of which is adjustment disorder (AD). The aim of this study was: Firstly, to analyze the differences in positivity, coping, and some relevant socio-demographic variables between the clinical (formed by patients with AD; N=57) and the control (N=66) groups; and secondly, to analyze whether these variables could predict, using binary logistic regression, the participants’ membership to the clinical or the control group. The clinical group showed less positivity and a greater use of disengagement strategies compared to the control group. Furthermore, the variables assessed were able to predict the clinical or control group membership with a 91% of success rate. The main risk factors to belong to the clinical group were the use of social support coping and disengagement strategies; whereas active employment status, the use of humor, positivity and younger age decreased this risk

Bienestar psicológico en enfermería: relaciones con resiliencia y afrontamiento / Psychological well-being in nursing: relationships with resilience and coping

OBJETIVOS: Determinar las diferencias en resiliencia, afrontamiento y bienestar psicológico (BP) entre los profesionales de enfermería de diferentes servicios hospitalarios; y establecer un modelo estructural del BP en el personal de enfermería en el que se incluyan la resiliencia y el afrontamiento. MÉTODO: Estudio correlacional de tipo transversal con muestreo probabilístico. Participó una muestra de 208 profesionales de enfermería del Hospital Universitario de Fuenlabrada (Madrid), formada por enfermeros/as (n = 133), auxiliares (n = 61) y matronas (n = 14), de los cuales 94 pertenecían a servicios especiales y 114 a servicios de hospitalización. Instrumentos: 10-Item CD-RISC (resiliencia), Brief-Cope (estrategias de afrontamiento), Scales of Psychological Well-being (dimensiones del BP) y variables sociodemográficas. RESULTADOS: No se encontraron diferencias en ninguna de las variables psicológicas evaluadas en función del servicio hospitalario. Se encontró un modelo estructural en el que la resiliencia fue un factor precursor del afrontamiento determinando este el BP en el personal de enfermería. La resiliencia favoreció las estrategias relacionadas con el afrontamiento de compromiso con las situaciones estresantes (beta = 0,56), contribuyendo estas al BP (beta = 0,43) (dichas relaciones se invirtieron en el caso del afrontamiento de falta de compromiso). CONCLUSIONES: La resiliencia es una característica inherente del personal de enfermería, tanto de servicios especiales como de hospitalización. Las estrategias de afrontamiento centradas en el compromiso (o adaptativas) con la situación estresante determinan el BP percibido por la enfermería (en mayor medida, las dimensiones de autoaceptación y dominio del entorno). La resiliencia y las estrategias de afrontamiento más adaptativas constituyen dos recursos personales que determinan el BP

AIMS: To determine the differences in resilience, coping, and psychological well-being (PWB) among nursing professionals of different hospital services, as well as to establish a structural model in nursing staff where resilience and coping were included. Method: Correlational and cross-sectorial study with probabilistic sampling. A sample of 208 nursing professionals from University Hospital of Fuenlabrada (Madrid) took part in the study. This sample consisted of nurses (n = 133), nursing assistants (n = 61), and midwives (n = 14), of whom 94 worked in special units and 114 worked in wards. Instruments: 10-Item CD-RISC (resilience), Brief-Cope (coping strategies), PWB scales (PWB dimensions), and sociodemographic variables. RESULTS: No differences were found in any assessed psychological variables as regards hospital service worked in. A structural model was found where resilience was a precursor factor of coping that determined the PWB of the nurses. Resilience favoured strategies related to engagement coping with stressful situations (beta = 0.56) that contributed to PWB (beta = 0.43) (these relationships were inverted in the case of disengagement coping). CONCLUSIONS: Resilience is an inherent feature in nursing staff whether they work in special units or wards. Coping strategies focused on engagement (or adaptive) with the stressful situation determined nursing PWB (primarily self-acceptance and environment mastery dimensions). Resilience and coping strategies more adaptives constitute two personal resources that determine PWB

Subjective well-being in heart failure patients: influence of coping and depressive symptoms.

BACKGROUND: Psychological factors play a crucial role in the well-being of chronically ill patients. PURPOSE: This research examined coping, depressive symptoms and subjective well-being (SWB) in patients with heart failure (HF). The study also analysed whether depressive symptoms mediated the association between coping strategies and SWB. METHOD: Participants (N = 60, 68.3 % men, aged between 40 and 89 years old) diagnosed with HF were recruited from the cardiology service of a general hospital. Coping strategies were assessed with 16 items of the Brief COPE Scale. The items were organised, according to theoretical and empirical data, into four types of coping: task-focused, seeking social support, maladaptive emotion-focused and acceptance coping. Depressive symptoms were assessed with the corresponding subscale of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. SWB was assessed considering the Satisfaction with Life Scale and the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule. RESULTS: The multiple regression analyses carried out indicated that SWB was positively associated with task-focused coping and inversely related to maladaptive strategies and depressive symptoms. Gender was also a significant predictor of SWB, with male patients reporting higher well-being than female patients. The mediational analysis showed that depressive symptoms partially mediated the relationships between task-focused coping and SWB. CONCLUSION: Results were discussed in the light of the importance of gender, depression and coping in patients with HF since these factors may affect subjective well-being and contribute to severe physical impairment.

[Spanish adaptation of Hobfoll's Strategic Approach to Coping Scale (SACS)]. / Adaptación española de la Escala Multiaxial de Afrontamiento Estratégico (SACS) de Hobfoll.

The present research adapted the Strategic Approach to Coping Scale (SACS), developed by Hobfoll and colleagues, to the Spanish population. SACS is an instrument derived from Hobfoll's Conservation of Resources Theory, which emphasises the contribution of social factors to coping processes. This instrument assesses coping strategies in 9-subscales, organised in three dimensions: orientation to the problem (active/passive), use of social resources (prosocial/antisocial), and orientation to others involved (direct/indirect). The Spanish version, administered to a non-clinical sample (N= 767), found 7-subscales structured in prosocial/antisocial, active/passive and reflexive/intuitive dimensions, with adequate reliability and construct validity. To conclude, the Spanish SACS is a potentially useful and reliable instrument for research and clinical purposes, mainly in areas in which social components need to be explicitly considered.

[Emotional responsiveness of substance abusers under outpatient treatment]. / Respuesta emocional en adictos a sustancias en tratamiento ambulatorio.

The emotions predispose to action providing information from both internal and external environment. There is evidence indicating that the emotional response in drugdependent patients is different from that of the not consuming population. The present work analyzed the emotions of drugdependent under ambulatory treatment (N=57), following the Lang's theory of emotion, considering the dimensions of valence, arousal and dominance or control, across the International Affective Picture System (IAPS), individually applied. The results were contrasted with a control group of not consuming persons (N=44) of similar age, since this variable concerns emotional experience. The influence of sex was also analyzed, considering the possible differences between men and women in emotional experience. The results can be summarized in the following points: (1) There were significant differences between substance abusers and not consumers in the dimension of valence, valuing the consumers the emotional stimuli of the most extreme form (the agreeable ones as better, and the disagreeable ones as worse); (2) there were no differences between both groups in the arousal and dominance dimensions; and (3) women reported more arousal before aversive images, and less before the sexual ones, than males, independently of they were or not substance abusers. Finally, it is suggested the need to deep into the analysis of sex differences and into the images selected, as well as into the usefulness of the emotion centred therapies for the treatment of drugdependency.

Respuesta emocional en adictos a sustancias en tratamiento ambulatorio / Emotional responsiveness of substance abusers under outpatient treatment

Las emociones predisponen para la acción proporcionando información tanto del ambiente interno como del externo. Hay evidencia de que la respuesta emocional en pacientes drogodependientes es distinta a la de la población no consumidora. El presente trabajo analizó las emociones en drogodependientes en tratamiento ambulatorio (N=57), siguiendo la teoría de la emoción de Lang, con las dimensiones de valencia, activación y dominancia o control, a través del International Affective Picture System (IAPS), aplicado de forma individual. Se contrastaron sus respuestas con un grupo control de personas no consumidoras (N=44) de similar edad, variable que afecta a la experiencia emocional. De la misma forma se analizó la influencia del sexo, dadas las posibles diferencias en experiencia emocional entre varones y mujeres. Los resultados pueden resumirse en los siguientes puntos: (1) Hubo diferencias significativas entre adictos a sustancias y no consumidores en la dimensión de valencia, valorando los consumidores los estímulos emocionales de forma más extrema (los agradables como mejores y los desagradables cómo peores); (2)No hubo diferencias entre ambos grupos en las dimensiones de activación y de dominancia; y (3) Las mujeres se activaban más ante imágenes de tipo aversivo y menos ante las sexuales que los varones, con independencia de que fueran o no consumidoras de sustancias. Finalmente, se sugiere la necesidad de profundizar en el estudio de las diferencias de sexo, en las imágenes analizadas, así como en la utilidad de las terapias centradas en la emoción para el tratamiento de las drogodependencias(AU)

The emotions predispose to action providing information from both internal and external environment. There is evidence indicating that the emotional response in drug dependent patients is different from that of the not consuming population. The present work analyzed the emotions of drug dependent under ambulatory treatment (N=57), following the Lang’s theory of emotion, considering the dimensions of valence, arousal and dominance or control, across the International Affective Picture System (IAPS), individually applied. The results were contrasted with a control group of not consuming persons (N=44) of similar age, since this variable concerns emotional experience. The influence of sex was also analyzed, considering the possible differences between men and women in emotional experience. The results can be summarized in the following points: (1) There were significant differences between substance abusers and not consumers in the dimension of valence, valuing the consumers the emotional stimuli of the most extreme form (the agreeable ones as better, and the disagreeable ones as worse); (2) there were no differences between both groups in the arousal and dominance dimensions; and (3) women reported more arousal before aversive images, and less before the sexual ones, than males, independently of they were or not substance abusers. Finally, it is suggested the need to deep into the analysis of sex differences and into the images selected, as well as into the usefulness of the emotion centred therapies for the treatment of drug dependency(AU)

Salud cardiovascular en la mujer: el papel de la ira y su expresión / Cardiovascular health in women: The role of anger and its expression

Se analizaron las relaciones entre expresión de la ira (interiorizada, exteriorizada y controlada) y salud cardiovascular (malestar emocional, informe de síntomas cardiovasculares y conductas de prevención) en 327 mujeres (rango 17-60 años). Un año después, se registraron en la muestra los mismos criterios (N= 218), así como la presión sanguínea (PS) obtenida en revisiones médicas (N= 90). Se formaron cuatro grupos en función de las puntuaciones en ira interiorizada (ira-in) y en control de la ira, desde el más desadaptativo en su expresión de la ira (alta ira-in y bajo control) hasta el más adaptativo (baja irain y alto control). Los resultados mostraron que el grupo con una ira más desadaptativa presentaba peor salud cardiovascular que el resto de grupos, en ambos momentos temporales. Asimismo, la presencia de mujeres con niveles patológicos de PS fue mayor en los grupos altos en ira-in. Los datos apoyan el papel de la represión de la ira y la falta de su adecuada canalización o control, en la salud cardiovascular de la mujer desde un diseño prospectivo. Se concluye que una correcta regulación de los sentimientos de ira y la práctica de conductas preventivas pueden proteger a la mujer frente a la presencia de problemas cardiovasculares (AU)

The relationships between anger expression (in, out, and control) and cardiovascular health (emotional distress, cardiovascular symptoms reported, and preventive health behaviors) were analyzed in 327 women (range 17-60 years). The same criteria (N= 218), as well as blood pressure (BP) registered in medical checkups (N= 90) were recorded one year later. Four groups according to anger-in and anger-control scores, going from the most hostile (high anger-in and low anger-control) to the least hostile (low anger-in and high angercontrol) were considered. The results indicated that the most hostile group, with the least adaptive anger expression, presented worst cardiovascular health than the other three groups, at both temporal moments. Furthermore, the presence of women with pathological BP levels was higher in the groups of high anger-in. These data ratify the role of anger expression, especially its repression (anger-in) and the lack of adequate canalization or control in women’s cardiovascular health from a prospective design. Appropriate management of anger feelings and the practice of preventive health behaviors can protect women from cardiovascular problems (AU)

[Cardiovascular health in women: the role of anger and its expression]. / Salud cardiovascular en la mujer: el papel de la ira y su expresión.

The relationships between anger expression (in, out, and control) and cardiovascular health (emotional distress, cardiovascular symptoms reported, and preventive health behaviors) were analyzed in 327 women (range 17-60 years). The same criteria (N= 218), as well as blood pressure (BP) registered in medical checkups (N= 90) were recorded one year later. Four groups according to anger-in and anger-control scores, going from the most hostile (high anger-in and low anger-control) to the least hostile (low anger-in and high anger-control) were considered. The results indicated that the most hostile group, with the least adaptive anger expression, presented worst cardiovascular health than the other three groups, at both temporal moments. Furthermore, the presence of women with pathological BP levels was higher in the groups of high anger-in. These data ratify the role of anger expression, especially its repression (anger-in) and the lack of adequate canalization or control in women's cardiovascular health from a prospective design. Appropriate management of anger feelings and the practice of preventive health behaviors can protect women from cardiovascular problems.

Relations between life satisfaction, adjustment to illness, and emotional distress in a sample of men with ischemic cardiopathy.

Fifty-two men who had suffered a first episode ischemic heart disease reported their degree of life satisfaction, the strategies they used to adjust to the illness, and the symptoms of anxiety and depression they felt. The multiple regression analyses carried out indicated that emotional distress was associated with a lower level of life satisfaction. In the analyses of anxiety symptoms, the use of negative adjustment strategies was also a significant predictor. Lastly, a significant Life Satisfaction x Type of Adjustment interaction was obtained. According to this, the patients who felt more satisfaction with their lives used more positive strategies to adjust to the illness and fewer negative ones, than the group of patients who were less satisfied. In conclusion, life satisfaction predicts emotional wellbeing of patients with ischemic heart disease and it enhances the implementation of appropriate strategies to cope with the disease. Moreover, although life satisfaction has been considered a stable measure, we suggest it may change as the experience of illness limits individuals' important goals.

Relations between life satisfaction, adjustment to illness, and emotional distress in a sample of men with ischemic cardiopathy

Fifty-two men who had suffered a first episode ischemic heart disease reported their degree of life satisfaction, the strategies they used to adjust to the illness, and the symptoms of anxiety and depression they felt. The multiple regression analyses carried out indicated that emotional distress was associated with a lower level of life satisfaction. In the analyses of anxiety symptoms, the use of negative adjustment strategies was also a significant predictor. Lastly, a significant Life Satisfaction x Type of Adjustment interaction was obtained. According to this, the patients who felt more satisfaction with their lives used more positive strategies to adjust to the illness and fewer negative ones, than the group of patients who were less satisfied. In conclusion, life satisfaction predicts emotional wellbeing of patients with ischemic heart disease and it enhances the implementation of appropriate strategies to cope with the disease. Moreover, although life satisfaction has been considered a stable measure, we suggest it may change as the experience of illness limits individuals’ important goals (AU)

Cincuenta y dos varones que acababan de sufrir algún episodio de cardiopatía isquémica por primera vez informaron del grado de satisfacción con su vida, las estrategias empleadas para ajustarse a la enfermedad y los síntomas de ansiedad y depresión que sentían. Los análisis de regresión múltiple realizados mostraron que el malestar emocional se asociaba con una menor satisfacción vital; y en el caso de la ansiedad, se añadía una tendencia a utilizar en mayor medida estrategias negativas de ajuste. Finalmente, se obtuvo una interacción significativa satisfacción vital x tipo de ajuste a la enfermedad, indicando que los pacientes más satisfechos utilizaban más el ajuste adaptativo que los menos satisfechos, y tendían a utilizar menos que estos últimos el ajuste negativo. Puede concluirse que la satisfacción predice el bienestar emocional de los pacientes con cardiopatía isquémica, facilitando la puesta en marcha de estrategias más adecuadas ante la enfermedad. Además se sugiere la posibilidad de que el nivel de satisfacción pueda variar con el tiempo a medida que la enfermedad limite metas importantes para el individuo (AU)

Gender and social support in the context of cardiovascular disease.

OBJECTIVE: Gender and social support (SS) can affect the level of adjustment to cardiovascular disease (CVD). In this study we attempted to determine the effects of both factors on negative mood state, quality of life (QOL) and perceived health control (PHC) in patients at high CVD risk or with CVD. We also tested for an interactive effect of gender and SS. METHOD: One hundred and fifty-three chronic outpatients (89 females and 60 males; 4 provided no information on gender) were assessed. Levels of social support were measured. Other psychosocial variables included were negative mood state, domains of QOL (satisfaction and free time) and PHC. RESULTS: The results, as expected, indicated main effects of gender and social support. Females experienced higher negative mood state and lower PHC in comparison with males. Patients with low SS reported less satisfaction, free time and PHC and had more negative mood state. No interaction of gender by social support was found. CONCLUSIONS: Levels of social support and gender are important aspects that influence emotional and psychological functioning in patients with CVD. Specific interventions designed for females and individuals with poor emotional and instrumental support may contribute to positive changes in their adjustment.

Control personal y situacional y reactividad cardiovascular en tareas de estrés físico / Personal and situational control and cardiovascular reactivity in physical-stress tasks

El objetivo principal de la presente investigación fue analizar la reactividad cardiovascular (Frecuencia Cardíaca -FC- y Presión Sanguínea Sistólica -PSS-) de sujetos con Locus de Control (LOC) interno y externo durante la realización de una tarea física (pedalear en una bicicleta estática) presentada bajo distintas condiciones: sin información y con información sobre el rendimiento ( a través de un visor) (Estudio I); y con feedback con hostigamiento dado por el experimentados (Estudio II). En consonancia con el carácter interactivo de LOC, y teniendo en cuenta que el feedback autoadministrado (condición 2 del estudio I y 1 del II) dotaba de mayor contrabilidad percibida a la tarea, encontramos los siguientes resultados: (1) los Internos presentaron mayor reactividad de FC en las condiciones con información autoadministrada de ambos estudios, mientras que los Externos presentaban el patrón inverso; y (2) no hubo diferencias entre ambos grupos en PSS. Estos resultados se discuten considerando la congruencia entre características personales y situacionales (AU)

The main purpose of the present research was to analyze cardiovascular reactivity (Heart Rate -HR- and Sistolic Blood Pressure -SBP-) of Internal-External Locus of Control (LOC) subjects while a physical-stress task (bicycle ergometer) was realyzed. The task was presented under different conditions: Without information about performance and with feedback about it (provided by a monitor) (Study I); and with self-administered feedback (the same procedure than in second condition of the previous study) and external feedback provided by the experimenter with harassment (Study II). According to the interactional character of the LOC construct, and taking into account that the self-administered feedback (condition 2 of the first study and 1 of the second one) promotes a greater task-controllability perception, the next results were obtained: (1) Internal subjects presented a higher HR reactivity in the more internal conditions of both studies, while the opposite pattern was showed by External subjects; and (2) there were no differences in SBP between both groups. The results were discussed considering the congruence between personal and situational characteristics (AU)

Escala de autoeficacia general: datos psicométricos de la adaptación para población española / No disponible

El presente estudio tiene como objetivo principal informar de las características psicométricas (fiabilidad, validez y datos normativos) de la adaptación para población española de la Escala de Autoeficacia General (Baessler y Schwarcer, 1996). La autoeficacia general es un constructo global que hace referencia a la creencia estable de la gente sobre su capacidad para manejar adecuadamente una amplia gama de estresores de la vida cotidiana. El único cambio introducido en el cuestionario original, que consta de 10 items con escalas de tipo Likert de 4 puntos, fue el formato de respuesta a escalas de 10 puntos, para adaptarla a los demás instrumentos utilizados en la investigación. En los distintos estudios realizados, con muestras de distintas nacionalidades (alemanes, costarricenses, etc.), la escala ha mostrado una consistencia interna considerable (entre 0.79 y 0.93). En el presente estudio, la escala se aplicó a una muestra de 259 estudiantes universitarios españoles, obteniéndose una consistencia interna ( α ) de 0.87 y una correlación entre dos mitades de 0.88. Se presenta la correlación de la escala con otras medidas centradas en el análisis de la percepción de control o de recursos para solucionar la tarea. También se aportan datos normativos. Finalmente, se analiza el valor predictivo de la escala sobre el estilo de afrontamiento (centrado en la tarea y la emoción) a través de análisis de regresión. Los resultados preliminares muestras que la escala tiene una fiabilidad muy adecuada, así como una capacidad predictiva considerable, por lo que puede ser aplicada con suficiente garantia en estudios sobre rendimiento, salud y procesos emocionales (AU)

The general self-efficacy scale: psychometric data from the Spanish adaptation. The main objective of the present paper is to report psychometric properties (reliability, validity and normative data) of the Spanish adaptation of the General Self-Efficacy Scale (Baessler y Schwarcer, 1996). The construct of general self-efficacy is refered to people’s stable believe about their ability to appropiately manage a wide kind of life stresors. A change in the original response format (10 points Likert type scales instead of 4 points) was introduced in order to adapt the scale to other instruments applied in the research. A high internal consistency (between 0.79 and 0.93) has been obtained in previous studies carried out with samples of several nationalities (i.e. from Germany, Costa Rica, etc.). In the present study, the scale was applied to a sample of 259 Spanish university students. An α coefficient of 0.87 and a two-halves correlation of 0.88 were found. Correlations between the General Self-Efficacy Scale and other measures also related to control perception or to the perception of resources to solve the task were presented Normative data of the Scale scores were also included. Finally its predictive validity over the coping style (centered in the task and in the emotion) was analyzed via regression analyses. The preliminary results informed show that the scale has got a suitable reliability, and a considerable predictive value, which guarantee its usefulness in studies about performance, health and emotional processes (AU)