A Four Country Study of Strangulation-related Alterations in Consciousness in Women who have Experienced Intimate Partner Violence: Co-occurrence with Traumatic Brain Injuries and Measures of Psychological Distress.

At least one in three women experience intimate partner violence (IPV) in their lifetime. The most commonly sustained IPV-related brain injuries include strangulation-related alterations in consciousness (S-AICs) and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). Moreover, survivors of IPV-related S-AICs and/or TBIs often demonstrate psychological distress such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress. However, the co-occurrence of S-AICs and TBIs, and whether such TBIs may be moderate to severe, has not been systematically examined, and most data have been collected from women in North America. The purpose of this study was to examine the co-occurrence of IPV-related S-AICs and TBIs across a range of geographical locations and to determine the extent to which these S-AICs are related to psychological distress. Women who had experienced physical IPV (N=213) were included in this secondary analysis of retrospectively collected data across four countries (Canada, USA, Spain, and Colombia). The Brain Injury Severity Assessment (BISA) was used to assess IPV-related BI across all sites. Because various questionnaires were employed to assess levels of depression, anxiety, and PTSD at each site, we created a standardized composite score by converting raw scores into Z-scores for analysis. Mann Whitney U tests and Chi square tests were conducted to examine differences between women with- versus without-experience of S-AICs and to discover if there was a relationship between the occurrence of S-AICs and TBIs. Analysis of variance, and analysis of covariance (to control for the potential confounding effects of age, education, and non IPV-related TBI) were used to compare levels of psychological distress in women who had or had not experienced S-AICs. Approximately 67% of women sustained at least one IPV-related BI (i.e., TBI and/or S-AIC). In a sub-sample of women who sustained at least one IPV-related BI, approximately 37% sustained both S-AICs and TBIs, 2% sustained only S-AICs (with no TBIs), and 61% sustained TBIs exclusively (with no S-AICs). Furthermore, women who had sustained S-AICs (with or without a TBI) were more likely to have experienced a moderate to severe BI than those who had not sustained an S-AIC (BISA severity subscale: U=3939, p=0.006). Additionally, women who experienced S-AICs (with or without a TBI) reported higher levels of psychological distress compared to women who never experienced S-AICs, irrespective of whether they occurred once or multiple times. These data underscore the importance of assessing for S-AIC in women who have experienced IPV and when present, to also assess for TBIs and the presence of psychological distress. Unfortunately, there were methodological differences across sites precluding cross-site comparisons. Nonetheless, data were collected across four culturally and geographically diverse countries, and therefore highlight IPV-related BIs as a global issue which needs to be aggressively studied with policies established and then implemented to address find.

Intimate Partner Violence-Related Brain Injury Among Colombian Women.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of brain injury (BI) and its relationship to cognitive and psychological outcomes in women survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV) in Colombia, South America. SETTING: Women's shelters and organizations in Barranquilla, Colombia. PARTICIPANTS: Seventy women from the city of Barranquilla, Colombia, who experienced any form of IPV. DESIGN: Cross-sectional, retrospective. MAIN MEASURES: Participants were administered the computerized EMBRACED neuropsychological battery to assess learning, working and long-term memory, cognitive flexibility, and processing speed. Participants also completed measures of psychological symptoms. Partner violence severity was assessed with a semistructured interview for survivors of domestic violence. Presence and severity of IPV-related BI were assessed using the Brain Injury Severity Assessment (BISA). RESULTS: Thirty-one percent of women sustained at least one BI during an abusive relationship, and 10% sustained repetitive BIs. Furthermore, BI was negatively associated with measures of long-term and working memory, cognitive flexibility, as well as a trending ( P = .05) positive association with depression. With the exception of the relationship between BI and cognitive flexibility, which was substantially reduced and no longer significant, all of these relationships were nearly identical in strength when controlling for abuse severity, socioeconomic status, and educational level. CONCLUSION: These data are the first to specifically examine IPV-related BI in relation to cognitive and psychological functioning in a sample of Colombian women. These data add cross-cultural knowledge to the limited work in this area that has largely focused on women in North America.

Psychometric Study of the Cognitive Flexibility Inventory in a Colombian Sample.

Introduction: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted to evaluate the factor structure of Spanish translation and adaptation of the Cognitive Flexibility Inventory (CFI) in a sample of Colombian adults. Method: The sample of the study was n = 968. Respondents were aged between 18 and 52 years old (Mage=22.81, SD=4.42). Descriptive analyses, confirmatory factor analysis, and Cronbach's Alpha calculation were carried out. Results: Internal consistency for the global scale was high (α=.89). Likewise, the coefficients of the Alternative factor and the Control factor were similar (α=.90, 95% CI=.89-.90 and α=.83, 95% CI=.81-.85, respectively). A two-factor structure performed best according to the results of model selection criteria. This model suggested the existence of two correlated factors, with correlated items within factors (Item19 Item20 and Item8 Item10). Conclusions: Overall, the results suggest that the CFI scale exhibits construct validity and adequate reliability, both for the general scale and the subscales in the Colombian sample, enabling their use in contexts such as clinical or research.

Introducción: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo transversal para evaluar la estructura factorial de la traducción al español y adaptación del Inventario de Flexibilidad Cognitiva (Cognitive Flexibility Inventory CFI) en una muestra de adultos colombianos. Método: La muestra del estudio fue de n = 968. La edad de los participantes osciló entre los 18 y 52 años (Medad=22.81, SD=4.42). Se llevaron a cabo análisis descriptivos, además del análisis factorial confirmatorio y el cálculo de Alpha de Cronbach. Resultados: Los resultados mostraron que la consistencia interna para la escala global fue alta (α=.89). Asimismo, los coeficientes del factor Alternativas y del factor Control fueron similares (α=.90, IC del 95%=.89-.90 y α=.83, IC del 95%=.81-.85, respectivamente). Una estructura de dos factores presentó un buen ajuste de los datos, de acuerdo con los valores de los criterios de selección del modelo. Este modelo sugirió la existencia de dos factores, con elementos correlacionados dentro de estos (Item19 Item20 e Item8 Item10). Conclusiones: En general, los resultados sugieren que el inventario CFI muestra una fiabilidad adecuada, tanto para la escala general como para las subescalas y validez de constructo en la muestra colombiana, permitiendo su uso en posibles contextos como el clínico o la investigación.

¿Por qué delinquen las mujeres?: enfoque de género en la conducta delictiva, contexto penitenciario y tratamiento / Why women offend?: a gendered approach to criminal behavior, prison context and treatment

La delincuencia es un fenómeno complejo que permea y afecta profundamente nuestra sociedad. A pesar de que existen innumerables estudios sobre la conducta delictiva, las investigaciones han dejado a un lado la variable de género, la cual marca una diferencia importante en la explicación de las conductas humanas. Esto genera no solo vacíos teóricos, sino también dificultades en la comprensión, explicación y posible solución de este fenómeno. Por ello se realizó una revisión bibliográfica entorno a las diferencias de género en la conducta delictiva, contexto penitenciario y tratamiento para la reinserción social, donde se logró identificar 59 artículos seleccionados de las principales bases de datos científicas, durante el periodo 2000-2020. Se encontró que las mujeres que cometen actos delictivos deben ser sujetas a un tratamiento particular, diseñado en función de las características particulares de su perfil criminal y de las necesidades especiales que su propio género exige. Lo anterior implica un abordaje multicausal y multidisciplinar que dirija el desarrollo de programas que logren atender a esta población de una manera pertinente y eficaz.

Evaluación de la responsabilidad criminal en una muestra de reclusos(as) en la ciudad de Barranquilla, Colombia, con el R-CRAS / Evaluation of the criminal liability in a sample of inmates in Barranquilla, Colombia with the R-CRAS / Avaliação da responsabilidade criminal em uma amostra de prisioneiros(as) na cidade de Barranquilla, Colômbia, com o R-CRAS

Resumen La responsabilidad criminal es un concepto objeto de estudio para la psicología forense. Se ha definido como la capacidad cognitiva de una persona para apreciar la naturaleza de lo injusto de su acto. En Latinoamérica, y de manera más específica en Colombia, no ha sido ampliamente estudiada, y existe escasa literatura sobre los instrumentos que permiten evaluarla. En este estudio se buscó establecer la responsabilidad criminal de 154 reclusos(as) sindicados y acusados por el delito de homicidio, utilizando el instrumento R-CRAS de Rogers (1986), el cual ha sido adaptado para Colombia por Mebarak y Jiménez (2010), con el fin de ampliar esta línea de investigación. Se pudo encontrar que a pesar de que la mayoría de reclusos reconocen su participación, culpa e implicaciones en los eventos relacionados con el crimen por el cual se encuentran recluidos, existe un porcentaje que aún no logra comprender la ilicitud de su acto (19,8%). Además, mucha información que se requiere para realizar una evaluación completa no era proporcionada por los centros carcelarios, y esto dejó un amplio vacío. Frente a esta situación, se necesitan mayores intervenciones de la psicológica forense en las prisiones, y sobre todo el desarrollo de instrumentos de evaluación que permitan una mejor aproximación frente a esta problemática. Se discuten las implicaciones.

Abstract Criminal responsibility is a concept under consideration in the field of forensic psychology. It has been defined as the cognitive capacity of a person to appreciate the nature of unfairness of his act. In Latin America, and more specifically in Colombia, it has not been widely studied and there is little literature on the instruments that allow it to be evaluated. This study aims to determine the criminal responsibility of 154 Colombian homicides, using the R-CRAS instrument of Rogers (1986) which has been adapted in Colombia by Mebarak and Jiménez (2010), in order to broaden this line of research. It was found that the most of the of inmates recognize their participation, guilt and implications in the events related to the crime for which they are being held, there is a percentage (19,8%) of them who have not understood the illicitness of their act yet. Also, a lot of information required to develop a comprehensive evaluation was not provided by the prison, leaving a substantial gap. Faced with this situation, there is a need for greater forensic psychological intervention in prisons and, above all, the development of evaluation instruments that allow a better approach to this problem. The implications of these findings are discussed.

Resumo A responsabilidade criminal é um conceito objeto de estudo para a psicologia forense. Tem sido definida como a habilidade cognitiva de uma pessoa para apreciar a natureza do injusto do seu ato. Na América Latina, y de maneira mais específica na Colômbia, não tem sido amplamente estudada, e existe escassa literatura sobre os instrumentos que permitem avaliá-la. No estudo se procurou estabelecer a responsabilidade criminal de 154 prisioneiros(as) indiciados e acusados pelo delito de homicídio, utilizando o instrumento R-CRAS de Rogers (1986), o qual tem sido adaptado para Colômbia por Mebarak e Jiménez (2010), com o fim de ampliar essa linha de pesquisa. Foi possível identificar que apesar de que a maioria dos prisioneiros reconhecem sua participação, culpa e implicações nos eventos relacionados com o crime pelo qual foram presos, existe uma porcentagem que ainda não consegue compreender a ilicitude do seu ato (19,8%). Além, muita informação requerida para fazer uma avaliação completa não era proporcionada pelos centros penitenciários, e isso deixou um amplo vácuo. Diante dessa situação, se necessitam maiores intervenções da psicologia forense nas prisões, e sobretudo o desenvolvimento de instrumentos de avaliação que permitam uma melhor aproximação perante dessa problemática. Se discutem as implicações.

Rehabilitación neuropsicológica infantil: de la teoría a la práctica clínica / Child neuropsychological rehabilitation

Alrededor del mundo existe una gran cantidad de niños con dificultades cognitivas producto de daño cerebral o trastornos del neurodesarrollo. Estas dificultades traen consigo dificultades de tipo escolar, social, familiar y conductual, entre otras, disminuyendo así la calidad de vida del niño y su familia. Consecuentemente han aumentado en la literatura los artículos que evalúan la utilidad de diferentes programas de rehabilitación neuropsicológica.El objetivo de esta revisión fue (1) determinar cuáles son las modalidades teóricas de rehabilitación neuropsicológica más utilizadas, (2) establecer si se reportanganancias funcionales posteriores a cada intervención y, (3) establecer si durante la intervención se incluyó a los familiares. Los resultados mostraron que la principal modalidad de rehabilitación utilizada fue la restauración. Además, la mayoría de estudios no reportaban de manera clara ganancias funcionales ni incluían a la familia en el proceso terapéutico. Es necesario la realización de estudios que incluyan en su diseño diferentes modalidades de rehabilitación, apoyo familiar y evaluación de las ganancias funcionales...(AU)

Around the world, there are many children with cognitive difficulties as results of brain injury or neurodevelopmental disorders. These difficulties lead to school, social, family Archivos and behavioral disturbances, among others; and reduce the quality of life of the child and his family. Consequently, more papers are published in scientific literature that evaluate the usefulness of several neuropsychological rehabilitation programs. This review aimed (1) to determine which are the most frequently used theoretical models of neuropsychological rehabilitation, (2) to determine if functional gains were reported and, (3) whether during the intervention caregivers were included. The results showed that function restauration was the more frequently rehabilitation model used. Furthermore, most studies did not clearly report functional gains or caregivers' participation in the rehabilitation. Future studies should include in their design different rehabilitation models, family support and evaluation of functional gains...(AU)

Análisis de las pautas de crianza y los tipos de autoridad, y su relación con el surgimiento de conductas criminales: una revisión teórica / Analysis of the childrearing and upbringing guidelines and their relationship with the emergence of criminal conducts: a theoretical review / Análise das diretrizes do criação e dos tipos de autoridade, e sua relação com o surgimento de condutas criminosas: uma revisão teórica

El estudio tuvo como objetivo realizar una revisión teórica acerca de las pautas de crianza, los diferentes tipos de autoridad y la relación de estas con la aparición de conductas criminales en la adultez, para así aportar conocimientos a la comprensión de las posibles causas de la conducta criminal, las cuales han sido un fenómeno ampliamente estudiado. Para ello se realizó una revisión de la literatura de los últimos seis años en las bases de datos Science Direct, Ebsco, Redalyc y Scopus, y se encontró que si bien en el desarrollo de las conductas criminales convergen diversos elementos, los estilos de crianza, autoritarios, negligentes o demasiado permisivos, son uno de los factores explicativos de tipo ambiental más importantes del surgimiento de este tipo de conductas. Al finalizar se discuten las implicaciones de estos resultados en la construcción de programas de intervención y rehabilitación.

The objective of this study was to carry out a theoretical review about childrearing and upbringing, the different types of authority and their relationship with the emergence of criminal conducts in adulthood, in order to contribute some knowledge to the understanding of the possible causes of criminal behavior as a widely studied phenomenon. For this purpose, through a review of the literature produced in the past six years in the Science Direct, Ebsco, Redalyc and Scopus databases, it was found that although diverse elements converge in the development and evolution of criminal conducts, it has to be said that childrearing and upbringing styles either authoritarian or overly permissive are among the main explanatory factors of the environmental type that bear more relevance in the occurrence of this kind of conducts. At the conclusion of the study, the implications of these results in the building of intervention and rehabilitation programs are discussed

O estudo teve como o objetivo realizar uma revisão teórica sobre as diretrizes de criação, os tipos diferentes da autoridade e a relação dessas com a aparência de condutas criminosas na idade adulta, para contribuir o conhecimento à compreensão das causas possíveis da conduta criminal, que foram um fenômeno estudado extensamente. Para isso, uma revisão da literatura dos últimos seis anos foi feita nos bancos de dados Science Direct, Ebsco, Redalyc e Scopus, e encontrou-se que embora no desenvolvimento de condutas criminais os elementos diversos convergissem, os estilos da criação, autoritários, negligentes ou demasiado permissivos, são um dos fatores explicativos do tipo ambiental mais importantes do surgimento deste tipo de condutas. Ao finalizar, as implicações destes resultados são discutidas na construção de programas da intervenção e reabilitação