Validating the Enright Forgiveness Inventory in Ecuador.

Research on forgiveness is limited in Ecuador. This study validated the Enright Forgiveness Inventory-30 (EFI-30) among 960 participants in Ecuador, resulting in robust reliability and validity values. Our findings provide avenues for future research and practices.

Adaptation of the Coparenting Relationship Scale Questionnaire to Spanish Parents with Offspring.

The scientific literature supports that practicing positive coparenting leads to the healthy development of children. Consequently, professional interest in parenting and coparenting has experienced significant growth, and evaluating coparenting is crucial in family psychology for establishing action protocols in clinical practice. An instrument highly regarded within the scientific community for evaluating coparenting dynamics is The Coparenting Relationship Scale (CRS). This research aims to achieve two objectives: first, to adapt the CRS for the Spanish population of both engaged and separated/divorced parents and to ascertain its reliability, validity, and factorial invariance psychometric properties; second, to assess the effectiveness of the total coparenting measure in categorizing sample participants. A cross-sectional non-experimental investigation was conducted to address these objectives. The first objective was answered by conducting an instrumental study, and the second by an exploratory study using classification techniques and a causal-comparative study using multivariate inferential methods. It was concluded that the model comprising 20 items across two factors, Positive Coparenting and Negative Perception of Coparenting, is the simplest and best fit for the Spanish parent sample; it is invariant regarding gender and marital status, and the measures derived from each factor demonstrate reliability and convergent and discriminant validity. The resulting questionnaire for Spanish parents is named CRS-SEg-S&D. The Coparental Vitality measure calculated using the total weighted measure of CRS-SEg-S&D allows the sample of participants to be divided into three differentiated clusters called Coparental Robustness, Moderate Coparenting, and Coparenting Rickets.

Prevalence of Dangerousness to the Public, Criminogenic Risk Factors and Psychopathic Traits in Child-to-Parent Offenders and Contrast with Non-Child-to-Parent Offenders.

AIM: Child-to-parent offenders (CPOs) are commonly specialist offenders and with high rates of recidivism. Thus, a field study was designed to estimate the prevalence of recidivism in the reference measures of recidivism i.e., dangerousness, risk factors and psychopathy, and compare CPOs with non-child-to-parent juvenile offenders (non-CPOs). METHOD: A total of 136 juvenile offenders (76.5% boys), 76 CPOs and 60 non-CPOs, aged from 14 to 18 years old, were measured in terms of dangerousness, risk factors and psychopathic traits. RESULTS: For CPOs, the results show a more than common prevalence (>0.50), 75.0%, 95% CI [0.653, 0.847]) of dangerousness (caseness); a significant prevalence (>0.05) of diagnostic psychopathy (25.0%, 95% CI [0.150, 0.350]); and a common prevalence (=0.50), 55.3%, 95% CI [0.441, 0.665]) of classifications of high- and very high-risk factors. Comparatively, no significant differences were observed between CPOs and non-CPOs in terms of mental health problems (dangerousness); meanwhile CPOs exhibited significantly more interpersonal and affective psychopathic traits and significantly higher risks in family circumstances/parenting, and personality and behavior risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: The implications for prevention and intervention programs with CPOs are discussed.

Implanting rich autobiographical false memories: Meta-analysis for forensic practice and judicial judgment making.

Objective: The implanting of rich autobiographical false memories is crucial for judicial decision-making, and the forensic evaluation of a testimony. In order to assess this issue, a meta-analytical review of the probability of implanting rich autobiographical false memories was performed. Method: A total of 30 primary studies analysing the probability of implanting rich autobiographical false memories were retrieved. Random-effects meta-analyses correcting the effect size for sampling error were performed. Results: The results revealed a significant, positive, generalizable (the lower limit for the 80% credibility value was d = 1.13), and more than large mean effect size (d = 1.43[1.33, 1.53]) for the implanting of false memory. The moderating effects of stimulus type showed that the effect of the probability of implanted false memory was significantly higher in experienced events (d = 2.03[1.63, 2.43]) than in false narratives (d = 1.35[1.23, 1.47]), and in doctored photographs (d = 1.29[1.06, 1.52]). A similar effect for memory implantation was observed in both the underage (d = 1.44[1.29, 1.59]), and in adults (d = 1.36[1.22, 1.50]). The moderator techniques for implanting false memories revealed a significantly lower probability of implanting false rich memory with non-directive instructions (d = 0.90[0.53, 1.27]) than with guided imagery (d = 1.45[1.32, 1.58]), or with pressure to answer (d = 1.56[1.17, 1.95]) instructions. The event emotional valence moderator exhibited the same effect for positive (d = 1.27[1.09, 1.45]) and negative valence events (d = 1.30[1.17, 1.43]). Conclusions: The implications of the results for forensic testimony evaluation, police interrogations, and judicial cross-examination are discussed.

Evaluation of the Executive Functioning and Psychological Adjustment of Child-to-Parent Offenders: Epidemiology and Quantification of Harm.

With the aim of ascertaining if child-to-parent offenders have impairments in the executive functions and psychological maladjustment, and to quantify the potential harm and epidemiology, a field study was designed. As for this, 76 juvenile offenders sentenced for child-to-parent violence were assessed in executive functions (Stroop tasks) and psychological adjustment (Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-Adolescent, MMPI-A). The results showed valid responses for 75 juveniles and that data were not generally biased in line with defensiveness or malingering (differential diagnosis in justice juvenile evaluations). In psychological adjustment, the results revealed a significantly higher maladjustment among offenders on all the basic clinical scales with 23% more symptoms of hysteria than the normative population, 37% more of depressive symptoms, 44% more of hypochondriac symptoms, 68% more of psychopathic deviation symptoms, 46% more of paranoid symptoms, 26% more of psychasthenic symptoms, 24% more symptoms of schizophrenia, 17% more symptoms of hypomania, and 13% more symptoms of social introversion. Epidemiologically, the prevalence rates of clinical deterioration were significantly greater than expected (0.05 in normative sample) in hypochondria (28.0%), depression (29.3%), hysteria (29.3%), psychopathic deviation (60%), paranoia (30.7%), psychasthenia (22.7%), and schizophrenia (25.3%). As for the cognitive functions, the offenders exhibited impairments estimated at 62.0% in word reading, 47.9% in color naming, 45.8% in color-word, and 11.9% in interference and a significantly higher prevalence of caseness than expected in word reading (65%), color naming (71%), and color-word (70.2%). The implications of the results for intervention are discussed.

[Creation and validation of a forensic protocol to assess psychological harm in battered women]. / Creación y validación de un protocolo de evaluación forense de las secuelas psicológicas de la violencia de género.

Psychological harm is one of the sequela of the victimization of a crime. Nevertheless, a diagnosis of psychological harm, that is, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), does not constitute sufficient evidence alone given that, in legal terms, faking or false testimony must be detected and eliminated before an expert testimony can be admitted. To assess the aptitudes and strategies for faking psychological harm associated with domestic violence, 101 women were asked to fake psychological harm using the MMPI-2 and a forensic clinical interview. The results showed that most women (84.2%) were capable of faking in MMPI-2. The original validity scales of the MMPI-2 and their configurations were effective for the detection of faking though with a wide margin of error was observed. In the forensic clinical interview, it was much more difficult to simulate since only 3 malingerers, in which protocols were not observed any feigning strategy, were capable of simulating the psychological injury linked to domestic violence. Consequently, a multimethod approach (MMPI and interview) was contrasted and observed to classify correctly all subjects. Thus, a protocol for forensic assessment of the psychological harm consequence of domestic violence against women was formulated.

Assessing the effects of an education program on mental health problems in separated parents.

BACKGROUND: Parental separation is a stressful experience that can lead to parents suffering mental health problems (MHPs). Parental separation education programs for coping with post-separation adjustment have proven to be effective in reducing conflict and improving co-parenting. However, the effects of these programs on MHPs have not been assessed. A field study was carried out to assess the impact of a parental separation education program on parental MHPs. METHOD: A total of 116 separated parents who completed the program "Parental separation, not family breakdown" completed the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI) pre- and post-intervention. RESULTS: Separated parents had significantly higher pre-intervention scores on the nine symptom dimensions and the global indexes of distress in comparison to the normative population. The intervention yielded a significant improvement (i.e., reduction of clinical symptoms) in all MHPs, ranging from 19% in phobic anxiety to 36% in depression and general anxiety; and in the global indexes of distress (36% in the global severity index; 28% in the positive symptom distress index; and 33% in the positive symptom total). Approximately 45% of parents significantly improved through the intervention. CONCLUSIONS: The implications of the outcomes of the separation and intervention in parents' MHPs and children wellbeing are discussed.

Neighborhood and community factors: effects on deviant behavior and social competence.

Socialization in a neighborhood and community at risk, defined in terms of violence, social alienation, school failure, and disruptive behavior, is a risk factor for the acquisition of antisocial and delinquent behavior. In order to test this hypothesis and examine the underlying mechanisms involved, 346 participants, 155 high-risk and 191 low-risk, aged 11 to 13, that is, under the age of criminal responsibility as established by the Spanish Law 5/2000 were selected. The results reveal that high-risk youngsters had higher rates of antisocial behavior and lower levels of social skills (i.e., greater tendency to externalize attribution of responsibility, fewer conflict resolution strategies, lower self esteem, and a lower degrees of emotional intelligence) in comparison to the lower-risk group. Finally, the results and implications of the study are discussed in the light of designing prevention programs.

Divorcio Conflictivo y Terapia Forense: una Intervención Enmarcada en el Paradigma de la Justicia Terapéutica / High-Conflict Divorce and Forensic Therapy: an Intervention Framed in the Paradigm of Therapeutic Justice

La terapia forense constituye un elemento auxiliar de la justicia enmarcada en el paradigma de la justicia terapéutica. En el artículo, se exponen las bases que evidencian la necesidad de este recurso y las características básicas asociadas, así como los aspectos diferenciales respecto a otras posibles intervenciones. Finalmente, se proponen pautas básicas a considerar por los profesionales que asuman estas intervenciones.(AU)

Forensic therapy constitutes an auxiliary element of justice framed in the paradigm of therapeutic justice. In this article, we present the bases that demonstrate the need for this resource and the basic associated characteristics, as well as the differential aspects with respect to other possible interventions. Finally, we propose basic guidelines to be considered by the professionals who assume these interventions.(AU)

Implanting rich autobiographical false memories: Meta–analysis for forensic practice and judicial judgment making

Objective: The implanting of rich autobiographical false memories is crucial for judicial decision–making, and the forensic evaluation of a testimony. In order to assess this issue, a meta–analytical review of the probability of implanting rich autobiographical false memories was performed. Method: A total of 30 primary studies analysing the probability of implanting rich autobiographical false memories were retrieved. Random–effects meta–analyses correcting the effect size for sampling error were performed. Results: The results revealed a significant, positive, generalizable (the lower limit for the 80% credibility value was d = 1.13), and more than large mean effect size (d = 1.43[1.33, 1.53]) for the implanting of false memory. The moderating effects of stimulus type showed that the effect of the probability of implanted false memory was significantly higher in experienced events (d = 2.03[1.63, 2.43]) than in false narratives (d = 1.35[1.23, 1.47]), and in doctored photographs (d = 1.29[1.06, 1.52]). A similar effect for memory implantation was observed in both the underage (d = 1.44[1.29, 1.59]), and in adults (d = 1.36[1.22, 1.50]). The moderator techniques for implanting false memories revealed a significantly lower probability of implanting false rich memory with non–directive instructions (d = 0.90[0.53, 1.27]) than with guided imagery (d = 1.45[1.32, 1.58]), or with pressure to answer (d = 1.56[1.17, 1.95]) instructions. The event emotional valence moderator exhibited the same effect for positive (d = 1.27[1.09, 1.45]) and negative valence events (d = 1.30[1.17, 1.43]). Conclusions: The implications of the results for forensic testimony evaluation, police interrogations, and judicial cross–examination are discussed. (AU)

A meta-analytic review of the MMPI validity scales and indexes to detect defensiveness in custody evaluations.

Background/Objective: In child custody disputes, one of the remit of the forensic psychologist is to evaluate parental attributes while suspecting defensiveness. The instrument of choice for undertaking this double task is the MMPI. Method: As to establish the state of the art on this, a meta-analysis was undertaken with a total of 32 primary studies from which 256 effect sizes were assessed. A meta-analysis was undertaken, effect sizes were corrected for sampling error and criterion unreliability. Results: The results revealed a positive, significant, large and generalizable mean true effect size for the L, K, S and MP scales, and the L + K and L + K-F indexes. The Wsd was positive, significant and large, but not generalizable. A negative and significant, but not generalizable mean true effect size was found for the F and generalizable for F-K index. The effect sizes for the L, K, S and MP scales, and the L + K and L + K-F indexes were equal. Both the gender of parents (father vs. mother) and the context of evaluation (parent child custody disputes vs. parenting capacity) were assessed as moderators. Conclusions: The results are discussed in relation to forensic practice.

Antecedentes/Objetivo: En los casos de disputa por la custodia, el psicólogo forense tiene entre sus cometidos la evaluación de las competencias parentales, así como sospechar disimulación. Para esta doble tarea, el instrumento de referencia es el MMPI. Método: Para establecer el estado de la cuestión se llevó a cabo un meta-análisis encontrando 32 estudios primarios de los que se obtuvieron 256 tamaños del efecto. Los tamaños del efecto fueron corregidos por error de muestreo y falta de fiabilidad del criterio. Resultados: Los resultados mostraron un tamaño del efecto medio verdadero positivo, significativo, grande y generalizable para las escalas L, K, S y MP, y los índices L + K y L + K-F. Para Wsd, también resultó positivo, significativo y grande, pero no generalizable. Para F y el índice F-K fue negativo y significativo, pero no generalizable para F y generalizable para F-K. Los tamaños del efecto de las escalas L, K, S y MP, y los índices L + K-F y L + K resultaron ser iguales. Se estudiaron como moderadores el género del progenitor (padre vs. madre) y el contexto de evaluación (progenitores en disputa por la custodia de los hijos vs. evaluación de la capacidad parental). Conclusiones: Se discute la utilidad para la práctica forense de estos resultados.

What and How Much Do Children Lose in Academic Settings Owing to Parental Separation?

The literature has firmly established an association between parental separation and school failure. Nevertheless, parental separation does not affect academic aptitudes. Thus, mediators explain such relationship. A field study was designed to identify and quantify damage in the mediating variables between parental separation and school failure (i.e., external school adjustment, aversion to institution, aversion to learning, aversion to instruction, aversion to teachers, indiscipline). A total of 196 children, classified into three age cohorts: 109 in level 1 (from 8 to 11 years), 46 in level 2 (from 12 to 14 years), and 41 in level 3 (15 or more years), were assessed in school adjustment and in underlying dimensions of school (mal)adjustment. The results showed significant effects of parental separation in school adjustment and in the underlying dimensions to maladjustment in the three classification levels. The magnitude of damage increased with age, i.e., small in level 1, moderate in 2, and large in 3. Damage in all the sub-dimensions underlying school (mal)adjustment was quantified. The implications of the results for the design and implementation of prevention and intervention programs for children from separated parents are discussed.

[Evaluating psychological injury in motor vehicle accidents (MVA): development and validation of a protocol for detecting pretense]. / Evaluación del daño moral en accidentes de tráfico: desarrollo y validación de un protocolo para la detección de la simulación.

In order to assess the feigning ability of the psychological injury in a motor vehicle accident (MVA), a total of 105 subjects, which never had suffered a serious MVA and lay in psychopathology, responded to the MMPI-2 in line with the standard instructions. Thereafter, subjects were instructed to feign moral damage generated by a MVA prior to being evaluated using a clinical-forensic interview a week later, and responding to the MMPI-2 another week later. The results show that 60.9% of the subjects were able to effectively feign moral damage on the MMPI-2, and 3.8% in the forensic clinical interview. The analysis of the instruments and procedures for the validation of subject responses i.e., the original validity control scales of the MMPI-2 and the analysis of feigning strategies in the forensic clinical interview, revealed no efficacy in feigning detection. Nevertheless, collectively, all the control measures and procedures were effective for the detection of feigning. Therefore, a protocol for the detection of feigning of moral damage has been proposed.

Criteria-Based Content Analysis (CBCA) reality criteria in adults: A meta-analytic review.

Background/Objective: Criteria-Based Content Analysis (CBCA) is the tool most extensively used worldwide for evaluating the veracity of a testimony. CBCA, initially designed for evaluating the testimonies of victims of child sexual abuse, has been empirically validated. Moreover, CBCA has been generalized to adult populations and other contexts though this generalization has not been endorsed by the scientific literature. Method: Thus, a meta-analysis was performed to assess the Undeutsch Hypothesis and the CBCA checklist of criteria in discerning in adults between memories of self-experienced real-life events and fabricated or fictitious memories. Results: Though the results corroborated the Undeutsch Hypothesis, and CBCA as a valid technique, the results were not generalizable, and the self-deprecation and pardoning the perpetrator criteria failed to discriminate between both memories. The technique can be complemented with additional reality criteria. The study of moderators revealed discriminating efficacy was significantly higher in filed studies on sexual offences and intimate partner violence. Conclusions: The findings are discussed in terms of their implications as well as the limitations and conditions for applying these results to forensic settings.

Antecedentes/Objetivo: El Criteria-Based Content Analysis (CBCA) constituye la herramienta mundialmente más utilizada para la evaluación de la credibilidad del testimonio. Originalmente fue creado para testimonios de menores víctimas de abuso sexual, gozando de amparo científico. Sin embargo, se ha generalizado su práctica a poblaciones de adultos y otros contextos sin un aval de la literatura para tal generalización. Método: Por ello, nos planteamos una revisión meta-analítica con el objetivo de contrastar la Hipótesis Undeutsch y los criterios de realidad del CBCA para conocer su potencial capacidad discriminativa entre memorias de eventos auto-experimentados y fabricados en adultos. Resultados: Los resultados confirman la hipótesis Undeutsch y validan el CBCA como técnica. No obstante, los resultados no son generalizables y los criterios auto-desaprobación y perdón al autor del delito no discriminan entre ambas memorias. Además, se encontró que la técnica puede ser complementada con criterios adicionales de realidad. El estudio de moderadores mostró que la eficacia discriminativa era significativamente superior en estudios de campo en casos de violencia sexual y de género. Conclusiones: Se discute la utilidad, así como las limitaciones y condiciones para la transferencia de estos resultados a la práctica forense.

Adaptación española y propiedades psicométricas de la Escala de Parentalidad y Ajuste Familiar (PAFAS) / Spanish adaptation and psychometric properties of Parenting and Family Adjustment Scale (PAFAS)

El cuestionario Parenting and Family Adjustment Scales (PAFAS), que incluye las subescalas de Parenting Scale y Family Adjustment Scale, se creó con el fin de realizar evaluaciones breves y eficientes acerca de la competencia parental, las relaciones paterno-filiales y el ajuste familiar. El objetivo del presente trabajo es el de adaptar dicho cuestionario al contexto español y estimar sus propiedades psicométricas, de forma que pueda ser utilizada con garantías científicas para medir el ajuste y funcionamiento de progenitores españoles. La muestra estuvo compuesta por 2618 madres y padres de diferentes entornos socioeconómicos. Los ítems que formaron parte del instrumento se adaptaron de acuerdo con los autores de la escala original. Se emplearon análisis factoriales exploratorios y confirmatorios con el fin de analizar la estructura del cuestionario. Posteriormente se llevaron a cabo análisis de fiabilidad para cada uno de los factores y de invarianza del modelo de medida en ambas subescalas. Como consecuencia, se obtuvo un instrumento formado por 20 ítems, distribuidos en dos subescalas y cinco factores, con buenos índices de fiabilidad y ajuste para evaluar la adaptación parental y familiar en población española. La subescala de Parentalidad conformada por los factores Parentalidad coercitiva (PC), Estimulación positiva (EP) y Relaciones materno/paternos filiales (RMP) y la subescala de Ajuste Familiar, conformada por los factores Ajuste parental (AP) y Ajuste familiar (AF). El instrumento obtenido posibilita una medida válida, fiable, breve y comprehensiva para evaluar los estilos parentales y el ajuste familiar de los progenitores españoles

In order to conduct brief and efficient assessments of parental competence, parental-subsidiary relationships and family adjustment, the Parenting and Family Adjustment Scales (PAFAS) was created with the Parenting Scale and Family subscales Adjustment Scale. The objective of this work is to adapt this questionnaire to the Spanish context to be used for the evaluation of Spanish parental functioning, updating its psychometric properties. The sample consisted of 2618 parents from different socioeconomic backgrounds. The items that were part of the instrument were adapted in agreement with the original authors. Exploratory and confirmatory factorial analyses were used to analyse the structure of the questionnaire. Reliability analyses were then carried out for each of the factors and invariance of the measurement model at both subscales. As a result, an instrument consisting of 20 items, two subscales and five factors was obtained that proved reliable to measure family and parental functioning in Spain. The Parenting Scale made by Coercive parenting (PC), Positive encouragement (EP) and Parent-child relationship (RMP) factors and the Family Adjustment Scale, made by Parental adjustment (AP) and Family adjustment (AF) factors. The instrument obtained makes it possible to measure the parental styles and family adjustment of Spanish parents

Estimating the Epidemiology and Quantifying the Damages of Parental Separation in Children and Adolescents.

Parental separation is linked to multiple negative outcomes for children in all spheres of life. A field study was designed to estimate the epidemiology and to quantify the outcomes on the wellbeing of children from separated parents. Thus, data on socio-economic status, psychological adjustment, behavioral disorders, social relations, self-concept, and academic achievement were gathered from 346 children and adolescents, 173 separated parents, and 173 parents from intact families in the paediatric catchment area of Galicia (Spain). The results showed that parental separation had a significant negative impact on the children's and adolescents' family income (increasing the probability of falling below the poverty line); psychological adjustment (i.e., higher scores in anxiety, depression, hostility, paranoid ideation, and interpersonal alienation); social relations (i.e., less self-control in social relations; higher social withdrawal); self-concept (lower levels of academic, emotional, physical, and family self-concept), and academic achievement (lower academic achievement with higher school dropout rates). Moreover, children from separated families had a higher probability of being exposed to gender violence. Epidemiologically, parental separation is associated to the probability of falling below the poverty line 33.9%; being exposed to gender violence 43.2%; and symptoms such as depression, anxiety, hostility, paranoid ideation interpersonal alienation, and social withdrawal, i.e., 20, 17, 27, 20, 19, and 35.5%, respectively. Inversely, self-control in social relations, and academic, emotional, physical, and family self-concept fell to 16, 32, 27, 22, and 37%, respectively. The interrelationship among these variables and the implications of these results for interventions are discussed.

Reality monitoring: a meta-analytical review for forensic practice / Reality monitoring: una revisión meta-analítica para la práctica forense

Reality Monitoring (RM) criteria has been proposed as a forensic tool in order to discern between perceived and imagined memories. However, no systematic evidence has been provided on its validity for use in testimony evaluation. Thus, a meta-analytic review was designed to study its validity in forensic setting. A total of 40 primary studies were found, yielding 251 effect sizes. Random-effects meta-analyses correcting the effect size for sampling error and criterion unreliability were performed. The results showed that the total RM score discriminated, d = 0.542 (δ = 0.562), between imagined and perceived memories of events. In relation to individual criteria, the results showed support for the model's predictions (more external attributes in perceived memories) for clarity, d = 0.361 (δ = 0.399), sensory information, d = 0.359 (δ = 0.397), spatial information, d = 0.250 (δ = 0.277), time information, d = 0.509 (δ = 0.563), reconstructability of the story, d = 0.441 (δ = 0.488), and realism, d = 0.420 (δ = 0.464), but not for affective information, d = 0.024 [-0.081, 0.129]. Nevertheless, except for temporal information, the results are not generalized (negative effects may be found). For cognitive operations, the results corroborated, although the magnitude of the effect was lower than small, the hypothesis (more cognitive operations in imagined memories), d = -0.107 [-0.178, -0.036] (δ = -0.119). The moderating effects of age (more cognitive operations on imagined memories in adults, and on perceived memories in underage), evocation type (external attributes discern between imagined and perceived memories, in both self-experienced and non-experimented accounts), and criteria score (the results varied by score) moderators were studied. As conclusions, forensic implications for the validity of the RM technique in court proceedings are discussed. (AU)

Los criterios del Reality Monitoring (RM) han sido propuestos como una herramienta forense para discriminar entre memorias percibidas e imaginadas. Sin embargo, no se han facilitado pruebas sistemáticas de su validez para su uso en la evaluación del testimonio, motivo por el cual se planificó una revisión metaanalítica para estudiar su validez en el contexto forense. Se encontró un total de 40 estudios primarios, de los que se extrajeron 251 tamaños del efecto. Se llevaron a cabo meta-análisis de efectos aleatorios que corregían el tamaño del efecto por el error de muestreo y la falta de fiabilidad del criterio. Los resultados mostraron que la puntación total en el RM discriminaba, d = 0.542 (δ = 0.562), entre memorias de eventos imaginados y percibidos. En relación con los criterios, los resultados avalaron las predicciones del modelo (más atributos externos en memorias percibidas) en los criterios claridad, d = 0.361 (δ = 0.399), información sensorial, d = 0.359 (δ = 0.397), información espacial, d = 0.250 (δ = 0.277), información temporal, d = 0.509 (δ = 0.563), reconstrucción de la historia, d = 0.441 (δ = 0.488), y realismo, d = 0.420 (δ = 0.464), pero no para el criterio información afectiva, d = 0.024 [-0.081, 0.129]. Sin embargo, excepto para el criterio información temporal, los resultados no son generalizables (se pueden hallar efectos negativos). Para el criterio operaciones cognitivas, los resultados corroboraron, aunque la magnitud del efecto era menor que pequeña, la hipótesis (más operaciones cognitivas en memorias imaginadas), d = -0.107 [-0.178, -0.036] (δ = -0.119). (AU)

Assessing Impression Management With the MMPI-2 in Child Custody Litigation.

Forensic psychological evaluation of parents in child custody litigation is primarily focused on evaluating parenting capacity and underreporting. The biased responses of underreporting have been classified as Impression Management (IM) or as Self-Deceptive Positivity (S-DP), which are regarded to be conscious or unconscious in nature, respectively. A field study was undertaken to assess impression management on the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2) in child custody cases, the accuracy of the MMPI-2 scales in classifying IM, and what parents in child custody litigation actually manipulate in terms of IM. A total of 244 parents in child custody litigation and 244 parents under standard instructions were administered the MMPI-2. The results revealed that the L, Mp, Wsd, and Od scales discriminated between both samples of parents; the rate of satisfactory classification (i.e., odds ratio ranged from 5.7 for Wsd to 23.3 for Od) and an incremental validity of Od over Mp and Wsd. As for the effects of IM, the results show IM effects in the Basic Clinical Scales, the Restructured Clinical Scales, the Personality Psychopathology Five Scales, the Content Scales, and the Supplementary Scales. The implications of the results are discussed in relation to the forensic evaluation of parents in child custody litigation.

Are interventions with batterers effective?. A meta-analytical review / ¿Son efectivas las intervenciones con los maltratadores?. Una revisión metaanalítica

The inconsistency in the results both internally and between of previous meta-analyses on batterer intervention program efficacy, and the publication of new batterer interventions underscored the need for an up-to-date meta-analyticalreview. A total of 25 primary studies were found from literature search, obtaining 62 effect sizes, and a total sample of 20,860 intervened batterers. The results of a global meta-analysis showed a positive, significant, and of a mediummagnitude effect size for batterer interventions, but not generalizable. Nevertheless, the results exhibited a significantly higher rate of recidivism measured in couple reports (CRs) than in official records (ORs). As a consequence, intervention efficacy measuring in CRs was null, whilst in ORs was positive and significant. As for the intervention model, positive andsignificant effects were observed under the Duluth Model and cognitive-behavioural treatment programs (CBTPs), but a higher effect size was obtained with CBTPs in comparison to the Duluth Model (under this model, interventions may have negative effects, i.e., an increase in recidivism rate). In relation to intervention length, short interventions failed to reduce recidivism in ORs and may have negative effects, while long interventions were effective in reducing recidivism rate in ORs without negative effects. Efficacy evaluations in short follow-ups were invalid as artificially boosted recidivismreduction rate. Limitations of ORs and short follow-ups as measures of the intervention efficacy and implications of results for batterer intervention are discussed

La inconsistencia interna y entre las revisiones metaanalíticas en los resultados sobre la eficacia de los programas de intervención con maltratadores, así como la publicación de nuevos estudios, pone de manifiesto la necesidad de llevar a cabo una revisión metaanalítica actualizada. Se encontró un total de 25 estudios primarios, de los que se obtuvieron 62 tamaños del efecto para una muestra total de 20,860 maltratadores intervenidos. Los resultados del metaanálisis global mostraron un tamaño del efecto promedio positivo, significativo y de una magnitud moderada para la intervención con maltratadores, pero no generalizable. Sin embargo, los resultados revelaron una tasa de reincidencia mayor medida en los informes de las parejas (IPs) que en los registros oficiales (ROs). Como consecuencia, la eficacia de la intervención medida en los IPs resultó nula, mientras que en los ROs fue positiva y significativa. En relación al modelo de intervención, se encontraron tamaños del efecto positivos y significativos con el Modelo Duluth y los programas de tratamiento cognitivo-conductuales (PTC-Cs), pero el tamaño del efecto obtenido con los PTC-Cs era significativamente mayor que con el Modelo Duluth (con este modelo las intervenciones pueden tener efectos negativos, es decir, unincremento en la tasa de reincidencia). En relación a la longitud de la intervención, las intervenciones breves fallaron en la reducción de la reincidencia en los ROs y pueden tener efectos negativos, en tanto que las intervenciones largas fueron eficaces en la reducción de la tasa de reincidencia en los ROs y no dan lugar a efectos negativos. Las evaluacionesde la eficacia de la intervención en períodos cortos de seguimiento resultaron no válidas al incrementar artificialmente la tasa de reducción de la reincidencia. Se discuten las limitaciones de la medida de la eficacia de la intervención en los ROs y en períodos cortos de seguimiento, así como las implicaciones para la intervención con maltratadores

Destrezas cognitivas en menores infractores, de protección y normalizados: un estudio de contraste / Cognitive skills in juvenile offenders, protection normalized youngsters: A contrastive study

Resumen Con el objetivo de conocer si los déficits en las destrezas cognitivas son una característica común de los menores infractores y de protección (en riesgo de desviación) y diferencial de la población de menores normalizada, se diseñó un estudio de campo. Para ello, se evaluaron la inteligencia emocional, el afrontamiento, la atribución de responsabilidad y el autoconcepto, a 450 menores colombianos entre 14 y 19 años: 150 menores infractores, 150 menores de protección y 150 de población normalizada. Los resultados mostraron que los menores infractores y los de protección tenían un déficit en atención a las emociones (inteligencia emocional), recurren más a estrategias desadaptativas para la resolución de problemas y comparten una definición negativa de sí mismos, y están menos satisfechos consigo mismos y de su comportamiento. No obstante, no se observa un sesgo hacia la atribución externa de la responsabilidad. Finalmente, se cuantifica porcentualmente la magnitud de los daños en las destrezas cognitivas. Se discuten las implicaciones de los resultados para la intervención con menores infractores y el diseño de programas de prevención con menores de protección.

Abstract A field study was designed with the aim of knowing if deficits in cognitive skills a common characteristic of the juvenile offenders and protection youngsters are i.e., children under social services protection (in risk of deviation), and a differential from normalized population. As for these 450 Colombian youngsters (150 juvenile offenders, 150 protection youngsters, and 150 from the normal population), aged from 14 to 19 years, were assessed in emotional intelligence, coping, responsivity attribution, and self-concept. The results showed that juvenile offenders and youngsters under protection had deficit in attention to the emotions (emotional intelligence), used more maladaptive strategies for problems solving, and shared a negative definition of their selves, were less satisfied with their sleeves and with their behaviour. Nonetheless, the expected bias to external responsivity attribution was not observed. Finally, the magnitude of the damages in cognitive skills was quantified. The implications of the results for the intervention with juvenile offenders and the design and implementation of prevention programs with protection youngsters are discussed.