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 and Quantification of the Effects of Sexual Harassment Victimization of School-Aged Adolescents.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Sexual harassment has become a serious social and public health problem in adolescents, causing adverse effects on mental health. Nevertheless, some behaviours arise that, due to their characteristics, might be misinterpreted as sexual harassment. A field study using a survey with non-probabilistic accidental sampling was designed in order to estimate the prevalence of sexual harassment victimization in the Spanish adolescent population as well as to quantify the harms. METHOD: A total of 1028 Spanish adolescents, 54.3% females and 45.7% males aged 13-17 years (M = 15.21, SD = 1.03), responded to a diagnostic measure of sexual harassment victimization and an inventory measure of internalizing and externalizing mental health problems (MHPs). RESULTS: The results showed a significant prevalence of diagnosed sexual harassment victimization of school-aged adolescents, 24.1%, 95% CI [0.215, 0.267], with adverse effects on internalizing and externalizing MHPs. As for the internalizing MHPs, the results exhibited moderate adverse effects on depression, anxiety, somatic burns, posttraumatic symptoms, and obsessive-compulsive symptoms, as well as mild adverse effects on social anxiety. Regarding externalizing MHPs, the results revealed moderate adverse effects on hyperactivity-impulsivity, anger control, and antisocial behaviour, as well as mild adverse effects on attention problems, aggression, and defiant behaviour. In addition, it was confirmed that sexual harassment victimization affects adolescent females to a greater extent, with the effect being significantly greater in internalizing than in externalizing MHPs. CONCLUSIONS: The results obtained are discussed and future lines of research and intervention are proposed to promote the implementation of prevention and intervention programs that address this phenomenon and, in turn, improve the physical, psychological, and social well-being of adolescents.

Adolescent-to-Parent Violence: Psychological and Family Adjustment.

Adolescent-to-Parent Violence (APV) or Child-to-Parent Violence (CPV) is a specific form of violence that has remained inconspicuous until recently, but is becoming a mounting social issue and is increasingly the focus of scientific research. Of the variables related to APV, the study assessed the characteristics of the family system and its relationship to the psychosocial adjustment of adolescents, an aspect scarcely examined in the literature. Thus, a field study was performed on a community sample of 210 adolescents aged 12-17 years (51.4% girls) who were assessed on measurements of APV, parenting (parental socialization), victimization, and psychological adjustment (personal, family, and school). The results revealed higher rates of psychological APV, and no gender effects in violence exercised against either parent. The adolescents involved in APV exhibited a greater psychological maladjustment in the different areas under analysis. Moreover, adolescents engaging in psychological APV reported a parental socialization style characterized by severe strictness and supervision in comparison to non-aggressors not implicated in psychological APV. Finally, adolescents exercising APV who were victimized by their parents showed more psychological, personal, and school maladjustment. These results have implications for needs analysis and the planning of community prevention strategies.

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.

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.

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

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)

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.

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.

Estudio de las necesidades en el ajuste personal, social y psicológico en adolescentes en riesgo de delincuencia e infractores / Needs analysis for the personal, social, and psychological adjustment of adolescents at risk of delinquency and juvenile offenders

La literatura ha encontrado que las necesidades no-criminogénicas también son un factor de riesgo de delincuencia juvenil y, por tanto, han de ser objeto de intervención. Se diseñó un estudio de campo con el objetivo de conocer si el ajuste individual, social y psicológico (necesidades no-criminogénicas) difieren entre menores infractores, menores de protección y normalizados. Para ello se evaluó a 450 adolescentes (150 menores de reforma, 150 de protección y 150 normalizados) en el ajuste individual, social y psicológico. Los resultados mostraron un efecto significativo en el ajuste individual, social y psicológico para el factor población. Sucintamente, los menores de protección y reforma manifestaron un mayor desajuste individual en los niveles personal y familiar que los normalizados, y, adicionalmente, los de reforma a nivel social. Asimismo, los menores de protección e infractores exhibieron un mayor desajuste social consistente en más retraimiento social, ansiedad social/timidez y liderazgo que los normalizados, y los menores infractores un menor ajuste social en la consideración hacia los demás que los normalizados. En el ajuste psicológico, los menores de reforma y protección informaron de más sintomatología obsesivo-compulsiva, de sensibilidad interpersonal, depresiva, de hostilidad, de ansiedad-fóbica y psicótica que los normalizados, y los de protección más somática, ansiosa (generalizada) y paranoide que los normalizados. Se cuantificaron los déficits en estas dimensiones para estimar la magnitud de las necesidades. Se discuten las implicaciones teóricas de los resultados y para el diseño de programas de prevención de la delincuencia y de recaídas

Literature has found that non-criminogenic needs also are a juvenile delinquency risk factor and, consequently, should be target of intervention. With the aim of knowing if individual, social and psychological adjustment differ between juvenile offenders and foster care adolescents with normal adolescents was designed. A total of 450 adolescents (150 juvenile offenders, 150 foster care adolescents, and 150 normal adolescents) were evaluated in individual, social and psychological adjustment. The results showed a significant effect in the individual, social and psychological adjustment for the population factor. Succinctly, juvenile offenders and foster care adolescents displayed a higher individual maladjustment in the personal and family level than normal adolescents, and, additionally, juvenile offenders in the social level. Likewise, juvenile offenders and foster care adolescents exhibited a higher social maladjustment consisting in more social withdrawal, social anxiety/shyness, and leadership than normal adolescents; and juvenile offenders revealed less consideration for others than normal adolescents. In psychological adjustment, juvenile offenders and foster care adolescents reported more obsessive-compulsive, interpersonal sensitivity, depression, hostile, phobic-anxiety, and psychotic symptomology than normal adolescent; and foster care adolescent more somatic, anxiety (generalized) and paranoid symptoms than normal adolescents. The deficits in these needs were quantified as to estimate the magnitude of the intervention. Theoretical and practical implications for intervention of the results are discussed

Assessing the effects of an education program on mental health problems in separated parents / Evaluación de los efectos de un programa educativo en los problemas de salud mental en padres separados

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

Antecedentes: la ruptura de pareja, como evento estresante, puede derivar en Problemas en la Salud Mental (PSM) de los progenitores. Para afrontar esta contingencia se han desarrollado programas educativos que han mostrado su eficacia en la reducción del conflicto y la mejora de la coparentalidad. Pero los efectos en los PSMs no han sido estudiados. Así, nos planteamos un estudio campo para conocer los efectos de un programa educativo para la ruptura de pareja en los PSMs. Método: 116 progenitores separados que cumplimentaron el programa "Ruptura de Pareja, no de Familia" respondieron, pre- y post-intervención, al Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI). Resultados: los resultados mostraron, en contraste con la población normativa, que los progenitores separados puntuaban significativamente más alto en los PSMs. La intervención implicó una mejora significativa en todos PSMs, oscilando desde el 19% en ansiedad fóbica al 36% en depresión y ansiedad generalizada, así como en los índices generales de malestar (36% en el Índice de Severidad Global; 28% en el Índice de Malestar referido a Síntomas Positivos; y el 33% en el Total de Síntomas Positivos). Conclusiones: se discuten las implicaciones de los resultados de la ruptura e intervención en los PSMs de los padres separados y el bienestar de los hijos

Una revisión meta-analítica de las respuestas en escalas clínicas y reestructuradas del MMPI-2/MMPI-2-RF de padres en disputa por la custodia / A meta-analytical review of the responses in the MMPI-2/MMPI-2-RF clinical and restructured scales of parents in child custody dispute

La evaluación de las capacidades parentales para el ejercicio de la guarda y custodia de los hijos incluye el ajuste psicológico y la psicopatología. En esta evaluación, además, se ha de sospechar disimulación. El instrumento psicométrico de referencia para dicha evaluación es el MMPI. Para conocer de lo informado por los progenitores en disputa por la custodia nos planteamos una revisión meta-analítica de las escalas clínica y las escalas clínicas reestructuradas. Encontramos 21 estudios primarios con progenitores (se descartaron los diseños de simulación de progenitores en disputa) de los que obtuvieron 291 tamaños del efecto para las escalas clínicas y 1 para las reestructuradas. Los resultados mostraron un tamaño del efecto promedio positivo, significativo, y generalizable en las escalas Hy, Pd y Pa; negativo, significativo y generalizable en las escalas Ma y Si y no generalizable en las escalas Pt y Sc; y un tamaño del efecto promedio insignificante en las escalas Hs y D. Se estudió el género como moderador, no hallándose diferencias entre padres y madres. Se discuten las implicaciones de los resultados para la práctica forense

Parental attribute evaluation in relation to child custody comprises psychological and psychopathology. Additionally, defensiveness must be suspected on this setting. The worldwide reference psychometric measurement instrument for this purpose is the MMPI. With the aim of knowing the responses of parents litigating by child custody, a meta-analytic review of the responses to clinical and restructured scales was performed. A total of 21 primary studies (studies with a simulation design i.e., participants were instructed to answer as parents litigating by child custody were found were disregarded) were found, obtaining 291 effect sizes for clinical scales and 1 for restructured scales. The results showed positive, significant and generalizable mean true effect size in the Hy, Pd and Pa scales; a negative, significant and generalizable in the Ma and Si scales, and non-generalizable in the Pt y Sc scales; and a trivial mean true effect size in the Hs and D scales. Parent gender was studied as a moderator having no found differences between the responses of mothers and fathers. The implications of the results for forensic evaluation practices are discussed

A meta-analytic review of the MMPI validity scales and indexes to detect defensiveness in custody evaluations / Revisión meta-analítica de las escalas e índices de validez del MMPI para detectar disimulación en la evaluación de custodias

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 (AU)

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 (AU)

Evaluación psicométrica de la psicopatía: una revisión metaanalítica / Psychometric assessment of psychopathy: A meta-analytical review

Resumen La mayoría de la literatura sobre la psicopatía gira en torno a su medida. Cuatro son los instrumentos y familias de referencia en la evaluación de la psicopatía: la Psychopathy Checklist (PCL), la Levenson's Primary and Secondary Psychopathy Scales (LPSP), la Self-Report Psychopathy Scale (SRP), y el Psychopathic Personality Inventory (PPI). Ante este estado de la cuestión, nos planteamos llevar a cabo un metaanálisis psicométrico correlacional con el cual someter a prueba la validez convergente de estos instrumentos a nivel unidimensional y en los dos factores comunes a todos ellos: el factor afectivo y el factor antisocial. Los resultados mostraron una validez convergente positiva, significativa y generalizable entre los instrumentos, tanto en la dimensión psicopatía como en los factores afectivo y antisocial. Asimismo, los resultados pusieron de manifiesto que la PCL es el instrumento más idóneo para la evaluación de la psicopatía en poblaciones clínicas y el PPI en población subclínica.

Abstract Most of the literature on psychopathy is focused on its measurement. There are four reference tools used to assess psychopathy: the Psychopathy Checklist (PCL), the Levenson's Primary and Secondary Psychopathy Scales (LPSP), the Self-Report Psychopathy Scale (SRP), and the Psychopathic Personality Inventory (PPI). In order to do this, a psychometric correlational meta-analysis was designed to test the convergent validity between these tools on the psychopathy dimension and the two common factors among them: the affective and antisocial deviation factors. The results showed a positive, significant and generalisable convergent validity between tools, in the psychopathy dimension, as well as in the affective and antisocial factors. Moreover, the results also showed that the PCL was the most appropriate tool to measure psychopathy in clinical samples, and the PPI was so in sub-clinical cases.

Perfilando los consumidores de cannabis que autocultivan a pequeña escala / Profiling small scale domestic grower cannabis users

El cannabis es la sustancia ilícita más consumida a nivel mundial, con una prevalencia estimada entre el 2.8 y el 5.0% de la población adulta. El auge del consumo de cannabis ha llevado a un aumento en el cultivo para el propio consumo. Como consecuencia, nos planteamos un estudio de campo con el objetivo de contrastar si consumidores con y sin autocultivo se diferencian en el perfil sociodemográfico, patrones de consumo, riesgo de consumo problemático, dependencia, y síntomas y trastornos asociados. Para ello, 761 consumidores de cannabis, 480 hombres y 281 mujeres, de los cuales 251 autocultivaban para su consumo (182 hombres y 69 mujeres), con edades comprendidas entre los 18 y 60 años (M = 26.36, DT = 5.68), respondieron a un cuestionario sociodemográfico y de patrones de consumo, a escalas de medida del consumo problemático de cannabis, dependencia del cannabis, abuso del cannabis, y de dependencia de la nicotina y del alcohol. Los resultados mostraron que el autocultivo es característico mayoritariamente de los varones, con bajo nivel académico y laboralmente activos. Asimismo, la práctica del autocultivo se relaciona con un mayor consumo de cannabis, una mayor implicación en la venta ilegal del producto, policonsumo y con problemáticas psicosociales derivadas de dicho consumo. Adicionalmente, los que autocultivan informan de mayores niveles de dependencia y de riesgo de consumo problemático de cannabis. Se discuten las implicaciones para la prevención y tratamiento de los trastornos por consumo de cannabis

Cannabis is the most widely used worldwide drug with prevalence between 2.8 and 5.0% of the adult population. Increasing use of cannabis has carried out to an escalation in home growing for selfconsumption. As a consequence, a field study to contrast if the domestic cannabis growers exhibited a different sociodemographic profile, a consumption pattern, a problematic use risk, dependence level, as well as on the clinical symptoms and related disorders, was designed. As for this, 761 cannabis users, 480 males and 281 females, of whom 251 were homegrowers for personal use (182 males and 69 females), with ages ranging from 18 to 60 years (M = 26.36, SD = 5.68), answered to a sociodemohgraphic and consumption pattern questionnaire, and to cannabis problematic use, cannabis dependence, cannabis abuse, and nicotine and alcohol dependence scales. The results showed that homegrowers are mostly males, with low academic training and working. Moreover, homegrowers have a higher cannabis consumption rates, are more implied in cannabis selling, polysubstance use, and with more psychosocial problem driven from cannabis use. Finally, homegrowers inform of higher problematic cannabis use and a higher level of cannabis dependence. The implications of the results for prevention police, and treatment of the cannabis use disorder are discussed

Eficacia del MMPI-A en casos forenses de acoso escolar: Simulación y daño psicológico / The efficacy of the MMPI-A in bullying forensic cases: Malingering and psychological injury

La eficacia de la evaluación forense del daño psicológico sustentada en el MMPI-2 y la entrevista clínica ha sido continuamente verificada en todo tipo de casuísticas. Sin embargo, no hay evidencia de la eficacia del MMPI para adolescentes (MMPI-A) en casos de acoso escolar. Para determinar la eficacia del MMPI-A en casos de acoso escolar, 107 participantes con edades comprendidas entre los 14 y los 18 años (M = 14.85) cumplimentaron la adaptación española bajo instrucciones estándar y una semana después bajo instrucciones de simulación de la huella psicológica consecuencia de acoso escolar. Los resultados mostraron que los participantes disponían de una alta capacidad (91.6% para el trastorno por estrés postraumático, TEP, y entre el 60 y el 90% para las secuelas indirectas) para simulación del daño psicológico directo (TEP) y las secuelas indirectas (depresión, ansiedad, problemas psicosomáticos y problemas en las relaciones interpersonales). Se halló que los simuladores seguían 4 estrategias: agrupación indiscriminada de síntomas, severidad de síntomas, síntomas obvios y síntomas raros. Las escalas de control de la validez F, F1, F2 y K discriminaron significativamente y con un tamaño del efecto grande entre respuestas honestas y simuladas. El índice F-K y el perfil L y K < 45 y F < 80 también discriminaron significativamente y con un tamaño del efecto grande entre protocolos honestos y simulados. El estudio de casos mostró un alto poder de clasificación correcta de estas escalas e índices de la simulación (verdaderos positivos) para estos indicadores (para K con T < 40) con un margen de error muy bajo (falsos positivos). Se discuten las implicaciones de los resultados para la práctica forense (AU)

The efficacy of forensic evaluation of the psychological injury based on the MMPI-2 and a clinical interview has been continuously supported by literature. Nevertheless, there is no evidence of the efficacy of the MMPI for adolescents (MMPI-A) for bullying cases. To contrast the efficacy of the MMPI-A in bullying cases, 107 adolescents ranged from 14 to 18 years old (M = 14.85) endorsed the Spanish adaptation of the MMPI-A under standard and malingering instructions. The results showed a high adolescent ability (91.6% for posttraumatic stress disorder, ranging from 60 to 90% for comorbid posttraumatic stress disorders) to malinger both the direct (posttraumatic stress disorder) and indirect (depression, anxiety, psychosomatic problems, problems in interpersonal relationships) psychological injury. Four malingering strategies were identified in malingering protocols: indiscriminate symptom endorsement, symptom severity, obvious symptoms, and infrequent symptoms. The F, F1, F2 and K standard validity scales discriminated significantly and with a large effect size between genuine and malingered responding. Likewise, the F-K index and the L and K < 45 and F < 80 profile discriminated significantly and with a large effect size between genuine and malingered responding. The study of cases revealed excellent classification rates of the standard validity scales (K < 40) and indices for malingered (true positives) and honest (false positives) responding. Implications for forensic practice are discussed (AU)

Razonamientos judiciales en procesos de separación / Judicial reasoning in parental separation and divorce proceedings: content and cognitive analysis of judicial reasoning

El ordenamiento jurídico español determina que en la guarda y custodia de los menores inmersos en un proceso de separación o divorcio de sus padres debe prevalecer el «mejor interés del menor». Para conocer si se cumple este mandato legal, tomamos 782 sentencias que tenían por objeto establecer la guarda y custodia de menores. Un análisis de contenido sistemático de las sentencias mostró que el 57,3% no estaban motivadas en criterio alguno; los criterios de motivación no siempre eran válidos; los criterios de decisión no eran consistentes intergénero del padre custodio; la custodia al padre se derivaba, en buena medida, de un criterio de exclusión de la madre, no se seguía un proceso de verificación de la decisión; el procesamiento de la información se «orientaba a la tarea» y a «la exclusión de la información» contraria a la decisión alcanzada. Finalmente, se discuten las implicaciones de los resultados para la defensa del mejor interés del menor y el entrenamiento de jueces

The Spanish legal system states that the «best interest of the child should prevail» in decisions regarding child custody and guardianship in parental separation or divorce proceedings. In order to evaluate if this legal requirement is being enforced, 782 child custody cases were selected for study. Systematic content analysis of court decisions revealed that most, 57.3%, were not motivated on any grounds; the reasoning criteria were not valid; criteria were not consistent for intergender parental custody decision-making; the father’s custody was mainly based on criteria of exclusion of the mother; no follow-up of judicial decisions was undertaken to ensure compliance; information processing was task driven and involved information processing strategies «based on the exclusion of information» that was contrary to the final decision. Finally, the implications are discussed in the light of recommendations for safeguarding the best interest of the child, and for judges training (AU)