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The objectives of this study were to examine the validity and reliability of the Spanish version of the Physical Appearance Comparison Scale-Revised (PACS-R) and to assess its ability to predict body dissatisfaction and disordered eating in a community sample in Spain. A total of 1405 participants (83.6% women; aged 14-64) completed the Spanish PACS-R along with measures of body image, eating disturbances, appearance-related sociocultural influences, self-esteem, and social comparison. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses supported the original one-dimensional factor structure for the 11-item Spanish version of the PACS-R. Women had significantly higher PACS-R scores than men. Internal consistency of the measure was excellent, and results showed good test-retest reliability and convergent validity in men and women. Regression analyses demonstrated the utility of the scale in predicting body dissatisfaction and disordered eating in both genders. Results suggest that the Spanish PACS-R has excellent psychometric properties, therefore it might be a useful tool to measure appearance comparisons among Spanish speaking populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dyadic sexual communication can be defined as discussing sexual behaviors with one's partner. Given the importance of sexual aspects in partner communication, the aim of this study was to present the Spanish adaptation of the Dyadic Sexual Communication Scale (DSC; Catania, 1998). This instrument measures the individual's perception of the communication with the partner about sexual behaviors. 891 participants answered different scales to measure the reliability and the validity of the DSC scale. Unidimensional factorial structure obtained a good fit to the data (CFI= .92, TLI= .90, RMSEA= .079) and a good reliability (α= .87, ω= .87). Here, different types of evidence are presented such as the convergent validity with sexual satisfaction ad dyadic adjustment variables. Also, sensitivity to personal variables such as sex or partner relationship duration was analyzed showing that, although no mean differences were observed, the relationship between the DSC scale and the measured variables was sensible to those personal variables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study explores the dimensionality of the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale for Children and Adolescents (CES-DC; Radloff, 1977, 1991) in a sample of 986 Spanish children and adolescents (55% girls) between 9 and 18 years old. Confirmatory factor analysis was performed for a first order 4-factor model based on the original structure (Depressed affect, Somatic, Positive affect, and Interpersonal difficulties) and for another alternative model of second order which includes the previous factors. We examined the psychometric properties by items, by dimensions and for the total scale. The criterion validity was also evaluated with different variables which are theoretically related to the depressive symptomatology. The results show that the tested models are adequate for Spanish children and adolescents. Furthermore, evidence of criterion validity and psychometric properties were satisfactory. The potential discriminant validity and quality of the scale to assess the children's depressive symptoms are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sexual violence in youth's dating relationships does not fit the explanatory models existing in adults, hence the need to have instruments to analyze this particular type of behavior. In this study the psychometric properties of the Sexual Coercion Scale (ECS) were analyzed in a sample of 3665 youngsters between 16 and 24 years old. The sample was divided into two different subsamples, with an exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis for each one. Only one factor was found. The reliability of the scale was adequate, as well as the convergent validity, with positive and significant correlations with the Modified Conflict Tactics Scale (M-CTS; Neidig, 1986) that measures physical and verbal violence. Significant differences were also found in the ECS according to age and sex, as was expected. ECS is an appropriate instrument to evaluate sexual coercion in dating relationships in Spain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although there is evidence that the depression level in caregivers is associated with their negative thoughts and the Automatic Thoughts Questionnaire (ATQ) being the most widely used instrument to assess these negative thoughts, there is no data of the psychometric properties of the ATQ in caregivers. In the current study, trained independent evaluators administered the ATQ and assessed the level of depressive symptoms and the diagnosis of major depressive episodes in 592 family caregivers (87.2% women, mean age of 55.4 years). The internal consistency of the ATQ was .96. Three factors explained 56.3% of the total variance. There was a significant correlation between depressive symptomatology and negative thoughts (r= .684, p< .001). The ATQ differentiated between depressed and non-depressed caregivers, correctly classifying 86.8% of cases. A score of 52 was an adequate cut-off to differentiate depressed caregivers from non-depressed caregivers (sensitivity= 80.9%, specificity= 75.5%). The results indicate that the ATQ is a reliable and valid instrument to evaluate negative thoughts in the family caregiver population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to develop a Motivation Questionnaire to Adopt a Healthy Lifestyle (CM-EVS) for adolescents, an adaptation of the Treatment Self-Regulation Questionnaire (TSRQ) to the Spanish context. Two independent studies were carried out, in 858 and 344 post-compulsory secondary education students (aged from 16 to 21) participated, respectively. The factorial structure of the instrument was tested in the first study. Results showed unsuitable fit indices because of item ten. After a new wording of this item, results gave support to a four-subscale structure (self-determined motivation, introjected regulation, external regulation, and amotivation). There was invariance across sex and physical exercise. Except for introjected regulation, internal consistence (Cronbach's alpha and composite reliability) of the rest of subscales was acceptable (> .70). Results showed evidence of reliability and validity of the TSRQ in order to measure motivation to adopt a healthy lifestyle in Spanish adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to develop an instrument for the detection of obsessive compulsive (OC) symptoms through parent information. 492 parents of schoolchildren answered the 41preliminary items of the "Questionnaire for the Evaluation of Obsessive Compulsive Symptoms- Parent" (CESOC-P). A first exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was made to reduce the number of items, and with the items that obtained loads equal to or higher than 0.50 and some items considered clinically relevant another EFA using the oblimin rotation method was performed. The 13 items selected made up the final version, which showed a single factor (KMO index = .86, GFI= .96) and adequate reliability (α= .84). CESOC-P scores were significantly related to OC diagnoses and Child Symptoms Inventory-4 OC scores. A cut-off score of 3 presented adequate sensitivity and specificity. The CESOC-P is a quick, reliable and valid tool for the detection of obsessive-compulsive symptoms and can be useful to supplement the information reported by children and/or teenagers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this research was to analyze the convergent validity of the "Exploratory Questionnaire of Personality-III" (CEPER-III; Caballo, Guillen, Salazar, & Irurtia, 2011) in a sample of 565 participants of Colombia. The questionnaire assesses 14 personality styles that follow the diagnostic criteria of the DSM-IV (APA, 1994) and DSM-III-R (APA, 1987), although they are not disorders. The alpha Cronbach coefficients of the scales ranged from .75 to .87, indicating an adequate internal consistency. Pearson correlations obtained between the CEPERIII (subscales) styles and the Million Clinical Multiaxial Inventory-III (MCMI-III; Million, Davis and million, 2007) disorders (subscales) ranged from .40 to .70, supporting the convergent validity of the CEPER-III. These results indicate that the CEPER-III has adequate psychometric properties to be used in Colombian population and that their items are well understood without problems of cultural appropriateness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aids phobia is characterized by a persistent, intense and irrational fear of HIV. This fear is related to the infection stigma and the discrimination against HIV-positive people. The aim of this study was the adaptation and validation of the Multicomponent AIDS Phobia Scale (MAPS) with Spanish adolescents and to examine the structure of this fear among population from Spain and US. A sample of 832 secondary students from 14 to 18 years of age was recruited. The data provide evidence for two-factor structure of the scale, showing a composite reliability of .77. Convergent validity with the scores on HIV/aids knowledge and attitudes was adequate. Low correlations between the MAPS and the scores on health anxiety and social anxiety support the divergent validity. The MAPS has adequate psychometric properties and can be applied to Spanish adolescents for clinical and research purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]