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Physical distancing due to the COVID-19 Pandemic has limited the opportunities for family members, friends, and significant others to show physical affection (i.e., hugs, kisses, caresses, holding hands) during social interactions. The present study investigated the effects of positive touch and psychological distress in 991 Italian participants (Mage = 34.43, SD = 14.27). Results showed the frequency of hugs with the cohabiting partner significantly decreased the symptoms of depression (β = −1.187, p = 0.018, eβ= 0.30, 95% CI = 0.11–0.82), whereas the frequency of caresses with cohabiting relatives predicted the symptoms of anxiety (β = 0.575, p = 0.034, eβ = 1.78, 95% CI = 1.04–3.03). The frequency of hugs (β = −0.609, p = 0.049, eβ= 0.54, 95% CI = 0.30–1.00), and kisses (β = 0.663, p = 0.045, eβ = 1.94, 95% CI = 1.01–3.71) with non-cohabiting relatives predicted the symptoms of anxiety (χ2 = 1.35, df = 5, p = 0.93). These results suggest the importance of positive touch on psychological well-being in the social context.

Schools are in a position to connect children and adolescents suspected of being victims of violence with an external source of support by making referrals to external agencies. However, several studies have identified obstacles that hinder early reporting among school staff members. Very few studies have applied a mixed-method approach to try to understand this sensitive issue. The current study used this approach to analyze to what extent the students suspected of being victimized match the ones reported by active school staff members in Spain ( n = 453, 83.5% females, age: M = 42.23, SD = 9.46). We classified the reasons given for not reporting the potential victimization cases encountered and made comparisons to determine whether there were differences in the level of knowledge, or in the sociodemographic characteristics, of respondents who gave different reasons for not reporting. Although 73.5% of school staff members had detected at least one potential case, 40.8% of them referred it to an external agency. The most common reasons for lack of reporting included deciding not to do so once concerns had been shared within the school and believing that one must be certain or that only serious violence should be reported. The findings of this study may help to further understand the decisions not to report certain suspicions of potential victimization cases to external agencies by school staff. There is an urgent need to raise awareness about the duty to report these concerns to external agencies, even in the absence of agreement from the school management team. Members of school staff need to be strongly encouraged to become familiar with the existing protocols.

Research interest in trauma as a possible cause of growth has increased in recent decades. The Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI) is widely used to measure growth after traumatic events. The present study aimed at validating the Spanish version of the PTGI in a sample of 243 young adults (age range from 18 to 35 years old, M = 21 years, SD = 2.5) who experienced interpersonal victimization during their childhood and/or adolescence. Preliminary analyses showed acceptable reliability for the PTGI subscales (Cronbach’s α ranging from .61 to .89). Exploratory factor analysis revealed a four-factor structure that included «new perception of life», «relating to others», «personal strength», and «spiritual change». All types of victimization correlated significantly with PTGI scores. These findings provide support for the factorial validity of the PTGI and the use of the PTGI in future research examining posttraumatic growth among Spanish victims of interpersonal violence in childhood. Keywords : Victimization; Posttraumatic Growth Inventory; trauma; growth. Estructura factorial del Inventario de Crecimiento Post-traumatico en una muestra espanola de victimas adultas de violencia interpersonal durante la infancia Resumen : El interes cientifico en el trauma como posible fuente de crecimiento ha aumentado en las ultimas decadas, siendo el Inventario de Crecimiento Post-traumatico (PTGI) uno de los instrumentos mas usados para medirlo. El estudio pretende validar la version en castellano del PTGI en una muestra de 243 adultos jovenes (entre 18 y 35 anos, M = 21 anos, DT = 2.5), victimas de violencia en la infancia y/o adolescencia. Los analisis mostraron una fiabilidad aceptable para todas las subescalas (α =.61- .89). El analisis factorial exploratorio revelo una estructura de cuatro factores: «nueva percepcion de la vida», «relacion con los demas», «fuerza personal» y «cambio espiritual». Todos los tipos de victimizacion correlacionaron significativamente con las puntuaciones del PTGI. Los resultados aportan evidencia sobre la validez de la estructura interna del PTGI y el uso del PTGI en futuras investigaciones que examinen el crecimiento post-traumatico en victimas espanolas de violencia interpersonal durante la infancia. Palabras clave : Victimizacion; inventario de crecimiento post-traumatico; trauma; crecimiento.

espanolEl profesorado se encuentra en una situacion privilegiada para poder detectar el maltrato infantil, pero solo un pequeno porcentaje de los casos conocidos son notificados por las escuelas. Existen protocolos de deteccion y herramientas para facilitarla, pero aun asi la deteccion por parte del profesorado parece encontrar obstaculos. Este estudio pretende conocer las cifras de deteccion y notificacion en las escuelas e indagar que variables pueden incidir en ellas. Se realizo un cuestionario auto administrado de 29 preguntas a los 79 tutores de educacion infantil y primaria de seis colegios de una ciudad de 16 500 habitantes de Cataluna. Los resultados concluyen que el profesorado considera que no esta bien formado y apenas detecta posibles casos de maltrato infantil, pero, en caso de detectarlos, informan a su superior. Variables como la identificacion de casos de maltrato sin violencia fisica y la edad correlacionan con la deteccion. EnglishBy virtue of their work, teachers have ongoing contact with children, thus placing them in a unique position to detect signs of child abuse. However, teachers are the source of a tiny percentage of all reports. Teachers have reporting guidelines and other tools to enhance detection but there appear to be significant barriers to detect abuse. This study analyses child abuse detection and reporting rates in schools and attempts to identify the variables that can influence them. A self-administered questionnaire with 29 items was completed by the 79 tutors teaching pre-school and elementary education in the six schools of a small Catalan city (population: 16 500). According to this survey, teachers need more training on child abuse, they hardly detect child abuse situations, and when detected, they mostly report them to their superior. Variables such as training and age correlate with child abuse detection.

espanolEl objetivo de este estudio es incrementar el conocimiento sobre el proceso de revelacion y denuncia del abuso sexual infantil en Espana, mediante entrevistas a 15 victimas adultas que han vivido esta experiencia antes de los 18 anos. Se han recogido datos sobre la revelacion y denuncia, la reaccion de sus interlocutores y su opinion respecto de la prescripcion de estos delitos. La mayoria revelaron el abuso tanto en la infancia como en la adultez, pero solo sintieron que les resultaron de ayuda las revelaciones hechas en esta ultima etapa. Un caso se denuncio en la infancia y dos durante la adultez, habiendo transcurrido cerca de veinte anos desde la edad de inicio de los abusos. Las victimas que denunciaron reportan sentirse satisfechas con la decision, aunque han definido el proceso como duro. La totalidad de la muestra opina que los delitos sexuales contra menores no deberian prescribir. EnglishThe main aim of this study is to enlarge the knowledge about the procedure of disclosure and reporting of child sexual abuse, based on victim’s answers. In order to achieve this, 15 adults who suffered sexual abuse before their 18 birthday were interviewed. Data was gathered about their disclosure and reporting experiences in childhood and in adulthood, the reactions around them and their opinion about the legal limits for this type of felony. Most victims disclosured the abuse in childhood and as grown-ups, although only during the latter period they found this helpful. Only one case had reported during childhood and two have done it when adults, nearly twenty years after the age of onset. Victims felt satisfied with the decision of reporting, even though they described the process as hard. All participants thought that sexual felonies against children should not prescript.

This paper proposes a numerical model that can be used for theoretical and experimental dynamic characterization of historical colonnade courtyards. Such an architectural element appears often in buildings of historical heritage and, especially under seismic excitation, it represents the most vulnerable structural part. Therefore, it is very important to have reliable as well as simple models available for vulnerability analysis, to evaluate different reinforcing systems if needed, or to plan dynamic characterization tests or monitoring campaigns, as in the present case. Chiaramonte Palace, a wonderful example of the historical heritage of Palermo, is investigated as case study. Firstly, a review of the restoration and structural consolidation works made over the years is presented, as fundamental step towards the knowledge of any existing structural system. Then the acquired information are used to propose a simplified finite element model that properly accounts for the interaction with the surrounding part of the building, and that can be easily calibrated on the basis of estimated or measured vibration periods.