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Mental health in families has been affected by COVID-19 stressors. Parental stress and emotion regulation can moderate the emotional effects on their children. This study analyzes the role of parental stress as a mediating variable between parents’ emotion regulation and children’s symptoms. Participants were 214 parents of youth aged 3-17 years, who completed an online survey providing information about parental variables and symptoms in their children. The results show that parental stress mediates the relationship between parental emotion regulation and children’s psychological symptoms. Thus, parents who used cognitive reappraisal strategy less frequently reported more psychological symptoms in their children and higher parental stress. Parents who used expressive suppression more frequently also reported more psychological symptoms in their children and higher parental stress. The present study provides novel information by relating parental psychological variables with psychological variables in youth during a period characterized by the most significant psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The small percentage of children with anxiety problems who receive psychological treatment, and the negative psychological consequences associated with these problems highlight the need for early detection. Although assessment instruments with appropriate measurement properties exist, they tend to be extensive, making it difficult to apply them in clinical settings, schools, or primary care practices. This study aimed to adapt the Spanish brief version for parents of the Spence Children’s Anxiety Scale (SCAS-P-8). For this purpose, information on 215 children between 8 and 12 years of age was reported by 163 parents. The Spanish version of the SCAS-P-8 adequately fit a one-factor structure, χ2 = 44.25; df = 19; comparative fit index = .97; Tucker–Lewis index = .96; root mean square error of approximation: .07 (.04, .09); standardized root mean squared residual = .08. Evidence of internal consistency of the total SCAS-P-8 score was good ( α = 0.82), and the direct correlations obtained between the SCAS-P-8 and internalizing problems showed evidence of convergent validity. Moreover, the appropriate measurement properties of the SCAS-P-8 were shown to be independent of gender. Differences in sociodemographic variables and SDQ-P between children with anxiety symptoms and those without anxiety symptoms were also discussed. Information reported by parents can help the clinician carry out an accurate diagnosis. A brief assessment scale can be easily applied in schools or primary care settings.

La pandemia por coronavirus ha provocado una situación de alerta sanitaria inesperada que ha resultado muy estresante tanto para niños como para adultos. Sin embargo, escasos estudios han explorado en qué medida la gestión emocional de las familias durante el confinamiento ha podido influir en la salud mental de los menores. Por ello, el objetivo del presente estudio fue analizar si el nivel de estrés de los padres, su satisfacción con la crianza y sus estrategias de regulación emocional estaban relacionadas con la sintomatología de sus hijos. La muestra de este estudio se compuso de 219 padres de niños españoles con edades comprendidas entre 3 y 18 años (M = 8,30; DT = 4,35). Los participantes completaron un formulario online para medir su satisfacción con la crianza (KPS), su estrés percibido (EEP-10) y sus estrategias de regulación emocional (ERQ) durante el confinamiento por la pandemia. Los resultados indicaron que existía una relación significativa entre las dificultades psicológicas de los niños y el estrés de sus padres, siendo el estrés parental un predictor de mayor sintomatología infantil. Asimismo, el estrés parental estuvo asociado con el menor uso de la reevaluación cognitiva y mayor uso de la supresión expresiva como estrategias de regulación emocional. El uso de la supresión expresiva como estrategia de regulación emocional estuvo relacionado con mayor sintomatología en los niños. Por otra parte, la mayor satisfacción parental con la crianza se asoció a un menor estrés parental y sintomatología en los niños. En conclusión, los hallazgos del estudio sugieren que el estrés de los padres debido a la situación del COVID-19 tuvo repercusiones negativas en el estado emocional de sus hijos. Por tanto, es necesario aportar recursos a las familias para facilitar el afrontamiento de estas situaciones estresantes y favorecer un mayor bienestar familiar.

Comorbidity between anxiety and depression symptoms is often high in children. Person-oriented statistical approaches are useful to detect heterogeneity of individuals and diverse patterns of response to treatment. This study aimed to explore the different profiles in a sample of Spanish children who received the Super Skills for Life (SSL) transdiagnostic program, to identify which profile of individuals benefited most from the intervention and the likelihood of transition of symptom patterns over time. Participants were 119 children (42.9% were female) aged 8–12 years old (M = 9.39; SD = 1.26). Children completed anxiety and depression measures at the baseline, postintervention, and 12-months follow-up. Results from latent transition analysis (LTA) revealed two groups depending on the severity of the anxiety and depression symptoms: low symptoms (LS) and high symptoms (HS). LS group remained stable and HS decreased by 25%, switching to the LS group. Children with greater social anxiety benefited most from the program over time. Furthermore, older children were more likely to improve rapidly one year after the intervention compared to younger children. This study provides information to consider when implementing preventive interventions for schoolchildren and to tailor them according to the target population characteristics to increase their effectiveness.

Background Externalizing and internalizing problems are frequent during childhood and are often comorbid. The current study aimed to explore subtypes of strengths and difficulties among Spanish children. Methods The Spanish version of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire was administered to 325 children (47.1% girls), aged 7-12 years (M = 9.64; SD = 1.34). Latent Class Analysis (LCA) was carried out to identify risk profiles in children according to their symptoms. ANOVA and multinomial logistic regression were performed to explore associations between latent classes and SDQ subscales, gender, age and number of siblings. Results Five latent classes were found: “high difficulties” (34.2%), “internalizing” (5.2%), “externalizing” (26.5%), “hyperactive” (14.5%), and “well-adjusted” (19.7%). Children belonging to “High difficulties” group showed the highest scores for emotional symptoms, conduct problems, and hyperactivity/inattention. The most prevalent pure profiles were the “externalizing” and “hyperactivity” group, which represent children with elevated behavioral problems, restlessness and distraction. Children in the “internalizing” class showed the highest risk of peer problems. Conclusions These results support the diversity in the patterns of psychological strengths and difficulties and highlight the importance of early detection and intervention, especially in children's behavioral problems, in order to avoid vulnerability to comorbidity and more severe symptoms in the future.

Background Internalizing and externalizing problems are widely addressed in research. However, most studies use variable-centred approaches and ignore the possible co-occurrence of both types of symptoms. This study aimed to identify homogeneous groups of children with similar psychological difficulties and strengths, using latent profile analysis as a person-centred approach. Methods The parents of 107 Spanish children aged 6 to 8 years completed the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Results The results revealed the existence of four latent groups. The children who belonged to the high difficulties group showed the most severe symptoms in emotional problems, peer problems and hyperactivity. The children classified in the externalizing group showed high levels of hyperactivity, behavioral problems, and emotional problems. On another hand, the internalizing profile grouped children with emotional and peer problems. Finally, the well-adjusted group showed an adequate psychological adjustment in all evaluated variables. High difficulties were associated with lower educational attainment of their parents. Limitations Data were reported from a single source of information, father or mother. Also, the socio-demographic variables that were related to each one of the four profiles only considered the age and educational level of the main informant. Conclusions These data suggest that co-occurrence of symptoms is very high in young Spanish children. It is essential to carry out clinical assessments that include both types of symptoms. Considering externalization and internalization as independent and exclusive phenomena can compromise the effectiveness of psychological treatments and preventive programs.

Using a longitudinal cluster-randomized controlled design, we examined whether the effects of Competencies for Adolescents with a Healthy Sexuality (COMPAS), an evidence-based sexual health promotion intervention, differ by adolescents’ sexual experience. Participants were 699 students aged 14–16, 45.9% were sexually experienced, and assessed in the baseline, posttest, and 12- and 24-month follow-ups. All were recruited from 10 schools that were randomly assigned to the COMPAS program and waiting-list groups (WLG). Using an intent-to-treat analyses, longitudinal changes in psychosocial and behavioral outcomes were explored using generalized estimating equations. Compared to the WLG, COMPAS had a positive impact on six of the seven psychological and behavioral outcomes. Non-sexually experienced reported more favorable HIV-related attitudes, higher condom use intention, lower number of sexual partners, and higher condom use than those sexually experienced. Findings support the importance of implementing sex education actions before adolescents get involved in their first intimate relationships in order to achieve greater impact.

Knowing the processes of emotion regulation that children use to respond to stressful situations is essential to analyse the development of psychopathology. The objectives of this research were to study the use of nine cognitive emotion regulation strategies (CERS) in depressed children, compared with nondepressed children, and to analyse their possible mediating effects on the relationship between childhood depression and several areas related to child psychological adjustment. The sample comprised 336 children (46.7% girls) aged 8-12 years. Participants completed measures on depression symptoms (Child Depression Inventory), psychological strengths and difficulties (Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire) and CERS (Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire for Spanish kids). Correlations and multiple regression analyses were conducted to test whether CERS and child gender and age predicted child depression. Mediation analyses were run to identify the CERS that mediate the relationship between depression and daily psychological adjustment. On multiple regression, children who score higher in self-blame (β = .18, p < .01), catastrophizing (β = .24, p < .001), and other-blame (β = .14, p ≤ .01) but lower in positive reappraisal (β = -.15, p ≤ .01) and females (β = .10, p < .05) were more likely to present higher scores in depression. The maladaptive CERS "other-blame" mediated a positive relationship between depression and conduct problems and between depression and peer problems. Other-blame mediated a negative relationship between depression and prosocial behaviour. In conclusion, this research provides evidence of which specific CERS mediate the emergence of psychopathology in vulnerable children, and provides clues for the proper orientation of psychological interventions in childhood.

espanolComo Super Skills puede ayudar a los ninos a afrontar el COVID-19: Impacto psicologico y estilos de afrontamiento despues de recibir el programa. Puesto que esta es la primera vez que ocurre una pandemia en nuestra historia reciente, no ha sido posible planificar intervenciones para prevenir los problemas emocionales infantiles durante el confinamiento. Un objetivo principal del programa Super Skills for Life (SSL) es proporcionar a los ninos habilidades para desarrollar resiliencia emocional y hacer frente a situaciones diarias y dificiles en su vida, por lo que parece interesante examinar como el programa podria ayudar a los ninos a afrontar la situacion del COVID-19. El objetivo de este estudio fue comparar el impacto psicologico durante el confinamiento y los estilos de afrontamiento de los ninos que recibieron el programa SSL antes del confinamiento (n = 48), en comparacion con una muestra equivalente de ninos que no habian recibido el programa (n = 48). La informacion se obtuvo a traves de los padres (n = 96), quienes respondieron a unos cuestionarios online sobre variables sociodemograficas, reacciones psicologicas de los ninos (ansiedad/activacion, estado de animo, sueno, alteraciones conductuales, cambios en la alimentacion y alteraciones cognitivas) y estilos de afrontamiento (orientados a la tarea, a la emocion y a la evitacion). Los resultados indicaron que durante el confinamiento el grupo control presento mas sintomas de ansiedad (p ≤ .001), peor estado de animo (p ≤ .001), mas problemas de sueno (p ≤ .01) y mas alteraciones cognitivas (p ≤ .01), que los ninos que recibieron el programa. Los ninos del grupo control tambien eran mas propensos a utilizar estrategias orientadas a la emocion (p = .001), que se asociaron con mas alteraciones psicologicas. Aunque el programa SSL no se creo especificamente para hacer frente a la situacion del COVID-19, parece proporcionar a los ninos habilidades para hacer frente a este evento inesperado. EnglishAs this is the first time that a pandemic has occurred in our recent history, preventive interventions for children´s emotional problems during confinement were not planned. A main goal of Super Skills for Life Program (SSL) is to provide children with skills to build emotional resilience and coping strategies for daily and difficult life situations, so examining how the program may help children to face the COVID-19 situation could be appropriate. The aim of this research was to compare parents’ perception of immediate psychological reactions to confinement and coping styles in children who received the SSL program before home confinement (n = 48) with an equivalent sample of children who did not attend the program (n = 48). Another objective was to study the relationship between children’s immediate psychological reactions to confinement and their coping styles. Parents (n = 96) completed an online survey providing information on sociodemographic variables, children’s immediate psychological reactions (anxiety/activation, mood, sleep, behavioral alterations, eating and cognitive alterations), and children’s coping styles (task-oriented, emotion-oriented, and avoidance-oriented strategies). Results indicated that the control group presented more symptoms of anxiety (p ≤ .001), worse mood (p ≤ .001), more sleep problems (p ≤ .01), and more cognitive alterations (p ≤ .01) during home confinement than children who received the program. Children in the control group were also more likely to use emotion-oriented strategies (p = .001), which were associated with presenting more psychological alterations. Although the SSL program was not created specifically for coping with the COVID-19 situation, it seems to provide children with skills to cope with this unexpected event.

Anxiety disorders have a negative emotional, social, family, and academic impact on children’s lives. Evaluation of childhood anxiety has focused mainly on symptomatology, and measures of anxiety life interference in children are scarce. Furthermore, collecting information about the interference of anxiety in children’s and their family’s daily functioning through multiple informants is recommended for better diagnosis and intervention. The Child Anxiety Life Interference Scale – parent version (CALIS-P) analyses life interference and impairment related to children’s anxiety both in their own daily functioning and in their parents’ lives. The current study aimed to examine the psychometric properties of the Spanish version of CALIS-P in a sample of children aged 6–8 years. Participants were 181 primary school children (45.9% girls), and data was collected through their parents, who completed assessment instruments about their children’s emotional status. Factorial structure, reliability, convergent and divergent validity of the Spanish CALIS-P were examined. Confirmatory factor analysis supported the good fit of the original three-factor model. High internal consistency was found for the total score (.91) and subscales (.75–.87), and temporal stability after 4 weeks was also satisfactory (ICC > .65). Convergent validity was examined through positive correlations between the CALIS-P and measures of anxiety symptoms (Spence Children’s Anxiety Scale [SCAS-P] and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire [SDQ-P]), and divergent validity was supported by negative correlations with the Prosocial Behavior Scale of the SDQ-P. This research provides evidence of the instrument’s utility both in research and in clinical practice.

Childhood anxiety problems have a great impact on the daily functioning of children and their families. The first objective of this study was to compare whether the use of cognitive-emotional regulation strategies differs in children with and without anxious symptomatology. A second objective was to analyze the possible mediating role of regulation strategies in the relationship between the presence of anxious symptomatology and its subsequent interference in children's lives. In total, 315 children (53.7% boys) between 8 and 12 years old participated. Mann-Whitney-Wilcoxon U-test was used to analyze differences in the use of cognitive-emotional regulation strategies between children with and without anxious symptomatology. In order to identify the cognitive-emotional regulation strategies which mediate the relation between anxiety and the consequent interference in children's lives, mediation analyses were carried out. As expected, children with anxious symptomatology used more maladaptive regulatory strategies than those without such symptomatology. Multiple mediation models in parallel showed that catastrophizing, rumination, and other-blame mediated the relationship between anxiety problems and their consequent interference. The identification of functional or dysfunctional patterns of cognitive-emotion regulation may favor the inclusion of new components in the evidence-based interventions currently available, in an attempt to increase rates of remission of anxiety.

Background The present study examined the long-term efficacy of a transdiagnostic prevention program, Super Skills for Life (SSL), among young children with emotional problems. SSL is based on the principles of cognitive behavioral therapy, behavioral activation, and social skills training. Methods One-hundred and twenty-three Spanish-speaking children, aged 6 to 8 years, and their parents participated in the study. They were recruited from ten schools. Schools were randomly allocated to either the intervention (IG) or waiting-list control (WLC) groups. The children's parent completed a set of questionnaires to measure their child's anxiety and depressive symptoms, general difficulties and positive attributes, and psychosocial impairment. Parent's assessment at baseline and at a 12-month follow-up was assessed using an intent-to-treat approach. Results The IG, compared to WLC group, showed significant baseline-to-follow-up reductions in anxiety and depressive symptoms, as well as in behavioral difficulties and psychosocial impairment in various life domains. Limitations The small sample size and the reliance on parental reports were the major limitations of this study. Conclusions This study provides initial evidence of the long-term effects of SSL, suggesting that it is a promising indicated preventive intervention for young children with emotional problems.

The parent-report Mood and Feelings Questionnaire (MFQ-P) is one of the few well-established available measures specifically designed to assess childhood depression from the parent’s perspective. However, to date, few studies have analyzed the factorial structure of the MFQ-P. The aim of this study was to examine for the first time the psychometric properties of the scores and factorial structure of the Spanish-adapted version of the MFQ-P in a community sample of Spanish-speaking children. Parents of 181 children (54.1% boys) aged 6–8 years participated in this study. The MFQ-P was translated into Spanish and administered along with the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire-parent version (SDQ-P) and the Spence Children’s Anxiety Scale-parent version (SCAS-P). The scale showed high internal consistency (α = .92) and acceptable test–retest reliability, and factor analysis confirmed the original single-factor structure after removing one item. Convergent and divergent validity was supported. The findings provide initial support for the use of a 33-item version of the MFQ-P in the Spanish population, adding further international evidence for this promising scale.

OBJECTIVE This study aimed to validate the self-reported brief version of the Spence Children's Anxiety Scale-Children (SCAS-C-8) in pre-adolescent Spanish children. METHOD Participants were 824 children aged 8-12 from a community sample. The results revealed a good fit to the one-factor structure, adequate internal consistency (α = 0.75), and evidence of test-retest reliability (α = 0.77). RESULTS The strong relationship between the SCAS-C-8 and emotional problems provided evidence of convergent validity. Also, the results showed factorial gender invariance. CONCLUSION The SCAS-C-8 is a suitable instrument for pre-adolescent Spanish children. The brevity and simplicity of this scale may facilitate early detection and help to narrow the existent gap between the presence of anxiety problems and psychological assistance-seeking.

Background and Objectives: Super Skills for Life (SSL) is a transdiagnostic protocol based on cognitive-behavioral therapy designed for children with internalizing problems. The present study examined for the first time the impact of the Spanish-adapted version of SSL in reducing anxiety and depressive symptoms in Spanish-speaking children. Design: A quasi-experimental design with one group, pre- and posttest, and 1-year follow-up was conducted. Analyses were performed on an intent-to-treat basis. Methods: Participants were 119 children (42.9% female; 8-12 years) recruited from nine schools. Children completed assessments of anxiety, depression, emotional and behavioral difficulties, and the extent to which anxiety interfered with life before and after receiving the 8-session SSL, and 12-months post-intervention. Results: Anxiety and depressive symptoms were significantly reduced at post-test and 12-month follow-up assessments. SSL also had positive impact on other symptoms assessed (e.g., interference of anxiety with children's life, peer problems, conduct problems). Overall, the long-term benefits of SSL appeared to be greater than the short-term benefits. Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that SSL may be useful in reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression, and a broad range of other issues, in Spanish children.

The HIV-related Attitudes Scale (HIV-AS) is a brief, valid, and reliable instrument, widely used in Spain. Because of the high risk of HIV in adolescents in Portugal and the scarcity of multidimensional measures to assess attitudes toward HIV-related aspects, reliable and valid instruments are essential for understanding sexual risk behaviors in this population. The aim of this study was to adapt and validate the Spanish version of the HIV-AS into Portuguese. Factor structure, internal consistency, temporal stability, and measurement equivalence with the Spanish version were examined. Analyses were conducted based on a sample of 1,618 adolescents aged 15–18 years (Portugal N = 624, and Spain N = 994). This study confirmed the four-factor structure of HIV-AS, including attitudes toward obstacles to safe sex, HIV testing, condom use, and people living with HIV/AIDS. Reliability was excellent (α = .82) and temporal stability was moderate ( r = .51). Results provided good initial support for the invariance at a strict level for Portuguese and Spanish samples. The Portuguese version of the HIV-AS is a valid and reliable tool for assessing relevant dimensions of attitudes toward HIV-related aspects in adolescents. Future research is needed to consolidate these findings and to generalize them to other populations and countries.

Introduction: Although several tools have been developed to assess general HRQoL in children, parental reports are required to supplement this information, especially in very young children. The parents version of the Kiddy-KINDL-R was developed to assess HRQoL in children aged 3–7 years through the reports of their parents or legal guardians. Objective: The aim of this study was to validate the parents version of the Kiddy-KINDL-R questionnaire and assess its psychometric properties in a sample of Spanish preschool-aged children. Method: Cross-sectional study in 283 parents or legal guardians of children aged 3–6 years that completed the Kiddy-KINDL-R questionnaire and an additional scale to assess anxiety problems. We performed confirmatory factor analysis to assess whether the original Kiddy-KINDL-R version fit the Spanish data; we assessed internal consistency by means of the ordinal alpha and the discriminant validity by means of the Preschool Anxiety Scale. Results: Although the original six-factor model showed a good fit, we propose a model consisting of 22 items and the same 6 factors for the Spanish version. The reliability was excellent, and the internal consistency values were adequate. Our results showed significant negative correlations between the Kiddy-KINDL-R and the external anxiety measure, which was evidence of discriminant validity. Conclusion: We demonstrated that the Spanish version of the Kiddy-KINDL-R had good psychometric properties and that this questionnaire is an adequate assessment tool that could be useful in clinical practice. Resumen: Introducción: A pesar de que se han desarrollado diferentes medidas para evaluar la CVRS general en menores, se necesitan los informes de los padres para complementar la información (calidad de vida relacionada con la salud), especialmente cuando son demasiado pequeños. La versión para padres y madres del Kiddy-KINDL-R se diseñó para medir la CVRS general en niños de 3 a 7 años a través de las respuestas de sus progenitores y tutores. Objetivo: El objetivo del presente estudio es validar la versión parental del cuestionario Kiddy-KINDL-R y evaluar sus propiedades psicométricas en una muestra española de menores en edad preescolar. Método: En este estudio transversal, 283 madres, padres o tutores de menores de entre 3 y 6 años respondieron al cuestionario Kiddy-KINDL-R y a otra medida de problemas de ansiedad. Se realizó un análisis factorial confirmatorio para examinar si el modelo Kiddy-KINDL-R original se ajustaba a los datos españoles; la consistencia interna se estimó utilizando α ordinal y la validez discriminante se examinó con la Escala de Ansiedad Preescolar. Resultados: El modelo original de 6 factores demostró buen ajuste, pero se propuso un modelo compuesto por 22 ítems y los mismos 6 factores para la versión española. La fiabilidad fue excelente y los valores de consistencia interna fueron adecuados. Los resultados revelaron correlaciones significativas y negativas entre Kiddy-KINDL-R y la medida de ansiedad, lo que apoya la validez discriminante. Conclusión: La versión española del Kiddy-KINDL-R demostró buenas propiedades psicométricas y constituye un instrumento adecuado que podría ser útil para la evaluación en la práctica clínica.

The Child Anxiety Life Interference Scale (CALIS-C) is a measure created to specifically identify life interference and impairment related to children's anxiety disorders in areas of daily functioning. Despite being a widely used scale, a Spanish version of the CALIS-C is not available. The purpose of this study was to adapt and validate the CALIS-C for Spanish-speaking children. We examined the CALIS-C factorial structure, factorial invariance across gender, and psychometric properties in a community sample of 336 (46.7% girls) Spanish-speaking children aged 8-12 years. Confirmatory factor analysis provided support for the original two-factor model. Excellent internal consistency coefficients were found for the total scale (0.88) and the subscales (0.85 and 0.82). 8-week test-retest reliability was moderate (IC = 0.51). Evidence of convergent and divergent validity was found, and factorial invariance across gender was reached. The current study provides initial support for the use of the CALIS-C with Spanish-speaking children by clinicians and researchers.

Depression is a common and impairing disorder which is a serious public health problem. For some individuals, depression has a chronic course and is recurrent, particularly when its onset is during adolescence. The purpose of the current paper was to review the clinical trials conducted between 1980 and 2020 in adolescents with a primary diagnosis of a depressive disorder, excluding indicated prevention trials for depressive symptomatology. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is the pre-eminent treatment and is well established from an evidence-based treatment perspective. The body of research on the remaining treatments is smaller and the status of these treatments is varied: interpersonal therapy (IPT) is well established; family therapy (FT) is possibly effective; and short-term psychoanalytic therapy (PT) is experimental treatment. Implementation of the two treatments that work well—CBT and IPT—has more support when provided individually as compared to in groups. Research on depression treatments has been expanding through using transdiagnostic and modular protocols, implementation through information and communication technologies, and indicated prevention programs. Despite significant progress, however, questions remain regarding the rate of non-response to treatment, the fading of specific treatment effects over time, and the contribution of parental involvement in therapy.

During adolescence, the difficulty to control impulses is especially notable. The Brief Self-Control Scale has been used in different countries for years to study associations between self-control and other variables. However, its factor structure is not completely clear, and it is necessary to have a scale with psychometric assurances that evaluates self-control in adolescents. The aim of this study was to examine the factorial structure of the Brief Self-Control Scale and to provide evidences of reliability, validity, and factor invariance across gender and age in a sample of Spanish adolescents. Participants were 693 adolescents from Southeastern Spain, aged 13 to 18 years. Data supported an excellent fit to a two-dimensional model and evidences of reliability, validity and factor invariance across gender and age were obtained. This study provides new data on the two-dimensionality of self-control. The need of this tool becomes increasingly relevant to the susceptibility of new emerging addictions, such as mobile phones or internet.

Anxious children report a more negative perception of their social performance and increased nervous behaviors. The video-feedback with cognitive preparation allows children to contrast and modify their negative social self-image, increasing their self-confidence and decreasing anxiety behaviors. This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of the Super Skills for Life (SSL) program in improving social performance in a sample of children with emotional symptoms. Results indicated that both objective and subjective evaluation showed positive effects of the SSL program on the children’s social performance, enhancing their social skills and reducing anxiety behaviors in social situations, both during the program and in the last session. Girls felt more comfortable and showed better speech and social performance than boys. Our findings increase the evidence about the short-term effects of the video-feedback with cognitive preparation of the SSL program and provide a useful transdiagnostic protocol for application in the clinical setting.

OBJECTIVE(S) This study analyzed the short-term effects of the Super Skills for Life (SSL) program in its individual format from the parents' perspective. METHODS Parents of 70 Spanish children aged 8-11 years (M = 9.31; SD = 1.16) completed assessment instruments about their children's emotional state at the baseline and postintervention. RESULTS Analyses revealed significantly lower scores in depression (The Mood and Feelings Questionnaire), anxiety, and specific disorders (The Spence Children's Anxiety Scale) (i.e., panic attack/agoraphobia, separation anxiety, social phobia, and generalized anxiety). Significant improvements were also found in anxiety life interference at home (The Child Anxiety Life Interference Scale), total difficulties, internalized and externalized problems, emotional symptoms, peer problems, and hyperactivity/inattention (The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire) at posttest. SSL was effective in reducing psychopathological symptoms similarly in both girls and boys. CONCLUSIONS These promising results provide preliminary support for the usefulness of the SSL program in individual format for the indicated prevention of children's emotional problems. This study provides a valuable resource for research and clinical practice.

Consistent condom use tends to be limited in youth, which makes this group especially vulnerable for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unplanned pregnancies. It is known that sexual risk may vary as a function of behavioral intentions (e.g., condom use intention or having sex under the influence of alcohol), but no studies have yet characterized the sexual risk profiles considering behavioral intentions. This study utilizes latent class analysis (LCA) to explore the subtyping of behavioral intentions related to sexual risk in a community-based sample of adolescents aged 14 to 16 years from Spain. Multinomial logistic regression was used to assess the association between class membership and participants’ sociodemographic variables (sex, age, educational level, socioeconomic status, and family situation), and behavioral variables (sexual experience and percentage of condom use). Among the 1557 participants, four latent classes of risk were identified: “Condom + drugs”, “abstinent”, “condom + no drugs”, and “no condom + drugs”. Differences in adolescents’ sex, age, educational level, sexual experience, and condom use across latent classes were found. Findings highlight opportunities for psychologists, educators, and health-care providers to promote condom use in adolescents with differing sexual risk profiles. Increased understanding of behavioral intentions among adolescents may help to reduce sexual risk behaviors in this group.

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic forced the home confinement of the majority of population around the world, including a significant number of children and adolescents, for several weeks in 2020. Negative psychological effects have been identified in adults, but research about the impact of this type of social distancing measure on children and adolescents is scarce. The present study aimed to describe and compare the immediate psychological and behavioral symptoms associated with COVID-19 quarantine in children and adolescents from three southern European countries with different levels of restrictions (Italy, Spain, and Portugal). Parents of 1,480 children and adolescents (52.8% boys) between 3 and 18 years old (M = 9.15, SD = 4.27) participated in the study. An online survey using snowball sampling techniques was conducted during 15 days between March and April 2020, representing the early phase of the quarantine associated with COVID-19 outbreak. Parents answered questionnaires about sociodemographic data, housing conditions, immediate psychological responses during quarantine (e.g., anxiety, mood, sleep, and behavioral alterations), patterns of use of screens, daily physical activity, and sleep hours before and during the quarantine. The results revealed an increase in children's psychological and behavioral symptoms, increased screen-time, reduced physical activity, and more sleep hours/night. Italian children presented less psychological and behavioral symptoms compared with Portuguese and Spanish children. In general, hierarchical multiple regressions revealed that having an outdoor exit in the house (e.g., garden, terrace) contributed to lower levels of psychological and behavioral symptomatology. Future studies are needed to identify family and individual variables that can better predict children and adolescents' well-being during and after quarantine. Recommendations for families and implications for practice are discussed.

The parent version of the Short Mood and Feelings Questionnaire (SMFQ-P) is a brief 13-item tool for the screening of depression in children from the age of 6 years. Despite the wide use of the SMFQ-P, its psychometric properties and factor structure remain understudied, with few data available for young school-aged children. The objective of this study was to examine for the first time the factorial structure and psychometric properties of the SMFQ-P in a non-clinical sample of Spanish-speaking children aged 6–8 years. Participants were 181 children whose parents completed the Spanish-adapted version of the SMFQ-P along with the parent version of other measures of anxiety and general difficulties and positive attributes. The SMFQ-P demonstrated adequate internal consistency (α = .83) and test-retest reliability over an eight-week period (ICC = .80), and good convergent and divergent validity. Factor analysis confirmed the original 13-item model, thus supporting the unidimensionality of the measure in the Spanish sample. Overall, this study provides initial empirical evidence for the utility of the SMFQ-P with Spanish-speaking children from early school ages, and extends the international support of the measure.

Nighttime fears are highly prevalent in children and are linked to children's distress and internalizing problems, especially childhood anxiety. Although its assessment may be critical, there is a lack of available standardized self-reports. This study aimed to describe the development and psychometric evaluation of the Nighttime Fears Scale (NFS), a new standardized self-report for assessing nighttime fears in school-aged children. The construction of the scale was based on prior relevant research and involvement of researchers and clinicians, experts in childhood anxiety, and fears. A total of 794 Spanish-speaking children (51.1 % girls) aged 8-12 years completed the NFS along with measures of anxiety, sleep problems, internalizing and externalizing problems, and positive behaviors. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses supported a four-factor structure of the NFS, consisting of 21 items measuring a range of potentially fear-provoking stimuli at nighttime. Strong internal consistency (alphas ranging from .87 to .94), adequate test-retest reliability, and evidence of convergent, divergent and incremental validity was found. This study provides initial support for the use of the NFS by clinicians and researchers, suggesting that it is a promising tool for a rapid and easily-administered assessment to identify the presence and intensity levels of a set of common children's nighttime fears.

Effectiveness of video-feedback with cognitive preparation to treat anxiety problems (especially social anxiety) has been scarcely explored on children. Super Skills for Life (SSL) is a CBT-based intervention to reduce anxiety and comorbid problems that, apart from social skills training and behavioural activation, integrates video-feedback with cognitive preparation. This study aimed to evaluate SSL effects, implemented in a school setting, on social performance and to test self-concept and social skills as potential mediators of pre- and post-test changes in social anxiety and generalized anxiety. Sample comprised 57 children aged 8&ndash, 11 years with emotional symptoms. Children were video recorded in the first and last session to assess social performance. Anxiety and self-concept measures were completed by children pre-test and post-test. Participants reduced anxiety behaviours and improved social and communication skills after treatment. In general, girls showed better social performance than boys, but SSL impact was greater in males. Social self-concept was the only mediator of change in pre- to post-treatment social anxiety. This study provides evidence of SSL to improve children&rsquo, s social performance and reduce anxiety through video-feedback with cognitive preparation. Improving social concept seems essential to reduce social anxiety. An SSL programme is an ideal prevention protocol for anxious children.

The objectives of this study were to analyze the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the lockdown in the Spanish population and to identify what population profiles were most affected. The study used a sequential exploratory design. In the qualitative phase, 40 participants were recruited based on theoretically relevant criteria and the saturation of the information provided by the interviews. In the quantitative phase, a large representative sample was applied. The universe considered was the adult population of Spain. A total of 6789 surveys were conducted. Both the analysis of the narratives of the interviews and the responses to the panel survey showed relevant changes in attitudes and mood swings compared to the period prior to lockdown. These changes include dysphoric moods (i.e., experiences of distress such as sadness/depression, anxiety, rage, feeling of unreality, worry, etc.) and also some euphoric moods (i.e., feelings of well-being, happiness, etc.). A higher number of women were affected than men and a greater increase was observed in younger people. The findings of the study may serve as a basis for detecting needs and providing psychological support, as the symptoms detected as the most common are key for the processes of screening at-risk individuals., Spanish Ministry of Universities

Teens tend to identify with social groups that characterize their lifestyles, interest in different musical styles and preference in specific activities. Previous studies conclude that group identification is a significant prospective predictor of drug use and other problematic behaviors but may not operate the same way in all cultures. There are no such studies that have been conducted in Spanish adolescents. This study examines the prevalence of self-identified group name research among Spanish adolescents, and its relationship between substance use and psychosocial constructs. The sample consisted of 791 Spanish adolescents from six secondary schools, aged between 14 to 18 years (M = 15.03; SD = 1.01). The results support the existence of group self-identification by youth. The High risk group reported significantly higher monthly cigarette and alcohol use, and the Others group reported higher monthly marijuana use. Regarding psychosocial correlates, youth with higher drug use report greater sensation seeking preference and higher levels of depression. Group self-identification is a consistent phenomenon among teens in different countries but, contrary to previous work, those youth not falling into a clearly defined group (“Others”) were the most likely to use marijuana. Grupo de autoidentificación, consumo de drogas y correlatos psicosociales en adolescentes españoles. Los adolescentes tienden a identificarse con diferentes grupos sociales que caracterizan sus estilos de vida. Estudios previos concluyen que la identificación grupal es un predictor del consumo de drogas y otros comportamientos problemáticos, pero puede no funcionar de la misma manera en todos los países y en España no existen estudios al respecto con adolescentes. Este estudio examina la prevalencia de grupos de referencia entre los adolescentes españoles y su relación con el consumo de sustancias y otras variables psicológicas. La muestra estuvo compuesta por 791 adolescentes de nueve centros de educación secundaria, con edades comprendidas entre los 14 y 19 años (M = 15,03; DT = 1,01). Los resultados apoyan la existencia de grupos de identificación grupal por parte de los jóvenes. El grupo de alto riesgo informó de un consumo mensual significativamente mayor de cigarros y alcohol, y el grupo Otros informó de un consumo mensual más elevado de marihuana, en comparación con los otros grupos. En cuanto a las variables psicológicas, los jóvenes con mayor consumo de drogas informan de una mayor preferencia por la búsqueda de sensaciones y niveles más altos de depresión. La autoidentificación grupal es un fenómeno constante en los adolescentes entre los diferentes países, pero, contrariamente a lo encontrado en estudios previos, los jóvenes que no pertenecen claramente a un grupo definido son los más propensos al consumo de cannabis.

¿Es eficaz un programa transdiagnóstico basado en TCC para los síntomas de ansiedad por separación infantil? Resultados del programa Super Skills. Super Skills for Life (SSL) es un programa transdiagnóstico de origen anglosajón basado en la terapia cognitiva conductual, dirigido a tratar problemas emocionales infantiles. Se ha traducido e implementado en población española, logrando reducciones significativas en síntomas de ansiedad y depresión. El objetivo del presente estudio fue examinar la eficacia a corto y largo plazo de SSL en escolares con ansiedad por separación. Participaron 86 niños hispanohablantes de 8 a 12 años, que fueron evaluados antes de recibir la intervención, inmediatamente después y 12 meses después. Los resultados indicaron mejoras estadísticamente significativas tanto en el problema principal, la ansiedad por separación, como en otros síntomas o problemas comórbidos (depresión, problemas de comportamiento, problemas con los compañeros, interferencia de ansiedad en la vida diaria, etc.). En general, los resultados muestran que el programa fue más efectivo a largo plazo que a corto plazo. Los hallazgos del estudio sugieren que SSL puede ser útil para tratar problemas emocionales en niños con ansiedad por separación. Se discuten las implicaciones prácticas de estos hallazgos. Super Skills for Life (SSL) is a transdiagnostic program of Anglo-Saxon origin based on cognitive behavioural therapy, aimed at treating emotional problems in children. It has been translated and implemented in the Spanish population, achieving significant reductions in anxious and depressive symptoms. The objective of the current study was to examine the short- and long-term efficacy of SSL in schoolchildren with separation anxiety. The program was attended by 86 Spanish-speaking children aged 8-12 years, who were evaluated before receiving the intervention, immediately after and 12 months later. Results indicated statistically significant improvements both in the main problem, separation anxiety and other comorbid symptoms or problems (depression, behaviour problems, problems with peers, interference of anxiety in daily life, etc.). Overall, the results show that the program was more effective in the long-term than in the short-term. The findings of the study suggest that SSL can be useful for treating emotional problems in children with separation anxiety. Clinical implications of these findings are discussed.

Self-consciousness development takes place mainly in adolescence because the brain undergoes certain structural changes that facilitate abstract thinking and metacognition, thus favoring the development of identity. Despite the importance of self-consciousness for mental health, there are no specific measurement instruments for Spanish adolescents. The objective of this study was to explore the dimensions of self-consciousness among Spanish adolescents aged between 13 and 18 years and validate the Chinese Adolescent Self-Consciousness Questionnaire (ASC) in this population. A second-order confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was conducted in accordance with previous validations of the ASC, using R Studio and the Lavaan package, to test its adequacy in a Spanish sample. Internal consistency and temporal stability were also tested, and evidence of validity was found. The results showed a good fit to the model eliminating four items with poor fit indices, CFI = .90, TLI = .89, RMSEA = .078, 95% CI [.076, .080]. Higher self-consciousness was associated with greater self-esteem and lower depressive symptomatology. No significant gender differences were found. This study provides a valid measure to evaluate self-consciousness in Spanish adolescents. The relationship established between self-consciousness and anxiety and depression requires further study as self-consciousness is involved in the development and maintenance of adolescent psychopathology.

Spain has one of the highest smoking rates among adolescents and young adults worldwide. Smoking prevention and cessation programs have been developed for this population; however, the status of evidence-based programs in Spain remains unknown. Previous reviews evaluated the efficacy of smoking prevention and cessation programs, but an update of the results is needed for these and new interventions implemented in Spain. The objective of this paper was to examine the current status of evidence-based smoking prevention and cessation programs for Spanish adolescents and young adults. The current prevalence of tobacco use among Spanish adolescents is described at the state level. We reviewed the results of drug-prevention programs (including tobacco) and provide an in-depth analysis of evidence-based school programs, focused on prevention and cessation of tobacco use in Spain The strengths and shortcomings of the programs are identified, and recommendations for future studies and applications are proposed.

La obesidad y el sobrepeso infantil se han convertido en un relevante problema mundial, tanto por su prevalencia como por sus repercusiones en la salud de niños y adolescentes. Diversos estudios han analizado las consecuencias del exceso de peso a nivel físico, psicológico y social, pero existen pocos trabajos y, muchos de ellos con resultados poco concluyentes, que exploren la relación entre la obesidad y el sobrepeso con el rendimiento académico. El objetivo de este estudio es examinar en los preadolescentes españoles la relación entre el rendimiento académico y la categoría ponderal, teniendo en cuenta la autoestima y la edad como variables moderadoras. Participaron 626 preadolescentes españoles de edades comprendidas entre 10 y 12 años, el 50.48% de sexo femenino. El Índice de Masa Corporal se determinó siguiendo los criterios de la WHO Child Growth Standards. El rendimiento académico de los participantes se estableció mediante el número de suspensos, de suficientes, de bienes, de notables y de sobresalientes. La autoestima se valoró utilizando la subescala del Cuestionario de Depresión Infantil. Para el análisis de los datos se llevaron a cabo análisis multivariados de la varianza. Se hallaron diferencias significativas en el rendimiento académico en función de la categoría ponderal sólo en el sexo femenino, resultando la autoestima significativa como variable moderadora. En concreto, las niñas con exceso de peso que tenían baja autoestima obtenían más suficientes, mientras que las niñas con normopeso que presentaban mejor autoestima obtenían más sobresalientes. Los resultados confirman los hallazgos de estudios previos que encuentran una relación entre el exceso de peso infantil y el rendimiento académico, destacando la importancia de la autoestima como variable moderadora de dicha asociación. Do preadolescents with excess weight and low self-esteem have worse academic performance? A cross-sectional study with a Spanish sample. Obesity has become a significant global problem in terms of prevalence and its impact on the health of children and adolescents. Several studies have analysed the physical, psychological, and social consequences of the excess of weight, but there is a lack of conclusive studies exploring the relationship between obesity in children/adolescents and academic performance. The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between the academic performance of a sample of Spanish preadolescents and the participants’ weight category, taking into account the self-esteem and the age as moderating variables. The participants were 626 Spanish preadolescents from 10 to 12 years old, 50.48% girls. The Body Mass Index was determined according to the WHO Child Growth Standards criteria. The academic performance of the participants was established by the number of courses evaluated as fail, satisfactory, good, very good, and excellent. The self-esteem was assessed using the subscale of the Children’s Depression Inventory. Multivariate analyses of variance were performed for the analysis of the data. Significant differences were only found in girls, highlighting the self-esteem as a moderating variable in the relationship between the weight category and the academic performance. Specifically, girls with excess weight and low self-esteem had more courses evaluated as satisfactory, while girls with a normal weight and good self-esteem had more courses evaluated as excellent. The results confirm the findings of previous studies that find a relationship between excess of weight and academic performance, highlighting the importance of the self-esteem as a moderating variable of this association.

Introducción. A pesar de los datos que evidencian la relación entre la depresión y la disminución del rendimiento escolar, se carece de estudios llevados a cabo con población infantil española. El objetivo del presente trabajo es examinar el rendimiento escolar de los niños es-pañoles en relación con la depresión infantil y el sexo.Método. Participaron 658 niños españoles de edades comprendidas entre 8 y 12 años, el 49.6% varones, que completaron el Inventario de Depresión Infantil e informaron de sus calificaciones (número de suspensos y número de sobresalientes) y del número de veces que habían repetido curso.Resultados. Los resultados del Análisis Multivariado de la Varianza muestran que los niños con sintomatología depresiva tienen un peor rendimiento escolar (más suspensos, menos sobresalientes y más cursos repetidos) que los que no presentan sintomatología. Únicamente se hallaron diferencias en función del sexo en el número de cursos repetidos, mayor en las niñas que en los niños. En ninguna de las variables estudiadas se encontraron diferencias en la interacción entre la sintomatología depresiva y el sexo.Discusión y conclusión. Es conveniente la detección temprana de sintomatología depresiva en el ámbito escolar con el fin de prevenir problemas de rendimiento académico.

Background and Objectives As a measure of nicotine dependence among adolescent smokers, the modified Fagerstrom Tolerance Questionnaire (mFTQ; seven items), has been successfully used in the United States (USA). Nonetheless, the validity and reliability of mFTQ at the international level is still needed. The current study is the first to test the validity and reliability of mFTQ in four countries: Thailand, Spain, the USA, and Russia. Methods In a cross-sectional survey, mFTQ, risk factors of nicotine dependence, and sociodemographic characteristics were assessed. Risk factors included age of first cigarette, frequency of alcohol use, frequency of marijuana use, and number of cigarettes smoked yesterday. Salivary cotinine was also obtained in Thailand and Spain. Results For all four countries, mFTQ exhibited a single factor structure, as supported by previous work in the USA. For all studied countries except Thailand, mFTQ presented acceptable internal reliability. Overall, risk factors of nicotine dependence have predicted mFTQ scores across countries. Frequency of alcohol use in the USA and frequency of marijuana use in Thailand and Spain were not associated with mFTQ scores. Discussion and Conclusions mFTQ is a single-factor measure of nicotine dependence that shows acceptable internal consistency and validity across countries. Further work can advance the scale and tailor it to different cultures. Scientific Significance mFTQ can be a clinically practical international measure of nicotine dependence. This study provides initial support for the utility of the mFTQ among Thai, Spanish, American, and Russian adolescents. Further research is needed to test and advance mFTQ across cultures. (Am J Addict 2017;XX:1–8)

The ‘Cuidate’ programme for adolescents in Spain has proven to be effective for promoting healthy sexuality ( N = 626), but the mechanisms underlying its effects are unknown. This study aimed to identify mediators of the intervention’s effects compared to a control group. Participants were students from five areas of Spain, who completed baseline, immediate-posttest, 12-month and 24-month follow-up assessments. Mediation analyses revealed that ‘Cuidate’ positively affected consistent condom use indirectly through knowledge in serial with the intention to use condoms. The findings underscore the importance of targeting knowledge on HIV and sexually transmitted infections to promote condom use intention and consistent condom use.

Competencias para adolescentes con una sexualidad saludable (COMPAS) es un programa escolar de educación sexual que ha demostrado ser efectivo para promocionar una sexualidad saludable en población general adolescente; sin embargo se desconocen sus efectos en colectivos con alto riesgo sexual, como son los adolescentes con padres divorciados. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar la eficacia de COMPAS en una muestra de adolescentes españoles con padres divorciados. En este estudio con evaluación pretest-posttest participaron 69 adolescentes con edades comprendidas entre 14 y 17 años (M = 15.80; DT = 0.76), procedentes de 15 centros educativos de cinco provincias españolas. Cincuenta recibieron la intervención y 19 fueron asignados al grupo de control en lista de espera. En la evaluación posttest, los adolescentes que recibieron la intervención presentaron mayor nivel de conocimientos sobre el VIH/sida (p < 0.001, d = 0.97) y mostraron actitudes más favorables hacia aspectos relacionados con el VIH/sida (p < 0.01, d = 0.58), con respecto al grupo control. Se concluye que el programa COMPAS tiene un efecto positivo en variables relacionadas con una sexualidad saludable en adolescentes cuyos padres están divorciados. Futuros estudios deben explorar los efectos del programa a largo plazo en este colectivo.

Although Spence Children’s Anxiety Scale (SCAS) is a widely used anxiety measure in many countries around the world, until now, research has barely focused on the usefulness of the parent version (SCAS-P) in young children. This study examines the psychometric properties and the factor structure of the SCAS-P in a Spanish community sample of 181 children aged 6–8 years ( M = 6.87, SD = 0.78). Confirmatory factor analysis showed a good fit of the original six-factor model to the Spanish sample. The internal consistency and the test–retest reliability of the scale were high. Regarding the validity of this measure, higher and significant correlations between the SCAS-P and internalizing problems and lower correlations with externalizing problems were obtained, as found in the original version. Girls seemed to show more anxiety problems than boys, but no significant differences were found. The results suggest that the SCAS-P is an adequate measure to assess anxious symptomatology in young children. The availability of measures with good psychometric properties allows psychologists to assess and carry out a correct and early diagnosis of anxiety disorders in children, making possible an early clinical intervention.

Emotional difficulties in children are often shown to be associated with peer problems and low prosocial behaviors. Super Skills for Life (SSL) is a transdiagnostic protocol for the prevention of emotional problems in children and has also obtained improvements of other comorbid symptoms. This study aimed at comparing the effects of SSL in reducing peer problems and increasing prosocial behaviors in children aged 8 to 12 years between the group and the individual modalities. For this purpose, 140 children (35% girls) received the program, 70 in group format and 70 in individual format, and were evaluated at the baseline, posttest, and after one year. Both modalities were effective in enhancing social relationships in children, although the individual modality showed more promising results. Children belonging to the individual modality group presented fewer peer problems (less social isolation and rejection, greater social acceptance, more friends) and greater prosocial behaviors (helping, empathy, kindness, and sharing) compared to children receiving the therapy in group modality, both in the short and in the long term. In conclusion, this study provides evidence of SSL protocol efficacy for improving children’s peer relationships and prosocial behaviors and encourages the implementation of transdiagnostic interventions in both clinical and educational settings.

Super Skills for Life (SSL) is a transdiagnostic program targeting children with internalizing problems. This study aimed to evaluate: 1) The Spanish SSL program's fidelity level; 2) the relationship between the implementation fidelity dimensions; 3) outcomes at posttest and 12-month follow-up depending on implementation fidelity; 4) mediation effects of self-concept dimensions to reduce internalizing and externalizing problems at follow-up. Participants were 119 schoolchildren aged 8–12. Two groups were established: high (HFG) and low fidelity (LFG). At posttest, HFG presented lower depression, anxiety, total difficulties, and externalizing symptoms, and higher academic and family self-concept than LFG. At follow-up, LFG presented higher depression, total difficulties, and internalizing symptoms, and lower academic, social, and family self-concept. All posttest self-concept dimensions had a significant impact at follow-up on internalizing symptoms. Academic, social and physical self-concept dimensions impacted externalizing symptoms. Thus, although SSL program is effective for treating emotional symptoms even with low implementation fidelity, it is more effective with high implementation loyalty.

The goal of the present study was to examine COMPAS program (Competencies for adolescents with a healthy sexuality) outcomes based on implementation fidelity: dose, adherence, and acceptance. Participants were 716 adolescents aged 14-16 years (46.5% boys). Two fidelity groups were established: high (n=83) and low (n=312), with the remaining sample serving as a non-program control group (n=321). Knowledge about sexually transmitted infections (STIs), attitudes towards HIV, intention to use condoms, and sexual behavior were evaluated. Results indicated that adolescents receiving the intervention displayed improved STI knowledge (p0.001) and improved attitudes toward HIV (p0.05) as compared to the control group. Between the two intervention groups, a high-fidelity group intended to engage more in safe sex behaviors (p=0.05) and displayed greater STI knowledge (p=0.05) as compared to the low-fidelity group. The present study revealed improved efficiency when applying prevention programs with implementation fidelity.

Resumen Introducción. Numerosos estudios han relacionado la obesidad y el sobrepeso con síntomas físicos, psicológicos y sociales, pero son escasos los trabajos que examinan la presencia de síntomas somáticos en niños con exceso de peso. Objetivo. Conocer si existen diferencias en la manifestación de síntomas somáticos en preadolescentes de 10 a 12 años en función de su categoría ponderal (normopeso y sobrepeso/obesidad), así como en otras variables relacionadas con la enfermedad (veces en el último mes que han estado enfermos, que han acudido al médico o que han faltado a clase por estar enfermos y existencia de enfermedades en los miembros de su familia). Método. Se trata de un estudio transversal de casos y controles en el que participaron 668 preadolescentes, de los que 301 presentaban normopeso y 367 exceso de peso (obesidad o sobrepeso). Los participantes completaron el Children’s Somatization Inventory que examina la presencia de síntomas gastrointestinales, pseudoneurológicos y dolor. Para el análisis de los datos se llevó a cabo un análisis multivariado de la varianza. Resultados. No se hallaron diferencias significativas en función de la categoría ponderal en la manifestación de síntomas somáticos. Las diferencias fueron significativas únicamente en función del sexo, presentando las niñas más síntomas gastrointestinales que los niños (F [1,666] = 8.71; p = .003). Al examinar la sintomatología en cada subgrupo, se hallaron diferencias entre los niños con normopeso y obesidad/sobrepeso, mostrando estos últimos más falta de energía o cansancio (χ2 = 5.35; p < .05), dificultad para respirar (χ2 = 7.51; p < .01), convulsiones (χ2 = 4.12; p < .05) y mala digestión (χ2 = 4.89; p < .05). Además, fue mayor el porcentaje de niños con normopeso que no tiene ningún familiar enfermo respecto a los que presentaron obesidad o sobrepeso (χ2 = 2.47; p < .01). Discusión y conclusión. En su conjunto, los resultados confirman la necesidad de valorar de forma exhaustiva y multidisciplinar la sintomatología física y psicológica de los niños y niñas obesos y con sobrepeso, para poder ofrecer una intervención exitosa, no sólo centrada en la reducción de peso, sino en la mejora de su calidad de vida.

Recently, an addiction matrix measure was assessed among U.S. former alternative high school youth. This presentation seeks to examine the generalizability of findings using this measure among Russian and Spanish high school adolescents. Latent class analysis was used to explore addiction subgroups among adolescents in Russia (average age = 16.27; n = 715) and Spain (average age = 14.9; n = 811). Last 30-day prevalence of one or more of 11 addictions reviewed in the previous work was the primary focus (i.e., cigarettes, alcohol, hard drugs, eating, gambling, Internet, love, sex, exercise, work, and shopping) among Russian youth, and last-30 prevalence of one or more of 8 addictions among Spanish youth (the three drug use items had not been included in the questionnaire for these youths). Results confirmed a two-class model (addicted class and non-addicted class) among both Russian and Spanish adolescents. The mean number of addictions reported was 1.39 ( SD = 1.78) addictions among Russian youth and 1.56 ( SD = 1.68) addictions among Spanish youth. The prevalence of the sample that constituted the “addicted group” in Russia and Spain was 32.2% and 28.6%, respectively. The most prevalent addictions (i.e., love, Internet, exercise) were similar. These results are similar to the findings previously reported for U.S. sample. Latent class structures for addictive behaviors are similar across international adolescent populations. Our results highlight the need to address multiple addictions in health education programming.

Introduction Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) was introduced for the first time within the “conditions for further study” in the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of the American Psychiatric Association, and a systematic review has concluded that the only available instrument for its measurement is the Problem Video Game Playing scale (PVP). Nevertheless, this scale was presented as a diagnostic tool for adolescents, and to date no study has analyzed its properties amongst adults. Objective The aim of the study was to analyze and compare the diagnostic and psychometric properties of the PVP in adult and adolescent gamers. Method Two samples of adult (n = 525) and adolescent (n = 384) gamers completed a survey including patterns of play, PVP, Severity of Dependence Scale, and other measures of playing to excess. Results Confirmatory factor analyses revealed that the scale presents a one-factor structure that is similar to that of the original version, both in adults and adolescents. Construct validity was supported by highly significant associations between the PVP and all alternative measures of playing to excess. On the other hand, reliability values were lower than in previous studies. Conclusions The PVP scale's properties are appropriate for the measurement of problem video gaming in adults as well as in adolescents, but studies with clinical assessments are still needed before any cutoff value for diagnosis can be established.

Background The Spence Children’s Anxiety Scale (SCAS) is a widely used instrument for assessing symptoms of anxiety disorders among children and adolescents. Previous studies have demonstrated its good reliability for children and adolescents from different backgrounds. However, remarkable variability in the reliability of the SCAS across studies and inconsistent results regarding its factor structure has been found. Methods The present study aims to examine the SCAS factor structure by means of a systematic review with narrative synthesis, the mean reliability of the SCAS by means of a meta-analysis, and the influence of the moderators on the SCAS reliability. Databases employed to collect the studies included Scholar Google, PsycARTICLES, PsycINFO, Web of Science, and Scopus since 1997. Results Twenty-nine and 32 studies, which examined the factor structure and the internal consistency of the SCAS, respectively, were included. The SCAS was found to have strong internal consistency, influenced by different moderators. The systematic review demonstrated that the original six-factor model was supported by most studies. Limitations Factorial invariance studies (across age, gender, country) and test–retest reliability of the SCAS were not examined in this study. Conclusions It is concluded that the SCAS is a reliable instrument for cross-cultural use, and it is suggested that the original six-factor model is appropriate for cross-cultural application.