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Spain has been one of the countries most affected by the health crisis derived from COVID-19. Within this country, the city of Madrid has registered the highest number of infections and deaths. This circumstance led to the adoption of strict confinement measures for a period of 6 weeks. The objective of the present study was to investigate the psychological effects that this confinement has had on the psychological well-being of a sample of children from Madrid. A total of 167 families with children aged between 3 and 11 years participated in this study. The parents evaluated the children through the System of Evaluation of Children and Adolescents (SENA) scale in the month of February and refilled part of the same scale after the children had spent between 4 and 6 weeks confined. The comparison between the two measures showed no change among the 3-year-old children. However, change was observed among the 6–10-year-old. Children in Primary Education obtained lower scores in dimensions related to self-regulation (emotional, attentional, and behavioral) and in willingness to study. The results are discussed in light of the situation experienced between the months of March and May 2020. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to examine characteristics of precoital sexual behaviors and types of sexual contact in adolescent. A representative sample of 4,456 Spanish high school students participated. These participants were selected by means of a stratified random sampling procedure. They completed a questionnaire about their sexual behaviour. It is a cross-sectional survey study. Differences according to age and gender in characteristics of sexual behaviour before the onset of sexual intercourse were found. Compared to females, males started non penetrative sexual experiences earlier, had a higher number of sexual partners and a higher percentage of males reported having had casual sexual partner. This study not only adds to knowledge about sexual behaviour before the initiation of sexual intercourse among adolescents, it also highlights the importance of developing sexual prevention strategies for young adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we analyze the frequency and intensity of posttraumatic stress disorder in a sample of 100 battered women. Female users of social services and other institutions for maltreated women completed the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptom Severity Scale (Echeburúa, Corral, Amor, Zubizarreta, & Sarasua, 1997). Results show that there are no significant differences based on the type of maltreatment experienced (physical, psychological and sexual). Nevertheless, we have identified social support as a possible protective factor that buffers women against posttraumatic stress, and previous experience of violence as a risk factor associated with higher levels of posttraumatic stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Some of the psychological effects of viewing bullfights on children 8–12 years old are described. Two hundred and forty subjects (120 girls and 120 boys) aged between eight and twelve from a variety of socioeconomic backgrounds were selected from three public or private elementary / secondary schools in Madrid, Spain. The first study used a questionnaire to examine the children's attitudes towards bullfighting by looking at their acceptance and cognitive-emotional appraisal of the event. Videotapes of bullfights with differing commentaries were then used, along with a battery of questionnaires, to assess the emotional impact of these events, as well as the impact of narrative explanations on aggression and anxiety. Most children were not very positive about bullfights in the initial questionnaire. Viewing of tapes with ‘festive’ or aggressive dialogues (but not tapes without a justification) resulted in more expressed aggression in boys than girls. There was also evidence that age had a significant effect, and that some children appeared disturbed by the exposure. Aggr. Behav. 30:16–28, 2004. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Aggression against healthcare workers is a problem of important consequences which is becoming a focus of research. However, its possible effects on psychological health have not been studied sufficiently in spite of the fact that they may be of importance even in the absence of physical aggression [Winstnaley S, Whittington R. Aggression towards health care staff in a UK general hospital: variation among professions. J Clin Nurs 2004;13:3-10,]. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]