BACKGROUND:Mental health (MH) stigma is one of the main barriers to young people with MH problems seeking help. This study attempts to analyse it using the Stigma and Self-Stigma scales (SASS) in a representative sample of young people, novel aspects being the comprehensive perspective of the instrument used and the analysis of gender effects, both from a psychometric perspective (measurement invariance) and analysis of the differences according to the gender variable. METHOD:378 students (M = 20.78 years; SD = 1.65; 61.6% women) participated, selected through a stratified random cluster sampling approach. The scale's internal structure and its measurement invariance between genders were examined. RESULTS:The five-factor model of the SASS showed adequate goodness-of-fit indices. Scalar invariance between genders was confirmed for the five-dimensional model, along with higher levels of stigma in several dimensions among boys. Cronbach's α for the different subscales ranged from .62 to .80, and McDonald's ω from .60 to .79. CONCLUSIONS:The SASS is a brief, simple, and reliable instrument for assessing different dimensions of MH stigma in university settings.
BACKGROUND:In recent years, there has been growing scientific concern about digital habits, online risk practices and problematic internet use (PIU) among adolescents with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This exploratory study aims to compare: (1) internet use habits; (2) PIU; and (3) online risk practices (i.e., active and passive sexting, sextortion, pornography consumption, online gambling, and contact with strangers) among adolescents with and without ADHD. METHOD:A school-based sample of 4,359 adolescents aged 12-18 years old (M = 14.79, SD = 1.79; 51.1% girls; 5.9% ADHD) was assessed (intentional sampling). RESULTS:The results indicated that adolescents with ADHD had different Internet and video game use habits, as well as a significantly higher rate of PIU compared to their peers without ADHD (25.8% vs. 18%). They also had a higher rate of sextortion, online gambling, and pornography use. In addition, significant gender differences of particular interest were observed. CONCLUSIONS:These findings underline the need to address the particularities of adolescents with ADHD and their environment in order to promote safer use of the technology.
BACKGROUND:Identifying the key aspects of personal recovery in addictions is crucial for advancing recovery-oriented services. In Spain, no validated measures capture what service users consider most important for their recovery. This study aimed to design and validate the Personal Recovery Importance Scale (PRIS), an expanded CHIME-based instrument tailored to the addiction context. METHOD:A four-phase mixed-methods design involved experts (N = 13) and people in recovery (N = 1,604). Phase 1 focused on item development; Phases 2 and 3 assessed content and response process validity; and Phase 4 examined psychometric properties. RESULTS:42.4% of the items were revised after expert feedback and 44% following cognitive interviews. Psychometric analysis supported a seven-factor model (Connectedness, Hope, Identity, Meaning in life, Empowerment, Difficulties, and Practical support-CHIME-DP) with robust fit indices, invariance across recovery stages, satisfactory internal consistency, concurrent and discriminant validity, and hypothesis testing with key recovery variables. CONCLUSIONS:These findings confirm the content, face, and psychometric validity of the PRIS. This tool may be useful for prioritising and designing interventions and represents a first step towards developing PROMs and PREMs measures in Spain.
BACKGROUND:The assessment of mental health problems has traditionally been done with male or gender-neutral questionnaires. This study analyzes the effects of the gender of the AQ-9 questionnaire, as well as of the respondent, on stigma towards mental health problems. METHOD:A sample of 2,746 adults from the general Spanish population stratified by gender responded to three different versions of the AQ-9 questionnaire: vignette formulated in the female, male and neutral gender. Analyses of invariance and of differences of means for independent samples (ANOVAS) were carried out for both respondent gender and vignette gender. RESULTS:The results show that women tend to be more compassionate and perceive more danger or fear, while men fulfil traditional gender roles by feeling more anger or guilt. Depending on the gender of the vignette, there was a tendency to feel more pity and help towards women, as well as fear, danger, avoidance and coercion towards men. The neutral vignette generated more segregation attributions. CONCLUSIONS:This study underlines the need to take gender into account when designing assessment instruments. Implications and recommendations from an intersectional perspective are discussed.
BACKGROUND:Despite the literature supporting the important role of social connectedness in older people's Quality of Life (QoL), study of this association has been scarce, especially sex-specific social mechanisms. This study aimed to examine how social connectedness related to QoL in community-dwelling older adults, considering sex differences. METHOD:709 people from Spain, aged 60 and over participated in the study and completed a survey that included sociodemographic characteristics, social connectedness, psychological resources, mental health and QoL. Path analysis was performed to test the hypothesized model. Associations between the assessed variables were tested separately for men and women. RESULTS:The relationship between family function and QoL was fully mediated by psychological resources and mental health, but the direct paths used by women were different from men. The relation between loneliness and QoL was partially mediated, with gratitude and resilience playing a more prominent role among women. CONCLUSIONS:The critical role of social factors is highlighted, as humans are inherently social beings. The study found sex differences in the relationship between social connectedness and QoL, mediated by psychological resources, well-being, and distress. Men and women cope with adversity differently. It is important to consider sex differences when designing interventions for older adults.
BACKGROUND:Waiting lists in mental health are a growing problem. This study analyzes their impact on attendance and early dropout from treatment in the Santander health area of the Spanish National Health System. METHOD:A retrospective observational study was conducted with 2,765 patients referred from Primary Care to four Mental Health Units during 2021. Logistic regressions were applied to analyze the influence of waiting times on attendance at the first appointment and early dropout, and ROC curves were used to identify optimal cut-off points. RESULTS:The median waiting time was 51 days for the first appointment and 35 between the first and second. A total of 84.6% attended their first session, with higher attendance in women, older individuals, those with work-related disability, and shorter waiting times. Early dropout (15.8%) was associated with longer time between appointments, being male, and being younger. The discriminative power of the cut-off points was poor. CONCLUSIONS:Waiting times exceed recommended standards and negatively affect treatment continuity. Structural reforms and more human resources are needed to improve access to and the effectiveness of psychological care.
BACKGROUND:Adolescents are immersed in digital communication, which can benefit or harm their well-being. Digital flourishing captures positive perceptions of this communication-connectedness, authentic self-presentation, positive social comparison, civil participation, and self-control-and how it contributes to well-being. In Spain there is still no validated instrument for adolescents. METHOD:We adapted and validated the Digital Flourishing Scale for Adolescents (DFSA) for Spanish adolescents. Study 1 involved a pilot survey (n = 13) and cognitive interviews (n = 10) to improve clarity and cultural relevance. Study 2 used a cross-sectional survey (n = 1,786) to examine the DFSA's latent structure, measurement invariance by gender and age, internal reliability of scores, and validity evidence based on relationships to other variables. Study 3 assessed test-retest reliability of scores and longitudinal measurement invariance over six weeks (n = 289). RESULTS:Study 1 improved item clarity and cultural relevance through linguistic adjustments. Study 2 confirmed a five-factor model, showing strict age invariance and metric gender invariance. All subscales correlated with well-being indicators. Study 3 showed poor to moderate temporal stability of scores but supported scalar longitudinal invariance. CONCLUSIONS:The Spanish DFSA is a promising tool for assessing adolescents' digital flourishing in the Spanish context.
BACKGROUND:Students' perceptions of teacher response play a critical role in addressing bullying, as they are closely linked to student involvement. However, no validated instruments currently exist in Spain to assess this construct adequately. This study aimed to validate the Teachers' Responses to Bullying Questionnaire (TRBQ) in Spain, examine its measurement invariance across educational levels, gender, and bullying roles, and to explore students' perceptions of teacher responses based on these variables. METHOD:A total of 1,241 students (48.8% girls; 48.3 % primary school; M age = 12.00; SD = 1.79; range = 9-18 years) from southern Spain participated. RESULTS:EFA revealed a three-factor structure-non-intervention, restorative psychoeducational strategies, and disciplinary methods-with good fit, confirmed through CFA. The instrument demonstrated satisfactory reliability and measurement invariance. Girls perceived teacher responses as more frequent. Restorative strategies were more common in primary school, while non-intervention was more prevalent in secondary school. No significant differences emerged for disciplinary methods. Non-involved students reported more restorative interventions, bullies-victims perceived more non-intervention; and aggressors reported greater use of disciplinary methods. CONCLUSIONS:The Spanish adaptation and validation of the TRBQ provides a valuable tool for assessing teacher responses to bullying and contributes to research and intervention in school contexts.
BACKGROUND:Artificial Intelligence (AI) is increasingly used to enhance traditional assessment practices by improving efficiency, reducing costs, and enabling greater scalability. However, its use has largely been confined to large corporations, with limited uptake by researchers and practitioners. This study aims to critically review current AI-based applications in test construction and propose practical guidelines to help maximize their benefits while addressing potential risks. METHOD:A comprehensive literature review was conducted to examine recent advances in AI-based test construction, focusing on item development and calibration, with real-world examples to demonstrate practical implementation. RESULTS:Best practices for AI in test development are evolving, but responsible use requires ongoing human oversight. Effective AI-based item generation depends on quality training data, alignment with intended use, model comparison, and output validation. For calibration, essential steps include defining construct validity, applying prompt engineering, checking semantic alignment, conducting pseudo factor analysis, and evaluating model fit with exploratory methods. CONCLUSIONS:We propose a practical guide for using generative AI in test development and calibration, targeting challenges related to validity, reliability, and fairness by linking each issue to specific guidelines that promote responsible, effective implementation.
BACKGROUND:The short S-UPPS-P is a 20-item self-report tool for assessing impulsivity in adolescents, differentiating five dimensions: Negative Urgency, Lack of Perseverance, Lack of Premeditation, Sensation Seeking, and Positive Urgency. This study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Spanish S-UPPS-P and to establish normative data for adolescents in Spain. METHOD:Participants were 8,944 adolescent students (ages 11-19) from 66 high schools and 789 adolescent psychotherapy patients from 7 centers. RESULTS:The expected 5-factor model, evaluated with confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), showed insufficient fit (CFI and TLI ≤ .90, RMSEA = .076). However, an exploratory approach yielded satisfactory results (CFI and TLI ≥ .97, RMSEA ≤ .036), with full measurement invariance across age, gender and sample type. Internal consistency reliability ranged from moderate to excellent (ω = .67-.82). Convergent validity with the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale total score was satisfactory (r = .47-.59). No significant differences in scale scores were observed across gender, age, or sample type, providing the use of a single norm. CONCLUSIONS:These findings support the S-UPPS-P as a valid, reliable tool for assessing impulsivity in Spanish adolescents. The availability of standardized norms enhances its utility in clinical and educational contexts.
BACKGROUND:Detecting late talkers among children is important because they are at greater risk of subsequently manifesting persistent disorders in language development. Therefore, it would be beneficial to have quick measurement tools with adequate psychometric properties, which have not yet been developed. This study set out to develop, analyse and validate the factor structure of an observational scale for detecting Late Language Emergence (LLE) in Spanish-speaking children aged 2-3 years that could be applied not only by language professionals but also teachers in early childhood education centres for children aged 0-3 years. METHOD:The sample comprised 364 children aged 24-38 months (M = 31.93; SD = 3.512; 49.7% girls). RESULTS:The estimated reliability coefficients ranged from ω = .77 to ω = .97. Factor analyses indicated that the best model explaining the scale's assessment criteria was articulated around five factors: phonology, lexical semantics, morphosyntax, comprehension and communication. The correlations between the dimensions of the scale and those of the MacArthur Communicative Development Inventory were statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS:The scale to detect late talkers among Spanish children appears to be a concise, simple instrument with suitable psychometric properties.
BACKGROUND:Likert-type scales, first introduced by Rensis Likert in 1932, have become one of the most widely used assessment tools across a range of scientific and professional domains, owing to their simplicity and effectiveness. The purpose of the present study is to critically review their use and to propose a set of practical guidelines aimed at optimizing their construction, analysis, and application. METHOD:A systematic literature review of guidelines focused on the development, analysis, scoring, use, and interpretation of Likert scales was carried out. RESULTS:Several key areas for improvement in the construction and use of Likert-type scales were identified, including the operational definition of constructs, item formulation, selection of the number of response categories, response analysis, collection of validity evidence, item calibration, and score interpretation. CONCLUSIONS:Based on the findings, a practical guide comprising fifteen recommendations is proposed: ten focused on the appropriate design, construction, and analysis of Likert scales, and five aimed at guiding appropriate use of pre-existing scales by researchers and practitioners.
BACKGROUND:Indirect attitude change effect occurs when a change in attitudes toward an object (i.e., focal attitude) is accompanied by a change in attitudes toward other related objects (i.e., distal attitude). The current research examines to what extent the amount of thinking (elaboration) involved in changing focal attitudes can moderate this indirect change effect. We expect that indirect change will be more likely to occur under high elaboration conditions (i.e., elaboration-indirect change effect). METHOD:Across two studies, participants' thought valence toward a healthy diet (Study 1) and toward coffee (Study 2) was manipulated to be positive or negative. The amount of elaboration accompanying the thought generation tasks was either measured (Study 1) or manipulated (Study 2). Finally, focal and distal attitudes were assessed in both studies to test the proposed elaboration-indirect change effect. RESULTS:Focal attitudes were generally associated with distal attitudes. More importantly, the amount of thinking moderated this effect, with increased elaboration leading to more indirect change from focal to distal attitudes. CONCLUSIONS:Elaboration moderates indirect attitude change.
BACKGROUND:Online trolling refers to a specific form of disruptive behavior in digital environments, aimed at interrupting interactions, provoking other users, and drawing them into fruitless arguments. The Dark Tetrad personality traits (narcissism, Machiavellianism, psychopathy and sadism) have been linked to various forms of antisocial behavior in virtual contexts. METHOD:A systematic literature review was conducted across the PsycINFO, PubMed, Scopus, ERIC, and Web of Science Core Collection databases to identify relevant studies examining these variables. A total of 24 relevant articles from 11 countries were identified, comprising a combined sample size of 14,044 participants. Four random-effects meta-analyses were performed using Pearson's r coefficients. RESULTS:The results reveal a positive association between all four personality traits and greater tendency to engage in online trolling. Meta-regression analyses show that the assessment instruments used moderated some of the observed associations. No evidence of publication bias was detected. CONCLUSIONS:In general, the relationship between Dark Tetrad traits and online trolling was found to be positive, helping to explain individual differences in it.
BACKGROUND:Significant progress has been made in providing empirical support for psychological interventions designed to improve the health and behavior of children and young people with pediatric health problems. The objective of this study was to carry out a review of empirically supported psychological treatments for various health problems in the child and adolescent population. METHOD:Psychological treatments with empirical support for 12 pediatric health problems were reviewed based on the levels of evidence and how much they are recommended in the Spanish national health system Clinical Practice Guides. RESULTS:Psychological treatments to address various health problems in the child and adolescent population have empirical support. The level of evidence ranges from low to high depending on the health problem. The review shows uneven deployment in different health problems. CONCLUSIONS:This review will help psychology professionals and healthcare managers to make decisions regarding psychological treatments for addressing pediatric health problems.
BACKGROUND:The Positive Organizational Culture construct is a set of shared practices, values, and behaviors within an organization that promote healthy and motivating working environments. This study develops a new scale called the Positive Organizational Culture Scale (POCS) to assess how organizational values affect well-being and work performance. METHOD:The sample consisted of 1,420 workers in Chile, with an average age of 39.48 years (SD = 11.13). Over half (55.0%) worked in the public sector, 34.5% worked in private organizations, and 10.5% worked in private non-profit organizations. The study examined item descriptions, the scale's internal structure, its measurement invariance regarding sex and organization, and its relationship with other psychological variables (organizational climate, professional burnout, psychosomatic symptomatology). RESULTS:The POCS showed a good fit to a correlated two-factor structure (People-Oriented Culture and Results-Oriented Culture; CFI = .94; RMSEA = 0.08), demonstrating measurement invariance regarding sex and type of organization. The findings show that the POCS has 36 items exhibiting satisfactory psychometric properties and a structure consisting of two first-order factors, which exhibit distinct associations with the other recorded variables. CONCLUSIONS:The POCS provides relevant information for formulating actions aimed at enhancing the work environment in the Chilean context.
BACKGROUND:Sexting is now widely acknowledged as a common sexual behavior among adolescents and young adults. However, the occurrence of abusive interactions, such as non-consensual sexting, warrants attention. Prevalence rates of non-consensual sexting vary between countries, influenced by gender and age. The present study examined the relationship between three facets of callous-unemotional (CU) traits (i.e., callousness, uncaring, and unemotional) and the sharing of non-consensual sexts across different relationship contexts (i.e., acquaintances, strangers, or partners). METHOD:Data were drawn from a cross-countries project encompassing 11 countries: Belgium, China, Czech Republic, Ireland, Italy, Malaysia, Poland, Russia, Turkey, Uganda, and the USA. The sample comprised 6093 young adults (3682 girls; 2401 boys), aged 13 to 30 (M=20.35; SD=3.63). RESULTS:Results from a logistic mixed-model indicate that CU traits predict non-consensual sexting, with high callousness and uncaring, and low unemotional traits associated with non-consensual sexting involving partners and strangers. Younger individuals and women were more likely to engage in all forms of non-consensual sexting compared to older individuals and men. CONCLUSIONS:It is important to promote sexual education programs to increase emotional self-awareness and challenge gender stereotypes in order to reduce adverse outcomes associated with sexting.
BACKGROUND:Incorporating artificial intelligence (AI) as standardized patients (SPs) in psychology education may enhance experiential learning and student confidence. The aim of the study was to analyze the effectiveness of using AI-based simulations to develop communication skills and influence psychology students' affective state. METHOD:A mixed-methods intervention study was conducted with 31 third-year psychology students. Participants engaged in clinical simulations using ChatGPT as an SP. Quantitative data on affective state, communication attitudes, and perceptions of knowledge and skills were collected pre- and post-intervention via questionnaires. Qualitative data were obtained through open-ended questions and a focus group. Data were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA and thematic analysis. RESULTS:Significant reductions in negative affect and increases in perceived knowledge and skills were observed post-intervention. No significant changes were found in communication attitudes. Qualitative findings supported the quantitative results, indicating improved confidence and reduced anxiety during simulated patient interactions. CONCLUSIONS:Utilizing AI as SPs is an effective pedagogical tool that enhances experiential learning, increases student confidence in professional skills, and positively influences the affective state. This innovative approach offers a valuable supplement to traditional teaching methods in psychology education.
BACKGROUND:With repeated measures, the traditional ANOVA F-statistic requires fulfillment of normality and sphericity. Bootstrap-F (B-F) has been proposed as a procedure for dealing with violation of these assumptions when conducting a one-way repeated measures ANOVA. However, evidence regarding its robustness and power is limited. Our aim is to extend knowledge about the behavior of B-F with a wider range of conditions. METHOD:A simulation study was performed, manipulating the number of repeated measures, sample sizes, epsilon values, and distribution shape. RESULTS:B-F may become conservative with higher values of epsilon, and liberal under extreme violation of both normality and sphericity and small sample sizes. In these cases, B-F may be used with a more stringent alpha level (.025). The results also show that power is affected by sphericity: the lower the epsilon value, the larger the sample size required to ensure adequate power. CONCLUSIONS:B-F is robust under non-normality and non-sphericity with sample sizes larger than 20-25.
