Spanish Adolescent Population Research Articles

Association between e-cigarette and conventional cigarette use among Spanish adolescents.

In recent years, studies have highlighted the upward trend in electronic cigarette use among adolescents, as well as the potential of e-cigarette use to lead to subsequent conventional cigarette use. The study's aims were two-fold: 1) to examine the progression from e-cigarette use to conventional cigarette use; and 2) to analyze the differences in the severity of smoking pattern among dual users (i.e., e-cigarette and conventional cigarette use), cigarette-only smokers, and e-cigarette-only users in a Spanish adolescent population. Data were obtained from the ESTUDES, a representative survey of addictive behaviors of Spanish adolescents aged 14-18, which was comprised of 38,010 adolescents (Mage = 15.69; SD = 1.19; 51.35% females). Results indicate that lifetime e-cigarette use increased the prevalence of subsequent conventional cigarette use by 1.86 times (95% CI 1.74, 1.99), and the prevalence of conventional cigarette use in the last month by 2.38 times (95% CI 2.19, 2.58), independently of whether the e-cigarette contains nicotine or not. Dual users showed a higher percentage of daily smokers, and a greater number of cigarettes per day, a higher use of e-cigarettes with nicotine, and an earlier age of smoking onset. Regarding risk perception, e-cigarette-only users perceived both conventional tobacco and e-cigarettes as less harmful (all p-values < .001). These findings document the strength of association between e-cigarette and conventional cigarettes, and underscore the importance of developing legal restrictions and prevention strategies aimed at reducing e-cigarette use, which in turn would reduce tobacco use.

Gender Differences in the Co-Use of Tranquilizers, Sedatives, Sleeping Pills and Alcohol among Spanish Adolescents: A Nationwide Population-Based Study.

Adolescence is a critical developmental stage for the initiation of substance use worldwide, which is one of the main risk-taking behaviors that may impact adolescents' physical and mental well-being. The aims of this study were to (1) assess the prevalence of the co-use of tranquilizers, sedatives, and sleeping pills with alcohol (TSSp&AC) by gender in the Spanish adolescent population in 2018 and (2) identify the variables associated with TSSp&AC. An observational cross-sectional study following STROBE guidelines was conducted. We analyzed data from 38,010 adolescents aged 14 to 18 years old (18,579 males and 19,431 females) who participated in ESTUDES (Survey on Drug Use in Secondary Education in Spain) 2018. Female adolescents reported a higher prevalence of TSSp&AC than males (p < 0.001). The factors associated with female co-use were being 16-18 years of age (OR 1.65); the consumption of tobacco (OR 1.73), cocaine (OR 1.84), other illicit psychoactive drugs (OR 1.89); and novel illicit psychoactive drugs (OR 1.74); no perceived health risk from the consumption of TSSps (OR 2.45); and the perceived availability of TSSps (OR 2.23) and alcohol (OR 2.09). There are several factors associated with TSSp&AC in Spanish female adolescents with potential implications for healthcare providers.

Prevalence and Quantification of the Effects of Sexual Harassment Victimization of School-Aged Adolescents.

Sexual harassment has become a serious social and public health problem in adolescents, causing adverse effects on mental health. Nevertheless, some behaviours arise that, due to their characteristics, might be misinterpreted as sexual harassment. A field study using a survey with non-probabilistic accidental sampling was designed in order to estimate the prevalence of sexual harassment victimization in the Spanish adolescent population as well as to quantify the harms. A total of 1028 Spanish adolescents, 54.3% females and 45.7% males aged 13-17 years (M = 15.21, SD = 1.03), responded to a diagnostic measure of sexual harassment victimization and an inventory measure of internalizing and externalizing mental health problems (MHPs). The results showed a significant prevalence of diagnosed sexual harassment victimization of school-aged adolescents, 24.1%, 95% CI [0.215, 0.267], with adverse effects on internalizing and externalizing MHPs. As for the internalizing MHPs, the results exhibited moderate adverse effects on depression, anxiety, somatic burns, posttraumatic symptoms, and obsessive-compulsive symptoms, as well as mild adverse effects on social anxiety. Regarding externalizing MHPs, the results revealed moderate adverse effects on hyperactivity-impulsivity, anger control, and antisocial behaviour, as well as mild adverse effects on attention problems, aggression, and defiant behaviour. In addition, it was confirmed that sexual harassment victimization affects adolescent females to a greater extent, with the effect being significantly greater in internalizing than in externalizing MHPs. The results obtained are discussed and future lines of research and intervention are proposed to promote the implementation of prevention and intervention programs that address this phenomenon and, in turn, improve the physical, psychological, and social well-being of adolescents.

The psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the Morningness-Eveningness Stability Scale improved (MESSi) in adolescents

ABSTRACT The aim of the present study was to adapt the Morningness-Eveningness-Stability Scale improved (MESSi) to the Spanish adolescent population, testing its factor structure and construct validity. The participants were 725 adolescents (52.9% girls; M = 14.8, SD = 1.99) who completed the MESSi, the Morningness Eveningness Scale of Children (MESC), questions about sleep habits adapted from the School Sleep Habits Survey, and self-reported academic performance. The psychometric results support a three-factor model with the factors of morning affect, eveningness, and distinctness, which show good internal consistency. The pattern of correlations between MESSi and the other measures was in the expected direction. The MESC correlated positively with morning affect and negatively with eveningness, whereas distinctness was uncorrelated. Boys reported higher morningness, whereas girls reported higher distinctness. Eveningness was negatively related to academic performance. Overall, the results support the validity and reliability of the Spanish adolescent version of the MESSi.

Predictors of Suicide Re-Attempt in a Spanish Adolescent Population after 12 Months' Follow-Up.

Background: This study aims to identify the main predictive factors that allow for the recognition of adolescents with a higher risk of re-attempting suicide. Method: A longitudinal 12-month follow-up design was carried out in a sample of 533 Spanish adolescents between 12 and 17 years old. The data collection period comprised September 2013 to November 2016, including a one-year follow-up after hospital discharge. Results: A statistically significant regression model was obtained to predict suicide re-attempt at 12-months’ follow-up (χ2 = 34.843; p < 0.001; Nagelkerke R2 = 0.105), including personal history of self-injury (OR = 2.721, p < 0.001, 95% CI [1.706, 4.340]) and age (OR = 0.541, p = 0.009, 95% CI [0.340, 0.860]), correctly classifying 82.6% of the sample. Our results show that having a personal history of self-injury and being younger than 14 years old were predictors of suicide re-attempt during the first year after an adolescent’s first admission to emergency services. Conclusions: Considering these factors could contribute to the design of more tailored and effective interventions to prevent suicidal behavior in adolescents at high risk of re-attempting suicide.

Knowledge, Attitudes, Risk Perceptions, and Practices of Spanish Adolescents Toward the COVID-19 Pandemic: Validation and Results of the Spanish Version of the Questionnaire.

Background: Adolescence is a period with physical, psychological, biological, intellectual, and social changes in which there is usually little perception of risk. COVID-19 has generated constant situations of change and uncertainty worldwide. During the pandemic, the acquisition of preventive behaviors has been relevant. Various studies carried out with adults associate risk perception and the implementation of preventive behaviors with knowledge about the COVID-19 and with age, but there are not many studies with adolescents. Therefore, the objective is to validate, in Spanish, the questionnaire of the knowledge, attitudes, risk perceptions, and practices of adolescents toward the pandemic, and analyze it according to sociodemographic characteristics.Method: This study was a descriptive cross-sectional study, which included adolescents between the ages of 12–18 (n = 354). First, a translation and a back-translation of the questionnaire were performed. The questionnaire was presented in several high schools chosen by convenience sampling and following a non-probabilistic snowball sampling. Reliability and validity analyses were then carried out and the relationships between the different sociodemographic variables (gender, place of residence, level of education, if the person was in a sentimental relationship, and financial aid) were analyzed.Results: The reliability of the questionnaire is acceptable (ordinal alpha = 77%). Knowledge was higher in women, and in those with a higher level of education; and were lower in those who lived in smaller towns, as well as in those who had a member of their family receiving financial aid. In terms of attitudes and risk perceptions, younger adolescents had higher scores, and those who had a member of their family receiving financial aid, lower.Conclusion: The questionnaire is a reliable tool in the Spanish adolescent population. Knowledge was influenced by gender, place of residence, level of education, and financial aid. Attitudes and risk perceptions were influenced by age and financial aid. For practices, no predictors were found. In general, adolescents scored lower on knowledge about COVID-19, but they scored higher on COVID-19 safety practices.

Assessment of Different Atherogenic Indices as Predictors of Metabolic Syndrome in Spanish Adolescents.

Background: Inconsistent results due to age, ethnic, and geographic differences have been found on the predictive capacity of atherogenic indices in previous studies. The aim of this study was to assess the predictive value of 6 atherogenic indices for MetS in a Spanish adolescent population. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed on 981 adolescents (13.2 ± 1.2y) that were randomly recruited from schools in Southeastern Spain. Anthropometric and biochemical parameters were evaluated to identify the presence of MetS. The following atherogenic indices were calculated: triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index, atherogenic index of plasma (AIP), non-HDL cholesterol, triglycerides to HDL-cholesterol ratio (TG/HDL-c), LDL-cholesterol to HDL-cholesterol ratio (LDL-c/HDL-c), and total cholesterol to HDL-cholesterol ratio (TC/HDL-c). Results: The area under the curve (AUC) of receiver operating characteristic curves was used for discrimination purposes. AIP was the atherogenic index most strongly associated with MetS with an unadjusted odds ratio (OR) of 37.98 in boys and of 28.75 in girls. A high OR was maintained after adjustment by different factors. AUC values for all atherogenic indices were above 0.83 and 0.88 in boys and in girls, respectively. Conclusions: Among the 6 atherogenic indices studied, AIP was the one most strongly associated with MetS in Spanish adolescents. The AUC values obtained from ROC analyses suggest that all atherogenic indices have the ability to predict MetS. These atherogenic indices are interesting and useful predictive indicators for MetS. However, more studies are needed to explore in-depth this predictive capacity.

Lockdown impact on lifestyle and its association with oral parafunctional habits and bruxism in a Spanish adolescent population.

AimTo analyse the possible association between decreased physical and social activity and an increase in the use of mobile devices, internet, and social networks with increased anxiety and the appearance of oral parafunctions and bruxism for adolescents before and during COVID‐19.DesignA total of 213 adolescents attended private clinics at two different times: before lockdown (T0) and after completion of total lockdown (T1). In T0 and T1, a clinical examination was carried out to assess dental wear (IA) and only in T1 were they given the self‐report questionnaire which focuses on the periods before and during lockdown (self‐reported bruxism, state anxiety, mobile phone and internet, social network use, physical and social activity, and questions on parafunctions).ResultsThere were a decrease in physical activity at T0‐T1 and an increase in social media use, internet, state anxiety, and clinical and self‐reported bruxism at T0‐T1. There was a positive correlation between increased self‐reported bruxism, increased social media use, mobile device use, and state anxiety.ConclusionsThere has been a change in adolescent lifestyle during lockdown with an increase in the prevalence of oral parafunctions and bruxism. In particular, the increase in the use of social networks at night and also in anxiety levels during lockdown were associated with of the increase in self‐reported bruxism.

Self-injurious and suicidal behaviour in a transsexual adolescent and young adult population, treated at a specialised gender identity unit in Spain

IntroductionNonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) and suicidal behavior (SB) have a significant prevalence in transsexual people. The published data is confusing as it does not distinguish between ideation and realization, age groups, gender, or the degree of medical intervention. Their actual prevalence in Spain is unknown. ObjectiveOur objective was to investigate the prevalence of NSSI behavior and SB in adolescents and young transsexual adults, differentiating between ideation and consummated behavior, prior to their receiving any type of gender-affirming medical treatment. Material and methodsWe retrospectively reviewed the medical history of a cohort of transsexual people aged between 10 and 35 years, treated at the Gender Identity Unit of the Valencian Community. We analyzed the data collected regarding the presence of four variables: NSSI ideation, NSSI behavior, ideas of suicide and suicide attempts, as well as differences according to age group and gender. ResultsThe final sample consisted of 110 transsexual men and 90 transsexual women. Of these, 21% had made a suicide attempt, 50% had had suicidal ideas, 31% had a history of NSSI behavior and 35% had had NSSI ideas. No differences were found based on gender. Regarding age, subjects under 20 years of age presented a significantly higher prevalence regarding suicidal ideas compared to young adults (43% vs. 25%), while in the remaining variables, no statistically significant differences were found. ConclusionsThe prevalence of a history of suicidal ideas and behavior in the Spanish adolescent and young transsexual population is significant and does not differ according to gender or age range. The prevalence of NSSI ideas and behavior differs and is more frequent in adolescent transsexuals.

Victimization and Peer and Parents Attachment: The Mediating Effect of Regulatory Emotional Self-Efficacy.

Studies of the Spanish adolescent population has concluded that victimization is related to lack of emotional regulation and impulse control. Therefore, if a victim is unable to recognize, understand and regulate their emotions, this can result in rejection by their peers. A cross-sectional study was conducted to examine regulatory emotional self-efficacy as a possible mediator in the association between peer and parents attachment and victimization. Adolescents (n = 563) completed Regulatory Emotional Self-Efficacy, Inventory of Parents and Peer Attachment and Kid at School questionnaires. Structural equation models (SEMs) were used to predict a latent variable of victimization with parents and peer attachment, emphasizing the mediating role of regulatory emotional self-efficacy, as comprised by a positive and a negative aspect. Results showed that peer attachment had an indirect negative effect, through perceived self-efficacy, in managing a positive effect in victimization, while father attachment had an indirect negative affect, through perceived self-efficacy, in managing a negative affect in victimization, and Mother attachment had no statistically significant indirect effect in victimization. This study suggests that the roles of parents and peers, and also between mothers and fathers, are different in relation to the perception of victimization of adolescents. Findings provide relevant information regarding implications for prevention and intervention in victimization.

Cross-Cultural Adaptation and Reliability of the Back Pain and Body Posture Evaluation Instrument (BackPEI) to the Spanish Adolescent Population.

The prevalence of back pain (BP) among children and adolescents has increased over recent years. Some authors advocate promoting back-health education in the school setting. It is therefore important to adopt a uniform suite of assessment instruments to measure the various constructs. The present study aimed to perform a cultural adaptation of a validated measurement instrument (BackPEI), beginning with a translation and cultural adaptation phase, followed by a second phase to test reliability using a test-retest design. The translation and cross-cultural adaptation were performed based on the guidelines. Reliability was tested by applying the questionnaire to 224 secondary school students, at two different times with a 7-day interval between the tests. In general, the Spanish version presented adequate agreement for questions 1–20, with only question 9 achieving a low Kappa range of 0.312 (−0.152–0.189). The question about pain intensity did not show differences between the test means (4.72 ± 2.33) and re-test (4.58 ± 2.37) (p = 0.333), and the responses for these two tests obtained a high correlation (ICC = 0.951 (0.928–0.966); p = 0.0001). Psychometric testing indicated that the Spanish version of the BackPEI is well-adapted and reliable, based on the test–retest design, providing similar results to the original Brazilian version.

Breakfast Habits of a Representative Sample of the Spanish Child and Adolescent Population (The ENALIA Study): Association with Diet Quality.

The association between breakfast quality and total diet quality of children and adolescents ((1–17.9 years (n = 1570)) from the National Dietary Survey on the Child and Adolescent Population in Spain (ENALIA) was analyzed. Dietary information was collected using two non–consecutive one–day food diaries (1–10 years old) or two 24 h dietary recalls (>10 years). Breakfast quality index (BQI) and a variant of Nutrient Rich Foods index (NRF9.3) were calculated to assess the total diet quality. Children and adolescents who had breakfast on at least one day (n = 1561) were divided into two groups according to BQI: Worse Quality Breakfast (WQB) (BQI < 4 points (P66), n = 781) and Good Quality Breakfast (GQB) (BQI ≥ 4, n = 780). Younger children and those whose parents have university education presented higher BQI. GQB group had significantly higher intakes of micronutrients (vitamins A, D, C, B1, B2, B6, niacin, folate, calcium, potassium, magnesium). Fewer GQB children exceeded the Acceptable Macronutrient Distribution Range for fat and had folate and calcium intakes below their estimated average requirement. Daily NRF9.3 was 496.2 ± 54.0, being higher in GQB (503.8 ± 50.6 vs. 488.6 ± 56.2, p < 0.001). Increasing the quality of breakfast increased the possibility of having a NRF9.3 higher than P50 (OR: 1.893, CI: 1.549–2.315, p < 0.0001). Breakfasts have room for quality improvement in a high percentage of children. A higher quality breakfast is associated with a benefit in the quality of the total diet.

Dietary Exposure Estimation to Chemicals Transferred from Milk and Dairy Products Packaging Materials in Spanish Child and Adolescent Population.

Packaging materials are subject to risk assessment since they can transfer their components to the food, and they may constitute a risk for the consumers’ health. Therefore, estimating the exposure to chemicals migrating from packaging is required. In this study, a novel approach based on a total diet study (TDS)-like investigation to evaluate the exposure to chemicals transferred from the packaging was presented. The proposed methodology involved a non-targeted gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS) method to identify potential migrants and the determination of the migrants in composite food samples. The method was applied to evaluate the dietary exposure to chemicals from food packaging materials used for milk and dairy products in the Spanish child and adolescent populations. Several migrants identified in packaging materials were selected to determine their concentration in composite food samples. These chemicals included diethyl phthalate (DEP), diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP), dibutyl phthalate (DBP), bis(2ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), benzophenone (BP), 1,3-diphenylpropane (1,3-DPP), and bis(2-ethylhexyl) terephthalate (DEHT). The method exhibited a good sensitivity (limit of detection, LOD ≤ 0.05 µg/g) and a satisfactory recovery (78.4-124%). Finally, the exposure was estimated using the Spanish national dietary survey ENALIA. Phthalates DBP and DEHP showed the highest mean exposure, ranging from 2.42 (10–17 years)–4.40 (12–35 months) and 1.35 (10–17 years)–4.07 (12–35 months) µg/kg bw/day for DBP and DEHP, respectively.

Antecedentes de comportamientos autolesivos y autolíticos en población adolescente y adulta joven transexual, atendida en una unidad especializada en identidad de género en España

IntroductionNonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) and suicidal behavior (SB) have a significant prevalence in transsexual people. The published data is confusing as it does not distinguish between ideation and realization, age groups, gender, or the degree of medical intervention. Their actual prevalence in Spain is unknown. ObjectiveOur objective was to investigate the prevalence of NSSI behavior and SB in adolescents and young transsexual adults, differentiating between ideation and consummated behavior, prior to their receiving any type of gender-affirming medical treatment. Material and methodsWe retrospectively reviewed the medical history of a cohort of transsexual people aged between 10 and 35 years, treated at the Gender Identity Unit of the Valencian Community. We analyzed the data collected regarding the presence of four variables: NSSI ideation, NSSI behavior, ideas of suicide and suicide attempts, as well as differences according to age group and gender. ResultsThe final sample consisted of 110 transsexual men and 90 transsexual women. Of these, 21% had made a suicide attempt, 50% had had suicidal ideas, 31% had a history of NSSI behavior and 35% had had NSSI ideas. No differences were found based on gender. Regarding age, subjects under 20 years of age presented a significantly higher prevalence regarding suicidal ideas compared to young adults (43% vs. 25%), while in the remaining variables, no statistically significant differences were found. ConclusionsThe prevalence of a history of suicidal ideas and behavior in the Spanish adolescent and young transsexual population is significant and does not differ according to gender or age range. The prevalence of NSSI ideas and behavior differs and is more frequent in adolescent transsexuals.

Assessment of emotional intelligence in adults with down syndrome: Psychometric properties of the Emotional Quotient Inventory.

IntroductionThe Emotional Quotient Inventory: Youth version-EQ-i:YV was developed by Bar-On & Parker in 2000 and later translated and adapted for the general Spanish adolescent population by Ferrandiz et al. in 2012. The Spanish scale presents similar psychometric properties to the original version (54 items and five subdimensions). The Emotional Quotient Inventory assesses a set of personal, emotional, and social skills that influence adaptation to and coping with environmental demands and pressures. These factors can influence an adolescent’s success later in life, health, and psychological well-being. Traditionally, research in Down syndrome (DS) has focused on identifying cognitive deficits, relatively little is known about emotional intelligence (EI) and there are no scales that measure EI in people with DS adults.ObjectivesTo validate and analyze the psychometric properties of the scale in the clinical population, specifically in Spanish adults with DS (EQ-i: SVDS).MethodsA cross-sectional investigation was carried out in several stages. Descriptive, exploratory factorial (n = 345), confirmatory (n = 397), and scale reliability analyses were performed with better goodness-of-adjustment indices.ResultsA new scale named Emotional Quotient Inventory: Short Version for DS adults was obtained with a structure of four factors called mood, stress management, interpersonal, and intrapersonal. This new scale was reduced to 25 items. Goodness-of-fit indices were excellent (RMSEA [95% CI] = 02[.01; .03]; CFI = .99; TLI = .98; GFI = .87; AGFI = .89). The internal consistency of the four dimensions and the calculated total score (α = .91, ω = .93 and divided halves = .90) yielded high values in this clinical sample.DiscussionThe results recommend the use of the revised EQ-i: YV, the EQ-i: SVDS, to assess EI in adults with DS. The psychometric properties of this study are satisfactory but have four factors. The findings are discussed in terms of future research and practical implication to gain a more thorough understanding of how this population behaves on both a general and preventive level in order to teach EI properly.ConclusionsThis new version is a valid and reliable tool to evaluate emotional intelligence in people with intellectual disabilities and specifically in Spanish adults with DS.

Adaptation and Validation of the Scale of Types of Users in Gamification with the Spanish Adolescent Population.

The video game has been one of the phenomena with the greatest impact on the entire social fabric, and especially among young people. Therefore, it is essential to understand the interaction between the players and the video game itself. However, few instruments have been designed to assess the types of players in the adolescent population. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to validate the Gamification User Types Hexad Scale for the Spanish adolescent population. The sample of participants consisted of 1345 adolescents between the ages of 13 and 18. To evaluate the psychometric properties of the scale, a confirmatory factor analysis and a multi-group analysis of invariance by sex were performed. The results provide evidence of a valid and reliable six-factor instrument to measure the types of players in the Spanish adolescent population, regardless of their sex.

Subjective Well-Being in Spanish Adolescents: Psychometric Properties of the Scale of Positive and Negative Experiences

The scale of positive and negative experiences (SPANE) assesses emotional responses and their frequency of manifestation in recent weeks. This scale has been validated in different countries and populations but not in Spanish adolescents. The aim was to evaluate the psychometric properties of SPANE in two samples: (1) Sample I included 797 adolescents (M = 15.5 years old, SD = 0.68, 54.2% female) and, (2) Sample II included 1433 adolescents (M = 13.7 years old, SD = 1.27, 53.2% female). Finally, a subsample from sample II was analyzed in different stages (after six and 12 months) with 298 adolescents (M = 13.7 years old, SD = 1.13, 58.7% female). The results obtained have adequate levels of reliability and validity that seem to justify the use of this diagnostic tool in the Spanish adolescent population.

The Effect of the Economic Crisis on Adolescents' Perceived Health and Risk Behaviors: A Multilevel Analysis.

Background: Previous studies have analyzed the impact of economic crises on adult’s health and lifestyles, but evidence among children and adolescents is limited. The objective of this study was to analyze the impact of the economic crisis on self-perceived health and some risk behaviors in the Spanish adolescent population. Methods: We used data from four waves (2002, 2006, 2010, 2014) of the Health Behavior in School-Aged Children (HBSC) survey in Spain. Separate multilevel logistic and linear regression models were applied for health complaints, self-rated health, life satisfaction, smoking, alcohol consumption, and breakfast skipping. Annual change in Spanish regional unemployment rates was used as a proxy of the economic crisis. An increasing set of control variables were included, consisting of individual, socioeconomic, and family and peer relationships indicators. Median odds ratios were estimated to quantify the cross-region and cross-school variation. Results: Increases in unemployment rates were linked to a higher risk of poorer health and bad habits in the simplest models. The effect was no longer statistically significant when indicators of family and peer relationships were included, suggesting a protective effect against the impact of the economic crisis. Our findings also show that schools had a larger effect on health and lifestyles than regions. Conclusion: The child’s social context—family, peers, school, and region—play an important role on the effects of the economic crisis on health and risk behaviors.

Under the Same Label: Adopted Adolescents’ Heterogeneity in Well-Being and Perception of Social Contexts

This study compares a sample of 223 adopted adolescents with a nonadopted reference group representative of the Spanish adolescent population from the “Spanish Health Behaviour in School-Aged Children (HBSC) study.” Variables related to the family context, peers, school context, and emotional well-being are compared. Adoptees are not only analyzed as a group, but also according to the type of adoption (domestic or intercountry) and the birth area of origin (Asia, Latin America, and Eastern Europe). The results showed more similarities than differences between the whole group of adoptees and the reference group, as well as heterogeneity within the adoptees depending on their origin.

Ethnic-Cultural Bullying Versus Personal Bullying: Specificity and Measurement of Discriminatory Aggression and Victimization Among Adolescents.

The present study contrasts personal bullying with ethnic-cultural bullying. A representative pluricultural sample from a Spanish adolescent population of Secondary Education took part in the study (N = 27369). The sample filled in the EBIPQ to measure personal bullying. Additionally, they filled in an adaptation of this questionnaire to measure the ethnic-cultural bullying: the EBIPQ-ECD. The EBIPQ-ECD validation showed optimal psychometric properties and a bidimensional structure: ethnic-cultural victimization and ethnic-cultural aggression. The same roles of participation in personal bullying —aggressor, victim, bully/victim, non-involved— were observed in ethnic-cultural bullying, but they did not coincide with each other in a considerable part. Therefore, we concluded that ethnic-cultural bullying is a different phenomenon from personal bullying, with the possibility of certain dynamism existing between both. To prevent and mitigate ethnic-cultural bullying, educational inferences are proposed. We also recommend the use of the EBIPQ-ECD as a tool to evaluate and detect ethnic-cultural aggressions and victimization.