Spanish Community Sample Research Articles

Internet gaming disorder and the alternative five factor personality model: a study in a Spanish community sample

BackgroundThis study was designed to examine the prevalence and relationships between the Internet gaming disorder (IGD) behaviors, suggested by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), and personality traits.Participants and procedureA sample community of 1,548 subjects, 707 men and 841 women, with a mean age of 40.90 and 38.89 years, respectively, was evaluated.ResultsThe results showed that only 7 subjects (0.5%) exceeded the cut-off point of 75 points to be classed as “disordered gamers” proposed by Fuster et al. (2016) in Spain. This study demonstrates the unidimensionality of the IGD-20, so it can be used as an ordinal dimensional measure to study the relationship between IGD symptoms and other related variables such as per-sonality in community samples. A multiple linear regression analysis revealed that up to 8% of the variance of the Internet Gaming Disorder-20 scale (IGD-20), as a dimensional scale, can be explained by low activity, high aggressiveness, introver-sion, non-planning impulsivity, sensation seeking, neuroticism and impulsiveness (attention impulsivity) using the Alterna-tive Five Factor Model (AFFM) of personality and the Barratt Impulsivity Scale (BIS-11).ConclusionsThis study shows that the prevalence of IGD in the Spanish population is similar to that of other Western countries. The unidimensionality of the IGD-20 allows its use in correlational studies to examine the relationship between Internet gam-bling behaviors and personality variables. The implications of these personality profiles are discussed in relation to the psy-chological and clinical mechanisms involved in Internet gaming disorder.

Longitudinal mental health state during the COVID-19 pandemic. Longitudinal change of mental symptoms and its predictors during the COVID-19 pandemic: A prospective longitudinal study on Spanish population.

The general objective of this study is to analyze the change in mental health and post-traumatic symptoms over 6 months during the COVID-19 pandemic in a Spanish community sample, with a particular focus on individual differences in longitudinal change in symptoms and its predictors. This longitudinal prospective study surveyed a Spanish community sample three times (T1: during the initial outbreak, T2: after 4 weeks and T3: after 6 months). Four thousand one hundred and thirty-nine participants from all the Spanish regions completed the questionnaires. However, the longitudinal analysis was performed only with participants which responded at least two times (1,423 participants). Mental health assessments included depression, anxiety, and stress (measured by the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21) and post-traumatic symptoms were assessed by the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R). All the mental health variables achieved worse results at T2. Depression, stress, and posttraumatic symptoms did not recover at T3 when compared with the initial measure, while anxiety was practically stable across the timeline. Women, younger age, having a previous mental health diagnosis and contact with individuals with COVID-19 were linked to worse psychological evolution during the 6-months period. A good perception of one's physical health may be a protective factor. After 6 months of the pandemic, the general population's mental health was still worse than at the initial outbreak for most of the variables analyzed. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Validity Evidence for the Self-Absorption Scale (SAS) in Spanish Population.

The Self-Absorption Scale (SAS) is one of the few instruments that measure dysfunctional self-focused attention or self-absorption, a transdiagnostic factor of vulnerability to various emotional disorders. The internal structure of the Spanish version of the SAS and its relationship with other variables have not been examined, nor has whether its subscales provide relevant information. These were the two goals of the present study. The factor structure of the SAS, its internal consistency, and its relationship with depression and post-traumatic stress were analyzed in a Spanish community sample of 519 adults. The SAS presented a symmetrical bifactor structure with a general factor of self-absorption that explained most of the variance in the items and two specific factors of private and public self-absorption. The total scale and the two subscales of the SAS exhibited excellent, good or adequate reliability coefficients (alphas/omegas = .70 – .88) and correlated with depression and post-traumatic stress ( r = .34 – .46). The SAS provides reliable, valid measures of dysfunctional self-focused attention in Spanish adults, but its Private and Public Self-absorption subscales are not much more useful than the information provided by its total scale.

Differential Impact of Emotional and Contextual Factors Associated with COVID-19 on Adolescent Mental Health.

During the confinement, there was an increase in the incidence of mental disorders such as depression and anxiety. In this regard, affectivity is of particular interest, as emotions play a fundamental role in overall mental health. The literature on COVID-19 in this population has often focused on the analysis of risk factors for mental health, while less attention has been paid to protective factors. In this paper, we propose an inclusive model of risk and protective factors for adolescent mental health through the indirect effect of negative and positive affect. This was a cross-sectional study with a Spanish community sample of 477 adolescents (Mage = 16.23, range:14 to 20 years old; 43.4% were boys; response rate: 100%). We measured the perceived hardness of confinement, worrying about contagion, quality of relationships at home, pleasant activities, affect (positive and negative), and mental health. The results revealed a positive relationship between the perceived hardness of confinement and worrying about contagion with mental health, through the indirect effect of negative affect, and a positive relationship between home relationships and pleasant activities with mental health through an indirect effect of positive affect. Our results suggest that different types of emotions generated by the various contextual variables associated with COVID-19 may have a differential impact on mental health. These findings support the inclusive model of risk and protective factors for adolescent mental health. Practical implications, future studies, and limitations are discussed.

Factor invariance of the Humor Styles Questionnaire and its relationship with the HEXACO personality model in a Spanish community sample

The cross-cultural factor invariance of the Humor Styles Questionnaire (HSQ) structure, and its relationships with the HEXACO personality model were analyzed in a large Spanish community sample. The effect of age, gender, and social position on the observed relationships was also investigated. The four-factor structure of the HSQ was largely invariant compared to the original one. Males and younger participants score higher on all four domains of the HSQ, but no relevant effect of social position is observed. The HEXACO-60 dimensions and facets predicted between 17% and 32% of the HSQ domains. Results and discussion broadly support that the HEXACO personality model can be used as an adequate personality framework for the research and understanding of humor styles.

Is it time to replace the Big Five personality model? Factorial structure of the NEO PI-R in a community sample of Spanish adults

Recent studies have revived the issue of whether the five-factor personality model or Big Five is the most valid to summarize the most relevant personality traits or whether, on the contrary, the basic structure of personality traits would better fit a six-factor model such as the HEXACO model: Honesty–Humility (H), Emotionality (E), Extraversion (X), Agreeableness (A), Conscientiousness (C), and Openness to Experience (O). In a Spanish community sample of 682 adults, the factorial structure of the 30 facets of the NEO-Revised Personality Inventory (NEO PI-R) and its 16 facets common to the HEXACO model was analyzed. In two subsamples of participants, the internal structure of the NEO PI-R, of 30 and 16 facets, fit the five-factor Big Five model better than the six-factor HEXACO model. In addition, the internal 30-facet structure of the NEO-PI-R replicated that obtained in the original US validation and those previously obtained in Spain, although the latter used different participant samples (people evaluated in personnel selection processes, university students). These results suggest that, at least in Spain, the five-factor personality model or Big Five is still the most valid taxonomy of personality traits.

Psychometric Properties of the Anxiety Sensitivity Index-3 (ASI-3) in Spanish Population.

The Anxiety Sensitivity Index-3 (ASI-3) is the reference instrument for measuring anxiety sensitivity. The psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the ASI-3 have been examined in university students but not in adults from the general population. Whether the ASI-3 subscales provide relevant information has not yet been examined either. The ASI-3's factor structure, internal consistency, temporal stability, and relationship with neuroticism were examined in a Spanish community sample of 919 adults. In two subsamples of participants, the ASI-3 presented a structure of three correlated factors (physical, cognitive, and social concerns) that loaded on a higher-order factor, but the three factors did not explain much item variance. The total scale and subscales of the ASI-3 showed excellent or good indices of internal consistency (alphas and omegas = .81 – .91), and adequate indices of test-retest reliability at two months ( r = .57 – .73) and the relationship with neuroticism and its facets ( r = .19 – .52). The ASI-3 provides reliable, valid measures of anxiety sensitivity in Spanish adults, but its subscales are not very useful beyond the information provided by the total scale.

The relationship between self-reported ability emotional intelligence and risky driving behaviour: Consequences for accident and traffic ticket rate

Road safety represents one of the main public health issues worldwide, and risky driving behaviour is one of the most predominant factors in traffic road accidents. The primary objective of this research was to clarify the relationship between emotional intelligence (EI) abilities and the probability of engaging in risky behaviour during driving. Previous literature linking these constructs is limited, and research has yielded mixed findings. In the present study, 555 drivers from a Spanish community sample (Mage = 39.34, ranging from 18 to 79 years old; 49.19% women) were assessed on risky driving behaviour using the Dula Dangerous Driving Index while self-reported ability EI was measured using the Wong and Law Emotional Intelligence Scale. Gender, age, and driving experience were controlled. The results of this study revealed that a higher self-reported ability EI, particularly the ability to regulate emotions, was related to a lower tendency to engage in risky driving behaviours. In turn, self-reported ability EI was negatively and indirectly related to the number of road accidents and traffic tickets through the mediating effect of risky driving. The regulation of emotions (via direct and indirect effect) and the appraisal of the emotions of others (via direct effect) were the EI abilities that better predicted the number of accidents and traffic tickets. We discuss the practical implications of these findings, along with suggested future lines of research.

Age and sex-specific cutoff scores for the teacher-report inventory of callous-unemotional traits on children.

This longitudinal study aims to provide meaningful cutoff scores for total score of the teacher-rated Inventory of Callous-Unemotional Traits (ICU) from the preschool age until early adolescence, separately by age and sex. The ICU cutoff scores were determined by using low/high trajectories of oppositional defiant problems (ODP) and conduct problems in a Spanish community sample of 620 children that were followed up between the ages of 3 and 13. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves with the two trajectories as criteria and ICU total score at each age as a predictor were estimated by sex separately, and the area under the ROC curve (AUC) was obtained. Average ICU cutoff scores of 26 for boys and 22 for girls were found to be of moderate utility for the prediction of high trajectories of each of ODP and conduct problems. They identified cases with an average sensitivity of 66% and specificity of 70% for boys and an average sensitivity of 69% and specificity of 72% for girls. The obtained cutoff scores might help clinical practitioners in their decision-making process when identifying low and high-risk groups of children. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

Does emotional intelligence have the same role in each risk behaviour?

IntroductionOne of the most important factors that represents a threating both physical and psychological health in our lives is the individual’s risk behaviour. Though emotions exert a strong influence on risk decision-making, the literature studying the role of emotional abilities on the tendency to engage in risk behaviour is scarce.ObjectivesThe aim was to explore the relationship between emotional intelligence (Attention, Clarity, and Repair) and risk behaviour in its different domains (Ethical, Health, Financial, Social, and Recreational domains). We also examined whether there were gender differences in both variables.MethodsA Spanish community sample of 1435 participants (Mage = 29.84, ranging from 18 to 70 years old; 61.9% women) were assessed in levels of EI and risk-taking by the TMMS-24 and DOSPERT-30 scales.ResultsThe result revelated that emotional intelligence was positive related with Social and Recreational domains, and negative related with Ethical and Health domains. Moreover, women showed higher scores for EI and Social risk-taking domain than men, and men showed higher scores for Ethical, Financial, Health, and Recreational risk-taking domains.ConclusionsThese findings show and support that EI is differentially related to risk behaviour depending on the risk domain studied. We suggest that higher levels of EI could be adaptive for risk behaviour regardless the directionality of the relationship. Considering the impact of health-related risky behaviours on public health and individual well-being, the development of effective risk prevention programs that train emotional abilities could reduce the incidence of these behaviours in our society.DisclosureNo significant relationships.

Applying a Rasch model to the Broad Autism Phenotype Questionnaire: item severity analysis and differential test functioning of the English and Spanish versions

The broad autism phenotype (BAP) represents the elevated but nonclinical levels of autism-related expressions expanding them beyond the disorder threshold towards the general population and it is assessed worldwide using the Broad Autism Phenotype Questionnaire. In this study, we applied a Rasch item response approach to the Spanish and the English BAPQ versions. This approach allows us to test the proper functioning of each version, estimate which BAP behaviours are more likeable at different levels of severity, and study whether BAPQ item’s severities and orders could be considered equivalent between both versions. A Spanish community sample of 970 participants and an English of 533 ones completed either the Spanish or the English version of the BAPQ. The results revealed a lack of unidimensionality of the Pragmatic Language subscale in both tests and the Rigid subscale in the English version. Both Aloof subscale versions and the Spanish Rigid demonstrated adequate properties but with several items showing differential functioning in the case of Aloof. We conclude by highlighting the necessity of BAP measurements paralleling the current autism spectrum disorder structure, following the severity-dimensional conceptualization (behaviours are continuously distributed according to their severity), and suitable for being adapted to different languages.

Positive and Negative Emotional Eating Are Not the Same-The Spanish Version of the Positive-Negative Emotional Eating Scale (PNEES).

The literature points to the importance of distinguishing between positive and negative emotional eating in relation to overeating and binge eating. The aim of this study was to evaluate the Spanish version of the Positive-Negative Emotional Eating Scale (PNEES) in a Spanish community sample. The sample consisted of 628 participants. The mean age was 27.5 (SD = 12.7) and 70.1% of them were women. The participants completed the PNEES, and measures of anxiety and depression (HADS), and eating disorder-related scales (TFEQ-R18, BULIT-R, and EAT-26) that were selected to examine convergent validity. A confirmatory factor analysis was conducted, replicating the original two-factor solution, consisting of Negative Emotional Eating (PNEES-N) and Positive Emotional Eating (PNEES-P). The results showed an acceptable fit of the model (CFI = 0.986; TLI = 0.984, RMSEA = 0.055). Internal consistency ranged from ω = 0.92 to ω = 0.96 for both subscales and the total score. PNEES-P correlations with other variables were lower with respect to the PNEES-N, showing that they are different constructs. A mediation analysis was conducted, in which PNEES-P significantly predicted binge eating and PNEES-N was a partially mediator variable. The results showed that the adaptation process was successful.

How did Different Generations Cope with the COVID-19 Pandemic? Early Stages of the Pandemic in Spain.

The World Health Organization has highlighted the importance of studying the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health. The aim of this study is to examine the role of age in the early psychological responses to the pandemic in a Spanish community sample, focusing on how different generations coped with it. An online survey was conducted during the early stages of the quarantine. Sociodemographic, health and behavioral variables were compared for five age groups. Mental health was assessed by the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21) and psychological impacts were assessed by the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R). 3,524 participants were included (Mage = 39.24, SDage = 12.00). Participants aged between 18 and 33 years old showed more hyperactivation and evitation, were more depressed, anxious and stressed. Those aged between 26 and 33 years old showed more intrusion. Those aged between 18 and 25 years old suffered more sleep disturbances, claustrophobia and somatization and maintained worse routines. Elderly people showed better psychological responses in general. This study provides initial evidence that the negative psychological impact of COVID-19 pandemic hits young people harder. These results should be taken into account when developing specific evidence-based strategies.

The 5 Objects Test: Normative data from a Spanish community sample.

The objective of this study was to provide normative data for the 5 Objects Test in a large Spanish community sample, as well as some validity evidence. The sample was composed of 427 participants (of which 220 females, age 15 to 95 years old; educational level range: 2-17 years). Normative data are provided, as well as correlations with test scores from Benton Visual Retention test, Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure and Mini Mental State Examination. No association was found between delayed recall score and level of education, age or gender. Immediate recall score was correlated with age. Both immediate and delayed recall significantly correlated with the criteria, evidencing concurrent validity. It is recommended that the 5 Objects Test be used for assessing persons in primary care, including those from different linguistic backgrounds or with limited language use. Delayed recall scores are especially recommended given the lack of association with demographic variables.

Validation of the parent report version of the Spence Children's Anxiety Scale (SCAS-P) for Spanish children.

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.

Dimensional Pathological Personality Predicting Personality Disorders: Comparison of the DAPP-BQ and PID-5 Shortened Versions in a Spanish Community Sample

This study explored the psychometric properties of the shortened forms of The Dimensional Assessment of Personality Pathology (DAPP-BQ) and The Personality Inventory for DSM-5 (PID-5) in a large cohort from a Spanish community and compared simultaneously the predictive power with regard to personality disorders (PDs) scores in the International Personality Disorder Examination (IPDE). The IPDE is a self-report inventory of 77 items. Each item measures a criterion and a dimensional score can be obtained for each personality disorder. Both shortened forms (named DAPP-90 and PID-5/SF, respectively) obtained a good structural validity and reliability. Linear regression analysis showed that both questionnaires were predictive of the PDs scores. DAPP-90 factors explained about 25% of PDs variance (37% of the PDs clusters). Facets slightly increased the percentages accounting for PDs variance and clusters to 31% and 43%, respectively. PID-5/SF factors, meanwhile, explained 23% of PDs and 33% of PDs clusters, while the facets accounted for 25% of PDs and 37% of clusters. It is concluded that both questionnaires were good instruments for measuring pathological personality, and predicted a similar part of the variance in PDs. However, given that neither the DAPP-90 nor the PID-5/SF accounted for all the variation in PDs, categorical classification of the broader set of PDs may continue to be desired by some researchers and practicing clinicians.

Spanish validation of the Spence Preschool Anxiety Scale.

The Preschool Anxiety Scale (PAS) is a 28-item measure designed to assess anxiety symptoms in preschoolers aged 31 to 83months. The present study aims to extend the literature by examining the psychometric properties and factorial structure of the PAS in a Spanish community sample of 274 preschoolers aged 3 to 7years. Factor analysis confirmed the five-factor original model after removing eight items, suggesting a shorter 20-item version for the Spanish preschoolers. The scale demonstrated to have good internal consistency (Cronbach's α=0.84). Moderate but significant correlations with a measure of health-related quality of life supported the convergent validity of the PAS. The Spanish version of the PAS demonstrated to have good psychometric properties, providing these results initial support to its use for assessing a broad range of anxiety symptoms in Spanish-speaking preschoolers.

Exploring the link between perfectionism and depressive symptoms: Contribution of rumination and defense styles

This study investigated the mediating and moderating roles of emotion-focused coping strategies (rumination and immature defenses) in the relationship between perfectionism and depressive symptoms in a Spanish community sample. 438 participants (67.4% female; mean age = 36.94 years) completed self-reports assessing perfectionism, rumination, immature defenses and depression. Multiple mediation, moderation and moderated mediation analyses were conducted. Brooding-rumination and immature defenses mediated the relationship between perfectionism and depressive symptoms. Also, brooding-rumination moderated the impact of perfectionism on depressive symptoms. The mediating effect of brooding in the relationship between perfectionism and depressive symptoms turned out to be moderated by immature defenses, such that the vulnerability link between perfectionism and depressive symptoms through brooding was stronger in individuals scoring high on immature defenses. Brooding-rumination and immature defenses may be essential mechanisms to explain the paths and conditions whereby maladaptive perfectionism gives rise to depression.

Gender Differences in Youth Substance Use: The Effects of Parenting Through a Deviant Peer Group

ABSTRACTThe aim of this study is to analyze the effects of parental knowledge, parental support, and family conflict through the affiliation with deviant peers on youth substance use (i.e., alcohol, cannabis, and other illicit substances), as well as unhealthy and antisocial behavior derived from substance consumption. A Spanish community sample was used and gender differences were taken into account. The sample was composed of 584 secondary school students ages 14 to 20, 46.9% of whom were male. The results of structural equation modeling indicate that the affiliation with deviant peers was the factor most directly related to the dependent variables. The results also indicate that family factors influence the dependent variables indirectly and significantly through the mediation of a deviant peer group. Finally, some gender differences were found. Conclusively, substance use prevention programs should be based on managing peer exposure and carried out under a gender-sensitive approach.

Psychometric properties of the Short Leyton Obsessional Inventory-Child Version in a community sample of Spanish children and adolescents

The aim of the current study was to analyze psychometric properties of the Short LOI-CV in Spanish community sample. Participants were 914 children and adolescents with mean age of 13.01 years (51.3% males). An EFA yielded a three-factor model representing Obsessions, Compulsions, and Cleanliness dimensions. Both, total score and subscales showed an adequate internal consistency. The Spanish version also exhibited good test-retest reliability and moderate convergent and discriminant validity. The younger participants (from 8 to 10 years) obtained higher means for total score and subscales than older participants (groups 11-13 and 14-18 years). Significant differences related to gender were also observed since males obtained higher means in Compulsions subscale. Despite more research is required, the Spanish version of the Short LOI-CV exhibited promising psychometric results to assess obsessive-compulsive symptoms in community population.