The short form, 17-item version of the Pediatric Symptom Checklist-Youth Self-Report (PSC-17-Y) is a validated measure that assesses psychosocial problems overall (OVR) and in 3 major ...psychopathological domains (internalizing, externalizing, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder), taking 5-10 min to complete. Prior research has established sound psychometric properties of the PSC-17-Y for English speakers.
This study extends psychometric evidence for the acceptability of the PSC-17-Y in a large sample of Spanish adolescents, providing proof of its reliability and structure, convergent and discriminant validity, and longitudinal and gender invariance.
Data were collected on 5430 adolescents, aged 12-18 years, who filled out the PSC-17-Y twice during 2018-2019 (7-month interval). We calculated the Cronbach alpha and the McDonald omega coefficients to test reliability, the Pearson correlation for convergent (distress) and criterion validity (well-being, quality of life, and socioemotional skills), confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) for structure validity, and multigroup and longitudinal measurement invariance analysis for longitudinal and gender stability.
Within structural analysis for the PSC-17-Y, CFA supported a correlated 3-factor solution, which was also invariant longitudinally and across gender. All 3 subscales showed evidence of reliability, with coefficients near or above .70. Moreover, scores of PSC-17-Y subscales were positively related with convergent measures and negatively related with criterion measures. Normative data for the PSC-17-Y are presented in the form of percentiles (75th and 90th).
This work provides the first evidence of the reliability and validity of the Spanish version of the PSC-17-Y administered over the internet to assess mental health problems among adolescents, maintaining the same domains as the long version.
Current evidence suggests that Cognitive Behavioral therapy (CBT) has a limited role in the contemporary management of premature ejaculation (PE).
The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy ...of a new CBT for the PE called Sphincter Control Training (SCT) in combination with a masturbation aid device.
The present study included 35 patients' that met diagnostic criteria for PE including intravaginal ejaculatory latency time (IELT) of ≤2 minutes and had a Premature Ejaculation Diagnostic Tool (PEDT) score ≥11. Participants completed all phases of a randomized controlled clinical study with a parallel group design, which was approved by the Ethical Committee of the Hospital Morales Meseguer of Murcia (Spain).The two treatment groups completed SCT over 7 weeks. The SCT consists of four different exercises and an educational session. Its objective is to provide patients with greater knowledge, awareness, and control of the external urethral sphincter. The only difference between groups was the use of a masturbation aid device called Flip Zero (TFZ-001) from the Japanese company Tenga Co., Ltd.
The main measure was the "fold increase" (FI) of the IELT, which was calculated using the geometric mean pre-treatment and post-treatment. In addition, Premature Ejaculation Profile PE was used as a secondary measure.
The geometric mean of the measurements corresponding to the 7 weeks of treatment was calculated, and both groups were compared by means of an ANCOVA test, finding a statistically significant difference (F: 10.51, 1; p = .003) in the increase experienced by subjects in the group with the device (GWD) mean = 166.63, SD = 106.54) compared with that experienced by subjects in the group without device (GWtD) (mean = 86.99, SD = 59.98).Using Student's t-test, the Fold increase (FI) corresponding to both groups were compared. The results showed statistically significant differences (p = .008) between the measurements corresponding to the GWtD (1.38 (0.50)) and those relative to the GWD (2.69 (1.81)).
The FI in the GWD at the end of the trial allow us to consider this new CBT as a potential and viable PE treatment alternative. No side effects were observed in either treatment group and it required little therapeutic input and no partner involvement.
The main limitation of this study is the lack of a 3- to 6-month follow-up of the treatment and placebo control.
This SCT exercise program combined with the use of a masturbation device shows promise because has numerous advantages in relation to current recommended treatments in patients with PE.
Suicide is the second leading cause of death in young people aged 15-29 in Spain. It is imperative to detect cases with suicidal risk for early intervention. The purpose of the study was to examine ...the self-reported presence of suicide spectrum indicators using a trichotomous rating scale: no, yes, prefer not to say . This last alternative was intended to safeguard the sensitive nature of the phenomenon and explore its clinical character.
5,528 adolescents made up the definitive sample (12-18 years; M ± SD = 14.20 ± 1.53; 50.74% female).
Prevalence reached 15.38% for ideation, 9.32% for planning, and 3.65% for previous suicide attempts. Girls' rates were twice those of men. Suicidality showed a tendency to increase with age. Adolescents with the presence of suicidal indicators (yes) and omission of response (prefer not to say) both had lower levels of socioemotional strength and subjective well-being, and higher levels of psychopathology than the group with the absence of markers (no).
Prefer not to say is a response category that increases the sensitivity of the self-report, allowing more accurate identification of cases with a high suicidal risk that would go unnoticed by the traditional dichotomous system (no-yes).
The covitality model suggests that the co-disposition and synergy of core psychosocial assets (i.e., covitality) buffer the negative impact of stressful events and prevent the emergence of mental ...health problems during adolescence. At this stage of development, suicide already constitutes the leading cause of unnatural death in Europe. The present study aimed to examine how covitality relates to bidimensional mental health status (i.e., psychopathology and subjective well-being) and suicidal risk.
Participants were 5,296 Spanish students ages 12 to 18 years (M
age
± SD = 14.19 ± 1.53), 50.2% male.
In a structural equation mediational model, covitality acted as a powerful shield of psychosocial strengths against suicidality, via an indirect effect entirely mediated by its impact on bidimensional mental health. The total variance in suicidal risk explained by the set of independent variables was 61.8%, while the total variance of psychopathology and subjective well-being explained by covitality was 54.1% and 75.6%, respectively.
These preliminary findings highlight the need for further study of covitality as a defense strategy against adolescent suicide.
HIGHLIGHTS
Covitality promote subjective well-being and prevent psychopathological symptoms.
These self-perceived psychosocial strengths do not have direct effect on suicidality.
Covitality is related to lower suicidal risk through indirect mechanisms: via bidimensional approach to mental health status (BMH).
Few studies have investigated body-dysmorphic, hoarding, hair-pulling, and skin-picking symptoms in adolescents and how they relate to mental health, quality of life, suicide attempts, and ...non-suicidal self-harm. We used a quota sampling procedure and contacted 100 secondary centres in the Southeast of Spain, of which 34 participated in the study. A sample of 5,345 adolescents (12–18 years) completed dimensional measures of body-dysmorphic, hoarding, hair-pulling, and skin-picking symptoms. The proportion of adolescents with clinically significant symptoms within each symptom type was estimated and associations with other indicators of mental health examined. Clinically significant body-dysmorphic symptoms were reported by 3.7%, hoarding by 0.9%, hair-pulling by 0.7%, and skin-picking by 1.8%. Body-dysmorphic symptoms were more common in girls and in those over 14 years of age. Body-dysmorphic, hoarding, hair-pulling, and skin-picking symptoms were moderately to strongly associated with obsessive-compulsive symptoms, internalizing symptoms, externalizing symptoms, and poor quality of life. Those with significant body-dysmorphic, hoarding, hair-pulling, and skin-picking symptoms were much more likely to have attempted suicide and engaged in non-suicidal self-harm during the last twelve months than those without such symptoms. Body-dysmorphic symptoms showed the strongest associations with internalizing symptoms and poor quality of life. Limitations are the sole use of self-report and a sample from only two regions in Spain, but findings suggest that body-dysmorphic, hoarding, hair-pulling, and skin-picking symptoms are common and impairing during adolescence.
Objective: Covitality is a meta-construct of positive intra/interpersonal self-schemas that organize and process life experiences. Its synergy favors psychosocial adjustment and prevents mental ...health problems during adolescence. At these ages, suicide is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. The purpose of this study was to determine which psychosocial strengths of the covitality model could combat adolescent suicide spectrum. Method: Participants were 5,528 Spanish adolescents aged 12-18 years, 50.74% females. The assessment protocol was completed in schools, under the supervision of the research staff. Statistical analyses were conducted using hurdle models, i.e., modeling zero-inflated count data. This process provided two sets of outcomes: the association – in probabilistic terms – between psychosocial strengths and the absence of suicide indicators (i.e., non-occurrence) and the association of these assets – via regression coefficients – with increased experimentation (i.e., duration/quantity). Results: All psychosocial strengths of the covitality model were related to the non-ocurrence of suicidal thoughts and behaviors, but not all to a shorter duration/quantity of their phenotypic manifestations. Covitality obtained greater association values on suicidal tendencies than its components analyzed independently. Belief in self and engaged living were the second-order factors with the higher estimating capacity. Specifically, emotional self-awareness, enthusiasm, gratitude, family support, and behavioral self-control were key first-order assets. Conclusions: These findings suggest that training adolescents in covitality assets could be an effective strategy for universal prevention against premature suicide. Moreover, this study provide evidence on which psychosocial strengths could counteract each phenotypic manifestation of suicide in order to customize selective and indicated preventive actions.
The Mental Health Continuum-Short Form (MHC-SF) is a multidimensional instrument designed to capture emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It is one of the self-report measures of ...international use in clinical practice and research, although so far it has no validation in Spanish-Speaking adolescents. Therefore, the objective of this study was to analyze the reliability and validity evidence (structure, convergent and criterion), and the temporal and gender invariance of the MHC-SF in Spanish adolescent population.
Two assessment moments with a 6-month time interval were used, with an initial sample of 5,479 adolescents and a later sample of 2,129.
The CFA showed optimal fit for the bi-factor model, and an adequate fit for correlated three-factor model. The results of the gender and temporal invariance analysis showed optimal fit. Reliability coefficients were all higher than .77. The MHC-SF presented significant positive associations (p < .001) with indicators of well-being (r > .60) and negative associations with indicators of psychological distress (r > -.21).
The MHC-SF shows evidence of reliability and validity in Spanish adolescents, being the bi-factor model invariant through time and across gender groups.
El auge de las agresiones cibernéticas entre estudiantes de secundaria y la importancia de ciertas variables de ajuste psicosocial para la comprensión de este tipo de conducta violenta, tanto en ...agresores como en víctimas, plantean como objetivo en el presente trabajo analizar el perfil psicosocial de ambos implicados en situaciones de ciberagresión. Las variables de ajuste analizadas fueron autoconcepto, estrés percibido, soledad, sintomatología depresiva, ansiedad social, satisfacción con la vida e inteligencia emocional. A partir de una muestra de 1318 adolescentes (47% chicos), de entre 11 y 18 años, se establecieron tres grupos de contraste para cibervíctimas (víctimas severas, moderadas y no cibervíctimas) y tres grupos para ciberagresores (ciberagresores severos, moderados y no ciberagresores). El análisis de varianza mostró que los implicados presentan perfiles psicosociales diferentes y deteriorados. Las cibervíctimas severas mostraron mayor estrés percibido, soledad, depresión y ansiedad social, y menor autoconcepto, satisfacción con la vida e IE, en comparación con las no cibervíctimas. Los ciberagresores severos mostraron mayor estrés percibido, soledad y depresión, y menor autoconcepto y satisfacción con la vida, comparativamente con los no ciberagresores. Estos resultados permiten profundizar en la comprensión del ciberacoso entre estudiantes y mejorar los programas preventivos y de intervención en escuelas.
The rise of cyberbullying among high school students and the importance of certain variables of psychological adjustment for the comprehension of this type of violent behavior both in bullies and in victims. This work aims to analyze the psychological profile of individuals involved in situations of cyberbullying, both victims and bullies. The adjustment variables analyzed were self-concept, perceived stress, loneliness, depressive symptomatology, social anxiety, life satisfaction, and emotional intelligence. Using a sample of 1318 adolescents (47% boys), aged between 11 and 18 years (M = 13.8, SD = 1.32), three contrast groups were established for cybervictims (severe cybervictims, moderate cybervictims, and non-cybervictims) and three groups for cyberbullies (severe cyberbullies, moderate cyberbullies, and non-cyberbullies). The results obtained through analysis of variance showed that both cybervictims and cyberbullies show deterioration in most of the studied dimensions, albeit with a different profile. Severe cybervictims showed higher scores in perceived stress, loneliness, depression, and social anxiety, and lower scores in self-concept, life satisfaction, and emotional intelligence, in comparison with non-cybervictims. Severe cyberbullies obtained higher scores in perceived stress, loneliness, and depression, and lower scores in self-concept and life satisfaction, compared to non-cyberbullies. These results allow deepening our comprehension of cyberbullying among students to improve preventive and intervention programs in schools.
Background
The Social Emotional Distress Scale-Secondary (SEDS-S) is a short measure designed for comprehensive school-based mental health screening, particularly for using very brief self-reported ...measures of well-being and distress. Whereas prior studies have shown validity and reliability evidence for the English version, there is a lack of literature about its psychometric properties for Spanish-speaking youths.
Objective
To examine the psychometric properties of the SEDS-S in a large sample of Spanish adolescents, providing evidence of its reliability, structure, convergent and discriminant validity, longitudinal and gender measurement invariance, and normative data.
Methods
Participants were 5550 adolescents aged 12–18 years old. Test–retest reliability was examined using Cronbach’s alpha and McDonald’s omega coefficients, and evidence for convergent and discriminant validity was measured using Pearson’s correlation. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to examine structure validity, while multigroup and longitudinal measurement invariance analysis was conducted for longitudinal and gender latent structure stability.
Results
The CFA supported a unidimensional latent structure, which was also observed to be invariant between gender groups and over time. The scale showed evidence of reliability, with coefficients above .85. In addition, the SEDS-S score was positively related to measures assessing distress and negatively related to measures assessing well-being, thereby providing convergent/discriminant validity of the total scores.
Conclusion
This study provides the first evidence of the reliability and validity of the Spanish version of the SEDS-S for assessing emotional distress among adolescents, cross-sectionally and longitudinally. Furthermore, findings indicated that SEDS-S could be a suitable assessment tool for screening and program evaluation purposes at different contexts beyond the school setting.
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