Agustín Ernesto Martínez-González

Factor Structure and Measurement Invariance of the Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory – Child Version (OCI-CV) in General Population

Evidence-based assessment is necessary as a first step for developing psychopathological studies and assessing the effectiveness of empirically validated treatments. There are several measures of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and/or symptomatology in children and adolescents, but all of them present some limitations. The Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory-Revised (OCI-R) by Foa and her colleagues has showed to be a good self-report measure to capture the dimensionality of OCD in adults and adolescents. The child version of the OCI (OCI-CV) was validated for clinical children and adolescents in 2010, showing excellent psychometric properties. The objective of this study was to examine the factor structure and invariance of the OCI-CV in the general population. Results showed a six-factor structure with one second-order factor, good consistency values, and invariance across region, age, and sex. The OCI-CV is an excellent inventory for assessing the dimensions of OCD symptomatology in general populations of children and adolescents. The invariance across sex and age warrants its utilization for research purposes.

Psychometric Properties of the Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory-Child Version (OCI-CV) in Chilean Children and Adolescents

In recent years, there has been a considerable increase in the development of assessment tools for obsessive-compulsive symptomatology in children and adolescents. The Obsessive Compulsive Inventory-Child Version (OCI-CV) is a well-established assessment self-report, with special interest for the assessment of dimensions of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). This instrument has shown to be useful for clinical and non-clinical populations in two languages (English and European Spanish). Thus, the aim of this study was to analyze the psychometric properties of the OCI-CV in a Chilean community sample. The sample consisted of 816 children and adolescents with a mean age of 14.54 years (SD = 2.21; range = 10–18 years). Factor structure, internal consistency, test-retest reliability, convergent/divergent validity, and gender/age differences were examined. Confirmatory factor analysis showed a 6-factor structure (Doubting/Checking, Obsessing, Hoarding, Washing, Ordering, and Neutralizing) with one second-order factor. Good estimates of reliability (including internal consistency and test-retest), evidence supporting the validity, and small age and gender differences (higher levels of OCD symptomatology among older participants and women, respectively) are found. The OCI-CV is also an adequate scale for the assessment of obsessions and compulsions in a general population of Chilean children and adolescents.

Long-term effectiveness of combined cognitive-behavioral and neuropsychological intervention in a case of multiple sclerosis

This study examines the long-term effectiveness of a combined cognitive-behavioral and neuropsychological intervention in a woman of 19 years old with multiple sclerosis, by evaluating functional neuroimaging, neuropsychological and psychometric testing. The results showed a partial improvement in some brain areas and brain inflammatory activity. There was an increase in attention, verbal memory, and nonverbal executive functioning as well as in the emotional state at posttest and one-year follow-up. This study indicates the need for including components of both cognitive-behavioral therapy and neuropsychological rehabilitation based on an individualized and tailored plan in standard treatments for multiple sclerosis. Future studies should further develop these contributions.

Psychometric properties of the Inventory of School Difficulties in Adolescents (ISDA) within the Chilean population

Recent studies have indicated that health-risk behaviors and behavioral problems are appearing increasingly at a younger age within the Latin-American population. The Inventory of School Difficulties in Adolescents (ISDA. Martinez-Gonzalez & Vera-Villarroel, 2013) is a new screening scale of 13 items that assesses behavioral problems and common risky behaviors highly relevant within educational settings, especially related to school failure. The aim of this study is to examine the psychometric properties and factor structure of the ISDA. The ISDA, a social-demographic questionnaire and a measure of anxiety and depression symptoms were applied to a sample of 719 Chilean adolescents. The results indicate that the ISDA contains a bi-factor structure: behavioral problems and risky behaviors for health. Estimations of internal consistency and test-retest reliability, as well as evidences of convergent-discriminant validity were adequate. Therefore, the ISDA is an adequate screening tool for assessing risky behaviors and behavioral problems for Chilean adolescents within school settings.

Propiedades psicométricas del Inventory of School Difficulties in Adolescents (ISDA) en población chilena

Recent studies have indicated that health-risk behaviors and behavioral problems are appearing increasingly at a younger age within the Latin-American population. The Inventory of School Difficulties in Adolescents (ISDA. Martinez-Gonzalez & Vera-Villarroel, 2013) is a new screening scale of 13 items that assesses behavioral problems and common risky behaviors highly relevant within educational settings, especially related to school failure. The aim of this study is to examine the psychometric properties and factor structure of the ISDA. The ISDA, a social-demographic questionnaire and a measure of anxiety and depression symptoms were applied to a sample of 719 Chilean adolescents. The results indicate that the ISDA contains a bi-factor structure: behavioral problems and risky behaviors for health. Estimations of internal consistency and test-retest reliability, as well as evidences of convergent-discriminant validity were adequate. Therefore, the ISDA is an adequate screening tool for assessing risky behaviors and behavioral problems for Chilean adolescents within school settings.

DetectaWeb Project: study protocol of a web-based detection of mental health of children and adolescents

Introduction Traditionally, research and practice addressing mental health has been conducted within a unidimensional model, explaining mental health as the presence/absence of psychological problems (distress or psychopathological symptoms). More recently, accumulative evidence has supported a bi-dimensional model, which conceptualises psychological problems and psychological strengths (well-being) as related-yet-distinct continua that, when considered together, yields a more comprehensive understanding of individuals. The DetectaWeb Project is a web-based early detection assessment of the mental health continuum (MHC) for children and adolescents and aims to: develop a web-based platform for screening of the MHC, including both psychological problems (anxiety, depression and suicidality) and personal strengths (emotional, cognitive/psychological and social aspects); examine the prevalence of the MHC among children and adolescents; and analyse key determinants (risk and protective factors) of the MHC. Methods and analysis We will conduct an ongoing, multicentre observational, cross-sectional study of Spanish children and adolescents. Participants will be assessed through a web-based platform. In order to validate the web-based screening system, a clinical reappraisal will be completed among a subsample of respondents. To elucidate youth’s levels of subjective distress and well-being, we will include measures of anxiety, depression, suicidality, well-being, externalising problems and socio-demographic variables. Ethics and dissemination Ethical approval has been obtained at all sites. All participants will sign a free and informed consent form before the assessment. Results of the study will be communicated during national and international meetings in the field of clinical and health psychology with children and adolescents. Publications will be sought in journals usually read by psychologists or psychiatrists involved in the development of epidemiological studies and interventions for mental health promotion based on resilience building for children and adolescents.