Arantxa Gorostiaga

Emotional intelligence and depressed mood in adolescence: A multilevel approach

The aim of the study was to analyze the relationship between individual emotional intelligence, group emotional intelligence and depressed mood in adolescence from a multilevel approach. The study sample comprised 2,182 adolescents (1,127 female and 1,055 male) aged between 12 and 18 years (M = 14.51, SD = 1.55). They attended 14 secondary schools in the Basque Country (northern Spain) and were grouped into 118 different classes. A two-level model (students nested in classes) with three predictor variables of level 1 (attention, clarity and repair of emotions) and one predictor variable of level 2 (class emotional intelligence) was used to examine their influence on depressed mood. The results indicated that clarity and the ability to regulate emotions at the individual level and emotional intelligence at the class level are important for explaining depressed mood. In this way, the study provides an integrative approach to research on the psychosocial well-being of adolescents that takes into account emotional variables located at different levels.

General Linear Mixed Model for Analysing Longitudinal Data in Developmental Research

Many areas of psychological, social, and health research are characterised by hierarchically structured data. Growth curves are usually represented by means of a two-level hierarchical structure in which observations are the first-level units nested within subjects, the second-level units. With data such as these, the best option for analysis is the general linear mixed model, which can be used even with longitudinal data series in which intervals are not constant or for which over the passage of time there is loss of data. In this paper an overview is given of the general linear mixed model approach to the analysis of longitudinal data in developmental research. The advantages of this model in comparison with the traditional approaches for analysing longitudinal data are shown, emphasising the usefulness of modelling the covariance structure properly to achieve a precise estimation of the parameters of the model.

Review of Tools Used for Assessing Teachers’ Level of Knowledge with Regards Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

ADHD is currently one of most widely studied neuro-developmental disorders in chil‐ dren and adolescents. It is a severe disorder that can cause grave problems for sufferers and those around them. The interest in the study of ADHD in the scientific community is undeniable, as proved by the multitude of articles and books on the subject published annually. As indicated by Lavigne and Romero [1], interest in this condition is such that it has breached the boundaries of academic research and study and has become a social phenomenon in itself, to such an extent that any child who shows a certain degree of activity, who does not remain seated and quiet for hours and does not instantly obey each and every instruction he or she receives is immediately suspected of having ADHD. The readiness with which children are labeled as having ADHD is surely due, in part, to the lack of information about the various factors apart from ADHD, that cause lack of attention, hyperactivity and/or impulsiveness.

A Shortened Spanish Version of the Emotional Creativity Inventory (the ECI-S)

Feeling, thinking, and acting creatively contribute to the originality and effectiveness with which people face challenges, solve problems, or make decisions. The only self-perception instrument that evaluates the ability to experience and express emotions in a novel, effective, and authentic way is the Emotional Creativity Inventory (ECI). The aim of this study was to develop a shortened Spanish version of the ECI (the ECI-S) and to validate it in a sample of 1,145 higher education students (650 women and 495 men). The internal structure, internal consistency, and temporal stability of the instrument were examined, as was its external validity. The results of the confirmatory factor analysis corroborated the three-factor structure of the original scale (Preparedness, Novelty, and Effectiveness/Authenticity). Moreover, these dimensions showed adequate internal consistency and temporal stability. The study also provided external validation data based on the relationship between emotional creativity and emotional intelligence, cognitive creativity, personality, and gender. Overall, the results indicate that the ECI-S is a useful tool for evaluating perceived emotional creativity during the preparation and verification phases of the creativity process.

Attachment dimensions in adolescence: an adaptation of the Inventory of Parent and Peer Attachment (IPPA) into Basque / Dimensiones del apego en la adolescencia: adaptación al euskera del Inventario de Apego de Progenitores y Pares (IPPA)

Abstract The aim of this study was to develop a short Basque version of the Inventory of Parent and Peer Attachment (IPPA), as well as to test its factor structure and analyse other psychometric properties. Two studies were carried out. In the first study a confirmatory factor analysis conducted on a sample of 1037 adolescents did not show an optimal model fit of the three-dimensional structure of the original instrument. A subsequent analysis of principal components revealed a one-dimensional structure. The analysis of items led to the elaboration of short forms. In the second study, carried out on another sample of 2129 adolescents, the one-dimensional structure was confirmed, further external validity evidence was provided, and good reliability indices were obtained. A single dimension is concluded, attachment security, as well as the validity and reliability of the short forms of the IPPA in Basque scales.

Evaluation of the Level of Knowledge of Infant and Primary School Teachers with Respect to the Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): Content Validity of a Newly Created Questionnaire

ADHD is a universal disorder which began to be researched more than a century ago but about which there remain many questions regarding its etiology, evolution and effective treatment (Moreno, 2008b). Without doubt this is, in part, due to the fact that people with ADHD are a heterogeneous group with varied symptoms and not all cases have all the symptoms and features which have been described as characteristic of this disorder. In general terms it can be stated that people with ADHD suffer from an inappropriate development of the mechanisms that regulate attention, reflexivity and activity (Miranda, Jarque & Soriano, 1999).

The Influence of the Social Use and the History of Acquisition of Euskera on Comprehension and Recall of Scientific Texts in Euskera and Castilian

This study examined the influence of the social use and the history of acquisition of Euskera (the Basque language) on comprehension and recall of two versions (Euskera –Castilian) of a scientific text read by bilingual high school and college students. Comprehension was measured by performance on an inferential task and recall by efficiency on a test that assessed recognition of essential and supplementary information in the text. Results suggested that both extensive social use and an active history of acquisition of a language improve the level of comprehension of a text written in that language. However, neither factor facilitated the recognition of essential information in the text. The possible implications of these results for education are discussed.

Reducing Anxiety and Improving Academic Performance Through a Biofeedback Relaxation Training Program

AbstractThe aim of this study was to analyze the influence of a biofeedback relaxation training program on anxiety and academic performance. The program consisted of five biofeedback sessions coupled with three training activities focused on deep breathing, guided imagery, and muscle relaxation. The participants were second-year psychology undergraduates from the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU, northern Spain). The experimental group comprised 152 students (Mage = 19.6, SD = 0.74; 74% women) and the control group 81 students (Mage  = 19.4, SD = 0.92; 71% women). Results showed that after participating in the program, students in the experimental group had lower levels of anxiety and increased academic performance. Furthermore, they scored lower on anxiety and higher on academic performance in comparison with the control subjects. This suggests that the inclusion of biofeedback training programs in educational contexts could be a way of reducing anxiety and improving academic performance. It may also deepen our understanding of the dynamic interplay between psychophysiological, cognitive, and emotional processes.

Comprensión, recuerdo y estrategias cognitivas para el estudio de textos científicos en euskera y castellano en estudiantes bilingües de diferentes niveles académicos

Resumen En el presente artículo se examina el nivel de comprensión y de recuerdo que presentan, así como las estrategias cognitivas que utilizan estudiantes bilingües de diferentes niveles académicos (universitariosvs. de enseñanzas medias), en el estudio de dos versiones lingüísticas (euskera-castellano)de un texto científico. Los resultados mostraron que a medida que aumentaba el nivel académico de los estudiantes, se producía una mejora en la comprensión del texto en castellano, pero no en euskera. Además, el nivel académico no ejerció influencia sobre el recuerdo de información esencial del texto. Respecto a las estrategias, los universitarios emplearon mayor cantidad de estrategias de esencialización que los estudiantes de enseñanzas medias, en ambas versions lingüísticas del texto. Por último, exceptuando la mayor comprensión alcanzada por los universitarios con el texto en castellano que con el texto en euskera, no se observaron diferencias ni en la comprensión, ni en el recuerdo, ni en la cantidad y tipos de estrategias cognitivas empleadas por los sujetos en ambas lenguas. Se discuten las implicaciones que tienen tales resultados en el ámbito educativo.

Beyond diagnosis: the Core Sets for persons with schizophrenia based on the World Health Organization’s International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health

Abstract Purpose: Based on the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF), this paper presents the results of the process to develop the Comprehensive and Brief Core Sets for schizophrenia that allow to comprehensively describe functioning in persons with schizophrenia. Methods: Twenty health professionals from diverse backgrounds participated in a formal and iterative decision-making process during an international consensus conference to develop these Core Sets. The conference was carried out based on evidence gathered from four preparatory studies (systematic literature review, qualitative study, expert survey, and empirical study). The first step of this decision-making and consensus process comprised of discussions and voting in working groups and plenary sessions to develop the comprehensive version. The categories of the Comprehensive ICF Core Set for schizophrenia served as the basis for the second step –a ranking and cutoff procedure to decide on the brief version. Results: Of the 184 candidate categories identified in the preparatory studies, 97 categories were included in the Comprehensive Core Set for schizophrenia. A total of 25 categories were selected to constitute the Brief Core Set. Conclusions: The formal decision-making and consensus process integrating evidence from four preparatory studies and expert opinion led to the first version of the Core Sets for schizophrenia. Comprehensive and Brief Core Sets for schizophrenia may provide a common language among different health professionals and researchers, and a basic international standard of what to measure, report, and assess the functioning of persons with schizophrenia. Implications for rehabilitation Schizophrenia is a chronic mental disorder that has a tremendous impact on functioning and daily life of persons living with the disorder. The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) offers an internationally recognized standard for describing the functioning status of these individuals. The Core Sets for schizophrenia have potential use in supporting rehabilitation practice such as for planning mental health services and other interventions or defining rehabilitation goals, and documenting patient care. The Core Sets for schizophrenia may also be used to promote interdisciplinary coordination and facilitate communication between members of a multidisciplinary rehabilitation team. Rehabilitation research is another potential area of application of the Core Sets for schizophrenia. This is valuable, since rehabilitation research provides crucial evidence for optimizing rehabilitation practice.