Begoña Orgaz

Patterns and predictors of participation in leisure activities outside of school in children and adolescents with Cerebral Palsy

This study analyzed the patterns and predictors of participation in leisure activities outside of school of Spanish children and adolescents with Cerebral Palsy (CP). Children and adolescents with CP (n = 199; 113 males and 86 females) participated in this cross-sectional study. Their mean age was 12.11 years (SD = 3.02; range 8-18 years), and they were evaluated using the Spanish version of the Childrens Assessment of Participation and Enjoyment (CAPE). Means, standard deviations and percentages were used to characterize the profile of participation, and linear regression analyses were employed to assess associations between the variables (child, family and environmental factors) and the diversity, intensity and enjoyment of participation. Children and adolescents with CP reported low diversity and intensity of participation and high levels of enjoyment. Participation in leisure activities outside of school was determined more by child and environmental factors than by family ones.

Personal factors and perceived barriers to participation in leisure activities for young and adults with developmental disabilities

Participation in leisure activities has been identified as a factor that favors inclusion in the community and it also contributes to a better quality of life. This study analyzed the influence of certain personal characteristics and environmental factors in the participation in leisure activities of youngsters and adults with developmental disabilities. A cross-sectional design was used with a convenience sample of 237 people, aged 17-65, living in the community. The participants completed the Spanish version of the Leisure Assessment Inventory, and information about the personal and disability-related factors was obtained through a questionnaire. Multiple regression analyses were conducted to determine the personal factors, disability-related factors, and perceived barriers to leisure participation. The results show that participation in leisure activities is determined more by personal factors and perceived barriers than by disability-related factors.

Problematic online experiences among Spanish college students: Associations with Internet use characteristics and clinical symptoms

Internet access is almost universal among Spanish young people, and university students appear particularly vulnerable to developing problematic use patterns. This study examined the prevalence of a broad range of problematic online experiences in this population, and their associations with diverse Internet use characteristics and clinical symptoms. A sample of 493 students completed an online survey including the Index of Problematic Online Experiences (I-POE) by Mitchell, Sabina, Finkelhor, and Wells (2009), five subscales of the Trauma Symptom Inventory, and questions regarding Internet use characteristics. One in ten participants met criteria for problematic online use. Boys showed higher levels of problems in most I-POE domains. Spending more hours a day online predicted more problems related to overuse, daily obligations, and interactions with people online, whereas using dating websites predicted more problems with online behavior (e.g. identity deception). Higher concerns about own Internet use predicted higher levels of most clinical symptoms. In conclusion, although a minority of students may be considered problematic Internet users, this should be cause for concern and encourage preventative measures. Consistently with the cognitive-behavioral model (Davis, 2001) maladaptive cognitions seem to play a relevant role in the understanding of problematic Internet use. Besides, this study supports the utility of the I-POE as a quick assessment tool to identify problematic online experiences.

Pain, motor function and health-related quality of life in children with cerebral palsy as reported by their physiotherapists

BackgroundChildren and adolescents with cerebral palsy suffer from higher levels of pain than their peers without disability. The aim of this study was to explore the impact of pain on health-related quality of life and motor function in individuals with cerebral palsy as reported by health professionals.MethodsCross-sectional study carried out in Associations for Care of Individuals with Cerebral Palsy and Related Disabilities (ASPACE) in Balearic Islands and Castile Leon (Spain). Thirty-five physiotherapists rated pain, health-related quality of life and motor function in 91 children and adolescents with cerebral palsy [8-19y]. A semi-structured interview was used to collect demographic and clinical data according with the Study of Participation of Children with Cerebral Palsy Living in Europe (SPARCLE).ResultsPhysiotherapists reported that 51% of individuals with cerebral palsy suffered from pain. Physiotherapists also perceived that pain in individuals with cerebral palsy was responsible for reductions of psychological but not physical domains of health-related quality of life. According with physiotherapists’ estimations, motor impairment scores were not correlated with pain scores in individuals with cerebral palsy, but they were significantly associated with physical and autonomy domains of health-related quality of life.ConclusionsThese findings highlighted the importance of assessing and providing interventions for pain relief in persons with cerebral palsy even at an early age.

Cross‐cultural validation of the Children's Assessment of Participation and Enjoyment (CAPE) in Spain

BACKGROUND Despite growing interest in the topic of participation, the construct has not yet been assessed in children and adolescents with and without cerebral palsy (CP) in Spain. As there are no available instruments to measure participation in leisure activities which have been adapted in this country, the goal of this study was to validate a Spanish version of the Childrens Assessment of Participation and Enjoyment (CAPE). METHOD The sample comprised 199 children and adolescents with CP and 199 without CP, between 8 and 18 years of age, from seven regions in Spain. The adaptation of the original version of CAPE was carried out through translation and backward translation, and the validity of the instrument was analysed. Construct validity was assessed through the correlation of the diverse CAPE domains and the quality of life domains (KIDSCREEN questionnaire). Discriminant validity was established by comparing children and adolescents with CP and typically developing children and adolescents. For test-retest reliability, the children and adolescents with and without CP completed the CAPE questionnaire twice within 4 weeks. RESULTS The correlations found between the CAPE domains and the quality of life domains show that the CAPE presents construct validity. The CAPE discriminated children and adolescents with CP from those without any disability in the results of participation. According to most CAPE domains, typically developing children and adolescents engage in a greater number of activities than children and adolescents with CP. Test-retest reliability for the Spanish version of CAPE was adequate. CONCLUSION The study provides a valid instrument to assess the participation of children and adolescents with and without CP who live in Spain.

Sex education in Spain: teachers' views of obstacles

This paper offers an overview of the current state, difficulties, limitations and future possibilities for sex education in Spain. On the basis of a study involving 3760 teachers from all provinces in Spain, a detailed analysis of the obstacles at legislative, school and teacher levels was developed. Significant weaknesses were found at each of these levels. The main obstacles were the fact that sex education is a cross-curricular subject and contains content that should be incorporated throughout the curriculum rather than in one specific course; lack of monitoring of the practice of sex education; lack of interest in the topic in many schools; and finally lack of appropriate teacher training. A variety of different actions at legislative, school and teacher levels are proposed to overcome those difficulties.

Medición de la visualización espacial mediante tests informatizados

ResumenDesde la corriente cognitiva que impulsa la construccion de tests polifaceticos, se han disenado cuatro tests informatizados de Visualizacion Espacial empleando tareas similares a las clasicas de doblado de papel, desarrollo de superficies, recuento de bloques y rompecabezas. En una muestra de 501 alumnos universitarios se analizan los efectos de las facetas sobre los tiempos de reaccion y la precision. Como se esperaba, solo algunas condiciones de las tareas implican el uso de las transformaciones mentales definitorias del constructo de Visualizacion. Se enfatiza la importancia de estos resultados para la construccion y validacion de los tests espaciales.

Environmental needs and facilitators available for children and adolescents with cerebral palsy: adaptation and validation of the European Child Environment Questionnaire (ECEQ) Spanish version

Abstract Purpose: The objective of this study is to present the process of translating, adapting and validating the European Child Environment Questionnaire (ECEQ) in the Spanish context. Method: The participants were 200 parents of children and adolescents with cerebral palsy (CP) aged 8–18 years, from seven regions in Spain. The adaptation of the ECEQ original version was carried out through the translation and back translation into Spanish. Construct validity was assessed by Factor analysis, Rasch model, and analysing group differences in need and availability of environmental features (EFs) according to level GMFCS. Results: We obtained a high rate of parental response. The ECEQ Spanish version contains 59 items and we identified four domains: Products and technology – home, school and community – services, systems and policies, support and relations, and Attitudes. Seventeen items were dropped as they did not fit well into plausible domains. Construct validity in terms of distinguishing between groups with expected for both need and availability. Conclusion: The ECEQ Spanish version was more appropriate to assess the needs of and access to EFs in the following domains: Products and technology and services, systems and policies, and it proved less appropriate for the support and relations, and attitudes domains. Implications for Rehabilitation Identification of barriers and environmental facilitators are key aspects to ensure the participation of children and adolescents with CP. The ECEQ is a useful tool for identifying needs and availability of the environmental features for children and adolescents with CP in Spain. This tool contains 59 items that are consistent with ICF framework. The Spanish version of ECEQ provides valuable information, which could be helpful to guide public services and organization services in order to optimize participation of children and adolescents with CP.

The Relationship of Cerebral Palsy Comorbid Conditions with Participation and Quality of Life

The promotion of quality of life (QOL) and participation in the community for people with cerebral palsy (CP) is important to their overall well-being. This chapter will discuss the interaction between the individual and the environment, the importance of assessment of QOL interventions for the personal outcomes of individuals with CP, and support service strategies promoting the participation and QOL.

RETRACTED: Analysis of classroom practices with an ICT resource in early childhood education

This paper examines how seven early childhood teachers make classroom use of a digital resource consisting of a technological desk. It includes an IBM computer with a CD-Rom reader, Internet access, and Windows XP operating system. It is mounted on a brightly colored piece of furniture that matches the decoration in early childhood classrooms, and the peripherals are designed as customized toys, with provision of a small seat where two pupils can work at the same time. We used a system to analyze classroom interaction that allows us to segment teaching practice into categories, providing information both on the activities undertaken and on the role teachers play, and the use made of curricular elements. We studied recordings of 19 classroom sessions with the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) resource. The results show that there are four different activity patterns among the teachers studied as regards the development of these practices. The patterns focus on performing tasks with ICT as the first action schema. Curricular tasks and contents, such as material resources, play specific roles in practical classroom activities. The findings reported allow suggesting that teacher training in ICTs should be associated with content related to curricular design and classroom planning.