Carlota Las Hayas

Problematic Internet use and problematic alcohol use from the cognitive–behavioral model: A longitudinal study among adolescents

Problematic Internet use (PIU) and problematic alcohol use are two pervasive problems during adolescence that share similar characteristics and predictors. The first objective of this study was to analyze the temporal and reciprocal relationships among the main components of PIU from the cognitive-behavioral model (preference for online social interaction, mood regulation through the Internet, deficient self-regulation, and negative consequences). The second objective was to examine the temporal and reciprocal relationships between PIU components and problematic alcohol use. We also examined whether these relationships differ between males and females. The sample comprised 801 Spanish adolescents (mean age=14.92, SD=1.01) who completed the measures both at Time 1 (T1) and Time 2 (T2) six months apart. We used structural equation modeling to analyze the relationship among the variables. Results showed that deficient self-regulation at T1 predicted an increase in preference for online interactions, mood regulation, and negative consequences of the Internet at T2. In turn, the emergence of negative consequences of PIU at T1 predicted a rise in problematic alcohol use at T2. Longitudinal relationships between different components of PIU and between the components of PIU and problematic alcohol use were invariant across genders. Deficient self-regulation, consisting of diminished self-control over cognition and behaviors related to the Internet, plays a central role in the maintenance of PIU, increasing the preference for online interactions, mood regulation, and negative consequences from Internet use over time. In turn, adolescents who present negative consequences of PIU are vulnerable targets for problematic alcohol use.

Resilience Scale-25 Spanish version: Validation and assessment in eating disorders

OBJECTIVES To validate into Spanish the Wagnild and Young Resilience Scale - 25 (RS-25), assess and compare the scores on the scale among women from the general population, eating disorder (ED) patients and recovered ED patients. METHOD This is a cross-sectional study. ED participants were invited to participate by their respective therapists. The sample from the general population was gathered via an open online survey. Participants (N general population=279; N ED patients=124; and N recovered ED patients=45) completed the RS-25, the World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale-BREF and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Mean age of participants ranged from 28.87 to 30.42years old. Statistical analysis included a multi-group confirmatory factor analysis and ANOVA. RESULTS The two-factor model of the RS-25 produced excellent fit indexes. Measurement invariance across samples was generally supported. The ANOVA found statistically significant differences in the RS-25 mean scores between the ED patients (Mean=103.13, SD=31.32) and the recovered ED participants (Mean=138.42, SD=22.26) and between the ED patients and the general population participants (Mean=136.63, SD=19.56). DISCUSSION The Spanish version of the RS-25 is a psychometrically sound measurement tool in samples of ED patients. Resilience is lower in people diagnosed with ED than in recovered individuals and the general population.

Priorización de pacientes en lista de espera para prótesis de rodilla y cadera: la opinión de los pacientes

Objetivo: Explorar la opinion de los pacientes sobre criterios de priorizacion para las listas de espera en las intervenciones de protesis de cadera y rodilla. Este estudio se enmarca en un proyecto mas amplio, cuyo objetivo es elaborar un instrumento de criterios de priorizacion para las intervenciones de protesis de cadera y rodilla. Material y metodos: Se realizo un estudio descriptivo con metodologia de corte cualitativo, que proporciona informacion muy valiosa sobre como mejorar diferentes aspectos de la practica clinica y detectar soluciones que ayuden en la toma de decisiones. Se establecieron 4 grupos focales en 2 momentos: 2 antes de la elaboracion del instrumento de criterios de priorizacion y 2 despues, con pacientes en lista de espera para ser intervenidos de protesis de rodilla o cadera. Resultados: Un total de 31 pacientes participaron en los grupos focales. Todos los pacientes mostraron descontento con el funcionamiento de las listas de espera en la actualidad. El dolor, la limitacion de la capacidad funcional y la repercusion que todo ello supone en el papel social de los pacientes fueron los aspectos mas destacados en las reuniones. Conclusiones: A pesar de que el instrumento vaya a ser manejado por los profesionales, la participacion de los pacientes en su elaboracion y cumplimentacion permite no solo que se sientan mas implicados en el proceso asistencial, sino tambien que la informacion recogida sea mas completa y, al mismo tiempo, mas representativa de la situacion en la que se encuentran estos pacientes.

Impact of clinical and patient‐reported outcomes on patient satisfaction with cataract extraction

To date, factors that influence satisfaction with cataract surgery have not been broadly explored.

Resilience in eating disorders: A qualitative study

ABSTRACT The objectives of the authors in this study were two-fold: (1) to explore the role of resilience in recovery from eating disorders (EDs), and (2) to develop a model of resilience in women with EDs. Semi-structured interviews with ten women were conducted in April 2011, along with two focus groups with women who had recovered from EDs (n = 5 women each; conducted in April 2012 at the University of Deusto, Spain), one focus group with clinical experts (n = 8; conducted in April 2012 at the Foundation Against EDs of Biskay, Spain), and six narratives from primary caregivers of ED patients living in Biskay, Spain (conducted in November 2012). All data were analyzed using a grounded theory approach. All female participants acknowledged experiencing resilience in their recovery. The analysis resulted in a conceptual model of resilience composed of the following categories: deep dissatisfaction with life, turning point, acceptance, hope, determination to change, accountability for the ED, active coping, getting social support, gaining self-knowledge, getting information about EDs, increase well-being, trait resilience, initiating new projects and living in the here and now. According to the model presented, resilience preceded the experience of recovery in women with EDs in this sample and could be a useful asset for future interventions.

Can an appropriateness evaluation tool be used to prioritize patients on a waiting list for cataract extraction

OBJECTIVES To determine whether a system originally developed to ascertain the appropriateness of cataract intervention may also be used to prioritize patients on cataract extraction waiting lists. METHODS The IRYSS-appropriateness of indication for cataract surgery tool and the IRYSS-Cataract Priority Score were applied to a sample of 5448 patients consecutively placed on waiting lists for cataract surgery. Clinical data were gathered by ophthalmologists, and patients self-completed the Visual Function Index-14. The general linear model (GLM) was used to assign scores to the categories of the appropriateness and priority criteria. The relationship between both systems was evaluated by correlating scores. To assess the validity of the new appropriateness and priority scores, correlations with visual acuity (VA) and visual function were calculated. RESULTS The GLM method generated highly similar scores for both appropriateness and prioritization systems. The correlation between scores was very strong (r=0.96). The appropriateness scoring system correlated 0.29 with VA and 0.21 with gain in visual function. The priority system correlated -0.54 with VA and -0.28 with preintervention visual function. CONCLUSIONS The new appropriateness scoring system strongly correlates with the priority scoring system. This easy-to-use appropriateness rating could serve as a tool for simultaneously assessing the appropriateness of cataract surgery and assigning priority.

Positive aspects of caregiving in Spanish caregivers of individuals with acquired brain injury

OBJECTIVE Taking care of a person with acquired brain injury (ABI) is often associated with symptoms of stress and psychological distress. However, caregiving can also be a source of satisfaction and can contribute toward an improvement in the quality of life both of the caregiver and the person with ABI. The aim of this study is to assess and adapt the Positive Aspects of Caregiving Scale (PACS) to Spanish. METHOD The PACS was completed by a sample of 141 family members who are the primary caregivers of relatives with ABI (mean age = 58.3 years, SD = 12.2; 78% women). The caregivers also responded to questions evaluating quality of life, burden, and posttraumatic growth. RESULTS The results confirm the original structure of the PACS, which consists of 2 correlated factors: Self-Affirmation and Outlook on Life. Furthermore, these factors demonstrated adequate indices for internal consistency. The scores obtained from the PACS are positively associated with quality of psychological life, quality of social life, and posttraumatic growth and negatively associated with the perception of burden. CONCLUSIONS The results highlight how important it is for interventions to emphasize the positive aspects of caregiving in caregivers of people affected by ABI.

Cross-Validation Study Using Item Response Theory The Health-Related Quality of Life for Eating Disorders Questionnaire–Short Version

The Health-Related Quality of Life for Eating Disorder–Short questionnaire is one of the most suitable existing instruments for measuring quality of life in patients with eating disorders. The objective of the study was to evaluate its reliability, validity, and responsiveness in a cohort of 377 patients. A comprehensive validation process was performed, including confirmatory factor analysis and a graded response model, and assessments of reliability and responsiveness at 1 year of follow-up. The confirmatory factor analysis confirmed the two second-order latent traits, social maladjustment, and mental health and functionality. The graded response model results showed that all items were good for discriminating their respective latent traits. Cronbach’s alpha coefficients were high, and responsiveness parameters showed moderate changes. In conclusion, this short questionnaire has good psychometric properties. Its simplicity and ease of application further enhance its acceptability and usefulness in clinical research and trials, as well as in routine practice.

The Resilience Questionnaire for Bipolar Disorder: Development and validation

Abstract The goal of this research project was to develop a new questionnaire to assess resilience in Bipolar Disorder (BD), the Resilience Questionnaire for Bipolar Disorder (RBD). To examine its psychometric properties, a sample of 125 patients diagnosed with BD and a comparison sample of 107 people completed the new RBD and established measures of generic resilience and health‐related outcomes. Exploratory factor analysis for the RBD yielded a 23‐item 5‐factor solution, and confirmatory factor analysis indicated adequate fit indices. Internal consistency, stability, concurrent validation and known‐groups’ validity were also supported. The RBD obtained higher responsiveness (6‐month follow‐up) than the generic resilience scale (BD sample). The RBD is a robust measure to monitor resilience in BD. HighlightsThe Resilience Questionnaire for Bipolar Disorder (RBD) is a new scale to measure resilience in Bipolar Disorder (BD).The 23 items that compose the RBD provide a single score and a score per each of the five domains.Domains of the RBD: self‐management of BD, turning point, self‐care, self‐confidence, and interpersonal support.Psychometric analyses of the RBD were satisfactory in a clinical sample of patients diagnosed with BD.Patients recovered from BD scored statistically higher in resilience than the control sample and patients not recovered.The RBD is content specific and is more responsive to changes in resilience in BD patients than a generic resilience scale.

Use of the Long and Short Forms of the Depression in the Medically Ill Questionnaire in a Spanish Population

This study sought to translate, using a back-translation procedure, and evaluate the psychometric characteristics of Depression in the Medically Ill questionnaire (DMI-18) and its short version (DMI-10) in a Spanish population. Patients with somatic disorders (N = 366) completed the translated DMI-18 and another depression questionnaire. Among these, 167 were also assessed by a mental health professional (gold standard) to test criterion validity. Furthermore, coefficient alpha for both the versions were high (>.90), and convergent validity assessed against the Beck Depression Inventory for Primary Care, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and the Patient Health Questionnaire–9 was satisfactory (r > .74). Confirmatory factor analysis results supported the one-factor model. When compared with the gold standard, sensitivity and specificity were 93% and 73% for DMI-18 and 87% and 74% for DMI-10, respectively. Thus, both the versions are acceptable measures that can be used by nonpsychiatric professionals to detect affective comorbidities in their patients.