María Gómez-Vela

Problematic internet and cell-phone use: Psychological, behavioral, and health correlates

This study aimed to assess pathological Internet and cell-phone use in college students, and to identify psychological, health, and behavioral correlates. A cross-sectional design was utilized to gather data from 337 students. We developed two measures, termed the Internet Over-use Scale (IOS), and the Cell-Phone Over-Use Scale (COS). Additional measures utilized were the Beck Anxiety Inventory, the Beck Depression Inventory, and the General Health Questionnaire-28. Results provide support for internal consistency of the IOS and the COS (α = 0.88 and α = 0.87, respectively) as well as for construct validity. Logistic regression analyses indicated that heavy Internet use is associated with high anxiety; high cell-phone use is associated to being female, and having high anxiety and insomnia. The developed measures seem to be promising tools for assessing these new behavioral addictions.

Calidad de vida y autoconcepto en adolescentes con necesidades educativas especiales y sin ellas

Resumen Objetivos: Evaluar la calidad de vida y el autoconcepto, y comprobar la relación que existe entre estas dos variables durante la adolescencia. Participantes: 1121 alumnos de entre 12 y 18 años; 151 presentaba necesidades educativas especiales (NEE). Instrumentos: Cuestionario de Evaluación de la Calidad de Vida de alumnos adolescentes (Gómez-Vela, 2004) y Cuestionario de Autoconcepto AF5 (García y Musitu, 1999). Principales resultados y conclusiones: (1) Los adolescentes presentan puntuaciones positivas tanto en calidad de vida como en autoconcepto. No obstante, existen diferencias significativas en función del género, la edad y la presencia de NEE. Los varones obtienen puntuaciones inferiores en el área académica, mientras que las mujeres las obtienen en la esfera emocional. Los alumnos más jóvenes obtienen puntuaciones inferiores en Autodeterminación. Las NEE afectan al Autoconcepto académico y al Desarrollo personal de los alumnos, a su Bienestar físico y a su Autodeterminación; (2) El autoconcepto desempeña un papel importante en la calidad de vida durante la adolescencia, especialmente el Autoconcepto Familiar, el Académico y el Físico.

A psychometric evaluation of the ARC-INICO Self-Determination Scale for adolescents with intellectual disabilities

The independence to decide and act as the causal agent in ones life are unchanging demands by empowerment movements focused on people with disabilities and by people with disabilities themselves. International efforts have been devoted to defining the concept of self-determination, analyzing its importance and relationship with the quality of life of people with disabilities and creating evaluation and promotion materials based on empirical evidences. The aim of this study is to present the process for developing and validating a new self-determination evaluation instrument for young people with intellectual disabilities: the ARC-INICO Scale. The sample for validating the Scale comprised 279 young people with intellectual disabilities, limited intellectual capacities and learning difficulties. The participants were aged between 11 and 19 years (M = 15.59, SD = 1.89). The results indicate that both the Scale and the four sections into which it is divided were reliable. The confirmatory factor analysis shows proof of validity based on the internal structure of the Scale, and confirms the correct fit of the proposed hierarchical structure. Practical implications and future directions of research are also discussed.

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.

Personal characteristics and school contextual variables associated with student self-determination in Spanish context

ABSTRACT Background: Most theoretical models of self-determination suggest that both environmental and personal factors influence the development of self-determination. The design and implementation of interventions must be conducted with foreknowledge of such mediating and moderating factors if the intervention is to be successful. Methods: The purpose of this study was to examine the degree to which several personal factors and school characteristics affect and explain students’ self-determination. A total of 232 students with intellectual disability from Spain participated. Their self-determination level was assessed by the ARC-INICO Scale. Results: Students with moderate levels of intellectual disability obtained significantly lower scores on self-determination than their peers with mild intellectual disability. There were significant differences in relation to the level of support needs and their experience with transition programs. The level of support needs was a significant predictor. Conclusion: These findings contribute to current research in this field and practical implications were discussed.

Calidad de vida en niños y adolescentes con parálisis cerebral - doi: 10.5020/18061230.2012.p426

Objetivo: Evaluar la calidad de vida (CDV) de los ninos y adolescentes con paralisis cerebral (PC) desde la percepcion de sus padres y de ellos mismos; analizar el grado de acuerdo entre ambas percepciones e identificar las variables que influyen en la CDV. Metodos: Fue realizado un estudio transversal que incluyo a 92 ninos y adolescentes con PC (edades entre 8-18 anos), sin otras comorbilidades asociadas, en seguimiento en los centros ASPACE de la Comunidad Autonoma de Castilla y Leon. El proceso de recogida de datos se realizo entre octubre de 2008 y septiembre de 2009 y el instrumento utilizado para evaluacion fue la version espanola del KIDSCREEN. En los analisis estadisticos, fueron utilizados pruebas t, coeficiente de correlacion intraclase (CCI) y regresion lineal multiple. Resultados: Las puntuaciones de CDV fueron bajas en casi todos los dominios del KIDSCREEN. Las variables del nino condicionaron los resultados de CDV en los dominios “recursos economicos” y “bienestar psicologico”. La variable Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) explico solamente un 7% de la varianza del dominio “bienestar fisico”, mientras que el “grado de discapacidad intelectual” (DI) explico un 14% del dominio “bienestar psicologico”. Los padres han subestimado la CDV de sus hijos en 9 de los 10 dominios y el coeficiente de correlacion intraclase (CCI) fue alto solamente en el dominio “amigos y apoyo social”. Conclusion: Los resultados subrayan la importancia de oir a los ninos y adolescentes con PC, ya que su percepcion de CDV puede ser distinta de la que tienen sus padres