https://hdl.handle.net/11000/513 2026-06-13T15:34:58Z https://hdl.handle.net/11000/40051 Título : A brief parent version of the Spence Children’s Anxiety Scale (SCAS-P-8): Factor structure, reliability, and invariance in Ecuadorian children Autor : Orgilés, Mireia; Galán-Luque, Teresa; Hervás, Damián; Idrobo, Angelica; Morales, Alexandra Resumen : Objective: The present study aimed to assess the psychometric properties and factor structure of the parent-reported brief version of the Spence Children’s Anxiety Scale (SCAS-P-8) in a sample of Ecuadorian children. Method: The community sample consisted of 281 children from 8 to 12 years of age and their parents. Factor structure of the scale was assessed through confirmatory factor analysis. The psychometric properties and sex and age invariance were calculated. Results: The results showed that the one-factor structure of the SCAS-P-8 provided a good fit for the data, and that the structure was invariant across gender and age, indicating that it is suitable for assessing anxiety symptoms in both boys and girls of different ages with comparable accuracy. Psychometric analysis revealed a total ordinal alpha of .85, and corrected item-total correlations varied from .41 to .61, indicating an acceptable level of homogeneity. Conclusion: The study found that the SCAS-P-8 is a psychometrically reliable tool for measuring anxiety in Ecuadorian children from 8 to 12 years of age, as reported by their parents, and can be used in both research and clinical settings to evaluate anxiety symptoms in community populations in Ecuador. Given its brief and accurate nature, the SCAS-P-8 is considered to be a useful tool for use in both research and clinical settings for evaluating anxiety symptoms in children in this country.; Objetivo: Este artículo tiene por objetivo evaluar las propiedades psicométricas y la estructura factorial de la versión breve de la Escala de Ansiedad Infantil de Spence (SCAS-P-8) informada por los padres en una muestra de niños ecuatorianos. Método: La muestra comunitaria estuvo compuesta por 281 niños de entre 8 y 12 años y sus padres. La estructura factorial de la escala fue evaluada mediante análisis factorial confirmatorio. Se calcularon las propiedades psicométricas y la invarianza en función del género y la edad. Resultados: Los resultados mostraron que la estructura unifactorial de la escala proporcionó un buen ajuste para los datos, y que esta fue invariante en cuanto al género y la edad. Esto indica que el SCAS-P-8 es una medida adecuada para evaluar los síntomas de ansiedad tanto en niños como en niñas de diferentes edades con una precisión comparable. El análisis psicométrico reveló un alfa ordinal total de .85, y las correlaciones corregidas ítem-total variaron de .41 a .61, indicando un nivel aceptable de homogeneidad. Conclusión. La escala SCAS-P-8 es una herramienta adecuada para medir la ansiedad en niños ecuatorianos de 8 a 12 años por medio de la información reportada por sus padres. Dada su naturaleza breve y precisa, el SCAS-P-8 se considera una herramienta útil para su uso tanto en investigaciones como en entornos clínicos para evaluar los síntomas de ansiedad en niños de Ecuador. 2026-06-09T07:10:46Z https://hdl.handle.net/11000/40050 Título : Comparative randomized trial addressing childhood emotional problems: Computerized vs. traditional transdiagnostic Super Skills program Autor : Galán-Luque, Teresa; Cabello, Esteban; Orgilés, Mireia Resumen : Background: Super Skills for Life is a structured intervention rooted in cognitive-behavioral therapy and a transdiagnostic approach, aimed at preventing childhood emotional problems. Over the past decade, it has demonstrated positive outcomes in various formats and countries. This study evaluated the comparative effectiveness of two individual modalities: the computerized and the traditional version enriched with multimedia content, through a comparative randomized effectiveness trial. Method: 109 children (55.24 % female) aged 8–12 years participated, randomly assigned to either the traditional (n = 54) or computerized (n = 51) groups. Pre- and post-intervention assessments involved emotional problem measures completed by children and parents. Results: Both groups exhibited significant reductions in all outcomes according to parent reports, including depression, anxiety, and anxiety-related life interference. Children's self-reports indicated improvements across all general measures. Generalized Estimating Equations indicated marginally better improvements in the traditional group. Limitations: Limitations included the absence of follow-up assessment, variability in participant regions across Spain, and input from other informants like teachers. Conclusions: This study pioneers the examination of short-term effects of the program in both a fully computerized format supervised by a specialized therapist and an enriched traditional individual format, and the promising results suggest their potential for indicated prevention of childhood emotional problems. 2026-06-09T07:09:20Z https://hdl.handle.net/11000/40049 Título : Evaluating implementation fidelity in traditional vs. computerized formats of Super Skills for Life program Autor : Galán-Luque, Teresa; Orgilés, Mireia Resumen : This study evaluated the implementation fidelity (IF) of Super Skills for Life (SSL) program delivered in individual traditional and computerized formats for Spanish children aged 8–12 years with anxiety or depressive symptoms. Participants (N = 97) were randomly assigned using simple randomization to either the traditional format (n = 51) or the computerized format (n = 46). Outcomes were assessed using the Spence Children’s Anxiety Scale and the Mood and Feelings Questionnaire at pretest and posttest. Results demonstrated high IF levels across both formats, with significantly higher satisfaction in the traditional format compared to the computerized format (p = .043, rb = 0.236). Strong correlations were found between session satisfaction, perceived usefulness, and willingness to recommend the program, with therapist kindness significantly predicting reductions in anxiety (β = –0.17, p = .039) and depression (β = –0.24, p = .005) at posttest. These findings suggest that while the computerized format offers a structured and cost-effective delivery option, the traditional format provides enhanced satisfaction due to the personalized involvement of a therapist. This study underscores the importance of therapist training and fidelity monitoring in implementing SSL program, contributing to the optimization of socio-emotional interventions for children. 2026-06-09T07:08:32Z https://hdl.handle.net/11000/40048 Título : The Interplay Between Child and Parental Emotional Symptoms: Insights From Super Skills for Life Programme Autor : Galán-Luque, Teresa; Orgilés, Mireia Resumen : Research has extensively examined the influence of parental well-being on children's emotional health, yet fewer studies have explored the reciprocal impact of children's emotional health on parents. This study aimed to identify factors associated with parental emotional symptoms and assess the effectiveness of the Super Skills for Life (SSL) programme—delivered in traditional and computerized formats—in improving parental emotional outcomes and satisfaction. A total of 102 Spanish-speaking children aged 8–12 years exhibiting subclinical levels of anxiety and/or depression participated in this randomized effectiveness clinical trial (Clini calTr ials. gov ID: NCT05574491). Participants were randomly assigned to either the traditional (n = 53) or computerized (n = 49) SSL format. Both interventions were delivered individually in a clinical setting under therapist supervision. Parental emotional symptoms and satisfaction, along with children's emotional symptoms, were assessed through self-reported measures. Higher parental emotional symptoms were associated with greater child emotional symptoms and lower parental satisfaction, particularly satisfaction with oneself as a parent. Gender differences were observed, with women reporting higher levels of anxiety. Both SSL formats significantly improved parental satisfaction and mental health outcomes, with no significant differences between the two intervention groups. Findings suggest that SSL not only benefits children's emotional health but also enhances parental well-being through direct support (therapist guidance and written resources) and indirect mechanisms (child symptom improvement). The programme's flexibility and effectiveness make it a valuable intervention for supporting both children and parents in clinical settings. 2026-06-09T07:07:38Z https://hdl.handle.net/11000/40047 Título : Pre-adoption and post-adoption factors associated with internalizing problems in adopted children and adolescents: A systematic review Autor : Galán-Luque, Teresa; Quiñonero-Fernández, Lucía; Orgilés, Mireia Resumen : This systematic review examined pre- and post-adoption factors associated with internalizing problems in adopted children and adolescents. Forty observational studies published between 1998 and 2024 were included, identified through searches across seven databases and screened according to PRISMA 2020 and JBI guidelines. Eligible studies assessed anxiety and depression with validated instruments in samples of adoptees under 18 years. Findings showed that pre-adoption risks, such as older age at placement, maltreatment, and institutional care, were associated with higher levels of internalizing symptoms. However, results were heterogeneous, with several studies reporting null or inconsistent effects. Post-adoption factors showed more consistent patterns: parental warmth, sensitivity, family cohesion, and open adoption communication emerged as protective, whereas parental depressive symptoms, parenting stress, rejection behaviors, and family conflict were linked to greater risk. Differences across reporters (parents, teachers, children) highlighted the importance of multiinformant assessment. Overall, the findings suggest that while pre-adoptive adversity contributes to vulnerability, modifiable family and contextual processes play a central role in shaping adoptees’ emotional adjustment. These results underscore the developmental potential of adoption and emphasize the value of family-centered post-adoption supports. Future research should adopt longitudinal, multi-informant, and culturally diverse designs to clarify causal pathways and inform targeted interventions. 2026-06-09T07:06:29Z https://hdl.handle.net/11000/40046 Título : Factors Associated with Post-Traumatic Stress Symptoms in Pregnant and Postpartum Women Autor : Motrico, Emma; Galán-Luque, Teresa; Rodríguez-Domínguez, Carmen; Gómez-Gómez, Irene; Domínguez-Salas, Sara Resumen : Background: Evidence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms related to the COVID-19 pandemic during the perinatal period and the associated risk factors are still limited. Thus, we aimed to investigate the PTSD symptoms associated with the COVID-19 pandemic in a large sample of both pregnant and postpartum women. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 3319 pregnant and up to 6-month postpartum women from Spain. An online survey was completed between June 2020 and January 2021. The assessment included measures of PTSD symptoms associated with COVID-19 (evaluated with 10 questions from the PTSD checklist for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition), pandemic-related concerns and health background (assessed by the Coronavirus Perinatal Experiences—Impact Survey), and demographic characteristics. Results: We found that >40% of women suffered from symptoms of PTSD associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. Difficulty concentrating and irritability were the most common symptoms, showing marked alterations in arousal and reactivity associated with the traumatic event. Being younger, suffering from pandemic concerns and distress, changes due to the pandemic and previous mental health problems were risk factors associated with PTSD symptoms in perinatal women. In addition, whereas being an immigrant (non-Spanish) was a risk factor for pregnant women, having other children and financial problems were risk factors for postpartum women. COVID- 19 infection did not appear to be a risk factor for symptoms of PTSD in perinatal women. Conclusions: The increased risk of PTSD in pregnant and postpartum women highlights the importance of early detection and treatment of PTSD for pregnant and postnatal women, both during and beyond the pandemic. 2026-06-09T07:05:35Z https://hdl.handle.net/11000/40045 Título : Evaluating Super Skills for Life Program’s Impact on Transdiagnostic Variables in Children With Emotional Disorders: A Comparative Randomized Trial Autor : Galán-Luque, Teresa; Cabello, Esteban; Orgilés, Mireia Resumen : Transdiagnostic interventions offer a promising approach to addressing mental health problems in young populations, given the high rates of comorbidity and shared underlying processes among disorders. Super Skills for Life (SSL) is a transdiagnostic cognitivebehavioral intervention designed to target emotional problems in school-age children. This study aimed to evaluate for the first time, the impact of SSL on various mechanisms associated with emotional symptomatology, including cognitive emotion regulation strategies, selfconcept, and social competence, through a comparative randomized trial. A total of 105 Spanish-speaking children aged 8–12 years (Mage= 9.57, SD= 1.44, 55.24%female) exhibiting emotional symptomswere randomized to either the traditional individual version of SSL (n= 54) or a computerized format (n= 51). Measures of cognitive emotion regulation strategies (Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire), social competence (Social Skills Questionnaire and Social Worries Questionnaire), and self-concept (Self-Concept Form 5) were assessed at pre- and posttest by children. Within- and between-subject analyses were conducted. The results demonstrated improvements in emotional self-concept, social competence, and maladaptive cognitive emotional regulation strategies in both intervention groups. Some differences emerged when comparing the efficacy of one format over the other. This study provides novel evidence of SSL’s efficacy across several cross-disorder mechanisms, contributing to the expanding literature on its effectiveness in reducing and preventing emotional symptomatology. The findings yield practical insights for clinical practice and guide future research to continue exploring how manipulable variables in clinical settings canmediate the development of psychopathology over the long term. 2026-06-09T07:04:47Z https://hdl.handle.net/11000/40044 Título : Validation of the Parent Version of the Nighttime Fears Scale (NFS-P) for Children Aged 3–8 Years Autor : Orgilés, Mireia; Galán-Luque, Teresa; Espada, José Pedro; Morales, Alexandra Resumen : Background: Nighttime fears are highly prevalent in children, ranging from normative fears to triggering fear-related anxiety disorders. The lack of available assessment instruments recently prompted the development of the Nighttime Fears Scale (NFS) for children aged 8–12 years. The present study aimed to adapt and psychometrically evaluate the parent-reported version for children aged 3–8 years (NFS-P) as a complement for younger children. Methods: Two hundred eighty-four Spanish-speaking parents (47% girls) completed the NFS-P and anxiety measures. Results: Confirmatory factor analyses supported a four-factor structure of the NFS-P. Strong internal consistency and validity evidence were obtained. No significant differences were found in NFS-P scores between sexes and age groups. Conclusions: The findings offer support for the use of the NFS-P as a valuable instrument in clinical and research settings, supplementing the NFS for older children. Both scales provide an efficient means to comprehensively assess the presence and intensity of typical nighttime fears across preschool and school years. 2026-06-09T07:04:05Z https://hdl.handle.net/11000/39877 Título : The Dark Side of Desire: Violent Pornography, Problematic Sexual Internet Use and Their Associations with the Dark Tetrad Autor : Galán, Manuel; Rico-Bordera, Pilar; Pineda, David; Bøckmann, Embla; Piqueras, José A. Resumen : The internet plays a essential role in modern life, but its problematic use, especially involving sexual content, can lead to serious psychosocial issues. Violent pornography is particularly concerning for its potential to desensitize users to aggression and reinforce antisocial behaviors. This study investigated the relationship between violent pornography consumption, problematic sexual internet use, and Dark Tetrad personality traits (Machiavellianism, narcissism, psychopathy, and sadism). A total of 795 participants, mostly female and recruited via social media, completed an online survey measuring these variables. The findings revealed significant associations, with psychopathy and sadism showing the strongest links to problematic sexual use of the internet. Structural equation modeling, controlling for the sex of the participants, confirmed that time spent viewing violent pornography and problematic sexual internet use are associated to the Dark Tetrad traits. These results suggest a reinforcing cycle, where individuals high in psychopathy and sadism are drawn to violent sexual content, which may further entrench these traits and normalize aggressive or antisocial behaviors. The study underscores the importance of addressing the psychological factors behind problematic sexual internet use. 2026-05-08T07:18:17Z https://hdl.handle.net/11000/39876 Título : Towards the Non-Self-Reported Assessment of the Dark Traits 20 Years Later: A Systematic Review Autor : Rico-Bordera, Pilar; Galán, Manuel; Pineda, David; Piqueras, José A. Resumen : Self-report has historically been considered the “gold standard” for personality assessment due to its widespread use. However, its use has been questioned in recent years, especially in contexts such as forensic psychology, due to measurement biases. The purpose of this study was to systematically identify and categorize non-self-report-based instruments used to assess the Dark Tetrad traits or constructs empirically or theoretically associated with them. A systematic review was conducted in PubMed, PsycInfo, Web of Science, and Scopus databases, and 189 studies were included, which reported more than 250 tools. To obtain a joint view of the results, a classification into 6 categories was proposed following Ortner’s and Proyer’s classification and adding two more categories after reviewing the literature, called Objective Personality Measures (OPMs). These results provide authors with a wide range of tools they could include in their studies to obtain more reliable results when dealing with self-report biases because the best assessment will always combine differentmeasurement methods. Therefore, researchers are encouraged to continue using in their studies the non-self-report-based tools collected in this review, to continue designing new ones, and to provide more validity results. 2026-05-08T07:17:11Z