The structure of the Social Self-Concept (SSC) Questionnaire

This study aims to analyze the factorial structure of the newly-created Coestionario de Autoconcepto Social - AUSO (from here on the Social Self-concept Questionnaire, or AUSO), which consists of two scales measuring social responsibility and social competence. The theoretical proposal which posits that social self-concept is the result of the combination of two basic self-perceptions: competence in social relations and response to the demands of social functioning, is based on a review of human social development theories and previous attempts to measure social self-concept. Participants were 818 students aged between 17 and 52. The results obtained though confirmatory factor analyses support the hypothesis of a structure made up of two correlated factors. In addition to providing a new measurement instrument with appropriate psychometric characteristics and valid criteria that justify its use in both applied:practice and research, this study also enhances our understanding of the internal nature of the social domain of self-concept.This study was conducted within the framework of the EDU2009-10102 project, subsidized by the MICINN (Spain), with the help of grants aimed at supporting the activities of research groups within the Basque university system (Basque Official Gazette 27-VII-2012 Application IT701-13)

Synthesis of Zeolite L. Tuning Size and Morphology

Summary.: A convenient synthesis of zeolite L is presented. The size of the crystals can be tuned between 30 and 6000 nm, spanning a volume range of seven orders of magnitude. The zeolite L crystals, which typically feature a cylindrical morphology, are synthesized with various aspect ratios ranging from elongated to disc-shaped. The importance of obtaining zeolite crystals with well-defined size and morphology is discussed in view of potential applications of zeolite L containing organic dye molecules as guest

Olanzapine compared to quetiapine in adolescents with a first psychotic episode

Objective: To compare the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of olanzapine and quetiapine in adolescents with first episode psychosis. Method: Fifty adolescents (age 16 ± 1.25) with a first episode of psychosis were randomized to quetiapine or olanzapine in a 6-month open label study. Efficacy and side effect scales, as well as vital signs and laboratory data were recorded at baseline, 7, 15, 30, 90, and 180 days (end of study). Results: Out of the total sample included in the study, 32 patients completed the trial (quetiapine n = 16, olanzapine n = 16). Patients in both treatment groups had a significant reduction in all clinical scales with the exception of the negative scale of the Positive and Negative Symptom Scale (PANSS) for olanzapine and the general psychopathology scale of the PANSS for quetiapine. The only difference between treatment arms on the clinical scales was observed on the patients' strength and difficulties questionnaire (SDQ) scale, with greater improvement for olanzapine. Patients on olanzapine gained 15.5 kg and patients on quetiapine gained 5.5 kg. Conclusion: Olanzapine and quetiapine reduced psychotic symptoms in this adolescent sample. Patients on olanzapine gained significantly more weight. Side effects with both drugs seemed to be more prevalent than those reported in adult studies

El desarrollo de las competencias transversales en segundo curso de los Grados de Educación Infantil y Primaria

Para dar respuesta al desarrollo de las competencias transversales desde los Grados de Educación de la Escuela de Magisterio de Vitoria-Gasteiz (EMVG) se han implementado trabajos interdisciplinares de módulo innovadores basados en metodologías activas. En este trabajo se presenta una experiencia de Aprendizaje Basado en Problemas y Análisis de Caso relativa al 2º semestre del 2º curso. En total 171 estudiantes cumplimentaron el cuestionario de satisfacción con la nueva metodología. Los resultados indican que el alumnado está satisfecho con el trabajo interdisciplinar y que han conseguido desarrollar dichas competencias. No obastante, se perciben algunas áreas sobre las que incidi

Cognitive Enhancers in Schizophrenia: a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Alpha-7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Agonists for Cognitive Deficits and Negative Symptoms

Background: Schizophrenia is a severe and enduring disease and is one of the leading causes of disability worldwide. Cognitive impairment is a core clinical symptom that plays a crucial role in functional outcomes and prognosis, thus making it a relevant treatment target. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of alpha-7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonists (alpha 7 nAChR) as adjunctive treatment to enhance cognition and ameliorate negative symptoms in patients with schizophrenia. Methods: A search strategy was developed for MEDLINE, Embase, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials up to May 2019. We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared antipsychotic treatment plus alpha 7 nAChR agonists with antipsychotic treatment plus placebo and determined their effects on the main cognitive domains proposed by the MATRICS initiative and on negative symptoms. Two authors independently reviewed study eligibility and data extraction and assessed the risk of bias of the studies included. According to the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) framework, we used a random-effects model and assessed the quality of the evidence. Results: Thirteen studies were included in the quantitative analysis. No differences were found in any of the cognitive domains assessed in four RCTs (n = 414). In contrast, nine RCTs (n = 978) presented a small effect in support of alpha 7 nAChR agonists for negative symptoms [standardized mean difference -0.28, 95% CI (-0.56 to -0.00); P = 0.05], even though the confidence to support this evidence is low according to the GRADE system. Conclusions: Current evidence is too weak to consider alpha 7 nAChR agonists as an effective add-on treatment to antipsychotics to enhance cognition and negative symptoms.The work conducted at the University of the Basque Country was funded by public grants GIU14/27, PPGA18/03, and IT1232-1

Apoyo social percibido, autoconcepto e implicación escolar de estudiantes adolescentes

The study of school engagement is currently a topic of great interest in psychoeducational research, since it offers a new vision of students’ development. The aim of this study is to analyze the relationship between perceived social support, general self-concept and school engagement. Participants were 1,250 students (49% boys; 51% girls) aged between 12 and 15 (M = 13.72, SD = 1.09), who were selected randomly for the sample group. The study tests a structural model for analyzing the effects of perceived social support and general self-concept on school engagement. The results provide evidence in favor of the influence of family and peer support on school engagement, through the mediating variable general self-concept. Support from teachers and family was found to have a direct influence on school engagement. The results are discussed within the framework of positive psychology, along with the implications for future research.; El estudio de la implicación escolar constituye en la actualidad una temática de gran interés en el ámbito de la investigación psicoeducativa al aportar una renovada visión del desarrollo del alumnado. El objetivo de este estudio es analizar las relaciones entre apoyo social percibido, autoconcepto general e implicación escolar. Participaron 1250 estudiantes (49% chicos; 51% chicas), de entre 12 y 15 años (M =13.72, DT = 1.09), seleccionados aleatoriamente. Se somete a prueba un modelo estructural para analizar los efectos del apoyo social percibido y el autoconcepto general sobre la implicación escolar. Los resultados aportan evidencias a favor de la influencia que el apoyo familiar y el apoyo de los iguales ejercen sobre la implicación escolar a través del autoconcepto general como variable mediadora, mientras que el apoyo del profesorado y de la familia inciden directamente sobre la implicación escolar. Se discuten los resultados en el marco de la psicología positiva y las implicaciones para futuras investigaciones

Eskola-inplikazioa: kontzeptua, neurketa, aldakortasuna eta testuinguruaren aldagaiak nahiz aldagai psikologikoak

The study of school engagement is currently an interesting line of research in the field of educational psychology. This study reviews the scientific literature regarding the conceptualization and measure of school engagement. In addition, the variability of school engagement by gender and age / educational level as well as its relationship with contextual variables (perceived social support from family, friends and teachers) and psychological variables (self-concept and resilience) is analyzed. Although the conceptualization o.f the construct varies in the studies reviewed, there is a general consensus about the multifaceted nature, which includes three dilnensions contained in most of the measuring instruments: behavioral, emotional and cognitive. lt is .found that the predonzinant empirical evidence shows that the variables analyzed in this study have a direct association with various indicators of school adjustment, being evident the incipient rise of studies that include school engagement. Finally, the conclusions are developed in the context ofpositive psychology and outstanding issues forfuture research are discussed.; El estudio de la ilnplicación escolar ( school engagement) constituye en la actualidad una línea de investigación de gran interés en el ámbito de la psicología de la educación. En este trabajo se realiza una revisión teórica actualizada de las principales contribuciones que la literatura científica ofrece sobre la conceptualización y la medida de la implicación escolar. Además, se analiza la variabilidad de la implicación escolar en función del sexo y la edad/nivel educativo, así como su relación con variables contextuales (apoyo social percibido de la familia, amistades y profesorado) y psicológicas (autoconcepto y resiliencia). Aunque la conceptualización del constructo varía en los trabajos revisados, hay consenso general respecto a su naturaleza multifacética, que incluye tres dimensiones recogidas en la mayor parte de los instrumentos de medida: conductual, emocional y cognitiva. Se comprueba que la evidencia e1npírica predominante muestra que las variables analizadas en este estudio guardan una asociación directa con diversos indicadores de ajuste escolar, siendo constatable el incipiente aumento de estudios que incluyen la implicación escolar. Por último, se elaboran las conclusiones en el marco de la psicología positiva y se exponen las cuestiones pendientes más relevantes para futuras investigaciones

Prodromal symptoms and the duration of untreated psychosis in first episode of psychosis patients: what differences are there between early vs. adult onset and between schizophrenia vs. bipolar disorder?

To assess the role of age (early onset psychosis-EOP < 18 years vs. adult onset psychosis-AOP) and diagnosis (schizophrenia spectrum disorders-SSD vs. bipolar disorders-BD) on the duration of untreated psychosis (DUP) and prodromal symptoms in a sample of patients with a first episode of psychosis. 331 patients with a first episode of psychosis (7–35 years old) were recruited and 174 (52.6%) diagnosed with SSD or BD at one-year follow-up through a multicenter longitudinal study. The Symptom Onset in Schizophrenia (SOS) inventory, the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale and the structured clinical interviews for DSM-IV diagnoses were administered. Generalized linear models compared the main effects and group interaction. 273 AOP (25.2 ± 5.1 years; 66.5% male) and 58 EOP patients (15.5 ± 1.8 years; 70.7% male) were included. EOP patients had significantly more prodromal symptoms with a higher frequency of trouble with thinking, avolition and hallucinations than AOP patients, and significantly different median DUP (91 [33–177] vs. 58 [21–140] days; Z = − 2.006, p = 0.045). This was also significantly longer in SSD vs. BD patients (90 [31–155] vs. 30 [7–66] days; Z = − 2.916, p = 0.004) who, moreover had different profiles of prodromal symptoms. When assessing the interaction between age at onset (EOP/AOP) and type of diagnosis (SSD/BD), avolition was significantly higher (Wald statistic = 3.945; p = 0.047), in AOP patients with SSD compared to AOP BD patients (p = 0.004). Awareness of differences in length of DUP and prodromal symptoms in EOP vs. AOP and SSD vs. BD patients could help improve the early detection of psychosis among minors

Negative symptoms and sex differences in first episode schizophrenia: What's their role in the functional outcome? A longitudinal study

Introduction: Negative symptoms (NS) include asociality, avolition, anhedonia, alogia, and blunted affect and are linked to poor prognosis. It has been suggested that they reflect two different factors: diminished expression (EXP) (blunted affect and alogia) and amotivation/pleasure (MAP) (anhedonia, avolition, asociality). The aim of this article was to examine potential sex differences among first-episode schizophrenia (FES) patients and analyze sex-related predictors of two NS symptoms factors (EXP and MAP) and functional outcome. Material and methods: Two hundred and twenty-three FES (71 females and 152 males) were included and evaluated at baseline, six-months and one-year. Repeated measures ANOVA was used to examine the effects of time and sex on NS and a multiple linear regression backward elimination was performed to predict NS factors (MAP-EXP) and functioning. Results: Females showed fewer NS (p = 0.031; Cohen's d = −0.312), especially those related to EXP (p = 0.024; Cohen's d = −0.326) rather than MAP (p = 0.086), than males. In both male and female group, worse premorbid adjustment and higher depressive symptoms made a significant contribution to the presence of higher deficits in EXP at one-year follow-up, while positive and depressive symptoms predicted alterations in MAP. Finally, in females, lower deficits in MAP and better premorbid adjustment predicted better functioning at one-year follow-up (R2 = 0.494; p < 0.001), while only higher deficits in MAP predicted worse functioning in males (R2 = 0.088; p = 0.012). Conclusions: Slightly sex differences have been found in this study. Our results lead us to consider that early interventions of NS, especially those focusing on motivation and pleasure symptoms, could improve functional outcomes