The Learning to Be Project: An Intervention for Spanish Students in Primary Education

Despite the emphasis placed by most curricula in the development of social and emotional competencies in education, there seems to be a general lack of knowledge of methods that integrate strategies for assessing these competencies into existing educational practices. Previous research has shown that the development of social and emotional competencies in children has multiple benefits, as they seem to contribute to better physical and mental health, an increase in academic motivation, and the well-being and healthy social progress of children. This study aims at assessing the possible changes in children’s self-esteem, socio-emotional competencies, and school-related variables after participating in the Learning to Be project (L2B) project

A Pilot of Brief Mindfulness-Based Intervention to manage emotions in patients with psoriasis

La psoriasis es una dermatosis de alta incidencia relacionada con el estrés, constituyendo las personas que lo padecen, un grupo objetivo adecuado para llevar a cabo intervenciones basadas en mindfulness, destinadas a ayudar a la regulación de las emociones. El objetivo del presente estudio es evaluar los efectos de la Técnica de Acompañamiento Emocional Compasivo (CEAT), como una intervención breve basada en mindfulness, sobre el afrontamiento emocional en pacientes con psoriasis grave, para determinar la eficacia del afrontamiento emocional tras la inducción de un estado emocional negativo. Cuarenta y cuatro adultos (el 59,1% mujeres) con edades comprendidas entre los 22 y los 71 años (M = 51,95, DT = 11,87), con psoriasis grave, fueron asignados aleatoriamente a un grupo de intervención con CEAT o a un grupo control de intervención de Revelación Emocional. Se evaluaron malestar subjetivo, capacidad cognitiva, afecto y frecuencia cardíaca, antes y después de las intervenciones, con dos seguimientos a las 48 horas y a los siete días. Los resultados muestran diferencias estadísticamente significativas a favor de la intervención CEAT frente al grupo de Revelación Emocional, siendo más eficaz en el manejo emocional tras la inducción y el seguimiento. Estos resultados podrían favorecer la intervención en entornos clínicos con pacientes con psoriasis grave, y futuras investigaciones podrían considerar el uso de esta, para mejorar la gestión emocional en este tipo de poblaciónAbstract: Psoriasis is a high incidence dermatosis related to stress, and its sufferers provide an appropriate target group to carry out interventions such as those based on mindfulness, aimed at helping emotion regulation. To assess the Compassionate Emotional Accompaniment Technique (CEAT) effects within a brief mindfulness-based intervention on emotional coping in patients with severe psoriasis to determine the efficacy of emotional coping after the induction of a negative emotional state. Fortyfour adults (59.1% were women) aged 22 - 71 years (M = 51.95, SD = 11.87) with severe psoriasis were assigned randomly to the CEAT group or the Emotional Disclosure control group. Subjective discomfort, cognitive ability, affect, and heart rate were assessed before and after the interventions, with two follow-ups at 48 hours and seven days. The results show significant statistical differences in favour of the CEAT intervention versus the Emotional Disclosure group, being more effective in the emotional management after induction and follow-up. These results encourage interventions in a clinical setting with patients with severe psoriasis, so future research should consider using this intervention type to improve emotional management with this population grou

Abbreviated Scale for the Assessment of Adult Separation Anxiety Questionnaire in the Spanish Population

El trastorno de ansiedad por separación se caracteriza por un miedo o ansiedad excesivos e inapropiados para el desarrollo en relación con la separación de las personas a las que el individuo está unido. El objetivo del presente estudio fue examinar: estructura factorial, consistencia interna y validez convergente de la versión abreviada del ASA-27 con 403 individuos (55.8% mujeres) de entre 18-86 años (M = 37.1 y DT = 13.9) de España. El ASA-10 correlacionó significativamente con las subescalas del Inventario de Ansiedad Estado-Rasgo, del Cuestionario de Apego Adulto y del Cuestionario de Dependencia Emocional (rs = .11 a .63, ps < .05). Presenta una estructura unifactorial y una consistencia interna adecuada (ω = .98). El ASA-10 mostró una sensibilidad del 97.9% para los casos con dificultades de ansiedad clínica. Los resultados muestran que el ASA-10 es una medida fiable y válida de la ansiedad por separación en adultos

Khat and neurobehavioral functions: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Khat is a plant that is used for its amphetamine-like stimulant properties. However, although khat is very popular in Eastern Africa, Arabian Peninsula, and the Middle East, there is still a lack of studies researching the possible neurobehavioral impairment derived from khat use. METHODS: A systematic review was conducted to identify studies that assessed the effects of khat use on neurobehavioral functions. MedLine, Scopus, Cochrane, Web of Science and Open Grey literature were searched for relevant publications from inception to December 2020. Search terms included (a) khat and (b) several cognitive domains. References from relevant publications and grey literature were also reviewed to identify additional citations for inclusion. RESULTS: A total of 142 articles were reviewed, 14 of which met the inclusion criteria (nine human and five rodent studies). Available human studies suggest that long term khat use is associated with significant deficits in several cognitive domains, including learning, motor speed/coordination, set-shifting/response inhibition functions, cognitive flexibility, short term/working memory, and conflict resolution. In addition, rodent studies indicated daily administration of khat extract resulted in dose-related impairments in behavior such as motor hyperactivity and decreased cognition, mainly learning and memory. CONCLUSIONS: The findings presented in this review indicates that long-term khat use may be contributing to an impairment of neurobehavioral functions. However, gaps in literature were detected that future studies could potentially address to better understand the health consequences of khat use

Intervention in emotional abilities for adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus in a hospital setting: a study protocol for a randomised controlled trial

[Introduction] Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is one of the most frequent chronic endocrine diseases in the paediatric population. As a result, this disease has a strong impact on psychological well-being. In line with this, emotional factors play an important role in adaptation. The aim of the present study protocol is to design an emotional abilities programme to improve metabolic control assessed by haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) samples. Specifically, this intervention will be focused on adaptive coping strategies to deal with unpleasant emotions associated with T1DM. The primary aim of this project is to assess whether the employment of this new psychological intervention improves the emotional abilities of adolescents with T1DM.[Methods] and analysis Two focus groups will be carried out for the design and evaluation of the programme following the APEASE criteria (affordability, practicability, effectiveness, acceptability, side effects/safety and equity). Behavioural change will be based on the Behaviour Change Wheel. Sixty-two participants from 12 to 18 years of age will be recruited at a public hospital and randomised to either an intervention or a control group. The intervention group will receive an emotional abilities training programme. The control group will receive usual educational intervention. The primary outcomes are metabolic control and emotional abilities. The secondary outcomes include emotional distress control, positive and negative affect, healthy habits, and quality of life. Data will be collected at baseline, immediately postintervention, and at follow-up visits at 6 and 12 months. A feasibility analysis will be conducted.[Ethics and dissemination] The study has been approved by the Ethics Committee of Universidad Loyola Andalucía. Results will be submitted for publication in peer-reviewed journals and disseminated across the scientific community.[Trial registration number] NCT03734367.Peer reviewe

Un estudio piloto de intervención breve basada en Mindfulness pa-ra gestionar las emociones en pacientes con psoriasis

Psoriasis is a high incidence dermatosis related to stress, and its sufferers provide an appropriate target group to carry out interventions such as those based on mindfulness, aimed at helping emotion regulation. To assess the Compassionate Emotional Accompaniment Technique (CEAT) effects within a brief mindfulness-based intervention on emotion-al coping in patients with severe psoriasisto determine the efficacy of emotional coping after the induction of a negative emotional state. Forty-four adults(59.1% were women)aged 22 -71 years (M= 51.95, SD = 11.87) with severe psoriasis were assigned randomly to the CEAT group or the Emotional Disclosurecontrol group. Subjective discomfort, cognitive ability, affect, and heart rate were assessed before and after the interven-tions, with two follow-ups at 48 hours and seven days. The results show significant statistical differences in favour of the CEAT intervention versus the Emotional Disclosure group, being more effective in the emotional management after induction and follow-up. These results encourage inter-ventions in a clinical setting with patients with severe psoriasis, so future research should consider using this intervention type to improve emotional management with this population group.La psoriasis es una dermatosis de alta incidencia relacionada con el estrés, constituyendo las personas que lo padecen, un grupo objetivo adecuado para llevar a cabo intervenciones basadas en mindfulness, desti-nadas a ayudar a la regulación de las emociones. El objetivo del presente estudio es evaluar los efectos de la Técnica de Acompañamiento Emocio-nal Compasivo (CEAT), como una intervención breve basada en mindful-ness, sobre el afrontamiento emocional en pacientes con psoriasis grave, para determinar la eficacia del afrontamiento emocional tras la inducción de un estado emocional negativo. Cuarenta y cuatro adultos (el 59,1% mu-jeres) con edades comprendidas entre los 22 y los 71 años (M= 51,95, DT= 11,87), con psoriasis grave, fueron asignados aleatoriamente a un grupo de intervención con CEAT o a un grupo control de intervención de Reve-lación Emocional. Se evaluaron malestar subjetivo, capacidad cognitiva, afecto y frecuencia cardíaca, antes y después de las intervenciones, condos seguimientos a las 48 horas y a los siete días. Los resultados muestran dife-rencias estadísticamentesignificativas a favor de la intervención CEAT frente al grupo de Revelación Emocional, siendo más eficaz en el manejo emocional tras la inducción y el seguimiento. Estos resultados podrían fa-vorecer la intervención en entornos clínicos con pacientes con psoriasis grave, y futuras investigaciones podrían considerar el uso de esta,para me-jorar la gestión emocional en este tipo de población

Psychotherapeutic Interventions to Improve Psychological Adjustment in Type 1 Diabetes: A Systematic Review

Background: International clinical practice guidelines highlight the importance of improving the psychological and mental health care of patients with Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). Psychological interventions can promote adherence to the demands of diabetes self-care, promoting high quality of life and wellbeing. Methods: A systematic review was carried out to determine whether psychological treatments with a specific focus on emotional management have an impact on glycemic control and variables related to psychological adjustment. Comprehensive literature searches of PubMed Medline, Psycinfo, Cochrane Database, Web of Science, and Open Grey Repository databases were conducted, from inception to November 2019 and were last updated in December 2020. Finally, eight articles met inclusion criteria. Results: Results showed that the management of emotions was effective in improving the psychological adjustment of patients with T1DM when carried out by psychologists. However, the evidence regarding the improvement of glycemic control was not entirely clear. When comparing adolescent and adult populations, findings yielded slightly better results in adolescents. Conclusions: More rigorous studies are needed to establish what emotional interventions might increase glycemic control in this population