Examining the structure of ideas of reference in clinical and community samples

Aims: This study addresses the psychometric properties of a Spanish validation of the REF scale of ideas of reference (IRs) in detecting and following at-risk mental states and psychosis. Methods: A total of 9447 participants were distributed in three groups: 676 patients with various diagnoses-154 with psychotic disorders, 6291 youths aged 11 to 20, and 2480 adult participants aged 21 to 84. Results: Youths had higher scores than adults on IRs, observing a progressive decrease and stabilization in the twenties. Exploratory factor analysis provided a structure for the overall IRs score, with five first-order dimensions and one second-order dimension. Confirmatory factor analysis supported the structure with excellent fit. The REF scale was invariant across sex and samples. The internal consistency of the complete scale was excellent and acceptable across the five first-order factors. Strong relationships were found with the positive dimension of the community assessment of psychic experience-42, as well as with aberrant salience. Low and moderate relationships were found with public self-consciousness, anxiety, and depression. Youths and patients diagnosed with schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders had a high mean IRs frequency. Male sex, greater age (among the adults), and the "causal explanations", "Songs, newspapers, books" and laughing and commenting" REF subscales showed predictive power in the diagnostic categories of schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders

Hallucinations and Delusions as Low-Quality Attributions: Influencing Factors and Proposal for Their Analysis

Hallucinations and delusions, in keeping with the distress accompanying them, are major features in the diagnosis of psychosis in international classifications. In spite of their human and clinical importance, the concepts are unclear. The distinction between hallucinations and delusions in terms of perception-thought is not precise enough, causing problems in analyzing the patient's words. Nor are the differentiations or variations within each precise enough. Continuing the long clinical tradition discussing the distinction between hallucinations and delusions while assuming their similarities, this study poses a concept integrating the two phenomena as attributions people make about themselves and their settings. Then the elements of any attribution can be used as guides for structuring significant literature on both, and reduce analytical ambiguity. Such attributions make more sense within the structure of two-way relationships with factors in a person's own framework and setting. This structure is described with its variables and relationships as a guide to assessment, follow-up, and intervention. Two checklists are provided for orientation

The dark side of Instagram: Predictor model of dysmorphic concerns

Background/Objective: Dysmorphic concern are excessive preoccupation about one or several physical characteristics perceived as defects, usually unnoticeable by others. This study was Appearance-related intended to explore the relationship between Instagram use and dysmorphic concerns through appearance-related comparisons, ideas of reference and problems with emotion regulation, and find out whether this relationship is moderated by gender. Method: The sample was cornprised of 796 participants (M-age = 22.49; SD = 3.56; 54% women). Results: The results showed a non-significant direct effect between Instagram use and dysmorphic concerns. However, the relationship between these variables was statistically significant through appearance-related comparisons, ideas of reference about "laughing, commenting" and difficulties in emotion regulation. Gender did not moderate any relationship. Conclusions: Men and women who made the most use of Instagram were equally vulnerable to dysmorphic concerns when they tended to compare their appearance with other users, had problems regulating their emotions, and showed interpretative biases related to the belief that others could make comments about them or laugh at them because of their imperfections. The implications of the study are discussed. (C) 2020 Asociacion Espanola de Psicologia Conductual. Published by Elsevier Espana, S.L.U

Validation of a Spanish Version of the Physical Appearance Comparison Scales

Physical appearance comparison has been widely studied because of its strong relationship with body dissatisfaction and disordered eating. The main objective of this study was to validate the physical appearance comparison scales (PACS-Revised and PACS-3) in a sample of Spanish men and women and examine their psychometric properties. The sample consisted of 1151 participants (age M = 22.31, SD = 3.40). A unidimensional structure was corroborated in the PACS-R, and three factors in the PACS-3 (proximal, distal, and muscularity comparisons). The PACS-R and PACS-3 showed full scalar invariance across sex. The internal consistency for the PACS-R and subscales of PACS-3 were satisfactory. Positive statistically significant relationships were found with measures of disordered eating (EAT-26) and dysmorphic concern (DCQ). Hierarchical multiple regression analyses demonstrated that the PACS-3 discretely improved the prediction of disordered eating over PACS-R, but did not show improvement in the prediction of dysmorphic concern beyond the PACS-R. These findings suggest that the PACS-R and PACS-3 may be useful tools for evaluating the tendency of men and women to compare their physical appearance

Vulnerability to Psychosis, Ideas of Reference and Evaluation with an Implicit Test

Background: Ideas of reference (IRs) are observed in the general population on the continuum of the psychotic phenotype (as a type of psychotic-like experiences, PLE). The instruments usually used to evaluate IRs show some problems: They depend on the cooperation of the participant, comprehension of items, social desirability, etc. Aims: The Testal emotional counting Stroop (TECS) was developed for the purpose of improving evaluation of individuals vulnerable to psychosis and its relationship with ideas of reference. The TECS (two versions) was applied as an implicit evaluation instrument for IRs and related processes for early identification of persons vulnerable to psychosis and to test the possible influence of emotional symptomatology. Method: A total of 160 participants (67.5% women) from the general population were selected (Mean (M) = 24.12 years, standard deviation (SD) = 5.28), 48 vulnerable and 112 non-vulnerable. Results: Vulnerability to psychosis was related to greater latency in response to referential stimuli. Version 4 of the TECS showed a slight advantage in identifying more latency in response to referential stimuli among participants with vulnerability to psychosis (Cohen's d = 1.08). Emotional symptomatology (especially stress), and IQ (premorbid) mediated the relationship between vulnerability and IR response latency. Conclusions: The application of the implicit Testal emotional counting Stroop test (TECS) is useful for evaluating processes related to vulnerability to psychosis, as demonstrated by the increased latency of response to referential stimuli

Versión al español de la Metacognition Self-Assessment Scale (MSAS) para adultos

Background:Although there are other tools in the Spanish language for assessing metacognition, there is no other that is as quick, simple and multidimensional as the Metacognition Self-Assessment Scale (MSAS). Objectives:Adapt and validate the MSAS to Spanish. Method:The sample consisted of 973 volunteers, 68.3% women and mean age of 27.9 years (SD= 12.68). Results:The internal consistency of the Spanish adaptation was generally adequate with a total α = .830, and from α = .658 to .826 for the factors. The original four-factor structure (Self-Reflexivity, Critical Distance, Mastery and Understanding Other Minds) showed adequate fit indices. The evidence of concurrent criterion validity indices was not as expected. Indications of discriminant validity were the low Self-Reflexivity scores of participants with a psychopathological history (d = .222) or psychological treatment (d = .326); in Mastery by those under psychological treatment (d = .345) or medication (d = .482), and in Critical distance for medication (d = .419). Conclusion:The Spanish adaptation and validation of the MSAS seems adequate for assessing metacognition and its subcomponents in the general population, opening a wide field of clinical and research applications.Antecedentes: Aunque existen otras herramientas en español para evaluar la metacognición, no hay una versión disponible desde una perspectiva multidimensional como la Escala de Autoevaluación de la Metacognición(Metacognition Self-Assessment Scale, MSAS), que tiene además la ventaja de ser sencilla y rápida en su aplicación. Objetivos: Adaptar y validar la escala MSAS al español. Método:Participaron975 voluntarios/as, 68.2% mujeres, edad media de 27.9 años (DT= 12.68). Resultados: Los valores psicométricos de la adaptación al español son adecuados, α = .830 (total), y entre α = .658 y .826 (factores). La estructura factorial original de cuatro factores (Autorreflexividad, Distancia Crítica, Maestría y Comprensión de Mentes Ajenas) muestra adecuados índices de ajuste. Sin embargo, los indicios de validez de criterio no han sido los esperados. Los indicadores de validez discriminante fueron bajos en los participantes con antecedentes psicopatológicos (d = .222) y tratamiento psicológico (d = .326) en el factor Autorreflexividad ; en el factor Dominio entre los que estaban bajo tratamiento psicológico (d = .345) y tenían prescrita medicación (d = .482), y en el factor Distancia crítica para los participantes con medicación (d = .419).Conclusión: La adaptación y validación de la MSAS en español para población general parece adecuada para evaluar la metacognición y sus subcomponentes, abriendo un amplio campo de aplicaciones tanto clínicas como de investigación

Interpersonal Violence and Psychotic-Like Experiences: The Mediation of Ideas of Reference, Childhood Memories, and Dissociation

Previous studies have demonstrated the relationship between the accumulation of situations involving interpersonal violence (IV) and psychotic-like experiences. This study explored whether IV is related to aberrant salience (AS), using a sequential mediation model that included memories of relationship with parents (submission, devaluation, and threat; Early Life Experiences Scale (ELES)), ideas of reference (IR), and dissociative symptoms (absorption and depersonalization), and whether the patient/nonpatient condition moderated this effect. The sample was made of 401 participants (including 43 patients with psychotic disorders) aged 18 to 71 years (Mage = 30.43;SD= 11.19). Analysis of a serial multiple mediator model revealed that IR, ELES, absorption, and depersonalization fully mediated the effect of IV on AS, explaining 39% of the variance, regardless of the patient/nonpatient condition. The indirect paths, which place IR and dissociation (especially absorption, the variable to which the IR and ELES lead) in a primordial position for being related to AS, are discussed. This continuum model could be useful for understanding processes related to the onset of psychosis unmoderated by the patient/nonpatient condition

Evaluation of early life experiences: The ELES scale and its clinical use

Antecedentes: la escala de Experiencias Vitales Tempranas (ELES) evalúa el recuerdo de la amenaza y subordinación percibidas durante la in-fancia en las relaciones familiares partiendo de la teoría del rango social. Se propone adaptar al español dicha escala y comprobar su estructura factorial mediante una validación cruzada y explorar sus propiedades psicométricas. Método: participaron 960 sujetos (863 de población general y 97 pacientes). Resultados: los datos confirman la estructura factorial de la versión inicial de Gilbert, Cheung, Grandfield, Campey, y Irons (2003), obteniendo tres fac-tores: sumisión, amenaza, y desvalorización, explicando un 66.31% de la varianza. La versión española de la escala ELES resultó estar compuesta por el mismo número de ítems que la original y mostró índices adecuados de validez, consistencia interna, fiabilidad retest, fiabilidad compuesta e in-varianza por género. Conclusiones: la escala de Experiencias Vitales Tempranas (ELES) puede ser de utilidad para evaluar las experiencias vitales tempra-nas, estudiar la relación entre dichas experiencias en diferentes manifesta-ciones psicopatológicas y establecer posibles modelos explicativos.Background: The Early Life Experiences Scale (ELES) evaluates the memory of threat and subordination perceived in childhood family rela-tionships based on social rank theory. This scale was adapted to Spanish, its factor structure was tested by cross-validation, and its psychometric properties were explored. Method: 960 subjects participated (863 subjects from the general population and 97 patients). Results: Data confirm the factor structure of the original version by Gilbert, Cheung, Grandfield, Campey, and Irons (2003), obtaining a similar model with three factors: submission, threat, and devaluation, which explained 66.31% of the vari-ance. The Spanish version of the ELES was comprised of the same num-ber of items as in the original study and showed adequate indices of validi-ty, internal consistency, retest and combined reliability, and invariance by gender. Conclusions: The Early Life Experiences Scale (ELES) can be a useful measure for evaluating early life experiences. Its application may be very relevant in studying the relationship between these experiences and psy-chopathological manifestations in constructing explanatory models

Kretschmer revisitado: Fatiga mental e ideas de referencia. Contribuciones desde la teoría de la sensibilidad al refuerzo

Our aim was to find out the relationship of cognitive/somatic fatigue, sensitivity to punishment (SP)/sensitivity to reward (SR) (Gray) with ideas of reference (IR), and to analyze the mediator role of SP/SR between cognitive/somatic fatigue and IR. The sample was comprised of 79 patients and 329 controls, evaluated with the Referential Thinking Scale (REF), the Fatigue Scale (CFQ) and the SP/SR Questionnaire (SPSRQ). The Baron and Kenny (1986) model and the Preacher and Hayes (2008) procedure were used to test mediation. The model explains 42% of the variance. The direct effect decreased significantly, mainly for SP, and the analysis of the indirect effect is valid for SP but not for SR. Cognitive and somatic fatigue predispose IR (Kretschmer) with participation of the SP system which may act as a mediator, more than a moderator. Cognitive/somatic fatigue may activate a system alerting of aversive (social) stimuli and thus increase the IR.Se analiza la relación entre la fatiga cognitiva/somática y las sensibilidades al castigo (SC)/recompensa (SR) (Gray) con las ideas de referencia (IR). Se estudia el papel mediador/moderador de los procesos SC/SR entre la fatiga cognitiva/somática y las IR. La muestra fueron 79 pacientes y 329 controles, evaluados con la Escala de IR (REF), Escala de Fatiga (CFQ) y Cuestionario de SC/SR (SPRSQ). Se utilizó el modelo de Baron y Kenny (1986) y el procedimiento de Preacher y Hayes (2008). El modelo explica un 42% de la varianza. El efecto directo disminuyó y el análisis del efecto indirecto es válido para la SC pero no para la SR. La fatiga cognitiva y somática predisponen a las IR (Kretschmer), con la participación de la SC, pudiendo ser más moderadora que mediadora. Quizá la fatiga cognitiva y somática activen un sistema sobre los estímulos (sociales) aversivos y se incrementen las IR

Spanish validation of the self-evaluation of negative symptoms scale SNS in an adolescent population

Background: Negative symptoms (NS) may be observed in the general population in an attenuated form and in high-risk mental states. However, they have been less studied in the general population than positive symptoms, in spite of their importance at the insidious onset of schizophrenia and their appearance before positive symptoms. This study aimed to analyze the empirical structure of the Spanish version of the Self-Evaluation of Negative Symptoms (SNS) Scale and find its psychometric properties and invariance of measurement across sex and age in a sample of adolescents. Methods: The sample consisted of 4521 adolescents (53.6% female) from 11 to 18 years of age. Results: Confirmatory Factor Analysis of the SNS confirmed an internal structure of five first-order factors by the characteristic dimensions of NS: avolition, social withdrawal, diminished emotional range, anhedonia, alogia, and one second-order factor which includes the total NS score. Multi-group confirmatory factor analysis showed that the scale was invariant across sex and age. Total scale reliability was adequate. A strong relationship was found between the SNS with depressive symptomatology, moderate with ideas of reference and low with aberrant salience. Conclusion: The results back use of the Spanish version of the SNS scale for detection of NS in the general population of adolescents