Rosa Baños’s research while affiliated with University of Valencia and other places

The college stage is marked by high prevalence of mental disorders, particularly anxiety, low mood, and substance abuse. Despite this, many affected students do not receive treatment, underscoring the need for preventive strategies. In respose, the CORE program, an internet-based intervention, was developed to enhance resilience and coping skills among college students. The present study, part of the ICare project (EU-634757), aims to assess the effectiveness of the CORE intervention in improving resilience and reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression in comparison to a Waiting List (WL) condition. The study was registered at ISRCTN (ISRCTN13856522). In the study the unguided internet-based intervention (CORE) was compared to a WL control group in a multicenter two-arm, single-blind, randomized controlled trial (RCT) conducted in Spain, Germany, and Switzerland. Questionnaire based evaluations occurred at baseline (BL), 8 weeks (post-intervention), 6 and 12 months after randomization. A total of 493 students with low levels of resilience participated in the study. Participants in the intervention group gained access to an internet-based program aiming to enhance resilience by learning to cope with stressors in daily life, promote self-empowerment, and improve well-being. Participants were instructed to engage in six interactive modules delivered weekly in a sequential order. The program's therapeutic content was developed following the Ryff model of well-being. The primary outcome measure used was the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC-25). Additionally, anxiety and depressive symptomatology, coping strategies, and well-being were measured. Participants in the CORE condition reported a significant increase in resilience compared to WL condition (Differences post-BL: d = 0.34, p = .0005; 6 M-BL: d = 0.24, p = .0171; 12 M-BL: d = 0.33, p = .0031). Although, a general time trend towards improvement in the resilience was observed in both groups. Participants in the CORE condition, compared to those in the WL condition, showed a significant reduction in anxiety symptoms in the short and long term (differences post-BL: d = 0.30, p = .0015; 6 M-BL: d = 0.18, p = .0857; 12 M-BL: d = 0.23, p = .0312) and depression in the short term. Furthermore, participants in CORE condition showed a significant improvement in positive functioning measurements, such as well-being and self-compassion compared to WL condition. (Dif-ferences post-BL: d = 0.25, p = .0123; 6 M-BL: d = 0.16, p = .1505; 12 M-BL: d = 0.13, p = .1835). Adherence to fully complete the intervention was approximately 59 %.

Background Caregivers of children with growth hormone deficiency often face emotional challenges (eg, stress) associated with their children’s health conditions. This psychological burden might affect children’s adherence to treatment and hinder their health-related quality of life (HrQoL). This assumption is leading to seriously considering multidimensional clinical approaches to pediatric health conditions where the emotional well-being of caregivers should be accounted for to optimize children’s health outcomes. Novel mobile health (mHealth) solutions based on emotional and behavioral change techniques can play a promising role because they are increasingly used within different health areas to support adaptive psychological functioning. However, whether and how mHealth solutions of this type of emotional well-being support caregivers of children with growth-related problems is an issue that needs to be clarified. Objective This study aimed to gather qualitative information to better understand individualized experiences of caregiving of children undergoing growth hormone therapy (GHt) and perceived barriers or facilitators for the adoption of an mHealth solution called Adhera Caring Digital Program (ACDP). Methods A total of 10 family caregivers were recruited at Miguel Servet Children’s Hospital, and they engaged with the ACDP for 1 month. The ACDP is a mobile-based digital intervention focused on promoting the overall well-being of family caregivers which provides access to personalized education, motivational mobile-based messages, and mental well-being exercises such as mindfulness or respiratory exercises. Subsequently, an individual semistructured interview was performed to gather qualitative user experience information. Results The digital intervention was well-received. The ACDP was found to be useful, easy to use, and understandable, addressing all the difficulties expressed by caregivers. It was also noted to be particularly helpful at the beginning of the treatment and, for some families, became a natural tool that strengthened the parent-child relationship. Conclusions The ACDP is a promising and well-accepted tool that enhances the experience of patients and caregivers. It improves the management of growth hormone deficiency and promotes the overall well-being of family caregivers. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials NCT04812665; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04812665 International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) RR2-10.1186/s12911-022-01935-1

The physician-patient relationship relies mostly on doctors’ empathetic abilities to understand and manage patients’ emotions, enhancing patient satisfaction and treatment adherence. With the advent of digital technologies in education, innovative empathy training methods such as virtual reality, simulation training systems, mobile apps, and wearable devices, have emerged for teaching empathy. However, there is a gap in the literature regarding the efficacy of these technologies in teaching empathy, the most effective types, and the primary beneficiaries -students or advanced healthcare professionals-. This study aims to address this gap through a literature review following PRISMA guidelines. A comprehensive literature search was conducted in the PsychINFO, Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science databases using specific keywords. Inclusion criteria for articles were established, and two researchers independently rated the selected articles, resolving any disagreements by consensus. Out of 1137 articles screened, a total of 14 articles were included in this review with a total of 1285 participants, who received empathic training integrated with the use of digital technologies. Only 9 articles defined the construct of empathy, focusing on cognitive, affective, clinical, or cultural aspects. Empathy was assessed with various methods and promoted through various digital technologies, including wearables (e.g. HMDs, SymPulse™ armband) and non-wearable devices (computer monitors, Mobile Apps, Kinect System). Participants were primarily medical students (68.1%), with few healthcare workers (31.9%) and nurses (2.9%). All digital technologies effectively promoted empathy among the target population except for 3 studies that involved advanced career healthcare workers. This review highlights the potential efficacy of digital technologies in fostering empathy among medical students, though not as effectively among advanced healthcare professionals. These insights have implications for designing targeted educational programs that address the distinct needs of healthcare professionals at varying career stages. Limitations and future research directions are also discussed.

Individuals with Overvaluation of the Relative Utility of Social Media (ORUSM) perceive the value of using social media to meet certain needs or goals as significantly higher than alternative activities. ORUSM has been proposed as a key mechanism in developing Problematic Social Media Use (PSMU), thus potentially leading to mental health issues. The Plan-net 25 is currently the only scale measuring ORUSM, but its longitudinal psychometric properties remain unevaluated. PSMU is typically assessed using six criteria derived from substance use disorders, recently reclassified into core criteria-mood modification, withdrawal, conflict, relapse-as essential indicators of problematic use, and peripheral criteria-salience, tolerance-that reflect high engagement without pathology. This study aimed to (1) examine the temporal stability and longitudinal measurement invariance of the Plan-net 25, and (2) assess longitudinally the associations between its domains, PSMU core and peripheral criteria, and mental health outcomes after six weeks. A sample of 294 adolescents (mean age = 15.78 years) completed measures of ORUSM (Plan-net 25) and PSMU (BSMAS) at baseline. After six weeks, they retook the Plan-net 25 and completed measures of depression (PHQ-9), anxiety (GAD-7), loneliness (TILS), and life satisfaction (SWLS-3). Analyses were conducted using R 4.4.1. The Plan-net 25 demonstrated low to moderate temporal stability and scalar longitudinal invariance. ORUSM domains related to regulating unpleasant emotions, social expression and boredom management were positively associated with both core and peripheral PSMU criteria. Core PSMU criteria predicted higher levels of depression, anxiety, loneliness and lower life satisfaction, whereas peripheral criteria were not associated with those but were positively associated with life satisfaction. These results support the reliability and validity of the Plan-net 25 and highlight the importance of distinguishing between core and peripheral PSMU criteria.

The State Self-Esteem Scale has not been studied in the Spanish population yet. Our objective was to assess the factor structure and internal consistency of the State Self-Esteem Scale (SSES-20 and SSES-6) in a Spanish-speaking sample. The second objective was to determine its convergent and discriminant validity by examining its relationships with variables such as trait self-esteem, social desirability, depression, and anxiety. The sample consisted of 713 Spaniards (77.2% female; Mean Age = 25.32 years). Findings suggest that a bifactor model with a general factor and three subdimensions provided a better fit for SSES-20 data. For the SSES-6 version, a hierarchical model with three non-correlated first-order factors and a common hierarchical factor was found to be the best fit. All dimensions exhibited moderate to excellent reliability. All factors were positively linked to trait self-esteem and social desirability, while inversely related to depression and state anxiety. Finally, performance, appearance, and social state self-esteem dimensions from SSES-20 negatively predicted depression and state anxiety using linear regression models. Both Spanish versions, SSES-20 and SSES-6, demonstrated adequate psychometric properties within this sample, suggesting potential generalizability to diverse Spanish populations. La Escala de Autoestima Estado no se había estudiado en la población española. Nuestro objetivo fue evaluar la estructura factorial y consistencia interna de la Escala de Autoestima Estado (SSES-20 y SSES-6) en una muestra de hablantes de español. El segundo objetivo fue determinar su validez convergente y discriminante examinando su relación con variables como la autoestima rasgo, deseabilidad social, depresión y ansiedad. La muestra consistió en 713 españoles (79.4% mujeres; Edad Media = 25.32 años). Los resultados sugieren que un modelo bifactor con un factor general y tres subdimensiones obtuvo un mejor ajuste para los datos del SSES-20. Para la versión SSES-6, un modelo jerárquico con tres factores de primer orden no correlacionados y un factor jerárquico común fue el que obtuvo mejor ajuste. Todas las dimensiones exhibieron una fiabilidad entre moderada y excelente. Todos los factores se correlacionaron positivamente con la autoestima rasgo y la deseabilidad social, mientras que se relacionaron inversamente con la depresión y la ansiedad estado. Finalmente, las dimensiones de autoestima de estado de rendimiento, apariencia y social del SSES-20 predijeron positivamente la depresión y la ansiedad estado usando modelos de regresión lineal. Ambas versiones españolas del SSES-20 y SSES-6 demostraron propiedades psicométricas adecuadas en esta muestra, sugiriendo unaposible generalización a diversas poblaciones hispanas.

Sexual harassment (SH) against women is one of the most worldwide problems. To mitigate its incidence, various programs, including virtual reality (VR), have been developed for both prevention and treatment. 360-degree video has emerged as a subfield of VR capable of inducing the body swap illusion and facilitating perspective-taking (PT), as well as eliciting related emotions. The present study represents a progression from a previously published work, featuring a within-subjects design approach that showed the superiority of the immersive video to elicit empathy compared to a control condition. The aim is to investigate and validate the feasibility of using 360-degree video to foster empathy, PT, and a sense of oneness, potentially reducing violent attitudes toward a female victim of SH compared with a traditional PT task (control condition) in a between-subjects design. Forty Mexican men were randomly assigned to one of the conditions. Results confirmed the feasibility of the 360-degree video in significantly enhancing PT and a sense of oneness compared with the control condition. However, no significant changes were observed for the variables of empathy and violent attitude. Moreover, the findings supported the potential of the 360-degree video in eliciting a sense of ownership and presence with the virtual character and the immersive environment, with ownership showing a positive correlation with empathy and PT. Lastly, participant body awareness was found to be a positive predictor of ownership. Limitations and future directions are discussed.

Background: Interoception is defined as the perception of internal bodily signals and has been related to the facilitation of individuals’ emotion regulation. However, the evidence is mixed, and important gaps remain to be clarified. This study aims to examine the role of different interoceptive dimensions in the efficacy of emotion regulation of negative mood in a non-clinical sample. Methods: A total of 117 participants (70.94% women; Mage = 36; SDage = 17.80) completed several self-reported questionnaires and performed the heartbeat counting task. They then received a negative mood induction procedure, after which they were instructed to perform a spontaneous emotion regulation task. Mood was assessed before and after the induction and after the spontaneous task. Finally, the state difficulties in emotion regulation were also measured. Results: Mixed-effects models showed that interoceptive sensibility was related to better mood at all time points and to increased state emotional awareness. Moreover, a specific aspect of interoceptive sensibility (i.e., less worry about unpleasant bodily sensations) reduced the effect of the negative induction on positive affect. No significant effects on mood were observed for either interoceptive accuracy/insight or the interaction between interoception and the emotion regulation phase. Limitations: Causal relationships cannot be established due to the study design. Conclusions: We found no evidence that interoception helps in regulating negative emotional states. However, we did find an association with better general mood. We discuss our findings in light of previous empirical and theoretical work, suggesting future directions. The study protocol was preregistered at clinicaltrials.gov on 12th June 2022 (NCT05684614).

Gender is a socially constructed concept influenced by social practices, norms, and expectations. The impact of gender differences on mental health has been long recognized, with consequences such as over-diagnosis and pathologization or under-diagnosis of some disorders depending on gender. This also has implications for the treatments that each gender receives. In this narrative review, we will analyze (a) the gender differences in the prevalence of mental disorders, (b) the explanations for gender differences in mental health, including biological, social constructionist, and sociocultural risk factors, and (c) the gender differences in the treatment of mental disorders, including differences in health-seeking behavior and treatment outcomes. Overall, there is a consistent pattern of differences in prevalence, with women more likely to have internalizing disorders (e.g., anxiety or depression) and men more likely to have externalizing disorders (e.g., antisocial personality or substance use). The explanations aimed at disentangling the reasons for these gender differences are complex, and several approaches should be considered to achieve a comprehensive explanation. In addition to biological factors (e.g., hormonal changes), social constructionist factors (e.g., biased diagnostic criteria and clinicians’ gender bias) and sociocultural factors (e.g., feminization of poverty, gender discrimination, violence against women, and prescriptive beauty standards) should be considered. Future studies in the field of mental health should consider gender differences and explore the bio-psycho-socio-cultural factors that may underlie these differences.

Background One of the obstacles to seeking help for suicide is its social stigma. The literature suggests that suicide knowledge could impact this stigma. The present study aims to examine levels and predictors of suicide stigma and suicide literacy among Spanish‐speaking individuals from Spain and Latin America. Method A total of 678 adults completed an online survey conducted from December 2021 to May 2022. The survey assessed sociodemographic and clinical variables, including the Literacy of Suicide Scale (LOSS‐SF) and Stigma of Suicide Scale (SOSS‐SF). Results Results showed the presence of stigmatization and a moderate level of suicide literacy. Latin Americans presented significantly more stigmatizing attitudes and lower levels of suicide literacy than Spaniards. Older age and stronger religious/spiritual beliefs were correlated with lower suicide literacy. Suicide stigma was regressed on lower suicide literacy, gender (men), stronger religious/spiritual beliefs, and lacking knowledge about how to find help. Furthermore, the region was significantly associated with the suicide glorification subscale, reporting Latin Americans' greater glorification. Conclusions By examining these factors, we aim to foster a deeper understanding of the attitudes and beliefs toward suicide. This understanding is crucial, as it may inform the development of effective interventions and prevention strategies that are culturally sensitive and tailored to diverse populations.