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Falcó R, Falcon S, Moreno-Amador B, Piqueras JA, Marzo JC. Which Psychosocial Strengths Could Combat the Adolescent Suicide Spectrum? Dissecting the Covitality Model. PSYCHOSOCIAL INTERVENTION 2024; 33:133-146. [PMID: 39234357 PMCID: PMC11370127 DOI: 10.5093/pi2024a9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 09/06/2024]
Abstract
Objective: Covitality is a meta-construct of positive intra/interpersonal self-schemas that organize and process life experiences. Its synergy favors psychosocial adjustment and prevents mental health problems during adolescence. At these ages, suicide is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. The purpose of this study was to determine which psychosocial strengths of the covitality model could combat adolescent suicide spectrum. Method: Participants were 5,528 Spanish adolescents aged 12-18 years, 50.74% females. The assessment protocol was completed in schools, under the supervision of the research staff. Statistical analyses were conducted using hurdle models, i.e., modeling zero-inflated count data. This process provided two sets of outcomes: the association - in probabilistic terms - between psychosocial strengths and the absence of suicide indicators (i.e., non-occurrence) and the association of these assets - via regression coefficients - with increased experimentation (i.e., duration/quantity). Results: All psychosocial strengths of the covitality model were related to the non-ocurrence of suicidal thoughts and behaviors, but not all to a shorter duration/quantity of their phenotypic manifestations. Covitality obtained greater association values on suicidal tendencies than its components analyzed independently. Belief in self and engaged living were the second-order factors with the higher estimating capacity. Specifically, emotional self-awareness, enthusiasm, gratitude, family support, and behavioral self-control were key first-order assets. Conclusions: These findings suggest that training adolescents in covitality assets could be an effective strategy for universal prevention against premature suicide. Moreover, this study provide evidence on which psychosocial strengths could counteract each phenotypic manifestation of suicide in order to customize selective and indicated preventive actions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raquel Falcó
- Miguel Hernández UniversityElcheAlicanteSpainMiguel Hernández University, Elche, Alicante, Spain;
| | - Samuel Falcon
- University of Las Palmas de Gran CanariaSpainUniversity of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
| | - Beatriz Moreno-Amador
- Miguel Hernández UniversityElcheAlicanteSpainMiguel Hernández University, Elche, Alicante, Spain;
| | - Jose A. Piqueras
- Miguel Hernández UniversityElcheAlicanteSpainMiguel Hernández University, Elche, Alicante, Spain;
| | - Juan C. Marzo
- Miguel Hernández UniversityElcheAlicanteSpainMiguel Hernández University, Elche, Alicante, Spain;
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Falcó R, Santana-Monagas E, Moreno-Amador B, Piqueras JA, Marzo JC. Suicidal Risk During Adolescence: Could Covitality Be Part of the Solution? Arch Suicide Res 2024; 28:948-963. [PMID: 37847011 DOI: 10.1080/13811118.2023.2262553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The covitality model suggests that the co-disposition and synergy of core psychosocial assets (i.e., covitality) buffer the negative impact of stressful events and prevent the emergence of mental health problems during adolescence. At this stage of development, suicide already constitutes the leading cause of unnatural death in Europe. The present study aimed to examine how covitality relates to bidimensional mental health status (i.e., psychopathology and subjective well-being) and suicidal risk. METHOD Participants were 5,296 Spanish students ages 12 to 18 years (Mage ± SD = 14.19 ± 1.53), 50.2% male. RESULTS In a structural equation mediational model, covitality acted as a powerful shield of psychosocial strengths against suicidality, via an indirect effect entirely mediated by its impact on bidimensional mental health. The total variance in suicidal risk explained by the set of independent variables was 61.8%, while the total variance of psychopathology and subjective well-being explained by covitality was 54.1% and 75.6%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS These preliminary findings highlight the need for further study of covitality as a defense strategy against adolescent suicide. HIGHLIGHTSCovitality promote subjective well-being and prevent psychopathological symptoms.These self-perceived psychosocial strengths do not have direct effect on suicidality.Covitality is related to lower suicidal risk through indirect mechanisms: via bidimensional approach to mental health status (BMH).
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Rodríguez-Jiménez T, Vidal-Arenas V, Falcó R, Moreno-Amador B, Marzo JC, Piqueras JA. Assessing Emotional Distress in Adolescents: Psychometrics of the Spanish Version of the Social Emotional Distress Scale-Secondary. CHILD & YOUTH CARE FORUM 2023:1-21. [PMID: 37360761 PMCID: PMC10239276 DOI: 10.1007/s10566-023-09758-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
Background The Social Emotional Distress Scale-Secondary (SEDS-S) is a short measure designed for comprehensive school-based mental health screening, particularly for using very brief self-reported measures of well-being and distress. Whereas prior studies have shown validity and reliability evidence for the English version, there is a lack of literature about its psychometric properties for Spanish-speaking youths. Objective To examine the psychometric properties of the SEDS-S in a large sample of Spanish adolescents, providing evidence of its reliability, structure, convergent and discriminant validity, longitudinal and gender measurement invariance, and normative data. Methods Participants were 5550 adolescents aged 12-18 years old. Test-retest reliability was examined using Cronbach's alpha and McDonald's omega coefficients, and evidence for convergent and discriminant validity was measured using Pearson's correlation. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to examine structure validity, while multigroup and longitudinal measurement invariance analysis was conducted for longitudinal and gender latent structure stability. Results The CFA supported a unidimensional latent structure, which was also observed to be invariant between gender groups and over time. The scale showed evidence of reliability, with coefficients above .85. In addition, the SEDS-S score was positively related to measures assessing distress and negatively related to measures assessing well-being, thereby providing convergent/discriminant validity of the total scores. Conclusion This study provides the first evidence of the reliability and validity of the Spanish version of the SEDS-S for assessing emotional distress among adolescents, cross-sectionally and longitudinally. Furthermore, findings indicated that SEDS-S could be a suitable assessment tool for screening and program evaluation purposes at different contexts beyond the school setting.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Verónica Vidal-Arenas
- Department of Basic and Clinical Psychology and Psychobiology, Jaume I University, Castellón de la Plana, Spain
| | - Raquel Falcó
- Department of Health Psychology, Miguel Hernández University of Elche, Alicante, Spain
| | - Beatriz Moreno-Amador
- Department of Health Psychology, Miguel Hernández University of Elche, Alicante, Spain
| | - Juan C. Marzo
- Department of Health Psychology, Miguel Hernández University of Elche, Alicante, Spain
| | - José A. Piqueras
- Department of Health Psychology, Miguel Hernández University of Elche, Alicante, Spain
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Extending Validation of a Social Emotional Health Measure For Middle School Students. CONTEMPORARY SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGY 2023; 27:92-103. [PMID: 35345478 PMCID: PMC8941839 DOI: 10.1007/s40688-022-00411-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The Social Emotional Health Survey-Secondary-2020 (SEHS-S-2020) is a well-studied option for assessing social emotional health to support students within a multitiered system of school support. While a growing body of literature supports the SEHS-S-2020 measure for assessing student covitality, there is less validation evidence specifically for middle-school-aged students. The present study aimed to fill this gap in the literature by examining its use for younger adolescents. Study participants were from two samples, including a cross-sectional sample with 9,426 students in Grades 7-8 from 32 counties in California and a longitudinal sample with 414 students in Grades 6-8 from two middle schools. Data analyses examined structural validity, internal consistency, measurement invariance, criterion validity, predictive validity, and response stability. Results indicate excellent fit indices for a four-level higher-order measurement model, with adequate concurrent and one-year predictive validity coefficients, supporting the use of the SEHS-S-2020 measure with young adolescents in middle school settings. The discussion focuses on implications for assessing students' psychosocial assets, universal school-based screening, and cultural and intersectionality considerations when interpreting SEHS-S-2020 responses. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40688-022-00411-x.
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Orth Z, Moosajee F, Van Wyk B. Measuring Mental Wellness of Adolescents: A Systematic Review of Instruments. Front Psychol 2022; 13:835601. [PMID: 35356328 PMCID: PMC8959676 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.835601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective Mental health is critical to the healthy development of adolescents. However, mental health encompasses more than the absence of mental illness; and should include indicators of mental wellness. A critical review of available mental wellness instruments for adolescents were conducted to identify operational definitions of mental wellness concepts for this population group. Method A systematic review of literature published between 2000 and 2020 was done to identify mental wellness instruments for adolescent populations. The review followed the PRISMA operational steps. Results We identified 2,543 articles from the search strategy and screened titles and abstracts for eligibility. After appraisal, 97 studies were included in the qualitative synthesis; of which, 79 mental wellness instruments were identified. Most studies did not provide a definition for mental wellness. We identified thirteen mental wellness concepts from 97 studies, namely: life satisfaction, mental wellbeing [general], resilience, self-efficacy, self- esteem, connectedness, coping, self-control, mindfulness/spiritual, hope, sense of coherence, happiness, and life purpose. Conclusion The review reflected previous research identifying a lack of consensus around the definitions of mental health, mental wellness, and mental wellbeing. This has implications for developing instruments for adolescents that adequately measure these constructs. Most of the instruments identified in the review were predominantly English and from developed countries. This indicates a need for instrument that are explicitly conceptualised and operationalised for adolescents in all their varied contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zaida Orth
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Community and Health Sciences, University of the Western Cape, Bellville, South Africa
| | - Faranha Moosajee
- Division for Postgraduate Studies, University of the Western Cape, Bellville, South Africa
| | - Brian Van Wyk
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Community and Health Sciences, University of the Western Cape, Bellville, South Africa
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Piqueras JA, Vidal-Arenas V, Falcó R, Moreno-Amador B, Marzo JC, Holcomb JM, Murphy M. Short Form of the Pediatric Symptom Checklist-Youth Self-Report (PSC-17-Y): Spanish Validation Study. J Med Internet Res 2021; 23:e31127. [PMID: 34855614 PMCID: PMC8686478 DOI: 10.2196/31127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2021] [Revised: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The short form, 17-item version of the Pediatric Symptom Checklist-Youth Self-Report (PSC-17-Y) is a validated measure that assesses psychosocial problems overall (OVR) and in 3 major psychopathological domains (internalizing, externalizing, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder), taking 5-10 min to complete. Prior research has established sound psychometric properties of the PSC-17-Y for English speakers. OBJECTIVE This study extends psychometric evidence for the acceptability of the PSC-17-Y in a large sample of Spanish adolescents, providing proof of its reliability and structure, convergent and discriminant validity, and longitudinal and gender invariance. METHODS Data were collected on 5430 adolescents, aged 12-18 years, who filled out the PSC-17-Y twice during 2018-2019 (7-month interval). We calculated the Cronbach alpha and the McDonald omega coefficients to test reliability, the Pearson correlation for convergent (distress) and criterion validity (well-being, quality of life, and socioemotional skills), confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) for structure validity, and multigroup and longitudinal measurement invariance analysis for longitudinal and gender stability. RESULTS Within structural analysis for the PSC-17-Y, CFA supported a correlated 3-factor solution, which was also invariant longitudinally and across gender. All 3 subscales showed evidence of reliability, with coefficients near or above .70. Moreover, scores of PSC-17-Y subscales were positively related with convergent measures and negatively related with criterion measures. Normative data for the PSC-17-Y are presented in the form of percentiles (75th and 90th). CONCLUSIONS This work provides the first evidence of the reliability and validity of the Spanish version of the PSC-17-Y administered over the internet to assess mental health problems among adolescents, maintaining the same domains as the long version.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose A Piqueras
- Area of Personality, Assessment and Psychological Treatment, Department of Health Psychology, Universidad Miguel Hernandez de Elche, Elche, Spain
| | - Verónica Vidal-Arenas
- Department of Basic and Clinical Psychology and Psychobiology, Universitat Jaume I, Castellon, Spain
| | - Raquel Falcó
- Area of Personality, Assessment and Psychological Treatment, Department of Health Psychology, Universidad Miguel Hernandez de Elche, Elche, Spain
| | - Beatriz Moreno-Amador
- Area of Personality, Assessment and Psychological Treatment, Department of Health Psychology, Universidad Miguel Hernandez de Elche, Elche, Spain
| | - Juan C Marzo
- Area of Social Psychology, Department of Health Psychology, Universidad Miguel Hernandez de Elche, Elche, Spain
| | - Juliana M Holcomb
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Michael Murphy
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
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Impact of the MooN Physical Education Program on the Socio-Emotional Competencies of Preadolescents. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18157896. [PMID: 34360187 PMCID: PMC8345725 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18157896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2021] [Revised: 07/21/2021] [Accepted: 07/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Few studies have analyzed emotional educational experiences through physical education interventions. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects on socio-emotional competencies of a physical education intervention (i.e., the MooN program) based on the instructional model known as the sports education model (SEM), compared to a physical education intervention based on the traditional model of direct instruction (TM-DI) in preadolescents. The sample consisted of 170 students between 10 and 13 years old (mean age: M = 10.76; standard deviation: SD = 0.73). Participants were randomly assigned to the experimental group (SEM; n = 87) and the active control group (TM-DI; n = 83). In the experimental group, the SEM-based intervention was applied, while in the active control group, an intervention based on the TM-DI was developed. A quasi-experimental design with repeated pre-test and post-test measures and an active control group was used. The self-efficacy inventory for multiple intelligences (IAMI-40) was used to assess the children’s socio-emotional competencies. The child perfectionism inventory was applied to evaluate the self-demand perfectionist efforts. The results confirmed that the MooN program (SEM intervention) promoted significant improvements in socio-emotional competencies. These findings support the potential of this physical education instructional model as an emotional education pathway for the socio-emotional improvement of preadolescent students.
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Piqueras JA, Garcia-Olcina M, Rivera-Riquelme M, Martinez-Gonzalez AE, Cuijpers P. DetectaWeb-Distress Scale: A Global and Multidimensional Web-Based Screener for Emotional Disorder Symptoms in Children and Adolescents. Front Psychol 2021; 12:627604. [PMID: 33658965 PMCID: PMC7917214 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.627604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2020] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Emotional disorder symptoms are highly prevalent and a common cause of disability among children and adolescents. Screening and early detection are needed to identify those who need help and to improve treatment outcomes. Nowadays, especially with the arrival of the COVID-19 outbreak, assessment is increasingly conducted online, resulting in the need for brief online screening measures. The aim of the current study was to examine the reliability and different sources of validity evidence of a new web-based screening questionnaire for emotional disorder symptoms, the DetectaWeb-Distress Scale, which assesses mood (major depression and dysthymic disorder), anxiety (separation anxiety, generalized anxiety, social phobia, panic disorder/agoraphobia, and specific phobia), obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, suicidality (suicidal ideation, plans, and attempts), and global distress. A total of 1,499 participants (aged 8-18) completed the DetectaWeb-Distress Scale and specific questionnaires for emotional disorder symptoms, suicidal behaviors, and well-being through a web-based survey. Results indicated that a structural model of 10 correlated factors fits reasonably better in comparison to the remaining models; measurement invariance for age and gender; good internal consistency (McDonald's ω ranging from 0.65 to 0.94); and significant positive correlation with other measures of anxiety, depression, PTSD, or distress, and negative correlation with well-being measures, displaying support for convergent-discriminant validity. We also found that girls scored higher than boys on most of the subscales, and children had higher scores for social anxiety, specific phobia, panic disorder, and obsessive-compulsive symptoms, whereas adolescents scored higher on depressive symptoms, suicidality, and generalized anxiety, but the effect sizes were small to medium for all comparisons. The DetectaWeb-Distress Scale is a valid, innovative, and useful online tool for the screening and evaluation of preventive programs for mental health in children and adolescents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose A Piqueras
- Department of Health Psychology, Faculty of Social and Health Sciences, Center for Applied Psychology, Miguel Hernandez University, Elche, Spain
| | - Mariola Garcia-Olcina
- Department of Health Psychology, Faculty of Social and Health Sciences, Center for Applied Psychology, Miguel Hernandez University, Elche, Spain
| | - Maria Rivera-Riquelme
- Department of Health Psychology, Faculty of Social and Health Sciences, Center for Applied Psychology, Miguel Hernandez University, Elche, Spain
| | - Agustin E Martinez-Gonzalez
- Department of Developmental Psychology and Didactics, Faculty of Education, University of Alicante, San Vicente del Raspeig, Spain
| | - Pim Cuijpers
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands.,The Netherlands & EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, Amsterdam, Netherlands
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Taheri A, Pourshahriari M, Abdollahi A, Hosseinian S, Allen KA. Psychometric assessment of the Persian translation of the Social and Emotional Health Survey-Secondary (SEHS-S) with female adolescents. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MENTAL HEALTH 2020. [DOI: 10.1080/00207411.2020.1843965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Azadeh Taheri
- Department of Counseling, Faculty of Education and Psychology, Alzahra University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahsima Pourshahriari
- Department of Counseling, Faculty of Education and Psychology, Alzahra University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Abbas Abdollahi
- Department of Counseling, Faculty of Education and Psychology, Alzahra University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Simin Hosseinian
- Department of Counseling, Faculty of Education and Psychology, Alzahra University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Kelly A. Allen
- Educational Psychology and Inclusive Education, Faculty of Education, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
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Hinton T, Dowdy E, Furlong MJ, Nylund-Gibson K, Carter D, Wagle R. Examining the Social Emotional Health Survey-Secondary for Use with Latinx Youth. JOURNAL OF PSYCHOEDUCATIONAL ASSESSMENT 2020. [DOI: 10.1177/0734282920953236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Culturally responsive assessment practices include validated measures appropriate for use with diverse populations. Considering the increasing population of Latinx students in US schools, measures need co-validated English and Spanish (Social and Emotional Health Survey (SEHS)) language forms. This study examined the SEHS-Secondary with Latinx students who completed a form in either Spanish or English. With a matched sample of 1404 Latinx students across 113 California schools, the analyses examined the factor structure, measurement invariance, and latent trait factor means of students who completed the SEHS in either Spanish or English. The factor structure was invariant across groups with some latent mean differences observed. Educational practice implications are considered.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Erin Dowdy
- University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, USA
| | | | | | | | - Rhea Wagle
- University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, USA
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