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Executive functions (EFs) have been identified as processes in the ability to select and apply adaptive strategies for coping with stress. This study compares executive functioning, short-term memory, and coping in a sample of young and older adults with no prior diagnosis of depression and with normal cognitive function ( N = 216). The study collected measures of depression, EFs, short-term memory, and coping. Young participants scored higher than older adults on EFs and short-term memory. Moreover, in young adults, there was a prevalence of avoidance coping strategies. Scores on depressive symptomatology were found to be related to avoidant coping strategies. Older adults with higher score on inhibition used less avoidant coping. Thus, it seems that executive deficits might contribute to depression, as they affect processes for coping with stress. This finding may have implications for the role of EFs and coping in psychological well-being and successful adaptation of individuals to stressful situations.

The data from a Spanish prison population showed that ID levels were higher than those in the community, especially amongst prisoners requiring specialized psychiatric care. What is also evident is that adequate resources are required in prisons and in the community to provide better care for people with intellectual disabilities who are in the pathway of the criminal justice system.

Introduction Aggression can be defined according to impulsive or premeditated features. Impulsivity is defined as an uncontrolled and unplanned form of aggression. On the contrary, premeditation requires planning and is goal-oriented. Objective The purpose of this study was to validate the basic psychometric properties of the Impulsive/Premeditated Aggression Scale (IPAS) into European Portuguese. The scale evaluates aggression according to impulsive and premeditated features, which are considered the predominant forms of aggressive behavior, and can be used in community, forensic and clinical settings. Methods Participants from a community sample (n = 957; 424 male) and incarcerated individuals (n = 115, all male) completed the IPAS. Results Internal consistency and reliability indicated that the scale has good psychometric properties in both samples. Data from a principal component analysis (PCA) demonstrated similarities to previous structures reported in the literature. Conclusions The scale demonstrated to be sensitive to the bimodal classification of aggression in community and forensic samples, indicating its utility in the characterization of aggressive patterns.

Although the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale Version 11 (BIS-11) is one of the most widely used instruments to assess impulsivity, its factor structure remains controversial. Several authors have suggested that cultural factors may have an impact on its factor structure. It is also necessary to study the measurement invariance of the scale in different populations, especially in the case of incarcerated individuals, given their high level of impulsivity. This study had two objectives: (a) to evaluate the factor structure of the BIS-11 and its measurement invariance across community and incarcerated samples and (b) to evaluate the effect of impulsiveness on criminal recidivism. The results revealed a two-factor structure: Motor and Nonplanning Impulsivity. This solution was invariant across groups. In addition, increased Motor Impulsivity was related to higher criminal recidivism through an increase in aggression. These results corroborate the importance of implementing interventions to reduce impulsivity as a means of preventing recidivism.

El objetivo del presente trabajo es conocer las producciones vocales tempranas anteriores a la primera palabra, así como estudiar la influencia de algunos factores extralingüísticos en ellas (edad, sexo, cuidador principal, orden de nacimiento y nivel educativo materno). Para ello, se ha realizado un estudio descriptivo transversal en el que han participado 39 niños/as de ambos sexos en edades comprendidas entre los 8 y 15 meses de edad. Los niños/as acudían a diferentes centros de Educación Infantil públicos y privados de la provincia de Toledo. Como medida se ha empleado el apartado “Vocalizaciones” de la versión española del Inventario de Desarrollo Comunicativo MacArthur-Bates (López-Ornat, Gallego, Gallo, Karousou, Mariscal y Martínez, 2005). Los resultados reflejan que la actividad vocal en los bebés entre 8 y 15 meses de edad aparece gradualmente de forma muy temprana constatándose la influencia de algunas variables extralingüísticas. Los aspectos prosódicos del lenguaje se relacionan con la variable sexo y el nivel formativo de la madre. La variable orden de nacimiento también muestra una relación con el desarrollo de las vocalizaciones, concretamente en los bebés nacidos en primer lugar. En cuanto a la observación del desempeño comunicativo y lingüístico de los bebés por parte del cuidador principal, se encuentra un sesgo observacional apareciendo una mayor sobreestimación de las vocalizaciones por parte de los cuidadores distintos a la madre.