The COVID-19 pandemic has been spreading rapidly in Spain. The objective of this work was to examine the psychological impact of the pandemic and the Spanish national quarantine that took place during March and April 2020. We investigated the prevalence of fear of coronavirus, emotional symptoms and sleep problems. We also examined possible positive effects. A sample of 1,161 participants (aged 19 to 84 years) completed online the Coronavirus Psychological Impact Questionnaire, the Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale-12, and the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule. Results indicated that the most common fears pertain to the domains of contagion/disease/death, social isolation, and employment/income issues. We found high levels of emotional impact reflected in fear of coronavirus, sleep problems, and emotional symptoms (preoccupation, distress, hopelessness, depression, anxiety, nervousness, and restlessness). Regression analyses revealed that intolerance of uncertainty and social media exposure are strong predictors of the impact. We also found some effects of the COVID-19 lockdown favoring positive personal experiences. A new self-report instrument to assess psychological impact of coronavirus is provided.

This meta-analysis examined the effect of transdiagnostic cognitive-behavioral therapy (T-CBT) in adults, children, and adolescents with emotional disorders, exploring the effects of possible moderator variables on effi cacy. In contrast with previous reviews, only studies employing transdiagnostic theory-based protocols were included. A total of 48 studies reporting on 6291 participants were identifi ed. Treatment effi cacy was examined using a random effects model and taking into account pre-and post-treatment data. Results within the adult population showed large overall effect sizes on anxiety (randomized controlled trials [RCTs]: g = 0.80; Uncontrolled studies: g = 1.02) and depression (RCTs: g = 0.72; Uncontrolled studies: g = 1.08) that were stable at follow up. Preliminary analysis with children and adolescents showed medium effect sizes on anxiety (g = 0.45) and depression (g = 0.50). No signifi cant differences between T-CBT and disorder-specifi c CBT were found. Overall, results support the effi cacy of T-CBT for emotional disorders.Keywords: Transdiagnostic; cognitive-behavioral therapy; anxiety; depression; internalizing disorders; meta-analysis. Efi cacia de la terapia cognitivo conductual transdiagnóstica en el tratamiento de la ansiedad y la depresión en adultos, niños y adolescentes: Un meta-análisisResumen: El presente meta-análisis examina el efecto de la terapia cognitivo conductual transdiagnóstica (TCC-T) en adultos, niños y adolescentes con trastornos emocionales, explorando los efectos de posibles variables moderadoras en su efi cacia. A diferencia de los meta-análisis previos, sólo se incluyeron los estudios que emplearon protocolos basados explícitamente en el enfoque transdiagnóstico. Se identifi caron 48 estudios que informaron sobre 6291 participantes. La efi cacia del tratamiento se examinó utilizando un modelo de efectos aleatorios y teniendo en cuenta los datos pre y post-tratamiento. Los resultados sobre población adulta muestran tamaños del efecto elevados para la ansiedad (ensayos controlados aleatorizados [ECAs]: g = 0.80; Estudios no controlados: g = 1.02) y la depresión (ECAs: g = 0.72; Estudios no controlados: g = 1.08), que permanecieron estables durante el seguimiento. El análisis preliminar con población de niños y adolescentes mostró tamaños del efecto medios en ansiedad (g = 0.45) y depresión (g = 0.50). No encontramos diferencias signifi cativas entre la TCC-T y la TCC para trastornos específi cos. En general, los resultados apoyan la efi cacia de la TCC-T para los trastornos emocionales.

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The Unified Protocol for Transdiagnostic Treatment of Emotional Disorders in Adolescents (UP-A) has been shown to be effective for reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression in adolescents with emotional disorders. Internet-delivered psychological treatments have great potential to improve access to evidence-based psychological therapy since they are associated with reduced human and economic costs and less social stigma. Recently, our group developed an online version of the UP-A (the iUP-A) for the treatment of emotional disorders in adolescents. The aim of this pilot trial was to test the clinical utility of the iUP-A in a small sample (n = 12) of adolescents with elevated anxiety and/or depressive symptoms. Intention-to-treat and completer analyses revealed pre- to post-intervention self-reported decreases of anxiety and depressive symptoms, anxiety sensitivity, emotional avoidance, panic disorder symptoms, panic disorder severity, generalized anxiety disorder symptoms, pathological worry, and major depressive disorder symptoms. We found high feasibility and acceptability of the program with all participants and responsible parents reporting an improvement in the adolescents’ ability to cope with emotions. Results suggest that the iUP-A may provide a new approach to improve access to treatment for anxious and depressive adolescents in Spain; however, further research must be conducted before firm conclusions can be drawn.

Anxiety and depressive symptoms are common problems in adolescence that could be addressed by means of preventive interventions. Even though transdiagnostic cognitive behavior therapy (T-CBT) is potentially an ideal strategy to deal with anxiety and depression, it has rarely been used for preventive purposes. In addition, so far, no study has used internet-delivered T-CBT to prevent anxiety and depression in adolescents. This study aimed to examine the utility of AMTE, an internet-delivered T-CBT program, for the indicated prevention of anxiety and depression in adolescents. AMTE was applied to 30 adolescents (56.7% females, age range = 12–18 years, Mage = 14.00, SDage = 1.89) who showed subclinical symptoms of anxiety and/or depression. Participants were assessed at pre- and post-treatment and follow-up (3 months). We found that after the program, the symptoms of self-reported anxiety and depression, clinician-rated symptom severity, and self-reported and parent-reported severity of the main problems had significantly improved. In addition, there were significant improvements in anxiety sensitivity and emotional avoidance. Finally, we found high feasibility and acceptability of the program. AMTE is feasible and potentially effective for the indicated prevention of anxiety and depression as well as of clinical transdiagnostic factors, in adolescents.