Instituto de Psicoloxía (IPsiUS)

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/10347/34855

O IPsiUS créase en 2024 como unha estrutura de coordinación e colaboración na investigación, básica e aplicada, en Psicoloxía para que os grupos e persoas que o integren poidan acadar un maior impacto e desenvolvemento do seu potencial de transferencia e proxección internacional. A súa estratexia científica afronta tres retos: Promover saúde e benestar; desenvolver sociedades inclusivas e diversas; e contribuír á sociedade dixital e á sostibilidade. Abrangue campos desde fomento do envellecemento saudable até o desenvolvemento de ferramentas dixitais para a intervención psicolóxica, pasando pola atención á vulnerabilidade psicosocial e a resiliencia, entre outras, que están firmemente orientadas ao benestar das persoas e as comunidades.

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Affective CT-touch attenuates cortical responses and subjective attention during temporal summation of second pain
(Wiley, 2026-03-16) Da Silva, Márcia; Ribeiro Carreira, M.; Oliveira, Mariana; Sampaio, Adriana; Coutinho, Joana; González Villar, Alberto Jacobo; Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. Instituto de Psicoloxía (IPsiUS)
The activation of C-tactile (CT) mechanoreceptors is typically experienced as pleasant touch and has been proposed to have analgesic effects. However, its influence on central sensitization across social and non-social contexts remains unclear. We investigated whether CT-touch in social (romantic partner) and non-social (robotic arm) contexts influences the development of temporal summation of second pain (TSSP), a paradigm associated with central sensitization. Thirty-two couples completed a TSSP protocol across four conditions in two sessions: dyadic session (TSSP during CT-optimal stroking or static touch by the participant's romantic partner) and individual session (TSSP during robotic CT-touch or vibration). Outcomes included subjective pain ratings, attention to heat stimuli, pleasantness, electroencephalographic activity (N2-P2 event-related potentials and midfrontal theta activity), autonomic responses and sex-related effects. No condition differences were found in the reported pain increase. Attention to painful heat was lower during partner's stroking and higher during vibration, the least pleasant stimulus. At the neural level, the smallest N2-P2 amplitudes occurred during partner's stroking, followed by static touch, robot brushing and vibration. Reduced midfrontal theta activity was observed in dyadic compared to individual contexts. No differences emerged in autonomic indices or sex comparisons. Using a large sample and naturalistic stimuli, we found that affective CT-touch does not affect pain levels or autonomic activity during TSSP, yet it decreases attentional focus on the nociceptive input and associated neural responses. These findings underscore social-affective touch as a naturalistic mechanism for modulating pain salience, raising new questions about how it shapes neural dynamics of pain regulation. KEY POINTS: Affective C-tactile (CT) touch has no effect on temporal summation of second pain. Social context matters: partner-administered CT-touch reduced attention to nociceptive heat and attenuated N2-P2 event-related potentials compared with robotic or vibration stimuli. Midfrontal theta activity was lower in dyadic (social) vs. individual (non-social) contexts, suggesting neural markers of pain salience are context-dependent. Findings highlight social-affective touch as a naturalistic mechanism for modulating the salience of painful stimuli, offering insights into pain regulation and the neural dynamics of central sensitization.
Self-efficacy and sex influences on the relationship between tobacco dependence and long-term abstinence: a moderated mediation approach
(Springer Nature Link, 2026-01-19) López Durán, Ana; Martínez Vispo, Carmela; Suárez Castro, Daniel; Barroso Hurtado, María; Míguez Varela, María del Carmen; Becoña Iglesias, Elisardo; Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. Departamento de Psicoloxía Clínica e Psicobioloxía; Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. Instituto de Psicoloxía (IPsiUS)
Tobacco dependence and abstinence self-efficacy are interrelated, and both are relevant variables for quitting smoking. Previous literature suggests that sex may also be a key factor in this relationship. This study aims to examine the relationship between tobacco dependence, self-efficacy and 12-months abstinence, and to explore the role of sex in this relationship. A total sample of 288 adult treatment-seeking daily smokers (Mage = 45.8, SD = 10.63; 62.5% females) was used. Participants were enrolled in a cognitive-behavioral smoking cessation treatment and were followed during a one-year period. We found a negative correlation between baseline tobacco dependence and smoking self-efficacy at the end of the intervention. Mediation analysis showed a significant indirect effect of tobacco dependence on quitting smoking via self-efficacy (B = -0.162, SE = 0.053, 95% BootCI [-0.287, -0.082]). We also found that sex significantly moderated the relationship between baseline tobacco dependence and self-efficacy at the end of the intervention. This result indicates that the indirect effect of tobacco dependence on quitting success through smoking self-efficacy was significant for females (B = -0.239, SE = 0.069, 95% BootCI [-0.402, -0.131]), but not for males. Self-efficacy has key role in the association between tobacco dependence and long-term abstinence, being particularly relevant for females. These findings contribute to understanding the role of tobacco dependence on abstinence, which is a well-known barrier to smoking cessation, and have several clinical implications as focusing on post-treatment self-efficacy in those with higher dependence could be relevant to improving the effectiveness of interventions to quit.
From binge drinking to future alcohol severity: The role of emotion regulation and emerging psychopathology
(Elsevier, 2026-02-26) Carbia, Carina; Rodríguez González, María Soledad; Suárez Suárez, Samuel; Doallo Pesado, Sonia; Cadaveira Mahía, Fernando; Corral Varela, María Montserrat; Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. Departamento de Psicoloxía Clínica e Psicobioloxía; Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. Instituto de Psicoloxía (IPsiUS)
Objectives: Binge drinking (BD) increases the risk for alcohol use disorders and other psychopathological disorders later in life. Emotion regulation (ER) deficits have been identified as a transdiagnostic risk factor, yet their role in risk trajectories is not well established. This is especially relevant in young BDs initially free of psychopathology, where emerging symptoms may shape risk trajectories toward severe alcohol use. Thus, this study examined whether ER difficulties mediate the link between BD and later alcohol severity, and whether emerging psychopathology moderates these associations during the critical developmental period of late adolescence. Methods: A total of 192 university students (53% female) were followed over two years, from ages 18 to 20. Individuals with psychopathological symptoms or alcohol-related problems were excluded at baseline. Alcohol consumption patterns were assessed together with ER (Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale), and psychopathology (Brief Symptom Inventory). Mediation and moderated mediation analyses were conducted using PROCESS in SPSS. Results: BD was associated with ER difficulties, particularly problems engaging in goal-directed behaviour. ER difficulties partially mediated the relationship between BD and later alcohol severity. Emerging psychopathological symptoms amplified both the direct effect of BD and the indirect effect through ER. Specifically, ER difficulties predicted alcohol severity only among individuals with elevated psychopathological symptoms. Conclusions: Findings suggest that ER difficulties, especially goal-directed behaviour, mediate the progression from BD to alcohol severity, and that emerging psychopathology during late adolescence heightens this risk. Preventive interventions should target both BD and ER skills in youth, particularly those developing early psychopathological symptoms.
Digital narratives in person-centered care: a scoping review
(Oxford Academic, 2025-12-13) Rodríguez Trejo, Irene; Felpete, Alba; Facal Mayo, David; Vaca Bermejo, Raúl; Lojo Seoane, Cristina; Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. Instituto de Psicoloxía (IPsiUS); Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. Departamento de Psicoloxía Evolutiva e da Educación
Background and Objectives: Narrative care, an essential component of person-centered care (PCC), individualized care that respects unique life stories and preferences, uses personal narratives to foster understanding, trust, and emotional well-being. Digital storytelling has emerged as a valuable tool to collect and preserve these narratives. This scoping review explored digital tools used to capture life stories of older adults, summarizing their benefits, limitations, and implications for PCC. Research Design and Methods: Studies addressing digital storytelling, life review, or life story work with older adults, published in English or Spanish, and reporting cognitive, psychological, social, or care-related outcomes were included. A systematic search was conducted in Web of Science, SCOPUS, PubMed, and PsycInfo in December 2024, identifying 615 records. After screening and full-text review, 21 studies were included. Data were extracted on study design, sample characteristics, digital tools, outcomes, and limitations. Digital resources were classified into short or long videos, digital albums/collages, digital books/stories, and other formats. Results: The review encompassed 1,551 participants (ageM = 75.86 years). Digital storytelling improved emotional well-being, preserved personal identity, fostered social connections, and stimulated cognitive functions. Short formats proved particularly suitable when cognitive or digital literacy limitations were present, whereas longer formats supported in-depth reflection and memory preservation. Albums and digital books enhanced intergenerational communication. Key limitations included technological barriers, varying digital literacy levels, and lack of methodological standardization. Discussion and Implications: Digital storytelling enhances PCC by embedding personal narratives into care, but successful implementation requires addressing digital inequalities and standardizing methodologies through interdisciplinary collaboration
Within-person prospective associations between depressive symptoms, abstinence self-efficacy and smoking cessation following smoking cessation treatment
(Elsevier, 2025-12-12) Ramos Carro, María; Rodríguez Cano, Rubén; Martínez Vispo, Carmela; López Durán, Ana; Becoña Iglesias, Elisardo; Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. Departamento de Psicoloxía Clínica e Psicobioloxía; Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. Instituto de Psicoloxía (IPsiUS)
Background: Abstinence self-efficacy and depressive symptoms have independently been associated with smoking outcomes in previous research. However, their bidirectional relationships with smoking abstinence over time remain underexplored. This study examined bidirectional and prospective associations between depressive symptoms, abstinence self-efficacy, and smoking abstinence from the end of a cognitive-behavioral smoking cessation intervention to 12-month follow-up. Methods: This study was conducted with 685 adults (62.04 % female; Mage=45.51) who sought smoking cessation treatment at the Smoking Cessation and Addictive Disorders Unit (University of Santiago de Compostela, Spain). Abstinence was defined as not smoking, not even a puff, in the prior 24 h at the end of the intervention and not smoking in the prior 7 days at each follow-up. A Random Intercept Cross-Lagged Panel Model was performed to examine the bidirectional and prospective associations between study variables. Results: At the within-person level, smoking abstinence at posttreatment and 3-month follow-up predicted greater abstinence self-efficacy and fewer depressive symptoms at 3- and 6-month follow-up, respectively. In contrast, higher abstinence self-efficacy at posttreatment was associated with lower odds of abstinence at 3-month follow-up, and abstinence self-efficacy at 3 months predicted more depressive symptoms at 6 months. Depressive symptoms did not significantly predict abstinence self-efficacy or smoking abstinence in the cross-lagged associations at any time point. Conclusion: Quitting smoking predicts higher abstinence self-efficacy and lower depressive symptoms after posttreatment, but these effects diminish after 6-month follow-up. Notably, higher levels of abstinence self-efficacy at the end of treatment may increase smoking risk during the first three months postquitting.
The Galician MultiPic: a picture dataset that captures lexical variation
(Frontiers Media, 2025-03-26) Álvarez de la Granja, María; Parafita Couto, María del Carmen; Sá-Leite, Ana Rita; Fraga Carou, Isabel; Duñabeitia, Jon Andoni; Pliatsikas, Christos; Comesaña, Montserrat; Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. Instituto da Lingua Galega (ILG); Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. Departamento de Filoloxía Galega; Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. Instituto de Psicoloxía (IPsiUS); Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. Departamento de Psicoloxía Social, Básica e Metodoloxía
Neurofunctional correlates of the tip-of-the-tongue state
(Cambridge University Press, 2016-10) Díaz Fernández, Fernando; Lindín Novo, Mónica; Galdo Álvarez, Santiago; Buján Mera, Ana; Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. Departamento de Psicoloxía Clínica e Psicobioloxía; Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. Instituto de Psicoloxía (IPsiUS); Schwartz, Bennett L.; Brown, Alan S.
The Simon effect modulates N2cc and LRP but not the N2pc component
(Elsevier, 2012-05) Cespón, Jesús; Galdo Álvarez, Santiago; Díaz Fernández, Fernando; Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. Departamento de Psicoloxía Clínica e Psicobioloxía; Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. Instituto de Psicoloxía (IPsiUS)
Previous studies have reported that the horizontal arrangement of the stimuli in Simon tasks elicits three different components: LRP, N2pc and N2cc. Although N2cc may play a key role in Simon tasks, as it is involved in preventing responses based on stimulus position, modulation of the N2cc component according to the experimental conditions has not previously been investigated because of N2cc/LRP overlap in similar regions and temporal window. The aim of the present study was to investigate how the Simon effect modulates N2pc, N2cc and LRP components. For this purpose, participants were asked to respond to an arrow according to its colour. Three conditions, which depended on the congruency between stimulus position and the required response, were analysed: compatible position (CP), incompatible position (IP), and neutral position (NP). The LRP peak latency was delayed in IP with respect to CP and NP conditions. Lateralized minus neutral position (L – NP) subtractions were carried out to remove the common motor activity and isolate the N2cc and N2pc components in the lateralized conditions. The N2cc amplitude in L − NP waveforms was larger in IP than in CP, in accordance with the greater effort required to monitor selection of the correct response in the first condition. eLORETA analysis also revealed greater premotor activity at 150–200 ms in IP and CP, than in NP, which was attributed to the N2cc component present in IP/CP conditions. Evidence of functional dissociation between N2pc and N2cc components was obtained, because N2cc, but not N2pc, was affected by the experimental conditions
N2pc is modulated by stimulus-stimulus, but not by stimulus-response incompatibilities
(Elsevier, 2013-04) Cespón, Jesús; Galdo Álvarez, Santiago; Díaz Fernández, Fernando; Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. Departamento de Psicoloxía Clínica e Psicobioloxía; Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. Instituto de Psicoloxía (IPsiUS)
Studies of the N2pc in Simon-type tasks have revealed inconsistent results. That is, N2pc was only modulated when a stimulus–stimulus (S-S) overlap covaries with the stimulus–response (S-R) overlap. The present study aimed to establish whether N2pc is modulated by the S-R or by the S-S overlap. Therefore, we designed a Simon task requiring response to a colour stimulus (an arrow) with two irrelevant dimensions (position and direction). The following conditions were thus generated: compatible direction–compatible position (CDCP); incompatible direction–compatible position (IDCP); compatible direction–incompatible position (CDIP); and incompatible direction–incompatible position (IDIP). In IDCP and CDIP, both irrelevant dimensions conveyed contradictory spatial information (S-S incompatibility), while compatibility between both irrelevant dimensions occurred in CDCP and IDIP (the direction indicated was compatible with stimulus position). The N2pc amplitude was smaller in IDCP and CDIP than in CDCP and IDIP, what suggests that N2pc was modulated by S-S incompatibility and not by S-R incompatibilities
Similarities and differences between interference from stimulus position and from direction of the arrow: Behavioral and event-related potential measures
(Elsevier, 2013-11) Cespón, Jesús; Galdo Álvarez, Santiago; Díaz Fernández, Fernando; Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. Departamento de Psicoloxía Clínica e Psicobioloxía; Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. Instituto de Psicoloxía (IPsiUS)
Studies with stimulus–response compatibility (SRC) tasks used the stimulus position (SRC-p) and/or the direction indicated by a central arrow (SRC-d) as irrelevant dimensions. Despite behavioral differences revealed by the distributional analysis (DA), both interferences were established at similar loci on the basis of modulations in the lateralized readiness potential (LRP) and P3b components. Consequently, similar underlying mechanisms were proposed for both interferences. However, comparison of motor processes associated with each task is problematical because each involves different components. In addition, previous studies have frequently used different proportions of trials between conditions, which complicate interpretation of the results because the stimulus probability may modulate P3b. Taking these problems into account, the present study investigated the effects of interference in SRC-p and SRC-d tasks, in which the participants responded to the color of a stimulus while ignoring the position and the direction indicated by a central arrow, respectively. The interference was greater in the SRC-p than in the SRC-d task. The DA showed that stimulus position affected the performance more quickly than the direction of the arrow. The P3b latency was longer and the P3b amplitude was smaller when stimulus position was incompatible. However, no differences in P3b were found in the SRC-d task. Moreover, both types of interference affected response-related processes (LRP-r) similarly. Therefore, the stimulus position and the direction indicated by the stimulus may share a common locus of interference (response execution), but only stimulus position affects P3b component, which constitutes a link between stimulus evaluation and the response selection
Age-related changes in ERP correlates of visuospatial and motor processes
(Wiley Online Library, 2013-08) Cespón, Jesús; Galdo Álvarez, Santiago; Díaz Fernández, Fernando; Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. Departamento de Psicoloxía Clínica e Psicobioloxía; Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. Instituto de Psicoloxía (IPsiUS)
Although previous ERP studies have demonstrated slowing of visuospatial and motor processes with age, such studies frequently included only young and elderly participants, and lacked information about age-related changes across the adult lifespan. The present research used a Simon task with two irrelevant dimensions (position and direction of an arrow) to study visuospatial (N2 posterior contralateral, N2pc) and motor (response-locked lateralized readiness potential, LRP-r) processes in young, middle-aged, and elderly adults. The reaction time and motor execution stage (LRP-r) increased gradually with age, while visuospatial processes (N2pc latency) were similarly delayed in the older groups. No age-related increase in interference was observed, probably related to a delay in processing the symbolic meaning of the direction in older groups, which was consistent with age-related differences in distributional analyses and N2pc amplitude modulations
Comparison between an empirically derived and a standard classification of amnestic mild cognitive impairment from a sample of adults with subjective cognitive complaints
(Sage Journals, 2016-01-10) Campos Magdaleno, María; Facal Mayo, David; Juncos Rabadán, Onésimo; Picón Prado, Eduardo; Pereiro Rozas, Arturo X.; Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. Departamento de Psicoloxía Social, Básica e Metodoloxía; Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. Departamento de Psicoloxía Evolutiva e da Educación; Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. Instituto de Psicoloxía (IPsiUS)
Objective: The aim of this study is to compare an empirically derived classification of amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) from a sample of adults with subjective cognitive complaints by using cluster analysis of their performance on the California Verbal Learning Test (CVLT) with a classification of aMCI based on standard clinical criteria. Method: Three hundred ninety-one individuals aged 48 years and older were diagnosed as aMCI or healthy controls. Cluster analysis of the CVLT performance was conducted, followed by logistic regression analysis. Results: A two-cluster solution performed on the CVLT measures correctly classified 98.0% of the aMCI patients and 73.4% of the healthy controls diagnosed by using standard aMCI criteria. Discussion: The empirically derived classification of aMCI is consistent with the classification based on standard criteria; however, standard criteria should also be considered to prevent false positives
Apathy and agitation in institutionalized older adults: an empirically derived classification
(Wiley, 2021-05) Mouriz Corbelle, Romina; Caamaño Ponte, José; Dosil Díaz, Carlos; Picón Prado, Eduardo; Facal Mayo, David; Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. Departamento de Psicoloxía Social, Básica e Metodoloxía; Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. Departamento de Psicoloxía Evolutiva e da Educación; Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. Instituto de Psicoloxía (IPsiUS)
Background: Apathy and agitation are often recognized as the most problematic behavioural and psychological symptoms in care settings. In this study, we analyze the relationship between apathy and agitation symptoms other and their relationship with demographic, cognitive, and neuropsychiatric variables and psychotropic medication use. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted at a gerontological care centre in Láncara, Spain. Participants were 196 residents of the gerontological care centre, including 143 with a diagnosis of dementia. Apathy and agitation were assessed with the Apathy Scale for Institutionalized Patients with Dementia, Nursing Home version, and the Spanish version of the Cohen-Mansfield Agitation Inventory, respectively. Two-stage hierarchical cluster analysis (hierarchical cluster analysis in a first exploratory stage and K-means clustering to obtain the final solution in the second stage) was conducted to assign residents to different groups based on apathy and agitation scores. Results: In cluster 1, a certain level of apathy, the highest levels of agitation, and the most frequent intake of atypical antipsychotics and clomethiazole were observed. The highest levels of apathy and the most frequent intake of memantine were seen in cluster 2. The lowest levels of agitation and apathy and the highest levels of cognitive performance were found in cluster 3. Conclusions: In this study, subjects with dementia were in a state of high agitation and eventual apathy, had low cognitive status, and were very old. Patients with this profile require well-designed non-pharmacological interventions
Using the working with older adults scale with Spanish undergraduate students
(Taylor & Francis, 2025-08-17) Feijóo Quintas, Susana; Picón Prado, Eduardo; Lojo Seoane, Cristina; Graham, Kristen L.; Facal Mayo, David; Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. Departamento de Psicoloxía Social, Básica e Metodoloxía; Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. Departamento de Psicoloxía Evolutiva e da Educación; Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. Instituto de Psicoloxía (IPsiUS)
The growing population of older adults worldwide has raised concerns about the recruitment and retention of the workforce in age-related care. Based on this concern, the present work studies the intention to work with older adults in a Spanish sample of undergraduate students. An online questionnaire was administered to undergraduate students from different disciplines. A language adapted version of the Working with Older Adults Scale (WOAS) and the Big-Five Inventory 10-Item version were applied. Basic psychometrics were computed, together with EFA, CFA and multivariate statistics in order to know more about the relevance and relationships between the four WOAS subscales and their association with BFI personality domains. Moderate to strong relationships were found between WOAS subscales, in addition to significant correlations between the perceived behavioral control subscale and some personality traits. Nevertheless, only subjective norm and attitudes subscales contributed significantly to the intention to work with older adults. The current results replicate in Spanish students the previous findings about the role of perceived social approval on the intention to work with older adults. More research is needed on the role of intrapersonal factors
Differential associations between distinct components of cognitive and physical function in middle-aged and older adults
(Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute, 2025-12-27) Facal Mayo, David; Picón Prado, Eduardo; Blumen, Helena M.; Lojo Seoane, Cristina; Nieto Vieites, Ana; Stern, Yaakov; Pereiro Rozas, Arturo X.; Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. Departamento de Psicoloxía Social, Básica e Metodoloxía; Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. Departamento de Psicoloxía Evolutiva e da Educación; Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. Instituto de Psicoloxía (IPsiUS)
Background: Cognitive and physical functions share certain age-related patterns of change, including slowed processing speed and movement. Both functions are multifaceted, and the association between them can be affected by the type of measurement considered. This study examined one-to-one relationships between cognitive and physical functions, using data from the Compostela Aging Study. Methods: A total of 267 middle-aged and older individuals without cognitive impairment were included in the study (mean age 65.57, 75.7% women). The relationship between cognitive and physical performance was examined using Spearman’s rho, adjusted for age and sex. Results: Standing up, sitting down and total times in the Timed-Up and Go test were significantly correlated with performance on the Trail-Making and phonological fluency tests. Turning time in the Timed-Up and Go test and self-reported physical activity were correlated with performance on the Spanish version of the California Verbal Learning Test. Grip strength was correlated with performance on the Counting Span task. Conclusions: This study adds evidence to the one-to-one relationship between cognitive and physical function in a subclinical cohort of middle-aged and older adults
Cognitive, functional and affective effects of a multi-task training in nursing home residents: results from a randomized pilot study
(Springer, 2026-01-30) Burgo Beiro, Clara; Facal Mayo, David; Dosil Díaz, Carlos; Felpete López, Alba; Villamide Gesto, Jhilenia; Campos Magdaleno, María; Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. Departamento de Psicoloxía Evolutiva e da Educación; Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. Instituto de Psicoloxía (IPsiUS)
Background: Dual-task (DT)-based training programs are non-pharmacological interventions that potentially improve cognitive, physical functional and affective processes in older adults. In the specific context of nursing homes, typically characterized by impoverished environmental stimuli, sedentarism and affective alterations, these interventions remain poorly studied. Aims: The aims of this randomized pilot study were to evaluate the feasibility of implementing the Resi-TaD DT training program in long-term care centers (LTCCs) and to evaluate the impact of the program on cognitive, physical-functional and affective processes in elderly residents. Methods: An intervention program was designed within the framework of the multitasking paradigm; the physical and cognitive components were used to monitor the level of difficulty of each combination of tasks, which included triple-tasks. Study participants (n = 94) were assigned to an Intervention Group (IG) or a waiting-list Control Group (CG), and cognitive (MoCA, DT performance), physical-functional (TUG and handgrip strength) and affective (depressive symptomatology and self-esteem) measures were evaluated before and after the intervention. Dual-task (DT)-based training programs are non-pharmacological interventions that potentially improve cognitive, physical-functional and affective processes in older adults. A General Lineal Model with Repeated Measures was used to assess differences and interactions between IG and CG performance at each time. Participation and dropout rates were also considered. Results: The multi-task intervention was feasible and well accepted by LTCCs users. In the IG, improvements in general cognition and DT performance but no significant differences in TUG or handgrip strength were observed. A subtle but nonsignificant improvement in affective measures was observed. Conclusions: A 10-session intervention involving heterogeneous activities can enhance cognitive function and potentially promote transfer effects to other DTs. However, the intervention is not sufficient to achieve significant physical-functional or affective benefits.
The polymorphism Val158Met in the COMT gene: disrupted dopamine system in fibromyalgia patients?
(Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2024-12) Gerra, María Carla; Dallabona, Cristina; Manfredini, Matteo; Giordano, Rocco; Capriotti, Camilla; González Villar, Alberto Jacobo; Triñanes Pego, Yolanda; Arendt Nielsen, Lars; Carrillo de la Peña, María Teresa; Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. Departamento de Psicoloxía Clínica e Psicobioloxía; Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. Departamento de Psicoloxía Social, Básica e Metodoloxía; Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. Instituto de Psicoloxía (IPsiUS)
The single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs4680 in the catechol-O-methyltransferase gene (COMT) is a missense variant (Val158Met) associated with altered activity of the COMT enzyme and suggested as a predictive feature for developing some chronic pain conditions. However, there are controversial results on its role in fibromyalgia (FM). Here, the SNP Val158Met was analyzed in 294 FM patients (without comorbidities) and 209 healthy controls (without chronic pain). The concurrent impact of Val158Met genotypes and FM comorbid disorders (depression and sleep impairment) on FM risk were tested. In addition, the genotypic distribution of FM patients in relation to pain intensity was evaluated. The G allele (Val) resulted in being more represented in the FM group (57.8%) compared with the control group (48.8%; P = 0.037). Logistic regression highlighted that having the G/G (Val/Val) homozygous genotype was associated with 2 times higher risk of having FM compared with the A/A (Met/Met) carriers (P = 0.038), whereas depression and sleep impairment increased FM risk by 12 and 8 times, respectively (P < 0.001). However, considering only the FM patient group, the A/A homozygous genotype was significantly associated with severe pain intensity (P = 0.007). This study highlighted associations between the SNP Val158Met and both FM and pain intensity, suggesting a link between dopaminergic dysfunction and vulnerability to chronic pain. Further studies should explore this SNP in FM patients in conjunction with COMT enzymatic activity and other symptoms connected with the dopaminergic system such as depression or sleep impairment
A new measure to assess psychopathic personality in children: the child problematic traits inventory
(Springer, 2014) Colins, Olivier; Andershed, Henrik; Frogner, Louise; López-Romero, Laura; Veen, Violaine; Andershed, Anna-Karin; Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. Departamento de Psicoloxía Clínica e Psicobioloxía; Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. Instituto de Psicoloxía (IPsiUS)
Understanding the development of psychopathic personality from childhood to adulthood is crucial for understanding the development and stability of severe and long-lasting conduct problems and criminal behavior. This paper describes the development of a new teacher rated instrument to assess psychopathic personality from age three to 12, the Child Problematic Traits Inventory (CPTI). The reliability and validity of the CPTI was tested in a Swedish general population sample of 2,056 3- to 5-year-olds (mean age = 3.86; SD = .86; 53 % boys). The CPTI items loaded distinctively on three theoretically proposed factors: a Grandiose-Deceitful Factor, a Callous-Unemotional factor, and an Impulsive-Need for Stimulation factor. The three CPTI factors showed reliability in internal consistency and external validity, in terms of expected correlations with theoretically relevant constructs (e.g., fearlessness). The interaction between the three CPTI factors was a stronger predictor of concurrent conduct problems than any of the three individual CPTI factors, showing that it is important to assess all three factors of the psychopathic personality construct in early childhood. In conclusion, the CPTI seems to reliably and validly assess a constellation of traits that is similar to psychopathic personality as manifested in adolescence and adulthood
Delving into callous–unemotional traits in a Spanish sample of adolescents: Concurrent correlates and early parenting precursors
(Springer Nature, 2015) López-Romero, Laura; Romero Triñanes, Estrella; Gómez Fraguela, Xosé Antón; Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. Departamento de Psicoloxía Clínica e Psicobioloxía; Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. Instituto de Psicoloxía (IPsiUS)
Considering the relevance of the affective dimension of the psychopathic personality in developmental and predictive models of youth conduct problems, the Inventory of Callous-Unemotional traits (ICU) has been developed as a reliable and effective measure of callous–unemotional traits (CU) in childhood and adolescence. The main purpose of the present study was to examine the relevance of CU traits, measured through the parent and self-report versions of the ICU, in a Spanish sample of 138 adolescents aged 12–17. Moreover, we analyzed the potential contribution of early parenting practices, measured in a six-year earlier study, to adolescent CU traits. Assuming the three factor structure validated in previous research (callousness, uncaring and unemotional), results showed the expected associations of ICU scales and other psychopathic and more general personality traits, as well as with a wide range of external behavioral and psychosocial criteria. At the subscale level, relevant distinctive associations were observed, with some problems detected on the unemotional subscale. Finally, interesting preliminary associations were identified among early parenting practices and adolescent CU traits, with the highest levels of CU observed in youths from authoritarian families. Those results support the usefulness of the ICU in adolescent samples, highlighting the relevance of CU traits in relation to adolescent behavioral and psychosocial adjustment as well as the role of early parenting practices in, and providing a new international scope on the topic
Assessing the stability of psychopathic traits: adolescent outcomes in a six-year follow-up
(Cambridge University Press, 2014-12-22) López-Romero, Laura; Romero Triñanes, Estrella; Villar Torres, Paula; Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. Departamento de Psicoloxía Clínica e Psicobioloxía; Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. Instituto de Psicoloxía (IPsiUS)
Previous research has shown the relevance of psychopathic traits as predictors of severe and persistent antisocial behavior. Given that personality traits refer to developmental constructs, the main purposes of this study were to analyze the stability of psychopathic traits from childhood to adolescence, and to examine differential outcomes derived from distinctive pathways of stability and change. Data was collected in a Spanish sample of 138 children aged 6–11 at the onset of the study (T1), and 12–17 in the subsequent follow-up conducted 6 years later (T2). The stability of psychopathic traits was assessed in terms of differential continuity (rank-order), absolute stability (mean-level) and individual-level change (Reliable Change Index). Results confirmed that psychopathic traits remained moderately to highly stable from childhood to adolescence (p < .001). There were, however, some differences depending on the informant (parents vs. teachers) and the particular assessment method used (rank order vs. mean-level and RCI). A stable high and an increasing developmental pattern of psychopathic traits were related with severe adolescent behavioral and psychosocial problems (ŋ² = .10–.36). These results support the usefulness of youth psychopathic personality as a developmental construct, and highlight its relevance as a predictor of long-lasting maladjustment, with relevant implications in terms of prevention and treatment

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