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Introduction: This study aimed to provide preliminary evidence on the psychometric properties of a measure of prospective memory in Spanish speakers, the Memory for Intentions Test (MIST) Spanish translation. Methods: In addition, this study investigated whether acculturation influenced performance on the MIST. Finally, we measured other cognitive factors that might be impacting the relationship between culture and prospective memory performance. These factors were working memory, autobiographical memory, and episodic future thought. Results: Overall, the psychometric properties of the Spanish MIST appear to be similar to the English language MIST, but our sample size was too small to allow for the creation of a normative database. The MIST recognition item was significantly related to years of education and years of speaking either Spanish or English. Discussion: This suggests a need to investigate ways to improve the test to eliminate these effects. In addition, acculturation was related to the measure of episodic future thought.

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Population affinity estimation is an important step in the identification of unknown individuals. To ensure accurate results, validation studies of newly developed methods must be performed using different target populations and skeletal elements. This research aimed to determine the accuracy and reliability of population affinity estimation on a modern Spanish sample using two online software applications. The sample consisted of 114 adult individuals (51 males, 63 females) using 38 measurements and one angle from the skull and mandible. AncesTrees was used for craniometric measurements and (hu)MANid for mandibular variables with different classification models and probability thresholds being evaluated. The required parameters were inputted for each individual and statistics were generated to assess the accuracy of the estimation. AncesTrees performed with the greatest accuracy as the program correctly classified the sample as Southwestern European or European, with highest accuracies being 54.56% (trial 1), 86.05% (trial 2), 82.61% (trial 3), 34.55% (trial 4) and 100% (trial 5). (hu)MANid correctly classified the sample as being from white origin with accuracies ranging from 70.59% to 80% without considering correct sex estimation, while accuracy ranged between 62.75% and 80% accounting for estimated sex. Population affinity estimation may determine subsequent methods used in the construction of the biological profile. Our results demonstrated varying accuracy rates depending on the element and method, offering a critical view in relation to software applicability and validity. Reference populations and intrinsic and extrinsic factors can potentially influence the method accuracy and reliability. Future research should focus on the inclusion of underrepresented groups.

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The objective of the current study was to adapt and validate the pure procrastination scale (PPS) for the Spanish adult population. Procrastination can have numerous consequences in daily life, making it essential to have reliable and valid instruments for measuring procrastination. Thus, this study was conducted to address this need. The sample consisted of 596 adults aged 18-83 years (M = 35.25, SD = 13.75). In addition to the PPS, participants completed two procrastination measures, namely the irrational procrastination scale and the decisional procrastination questionnaire, alongside the Big Five inventory and the satisfaction with life scale. The results of the confirmatory factor analysis revealed a three-factor structure of the PPS. The examination of the reliability of scores in terms of internal consistency and temporal stability showed satisfactory results for the PPS scores. Moreover, gender invariance was observed at the scalar level. Finally, the PPS scores correlated with other measures of procrastination, personality traits, and satisfaction with life in the expected direction and magnitude. In conclusion, the Spanish PPS offers valid and reliable scores when administered to adult population.

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BACKGROUND: The Frontal Assessment Battery is a short bedside test used to assess executive functions (EF). The aims of the present study were, first, to evaluate the psychometric proprieties of the Spanish version of the FAB (FAB-E) in a representative sample, and second, to establish cut-off points for impairment in executive function according to age and education level. METHODS: A sample of 798 healthy Spanish adult subjects aged 19 to 91 participated in this study. Neuropsychological assessment of participants was conducted using the FAB-E, Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Trail Making Test (TMT). We examined internal consistency, intraclass correlation, test-retest reliability, and concurrent and divergent validity. In addition, we established a cut-off point for detecting executive function impairment based on the 5th percentile by age group and education level. RESULTS: The analysis of the psychometric properties of the FAB-E showed good internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.60), intraclass correlation (0.72), test-retest reliability (0.70) and concurrent and divergent validity between the TMT (r = -0.523), MMSE (r = 0.426) and the FAB-E. The cut-off points for each age group were 16 points for the ≤ 29 group, 15 points for the 30-39 group, 14 points for the 40-49 and 50-59 groups, 12 points for the 60-69 group, and 10 points for the ≥ 70 age group. CONCLUSIONS: The psychometric analysis showed that the FAB-E has good validity and reliability. Thus, FAB-E may be a helpful tool to evaluate EF in a healthy Spanish population. In addition, this study provides information on reference data that will be very valuable for clinicians and researchers.

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Correct age-at-death estimation in adult individuals is one of the challenges of forensic investigation. Forensic anthropology macroscopic techniques are non-invasive methods for this purpose. However, several methods need to be applied to accurately estimate age, and the difference between chronological and predictive age may still be around ±10 years. New research trends are focused on the inherent process of aging, which produces changes in tissues and organs at different biochemical levels. One of the oldest and most studied approaches in this field is aspartic acid racemization. The accuracy of this technique in age estimation has been widely demonstrated. However, only a few studies have assessed its accuracy in different populations. The aim of this research was to assess the accuracy of aspartic acid racemization in a Spanish sample and its applicability to forensic cases. Dentin from fifteen third molars from two Spanish populations (ages 19-70 years old) was isolated and D and L forms of aspartic acid were detected through GC/MS, according to a previous published protocol. D/L ratios were calculated and after the application of a regression analysis, a formula for age estimation was developed. The results were similar to previous studies, obtaining an R = 0.91 between racemization ratios and age and a mean absolute error (MAE) between chronological and predictive age of 5 years. These results were ratified by leave-one-out cross-validation, as well as the application of the formula to five teeth of a known age. Despite these promising results, this technique is not exempt from drawbacks; thus, further studies are required to apply this methodology to forensic cases and to combine it with forensic anthropology findings.

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Languages around the world differ in terms of the number of adnominal and pronominal demonstratives they require, as well as the factors that impact on their felicitous use. Given this cross-linguistic variation in deictic demonstrative terms, and the features that determine their felicitous use, an open question is how this is accommodated within bilingual cognition and language. In particular, we were interested in the extent to which bilingual language exposure and practice might alter the way in which a bilingual is using deictic demonstratives in their first language. Recent research on language attrition suggests that L2 learning selectively affects aspects of the native language, with some domains of language competence being more vulnerable than others. If demonstratives are basic, and acquired relatively early, they should be less susceptible to change and attrition. This was the hypothesis we went on to test in the current study. We tested two groups of native Spanish speakers, a control group living in Spain and an experimental group living in Norway using the (Spatial) Memory game paradigm. Contra to our expectations, the results indicate a significant difference between the two groups in use of deictic terms, indicative of a change in the preferred number of terms used. This suggests that deictic referential systems may change over time under pressure from bilingual language exposure.

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BACKGROUND: Methylphenidate (MPH) is the most commonly used medication for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), but to date, there are neither consistent nor sufficient findings on conditions differentiating responsiveness to MPH response in ADHD. OBJECTIVE: To develop a predictive model of MPH response, using a longitudinal and naturalistic follow-up study, in a Spanish sample of children and adolescents with ADHD. METHODS: We included all children and adolescents with ADHD treated with MPH in our outpatient Clinic (2005 to 2015), evaluated with the K-SADS interview. We collected ADHD-RS-IV.es and CGI-S scores at baseline and at follow up, and neuropsychological testing (WISC-IV, Continuous Performance Test (CPT-II) & Stroop). Clinical response was defined as >30% reduction from baseline of total ADHD-RS-IV.es score and CGI-S final score of 1 or 2 maintained for the previous 3 months. RESULTS: We included 518 children and adolescents with ADHD, mean (SD) age of patients was 11.4 (3.3) years old; 79% male; 51.7% had no comorbidities; and 75.31% had clinical response to a mean MPH dose of 1.2 mg/kg/day. Lower ADHD-RS-IV.es scores, absence of comorbidities (oppositional-defiant symptoms, depressive symptoms and alcohol/cannabis use), fewer altered neuropsychological tests, higher total IQ and low commission errors in CPT-II, were significantly associated with a complete clinical response to methylphenidate treatment. CONCLUSION: Oppositional-defiant symptoms, depressive symptoms, and a higher number of impaired neuropsychological tests are associated with worse clinical response to methylphenidate. Other stimulants or non-stimulants treatment may be considered when these clinical and neuropsychological variables converged in the first clinical interview.

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Applications of job crafting are widespread in the professional practice. In an attempt to measure this phenomenon, Tims, Bakker and Derks (2012) developed a Job Crafting Scale based on the Job Demand-Resources model (JD-R) and validated it in a Dutch sample. However, its application to other cultural contexts presented some difficulties. The present work aimed to validate a shorter version of scale by Tims et al. (2012) in a Spanish sample (n = 1,647). The data were randomly split in two independent subsamples (Sample 1: Explorative; Sample 2: Confirmative). The exploratory factor analysis showed a three-factor structure. Through a confirmatory factor analysis, the four-dimensionality structure of the original scale was replicated. In fact, the four-factor solution presented better goodness of fit indices than the alternative one-factor model, χ2(48) = 192.70, p < .01; AGFI = .94; NNFI = .93; RMR = .05; RMSEA = .06. Alpha reliabilities were acceptable for increasing structural job resources (α = .75), decreasing hindering job demands (α = .64), increasing social job resources (α = .78) and increasing challenging job demands (α = .77). Convergent validity was appropriate for three of the four dimensions, because each construct's AVE were around .50 and each construct's Composite Reliability were around .70. Decreasing hindering job demands presented more limited values (CR = .65; AVE = .40). In addition, the four job crafting dimensions presented significant correlations with job performance (range -.09 to .42) and personal growth (ranging from -.09 to .45). Finally, the squared correlations between factors were lower than the square root of AVE, which confirmed discriminant validity.

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Resumen El objetivo de este estudio consistió en adaptar el cuestionario autoaplicado Empathy Quotient en población española. El cuestionario se aplicó a 471 estudiantes universitarios. Los análisis psicométricos mostraron un buen ajuste para una estructura factorial de 23 ítems en tres dimensiones, similar a la propuesta por otros autores. Además se encontraron valores adecuados de consistencia interna, así como correlaciones con otras medidas de empatía y de desempeño emocional. Se concluye que el EQ es una medida fiable y válida para evaluar empatía en muestras no clínicas, aunque se recomienda realizar una validación con una muestra más grande y heterogénea e incluir alguna medida de fiabilidad test-retest y de ejecución.

Abstract The aim of the study consisted of adapting the self-report questionnaire Empathy Quotient to the Spanish population. A sample of 471 university students answered the questionnaire. The psychometric analysis showed a good fit for 23-ítem three factor model, similar to those proposed by other authors. Furthermore, the internal consistency was adequated and correlations with other empathy and emotional measures were found. In conclusion, EQ is a reliable and valid measure to evaluate empathy in non clinical samples, but a validation with a larger and more heterogeneous sample is recommended, together with test-retest and ejecution measures.

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Estimating the forensic age of living individuals is ever more important in forensic practice, due to the ongoing increase of migratory flows, amongst other causes. Using the Greulich and Pyle method on a sample of 1150 individuals of the Spanish population (n = 560, 0-18 years for girls, and n = 590, 0-19 years for boys), the mean difference between the bone and chronological ages was obtained: 0.01 years (- 0.81, + 0.92) for girls and 0.33 years (- 1.15, + 0.34) for boys. For a same class of age and sex, the inherent variability was also evaluated: [Formula: see text] (0.41-1.25) for girls and [Formula: see text]years (0.36-1.76) for boys. To minimise systematic errors with regard to the reference population, adjustment factors are proposed for each age and sex. A sequential classification criterion based on decision trees is postulated to improve reliability in the prediction of maturity. Implementation of the decision criterion in three categories enables the doubtful individuals to be separated into the category of "undetermined" and to satisfactorily classify in the categories of "mature" and "under age": 0.96 (0.86-0.99) specificity; 1.00 (0.92-1.00) specificity; and 1.00 (0.92-1.00) predictive value.

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