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Eye-tracking techniques are widely used to analyze user behavior. While eye-trackers collect valuable quantitative data, the results are often described in a qualitative manner due to the lack of a model that interprets the gaze trajectories generated by routine tasks, such as reading or comparing two products. The aim of this work is to propose a new quantitative way to analyze gaze trajectories (scanpaths) using machine learning. We conducted a within-subjects study (N = 30) testing six different tasks that simulated specific user behaviors in web sites (attentional, comparing two images, reading in different contexts, and free surfing). We evaluated the scanpath results with three different classifiers (long short-term memory recurrent neural network—LSTM, random forest, and multilayer perceptron neural network—MLP) to discriminate between tasks. The results revealed that it is possible to classify and distinguish between the 6 different web behaviors proposed in this study based on the user's scanpath. The classifier that achieved the best results was the LSTM, with a 95.7% accuracy. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to provide insight about MLP and LSTM classifiers to discriminate between tasks. In the discussion, we propose practical implications of the study results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gambling is becoming increasingly frequent and problematic, especially due to the explosion of online alternatives. Evaluating the severity of gambling symptomatology is therefore more important than ever. However, innovations in the gambling field have generally focused on its treatment rather than its evaluation. The Gambling Symptom Assessment Scale (G-SAS) is a well-established measure of gambling-related symptomatology (e.g., gambling urges, gambling-related thoughts and behaviours, and interpersonal functioning). The aim of this study is to validate a Spanish adaptation of the G-SAS so that individual differences in gambling symptomatology can be assessed by clinicians and researchers. The internal structure of the G-SAS was investigated using an exploratory factor analysis with a sample of 364 individuals from the general population in Spain (mean age = 28.84 years, SD = 11.73; 54% males). A four-factor structure was preferred considering fit indices (Chi-square = 22.62, p =.162, RMSEA = 0.030, CFI = 0.998, TLI = 0.995) and internal consistency estimates (0.67 ≤ α ≤ 0.89). The factors were labelled gambling-related symptoms, control of gambling urges/thoughts, interference, and arousal. Regarding construct validity, the four factors of the G-SAS were positively and significantly (all p <.001) correlated with measures of problematic gambling severity (0.40 ≤ r ≤.73), problematic gambling diagnostic (0.40 ≤ r ≤.67), gambling cognitions (0.48 ≤ r ≤.57), impulsivity (0.26 ≤ r ≤.42), anxiety (0.22 ≤ r ≤.38), and depression (0.16 ≤ r ≤.42), and negatively with quality of life (-0.24 ≤ r≤-.42). In sum, this study provides Spanish clinicians and researchers with a tool that serves to assess the status of individuals in relation to gambling symptomatology, which can be used to screen for at-risk profiles and evaluate treatment response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The prevalence of emotional disorders has increased in recent times. Emotional Reasoning (ER), which is a transdiagnostic process, occurs when feelings, rather than objective evidence, are used as a source of information to make judgements about the valence of a situation. Differences in ER may explain the existence and maintenance of emotional disorders. The objective is to systematically review the role of ER in the occurrence and severity of emotional disorders. Following PRISMA guidelines, we searched through: PubMed, PsycInfo, Scopus and The Cochrane Library. Search terms were "Emotional Reasoning", "ex-consequentia reasoning", "Affect-as-information"; and "emotional disorders", "anxiety", "depression", "depressive". Nine articles were included. An association was demonstrated between ER and a greater degree of anxious symptomatological severity. In depressive symptomatology, no significant differences were found. One study reported the effect of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy on ER bias, finding no changes after the intervention. Finally, another study evaluated the efficacy of computerised experiential training in reducing ER bias, showing significant differences. There are few studies on ER and its evolution in research has not been uniform over time. Encouragingly, though, research to date suggests that ER is a transdiagnostic process involved in several anxiety disorders. More investigation is needed to dilucidate whether ER also underlies the onset and maintenance of depressive disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anxiety disorders are very frequent during pregnancy. Anxiety control is a generalized psychological vulnerability for its development. The aim of this study is to explore the psychometric properties of the Anxiety Control Questionnaire Revised (ACQ-R) in Spanish pregnant women. 275 women responded to measures of anxiety, depression, affect, and quality of life. The original three-factor solution of the ACQ-R (emotional, threat, and stress control) was replicated by confirmatory analysis. The model fit improved when item 15 was changed from the emotional to the stress scale. Significant associations between ACQ-R scores and depression, anxiety, affect, and quality of life were found. During pregnancy, the measurement of risk factors for the development of anxiety disorders is needed. The ACQ-R is a short and valid instrument that assesses anxiety control perception during pregnancy, which can be a mechanism underlying anxiety progression, and hence a potential target for treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of an online psychological intervention for individuals with gambling-related problems, supported by ecological momentary assessments and interventions (EMAs and EMIs), along with weekly phone-calls, before conducting a randomized controlled trial. Participants were required to complete 3 of the 8 modules of the program based on cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and extensions and innovations of CBT. The study measured the outcomes of feasibility (i.e., reach, appropriateness, technology literacy and technology usability, fidelity, and adherence). In terms of reach, 19.8% (n = 11) of the initial population met the inclusion criteria and completed the three modules (mean age = 41; 90.9% men). The perceived appropriateness and the technology usability after the first use were both excellent, fidelity and adherence to the online treatment (73.3%) were adequate. Adherence to the EMAs and the weekly phone calls were more modest (54.51% and 66.67%, respectively). The results of the present study show that an online treatment for gambling problems enhanced by EMA and EMI might be feasible but challenges were noted in terms of reach and adherence to these assessments and calls. These challenges are important to consider for future trials and the scalability of treatments for individuals with gambling disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study is to evaluate the evolution of pain through pregnancy until after delivery, as well as to explore the mediating role of pregnancy worries in this evolution of pain. We conducted a longitudinal cohort study. The convenience sample was evaluated on four separate occasions: in the first trimester of pregnancy (pain), during the third trimester (pain and worry), during labor (pain), and after birth (< 24 h; pain). The final sample included 120 pregnant women with a mean age of 31.29 years (SD = 4.9; range = [22, 42 years]). The results evidenced changes in pain over time (F = 13.31, p <.001). Pain severity increased in the third trimester compared to the first trimester (t = − 4.60; 95% CI = [− 1.31, − 0.52]; p <.001), while pain during the third trimester and pain after delivery were comparable (t = − 0.94; 95% CI = [− 1.02, 0.36]; p =.35). Pain during labor was uncorrelated with all other pain measures, so it was not included in the model. The results of the mediation analyses indicated a total effect of pain during pregnancy (first and third trimester) and worry on pain severity after delivery (B = 0.35; SE = 0.14; t = 2.43; 95% CI = [0.06, 0.65]; p =.017). Pregnancy worries (B = 0.14; SE = 0.07; 95% CI = [0.06, 0.29]), but not pain during the third trimester (B = 0.03; SE = 0.12; 95% CI = [− 0.17, 0.31]) mediated the relationship between pain during the first trimester and pain after delivery. These results support the need to reduce worry in pregnant mothers, especially when pain during the first trimester is high, to reduce the risk of pain after delivery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fibromyalgia (FM) is a highly disabling condition characterized by widespread chronic pain. Physical exercise, such as walking, has been recommended as the treatment of choice for FM. However, adherence to physical exercise tends to be poor. Pain is one of the main inhibitors to adhere to walking in FM patients. The main objective of this study has been to determine whether there is a clinical and psychosocial profile to help predict individual differences in adherence to walking in a sample of patients with FM with severe pain levels. In this cross-sectional study, the sample was composed of 172 women with FM and severe pain levels (> 7 in an 11-point numerical scale). Women were classified into two groups: (1) those who walked regularly and (2) patients who rarely or never walked. Group differences regarding clinical outcomes (e.g., FM impact, anxiety, depression, cognitive fusion, catastrophizing, affect, and personality), sociodemographic variables, and medical history were analyzed. Patients who walked despite pain significantly reported less impact of FM, anxiety, depression, catastrophizing, cognitive fusion, negative affect, openness to experience, agreeableness, and conscientiousness. The unique predictors of group membership (walking versus no walking) in a binary regression were FM impact and negative affect. The results show that adherence to exercise might be influenced and predicted by the clinical profile of the patient, which suggests that personalized motivational interventions should be addressed to this at-risk subgroup. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Early experiences appear to influence the sense of unpredictability and uncontrollability of both life events and emotions in vulnerable individuals. The perception of low control has been considered a general psychological vulnerability factor in emotional disorders. One of the most commonly used measures of perceived control is the Anxiety Control Questionnaire-Revised (ACQ-R). However, its internal structure has shown structural inconsistencies among several studies finding two or three factors. Our aim is to analyze the internal structure of the Portuguese adaptation of the ACQ-R in a general population sample of 267 individuals, in a confirmatory way, as well as to explore sources of validity evidence (i.e., correlations with the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales and the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule). A three-factor solution showed the best data fit(χ2 = 150.12, degrees of freedom = 87, p <.0001, Root Mean Square Error Approximation = 0.052, 90% Confidence Interval = 0.038–0.066, Confirmatory Fit Index = 0.935, Tucker Lewis Index = 0.921). We found moderate positive correlations between the ACQ-R dimensions and anxiety, depression, stress, and negative affect, as well as between small and moderate negative associations with positive affect. All measures presented satisfactory Cronbach alphas (from.77 to.92). The Portuguese version of the ACQ-R showed good psychometric properties and the same internal structure of its original version. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Posttraumatic stress (PTSD) and depression (PPD) are common mental disorders in the postpartum that constitute a threat both to the mother and the baby. It is unclear whether both disorders share similar antecedents, which is important to plan efficient interventions. The goal of this study was to examine the contribution of set of biopsychosocial predictors on both PTSD and PPD.Methods: The study design was prospective. The study was conducted at Hospital Universitario de Fuenlabrada, a public university hospital located in the south of Madrid (Spain). The sample was composed of 116 pregnant women with low pregnancy risk. STROBE reporting guidelines were followed.Results: The multivariate results show that psychopathology severity assessed during the first trimester (ß = 0.50, p < .001) and the Apgar score 5 min after delivery (ß = - 0.19, p = .030) were the two variables to significantly contribute to postpartum depressive symptoms. Conversely, only satisfaction with home care after delivery was independently associated with postpartum posttraumatic stress (ß = - 0.26, p = .016). The proposed model explained 21.8% of the variance of postpartum depressive symptoms (p = .041) and 27.1% of the variance of posttraumatic stress symptoms (p = .014).Conclusion: Special attention should be given to shared and unique predictive factors of PDD and PTSD to develop effective prevention programs in perinatal care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The quality of life (QoL) of children and adolescents with cleft lip/palate (CL/P) has been shown to be a predictor of good psychosocial functioning in this population group. This study aimed to measure QoL, from the patient´s perception of change produced by the different surgical and orthodontic treatments carried out since early childhood, and if gender and age are modulating the outcome variables results. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional research study was carried out. The study included 60 patients with cleft lip, cleft palate, or cleft lip/palate, aged between 8 and 18, who were in orthodontic treatment and had undergone at least one surgery. They were asked to complete the Quality-of-Life Adolescent Cleft Questionnaire (QoLAdoCleft), which allows the assessment of the QoL through self-perception of improvement after surgical and orthodontic interventions. In particular, this questionnaire (administered only once), allows the evaluation of self-perception of QoL at the present time and before orthodontic and surgical treatment. This double assessment was carried out for the domains of physical, psychological, and social health. The results were analysed by looking at the interaction of gender and age. Results: Statistically significant differences were found in the perception of the current QoL in comparison to the retrospective perception in all the dimensions considered. The perception of QoL improved in all cases. The results also showed a moderation of gender in the relation between perception of previous behaviour and social function and actual behaviour and social function. Conclusion: The results indicated that patients perceived their quality of life had improved as a result of the treatments received, with the highest effect sizes found in the physical health domain. Specifically, the improvement in QoL in behaviour and social function tended to be influenced to a greater extent by perception of previous QoL. In this sense, personalized preventative measures from holistic and biopsychosocial approaches are necessary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, there has been increasing interest in gender perspectives in research. In this regard, the study of gender beliefs represents a growing field which has received considerable attention due to their significant societal and psychological impact. One important challenge faced by Spanish rational emotive behavioral therapy (REBT) clinicians is the dearth of instruments developed within an REBT framework to examine women's traditional gender beliefs. The O'Kelly women's beliefs scale (OWBS) has been used in many countries during the last decade to measure such beliefs. However, cross-cultural studies exploring the internal structure of the scale have yielded diverse factor structures and item distributions, arguably due to the exploratory nature of the analyses conducted. To address this issue and to explore whether an REBT-consistent structure was feasible, this study evaluated the psychometric properties of the OWBS in a Spanish sample. The participants were 1075 women aged between 18 and 83 years (mean age = 34.18, SD = 14.72). A confirmatory factor analysis revealed that an REBT-consistent 8-factor solution (4 irrational and 4 rational processes) presented an excellent absolute fit (RMSEA =.043, 90% CI RMSEA =.042,.044). The results support the use of both rational and irrational factors of the Spanish adaptation of the OWBS, as well as the consideration of the four inferences that originally guided the scale's development based on the REBT theory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Analyze the psychometric properties of a new measure for the assessment of the irrational beliefs proposed by Ellis in his model of Rational-Emotive-Behavioral Therapy (REBT): the Scale of Irrational Contents and Styles-Basics (SICS-B). The SICS-B evaluates the "contents" of the three basic irrational beliefs (Ap: Approval, Pe: Perfectionism, and Co: Comfort) in relation to the four different "styles" (inferences or processes of thought) in which they can be expressed (DEM: Demandingness, AWF: Awfulizing, FI: Frustration Intolerance, and CON: Condemnation). 259 respondents (79.5% women) undergraduates (63%) and (post)graduates (37%) between 18–63 years (M = 26.5, SD = 10.7). A set of 72 statements were drafted (half in a rational way) using a 5-point Likert scale to cover the three areas of content and the four styles of irrational thinking (3 × 4 subscales), of which to choose the three items of each area with highest psychometric indices and elaborate with them the definitive scale of 36 items. The reliability and validity study was carried out through a comparative item analysis (average inter-item correlations, item-total correlations) and internal consistency (Ordinal α) of each subscale, and confirmatory factor analyses of several models. The SICS-B presents good indices of internal consistency and content validity. Confirmatory factor analyses validate the 3 × 4 model in which the three specific contents of the irrational beliefs are integrated with the four main styles of irrational thinking as proposed by the REBT. The SICS-B is a reliable and valid short scale for the assessment of irrational beliefs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: According to a growing body of literature, people are quite inaccurate in recalling past affective experiences. Nevertheless, the mechanism underlying this recall bias (i.e., the tendency to overestimate and/or underestimate positive or negative past emotional experiences) remains unclear, and its association with mental health has not been studied yet. Methods: We adopted a smartphone-based Ecological Momentary Assessment to monitor daily affect (n = 92) and investigate the association between affect recall bias, mental health and resilience. Results: While the tendency to overestimate negative affective experiences was observed in participants reporting mild depressive symptoms, positive affect (PA) overestimation as compared to PA underestimation was associated with better mental health (i.e. higher psychological well-being and lower depressive and anxiety symptoms) through the enhancement of resilience. Furthermore, positively biased participants (i.e. PA over estimators) benefited from greater well-being, even when compared to accurate individuals. Conclusions: While people appear to use retrospective PA overestimation as a strategy to enhance well-being and resilience, they are not likely to underestimate past negative experiences to feel better. Accordingly, owning an optimistic vision of the past may represent an adaptive "distortion" of reality that fosters people's mental health. The clinical implications of cultivating PA and learning strategies to regulate both negative and positive emotions are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

EhcoBUTLER is an Information and Communication Technology (ICT) solution funded by the European Union (H2020; ID: 643566) and intended especially for elderly people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) to improve their health, independence and quality of life, particularly at the social level. The purpose of this study is to assess the acceptability of ehcoBUTLER based on a survey delivered to potential users and actors involved in their care, exploring their expectations and preferences, while anticipating the system's functional requirements. The survey was delivered online to 313 participants (11% end users, 25% informal caregivers, 48% formal caregivers and 16% administration/management staff) from eight countries. Participants rated the different functionalities of ehcoBUTLER positively, 86.1% perceiving it as an interesting and useful system. Likewise, they assessed it as a commercially attractive product (75.1%). End users expressed a stronger preference for the social module. Nevertheless, they would be ready to pay a low monthly price for ehcoBUTLER. Professionals would be willing to pay choosing its functionalities modularly, but they would also expect it to be funded by the National Health System, centres or businesses. The conclusion is that all participants found ehcoBUTLER interesting, useful and ergonomic. However, to effectively implement it, it is necessary to bridge the digital gap and address the issue of insufficient investment in products aimed at older adults with cognitive impairment. To supplement cognitive training systems with social, emotional or entertainment functionalities could improve adherence to their use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Among the potential range of irrational beliefs that could be used as predictors of physical and mental health, catastrophizing is the process that has received most attention in chronic pain research. Other irrational processes such as demandingness, low frustration tolerance, and self-downing have rarely been studied. The goal of this study was to explore whether this wider range of beliefs is associated with health in chronic pain patients beyond catastrophizing. A total of 492 chronic pain patients completed a measure of irrational beliefs, a measure of physical and mental health, and a numerical rating scale designed to assess pain intensity and interference. Irrational processes were more strongly associated with mental than with physical health. Low frustration tolerance and self-downing were found to be significantly related to mental health even after controlling for the effect of catastrophizing. Processes other than catastrophizing appear to have potentially important relationships with the mental health of people with chronic pain. These results may offer new intervention targets for practitioners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]