Publications by authors named "Rafael Ballester-Arnal"

Gender identity and sexual orientation form fundamental characteristics of an individual's sexual identity and relate to patterns of physiological and neural activity involved in processing erotic or explicit sexual stimuli. To investigate this, we used high-density magnetoencephalography (MEG) to measure brain responses of hetero- and homosexual women and men to opposite- and same-sex erotic images, as well as sexually explicit images. Additionally, we administered pupillometry and subjective measures of hedonic valence and emotional arousal.

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Background: Sexting is a phenomenon that has transformed people's sexual interactions. Nevertheless, few studies have assessed these changes over time. The aim of this study was to analyze the differences in behaviors, motivations and attitudes towards sexting between two groups of young people assessed at two different times: 2017 (Sexting group; SG17) and 2023 (Sexting group; SG23).

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Sexual assertiveness (SA) is an important concept in understanding sexual well-being and decision-making. However, psychometric evaluation of existing measures of SA in diverse populations is largely lacking, hindering cross-cultural and comparative studies. This study validated the short version of the Sexual Assertiveness Questionnaire (SAQ-9) and examined its measurement invariance across several languages, countries, genders, sexual orientations, and relationship statuses among 65,448 sexually-active adults ( = 32.

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Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the reliability and validity of the Binge Eating Disorder Screener-7 (BEDS-7) across 42 countries and 26 languages, assessing its reliability and validity as a screening tool for binge-eating disorder (BED) in diverse cultural contexts. Specifically, it sought to enhance early recognition of BED symptoms in primary care settings globally, contributing to a standardized framework for assessing BED.

Method: The International Sex Survey, a cross-sectional online study, was conducted in 42 countries and 26 languages.

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Introduction: Affective-sexual education is essential for all people, regardless of their intellectual capacity. However, people with intellectual disabilities, and especially those with conceptual, social, and practical limitations, may face additional challenges. In this study, we evaluate the effectiveness of the Saludiversex-M affective-sexual education program for people with moderate intellectual disabilities using a controlled trial design.

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Sexual desire is a complex construct with important implications for sexual functioning and well-being. In this research, we translated the Sexual Desire Inventory (SDI-2), a widely used scale for assessing sexual (desire), into 25 languages from English and used data from the International Sex Survey (ISS) to (a) investigate its psychometric properties (i.e.

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Child sexual abuse (CSA) often has serious implications for the victims. The scientific literature reflects a diversity of sequelae that may appear in the short and long term. Interpersonal difficulties have been shown to be one of the most common consequences.

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Family reactions to coming out can affect the mental health of individuals who disclose their sexual orientation or gender identity. Therefore, it is important to have an appropriate tool to assess them. The Perceived Parental Reactions Scale (PPRS) assessed perceived parental reactions to the disclosure of gay, lesbian, or bisexual sexual orientation by their children.

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The UPPS-P Impulsive Behavior Model and the various psychometric instruments developed and validated based on this model are well established in clinical and research settings. However, evidence regarding the psychometric validity, reliability, and equivalence across multiple countries of residence, languages, or gender identities, including gender-diverse individuals, is lacking to date. Using data from the International Sex Survey ( = 82,243), confirmatory factor analyses and measurement invariance analyses were performed on the preestablished five-factor structure of the 20-item short version of the UPPS-P Impulsive Behavior Scale to examine whether (a) psychometric validity and reliability and (b) psychometric equivalence hold across 34 country-of-residence-related, 22 language-related, and three gender-identity-related groups.

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Background: The three-item Sexual Distress Scale (SDS-3) has been frequently used to assess distress related to sexuality in public health surveys and research on sexual wellbeing. However, its psychometric properties and measurement invariance across cultural, gender and sexual subgroups have not yet been examined. This multinational study aimed to validate the SDS-3 and test its psychometric properties, including measurement invariance across language, country, gender identity, and sexual orientation groups.

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Research on child sexual abuse (CSA) has increased in recent decades. However, the study of gender differences in this field is still scarce. The aim of this study was to analyze the differences in the characterization of CSA between Spanish adult men and women.

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In recent years, the number of programs to improve sex education for people with intellectual disabilities has increased. However, in most cases, these programs do not provide any evidence of their impact. In the present study we analyzed the effectiveness of the SALUDIVERSEX affective-sexual education program for people with intellectual disabilities using a controlled trial design.

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Background: Depression and anxiety are among the most prevalent mental health issues experienced worldwide. However, whereas cross-cultural studies utilize psychometrically valid and reliable scales, fewer can meaningfully compare these conditions across different groups. To address this gap, the current study aimed to psychometrically assess the Brief Symptomatology Index (BSI) in 42 countries.

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Objective: We analyzed adult ADHD symptoms in a cross-cultural context, including investigating the occurrence and potential correlates of adult ADHD and psychometric examination of the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS) Screener.

Method: Our analysis is based on a large-scale research project involving 42 countries =72,627, 57% =32.84; =12.

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Introduction: Despite being a widely used screening questionnaire, there is no consensus on the most appropriate measurement model for the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT). Furthermore, there have been limited studies on its measurement invariance across cross-cultural subgroups, genders, and sexual orientations.

Aims: The present study aimed to examine the fit of different measurement models for the AUDIT and its measurement invariance across a wide range of subgroups by country, language, gender, and sexual orientation.

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Background: The impact of the COVID-19 on the well-being of people with intellectual disabilities (PID) has been little studied.

Methods: We analyzed its impact with a cohort study quantitatively analyzing anxiety, depression, organic symptoms, quality of life, and support needs in 24 PID, aged 19-74 years (x¯ 40, σ = 13.09), living in a residential center, before, during, and after the pandemic.

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Background: A positive conception of sexuality among people with intellectual disabilities is crucial and relies on several social and interpersonal contexts. The goal of this study is to analyse the interaction and impact of three different contextual groups: individuals with intellectual disabilities, their parents, and professionals working with them.

Methods: Survey data were collected from 330 people with intellectual disabilities attending occupational centres in eastern Spain, 330 parents, and 100 professionals.

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