Substance abuse is a major and prevalent public health concern among university students. Tobacco smoking, risky alcohol behavior, and illegal drug consumption may lead to health problems and behavioral and academic issues. Several individual and environmental factors associate with substance abuse in this population, and the mediating effect of alcohol abuse in the relationship between tobacco smoking and drug consumption is yet to be explored. The purposes of this study were to evaluate the association of individual and environmental factors and substance use, and to analyze the relationship between tobacco smoking, alcohol abuse, and drug consumption, considering alcohol abuse as a possible mediator. A total of 550 Spanish undergraduate and postgraduate students completed several questionnaires regarding their smoking status, alcohol use, and drug consumption during the last six months. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to explore associations between factors. Direct, indirect and mediating effects were tested using a partial least squares approach (PLS-SEM). The results indicated that substance abuse is associated with being male, living with other students, and combined substance consumption. PLS-SEM showed a significant effect of tobacco smoking and alcohol abuse on drug consumption. Alcohol abuse plays a mediating role in the relationship between tobacco smoking and drug use.

Satisfaction with life (SWL) and subjective vitality (SV) are indicators of subjective well-being and quality of life. University students are at risk of low levels of subjective well-being, and therefore it is necessary to have properly validated tools to assess SWL and SV in this population. The aim of this study was to test the psychometric properties of the satisfaction with life scale (SWLS) and subjective vitality scale (SVS) in Spanish university students. Participants were 435 undergraduate students enrolled in 50 different courses (M = 20.9 years, SD = 2.1; female students = 71.2%). Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to test the structure of the scales. Internal consistency, criterion and discriminant validity were also evaluated. Results confirmed the 5-item model of the SWLS (NNFI = 0.975, CFI = 0.987, RMSEA = 0.076) and the six-item model of the SVS (NNFI = 0.980, CFI = 0.988, RMSEA = 0.102). Internal consistency was excellent in both scales. The SWLS and the SVS were significantly associated, and students with low self-esteem showed lower SWL and SV, indicating good criterion and discriminant validity. These findings support the use of the SWLS and SVS for the assessment of subjective well-being in higher education context.

(1) Background: Several sensory questionnaires aimed at analyzing sensory reactivity problems in children are available in Spain; however, knowledge about whether these questionnaires can obtain equivalent results is lacking. The purpose of this study was to examine the convergent validity of two sensory questionnaires available for the Spanish population (Spain): Sensory Profile-2 (SP-2) and Sensory Processing Measure (SPM). (2) Methods: This study involved a sample of 116 children between the ages of 5 and 12 years with sensory integration differences and concerns with participation in daily activities. A Pearson’s correlation coefficient was calculated along with the significance for this test. (3) Results: Correlations between SP-2 and SPM subscales ranged from r = 0.127 (p. 174) to r = 0.674 (p < 0.001). Correlations between sensory factors analyzing the same sensory systems ranged from r = 0.401 (p < 0.001) to r = 0.674 (p < 0.001) for body position/body awareness and hearing, respectively. (4) Conclusions: There is adequate convergent validity between the SPM and the SP-2 for the Spanish population in most sensory factors. The results support the use of both sensory questionnaires with the Spanish population.

Sensory issues impact participation and are frequent in people with schizophrenia. To provide clinicians in Spain with reliable and valid tools to assess sensory integration in adult mental health, we analyzed the internal reliability and discriminant validity of Adolescent/Adult Sensory Profile (AASP-Spain). Cross-sectional descriptive study that analyzed internal reliability (Cronbach’s Alpha; n = 434 neurotypical) and discriminant validity (n = 18 schizophrenia; n = 54 neurotypical). Cronbach’s Alpha for AASP categories ranged from 0.69 to 0.73. Individuals with schizophrenia had higher scores (more problems) than controls in the three categories. The AASP-Spain offers promising internal reliability and discriminant validity.

Introduction: People experiencing homelessness (PEH) often live in adverse and changing environments and have high rates of mental illness and social exclusion, factors that could influence information processing. However, it is unknown whether these conditions could be related to sensory processing problems. Objectives: Analyse sensory processing in PEH. Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted with 150 participants (mean age of 47.43 ± 10.94 years), using the Adult/Adolescent Sensory Profile and a sociodemographic questionnaire. Results. PEH aged 18–64 showed significantly higher scores in low registration (M = 36.9), sensory sensitivity (M = 41.1) and sensation avoiding (M = 45.5) compared to the control group (p < 0.001), suggesting a distinct form of sensory processing in this population. Discussion: These results may be linked to factors such as chronic exposure to unpredictable and stressful situations, as well as to the presence of diverse mental health issues. Conclusion: It is important to consider the sensory characteristics of this population when designing person-centered interventions, in order to reduce social isolation and promote self-regulation strategies, environmental adaptation and greater occupational participation.

Importance: Sensory seeking (SS) is a behavior in which individuals actively pursue intense sensory experiences. It is commonly described in autistic children and those with other neurodevelopmental differences, as well as in typically developing individuals. Despite its prevalence, there is controversary regarding the underpinnings of this behavior. Objective: To determine whether, as proposed in Dunn’s model, SS is related to poor sensory registration in typical adolescents and adults. Design: A correlational study examining relationships among factors in Dunn’s model. Setting: Schools, universities, occupational centers, and private organizations for adolescents and adults. Participants: Typically developing, Spanish-speaking adolescents and adults (>11 yr, n = 787). Method: Pearson correlation coefficients were used to examine relationships between SS and poor sensory registration on the Spanish version of Adolescent/Adult Sensory Profile. Results: A nonsignificant relationship (r = .004) was found between SS and poor sensory registration. Other sensory reactivity patterns showed some positive relationships. Conclusions and Relevance: SS and poor sensory registration pattern did not show strong relationships as suggested by Dunn’s model in this sample. These data suggest that alternate views of the underlying mechanisms of SS may be needed. Plain-Language Summary: Sensory seeking has been linked to sensory reactivity problems but also to other problems, such as poor praxis and poor sensory perception. This study presents new data showing an absent or weak relationship between sensory seeking and poor sensory registration patterns and proposes alternate models of viewing sensory reactivity patterns and sensory seeking behavior.