The smartphone revolution has placed powerful, multipurpose devices in the hands of youth across the globe, prompting worries about the potential negative consequences of these technologies on mental health. Many assessment tools have been created, seeking to classify individuals into problematic and non-problematic smartphone users. These are identified using a cutoff value: a threshold, within the scale range, at which higher scores are expected to be associated with negative outcomes. Lacking a clinical assessment of individuals, the establishment of this threshold is challenging. We illustrate this difficulty by calculating cutoff values for the Short Version of the Smartphone Addiction Scale (SAS-SV) in 13 Spanish-speaking samples in 11 countries, using common procedures (i.e., reliability, validity, ROC methodology). After showing that results can be very heterogeneous (i.e., they lead to diverse cutoff points and rates of addiction) depending on the decisions made by the researchers, we call for caution in the use of these classifications, particularly when researchers lack a clinical definition of true addiction—as is the case with most available scales in the field of behavioral addictions—which can cause an unnecessary public health alert.

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the lives of millions of people worldwide. This study aimed to analyze the effects of several psychological factors (self-esteem, self-control, and emotional stability) over lifestyle-related variables (time spent on leisure activities) and the levels of satisfaction (family, friends, work, and leisure satisfaction) experienced during the COVID-19 outbreak. Data for this article were retrieved as part of a cross-sectional international study conducted in eleven Spanish-speaking countries between March and September 2020. The analyses were conducted using the responses of 9500 persons (65.95% women, 34.05% men). Structural equation modeling was used to test the direct and indirect effects of the psychological variables on satisfaction variables mediated by the time engaged in leisure activities. Our model indicated that psychological factors significantly predicted the amount of time spent in leisure activities and satisfaction. Overall, results indicate that self-esteem is a relevant psychological factor to consider in the development of psychological interventions directed at promoting healthy lifestyles. Nevertheless, further research is needed to validate the direction of the associations found in this study.

ABTSRACT Relational reflexivity (RR) is an increasingly important aspect in order to understand the agency of individuals and the couple’s life, particularly in postmodern society. This mixed-methods research aimed to observe different dimensions of RR in 32 couples (25–40 years), married or cohabiting with at least one child, during the process of building the “we.” Quantitative instruments (Perspective Taking Scale, Couple Generativity Scale, Quality of Marriage Index) together with semi-structured interviews with the administration of projective instruments (the family line and IOS scale) were used to collect information about this process. With the first set of results, the couples were classified into 3 groups with different levels of relational reflexivity (high, medium, and low). Each group had specific dynamics and ways to deal with the challenges of life as a couple. The construction of the “we” was a common process for all of them influenced by structural elements (marriage, cohabitation number of children and relationship duration) but couples differed in their communication processes, social resources, intergenerational relationships and ways of managing stressors. This study provides an innovative assessment of couples, based on their reflexivity, and suggestions for the development of new kinds of intervention to foster couple reflexivity.

Developing a coherent sense of self and establishing a long-term relationship are two developmental tasks during emerging adulthood. Guided by psychosocial developmental theory, this study explores the associations between relational identity processes (commitment, in-depth exploration, reconsideration of commitments) and relationship outcomes (satisfaction and stability) using a large sample of Spanish emerging adults in a romantic relationship. Results revealed that commitment as part of relational identity is associated with higher relationship satisfaction and stability, while reconsideration of commitments is associated with lower relationship satisfaction and stability. Gender acted as a moderator between in-depth exploration and relationship outcomes, with males reporting more positive associations compared to females. This study expands identity theory by demonstrating how relational identity is crucial when understanding relationship outcomes in emerging adulthood.

Para prevenir el avance de la COVID-19, países como Ecuador adoptaron medidas de confinamiento obligatorio, el teletrabajo y la educación remota. Durante estos periodos, las personas recurrieron al uso de sus teléfonos móviles, al igual que a otros dispositivos, con el fin de informarse, socializar y trabajar. Este estudio buscó identificar los efectos del uso de estos dispositivos sobre los niveles de malestar psicológico. Se reclutó una muestra de 766 personas quienes respondieron una encuesta en línea durante la primera fase de confinamiento por COVID-19 en Ecuador. Los resultados sugieren que las personas estuvieron aproximadamente 9.75 horas al día conectadas a sus dispositivos tecnológicos, incluido el teléfono móvil. Igualmente, se encontró que el nivel de malestar de las personas aumenta conforme incrementa el uso problemático del teléfono móvil, el número total de minutos empleados por día conectados a dispositivos tecnológicos y el número de minutos empleados en redes sociales. Asimismo, el uso problemático del teléfono móvil, usarlo para distraerse de algo incómodo y para expresar o buscar afecto se asociaron con mayores niveles en cuanto al grado de malestar de los participantes. Por el contrario, el uso del teléfono móvil para hacer compras en línea y percibir mayores niveles de control del uso se asoció con una disminución del malestar. Se discuten las implicaciones de estos hallazgos a la luz de las condiciones actuales de la pandemia, las nuevas variantes del coronavirus y las cuarentenas obligatorias para aquellas personas diagnosticadas con el virus.

This article examines how young people in Spain perceive and navigate the transition to adulthood, drawing on qualitative data from 30 in-depth interviews with individuals aged 18 to 32. The study uses a phenomenological approach to examine how Spanish youth define adulthood and identify role models, considering the interplay between individualization and individualism. Findings reveal that while some associate adulthood with opportunities, most emphasize its burdens— the demands, responsibilities, obligations, and the weight of decision-making. This “life is hard” narrative reflects a strong sense of uncertainty and pressure to construct an adult identity without clear societal benchmarks, illustrating the structural impact of individualization. While younger participants tended to associate adulthood with newfound freedoms, the oldest cohort highlighted solitude, acceptance, and the emotional weight of obligations. Gender differences also emerged: women were more likely to stress emotional regulation, care for others, and responsibility, while men more frequently emphasized bravery, risk-taking, and stepping outside one’s comfort zone. Despite individualistic discourse around self-sufficiency, participants often cited parents, particularly mothers, as role models of empathy and strength. By analyzing the overlapping yet distinct effects of structural individualization and cultural individualism, this study helps frame the tensions and difficulties experienced by young people in Spain. It challenges deficit-based narratives of youth “failing to grow up,” showing instead how young Spaniards actively negotiate adulthood and proposing a shift to a more relational perspective. This contributes to broader youth studies by illuminating how social and cultural context shape the experience of becoming an adult in late modern societies.