Traditionally, anxiety has been associated with a selective attentional bias for threat and a decreased capacity in attentional control. In two different experiments, we investigated whether individuals with different levels of self-reported state anxiety (Experiment 1) and induced anxiety (Experiment 2) had impaired response inhibition processes (attentional control deficit) as characterized by a different response style in the presence of negative stimuli under low and high perceptual load conditions. A go/no-go paradigm with emotional distractors (angry, happy, and neutral faces) was used to provide measures of perceptual sensitivity, inhibition, and response style. Our findings showed that perceptual sensitivity, as assessed by the d′ parameter of signal detection theory, was reduced in all participants for angry faces under low perceptual load, where enough perceptual resources were available to be attracted by distractors. Importantly, despite similar perceptual sensitivity, the beta parameter indicated that high state anxiety individuals in both experiments were less flexible at adjusting to task demands in the presence of angry face distractors by adopting a stricter criterion. Implications of findings are discussed within current models of attentional control in anxiety.

Introduction: The aim of the present research was to examine the role of affective information in the functioning of attentional networks in individuals with high vs. low trait or state anxiety. Previous studies suggest that anxiety can influence attentional processes, but the impact of affective information, such as alerting emotional stimuli, on these attentional networks remains unclear.Methods: We conducted a set of experiments using negative or neutral faces as alerting stimuli, presented either alone or together with a neutral sound, within a modified version of the Attention Network Test-Interactions (ANT-I). Additionally, data from previous experiments with similar anxiety groups and without affective manipulations of alertness were analyzed for comparative insights (378 participants in total).Results: Results showed three main effects on the functioning of attentional networks when affective alerting signals were introduced: (1) the alertness effect is increased, (2) the interference effect is increased, and (3) the orienting effect is decreased. These effects occurred regardless of the valence of the alerting stimuli on a given trial. Importantly, the presence of affective information on some trials eliminated the group differences regarding the functioning of the attentional networks that are usually found when no affective information is presented. Specifically, the larger interference effect commonly observed in individuals with high trait-anxiety and the larger alertness and orienting effects seen in those with high state-anxiety, disappeared when emotional alerting stimuli were included.Discussion: The findings suggest that emotional information can significantly impact the functioning of attentional networks, particularly in relation to anxiety. The presence of affective stimuli seems to modulate attentional biases associated with anxiety, potentially neutralizing the usual effects seen in individuals with high trait or state anxiety. The role of affective information on the functioning of the attentional networks is discussed within the framework of anxiety and attention.

Background/Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic and related public health measures significantly disrupted daily life, with profound consequences for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Young adults with ASD faced unique challenges due to disruptions in routines, employment instability, limited access to essential services, and increased social isolation. While some individuals benefited from reduced social pressures and the adoption of remote work, many experienced heightened anxiety, behavioral difficulties, and declines in autonomy. This systematic review examines the impact of the pandemic on young adults with ASD, focusing on key domains such as autonomy, employment, service accessibility, socialization, emotional regulation, and overall well-being. Methods: This review followed the PRISMA 2020 guidelines, and its protocol was pre-registered in the PROSPERO database. A search was conducted in four databases—PubMed, Scous, Web of Science, and PsycInfo—as well as in specialized journals in the field. Results: Eight studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the final synthesis. The findings highlight significant disruptions in daily life, increased dependence on caregivers, and difficulties in maintaining structured activities. However, technology-assisted interventions, including virtual therapies and remote work opportunities, played a role in mitigating some adverse effects. Conclusions: Despite the heterogeneity in methodologies, this review underscores the urgent need for targeted interventions to support young adults with ASD during crises. Future research should focus on long-term consequences and developing inclusive policies that enhance resilience, access to services, and social integration.

Traffic recidivism is a major contributor to road accidents, injuries, and fatalities, highlighting the need for effective interventions aimed at reducing risky driving behaviour. This study analyses objective records of traffic sanctions and penalty point losses to examine the long-term effectiveness (three-year follow-up) of official driving licence points recovery courses within the Spanish Points Penalty System (PPS) in preventing repeat traffic offences. The sample comprised 140 offender drivers who completed one of three official recovery courses: 55 attended a partial recovery course, 35 completed a full recovery course after losing all licence points, and 50 participated in a court-mandated recovery course. Objective data on traffic sanctions and penalty point losses were collected for the three years following course completion. Descriptive analyses indicated high overall recidivism. Data provided by the Dirección General de Tráfico (DGT) showed that 71.43% of participants received at least one traffic sanction, and 47.86% lost at least one penalty point during the follow-up period. However, reoffending patterns varied significantly across course types. Drivers attending partial recovery courses showed the highest recidivism, with 83.64% receiving at least one sanction and 72.73% losing penalty points. Participants in full recovery courses also exhibited high sanction rates (80%), although a substantially lower proportion experienced further point loss (28.57%). In contrast, drivers enrolled in court-mandated courses showed lower recidivism rates, with 52% receiving at least one sanction and 34% experiencing point loss. Overall, long-term reoffending was more strongly associated with the type of course attended than with sociodemographic characteristics or substance use. Court-mandated courses were associated with lower levels of sanctions and penalty point losses over the three-year follow-up, potentially reflecting the stronger legal consequences associated with these interventions. Full recovery courses showed patterns consistent with partial behavioural adaptation, with participants tending to shift towards less severe infractions rather than achieving full compliance. Finally, partial recovery courses appeared less effective, possibly due to lower perceived deterrent value or their use as a procedural mechanism for point restoration rather than as a rehabilitative intervention. From this perspective, the higher effectiveness of court-mandated courses may be explained not only by their educational and punitive components, but also by the broader legal consequences experienced by offenders, including community service orders or custodial sentences.