Executive functions (EFs) have been identified as processes in the ability to select and apply adaptive strategies for coping with stress. This study compares executive functioning, short-term memory, and coping in a sample of young and older adults with no prior diagnosis of depression and with normal cognitive function ( N = 216). The study collected measures of depression, EFs, short-term memory, and coping. Young participants scored higher than older adults on EFs and short-term memory. Moreover, in young adults, there was a prevalence of avoidance coping strategies. Scores on depressive symptomatology were found to be related to avoidant coping strategies. Older adults with higher score on inhibition used less avoidant coping. Thus, it seems that executive deficits might contribute to depression, as they affect processes for coping with stress. This finding may have implications for the role of EFs and coping in psychological well-being and successful adaptation of individuals to stressful situations.

The Autobiographical Memory Test (AMT) is the most widely used measure of overgeneral autobiographical memory (OGM). The AMT appears to have good psychometric properties, but more research is needed on the influence and applicability of individual cue words in different languages and populations. To date, no studies have evaluated its usefulness as a measure of OMG in Spanish or older populations. This work aims to analyze the applicability of the AMT in young and older Spanish samples. We administered a Spanish version of the AMT to samples of young (N = 520) and older adults (N = 155). We conducted confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), item response theory-based analysis (IRT) and differential item functioning (DIF). Results confirm the one-factor structure for the AMT. IRT analysis suggests that both groups find the AMT easy given that they generally perform well, and that it is more precise in individuals who score low on memory specificity. DIF analysis finds three items differ in their functioning depending on age group. This differential functioning of these items affects the overall AMT scores and, thus, they should be excluded from the AMT in studies comparing young and older samples. We discuss the possible implications of the samples and cue words used.

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Objetivo: Estudiar la efectividad de tratamiento desde Terapia Ocupacional utilizando el abordaje de Integración Sensorial ( T.O./I.S).Método: Se ha utilizado un diseño de caso único para tratar de verificar el impacto del tratamiento T.O./I.S en la funcionalidad yparticipación del niño seleccionado para el estudio. Para la medición de los objetivos se han utilizado entrevistas con los padres, lametodología Goal Attainment Scaling (GAS) y test estandarizados.Resultados: Tras cinco meses de intervención y realizando 2 sesiones a la semana de cincuenta minutos se logran mejorías en destrezascomo, movimientos de anticipación, equilibrio y visomotoras (medidas con test estandarizados), así como en el desempeño ocupacionala nivel escolar, en alimentación y relaciones sociales.Conclusión: Los resultados apoyan el uso del abordaje de IS, interrelacionando el procesamiento sensorial, el comportamiento y eldesempeño ocupacional, tal y como postuló Ayres. Los resultados se basan en los fundamentos teóricos de la teoría de la integraciónsensorial: la mejora en la capacidad de procesar e integrar la información sensorial influirá en la conducta adaptada y el desempeño.Aunque estos resultados no pueden generalizarse, proporcionan evidencia preliminar sobre la teoría y la eficacia de este enfoque.

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