Bárbara Castillo-Abdul
Current Organizations / Institutes
The organizations/institutes from the scholar's latest article
Research Subjects
Bárbara Castillo-Abdul has a total of 35 co-authors. Here are the top co-authors by number of shared publications:
- Luis Miguel Romero Rodríguez
University of Sharjah
14 shared publications - Carlos Fernández-Rodríguez
Universidad del Atlántico Medio / Universidad de Diseño, Innovación y Tecnología (UDIT)
3 shared publications - Mónica Bonilla-Del-Río
Universidad de Cantabria
3 shared publications - Estela Núñez-Barriopedro
Universidad de Alcalá, España
2 shared publications Luis M. Romero-Rodríguez
College of Communication, University of Sharjah. University City, Sharjah, UAE
2 shared publications- Pavel Sidorenko Bautista
Universidad Internacional de La Rioja
2 shared publications
Latest Publications
- 19 August 2026
- Published by Taylor & Francis
- p. 197-210
The Tyranny of the Average
This chapter examines Procrustean Syndrome as an organizational leadership pattern grounded in intolerance of difference and upward comparison, where a leader's fear of being professionally surpassed drives attempts to force people, ideas, and performance to fit a rigid “should be.” It argues that Procrustean power is sustained by an enabling ecology that includes threatened targets and bystanders or favored actors who protect the status quo. This chapter synthesizes key mechanisms (such as systematic criticism and undervaluation, reputational attacks, idea appropriation without credit, information withholding, exclusion from decision arenas, micromanagement, and obstruction of training and promotion) and links them to declines in trust, psychological safety, and cohesion, with consequences such as stress, burnout, bullying, and demotivation. It also outlines a pragmatic prevention and early-detection toolkit through internal public relations and strategic communication in coordination with human resource management, emphasizing transparent two-way communication, safe reporting channels, leadership development, autonomy, and merit-based recognition.
- 19 August 2026
- Published by Taylor & Francis
- p. 197-210
The Tyranny of the Average
This chapter examines Procrustean Syndrome as an organizational leadership pattern grounded in intolerance of difference and upward comparison, where a leader's fear of being professionally surpassed drives attempts to force people, ideas, and performance to fit a rigid “should be.” It argues that Procrustean power is sustained by an enabling ecology that includes threatened targets and bystanders or favored actors who protect the status quo. This chapter synthesizes key mechanisms (such as systematic criticism and undervaluation, reputational attacks, idea appropriation without credit, information withholding, exclusion from decision arenas, micromanagement, and obstruction of training and promotion) and links them to declines in trust, psychological safety, and cohesion, with consequences such as stress, burnout, bullying, and demotivation. It also outlines a pragmatic prevention and early-detection toolkit through internal public relations and strategic communication in coordination with human resource management, emphasizing transparent two-way communication, safe reporting channels, leadership development, autonomy, and merit-based recognition.
- Open Access
- 14 January 2026
- Published by Springer Nature in BMC Psychiatry
- Vol. 26 (1)
Representation of mental illness and disorders in Iberoamerica digital media
A recent bibliometric analysis of 130 research studies on media coverage of mental disorders between 2002 and 2022 found that, in most cases, research insi
- 14 January 2026
- Published by Springer Nature in BMC Psychiatry
- Vol. 26 (1)
Open AccessRepresentation of mental illness and disorders in Iberoamerica digital media
A recent bibliometric analysis of 130 research studies on media coverage of mental disorders between 2002 and 2022 found that, in most cases, research insi
- Open Access
- 28 November 2025
- Published by Forum XXI in Revista de Comunicación de la SEECI
- Vol. 59, 1-4
Presentación del Monográfico: Desafíos y perspectivas en la intersección de metaversos, inteligencia artificial generativa y comunicación: implicaciones para la Generación Alfa
El metaverso puede entenderse como un mundo virtual tridimensional o como una red de espacios virtuales interconectados donde se mezclan la realidad física y la digital, una evolución de Internet vinculada especialmente a los videojuegos inmersivos. La Generación Alfa participa de forma habitual en estos entornos mediante plataformas como Roblox, Fortnite o Minecraft, mientras empresas como Meta, Decentraland o The Sandbox intentan expandir estos mundos a otros públicos con menor éxito. Este contexto supone un cambio de paradigma respecto a las redes sociales tradicionales y se acompaña de la incorporación de personajes no jugables gestionados por inteligencia artificial generativa (NEO NPC). Aunque mejoran la experiencia de usuario, generan incertidumbres por su comportamiento imprevisible, los riesgos reputacionales, la falta de transparencia y su potencial contribución a la desinformación, especialmente en experiencias inmersivas.
- 28 November 2025
- Published by Forum XXI in Revista de Comunicación de la SEECI
- Vol. 59, 1-4
Open AccessPresentación del Monográfico: Desafíos y perspectivas en la intersección de metaversos, inteligencia artificial generativa y comunicación: implicaciones para la Generación Alfa
El metaverso puede entenderse como un mundo virtual tridimensional o como una red de espacios virtuales interconectados donde se mezclan la realidad física y la digital, una evolución de Internet vinculada especialmente a los videojuegos inmersivos. La Generación Alfa participa de forma habitual en estos entornos mediante plataformas como Roblox, Fortnite o Minecraft, mientras empresas como Meta, Decentraland o The Sandbox intentan expandir estos mundos a otros públicos con menor éxito. Este contexto supone un cambio de paradigma respecto a las redes sociales tradicionales y se acompaña de la incorporación de personajes no jugables gestionados por inteligencia artificial generativa (NEO NPC). Aunque mejoran la experiencia de usuario, generan incertidumbres por su comportamiento imprevisible, los riesgos reputacionales, la falta de transparencia y su potencial contribución a la desinformación, especialmente en experiencias inmersivas.
- Open Access
- 29 July 2025
- Published by Revista Internacional de Relaciones Publicas in Revista Internacional de Relaciones Públicas
- Vol. 15 (29) , 69-90
Construyendo confianza de adentro hacia afuera: La interacción entre la marca empleadora y la reputación corporativa
La reputación corporativa es una evaluación colectiva multistakeholder de la capacidad que tiene una organización para cumplir con las expectativas-valor de sus públicos. Este concepto basado en percepciones y experiencias está intrínsecamente ligado a la cultura y al comportamiento corporativo, siendo ambos activos intangibles que nacen desde la organización hacia afuera. Aquí radica la importancia de las estrategias de marca-empleadora como definidora de la materia prima con la que se comienza a edificar la reputación extramuros. En esta investigación se analizan las metodologías, dimensiones, indicadores, variables y perfiles de participantes utilizados por los principales monitores y rankings de employer branding. Se emplea un enfoque cualitativo, bajo la técnica del análisis de contenido por codificación elemental de diseño documental y alcance descriptivo-explicativo. La muestra incluyó tres monitores de marca empleadora: Merco Talento, Great Place to Work, e Inc.’s Best Workplaces. Del análisis y posterior codificación emergieron un total de 8 dimensiones, organizadoras de 16 indicadores y 95 variables que se evalúan de las organizaciones por parte de estos monitores y rankings, con cierto nivel de acuerdo entre ellas. Sin embargo, existe una divergencia importante en cuanto a las metodologías y los participantes que intervienen en su evaluación, sobre todo en lo relativo al libre acceso a las fichas técnicas y la transparencia de sus métodos e instrumentos.
- 29 July 2025
- Published by Revista Internacional de Relaciones Publicas in Revista Internacional de Relaciones Públicas
- Vol. 15 (29) , 69-90
Open AccessConstruyendo confianza de adentro hacia afuera: La interacción entre la marca empleadora y la reputación corporativa
La reputación corporativa es una evaluación colectiva multistakeholder de la capacidad que tiene una organización para cumplir con las expectativas-valor de sus públicos. Este concepto basado en percepciones y experiencias está intrínsecamente ligado a la cultura y al comportamiento corporativo, siendo ambos activos intangibles que nacen desde la organización hacia afuera. Aquí radica la importancia de las estrategias de marca-empleadora como definidora de la materia prima con la que se comienza a edificar la reputación extramuros. En esta investigación se analizan las metodologías, dimensiones, indicadores, variables y perfiles de participantes utilizados por los principales monitores y rankings de employer branding. Se emplea un enfoque cualitativo, bajo la técnica del análisis de contenido por codificación elemental de diseño documental y alcance descriptivo-explicativo. La muestra incluyó tres monitores de marca empleadora: Merco Talento, Great Place to Work, e Inc.’s Best Workplaces. Del análisis y posterior codificación emergieron un total de 8 dimensiones, organizadoras de 16 indicadores y 95 variables que se evalúan de las organizaciones por parte de estos monitores y rankings, con cierto nivel de acuerdo entre ellas. Sin embargo, existe una divergencia importante en cuanto a las metodologías y los participantes que intervienen en su evaluación, sobre todo en lo relativo al libre acceso a las fichas técnicas y la transparencia de sus métodos e instrumentos.
- Open Access
- 3 February 2025
- Published by Taylor & Francis in Cogent Social Sciences
- Vol. 11 (1)
Marketing, advertising, and branding in Fortnite: how do brands and companies connect today to audiences through the metaverse?
- 3 February 2025
- Published by Taylor & Francis in Cogent Social Sciences
- Vol. 11 (1)
Open AccessMarketing, advertising, and branding in Fortnite: how do brands and companies connect today to audiences through the metaverse?
- RetractedOpen Access
- 9 November 2024
- Published by Springer Nature in BMC Psychology
- Vol. 12 (1) , 1-23
RETRACTED ARTICLE: Internal communication from a happiness management perspective: state-of-the-art and theoretical construction of a guide for its development
This study aims to conduct a literature review and meta-analysis on the use of Happiness Management strategies in internal communication. The objective was to extract theoretical constructs of dimensions and indicators for the development of a guide for its application, validated by a panel of experts. A systematic literature review and meta-analysis was performed under the protocol of the PRISMA Extension Guide of articles indexed in the Scopus database (2019–2024). The total number of extracted documents (n = 479) was screened based on the inclusion criteria, and the sample was delimited by 49 studies. Subsequently, after reading and analyzing the research, the dimensions and indicators of internal communication from a Happiness Management perspective were clustered. This guide was submitted to a panel of 13 experts who determined the reliability and validity of the construct and content using the Content Validity Index (CVI). The dimensions and indicators emerging from the literature were validated with an average ( $$\overline{\mathrm X}$$ ) of 3.36/4, achieving a level of inter-judge agreement (CVI) of 0.86, an excellent agreement of 86%, and an average score of 2.90/4 (high). The guide was composed of 9 dimensions of internal communication: Attitudes of the leader, employer or supervisor, Climate and communication policies, Feedback and recognition, Organizational environment and structures, Peer and informal communication, Organizational culture and business perspective, Employee-organization relationship, Communication media and platforms, and Employee attitudes, which brought together 103 variables. These dimensions were then reorganized into the three macro-dimensions of the Happiness Management philosophy: (1) active construction of a healthy work environment and well-being, (2) formation of employees’ positive personality, and (3) active emotional experience during the working day to build the internal communication development guide from the Happiness Management perspective. Integrating Happiness Management into internal communication can significantly enhance employee well-being and organizational effectiveness. The validated framework provides a detailed guide for aligning internal communication strategies with the Happiness Management principles.- 9 November 2024
- Published by Springer Nature in BMC Psychology
- Vol. 12 (1) , 1-23
RetractedOpen AccessRETRACTED ARTICLE: Internal communication from a happiness management perspective: state-of-the-art and theoretical construction of a guide for its development
This study aims to conduct a literature review and meta-analysis on the use of Happiness Management strategies in internal communication. The objective was to extract theoretical constructs of dimensions and indicators for the development of a guide for its application, validated by a panel of experts. A systematic literature review and meta-analysis was performed under the protocol of the PRISMA Extension Guide of articles indexed in the Scopus database (2019–2024). The total number of extracted documents (n = 479) was screened based on the inclusion criteria, and the sample was delimited by 49 studies. Subsequently, after reading and analyzing the research, the dimensions and indicators of internal communication from a Happiness Management perspective were clustered. This guide was submitted to a panel of 13 experts who determined the reliability and validity of the construct and content using the Content Validity Index (CVI). The dimensions and indicators emerging from the literature were validated with an average ( $$\overline{\mathrm X}$$ ) of 3.36/4, achieving a level of inter-judge agreement (CVI) of 0.86, an excellent agreement of 86%, and an average score of 2.90/4 (high). The guide was composed of 9 dimensions of internal communication: Attitudes of the leader, employer or supervisor, Climate and communication policies, Feedback and recognition, Organizational environment and structures, Peer and informal communication, Organizational culture and business perspective, Employee-organization relationship, Communication media and platforms, and Employee attitudes, which brought together 103 variables. These dimensions were then reorganized into the three macro-dimensions of the Happiness Management philosophy: (1) active construction of a healthy work environment and well-being, (2) formation of employees’ positive personality, and (3) active emotional experience during the working day to build the internal communication development guide from the Happiness Management perspective. Integrating Happiness Management into internal communication can significantly enhance employee well-being and organizational effectiveness. The validated framework provides a detailed guide for aligning internal communication strategies with the Happiness Management principles. - Open Access
- 1 August 2024
- Published by Dirección de Bienes Públicos del Conocimiento, Universidad Autonoma del Estado de Mexico in Convergencia Revista de Ciencias Sociales
- Vol. 31, 1-29
Postcensura en streaming: Alienación política de millenials y centennials hacia las producciones audiovisuales
Esta investigación examina el grado de alienación política que los espectadores consideran tener respecto a las producciones audiovisuales. Para ello, se aplicó una encuesta a 998 millennials y centennials en España y México, los dos países hispanohablantes que más OTT[1] consumen. Los resultados muestran que los jóvenes consideran legítimo quejarse en redes sociales a una productora audiovisual cuando una serie o película refleja una visión que no les gusta, lo que posiblemente fomenta un escenario de "dictadura de la audiencia" sobre los creadores de contenidos audiovisuales, que afecta a la libertad creativa y a la libertad de expresión. En este sentido, parece que los jóvenes que tienen el poder discursivo en las redes sociales para cambiar y censurar producciones ven plausible utilizar este canal como denuncia o queja. [1] The acronym OTT stands for "Over The Top". In the world of technology and communication, this term is used to refer to "free transmission", i.e., content that does not require an operator for its distribution. The way in which this content is distributed is through the Internet via applications (AIMC, 2021).
- 1 August 2024
- Published by Dirección de Bienes Públicos del Conocimiento, Universidad Autonoma del Estado de Mexico in Convergencia Revista de Ciencias Sociales
- Vol. 31, 1-29
Open AccessPostcensura en streaming: Alienación política de millenials y centennials hacia las producciones audiovisuales
Esta investigación examina el grado de alienación política que los espectadores consideran tener respecto a las producciones audiovisuales. Para ello, se aplicó una encuesta a 998 millennials y centennials en España y México, los dos países hispanohablantes que más OTT[1] consumen. Los resultados muestran que los jóvenes consideran legítimo quejarse en redes sociales a una productora audiovisual cuando una serie o película refleja una visión que no les gusta, lo que posiblemente fomenta un escenario de "dictadura de la audiencia" sobre los creadores de contenidos audiovisuales, que afecta a la libertad creativa y a la libertad de expresión. En este sentido, parece que los jóvenes que tienen el poder discursivo en las redes sociales para cambiar y censurar producciones ven plausible utilizar este canal como denuncia o queja. [1] The acronym OTT stands for "Over The Top". In the world of technology and communication, this term is used to refer to "free transmission", i.e., content that does not require an operator for its distribution. The way in which this content is distributed is through the Internet via applications (AIMC, 2021).
- Open Access
- 15 July 2024
- Published by Ediciones Profesionales de la Informacion SL in Profesional de la información
- Vol. 33 (3)
Modelo de Análisis Multicriterio del Engagement en Redes Sociales para el Sector Sanitario: Aplicación a los Perfiles de Hospitales Españoles en LinkedIn e Instagram
En la era digital, el uso de estrategias en redes sociales se ha convertido en una práctica común para alcanzar objetivos decomunicación y marca en diversas organizaciones. Este estudio de carácter cuantitativo que adopta una metodología detipo experimental se enfoca en el sector hospitalario, donde se ha observado que el engagement en las redes sociales estádirectamente relacionado con la calidad de la experiencia de los públicos, especialmente sus pacientes, la reputacióncorporativa y el reconocimiento de marca. El propósito de esta investigación es desarrollar y validar un modelo multicriteriode evaluación del uso de las redes sociales por los hospitales para descubrir los factores que influyen en el engagement delos públicos y, por ende, la reputación corporativa de estas entidades. Con este fin, se realiza una revisión sistemática deliteratura, una valoración de juicio de expertos para ratificar los indicadores empleados en el modelo propuesto y unanálisis de contenido de 2758 publicaciones de 10 hospitales españoles Instagram y LinkedIn. Los resultados revelan quelos factores que impactan en el engagement varían según la plataforma. En Instagram, el formato y el tipo de contenido,así como la información proporcionada, son los indicadores más determinantes. Por otro lado, en LinkedIn, la informacióny el número de seguidores son los aspectos que más impactan en la participación. La robustez de este modelo contribuye,a nivel teórico y práctico, a la comprensión de los factores del contenido de marca de los hospitales que estimulan elengagement en las redes sociales. Asimismo, aporta directrices a los responsables de comunicación y marca para unagestión eficiente de la estrategia de contenidos en Instagram y LinkedIn.
- 15 July 2024
- Published by Ediciones Profesionales de la Informacion SL in Profesional de la información
- Vol. 33 (3)
Open AccessModelo de Análisis Multicriterio del Engagement en Redes Sociales para el Sector Sanitario: Aplicación a los Perfiles de Hospitales Españoles en LinkedIn e Instagram
En la era digital, el uso de estrategias en redes sociales se ha convertido en una práctica común para alcanzar objetivos decomunicación y marca en diversas organizaciones. Este estudio de carácter cuantitativo que adopta una metodología detipo experimental se enfoca en el sector hospitalario, donde se ha observado que el engagement en las redes sociales estádirectamente relacionado con la calidad de la experiencia de los públicos, especialmente sus pacientes, la reputacióncorporativa y el reconocimiento de marca. El propósito de esta investigación es desarrollar y validar un modelo multicriteriode evaluación del uso de las redes sociales por los hospitales para descubrir los factores que influyen en el engagement delos públicos y, por ende, la reputación corporativa de estas entidades. Con este fin, se realiza una revisión sistemática deliteratura, una valoración de juicio de expertos para ratificar los indicadores empleados en el modelo propuesto y unanálisis de contenido de 2758 publicaciones de 10 hospitales españoles Instagram y LinkedIn. Los resultados revelan quelos factores que impactan en el engagement varían según la plataforma. En Instagram, el formato y el tipo de contenido,así como la información proporcionada, son los indicadores más determinantes. Por otro lado, en LinkedIn, la informacióny el número de seguidores son los aspectos que más impactan en la participación. La robustez de este modelo contribuye,a nivel teórico y práctico, a la comprensión de los factores del contenido de marca de los hospitales que estimulan elengagement en las redes sociales. Asimismo, aporta directrices a los responsables de comunicación y marca para unagestión eficiente de la estrategia de contenidos en Instagram y LinkedIn.
- Open Access
- 25 June 2024
- Published by University of Minho in Comunicação e Sociedade
- Vol. 45, e024014
Lifestyle Eco-Influencers Advertising: Is Engagement Driven by Content or Fandom?
This research examines the main common characteristics among the contents of five eco-influencer accounts from different Western countries. A quantitative content analysis was performed on 187 Instagram posts published by eco-influencers from the United Kingdom, United States, Belgium, Spain, and Peru. The topics that eco-influencers deal with the most are promoting veganism, spirituality, environmental and political claims, product advertising (their own and third-party), and personal life, generating the most interactions in the accounts. Carousels win on engagement for eco-influencers on Instagram despite videos being sponsors’ favorite format. Both sponsored content and sponsors themselves are well-received, with over half of all posts featuring them. It seems evident that the social capital of influencers encourages environmental commitment, although there is a particular bias to appreciate the person more than their activist message. In light of the results, this research contributes to the social capital theory of influencers by demonstrating that influencers show personal content and emotional appeals, such as activities with their families, personal reflections, and political statements that give them a high sense of authenticity, but which, blurs the barriers between the public and private spheres.
- 25 June 2024
- Published by University of Minho in Comunicação e Sociedade
- Vol. 45, e024014
Open AccessLifestyle Eco-Influencers Advertising: Is Engagement Driven by Content or Fandom?
This research examines the main common characteristics among the contents of five eco-influencer accounts from different Western countries. A quantitative content analysis was performed on 187 Instagram posts published by eco-influencers from the United Kingdom, United States, Belgium, Spain, and Peru. The topics that eco-influencers deal with the most are promoting veganism, spirituality, environmental and political claims, product advertising (their own and third-party), and personal life, generating the most interactions in the accounts. Carousels win on engagement for eco-influencers on Instagram despite videos being sponsors’ favorite format. Both sponsored content and sponsors themselves are well-received, with over half of all posts featuring them. It seems evident that the social capital of influencers encourages environmental commitment, although there is a particular bias to appreciate the person more than their activist message. In light of the results, this research contributes to the social capital theory of influencers by demonstrating that influencers show personal content and emotional appeals, such as activities with their families, personal reflections, and political statements that give them a high sense of authenticity, but which, blurs the barriers between the public and private spheres.
- Open Access
- 22 February 2022
- Published by Cogitatio in Media and Communication
- Vol. 10 (1) , 222-234
Influencers With Intellectual Disability in Digital Society: An Opportunity to Advance in Social Inclusion
Social networks are appointed as an opportunity to socially normalize disability, as demonstrated by the growing number of influencers with a disability who are followed by millions of users. Likewise, intellectual disability has its place in the networks, with special relevance among influencers with Down syndrome. In this study, a content analysis of 10 accounts of influencers with Down syndrome from seven different countries was performed. Images, videos, comments, and other interactions with their followers were analyzed. The preliminary results described the influencer profiles, the type of content posted, and their relationship with sponsoring brands. These results indicate that social networks allow them to make their interests visible, take part in the digital environment, and interact with their audience, being a positive influence that promotes respect for diversity. These platforms are positioned as powerful tools for the construction and dissemination of inclusive values and the empowerment of disabled people, minimizing controversial questions such as the instrumentalization of the disability and its association with clichés. With all the analyzed results, it is possible to evidence that Instagram can be considered a privileged network that could be utilized for the eradication of barriers and to ease the inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities in the public sphere. The conclusions are relevant for the scientific community given that they will allow us to achieve social inclusion, thanks to the impact of the posts from the influencers with disability.
- 22 February 2022
- Published by Cogitatio in Media and Communication
- Vol. 10 (1) , 222-234
Open AccessInfluencers With Intellectual Disability in Digital Society: An Opportunity to Advance in Social Inclusion
Social networks are appointed as an opportunity to socially normalize disability, as demonstrated by the growing number of influencers with a disability who are followed by millions of users. Likewise, intellectual disability has its place in the networks, with special relevance among influencers with Down syndrome. In this study, a content analysis of 10 accounts of influencers with Down syndrome from seven different countries was performed. Images, videos, comments, and other interactions with their followers were analyzed. The preliminary results described the influencer profiles, the type of content posted, and their relationship with sponsoring brands. These results indicate that social networks allow them to make their interests visible, take part in the digital environment, and interact with their audience, being a positive influence that promotes respect for diversity. These platforms are positioned as powerful tools for the construction and dissemination of inclusive values and the empowerment of disabled people, minimizing controversial questions such as the instrumentalization of the disability and its association with clichés. With all the analyzed results, it is possible to evidence that Instagram can be considered a privileged network that could be utilized for the eradication of barriers and to ease the inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities in the public sphere. The conclusions are relevant for the scientific community given that they will allow us to achieve social inclusion, thanks to the impact of the posts from the influencers with disability.