Open Access
Gender differences in risk factors related to suicidal ideation among callers to telephone helplines in Spain
(Taylor & Francis, 2018) Villanueva Irure, Pedro; Arteaga Olleta, Alfonso; Fernández-Montalvo, Javier; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak
The main goals of this study were to determine the prevalence rate of suicidal ideation among callers to a Spanish telephone general crisis helpline (Teléfono de la Esperanza) and to identify gender-based characteristics and risk factors related to suicidal ideation. A sample of 10,765 (6,868 men and 3,897 women) callers to this telephone helpline was assessed. ATENSIS, an assessment tool designed to collect information related to suicidal ideation among callers to telephone helplines, was used. Comparisons between men and women with suicidal ideation were carried out in all variables studied: sociodemographics, telephone call timing, risk factors, and suicidality. Of the total sample, 1.87% (n = 201) presented suicidal ideation, with a higher prevalence in women (2.80%) than in men (1.34%). Moreover, significant gender-based differences among callers with suicidal ideations were observed in some variables: women were older than men and showed a greater prevalence of chronic disease with pain; men showed a greater prevalence of depression, alcohol/drug abuse, helplessness, and lack of hope for the future. This study showed that telephone helplines can be used to identify suicidal ideation among callers. Moreover, gender-based differential characteristics among suicide ideators have been found. The implications for further research are discussed.
Open Access
Gender differences in patients with substance use disorder and physical/sexual abuse: a preliminary study
(Colegio Oficial de la Psicología de Madrid (COPM), 2023) Haro Escribano, Begoña; Fernández-Montalvo, Javier; Arteaga Olleta, Alfonso; López-Goñi, José Javier; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak
Objetivo: Explorar las diferencias de género en distintas variables (sociodemográficas, gravedad del consumo, sintomatología psicopatológica, inadaptación a la vida cotidiana, características del trauma y sintomatología de estrés postraumático) en pacientes que acuden a tratamiento por trastorno por consumo de sustancias (TCS) y han sufrido abuso físico y/o sexual. Método: La muestra estuvo compuesta por 26 mujeres y 31 hombres que habían sufrido abuso físico y/o sexual y buscaban tratamiento para TCS. Resultados: Las mujeres habían sido víctimas de abuso sexual en un porcentaje significativamente mayor que los hombres. Además presentaban una frecuencia significativamente mayor de revictimización a otro evento traumático y una presencia significativamente mayor de síntomas de evitación que los hombres. Conclusiones: El estudio confirma la existencia de un perfil más grave en las mujeres que en los hombres con TCS que han sufrido abuso físico y/o sexual a lo largo de la vida. En consecuencia, se debe promover la atención informada sobre el trauma con perspectiva de género en los programas de tratamiento del TCS. Dada la naturaleza preliminar de este estudio, se necesita más investigación en este campo.
Open Access
Therapeutic progression in abused women following a drug-addiction treatment program
(SAGE Publications, 2017) Fernández-Montalvo, Javier; López-Goñi, José Javier; Arteaga Olleta, Alfonso; Cacho Fernández, Raúl; Azanza Álvarez, Paula; Psicología y Pedagogía; Psikologia eta Pedagogia
This study explored the prevalence of victims of abuse and the therapeutic progression among women who sought treatment for drug addiction. A sample of 180 addicted Spanish women was assessed. Information was collected on the patients’ lifetime history of abuse (psychological, physical and/or sexual), socio-demographic factors, consumption variables and psychological symptoms. Of the total sample, 74.4% (n = 134) of the addicted women had been victims of abuse. Psychological abuse affected 66.1% (n = 119) of the patients, followed by physical abuse (51.7%; n = 93) and sexual abuse (31.7%; n = 57). Compared with patients who had not been abused, the addicted women with histories of victimisation scored significantly higher on several EuropASI and psychological variables. Specifically, physical abuse and sexual abuse were related to higher levels of severity of addiction. Regarding therapeutic progression, the highest rate of dropout was observed among victims of sexual abuse (63.5%; n = 33), followed by victims of physical abuse (48.9%; n = 23). Multivariate analysis showed that medical and family areas of the EuropASI, as well as violence problems and suicide ideation, were the main variables related to physical and/or sexual abuse. Moreover, women without abuse and with fewer family problems presented the higher probability of treatment completion. The implications of these results for further research and clinical practice are discussed.
Open Access
Violent behaviours in drug addiction: differential profiles of drug-addicted patients with and without violence problems
(SAGE Publications, 2012) Fernández-Montalvo, Javier; López-Goñi, José Javier; Arteaga Olleta, Alfonso; Psicología y Pedagogía; Psikologia eta Pedagogia
This study explored the prevalence of violent behaviours in patients who are addicted to drugs. A sample of 252 addicted patients (203 male and 49 female) who sought outpatient treatment was assessed. Information on violent behaviours, socio-demographic factors, consumption factors (assessed by the EuropAsi), psychopathological factors (assessed by SCL-90-R) and personality variables (assessed by MCMI-II) was collected. Drug-addicted patients who were associated with violent behaviours were compared on all variables to patients who were not associated with violent behaviours. The rate of drug-addicted patients with violent behaviours in this sample was 39.68% (n=100). There were significant differences between the numbers of patients who did and did not demonstrate violence on some variables. Patients with violence problems were younger than those without violence problems and were more likely to report having been a victim of abuse. Moreover, they were significantly more likely to have experienced an overdose and showed a significantly higher score on several EuropAsi, SCL-90-R and MCMI-II variables. According to these results, patients with violence control problems present with both a more severe addiction and several comorbid problems. The implications of these results for further research and clinical practice are discussed.
Open Access
Suicidal ideation and attempts among patients with lifetime physical and/or sexual abuse in treatment for substance use disorders
(Taylor & Francis, 2019) Fernández-Montalvo, Javier; López-Goñi, José Javier; Arteaga Olleta, Alfonso; Haro Escribano, Begoña; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak
Background: Several studies indicate that lifetime abuse is a relevant risk factor for suicidal ideation and/or attempts. However, little is known about this phenomenon in patients seeking treatment for substance use disorder. The prevalence rate of suicidal ideation and/or suicide attempts was explored among lifetime physically and/or sexually abused patients receiving treatment for drug addiction. The differential characteristics between these patients and those without suicidal behaviours were studied. Method: Three hundred and seventy-five patients were assessed. Socio-demographic characteristics, addiction severity, lifetime abuse, suicidal ideation and attempts, and psychopathological symptoms were explored. Results: Eighty-two patients (21.9%) presented with a history of lifetime abuse and were included in the study (37 men and 45 women). Sixty-two per cent of them presented with lifetime suicidal ideation (12.2% in the last month), and 30.5% with suicide attempts (1.2% in the last month). Patients with suicidal ideation or attempts showed a more severe addiction profile (assessed by the EuropASI) and more psychopathological symptoms (assessed by the SCL-90-R). Conclusion: This study highlights the relationship between previous traumatic experiences and suicidal behaviours. According to these results, systematic screening of suicidal risk in patients seeking treatment in addiction centres with histories of abuse is recommended.
Open Access
Differential profile of addicted patients depending on violent behaviours and/or criminal acts
(Taylor & Francis, 2015) López-Goñi, José Javier; Fernández-Montalvo, Javier; Arteaga Olleta, Alfonso; Cacho Fernández, Raúl; Psicología y Pedagogía; Psikologia eta Pedagogia
This study explored the prevalence of violent and/or criminal behaviours in drug-addicted patients. A sample of 252 drug-addicted patients who sought treatment was assessed. Information on violent behaviours, criminal acts, socio-demographic factors, consumption factors, psychopathological factors and personality variables was collected. The sample was divided into four groups according to the presence of violence and/or criminal behaviours. There were significant differences between the groups on some variables. In general, patients associated with both violence and criminal behaviours showed a greater severity in drug consumption and maladjustment variables, as well as a higher rate of treatment dropout and re-entry.
Open Access
Gender differences in unidirectional and bidirectional intimate partner violence in addictions
(Taylor & Francis, 2019) Fernández-Montalvo, Javier; López-Goñi, José Javier; Arteaga Olleta, Alfonso; Haro Escribano, Begoña; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak
Background: Few studies have analyzed the specific characteristics related to uni/bidirectional intimate partner violence (IPV) in patients with addiction problems. Knowing the specific profiles of these patients would allow the development of effective tailored interventions. Objective: This study assessed gender differences in unidirectional and bidirectional IPV among patients undergoing drug addiction treatment. Method: We sampled 122 patients (91 male and 31 female) who sought treatment in an addiction treatment center, and collected cross-sectional self-reported data on violent behaviors (physical, sexual and psychological violence), sociodemographic factors, distorted thoughts about women and violence, impulsiveness, and anger. Results: Ninety-one percent of participants reported experience of IPV (any type and any direction). Sixty-three percent of participants reported bidirectional violence, which was more common among women (83.9%) than men (56.1%). Unidirectional (perpetration only) IPV was reported in 28.7% of participants, and it was more common among men (34.1%) than women (12.9%). No one reported unidirectional (victimization-only) IPV. When only physical and/or sexual violence was considered, bidirectional violence affected 32.0% of the sample; 23.8% were only victims, and 3.3% were only perpetrators (all of them men). Participants who reported bidirectional violence had higher scores for impulsiveness, anger, and distorted thoughts. Conclusions: Bidirectional IPV is commonly reported among patients seeking treatment for addiction, particularly among women, and should be considered in future research and clinical practice.
Open Access
Differential profiles of drug-addicted patients according to gender and the perpetration of intimate partner violence
(Elsevier, 2015) Arteaga Olleta, Alfonso; López-Goñi, José Javier; Fernández-Montalvo, Javier; Psicología y Pedagogía; Psikologia eta Pedagogia
This study explored the differential profiles of drug-addicted patients according to gender and the perpetration of intimate partner violence (IPV). Methods: The study assessed a sample of 127 drug-addicted patients (84 male and 43 female) who sought treatment. Information about socio-demographic and consumption characteristics, IPV, psychopathological symptoms, personality characteristics and maladjustment variables was obtained. Four groups were created according to gender and the presence or absence of the perpetration of IPV: a) men with IPV (n = 41), b) women with IPV (n = 29), c) men without IPV (n = 43), and d) women without IPV (n = 14). The four groups were compared in terms of all of studied variables. Results: There were significant differences between the groups in the severity of the addiction and personality characteristics. In general, the drug-addicted patients with associated IPV perpetration exhibited greater scores for nearly all of the studied variables, independent of gender. Moreover, the differences among groups were more strongly related to perpetration of IPV than to the gender of the patients. Conclusions: According to the results obtained, treatment programs for drug addiction are a suitable context for identifying the presence of IPV, but IPV is typically unnoticed in addiction treatment programs. The implications of these results for future research and clinical practice are discussed.
Open Access
Gender differences in treatment progress of drug-addicted patients
(Taylor & Francis, 2017) Fernández-Montalvo, Javier; López-Goñi, José Javier; Azanza Álvarez, Paula; Arteaga Olleta, Alfonso; Cacho Fernández, Raúl; Psicología y Pedagogía; Psikologia eta Pedagogia; Gobierno de Navarra / Nafarroako Gobernua
This study explored the differences in treatment progress between men and women who were addicted to drugs. The differential rate of completion of/dropout from treatment in men and women with substance dependence was established. Moreover, comparisons between completers and dropouts, accounting for gender, were carried out for several variables related to treatment progress and clinical profile. A sample of 183 addicted patients (96 male and 87 female) who sought outpatient treatment between 2002 and 2006 was assessed. Information on socio-demographic, consumption and associated characteristics was collected. A detailed tracking of each patient's progress was maintained for a minimum period of eight years to assess treatment progression. The treatment dropout rate in the whole sample was 38.8%, with statistically significant differences between women (47.1%) and men (31.3%). Women who dropped out of treatment presented a more severe profile in most of the psychopathologic variables than women who completed it. Moreover, women who dropped out from treatment presented a more severe profile than men who dropped out. According to these results, drug-addicted women showed worse therapeutic progress than men with similar histories. Thus, women must be provided with additional targeted intervention to promote better treatment outcomes.
Open Access
Treatment effectiveness of intimate partner violence perpetration among patients in a drug-addiction programme
(American Psychological Association, 2019) Fernández-Montalvo, Javier; Arteaga Olleta, Alfonso; López-Goñi, José Javier; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak
Objective: This article evaluates the treatment effectiveness of an integrated intervention compared to addiction treatment as usual (TAU) in reducing intimate partner violence perpetration (IPV-P) among patients in a drug-addiction intervention programme. Method: A parallel, randomized, controlled trial was carried out with repeated measures of assessment (pre-treatment, post-treatment and 6-month follow-up). A sample of 227 consecutive patients was assessed, and 70 patients with IPV-P were selected to participate in the study and then divided into two groups: treatment (n = 34) and control (n = 36). The treatment group participated in an integrated intervention programme for addiction and IPV-P, and the control group received the TAU without intervention for IPV-P. Treatment success was defined as the complete absence of IPV-P episodes, both physical and psychological. Results: At the follow-up, the patients in the treatment group showed an IPV-P success rate (60.7%) that was significantly higher (X2 = 3.85; p < .05) than that of the patients in the control group (31.6%). Moreover, both groups achieved statistically significant improvements in associated variables. Conclusions: The presence of IPV-P should be assessed in drug addiction treatment programmes. The combined treatment for addiction and IPV-P seems to be effective.