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 attempts among patients with substance use disorders who present with suicidal ideation
(Elsevier, 2019) López-Goñi, José Javier; Fernández-Montalvo, Javier; Arteaga Olleta, Alfonso; Haro Escribano, Begoña; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak
Background and aims: Patients with addictions have a great risk of suicidal ideation and attempts. Suicidal behaviour is a continuum that begins with ideation and may continue with planning, attempts and suicide completion. Investigating the speciﬁc risk characteristics for suicidal attempts in patients with addiction pro- blems who present with suicidal ideation is crucial for developing prevention strategies. The main aims of this study were to determine the prevalence rate of suicide attempts among patients with lifetime suicidal ideation receiving treatment for addiction, and o explore the diﬀerential characteristics for suicide ideators with and without suicide attempts. Methods: A sample of 149 patients with suicidal ideation (110 male and 39 female) who sought treatment for addiction in a Spanish clinical centre was assessed. Measurements: Information concerning socio-demographic characteristics, addiction severity, and psycho- pathological symptoms was obtained. Results: In total, 39.6% of the patients had attempted suicide (95% Conﬁdence Interval: 32.1%–47.6%). Although all patients with suicidal behaviours presented a high severity in their addiction, patients with both suicidal ideation and suicide attempts showed a more severe addiction proﬁle and more maladjustment to ev- eryday life than patients with only suicidal ideation. Speciﬁcally, three psychopathological variables were re- lated to suicide attempts: worse psychiatric state, previous hospitalization for psychological problems, and history of delirium. Conclusions: According to the results, a systematic screening of suicidal risk in patients seeking treatment for addiction problems is recommended. Addiction treatment centres should develop treatment strategies to prevent suicidal ideators from attempting suicide, mainly in those cases with a worse lifetime psychiatric condition.
Open Access
Relationship between family mental health problems and substance use disorders: a gender perspective analysis
(Taylor and Francis Group, 2023) López-Goñi, José Javier; Fernández-Montalvo, Javier; Arteaga Olleta, Alfonso; Leza González, Leire; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak; Universidad Pública de Navarra / Nafarroako Unibertsitate Publikoa
Background: Little is known about family mental illness and substance use disorder (SUD). This casecontrol study explored the relationship between family (parents and/or siblings) mental health problems (FMHP) and lifetime substance use disorder (SUD), considering a gender perspective. Methods: A sample of 387 patients (n = 306 men, 79.1%; n = 81 women, 20.9%) was recruited from the Proyecto Hombre Navarra (Spain) addiction treatment program. Patients with (80 men; 24 women) and without (226 men; 57 women) FMHP were compared, taking sex into account. Results: The prevalence of FMHP was 26.9%, without significant differences between men (n = 80; 26.1%) and women (n = 24; 29.6%). Men with FMHP reported higher severity in family/social and psychiatric areas than those without FMHP. Women with FMHP reported a higher severity in the psychiatric area and a higher prevalence of anxiety problems, suicidal attempts, previous psychopharmacological treatments, and physical abuse than women without FMHP. Conclusions: FMHP is highly prevalent in patients with SUD. They are associated with lifetime psychopathological problems, mainly in men. Further specific research is needed to evaluate this issue to develop specific treatments tailored to the needs of patients with FMHP.
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
Are there gender‐based effects for an educational program for parents of adolescents with risk behaviors?
(Wiley, 2019) Fernández-Montalvo, Javier; Arteaga Olleta, Alfonso; López-Goñi, José Javier; Ituráin Jiménez de Bentrosa, Sonia; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak
The goals of this study were to evaluate the gender-based effectiveness of the parental intervention of the Suspertu (“recovery” in English) prevention program for adolescents with risk behaviors in Spain. The sample included 229 parents (105 fathers and 124 mothers). One open-label trial with repeated measures was used. Parents received a family therapy and a group education. The intervention improved parents’ authoritative parenting style, decreasing the degree of parental stress and reducing parent’s psychopathological symptoms and maladjustment. Improvement in both groups (fathers and mothers) was mainly observed from pre- to post-intervention assessment. According to the results, prevention programs for adolescents with risk behaviors may be a suitable context both to teach parents to deal appropriately with their children’s risk behaviors, and to improve parent’s psychological state.
Open Access
Differential MCMI-III psychopathological profiles between intimate partner violence perpetrators with and without childhood family violence
(Wiley, 2021) Siria Mendaza, Sandra; Fernández-Montalvo, Javier; Echauri, José Antonio; Arteaga Olleta, Alfonso; Azcárate, Juana M.; Martínez, María; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak
This study explored the differential prevalence of personality disorders (PD) and clinical syndromes between male perpetrators of intimate partner violence (IPV) with and without a history of childhood family violence (CFV). A sample of 981 perpetrators of IPV was assessed with the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory-III (MCMI-III). Comparisons of sociodemographic characteristics and MCMI-III scales' scores between perpetrators with (n = 293) and without (n = 688) CFV were carried out. Results showed that IPV perpetrators with CFV had a lower level of education, were less frequently employed, and had higher rates of previous psychiatric history than perpetrators without CFV. Statistically significant differences between groups in almost all the MCMI-III scales were found. Perpetrators with CFV presented with higher scores on most of the evaluated scales and showed a more severe psychopathological profile than perpetrators without CFV. The multivariate analysis showed that the main MCMI-III domains related to CFV were higher scores on the disclosure and alcohol dependence scales and lower scores on the passive-aggressive scale. These findings reveal that CFV is associated with a more severe psychopathological profile in perpetrators of IPV. In order to develop tailored interventions, the presence of CFV and psychopathological symptoms should be assessed in IPV perpetrators.
Open Access
Tratamiento de agresores contra la pareja en programas de atención a drogodependientes: un reto de futuro
(Sociedad Científica Española de Estudios sobre el Alcohol, el Alcoholismo y las otras Toxicomanías, 2011) Fernández-Montalvo, Javier; López-Goñi, José Javier; Arteaga Olleta, Alfonso; Psicología y Pedagogía; Psikologia eta Pedagogia
Existe una relación muy estrecha entre el consumo de sustancias (alcohol y otras drogas) y la violencia hacia la pareja. Los estudios llevados a cabo con hombres maltratadores y con pacientes adictos muestran una alta comorbilidad entre ambos fenómenos. Sin embargo, hasta la fecha han sido muy escasos los programas de intervención con maltratadores que se han aplicado en el ámbito de las drogodependencias. En este artículo se propone, en primer lugar, la necesidad de detectar los casos de violencia contra la pareja que aparecen camuflados bajo un problema de consumo de drogas. En este sentido, es necesario llevar a cabo estudios que determinen la tasa de prevalencia de agresores contra la pareja entre los usuarios de los programas de tratamiento para el abuso de sustancias, así como conocer las características específicas de este tipo de pacientes. En segundo lugar, una vez detectados los agresores, se podrían desarrollar programas específicos para el tratamiento simultáneo de ambas problemáticas (adicción y violencia hacia la pareja). Se han llevado a cabo algunos estudios con tratamientos conjuntos de la adicción y de la violencia de pareja. Los resultados obtenidos son esperanzadores y muestran que los programas de intervención con adicciones pueden ser un marco útil para aplicar también, en los casos necesarios, un tratamiento específico para aquellos adictos con un problema asociado de violencia contra la pareja. Se comentan las implicaciones de todo ello para la práctica clínica y para las investigaciones futuras.