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
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.
Open Access
Suicidal behaviours in people seeking treatment for substance use disorder
(Elsevier, 2025-03-13) Leza González, Leire; López-Goñi, José Javier; Arteaga Olleta, Alfonso; Sánchez Torres, Ana María; Fernández-Montalvo, Javier; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak; Gobierno de Navarra / Nafarroako Gobernua
Little is known about the specific characteristics of suicidal behaviour in people receiving treatment for substance use disorder (SUD). The aim of this study was to describe the number and types of suicide attempts and the methods used by 215 patients with SUD, according to sex. A face to face interview (Columbia Scale Severity Rate) was conducted. Lifetime suicidal ideation was reported by 48.8 % (n = 105) of the patients, and lifetime suicide attempts by 28.4 % (n = 61). Forty-five patients reported actual suicide attempts (20.9 %), and overdose was the most common method used (52.5 %; n = 32). Women had more aborted attempts than men did. Most of the participants who attempted suicide made only one attempt (n = 34; 55.7 %). The projection of these figures is alarming. These results justify the need to integrate suicide prevention interventions into addiction treatment programmes.
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
Differential psychosocial consequences between male and female workers who have suffered an amputation in an occupational accident
(Gobierno de Navarra, 2024-11-14) Nevado Barroso, Rubén; Arteaga Olleta, Alfonso; Fernández-Montalvo, Javier; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak
Fundamento. Los principales objetivos de este estudio son de-terminar las características sociodemográficas, tipo de amputación, ocupacionales y psicosociales de las personas afectadas por amputaciones ocupacionales en Navarra, España, y analizar las diferentes características en función del sexo. Método. El Instituto de Salud Pública y Laboral de Navarra identificó a los trabajadores que habían sufrido una amputación en un accidente laboral en Navarra entre enero de 2000 y diciembre de 2019. Se evaluaron las características sociodemográficas, de la amputación, psicopatológicas (Listado de Síntomas, SCL-90-R; Escala de Gravedad de Síntomas Revisada del Trastorno de Estrés Postraumático, EGS-R), inadaptación (Escala de Inadaptación), dolor (Escala Numérica de Valoración del Dolor) y suicidio (Escala Columbia para Evaluar el Riesgo de Suicidio, C-SSRS). Resultados. De los 557 trabajadores identificados, 80 fueron incluidos en el estudio. Los resultados mostraron la presencia de repercusiones psicosociales relevantes con un nivel moderada-mente alto de síntomas psicopatológicos, una tasa de prevalencia de TEPT del 10%, la reexperimentación como síntoma más relevante y el trabajo y el ocio como áreas más afectadas. Se encontraron diferencias por sexo en los síntomas de reexperimentación del TEPT (mayores en mujeres) y en la inadaptación del ocio (mayores en hombres). No se encontraron diferencias por sexo en el resto de variables estudiadas. Conclusiones. Este estudio demuestra la relevancia de las consecuencias psicosociales en trabajadores con amputaciones. Es necesaria más investigación sobre este tema dado el escaso número de estudios desarrollados hasta la fecha.
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
Characteristics and predictors of suicidal ideation severity among callers to a telephone helpline in Spain
(Colegio Oficial de la Psicología de Madrid, 2021) Fernández-Montalvo, Javier; Villanueva, Pedro; Arteaga Olleta, Alfonso; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak
El Teléfono de la Esperanza (TE) es la principal línea telefónica de ayuda en España que brinda apoyo a las personas en situaciones de crisis. Las líneas telefónicas de ayuda pueden facilitar la identificación de personas en riesgo de suicidio. Los objetivos principales de este estudio transversal fueron identificar la ideación suicida grave y explorar las características diferenciales con respecto a la ideación suicida moderada. Se revisaron las llamadas al TE de 26,032 personas y se evaluó una muestra de 544 personas que presentaban ideación suicida a través de ATENSIS, una herramienta diseñada para recopilar información sobre la ideación suicida. Se comparó a las personas con ideación suicida grave y moderada en características sociodemográficas, momento de la llamada, factores de riesgo y variables de suicidio. Sesenta y cuatro (11.8%) de las personas presentaban ideación suicida grave y 480 (88.2%) ideación baja-moderada. Se encontraron diferencias significativas en las distintas variables estudiadas. En el análisis de regresión, las principales variables relacionadas con la presencia de alta gravedad de la ideación suicida fueron la existencia de actos preparatorios, los intentos previos de suicidio, las autolesiones no suicidas, la falta de sentido de la vida, la edad y la desesperanza. Las líneas de ayuda pueden identificar la ideación suicida en las personas que llaman y proporcionar una intervención rápida en situaciones de crisis de acuerdo con el riesgo de suicidio presentado.
Open Access
Prevalence and differential profile of patients with substance use disorder who have suffered physical and/or sexual abuse
(SAGE, 2021) Haro Escribano, Begoña; López-Goñi, José Javier; Fernández-Montalvo, Javier; Arteaga Olleta, Alfonso; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak
Patients with substance use disorder (SUD) who undergo treatment present a high prevalence of lifetime physical and/or sexual abuse. Studies about this phenomenon and the specific needs of patients with a history of abuse must be carried out to tailor treatment programmes. The first goal of this paper was to determine the prevalence of physical and/or sexual abuse among patients with SUD, and the second goal was to analyse the specific characteristics of these patients. A sample of 418 subjects was assessed to achieve the first goal, and 104 subjects (52 with and 52 without a history of physical and/or sexual abuse) were examined to reach the second goal. All patients sought treatment for SUD in two Spanish clinical centres. The results showed that 15.5% of the sample had a history of physical and/or sexual abuse (42.3% of women and 9.9% of men). Patients with a history of abuse presented a higher need for SUD treatment in family and psychiatric areas and more psychopathological symptoms than patients without a history of abuse. According to this more serious profile, a patient-centred intervention considering the history of abuse is recommended. This will allow the specific needs of these patients to be met, thus improving SUD treatment success.