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
Psychometric properties and factor structure of an Ecuadorian version of the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) in college students
(Public Library of Science, 2019) López, Víctor; Paladines Costa, María Belén; Vaca Gallegos, Silvia; Cacho Fernández, Raúl; Fernández-Montalvo, Javier; Ruisoto Palomera, Pablo; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak
Background: the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) is the gold standard in assessing harmful alcohol intake, which is responsible for substantial morbidity and mortality. Objective: the goal of this study is to evaluate the psychometric properties and factor structure of an Ecuadorian adaptation of a Spanish translation of the AUDIT in a large sample of college students in Ecuador. Methods: a total of 7905 students, including 46.26% males, and 53.75% females, from 11 universities in Ecuador, were surveyed. The questionnaire was tested for two- and three-factor structures, reliability, and correlations with other health related measures. Results: the Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin test for sampling adequacy was satisfactory (.0885), and Bartlett´s test for sphericity was significant (p < .001). Although both models showed a good fit to the data, the two-factor model was preferred based on the high correlations between the factors 2 and 3 within the three-factor model (.86 for the total sample, .77 for females, and .91 for males). The reliability for the two-factor model was good, as indicated by Cronbach´s α = .806 (factor I) and .716 (factor II) for the total sample, .808 (factor I) and .667 (factor II) for females, and .787 (factor I) and .728 (factor II) for males. Additionally, the AUDIT scores positively correlated with several health-related measures: stress, psychological inflexibility, loneliness and depression/anxiety symptomatology. Conclusion: the Ecuadorian adaptation of the Spanish version of the AUDIT has good reliability, and internal consistency and correlates with other health related measures, proving to be a reliable tool that can be used by researchers and clinicians to screen hazardous alcohol intake in college students.
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
Empatía y juicios morales en población anciana
(Viguera Editores, 2014) Ortega García, Helga; Cacho Fernández, Raúl; López-Goñi, José Javier; Tirapu Ustárroz, Javier; Psicología y Pedagogía; Psikologia eta Pedagogia
La cognición social se refiere a los procesos mentales que operan en situaciones de interacción social y facilitan el ajuste y el funcionamiento en tales escenarios. Objetivo. Estudiar la respuesta empática en dos grupos de personas mayores y su relación con la inteligencia emocional y el juicio moral. Sujetos y métodos. Participaron 60 sujetos divididos en dos grupos de 30 cada uno, que cumplimentaron una batería de pruebas: Trait Meta-Mood Scale-24, cuestionario disejecutivo, índice de reactividad interpersonal (IRI) y dilemas morales. Resultados. En la dimensión de toma de perspectiva del IRI, el grupo de edad avanzada puntuó significativamente menos que el grupo de mediana edad (U = 279; p < 0,05). En el resto de variables no se encontraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas. Conclusiones. Los resultados muestran la ausencia de un déficit generalizado en la cognición social en la muestra de ancianos evaluada. Sin embargo, se aprecian diferencias en función de la edad en la empatía y en el rendimiento ejecutivo: con el paso del tiempo tiene lugar un deterioro progresivo en la teoría de la mente y un declive en la capacidad empática general. Con respecto a la inteligencia emocional, los ancianos evaluados manifiestan una adecuada percepción y comprensión de sus emociones, aunque informan de una peor capacidad para manejar y regular sus afectos.
Open Access
Relationship between cognitive impairments and abnormal subjective experiences in different subtypes of schizophrenic patients
(Grupo de Neurociencias de Antioquia, 2010) Cacho Fernández, Raúl; García Nieto, Rebeca; Psicología y Pedagogía; Psikologia eta Pedagogia
Introducción. Aunque el elemento clave de la esquizofrenia es la sintomatología psiquiátrica, se están llevando a cabo cada vez más estudios para examinar otros aspectos de la enfermedad como las experiencias subjetivas anormales y los déficit cognitivos. Sin embargo, sigue sin conocerse cómo se relacionan entre sí estos dos aspectos y cómo interactúan en diferentes subgrupos de pacientes esquizofrénicos. Objetivos: El principal objetivo es estudiar en profundidad la relación entre las experiencias subjetivas anormales y los déficit cognitivos en dos subgrupos de pacientes esquizofrénicos crónicos (Residuales y Paranoides). Método: Se analizaron las similitudes y diferencias en la ejecución de ambos grupos de pacientes en diferentes tareas neuropsicológicas y su percepción subjetiva de los síntomas. Resultados: Aunque ambos grupos de pacientes presentaron alteraciones de memoria, los déficit cognitivos fueron más pronunciados en los pacientes Residuales. Estos sujetos también refirieron alteraciones del discurso, fallos de memoria y trastornos del pensamiento. Por otra parte, los sujetos Paranoides rindieron mejor en todas las tareas neuropsicológicas excepto en el test Stroop porque su capacidad de inhibir respuestas inapropiadas parece estar más deteriorada. En relación con este hecho, estos sujetos refirieron más alteraciones perceptuales. Conclusiones: Ambos subtipos de pacientes se caracterizan por una percepción subjetiva de los síntomas. Además, su experiencia subjetiva de la enfermedad parece estar levemente relacionada con sus déficit cognitivos específicos.
Open Access
Effects of social stress on tumor development in dominant male mice with diverse behavioral activity profiles
(Colegio Oficial de Psicólogos del Principado de Asturias, 2008) Azpiroz Sánchez, Arantxa; Vegas Moreno, Oscar; Garmendia Rezola, Larraitz; Cacho Fernández, Raúl; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak
Se examinó la influencia del perfil psicológico individual y del comportamiento social en el desarrollo tumoral de ratones macho dominantes. Los animales fueron sometidos a un test de campo abierto (OFT) para medir la actividad locomotora y la latencia. Posteriormente, los animales se dividieron en tres grupos: Stress-No-Inoculado (SNI), Stress-Inoculado (SI) y Control-Inoculado (CI). SI y CI fueron inoculados con células tumorales y SNI con vehículo. Los grupos SI y CI fueron sometidos a estrés mediante la interacción con un animal intruso anósmico, seis (T1) y veintiún (T2) días después de la inoculación y analizada su conducta. Finalmente los animales fueron sacrificados y se contaron las metastásis pulmonares. SI desarrolló más metástasis que CI, indicando un efecto del estrés a pesar de su estatus de ganador. Los animales activos desarrollaron menos metástasis que los pasivos. Aunque no se encontraron diferencias conductuales a T1, sí se encontraron diferencias a T2 entre SI y SNI, y entre activos y pasivos. Estas diferencias indican que existe un efecto del desarrollo tumoral en la conducta social que es más evidente en los sujetos pasivos.
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 problematic alcohol consumption in university professors
(MDPI, 2017) Ruisoto Palomera, Pablo; Vaca Gallegos, Silvia; López-Goñi, José Javier; Cacho Fernández, Raúl; Fernández Suárez, Iván; Psicología y Pedagogía; Psikologia eta Pedagogia
The role of job satisfaction and other psychosocial variables in problematic alcohol consumption within professional settings remains understudied. The aim of this study is to assess the level of problematic alcohol consumption among male and female university professors and associated psychosocial variables. A total of 360 professors (183 men and 177 women) of a large private university in Ecuador were surveyed using standardized instruments for the following psychosocial measures: alcohol consumption, job satisfaction, psychological stress, psychological flexibility, social support and resilience. Problematic alcohol consumption was found in 13.1% of participants, although this was significantly higher (χ2 = 15.6; d.f. = 2, p < 0.001) in men (19.1%) than women (6.8%). Problematic alcohol consumption was reported in men with higher perceived stress and job satisfaction. However, 83.3% of women with problematic alcohol use reported lower job satisfaction and higher psychological inflexibility. Results suggest that job satisfaction itself did not prevent problematic alcohol consumption in men; stress was associated with problematic consumption in men and psychological inflexibility in women. Findings from this study support the need to assess aspects of alcohol consumption and problematic behavior differently among men and women. Intervention strategies aimed at preventing or reducing problematic alcohol consumption in university professors must be different for men and women.
Open Access
Anatomy of educational innovations based on learning by discovery in higher education
(Consejo General de la Psicología de España, 2024) Ruisoto Palomera, Pablo; Contador Castillo, Israel; Quintero, Esperanza; López-García, Juan Carlos; Álvarez-Díaz, Beatriz; Cacho Fernández, Raúl; Fernández-Calvo, Bernardino; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak; Institute for Advanced Social Research - ICOMMUNITAS
El objetivo de este trabajo es examinar las innovaciones docentes derivadas del Plan Bolonia, centrando la atención en el aprendizaje basado en problemas y la gamificación, que resaltan la importancia del aprendizaje por descubrimiento o autónomo. Se analizan metaanálisis y artículos prominentes en ¿Education¿ and ¿Educational Research¿ de los últimos 5 años. Utilizando un símil biomédico, se identifican los principios activos de las innovaciones basadas en aprendizaje por descubrimiento, destacando la subordinación de contenidos teóricos a competencias prácticas y la ruptura del binomio docente-estudiante. Se señalan efectos adversos como la devaluación de clases magistrales, desacreditación de la autoridad docente y la infantilización de estudiantes. Diferentes estudios indican que la eficacia del aprendizaje por descubrimiento en la educación superior es débil e inconsistente. Por tanto, se aboga por la prudencia en su implementación y la preservación de la función social universitaria para transmitir conocimiento a niveles superiores.
Open Access
Profile of addicted patients who re-enter treatment programmes
(Taylor & Francis, 2014) López-Goñi, José Javier; Fernández-Montalvo, Javier; Cacho Fernández, Raúl; Arteaga Olleta, Alfonso; Psicología y Pedagogía; Psikologia eta Pedagogia; Gobierno de Navarra / Nafarroako Gobernua, 359/2012
Objective. This study explored the differential profile of addicted patients who re-enter treatment programmes. Method. A sample of 252 addicted patients (203 male and 49 female) who sought outpatient treatment was assessed. Data regarding socio-demographic factors, drug consumption factors (assessed using the EuropAsi), psychopathological factors (assessed using the Symptom Checklist 90 Revised [SCL-90-R]), and personality variables (assessed using the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory II [MCMI-II]) were collected. Results. 65.9% (n=166) of drug-addicted patients were re-admitted into treatment programmes. All of the variables for which we collected data were compared between these treatment repeaters and patients who were admitted for the first time. Significant differences between the two groups of patients were found for some of the variables that we examined. Treatment repeaters were generally older and had a poorer employment situation than first-time admits. Treatment repeaters were also more likely to report poly-consumption and to have sought treatment for alcohol abuse. Moreover, some of the scores for several EuropAsi, SCL-90-R, and MCMI-II variables were statistically significantly different from those of the first-time admits. Conclusions. According to these results, patients who re-enter treatment programmes often present with more severe addiction problems. The implications of these results for further research and clinical practice are discussed.