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
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
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
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
Employment integration after therapeutic community treatment: a case study from Spain
(Wiley, 2011) López-Goñi, José Javier; Fernández-Montalvo, Javier; Menéndez, Juan Carlos; Yudego, Fausto; Rico García, Ángel; Esarte Eseverri, Sonia; Psicología y Pedagogía; Psikologia eta Pedagogia
This article describes the employment evolution from pre- to post-treatment of 112 patients in two therapeutic communities of Proyecto Hombre (Spain). Moreover, an analysis was made using the composite scores of the EuropASI in order to evaluate the secondary outcomes in work status, beyond drug consumption. The results show that nearly half of the patients (46% of the sample) changed their employment status after treatment. Specifically, 78.6 per cent of the men (N=77) and 64.3 per cent of the women (N=9) were working after treatment; there were no statistically significant differences between them. Although the unemployment figures after treatment remained high, the residents were satisfied with their work integration. No statistically significant differences were observed between those who completed the treatment and those who did not. Implications of these results for further research and clinical practice are discussed.
Open Access
Substance use disorder and lifetime suicidal behaviour: a scoping review
(Elsevier, 2024) Leza González, Leire; Haro Escribano, Begoña; López-Goñi, José Javier; Fernández-Montalvo, Javier; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak; Universidad Pública de Navarra / Nafarroako Unibertsitate Publikoa
Background: Suicidal behaviours are prevalent in substance use disorder (SUD) patients. These behaviours have a negative impact on the psychopathological profile of these patients. However, few studies have evaluated suicide as a continuum (i.e. starting with ideation, followed by attempts and ending with death) and its evolution during treatment. The aim of this scoping review was to explore what is known about suicidal behaviour in individuals undergoing clinical treatment for SUD. Methods: The PsycINFO, Web of Science (Core Collection and MEDLINE), Scopus, and Cochrane Library databases were searched. After screening the records based on eligibility and exclusion criteria, 30 studies were ultimately selected for inclusion. Results: Most of the studies were conducted in the USA and Europe. Only three studies evaluated suicidal behaviour with a specific instrument. The prevalence of suicidal ideation (SI) in people being treated for SUD ranged from 20 % to 62.2 %, and the prevalence of suicide attempts (SA) ranged from 15.8 % to 52.1 %. Only one study reported death by suicide. Conclusions: Despite the high prevalence of suicidal behaviours and their harmful consequences, the assessment of this phenomenon is scarce and heterogeneous. There is a need to assess suicidal behaviour with standardized criteria in order to develop tailored SUD treatment.
Open Access
Comorbilidad psicopatológica en el alcoholismo: un estudio descriptivo
(Asociacion Española de Psicología Conductual, 2006) Landa González, Natalia; Fernández-Montalvo, Javier; López-Goñi, José Javier; Lorea Conde, Iñaki; Psicología y Pedagogía; Psikologia eta Pedagogia
En este estudio se lleva a cabo un análisis del perfil de bebida y de la comorbilidad psicopatológica en 50 pacientes alcohólicos que acuden en busca de tratamiento a un programa ambulatorio de Proyecto Hombre de Navarra. Para ello, se lleva a cabo un estudio ex post facto, de carácter retrospectivo y con un grupo cuasi control. Se utilizan los criterios diagnósticos del DSM-IV-TR para la dependencia alcohólica, el Müncher Alkoholismus Test (MALT), para valorar la gravedad del alcoholismo, y el SCL-90-R, como medida de la sintomatología asociada. Los resultados obtenidos muestran la presencia de numerosa sintomatología psicopatológica, con elevaciones significativas en la mayoría de las dimensiones del SCL-90-R, tanto en los hombres como en las mujeres de la muestra. La comparación con las muestras normativas refleja que los alcohólicos de la muestra presentan más síntomas psicopatológicos que la población normal, pero menos que la población psiquiátrica. Asimismo, la gravedad del alcoholismo se relaciona de forma significativa con la mayor presencia e intensidad de comorbilidad. Por último, se comentan las implicaciones de este estudio para la práctica clínica y para la investigación futura.
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
Profiles of mothers who seek treatment for substance use disorders in a clinical centre
(Emerald, 2019) Fernández-Montalvo, Javier; López-Goñi, José Javier; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to explore the prevalence and profile of mothers among women who sought treatment for drug addiction, as well as the therapeutic progression of these patients. Design/methodology/approach: A sample of 180 Spanish women with addiction problems was assessed. Information was collected on the patients’ socio-demographic characteristics, consumption variables and psychological symptoms. Findings: Of the total sample, 22.2 per cent (n = 40) of the women seeking treatment for substance use disorder were mothers. Compared with women without children, mothers scored significantly higher on several EuropASI and psychological variables. Specifically, mothers presented with more medical problems, worse employment/financial situations, and more severity in alcohol use. Moreover, having a history of lifetime physical and/or sexual abuse was related to belonging to the group of mothers. Regarding therapeutic progression, no statistically significant differences in the retention rate were found between mothers and non-mothers. Originality/value: The results of this study show that mothers generally have more severe problems than non-mothers. Therefore, comprehensive, continuum-based, and client-centred care for mothers is paramount for effective treatment in mothers. The implications of these results for further research and clinical practice are discussed.
Open Access
Prevalencia del juego patológico en el alcoholismo: un estudio exploratorio
(Asociación Española de Psicología Clínica y Psicopatología, 2005) Fernández-Montalvo, Javier; López-Goñi, José Javier; Landa González, Natalia; Psicología y Pedagogía; Psikologia eta Pedagogia
En este estudio se lleva a cabo un análisis de la prevalencia del juego patológico en 50 alcohólicos que acuden en busca de tratamiento. Para ello, se utilizaron los criterios diagnósticos del DSM-IV-TR para el juego patológico y el Cuestionario de Juego Patológico de South Oaks (SOGS). Los resultados obtenidos mostraron que el 20% de los alcohólicos de la muestra presentaba un diagnóstico comórbido de ludopatía. Además, un 12% adicional obtenía una puntuación en el SOGS indicadora de juego problemático. En suma, el 32% de la muestra presentaba síntomas de juego clínicamente significativos. La comparación entre los alcohólicos con y sin ludopatía asociada mostró diferencias significativas en las variables relacionadas con el consumo de alcohol, que eran más altas en la submuestra de alcohólicos ludópatas, pero no en la sintomatología psicopatológica evaluada con el SCL-90-R. Se comentan las implicaciones de este estudio para la práctica clínica y la investigación futura.