The aim of this paper was to test the comparative effectiveness of three therapeutic modalities: a) individual stimulus control and exposure with response prevention; b) group cognitive restructuring; and c) a+b in the treatment of pathological gambling with slot machines. An additional waiting-list group was used to evaluate the spontaneous evolution of the non-treated gamblers. The sample consisted of 64 patients selected according to DSM-III-R criteria. A multigroup experimental design with repeated measures (pretreatment, posttreatment and 1, 3, 6 and 12-month follow-up) was used. Most treated patients gave up gambling as well as improved, albeit more slowly, in family/social and psychological functioning. The success rate was higher in the individual treatment compared both to group and combined treatment. There was also an improvement in gambling in the control group between the pretreatment and the 6–month follow-up and there was no difference between the combined treatment and control group. Individual stimulus control and exposure with response prevention appears to be a cost-effective therapy for pathological gambling. Implications of this study for clinical practice and future research in this field are discussed.

The aim of this study is to develop a scale to predict intimate partner femicide and severe violence. The sample consists of 1,081 batterer men who were reported to the police station. First, the most significant differences between the severe violence group (n = 269) and the less severe violence group (n = 812) in sociodemographic variables are determined. Both aggressors and victims of the severe violence group have a higher rate of immigration. Second, the proposed 20-item scale is derived from a larger 58-item scale, where only the most discriminative items between severe and nonsevere intimate partner violence are taken into account. Psychometric properties of reliability and validity are rather good. Cutoff scores have been proposed according to sensitivity and specificity. This easy-to-use tool appears to be suitable to the requirements of criminal justice professionals and is intended for use in safety planning. Implications of these results for further research are discussed.

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The aims of this study is to carry out a long-term follow-up evaluation of a well-established therapeutic community treatment for addictions in Navarre (Spain) and to make a comparison between the program completers and the dropouts, as well as between relapsing and nonrelapsing patients, on a broad set of variables. A long-term follow-up design (mean of 6 years after leaving treatment) was used to analyze the outcomes of the therapeutic program. The sample consisted of 155 subjects (113 completers and 42 dropouts). A personal interview was carried out with each one of the located subjects. The interviews took place between September 2000 and September 2004. Treatment "dropouts" manifested a higher and earlier rate both of relapses, and of new treatments for their drug addiction than the completion group. The program was also effective in reducing criminal behavior and improving the state of health. Significant differences were found across outcome variables when comparison was made between treatment completers and "dropouts." All subjects improved on outcome variables after receiving the treatment. When relapsing and nonrelapsing patients were compared, significant outcome differences were also found between groups. The study's limitations are noted and future needed research is suggested.

In this article, the effectiveness of a psychological treatment program for men who are in prison for committing a serious offence of gender violence is tested. The sample consisted of 52 men who were imprisoned in eight Spanish prisons. The psychological treatment was a cognitive-behavioral program, in a group format, with 20 weekly sessions that lasted for 8 months. The results showed a significant improvement of irrational beliefs, about both women and violence, as a strategy to cope with everyday difficulties and a significant decrease of psychopathological symptomatology, anger, and hostility. On the other hand, results indicated that the only difference between the patients who dropped out of treatment and those who completed it was the level of initial motivation for treatment. Implications of this study for clinical practice and future research in this field are discussed.

The aim of this paper was, on the one hand, to determine the efficacy of stimulus control and exposure with response prevention in stopping pathological gambling and, on the other hand, to test the comparative effectiveness of two therapeutic modalities (individual and group) for relapse prevention, relative to a control group, in order to maintain abstinence. The sample consisted of 69 patients selected according to DSM-IV criteria. At the first part of the study, an one-group design with repeated measures of assessment (pre and posttreatment) was used. At the second part, a multigroup experimental design with repeated measures (pretreatment, posttreatment and 1, 3, 6 and 12-month follow-up) was used. All treated patients gave up gambling at the end of the first part of the study. In the second part results related to relapse showed a success rate higher in both individual and group relapse prevention than in the control group. These results raise the necessity of using relapse prevention programs in the treatment of pathological gambling. Implications of this study for clinical practice and future research in this field are discussed upon.

RESUMENEn los últimos años se ha producido un aumento espectacular del uso de las nuevas tecnologías de la información y de la comunicación. En este estudio se analizaron las características y el patrón del uso de Internet en una muestra de preadolescentes de entre 10 y 13 años, que cursan 6º curso de Educación Primaria en Navarra (España). Asimismo, se analizó la existencia de un perfil diferencial en el uso de Internet en función del sexo y se detectó la existencia de conductas de riesgo. La muestra estaba compuesta por 364 estudiantes (206 chicos y 158 chicas), que fueron evaluados en sus centros educativos. Se recogió información sobre las características sociodemográficas, los hábitos de uso de Internet y los comportamientos desarrollados en la Red a través de un instrumento de recogida de datos diseñado específicamente para la investigación. Los resultados mostraron un uso elevado de Internet por parte de los adolescentes estudiados. Las chicas usaban más Internet para las relaciones sociales, mientras que los chicos tendían a darle otro tipo de usos, como el acceso a juegos online. Además, se encontraron algunas conductas de riesgo, como quedar con desconocidos, dar datos personales o enviar fotos y vídeos. Asimismo, se encontraron comportamientos relacionados con el «ciberbullying». Estos resultados indican la necesidad de establecer programas de prevención para el uso seguro y responsable de Internet. ABSTRACTA striking increase in the use of new information and communication technology has come about in recent years. This study analysed the characteristics and habits of Internet use in a sample of pre-adolescents between 10 and 13 years of age, enrolled in the 6th grade of primary school in Navarra (Spain). Likewise, the existence of differential patterns in Internet use by sex was analysed, and risk behaviours were detected. The sample was composed of 364 students (206 boys and 158 girls) who were evaluated at their schools. Information about socio-demographic characteristics, Internet use habits, and online behaviours was collected using a data-gathering tool specifically designed for the study. The results demonstrated high Internet use by the adolescents studied. Girls used the Internet more for social relationships, whereas boys tended to use it differently, including accessing online games. Moreover, some risky behaviours were found, including interactions with strangers, giving out personal information, and sending photos and videos. Likewise, behaviours associated with «cyber-bullying» were detected. These results indicate the necessity of establishing prevention programs for safe and responsible Internet use.

The aim of this paper was to determine the features of pathological gamblers who dropped out of the treatment or relapsed within a one year follow-up period. The sample consisted of 69 patients selected according to DSM-IV criteria. Results indicated that the only difference between the patients who dropped out of treatment and the ones who completed was the level of state-anxiety. The former were more anxious than the latter. Predictive variables for the therapeutic failure were the dissatisfaction with the treatment, the high level of alcohol consumption, and the neuroticism as a personality variable. Implications of the study for clinical practice and future research in this field are commented upon.