The present study analyzes violent behavior (psychological, physical, and sexual violence) that may occur in dating relationships. Data was collected from couples of adolescents and young adults in a sample of 579 students from the region of Madrid, consisting of 319 females and 260 males aged between 12 and 22 years. A novel aspect of this study compared with the great majority of published studies is analysis of a) the frequency of violent behaviors (and not only their presence or absence) to study significant mean differences and b) potential gender and age related differences in the patterns of violence. Results indicate the high prevalence of violence in Spanish dating relationships. Specifically, females carry out more mild physical (p < .001) and psychological violence (p < .05), whereas males perpetrate more sexual violence (p < .001). However, with regard to victimization, no significant gender related differences in frequency were found between boys and girls in any type of violence. With regard to age, young adolescents perform (p < .05) and suffer (p < .01) significantly more jealous behavior, whereas the young adults of our sample commit and suffer more sexual violence (p < .05). Directions for future research are outlined, mainly concerning instruments used that ought to be more sensitive to the reality being measured.
The effectiveness of a structured psychosocial intervention for women with breast cancer was studied in relation to a control group. The study was conducted in a hospital setting in Spain, and the aim of the intervention programme was to foster a higher quality of life and a more positive mental adjustment to the cancer. Three measures were used: baseline, post-treatment and 6-month follow-up for both groups. The dependent variables examined were quality of life and mental adjustment. The independent variable was the psychosocial intervention programme. Subjects were 188 women who had been operated for breast cancer and who satisfied a series of medical criteria, had no history of psychological problems and were between 25 and 65 years old. The results have shown that the psychosocial intervention programme was highly effective in improving the patients' quality of life, as compared with baseline measures, as well as compared with the control group. Additionally, the intervention increased the patients' fighting spirit and hopefulness/optimism, and reduced their anxious preoccupation as coping styles. These changes persevered at the 6-month follow-up.
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