Carlos López-Pinar

Objectives: It remains unclear how much parents with ADHD benefit from standard parenting interventions such as behavioral parent training (BPT). Our objective was to systematically review the literature on BPT aimed at adults with ADHD. As few studies with this focus were identified, we exploratively broadened our scope to quantitatively combine and qualitatively analyze studies of behavioral parenting interventions reporting parental ADHD characteristics. Method: A systematic review was conducted of studies evaluating BPT for (targeting) parents with ADHD. The broader literature was explored through meta-regressions and qualitative content analysis. Results: In the systematic review, five studies focusing on parents with ADHD were identified, including two randomized controlled trials. These studies used different strategies to facilitate parents’ BPT implementation: treating the parents’ ADHD or adapting the BPT itself for adults with ADHD. The number of studies was too small to meta-analyze but narratively suggested that BPT delivered with consideration of parental ADHD functioning and needs can be associated with, for example, increased positive parenting skills. None of our main meta-regressions (5–14 studies) associated parental ADHD with BPT outcomes beyond the trend level. The qualitative literature analysis (54 reports) suggested several ways to adapt the contents and delivery of BPT for parents with ADHD and their contexts. Conclusion: This study highlights the potential of tailoring BPT to adults with ADHD. It also emphasizes the need for further research to determine the efficacy of BPT for parents with ADHD and to identify which BPT-related, individual, and contextual factors influence their BPT engagement and outcomes.

The current study examined the clinical utility of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children – Fifth Edition (WISC-V) as a valid tool for the eval

Background: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is an evidence-based, process-oriented psychotherapy that provides palliative care through compassionate, person-centered care for terminal illness. This study evaluates the effects of ACT on quality of life (QoL) and emotional distress and examines the role of process variables (e.g., psychological flexibility). Method: Systematic review with meta-analysis following searches in PubMed, SCOPUS and PsycInfo for studies measuring QoL, anxiety/depression symptoms, and process variables in ACT interventions. Random-effects meta-analyses and meta-regressions were performed. Risk of bias was assessed. Results: 13 studies were included (1,109 participants; M age = 61.5; 55.7% women; 6 RCTs). ACT showed significant, moderate effects for QoL, anxiety and depression symptoms versus active controls (SMD = 0.44 to 0.62), sustained at 1-9 months follow-up (SMD = 0.35 to 0.56). Psychological flexibility emerged as the strongest predictor of QoL improvement. Face-to-face interventions demonstrated better results than remote delivery. Conclusions: These findings support the clinical relevance of ACT as an effective approach for addressing psychological distress and improving QoL in end-of-life care. Key limitations include self-report bias, high heterogeneity, potential overlap between measures, publication bias for QoL, and limited sample sizes in some analyses. High-quality trials are warranted, particularly in non-oncological populations, caregivers, and healthcare professionals.

Introduction: University students are vulnerable to psychological distress due to the academic and social demands of this life stage. Mindfulness and self-compassion are effective and adaptable strategies in an academic environment that promote emotional regulation and psychological well-being. This study aims to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the combined impact of mindfulness- and self-compassion-based interventions (MBSCIs) on psychological distress. It will also analyze their role as predictors of therapeutic change, as well as the moderating influence of sociodemographic and contextual factors. Method: We systematically searched PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and single-group pre-post trials investigating the effect of MBSCI on anxiety, depression and stress in college students. Studies were combined using the inverse variance method in a random effects model. Additional subgroup and meta-regression analyses were performed, and risk of bias was assessed. The review was pre-registered (PROSPERO registration number: CRD420251003822). Results: Our review included 49 studies with a total of 5043 participants (3721 in the intervention group, and 1322 in the control group). The results provide relevant evidence on the efficacy of MBSCI in the university population, especially in reducing symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression. The effect sizes observed were moderate-to-large for stress and small-to-moderate for anxiety and depression, supporting their clinical usefulness in university educational settings. However, these findings should be interpreted with caution, as no included study achieved low risk of bias, and heterogeneity was moderate-to-high across most outcomes. Conclusions: The results suggest that MBSCI could alleviate psychological distress in university students. However, these results are limited by some methodological issues (risk of bias, heterogeneity, lack of follow-ups, poor standardization). It would be advisable to integrate these practices into the university curriculum as workshops or complementary activities. Further studies are needed to confirm their effectiveness and explore sustained effects and differences according to individual characteristics.

Introduction: Problematic pornography use (PPU) affects some individuals, causing distress and impaired functioning, and while psychotherapy is considered a first-line intervention, its efficacy remains understudied and unknown to many therapists. This review aimed to comprehensively synthesize the available evidence on psychotherapy for PPU and related problems (i.e., craving). Methods: For this meta-analytic systematic review, we conducted a systematic literature search, followed by study selection, coding, and data extraction. We then meta-analyzed the resulting studies using a random-effects model with subgroup analyses, meta-regressions, and risk of bias assessments. Results: 20 studies with 2,021 participants met the inclusion criteria. Most studies included cognitive behavioral therapy and acceptance and commitment therapy interventions. Participants receiving psychotherapy improved significantly more than controls on PPU, frequency/duration of pornography use, and sexual compulsivity, with large effect sizes, that were small for craving. Within-subject effects were also large and stable at follow-up. In addition, single-case designs meta-analyses showed clinically significant reductions in PPU, craving, and frequency/duration. We identified moderate effects for related depression symptoms. Most subgroup and meta-regression analyses adjusting for treatment and sample characteristics were not significant. Discussion: These results supports the efficacy of cognitive behavioral therapy and acceptance and commitment therapy in treating PPU and related problems. This has relevant implications for clinical practice (e.g., treating these problems with evidence-based interventions). However, these findings are limited by methodological issues, including the high risk of bias identified. To address these limitations, future research should use more rigorous methods (e.g., randomized controlled trials) and include more diverse groups.

Recent literature suggests that ADHD is a risk factor for the development of antisocial behavior that is more severe and persistent than in community and other psychiatric populations. The combination of stimulant medication and psychotherapy (particularly cognitive behavioral therapy, CBT) is considered an evidence-based intervention for adults with ADHD. In contrast, few studies have evaluated the efficacy of medication in adult prisoners with ADHD, and the literature on the efficacy of psychotherapy is virtually nonexistent. Therefore, this article presents the protocol of a trial that will assess the efficacy of a formulation-based CBT program for inmates with ADHD. The study has a multicenter randomized controlled trial design. After screening and recruitment, participants will be randomly assigned to the CBT intervention, a general offender treatment program, or a waitlist. Pre- and post-treatment self-report and clinician-report assessments, as well as 6- and 12-month follow-up assessments will be conducted. These will include both clinical (e.g., ADHD symptoms, depression and anxiety symptoms, self-esteem, alcohol/drug abuse, treatment adherence, quality of life) and criminological (e.g., recidivism and risk of recidivism) measures. Linear mixed models will be used to assess differences between groups. This study may be the first to evaluate the efficacy of a psychotherapy intervention in adult inmates with ADHD. It is expected that addressing the specific needs of ADHD would not only result in the previously reported clinical improvements (e.g., reduction in ADHD and comorbidity symptoms), but also reduce the risk and rate of recidivism compared to the general intervention or no intervention. However, the design may be limited by the difficulties inherent in the prison setting and in following up the sample after release. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT06080373. Registered on October 12, 2023.

Background Recent literature suggests that ADHD is a risk factor for the development of antisocial behavior that is more severe and persistent than in community and other psychiatric populations. The combination of stimulant medication and psychotherapy (particularly cognitive-behavioral therapy, CBT) is considered an evidence-based intervention for adults with ADHD. In contrast, few studies have evaluated the efficacy of medication in adult prisoners with ADHD, and the literature on the efficacy of psychotherapy is virtually nonexistent. Therefore, this article presents the protocol of a trial that will assess the efficacy of a formulation-based CBT program for inmates with ADHD. Methods The study has a multicenter randomized controlled trial design. After screening and recruitment, participants will be randomly assigned to the CBT intervention, a general offender treatment program, or a waitlist. Pre- and post-treatment self-report and clinician-report assessments, as well as 6- and 12-month follow-up assessments will be conducted. These will include both clinical (e.g., ADHD symptoms, depression and anxiety symptoms, self-esteem, alcohol/drug abuse, treatment adherence, quality of life) and criminological (e.g., recidivism and risk of recidivism) measures. Linear mixed models will be used to assess differences between groups. Discussion This study may be the first to evaluate the efficacy of a psychotherapy intervention in adult inmates with ADHD. It is expected that addressing the specific needs of ADHD would not only result in the previously reported clinical improvements (e.g., reduction in ADHD and comorbidity symptoms), but also reduce the risk and rate of recidivism compared to the general intervention or no intervention. However, the design may be limited by the difficulties inherent in the prison setting and in following up the sample after release. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT06080373