Belén del Valle Vera

This study evaluated the explanatory power of the theory of planned behavior (TPB) and examined past behavior and habit strength as non-conscious predictors of cannabis use frequency. It also explored whether the model’s explanatory power was consistent across gender and college status. Using non-probability targeted sampling, we recruited 606 Spanish-speaking young adults (aged 18–25, M = 21.04, SD = 2.15; 61.2% male) who reported cannabis use in the past month from public venues. Participants completed an initial survey assessing cannabis use frequency, TPB constructs, and habit strength. Three months later, 501 (82.6%) completed a follow-up assessment of cannabis use frequency and habit strength. The TPB model accounted for 39.2% of the variance in cannabis use intention and 56.2% of the variance in cannabis use frequency. The extended model, which included past behavior and habit strength (at both time points), accounted for 65.7% and 67.6%, respectively. Baseline habit strength was not significantly associated with intention. Past behavior and habit strength at follow-up showed the strongest associations with cannabis use frequency, while associations involving deliberative constructs were attenuated. The extended TPB model was invariant across gender and college status. While the TPB offers a solid framework for understanding cannabis use behavior, these findings highlight the need to consider both non-conscious and deliberative processes when designing interventions aimed at reducing cannabis use.

In recent years, the intentional use of drugs in sexual contexts—commonly referred to as chemsex or sexualized drug use—has been on the rise (Dolengevich-Segal et al., 2017; McCall et al., 2015). W...

Simultaneous alcohol and cannabis use (SAC) poses greater health risks than using each substance separately or concurrently. This two-wave prospective study examined (1) the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) capacity to explain the frequency of avoiding SAC use; (2) whether adding past behavior and habit strength—non-deliberative processes—improved prediction; and (3) model invariance across sex and college status. A community sample of 378 young adults (60.3% men, M _age = 21.02, SD = 2.12) completed baseline and 3-month follow-up questionnaires. The TPB explained 55.9% of the variance in intention and 31.4% in behavior. Adding habit strength and past behavior raised explained variance to 73.6% and 49.9%. These non-deliberative factors were the strongest predictors, reducing the effect of traditional TPB components. The model’s predictive capacity was invariant across gender and educational status. While the TPB provides a strong framework for understanding health-promoting behaviors, our results highlight the importance of considering both automatic and reasoned processes.

The aim of the present systematic review was to examine the characteristics of mHealth interventions focused on reducing substance use, negative consequences or increasing protective behavioural strategies use in young adult population. Interventions were categorized according to the format of implementation (i. e., messages, web page or apps). We identified 29 interventions. Interventions delivered by messages and web pages impacted on the three dependent variables analysed. None of the interventions delivered by app showed significant changes. Most of the interventions were intended for college students and focused on alcohol consumption. Our results stand out the need to develop and evaluate interventions for non-college population and focused on substances different to alcohol. The evidence provided could be a useful for designing mHealth interventions focused on reduce substance use among young people. El objetivo de la presente revisión sistemática fue examinar las características de las intervenciones centradas en reducir el consumo de sustancias, sus potenciales consecuencias negativas o incrementar el uso de estrategias de protección en jóvenes impartidas a través de medios tecnológicos. Las intervenciones fueron categorizadas según el formato de implementación (i. e., mensajes, páginas webs o apps). Se identificaron 29 intervenciones. Las intervenciones por mensajes y páginas web impactaron positivamente en las tres variables dependientes analizadas. Ninguna de las intervenciones por apps mostró cambios significativos. La mayoría de las intervenciones estuvieron dirigidas a estudiantes universitarios y centradas en el consumo de alcohol. Esto destaca la necesidad de desarrollar y evaluar intervenciones dirigidas a población no-universitaria y centradas en sustancias diferentes al alcohol. La síntesis proporcionada podría ser útil para guiar el diseño de intervenciones mediadas por tecnologías para reducir el impacto del consumo de sustancias en jóvenes.

We examined whether drinking quantity mediated the relationship between descriptive drinking norms and alcohol-related negative consequences, and if this was moderated by protective behavioral strategies (PBS) use. Undergraduate students ( n = 538, 78.0% female, mean age = 21.21 [ SD = 3.62]) from three Spanish universities completed a questionnaire. Simple and moderated mediation analyses were conducted. Drinking quantity fully mediated the relationship between descriptive drinking norms and alcohol consequences, and PBS moderated this relationship. Among participants with high PBS use, the impact of descriptive drinking norms on drinking quantity disappeared. The indirect effect of descriptive drinking norms on alcohol consequences through drinking quantity was significant for individuals with low/moderate PBS use levels, but not for those with high PBS use. Our findings shed light on how descriptive drinking norms influence alcohol-related negative consequences, and suggest that promoting the utilization of PBS could be an effective approach to ameliorate the impact of peer influences on drinking behavior.

The objective of this study was to compare performance on a comprehensive impulsivity battery of SUD outpatients who dropout versus those who do not dropout and of abstainers versus relapsers at 3 and 12 months of treatment follow-up. Impulsivity was measured at the start of treatment and adherence and relapse at 3 and 12 months. The participants are 115 outpatients with SUD. Motor impulsivity (Affective Go/No Go), attentional impulsivity (Stroop), delay discounting (Monetary Choice Questionnaire; MCQ), and decision making (Iowa Gambling Task; IGT) were assessed. Impulsivity was not associated with dropout. There were no relationships between treatment outcomes and the MCQ and IGT. Stroop and affective Go-No Go were associated with relapse at 3 and 12 months. Affective motor disinhibition and cognitive disinhibition predict relapse in outpatients. No cognitive aspect of impulsiveness is related to dropout.

To examine the moderating role of alcohol-related risk perception and perceived vulnerability to alcohol consequences in the relationship between descriptive drinking norms and personal alcohol use...

Objetivo Examinar la ocurrencia del consumo de alcohol en mujeres embarazadas o en periodo de lactancia de la provincia de Córdoba (Argentina) y los factores de riesgo/protección que explican ese consumo. Metodología Participaron 475 mujeres (202 embarazadas y 273 lactantes) entre 18-47 años que completaron una encuesta en línea, que indagó sobre su consumo de alcohol y una serie de factores de riesgo y protección para el consumo de alcohol. Resultados El 93,1% y 68,1% de las mujeres embarazadas y lactantes indicaron que no consumían alcohol en su condición. Se observó un perfil más riesgoso en mujeres lactantes. En embarazadas, solo la percepción de riesgo permitió explicar su consumo. En lactantes, la percepción de riesgo, el consumo de convivientes, la indicación de no beber en su condición por parte de familiares/amistades y la aprobación del consumo de alcohol en otras mujeres lactantes permitieron explicar su consumo. Discusión Estos resultados ponen en evidencia la necesidad de brindar información clara y precisa sobre los riesgos asociados al consumo de alcohol durante el embarazo y, especialmente, la lactancia y la necesidad de incorporar cuatro actores sociales en las campañas preventivas: los profesionales de la salud, los/las convivientes, la familia y las amistades de la mujer gestante/lactante. Objective This work examined alcohol use and risk and protective factors related among pregnant and breastfeeding women from Córdoba (Argentina). Methodology In total, 475 women (202 pregnant and 273 breastfeeding) between 18-47 years old participated. Participants completed an online survey that measured alcohol use and the occurrence of different risk and protective factors for alcohol use. Results The 93,1% of pregnant and 68,1% of breastfeeding women reported no alcohol use. A riskier profile was observed in breastfeeding women. Among pregnant women, only risk perception explained their alcohol use. Among breastfeeding women, risk perception, alcohol use of the persons they live with, the recommendation of not drinking in their condition by relatives or friends and alcohol use approval in other breastfeeding women explained their alcohol use. Discussion Our results highlight the need to provide clear and precise information about the risks associated with alcohol use during pregnancy and, specially, breastfeeding and the need to incorporate four social actors in prevention campaigns: health professionals and cohabitants, family and friends of the pregnant or breastfeeding woman.

Introducción: Aunque el policonsumo simultáneo de sustancias (PSS) ha sido asociado a más daños que el policon­sumo concurrente, la mayoría de los estudios sobre policonsumo, efectos percibidos y estrategias de reducción de daños empleadas, han analizado el policonsumo concurrente. Objetivo: Determinar el patrón de PSS a partir del reporte de las sustancias consumidas simultáneamente, y examinar los efectos positivos y negativos percibidos y las estrategias de reducción de daños empleadas en policonsumidores/as asistentes a fiestas de música electrónica con diferentes patrones de PSS. Metodología: 214 policonsumidores/as de sustancias asistentes a fiestas de música electrónica (55.1% hombres, entre 18-59 años) completaron un cuestionario con preguntas sobre consumo de sus­tancias, efectos positivos y negativos experimentados y estrategias de reducción de daños empleadas ante el patrón de PSS reportado. Resultados: Se identificaron >30 patrones de PSS que difirieron cuantitativa y cualitativamente. Se identificaron 8, 7 y 5 categorías para efectos positivos, negativos y estrategias de protección, respectivamente. Algunos de los efectos y estrategias reportadas fueron más prevalentes en determinados patrones de PSS. Discu­sión: es importante profundizar en las estrategias de reducción de daños reportadas y no reportadas para diseñar campañas preventivas y de reducción de daños específicas y adecuadas para asistentes a fiestas de música electró­nica con diferentes patrones de PSS.