Francisco González-Espejito

El presente estudio se centra en analizar las malas prácticas de los terapeutas en el ámbito de la psicología clínica y las pseudoterapias desde la perspectiva de los pacientes que han acudido a diversas opciones terapéuticas. El objetivo es investigar la ocurrencia de estas prácticas tanto en psicoterapias convencionales como en pseudoterapias, considerando variables como el género del terapeuta, el tipo de terapia y el recurso utilizado. La muestra estuvo compuesta por 120 participantes españoles, quienes completaron una escala autoinformada sobre malas prácticas realizadas por sus terapeutas, diseñada ad hoc (EMPT-60). Los resultados revelaron malas prácticas en ambos contextos, tanto en la psicoterapia convencional como en las pseudoterapias, siendo estas últimas las que mostraron una mayor incidencia. Las prácticas más destacadas fueron la competencia del terapeuta, la finalización de la terapia y las relaciones duales. Además, se observó una mayor frecuencia de malas prácticas vinculadas con relaciones duales sexuales en hombres y con la confidencialidad en mujeres. También se identificó una mayor presencia de malas prácticas de competencia en la sanidad pública. Adicionalmente, el estudio analizó la posible presencia de dinámicas coercitivas utilizando la Escala de Abuso Psicológico Experimentado en Grupos (PAEGS) en el contexto de las pseudoterapias. Los resultados señalaron la existencia de relaciones pseudoterapéuticas coercitivas, en las que se emplea control y manipulación, independientemente de la orientación o el marco del pseudoterapeuta. Estos hallazgos preliminares resaltan la importancia de abordar y prevenir las malas prácticas profesionales en todos los tipos de terapia, garantizando la seguridad y el bienestar de los pacientes. Asimismo, se subraya la necesidad de continuar con la investigación en este campo.

Loneliness is a growing concern in contemporary societies, particularly in urban environments, where social dynamics are rapidly evolving. Existing measures may not fully capture the complexity of loneliness in the context of ongoing technological and social changes. This study introduces the Madrid Loneliness Questionnaire (MLQ), a new instrument designed to assess loneliness in adults within modern sociocultural contexts. A sample of 1,526 adults (77.1% women; 18–87 years) participated in the study. The sample was randomly divided for structural validation: one subsample underwent exploratory factor analysis (EFA, n = 623) and the other confirmatory factor analysis (CFA, n = 903). Measurement invariance across gender and age was examined using multigroup CFA. Convergent validity was assessed through correlations with self-esteem and perceived stress. Internal consistency was evaluated using Cronbach’s alpha and McDonald’s omega. EFA and CFA supported a three-factor structure with excellent fit indices (Comparative Fit Index = 0.998; Tucker–Lewis Index = 0.997; RMSEA = 0.019; SRMR = 0.05): Social Skills, Partner Relationships, and Emotional Isolation. Multigroup CFA confirmed scalar invariance across gender and age. Significant gender differences were found in Social Skills (higher in men) and Partner Relationships (higher in women). The oldest age group (>65 years) scored higher on Partner Relationships than younger groups. The MLQ and its subscales showed moderate to strong negative correlations with self-esteem (rho = −.36 to −.63) and positive correlations with perceived stress (rho = .25 to .49). The scale demonstrated excellent internal consistency (α = .93, ω = .92). The MLQ is a psychometrically sound instrument for assessing loneliness in adults, enabling tailored interventions by serving as a basis for public health policies.

Ibogaine, an indole alkaloid derived from the root bark of Tabernanthe iboga, has long been used in traditional Bwiti healing rituals and shows promise for treating opioid dependence and neurological conditions, but existing psychometric tools fail to capture its distinctive subjective/oneiric (dream-like) effects. To address this gap, we developed the 70-item Ibogaine Experience Scale (IES) through an iterative process informed by a prior qualitative study (n = 20) that identified eight experiential domains. A preliminary 144-item version was completed on site with a mobile device within 48 hours of treatment by 499 participants across two clinical settings—cohort neuropsychiatric treatments (n = 381) and substance use disorder treatments (n = 118). We employed exploratory graph analysis, parallel analysis on polychoric correlations, and iterative item‐reduction (Gulliksen’s Pool, MIREAL, MSA) to refine the scale. Semi-confirmatory factor analysis used Robust Unweighted Least Squares (RULS) with LOSEFER correction, oblimin rotation, and multiple fit indices (CFI, NNFI, GFI, AGFI, RMSR, WRMR). Cronbach’s α, McDonald’s ω, H indices, EAP reliability, FDI, ORION, SR, and EPTD assessed internal consistency and factorial quality. The final structure comprises seven factors—Narrative and symbolic visions; Visual changes; Discomfort and challenge; Cosmic/Archetypal Visions; Introspection and personal transformation; Somatosensory hypersensitivity and physiological activation; Dissociation—explaining 53.9% of variance, with excellent fit (CFI = .991; GFI = .983; RMSR = .041; WRMR = .038) and high internal consistency (α = .948; ω = .946; subscale ω = .65–.91). Two subscales exhibited small gender effects. The IES provides a reliable, phenomenologically rich instrument for quantifying ibogaine’s distinctive subjective effects. It supports research and clinical assessment by capturing the multidimensional, oneiric/dream-like nature of the ibogaine experience. Future work should confirm this structure in independent, culturally diverse cohorts and explore predictive links between IES domains and therapeutic outcomes.

Purpose: Studies on families of individuals experiencing coercive control have generally considered them as informants or supporters, often overlooking their own difficulties and needs. Evidence from other areas highlights the importance of acknowledging family emotions and caregiving experiences, emphasizing their impact on family mental health and the progression of their relatives’ condition. This study aimed to explore the emotional and caregiving challenges faced by family members and friends of individuals in coercive controlling groups and relationships, along with their associations with distress, well-being, and mastery. Methods: Using data from the Family Caring Survey, a quantitative study investigating family members’ experiences and needs, we examined the factor structure, internal reliability, measurement invariance across gender, and criterion-related validity of the Family Questionnaire (FQ) and the Brief Experience of Caregiving Inventory (BECI) in a convenience sample of 264 family members of individuals in coercive controlling groups or relationships. Results: Interpretable and well-fitting factor structures emerged for both the FQ (intense emotional expression, over-concern, critical comments, monitoring) and BECI (stigma, difficult behaviors, positive personal experiences). Families face substantial emotional turmoil and caregiving challenges, significantly related to distress, anxiety, depression, and lower mastery. Stigma and Intense Emotional Expression were notably linked to poorer mental health outcomes. Strong ties existed between Difficult Behaviors and Critical Comments, both strongly associated to potential family separation. Gender differences in caregiving experiences and expressed emotion were mostly nonsignificant, though women exhibited a slightly heightened Over-Concern. Conclusions: The findings provide insights to understand the unique challenges these families face, underscoring the importance of developing family-based intervention programs and enhancing support for a population traditionally marginalized in scientific literature.

El objetivo de este proyecto ha sido avanzar en la confección de un cuestionario desarrollado previamente con el propósito de que sea capaz de estimar el sentimiento de soledad en todas las edades y en el momento actual. Para ello, se planea realizar un estudio psicométrico avanzado que permita explorar, de manera adecuada al formato del cuestionario, características como la fiabilidad y algunos tipos de validez.