Education
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Sep 2008–
Apr 2013Universidad de Oviedo
Psychology · PhDSpain · Oviedo -
Sep 2003–
Jun 2008Universidad de Oviedo
Psychology · PsychologySpain · Oviedo
Awards & achievements
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Aug 2008Scholarship: FPI
Other
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LanguagesSpanish, English, French, Italian
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Journal RefereesEuropean Addiction Research, Schizophrenia Research
Publications (10) View all
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Article: Screening of cannabis-related problems among youth: the CPQ-A-S and CAST questionnaires.
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ABSTRACT: Cannabis use among young people is a significant problem, making particularly necessary validated screening instruments that permit secondary prevention. The purpose of this study was to analyze and compare the psychometric properties of the CAST and CPQ-A-S questionnaires, two screening instruments specifically addressing the youth population. Information was obtained on sociodemographics, frequency of substance use, psychopathological symptoms and cannabis-use problems, and the CPQ-A-S and CAST were applied, as well as an infrequency scale for discarding responses made randomly. The sample was made up of 144 young people aged 16 to 20 that had used cannabis in the last month, of which 71.5% were boys. Mean age of the sample was 17.38 years (SD = 1.16). The results show that from the psychometric point of view both the CAST and the CPQ-A-S are good screening instruments. The CAST is shorter and presents slightly better internal consistency than the CPQ-A-S. Both instruments show high sensitivity and specificity in the detection of young people dependent on cannabis according to the DSM IV-TR criteria. The CPQ-A-S appears to show greater capacity for detecting psychopathological distress associated with use. Both questionnaires yield significant odds ratios as predictors of frequent cannabis use and of the DSM IV-TR abuse and dependence criteria. In general, the CPQ-A-S emerges as a better predictor than the CAST.Substance Abuse Treatment Prevention and Policy 04/2012; 7(1):13. · 1.16 Impact Factor -
Article: Adaptación y validación española del Rutgers Alcohol Problems Index (RAPI)
International Journal of Clinical and Health Psychology 01/2012; 12(2). · 2.79 Impact Factor -
Article: [Spanish adaptation and validation of The Adolescent-Cannabis Problems Questionnaire (CPQ-A)].
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ABSTRACT: Cannabis is a widely used substance among adolescents and young adults, but demand for help and treatment from this age group continues to be low. It is therefore essential to develop instruments especially designed for the early detection of problems associated with cannabis use in this population. The purpose of this work is to adapt and validate the CPQ-A (Adolescent Cannabis Problems Questionnaire) for its use as a screening instrument in Spanish population. The sample was made up of 144 young people (71.5% male) aged 16 to 20 (M = 17.12; SD = 1.17) who had used cannabis in the last month and were on some kind of study or training course at various educational institutions in Asturias (a region in northern Spain). Factor analysis of the CPQ-A in this sample provides evidence of a unidimensional structure, with a Cronbach's Alpha of 0.86 for the questionnaire. The evidence also shows that the instrument's convergent validity is good. The CPQ-A score permits discrimination between moderate and excessive cannabis users over the last month, is positively related to score on the CAST (Cannabis Abuse Screening Test), and presents adequate sensitivity and specificity for identifying cases of cannabis abuse and dependence according to the DSM IV-TR criteria. It is also sensitive to young people's degree of concern about cannabis use and the psychopathological effects associated with it. In accordance with the results obtained, the CPQ-A can be considered a useful screening tool for young cannabis users with problems.Adicciones 01/2012; 24(1):41-9. · 0.80 Impact Factor -
Article: Motivation for Change and Barriers to Treatment among Young Cannabis Users.
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ABSTRACT: Background/Aims: Despite cannabis use among adolescents has shown to be related to psychosocial and mental health problems, the demand from adolescents for professional help is very low, and determinants of motivation for change among nonclinical populations remain unknown. The purpose of this study was to assess motivation for change among young cannabis users and to identify determinants of intention to change and self-change, as well as perceived barriers to seeking professional help. Methods: 261 cannabis users aged 16-21 participated in a computerized survey in Spain. Results: Data from this cross-sectional study indicated that few users intend to stop taking the drug. Determining factors of intention to change were the following: having more drug-related problems, paranoid symptomatology and greater concern about the consequences of use. Self-change was facilitated by lower use of cannabis, and could be hindered by tobacco smoking and cannabis dependence. Lack of awareness of the problems and the desire to solve one's problems alone constitute the main barriers to seeking professional help. Conclusions: Adolescent cannabis users show low motivation for change though experiencing more problems associated with its use emerges as a determinant of increased motivation. Several barriers impede this motivation from turning into treatment demand.European Addiction Research 08/2012; 19(1):29-41. · 2.53 Impact Factor -
Article: Gender differences in early alcohol and tobacco use as a risk factor in Spanish adolescents
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ABSTRACT: The sample is made up of 1,190 adolescents (52.8% boys; mean age = 16.81) from 37 random schools in the urban and rural areas of Asturias (northern Spain). The survey was conducted in 2008, assessing the use and patterns of use of alcohol and other drugs, age at onset of use, and psychosocial consequences. Items from the ESPAD and FRIDA questionnaires were employed. Univariate analyses and binary logistic regression analyses were carried out to determine the different predictive value for boys and girls of early-onset alcohol and tobacco use. The study’s limitations and implications are noted.Substance Use & Misuse 05/2013; 48(6):1-9. · 1.10 Impact Factor
