No abstract

The objective of this study was to analyse emotional distress and concerns related to body image in 712 normal-weight and overweight adolescent girls. A total of 12.3 per cent of the normal-weight girls and 25 per cent of the overweight girls showed extreme weight-control behaviours. In normal-weight adolescents, their engagement in extreme weight-control behaviours was associated with high levels of somatic symptoms, a drive for thinness and control over eating. In overweight girls, high levels of drive for thinness and anxiety were associated with extreme weight-control behaviours. Finally, the implications for preventive and therapeutic programmes are discussed.

The aim of this work was to test the contribution of cognitive therapy to exposure in vivo in the group treatment of generalized social phobia. Seventy-one severely disabled social phobics, selected according to DSM-III-R criteria, were assigned at random to: (a) self-exposure in vivo, (b) self-exposure in vivo with cognitive therapy, or (c) a waiting-list control group. A multigroup experimental design with repeated measures of assessment (pretreatment, posttreatment, and 1-, 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow-ups) was used. Additionally, half of the patients in both therapeutic groups were given self-help manuals for managing anxiety. Most patients that were treated (64%) showed significant improvement at the 12-month follow-up, but there were no differences between the two therapeutic models. No improvement was shown by the control-group participants at the 6-month follow-up. The results of the present trial do not support the beneficial effects of adding cognitive therapy or a self-help manual to exposure alone. Finally, several topics that may contribute to future research in this field are discussed.

Universidad del país vasco (Upv/ehU), españa ResumenEn este artículo se señalan los avances y retos de futuro en el tratamiento del juego patológico. El objetivo terapéutico (abstinencia o juego moderado) es actualmente objeto de controversia. Los tratamientos para la ludopatía incluyen la terapia hospitalaria, los tratamientos cognitivo-conductuales individuales o grupales, jugadores anónimos y la farmacoterapia, así como la prevención de recaídas. la terapia cognitivo-conductual presenta unas tasas de éxito del 50% al 80% de los casos tratados en un seguimiento a largo plazo. La farmacoterapia es un complemento cuando los pacientes tienen un estado de ánimo deprimido o un elevado nivel de impulsividad. el juego controlado puede ser una alternativa terapéutica para los jugadores jóvenes o que no presentan aún una dependencia severa. Se requiere más información sobre el tratamiento del juego on-line y de poblaciones específicas (mujeres y jóvenes). Se comentan las implicaciones de esta revisión para la práctica clínica y para las investigaciones futuras. Palabras clave: Juego patológico, objetivos terapéuticos, tratamiento psicológico, terapia farmacológica, prevención de recaídas. AbstractThis paper deals with the new developments in the treatment of disordered gambling, as well as with the challenges for further research. Abstinence versus moderated gambling is an issue that raises many concerns and that needs to be addressed. Current treatment for disordered gambling involves a number of different options, including inpatient treatments, individual and group cognitive-behavioral options, Gamblers Anonymous and pharmacotherapy, as well as an intervention in relapse prevention. Cognitive-behavioral therapy may have asuccess rate ranging from 50% to 80% of treated patients in a long-term follow-up. Psychopharmacological therapy may have incremental benefit when patients have comorbid depression or high impulsivity. Responsible gambling may be a therapeutic option for young gamblers or people without a severe dependence. Further information is required about treatment for online gambling addictions and for dealing with specific populations (women and young people). Unanswered questions for future research in this field are commented upon.

This study investigated the prevalence of weight control and binge eating behaviors in a sample of 767 adolescent girls aged 16-20 years, and the differences between adolescents with and without altered eating behaviors regarding anthropometric and body image variables and beliefs associated with eating disorders. Adolescents who engaged in unhealthy strategies were found to be at a higher risk of eating disorders, since these behaviors were accompanied by higher levels of drive for thinness and body dissatisfaction, as well as by beliefs associated with the importance of weight and body shape as a means of personal and social acceptance.