STOP-sexual violence: evaluation of a community-based nightlife worker awareness raising bystander training programme.

BACKGROUND: Preventing sexual violence in nightlife environments is a pervasive issue across many countries. This study explored the associated impact of a nightlife worker sexual violence awareness raising/bystander training programme (STOP-SV) on trainees' sexual violence myth acceptance and readiness and confidence to intervene. METHODS: : Pre- and post-test (n = 118), and 3-month follow-up (n = 38) trainee surveys were implemented across three countries (Czech Republic, Portugal and Spain). Paired-sample tests examined changes across time-periods in participants' myth acceptance (e.g. unwanted sexual advances are a normal part of a night out), and readiness and confidence to intervene. Multi-nominal regression was used to examine the relationship between the change in pre-to-post-training scores and trainee characteristics. RESULTS: Compared to pre-training, post-training participants were significantly (P < 0.01) less likely to agree with sexual violence myths, and more likely to be ready and confident to intervene. In bi-variate and multi-variate analyses, we found no significant associations between the change in pre-to-post-training scores and trainee characteristics. Analyses of the small follow-up sub-sample illustrated some positive changes at the post-training and follow-up time-periods (i.e. reduction in sexual violence myth acceptance). CONCLUSION: This exploratory study suggests that the STOP-SV training programme was associated with a decrease in trainees' acceptance of sexual violence myths, and an increase in their readiness and confidence to intervene. Our findings support the case for further implementation and evaluation of awareness raising/bystander programmes for nightlife workers that aim to prevent and respond to sexual violence.

Alcohol use and abuse and motivations for drinking and non-drinking among Spanish adolescents: do we know enough when we know parenting style?

Objective: We examine parenting styles (characterized by warmth and strictness, i.e., neglectful, indulgent, authoritarian and authoritative) as either a protective or risk factor for adolescence drinking.Design: Two 4 × 2 × 3 multi-factorial MANOVAs. Sample consisted of 996 underage Spanish adolescents, 532 males (53.4%), ranging from 15 to 17 years old.Main outcome measures: Alcohol use (wine, beer, mixed drinks and liquors) and abuse and motivations for drinking (social acceptance and self-enhancement) and non-drinking (harsh preventive rules and awareness of alcohol's harmful effects).Results: Lower risk of alcohol use and abuse was found in adolescents with indulgent parenting, and higher risk for adolescents with authoritarian parenting. Adolescents from indulgent parenting style homes had equal adjustment (lower self-enhancement and higher harsh preventive rules and awareness of alcohol's harmful effects) or even better (lower social acceptance) than those from authoritative parenting style homes. Consistently, the highest risk parenting styles identified were the authoritarian and neglectful styles (α=.05).Conclusion: At least in some cultures, warmth and reasoning, shared by authoritative and indulgent parenting styles, seem the recommended way to protect offspring from drinking. Effective alcohol prevention and intervention programs should include strategies tailored specifically to this new cultural context where parenting takes place.

Co-Citation Analysis of Articles Published in Substance Abuse Journals: Intellectual Structure and Research Fields (2001-2012).

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to introduce a new methodology in the field of substance abuse, namely, co-citation analysis, which uses the bibliographic references of publications to establish the main thematic areas being researched and to identify the seminal documents that have contributed to establishing the intellectual foundation of the discipline at the present time. METHOD: We identified all bibliographic references that were cited in documents published in the substance abuse journals included in the Journal Citation Reports in the 2001-2012 period, generating a co-citation matrix. This matrix was used to perform a co-citation network analysis. RESULTS: The co-citation network analysis led to the identification of 56 prominent research clusters that bring together 698 documents; their subject matter constitutes the foundation of the discipline in the field's journals. CONCLUSIONS: Substance abuse research is dominated by a few core topics; chief among them are tools for measuring and diagnosing dependence, as well as therapeutic approaches to treat alcohol abuse and nicotine addiction. Other areas of note include epidemiological studies, research on drug user motivation (particularly among young people), binge drinking, social support mediators and networks, opioid dependence, consumption and effects of cannabis, basic research on brain damage, genetic factors associated with substance use, and the physiological and neurological determinants of abstinence syndrome. The main works of reference that we identified were published in a small number of journals, which establish the intellectual, conceptual, and methodological basis of the discipline.

Prescripción de ejercicio físico en la depresión por parte de Médicos de Familia. Factores involucrados / Prescrição de exercício físico na depressao por parte de médicos de família. factores envolvidos / Exercise prescription for depression by general practitioners, factors involved

El problema del sedentarismo es acuciante en sociedades desarrolladas y sus consecuencias para la salud de la población constituyen uno de los principales problemas de salud pública actuales. La depresión es un motivo de consulta muy habitual en las consultas de atención primaria de países occidentales. Se ha planteado la prescripción de ejercicio físico como una estrategia antidepresiva útil en depresiones leves-moderadas, con frecuencia de forma complementaria a los tratamientos de primera elección. Sin embargo, los médicos de atención primaria no siempre lo prescriben y se desconoce de qué depende que lo hagan. Contribuir a aclarar esta cuestión es el objetivo del presente trabajo. Nuestra hipótesis era que el grado de prescripción depende de sus opiniones y experiencia sobre el tratamiento de la depresión.Se trata de un estudio descriptivo transversal en el que participaron 13 centros de salud. Utilizamos el cuestionario Depression Questionaire Attitude para valorar la actitud de los médicos hacia la depresión, y recogimos otras variables relacionadas con la importancia que otorgaban al ejercicio físico y a otros aspectos del estilo de vida en la salud física y mental. Los resultados confirman que la actitud de los médicos frente a la depresión influye en su disposición a recomendar ejercicio físico. Además, los médicos de atención primaria con menos años de práctica profesional valoran más el papel del ejercicio físico en la salud, tanto en la depresión como en otras patologías médicas. También se observa una correlación entre la importancia que se da al ejercicio físico en la salud y la que se da a otros factores ligados al estilo de vida, especialmente la dieta. Se concluye que aunque la utilidad de recomendar ejercicio físico en la depresión va acercándose al mismo nivel de importancia que en otros problemas de salud, su empleo por parte de los médicos de atención primaria es muy mejorable. Por ello, es importante insistir en la necesidad de ofrecer apoyo y programas de formación continuada a los médicos de atención primaria para ayudarles en este propósito (AU)

A sedentary lifestyle is an urgent problem in developed societies and its consequences are one of the main current problems in public health. Depression is a common reason to attend primary care in Western countries. In many cases of low and mild depression, exercise is recommended as a complement to the main therapy: Psychotherapy and/or pharmacotherapy. Nevertheless, general practitioners do not always recommend exercise to depressive patients and it is unknown why they do not. The main aim of our study was to clarify how the degree of prescribing exercise relies on a general practitioner’s opinion and experience in depression treatment. A cross-sectional design was undertaken in 13 public health centers. The Depression Attitude Questionnaire (DAQ) was used to evaluate general practitioners’ attitude towards depression; other variables related to the importance accorded to physical exercise; and other lifestyle aspects of physical and mental health. Our results show that general practitioners’ attitude towards depression influence their willingness to recommend exercise. Moreover, less experienced general practitioners (in years) tend to appreciate the importance of exercise in health, not only in depression. A positive relationship was found between importance of exercise and importance accorded to other factors linked to lifestyle, especially diet. Although recommendation of exercise in depression is similar to other medical conditions, its prescription may be improved. Hence, it is important to point out the need for education programs for general practitioners, in order to improve their capacity to deal with their task (AU)

O problema do sedentarismo é premente nas sociedades desenvolvidas e as suas consequências para a saúde da população constituem umdos principais problemas de saúde pública actuais. A depressão é um motivo muito habitual nas consultas de cuidados primários nos países ocidentais.Foi delineada a prescrição de exercício físico como uma estratégia antidepressiva útil em depressões leves-moderadas, de forma complementar aostratamentos de primeira escolha. Contudo, os médicos de cuidados primários nem sempre o prescrevem e desconhece-se o porquê de o fazerem. Contribuirpara clarificar esta questão é o objectivo do presente trabalho. A nossa hipótese era que o grau de prescrição depende das suas opiniões e experiênciasno tratamento da depressão. Trata-se de um estudo descritivo transversal no qual participaram 13 centros de saúde. Utilizámos o questionário DepressionQuestionaire Attitudepara avaliar a atitude dos médicos face à depressão e medimos outras variáveis relacionadas com a importância que atribuíam aoexercício físico e a outros aspectos do estilo de vida na saúde física e mental. Os resultados confirmam que a atitude dos médicos face à depressão influína sua disposição para recomendar exercício físico. Adicionalmente, os médicos de cuidados primários com menos anos de prática profissional valorizammais o papel do exercício físico na saúde, tanto na depressão como noutras patologias médicas. Também se observa uma correlação entre a importânciaque se dá ao exercício físico na saúde e à que se dá a outros factores ligados ao estilo de vida, especialmente à dieta. Conclui-se que apesar da utilidadede recomendar exercício físico na depressão se ir aproximando do nível de importância atribuído a outros problemas de saúde, a sua utilização por partedos médicos de cuidados primários pode ser substancialmente melhorada. Para tal, é importante insistir na necessidade de oferecer apoio e programasde formação continuada aos médicos de cuidados primários para ajudá-los neste propósito

Duration of Internet use and adverse psychosocial effects among European adolescents.

Despite the significant contributions from previous studies about the prevalence of problematic Internet use (PIU) among adolescents in Europe, important questions remain regarding adverse consequences of PIU. This study aims to assess the relation between duration of Internet use and adverse psychosocial effects among adolescents from six European countries. The final sample included 7,351 adolescents (50.8% male and 49.2% female; mean age: 14.6±1.90) recruited from randomly selected schools within the six study sites. Results showed that 12.9% of adolescents used Internet more than 20 hours per week. There was a significant relationship between duration of Internet use and frequency of alcohol, tobacco, cannabis and other illegal drug use. Duration of Internet use is also significantly associated with school problems, with use of slot machines and with other psychosocial problems. These findings highlight the need to strengthen preventive efforts for reducing PIU and related consequences among adolescents. Key Words: Internet, adolescents, psychosocial problems.

Effectiveness of a complex intervention in reducing the prevalence of smoking among adolescents: study design of a cluster-randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: The likelihood of an adolescent taking up smoking may be influenced by his or her society, school and family. Thus, changes in the immediate environment may alter a young person's perception of smoking. METHODS/DESIGN: The proposed multi-center, cluster-randomized controlled trial will be stratified by the baseline prevalence of smoking in schools. Municipalities with fewer than 100,000 inhabitants will be randomly assigned to a control or intervention group. One secondary school will be randomly selected from each municipality. These schools will be randomized to two groups: the students of one will receive any existing educational course regarding smoking, while those of the other school will receive a four-year, class-based curriculum intervention (22 classroom lessons) aimed at reinforcing a smoke-free school policy and encouraging smoking cessation in parents, pupils, and teachers. The intervention will also include annual meetings with parents and efforts to empower adolescents to change the smoking-related attitudes and behaviors in their homes, classrooms and communities.We will enroll children aged 12-13 years as they enter secondary school during two consecutive school years (to obtain sufficient enrolled subjects). We will follow them for five years, until two years after they leave secondary school. All external evaluators and analysts will be blinded to school allocation.The aim of this study is to analyze the effectiveness of a complex intervention in reducing the prevalence of smoking in the third year of compulsory secondary education (ESO) and two years after secondary school, when the participants are 14-15 and 17-18 years old, respectively. DISCUSSION: Most interventions aimed at preventing smoking among adolescents yield little to no positive long-term effects. This clinical trial will analyze the effectiveness of a complex intervention aimed at reducing the incidence and prevalence of smoking in this vulnerable age group. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Current Controlled Trials: NCT01602796.

Which parenting style is more protective against adolescent substance use? Evidence within the European context.

BACKGROUND: This study examines whether authoritative parenting style (characterized by warmth and strictness) is more protective against adolescent substances use than authoritarian (strictness but not warmth), indulgent (warmth but not strictness) and neglectful (neither warmth nor strictness) parenting styles. Emergent research in diverse cultural contexts (mainly Southern European and Latin American countries) questions the fact that authoritative would always be the optimum parenting style. DESIGN: Multi-factorial MANOVAs. PARTICIPANTS: A sample of 7718 adolescents, 3774 males (48.9%), 11-19 year-olds (M=14.63 year-olds, SD=1.9 years) from Sweden, United Kingdom, Spain, Portugal, Slovenia, and the Czech Republic. MEASUREMENTS: Parenting style dimensions (warmth and strictness) and adolescent substance use (alcohol, tobacco, and illegal drugs); additionally another three adolescent outcomes were also measured (self-esteem, school performance and personal disturbances) all of them related in the literature with substance use. FINDINGS: Both indulgent and authoritative parenting styles were associated with better outcomes than authoritarian and neglectful parenting in all the countries studied. Overall, our results support the idea that in Europe the indulgent parenting style performs as well as the authoritative one since adolescents' scores in the youth outcomes were equal (on substance use and personal disturbances) or even better (on self esteem and school performance) than for authoritative parenting style. CONCLUSIONS: Parenting styles relate to substance use and other outcomes in the same way in different countries explored. The so-called indulgent parenting style appears to be as good as the authoritative in protecting against substance abuse.

Attachment and substance use in adolescence: a review of conceptual and methodological aspects.

Attachment is currently considered one of the major risk and/or protective factors for substance use in adolescence. This paper reviews the most important studies published in the last 30 years in this field, focusing on the conceptual and methodological issues that may be making it more difficult to draw conclusions about the impact of attachment – especially attachment to parents – on substance use among youths. In general, the results indicate that secure attachment or stronger attachment between parents and children acts as a protective factor against drug use, even though there is a great variability in relation to the concept of addiction and its assessment. Secondly, most of the research reviewed also covers other factors that may be conditioning the influence of attachment to parents on children'’s drug use and which would explain, at least in part, the disparity of the results from different studies. Notable among such factors would be individual characteristics (such as sex, age or self-esteem) and the influence of other sources of attachment, including peers and their circumstances (such as their drug use). Finally, we discuss the importance of taking into account the mentioned conceptual and methodological considerations aspects in research on attachment as a risk and/or protective factor for drug use in adolescence.

Tiempo de uso de Internet y efectos psicosociales adversos en adolescentes europeos / Duration of Internet use and adverse psychosocial effects among European adolescents

Despite the significant contributions from previous studies about the prevalence of problematic Internet use (PIU) among adolescents in Europe, important questions remain regarding adverse consequences of PIU. This study aims to assess the relation between duration of Internet use and adverse psychosocial effects among adolescents from six European countries. The final sample included 7,351 adolescents (50.8% male and 49.2% female; mean age: 14.6±1.90) recruited from randomly selected schools within the six study sites. Results showed that 12.9% of adolescents used Internet more than 20 hours per week. There was a significant relationship between duration of Internet use and frequency of alcohol, tobacco, cannabis and other illegal drug use. Duration of Internet use is also significantly associated with school problems, with use of slot machines and with other psychosocial problems. These findings highlight the need to strengthen preventive efforts for reducing PIU and related consequences among adolescents

A pesar de las importantes contribuciones de los estudios realizados sobre la prevalencia del uso problemático de Internet (PIU) entre los adolescentes europeos, sigue existiendo dudas importantes con respecto a las consecuencias adversas del PIU. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar la relación entre la duración del uso de Internet y los efectos psicosociales adversos en adolescentes de seis países europeos. La muestra final estuvo compuesta por 7.351 adolescentes (50,8 % varones y 49,2 % mujeres, edad media: 14,6 años ± 1,90) reclutados en escuelas seleccionadas al azar dentro de los seis países del estudio. Los resultados mostraron que el 12,9% de los adolescentes utilizaba Internet más de 20 horas a la semana. Se encontró una relación estadísticamente significativa entre la duración del uso de Internet y la frecuencia de uso de alcohol, tabaco, cannabis y otras drogas ilegales. La duración del uso de Internet también se asoció significativamente con problemas escolares, con el uso de las máquinas tragaperras y con otros problemas psicosociales. Estos resultados ponen de relieve la necesidad de fortalecer los esfuerzos en prevención para reducir el uso problemático de Internet y las consecuencias relacionadas entre los adolescentes

Apego y consumo de sustancias en la adolescencia: Una revisión de aspectos conceptuales y metodológicos / Attachment and substance use in adolescence: A review of conceptual and methodological aspects

El apego se considera actualmente uno de los mayores factores de riesgo y/o protección para el consumo de sustancias en la adolescencia. El presente trabajo revisa los estudios más importantes que se han publicado en los últimos 30 años al respecto, centrándose en aquellas cuestiones conceptuales y metodológicas que pueden estar dificultando concluir qué impacto ejerce el apego, sobre todo el apego a los padres, en el consumo de sustancias de los jóvenes. Los resultados indican, en general, que el apego seguro o un mayor apego entre padres e hijos actúa como factor de protección frente al consumo de drogas, si bien existe una gran variabilidad en torno al concepto de apego y su evaluación. En segundo lugar, la mayor parte de los estudios revisados incluyen además otros factores que pueden estar condicionando la influencia del apego a los padres en el consumo de drogas de los hijos y que explicarían, al menos en parte, la disparidad de los resultados en los distintos estudios. Entre estos factores destacarían las características individuales (como el sexo, la edad o la autoestima de los individuos), y la influencia de otras fuentes de apego, como los iguales y sus circunstancias, como por ejemplo el consumo de drogas por parte de éstos. Finalmente, se discute la importancia de tener en cuenta dichas consideraciones conceptuales y metodológicas en la investigación del apego como factor de riesgo y/o protección frente al consumo de drogas en la adolescencia

Attachment is currently considered one of the major risk and/or protective factors for substance use in adolescence. This paper reviews the most important studies published in the last 30 years in this field, focusing on the conceptual and methodological issues that may be making it more difficult to draw conclusions about the impact of attachment - especially attachment to parents - on substance use among youths. In general, the results indicate that secure attachment or stronger attachment between parents and children acts as a protective factor against drug use, even though there is a great variability in relation to the concept of addiction and its assessment. Secondly, most of the research reviewed also covers other factors that may be conditioning the influence of attachment to parents on children’s drug use and which would explain, at least in part, the disparity of the results from different studies. Notable among such factors would be individual characteristics (such as sex, age or self-esteem) and the influence of other sources of attachment, including peers and their circumstances (such as their drug use). Finally, we discuss the importance of taking into account the mentioned conceptual and methodological considerations aspects in research on attachment as a risk and/or protective factor for drug use in adolescence

Núcleos y ámbitos de investigación sobre adicciones en España a través del análisis de los enlaces bibliográficos en la Web of Science (2000-2013) / Core research areas on addiction in Spain through the Web of Science bibliographic coupling analysis (2000-2013)

En el presente estudio se han identificado los principales núcleos de la investigación española en el área de las adicciones a través del estudio de los enlaces bibliográficos, en las publicaciones bajo el epígrafe ‘Substance abuse’ de la Web of Science. Este procedimiento analítico determina la proximidad temático-intelectual de los documentos objeto de estudio a partir de la identificación de la bibliografía común compartida o citada simultáneamente. Se ha efectuado un análisis factorial y un análisis de redes para agrupar los documentos, representar gráficamente los núcleos de investigación existentes y analizar las interrelaciones entre los mismos. Se han identificado 30 núcleos de investigación. El alcohol constituye el objeto de atención de 17 núcleos y la cocaína tiene una destacada presencia en 6 núcleos. La heroína y los opiáceos únicamente están presentes como sustancias destacadas en 4 núcleos y el cannabis y el tabaco en otros dos núcleos para cada una de ellas. Se ha constatado la existencia de un importante grado de atomización en el área, con la existencia de numerosos núcleos de investigación pero con pocas conexiones entre sí, con un reducido número de documentos que recogen un conocimiento común compartido. Destaca también el elevado número de núcleos emergentes, reflejo de un estado incipiente de muchos de los temas de investigación. Se debe incidir en prácticas que fomenten el consenso científico y la cohesión de la disciplina, así como favorecer la consolidación de las principales líneas que den respuesta a los problemas sociales y desafíos de la investigación

The present study identifies the main Spanish core research areas in the area of addictions through the bibliographic coupling analysis of the publications at the Web of Science under the substance abuse heading. The bibliographic coupling methodology is the analytical procedure that determines the thematic-intellectual proximity of the documents under consideration through the identification of the shared or simultaneously cited bibliography by those documents. A factor analysis and network analysis have been carried out to cluster documents, graphically represent the existing core research areas, and analyse the interrelations between them. We have identified 30 core research areas. Alcohol is the topic of attention of 17 areas and cocaine has a strong presence in 6. Heroin and opiates are only present as prominent substances in 4 areas and cannabis and tobacco in other two for each substance. It has been found that there is a significant degree of fragmentation in the area, with the existence of numerous research foci but with few connections with each other and few documents showing shared common knowledge. Also noteworthy is the large number of emerging research areas, reflecting an incipient stage in many of the research topics. Consideration must be placed in promoting scientific consensus and cohesion of the discipline as well as to encouraging the consolidation of main lines that respond to the social problems and research challenges

Parental permissiveness, control, and affect and drug use among adolescents / Permisividad, control y afecto parental y consumo de drogas en adolescentes

Background: Parents play an important role in determining the risk of children’s drug use. The aim of this study was to analyse how certain family-related variables (permissiveness toward drug use, and parental control and affect) were linked to the use of alcohol, tobacco and cannabis, based on young people’s self-report of such variables. Method: The sample was composed of 1,428 school children (51.8% males) aged between 11 and 19 from Mallorca (Spain). Results: We found that the young people who perceived their parents as permissive and those who perceived less maternal control and higher levels of both paternal and maternal affect were more likely to use alcohol, tobacco and cannabis. Sex differences were found within this pattern. Variables of maternal affect and control were not influential among males, whereas the general pattern was maintained among females. Conclusions: This study highlights the importance of perceived permissiveness and the need of considering parent’s and children’s gender when providing control and affect, as fathers will influence male children whereas mothers will influence female children (AU)

Antecedentes: los padres juegan un papel importante a la hora de determinar el riesgo del consumo de drogas de sus hijos. El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar cómo la permisividad hacia el consumo de drogas y control y afecto del padre y madre estaban relacionadas con el consumo de alcohol, tabaco y cannabis. Método: la muestra estuvo compuesta por 1.428 jóvenes (51,8% varones) de entre 11 y 19 años de Mallorca. Resultados: aquellos jóvenes que percibían a sus padres más permisivos, con menor control por parte de la madre y mayores niveles de afecto tanto materno como paterno, tenían más probabilidades de consumir alcohol, tabaco y cannabis. Se encontraron diferencias en función del sexo dentro de este patrón. Las variables de afecto y control por parte de la madre no fueron influyentes en el caso de los varones, mientras que el patrón general se mantuvo en el caso de las mujeres. Conclusiones: este estudio resalta la importancia de la permisividad percibida y es necesario tener en cuenta el sexo de padres e hijos a la hora de proporcionar afecto y control, ya que son los padres los que influyen en los hijos varones y las madres en las mujeres (AU)

Parental permissiveness, control, and affect and drug use among adolescents.

BACKGROUND: Parents play an important role in determining the risk of children's drug use. The aim of this study was to analyse how certain family-related variables (permissiveness toward drug use, and parental control and affect) were linked to the use of alcohol, tobacco and cannabis, based on young people's self-report of such variables. METHOD: The sample was composed of 1,428 school children (51.8% males) aged between 11 and 19 from Mallorca (Spain). RESULTS: We found that the young people who perceived their parents as permissive and those who perceived less maternal control and higher levels of both paternal and maternal affect were more likely to use alcohol, tobacco and cannabis. Sex differences were found within this pattern. Variables of maternal affect and control were not influential among males, whereas the general pattern was maintained among females. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights the importance of perceived permissiveness and the need of considering parent's and children's gender when providing control and affect, as fathers will influence male children whereas mothers will influence female children.

Blood alcohol level tests in nightlife recreational settings as a preventive tool.

BACKGROUND: Getting drunk is a common practice in the nightlife context and is related to risk behaviors. One potentially preventive strategy would be to conduct breathalyzer (blood alcohol content level-BAC) tests in situ, encouraging the young people to take responsibility. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of such a measure. METHOD: A sample of 555 young people were interviewed in the most popular nightlife recreational areas in three Spanish cities. After they answered to a brief questionnaire, the breathalyzer test was done and they were then informed of the results and also informed about the results, telling them what the maximum authorized rate of alcohol in expired air was for driving. After, they were asked about their drinking intentions for the rest of the night, and if they we going to be driving. RESULTS: Only 21.6% stated that they would stop drinking or drink less, while a similar percentage (21.5%) said they would drink even more than they had intended after finding out their BAC. The logistic regression indicated that the decision to drink more or less was influenced by the BAC level, the amount they had planned to drink prior to the test and high scores on "sensation seeking." Those who decided to drive had lower BAC levels and had planned to drink less prior to the interview. CONCLUSIONS: Prevention strategies involving attempts to change behavior through informing drinkers of their own BAC are controversial, since although for some it leads to their drinking less, in other cases the young people end up drinking more than they had planned.

Alcoholemias en contextos recreativos nocturnos como sistema de prevención / Blood Alcohol Level tests in nightlife recreational settings as a preventive tool

INTRODUCCIÓN: Emborracharse es frecuente en la vida recreativa nocturna, relacionándose con comportamientos de riesgo. Una estrategia potencialmente preventiva sería realizar pruebas de alcoholemia in situ, alentando a los jóvenes a responsabilizarse. El objetivo de este estudio es evaluar la eficacia de tal medida. MÉTODO: Una muestra de 555 jóvenes fue entrevistada en zonas recreativas nocturnas populares en tres ciudades españolas. Tras responder a un cuestionario, realizaron la prueba de alcoholemia y se les informó del resultado, comentándoles cuál es la alcoholemia autorizada en España para conducir. Posteriormente se les preguntó sobre sus intenciones de beber para el resto de la noche y si pensaban conducir. RESULTADOS: Tras conocer su alcoholemia sólo el 21,6% declaró que dejaría de beber o bebería menos, mientras que un porcentaje similar (21,5%) dijeron que beberían aún más de lo previsto. La regresión logística indicó que la decisión de beber más o menos venía afectada por el nivel de alcoholemia, el alcohol que se había planeado beber previamente a la prueba así como por puntuaciones altas en "búsqueda de sensaciones". Por otro lado, las personas que deciden conducir tuvieron una menor tasa de alcoholemia y ya tenían planeado beber menos el resto de la noche antes de realizar la prueba de alcoholemia. CONCLUSIONES: La realización de pruebas de alcoholemia como método preventivo da lugar a resultados contradictorios, ya que si bien en algunos casos lleva a beber menos, en otros los jóvenes terminan bebiendo más de lo que habían planeado

BACKGROUND: Getting drunk is a common practice in the nightlife context and is related to risk behaviors. One potentially preventive strategy would be to conduct breathalyzer (blood alcohol content level-BAC) tests in situ, encouraging the young people to take responsibility. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of such a measure. METHOD: A sample of 555 young people were interviewed in the most popular nightlife recreational areas in three Spanish cities. After they answered to a brief questionnaire ,the breathalyzer test was done and they were then informed of the results and also informed about the results, telling them what the maximum authorized rate of alcohol in expired air was for driving. After, they were asked about their drinking intentions for the rest of the night, and if they we going to be driving. RESULTS: Only 21.6% stated that they would stop drinking or drink less, while a similar percentage (21.5%) said they would drink even more than they had intended after finding out their BAC. The logistic regression indicated that the decision to drink more or less was influenced by the BAC level, the amount they had planned to drink prior to the test and high scores on "sensation seeking." Those who decided to drive had lower BAC levels and had planned to drink less prior to the interview. CONCLUSIONS: Prevention strategies involving attempts to change behavior through informing drinkers of their own BAC are controversial, since although for some it leads to their drinking less, in other cases the young people end up drinking more than they had planned (AU)

Sexual harassment among young tourists visiting Mediterranean resorts.

Despite the known increase in substance use and risky sexual behaviors among young people during holiday periods, issues of sexual harassment (SH) and having sex against one's will (SAW) have not received adequate attention. We implemented a cross-sectional airport-based study to identify experience of SH and SAW in 6,502 British and German holidaymakers aged 16-35 years visiting tourist resorts in Southern Europe (Crete, Cyprus, Italy, Portugal, and Spain) in summer 2009. Across all participants, 8.6 % reported SH during their holiday and 1.5 % reported SAW. Women reported higher levels of SH than heterosexual males. However, gay and bisexual males reported SH levels similar to females and the highest levels of SAW. Of 19 predictor variables tested, ten were independently associated with SH. SH was increased in those who were visitors to Mallorca or Crete, British, younger, female, gay or bisexual, frequently drunk on holiday, cocaine users, and attracted to bars where people get drunk, or where there are opportunities for sex. Among 13 predictor variables tested for SAW, four were significant. SAW reduced in those visiting Cyprus, and was strongly associated with being a gay or bisexual male, using cannabis on holiday and being attracted to bars where there were opportunities for sex. Holiday resorts represent a key location for SH and SAW, especially for holidaymakers who get drunk and use drugs. Preventive programs can raise awareness of the risks of unwanted sexual encounters on holiday and work with the tourist industry and tourist authorities to develop environments where sexual aggression is not tolerated.

Health and safety European standards for nightlife venues.

There is growing concern to understand those interventions which when effectively implemented may bring reduction in the harms associated with recreational nightlife venues. Management of drinking environments vary across Europe and we are faced with the need to set standards across European countries. The aim of this study is to present evidence highlighted by literature to a diverse sample of European recreational industry representatives and other key stakeholders (74 participants in 14 European countries), to ascertain their judgements on level of implementation, acceptance, effectiveness and regulation to propose a set of standards be implemented in European recreational nightlife settings. Results revealed that most industry representatives display high rates of agreement with those preventive interventions deemed most important by evidence, including those concerning venue management, underage checkouts, staff training and collaboration with the police. However, participants expressed doubts on further regulation fearing it would mean further obstacles such as added paperwork and costs. Indeed, in countries were night-time economy is not well developed or is already suffering the impact of the economic crisis, we found that nightlife industry is not keen to adopt measures they may perceive to lower their incomes; while in countries where these practices are widely implemented, industry representatives were reluctant for these practices to be regulated or enforced since it would require a higher level of compliance. Regulating and enforcing the standards highlighted both by literature and industry representatives should be a priority to ensure promotion of health and safety in nightlife premises.

Drunk and disorganised: relationships between bar characteristics and customer intoxication in European drinking environments.

Preventing alcohol-related harm in drinking environments is a growing international priority. Factors relating to the physical, social and staffing environments in bars can contribute to increased alcohol consumption and harm. Understanding the relationships between such factors and intoxication in European drinking environments is critical to developing appropriate interventions. We undertook a quantitative observational study in 60 bars in four European cities, in The Netherlands, Slovenia, Spain and the UK (n = 237 observational visits). Using a structured observational schedule, researchers recorded characteristics of the bar environment and rated customer intoxication levels. All physical bar characteristics showed associations with intoxication before interactions between them were controlled for. Hierarchical modelling found significant independent associations between intoxication and use of plastic glassware, promotion of non-alcoholic drinks (often energy drinks), permissive environments, poor washroom facilities, the presence of a dance floor, customer sexual activity/competitiveness and later observational time. Findings suggest that prevention efforts should focus on raising and enforcing managerial standards in bars. While harm reduction measures such as plastic glassware are often promoted for high risk bars, such measures are inadequate to address public health concerns and insufficient to demonstrate social responsibility.

Estándares europeos en salud y seguridad para los locales de ocio nocturno / Health and Safety European Standards for nightlife venues

Existe una preocupación creciente por comprender aquellas intervenciones que, cuando son aplicadas de forma efectiva, pueden conllevar la reducción de los daños asociados a los locales recreativos nocturnos. La gestión de los entornos donde se consume alcohol varía en toda Europa y nos enfrentamos a la necesidad de establecer normas comunes en todos los países. El objetivo de este trabajo es presentar la evidencia destacada por la literatura a una muestra diversa de representantes de la industria europea del ocio recreativo y a otros representantes clave (74 participantes de 14 países europeos), para conocer sus apreciaciones sobre el nivel de aplicación, aceptación, eficacia y regulación de un conjunto de estándares para su implementación en la vida recreativa nocturna en Europa. Los resultados revelan que la mayoría de los representantes de la industria muestran altos niveles de acuerdo con aquellas medidas preventivas destacadas como más importantes por la evidencia, incluyendo la gestión de los locales, el control de acceso de menores, la formación del personal y la colaboración con la policía. Sin embargo, los participantes expresaron dudas sobre una mayor regulación por temor a que significara más obstáculos tales como papeleo adicional y costes extra. De hecho, en países donde la economía nocturna no está muy desarrollada o está sufriendo el impacto de la crisis económica, encontramos que la industria recreativa no está dispuesta a adoptar medidas que temen puedan reducir sus ingresos; mientras que en los países donde estas prácticas están ampliamente implementadas, los representantes de la industria se muestran reacios a su regulación o a una aplicación más estricta de la ley, ya que requeriría de un mayor nivel de cumplimiento. Regular y exigir el estricto cumplimiento de los estándares destacados tanto por la literatura como por los representantes de la industria debe constituir una prioridad para garantizar la promoción de la salud y la seguridad en los locales de ocio nocturno(AU)

There is growing concern to understand those interventions which when effectively implemented may bring reduction in the harms associated with recreational nightlife venues. Management of drinking environments vary across Europe and we are faced with the need to set standards across European countries. The aim of this study is to present evidence highlighted by literature to a diverse sample of European recreational industry representatives and other key stakeholders (74 participants in 14 European countries), to ascertain their judgements on level of implementation, acceptance, effectiveness and regulation to propose a set of standards be implemented in European recreational nightlife settings. Results revealed that most industry representatives display high rates of agreement with those preventive interventions deemed most important by evidence, including those concerning venue management, underage checkouts, staff training and collaboration with the police. However, participants expressed doubts on further regulation fearing it would mean further obstacles such as added paperwork and costs. Indeed, in countries were night-time economy is not well developed or is already suffering the impact of the economic crisis, we found that nightlife industry is not keen to adopt measures they may perceive to lower their incomes; while in countries where these practices are widely implemented, industry representatives were reluctant for these practices to be regulated or enforced since it would require a higher level of compliance. Regulating and enforcing the standards highlighted both by literature and industry representatives should be a priority to ensure promotion of health and safety in nightlife premises(AU)

[How does family disorganization influence children's drug use? A review]. / ¿Cómo influye la desorganización familiar en el consumo de drogas de los hijos? Una revisión.

It is well known that various aspects of family functioning can influence children's drug use, both by promoting resilience and by increasing the risk of use. This review examines studies published in the last 30 years about the influence of family disorganization on children's drug use. Based on the results, we consider that disorganised families (charactirezed by parents' mental illness, parents' substance use and/or non-intact families) are more likely to have children who are drug users, both legal and illegal. Finally, we stress the need to improve the conceptualization of family disorganization and its assessment, and point out other methodological limitations found in the empirical studies reviewed.