BEHAVIORAL ADDICTIONS

OBJECTIVE

Pathological gambling (PG) or gambling disorder is an important health problem recognized by the WHO, whose prevalence in Spain is high and is expected to tend to increase in the future. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is the therapy of choice to address this type of disorder, and the components of stimulus control and exposure with response prevention are those that have shown the greatest utility. However, only a small percentage of affected patients seek psychological treatment, due to stigma or lack of access to treatment..

Within the field of psychological treatment and the use of technology, the Internet has become one of the most promising tools and offers a new way of dispensing treatment. Additionally, new tools have been introduced to increase adherence to treatments, and in this sense, ecological momentary assessments/interventions (EMA/EMI) may be an option to solve part of this problem. The aim of this line of research is to gain a deeper understanding of this problem and to develop, through the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), effective interventions based on scientific evidence for intervention in JP.

SINCE

2016

RELEVANT MILESTONES AND APPLICATIONS
  • To have an in-depth knowledge of Gambling Disorder.
  • To innovate in the assessment of Gambling Disorder.
  • To innovate in the treatment of Gambling Disorder.
PUBLICATIONS, AWARDS AND OTHER RELEVANT ASPECTS TO BE HIGHLIGHTED

Publications:

  1. Diaz-Sanahuja, L., Campos, D., Mira, A., Castilla, D., García-Palacios, A., & Bretón-López, J. M. (2021). Efficacy of an internet-based psychological intervention for problem gambling and gambling disorder: Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Internet Interventions, 26, 100466. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.invent.2021.100466
  2. Diaz-Sanahuja, L., Miralles, I., Granell, C., Mira, A., González-Pérez, A., Casteleyn, S., … & Bretón-López, J. (2022). Client’s Experiences Using a Location-Based Technology ICT System during Gambling Treatments’ Crucial Components: A Qualitative Study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(7), 3769.
  3. Diaz-Sanahuja, L., Paredes-Mealla, M., Suso-Ribera, C., García-Palacios, A., & Bretón-López, J. M. (2023). Validation of a Spanish Adaptation of the Gambling Symptom Assessment Scale (G-SAS) in Persons with Recent History of Gambling. Journal of Gambling Studies, 39, 1-18.

PHD:

Díaz-Sanahuja, L., García-Palacios, A. & Bretón-López, J. (2023). Innovations for the assessment and treatment of gambling disorder [Doctoral thesis, Universitat Jaume I]. http://dx.doi.org/10.6035/14109.2023.367986

Awards:

Second prize in the 12th video contest, “Adicciones: Tu punto de Mira” (2023) funded by the Ministry of Health and Government Delegation for the National Plan on Drugs, and organized by Promoción y desarrollo social (PDS) and the Red Española de universidades promotoras de salud (REUPS) with the presentation of a video for the prevention of risks associated with addictive behaviors (gambling).

Software registrations:

The development of the program ‘SIN JUGAR GANAS’ and its intellectual property registration (number 2483) at the Office for Cooperation in Research and Technological Development of the Universitat Jaume I.