Una propuesta metodológica para evaluar la imagen de una ciudad a través de los mapas asociativos

[ES] Esta investigación ha propuesto un método sencillo, razonablemente económico y fácil de implementar para estudiar la imagen de marca de una ciudad empleando los mapas asociativos (Henderson, Iacobucci y Calder, 1998). Utilizando una combinación de criterios estadísticos e interpretativos se llega a construir un mapa de consenso que refleja las señas de identidad de una ciudad, es decir, las principales asociaciones que realizan sus habitantes cuando piensan en su localidad. Se proporcionan, además, claras orientaciones sobre cómo aplicar este método, el cual debe realizarse periódicamente, con el fin de estudiar la dinámica de las asociaciones mencionadas en función de las acciones estratégicas y tácticas realizadas por los gobernantes y del momento del tiempo en el que se ejecuta. Además, se ilustra su uso con una investigación real, aplicada a la ciudad de Cartagena, y realizada empleando una muestra aleatoria de 195 ciudadanos.

Effectiveness of a Multi-Component Smoking Cessation Support Programme (McSCSP) for Patients with Severe Mental Disorders: Study Design

Only a few studies have examined the efficacy and safety of smoking cessation programmes in patients with mental disorders. The aim of this paper is to describe in detail the methodology used in the study as well as the Multi-component Smoking Cessation Support Programme in terms of pharmacological treatments and psychological interventions. An open-label 9-month follow-up study was conducted in Spain. A total of 82 clinically stable outpatients with schizophrenia, schizoaffective or bipolar disorder were enrolled. Treatment consisted of a programme specifically developed by the research team for individuals with severe mental disorders. The programme consisted of two phases: (1) weekly individual motivational therapy for 4-12 weeks, and (2) a 12-week active treatment phase. During this phase, at each study visit patients received a one- or two-week supply of medication (transdermal nicotine patches, varenicline or bupropion) with instructions on how to take it, in addition to group psychotherapy for smoking cessation. Evaluations were performed: (1) at the time of enrolment in the study, (2) during the 12-week active treatment phase of the study (weekly for the first 4 weeks and then biweekly), and (3) after the end of this phase (two follow-up assessments at weeks 12 and 24). Evaluations included: (1) smoking history, (2) substance use, (3) psychopathology, (4) adverse events, and (5) laboratory tests. The importance of this study lies in addressing a topical issue often ignored by psychiatrists: the unacceptably high rates of tobacco use in patients with severe mental disorders.