Pub Date : 2021-08-08DOI: 10.13129/2282-1619/mjcp-3009
Elena Commodari, V. Rosa, Giulia Carnemolla, J. Parisi
Background: This study aimed to explore the lockdown experience on a sample of university students during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Italy, focusing on the degree of confidence in the information received about the pandemic, the perceived health risk related to COVID-19, the psychological experiences related to quarantine, and the opinions regarding distance learning and the measures to adopt after the total lockdown. More specifically, we hypothesized that living in an area with more restrictions significantly contributes to accentuating the negative psychological impact of the quarantine experience. Furthermore, we assumed that a high perception of risk and a high fear of contracting the virus are significantly associated with more negative feelings during the lockdown. Conversely, adherence to pandemic containment measures and confidence in the information received on COVID-19 are predictors of positive emotions. Methods: 655 university students completed a battery of standardized questionnaires between April 22 and May 1, 2020. The data was analyzed through univariate, bivariate, and multivariate analysis. Results : The students showed to be highly informed about the pandemic and confident regarding the information received about the virus. Furthermore, they had a good perception of their risk of contracting COVID-19. Overall, the results highlighted a significant psychological impact of the lockdown. Students reported greater feelings of sadness (51.3%), nervousness (64.6%), and irritability (57%) than usual, with increased ruminations (70.9%). Furthermore, difficulty concentrating (55.9%), sleeping (54.5%), eating disorders (73.6%), tachycardia (65%), and a tendency to cry (65%) were also reported. Multiple regression suggests that female and younger students who lived in areas with a higher rate of contagion ("red zones") experienced more negative feelings related to quarantine. Moreover, high levels of perceived susceptibility and less compliance with government measures were associated with negative psychological experiences. Conclusions: These results show that university students represent a vulnerable population, and specific interventions are needed to protect their psychological wellbeing during the pandemic. It would be interesting to evaluate the psychological impact of the subsequent waves of contagion due to the persistence of the pandemic's stressful event.
{"title":"The psychological impact of the lockdown on Italian university students during the first wave of COVID-19 pandemic: psychological experiences, health risk perceptions, distance learning, and future perspectives","authors":"Elena Commodari, V. Rosa, Giulia Carnemolla, J. Parisi","doi":"10.13129/2282-1619/mjcp-3009","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.13129/2282-1619/mjcp-3009","url":null,"abstract":"Background: This study aimed to explore the lockdown experience on a sample of university students during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Italy, focusing on the degree of confidence in the information received about the pandemic, the perceived health risk related to COVID-19, the psychological experiences related to quarantine, and the opinions regarding distance learning and the measures to adopt after the total lockdown. More specifically, we hypothesized that living in an area with more restrictions significantly contributes to accentuating the negative psychological impact of the quarantine experience. Furthermore, we assumed that a high perception of risk and a high fear of contracting the virus are significantly associated with more negative feelings during the lockdown. Conversely, adherence to pandemic containment measures and confidence in the information received on COVID-19 are predictors of positive emotions. Methods: 655 university students completed a battery of standardized questionnaires between April 22 and May 1, 2020. The data was analyzed through univariate, bivariate, and multivariate analysis. Results : The students showed to be highly informed about the pandemic and confident regarding the information received about the virus. Furthermore, they had a good perception of their risk of contracting COVID-19. Overall, the results highlighted a significant psychological impact of the lockdown. Students reported greater feelings of sadness (51.3%), nervousness (64.6%), and irritability (57%) than usual, with increased ruminations (70.9%). Furthermore, difficulty concentrating (55.9%), sleeping (54.5%), eating disorders (73.6%), tachycardia (65%), and a tendency to cry (65%) were also reported. Multiple regression suggests that female and younger students who lived in areas with a higher rate of contagion (\"red zones\") experienced more negative feelings related to quarantine. Moreover, high levels of perceived susceptibility and less compliance with government measures were associated with negative psychological experiences. Conclusions: These results show that university students represent a vulnerable population, and specific interventions are needed to protect their psychological wellbeing during the pandemic. It would be interesting to evaluate the psychological impact of the subsequent waves of contagion due to the persistence of the pandemic's stressful event.","PeriodicalId":18428,"journal":{"name":"Mediterranean Journal of Clinical Psychology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2021-08-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45130891","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2021-08-08DOI: 10.13129/2282-1619/MJCP-2977
Maria Koushiou, Alexandros Kapatais, Eleni Iasonidou, Marios N. Adonis, N. Ferreira
Objectives: Eating Disorder symptoms are highly prevalent and persistent among university students, especially in societies that place high emphasis on body image and in countries where the weather conditions result in body revealing clothing such as Cyprus. The aim of this study is to investigate whether body image inflexibility moderates the relationship between weight concerns and eating disorder symptoms in a sample of Cypriot University students. Methodology: 440 students responded to a survey including measures of weight concerns, (WCS), body image inflexibility (BIIAAQ) and symptoms of eating disorders (EAT-26). Moderation analyses were conducted using the PROCESS Macro for SPSS. Results: The moderation model showed a significant interaction between weight concerns and body image inflexibility (95% CI .004 - .007). Discussion: Higher body image inflexibility seems to exacerbate the risk from weight concerns augmenting the experience of eating disorders symptoms. The findings suggest that interventions targeting body image inflexibility might help prevent and alleviate eating disorders symptoms.
{"title":"The moderating role of body image inflexibility in the relation between weight concerns and symptoms of eating disorders in Cypriot University students","authors":"Maria Koushiou, Alexandros Kapatais, Eleni Iasonidou, Marios N. Adonis, N. Ferreira","doi":"10.13129/2282-1619/MJCP-2977","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.13129/2282-1619/MJCP-2977","url":null,"abstract":"Objectives: Eating Disorder symptoms are highly prevalent and persistent among university students, especially in societies that place high emphasis on body image and in countries where the weather conditions result in body revealing clothing such as Cyprus. The aim of this study is to investigate whether body image inflexibility moderates the relationship between weight concerns and eating disorder symptoms in a sample of Cypriot University students. Methodology: 440 students responded to a survey including measures of weight concerns, (WCS), body image inflexibility (BIIAAQ) and symptoms of eating disorders (EAT-26). Moderation analyses were conducted using the PROCESS Macro for SPSS. Results: The moderation model showed a significant interaction between weight concerns and body image inflexibility (95% CI .004 - .007). Discussion: Higher body image inflexibility seems to exacerbate the risk from weight concerns augmenting the experience of eating disorders symptoms. The findings suggest that interventions targeting body image inflexibility might help prevent and alleviate eating disorders symptoms.","PeriodicalId":18428,"journal":{"name":"Mediterranean Journal of Clinical Psychology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2021-08-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48967907","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2021-08-08DOI: 10.13129/2282-1619/MJCP-2989
Simon Ghinassi, L. Ponti, F. Tani
Background: Psychological abuse is a widespread form of Intimate Partner Violence and has harmful consequences for the wellbeing of the victim. Despite the theoretical and clinical relevance of this form of abuse, few studies have taking into consideration its multidimensional nature together with one of its defining essential characteristics, which is the systematic nature of abuse behaviors. The aim of this study was to analyze the prevalence of perpetrated and suffered psychological abuse in heterosexual and homosexual men and women, considering its multidimensional nature and repetitiveness, in the following terms: absent, occasional, and repeated abuse. Methods: Our sample included 1026 participants (406 heterosexual men, 488 heterosexual women, 65 homosexual men, 67 homosexual women), aged 18–30 years (M = 23.93; SD = 2.75), involved in a romantic relationship. A series of chi-squared tests were performed to explore differences between the four groups. Results: In line with previous studies, results showed that most of participants reported to have perpetrated (95%) and suffered (94%) at least one behavior of psychological abuse. However, considering the repetitiveness of the acts, the prevalence of repeated abuse is around 14%, with no significant differences among groups. However, significant differences emerged considering the different forms of psychological abuse and their repetitiveness. Conclusion: Overall, these results highlight the forms of abuse most commonly perpetrated and suffered in relation to gender and sexual orientation. The distinction between less frequent and systematic cases of abuse provides important implications for clinicians dealing with couples and victims. These results are relevant for the implementation of possible supportive intervention policies.
{"title":"Forms of psychological abuse in heterosexual and homosexual romantic relationships","authors":"Simon Ghinassi, L. Ponti, F. Tani","doi":"10.13129/2282-1619/MJCP-2989","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.13129/2282-1619/MJCP-2989","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Psychological abuse is a widespread form of Intimate Partner Violence and has harmful consequences for the wellbeing of the victim. Despite the theoretical and clinical relevance of this form of abuse, few studies have taking into consideration its multidimensional nature together with one of its defining essential characteristics, which is the systematic nature of abuse behaviors. The aim of this study was to analyze the prevalence of perpetrated and suffered psychological abuse in heterosexual and homosexual men and women, considering its multidimensional nature and repetitiveness, in the following terms: absent, occasional, and repeated abuse. Methods: Our sample included 1026 participants (406 heterosexual men, 488 heterosexual women, 65 homosexual men, 67 homosexual women), aged 18–30 years (M = 23.93; SD = 2.75), involved in a romantic relationship. A series of chi-squared tests were performed to explore differences between the four groups. Results: In line with previous studies, results showed that most of participants reported to have perpetrated (95%) and suffered (94%) at least one behavior of psychological abuse. However, considering the repetitiveness of the acts, the prevalence of repeated abuse is around 14%, with no significant differences among groups. However, significant differences emerged considering the different forms of psychological abuse and their repetitiveness. Conclusion: Overall, these results highlight the forms of abuse most commonly perpetrated and suffered in relation to gender and sexual orientation. The distinction between less frequent and systematic cases of abuse provides important implications for clinicians dealing with couples and victims. These results are relevant for the implementation of possible supportive intervention policies.","PeriodicalId":18428,"journal":{"name":"Mediterranean Journal of Clinical Psychology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2021-08-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"49368771","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2021-08-08DOI: 10.13129/2282-1619/mjcp-3183
S. Settineri
More than 18 months have passed since the editorial dedicated to fear of contamination (Settineri & Merlo, 2020a) which, like all public health editorials, has reflected on current events. Reflections on the relationship with that special object that is the disease characterized by its time and its spaces (today minor due to its global characteristics). The disease object is "special" for its complexity value that we can summarize in a multifactoriality that involves both intellectual and emotional processing. This involves risks of dispersion, a concept that is well suited to the word identity both individual and social.
{"title":"Loneliness or isolation due to Covid 19 pandemic","authors":"S. Settineri","doi":"10.13129/2282-1619/mjcp-3183","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.13129/2282-1619/mjcp-3183","url":null,"abstract":"More than 18 months have passed since the editorial dedicated to fear of contamination (Settineri & Merlo, 2020a) which, like all public health editorials, has reflected on current events. Reflections on the relationship with that special object that is the disease characterized by its time and its spaces (today minor due to its global characteristics). The disease object is \"special\" for its complexity value that we can summarize in a multifactoriality that involves both intellectual and emotional processing. This involves risks of dispersion, a concept that is well suited to the word identity both individual and social.","PeriodicalId":18428,"journal":{"name":"Mediterranean Journal of Clinical Psychology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2021-08-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"44875590","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2021-08-08DOI: 10.13129/2282-1619/MJCP-2953
K. Gana, M. Cuvelier, M. Koleck
Introduction: Fibromyalgia is a very heterogeneous disorder. This heterogeneity is one of the reasons why researchers have tried to analyze different patient profiles and their relationship with quality of life. The aim of the present study was to identify: (1) latent profiles based on the Revised Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire’s scores, and (2) possible differences between them in quality of life, distrust in healthcare system, and adherence to medical recommendations. Methods : 707 FM patients (aged 18-85 years, 95% women) completed the Revised Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire, the 12-Item Short Form Health Survey, the Patient Adherence Scale, and the Health Care System Distrust Scale. Data were analyzed using latent profile analysis. Results : Three profiles were identified: (1) Low fibromyalgia impact profile (2) Moderate fibromyalgia impact profile, and (3) High fibromyalgia impact profile. Significant differences between these profiles were found in quality of life, adherence to medical recommendations, and distrust in healthcare system. Poor-sleep quality emerged as a significant high important symptom in the three profiles. Conclusion : The greater the fibromyalgia impact, the lower the quality of life, and the adherence to medical recommendations and the greater the mistrust in the healthcare system. Self-perceived sleep quality in fibromyalgia patients should require special attention from clinicians.
{"title":"Quality of life, distrust in health care system and adherence to medical recommendations in patients with fibromyalgia: a latent profile analysis","authors":"K. Gana, M. Cuvelier, M. Koleck","doi":"10.13129/2282-1619/MJCP-2953","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.13129/2282-1619/MJCP-2953","url":null,"abstract":"Introduction: Fibromyalgia is a very heterogeneous disorder. This heterogeneity is one of the reasons why researchers have tried to analyze different patient profiles and their relationship with quality of life. The aim of the present study was to identify: (1) latent profiles based on the Revised Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire’s scores, and (2) possible differences between them in quality of life, distrust in healthcare system, and adherence to medical recommendations. Methods : 707 FM patients (aged 18-85 years, 95% women) completed the Revised Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire, the 12-Item Short Form Health Survey, the Patient Adherence Scale, and the Health Care System Distrust Scale. Data were analyzed using latent profile analysis. Results : Three profiles were identified: (1) Low fibromyalgia impact profile (2) Moderate fibromyalgia impact profile, and (3) High fibromyalgia impact profile. Significant differences between these profiles were found in quality of life, adherence to medical recommendations, and distrust in healthcare system. Poor-sleep quality emerged as a significant high important symptom in the three profiles. Conclusion : The greater the fibromyalgia impact, the lower the quality of life, and the adherence to medical recommendations and the greater the mistrust in the healthcare system. Self-perceived sleep quality in fibromyalgia patients should require special attention from clinicians.","PeriodicalId":18428,"journal":{"name":"Mediterranean Journal of Clinical Psychology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2021-08-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"49445791","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2021-08-08DOI: 10.13129/2282-1619/mjcp-3011
Gabriela Rahnea-Nita, D. Badiu, Cristian G. Popescu, V. Grigorean, D. Serban, C. Smarandache, Roxana-Andreea Rahnea-Niţă, A. Ciuhu, M. Mandu, -. Liliana, Florina Andronache, A. Stoian
Background: The new Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) represents a global threat due to its increased mortality, especially among the elderly and people with severe comorbidities, such as cancer. Objectives: Through the specific measures that have been imposed to reduce the risk of infection and death, the working hypothesis is prepared: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has drastically decreased the hospital admissions of cancer patients, the frequency of hospitalizations and determined an increased mortality rate through the infection with SARS-CoV-2 virus in cancer patients. Methods: For a period of 16 weeks, the hospitalizations of patients to the Chronic Oncology-Palliative Care Department of “St. Luke” Hospital for Chronic Diseases, Bucharest, were analyzed, being compared to the same period of the previous year and, also, there were patients with symptoms specific to COVID-19 infection, tested for SARS-CoV-2 by means of RT-PCR. Results: The data analysis shows a 53.7% decrease among hospitalized patients – with 51.4 for day hospitalization and 50.2% for inpatient hospitalization, during the COVID-19 pandemic. 4 patients out of the 477 admitted to the Oncology Department in this period had a positive RT-PCR SARS-CoV-2 test during their hospitalization and 5 patients with symptoms common for both cancer and COVID-19 had a negative result through specific testing (Table I, Table II). Two other patients recorded on the unit were infected with SARS-CoV-2 virus and required admission and treatment in the COVID-19 Department. The willingness of the cancer patient to consult a physician for admission has greatly decreased in the first 16 weeks from the declaration of the COVID-19 pandemic. Conclusion: Cancer patients, although at an increased risk of being infected, did not exhibit severe symptoms, and the evolution of the symptoms and the performance state after the discharge from the COVID-19 department was influenced by the age and the associated comorbidities.
{"title":"The impact of Coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic on the treatment of cancer patients: the first steps in this fight","authors":"Gabriela Rahnea-Nita, D. Badiu, Cristian G. Popescu, V. Grigorean, D. Serban, C. Smarandache, Roxana-Andreea Rahnea-Niţă, A. Ciuhu, M. Mandu, -. Liliana, Florina Andronache, A. Stoian","doi":"10.13129/2282-1619/mjcp-3011","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.13129/2282-1619/mjcp-3011","url":null,"abstract":"Background: The new Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) represents a global threat due to its increased mortality, especially among the elderly and people with severe comorbidities, such as cancer. Objectives: Through the specific measures that have been imposed to reduce the risk of infection and death, the working hypothesis is prepared: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has drastically decreased the hospital admissions of cancer patients, the frequency of hospitalizations and determined an increased mortality rate through the infection with SARS-CoV-2 virus in cancer patients. Methods: For a period of 16 weeks, the hospitalizations of patients to the Chronic Oncology-Palliative Care Department of “St. Luke” Hospital for Chronic Diseases, Bucharest, were analyzed, being compared to the same period of the previous year and, also, there were patients with symptoms specific to COVID-19 infection, tested for SARS-CoV-2 by means of RT-PCR. Results: The data analysis shows a 53.7% decrease among hospitalized patients – with 51.4 for day hospitalization and 50.2% for inpatient hospitalization, during the COVID-19 pandemic. 4 patients out of the 477 admitted to the Oncology Department in this period had a positive RT-PCR SARS-CoV-2 test during their hospitalization and 5 patients with symptoms common for both cancer and COVID-19 had a negative result through specific testing (Table I, Table II). Two other patients recorded on the unit were infected with SARS-CoV-2 virus and required admission and treatment in the COVID-19 Department. The willingness of the cancer patient to consult a physician for admission has greatly decreased in the first 16 weeks from the declaration of the COVID-19 pandemic. Conclusion: Cancer patients, although at an increased risk of being infected, did not exhibit severe symptoms, and the evolution of the symptoms and the performance state after the discharge from the COVID-19 department was influenced by the age and the associated comorbidities.","PeriodicalId":18428,"journal":{"name":"Mediterranean Journal of Clinical Psychology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2021-08-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"44636076","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2021-08-08DOI: 10.13129/2282-1619/MJCP-2584
B. Pintaudi, G. Vieste, A. Nicolucci, A. Bruno, G. Genovese, M. Muscatello, C. Cedro, R. Zoccali, A. Benedetto
Background: Alexithymia is a psychological construct characterized by inability to express emotions, poor imagination and operational thinking. It is well known its association with several chronic disease such as Diabetes type 2, little is known about diabetes type 1. We examined the association of alexithymia with clinical and psychological outcomes in subjects with type 1 diabetes. Methods: The study was conducted in a single diabetes center. The patients fully completed a protocol composed of the following instruments: the Toronto Alexithymia Scale-20 (TAS-20), the State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory-2 (STAXI-2), the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory form Y (STAI-Y), and the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAMD). TAS-20 scores were subdivided into tertiles, Correlations and two linear regression analyses, adjusted for only clinical and clinical plus psychological characteristics, were performed. Overall, 75 patients were enrolled (mean age 41.0±11.4 years, diabetes duration 19.9±11.9 years, 49.3% males, 30.7% treated with CSII). Results: People with diabetes of the upper TAS-20 tertile had the greatest rate of depression (with the highest degree of severity) and the higher levels of anger and anxiety. There was a significant correlation between TAS-20 scores with BMI (r=0.26; p=0.03), HAMD (r=0.38; p=0.001), STAXI-2 (r=0.34; p=0.003) and STAI-Y (r=0.48; p<0.0001). Further regression analysis showed TAS-20 scores were associated with BMI (beta=0.29; p=0.02). The association with BMI was confirmed (beta=0.28; p=0.007) when psychological variables are considered; furthermore, a strong association with STAI-2 (beta=0.48; p<0.0001) was detected, while the analysis did reveal any significant correlation between alexithymia and HbA1c levels. Conclusions: Alexithymia is strongly associated both with clinical and psychological characteristics, notably with BMI and anxiety traits. People with diabetes type 1 should be assessed for alexithymia. Future studies on the current topic are therefore required in order to elucidate the role of alexithymia in diabetes type 1. We believe that patients with diabetes and alexithymia could take advantage of psychological counseling.
{"title":"The impact of clinical and psychological characteristics on alexithymia in type 1 diabetes","authors":"B. Pintaudi, G. Vieste, A. Nicolucci, A. Bruno, G. Genovese, M. Muscatello, C. Cedro, R. Zoccali, A. Benedetto","doi":"10.13129/2282-1619/MJCP-2584","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.13129/2282-1619/MJCP-2584","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Alexithymia is a psychological construct characterized by inability to express emotions, poor imagination and operational thinking. It is well known its association with several chronic disease such as Diabetes type 2, little is known about diabetes type 1. We examined the association of alexithymia with clinical and psychological outcomes in subjects with type 1 diabetes. Methods: The study was conducted in a single diabetes center. The patients fully completed a protocol composed of the following instruments: the Toronto Alexithymia Scale-20 (TAS-20), the State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory-2 (STAXI-2), the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory form Y (STAI-Y), and the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAMD). TAS-20 scores were subdivided into tertiles, Correlations and two linear regression analyses, adjusted for only clinical and clinical plus psychological characteristics, were performed. Overall, 75 patients were enrolled (mean age 41.0±11.4 years, diabetes duration 19.9±11.9 years, 49.3% males, 30.7% treated with CSII). Results: People with diabetes of the upper TAS-20 tertile had the greatest rate of depression (with the highest degree of severity) and the higher levels of anger and anxiety. There was a significant correlation between TAS-20 scores with BMI (r=0.26; p=0.03), HAMD (r=0.38; p=0.001), STAXI-2 (r=0.34; p=0.003) and STAI-Y (r=0.48; p<0.0001). Further regression analysis showed TAS-20 scores were associated with BMI (beta=0.29; p=0.02). The association with BMI was confirmed (beta=0.28; p=0.007) when psychological variables are considered; furthermore, a strong association with STAI-2 (beta=0.48; p<0.0001) was detected, while the analysis did reveal any significant correlation between alexithymia and HbA1c levels. Conclusions: Alexithymia is strongly associated both with clinical and psychological characteristics, notably with BMI and anxiety traits. People with diabetes type 1 should be assessed for alexithymia. Future studies on the current topic are therefore required in order to elucidate the role of alexithymia in diabetes type 1. We believe that patients with diabetes and alexithymia could take advantage of psychological counseling.","PeriodicalId":18428,"journal":{"name":"Mediterranean Journal of Clinical Psychology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2021-08-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43337200","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2021-08-08DOI: 10.13129/2282-1619/MJCP-3016
Lucrezia Ferrante, C. Venuleo
Scholars’ opinions vary considerably regarding many different aspects of Problematic Internet Use (PIU), including whether it should be conceptualised as an addiction, whether it has to be seen as a discrete category or as the pole of a “normal” to pathological continuum, and whether and how the relationship between a person’s characteristics and socio-cultural environment needs to be considered. The aim of the present study is to qualitatively review the evolving body of literature on PIU among adolescents in relation to the three above-mentioned issues, in order to examine how far existing research has progressed since the publication of DSM-5. Following PRISMA guidelines, studies from 2014 to 2019 identified by a search on SCOPUS and Google Scholar were collected. The PIU conceptualisations employed in studies among adolescents and young adults were analysed. Results showed that the debate on PIU as a form of addiction or a distinct clinical disorder is far from over; nonetheless, in the scientific literature about PIU among adolescents and young adults the idea of Internet use as a way to compensate for unsatisfied needs is growing, calling for a better appreciation of what happens in the life-contexts to explain how youths move to/away from PIU over time.
{"title":"Problematic Internet Use among adolescents and young adults: a systematic review of scholars’ conceptualisations after the publication of DSM5","authors":"Lucrezia Ferrante, C. Venuleo","doi":"10.13129/2282-1619/MJCP-3016","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.13129/2282-1619/MJCP-3016","url":null,"abstract":"Scholars’ opinions vary considerably regarding many different aspects of Problematic Internet Use (PIU), including whether it should be conceptualised as an addiction, whether it has to be seen as a discrete category or as the pole of a “normal” to pathological continuum, and whether and how the relationship between a person’s characteristics and socio-cultural environment needs to be considered. The aim of the present study is to qualitatively review the evolving body of literature on PIU among adolescents in relation to the three above-mentioned issues, in order to examine how far existing research has progressed since the publication of DSM-5. Following PRISMA guidelines, studies from 2014 to 2019 identified by a search on SCOPUS and Google Scholar were collected. The PIU conceptualisations employed in studies among adolescents and young adults were analysed. Results showed that the debate on PIU as a form of addiction or a distinct clinical disorder is far from over; nonetheless, in the scientific literature about PIU among adolescents and young adults the idea of Internet use as a way to compensate for unsatisfied needs is growing, calling for a better appreciation of what happens in the life-contexts to explain how youths move to/away from PIU over time.","PeriodicalId":18428,"journal":{"name":"Mediterranean Journal of Clinical Psychology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2021-08-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45585469","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2021-08-08DOI: 10.13129/2282-1619/mjcp-2984
L. Ferraro, C. Cascia, M. Daino, G. Tripoli, G. Maniaci, Crocettarachele Santorio, F. Seminerio, R. Baido, D. Barbera
Background: This study aimed to screen a wide range of emotional and behavioural variables emerging during the first COVID-19 pandemic-lockdown in a sample of parents and children, residents in the southern part of Italy, and explore which variables could predict children’s wellbeing. We hypothesised that difficulties in adapting routines to pandemic restrictions, parents’ emotional wellbeing, and attitude towards the pandemic could influence the children’s behavioural attitudes. Methods: 221 parents completed the survey and gave information about 246 children. Ad hoc questionnaires were created and then exploratory reduced in factors. Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) for parents assessed positive and negative behavioural attitudes in children. Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (Italian DASS-21) scored depression, anxiety and stress in parents. Results: Children presented higher emotional distress (Mean difference (M diff )=0.6, 95% C.I. 0.2, 0.9, p=0.013) and better prosocial behaviour (M diff =0.5, 95% C.I. 0.1, 0.9, p=0.011) than the Italian normative sample. Parents were more depressed than expected in the general population (M diff =1.0, 95% C.I. 0.3, 1.6, p=0.005). Having developed a morbid attachment to an adult (B=0.37, 95% CI 0.05, 0.69, p=0.024), a higher parental depression (B=0.1, 95% CI 0.02, 0.18, p=0.014), and children’s suffering from nightmares (B=0.35, 95% CI 0.03, 0.67, p=0.032) explained the 31.9% of the total variance in children’s emotional distress. Children’s anxiety was related to parents’ fear of the pandemic effects (r=0.32, p=0.001) and avoiding communicative approach (r=0.24, p=0.011). Conclusion: The first lockdown determined emotional distress and regressive mechanisms in children in the contest of higher parental discomfort, fear of the infection and avoidant communication. Following parents’ indications, it could be helpful to provide families with informative and age-appropriate support.
{"title":"Children and Families' mental health during the first COVID-19 lockdown in Italy","authors":"L. Ferraro, C. Cascia, M. Daino, G. Tripoli, G. Maniaci, Crocettarachele Santorio, F. Seminerio, R. Baido, D. Barbera","doi":"10.13129/2282-1619/mjcp-2984","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.13129/2282-1619/mjcp-2984","url":null,"abstract":"Background: This study aimed to screen a wide range of emotional and behavioural variables emerging during the first COVID-19 pandemic-lockdown in a sample of parents and children, residents in the southern part of Italy, and explore which variables could predict children’s wellbeing. We hypothesised that difficulties in adapting routines to pandemic restrictions, parents’ emotional wellbeing, and attitude towards the pandemic could influence the children’s behavioural attitudes. Methods: 221 parents completed the survey and gave information about 246 children. Ad hoc questionnaires were created and then exploratory reduced in factors. Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) for parents assessed positive and negative behavioural attitudes in children. Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (Italian DASS-21) scored depression, anxiety and stress in parents. Results: Children presented higher emotional distress (Mean difference (M diff )=0.6, 95% C.I. 0.2, 0.9, p=0.013) and better prosocial behaviour (M diff =0.5, 95% C.I. 0.1, 0.9, p=0.011) than the Italian normative sample. Parents were more depressed than expected in the general population (M diff =1.0, 95% C.I. 0.3, 1.6, p=0.005). Having developed a morbid attachment to an adult (B=0.37, 95% CI 0.05, 0.69, p=0.024), a higher parental depression (B=0.1, 95% CI 0.02, 0.18, p=0.014), and children’s suffering from nightmares (B=0.35, 95% CI 0.03, 0.67, p=0.032) explained the 31.9% of the total variance in children’s emotional distress. Children’s anxiety was related to parents’ fear of the pandemic effects (r=0.32, p=0.001) and avoiding communicative approach (r=0.24, p=0.011). Conclusion: The first lockdown determined emotional distress and regressive mechanisms in children in the contest of higher parental discomfort, fear of the infection and avoidant communication. Following parents’ indications, it could be helpful to provide families with informative and age-appropriate support.","PeriodicalId":18428,"journal":{"name":"Mediterranean Journal of Clinical Psychology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2021-08-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43909121","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2021-08-08DOI: 10.13129/2282-1619/MJCP-3107
V. Békés, Tracy A. Prout, Mariagrazia Di Giuseppe, L. Ammar, Thomas Kui, Giulia Arsena, C. Conversano
Objectives: Defense mechanisms underlie a range of healthy and pathological psychological phenomena and are important mechanisms of change in psychotherapy. Thus, the identification of defense mechanisms in clinical work is crucial, however, measures commonly used for their assessment have various limitations. The Defense Mechanisms Rating Scale Q-set (DMRS-Q; Di Giuseppe, 2014) was developed to address these problems, and to provide an easy-to-use, valid, and reliable tool for the assessment of defense mechanisms. The present study aimed to evaluate the reliability of the DMRS-Q when used by trained versus untrained coders, and to examine the criterion validity of the DMRS-Q in relation to its original observer-rated version, the Defense Mechanisms Rating Scale (DMRS; Perry, 1990). Methods: Collateral sessions ( n = 13) with parents of children with externalizing problems were coded with the DMRS-Q by trained and untrained raters, and on the DMRS by an expert rater. Results: We found that both trained and untrained coders were able to assess most defense categories and levels with moderate to excellent reliability on the DMRS-Q, and that untrained coders’ reliability was comparable although slightly lower than untrained coders’ reliability. Moreover, our results indicate the generally good criterion validity of the DMRS-Q when compared to the original DMRS. Discussion: These findings suggest that the DMRS-Q is a promising measure that can be used by clinicians and researchers at all levels of training and with minimal knowledge of defense mechanisms as a reliable and valid method to assess defense mechanisms in clinical settings.
{"title":"Initial validation of the Defense Mechanisms Rating Scales Q-sort: A Comparison of Trained and Untrained Raters","authors":"V. Békés, Tracy A. Prout, Mariagrazia Di Giuseppe, L. Ammar, Thomas Kui, Giulia Arsena, C. Conversano","doi":"10.13129/2282-1619/MJCP-3107","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.13129/2282-1619/MJCP-3107","url":null,"abstract":"Objectives: Defense mechanisms underlie a range of healthy and pathological psychological phenomena and are important mechanisms of change in psychotherapy. Thus, the identification of defense mechanisms in clinical work is crucial, however, measures commonly used for their assessment have various limitations. The Defense Mechanisms Rating Scale Q-set (DMRS-Q; Di Giuseppe, 2014) was developed to address these problems, and to provide an easy-to-use, valid, and reliable tool for the assessment of defense mechanisms. The present study aimed to evaluate the reliability of the DMRS-Q when used by trained versus untrained coders, and to examine the criterion validity of the DMRS-Q in relation to its original observer-rated version, the Defense Mechanisms Rating Scale (DMRS; Perry, 1990). Methods: Collateral sessions ( n = 13) with parents of children with externalizing problems were coded with the DMRS-Q by trained and untrained raters, and on the DMRS by an expert rater. Results: We found that both trained and untrained coders were able to assess most defense categories and levels with moderate to excellent reliability on the DMRS-Q, and that untrained coders’ reliability was comparable although slightly lower than untrained coders’ reliability. Moreover, our results indicate the generally good criterion validity of the DMRS-Q when compared to the original DMRS. Discussion: These findings suggest that the DMRS-Q is a promising measure that can be used by clinicians and researchers at all levels of training and with minimal knowledge of defense mechanisms as a reliable and valid method to assess defense mechanisms in clinical settings.","PeriodicalId":18428,"journal":{"name":"Mediterranean Journal of Clinical Psychology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2021-08-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48101603","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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