CERCA UNA PUBBLICAZIONE
1.
Luppino, Olga Ines; Tenore, Katia; Mancini, Francesco; Mancini, Alessandra
The Role of Childhood Experiences in the development of Disgust Sensitivity: a preliminary study on early moral memories Journal Article
In: Clinical Neuropsychiatry, vol. 20, no 2, pp. 109-121, 2023.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tag: Deontological guilt, Disgust, early autobiographical memories, Early maladaptive schemas, imagery, Morality
@article{Luppino2023,
title = {The Role of Childhood Experiences in the development of Disgust Sensitivity: a preliminary study on early moral memories},
author = {Olga Ines Luppino and Katia Tenore and Francesco Mancini and Alessandra Mancini},
editor = {Giovanni Fioriti Editore s.r.l. },
url = {https://apc.it/2023-mancini-the-role-of-childhood-experiences/},
doi = {doi.org/10.36131/ cnfioritieditore2023020},
year = {2023},
date = {2023-04-01},
urldate = {2023-04-01},
journal = {Clinical Neuropsychiatry},
volume = {20},
number = {2},
pages = {109-121},
abstract = {bjective: Disgust is a basic emotion evolved to safeguard our omnivorous species from contagion. Although the factors eliciting disgust typically involve concerns related to physical contamination, physical disgust responses are also prompted by moral transgressions, (i.e. cannibalism, pedophilia, betrayal). The link between the general propensity to experience disgust (i.e. “Disgust Sensitivity”) and morality, in particular in the deontological domain, is supported by an increasing amount of data on clinical and non-clinical sample. Evolutionistic explanations of this link posit that disgust evolved to indicate the presence of a threat to the integrity of the individual not only in the physical domain but also in the social and moral domain. In addition to the evolutionary point of view, this link could also be better investigated in terms of individual development. To the best of our knowledge, literature is scarce regarding which early experiences are associated to high DS. Therefore, this study aims to explore the content of early memories associated with disgust. Based on the strict link between disgust and morality, we hypothesized an association between DS and early memories of moral criticism.
Method: 60 non-clinical participants filled in measures of DS. They were then
presented with an auditory disgust induction, after which they recalled early memories
through the technique of the “affect bridge”. 10 independent raters assessed the
emotional content of the memories on visual-analogical scales.
Results: Results showed a positive association between disgust sensitivity and
the propensity to experience deontological guilt. There was also a significant positive
association between disgust sensitivity and moral memories, in particular relating to
early experiences of being the object of contempt, moral criticism, anger, and of being
held responsible.
Conclusions: These data directly support the centrality of early morally-loaded
interpersonal experiences in the development of DS, confirming the link between
disgust and morality also at the level of individual historical developme},
keywords = {Deontological guilt, Disgust, early autobiographical memories, Early maladaptive schemas, imagery, Morality},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
bjective: Disgust is a basic emotion evolved to safeguard our omnivorous species from contagion. Although the factors eliciting disgust typically involve concerns related to physical contamination, physical disgust responses are also prompted by moral transgressions, (i.e. cannibalism, pedophilia, betrayal). The link between the general propensity to experience disgust (i.e. “Disgust Sensitivity”) and morality, in particular in the deontological domain, is supported by an increasing amount of data on clinical and non-clinical sample. Evolutionistic explanations of this link posit that disgust evolved to indicate the presence of a threat to the integrity of the individual not only in the physical domain but also in the social and moral domain. In addition to the evolutionary point of view, this link could also be better investigated in terms of individual development. To the best of our knowledge, literature is scarce regarding which early experiences are associated to high DS. Therefore, this study aims to explore the content of early memories associated with disgust. Based on the strict link between disgust and morality, we hypothesized an association between DS and early memories of moral criticism.
Method: 60 non-clinical participants filled in measures of DS. They were then
presented with an auditory disgust induction, after which they recalled early memories
through the technique of the “affect bridge”. 10 independent raters assessed the
emotional content of the memories on visual-analogical scales.
Results: Results showed a positive association between disgust sensitivity and
the propensity to experience deontological guilt. There was also a significant positive
association between disgust sensitivity and moral memories, in particular relating to
early experiences of being the object of contempt, moral criticism, anger, and of being
held responsible.
Conclusions: These data directly support the centrality of early morally-loaded
interpersonal experiences in the development of DS, confirming the link between
disgust and morality also at the level of individual historical developme
Method: 60 non-clinical participants filled in measures of DS. They were then
presented with an auditory disgust induction, after which they recalled early memories
through the technique of the “affect bridge”. 10 independent raters assessed the
emotional content of the memories on visual-analogical scales.
Results: Results showed a positive association between disgust sensitivity and
the propensity to experience deontological guilt. There was also a significant positive
association between disgust sensitivity and moral memories, in particular relating to
early experiences of being the object of contempt, moral criticism, anger, and of being
held responsible.
Conclusions: These data directly support the centrality of early morally-loaded
interpersonal experiences in the development of DS, confirming the link between
disgust and morality also at the level of individual historical developme
2.
Pugliese, Erica; Mosca, Oriana; Saliani, Angelo Maria; Maricchiolo, Fridanna; Vigilante, Teresa; Bonina, Francesca; Cellitti, Erika; Barbaro, Grazia Foschino; Goffredo, Marvita; Lioce, Paola; Orsini, Ermelinda; Quintavalle, Chiara; Rienzi, Sandra; Vargiu, Alessia; Mancini, Francesco
In: Psychology, vol. 14, pp. 305-333, 2023.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tag:
@article{Pugliese2023b,
title = {Pathological Affective Dependence (PAD) as an Antecedent of Intimate Partner Violence (IPV): A Pilot Study of PAD’s Cognitive Model on a Sample of IPV Victims},
author = {Erica Pugliese and Oriana Mosca and Angelo Maria Saliani and Fridanna Maricchiolo and Teresa Vigilante and Francesca Bonina and Erika Cellitti and Grazia Foschino Barbaro and Marvita Goffredo and Paola Lioce and Ermelinda Orsini and Chiara Quintavalle and Sandra Rienzi and Alessia Vargiu and Francesco Mancini},
editor = {Scientific Research Publishing },
url = {https://apc.it/2023-mancini-pathological-affective-dependence-pad/},
doi = {DOI: 10.4236/psych.2023.142018},
year = {2023},
date = {2023-02-28},
urldate = {2023-02-28},
journal = {Psychology},
volume = {14},
pages = {305-333},
abstract = {The present paper has the aim of presenting a preliminary measure of the construct of Pathological Affective Dependence (PAD). The scale has been built on the basis of a cognitive model of PAD and characteristics of a typical affective dependent person (Saver, Unworthy, Traumatic, and Mixed). These profiles have been tracked, using a framework of anti-goals, self/other beliefs, and intrapsychic conflicts (absent, alternate, or akrasic conflict) as obstacles to a healthy and safe separation. PAD scale (PADS) was tested on a clinical sample of 25 people (F = 21, 84%; M = 4.16%; age ranged between 29 and 61 years) recruited in an online anti-violence mutual-support group called Millemé (http://www.milleme.it/) and a psychotherapeutic center (https://www.spc.it/).
We selected only patients in maladaptive relationships according to the specific characteristics of PAD, whose cognitive model will be explained in this paper. Other scales were administered to test convergent and discriminant validity through Pearson’s r correlations. The preliminary results support both research objectives and the PADS appears to have good validity. Furthermore, these preliminary results showed that PAD is both a stable trait and a latent psychological condition triggered by the abusive partner (i.e. a state component). This work is part of a larger project aimed at developing a measurement of PAD and cognitive-behavioral intervention protocols that reduce the morbidity and suffering of patients with PAD and the resulting high costs to our society. Understanding the antecedents of gender-based violence, such as PAD, is an essential protective factor also for the development of effective prevention strategies against Intimate Partner Violence (IPV).},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
The present paper has the aim of presenting a preliminary measure of the construct of Pathological Affective Dependence (PAD). The scale has been built on the basis of a cognitive model of PAD and characteristics of a typical affective dependent person (Saver, Unworthy, Traumatic, and Mixed). These profiles have been tracked, using a framework of anti-goals, self/other beliefs, and intrapsychic conflicts (absent, alternate, or akrasic conflict) as obstacles to a healthy and safe separation. PAD scale (PADS) was tested on a clinical sample of 25 people (F = 21, 84%; M = 4.16%; age ranged between 29 and 61 years) recruited in an online anti-violence mutual-support group called Millemé (http://www.milleme.it/) and a psychotherapeutic center (https://www.spc.it/).
We selected only patients in maladaptive relationships according to the specific characteristics of PAD, whose cognitive model will be explained in this paper. Other scales were administered to test convergent and discriminant validity through Pearson’s r correlations. The preliminary results support both research objectives and the PADS appears to have good validity. Furthermore, these preliminary results showed that PAD is both a stable trait and a latent psychological condition triggered by the abusive partner (i.e. a state component). This work is part of a larger project aimed at developing a measurement of PAD and cognitive-behavioral intervention protocols that reduce the morbidity and suffering of patients with PAD and the resulting high costs to our society. Understanding the antecedents of gender-based violence, such as PAD, is an essential protective factor also for the development of effective prevention strategies against Intimate Partner Violence (IPV).
We selected only patients in maladaptive relationships according to the specific characteristics of PAD, whose cognitive model will be explained in this paper. Other scales were administered to test convergent and discriminant validity through Pearson’s r correlations. The preliminary results support both research objectives and the PADS appears to have good validity. Furthermore, these preliminary results showed that PAD is both a stable trait and a latent psychological condition triggered by the abusive partner (i.e. a state component). This work is part of a larger project aimed at developing a measurement of PAD and cognitive-behavioral intervention protocols that reduce the morbidity and suffering of patients with PAD and the resulting high costs to our society. Understanding the antecedents of gender-based violence, such as PAD, is an essential protective factor also for the development of effective prevention strategies against Intimate Partner Violence (IPV).
3.
Siciliano, Libera; Olivito, Giusy; Lupo, Michela; Urbini, Nicole; Gragnani, Andrea; Saettoni, Marco; Chiaie, Roberto Delle; Leggio, Maria
The role of the cerebellum in sequencing and predicting social and non-social events in patients with bipolar disorder Journal Article
In: Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience, 2023.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tag:
@article{Siciliano2023,
title = {The role of the cerebellum in sequencing and predicting social and non-social events in patients with bipolar disorder},
author = {Libera Siciliano and Giusy Olivito and Michela Lupo and Nicole Urbini and Andrea Gragnani and Marco Saettoni and Roberto Delle Chiaie and Maria Leggio},
editor = {Frontiers},
url = {https://apc.it/2023-gragnani-the-role-of-the-cerebellum/},
doi = {https://doi.org/10.3389/fncel.2023.1095157},
year = {2023},
date = {2023-02-15},
urldate = {2023-02-15},
journal = {Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience},
abstract = {Introduction: Advances in the operational mode of the cerebellum indicate a role in sequencing and predicting non-social and social events, crucial for individuals to optimize high-order functions, such as Theory of Mind (ToM). ToM deficits have been described in patients with remitted bipolar disorders (BD). The literature on BD patients’ pathophysiology reports cerebellar alterations; however, sequential abilities have never been investigated and no study has previously focused on prediction abilities, which are needed to properly interpret events and to adapt to changes.
Methods: To address this gap, we compared the performance of BD patients in the euthymic phase with healthy controls using two tests that require predictive processing: a ToM test that require implicit sequential processing and a test that explicitly assesses sequential abilities in non-ToM functions. Additionally, patterns of cerebellar gray matter (GM) alterations were compared between BD patients and controls using voxel-based morphometry.
Results: Impaired ToM and sequential skills were detected in BD patients, specifically when tasks required a greater predictive load. Behavioral performances might be consistent with patterns of GM reduction in cerebellar lobules Crus I-II, which are involved in advanced human functions.
Discussion: These results highlight the importance of deepening the cerebellar role in sequential and prediction abilities in patients with BD.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Introduction: Advances in the operational mode of the cerebellum indicate a role in sequencing and predicting non-social and social events, crucial for individuals to optimize high-order functions, such as Theory of Mind (ToM). ToM deficits have been described in patients with remitted bipolar disorders (BD). The literature on BD patients’ pathophysiology reports cerebellar alterations; however, sequential abilities have never been investigated and no study has previously focused on prediction abilities, which are needed to properly interpret events and to adapt to changes.
Methods: To address this gap, we compared the performance of BD patients in the euthymic phase with healthy controls using two tests that require predictive processing: a ToM test that require implicit sequential processing and a test that explicitly assesses sequential abilities in non-ToM functions. Additionally, patterns of cerebellar gray matter (GM) alterations were compared between BD patients and controls using voxel-based morphometry.
Results: Impaired ToM and sequential skills were detected in BD patients, specifically when tasks required a greater predictive load. Behavioral performances might be consistent with patterns of GM reduction in cerebellar lobules Crus I-II, which are involved in advanced human functions.
Discussion: These results highlight the importance of deepening the cerebellar role in sequential and prediction abilities in patients with BD.
Methods: To address this gap, we compared the performance of BD patients in the euthymic phase with healthy controls using two tests that require predictive processing: a ToM test that require implicit sequential processing and a test that explicitly assesses sequential abilities in non-ToM functions. Additionally, patterns of cerebellar gray matter (GM) alterations were compared between BD patients and controls using voxel-based morphometry.
Results: Impaired ToM and sequential skills were detected in BD patients, specifically when tasks required a greater predictive load. Behavioral performances might be consistent with patterns of GM reduction in cerebellar lobules Crus I-II, which are involved in advanced human functions.
Discussion: These results highlight the importance of deepening the cerebellar role in sequential and prediction abilities in patients with BD.
4.
Olivito, Giusy; Siciliano, Libera; Clausi, Silvia; Lupo, Michela; Baiocco, Roberto; Gragnani, Andrea; Saettoni, Marco; Chiaie, Roberto Delle; Laghi, Fiorenzo; Leggio, Maria
The Cerebellum Gets Social: Evidence from an Exploratory Study of Cerebellar, Neurodevelopmental, and Psychiatric Disorders Journal Article
In: Biomedicin, vol. 11, no 309, 2023.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tag:
@article{Olivito2023,
title = {The Cerebellum Gets Social: Evidence from an Exploratory Study of Cerebellar, Neurodevelopmental, and Psychiatric Disorders},
author = {Giusy Olivito and Libera Siciliano and Silvia Clausi and Michela Lupo and Roberto Baiocco and Andrea Gragnani and Marco Saettoni and Roberto Delle Chiaie and Fiorenzo Laghi and Maria Leggio },
editor = {MDPI},
url = {https://apc.it/2023-gragnani-the-cerebellum-gets-social/},
doi = {https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines11020309},
year = {2023},
date = {2023-01-22},
journal = {Biomedicin},
volume = {11},
number = {309},
abstract = {Social prediction is a key feature of social cognition (SC), a function in which the modulating role of the cerebellum is recognized. Accordingly, cerebellar alterations are reported in cerebellar pathologies, neurodevelopmental disorders, and psychiatric conditions that show SC deficits. Nevertheless, to date, no study has directly compared populations representative of these three conditions with respect to SC and cerebellar alterations. Therefore, the present exploratory study aimed to compare the SC profiles of individuals with cerebellar neurodegenerative disorders (CB), autism (ASD), bipolar disorder type 2 (BD2), or healthy subjects (HS) using a battery of social tests requiring different degrees of prediction processing. The patterns of cerebellar gray matter (GM) alterations were compared among the groups using voxel-based morphometry. Compared to HS, the clinical groups showed common SC deficits in tasks involving a moderate to high level of prediction. The behavioral results of the clinical groups are consistent with the presence of overlapping GM reduction in cerebellar right Crus II, an area notably involved in complex social processing and prediction. Although exploratory and preliminary, these results deepen the cerebellar role in social prediction and highlight the transdiagnostic value of the cerebellum in social functioning and prediction in pathologies of different aetiologies, forecasting novel possibilities for shared interventions.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Social prediction is a key feature of social cognition (SC), a function in which the modulating role of the cerebellum is recognized. Accordingly, cerebellar alterations are reported in cerebellar pathologies, neurodevelopmental disorders, and psychiatric conditions that show SC deficits. Nevertheless, to date, no study has directly compared populations representative of these three conditions with respect to SC and cerebellar alterations. Therefore, the present exploratory study aimed to compare the SC profiles of individuals with cerebellar neurodegenerative disorders (CB), autism (ASD), bipolar disorder type 2 (BD2), or healthy subjects (HS) using a battery of social tests requiring different degrees of prediction processing. The patterns of cerebellar gray matter (GM) alterations were compared among the groups using voxel-based morphometry. Compared to HS, the clinical groups showed common SC deficits in tasks involving a moderate to high level of prediction. The behavioral results of the clinical groups are consistent with the presence of overlapping GM reduction in cerebellar right Crus II, an area notably involved in complex social processing and prediction. Although exploratory and preliminary, these results deepen the cerebellar role in social prediction and highlight the transdiagnostic value of the cerebellum in social functioning and prediction in pathologies of different aetiologies, forecasting novel possibilities for shared interventions.
5.
Pugliese, Erica; Saliani, Angelo Maria; Mosca, Oriana; Maricchiolo, Fridanna; Mancini, Francesco
When the War Is in Your Room: A Cognitive Model of Pathological Affective Dependence (PAD) and Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) Journal Article
In: Sustainability, 2023.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tag:
@article{Pugliese2023,
title = {When the War Is in Your Room: A Cognitive Model of Pathological Affective Dependence (PAD) and Intimate Partner Violence (IPV)},
author = {Erica Pugliese and Angelo Maria Saliani and Oriana Mosca and Fridanna Maricchiolo and Francesco Mancini},
editor = {MDPI},
url = {https://apc.it/2023-mancini-when-the-war-is-in-your-room-2/},
doi = {https://doi.org/10.3390/su15021624},
year = {2023},
date = {2023-01-13},
urldate = {2023-01-13},
journal = {Sustainability},
abstract = {In the last decade, Pathological Affective Dependence (PAD)—as a risk factor for Intimate Partner Violence (IPV)—has undergone considerable attention among clinical and social psychologists. However, the psychological nature of PAD has been described in discordant terms throughout the literature. We try to give a clear definition of the construct (1), theorize a first cognitive model of PAD (2), and describe the prototypical characteristics of a pathological affective dependent (in terms of goals, anti-goals, and dysfunctional self-other beliefs) based on goal-oriented theories (3). We finally present (4) the resulting specific TADs (typical affective dependent) profiles (Saver, Unworthy, Traumatic, and Mixed). We believe that our manuscript on the PAD makes a significant contribution to achieve the fifth UN Sustainable Development Goal aimed at eliminating “all forms of violence against all women”: in fact, understanding the psychological risk factors of IPV as PAD is an essential protective factor for designing effective prevention social strategies against IPV. Moreover, this work contributes to achieving one of the “outcome targets” of the sixteenth UN Sustainable Development
Goal. It is dedicated to the promotion of “peaceful and inclusive societies”, through the reduction of
all forms of violence and the protection of children from abuse. Indeed, IPV strongly affects (physical
and mental) health and social sustainability of well-being. However, empirical studies on this topic
are limited and there is a lack of a theoretical model of PAD. This work represents a theoretical
starting point for a broader project aimed at building a cognitive-behavioral protocol and social
interventions for the reduction of negative consequences on IPV victims},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
In the last decade, Pathological Affective Dependence (PAD)—as a risk factor for Intimate Partner Violence (IPV)—has undergone considerable attention among clinical and social psychologists. However, the psychological nature of PAD has been described in discordant terms throughout the literature. We try to give a clear definition of the construct (1), theorize a first cognitive model of PAD (2), and describe the prototypical characteristics of a pathological affective dependent (in terms of goals, anti-goals, and dysfunctional self-other beliefs) based on goal-oriented theories (3). We finally present (4) the resulting specific TADs (typical affective dependent) profiles (Saver, Unworthy, Traumatic, and Mixed). We believe that our manuscript on the PAD makes a significant contribution to achieve the fifth UN Sustainable Development Goal aimed at eliminating “all forms of violence against all women”: in fact, understanding the psychological risk factors of IPV as PAD is an essential protective factor for designing effective prevention social strategies against IPV. Moreover, this work contributes to achieving one of the “outcome targets” of the sixteenth UN Sustainable Development
Goal. It is dedicated to the promotion of “peaceful and inclusive societies”, through the reduction of
all forms of violence and the protection of children from abuse. Indeed, IPV strongly affects (physical
and mental) health and social sustainability of well-being. However, empirical studies on this topic
are limited and there is a lack of a theoretical model of PAD. This work represents a theoretical
starting point for a broader project aimed at building a cognitive-behavioral protocol and social
interventions for the reduction of negative consequences on IPV victims
Goal. It is dedicated to the promotion of “peaceful and inclusive societies”, through the reduction of
all forms of violence and the protection of children from abuse. Indeed, IPV strongly affects (physical
and mental) health and social sustainability of well-being. However, empirical studies on this topic
are limited and there is a lack of a theoretical model of PAD. This work represents a theoretical
starting point for a broader project aimed at building a cognitive-behavioral protocol and social
interventions for the reduction of negative consequences on IPV victims
6.
Raimo, Simona; Battimiello, Valentina; Biondi, Dalila; Ciccarelli, Maria; Colardo, Tania; Riemma, Dora; di Zenise, Loredana Schiano; Gragnani, Andrea; Scuotto, Adriana; Cosentino, Teresa
L’utilizzo dell’Esposizione con Prevenzione della Risposta in un campione di psicoterapeuti italiani Bachelor Thesis
2022, ISSN: 1126-1072.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tag:
@bachelorthesis{Raimo2022,
title = {L’utilizzo dell’Esposizione con Prevenzione della Risposta in un campione di psicoterapeuti italiani},
author = {Simona Raimo and Valentina Battimiello and Dalila Biondi and Maria Ciccarelli and Tania Colardo and Dora Riemma and Loredana Schiano di Zenise and Andrea Gragnani and Adriana Scuotto and Teresa Cosentino},
editor = {Centro Studi Erickson},
url = {https://apc.it/2023-gragnani-lutilizzo-dellesposizione-con/},
doi = {https://doi.org/doi:10.14605/PCC2832201},
issn = {1126-1072},
year = {2022},
date = {2022-10-01},
journal = {Psicoterapia Cognitiva e Comportamentale},
volume = {28},
number = {3},
pages = {245-260},
abstract = {Exposure and response prevention (ERP) is an evidence-supported intervention indicated by international guidelines for the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder and anxiety disorders. Nevertheless, some studies show that it is still underutilized in clinical practice. The consulted literature inspired this pilot study, which aims to investigate the use of ERP among Italian cognitive psychotherapists. A specific questionnaire, adapted from the survey conducted by Sars et al. (2015) focused on ERP use, with the addition of specific items assessing the therapist’s personal variables, specifically anxiety and guilt sensitivity and self-efficacy, was administered to participants. Results showed that beliefs about the effectiveness of exposure techniques and positive attitudes about their use led respondents to use ERP more frequently, especially if they had few years of experience in clinical practice. In addition to specific beliefs on ERP, some personal characteristics of the therapist, such as perceived self-efficacy and guilt sensitivity, also appear to play a role in ERP use. The data are discussed in the light of current literature},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {bachelorthesis}
}
Exposure and response prevention (ERP) is an evidence-supported intervention indicated by international guidelines for the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder and anxiety disorders. Nevertheless, some studies show that it is still underutilized in clinical practice. The consulted literature inspired this pilot study, which aims to investigate the use of ERP among Italian cognitive psychotherapists. A specific questionnaire, adapted from the survey conducted by Sars et al. (2015) focused on ERP use, with the addition of specific items assessing the therapist’s personal variables, specifically anxiety and guilt sensitivity and self-efficacy, was administered to participants. Results showed that beliefs about the effectiveness of exposure techniques and positive attitudes about their use led respondents to use ERP more frequently, especially if they had few years of experience in clinical practice. In addition to specific beliefs on ERP, some personal characteristics of the therapist, such as perceived self-efficacy and guilt sensitivity, also appear to play a role in ERP use. The data are discussed in the light of current literature
7.
Pugliese, Erica; Mosca, Oriana; Paolini, Daniele; Mancini, Francesco; Puntonieri, Domenica; Maricchiolo, Fridanna
Families in quarantine for COVID‑19 in Italy. Resilience as a bufer of parental distress and problematic children’s emotions and behaviors Journal Article
In: Current Psychology, 2022.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tag: Anxiety, Distress, Emotional and behavioral problems of children, family, Resilience COVID-19, Stress
@article{Pugliese2022,
title = {Families in quarantine for COVID‑19 in Italy. Resilience as a bufer of parental distress and problematic children’s emotions and behaviors},
author = {Erica Pugliese and Oriana Mosca and Daniele Paolini and Francesco Mancini and Domenica Puntonieri and Fridanna Maricchiolo},
editor = {Springer Link},
url = {https://apc.it/2022-mancini-families-in-quarantine-for-covid/},
doi = {https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-022-03374-7},
year = {2022},
date = {2022-07-25},
journal = {Current Psychology},
abstract = {The pandemic of Covid-19 has had a high impact on people’s lives and especially on families. In Italy, in 2020, the several forced closures led families to live indoors to manage anxiety and distress. It was considered appropriate to investigate which protective factors, like parental resilience, can mitigate the negative impact of pandemic-related distress on family life. We have conducted two online surveys during different national lockdowns for Covid-19. The first survey was conducted immediately after the disruption of the virus and the second one after nine months. We measured parental resilience and distress, anxiety, problematic behaviors, and somatization of their children (as assessed by the parents). The aim was to investigate the protective role of parental resilience in mitigating parental distress and in turn problematic emotional states and behavior of their children. Mediation analyses confirmed the hypothesis that parental resilience lowers parental distress and consequently the anxiety and behavioral disorders of their children in both acute distress (first study) and chronic distress (second study) situations. Such results suggest that the improvement of parents’ resilience can buffer the negative impact of pandemic-related parental distress and children’s behavioral problems on both occasions. The need for focused interventions and treatments aimed to reinforce parental resilience is discussed. Targeted prevention and support strategies are needed now, and early in case of future health crises.},
keywords = {Anxiety, Distress, Emotional and behavioral problems of children, family, Resilience COVID-19, Stress},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
The pandemic of Covid-19 has had a high impact on people’s lives and especially on families. In Italy, in 2020, the several forced closures led families to live indoors to manage anxiety and distress. It was considered appropriate to investigate which protective factors, like parental resilience, can mitigate the negative impact of pandemic-related distress on family life. We have conducted two online surveys during different national lockdowns for Covid-19. The first survey was conducted immediately after the disruption of the virus and the second one after nine months. We measured parental resilience and distress, anxiety, problematic behaviors, and somatization of their children (as assessed by the parents). The aim was to investigate the protective role of parental resilience in mitigating parental distress and in turn problematic emotional states and behavior of their children. Mediation analyses confirmed the hypothesis that parental resilience lowers parental distress and consequently the anxiety and behavioral disorders of their children in both acute distress (first study) and chronic distress (second study) situations. Such results suggest that the improvement of parents’ resilience can buffer the negative impact of pandemic-related parental distress and children’s behavioral problems on both occasions. The need for focused interventions and treatments aimed to reinforce parental resilience is discussed. Targeted prevention and support strategies are needed now, and early in case of future health crises.
8.
Bacaro, Valeria; Meneo, Debora; Curati, Sara; Buonanno, Carlo; Bartolo, Paola De; Riemann, Dieter; Mancini, Francesco; Martoni, Monica; Baglioni, Chiara
The impact of COVID-19 on Italian adolescents’ sleep and its association with psychological factors Journal Article
In: Journal of Sleep Research, vol. 1, no 8, 2022.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tag: adolescents, COVID-19, health, insomnia, psychology, sleep
@article{Bacaro2022,
title = {The impact of COVID-19 on Italian adolescents’ sleep and its association with psychological factors},
author = {Valeria Bacaro and Debora Meneo and Sara Curati and Carlo Buonanno and Paola De Bartolo and Dieter Riemann and Francesco Mancini and Monica Martoni and Chiara Baglioni},
editor = {Wiley Online Library},
url = {https://apc.it/2022-mancini-the-impact-of-covid%e2%80%9019-on-italian-adolescents-sleep-and-its-association-with-2/},
doi = {doi.org/10.1111/jsr.13689},
year = {2022},
date = {2022-07-13},
journal = {Journal of Sleep Research},
volume = {1},
number = {8},
abstract = {Insomnia and circadian dysregulation during adolescence represent important risk factors for emotional and psychological problems. Recent studies have shown that the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has been linked to a high prevalence of behavioural sleep problems in the general population. This study aimed to provide two pictures of two different time points of the pandemic regarding the prevalence of sleep problems in adolescents and their association with psychological health variables. Two different independent large samples of Italian adolescents aged 13–17 years were recruited at two pandemic time points. A total of 1,146 adolescents at Time 1 (T1; April 2020) and 1,406 at Time 2 (T2; April 2021) took part in the study. Measures of insomnia symptoms, sleep hygiene, chronotype, psychological distress and emotion regulation were collected. Prevalence of insomnia was 12.13% at T1 and 23.19% at T2. Furthermore, high levels of poor sleep habits (late bedtime, poor sleep hygiene, use of electronic devices at bedtime) were also detected at both time points. Insomnia symptoms strongly correlated with poor sleep hygiene, higher psychological distress, and emotional suppression at both time points. Results highlighted an alarming picture for two large samples at two different time points of the pandemic that showed a potential negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, in both the first outbreak and in the later phase of the pandemic, on sleep habits, psychological distress and insomnia symptoms in adolescents. This strongly suggests the need for monitoring these variables and their interaction in the post-pandemic period and to develop and promote interventions for insomnia and circadian disturbances during adolescence.},
keywords = {adolescents, COVID-19, health, insomnia, psychology, sleep},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Insomnia and circadian dysregulation during adolescence represent important risk factors for emotional and psychological problems. Recent studies have shown that the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has been linked to a high prevalence of behavioural sleep problems in the general population. This study aimed to provide two pictures of two different time points of the pandemic regarding the prevalence of sleep problems in adolescents and their association with psychological health variables. Two different independent large samples of Italian adolescents aged 13–17 years were recruited at two pandemic time points. A total of 1,146 adolescents at Time 1 (T1; April 2020) and 1,406 at Time 2 (T2; April 2021) took part in the study. Measures of insomnia symptoms, sleep hygiene, chronotype, psychological distress and emotion regulation were collected. Prevalence of insomnia was 12.13% at T1 and 23.19% at T2. Furthermore, high levels of poor sleep habits (late bedtime, poor sleep hygiene, use of electronic devices at bedtime) were also detected at both time points. Insomnia symptoms strongly correlated with poor sleep hygiene, higher psychological distress, and emotional suppression at both time points. Results highlighted an alarming picture for two large samples at two different time points of the pandemic that showed a potential negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, in both the first outbreak and in the later phase of the pandemic, on sleep habits, psychological distress and insomnia symptoms in adolescents. This strongly suggests the need for monitoring these variables and their interaction in the post-pandemic period and to develop and promote interventions for insomnia and circadian disturbances during adolescence.
9.
Tenore, Katia; Mancini, Alessandra; Luppino, Olga Ines; Mancini, Francesco
Group Imagery Rescripting on Childhood Memories Delivered via Telehealth: A Preliminary Study Journal Article
In: Frontiers in Psychiatry, 2022.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tag: affective state, autobiographical memories, emotional needs, imagery rescripting, maladaptive beliefs, memory realism, needs’ satisfaction
@article{Tenore2022,
title = {Group Imagery Rescripting on Childhood Memories Delivered via Telehealth: A Preliminary Study},
author = {Katia Tenore and Alessandra Mancini and Olga Ines Luppino and Francesco Mancini},
editor = {Frontiers in Psychiatry},
url = {https://apc.it/2022-mancini-group-imagery-rescripting/},
doi = {https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2022.862289},
year = {2022},
date = {2022-06-23},
journal = {Frontiers in Psychiatry},
abstract = {Background: Imagery Rescripting (ImR) has proved to be effective in the treatment of different mental disorders as an integral part of broader clinical protocols or as a standalone technique. ImR has also been successfully incorporated as part of group Schema Therapy treatment; however, to the best of our knowledge, it has never been assessed as a standalone technique in a group setting.
Aim: In this study, we focused on ImR delivered via telehealth in groups and we aimed to assess whether group ImR is effective in responding to basic emotional needs, in changing participants’ affective state, and in reducing dysfunctional beliefs. We also wanted to assess whether memory realism is associated with a greater effectiveness of the technique.
Methods: A total of 52 participants were presented with 3 ImR sessions on childhood memories related to the current dysfunctional belief that elicited more suffering.
Results: The technique was effective in facilitating the retrieval of a memory in almost the entire sample (in the range of 92.3–100%). Overall, memory realism values (level of vividness, ability to immerse, and participants’ distance from the images) were high in all three sessions. Almost all participants were reported having their needs met during ImR (89.7%). Importantly, need satisfaction was associated with the ability to immerse in the image. In addition, the intensity of the dysfunctional belief decreased significantly from pre-test to Session 3. The technique also changed the affective state, reducing arousal. Importantly, we also observed a general reduction in shame levels from the first to the third session.
Conclusion: A telehealth delivered ImR group intervention on childhood memories provides cognitive and emotional improvement. Along with the ability to satisfy the patient’s basic emotional needs, the technique seems to be effective in modifying maladaptive beliefs encapsulated in memory.},
keywords = {affective state, autobiographical memories, emotional needs, imagery rescripting, maladaptive beliefs, memory realism, needs’ satisfaction},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Background: Imagery Rescripting (ImR) has proved to be effective in the treatment of different mental disorders as an integral part of broader clinical protocols or as a standalone technique. ImR has also been successfully incorporated as part of group Schema Therapy treatment; however, to the best of our knowledge, it has never been assessed as a standalone technique in a group setting.
Aim: In this study, we focused on ImR delivered via telehealth in groups and we aimed to assess whether group ImR is effective in responding to basic emotional needs, in changing participants’ affective state, and in reducing dysfunctional beliefs. We also wanted to assess whether memory realism is associated with a greater effectiveness of the technique.
Methods: A total of 52 participants were presented with 3 ImR sessions on childhood memories related to the current dysfunctional belief that elicited more suffering.
Results: The technique was effective in facilitating the retrieval of a memory in almost the entire sample (in the range of 92.3–100%). Overall, memory realism values (level of vividness, ability to immerse, and participants’ distance from the images) were high in all three sessions. Almost all participants were reported having their needs met during ImR (89.7%). Importantly, need satisfaction was associated with the ability to immerse in the image. In addition, the intensity of the dysfunctional belief decreased significantly from pre-test to Session 3. The technique also changed the affective state, reducing arousal. Importantly, we also observed a general reduction in shame levels from the first to the third session.
Conclusion: A telehealth delivered ImR group intervention on childhood memories provides cognitive and emotional improvement. Along with the ability to satisfy the patient’s basic emotional needs, the technique seems to be effective in modifying maladaptive beliefs encapsulated in memory.
Aim: In this study, we focused on ImR delivered via telehealth in groups and we aimed to assess whether group ImR is effective in responding to basic emotional needs, in changing participants’ affective state, and in reducing dysfunctional beliefs. We also wanted to assess whether memory realism is associated with a greater effectiveness of the technique.
Methods: A total of 52 participants were presented with 3 ImR sessions on childhood memories related to the current dysfunctional belief that elicited more suffering.
Results: The technique was effective in facilitating the retrieval of a memory in almost the entire sample (in the range of 92.3–100%). Overall, memory realism values (level of vividness, ability to immerse, and participants’ distance from the images) were high in all three sessions. Almost all participants were reported having their needs met during ImR (89.7%). Importantly, need satisfaction was associated with the ability to immerse in the image. In addition, the intensity of the dysfunctional belief decreased significantly from pre-test to Session 3. The technique also changed the affective state, reducing arousal. Importantly, we also observed a general reduction in shame levels from the first to the third session.
Conclusion: A telehealth delivered ImR group intervention on childhood memories provides cognitive and emotional improvement. Along with the ability to satisfy the patient’s basic emotional needs, the technique seems to be effective in modifying maladaptive beliefs encapsulated in memory.
10.
Brasini, Maurizio; Giacomantonio, Mauro; Mancini, Francesco
In: Rivista Italiana di Studi sull'Umorismo, vol. 5, no 2, pp. 113-124, 2022, ISSN: 2611-0970.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tag: gioco, mentalità sociali, muso, ostracismo, silent treatment, sistemi motivazionali
@article{Brasini2022,
title = {“Col muso non si scherza... oppure sì? Un’attitudine giocosa riduce l’impatto negativo del silent treatment come forma di ostracismo interpersonale”},
author = {Maurizio Brasini and Mauro Giacomantonio and Francesco Mancini},
editor = {Rivista Italiana di Studi sull'Umorismo},
url = {https://apc.it/2022-mancini-col-muso-non-si-scherza/},
issn = {2611-0970},
year = {2022},
date = {2022-06-18},
journal = {Rivista Italiana di Studi sull'Umorismo},
volume = {5},
number = {2},
pages = {113-124},
abstract = {La letteratura sull’ostracismo sociale costituisce ad oggi il principale punto di riferimento concettuale per comprendere il fenomeno del “muso”. Sebbene le esperienze interpersonali caratterizzate dal muso siano estremamente comuni ed appaia evidente la sofferenza che questo comporta, tuttavia la ricerca specifica sull’argomento è poco sviluppata; in particolare, non esistono indicazioni univoche su quali fattori possano mitigarne l’impatto negativo. Nel presente studio, sono stati confrontati gli effetti provocati dalla rievocazione di due episodi, uno di dolore fisico e uno di muso; la Social Mentalities Scale è stata utilizzata per valutare l’effetto di mediazione di alcune disposizioni interpersonali a base evoluzionistica sull’impatto delle due esperienze sfavorevoli. I risultati mostrano che unicamente il gioco, e non l’attaccamento o il senso di appartenenza, consente di mitigare l’effetto negativo del muso.},
keywords = {gioco, mentalità sociali, muso, ostracismo, silent treatment, sistemi motivazionali},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
La letteratura sull’ostracismo sociale costituisce ad oggi il principale punto di riferimento concettuale per comprendere il fenomeno del “muso”. Sebbene le esperienze interpersonali caratterizzate dal muso siano estremamente comuni ed appaia evidente la sofferenza che questo comporta, tuttavia la ricerca specifica sull’argomento è poco sviluppata; in particolare, non esistono indicazioni univoche su quali fattori possano mitigarne l’impatto negativo. Nel presente studio, sono stati confrontati gli effetti provocati dalla rievocazione di due episodi, uno di dolore fisico e uno di muso; la Social Mentalities Scale è stata utilizzata per valutare l’effetto di mediazione di alcune disposizioni interpersonali a base evoluzionistica sull’impatto delle due esperienze sfavorevoli. I risultati mostrano che unicamente il gioco, e non l’attaccamento o il senso di appartenenza, consente di mitigare l’effetto negativo del muso.
11.
Salmani, Behzad; Mancini, Francesco; Hasani, Jafar; Zanjani, Zahra
Anti-Disgust Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Contamination-Based Obsessive Compulsive Disorder: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial Journal Article
In: Journal of Clinical Medicine, vol. 11, no 10, pp. 2875, 2022.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tag: obsessive compulsive disorder; cognitive behavioral therapy; disgust; anti-disgust cognitive intervention
@article{Salmani2022,
title = {Anti-Disgust Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Contamination-Based Obsessive Compulsive Disorder: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial},
author = {Behzad Salmani and Francesco Mancini and Jafar Hasani and Zahra Zanjani},
editor = {MDPI},
url = {https://apc.it/2022-mancini-anti-disgust-cognitive-b/},
doi = {https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm11102875},
year = {2022},
date = {2022-05-19},
journal = {Journal of Clinical Medicine},
volume = {11},
number = {10},
pages = {2875},
abstract = {Background: Disgust is a strong and persistent emotion that frequently occurs during exposure-based treatments for contamination-based obsessive compulsive disorder (C-OCD). This study aimed to examine the efficacy of augmenting cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) with a novel type of anti-disgust cognitive intervention in reducing the severity of OCD, disgust propensity/sensitivity, and refusal rate of exposure and response prevention, while simultaneously increasing acceptance of disgust. Materials and Methods: Fifty-five individuals with C-OCD (mean age 28.1 years, SD = 3.52; 77% female) were randomly assigned to 15 weekly sessions of anti-disgust plus CBT (AD-CBT) or CBT alone. They were evaluated for outcomes four times (pretreatment, prior to exposure and response prevention (ERP) sessions, posttreatment, and three-month follow-up), and mixed-design ANOVAs were used to analyze the data. Results: The findings indicated that when compared to CBT alone, AD-CBT significantly reduced OCD severity, disgust propensity/sensitivity, and concurrently increased disgust acceptance (p < 0.001). Additionally, engaging in an anti-disgust cognitive intervention was associated with lower ERP refusal rate (4% vs. 16%). The superiority of AD-CBT over CBT persisted through the three-month follow-up period. Conclusions: The current study suggests that supplementing CBT for C-OCD with an anti-disgust cognitive intervention significantly increased acceptance of disgust and decreased the refusal rate of ERP, OCD severity, and disgust-related factors.},
keywords = {obsessive compulsive disorder; cognitive behavioral therapy; disgust; anti-disgust cognitive intervention},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Background: Disgust is a strong and persistent emotion that frequently occurs during exposure-based treatments for contamination-based obsessive compulsive disorder (C-OCD). This study aimed to examine the efficacy of augmenting cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) with a novel type of anti-disgust cognitive intervention in reducing the severity of OCD, disgust propensity/sensitivity, and refusal rate of exposure and response prevention, while simultaneously increasing acceptance of disgust. Materials and Methods: Fifty-five individuals with C-OCD (mean age 28.1 years, SD = 3.52; 77% female) were randomly assigned to 15 weekly sessions of anti-disgust plus CBT (AD-CBT) or CBT alone. They were evaluated for outcomes four times (pretreatment, prior to exposure and response prevention (ERP) sessions, posttreatment, and three-month follow-up), and mixed-design ANOVAs were used to analyze the data. Results: The findings indicated that when compared to CBT alone, AD-CBT significantly reduced OCD severity, disgust propensity/sensitivity, and concurrently increased disgust acceptance (p < 0.001). Additionally, engaging in an anti-disgust cognitive intervention was associated with lower ERP refusal rate (4% vs. 16%). The superiority of AD-CBT over CBT persisted through the three-month follow-up period. Conclusions: The current study suggests that supplementing CBT for C-OCD with an anti-disgust cognitive intervention significantly increased acceptance of disgust and decreased the refusal rate of ERP, OCD severity, and disgust-related factors.
12.
Gragnani, Andrea; Zaccari, Vittoria; Femia, Giuseppe; Pellegrini, Valerio; Tenore, Katia; Fadda, Stefania; Luppino, Olga Ines; Basile, Barbara; Cosentino, Teresa; Perdighe, Claudia; Romano, Giuseppe; Saliani, Angelo Maria; Mancini, Francesco
Cognitive–Behavioral Treatment of Obsessive–Compulsive Disorder: The Results of a Naturalistic Outcomes Study Journal Article
In: Journal of Clinical Medicine, vol. 11, no 10, 2022.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tag: obsessive–compulsive disorder; cognitive–behavioral therapy; cognitive interventions; outcomes; effectiveness; naturalistic study
@article{Gragnani2022,
title = {Cognitive–Behavioral Treatment of Obsessive–Compulsive Disorder: The Results of a Naturalistic Outcomes Study},
author = {Andrea Gragnani and Vittoria Zaccari and Giuseppe Femia and Valerio Pellegrini and Katia Tenore and Stefania Fadda and Olga Ines Luppino and Barbara Basile and Teresa Cosentino and Claudia Perdighe and Giuseppe Romano and Angelo Maria Saliani and Francesco Mancini},
editor = {MDPI},
doi = {https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm11102762},
year = {2022},
date = {2022-05-13},
journal = {Journal of Clinical Medicine},
volume = {11},
number = {10},
abstract = {Cognitive–behavioral therapy is a well-established treatment for obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD). There are a variety of cognitive and behavioral strategies, and it is necessary to analyze the outcomes of the treatments. The aim of the present study is to verify the effectiveness of a treatment that combines evidence-based procedures and specific cognitive interventions highlighting the issue of acceptance. Forty patients with OCD were recruited and underwent a specific treatment procedure. All patients had a psychodiagnostic assessment for OCD using the Y–BOCS (Yale–Brown obsessive–compulsive scale) performed twice: before treatment (t0) and after nine months (t1). Data analysis showed a decrease in the scores between t0 and t1 according to the Y–BOCS in terms of the interference, severity, and impairment of obsessive–compulsive symptoms. A repeated-measures ANOVA showed a significant reduction in symptoms after treatment, with values of F (1, 39) = 137.56, p < 0.001, and η2 = 0.78. The ANOVA results were corroborated by a Wilcoxon signed-rank test. A reliable change index analysis indicated that 33 participants reported improvements in symptoms, of which 23 were clinically significant. The results showed clinical relevance for OCD treatment and highlighted how this cognitive procedure favored positive outcomes.},
keywords = {obsessive–compulsive disorder; cognitive–behavioral therapy; cognitive interventions; outcomes; effectiveness; naturalistic study},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Cognitive–behavioral therapy is a well-established treatment for obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD). There are a variety of cognitive and behavioral strategies, and it is necessary to analyze the outcomes of the treatments. The aim of the present study is to verify the effectiveness of a treatment that combines evidence-based procedures and specific cognitive interventions highlighting the issue of acceptance. Forty patients with OCD were recruited and underwent a specific treatment procedure. All patients had a psychodiagnostic assessment for OCD using the Y–BOCS (Yale–Brown obsessive–compulsive scale) performed twice: before treatment (t0) and after nine months (t1). Data analysis showed a decrease in the scores between t0 and t1 according to the Y–BOCS in terms of the interference, severity, and impairment of obsessive–compulsive symptoms. A repeated-measures ANOVA showed a significant reduction in symptoms after treatment, with values of F (1, 39) = 137.56, p < 0.001, and η2 = 0.78. The ANOVA results were corroborated by a Wilcoxon signed-rank test. A reliable change index analysis indicated that 33 participants reported improvements in symptoms, of which 23 were clinically significant. The results showed clinical relevance for OCD treatment and highlighted how this cognitive procedure favored positive outcomes.
13.
Albanese, Marzia; Liotti, Marianna; Cornacchia, Lucia; Mancini, Francesco
Nightmare Rescripting: Using Imagery Techniques to Treat Sleep Disturbances in Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Journal Article
In: Frontiers in Psychiatry, 2022.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tag: imagery rehearsal therapy, imagery rescripting, insomnia, nightmares, post-traumatic stress disorder, trauma
@article{Albanese2022,
title = {Nightmare Rescripting: Using Imagery Techniques to Treat Sleep Disturbances in Post-traumatic Stress Disorder},
author = {Marzia Albanese and Marianna Liotti and Lucia Cornacchia and Francesco Mancini},
url = {https://apc.it/2022-mancini-nightmare-rescripting/},
doi = {doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.866144},
year = {2022},
date = {2022-04-04},
journal = {Frontiers in Psychiatry},
abstract = {Besides affecting 8% of the general population, nightmares are one of the most frequent symptoms of traumatized individuals. This can be a significant factor in the treatment of post-traumatic disorders; indeed, several studies demonstrated its strong predictive and prognostic value. Sleep disorders, nightmares in particular, could be very distressing for individuals and need targeted interventions, especially if they are associated with a PTSD diagnosis. To date, the best technique for the treatment of traumatic sleep disturbances seems to be Imagery Rehearsal Therapy (IRT), an empirically supported method. Through a review of the literature on this matter, this article aims to outline the incidence and consequences of nightmares in PTSD, illustrate how IRT could prove useful in their treatment, and investigate its clinical applications.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition, which in the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders [DSM-5; (1)] has been included in a new category, “Trauma and Stressor Related Disorders.” PTSD is characterized by the appearance of a wide array of symptoms after experiencing “death, threatened death, actual or threatened serious injury, or actual or threatened sexual violence” [(1), p. 271], in the following ways: direct exposure to the event; witnessing the event; learning that a close one was exposed to a traumatic event; indirect exposure to details of the trauma.
PTSD diagnosis was added–not without many controversies–only in the third edition of the DSM [DSM-III; (2)], after noticing the development of post-traumatic symptoms among many veteran soldiers. However, it is possible to identify some descriptions ascribable to this disorder already at the beginning of the twentieth century, when many authors spoke of “war neurosis,” “soldier's heart,” and “shell shock” to describe the physio-psychological consequences of being exposed to war situations [for a historical overview, see (3)]. Shortly after the diagnosis of PTSD was introduced in the DSM, clinicians began to notice that there were other individuals–victims of sexual or physical abuse, for example–whose symptoms largely corresponded with those observed in soldiers. Today we know that the traumatic events that can give rise to PTSD are numerous and of various kinds. They produce lasting effects, which the DSM-5 describes as follows, dividing them into four clusters:
1) Re-experience of the traumatic event (intrusion symptoms) through distressing memories, dreams and nightmares, flashbacks, and dissociative reactions.
2) Avoidance of stimuli associated with the traumatic event.
3) Negative alterations in cognition and mood (e.g., amnesia, negative beliefs and expectations, distorted cognitions, feelings of detachment).
4) Marked alterations in arousal and reactivity (e.g., irritability, self-destructive behaviors, hypervigilance, difficulties in concentrating, sleep disturbances).
According to the DSM-5, in the United States PTSD affects ~5% of men and 10% of women (1). In Italy, epidemiological studies show that about 56.1% of the general population is exposed to at least one traumatic event (with an average of 4 traumatic events experienced during the lifespan); the risk of experiencing PTSD following exposure to a traumatic event(s) is assessed to be between 0.8 and 12.2% (4). These data highlight the significance of a better understanding of the complex symptoms that are often associated with PTSD to develop targeted and effective intervention techniques.},
keywords = {imagery rehearsal therapy, imagery rescripting, insomnia, nightmares, post-traumatic stress disorder, trauma},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Besides affecting 8% of the general population, nightmares are one of the most frequent symptoms of traumatized individuals. This can be a significant factor in the treatment of post-traumatic disorders; indeed, several studies demonstrated its strong predictive and prognostic value. Sleep disorders, nightmares in particular, could be very distressing for individuals and need targeted interventions, especially if they are associated with a PTSD diagnosis. To date, the best technique for the treatment of traumatic sleep disturbances seems to be Imagery Rehearsal Therapy (IRT), an empirically supported method. Through a review of the literature on this matter, this article aims to outline the incidence and consequences of nightmares in PTSD, illustrate how IRT could prove useful in their treatment, and investigate its clinical applications.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition, which in the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders [DSM-5; (1)] has been included in a new category, “Trauma and Stressor Related Disorders.” PTSD is characterized by the appearance of a wide array of symptoms after experiencing “death, threatened death, actual or threatened serious injury, or actual or threatened sexual violence” [(1), p. 271], in the following ways: direct exposure to the event; witnessing the event; learning that a close one was exposed to a traumatic event; indirect exposure to details of the trauma.
PTSD diagnosis was added–not without many controversies–only in the third edition of the DSM [DSM-III; (2)], after noticing the development of post-traumatic symptoms among many veteran soldiers. However, it is possible to identify some descriptions ascribable to this disorder already at the beginning of the twentieth century, when many authors spoke of “war neurosis,” “soldier's heart,” and “shell shock” to describe the physio-psychological consequences of being exposed to war situations [for a historical overview, see (3)]. Shortly after the diagnosis of PTSD was introduced in the DSM, clinicians began to notice that there were other individuals–victims of sexual or physical abuse, for example–whose symptoms largely corresponded with those observed in soldiers. Today we know that the traumatic events that can give rise to PTSD are numerous and of various kinds. They produce lasting effects, which the DSM-5 describes as follows, dividing them into four clusters:
1) Re-experience of the traumatic event (intrusion symptoms) through distressing memories, dreams and nightmares, flashbacks, and dissociative reactions.
2) Avoidance of stimuli associated with the traumatic event.
3) Negative alterations in cognition and mood (e.g., amnesia, negative beliefs and expectations, distorted cognitions, feelings of detachment).
4) Marked alterations in arousal and reactivity (e.g., irritability, self-destructive behaviors, hypervigilance, difficulties in concentrating, sleep disturbances).
According to the DSM-5, in the United States PTSD affects ~5% of men and 10% of women (1). In Italy, epidemiological studies show that about 56.1% of the general population is exposed to at least one traumatic event (with an average of 4 traumatic events experienced during the lifespan); the risk of experiencing PTSD following exposure to a traumatic event(s) is assessed to be between 0.8 and 12.2% (4). These data highlight the significance of a better understanding of the complex symptoms that are often associated with PTSD to develop targeted and effective intervention techniques.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition, which in the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders [DSM-5; (1)] has been included in a new category, “Trauma and Stressor Related Disorders.” PTSD is characterized by the appearance of a wide array of symptoms after experiencing “death, threatened death, actual or threatened serious injury, or actual or threatened sexual violence” [(1), p. 271], in the following ways: direct exposure to the event; witnessing the event; learning that a close one was exposed to a traumatic event; indirect exposure to details of the trauma.
PTSD diagnosis was added–not without many controversies–only in the third edition of the DSM [DSM-III; (2)], after noticing the development of post-traumatic symptoms among many veteran soldiers. However, it is possible to identify some descriptions ascribable to this disorder already at the beginning of the twentieth century, when many authors spoke of “war neurosis,” “soldier's heart,” and “shell shock” to describe the physio-psychological consequences of being exposed to war situations [for a historical overview, see (3)]. Shortly after the diagnosis of PTSD was introduced in the DSM, clinicians began to notice that there were other individuals–victims of sexual or physical abuse, for example–whose symptoms largely corresponded with those observed in soldiers. Today we know that the traumatic events that can give rise to PTSD are numerous and of various kinds. They produce lasting effects, which the DSM-5 describes as follows, dividing them into four clusters:
1) Re-experience of the traumatic event (intrusion symptoms) through distressing memories, dreams and nightmares, flashbacks, and dissociative reactions.
2) Avoidance of stimuli associated with the traumatic event.
3) Negative alterations in cognition and mood (e.g., amnesia, negative beliefs and expectations, distorted cognitions, feelings of detachment).
4) Marked alterations in arousal and reactivity (e.g., irritability, self-destructive behaviors, hypervigilance, difficulties in concentrating, sleep disturbances).
According to the DSM-5, in the United States PTSD affects ~5% of men and 10% of women (1). In Italy, epidemiological studies show that about 56.1% of the general population is exposed to at least one traumatic event (with an average of 4 traumatic events experienced during the lifespan); the risk of experiencing PTSD following exposure to a traumatic event(s) is assessed to be between 0.8 and 12.2% (4). These data highlight the significance of a better understanding of the complex symptoms that are often associated with PTSD to develop targeted and effective intervention techniques.
14.
Mancini, Alessandra; Granziola, Umberto; Migliorati, Daniele; Gragnani, Andrea; Femia, Giuseppe; Cosentino, Teresa; Saliani, Angelo Maria; Tenore, Katia; Luppino, Olga Ines; Perdighe, Claudia; Mancini, Francesco
Moral Orientation Guilt Scale (MOGS): Development and validation of a novel guilt measurement Journal Article
In: Personality and Individual Differences, vol. 189, no 111495, 2022, ISSN: 0191-8869.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tag: Deontological Guilt; Interpersonal Guilt; Disgust; Moral disgust; Exploratory graph analysis
@article{Mancini2022,
title = {Moral Orientation Guilt Scale (MOGS): Development and validation of a novel guilt measurement},
author = {Alessandra Mancini and Umberto Granziola and Daniele Migliorati and Andrea Gragnani and Giuseppe Femia and Teresa Cosentino and Angelo Maria Saliani and Katia Tenore and Olga Ines Luppino and Claudia Perdighe and Francesco Mancini},
editor = {Elsevier},
url = {https://apc.it/2022-mancini-moral-orientation-guilt-scale-2/},
doi = {10.1016/j.paid.2021.111495},
issn = {0191-8869},
year = {2022},
date = {2022-04-01},
journal = {Personality and Individual Differences},
volume = {189},
number = {111495},
abstract = {Guilt emerges as the emotional result of a conflict between our behavior and internalized morality. Since morality is best conceptualized as a multidimensional construct, guilt results in different phenomena depending on the moral values internalized by the “guilty”. Indeed, mounting evidence supports the distinction between guilt feelings emerging from deontological morality and guilt feelings emerging from altruistic morality. Most measures fail to consider moral orientation when assessing guilt. Our aim was to develop a reliable and valid tool, able to independently measure different types of guilt feelings. We presented the 17-items Moral Orientation Guilt Scale (MOGS) to a large subclinical sample, along with other questionnaires. Analyses included measures of classical test theory and innovative techniques of network analysis. This cross-validation approach pointed at four factors: “Moral Norm Violation”, “Moral Dirtiness”, “Empathy” and “Harm”. Results suggested MOGS good reliability and a strong construct and convergent validity. Importantly, “Moral Norm Violation” and “Moral Dirtiness” scores were positively correlated with disgust sensitivity, supporting the link between disgust and deontological guilt. Differently, “Harm” scores were negatively correlated with disgust sensitivity scores, in line with the notion that altruism and disgust possibly evolved as part of contrasting motivational systems.},
keywords = {Deontological Guilt; Interpersonal Guilt; Disgust; Moral disgust; Exploratory graph analysis},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Guilt emerges as the emotional result of a conflict between our behavior and internalized morality. Since morality is best conceptualized as a multidimensional construct, guilt results in different phenomena depending on the moral values internalized by the “guilty”. Indeed, mounting evidence supports the distinction between guilt feelings emerging from deontological morality and guilt feelings emerging from altruistic morality. Most measures fail to consider moral orientation when assessing guilt. Our aim was to develop a reliable and valid tool, able to independently measure different types of guilt feelings. We presented the 17-items Moral Orientation Guilt Scale (MOGS) to a large subclinical sample, along with other questionnaires. Analyses included measures of classical test theory and innovative techniques of network analysis. This cross-validation approach pointed at four factors: “Moral Norm Violation”, “Moral Dirtiness”, “Empathy” and “Harm”. Results suggested MOGS good reliability and a strong construct and convergent validity. Importantly, “Moral Norm Violation” and “Moral Dirtiness” scores were positively correlated with disgust sensitivity, supporting the link between disgust and deontological guilt. Differently, “Harm” scores were negatively correlated with disgust sensitivity scores, in line with the notion that altruism and disgust possibly evolved as part of contrasting motivational systems.
15.
Zaccari, Vittoria; Rogier, Guyonne; Pulsinelli, Daniela; Mancini, Francesco; D’Olimpio, Francesca
EXPLAINING INTERACTION OF GUILT AND OBSESSIVE-COMPULSIVE SYMPTOMS IN NOT JUST RIGHT EXPERIENCES Journal Article
In: Clinical Neuropsychiatry, vol. 19, no 1, pp. 39-44, 2022.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tag: guilt, not just right experiences (njres), obsessive– compulsive disorder (ocd), Obsessive–compulsive features, obsessive–compulsive symptoms, Trait-guilt
@article{Zaccari2022,
title = {EXPLAINING INTERACTION OF GUILT AND OBSESSIVE-COMPULSIVE SYMPTOMS IN NOT JUST RIGHT EXPERIENCES},
author = {Vittoria Zaccari and Guyonne Rogier and Daniela Pulsinelli and Francesco Mancini and Francesca D’Olimpio},
editor = {Giovanni Fioriti Editore},
url = {https://apc.it/2022-mancini-explaining-interaction-of-guilt-clinical22_1_zaccarietal-2/},
doi = {doi.org/10.36131/ cnfioritieditore20220106},
year = {2022},
date = {2022-01-01},
journal = {Clinical Neuropsychiatry},
volume = {19},
number = {1},
pages = {39-44},
abstract = {Objective: “Not Just Right Experiences” (NJREs) are currently considered a characteristic of Obsessive–Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Significant associations have been found between NJREs and Obsessive–Compulsive (OC) symptoms in nonclinical and clinical populations. Literature support a significant relationship between NJREs, feelings of guilt and OC features. This study aims to clarify the role of the potential interplay between guilt and OC symptomatology in NJREs and verify if high levels of guilt will predict NJREs and OC symptoms and trait guilt levels will
positively interact in their prediction of NJREs.
Method: One hundred and eighty-nine adults recruited from normal population were assessed with questionnaires of NJREs and OC symptoms and proneness to experience guilt.
Results: All the variables involved in the study (NJREs severity, guilt and OCI-R scores) were positively and significantly correlated and showed that guilt and OCI-R scores significantly and positively interact in the prediction of NJREs levels. Guilt predicted NJREs only when levels of OCI-R were high.
Conclusions: These results support the association between guilt sensitivity or OC symptoms and NJREs in clinical and nonclinical participants and that a disposition toward high levels of guilt and OC symptoms have a particular sensitivity to NJREs corroborating centrality of guilt in OC symptoms.},
keywords = {guilt, not just right experiences (njres), obsessive– compulsive disorder (ocd), Obsessive–compulsive features, obsessive–compulsive symptoms, Trait-guilt},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Objective: “Not Just Right Experiences” (NJREs) are currently considered a characteristic of Obsessive–Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Significant associations have been found between NJREs and Obsessive–Compulsive (OC) symptoms in nonclinical and clinical populations. Literature support a significant relationship between NJREs, feelings of guilt and OC features. This study aims to clarify the role of the potential interplay between guilt and OC symptomatology in NJREs and verify if high levels of guilt will predict NJREs and OC symptoms and trait guilt levels will
positively interact in their prediction of NJREs.
Method: One hundred and eighty-nine adults recruited from normal population were assessed with questionnaires of NJREs and OC symptoms and proneness to experience guilt.
Results: All the variables involved in the study (NJREs severity, guilt and OCI-R scores) were positively and significantly correlated and showed that guilt and OCI-R scores significantly and positively interact in the prediction of NJREs levels. Guilt predicted NJREs only when levels of OCI-R were high.
Conclusions: These results support the association between guilt sensitivity or OC symptoms and NJREs in clinical and nonclinical participants and that a disposition toward high levels of guilt and OC symptoms have a particular sensitivity to NJREs corroborating centrality of guilt in OC symptoms.
positively interact in their prediction of NJREs.
Method: One hundred and eighty-nine adults recruited from normal population were assessed with questionnaires of NJREs and OC symptoms and proneness to experience guilt.
Results: All the variables involved in the study (NJREs severity, guilt and OCI-R scores) were positively and significantly correlated and showed that guilt and OCI-R scores significantly and positively interact in the prediction of NJREs levels. Guilt predicted NJREs only when levels of OCI-R were high.
Conclusions: These results support the association between guilt sensitivity or OC symptoms and NJREs in clinical and nonclinical participants and that a disposition toward high levels of guilt and OC symptoms have a particular sensitivity to NJREs corroborating centrality of guilt in OC symptoms.
16.
Benedetto, Serena Di; Gragnani, Andrea
In: Quaderni di Psicoterapia Cognitiva, no 49, 2021, ISSN: 1127-6347.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tag: disregolazione emotiva, Disturbo Ossessivo-Compulsivo, Schema therapy, Terapia dialettico comportamentale, Tricotillomania
@article{Benedetto2021,
title = {Giada: "la trappola dell'indegnità", un caso di Tricotillomania in comorbidità con Disturbo ossessivo-compulsivo e Disturbi di personalità borderline},
author = {Serena Di Benedetto and Andrea Gragnani},
editor = {Quaderni di Psicoterapia Cognitiva},
url = {https://apc.it/di-benedetto-e-gragnani-2022-giada-la-trappola-dellindegnita/},
doi = {DOI: 10.3280/qpc49-2021oa13212},
issn = {1127-6347},
year = {2021},
date = {2021-12-23},
urldate = {2021-12-23},
journal = {Quaderni di Psicoterapia Cognitiva},
number = {49},
abstract = {This article describes the clinical case of Giada, a 19-year-old female with a borderline personality characterized by a pervasive emotional dysregulation. Trichotillomania and obsessive-compulsive disorder, two disorders belonging to the obsessive spectrum, represent dysfunctional attempts to manage the sense of unworthiness, combined with a deep self-repulsion and the deontological guilt for irreparably worsening one’s body.
This in turn increases the risk of one’s imperfection being discovered and hence refused, abandoned by others. The repeat behaviours focused on one’s body such as hair ripping in the pubic region and legs are on one hand premeditated and ritualized, when activated by the feeling of self-repulion and the need to feel good enough, and on the other hand are an impulsive reaction to an emotional dysregulation, such as attempts to manage painful emotional and mental statuses. The patient also shows a history of anxiety and obsessive behavious such as compulsive washing, intrusive throughs, and feelings of “not just right experience” (NJRE).
The therapeutic path, within which the interventions based on Schema Therapy have played a central role, has combined standard cognitive therapy techniques with third generation techniques (Act, DBT, Mindfullness), balancing radical acceptance with a push for change. The therapeutic relationship has proven an important tool to contain emotional experiences linked to self-unworthiness.},
keywords = {disregolazione emotiva, Disturbo Ossessivo-Compulsivo, Schema therapy, Terapia dialettico comportamentale, Tricotillomania},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
This article describes the clinical case of Giada, a 19-year-old female with a borderline personality characterized by a pervasive emotional dysregulation. Trichotillomania and obsessive-compulsive disorder, two disorders belonging to the obsessive spectrum, represent dysfunctional attempts to manage the sense of unworthiness, combined with a deep self-repulsion and the deontological guilt for irreparably worsening one’s body.
This in turn increases the risk of one’s imperfection being discovered and hence refused, abandoned by others. The repeat behaviours focused on one’s body such as hair ripping in the pubic region and legs are on one hand premeditated and ritualized, when activated by the feeling of self-repulion and the need to feel good enough, and on the other hand are an impulsive reaction to an emotional dysregulation, such as attempts to manage painful emotional and mental statuses. The patient also shows a history of anxiety and obsessive behavious such as compulsive washing, intrusive throughs, and feelings of “not just right experience” (NJRE).
The therapeutic path, within which the interventions based on Schema Therapy have played a central role, has combined standard cognitive therapy techniques with third generation techniques (Act, DBT, Mindfullness), balancing radical acceptance with a push for change. The therapeutic relationship has proven an important tool to contain emotional experiences linked to self-unworthiness.
This in turn increases the risk of one’s imperfection being discovered and hence refused, abandoned by others. The repeat behaviours focused on one’s body such as hair ripping in the pubic region and legs are on one hand premeditated and ritualized, when activated by the feeling of self-repulion and the need to feel good enough, and on the other hand are an impulsive reaction to an emotional dysregulation, such as attempts to manage painful emotional and mental statuses. The patient also shows a history of anxiety and obsessive behavious such as compulsive washing, intrusive throughs, and feelings of “not just right experience” (NJRE).
The therapeutic path, within which the interventions based on Schema Therapy have played a central role, has combined standard cognitive therapy techniques with third generation techniques (Act, DBT, Mindfullness), balancing radical acceptance with a push for change. The therapeutic relationship has proven an important tool to contain emotional experiences linked to self-unworthiness.
17.
Demaria, Francesco; Pontillo, Maria; Tata, Maria Cristina; Gargiulo, Prisca; Mancini, Francesco; Vicari, Stefano
In: Italian Journal of Pediatrics, vol. 47, no 224, 2021, ISSN: 1824-7288.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tag: obsessive-compulsive disorder, Psychoeducation focused
@article{Demaria2021,
title = {Psychoeducation focused on family accommodation: a practical intervention for parents of children and adolescents with obsessive-compulsive disorder},
author = {Francesco Demaria and Maria Pontillo and Maria Cristina Tata and Prisca Gargiulo and Francesco Mancini and Stefano Vicari},
editor = {BMC},
url = {https://apc.it/2021-mancini-psychoeducation-focused-on-family-accomodation-2/},
doi = {https://doi.org/10.1186/s13052-021-01177-3},
issn = {1824-7288},
year = {2021},
date = {2021-11-06},
journal = {Italian Journal of Pediatrics},
volume = {47},
number = {224},
abstract = {Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a neuropsychiatric disorder that is frequently diagnosed in children and adolescents. In pediatric OCD, family plays an important role in the development and maintenance of the disease. In this relationship, both genetic and behavioral factors, such as parental modeling and family accommodation, are significant. Parental modeling concerns the daily enactment of dysfunctional behavioral patterns by a parent with OCD, which may influence children. Family accommodation, in contrast, describes the direct participation of parents in their child’s compulsive rituals, by modifying daily routines or by facilitating avoidance of OCD triggers, to decrease the child’s distress and time spent executing compulsions. Approximately 80–90% of the relatives of OCD patients actively participate in patients’ rituals. The literature demonstrates that a high level of family accommodation is associated with OCD symptom severity, reduced response to cognitive-behavioral treatment (CBT), and a higher risk of therapy dropout.
Despite this, no studies have aimed at delineating practical guidance for psychotherapists to support parents in reducing family accommodation.
The main aim of this paper is to propose a psychoeducation intervention focused on cognitive-behavioral strategies to help families to manage their child’s OCD behaviors without enacting dysfunctional family accommodation behaviors in order to support their child’s successful therapy.},
keywords = {obsessive-compulsive disorder, Psychoeducation focused},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a neuropsychiatric disorder that is frequently diagnosed in children and adolescents. In pediatric OCD, family plays an important role in the development and maintenance of the disease. In this relationship, both genetic and behavioral factors, such as parental modeling and family accommodation, are significant. Parental modeling concerns the daily enactment of dysfunctional behavioral patterns by a parent with OCD, which may influence children. Family accommodation, in contrast, describes the direct participation of parents in their child’s compulsive rituals, by modifying daily routines or by facilitating avoidance of OCD triggers, to decrease the child’s distress and time spent executing compulsions. Approximately 80–90% of the relatives of OCD patients actively participate in patients’ rituals. The literature demonstrates that a high level of family accommodation is associated with OCD symptom severity, reduced response to cognitive-behavioral treatment (CBT), and a higher risk of therapy dropout.
Despite this, no studies have aimed at delineating practical guidance for psychotherapists to support parents in reducing family accommodation.
The main aim of this paper is to propose a psychoeducation intervention focused on cognitive-behavioral strategies to help families to manage their child’s OCD behaviors without enacting dysfunctional family accommodation behaviors in order to support their child’s successful therapy.
Despite this, no studies have aimed at delineating practical guidance for psychotherapists to support parents in reducing family accommodation.
The main aim of this paper is to propose a psychoeducation intervention focused on cognitive-behavioral strategies to help families to manage their child’s OCD behaviors without enacting dysfunctional family accommodation behaviors in order to support their child’s successful therapy.
18.
Cheli, Simone; Cavalletti, Veronica; Mancini, Francesco; Goldzweig, Gil
What if metacognition is not enough? Its association with delusion may be moderated by self-criticism Journal Article
In: Current Psychology, 2021.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tag: Compassion Delusional ideation Metacognition Psychosis Self-criticism Self-reflectivity
@article{Cheli2021,
title = {What if metacognition is not enough? Its association with delusion may be moderated by self-criticism},
author = {Simone Cheli and Veronica Cavalletti and Francesco Mancini and Gil Goldzweig},
editor = {Springer Link},
url = {https://apc.it/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/2021-mancini-Cheli_et_al-2021-Current_Psychology-1.pdf},
doi = {https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-021-02451-7},
year = {2021},
date = {2021-11-05},
journal = {Current Psychology},
abstract = {Metacognition among those reporting psychotic symptoms is associated with a distortion in the way they understand their own
and others’ mental states. Recent advances suggest that distortion in the form of self-criticism may activate a threat response
and fuel symptom expression. At high level of self-criticism metacognition may reduce its protective role towards psychosis.
Here, we explored whether the associations between impaired self-reflectivity and delusional ideation would decrease in
the presence of self-criticism. A moderated regression model confirmed our hypothesis in a large sample of healthy young
adults (N = 2065) even when controlled for sex, education, and family income. Our findings suggest how interventions aimed
at reducing symptoms and promoting metacognition should always be interconnected with those targeting self-criticism.},
keywords = {Compassion Delusional ideation Metacognition Psychosis Self-criticism Self-reflectivity},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Metacognition among those reporting psychotic symptoms is associated with a distortion in the way they understand their own
and others’ mental states. Recent advances suggest that distortion in the form of self-criticism may activate a threat response
and fuel symptom expression. At high level of self-criticism metacognition may reduce its protective role towards psychosis.
Here, we explored whether the associations between impaired self-reflectivity and delusional ideation would decrease in
the presence of self-criticism. A moderated regression model confirmed our hypothesis in a large sample of healthy young
adults (N = 2065) even when controlled for sex, education, and family income. Our findings suggest how interventions aimed
at reducing symptoms and promoting metacognition should always be interconnected with those targeting self-criticism.
and others’ mental states. Recent advances suggest that distortion in the form of self-criticism may activate a threat response
and fuel symptom expression. At high level of self-criticism metacognition may reduce its protective role towards psychosis.
Here, we explored whether the associations between impaired self-reflectivity and delusional ideation would decrease in
the presence of self-criticism. A moderated regression model confirmed our hypothesis in a large sample of healthy young
adults (N = 2065) even when controlled for sex, education, and family income. Our findings suggest how interventions aimed
at reducing symptoms and promoting metacognition should always be interconnected with those targeting self-criticism.
19.
Zaccari, Vittoria; Gragnani, Andrea; Pellegrini, Valerio; Caiazzo, Tecla; D'Arienzo, Maria Chiara; Magno, Antonella; Femia, Giuseppe; Mancini, Francesco
An Observational Study of OCD Patients Treated With Cognitive Behavioral Therapy During the COVID-19 Pandemic Journal Article
In: Frontiers in Psychiatry, vol. 12, pp. 1822, 2021, ISSN: 1664-0640.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tag: adults, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), COVID-19, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), obsessive-compulsive symptoms, Y-BOCS
@article{Zaccari2021b,
title = {An Observational Study of OCD Patients Treated With Cognitive Behavioral Therapy During the COVID-19 Pandemic},
author = {Vittoria Zaccari and Andrea Gragnani and Valerio Pellegrini and Tecla Caiazzo and Maria Chiara D'Arienzo and Antonella Magno and Giuseppe Femia and Francesco Mancini},
editor = {Frontiers in Psychiatry},
url = {https://apc.it/2021-an-observational-zaccari-et-al-2021/},
doi = {10.3389/fpsyt.2021.755744},
issn = {1664-0640},
year = {2021},
date = {2021-10-22},
urldate = {2021-10-22},
journal = {Frontiers in Psychiatry},
volume = {12},
pages = {1822},
abstract = {Background and Objectives: While the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic for general mental health and the increase in anxiety and depression are clear, less is known about the potential effect of the pandemic on OCD. The purpose of this study is to collect new data to monitor the symptomatic status of patients with OCD during the period of emergency due to COVID-19 and to make a comparison between two psychodiagnostic evaluations.Methods: Eleven OCD patients and their psychotherapists were recruited. All patients had a specific psychodiagnostic assessment for OCD (SCL-90; OCI-R; Y-BOCS self-report) performed between December 2019 and January 2020 (t0), and undertook cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and exposure and prevention of response protocol (ERP) before the lockdown. The psychodiagnostic assessment carried out at t0 was re-administered (t1) to all patients, together with a set of qualitative questions collected through an online survey. The respective therapists were asked to document the status of the therapy and the monitoring of symptoms through use of a semi-structured interview (Y-BOCS) and a qualitative interview. Non-parametric analyses were conducted.Results: Patients reported a significant decrease in OCD symptoms. Data analysis showed a decrease in the scores across t0 and at t1 on the Y-BOCS (SR) total self-report, and on OCD symptoms' severity assessed by means of the OCI-r and SCL-90 r OC subscale, for 11 participants. Relating to the measures detected by psychotherapists, marginally significant improvements and lower scores were found in the Y-BOCS (I). An improvement in symptoms was noticed by 90.9% of the clinical sample; this was confirmed by 45.4% of the therapists, who claimed moderate progress in their patients.Conclusions: The data collected through standardized measurements at two different times, albeit relative to a small sample, assume relevance from a clinical point of view. In the literature, some studies document the worsening of OCD. However, in many studies, the type of treatment, the detection time, and the intervention period are not well-specified. These results confirm the effectiveness of CBT/ERP as an elective treatment for OCD through a specific intervention procedure.
}},
keywords = {adults, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), COVID-19, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), obsessive-compulsive symptoms, Y-BOCS},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Background and Objectives: While the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic for general mental health and the increase in anxiety and depression are clear, less is known about the potential effect of the pandemic on OCD. The purpose of this study is to collect new data to monitor the symptomatic status of patients with OCD during the period of emergency due to COVID-19 and to make a comparison between two psychodiagnostic evaluations.Methods: Eleven OCD patients and their psychotherapists were recruited. All patients had a specific psychodiagnostic assessment for OCD (SCL-90; OCI-R; Y-BOCS self-report) performed between December 2019 and January 2020 (t0), and undertook cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and exposure and prevention of response protocol (ERP) before the lockdown. The psychodiagnostic assessment carried out at t0 was re-administered (t1) to all patients, together with a set of qualitative questions collected through an online survey. The respective therapists were asked to document the status of the therapy and the monitoring of symptoms through use of a semi-structured interview (Y-BOCS) and a qualitative interview. Non-parametric analyses were conducted.Results: Patients reported a significant decrease in OCD symptoms. Data analysis showed a decrease in the scores across t0 and at t1 on the Y-BOCS (SR) total self-report, and on OCD symptoms' severity assessed by means of the OCI-r and SCL-90 r OC subscale, for 11 participants. Relating to the measures detected by psychotherapists, marginally significant improvements and lower scores were found in the Y-BOCS (I). An improvement in symptoms was noticed by 90.9% of the clinical sample; this was confirmed by 45.4% of the therapists, who claimed moderate progress in their patients.Conclusions: The data collected through standardized measurements at two different times, albeit relative to a small sample, assume relevance from a clinical point of view. In the literature, some studies document the worsening of OCD. However, in many studies, the type of treatment, the detection time, and the intervention period are not well-specified. These results confirm the effectiveness of CBT/ERP as an elective treatment for OCD through a specific intervention procedure.
}
}
20.
Buonanno, Carlo; Iuliano, Enrico; Grossi, Giuseppe; Mancini, Francesco; Stendardo, Emiliana; Tudisco, Fabrizia; Pizzini, Barbara
In: Brain Sciences, vol. 11, no 10, 2021.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tag: forgiveness; responsibility; guilt; obsessive-compulsive problems; conduct problems; adolescence
@article{Buonanno2021,
title = {Forgiveness in the Modulation of Responsibility in a Sample of Italian Adolescents with a Tendency towards Conduct or Obsessive–Compulsive Problems },
author = {Carlo Buonanno and Enrico Iuliano and Giuseppe Grossi and Francesco Mancini and Emiliana Stendardo and Fabrizia Tudisco and Barbara Pizzini },
editor = {MDPI},
url = {https://apc.it/2021-mancini-forgiveness-in-the-modulation/},
doi = {10.3390/brainsci11101333 },
year = {2021},
date = {2021-10-09},
journal = {Brain Sciences},
volume = {11},
number = {10},
abstract = {Although obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) and the conduct disorders (CD) express a contrasting symptomatology, they could represent different answers to a common matrix about morality. In the literature, some theoretical models describe people with OCD as individuals who
experience high levels of responsibility and guilt. On the other hand, adolescents with a CD are described as if they do not feel guilty at all or consider anti-social purposes as more important than existing moral purposes. The aims of this study were to investigate the role of forgiveness in responsibility and guilt levels and to test whether this putative relation was influenced by tendencies towards obsessive–compulsive problems (OCP) or conduct problems (CP). In total, 231 adolescents aged between 16 and 18 years were self-assessed using a Youth Self-Report, Child Responsibility Attitudes Questionnaire, Heartland Forgiveness Scale, and Test Of Self-Conscious Affect. The results show that self forgiveness predicted responsibility levels, while guilt was predicted by self- forgiveness and situation-forgiveness. Moreover, mediation analyses revealed that the effects of OCP on responsibility and guilt were mediated by self-forgiveness and situation-forgiveness. Regarding CP, no mediated effects were found. In conclusion, lower proneness to forgive increases responsibility and guilt, and this is particularly evident in subjects with higher levels of OCP. },
keywords = {forgiveness; responsibility; guilt; obsessive-compulsive problems; conduct problems; adolescence},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Although obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) and the conduct disorders (CD) express a contrasting symptomatology, they could represent different answers to a common matrix about morality. In the literature, some theoretical models describe people with OCD as individuals who
experience high levels of responsibility and guilt. On the other hand, adolescents with a CD are described as if they do not feel guilty at all or consider anti-social purposes as more important than existing moral purposes. The aims of this study were to investigate the role of forgiveness in responsibility and guilt levels and to test whether this putative relation was influenced by tendencies towards obsessive–compulsive problems (OCP) or conduct problems (CP). In total, 231 adolescents aged between 16 and 18 years were self-assessed using a Youth Self-Report, Child Responsibility Attitudes Questionnaire, Heartland Forgiveness Scale, and Test Of Self-Conscious Affect. The results show that self forgiveness predicted responsibility levels, while guilt was predicted by self- forgiveness and situation-forgiveness. Moreover, mediation analyses revealed that the effects of OCP on responsibility and guilt were mediated by self-forgiveness and situation-forgiveness. Regarding CP, no mediated effects were found. In conclusion, lower proneness to forgive increases responsibility and guilt, and this is particularly evident in subjects with higher levels of OCP.
experience high levels of responsibility and guilt. On the other hand, adolescents with a CD are described as if they do not feel guilty at all or consider anti-social purposes as more important than existing moral purposes. The aims of this study were to investigate the role of forgiveness in responsibility and guilt levels and to test whether this putative relation was influenced by tendencies towards obsessive–compulsive problems (OCP) or conduct problems (CP). In total, 231 adolescents aged between 16 and 18 years were self-assessed using a Youth Self-Report, Child Responsibility Attitudes Questionnaire, Heartland Forgiveness Scale, and Test Of Self-Conscious Affect. The results show that self forgiveness predicted responsibility levels, while guilt was predicted by self- forgiveness and situation-forgiveness. Moreover, mediation analyses revealed that the effects of OCP on responsibility and guilt were mediated by self-forgiveness and situation-forgiveness. Regarding CP, no mediated effects were found. In conclusion, lower proneness to forgive increases responsibility and guilt, and this is particularly evident in subjects with higher levels of OCP.
