Ricerca pubblicazioni scientifiche

@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}

}

@article{Mancini2021b,

title = {Deontological and Altruistic Guilt Feelings: A Dualistic Thesis},

author = {Francesco Mancini and Amelia Gangemi},

editor = {Frontiers in Psychology},

url = {https://apc.it/2021-mancini-deontological-and-altruistic-guilt-feelings-a-dualistic-thesis-2/},

doi = {doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.651937},

year  = {2021},

date = {2021-06-22},

journal = {Theoretical and Philosophical Psychology},

abstract = {In this paper we argue in favor of the existence of two different guilt feelings: altruistic guilt (AG) and deontological guilt (DG). AG arises from having harmed, through one's own action or omission, an innocent victim, while DG arises from the transgression of an internalized norm. In most daily experiences of guilt feelings both types are present, but we argue that they are not traceable to each other and that each can be present without the other. We show that the two guilt feelings can be distinguished with reference to behavioral, cognitive, and neurophysiological aspects. Moreover, we demonstrate that they are differently related to other processes and emotions. AG is connected with pain, empathy and ToM. DG is strongly related to disgust. We briefly illustrate some implications for moral psychology and clinical psychology.},

keywords = {Altruistic guilt, Deontological guilt, Disgust, guilt emotion, moral norms},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Salvo2021,

title = {Filthiness of Immorality: Manipulating Disgust and Moral Rigidity Through Noninvasive Brain Stimulation as a Promising Therapeutic Tool for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder},

author = {Giuseppe Salvo and Samantha Provenzano and Maria Di Bello and Francesca D’Olimpio and Cristina Ottaviani and Francesco Mancini},

editor = {Clinical Psychological Science},

url = {https://doi.org/10.1177/21677026211009508},

doi = {doi.org/10.1177/21677026211009508},

year  = {2021},

date = {2021-05-25},

journal = {Clinical Psychological Science},

abstract = {The study was designed to test the hypothesis that indirect inhibition of the insula via cathodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) would decrease disgust and moral rigidity in 36 healthy individuals undergoing 15 min of tDCS over the temporal lobe. To obtain a comprehensive assessment of disgust, we used subjective (affect rating), physiological (heart rate variability [HRV]), and implicit measures (word-fragment completion), and moral judgment was assessed by asking participants to rate the deontological and altruistic moral wrongness of a revised version of the moral foundations vignettes. We found anodal and cathodal stimulations to, respectively, enhance and decrease self-reported disgust, deontological morality, and HRV. Note that these effects were stronger in individuals with higher levels of obsessive compulsive (OC) traits. Because disgust and sensitivity to deontological guilt are among the most impairing features in OC disorder, it is auspicious that cathodal tDCS could be implemented to reduce such symptoms.},

keywords = {Disgust, guilt, Morality, noninvasive brain stimulation, obsessive compulsive disorder},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Luppino2018,

title = {A theorical integration of Schema Therapy and Cognitive Therapy in OCD tratment: goals and beliefs of the Obsessive Mind (part 1)},

author = {Olga Ines Luppino and Katia Tenore and Francesco Mancini and Barbara Basile},

editor = {Scientific Research Publishing},

url = {https://apc.it/2018-a-theoretical-integration-part-1/},

doi = {http://doi.org/10.4236/psych.2018.99129},

issn = {2152-7199},

year  = {2018},

date = {2018-09-11},

journal = {Psychology},

volume = {9},

number = {9},

pages = {2261-2277},

abstract = {The present work is the first of a trilogy of articles whose purpose, as a whole, is to present a theoretical conceptualization of OCD functioning, which results from the integration between the Cognitive Therapy model, as proposed by Mancini (2018), and the Schema Therapy Mode model. In particular, this first paper aims to synthetically present the cognitive model of OCD functioning.

According to the frame offered by Mancini, we will provide some evidence demonstrating the central role of deontological guilt and disgust as proximal psychological determinants in the genesis and maintenance of obsessive symptoms. The theoretical assumptions and the dynamics of the recursive processes at the basis of the maintenance of OCD will be clarified

through a clinical exemplification and the clinical intervention goals will be presented. In order to plan an intervention on the experiences representing the historical vulnerability of OCD, the work also aims to present the important

role played by particular kinds of early experiences in sensitizing to deontological guilt and disgust. To summarize, the current work presents the theoretical bases of a cognitive OCD conceptualization, in terms of goals and beliefs that are the drivers of obsessive behaviors. This introduction is preparatory to our proposal of integration between the cognitive model and the Schema Therapy Mode model that will be developed in the next two articles.

},

keywords = {cognitive therapy, Deontological guilt, Disgust, obsessive-compulsive disorder},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Ottaviani2018,

title = {I obsessively clean because deontological guilt makes me feel physiologically disgusted!},

author = {Cristina Ottaviani and Alberto Collazzoni and Francesca D'Olimpio and Tania Movetta and Francesco Mancini},

editor = {Elsevier},

url = {https://apc.it/2019-i-obsessively-clean-because-deontological-guilt-me-feel-ottaviani-et-all-3/},

doi = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jocrd.2018.01.004},

year  = {2018},

date = {2018-05-07},

urldate = {2018-05-07},

journal = {Journal of Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders},

abstract = {The emotions of guilt and disgust play a pivotal role in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The present study hypothesized the existence of a distinctive relation between deontological (but not altruistic) guilt and subjective and physiological correlates of disgust. Moreover, we aimed at testing whether the evoked emotion of disgust may activate OCD-like washing behaviors. Gender-matched healthy participants were randomly assigned to altruistic (n = 31) or deontological guilt (n = 30) inductions followed by a cleaning task, while their electrocardiogram was continuously recorded to derive vagally-mediated heart rate variability (HRV). At baseline and after each experimental condition, participants’ momentary emotional state was assessed by visual analog scales (VAS). Compared to altruistic guilt, deontological guilt had the effect of: a) enhancing the physiological correlate of disgust (i.e. augmented HRV); b) increasing OCD-like washing behaviors (e.g. checking). In both groups, washing behaviors had the effect to reduce the physiological correlate of disgust. These effects were stronger in participants with higher OC tendencies, as indicated by scores on the dispositional questionnaires. Results support previous reports on a distinctive relation between deontological guilt and both disgust and OCD symptoms.},

keywords = {Altruistic guilt, Deontological guilt, Disgust, Heart rate variability, obsessive-compulsive disorder},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Ottaviani⁠2018,

title = {Deontological morality can be experimentally enhanced by increasing disgust: A transcranial direct current stimulation study},

author = {Cristina Ottaviani⁠ and Francesco Mancini and Samantha Provenzano and Alberto Collazzoni and Francesca D'Olimpio},

editor = {Elsevier},

url = {https://apc.it/2018-ottaviani-et-al-deontological-morality-can-be-neuropsychologia/},

doi = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2018.09.009},

year  = {2018},

date = {2018-01-01},

urldate = {2018-01-01},

journal = {Neuropsychologia},

keywords = {Disgust, Heart rate variability, insula, Morality, obsessive compulsive disorder, transcranial current direct stimulation},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Basile2014,

title = {Neurobiological mechanisms underlying abnormal processing of guilt, disgust and intentionality in obsessive-compulsive disorder: A critical review},

author = {Barbara Basile and Francesco Mancini},

editor = {Giovanni Fioriti Editore},

url = {https://apc.it/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/2014-neurobiological-mechanism-basile-mancini.pdf},

year  = {2014},

date = {2014-12-01},

journal = {Clinical Neuropsychiatry},

volume = {11},

number = {6},

pages = {187-193},

abstract = {Many different and innovative neuroimaging techniques have been developed in the last decades. Functional neuroimaging allows detecting what is happening in our brain at rest or while performing a specific cognitive or emotional task, while structural methods are concerned with the physical organization of the brain, considering both micro- and macro-structural aspects. Starting from these recent developments, neuroimaging techniques have been applied to healthy individuals, as well as to clinical populations. Functional and quantitative imaging research has also focused on what is going in the brain of patients suffering from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). There is consisting clinical and experimental evidence showing that patients suffering from OCD are particularly sensitive to guilt and disgust emotions, with both contributing to the disorder’s onset and maintenance. Further, OCD patients also show impairment in the ability to consciously control, or inhibit, specific behaviors, resulting in compulsive acting. In this review we want to provide some neurobiological evidence on the cerebral mechanisms underlying guilt and disgust processing in OCD, also considering the neural aspects of motor intentionality. Overall, neuroimaging studies suggest that the Fronto-Parieto-sub-Cortical circuit, including both cortical and sub-cortical regions, as well as their inter-connecting fibers, is involved in OCD. Overall, findings show more frontal regions, extending to the insular cortices, to be involved, in action monitoring, error detection, decision making, and in guilt and disgust processing, while the midbrain, including basal ganglia and extending to more parietal areas, is involved in movement selection, correction and inhibition, in intentionality and social cognition. We think these data might contribute in explaining the neurobiological substrate underlying some core aspects of OCD clinical manifestation, which does not necessarily rely upon a dysfunction of the central nervous system. We suggest here, that eventual OCD patients’ psychological processes may affect neuronal responses, contributing to the peculiarities observed. },

keywords = {Disgust, emotion processing, guilt, intentionality, Neuroimaging, obsessive-compulsive disorder},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Mancini20011173,

title = {The connection between disgust and obsessions and compulsions in a non-clinical sample},

author = {Francesco Mancini and Andrea Gragnani and Francesca D'Olimpio},

editor = {Elsevier ScienceDirect},

url = {https://apc.it/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/OCD%20and%20Disgust%202001.pdf},

doi = {10.1016/S0191-8869(00)00215-4},

issn = {0191-8869},

year  = {2001},

date = {2001-01-01},

journal = {Personality and Individual Differences},

volume = {31},

number = {7},

pages = {1173 - 1180},

abstract = {Although obsessive-compulsive patients (OCD) frequently report thoughts and compulsions about dirt and contamination, there is scarce evidence for a relationship between disgust and OCD. This study investigates whether there is a specific relationship between obsessive symptoms and disgust, independently of general psychological distress symptoms. We tested 278 non-clinical volunteers, through the Disgust Scale [Haidt, J., McCauley, C., & Rozin, P. (1994). Individual differences in sensitivity to disgust: a scale sampling seven domains of disgust elicitors. Personality Individual Differences. 16, 701–713], the Padua Inventory — Revised [PI-R; van Oppen, P., Hoekstra, R. J., & Emmelkamp, M. G. (1985). The structure of obsessive-compulsive symptoms.Behaviour Research and Therapy, 33, 15–23], the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory [Spielberger, C. D., Gorsuch, R. L., Lushene, R., Vagg, P. R., & Jacobs, G. A. (1983). Manual for the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (Form Y). Palo Alto, CA: Consulting Psychologists Press], and the Beck Depression Inventory [Beck, A. T., & Steer, R. (1987). Beck depression inventory scoring manual. The psychological corporation. New York: Harcourt Brace Janovich]. A multiple regression analysis showed a significant positive relationship between disgust and obsessive symptoms, after controlling for gender, age, anxiety, and depression. Washing and checking behaviors were best predicted by disgust, while impulses and rumination were best predicted by anxiety and/or depression. These findings are in line with the hypothesis of a specific relationship between disgust and at least some kinds of obsessive symptoms.},

keywords = {Anxiety, depression, Disgust, obsessive-compulsive disorder, Padua Inventory-Revised},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}