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Objective: Research on the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has pointed out that lockdowns had small effects on the overall mental health, despite considerable heterogeneity among studies is present. Psychological resilience may be responsible for an amount of variance in individual reactions to the pandemic, despite the fact that its longitudinal associations with mental health symptoms remain unclear. This study sought to investigate changes in resilience and its relationships with depression, anxiety, and stress during the COVID-19 pandemic., Method: A total of 814 participated in this longitudinal study via an online survey during the first lockdown consequent to the COVID-19 pandemic (T1) and during the third wave (T2). The Resilience Scale and the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales - 21 were administered. Sociodemographic data and COVID-19 related information were also collected., Results: Psychological resilience decreased during the third wave of the pandemic, whereas depression and stress increased. Moreover, psychological resilience had a direct effect only on depression during the third wave, while its effect on anxiety and stress is mediated by the mental health during the first lockdown., Conclusions: The mental health symptoms worsened during the third wave, while protective factors such as resilience decreased. Individuals showing high resilience experienced lower depression, anxiety, and stress over time. Psychological intervention that enhances resilience should be embraced in the action of health care authorities to reduce the impact of pandemic., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None., (© 2024 Giovanni Fioriti Editore s.r.l.)

Objective: The COVID-19 pandemic has contributed to the occurrence of psychological disturbances, such as depressive and anxiety symptomatology, thereby significantly impacting individuals' lifestyles by disrupting sleep patterns. This study aimed to elucidate the interconnections between emotion regulation, depression, anxiety, and daytime sleepiness., Method: We recruited 632 community adults who underwent an online survey of self-report questionnaires, including the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21), the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS), and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS).A network analysis was performed to examine and visually represent the pattern of relationships between psychological distress, emotion regulation, and daytime sleepiness., Results: The DERS Strategy dimension showed high values across all centrality indices, indicating it as the most influential node in the network. In addition, the DASS Depression and DERS Goals dimensions exhibited high betweenness values, emerging as points of connection between the other nodes within the network structure., Conclusions: Our primary findings underscore the connection between psychological distress and emotion regulation, specifically between depressive symptoms, a lack of emotional clarity, and difficulty in the flexible use of emotional strategies. These specific constructs hold promising potential as valuable targets for both assessment and the development of effective interventions during highly challenging situations such as the COVID-19 pandemic., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None., (© 2023 Giovanni Fioriti Editore s.r.l.)

Objective: Eating Disorders (Eds) are considered a broad group of pathological conditions characterized by dysregulated eating-related behaviors and habits. Attachment styles and defense mechanisms appear to be linked to the development of EDs-related unhealthy behaviors; however, these factors have been seldom investigated jointly. This study aimed at exploring the shared association between attachment styles, defense mechanisms, and EDs-related behaviors; additionally, we aimed at investigating whether defense mechanisms might be potential mediators of the association between attachment and Eds behaviors., Method: A community-based sample was recruited (88% females, mean age= 22.33 ± 4.81 years) and underwent a comprehensive evaluation protocol assessing attachment styles, defense mechanisms, and risk of eating disorders., Results: Several shared associations between attachment styles, defense mechanisms, and eating disorders scores were found. Additionally, a maladaptive defense style appeared to be a significant mediator of the association between attachment styles and EDs-related symptoms., Conclusions: The integrated evaluation of attachment and defense mechanisms could generate a more comprehensive framework of the psychological antecedents related to Eating Disorders, and it could be a beneficial factor involved in therapies., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None., (© 2021 Giovanni Fioriti Editore s.r.l.)