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To rule out an alternative to their structural-fit hypothesis, Payne, Burkley, and Stokes (2008) demonstrated that correlations between implicit and explicit race attitudes were weaker when participants were put under high pressure to respond without bias than when they were placed under low pressure. This effect was replicated in Italy by Vianello (2015), although the replication effect was smaller than the original effect. In the current investigation, we examined the possibility that the source of a study’s sample moderates this effect. Teams from eight universities, four in the United States and four in Italy, replicated the original study (replication N = 1,103). Although we did detect moderation by the sample’s country, it was due to a reversal of the original effect in the United States and a lack of the original effect in Italy. We discuss this curious finding and possible explanations.

Human PapillomaVirus (HPV) vaccination has been introduced in recent years in clinical practice as the most effective primary prevention strategy for cervical cancer and HPV-induced lesions, either pre-malignant or benign. Since its introduction, HPV vaccination has been progressively demonstrated as extremely effective in preventing extra-genital and male diseases also; furthermore, non only adolescents but adult subjects have been investigated and reported as positively responding to vaccine immunostimulation. More recently, effectiveness of post-treatment vaccine administration has been preliminarily investigated with very promising results in terms of decreased recurrences. On this basis, we report an Italian-focused picture of the state of the art and take a position in favour of the extension of HPV vaccination to male adolescents, to older age groups and to already treated subjects.

Objective. Adolescence is a crucial period for the development and consolidation of personality. As adolescents deal with changes related to both body and neurophysiological development, they also face psychological changes in the perception of their self and interpersonal functioning. According to the object relations theoretical framework, this contribution aims at presenting data on the development of the Adolescent Personality Questionnaire (APS-Q) an agile but reliable measure to evaluate pathological personality functioning in adolescence. Indeed, there is a lack of self-report instruments to assess pathological personality functioning in adolescence directly aimed for the adolescent population and shaped according to the core aspects of (mal)adaptive personality acknowledging features related to self (identity) and interpersonal (object relations) dimensions and affect regulation. Methods. The study involved overall 1557 participants, recruited from middle and secondary schools in Northern Italy. A first sample compiled a pilot version of the APS-Q to run Principal Component Analysis (PCS) and test for construct and test-retest validity. A second sample compiled the final version of the APS-Q to run Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) and check for relationships with borderline and narcissistic traits as also for psychological problems. Results. Data suggest a strong factorial structure for the APS-Q, encompassing seven dimensions of personality functioning related to self and interpersonal aspects as well as affect regulation. Furthermore, impairments in personality functioning measured with the APS-Q were significantly associated with specific pathological personality traits and psychological problems. Conclusions. Our results suggest that the APS-Q is a quick and reliable measure to assess emerging personality functioning in adolescence. Moreover, significant relations with maladaptive features (i.e., personality traits and internalizing/externalizing problems) indicate the possibility to efficiently use this instrument in larger batteries to assess crucial dimensions of impairment in adolescence.

Objectives. Adolescence is a crucial phase for the development and consolidation of personality, as youths face critical psychological changes in the perception of their self in relations with family members and peers, as well as with evolving romantic and sexual relations. Significant deviations in personality structuring can result in the emergence of pathological personality features. In this contribution, we investigated the relationship between emerging personality structure in adolescence and borderline and narcissistic personality aspects. Specifically, we aimed at underlining which dimensions of emerging personality structure were related to borderline and narcissistic characteristics. Methods. A community sample of 709 adolescents (age 13-19) was tested for personality dimensions (Self, Self-acceptance, Relationship with Family and Friends, Aggression, Sexuality, Investments and goals) using the Adolescent Personality Structure Questionnaire (APS-Q) and for borderline (Borderline Personality Features Scale for Children – BPFSC-11) and narcissistic features (Pathological Narcissism Inventory – PNI). Results. Data suggest significant associations between specific personality dimensions and pathological personality features. In particular, results showed strong associations between borderline features and impairments in self and interpersonal related personality dimensions as well as with difficulties in aggression regulation. Likewise, data indicated significant relations between vulnerable narcissistic features and self-related aspects of personality. Finally, results showed impairments in Self, Self-acceptance dimensions, difficulties in aggression regulation and sexuality, related to more severe grandiose narcissistic characteristics. Discussions. These preliminary data suggest that impairments in specific dimensions of emerging personality structure in adolescence might be related explicitly to borderline and narcissistic features. In particular, both emerging identity and the ability to regulate aggression might play an essential role in this relationship. Also, identifying crucial impaired dimensions of emerging personality structure might benefit clinical purposes and practice.

Objectives. Adopting a dynamic perspective, this study examines the relations between behavioral and affective states, BPD traits, and components of rejection sensitivity. Methods. A sample of 110 college students (M age = 23.81, SD = 4.35) filled in a series of questionnaires assessing borderline personality traits and rejection sensitivity. Then they completed an Ecological Momentary Assessment on interpersonal relationships rating their behavior and affective state 3 times per day for 7 days following a social interaction of 5 minutes or more. Results. Multilevel analyses showed that BPD traits and rejection sensitivity influenced behavioral and affective states within-day variabilities in terms of arousal (submissive vs. dominant and passive vs. active, respectively), but not in term of valence (cold vs. warm and sad vs. happy, respectively). Specifically, within-day affective state variability was affected by the emotional components of rejection sensitivity (anxiety and anger) and not by the cognitive component (rejection expectation), regardless of BPD trait; within-day behavior variability was influenced by anxiety related to rejection independently from BPD trait, and by anger related to rejection as well as expectation in interaction with BPD. Conclusion. These results shed light on the specific role of different components of rejection sensitivity in shaping – together with BPD traits – everyday affective and behavioral dynamics connected to interpersonal relationships.

Objective. Borderline Personality disorder (BPD) is a clinical condition that impairs patient’s interpersonal skills. In particular, we focus on trust impairments, as they play a central role in interpersonal difficulties characteristic of BPD conditions. This contribution assesses the hypotheses that BPD traits are associated with impairments in trust appraisal, trust learning, and trust behaviors. To do so, in a preliminary study we investigated the relation between BPD traits and trust appraisal, measured both directly and indirectly. In the main study we assessed the association between BPD traits and implicit trust learning and trust behavior. Methods. In both studies undergraduate female students (N = 125, M age =22.13, SD =2.691; N = 126, M age =22.58, SD =2.28) completed the BPD Checklist. In the first study, participants rated a series of neutral faces (both female and male) in terms of trust and completed a reaction time task (Gaze Cueing Procedure), allowing to assess the facilitating effect of congruent cues (i.e., gazes from neutral faces), named Gaze Cueing Effect. In the second study, participants also rated neutral faces and then a modified Gaze Cueing Procedure was used as manipulation of trustworthiness of neutral faces (resulting in trustworthy vs untrustworthy faces). Participants finally rated the faces again and reported trust-related behavioral intentions toward them. Results. Congruent with previous results (King-Casas et al., 2008; Unoka et al., 2009) we confirmed that higher BPD features were associated with lower ratings of trustworthiness of the faces (Study 1 & 2), but not with the Gaze Cueing Effect (Saunders et al. 2015). In Study 2, we found a significant change in trust after the manipulation (both in terms of appraisal and behavioral intentions) and this effect was not associated with BPD traits. Conclusions. Our contribution showed a relation between BPD traits and direct trust appraisal of faces, whereas BPD traits did not influence indirect trust appraisal. Furthermore, higher BPD traits do not impair implicit trust learning, at least in a non clinical sample.

Objectives. This contribution aims at investigating the differential relations between BPD traits, different components of rejection sensitivity, and various aspects of impulsivity. Methods. Six hundred and seventy-six University students completed a series of measures including the BPD checklist, different scales related to impulsivity and a rejection sensitivity questionnaire, and after two weeks a self-report of aggressive and risk behaviors. Based on the BPD traits, we selected the first (low BPD) and last (high BPD) quartile resulting in a sample of 343 (173 women, M age = 22.62, SD = 3.55). Results. A series of mediation and moderation analyses showed specific relations between BPD traits, different facets of impulsivity (i.e., triggering action vs. pervasiveness of emotions), the three aspects of rejection sensitivity (expectations, angry and anxious emotions), and aggressive and risk behaviors. Conclusions. Results are discussed in the perspective of the relation between BPD traits and problematic behaviors.

Objectives. Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) features are associated with interpersonal difficulties. In this research, we investigated trust impairments, a core BPD feature connected to impairments in interpersonal behavior. We first tested the relation between BPD features and trust appraisal, measured both directly and indirectly. In a second study, we assessed the connection between BPD features and implicit trust learning in terms of both face ratings and behavioral intentions. Methods. Two samples of undergraduate female students (S1: N = 125, M age = 22.13, SD = 2.69; S2: N = 126, M age = 22.58, SD = 2.28) completed the BPD Checklist. In S1, participants then rated a series of neutral faces in terms of direct appraisal of trust and completed a Gaze Cueing Procedure, assessing the facilitating effect of congruent gazes from neutral faces, i.e., the Gaze Cueing Effect. In S2, participants rated faces before and after a modified Gaze Cueing Procedure used as manipulation of trustworthiness (resulting in trustworthy vs. untrustworthy faces) and reported trust-related behavioral intentions toward them. Results. Consistent with previous results (e.g., Fertuck et al., 2013; Miano et al., 2013), higher BPD features were associated with lower ratings of trustworthiness (S1&2) but not with the Gaze Cueing Effect (Saunders et al. 2015). In S2, the trust manipulation was effective such that untrustworthy faces received lower direct trust appraisal. There was no change in behavioral intentions and this effect was not associated with BPD features. Conclusions. Higher BPD features are associated with greater direct untrust appraisal of faces (initial trust rating task) but not with indirect trust appraisal (Gaze Cueing Effect) nor implicit trust learning (ratings and behavioral intentions after trust manipulation). In conclusion, in a non-clinical sample, higher BPD features do not impair trust learning but affect trust appraisal.

Objectives. Psychological characteristics of situations can be articulated around eight major dimensions: The “Situational Eight” DIAMONDS (Duty, Intellect, Adversity, Mating, pOsitivity, Negativity, Deception and Sociality). However, the DIAMONDS model has been developed to assess everyday normal situations experienced by non-clinical adults. The aim of this contribution is to investigate the DIAMONDS applicability to everyday situations experienced by adolescents. Furthermore, we aim at examining rejecting situations through the DIAMONDS and exploring their associations with pathological personality traits, rejection sensitivity, and emotional and behavioral outcomes. Methods. In a first study, a sample of 201 adolescents (age range from 14 to 18 years) described the situation experienced the previous evening at 5 p.m. using the DIAMONDS dimensions and reported their behavioral and emotional reactions. They also completed a series of measures including scales related to their personality traits. In a second study still on adolescents, a sample of additional items related to rejecting situations was added to the DIAMONDS to use for describing a typical daily-life situation and the most recent rejecting situation experienced. Participants reported also their behavioral and emotional reactions to each situation and then completed measures of rejection sensitivity and pathological personality traits. Results. A series of correlation and mediation analyses tested the validity of DIAMONDS in describing adolescents’ psychological experience of situations, and thus allowing exploring the specific characteristics of various situations (rejection or not). Behavioral and emotional reactions to situations were also connected to personality pathology and levels of rejection sensitivity. Conclusions. The exploration of the psychological characteristics of situations in adolescents allows shedding light on the behavioral and emotional outcomes related to the person-situation interaction.

Objective The aim of the present study is to investigate the reliability and validity of the Level of Personality Functioning Scale (LPFS; APA, 2013) rated by inexperienced individuals from the Structured Interview of Personality Organization (STIPO; Clarkin et al., 2004). Methods Forty clinically inexperienced undergraduate students were asked to assess personality functioning of 8 female inpatients using the LPFS from audiotaped STIPO. Intraclass correlation analyses (ICC) were conducted to test the interrater reliability of the LPFS dimensions (Self- Functioning and Interpersonal-Functioning) and sub- dimensions (Identity, Self-direction, Empathy, Intimacy). Linear Mixed-Effect Models were implemented to investigate associations between the LPFS dimensions and external measures such as personality disorders diagnoses and structural features of personality functioning. Results Results showed good Intraclass correlation coefficients for both Self-functioning (ICC= .97) and Interpersonal- functioning (ICC= .98). Again, good interrater reliability indexes were found for the LPFS sub-dimensions, ranging from .95 to .98. Finally, regression models confirmed the validity of LPFS scores (as rated by our sample) in predicting features of personality pathology. Conclusion Findings from the present study confirmed that untrained raters can reliably assess personality pathology by rating the LPFS based on material from the STIPO. Implications related to the use of the STIPO as a tool for the assessment of personality pathology according to the DSM-5 Alternative model are discussed.

Cervico-vaginal (CV) localization of extra-mammary Paget’s disease (EMPD) of the vulva is extremely rare. In order to investigate the incidence risk and the pathognomonic clinical and pathological features of this condition, a retrospective analysis was conducted including 94 women treated for vulvar EMPD at the European Institute of Oncology, Milan, Italy, from October 1997 to May 2020. Overall nine patients developed CV involvement from EMPD, with a cumulative incidence of 2.5% (95% CI: 0.5–8.0%) at 5 years, 6.5% (95% CI: 1.9–15.1%) at 10 years and 14.0% (95% CI: 4.8–27.8%) at 15 years, respectively. All cases except one were firstly detected by abnormal glandular cytology. None reported vaginal bleeding or other suspicious symptoms. The colposcopic findings were heterogeneous and could sometimes be misdiagnosed. Cervical and/or vaginal biopsies were always performed for histopathological diagnosis by identification of Paget cells in the epithelium or stroma. Most patients developed invasive EMPD (5/9) of the cervix and/or vagina and underwent hysterectomy with partial or total colpectomy. CV involvement from EMPD should not be underestimated in women with a long-standing history of vulvar Paget’s disease. Liquid-based cytology with immunocytochemistry represents a valuable tool for early diagnosis and should be routinely performed during the required lifelong follow-up.

The “Healthcare workers’ wellbeing [Benessere Operatori]” project is an exploratory longitudinal study assessing healthcare workers’ mental health at three different time points over a 14-month period during the COVID-19 pandemic. We collected socio-demographic and work-related information and assessed the perceived social support, coping strategies, and levels of depression, anxiety, insomnia, anger, burnout, and PTSD symptoms. In total, 325 Italian healthcare workers (i.e. physicians, nurses, other healthcare workers, and clerks) participated in the first initial survey and either the second or third subsequent survey. Participants reported subclinical levels of psychiatric symptoms that remained mostly unchanged across time, except for an increase in stress, depression, state anger, and emotional exhaustion symptoms. Despite subclinical levels, healthcare workers’ distress can adversely affect the quality of care, patient satisfaction, and medical error rates. Therefore, implementing interventions to improve healthcare workers’ wellbeing is required.

Contemporary models of the diagnosis and classification of personality disorders have diverged from the categorical diagnostic framework of the DSM system. One response to this movement can be found in the Alternative DSM-5 Model for Personality Disorders (AMPD), which uses dimensions of personality functioning, coupled with identification of dominant pathological traits, to define and classify personality disorders. By applying psychodynamic object relations theory to the AMPD, therapists can enrich the understanding and assessment of personality functioning and pathology as described in the AMPD.

BackgroundCaregiver sensitivity is associated with positive child outcomes, and improving sensitivity is often the aim of parenting-directed interventions. However, sensitivity was conceptualized in Western cultures, and its application in populations with different backgrounds is still limited.ObjectiveThis study aimed to foster a contextualized cultural understanding of the meaning and nature of sensitivity by assessing the possibility of evaluating sensitivity in a low-income population living in Ethiopia and describing the nature of (in)sensitive parenting. Moreover, the associations between sensitivity and discipline, the quality of the environment, and individual characteristics were explored.MethodsParental sensitivity was coded on naturalistic video-recorded observations of free interactions between 25 female primary caregivers and their children. Caregivers completed questionnaires on discipline strategies and the level of satisfaction with the environment (access to basic needs, quality of house condition, community and family support, quality of learning opportunities, and working conditions).ResultsThe assessment of sensitivity in this population was possible, with caregivers showing the full range of sensitivity levels. A description of manifestations of sensitivity in this population is provided. A K-means cluster analysis evidenced that high sensitivity was associated with high satisfaction regarding housing conditions and family environment. No association between sensitivity and discipline emerged.ConclusionThe findings show the feasibility of assessing sensitivity in this sample. The descriptions of observed behaviors contribute to understanding culturally specific aspects of sensitivity to consider when assessing sensitivity in similar populations. The study provides considerations and guidelines to inform the structure of culturally-based interventions to promote sensitive parenting in similar cultural and socioeconomic situations.

Adolescence is a crucial period for the development of personality and its dysfunctions. In this regard, it is essential to evaluate the nature and degree of maladaptive personality functioning. However, measures currently available present some limitations, mainly being adaptations from adult’s tailored instruments and length. Moreover, no instrument considers the crucial dimensions related to body development and sexuality. This contribution presents data on the Adolescent Personality Structure Questionnaire (APS-Q) development, a self-report measure to capture core aspects of personality functioning in adolescence while being agile and reliable. On two large samples of adolescents (total N = 1,664), we investigated the psychometric properties of the APS-Q. We explored its factor structure and construct and incremental validity in the first sample, testing specific associations with existing measures of severity of personality pathology, maladaptive personality traits, and psychological distress. In the second sample, we confirmed its factor structure, assessing gender and age invariance. Overall, our findings support the APS-Q’s validity as a reliable and useful measure to assess personality functioning. Moreover, the APS-Q highlighted developmentally vital dimensions such as self-functioning (encompassing mental and bodily changes and considering the dimension of sexuality), interpersonal functioning (discriminating the dimensions of family and peers), and emotion regulation.