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The current study focused primarily on the associations that feelings of not mattering have with life satisfaction, stress, and distress among students trying to cope with the uncertain and novel circumstances brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. A sample of 350 University students from Italy completed measures that included the General Mattering Scale and the Anti-Mattering Scale, as well as measures of self-esteem, difficulties in emotion regulation, life satisfaction, perceived stress, anxiety, and depression. Psychometric analyses confirmed the factor structure, reliability, and validity of the General Mattering Scale and the Anti-Mattering Scale. As expected, feelings of not mattering were associated with lower life satisfaction as well as with greater reported difficulties in emotion regulation, stress, and distress. Mattering and self-esteem were both unique predictors of levels of life satisfaction during the pandemic. The results of mediational analyses suggested that individuals who feel as though they do not matter may be especially vulnerable to stress, depression, and anxiety and this may promote a decline in life satisfaction. Given the potential destructiveness of feelings of not mattering, in general but especially during a global pandemic, it is essential to proactively develop interventions and programs that are designed to enhance feelings of mattering and reduce anti-mattering experiences and feelings.

Body appreciation is considered a key dimension of positive body image. Tylka and Wood-Barcalow (2015) developed the Body Appreciation Scale-2 (BAS-2), a psychometrically sound measure to assess body appreciation. The present study examines various psychometric properties (i.e. factor structure, sex-based measurement invariance, and construct validity) of an Italian translation of the BAS-2 in a community sample (N = 601; F = 50.6 %; Mage = 25.72; SD = 4.81). Exploratory factor analyses with a randomly selected split-half subsample (n = 300; F = 50 %) supported the one-dimensional factor structure among both sexes. Confirmatory factor analyses with a second split-half subsample (n = 301; F = 51.16 %) indicated that the one-dimensional factor structure had adequate fit after some modifications were made. BAS-2 scores achieved full invariance across sex and men reported significantly higher scores than women (d = 0.45). Further, the Italian version of the BAS-2 had good internal consistency and was positively correlated with self-esteem and life satisfaction, whereas negative associations were found with body dissatisfaction and eating disorder symptoms. Results indicated that the Italian BAS-2 has good psychometric properties.

The aim of the present study was to investigate sexuality in a sample of gay fathers and lesbian mothers with children from previous heterosexual relationships. In particular, we compared their sex...

Contains fulltext : 287225.pdf (Publisher’s version ) (Closed access) The metacognitive model of psychopathology has been applied to various psychological disorders, with a wide array of studies suggesting that metacognitions play an important role in addictive behaviors. Increasing scientific attention has been focused on a potential and relatively new form of behavioral addiction: compulsive exercising (i.e., when individuals gradually lose control over their exercise habits, act compulsively, and experience negative consequences). As no prior study has evaluated the role of metacognitions in compulsive exercising, the current study aimed to: (i) develop a self-report questionnaire measuring metacognitions about exercise; and (ii) to investigate the contribution of metacognitions to compulsive exercising. A 15 item self-report questionnaire, the Metacognitions about Exercise Questionnaire (MEPQ), was developed and administered to a community sample of 496 exercisers (F = 49.2%, mean age: 39.38, SD = 14.08). Factor analysis revealed a 4-factor solution (which explained 67.22% of variance; fit indices: χ2 (84) = 176.12, p

Purpose Emotional eating is a trans-diagnostic dimension in eating disorders and is present in many other conditions that could affect eating attitudes. At present, there is no instrument that measures emotional eating evaluating both the intensity and the frequency of emotion-induced desire to eat. The aim of the study was the validation of the Florence Emotional Eating Drive (FEED). Methods A sample of healthy volunteers was initially enrolled to explore internal consistency and test–retest reliability. The Emotional Eating Scale (EES), Eating Disorders Evaluation-Questionnaire (EDE-Q), Binge Eating Scale (BES) and Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL-90-R), together with the final version of FEED, were administered to a clinical sample composed by patients with eating disorders, obesity, and type 2 diabetes, to explore the underlying structure of the questionnaire and verify its validity. Results FEED showed excellent internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.96) and test–retest reliability (r = 0.93). FEED scores were higher in patients with BN and BED than in AN patients, negatively correlated with age and positively with BES and EES. Multiple regression analysis showed that FEED, but not EES, was independently associated with SCL-90-R and EDE-Q scores. Conclusion FEED internal consistency and test–retest reliability were excellent. The addition of specific questions on the frequency of behaviours led to a better component structure and robustness compared to EES. A tool that reliably and specifically assesses eating behaviours driven by emotional states may be extremely useful in clinical settings. Level of evidence Level V, cross-sectional study.

Background and aims In the current study we have sought to clarify the contribution of metacognitions concerning smartphone use relative to smartphone use expectancies in the relationship between well-established predisposing psychological factors and problematic smartphone use (PSU). We tested a model where psychological distress, impulsivity, and proneness to boredom predict metacognitions about smartphone use and smartphone use expectancies, which in turn predict PSU. Methods A sample of 535 participants (F = 71.2%; mean age = 27.38 ± 9.05 years) was recruited. Results The model accounted for 64% of the PSU variance and showed good fit indices (χ 2 = 16.01, df = 13, P = 0.24; RMSEA [90%CI] = 0.02 [0–0.05], CFI = 0.99; SRMR = 0.03). We found that: (i) when it comes to psychological distress and boredom proneness, negative metacognitions, and both positive and negative expectancies play a mediating role in the association with PSU, with negative metacognitions showing a dominant role; (ii) there is no overlap between positive expectancies and positive metacognitions, especially when it comes to smartphone use as a means for socializing; (iii) impulsivity did not show a significant effect on PSU Direct effects of the predictors on PSU were not found. Discussion and conclusions The current study found additional support for applying metacognitive theory to the understanding of PSU and highlight the dominant role of negative metacognitions about smartphone in predicting PSU.

The Bergen Facebook Addiction Scale (BFAS) is widely used, but psychometric evidence by applying Item Response Theory (IRT) is lacking. Considering the advantages of this psychometric approach, the aim of study was to investigate the psychometric properties of the Italian version of the BFAS among adolescents and young adults. Participants were 1134 (50% males, Mean age = 20.7, SD = 3.5, range = 14–33 years) Italian high school students and undergraduates. The unidimensionality of the scale was confirmed (χ2/df = 2.8, CFI = 0.99, TLI = 0.98, and RMSEA = 0.04 [C.I. = 0.02–0.06]) and IRT analysis showed that the scale assesses medium and high levels of the trait, and that it is useful in order to discriminate different levels of Problematic Facebook use (PFU) within this range of trait, in which the scale is sufficiently informative. The relationships of BFAS θ scores with theoretically related constructs provided support to the validity of the scale. In accordance with previous studies, BFAS scores were positively correlated with Problematic Internet use and problematic Social Network use, negatively correlated with self-esteem, and positively related to loneliness. The Differential Item Functioning (DIF) analysis showed that BFAS is invariant across gender, and only one item had uniform and small-in-size DIF. Additionally, we tested age invariance. Since only 17% of the BFAS items were non-invariant, we determined that the BFAS exhibited minor non-invariance as a whole. An analysis of the adequacy of the polythetic and monothetic criteria to define the range of the trait indicative of problematic use was also conducted. Overall, this study offers evidence that BFAS is a valuable and useful scale for measuring high levels of PFU among Italian adolescents and young adults.

Background Problematic social media use (PSMU) has received growing attention in the last fifteen years. Even though PSMU has been extensively studied, its internal structure is not fully understood. We used network analysis to evaluate which symptoms and associations between symptoms are most central to PSMU – as assessed by the Generalized Problematic Internet Use Scale-2 adapted for PSMU – among undergraduates. Method Network analysis was applied to a large gender-balanced sample of undergraduates (n = 1344 participants; M = 51.9%; mean age = 22.50 ± 2.20 years). Results The most central nodes in the network were the difficulty of controlling one’s own use of social media, the tendency to think obsessively about going online, the difficulties in resisting the urge to use social media and the preference for communicating with people online rather than face-to-face. This last element was strongly associated with a general preference for online social interactions and the feeling of being more comfortable online. The network was robust to stability and accuracy tests. The mean levels of symptoms and symptom centrality were not associated. Conclusions Deficient self-regulation and preference for online communication were the most central symptoms of PSMU, suggesting that these symptoms should be prioritized in theoretical models of PSMU and could also serve as important treatment targets for PSMU interventions.

Background and Aims Recent research has suggested that metacognitions may play a role across the spectrum of addictive behaviours, including problematic use of technological devices. Metacognitions associated with problematic Smartphone use (PSU) have been scarcely investigated and measures to assess these beliefs are not yet available. The goal of the present study was: (i) to develop the first self-report scale of metacognitions about Smartphone use; and (ii) to investigate its predictive validity with respect to PSU. Methods Twenty-four items concerning positive and negative metacognitions about PSU were framed and administered to a community sample of 701 Smartphone users (F = 66.2%; mean age: 28.08 ± 9.81; age range: 15–70). An exploratory factor analysis was first performed in a randomly allocated subsample of 350 participants. A confirmative factor analysis was then computed on a second subsample of 351 participants to test the fit of the factor structure identified. Results Findings revealed a 3-factor solution consisting of positive metacognitions concerning emotional and cognitive regulation, positive metacognitions concerning social advantages, and negative metacognitions about uncontrollability and cognitive harm of Smartphone use. Regression analysis showed that all the Metacognitions about Smartphone Use Questionnaire (MSUQ) factors were significantly associated to PSU independently of anxiety and depressive symptoms. Conclusions The MSUQ might be a promising self-report measure and further support research into the role of metacognition in technological addictions.

The present study aimed to investigate: a) the contribution of the fear of missing out (FoMO) in explaining social media problematic use taking also into account the fear of being negatively evaluated and the perception of low self-presentational skills; b) the mediating role of positive metacognitions about social media use in the relationship between FoMO and social media problematic use. A sample of 579 undergraduates was recruited (54.6% F; mean age = 22.39 ± 2.82). Among females, the assessed structural model produced good fit to the data [χ2 = 101.11, df = 52, p < .001; RMSEA = 0.05 (90% C.I. =0.04-0.07), CFI = 0.98, SRMR = 0.05]. FoMO and self-presentational skills were both directly and indirectly associated with social media problematic use through the mediation of positive metacognitions. Fear of negative evaluation was not associated with social media problematic use. Among males, FoMO had both a direct and an indirect effect on social media problematic use mediated by positive metacognitions. The fear of negative evaluation and self-presentational skills were only indirectly associated with social media problematic use through positive metacognitions. The assessed structural model produced good fit to the data [χ2 = 98.02, df = 55, p < .001; RMSEA = 0.05 (90% C.I. =0.04-0.07), CFI = 0.98, SRMR = 0.07]. The present study confirmed the role of FoMO with respect to social media problematic use and highlighted for the first time the mediating role of positive metacognitions in this relationship.

Growing evidence shows that temperamental features and emotional dysregulation are linked to Eating Disorders (EDs). Aim of this study was to explore the possible relationship between temperament and emotional eating (EE) from a dimensional standpoint, and the association of specific temperamental dimensions with overeating triggered by specific emotions. We enrolled 253 women with Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa and Binge Eating Disorder. Of those, 189 (74.7%), 73 (28.8%), and 80 (31.6%) reported binge eating, purging, or restrictive behaviors, respectively (the categories are not mutually exclusive). Participants completed the Emotional Eating Scale (EES), the Temperament and Character Inventory, the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q) and the Symptom Checklist 90-Revised (SCL-90-R). Higher Persistence scores were found in the Restriction group, while the Binge group reported lower Persistence and higher Novelty Seeking scores. The Purge group showed lower Reward Dependence, Self Directedness and Cooperativeness scores. Patients with Purge also reported lower BMI and higher scores on EDE-Q restriction and eating concern subscales as well as higher scores for all SCL 90-R subscales. Patterns of association between temperamental traits and specific emotions were found in each group. Therefore, some temperamental features could be considered predictors of specific associations between emotions and the tendency to eat.

The aim of the present study is to investigate the effect of daily exposure to body-positive and fitspiration Instagram posts on young women’s mood, body satisfaction, and appearance comparison tendency. One hundred and twenty-two young Italian women (Mage = 22.29 ± 2.26 years) were randomly assigned to three different conditions of daily exposure on Instagram (i.e., body-positive, fitspiration and neutral content) and followed with an experience sampling method over a period of 28 consecutive days. Comparisons between groups were performed via multilevel regression modelled as a linear growth model. Results showed that daily exposure to body-positive images was associated with the highest rates of growth of positive mood and body satisfaction. Daily exposure to fitspiration images was associated with the highest rates of growth of negative mood and appearance comparison. In conclusion, the body-positive movement may be considered in interventions aimed at improving young women’s body image. Fitspiration content on Instagram should be deemed inappropriate.

Although it has been proposed that the dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis may act as a possible pathway linking early life stress to psychosis, this relationship has not yet been fully confirmed. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between childhood adversity (CA), cortisol levels, and psychosis. Eighty-five patients with psychosis and 170 control subjects were enrolled in the study. CA was evaluated using the Florence Psychiatric Interview, and Childhood Experience of Care and Abuse Questionnaire. Positive symptoms (PS) were assessed using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale. Cortisol levels were evaluated in saliva samples. Patients experienced more CA and showed higher cortisol levels than controls. Patients with CA showed higher morning cortisol levels and more severe PS than those without CA. Patients with higher morning cortisol levels showed severe delusions. These findings suggest that both CA and dysregulation of the HPA axis could be related to psychosis.

This study investigated whether abstaining from Instagram (Ig) affects subjective well-being among young men and women. By comparing an intervention group (40 participants who take a break from Ig for a week) with a control group (40 participants who kept using Ig), we found that women who quitted Ig reported significantly higher levels of life satisfaction and positive affect than women who kept using it. Whereas positive affect increment depended on social appearance comparison, life satisfaction rose independent of the tendency to compare one's own appearance with others. It is possible that users who are no longer exposed to direct evaluative feedback about their images on Ig-be it related to their appearance, habits, or opinions-can witness an increase in their global satisfaction levels. No significant effects were found among men.

Extreme perfectionism has been linked with distress and dysfunction. This association is reflected by the recent development of the Big Three Perfectionism Scale (BTPS), which has superordinate trait-based scales that assess 3 broad elements-rigid, self-critical, and narcissistic perfectionism. We examined psychometric features of the BTPS as well as the links between the BTPS and indexes of distress. A sample of 602 undergraduates completed the BTPS, the Perfectionistic Self-Presentation Scale, the Perfectionism Cognitions Inventory, and measures of social anxiety and depression. Support was obtained for the psychometric qualities of the BTPS. All 3 superordinate trait factors were associated with social anxiety and depression. Analyses also established that rigid perfectionism, self-critical perfectionism, and narcissistic perfectionism are associated with perfectionistic cognitions and perfectionistic self-presentation. In addition, the results of a series of regression analyses established that perfectionistic self-presentation and perfectionistic cognitions accounted for significant unique variance in distress beyond the variance attributable to rigid, narcissistic, and self-critical perfectionism. Overall, our results suggest that the BTPS has significant promise as a predictor of various forms of dysfunction, but the cognitive and self-presentational aspects of the perfectionism construct are also uniquely relevant and not redundant with the BTPS superordinate trait factors.

Research has shown that metacognitions are associated with addictive behaviors. This study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties (i.e., factor structure, reliability, and predictive validity) of the Persian Metacognitions about Smartphone Use Questionnaire (Persian MSUQ). A community sample of 618 participants (63.6% female, mean age = 27.31 ± 8.95 years; age range: 15–67 years) was recruited in Iran. The results of exploratory factor analysis revealed that the Persian MSUQ had a three-factor structure, similar to the parent version, named positive metacognitions about emotional and cognitive regulation, negative metacognitions about uncontrollability and cognitive harm, and positive metacognitions about social advantages. The confirmatory factor analysis indicated that the three-factor structure of the Persian MSUQ had appropriate fit. Cronbach's alphas for the three factors were 0.89, 0.88, and 0.70, respectively. Test-retest coefficients over a 6-week interval showed good reliability for the Persian MSUQ total score (ICC = 0.81; 95% CI: 0.72–0.87). Regression analyses showed that metacognitions about smartphone use predicted problematic smartphone use independently of anxiety and depression. The findings suggest that the Persian MSUQ has appropriate psychometric properties in the Iranian context.

Fear of missing out (FoMO) has been linked to problematic social media use and negative health outcomes among adolescents and emerging adults. The 10-item Fear of Missing Out Scale (FoMO) is the most used instrument to measure FoMO levels and, for this reason, it seems relevant to evaluate its psychometric properties across various cultures. In Study 1, exploratory factor analysis was conducted on the scale items using a sample of 436 college students [F = 51.1%; M (SD) = 22.13 (2.78) years old]. In Study 2, confirmatory factor analysis was conducted in order to determine whether the results of Study 1 could be confirmed with another sample of college students [n = 239; F = 61.1%; M (SD) = 23.02(2.64) years old] and adolescents [n = 178; M = 57.3%; M (SD) = 16.2 (1.48) years old]. The model was also tested for measurement invariance by sex and age (collegiate versus high school students). Full scalar invariance of the FoMO across sex and age was supported and adequate internal consistency was found. Convergent validity was also demonstrated. As a result, we concluded that the FoMO might be used in clinical settings as a means of screening people who show potentially high behavioral engagement with social media. The FoMO can also help identify specific maladaptive cognitions and ruminative thoughts that maintain FoMO.

Building upon previous research establishing a positive association between grandiose and vulnerable narcissism and problematic social networking use, the present study tests a model that explains how grandiose and vulnerable narcissists might develop Facebook (Fb) addiction symptoms through the need for admiration and the need to belong. A sample of 535 undergraduates (50.08% F; mean age 22.70 ± 2.76 years) completed measures of grandiose narcissism, vulnerable narcissism, Fb addiction symptoms, and two brief scales measuring the need for admiration and the need to belong. Results from structural equation modelling show that the association between grandiose narcissism and Fb addiction levels was completely mediated by the need for admiration and the need to belong. On the other hand, vulnerable narcissism was not found to be associated either directly or indirectly with Fb addiction levels. The variables in the model accounted for 30% of the variance in Fb addiction levels. The present study represents a step toward a better understanding of the psychological mechanisms underlying the link between grandiose narcissism and problematic Fb use.

Background The present study developed and tested a model that explains how people who believe that others have unrealistically high standards and exert pressure on them to be perfect (that is, people high in socially prescribed perfectionism) develop a problematic use of internet communicative services (GPIU). Following the perfectionism social disconnection model and previous evidence about the role that the online environment might play in the development of problematic internet use, low reported social support and the fear of negative evaluations in face to face interactions were hypothesized to mediate the association between socially prescribed perfectionism and GPIU. Methods A sample of 465 undergraduate students was recruited (240 F; mean age 21.91 + 2.23 years), and the hypotheses were tested through structural equation modeling separately for men and women. Results Among men, the association between SPP and GPIU was fully mediated by the fear of being negatively evaluated and the perception of low social support. For women, we found a partially mediated model in which SPP affected GPIU indirectly through the fear of negative evaluations. The presence of a direct effect of SPP on GPIU was also found. Moreover, perceived social support was not found to be a significant mediator among women. Conclusions The findings suggest that problematic use of internet communicative services might be, at least in part, a defensive response to extreme social evaluation pressures.

Emotion dysregulation has been found to be associated with specific eating attitudes and behavior in Eating Disorder (ED) patients. The present study evaluated whether emotional eating profile of ED patients changes over time and the possible effects of a psychotherapeutic intervention on the emotional eating dimension. One hundred and two ED patients (28 with Anorexia Nervosa restricting type [AN-R], 35 with Anorexia Nervosa binge/purging subtype [AN-B/P] and 39 with Bulimia Nervosa [BN]) were evaluated at baseline, at the end of a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, at 3 and 6 year follow-up. The Structured Clinical Interview for DSM IV Axis I Disorders, the Emotional Eating Scale (EES) and several self-reported questionnaires for eating specific and general psychopathology were applied. A control group of 86 healthy subjects was also studied, in order to compare psychopathological variables at baseline. A significant EES total score reduction was observed among AN-B/P and BN patients, whereas no significant change was found in the AN-R group. Mixed Models analyses showed that a significant effect on EES total score variation was found for cocaine or amphetamine abuse (b = .25; p < .01). Patients who assumed these substances reported no significant EES reduction across time, unlike other patients. The present results suggest that ED patients with a history of cocaine or amphetamine abuse represent a sub-population of patients with lasting dysfunctional mood modulatory mechanisms.

The present study hypothesized that two specific positive metacognitions about Internet use (i.e. the belief that Internet use is useful in regulating negative emotions and the belief that it affords greater controllability) mediate the association between emotional dysregulation and problematic Internet use (PIU). A total of 293 undergraduate university students (male 48.4%; mean age=21.73+2.17) participated in the study. The assessed structural model produced adequate fit to the data (χ(2)=203.76; df=81; p.001; RMSEA [90% CI]=.07 [.06-.08]; CFI=.95; SRMR=.08). Variables accounted for 46% of the variance in PIU levels. A partial mediation model in which emotional dysregulation predicted PIU levels through positive metacognitions associated with Internet use was found. The presence of a direct relationship between emotional dysregulation and PIU was also detected. Moreover, the study found that emotional dysregulation might drive symptoms of PIU to a greater extent than high negative emotionality.

Davis (2001) introduced a cognitive-behavioral theory of generalized pathological internet use (GPIU) that attempts to model the etiology, development, and outcomes associated with PIU. According to this model, pre-existing psychosocial problems (depression, loneliness, or low levels of social support) predispose an individual to GPIU cognitions, behaviors, and negative outcomes. An exploratory study intended to investigate whether GPIU is associated with psychosocial health (loneliness, depression, self-esteem, and shyness), also taking account of types of internet services used, was conducted in a sample of Italian undergraduate students. A cross-sectional and descriptive correlational design was used. The participants were 157 undergraduate students (34 male and 123 female) enrolled at The University of Florence. The results revealed a stronger correlation between the frequency of use of communicative services (as opposed to leisure or informational services) and GPIU levels. Among services, the most significant predictor of GPIU was the frequency of use of chat rooms and "adult" websites. All psychosocial health variables were correlated with GPIU, with the exception of shyness; however, general loneliness was the only significant predictor of GPIU. Depression and self-esteem were not significant predictors of GPIU. These results are consistent with the assumption that GPIU is related to the social aspect of the internet (e.g., online chatting) and arises from the unique communicative environment found online. In accordance with recent studies, social wellbeing (i.e. loneliness) seems to play a greater role than psychological health in deriving negative effects from internet use.

Previous studies on problematic Internet use have focused almost exclusively on the fact that presence of negative functioning, such as social anxiety, depressive symptoms, or loneliness, represents a risk factor for unhealthy use of the web. For this reason the aim of the present study was to investigate the association between psychological well-being dimensions and problematic use of Internet communicative services. In the current study 495 undergraduate students were recruited. The Italian adaptations of the Psychological Well-being Scales and the Generalized Problematic Internet Use Scale 2 (GPIUS2) were used to assess psychological well-being dimensions and generalized problematic Internet use, respectively. Psychological well-being dimensions explained a significant portion of variance for the GPIUS2 total score levels, after controlling for sex, age, and occupational status. The levels of Autonomy, Environmental Mastery, and Positive Relations with Others acted as significant negative predictors of the tendency to use the web for regulating negative feelings, compulsive use of the web, and the negative outcomes that can arise as a result. The overall findings of the present study provide preliminary evidence that low psychological well-being is associated with problematic use of Internet communicative services.

Since the diffusion of Internet addiction has emerged in several cultural contexts, it seems relevant to study the properties of the Internet Addiction Test (IAT)-the most widely used screening instrument-across various cultures. In Italy, only one study has examined the IAT factor validity, and a comprehensive investigation of its psychometric characteristics is so far lacking. The purpose of this study was to perform a psychometric analysis of the Italian IAT. A total of 840 students (Mage=18.65 years, SD=3.85 years; 59% female) were recruited. Pertaining to scale dimensionality, the best-fit measurement model includes two factors: "Emotional and cognitive preoccupations with the Internet and social consequences" and "Loss of control and interference with daily duties" (χ(2)/df=3.38; comparative fit index=0.88; Tucker-Lewis Index=0.87; root mean square error of approximation=0.07), which together explained 45.59% of the variance. Internal consistency Cronbach's alpha values ranged from 0.83 to 0.86. Convergent validity was demonstrated, with significant correlations between IAT and Generalized Problematic Internet Use Scale 2 scores. The Italian version of the IAT was found to have good psychometric properties and a two-factorial structure. Identification of the IAT dimensions may help to define the construct better and develop intervention strategies.

Specific personality traits are related to Eating Disorders (EDs) specific and general psychopathology. Recent studies suggested that Emotional Eating (EE) is a common dimension in all EDs, irrespective of binge eating. The present study was aimed to explore the relationship of temperamental features with EE and eating symptomatology in a sample of EDs patients, adjusting for general psychopathology. One hundred and sixty six female patients were enrolled at the Eating Disorders Outpatient Clinic of the Careggi Teaching-Hospital of Florence. Participants completed the emotional eating scale, the temperament and character inventory, the eating disorder examination questionnaire and the symptom checklist 90-revised. Novelty seeking and self directedness showed significant correlations with EE after adjustment for general psychopathology. Patients with binge eating displayed significant associations between EE and novelty seeking and self directedness. Among patients without binge eating, no significant correlation between EE and temperamental features was observed. Specific temperamental features are associated to EE in EDs. A clear, different pattern of association in patients with different eating attitudes and behavior was found. Considering that treatments of EDs are largely based on psychotherapeutic interventions, focused on emotions and cognitions, the present data provide some hints which could be helpful for the development of more appropriate psychotherapeutic strategies.

The 15-item Generalized Problematic Internet Use Scale 2 (GPIUS2) is one of the few theory-driven instruments to measure problematic Internet use (PIU). Since PIU has emerged in several cultural contexts, it seems relevant to evaluate the psychometric properties of the scale across various cultures. The aim of the present study was to test the psychometric properties (i.e., dimensionality, reliability, and validity) of the Italian version of the GPIUS2. The sample consisted of 371 participants (128 males and 243 females), and their age ranged from 14 to 33 years (M=18.07 years, SD=5.58). The GPIUS2 and the Internet Addiction Test (IAT) were administered individually in both high school and college classes. With regard to scale dimensionality, the best-fit measurement model includes four first-order factors: preference for online social interaction, mood regulation, deficient self-regulation, and negative outcomes (Satorra-Bentler scaled chi-square [S-Bχ(2)]/df=2.27; comparative fit index [CFI]=0.94; Tucker-Lewis index [TLI]=0.93; root mean square error of approximation [RMSEA]=0.05). With regard to reliability, internal-consistency Cronbach's alpha ranged from 0.78 to 0.89. Convergent validity is demonstrated with significant correlations between GPIUS2 (total score and all the subscale scores) and IAT score. Results showed that GPIUS2 scores significantly discriminated between high school and undergraduate students. The overall findings of the present study provide evidence that the Italian version of the GPIUS2 appears to be an adequate measure of generalized PIU cognitions, behaviors, and outcomes. Suggestions for further research are provided.

Eating disorders (EDs) are an important cause of physical morbidity and psychosocial impairment, and eating disordered patients have a worse quality of life than peers. The aim of this study was to develop and validate a new self-report instrument, the Eating Disorders Well Being Questionnaire (EDwell), a measure of eating disorders-related quality of life, which takes into consideration not only the intensity, but also the subjective relevance of physical and psychosocial distress. The questionnaire was administered to 120 eating disordered patients and 60 healthy controls. Patients underwent a psychopathological and clinical evaluation. Test–retest reliability, internal consistency, and psychopathological correlates were evaluated. All patients were also administered the Eating Disorder Examination (EDE12.0D) and the Short Form 36 Health Survey (SF36). A factor analysis was performed to verify the distribution of items into subscales. EDwell showed good test–retest reliability and internal consistency. EDwell scores significantly correlated with EDE12.0D total and subscale scores. A significant correlation was also found between several EDwell and SF36 scores. Factor analysis identified three factors: Perfectionism/Control, Loneliness/Avoidance, Social Functioning. The EDwell questionnaire is a feasible and reliable measure of the specific impact of Eating Disorders psychopathology on quality of life.

Objectives The relationship between emotional states and eating behaviors is complex, and emotional eating has been identified as a possible factor triggering binge eating in bulimia nervosa (BN) and binge eating disorder. Few studies considered emotional eating in patients with anorexia nervosa. Methods The present study evaluated the clinical correlates of emotional eating in 251 eating-disordered (EDs) subjects (70 AN restricting type, 71 AN binge eating/purging type, 110 BN purging type) and in a group of 89 healthy control subjects. Subjects were assessed by means of a clinical interview (Structured Clinical Interview for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition ) and several self-reported questionnaires, including the Emotional Eating Scale (EES). Results No significant differences were found between the 3 EDs groups in terms of EES total score, and all patients with ED showed higher EES scores compared with control subjects. Emotional eating was associated with subjective binge eating in AN binge eating/purging type and with objective binge eating in patients with BN. Among patients with AN restricting type, emotional eating was associated with restraint, but this association was lost when controlling for fear of loss of control over eating, which was the principal determinant of restraint. Conclusion Emotional eating and fear of loss of control over eating are significantly associated with specific eating attitudes and behaviors, according to the different diagnoses. Emotional eating is a relevant psychopathologic dimension that deserves a careful investigation in both anorectic and bulimic patients.