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Author(s): Rossella Di Pierro [sup.1] [sup.2] , Marco Di Sarno [sup.1] , Ivan Gargiulo [sup.3] , Fabio Madeddu [sup.1] [sup.2] Author Affiliations: (1) grid.7563.7, 0000 0001 2174 1754, Department of [...], Dysfunctional eating attitudes and behaviors are very common among women. Recent findings suggest that these attitudes are linked to traits of pathological narcissism. However, mechanisms underlying this association need to be elucidated. We investigated the relationship between traits of pathological narcissism and dysfunctional eating attitudes and behaviors in women, testing whether perfectionistic tendencies mediate this association. The study involved a community-based sample of women (N = 306) who completed measures of grandiose and vulnerable narcissistic traits, attitudes of perfectionistic discrepancy and perfectionistic self-presentation, and dysfunctional eating attitudes and behaviors. Results show that vulnerable narcissistic traits are linked to dysfunctional eating attitudes and behaviors. Moreover, discrepancy between the actual self and the ideal self partially explains why women high in vulnerable narcissism engage in dysfunctional eating attitudes and behaviors. Grandiose narcissism was not uniquely associated with dysfunctional eating. The study suggests that the narcissistic need for being perfect, but not the narcissistic need for presenting oneself as perfect to others, promotes dysfunctional eating attitudes and behaviors in women.

Author(s): Marco Di Sarno [sup.1], Rossella Di Pierro [sup.1], Fabio Madeddu [sup.1] Author Affiliations: (1) grid.7563.7, 0000 0001 2174 1754, Department of Psychology, University of Milano-Bicocca, , Piazza dell'Ateneo Nuovo [...], The PFQ-2 is a brief and widely used questionnaire assessing shame- and maladaptive guilt-proneness. As empirical literature suggests cultural differences in self-conscious emotions, the present study aimed at validating the PFQ-2 in an Italian community sample (N = 367; 258 females; M .sub.age = 33.67). In particular, we investigated the factor structure of the PFQ-2, its invariance across genders, and associations of the two scales with clinically relevant constructs. Confirmatory Factor Analysis showed that a modified two-factor model fitted our data and could be replicated fairly well across genders. Both guilt- and shame-proneness scales showed acceptable internal consistency, adequate test-retest reliability, and significant associations with criterion measures (e.g., personality pathology, narcissism, psychopathological symptoms). Specific concerns regarding potentially weak items and implications of our findings were discussed. Overall, results mirror previous studies on shame- and guilt-proneness, and provide a validated Italian version of the PFQ-2 for the assessment of their clinical correlates in community samples.

In the frame of the interpersonal psychological theory of suicide (IPTS), Interpersonal Needs Questionnaire (INQ-15) assesses thwarted belongingness (TB) and perceived burdensomeness (PB), related to suicidal ideation (SI); Acquired Capability for Suicide Scale–Fearlessness About Death (ACSS-FAD) measures this component which contributes to lethal self-harm. The objective was to evaluate the psychometric properties of INQ-15 and ACSS-FAD in a population of Italian university students. Since the Italian INQ-15 was already validated, we translated ACSS-FAD through a multistage procedure and administered both to 1,665 Italian university students. Factor analysis confirmed a two-factor-related model of INQ-15, one factor of ACSS-FAD, and good reliability for both. We proved the association between INQ-15 and current SI and between ACSS-FAD and lifetime suicidal planning and/or suicide attempt. The convergent and discriminant validities were in line with those of previous studies. Both tools are valid and reliable to assess the constructs associated with suicide outcomes according to IPTS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Internet-based psychological interventions provide accessible care to a wide range of users, overcoming some obstacles—such as distance, costs, and safety—that might discourage seeking help for mental issues. It is well known that psychological treatments and programs affect the body, as well as the mind, producing physiological changes that ought to be considered when assessing the efficacy of the intervention. However, the literature investigating changes in biomarkers specifically after internet-based psychological and mental health interventions has not yet extensively inquired into this topic. Objective: This systematic review aims to provide a synthesis of literature examining the effects of internet-based psychological interventions—targeting both clinical (mental and physical) and nonclinical conditions—on biomarkers. A secondary aim was to evaluate whether the biomarkers' variations were related to a complementary modification of the psychological or physical symptoms or to a general improvement of the participants' well-being. Methods: This review was conducted according to the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis) statement. A literature search was performed through 3 databases (PubMed, PsycINFO, and Scopus). Studies examining changes in biomarkers before and after internet-based psychological interventions or programs targeting both clinical and nonclinical samples were included, with no exclusion criteria concerning mental or physical conditions. Results: A total of 24 studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria. These studies involved individuals with psychiatric or psychological problems (n=6, 25%), those with organic or medical diseases (n=10, 42%), and nonclinical populations (n=8, 33%). Concerning psychiatric or psychological problems, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and CBT-informed interventions showed partial effectiveness in decreasing glycated hemoglobin blood glucose level (n=1) and chemokines (n=1) and in increasing connectivity between the default-mode network and the premotor or dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (n=1). Among individuals with organic or medical diseases, studies reported a significant change in cardiac or cardiovascular (n=3), inflammatory (n=2), cortisol (n=2), glycated hemoglobin (n=2), and immune response (n=1) biomarkers after CBT and CBT-informed interventions, and mindfulness and stress management interventions. Lastly, mindfulness, CBT and CBT-informed interventions, and music therapy succeeded in modifying immune response (n=2), cortisol (n=1), α amylase (n=1), posterior cingulate cortex reactivity to smoking cues (n=1), and carbon monoxide (n=1) levels in nonclinical populations. In some of the included studies (n=5), the psychological intervention or program also produced an improvement of the mental or physical condition of the participants or of their general well-being, alongside significant variations in biomarkers; CBT and CBT-informed interventions proved effective in reducing both psychological (n=2) and physical symptoms (n=2), while a mindfulness program successfully lowered cigarette consumption in a nonclinical sample (n=1). Conclusions: Although further evidence is required, we hope to raise awareness on the potential impact of internet-based interventions on biomarkers related to mental and physical health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted adults' mental health around the world. Various studies highlighted the role of sociodemographic risk factors, including age, gender, and level of education, in increasing this impact. Although insecure attachment styles are considered a vulnerability factor for psychopathology and difficulties in coping with stressful situations, few studies have examined the role of attachment styles in relation to psychological responses to the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aims to investigate the role of attachment styles in affecting psychopathological problems and post-traumatic symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic in a sample of Italian adults (N=1548). During the first lockdown in Italy, the Attachment Style Questionnaire, the Impact of Event Scale-Revised, and Symptom Checklist 90-Revised were administered to the participants to assess attachment styles, trauma-related symptoms, and psychopathological problems. The results showed that 41% of the participants had symptoms of clinical and subclinical relevance during the pandemic. Anxious and avoidant insecure attachment styles predicted psychopathological problems and post-traumatic symptoms, whereas secure attachment style was a protective factor. Our results highlighted the significant role played by the quality of attachment styles on adult mental health during the pandemic, providing valuable elements for targeted psychological support interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Pathological Narcissism Inventory (PNI) is extensively used in recent empirical literature on pathological narcissism. However, most studies using the PNI are community-based, and no studies have used the PNI to investigate narcissistic presentations in personality disordered patients. This study investigates measurement invariance of the PNI in community participants and patients with personality disorders, and examines differences of narcissistic presentations in these samples through a multimethod approach. Results show that the PNI can be used reliably to measure and compare traits of pathological narcissism in community participants and patients with personality disorders. Personality disordered patients show higher traits reflecting vulnerable narcissism and overt manifestations of grandiose narcissism, compared with controls. Finally, network analysis indicates that traits of grandiose fantasies and entitlement rage have a central role in defining manifestations of PNI pathological narcissism, regardless of the presence of an underlying personality disorder. Research and clinical implications are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]