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The present study was designed to test an emotion regulation framework to understand individual differences in personality disorder (PD) traits in a non-clinical sample. Specifically, we tested whether: selected dimensions of emotion dysregulation were differentially related to PD traits; and whether emotion dysregulation and impulsivity had independent associations with PD traits. A community sample of 399 individuals (mean age = 37.91; 56.6% males) completed self-report measures of PDs, emotion dysregulation and impulsivity. Emotion dysregulation facets and impulsivity had uniform bivariate associations with PD traits, but also evidenced unique associations in multiple regression analyses. Nonacceptance of emotional responses was the emotion dysregulation dimension underlying a wide array of PD. A limited repertoire of effective emotion regulation strategies was characteristic of cluster C PD, whereas emotional unawareness distinctly predicted schizoid PD. Antisocial PD traits were uniquely related to difficulties controlling impulsive behavior when upset. Finally, histrionic, narcissistic, and obsessive-compulsive PD were related to better self-reported emotion regulation. Impulsivity further explained a significant amount of variance in schizotypal, antisocial, borderline (positively), and obsessive-compulsive PD traits (negatively). If replicated in clinical samples, our findings will support the usefulness of targeting both emotional dysregulation and impulsivity in PDs psychotherapy.

Recognition of pain in older persons with dementia is a considerable challenge to quality pain care for this vulnerable population. Without recognition, pain cannot be thoroughly evaluated and effectively treated. Observing for pain-related behaviors is the most researched means of identifying the presence or likelihood of pain in persons with moderate to severe dementia, or those who are unable to self-report their pain. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the state of observation of pain, primarily focusing on pain behavior tool development, providing an overview of current pain tools and discussing the challenges at this stage of the science, including the issue of assessing pain intensity. We also recommend a number of areas to prioritize future research with the goal to advance effective pain assessment in older persons with dementia. Central to these recommendations is the refinement of existing tools to incorporate those behaviors most predictive of pain in persons with dementia as the science progresses in this area. The future of pain observation in dementia is poised for considerable advancement through these refinements of tools and techniques. Improving our ability to detect and evaluate pain in the vulnerable population unable to self-report their pain, through the results of these suggested research priorities, will likely assist in addressing the related suffering that results from unrecognized and untreated pain.

Introduction The Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS-9) and the Parkinson Fatigue Scale (PFS-16) are commonly used for assessing fatigue in Parkinson's disease (PD). Here we validated the Italian version of these scales, assessed their psychometric properties by Rasch analysis, and computed their optimal cut-off scores using clinical diagnosis of PD-related fatigue as the gold standard. Methods PD patients (n = 167) completed the Italian versions of FSS-9 and PFS-16. Each item of PFS-16 was scored both on a 5-point (PFS-16polytomous) and on a 2-point scale (PFS-16dichotomous). Results All scales showed an adequate overall Rasch model fit, high reliability, and good discriminant, convergent, and concurrent validity, but were less accurate in measuring very high and very low fatigue levels. No evidence of differential item functioning with respect to age, sex, and severity of parkinsonian symptoms was found. Some items of FSS-9 (item 1), PFS-16polytomous (items 1 and 13), and PFS-16dichotomous (items 1, 8, and 13) showed misfit, possibly due to their content concerning sleep and motivation disorders. When FSS-9 and PFS-16polytomous’ responses were rescored on a 3-point scale, the discriminability across response categories improved. The optimal cut-off score in detecting clinically-diagnosed fatigue (observed in 20% of the sample) was 3.09 for PFS-16polytomous, 8.00 for PFS-16dichotomous, and 4.67 for FSS-9. Conclusions The Italian version of PFS-16 and FSS-9 showed sound psychometric properties and can be confidently used to quantify fatigue symptoms in PD, although clinical diagnosis of fatigue should rely on validated criteria. The PFS-16polytomous exhibited advantages with respect to PFS-16dichotomous.

Cognitive Function Instrument (CFI) is a questionnaire aimed at detecting very early changes in cognitive and functional abilities and useful for monitoring cognitive decline in individuals without clinical impairment. The Italian version has been recently validated. The aim of the present study was to investigate the utility of the Italian version of CFI in tracking early cognitive changes in a cohort of healthy elderly subjects. A consecutive series of 257 cognitively healthy and functionally independent subjects, recruited either among relatives of patients attending our Memory Clinic or as volunteers after advertisement, underwent a baseline neuropsychological assessment. Of them, 157 subjects performed a 1-year follow-up assessment. All subjects completed the CFI, a short questionnaire composed of 14 items administered to both the subject and the referent (study-partner). Cognitive performance was assessed by Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS). At 1-year follow-up, Cronbach’s α was 0.79 (95% CI, 0.74–0.84) in self-report and 0.83 (95% CI, 0.79–0.87) for partner-report. CFI self-report correlated with MMSE (rS = − 0.22, p = 0.006) and RBANS (rS = − 0.23, p = 0.004). CFI partner-report showed negative correlation with MMSE (rS = − 0.17, p = 0.037) and RBANS (rS = − 0.20, p = 0.014). CFI 1-year follow-up score correlated with baseline both in self-report (rS = 0.56, p

© 2018 by the authors. The aim of this study is to validate the Italian version of the Valencia Eustress-Distress Appraisal Scale (VEDAS). Two hundred and thirty-two Italian workers were involved in the study. Dimensionality, reliability, and concurrent validity were analyzed. Confirmatory factor analysis supported a four-dimensional structure. In addition, the Italian version of the scale showed good internal consistency and validity. The results indicate that the Italian version of the VEDAS is a valid instrument for measuring eustress and distress appraisal in the Italian context. ispartof: SUSTAINABILITY vol:10 issue:11 status: published

The link between autonomic stress reactivity and subjective urge/craving has been less systematically examined in behavioral addictions (i.e. problematic Internet use) than in substance use disorders. The present study investigated whether problematic Internet users (PU) show enhanced autonomic stress reactivity than non-PU, indexed by lower Heart Rate Variability (HRV) and higher Skin Conductance Level (SCL) reactivity during the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST), whether greater reactivity is related to stronger Internet craving, and whether problematic Internet usage is associated with some dysfunctional psychological features. Based on their Internet Addiction Test scores, participants were divided into PU (N = 24) and non-PU (N = 21). Their heart rate and skin conductance were continuously recorded during baseline, social stressors, and recovery. Craving for Internet usage were collected using a Likert scale before and after the TSST. The SDNN, an overall measure of HRV, was significantly lower in PU than non-PU during baseline, but not during and after stressful task. Furthermore, only among PU a significant negative correlation emerged between SDNN during recovery and craving ratings after the test. No group differences emerged for SCL. Lastly, PU endorsed more mood, obsessive-compulsive, and alcohol-related problems. Our findings suggest that problems in controlling one’s use of the Internet may be related to reduced autonomic balance at rest. Moreover, our results provide new insights into the characterization of craving in PIU, indicating the existence of a relationship between craving for Internet usage and reduced autonomic flexibility.

Objective: Prior research has long emphasized the role of alexithymia and impulsivity to explain aggressive tendencies. Recently, a growing body of research seems to support the relevance of the broader construct of emotion dysregulation to understand aggression. The present study was the first to comprehensively examine the relative contribution of, and the mechanisms linking alexithymia, impulsivity, and emotion dysregulation in predicting aggression dimensions. Method: Male violent offenders (N = 221) and community participants (N = 245) completed multifaceted self-report measures of alexithymia, impulsivity, emotion dysregulation, and aggression. Regression analyses tested the independent contribution of each facet on aggression dimensions. Bootstrap analyses examined the indirect effect of alexithymia on aggression through emotion dysregulation and impulsivity. Results: Offenders reported higher levels of difficulties identifying feelings, emotional nonacceptance, physical aggression, and hostility. Difficulties in identifying and describing feelings, and motor and attentional impulsivity, explained unique variance in physical aggression, anger, and hostility in both samples, and also in verbal aggression among community participants. In both samples, negative urgency and emotional nonacceptance explained additional variance in aggression dimensions above and beyond the influence of alexithymia and impulsivity. Emotion dysregulation and impulsivity mediated the relation between alexithymia and aggression in both samples, with emotion dysregulation demonstrating a relatively stronger effect. Conclusions: Findings emphasize the unique relevance of alexithymia, impulsivity, and emotion dysregulation facets in explaining aggressive tendencies. Clinical implications include the importance of focusing on emotion regulation skills-such as accepting emotions and do not act on them-to reduce aggression tendencies.

In 2 studies, we assessed the construct validity of the Italian version of the Mayer-Salovey-Caruso Emotional Intelligence Test (MSCEIT) version 2.0. In Study 1, we administered the MSCEIT together with measures of crystallized and fluid intelligence, personality, and affect. In Study 2, we administered the MSCEIT together with indexes of dispositional coping, emotion regulation strategies, alexithymia, state-trait anxiety, depression, and depressive rumination. We evaluated the factorial structure of the MSCEIT with a confirmatory factor analysis model using data combined from Study 1 and 2. The results confirm that the MSCEIT Italian version satisfactorily discriminates emotional intelligence ability from crystallized and fluid intelligence, personality, and affect, and exhibits significant correlations with various psychological well-being criteria. Furthermore, data from both studies confirm that the factorial structure of MSCEIT is consistent with the theory on which it is based, although it was difficult to rule out alternative structures.

Recognition of pain in older persons with dementia is a considerable challenge to quality pain care for this vulnerable population. Without recognition, pain cannot be thoroughly evaluated and effectively treated. Observing for pain-related behaviors is the most researched means of identifying the presence or likelihood of pain in persons with moderate to severe dementia, or those who are unable to self-report their pain. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the state of observation of pain, primarily focusing on pain behavior tool development, providing an overview of current pain tools and discussing the challenges at this stage of the science, including the issue of assessing pain intensity. We also recommend a number of areas to prioritize future research with the goal to advance effective pain assessment in older persons with dementia. Central to these recommendations is the refinement of existing tools to incorporate those behaviors most predictive of pain in persons with dementia as the science progresses in this area. The future of pain observation in dementia is poised for considerable advancement through these refinements of tools and techniques. Improving our ability to detect and evaluate pain in the vulnerable population unable to self-report their pain, through the results of these suggested research priorities, will likely assist in addressing the related suffering that results from unrecognized and untreated pain.

It is well known that obesity has a multifactorial etiology, including biological, environmental, and psychological causes. For this reason, obesity treatment requires a more integrated approach than the standard behavioral treatment based on dietary and physical activity only. To test the long-term efficacy of an enhanced cognitive–behavioral therapy (CBT) of obesity, including a virtual reality (VR) module aimed at both unlocking the negative memory of the body and to modify its behavioral and emotional correlates, 163 female morbidly obese inpatients (body mass index >40) were randomly assigned to three conditions: a standard behavioral inpatient program (SBP), SBP plus standard CBT, and SBP plus VR-enhanced CBT. Patients' weight, eating behavior, and body dissatisfaction were measured at the start and upon completion of the inpatient program. Weight was assessed also at 1 year follow-up. All measures improved significantly at discharge from the inpatient program, and no significant difference was found among the conditions. However, odds ratios showed that patients in the VR condition had a greater probability of maintaining or improving weight loss at 1 year follow-up than SBP patients had (48% vs. 11%, p = 0.004) and, to a lesser extent, than CBT patients had (48% vs. 29%, p = 0.08). Indeed, only the VR-enhanced CBT was effective in further improving weight loss at 1 year follow-up. On the contrary, participants who received only the inpatient program regained back, on average, most of the weight they had lost. Findings support the hypothesis that a VR module addressing the locked negative memory of the body may enhance the long-term efficacy of standard CBT.

Migraine is associated with functional impairment. The migraine disability assessment (MIDAS) questionnaire is a scientific instrument which captures headache-related disability. The Italian version of MIDAS was developed through a multistep standardized methodology. Studies on Italian clinical samples confirmed that migraine patients are disabled in all activity domains. Migraine exhibits a peculiar disability pattern: non-work activities are more affected than work activities; among patients in paid work, most continue working with a headache attack. We also found that MIDAS disability grades correlate with health-related quality of life scores at the SF-36 survey, namely with the extent to which physical health, emotional state and pain interfere with functioning in different roles. We conclude that MIDAS (also in its Italian version) is a reliable and useful instrument for assessing the impact of migraine on patients' daily activities, and that it can used not only in clinical practice but also in clinical research.

The migraine disability assessment questionnaire (MIDAS) is a recently developed, validated questionnaire for assessing the impact of migraine on individual patients. We carried out a pilot study to assess the stability and reliability of a preliminary Italian version of MIDAS, based on the original 6-item version. One hundred four patients with migraine without aura completed the MIDAS form during a session with a neurologist and again 21 days later. Eighhty-six patients (83%) returned the second form. Pearson's (r = 0.8) and Spearman's (r = 0.7) tests showed a good test-retest reliability for the scores obtained at first and second compilations. In the majority of patients, the disability grade was stable after 21 days (Wilcoxon signed rank test p > 0.05). Our preliminary adaptation of the MIDAS questionnaire is satisfactorily stable and highly reliable, preparing the way for definitive Italian version.

Our research explored the factor structure and the reliability of the Italian version of the Emotion Regulation Checklist [ERC; Shields, A.,& Cicchetti, D. (1997). Emotion regulation among school-age children: The development and validation of a new criterion Q-sort scale. Developmental Psychology, 33, 906-916], an instrument that has been widely adopted in studies using parents and/or teachers as informants. We carried out two studies evaluating the properties of the Italian ERC (ERC-I) when completed by parents and teachers, respectively. Study 1 participants were kindergarten and elementary school children for whom the ERC was completed by their mothers. Study 2 involved kindergarten and elementary school children for whom the ERC was completed by their teachers. The work confirms the two-factor structure of the instrument, supporting structure validity and the reliability of ERC.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the factors associated with continence recovery 1 month after radical prostatectomy (RP) and to identify the correlation between these factors. METHODS: In total, 2408 men treated with RP for prostate cancer (PCa) were enrolled in the present multicenter prospective study. Clinical (age, body mass index) and urological (catheterization or transurethral resection of the prostate) records, quality of life (QOL) scores determined using various instruments (including the International Index of Erectile Function [IIEF] and University of California Los Angeles, Prostate Cancer Index [UCLA-PCI]), PCa characteristics (clinical stage [cT], prostate-specific antigen, biopsy Gleason score), surgical features (surgical approach, nerve and bladder neck sparing, catheterization), and pathologic outcomes (pT, pN+, Gleason score, positive surgical margins) were recorded. Continence status prior to surgery and at 1 month after RP was assessed and classified as followed: (i) full continence; (ii) 0-1 pads/day; or (iii) >1 pad/day. Only patients determined to have full continence prior to surgery were included in the analysis. Data were evaluated using Spearman's correlation analysis and multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: Data from 1972 patients with full continence preoperatively and complete postoperative data were analyzed. At 1 month after RP, 644 patients (32.7%) were fully continent, 810 (41.1%) were using 0-1 pads/day, and 518 (26.3%) were using >1 pad/day. Univariate analysis indicated that clinical and urological data, QOL, PCa characteristics, surgical features, and pathologic outcomes were determinants for continence recovery. Multivariate analysis indicated that preoperative sexual activity (UCLA-PCI Sexual Function P = 0.005; IIEF P = 0.040), bladder neck sparing (P = 0.003), catheterization time (P = 0.007), and catheter diameter (P = 0.046) were associated with 1 month continence recovery. CONCLUSIONS: Age and nerve sparing are not significant predictors of continence recovery 1 month after RP. Preoperative erectile function can predict post-prostatectomy incontinence. Bladder neck preservation has a significant effect on early continence recovery after RP.

Background: Although procrastination is an important and widespread phenomenon (Ferrari et al., 1995), there are few scales which measure the construct. This study describes a psychometric assessment of the Italian version General Procrastination Scale (GPS) developed by Lay (1986). Methods: The Italian version of the GPS was administered to 454 adult individuals. Results: The exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses provide evidence that the Italian version of the GPS is not unidimensional scales. More models were tested; the best model had two factors (Tendency to postpone tasks and Getting tasks done on time) and used 13 item. The mean composite scores for two factors did not differ by gender. Conclusions: The results show that a model with two factor had good psychometric proprieties. However further research is necessary for the GPS Italian validation.

Lo scopo del presente lavoro è di proporre una versione italiana di un questionario per la valutazione della tipologia circadiana in adolescenza. In base ai risultati emersi in una precedente ricerca si è deciso di replicare i dati ottenuti con il MEQ-A e di valutare le possibili alternative di due nuovi strumenti: la versione ridotta del MEQ-A e la DTS-A. Hanno partecipato alla ricerca 3018 ragazzi di età compresa tra gli 11 e i 16 ani. 1393 ragazzi hanno compilato il MEQ-A, 876 il MEQr-A e 749 la DTS-A. Nel complesso i risultati hanno confermato come strumento più idoneo a misurare la tipologia circadiana in adolescenza il MEQ-A. Sarebbe auspicabile in un prossimo futuro una validazione con criteri esterni.

none 4 Lo scopo del presente lavoro è di proporre una versione italiana di un questionario per la valutazione della tipologia circadiana in adolescenza. In base ai risultati emersi in una precedente ricerca si è deciso di replicare i dati ottenuti con il MEQ-A e di valutare le possibili alternative di due nuovi strumenti: la versione ridotta del MEQ-A e la DTS-A. Hanno partecipato alla ricerca 3018 ragazzi di età compresa tra gli 11 e i 16 ani. 1393 ragazzi hanno compilato il MEQ-A, 876 il MEQr-A e 749 la DTS-A. Nel complesso i risultati hanno confermato come strumento più idoneo a misurare la tipologia circadiana in adolescenza il MEQ-A. Sarebbe auspicabile in un prossimo futuro una validazione con criteri esterni. none Tonetti l.; Fabbri Marco; Martoni M.; Natale V. Tonetti l.; Fabbri Marco; Martoni M.; Natale V.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of the present study was to produce an Italian version of the Revised Leeds Disability Questionnaire (LDQ) in a group of patients with ankylosing spondylitis, and to examine the psychometric properties of this version, evaluating its internal consistency, external validity and reliability. METHODS The LDQ was administered to 60 Caucasian patients affected by ankylosing spondylitis (50 males, 10 females, mean age 46.1 +/- 14.2 yr, range 22-74, median disease duration 4.5 yr, range 1-24) together with the Italian version of the Stanford Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ), and anthropometric measurements. Thirty patients completed the questionnaire after a 10-day interval. Internal consistency was evaluated with Cronbach's alpha coefficient of reliability. Construct validity of the LDQ was evaluated using the correlation between the HAQ and anthropometric measurements. Test-retest reliability was assessed with the intraclass correlation coefficient. RESULTS All patients completed the validation study. The questionnaire was internally consistent (alpha=0.90). A significant correlation was recorded between the LDQ and the HAQ score (rho=0.841, P

Objective: To validate a translated Italian version of the Fibrofatigue Scale (FFS). Methods: The Italian version of FFS was administered to 60 patients affected by fibromyalgia (FM) (57 patients were interviewed again 10 days later) together with the Italian version of the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ), the Stanford Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) and the Medical Outcome Survey Short Form-36 (SF-36). All patients were asked about the severity of pain today (10-cm visual analogue scale) and the duration of symptoms. Test–retest reliability was assessed using Spearman correlations. Internal consistency was evaluated with Cronbach's α of reliability. Construct validity of the FFS was evaluated by correlations among the FFS, the FIQ and the subscales of the SF-36. Results: Mean duration of symptoms was 7.6 years, and mean age of participants was 56.3 years. Test–retest reliability was between 0.70 and 0.95 for the single items as well as for the total FFS and other components. Internal consistency was 0.90 for the overall FFS. Significant correlations were obtained between the FFS items and the SF-36. Conclusions: The Italian FFS is a reliable and valid instrument for detecting and measuring functional disability and symptoms severity in Italian patients with FM.

The purpose of the present study was to produce an Italian version of the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) in a group of patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) and examine the psychometric properties of this version, evaluating its internal consistency, external validity and reliability. Responsiveness and feasibility were also taken into account.The Italian COPM, the Italian version of the COPM, was administered to 30 Caucasian patients affected by AS (24 males, 6 females, median age 48 yrs, range 32-67, median disease duration 14 yrs, range 1-30 yrs) together with the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI), the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity (BASDAI) and the Italian version of the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ). Internal consistency was evaluated with Cronbach's alpha for reliability. Construct validity of the COPM was evaluated by a correlation between the BASFI, BASDAI and HAQ scores. Test-retest reliability was assessed by the Intraclass correlation coefficient. Responsiveness and feasibility were also considered.All patients completed the validation study. The questionnaire was internally consistent (alpha coefficient=0.774). A significant correlation was recorded between the COPM and the BASFI (rho=-0.566, p0.01), BASDAI (rho=-0.491, p0.01). Test-retest reliability showed a good correlation coefficient and it was confirmed by Bland-Altman method.The Italian COPM is a valid and reliable instrument focused to detect change in a client's perception of occupational performance over time, in AS patients. Our results confirm the utility of this questionnaire to measure outcome and in planning treatment intervention for patients with AS.

Recent aggressive chemotherapeutic and combined treatments have resulted in increased survivorship for advanced stage breast cancer. In some patients, treatment produces an actual abatement of their cancer, while in others treatment mitigates the progression of cancer bringing those patients into palliative care where their chronic disease requires continuous management. There is also evidence that the majority of palliative-care cancer patients have a deteriorating quality of life that only precipitously declines in the final few weeks of life. The new paradigm of patient-centered care for palliative patients is resulting in a new model of treatment in which the self-efficacy seems to play an important role. The present study represents an extension of the role of self-efficacy for coping to palliative care. Using a stress-coping model, the primary aim of this study was to evaluate a process model, in which self-efficacy for coping with cancer is a moderator between stress and the quality of life in a sample of breast cancer patients in palliative care. The secondary aim was to validate a specific domain coping self-efficacy scale, the Cancer Behavior Inventory. The current study confirmed the role of self-efficacy for coping with cancer as moderator of the relationship between stress and quality of life of a sample of breast cancer patients in palliative care. In addition, this study confirmed the structure, reliability and validity of the scale.