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The relationship between adolescents' use of video games and their well-being is controversial and largely unexplored during the COVID -19 pandemic. This study examined the association between adolescent video game use and well-being during a nationwide lockdown (March-May 2020) and investigated whether this association was mediated by emotional self-efficacy and moderated by positive coping. The study involved 168 Italian adolescents aged 14-19 years (M = 16.6 years, SD = 1.6). Data were collected through an anonymous online questionnaire. Moderated mediation analysis showed that playing video games was indirectly associated with lower health complaints and higher affective well-being by mediating emotional self-efficacy. In addition, positive coping was found to moderate the relationship between video game use and emotional self-efficacy. Results indicate that both emotional self-efficacy and positive coping enabled adolescents to benefit from playing video games in terms of individual well-being during home confinement.

The study is aimed at examining the relationship between emotional and self-regulated learning self-efficacy, subjective well-being (SWB) and positive coping among adolescents and youths, during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. 485 Italian students (74% girls; mean age 19.3) filled in an online questionnaire during the lockdown period. The hypothesized model in which both the forms of self-efficacy were predictors of SWB and positive coping, and SWB partially mediated the relation between self-efficacy measures and positive coping was tested by means of Structural equation modeling. Results largely supported the hypothesized relationships and suggested paying special attention to adolescents' self-efficacy in regulating basic negative emotions, in order to promote positive coping strategies to face challenges coming from everyday life and from non-normative events., Author(s): Elena Cattelino [sup.1] , Silvia Testa [sup.1] , Emanuela Calandri [sup.2] , Angela Fedi [sup.2] , Silvia Gattino [sup.2] , Federica Graziano [sup.2] , Chiara Rollero [sup.2] , Tatiana [...]

The COVID-19 pandemic caused abrupt and profound changes to teaching and learning. The present study seeks to understand adolescents' experiences of the emergency adoption of online school learning (OSL) during the first national lockdown in Italy. Sixty-four students in their final two years of high school were interviewed and content analysis was performed. The findings describe students' views of the changes related to OSL according to structural, individual and relational dimensions. Schools' lack of organization, overwhelming demands, as well as experience of difficulties in concentration, stress and inhibited relationships with teachers and classmates were among the challenges evidenced in the transition. OSL, however, has also made it possible to experience a new flexibility and autonomy in the organization of learning. The study stresses the importance of fostering adaptation of teacher-student relationships and collaborative learning in order to improve schools' preparedness for digital transitions in and out of emergencies., Author(s): Iana Tzankova [sup.1] , Christian Compare [sup.1] , Daniela Marzana [sup.2] [sup.3] , Antonella Guarino [sup.1] , Immacolata Di Napoli [sup.4] , Alessia Rochira [sup.5] , Emanuela Calandri [sup.6] [...]

Knowledge about the role of empathy, emotional self-efficacy, and loneliness on early adolescents' depressive symptoms is scarce. The main aims of the study were to investigate the following: (a) the role of empathy and emotional self-efficacy (additive and interactive) on loneliness and depressive symptoms, taking into account gender differences and (b) the possible mediating role of loneliness in the relationship between emotional predictors and depressive symptoms. Three hundred forty-eight Italian early adolescents (48% girls; mean age, 13; SD = 0.3) completed an anonymous self-report questionnaire at two time points (1 year apart). Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to analyze data. Results indicated the following: (a) high empathy and low emotional self-efficacy were related to higher subsequent loneliness and depressive symptoms; (b) emotional self-efficacy moderated the relationship between empathy and loneliness and, only for girls, between empathy and depressive symptoms; (c) no mediation role of loneliness between emotional predictors (empathy and emotional self-efficacy) and depressive symptoms was found. Results are discussed in relation to preventive interventions targeting early adolescents.

The COVID-19 pandemic experience had a major impact on adolescents' relational lives. The abrupt change in habits led adolescents to revise their relationships with respect to family, friends, and school; they suffered greatly because of this but, at the same time, were able to discover new resources and possibilities. The present paper aims to give adolescents a voice by exploring their experiences of the change that the pandemic period brought about in their life and significant relationships as well as by examining whether quarantine and social isolation provided opportunities for personal growth and transformation. The participants were 66 adolescents (between 16 and 19 years old). A qualitative method was adopted with a semi-structured interview that investigated changes in the main relational areas. The results offer an insight into the lives of adolescents during the lockdown in Italy, allowing us to "hear their voice." The results highlight the adolescents' struggle to cope with the change, suffering from the many limitations but also experiencing increased self-awareness, reflectivity, and responsibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Romantic relationships in emerging adulthood may be associated with depression, but the role of possible mediators of this relationship remains to be explored. The present study tested a serial mediation model where intimacy and conflict in romantic relationships were predictors of depressive symptoms through the mediation of couple satisfaction and identity satisfaction. The study was conducted on a sample of 268 Italian emerging adults, 60% female (Mage = 19, ds = 1.4), all involved in a heterosexual romantic relationship. The results showed that the association between intimacy and depressive symptoms was direct and sequentially mediated through couple satisfaction and identity satisfaction. A single mediation pathway through identity satisfaction alone also emerged. The association between conflict and depressive symptoms was direct and sequentially mediated through couple satisfaction and identity satisfaction. These findings suggest the importance of helping emerging adults develop appropriate skills in managing conflict and intimacy in romantic relationships as useful resources for identity satisfaction and depression prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite widely recognised effectiveness against the spread of COVID‐19, vaccine hesitancy persists. This systematic literature review aimed to clarify the definition and the operationalisation of the term 'vaccine hesitancy' and disclose the various psychosocial factors underlying this phenomenon. The results of studies conducted in European countries and in the United States after the vaccines became available were taken into account. The review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta‐Analyses statement. Twelve studies met the inclusion criteria and were reviewed. efinitions and measures of vaccine hesitancy differed across the studies, limiting their comparison. Nonetheless, by drawing on theoretical frameworks, we were able to identify several psychosocial variables in determining vaccine hesitancy. Our findings point to the need for a transdisciplinary approach to understanding the antecedents of vaccine hesitancy. A better understanding of the phenomenon may help to develop interventions and social policies to address a complex challenge such as vaccination hesitancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractPurposeMethodResultsConclusion\nIMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONThis systematic review addressed the following topics: (1) psychometric measures used to evaluate the identity/self in MS patients; (2) impact of MS on the identity/self of patients; (3) relationships between the identity/self and the adjustment to MS.Five electronic databases were searched for all peer-reviewed empirical studies published up to April 2024 (PROSPERO CRD42023485972). Studies were eligible if they included MS patients and examined identity/self through quantitative, qualitative, or mixed-method study design. MMAT (Mixed Method Appraisal Tool) checklist was used to assess the quality of included studies. After conducting narrative synthesis (quantitative studies) and thematic synthesis (qualitative studies), an integration was undertaken following a convergent segregated approach.Forty-three studies were included (13 quantitative, 26 qualitative, and four mixed methods). Studies used measures of “self” to refer to specific domains, and of “identity” to highlight the individual’s uniqueness and continuity of experience over time. MS causes a loss of various aspects of self (physical, working, family, and social self) and identity discontinuity. Maintaining a positive self-concept and integrating MS into one’s identity are associated with better adjustment to MS.Clinicians should consider the centrality of identity redefinition for the promotion of MS patients’ adjustment to the illness.The diverse, uncontrollable, and often invisible symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS) lead to profound changes in the individual’s sense of self and identity.Psychological support interventions for MS patients based on symptom management and/or other specific aspects should be placed in a broader framework that takes into account the issue of redefining identity given its importance for the adjustment to the illness.Healthcare professionals should provide tailored psychological interventions for MS patients that promote the integration of MS into their global self-image and ensure the continuity of their personal identity.Healthcare professionals should help MS patients to redefine their family, professional, and social roles to promote the redefinition of their identity.The diverse, uncontrollable, and often invisible symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS) lead to profound changes in the individual’s sense of self and identity.Psychological support interventions for MS patients based on symptom management and/or other specific aspects should be placed in a broader framework that takes into account the issue of redefining identity given its importance for the adjustment to the illness.Healthcare professionals should provide tailored psychological interventions for MS patients that promote the integration of MS into their global self-image and ensure the continuity of their personal identity.Healthcare professionals should help MS patients to redefine their family, professional, and social roles to promote the redefinition of their identity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To qualitatively explore parents' representations of the future of their young adult children diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) and of their own future as parents. Background: MS in young adulthood represents a nonnormative transition during the life cycle with a significant impact on the whole family. Previous research examined the perspective of parents having children and adolescents with MS, but there is a lack of knowledge about parenting young adults with MS. Method: Thirteen semistructured interviews were conducted with parents of young adults (aged between 18 and 35 years) with MS, and an inductive content analysis was performed. Results: The future of young people with MS in various domains (study, work, and affective relationships) is deeply influenced by both illness and therapies. Parents' future is conditioned by the illness of their children. Family support and focusing on the present are recognized by parents as resources in coping with MS difficulties. Conclusion: The uncertainty and unpredictability of MS influence parental representations of the future and represent an additional challenge in the difficult transition to adulthood. Implications: The study gives indications for psychological interventions helping parents to cope with their children's illness and to stick to a personal future plan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aimed to describe the levels of depressive symptoms, affective well-being and identity satisfaction in a group of women recently diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS), accounting for differences in age, motherhood, and disease duration. Moreover, the role of identity satisfaction in depressive symptoms and affective well-being was evaluated, examining the moderating effect of motherhood. The study involved 74 women, aged between 19 and 57 years (Mean = 37.7 years, SD = 10.7 years). Thirty-two women (43.2%) had children, aged between 2 and 29 years. All women had relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) and mild to moderate disability. Mothers experienced greater depressive symptoms than childless women. Moreover, motherhood moderated the effect of disease duration on adjustment, with mothers reporting greater depressive symptoms, less affective well-being and less identity satisfaction than childless women as time passed since the diagnosis. Finally, greater identity satisfaction was related to less depressive symptoms and greater affective well-being, with a moderating effect of motherhood. The results outline the relevance of the process of identity redefinition for women's adjustment to MS early in the illness. Moreover, the results underscore the need to take into account the additional burden of motherhood when promoting women's adjustment to MS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The study is focused on a group-based cognitive behavioral intervention aimed at promoting the quality of life and psychological well-being of multiple sclerosis patients. The study investigates how the group intervention promoted change among participants and fostered their adjustment to the illness. Materials and methods: The intervention involved six groups of patients (a total of 41 patients) and included four consecutive sessions and a 6-month follow-up. To explore change, verbatim transcripts of the intervention sessions were analyzed using a mixed-methods content analysis with qualitative data combined with descriptive statistics. The categories of resistance and openness to change were used to describe the process of change. Results: Resistance and openness to change coexisted during the intervention. Only in the first session did resistance prevail over openness to change; thereafter, openness to change gradually increased and stabilized over time, and openness to change was then always stronger than resistance. Conclusions: The study builds on previous research on the effectiveness of group-based psychological interventions for multiple sclerosis patients and gives methodological and clinical suggestions to health care professionals working with multiple sclerosis patients. Implications for rehabilitation: The study suggests that a group-based cognitive behavioral intervention for multiple sclerosis patients focused on the promotion of identity redefinition, a sense of coherence and self-efficacy in dealing with multiple sclerosis fosters the process of change and may be effective in promoting patients’ adjustment to their illness. Health care professionals leading group-based psychological interventions for multiple sclerosis patients should be aware that resistance and openness to change coexist in the process of change. The study suggests that the duration of the intervention is a crucial factor: a minimum of three sessions appears to be necessary for group participants to develop greater openness to change and follow-up sessions should be implemented to maintain positive changes among participants. The use of qualitative instruments to evaluate group interventions captures the complexity of processes and gives useful indications to health professionals to improve rehabilitation programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aimed to describe the levels of depression, positive and negative affect, optimism and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in a group of recently diagnosed multiple sclerosis (MS) patients (up to 3 years since the diagnosis), taking into account gender, age, and disease duration differences, and to investigate the possible role of identity, sense of coherence (SOC), and self-efficacy in MS (SEMS) on patients’ depression, positive and negative affect, optimism, and HRQOL. The cross-sectional study involved 90 MS patients (61% women; age: M = 37, SD = 12) with an Expanded Disability Status Scale score between 1 and 4 (mild to moderate disability). Patients completed measures of depression (CESD-10), positive and negative affect (PANAS), optimism (LOT-R), HRQOL (SF-12), identity motives, SOC, and SEMS. Depression scores were near the cut-off level for clinically significant depressive symptoms, and negative affect was higher and HRQOL was lower than those in the general population. Women and younger patients reported better adjustment as time passes since the diagnosis. Results of multiple regressions indicated that higher SOC was related to higher mental health, lower negative affect and lower depression. Higher SEMS was predictive of greater positive affect and lower negative affect, whereas higher identity satisfaction was predictive of higher positive affect and optimism and lower depression. The results suggest the usefulness of addressing identity redefinition, SOC and self-efficacy in psychological interventions aimed at promoting patients’ adjustment to MS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]