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An early positive mother-child relationship is a central factor in the development of a psychologically balanced personality. The study aims to identify risk and protective factors for the development of a balanced maternal-infant postnatal attachment. We explored the association between maternal-infant attachment and prenatal and postnatal variables potentially implicated in the development of this early bond: maternal-foetal prenatal attachment, social support, memories of parental care, romantic attachment, dyadic adjustment, parity, breastfeeding, planning pregnancy, woman's and infant's age, and difficulty of delivery.123 pregnant women participated in the longitudinal study; they were assessed on the MAAS, PBI, ECR-R, MSPSS (t1: pregnancy), MPAS (t2: 3-months postnatally), DAS , and CES-D (t1, t2).Four significant predictors of maternal-infant postnatal attachment (MPAS) emerged: maternal-foetal prenatal attachment (β = 0.379, p .001), anxiety in the romantic relationships (β=-0.237, p=0.019), prenatal and postnatal dyadic adjustment (t1, β=-0.323, p=0.025 ;t2, β=0.329, p=0.014) in the couple's relationship. These variables explained 20.2% of variance in mother-infant attachment (The study highlights associations of maternal-infant postnatal attachment with prenatal and postnatal relational variables and with other variables related to the woman's reproductive and pregnancy history. Clinical attention to these factors could help protect the well-being of mother and child.

A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to evaluate the quality and validity of Family Drawings (FD) with an Attachment-Based Coding System in assessing attachment representations among pre-school and school-age children. A literature search in notable databases identified 645 records, of which 20 were eligible after screening and quality assessment. Results showed: 1) ABCD attachment distribution in community children was: 48% secure, 20% avoidant, 21% ambivalent, 11% disorganized. Security prevailed both in classifications and Fury et al.' scales. 2) No significant differences according to the cultural background; 3) At-risk/clinical children showed higher insecurity than community ones using scales; 4) Girls were more secure than boys. In conclusion, FD may be a culture-fair method to assess attachment representations in children. Global scales seem more reliable than ABCD classifications for discriminating at-risk and clinical children, but further studies on these groups are needed.

The aim of the current study was to examine the factorial structure of the Manchester Child Attachment Story Task (MCAST), using a father doll to address the child’s attachment representation to father. While the MCAST, a doll story completion task measuring attachment representations in early childhood, has been validated for use with a mother doll, its use for assessing attachment to father is relatively unexplored. Thus, an additional aim was to compare the factorial structure of the child’s attachment representation to father and mother, respectively. We analyzed data from 118 first-grade children who underwent counterbalanced administration of the MCAST with a mother and father doll, respectively, within a period of three months. Exploratory factorial analysis revealed similar, three-factor solutions for attachment to father and mother, with a first factor capturing the child’s (scripted) knowledge of secure base/safe haven and a second factor reflecting intrusive and conflict behaviour. The third factor was different in the father and mother representations, capturing self-care and role-reversal in attachment to father and disorganization in attachment to mother. Findings support the potential usefulness of the MCAST for exploring the father-child relationship and highlight a need for further research on early attachment representations to father.

Based on cross-sectional research linking poor reflective functionining (RF) to eating disorders, the current follow-up study tested whether maternal RF would explain the variance of mothers' and children's weight beyond the effects of maternal emotional dysregulation. During pregnancy (Time 1 [T1]), 51 women were administered the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS) and interviewed using the Adult Attachment Interview (AAI). Seven months after delivery (Time 2 [T2]), mother-baby dyads who remained in the study (n = 44) were videotaped (Feeding Scale) during their feeding interaction. Last (Time 3 [T3]), the weight of the 34 children who were still in the study was collected at 3 years of age. Maternal AAI-RF at T1 did not correlate with the DERS at T1 nor with the quality of the feeding interacions at T2. However, it correlated, significantly, with maternal body mass index (BMI) at T1, r = -.298, P = .034, and marginally significantly with baby's BMI at T3, r = -.296, P = .089. Moreover, multiple regression models showed a trend indicating that maternal AAI-RF might explain the variance of mothers' and children's weight beyond the effects of maternal emotional dysregulation. These findings suggest that working on maternal mentalization might contribute to helping prevent childhood obesity from pregnancy.Objetivo: con base en la investigación de naturaleza transversal que conecta el pobre funcionamiento con reflexión (RF) con los trastornos de alimentación, el presente estudio de seguimiento examinó si el RF materno podría explicar la variación del peso de las madres y de los niños más allá de los efectos de la desregulación emocional materna. Método: durante el embarazo (T1), a 51 mujeres se les administró la Escala de Regulación de las Dificultades en la Emoción (DERS) y se les entrevistó usando la Entrevista de la Afectividad Adulta (AAI). Siete meses después del parto (T2), las díadas mamá-bebé que permanecían en el estudio (n = 44) fueron grabadas en video (Escala de Alimentación) durante su interacción de alimentación. Por último (T3), se determinó el peso de los 34 niños que aún estaban en el estudio a los tres años de edad. Resultados: la información materna de AAI-RF al T1 no se correlacionó con DERS al T1, ni tampoco con la calidad de las interacciones de alimentación al T2. Sin embargo, sí se correlacionó, significativamente, con BMI materno al T1 (r = −.298, p = .034), y marginalmente significativo, con el BMI del bebé al T3 (r = −.296, p = .089). Es más, los modelos de regresión múltiple mostraron una tendencia indicando que la AAI-RF materna pudiera explicar la variación del peso de las madres y de los niños más allá de los efectos de la desregulación emocional materna. Conclusiones: estos resultados sugieren que trabajar en la mentalización materna pudiera contribuir a ayudar a prevenir la obesidad en la niñez desde el embarazo.Objectif: Se basant sur des recherches transversales liant un faible fonctionnement de réflexion (RF) aux troubles du comportement alimentaire, cette étude de suivi a testé si le RF maternel pouvait ou non expliquer la variance des poids des mères et des enfants au-delà des effets de la dysrégulation émotionnelle maternelle. Méthode: Durant la grossesse (T1), 51 femmes ont reçu l'Echelle de Difficultés de Régulation de l'Emotion (en anglais Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale, soit la DERS) et ont passé un entretien utilisant l'Entretien d'Attachement Adulte (Adult Attachment Interview, AAI). Sept mois après l'accouchement (T2), les dyades mère-bébé encore dans l’étude (n = 44) ont été filmées (Echelle d'Alimentation) durant leur interaction alimentaires. Enfin (T3), le poids des 34 enfants étant encore dans l’étude a été pris à l’âge de trois ans. Résultats: Le RF-AAI maternel au T1 n’était pas en corrélation avec la DERS au T1, ni avec la qualité des interactions alimentaires au T2. Cependant, il était corrélé, et de manière importante, avec l'IMC maternel au T1 (r = −,298, p = ,034), et de manière marginalement importante, avec l'IMC du bébé au T3 (r = −,296, p = ,089). De plus plusieurs modèles de régression ont montré une tendance indiquant le le RF-AAI maternel pourrait expliquer la variance des poids des mères et des enfants au delà des effets de la dysrégulation émotionnelle maternelle. Conclusions: Ces résultats suggèrent que le fait de travailler sur la mentalisation maternelle peut contribuer à aider à prévenir l'obésité de l'enfance dès la grossesse.Der Einfluss mütterlicher Reflexionsfähigkeit auf das Gewicht von Mutter und Kind: eine Follow-Up Studie Ziel: Basierend auf Querschnittsuntersuchungen, die geringe Reflexionsfähigkeit (poor reflective functioning; RF) mit Essstörungen in Zusammenhang gebracht haben, untersuchte die vorliegende Follow-Up Studie, ob durch mütterliche RF eine Varianzaufklärung beim Gewicht von Mutter und Kind möglich ist, unabhängig von mütterlicher emotionaler Dysregulation. Methode: 51 Frauen füllten während der Schwangerschaft (T1) die Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS) aus und durchliefen das Adult Attachment Interview (AAI). Sieben Monate nach der Geburt (T2) wurden die in der Studie verbleibenden Mutter-Kind-Dyaden (n = 44) beim Füttern gefilmt (Feeding Scale). Zuletzt (T3) wurde das Gewicht der 34 in der Studie verbleibenden Kinder im Alter von drei Jahren erhoben. Ergebnisse: Die mütterliche AAI-RF zum Zeitpunkt T1 wies weder zum DERS zu T1 noch zur Qualität der Fütterungsinteraktionen zu T2 Zusammenhänge auf. Allerdings zeigte ich ein signifikanter Zusammenhang zwischen AAI-RF und dem mütterlichen BMI zu T1 (r = −.298, p = .034) und ein marginal signifikanter Zusammenhang mit dem BMI des Babys zu T3 (r = −.296, p = .089). Außerdem zeigten multiple Regressionsmodelle Trends, die darauf schließen lassen, dass mütterliche AAI-RF die Varianz im Gewicht von Mutter und Kind, jenseits der Effekte von emotionaler Dysregulation, erklären könnte. Fazit: Diese Ergebnisse legen nahe, dass die Arbeit an mütterlicher Mentalisierungsfähigkeit seit der Schwangerschaft dazu beitragen könnte, Fettleibigkeit im Kindesalter vorzubeugen.母親の内省機能が母親と子どもの体重に与える影響: フォローアップ研究 目的: 内省機能(RF)の乏しさと摂食障害を結びつけた横断研究を基にして、本研究では、その追跡調査として、母親の内省機能が、母親の感情調節不全の影響を越えて、母親と子どもの体重の変化を説き明かすかどうかを調べた。 方法: 妊娠中(T1)、51人の女性が、感情制御困難性尺度(DERS)を行い、成人愛着面接法(AAI)で面接を受けた。出産後 7 か月目に(T2)、研究に残った乳幼児親子 (n = 44) の食事中の交流を撮影した（摂食尺度）。最後に、3 歳時に(T3)、研究に残っている 34 人の子どもたちの体重を調査した。 結果: T1 時の母親の成人愛着面接−内省機能は、T1 時の感情制御困難性尺度と関連がなく、T2 時の食事中の交流の質とも関連がなかった。しかしながら、それは T1 時の母親の BMI と有意に関連があり (r = −.298, p = .034)、T3 時の幼児の BMI とも有意傾向に関連があった (r = −.296, p = .089)。その上、重回帰モデルは、母親の成人愛着面接-内省機能は、母親の感情調節不全の影響を超えて、母親と子どもの体重の変化を説き明かしている可能性を示唆する傾向を示していた。 結論: これらの調査結果は、母親のメンタライゼーションに働きかけることは、妊娠期から幼児期の肥満を防止するのに役に立つかもしれないことを示している。.母親反思功能對母親和兒童體重的影響:後續研究 目的: 根據將低反思功能 （RF） 與飲食失調聯繫起來的橫斷面研究， 本後續研究測試母親 RF 是否可以解釋母親和兒童體重的變化， 超出母體情緒失調對體重的影響。 方法: 在懷孕期間 （T1）， 51名婦女填寫情緒調節困難量表 （DERS）， 並接受成人依附訪談 （AAI）。分娩後 7 個月 （T2）， 留在研究中的母嬰二人組合 （n = 44） 在餵食期間進行了視頻錄像 （餵食量表）。最後 （T3）， 仍然參與的 34 名兒童， 研究在其 3 歲時收集體重數據。 結果: T1 母親的 AAI-RF 與 T1 DERS 無關， 也與 T2 的進食互動作用質量無關。然而， 它顯著與 T1 母親的 BMI 相關 （r = −.298， p = .034）， 並與嬰兒 T3 的 BMI 顯著相關 （r = −.296， p = .089）。此外， 多元回歸模型顯示一個趨勢， 表明母親 AAI-RF 可能解釋母親和孩子的體重， 超出母親情緒失調對體重的影響。 結論: 這些研究結果表明， 從懷孕開始， 從事母親心理化工作可能有助於預防兒童肥胖。.تأثير الأداء التأملي للأمهات على وزن الأمهات والأطفال: دراسة متابعة الهدف: استنادا إلى البحوث الشاملة التي تربط ضعف الأداء التأملي (RF) باضطرابات الأكل، اختبرت دراسة المتابعة الحالية ما إذا كان الأداء التأملي للأمهات يفسر الفرق في وزن الأمهات والأطفال بما يتجاوز آثار خلل التنظيم العاطفي الأمومي. منهج البحث: أثناء الحمل (T1)، تم إعطاء 51 امرأة مقياس الصعوبات في تنظيم العاطفة (DERS) وأجريت مقابلات باستخدام مقابلة تعلق الكبار (AAI). بعد سبعة أشهر من الولادة (T2)، تم مقابلة ثنائيات الأم والطفل الذين بقوا في الدراسة (ن = 44) وتسجيلهم بالفيديو (مقياس التغذية) أثناء تفاعلهم وقت الإطعام. وأخيراً (T3)، تم رصد وزن الأطفال الـ 34 الذين كانوا لا يزالون في الدراسة في سن الثالثة. النتائج: لم يظهر ارتباط بين الأداء التأملي للأمهات في مقابلة التعلق للكبار AAI-RF في T1 مع مقياس صعوبات تنظيم العاطفة DERS في T1، ولا مع نوعية تفاعلات التغذية في T2. ومع ذلك، فإنه يرتبط، بشكل ملحوظ، مع مؤشر كثافة الجسم الأمومي في T1 (r = -.298، p = 0.034)، وبشكل هامشي، مع مؤشر كتلة الجسم للطفل في T3 (r = -296، p = 0.089). وعلاوة على ذلك، أظهرت نماذج الانحدار المتعدد اتجاها يشير إلى أن الأداء التأملي للأمهات قد يفسر التباين في وزن الأمهات والأطفال بغض النظر عن آثار خلل التنظيم العاطفي الأمومي. الاستنتاجات: تشير هذه النتائج إلى أن التأمل الذهني الأمومي قد يسهم في المساعدة على الوقاية من السمنة في مرحلة الطفولة منذ الحمل.

Objective: The attachment theory is a useful framework for interpreting the phenomenon of intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetration. Although several studies have examined the relationship between attachment and IPV perpetration, a meta-analysis of these results has yet to be conducted. Method: After a search on five databases (PsycINFO, PsycARTICLES, MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, and PubMed) and a screening of 3,852 records recruited, 52 studies comprising 13,653 individuals met the inclusion criteria for this meta-analysis. Results: Results showed a significant effect size for both the anxiety and avoidance dimensions of attachment. However, while the effect sizes for anxiety were consistent ( r = .19–.35) for all types of violence considered, the effect size for avoidance was not significant for generic violence ( r = .07), low for physical ( r = .12) and psychological violence ( r = .14), and medium for sexual violence ( r = .20). Only a few of the examined moderators were significant. Conclusions: The findings highlight some differences in the roles of the two attachment dimensions in IPV. The results underscore the need for additional research to explore the role of other potential moderating and mediating variables in the relationship between attachment and IPV perpetration in order to better support the development of prevention and treatment interventions.

The Prenatal Attachment Inventory (PAI) is a widely used questionnaire to measure prenatal attachment. However, its internal structure is controversial. None of the previous studies have investigated the dimensions of the Italian version of the scale using both an exploratory and a confirmatory approach. There is also a need to explore extensively the external validity of the Italian PAI.We designed a study aimed at shedding further light on the dimensionality of the questionnaire and expanding the evidence of its reliability and validity.Five-hundred and thirty-five Italian expectant mothers participated in the prenatal phase; a subsample of 100 women participated in the postnatal phase of the study. The PAI was administered together with other scales measuring maternal-fetal attachment, psychological wellbeing and relational variables.The hypothesised relationships with external criteria were substantiated overall. The five dimensions described in the Italian study by Barone, Lionetti, and Dellagiulia also emerged from our factor analyses, with the exception of two items. Internal consistency was adequate for the total scale and for four of the five subscales.As the Fantasy subscale showed poor internal consistency, we advise against its use as an independent measure. However, when used as a global score, the PAI is a reliable and valid measure of prenatal attachment in Italian women. Thus, it can be used for research purposes. The use of the PAI could also be very helpful in clinical settings, in order to identify expectant mothers who have difficulty in establishing an affective bond with their unborn infants. To this end, further research should study the characteristics of the PAI on high-risk groups and clinical samples in order to obtain clinical cut-offs.

La relazione tra prostituzione minorile e variabili psicopatologiche costituisce un’area di interesse per clinici e ricercatori. In quest’articolo, vengono esaminati alcuni contributi, riportati in letteratura, relativi ai soggetti di genere femminile e maschile che, in eta adolescenziale, adottano comportamenti prostituitivi. Dai dati emerge che questi soggetti sono caratterizzati principalmente da sintomi ansiosi e depressivi, ideazione suicidaria, tossicodipendenza, nonche da storie di abuso sessuale infantile, sintomi dissociativi e disturbo post-traumatico da stress (PTSD). Questi risultati pongono l’accento sulla necessita di nuove ricerche volte a indagare specifiche caratteristiche psicopatologiche, associate alla prostituzione minorile. Viene, altresi, considerato il ruolo delle esperienze traumatiche infantili quale fattore di rischio nella messa in atto dei comportamenti prostituitivi in eta adolescenziale, nonche quello dell’attaccamento in fase adolescenziale come possibile fattore di rischio.

Objective the Maternal–Fetal Attachment Scale (MFAS), a 24-item self-report questionnaire to measure the antenatal maternal feeling towards the unborn baby, was introduced by Mecca Cranley in 1981. Despite the widespread use of the questionnaire in clinical and research contexts, issues exist about its psychometric properties. An analysis of the literature showed the need for studies aimed at reviewing the MFAS by eliminating some items and modifying and "modernising" others. This study started from these suggestions and aimed to investigate the psychometric properties of a modified 20-item Italian version of the scale. Design the original MFAS was back translated and then administered to a pilot sample of 20 pregnant women in order to identify items hard to understand, inappropriate or ambiguous. On the basis of qualitative information derived from this pilot phase, we developed a 20-item Italian version of the MFAS that was later administered to a large sample of pregnant women. Setting antenatal education classes carried out in public and private structures of Italian central and insular regions. Participants a sample of 482 women in middle and late pregnancy, attending antenatal education classes between February 2013 and October 2014. Measurements the modified MFAS was administered together with other scales measuring maternal–fetal attachment, psychological well-being, relational variables. Internal consistencies were evaluated using Cronbach׳s alpha. Nomological validity was assessed via Pearson correlations. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were used to test the factor structure. Findings the hypothesised relationships with external criteria were partially substantiated. Exploratory factor analyses suggested a three-dimensional structure. Confirmatory factor analyses provided general support for an oblique three-factor model. Internal consistency was adequate for the total scale and for two of the three subscales. Key conclusion and implications for practice the 20-item Italian version of the MFAS is a reliable measure of maternal attachment to the fetus in Italian women. Cranley׳s five dimensions were not confirmed; instead, three factors emerged that could be renamed ׳Future parental roletaking׳, ׳Present interaction with the baby׳ and ׳Giving of self and responsibility to the unborn child׳. As maternal–fetal attachment is considered a predictor of the quality of the postnatal mother–child relationship, the MFAS could be a helpful tool in pre- and perinatal research and midwifery care to develop prevention programs based on women specific needs. Moreover, the availability of this questionnaire can assist in expanding research and in facilitating trans cultural comparison in issues related to pregnancy.

This study focused on the development of the emotional tie of the expectant mother towards her unborn child and aimed to achieve structural and external validity evidence for an Italian version of the Maternal Antenatal Attachment Scale (MAAS; Br J Med Psychol 66: 167-183, 1993). The MAAS was translated into Italian and was administered to a sample of 482 Italian expectant women (age 20-43 years), together with other questionnaires measuring maternal-fetal attachment, psychological well-being, and relational variables. The hypothesised relationships with external concurrent and predictive criteria were substantiated. Internal consistencies were adequate for the total scale and for one of the two subscales. Confirmatory factor analyses provided general support for an oblique two-factor model, with minor model misfit. Therefore, an exploratory factor analysis with oblimin rotation was performed. The findings suggested that some items may represent extraneous constructs. Implications for future research regarding the functioning of the instrument are addressed.

Interpersonal competence is crucial to human life, and poor social functioning is a typical feature of various psychopathological conditions. Given the relevance of the construct, increasing attention has recently been paid to the Interpersonal Competence Questionnaire (ICQ; Buhrmester et al. 1988), a 40-item self-report measuring five domains of interpersonal competence. To provide additional data on the cross-cultural adaptability of the ICQ, we developed an Italian version and investigated its psychometric properties with two independent student samples. Respondents were mostly women (about three quarters), ranging in age from 18 to 57. Study 1 (n = 408) tested factor structure, internal consistency, and convergent validity. Study 2 (n = 59) investigated test-retest reliability. Taken together, the results of both these studies provided support for the cross-cultural applicability of the ICQ, and revealed interesting associations between interpersonal competence and constructs such as well-being, emotion dysregulation and empathy.

Questa rassegna presenta lo stato attuale delle conoscenze sui precursori della violenza infantile nel periodo perinatale. La letteratura evidenzia fattori di rischio che, se presenti nella vita della donna, si intensificano durante la gravidanza compromettendo la salute psicofisica della madre e del bambino con conseguenze a breve/medio/lungo termine. I fattori individuati sono: individuali (storia di maltrattamento, psicopatologia genitoriale, eta materna, uso di fumo/droghe/alcool); relazionali (violenza domestica, difficolta di interazione madre- neonato); contestuali (svantaggio sociale); caratteristiche del neonato (basso peso neonatale, prematurita, presenza di handicap). La ricerca necessita di approfondimenti relativi a: 1) maggiore comprensione di come i fattori individuali-relazionali-contestuali interagiscano per produrre pattern violenti di comportamento verso la prole; 2) messa a punto di strumenti per lo screening delle popolazioni a rischio nel periodo perinatale.

Although habitual use of suppression has been consistently linked to adverse consequences for overall social functioning, little is known about the implications of using this emotion regulation strategy in the context of romantic relationships. The current longitudinal study tests whether husbands’ and wives’ habitual use of suppression, as well as couple similarity in the use of this strategy, influence marital quality over the first couple of years of marriage. A total of 229 newlywed couples reported their habitual use of suppression and perceived marital quality at two time points, 5 months and 2 years after marriage. Results showed that husbands’ habitual use of suppression was the most consistent predictor of (lower) marital quality over time. Couples showed significant levels of similarity in suppression at the initial assessment, consistent with positive assortment, and this similarity was a significant predictor of higher marital quality as reported by wives regardless of overall levels of suppression use. These findings suggest that husbands’ use of suppression is more harmful for marital satisfaction than wives’ use and wives are more sensitive to their partners’ use of suppression as well as to couple similarity.

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.

This study compared an attachment-based coding system for family drawings with narrative and observational attachment measures in adopted children and those living with their natural parents (“community-based”) in Italy. Attachment patterns of 41 children (ages 5–8) were assessed by: a graphic measure, the Family Drawing (FD); a narrative measure, the Manchester Child Attachment Story Task (MCAST); and an observational measure, the Separation-Reunion Procedure (SRP). In the community sample, a significant association emerged between the FD and MCAST disorganized vs. organized classifications, and a number of expected correlations between the FD Global Scales and the MCAST Coherence and Mentalizing continuous scales were found. In the adopted group, some FD Global Scales linked with insecure and disorganized representations revealed negative correlations with the MCAST Mentalizing scale. No correlations were found between the children’s FD and SRP classifications and scales in both groups. The FD attachment-based coding system revealed a particular capacity to assess attachment representations during childhood capturing closely both insecure and disorganized patterns, both in adopted and community children. A special focus was put on the measurement of disorganization, as reflected in one drawing classified as disorganized.

Attachment’s role in children’s memories of wellbeing and distress was evaluated through the Manchester Child Attachment Story Task in 30 Italian children, aged 6 years (15 secure and 15 insecure). Their mothers’ coherence of discourse was determined using the Adult Attachment Interview. A mediation model examining whether children’s attachment mediated the relation between mothers’ ability to talk coherently about their past and children’s memories was tested. Children’s attachment was associated with their ability to describe memories of wellbeing and distress and mediated the influence of maternal coherence on the same ability. A regression model was estimated to further evaluate the association between children’s attachment and ability to describe memories. Results suggest that attachment influences how children understand and recollect emotional experiences.

The aim of the present study was to explore the dimensions of alexithymia and attachment styles in a group of disordered gamblers and to evaluate the relationship between alexithymia, attachment styles, and the severity of gambling disorder. Sixty disordered gamblers diagnosed according to the diagnostic and statistical manual-5 filled out the Kurzfragebogen zum Glucksspielverhalten, the 20-Item Toronto Alexithymia Scale, and the Experiences in Close Relationships-Revised. Approximately 70 % of the sample displayed ‘intermediate’ and ‘severe’ gambling severity levels on the Kurzfragebogen zum Glucksspielverhalten, and 77 % showed ‘high’ or ‘borderline’ levels of alexithymia on the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (mean = 56.40). Regarding attachment styles, 70 % of the sample displayed an ‘insecure’ attachment, with a particularly high prevalence of the ‘fearful’ style (26.66 %). A linear regression analysis revealed that only the anxiety dimension of the Experiences in Close Relationships questionnaire predicted the severity of gambling. Our data appear to confirm that gambling disorder is characterised by emotional and relational dysregulation, and that pathological gambling behaviours may serve as external regulators of internal undifferentiated emotional states.

Objective impaired maternal bonding is a risk factor for problems with infant well-being and development. The investigation of perinatal variables related to disorders of the mother–infant relationship as well as the administration of reliable and valid screening tools to new mothers in the postpartum can help identify early signs of a disturbed mother–child relationship. The Postpartum Bonding Questionnaire (PBQ) has been shown to be a valid screening instrument, but its dimensional structure is still controversial. An analysis of the literature demonstrated the need for research into the perinatal correlates of the quality of mother-newborn bonding as measured by the PBQ, and for information about the reliability and validity of the Italian version of the questionnaire. Aim to (a) carry out preliminary analysis of the psychometric properties of an Italian version of the PBQ and (b) explore how mother–infant disturbances are related to relevant perinatal psychological variables. Design the research design consisted of a prenatal and a postnatal phase. Setting prenatal education classes delivered in public and private institutions. Participants 123 pregnant Italian women were recruited from prenatal education classes. Measurements in the prenatal period participants completed a questionnaire measuring maternal-fetal attachment; at the postnatal assessment (3 months postpartum) participants completed the Italian PBQ together with measures of mother–infant attachment, the couple's adjustment and maternal psychological well-being. Exploratory factor analysis was used to investigate the factor structure of the PBQ. Internal consistencies were evaluated using Cronbach's alpha. Nomological validity was assessed via Pearson correlations. Findings a three-factor model provided the most meaningful representation of the PBQ data, with one factor reflecting annoyance and anger towards the infant, another reflecting detachment and rejection and the third reflecting anxiety about infant care. Internal consistencies were good. Impaired mother-infant bonding was negatively correlated with prenatal and postnatal mother–infant attachment and couple adjustment, as well as being positively correlated with maternal depressive symptoms. Key conclusions and implications for practice the Italian PBQ is a reliable, valid screening instrument and can be used for research, including transcultural comparisons in perinatal psychiatry. It can also be used clinically to detect signs of a disordered mother–child relationship. Knowledge of the variables generally associated with mother-infant bonding problems combined with data from postpartum administration of the PBQ could be used in midwifery to develop preventive programmes based on the specific needs of new mothers.

Despite evidence that individual differences in defensiveness (typically measured with social desirability scales) may affect associations among self-report measures, little is known about the impact of defensiveness in the well-established relations between self-report emotion dysregulation and interpersonal problems. In Study 1 (community sample; N = 274), we found evidence that defensiveness significantly explained a portion of the shared variance between emotion dysregulation and interpersonal problems in the externalizing domain (i.e., interpersonal ambivalence, and aggression) but not in the internalizing domain. In Study 2, we replicated and extended these findings by showing that defensiveness accounted for a positive indirect effect of emotion dysregulation on aggression in a sample of incarcerated offenders (N = 268). These findings are consistent with an increasing amount of research corroborating that defensiveness reflects meaningful variance – rather than a statistical nuisance – in relationships between self-reported ratings of emotion dysregulation, interpersonal problems and aggression. In both samples, reports of lower levels of emotion dysregulation were associated with higher levels of defensiveness. In turn, individuals with higher levels of defensiveness were more likely to report lower levels of interpersonal ambivalence and aggression. Therefore, defensiveness may play an important role in the mechanisms linking emotion dysregulation and associated negative consequences.Keywords: Emotion regulation; Defensiveness; Interpersonal ambivalence; Aggression; Offenders; Social desirability; Self-report

In this chapter the role of emotional regulatory processes in suicidality is highlighted, not only considering relationship difficulties or breakup as trigger of a sense of helplessness in vulnerable people but also considering the chance that people can use adult relationship context as a regulatory place. In particular, adult relationships are discussed as a possible trigger of risk or resilience to partners’ ability to manage negative emotions that may occur through the life span. Recently, literature suggests that people involved in romantic relationships experience lower suicide rates than single, never-married people and that divorced, separated, and widowed persons have the highest rates. Attachment theory and recent studies on emotion regulation provided a new framework for looking at adult relationships.

Abstract. A broad range of literature reported higher rates of psychopathology and personality disorders among patients affected by skin conditions. Specifically, depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideations are more frequently reported by patients affected by skin diseases. This study aimed to examine psychopathology and personality in a group of patients affected by psoriasis by means of a self-report measure (Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory – MCMI-III) and a performance-based technique (Wartegg Drawing Completion Test [WDCT], CWS). Study results showed a higher rate of passive-aggressiveness and paranoia among psoriatic patients (MCMI-III). When assessing patients through the performance-based technique (WDCT, CWS), a higher rate of global rejection (GR) – linked by previous literature to suicidal ideation – and a lower affective quality of the drawings emerged. We discuss the clinical importance of detecting psychological issues in dermatology patients by means of a multimethod assessment that goes beyond patients’ self-evaluation of their symptoms and emotions.

This qualitative study analyses the social representations of health, illness and care, considering the similarities and differences between 30 nurses from different regions. We conducted three intra-ethnic focus groups and two inter-ethnic focus groups. This study shows similarities between the nurses’ representations. All participants believed that the psychological sphere affects individual’s health, that disease is an imbalance between physical and psychological factors and that interpersonal aspects are essential for care. Differences emerged regarding many facets. Eastern European nurses placed more importance on psychological aspects, South American nurses emphasised interpersonal relationships and Italian nurses focused their attention on economic aspects and their impact on health, illness and care.

Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the reliability and validity of an Italian version of the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS; Gratz & Roemer, 2004). Method Three studies were completed. First, factorial structure, internal consistency, and concurrent validity of our Italian version of the DERS were examined with a sample of 323 students (77% female; mean age 25.6). Second, test-retest analyses were completed using a different sample of 61 students (80% female; mean age 24.7). Third, the scores produced by a small clinical sample of participants (N = 38; mean age = 24.2) affected by anorexia, binge eating disorder, or bulimia were compared to those of an age-matched, nonclinical female sample (N = 38; mean age = 24.7). Results The factorial structure replicated quite well the six-factor structure proposed by Gratz and Roemer. The internal consistency and test-retest reliability were adequate and comparable to previous findings. The validity was good, as indicated by both the concurrent validity analysis and the clinical-nonclinical sample comparison. Conclusions These studies provide further support for the multidimensional model of emotion regulation postulated by Gratz and Roemer and strengthen the rationale for cross-cultural utilization of the DERS. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Clin. Psychol. 00:1-20, 2012.

Despite the intensive use of the Inventory of Parent and Peer Attachment (IPPA), a measure of attachment which centres on individual differences in adolescents and their ability to evaluate their relationships with parents and peers, the factor structure of the inventory requires further investigation. This study of 1059 Italian adolescents compared the three models which are discussed in the literature: the one-factor model (attachment security), the two-factor model (trust–communication and alienation) and the three-factor model (trust, communication and alienation), and examined the influences of age and gender on the IPPA’s scores. Our findings provide support for the reliability of the latest and longer version of the IPPA (75-item). Factor analysis showed that the three-factor model had the best fit, although the three dimensions are strongly interrelated. Sixteen year olds had lower attachment security to their fathers than the results of the other adolescent age groups. Males reported lower alienation scores than females in the paternal form, while females had higher attachment security, trust and communication scores than males in the peers form.

I fenomeni migratori si contraddistinguono come una realtŕ estremamente attuale, densa di implicazioni che meritano di essere approfondite. In ambito sanitario, l'area relativa alle professioni di cura si caratterizza come un importante settore nel quale poter valutare e studiare gli effetti e le peculiaritŕ di una crescente multiculturalitŕ. Ed č qui che nel corso degli ultimi anni lo studio dei concetti della salute, della malattia e della cura nei campioni di utenti si č rivelato particolarmente proficuo mettendo in evidenza le possibili dissimilaritŕ di queste concezioni in seno alle varie culture. Attualmente, tuttavia, la massiccia immissione di personale, soprattutto infermieristico, proveniente da altri contesti porta gli stessi professionisti della salute a lavorare in équipe che, oltre che interdisciplinari, risultano molto spesso anche multi-culturali. In questo senso, il migrante non dovrebbe piů essere concepito solamente come utente dei servizi, ma anche come operatore e dunque come parte integrante del sistema sanitario in cui si inserisce. In risposta al rinnovato interesse verso le eventuali differenze, sia nelle modalitŕ di rappresentare la salute e la malattia, sia negli aspetti relativi al modo in cui i diversi gruppi culturali intendono il "fornire cure" č stata condotta la ricerca qualitativa alla quale questo lavoro fa riferimento.

This study focuses on the changes in perception of dyadic adjustment following childbirth and on the role of attachment (as a risk or protection factor) in the way partners adjust to this stressful event. Four attachment configurations were analyzed which emerged from the concordance or discordance between the “generalized” and the “specific” states of mind in the individual, and a longitudinal and cross-sectional study on N = 206 participants (104 “new-parents” and 102 “nonparents by choice”) was then implemented. These results showed that individuals who became parents had lower dyadic adjustment levels than nonparents (Lrtest = 395.03; p < .001). This decline in values seemed to be more pronounced for the “affectional expression” subscale (b = −3.69) and suggests that in our sample the expression of love toward a partner might be particularly subject to stress due to the arrival of a child. Considering the role played in the attachment configuration of each individual, a significant effect upon InsecureGEN/InsecureSPEC individuals was found (p = .015). This then would seem to indicate that these individuals might be more vulnerable to perceiving worse adjustment levels during the transition to first-time parenthood.

Objective This study examined the attachment patterns of late-adopted children (aged 4–7) and their adoptive mothers during the first 7- to 8-month period after adoption and aimed to evaluate the effect of adoptive mothers' attachment security on the revision of the attachment patterns of their late-adopted children. Design We assessed attachment patterns in 20 adoptive dyads and 12 genetically related dyads at two different times: T1 (time 1) within 2 months of adoption and T2 (time 2) 6 months after T1. Methods The children's behavioural attachment patterns were assessed using the Separation-Reunion Procedure and the children's representational (verbal) attachment patterns using the Manchester Child Attachment Story Task. The attachment models of the adoptive mothers were classified using the Adult Attachment Interview. Results We found that there was a significant enhancement of the late-adopted children's attachment security across the time period considered (P= 0.008). Moreover, all the late-adopted children who showed a change from insecurity to security had adoptive mothers with secure attachment models (P= 0.044). However, the matching between maternal attachment models and late-adopted children's attachment patterns (behaviours and representations) was not significant. Conclusions Our data suggest that revision of the attachment patterns in the late-adopted children is possible but gradual, and that the adoptive mothers' attachment security makes it more likely to occur.

La coppia e l’attaccamento: il ruolo del sostegno percepito all’arrivo del primo figlio - This study examines the role of social support in the couples of new-parents and assesses the influence of attachment models on it. The Adult Attachment Interview (AAI), the Current Relationship Interview (CRI), and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) were administered to a sample of 100 participants. Results indicated a perception of social support more pronounced in women, mainly on the dimension of social support derived from the partner. Furthermore, for women and not for men, an association between attachment models to the AAI ("generalized") and the different perceptions of social support was revealed. On the contrary, attachment models to the CRI ("specific") didn’t show any significant difference of social support perceived at childbirth. Key words: generalized attachment, specific attachment, perceived social support, couple, parenthood, received social support Parole chiave: attaccamento generale, attaccamento specifico, supporto sociale percepito, coppia, genitorialita, supporto sociale ricevuto.