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The Dark Triad represents a collection of three socially aversive traits, namely Machiavellianism, psychopathy, and narcissism. In this study, we examined the psychometric properties of the Italian translation of the Dark Triad Dirty Dozen (DTDD) in a sample of 799 adults, and we explored the associations among Dark Triad traits, theory of mind, empathy, and alexithymia. The DTDD showed a good internal consistency and a bifactor structure including a three-factor non-hierarchical model and a global, second-order factor with all of the DTDD items loading on it. The DTDD traits were positively associated with alexithymia and negatively associated with theory of mind and empathy. Also, results of regression analyses showed that difficulty identifying feelings and a reduced emotional reactivity were significant predictors of the Dark Triad traits. Our findings support the validity and reliability of the Italian translation of the DTDD, and suggest that individuals with high levels of Dark Triad traits may have difficulties in understanding and processing their own rather than other people's emotional states., Author(s): Adriano Schimmenti [sup.1] , Peter K. Jonason [sup.2] , Alessia Passanisi [sup.1] , Luana La Marca [sup.1] , Nunzia Di Dio [sup.1] , Alessia M. Gervasi [sup.3] Author Affiliations: [...]

The study investigates inclusivity practices and bullying management in a group of teachers. The study involved 18 volunteer teachers from upper secondary school in Italy (12 of them were women). They ranged in age from 33 to 66 years of age (M = 44.53). A semi-structured interview was adopted to explore their knowledge on inclusivity within teaching interventions or programmes, and experiences about bullying management. Data were collected using online interviews through specific platform such as Zoom, Skype, and Google Meet. The interviews were carried out between April 2020 and October 2020 in the participant's native language. Using thematic analysis, we identified themes within individuals' brief narratives. Analysis was inductive and involved line-by-line coding with codes deriving from brief narratives. Four major themes emerged: (1) Contact with the phenomenon of bullying (i.e., direct experience versus lack of experience); (2) Educational-didactic practices (i.e., lack of specific knowledge regarding educational-didactic practices versus attempted solutions); (3) Awareness of the bullying phenomenon and its effects on students; (4) Avoidance solutions of topics concerning bullying incidents (i.e., disengagement and disconfirmation responses). Theoretical and psycho-educational implications are discussed. Highlights: The study suggests some critical issues in teacher training. This study suggests how sometimes bullying is not considered by teachers in a proper way. These findings highlight how teachers should apply critical awareness to their inclusivity practices, starting with a revision of educational curricula, and appropriate training. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Maladaptive daydreaming (MD) is an extensive fantasy activity that replaces human interaction and interferes with work and interpersonal functioning. In this study, we investigated the nomological network of the MD construct and examined the psychometric properties of the Maladaptive Daydreaming Scale (MDS–16) in an Italian sample. The MDS–16 is a self-report measure composed of 16 items designed to assess MD. Participants in this study were 468 individuals (333 volunteers, 56.8% female; 135 self-diagnosed maladaptive daydreamers, 78.5% female) between 18 and 56 years of age. MDS–16 scores showed good internal reliability. An exploratory factor analysis suggested a 2-factor solution (interference with life and sensory-motor retreat); this solution was consistent with theory, and all items loaded in the expected direction. MDS–16 scores were associated with global psychopathology, traumatic experiences, maladaptive personality features, alexithymia, dissociation, shame feelings, and anxious attachment styles. Furthermore, MDS–16 scores showed satisfactory incremental validity, and a receiver operating characteristic curve analysis suggested that a cutoff value of 51 best discriminates between cases and noncases of self-diagnosed MD. Results suggest that the scale is a suitable measure for assessing MD in Italian samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine-metabolic disorder. It affects women's physical well-being and leads to great psychological distress. Indeed, women with PCOS show a compromised quality of life as well as impaired emotional well-being. The aim of this study is to assess personality characteristics, body image and alexithymia in women with PCOS. Materials and methods: A total of 59 women with PCOS and 38 healthy controls were administered the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS), the Body Uneasiness Test (BUT) and the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2). Results: The PCOS group showed higher values of alexithymia and a higher body uneasiness. They also showed higher values on many clinical, content and supplementary scales of the MMPI-2. Discussion: It seems that physical appearance and bodily function have a central place in the minds of women with PCOS, as well as in their relationships. However, it is a body they find it hard to feel and with which they mostly feel uncomfortable. Their approach to the outside world seems to be characterized by a certain degree of immaturity, anger, hostility and distrust. Low self-esteem also seems to be connected to a certain tendency toward introversion and withdrawal. This leads to problems in social, professional and intimate relationships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study aims to examine the relationship between maladaptive personality traits and Internet addiction symptoms among young adults. Even though the linkage between personality traits and problematic Internet use has already been investigated in several studies, the need exists to explore how dysfunctional variants of personality traits, as conceived in the alternative DSM-5 model for personality disorders, are linked to the misuse of the Internet in young adults. Method: Three hundred forty-nine university students aged between 18 and 25 years old completed measures on Internet use, Internet addiction symptoms, and maladaptive personality traits. Results: Internet addiction scores were associated with all of the DSM-5 domains of maladaptive personality traits. A hierarchical multiple regression analysis showed that negative affectivity, disinhibition, and psychoticism predicted Internet addiction symptoms. Conclusions: The findings of this study suggest that clinical interventions aimed at fostering affect regulation and at integrating disorganized mental states may be helpful for young adults who display problematic Internet use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Emotional neglect has been recently recognized in clinical and empirical literature as a crucial risk factor for the development of mental disorders. In fact, even when other forms of child maltreatment do not occur, parenting behaviors such as neglect to the emotional needs of the child, role reversal, rejection, discrimination, threats, extreme criticism, and belittlement do not provide the child with a protective and caring environment that ensures the harmonious development of personality. This has important implications in clinical practice, since the mental states related to the experiences of child emotional neglect, when not elaborated, symbolized and integrated, can generate inexhaustible sources of psychic pain that are encysted in personality and psychological functioning of the patient, damaging the way he or she relates with external reality and the inner world. In this paper, the role of emotional neglect in the development of personality is explored through the analysis of an Adult Attachment Interview protocol. This case can help describe how emotional neglect alone could represent a pathogenic core in the patient's personality, which constantly threatens self-esteem and sense of self-worth hindering the development of mentalization and affect regulation abilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]