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Caroppo E, Sapienza M, Mazza M, Sannella A, Cecchi R, Marano G, Kondo T, Calabrese C, De Lellis P. Unveiling the Dark Nexus: A systematic review on the interplay of mental health, substance abuse, and socio-cultural factors in femicide. Leg Med (Tokyo) 2024; 67:102334. [PMID: 37838582 DOI: 10.1016/j.legalmed.2023.102334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Revised: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/16/2023]
Abstract
A shared definition of femicide would help to distinguish it from the murder of a woman and understand its root causes favoring prevention. We conducted a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) to assess how (and if) femicide cases were related to mental disorders. Articles papers that explicitly define or discuss femicides or articles that, albeit not expressly mention femicides, thoroughly compare generic homicides and homicides with female victims. We analyse 3546 articles were retrieved from the databases, and 75 studies fulfilled the eligibility criteria and were included in the SLR. Many forms of femicide emerge worldwide as people's values, beliefs, attitudes, and behaviours evolve (intimate partner femicide, femicide-suicide, religious femicide, honour, revolt femicide) and state of vulnerability. A tiny percentage of femicides occur at the hands of subjects with diagnosed mental disorders, and controversies exist regarding the possible link between femicide and the use of drugs and/or alcohol and other factors. The complex problem of violence against women must be addressed with a transdisciplinary approach and targeted interventions for both the victims and the perpetrators. The present SLR shows that it is not possible to link femicides to mental disorders and that socio and cultural factors appear to be more relevant. Further quantitative research is warranted to disentangle the root causes of this heinous phenomenon plaguing our times. Our studies show that using the proposed definition of feminicide would help to delimit and adequately recognise violence in courtrooms, promote the culture of equality, and identify adequate policy strategies for prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emanuele Caroppo
- Department of Mental Health, Local Health Authority, Roma 2, Rome, Italy
| | - Martina Sapienza
- Department of Life Sciences and Public Health, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Marianna Mazza
- Institute of Psychiatry and Psychology, Department of Neurosciences, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy.
| | | | - Rossana Cecchi
- Institute of Legal Medicine, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Marano
- Institute of Psychiatry and Psychology, Department of Neurosciences, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Toshikazu Kondo
- Institute of Legal Medicine, Wakayama Medical University School of Medicine Graduate School of Medicine, Japan
| | - Carmela Calabrese
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Pietro De Lellis
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
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Marano G, Traversi G, Gaetani E, Gasbarrini A, Mazza M. Gut microbiota in women: The secret of psychological and physical well-being. World J Gastroenterol 2023; 29:5945-5952. [PMID: 38131001 PMCID: PMC10731147 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v29.i45.5945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2023] [Revised: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The gut microbiota works in unison with the host, promoting its health. In particular, it has been shown to exert protective, metabolic and structural functions. Recent evidence has revealed the influence of the gut microbiota on other organs such as the central nervous system, cardiovascular and the endocrine-metabolic systems and the digestive system. The study of the gut microbiota is outlining new and broader frontiers every day and holds enormous innovation potential for the medical and pharmaceutical fields. Prevention and treatment of specific women's diseases involves the need to deepen the function of the gut as a junction organ where certain positive bacteria can be very beneficial to health. The gut microbiota is unique and dynamic at the same time, subject to external factors that can change it, and is capable of modulating itself at different stages of a woman's life, playing an important role that arises from the intertwining of biological mechanisms between the microbiota and the female genital system. The gut microbiota could play a key role in personalized medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Marano
- Department of Neurosciences, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome 00168, Italy
- Unit of Psychiatry, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome 00168, Italy
| | - Gianandrea Traversi
- Unit of Medical Genetics, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Fatebenefratelli Isola Tiberina-Gemelli Isola, Rome 00186, Italy
| | - Eleonora Gaetani
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome 00168, Italy
- Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome 00168, Italy
| | - Antonio Gasbarrini
- Medicina Interna e Gastroenterologia, CEMAD Digestive Disease Center, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A Gemelli IRCCS, Rome 00168, Italy
| | - Marianna Mazza
- Department of Neurosciences, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome 00168, Italy
- Unit of Psychiatry, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome 00168, Italy
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Monti L, Marconi E, Bocci MG, Kotzalidis GD, Mazza M, Galliani C, Tranquilli S, Vento G, Conti G, Sani G, Antonelli M, Chieffo DPR. COVID-19 pandemic in the intensive care unit: Psychological implications and interventions, a systematic review. World J Psychiatry 2023; 13:191-217. [PMID: 37123099 PMCID: PMC10130962 DOI: 10.5498/wjp.v13.i4.191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2022] [Revised: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 04/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic produced changes in intensive care units (ICUs) in patient care and health organizations. The pandemic event increased patients’ risk of developing psychological symptoms during and after hospitalisation. These consequences also affected those family members who could not access the hospital. In addition, the initial lack of knowledge about the virus and its management, the climate of fear and uncertainty, the increased workload and the risk of becoming infected and being contagious, had a strong impact on healthcare staff and organizations. This highlighted the importance of interventions aimed at providing psychological support to ICUs, involving patients, their relatives, and the staff; this might involve the reorganisation of the daily routine and rearrangement of ICU staff duties.
AIM To conduct a systematic review of psychological issues in ICUs during the COVID-19 pandemic involving patients, their relatives, and ICU staff.
METHODS We investigated the PubMed and the ClinicalTrials.gov databases and found 65 eligible articles, upon which we commented.
RESULTS Our results point to increased perceived stress and psychological distress in staff, patients and their relatives and increased worry for being infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 in patients and relatives. Furthermore, promising results were obtained for some psychological programmes aiming at improving psychological measures in all ICU categories.
CONCLUSION As the pandemic limited direct inter-individual interactions, the role of interventions using digital tools and virtual reality is becoming increasingly important. All considered, our results indicate an essential role for psychologists in ICUs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Monti
- UOS Psicologia Clinica, Governo Clinico, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome 00168, Italy
| | - Elisa Marconi
- UOS Psicologia Clinica, Governo Clinico, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome 00168, Italy
| | - Maria Grazia Bocci
- UOC Anestesia, Rianimazione, Terapia Intensiva e Tossicologia Clinica, Dipartimento di Scienze Dell’Emergenza, Anestesiologiche e Della Rianimazione, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome 00168, Italy
| | - Georgios Demetrios Kotzalidis
- UOC Psichiatria Clinica e d’Urgenza, Dipartimento di Scienze Dell’Invecchiamento, Neurologiche, Ortopediche e Della Testa-collo, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome 00168, Italy
- NESMOS Department, Facoltà di Medicina e Psicologia, Sant’Andrea University Hospital, Rome 00189, Italy
| | - Marianna Mazza
- UOC Psichiatria Clinica e d’Urgenza, Dipartimento di Scienze Dell’Invecchiamento, Neurologiche, Ortopediche e Della Testa-collo, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome 00168, Italy
- Department of Psychiatry, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome 00168, Italy
| | - Carolina Galliani
- Department of Psychology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome 00168, Italy
| | - Sara Tranquilli
- Department of Psychology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome 00168, Italy
| | - Giovanni Vento
- UOC Neonatologia, Dipartimento di Scienze Della Salute Della Donna, Del Bambino e di Sanità Pubblica, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome 00168, Italy
- UOC Neonatologia, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome 00168, Italy
| | - Giorgio Conti
- UOC Terapia Intensiva Pediatrica e Trauma Center Pediatrico, Dipartimento di Scienze Dell’Emergenza, Anestesiologiche e Della Rianimazione, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome 00168, Italy
- UOC Terapia Intensiva Pediatrica e Trauma Center Pediatrico, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome 00168, Italy
| | - Gabriele Sani
- UOC Psichiatria Clinica e d’Urgenza, Dipartimento di Scienze Dell’Invecchiamento, Neurologiche, Ortopediche e Della Testa-collo, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome 00168, Italy
- Department of Psychiatry, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome 00168, Italy
| | - Massimo Antonelli
- UOC Anestesia, Rianimazione, Terapia Intensiva e Tossicologia Clinica, Dipartimento di Scienze Dell’Emergenza, Anestesiologiche e Della Rianimazione, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome 00168, Italy
- Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome 00168, Italy
| | - Daniela Pia Rosaria Chieffo
- UOS Psicologia Clinica, Governo Clinico, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome 00168, Italy
- Department of Psychology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome 00168, Italy
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Löfgren C, Elmerstig E, Schröder J, Chollier M, Mehulić J, de Graaf H, Klapilova K, Tavares I, Briken P, Köse Ö, Nobre P, Štulhofer A. Changes in Intimacy and Sexuality During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Analysis of Data from a Survey on Partnered Individuals in Eight European Countries. SEXUALITY & CULTURE 2022; 27:693-714. [PMID: 36320864 PMCID: PMC9612596 DOI: 10.1007/s12119-022-10035-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
This qualitative study explores experiences of intimacy and sexuality during the first phase of the COVID-19 pandemic of 3357 participants from Croatia, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, France, Germany, Portugal, Sweden, and Turkey. Data were collected through open-ended questions within a survey on sexuality during the pandemic. Based on a reflexive thematic analysis three themes occurred. The first theme No change was described by 41% when summarizing their sex life during the pandemic. The second theme Positive change was experienced by 25%, and the third theme Negative change by 21%. An overarching theme then emerged as: "Still the same trajectories, but the pandemic could be a catalyst for improved or worsened sex- life." For those intimate partnered individuals who already had problems with intimacy and sexuality before the COVID-19 pandemic it seemed to remain the same or deteriorated throughout the pandemic. For those with positive experiences of intimacy and sexuality before the COVID-19 pandemic it remained the same or improved throughout the pandemic. These findings are relevant for researchers and clinicians in developing preventive and supportive interventions in the context of crisis and social isolation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Eva Elmerstig
- Faculty of Health and Society, Malmö University, Malmö, Sweden
- Centre for Sexology and Sexuality Studies, Malmö University, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Johanna Schröder
- Institute for Sex Research, Sexual Medicine, and Forensic Psychiatry, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- Department of Psychology, Medical School Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | | | - Jasmina Mehulić
- Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Hanneke de Graaf
- Rutgers, Dutch Centre of Expertise on Sexuality, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | | | - Inês Tavares
- Faculty of Psychology and Education Sciences, Center for Psychology at the University of Porto, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Peer Briken
- Institute for Sex Research, Sexual Medicine, and Forensic Psychiatry, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Özlem Köse
- Independent Relationship and Sex Researcher in Private Practice, Montreal, QC Canada
| | - Pedro Nobre
- Faculty of Psychology and Education Sciences, Center for Psychology at the University of Porto, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Aleksandar Štulhofer
- Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
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Sharp ML, Solomon N, Harrison V, Gribble R, Cramm H, Pike G, Fear NT. The mental health and wellbeing of spouses, partners and children of emergency responders: A systematic review. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0269659. [PMID: 35704626 PMCID: PMC9200352 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0269659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Emergency responders (ERs), often termed First Responders, such as police, fire and paramedic roles are exposed to occupational stressors including high workload, and exposure to trauma from critical incidents, both of which can affect their mental health and wellbeing. Little is known about the impact of the ER occupation on the mental health and wellbeing of their families. The aim of the current study was to investigate what mental health and wellbeing outcomes and experiences have been researched internationally in ER families, and to examine the prevalence and associated risk and protective factors of these outcomes. We conducted a systematic review in accordance with an a priori PROSPERO approved protocol (PROSPERO 2019 CRD42019134974). Forty-three studies were identified for inclusion. The majority of studies used a quantitative, cross-sectional design and were conducted in the United States; just over half assessed police/law enforcement families. Themes of topics investigated included: 1) Spousal/partner mental health and wellbeing; 2) Couple relationships; 3) Child mental health and wellbeing; 4) Family support and coping strategies; and 5) Positive outcomes. The review identified limited evidence regarding the prevalence of mental health and wellbeing outcomes. Family experiences and risk factors described were ER work-stress spillover negatively impacting spousal/partner wellbeing, couple relationships, and domestic violence. Traumatic exposure risk factors included concerns family had for the safety of their ER partner, the negative impact of an ER partners’ mental health problem on the couples’ communication and on family mental health outcomes. Protective factors included social support; however, a lack of organisational support for families was reported in some studies. Study limitations and future research needs are discussed. Progressing this area of research is important to improve knowledge of baseline needs of ER families to be able to target interventions, improve public health, and support ER’s operational effectiveness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie-Louise Sharp
- Department of Psychological Medicine, King’s Centre for Military Health Research, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
| | - Noa Solomon
- Care Quality Commission, London, United Kingdom
| | - Virginia Harrison
- Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, School of Psychology and Counselling, The Open University, London, United Kingdom
- The Centre for Policing Research and Learning, The Open University, London, United Kingdom
| | - Rachael Gribble
- Department of Psychological Medicine, King’s Centre for Military Health Research, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Heidi Cramm
- Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Rehabilitation Therapy, Queen’s University, Kingston, Canada
| | - Graham Pike
- Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, School of Psychology and Counselling, The Open University, London, United Kingdom
- The Centre for Policing Research and Learning, The Open University, London, United Kingdom
| | - Nicola T. Fear
- Department of Psychological Medicine, King’s Centre for Military Health Research, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
- Academic Department of Military Mental Health, Department of Psychological Medicine, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
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Zhu Y, Xie J, Yu Y. Effect of home isolation on domestic violence and divorce in China during COVID-19 pandemic. Psychiatry Res 2021; 306:114234. [PMID: 34655927 PMCID: PMC8514193 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2021.114234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2021] [Revised: 09/27/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yongjian Zhu
- School of Management, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China.
| | - Jingui Xie
- School of Management, Technical University of Munich, Heilbronn, Germany; Munich Data Science Institute, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany.
| | - Yugang Yu
- School of Management, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China.
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Mazza M, Caroppo E, Marano G, Chieffo D, Moccia L, Janiri D, Rinaldi L, Janiri L, Sani G. Caring for Mothers: A Narrative Review on Interpersonal Violence and Peripartum Mental Health. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18105281. [PMID: 34065628 PMCID: PMC8156346 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18105281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2021] [Revised: 05/13/2021] [Accepted: 05/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Interpersonal violence in the perinatal period is frequent and should be considered a prominent health issue due to the risk of escalation of violence and the significant impact on mothers' parenting after childbirth. Domestic violence during pregnancy can be associated with fatal and non-fatal adverse health outcomes due to the direct trauma to a pregnant woman's body and to the effect of stress on fetal growth and development. Emotional violence is a risk factor for prenatal and/or postpartum depression. Recent studies focusing on abusive situations during peripartum and possible preventive strategies were identified in PubMed/Medline, Scopus, Embase, and ScienceDirect. All of the available literature was retrospectively reviewed with a special attention to peer-reviewed publications from the last ten years. Results of the present narrative review suggest that perinatal health care professionals (general practitioners, gynecologists, obstetricians, psychologists, psychiatrists) should promptly detect interpersonal violence during and after pregnancy and provide health care for pregnant women. It seems pivotal to guarantee psychological care for abused women before, during, and after pregnancy in order to prevent the risk of depressive symptoms, other mental or physical sequelae, and mother-to-infant bonding failure. There is an urgent need for multifaceted interventions: programs should focus on several risk factors and should design tailored care pathways fitted to the specific needs of women and finalized to support them across the lifespan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marianna Mazza
- Department of Psychiatry, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario “Agostino Gemelli” IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy; (G.M.); (L.M.); (D.J.); (L.R.); (L.J.); (G.S.)
- Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy;
- Correspondence: or ; Tel.: +39-0630154122
| | - Emanuele Caroppo
- Department of Mental Health, Health Local Unit ASL ROMA 2, 00159 Rome, Italy;
| | - Giuseppe Marano
- Department of Psychiatry, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario “Agostino Gemelli” IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy; (G.M.); (L.M.); (D.J.); (L.R.); (L.J.); (G.S.)
- Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy;
| | - Daniela Chieffo
- Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy;
- Service of Clinical Psychology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario “Agostino Gemelli” IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Moccia
- Department of Psychiatry, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario “Agostino Gemelli” IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy; (G.M.); (L.M.); (D.J.); (L.R.); (L.J.); (G.S.)
- Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy;
| | - Delfina Janiri
- Department of Psychiatry, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario “Agostino Gemelli” IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy; (G.M.); (L.M.); (D.J.); (L.R.); (L.J.); (G.S.)
- Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy;
| | - Lucio Rinaldi
- Department of Psychiatry, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario “Agostino Gemelli” IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy; (G.M.); (L.M.); (D.J.); (L.R.); (L.J.); (G.S.)
- Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy;
| | - Luigi Janiri
- Department of Psychiatry, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario “Agostino Gemelli” IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy; (G.M.); (L.M.); (D.J.); (L.R.); (L.J.); (G.S.)
- Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy;
| | - Gabriele Sani
- Department of Psychiatry, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario “Agostino Gemelli” IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy; (G.M.); (L.M.); (D.J.); (L.R.); (L.J.); (G.S.)
- Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy;
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