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Ali M, Veneziani G, Aquilanti I, Wamser-Nanney R, Lai C. Overcoming the civil wars: the role of attachment styles between the impact of war and psychological symptoms and post-traumatic growth among Libyan citizens. Eur J Psychotraumatol 2023; 14:2287952. [PMID: 38088170 PMCID: PMC10993805 DOI: 10.1080/20008066.2023.2287952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Civil wars in Libya have impacted the mental health of the general population. The ways in which individuals cope with traumatic events are influenced by several psychological variables.Objectives: The present study aimed to investigate how post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) are associated with psychological symptoms and post-traumatic growth (PTG), and to evaluate the role of avoidant and anxious attachment dimensions as mediators in these associations, among Libyan citizens.Method: Three-hundred participants (147 females; age 31.0 ± 8.4 years) completed the Impact of Event Scale - Revised, Experiences in Close Relationships, Patient Health Questionnaire, and Post-traumatic Growth Inventory - Short Form.Results: The structural equation model revealed that insecure attachment dimensions mediated the association between PTSS and psychological symptoms and PTG. PTSS were positively associated with psychological symptoms, PTG, and both insecure attachment dimensions. Insecure attachment dimensions were positively associated with psychological symptoms and negatively with PTG.Conclusion: The present findings contribute to growing empirical research on the roles of insecure attachment dimensions in the association between the impact of war, psychological symptoms, and PTG.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Ali
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, and Health Studies, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Giorgio Veneziani
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, and Health Studies, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Ilaria Aquilanti
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, and Health Studies, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Carlo Lai
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, and Health Studies, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
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Tanzilli A, Trentini C, Grecucci A, Carone N, Ciacchella C, Lai C, Sabogal-Rueda MD, Lingiardi V. Therapist reactions to patient personality: A pilot study of clinicians’ emotional and neural responses using three clinical vignettes from in treatment series. Front Hum Neurosci 2022; 16:1037486. [DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2022.1037486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
IntroductionTherapists’ responses to patients play a crucial role in psychotherapy and are considered a key component of the patient–clinician relationship, which promotes successful treatment outcomes. To date, no empirical research has ever investigated therapist response patterns to patients with different personality disorders from a neuroscience perspective.MethodsIn the present study, psychodynamic therapists (N = 14) were asked to complete a battery of instruments (including the Therapist Response Questionnaire) after watching three videos showing clinical interactions between a therapist and three patients with narcissistic, histrionic/borderline, and depressive personality disorders, respectively. Subsequently, participants’ high-density electroencephalography (hdEEG) was recorded as they passively viewed pictures of the patients’ faces, which were selected from the still images of the previously shown videos. Supervised machine learning (ML) was used to evaluate whether: (1) therapists’ responses predicted which patient they observed during the EEG task and whether specific clinician reactions were involved in distinguishing between patients with different personality disorders (using pairwise comparisons); and (2) therapists’ event-related potentials (ERPs) predicted which patient they observed during the laboratory experiment and whether distinct ERP components allowed this forecast.ResultsThe results indicated that therapists showed distinct patterns of criticized/devalued and sexualized reactions to visual depictions of patients with different personality disorders, at statistically systematic and clinically meaningful levels. Moreover, therapists’ late positive potentials (LPPs) in the hippocampus were able to determine which patient they observed during the EEG task, with high accuracy.DiscussionThese results, albeit preliminary, shed light on the role played by therapists’ memory processes in psychotherapy. Clinical and neuroscience implications of the empirical investigation of therapist responses are discussed.
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Altavilla D, Adornetti I, Chiera A, Deriu V, Acciai A, Ferretti F. Introspective self-narrative modulates the neuronal response during the emphatic process: an event-related potentials (ERPs) study. Exp Brain Res 2022; 240:2725-2738. [PMID: 36066588 DOI: 10.1007/s00221-022-06441-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Empathy is the ability to perceive and understand others' emotional states generating a similar mental state in the self. Previous behavioural studies have shown that self-reflection can enhance the empathic process. The present event-related potentials' study aims to investigate whether self-reflection, elicited by an introspective self-narrative task, modulates the neuronal response to eye expressions and improves the accuracy of empathic process. The 29 participants included in the final sample were divided into two groups: an introspection group (IG) (n = 15), who received an introspective writing task, and a control group (CG) (n = 14), who completed a not-introspective writing task. For both groups, the electroencephalographic and behavioural responses to images depicting eye expressions taken from the "Reading the Mind in the Eyes" Theory of Mind test were recorded pre- (T0) and post- (T1) 7 days of writing. The main result showed that only the IG presented a different P300 amplitude in response to eye expressions at T1 compared to T0 on the left centre-frontal montage. No significant results on accuracy at T1 compared to T0 were found. These findings seem to suggest that the introspective writing task modulates attention and implicit evaluation of the socio-emotional stimuli. Results are discussed with reference to the hypothesis that such neuronal modulation is linked to an increase in the embodied simulation process underlying affective empathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Altavilla
- Cosmic Lab, Department of Philosophy, Communication and Performing Arts, "Roma Tre" University, Via Ostiense, 234 00146, Rome, Italy.
| | - Ines Adornetti
- Cosmic Lab, Department of Philosophy, Communication and Performing Arts, "Roma Tre" University, Via Ostiense, 234 00146, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandra Chiera
- Cosmic Lab, Department of Philosophy, Communication and Performing Arts, "Roma Tre" University, Via Ostiense, 234 00146, Rome, Italy
| | - Valentina Deriu
- Cosmic Lab, Department of Philosophy, Communication and Performing Arts, "Roma Tre" University, Via Ostiense, 234 00146, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandro Acciai
- Cosmic Lab, Department of Philosophy, Communication and Performing Arts, "Roma Tre" University, Via Ostiense, 234 00146, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Ferretti
- Cosmic Lab, Department of Philosophy, Communication and Performing Arts, "Roma Tre" University, Via Ostiense, 234 00146, Rome, Italy
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Lai C, Ciacchella C, Altavilla D, Veneziani G, Aceto P, Cecchini M, Luciani M. Attachment style dimensions are associated with neural activation during projection of mental states. Front Hum Neurosci 2022; 16:899418. [PMID: 35992957 PMCID: PMC9387349 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2022.899418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to investigate the association between attachment dimensions and neural correlates in response to the Rorschach inkblots. Twenty-seven healthy volunteers were recruited for the electroencephalographic registration during a visual presentation of the Rorschach inkblots and polygonal shapes. The Attachment Style Questionnaire (ASQ) was administered to participants. Correlations between the ASQ scores and standardized low-resolution brain electromagnetic tomography (sLORETA) intensities were performed. The Rorschach inkblots elicited several projective responses greater than the polygonal shapes (distortions, human and total movements, and embellishments). Only during the Rorschach inkblots presentation, discomfort with closeness and relationships as secondary subscales were negatively correlated with the activation of right hippocampus, parahippocampus, amygdala, and insula; need for approval subscale was negatively correlated with the activation of orbital and prefrontal cortex and left hippocampus. Moreover, the correlations between attachment dimensions and neural activation during the Rorschach inkblots were significantly higher compared to the same correlations in response to polygonal shapes. These findings suggest that attachment style can modulate brain activation during the projective activity of the Rorschach inkblots.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlo Lai
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, and Health Studies, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- *Correspondence: Carlo Lai,
| | - Chiara Ciacchella
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, and Health Studies, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Daniela Altavilla
- Department of Philosophy, Communication and Performing Arts, Roma Tre University, Rome, Italy
| | - Giorgio Veneziani
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, and Health Studies, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Paola Aceto
- Department of Emergency, Anesthesiological and Reanimation Sciences, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- Department of Basic Biotechnological Sciences, Intensive Care and Perioperative Clinics, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Cecchini
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, and Health Studies, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
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Barberis N, Cannavò M, Calaresi D, Verrastro V. Reflective functioning and Alexithymia as mediators between attachment and psychopathology symptoms: cross-sectional evidence in a community sample. PSYCHOL HEALTH MED 2022; 28:1251-1262. [PMID: 35193443 DOI: 10.1080/13548506.2022.2045331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
This study sought to examine the role of Reflective Functioning and Alexithymia as mediators in the association between Attachment and Psychopathology. Questionnaires were administered to 1099 adults aged between 18 and 30 years. Results showed relations between Attachment Anxiety, Reflective Functioning, Alexithymia and Psychopathology. Moreover, Alexithymia was a mediator between Attachment, Reflective Functioning and Psychopathology.Current results provided evidence of the role of both Reflective Functioning and Alexithymia in the relationship between Attachment and Psychopathology. Implications are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadia Barberis
- Dipartimento Di Scienze Della Salute, Università Degli Studi Magna Graecia Di Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Marco Cannavò
- Dipartimento Di Scienze Della Salute, Università Degli Studi Magna Graecia Di Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Danilo Calaresi
- Dipartimento Di Medicina Clinica E Sperimentale, Università Degli Studi Di Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Valeria Verrastro
- Dipartimento Di Scienze Della Salute, Università Degli Studi Magna Graecia Di Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
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Lai C, Ciacchella C, Pellicano GR, Altavilla D, Sambucini D, Paolucci T, Sorgi ML, Di Franco M, Saggini R, Aceto P. Different Electrophysiological Responses to Pain-Related Visual Stimuli Between Fibromyalgia and Chronic low Back Pain Women: A Pilot Case-Control Study. CHRONIC STRESS (THOUSAND OAKS, CALIF.) 2021; 5:24705470211046881. [PMID: 34988344 PMCID: PMC8723168 DOI: 10.1177/24705470211046881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain syndrome which occurs in the absence of an organic damage, whom causes is still unclear. Aims of this pilot study were to investigate the neural correlates of fibromyalgia in response to pain-related visual stimuli and explore the psychological differences among fibromyalgia, chronic low back pain (CLBP) and healthy conditions. METHODS After a clinical assessment, electrophysiological responses to pain-related visual stimuli were recorded using a 256-Hydrocel Geodesic-Sensor-Net. Event-related potentials (ERPs), standardised low-resolution electromagnetic tomography (sLORETA), and psychological (Symptom Checklist-90-Revised) data were analysed for a total sample of 23 women (5 healthy volunteers, 12 fibromyalgia patients, 6 CLBP patients). RESULTS The main finding was that fibromyalgia women reported a different brain response to pain-related visual stimuli on the frontal montage compared to women with CLBP (p = .028). Moreover, fibromyalgia women showed an increased activity mainly on the hippocampus (p = .003) and the posterior cingulate cortex (p ≤ .001) in response to algic stimuli compared to not algic ones. Lastly, these women presented higher scores on the somatization (p = .002), obsession-compulsion (p = .045), depression (p = .043) and positive symptom distress (p = .023) dimensions compared to the healthy women. CONCLUSIONS These preliminary results suggest that although the painful symptoms are similar, the central elaboration of pain could be different between women with fibromyalgia and those with CLBP. Moreover, these findings provide preliminary evidences about the great alert and the central sensitivity to pain-related information regarding fibromyalgia patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlo Lai
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical
Psychology, and Health Studies, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Chiara Ciacchella
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical
Psychology, and Health Studies, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Gaia Romana Pellicano
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical
Psychology, and Health Studies, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Daniela Altavilla
- Department of Philosophy, Communication
and Performing Arts, “Roma Tre” University, Rome, Italy
| | - Daniela Sambucini
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical
Psychology, and Health Studies, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Teresa Paolucci
- Department of Oral and Biotechnological
Biomedical Sciences, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of G.
D'Annunzio of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Maria Laura Sorgi
- Department of Clinical and Molecular
Medicine, Sant' Andrea University Hospital, Sapienza University
of, Rome, Italy
| | - Manuela Di Franco
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Internal Medicine and Medical
Specialties, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
| | - Raoul Saggini
- Department of Oral and Biotechnological
Biomedical Sciences, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of G.
D'Annunzio of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Paola Aceto
- Department of Emergency,
anesthesiological and reanimation sciences, Fondazione Policlinico
Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- Department of Basic Biotechnological
Sciences, Intensive Care and Perioperative Clinics, University of Sacred
Heart, Rome, Italy
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