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Civilotti C, Dennis JL, Acquadro Maran D, Margola D. When Love Just Ends: An Investigation of the Relationship Between Dysfunctional Behaviors, Attachment Styles, Gender, and Education Shortly After a Relationship Dissolution. Front Psychol 2021; 12:662237. [PMID: 34168592 PMCID: PMC8217834 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.662237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2021] [Accepted: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Much information is known about the long-term consequences of separation and divorce, whereas there is a paucity of studies about the short-term consequences of such experiences. This study investigates the adoption of dysfunctional behaviors (e.g., insistent telephone calls and text messages, verbal threats, and sending unwanted objects) shortly after a relationship dissolution. A total of 136 participants who declared to have been left by their former partner in the previous 6 months were included in this study (i.e., females: n = 84; males: n = 52; mean age = 30.38; SD = 4.19). Attachment styles were evaluated as explanatory variables when facing a relationship dissolution, in connection with a set of (1) demographic variables (i.e., gender, education, and current marital/relationship status), (2) dysfunctional behaviors, and (3) motivations on the basis of those behaviors. Results showed that a secure or dismissing attachment style, a higher education, and currently married (but awaiting separation) status were the protective factors in adopting such dysfunctional behaviors, while the preoccupied and fearful-avoidant subjects, especially females, tended to adopt dysfunctional behaviors (i.e., communication attempts and defamation) and reported fear of abandonment and need for attention as underlying motivations. Future study on longitudinal aspects of the relationship dissolution processes is required to have deeper insights into this phenomenon. This study sheds light on the relationship between adult attachment styles and the motivations behind the adoption of dysfunctional behaviors after a relationship dissolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Civilotti
- Department of Psychology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
- Istituto Universitario Salesiano, Turin, Italy
| | - John Lawrence Dennis
- Department of Philosophy, Social & Human Sciences and Education, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
- Centre for Higher Education Internationalisation, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Davide Margola
- Department of Psychology, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Milan, Italy
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Caruso R, Nanni MG, Rodin G, Hales S, Malfitano C, De Padova S, Bertelli T, Murri MB, Bovero A, Miniotti M, Leombruni P, Zerbinati L, Sabato S, Grassi L. Effectiveness of a brief manualized intervention, Managing Cancer and Living Meaningfully (CALM), adapted to the Italian cancer care setting: Study protocol for a single-blinded randomized controlled trial. Contemp Clin Trials Commun 2020; 20:100661. [PMID: 33089003 PMCID: PMC7566943 DOI: 10.1016/j.conctc.2020.100661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2020] [Revised: 08/29/2020] [Accepted: 10/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Patients with advanced cancer suffer from psychosocial distress that may impair quality of life and that may be ameliorated by psychotherapeutic treatment. We describe here the methodology of a randomized controlled trial (RCT) to assess the effectiveness of a novel, brief, semi-structured psychotherapeutic intervention to reduce distress and increase well-being in patients with advanced or metastatic cancer. The intervention, called Managing Cancer and Living Meaningfully (CALM), was originally developed in Canada and we are now testing its Italian adaptation (CALM-IT). The study is a single-blinded phase III RCT with assessment at baseline, 3 and 6 months with two conditions: CALM-IT versus a nonspecific supportive intervention (SPI). Eligibility criteria include: ≥ 18 years of age; fluency in the Italian language; no cognitive deficit, and diagnosis of advanced or metastatic cancer with an expected survival of 12–18 months. CALM-IT includes up to 12 sessions, delivered over 6 months and covers 4 domains: i) Symptom Management and Communication with Health Care Providers; ii) Changes in Self and Relations with Close Others; iii) Sense of Meaning and Purpose; and iv) the Future and Mortality. The primary outcome is difference in severity of depressive symptoms between treatment arm and the primary endpoint is 6 months. The secondary endpoint is 3 months and secondary outcomes are: generalized anxiety, distress about dying and death, demoralization, spiritual well-being, attachment security, posttraumatic growth, communication with partners, quality of life, and satisfaction with clinical care. If shown to be effective, CALM-IT can be implemented nationally to relieve distress and to promote psychological well-being in patients with advanced cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosangela Caruso
- Institute of Psychiatry, Department of Biomedical and Specialty Surgical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.,University Hospital Psychiatry Unit, Program on Psycho-Oncology and Psychiatry in Palliative Care, Integrated Department of Mental Health and Addictive Disorders, Health Trust and University S. Anna Hospital, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Maria Giulia Nanni
- Institute of Psychiatry, Department of Biomedical and Specialty Surgical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.,University Hospital Psychiatry Unit, Program on Psycho-Oncology and Psychiatry in Palliative Care, Integrated Department of Mental Health and Addictive Disorders, Health Trust and University S. Anna Hospital, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Gary Rodin
- Department of Supportive Care, Princess Margaret Cancer Center, University Health Network, 16th Floor, 610 University Avenue, Toronto, ON M5G 2M9, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, 8th Floor, 250 College Street, Toronto, ON M5T 1R8, Canada
| | - Sarah Hales
- Department of Supportive Care, Princess Margaret Cancer Center, University Health Network, 16th Floor, 610 University Avenue, Toronto, ON M5G 2M9, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, 8th Floor, 250 College Street, Toronto, ON M5T 1R8, Canada
| | - Carmine Malfitano
- Department of Supportive Care, Princess Margaret Cancer Center, University Health Network, 16th Floor, 610 University Avenue, Toronto, ON M5G 2M9, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, 8th Floor, 250 College Street, Toronto, ON M5T 1R8, Canada
| | - Silvia De Padova
- Psycho-Oncology Unit, Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per Lo Studio e La Cura Dei Tumori (IRST), IRCCS, Meldola, Italy
| | - Tatiana Bertelli
- Psycho-Oncology Unit, Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per Lo Studio e La Cura Dei Tumori (IRST), IRCCS, Meldola, Italy
| | - Martino Belvederi Murri
- Institute of Psychiatry, Department of Biomedical and Specialty Surgical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.,University Hospital Psychiatry Unit, Program on Psycho-Oncology and Psychiatry in Palliative Care, Integrated Department of Mental Health and Addictive Disorders, Health Trust and University S. Anna Hospital, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Andrea Bovero
- Clinical Psychology Unit, Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, "Città Della Salute e Della Scienza" Hospital, Turin, Italy
| | - Marco Miniotti
- Clinical Psychology Unit, Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, "Città Della Salute e Della Scienza" Hospital, Turin, Italy
| | - Paolo Leombruni
- Clinical Psychology Unit, Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, "Città Della Salute e Della Scienza" Hospital, Turin, Italy
| | - Luigi Zerbinati
- Institute of Psychiatry, Department of Biomedical and Specialty Surgical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Silvana Sabato
- Institute of Psychiatry, Department of Biomedical and Specialty Surgical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Luigi Grassi
- Institute of Psychiatry, Department of Biomedical and Specialty Surgical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.,University Hospital Psychiatry Unit, Program on Psycho-Oncology and Psychiatry in Palliative Care, Integrated Department of Mental Health and Addictive Disorders, Health Trust and University S. Anna Hospital, Ferrara, Italy
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Maran DA, Loera B, D'Argenio A. Health Care Professionals' Knowledge of Stalking Perpetrators, Victims, Behaviors, and Coping Strategies: A Preliminary Study among Italian Hospitals. ScientificWorldJournal 2019; 2019:9190431. [PMID: 31736676 PMCID: PMC6815525 DOI: 10.1155/2019/9190431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2019] [Revised: 09/19/2019] [Accepted: 09/24/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate health care professionals' level of in-depth understanding about the various types and characteristics of stalking. In particular, the study examines knowledge on the characteristics of stalkers and their victims, acted behaviors, and coping strategies used to stop the harassment. The data were collected by means of an ad hoc questionnaire. The sample comprised 210 participants working in local health units in Turin, a large city located in the northern part of Italy. The majority were women (160, 76.2%). The participants were aged 20-64 years, and the mean age was 41.63 years (SD = 11.18). The majority of participants were psychologists (99, 47.1%), 31 (14.8%) were nurses, 31 (14.8%) had an unspecified medical profession, 29 (13.8%) were psychiatrists, and 20 (9.5%) were general practitioners. According to the findings, interventions with male victims of stalking, especially when the stalker is a woman, require attention in particular. Underestimating the stalking experience is a risk, so health care professionals in their interventions must explain to the men the emotive and physical consequences of the victimization. Moreover, in suggesting coping strategies, health care professionals must consider the victim's fear of reporting the incident not only to law enforcement authorities but also to family and friends. The findings showed that health care professionals need a better understanding of the stalking phenomenon. Education courses are a valuable tool to identify characteristics of the phenomenon, validate existing knowledge, and decrease the level of missing information to develop the skills needed to take appropriate action in cases of stalking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Acquadro Maran
- Work and Organizational Well-being Research Group, Department of Psychology, University of Torino, Via Verdi 10-10124 Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Barbara Loera
- Department of Psychology, University of Torino, Via Verdi 10-10124, Turin, Italy
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