Structural links from trait emotional intelligence to life satisfaction and depressive symptoms in women with breast cancer: post-traumatic responses as mediators.

PURPOSE: The diagnosis of a disease such as breast cancer (BC) can be experienced as a sudden, unexpected, and life-threatening event accompanied by considerable uncertainty. This experience can precipitate the development of post-traumatic symptoms and depression. Conversely, certain individuals exhibit the capacity to reframe this traumatic event and transform it into an opportunity for personal growth. Existing research shows that individuals with high trait emotional intelligence (trait EI) tend to experience fewer post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTS), and greater post-traumatic growth (PTG). The aim of this study was to investigate the interrelationship among these variables and specifically examine whether PTS and PTG play a mediating role between trait EI, depression, and life satisfaction. METHODS: Questionnaires were administered to 338 women with BC to assess trait EI, PTS, PTG, depression, and life satisfaction. RESULTS: Results highlighted that trait EI was negatively related to PTS and depression and positively related to PTG and life satisfaction. In addition, both PTS and PTG showed a mediating role in the relationship between trait EI, depression, and life satisfaction. This study highlights the close link between depressive symptoms and post-traumatic cognitions in women with BC. CONCLUSION: Current findings highlight links between trait EI, PTS, PTG, depressive symptoms, and life satisfaction. Clinicians could use these findings when developing interventions aimed at alleviating PTS, such as low mood and worry, and facilitating PTG. This study demonstrated that trait EI can reduce PTS and increase PTG, therefore it is important to include programs aimed at fostering trait EI.

The Dark Triad and Trait Emotional Intelligence as Predictors of Problematic Social Media use and Engagement: The Mediating Role of the Fear of Missing Out.

Objective: Problematic social media use is becoming a significant social and clinical concern, and there is growing research interest in the psychological factors involved, such as personality predispositions and the fear of missing out (FOMO). The present study investigated both the dark triad (DT, namely, narcissism, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy) and trait emotion intelligence (trait EI) in relation to the problematic use of technology and social media engagement and the mediating role of FOMO. Method: A total of 788 people between 18 and 35 years old (M = 24.22; SD = 3.91; 75% women) were surveyed. Results: The results showed that social media engagement was positively related to problematic social media use and negatively related to trait EI. In addition, problematic social media use was positively related to DT and negatively related to trait EI. Fear of missing out was positively related to social media engagement, problematic social media use, and DT, and negatively related to trait EI. Fear of missing out had a mediating effect on the relationship between personality dimensions, problematic social media use, and social media engagement. Conclusions: The extent to which personality traits may underpin problematic use of social media and the practical implications of the findings are discussed.

Pathways from Trait Emotional Intelligence to factors of distress in Rosacea: The mediating role of Social Phobia and Self-Esteem.

BACKGROUND: Rosacea is a skin disease characterized by facial erythema and inflammatory pustules that may result in emotional distress. Social Phobia and Self-Esteem appear to be linked to the development of higher levels of distress in dermatological conditions, while Trait Emotional Intelligence (Trait EI) has been consistently associated with greater levels of adaptation to one's chronic condition. Hence, it seems extremely relevant to observe the interplay between these dimensions in the context of Rosacea. The goal of the current study is to test the hypothesis that an association between Trait EI and General Distress, in individuals with Rosacea would be mediated by Self-Esteem and Social Phobia. METHODS: Questionnaires were administered to 224 individuals suffering from Rosacea to assess Trait EI, Social Phobia, Self-Esteem, and General Distress. RESULTS: Results highlighted that Trait EI was positively related to Self-Esteem and negatively related to Social Phobia and General Distress. In addition, both Self-Esteem and Social Phobia showed a mediating role in the relationship between Trait EI and General Distress. LIMITATIONS: The main limitations of this work consist in the cross-sectional nature of the data, the small number of participants, also it was not possible to differentiate the participants according to the type of rosacea. DISCUSSION: These results emphasize how individuals with Rosacea may be vulnerable to internalizing states and how high levels of Trait EI may constitute a protective factor for the onset of distressing states and it would be useful to create programs aimed at fostering Trait EI in Rosacea sufferers.

"Illness perceptions and factors of distress as mediators between trait emotional intelligence and quality of life in endometriosis".

Past findings highlighted the presence of distress symptoms and poor quality of life in people with endometriosis. Several studies showed that trait Emotional Intelligence (trait EI) is a key component of one's wellbeing, whilst Illness Perceptions may play an important role in psychological distress and perceived quality of life. The current study sought to test the hypothesis that an association between trait EI and Quality of Life in individuals with endometriosis would be mediated by Illness Perceptions, examining also the relations with General Distress (depression, anxiety, and stress). 364 women with endometriosis aged between 18 and 58 years old (M = 33.87; SD = 8.64) filled a protocol to assess Trait EI, Illness Perceptions, General Distress, and Quality of Life. Structural Equation Modelling was used to assess the relationship between the observed variables. Illness Perception was a mediator in the relationship between Trait EI, General Distress, and Quality of Life. Moreover, General Distress was a mediator between Trait EI and Quality of Life, and between Illness Perceptions and Quality of Life. Results showed that both Trait EI and Illness perceptions are key components for levels of distress and quality of life in women with endometriosis.

Trait emotional intelligence and quality of life in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: Dysmorphic concerns and general distress as mediators.

OBJECTIVE: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disorder among women. It is characterised by a variety of symptoms that can seriously impair one's health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Dysmorphic concerns and general distress appear to be related to the development of HRQoL issues, whilst trait emotional intelligence (trait EI) has been significantly linked to better adaptability to chronic conditions. The present study sought to test the hypothesis that an association between trait EI and HRQoL in individuals with PCOS would be mediated by dysmorphic concerns and to examine their relationship with general distress (depression, anxiety, and stress). METHODS: Questionnaires were administered to 478 individuals with PCOS to analyse trait EI, dysmorphic concerns, general distress, and HRQoL. RESULTS: The results indicated that trait EI was negatively associated with dysmorphic concerns and general distress; dysmorphic concerns were positively related to general distress; dysmorphic concerns and general distress were negatively related to HRQoL; and dysmorphic concerns and general distress had a mediating role in the relationship between trait EI and HRQoL. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that individuals with PCOS may have a lower HRQoL and high levels of trait EI may represent a protective factor against poor HRQoL. The implications for clinical practice are discussed.

Emotion recognition in individuals wearing facemasks: a preliminary analysis of age-related differences.

COVID-19 is severely affecting individuals' lives worldwide. Previous research warned that facial occlusion may impair facial emotion recognition, whilst other findings suggested that age-related differences may be relevant in emotion recognition in others' faces. However, studies observing individuals' ability to interpret others' facial mimicry are heterogenous, thus precluding the generalizability of the findings. This preliminary study examined age-related differences and the influence of different covering types (with and without face masks) in determining different levels of facial emotion recognition. 131 participants were split into 3 age-groups (10-14; 15-17; 20-25) and were asked to complete an emotion recognition task. Participants were better able to recognize facial emotions without any occlusion, and happiness was the most recognizable emotion. Moreover, adolescent group performed better in recognizing anger and fear in stimuli depicting masked and unmasked faces. Current results suggest the importance of monitoring emotion recognition abilities in developing individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Reflective functioning and Alexithymia as mediators between attachment and psychopathology symptoms: cross-sectional evidence in a community sample.

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.

Body mass index and quality of life in individuals with polycystic ovary syndrome: Dysmorphic concerns and eating disorders as mediators.

Objective: Weight issues, dysmorphic concerns and eating disorders are common among individuals with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and are linked to poor quality of life (QoL). The goal of the current study was to examine whether the association between body mass index (BMI) and QoL was mediated by dysmorphic concerns, examining also the relations with eating disorder symptomatology. Methods: Questionnaires were administered to 435 individuals with PCOS aged between 18 and 40 years (M = 27.62; SD = 4.83) to measure dysmorphic concerns, eating disorder symptoms and QoL. Participants were also asked to report their height and weight to compute their BMI. Results: Structural equation modeling was used to observe the relationship between the variables. The results revealed a direct relationship between QoL, BMI, dysmorphic concerns and eating disorder symptomatology. In addition, dysmorphic concerns were related to BMI and eating disorder symptomatology. Furthermore, the results showed the mediating role of dysmorphic concerns and eating disorder symptoms in the relationship between BMI and QoL. Conclusion: The current results highlight the potential importance of harmful relationships with one's own body and food, explaining why weight issues may be linked to different levels of QoL in PCOS individuals. The implications of these findings are discussed.

Suicidal Behaviours During Covid-19 Pandemic: A Review.

Objective: Novel COVID-19 disease has become a major concern worldwide, and a recent line of research warned that the context of the COVID-19 pandemic may be a major risk factor for developing severe suicidal behaviors. A broad systematic review is needed to cover the studies that have already assessed the potential underlying factors for suicidal behaviors in the context of the COVID-19 outbreak. Method: A total of 52 studies met the inclusion criteria, and data were then described according to the subsequent categories: (1) countries where the studies were carried out; (2) factors impacting suicidal behaviors during the COVID-19 outbreak; and (3) examination of the observed populations. Results: Findings of the current systematic review suggest that there is a certain amount of heterogeneity in factors impacting suicidal behaviors during the COVID-19 outbreak, with economic downturn, psychiatric vulnerability, isolation and quarantine, health concerns, and relational difficulties being the most prominent reasons for developing suicidal behaviors during the COVID-19 outbreak. Conclusions: Timely interventions are needed to prevent suicidal behaviors in both the clinical and general populations, and in this regard, the creation of standard procedures may speed up the process.

Healthy and binge eating behaviours: the motivational processes underlying peer pressure.

The WHOunderlined the importance of a healthy diet for the psychophysical well-being of the person. Self Determination Theory highlighted how the interaction between contextual, such as peer pressure, and motivational factors play a fundamental role in promoting healthy eating habits. The present study aims to assess if peer pressure affects eating habits and binge eating through the mediation of motivation. Questionnaires were administered to 588 young-adults aged between 18 and 24 years (M = 20.56, DS = 1.78) in the Italian context. Results suggest that Peer Pressure predicted Controlled Motivation and Autonomous Motivation, and that motivation predicted Eating Behaviors and Binge Eating. In addition, Peer Pressure also has a direct effect on Binge Eating. The results confirm the importance of investigating contextual and motivational factors in the area of prevention and intervention in eating habits.

The relationship between alexithymia, defense mechanisms, eating disorders, anxiety and depression.

INTRODUCTION: Research suggests that alexithymia is a significant element for emotion processing, while defense mechanisms proved to be important factors for adjusting to stressful life events and to cope with potential psychopathologies. AIMS: The aims of the present study are to examine the relationships between alexithymia, defense mechanisms, depression, anxiety and eating disorders and to examine the mediation role of defense mechanisms in the relation between alexithymia and anxiety, depression and eating disorders. MATERIAL: In a sample of 283 subjects, aged 18-49 (M=2.33, DS=4.81), instruments were administered to measure alexithymia, defense mechanisms, depression, anxiety and eating disorders. RESULTS: This study showed that alexithymia was positively related to anxiety, depression, general psychological maladjustment, eating disorder risk, maladaptive style defense mechanisms, image-distorting style defense mechanisms, self-sacrificing style defense mechanisms, whereas it was negatively related to Mature Style Defense Mechanisms. Implications of the findings are discussed.